Beauty Bit: Most Important Key to Maintaining Natural Hair…
December 15th, 2012 by Lifestyle StaffEveryone in the natural hair community is very serious about their decision to leave the chemicals, and wear their hair in its natural state. I personally commend those who have made this transition! However, there are a few things that you must know in order to properly care for your natural hair (or any hair) to maintain it’s truest texture.
In speaking with two authorities in the hair care industry (Spring Capers of “Springs Place”, Chicago IL-South Loop, & Kelly Jay of “Eula’s Hair Salon”, Chicago IL-Beverly), the common thread of the “how-to” conversation, as it relates to hair, is that you must visit a hair care professional in order to properly care for your tresses. Maintenance is very important. “Whether natural or processed, ends will split”, says Kelly Jay. She advises that you should see your hair care professional every 7-10 days, but that seeing one every 14 days is more common, as everyone’s budget is not the same. Spring says something similar. “The secret to great hair, no matter what type, style or texture, is an APPOINTMENT on a regular basis with a true professional.”
Also, naturalistas have to find the hair care products that work best with your particular hair texture. Not all products work for every type of hair, so doing your own research, listening to and visiting with your hair care professional, plus “trial and error” will make for the best teacher.
Whether your hair is processed or natural, your hair’s health will all depend on YOU. The woman with the AMAZINGLY beautiful tresses will potentially be the woman who frequently visits her stylist!
It’s not too late to get your hair in order; caring for your hair doesn’t have to be a struggle! See your local hair care professional for your consultation and maintenance if it has been a while.
Have your own natural hair care tips or tricks that have helped you? Know a great natural hair stylist? Share below for the rest of the naturalistas…
Ready For The BIG Chop?! There’s An App For That…
October 31st, 2012 by Tiffany
Hair is a lifestyle! We’re definitely dedicated to bringing you the newest technology to support your specific lifestyle needs. If hair takes as up as much time in your life as mine does, if you just want to keep up with the latest styles, or have been pondering how that celebrity hair style would look on you… I have just the app for you!
Coming this November an iPhone app specifically for making a big decision on hair changes. The Big Chop app is a hair makeover iPhone app for women of color who have natural hair and would like to try out other styles without having to fuss or risk with their own tresses.
Users will be able to choose from corn rolls, up do’s, twists, twist outs, dreadlocks, braids, head wraps, curls and various other styles. It’s for women considering doing the “big chop” and want to get a preview of themselves before grabbing the scissors or letting a stranger play in their hair. It’s for long time naturals who are interested in switching up their look, by trying a new style or accessory. Future versions will include other eclectronic accessories like vintage eye-wear and jewelry, natural men’s styles and styling tips with product recommendations.
It’s simple to use. Once you install the app to your iPhone or iPod Touch, you can take photos of yourself, grab a photo from your Facebook profile, use a photo from your album or try a new style by using one of the models available in the app. Once you center and straighten your face, you will be able to choose from over 250+ natural hair styles with varying colors. You can then save the new style you have created to your album, send it via email or share your new look on Facebook or Twitter.
The inspiration for the app comes from another great technoloy/lifestyle mash-up innovation. “I have been a Mac fan for decades and with the rise of iPhone’s and the use of mobile devices, I saw a lack of apps being created for women of color. There were tons of makeover apps designed for middle America, but none that represented me or my vision of beauty. So instead of complaining I decided to create my own.” says creator Arsha Jones.
Shortly after The Big Chop app launches, Android and iPad versions will be making their way to the surface. CapCityApps will also be working on a makeover app featuring black celebrity hairstyles which will feature relaxed/straight styles. For 2013, there’s a long list of projects that will be in the making, including a few educational, funny, inspirational and beauty related apps – designed from the African American perspective.
About the creator:
CapCityApps is created and run by web designer Arsha Jones, who has been in tech related fields for over 13 years. “I have always wanted to design iPhone apps, but never knew what kind in order to make an impact on an already saturated market. As a natural girl myself, I found there was a definite need in the natural hair community for an app like this. So I made this project first of many more to come.”
For more information about The Big Chop App or CapCityApps visit online:
http://thebigchopapp.com/
http://capcityapps.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CapCityApps
Examining The Technology Behind Our Hair With Startup Techturized.com
October 24th, 2012 by Tiffany
Natural hair styles are taking over! Women are getting back to their roots and rocking curls, waves, ‘fro’s and short styles. It’s even evident from the many natural hair products that have emerged within the last year like, Motions’ Naturally You and African Pride’s Back to Natural hair products. Going natural can still be a hard decision to make and you may have lingering questions or a lack of motivation that keep you from moving forward with the decision. Which natural style will look best on me? Will I be able to keep it up? How will the transition be? What have others used or done?
