Monthly Archives: January 2012
No More Brazilian Blowouts… In Brazil??
Hello Everyone! While the Brazilian Blowout is still going strong among American women, There seems to be a new hair trend in Brazil for women with naturally curly hair! I think this is a great thing, because there have been a lot of stories in the news lately describing the discrimination that goes on against women who choose not to straighten their hair. From stares and jeers on the street to threatening conversations on the job, Brazil doesn’t really seem to be the most welcoming place to be if you’re a woman with curly hair. Now, however, there is a new salon emerging in Brazil called Beleza Natural, which specializes ONLY in natural hair. Check out the story on the salons and their owner Leila Velez here!
In case you didn’t click the link, here’s the synopsis:
Leila was 14 and working at a Mc’Donalds when she and a co-worker got the entrepreneurial urge. They teamed up with a beautician and her husband and opened their first salon in 1993. Twelve years and TWELVE SALONS LATER (let’s just pause there. TWELVE salons later? Sista girl was putting in WERK wasn’t she? Let me go get my hustle together!), The Beleza Natural salons have 1400 employees and have taken over the natural hair scene in Brazil.
Customers of Beleza Natural begin their visit with a hair consultation, then receive Beleza Natural’s special “Super Relaxer” treatment (put a pin in that, we WILL be back), then get a hair cut, after which a beauty consultant educates them on how to care for their hair until the next visit. Finally, the visit ends at the register where clients can buy Beleza Naturals hair products which are customized for different hair types and formulated to last EXACTLY 30 days until the next visit.
Beleza Natural salons do sponsor community activities and education programs, and provide benefits for their employees from day one, many of whom are young single mothers. Leila is already plotting on becoming international. She says, “We’ve already chosen the street in New York where we’re going to open our first salon in the US. In Harlem on 125th Street, where the Apollo Theater is. Right there,” .
Welp! We can’t knock her hustle, obvious business savvy, and determination, but I just have one question. What EXACTLY is in this ‘Super Relaxer’? The article says that Beleza Natural salons have 87,000 converts A MONTH, and that’s only for their Super Relaxer treatment. So to get the scoop, I went to their website. It was in Portuguese, so I let Google translate it for me. All I was able to tell from the badly translated posts was that the Super Relaxer was a chemical treatment, that apparently defines curls. So, is it a texturizer?? Someone HALP! All I have to go on is this picture:
I get it, everyone is happy. But what exactly is IN a Super Relaxer?
Despite my confusion surrounding their star hair treatment, it is good to see that more Brazilian women are able to feel comfortable rocking curly hair! What are your thoughts on Beleza Natural salons? What about the mysterious ‘Super Relaxer’? Let me know in the Comments!
‘Fro Fashion Week Is Here!!
Hello Everyone!! *Screams* ‘Fro Fashion Week is here!! This will be my first time going, and I couldn’t be more excited!! If you’re just hearing about it, ‘Fro Fashion Week, it’s a semi-annual event (Fall and Spring) held in Atlanta and organized by Naturally Me Media. It takes place over a weekend, featuring vendors, workshops, demonstrations, a penthouse party, and a fashion show finale! This year it is from February 1-5. Check out their website for more information!
Now, in more related news, a new documentary about natural hair will be screening for the FIRST TIME at ‘Fro Fashion Week, and yours truly will be moderating the discussion! *fist pump* The documentary, titled Naturally Natural, was filmed and produced by Queen of Respect My Crown Productions. I’ve seen the film already, (I got privileges y’all… ) and it is WONDERFUL! I love it, and I know you all will too! After the screening, there will be a discussion panel with Leah Lorraine of Atlanta Naturally Fierce, Faatimah Muhammad of Afrodisiac Natural Hair And Wellness Salon, and natural hair model, Tika Sheppard! We’ll be discussing all things hair, health, and community!
I really hope you all will be able to attend if you’ll be at ‘Fro Fashion Week! I CAN’T WAIT!!! Check out the Trailer and flyer below for more information!
The Review Crew: Judith Reviews Sister’s Keeper!
1.) Introduce yourself! (name, what do you do, how long and why did you go natural)
My name is Judith Rosena. I am a doctoral student in a biomedical science program. I’ve been natural since May 1st, 20011. I went natural because I found strength and empowerment in embracing natural BLACK beauty as it is.
2.) Please describe your hair for us! (texture, length, thick/thin, any problems with dryness, dandruff, etc)
I have 4b/4c textured curls that are about 4 inches long, and very thick. I do have dry hair but deep conditioning on a regular basis keeps it moisturized. I would describe my skin as normal no eczema or problems with dryness/oiliness
3.) First off, what is the product’s smell/consistency?
Black soap: solid bar, dark brown color, feels like a soft sponge when wet. Has a very light scent (just smells like soap)
Goats Milk soap: Solid bar, light cream color, very soft. Smells lightly sweet
Paradise body oil: Clear oil, smells sweet, feels soft and smooth on skin.
Styling Butter: Pomade like consistency, thick and creamy with little sugar crystal looking dots in it.
4.) How did you use this product?
Black soap: I mainly used the black soap on my face and for my hair. It lathers up very quickly so you don’t have to use a lot.
Goat’s milk soap: I used this as shower soap for my body.
Paradise body oil: Right after a shower with my skin still damp I used this oil as a moisturizer on my entire body (excluding my face).
So Chic Hair butter: I used the styling butter after washing and deep conditioning my hair for a twist out style.
5.) Did the product meet its claims? How did your hair/scalp feel afterward? Describe any positive/negative effects.
Goat’s milk soap: It left my skin feeling silky smooth to the touch.
Black soap: It cleansed my hair, scalp and skin very well without leaving it extremely dry. I could feel my curl pattern as I washed it with the black soap. My hair was not dry or brittle after I used the black soap on it.
Paradise body oil: It was very effective at moisturizing and leaving my skin feeling extremely smooth and smelling sweet. It was a little too greasy for my liking so I mixed it with some Jergens lotion.
So Chic Hair butter: This product did not give me enough moisture or shine. I had to use a leave in conditioner styling cream in combination with it, however it does smell amazing.
6.) Would you buy this product, and use it again?
I would buy the goat’s milk soap, black soap, and paradise body oil again.
7.) Any final info you’d like to add?
These products smell amazing!!!!!!!!! I totally dig the fact that they are all completely natural products.
The Review Crew: Kenda Reviews Sister’s Keeper!
1.) Introduce yourself! (name, what do you do, how long and why did you go natural)
Hi! I’m Kenda! By day, I work as a buyer for a luxury hotel and by night (or early morning) I’m a fitness blogger at www.lgifit.com *PLUG*
I have been natural for a year on July 23rd. I transitioned for three years before I big chopped because of my daughter Mia.
2.) Please describe your hair for us! (texture, length, thick/thin, any problems with dryness, dandruff, etc)
My hair is very thick with medium-tight coils. To use a scale I am 4b/4c. I am transitioning out of the TWA stage so I feel it is at an awkward length! I have had severe dry scalp/psoriasis and have yet to find a product that helps the dryness for an adequate amount of time
3.) First off, what is the product’s smell/consistency?
Goats Milk Soap- This smelled milky
Paradise Body Oil- Smelled almond-like to me, light feeling oil
Black Soap- Didn’t smell like anything but it lathered up really quickly!
So Chic Hair Butter- Feels like a normal butter, has the same almond-like smell as the oil
4.) How did you use this product?
Goats Milk- Used it on my skin, I loved that it didn’t leave a film on my skin and the smell was nice and light.
Paradise Body Oil- Used it right after getting out of the shower a little bit goes a long way.
Black Soap- It looks like a chocolate chip blondie! I used it on my face, hair and body. On my face it removed my makeup very well, but left my face slightly dry. On my body, it made me feel very clean, didn’t dry out my skin. On my hair, I got an awesome deep clean!
So Chic Hair Butter- I knew it was going to work well because along my natural journey, I have noticed that butters work much better on my hair than crèmes and gels. It gave me a nice hold on my twist out.
5.) Did the product meet its claims? How did your hair/scalp feel afterward? Describe any positive/negative effects.
Besides the black soap on my face, all the products I used didn’t bother or irritate my skin which is great because I have sensitive scalp and skin.
6.) Would you buy this product, and use it again?
I would buy the soaps, especially the black soap because it worked very well. I like the hair butter but I wouldn’t buy it, only because I can get a similar effect with raw shea butter and a mixture of essential oils.
7.) Any final info you’d like to add?
Support black owned businesses!!
Video – Ayurvedic Challenge: Week 3!
Hello everyone! So it’s almost been a month, and I’ve learned so much! I made this short video talking about 4 things I’ve learned so far about working with ayurvedic and all-natural ingredients! Enjoy!
Side-Eye Of The Week: “Natural hair isn’t for everyone” Naturals
Hello everyone! Isn’t it too early in the week for me to be giving out Side-eyes, you ask? *side-eye* I think not… I know that many natural women view other naturals as friends, battle buddies, confidants, and supporters, but what if you run into a natural who is none of those things?
I have a friend who is surprisingly close-minded to be natural. She seems to believe that only certain textures can go natural. She uses doesn’t like styles that look too ‘fro-like’, she asserts that “Natural hair isn’t for everybody”, told me I was ‘going back to Africa’ by not using synthetic products in my hair, and refers to certain hair types as ‘nappy’ (not in a good way, either) or ‘slavery hair’… O_O y’all… I just… *SIDE-EYE*
I suppose I assumed that a woman who was natural would have an appreciation and respect for all hair textures, since most naturals see natural hair as a declaration that the way we were born is beautiful. With that thinking, most naturals will respect and admire your style choices. Not this natural woman, though, oh no!! Apparently, you must have a certain hair type to wear it naturally.
Anyway, I was just so taken aback to hear her speak like this because she herself wears her hair curly! What is the point of going natural if you are still going to keep the idea that one type of hair is more acceptable than another? In addition, by holding on to this idea, she is limiting herself from an entire community of women with all different hair textures to a much smaller group of women with only her texture or looser. Too bad for her…
Do you all know a ‘Natural-hair-isnt-for-everyone’ natural like this one? What did you/should you do in this situation? Help me out, I’m at a loss!
I'm Holly, a chemist, foodie, and natural hair enthusiast! Here I share product reviews, DIY hair recipes, the hair journeys of others, and my own journey! Whatever the texture, style, or length, I'm dedicated to bringing Healthy back! Welcome to Curl Rehab!