Change can be tough, but we’ve found the perfect natural hair/technology mash-up to help you along your transition to natural and document the journey to share in the process.
We caught up to the creators of this empowering and innovative concept and got the entire scoop just for you. Check out what inspired the creation of Techturized and be in the know before it becomes the talk of the hair industry.
Q: What is Techturized and How does it work?
A: ”Techturized is the place to talk, shop, and get personal advice for hair – it’s your look, your life, over time. From receiving recommendations, to retrospective reminiscing, Techturized is the destination for personal guidance and self-expression. Members upload photos of their personal looks and add a brief description. Multiple looks create a story highlighting a woman’s life over time through visual media. Users can subscribe to stories, cultivating a web of personal connections.”
Q: How did the team form & come up with the innovative idea for Techturized and WHY?
A: ”All the founders met at the Georgia Institute of Technology where Candace, Joy, and Jess studied Computer Science and Chanel studied Chemical Engineering. The founders formed relationships through different organizations, projects, and sponsored computing initiatives. Our engineering knowledge and passion for empowering people was the magnet for the four of us coming together. Techturized was birthed from a combination of frustrations with inadequate hair care solutions and a passion to do something about it. We have experienced hair problems that so many women face. We believe that hair is more than a display of style but links to a woman’s identity. Techturized is an opportunity to promote empowerment and wellness and the unique blend of hair care and technology powers us to reach women everywhere.”
Q: How will Techturized benefit women that are natural or in the process of going natural?
A: ”Techturized is the go-to source for all hair types. For natural women and those in pursuit of going natural it is the perfect destination because not only do we provide value for knowing the right products & styles personally for you, we also acknowledge the importance of support and inspiration along the journey. We understand that it’s not just a quick decision that can be solved by online search or videos here & there. It’s more of a conscious evolution that connects many aspects of a woman’s life. It takes a progressive, caring environment that caters to the total woman and that’s the essence of Techturized.”
Q: Who is Techturized for? What kind of woman was in mind during the creation process?
A: ”Our mission is to awaken the potential within to fulfill your purpose! We have created a site for the “every day” woman to be her best self. Whether your hair is curly, straight, relaxed, or natural, we focus on promoting self-expression and healthy hair.”
Q: What are the team’s future goals and hopes for Techturized?
A: ”Our future goals are to master the hair care market and keep our users satisfied. Hair is the threshold into a woman’s identity, which makes our starting point such a treasured beginning. Our company grows with an ambitious outlook to build a thriving business that breathes life & happiness in every life that we touch. We also have goals for community outreach to empower women to pursue fields in science, technology, and engineering.”
Sign up for Techturized.com to stay in the loop for new developments, as they get ready for their next release. You don’t want to miss out!
Ursula Stephen: The Name Behind the Divalicious Do’s
July 11th, 2012 by Tiffany
There’s no escaping the infamous do’s by Ursula Stephen; Everyone has seen them. She is indeed the mastermind behind the most daring celebrity hairstyles right now. Divas and Dorks caught up to her during EssenceFest at the Motions Style Bar during a makeover giveaway. Excited to ask the creator of the most notorious hair styles about the inspiration and drive that has produced a buzz in the entertainment industry, I had to know how she got started.
Living in Atlanta I have many good friends that do hair. How did you get started doing hair?
-- “I did hair in high school, and when I graduated it was the only thing I was really interested in. I didn’t know what else to do. It was the ONLY thing interesting to me. I thought, ‘If I was a stylist mad people would love me’.”
She was definitely right about that one.
So what did you do to get to the point you are at now? What would you tell these other aspiring ladies out here?
--”I went to cosmotology school after high school in Brooklyn. I just surrounded myself with everything hair. I did everyone’s hair. Sometimes for free just to prove to them that I was good. I always wanted more. I was always looking for a challenge.” Her advice: Just that. Always want more, surround yourself with your talent, and continue looking for the next challenge.
Ursula Stephen started with other celebrities like Remy Ma, Kandi Burruss, and Keyshia Cole. More recently she has worked with Kerry Washington, Jill Scott, Michelle Williams, and of course Rihanna. But when was her big break?
When did you realize you were that chick in the hair industry?
–(Laughs) -”Rihanna was definitely my big break.”
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I have to know, was the vibrant red color your idea? Or Rihanna’s?
–”I came up with the idea to do red hair a while before she finally decided to do it. At first she was a little hesitant, but one day she just came to me and said she wanted to do it. The shade of red she chose was a little brighter than I had expected… but it looked great!”
Ursula pointed out that Rihanna “trusts me completely” which allows for her to be creative and express herself.
I had to know: Which of your divas is the most technologically savvy? Or prone to always have the newest gadgets?
“Well all of them have their gadgets… but I would have to say that Kerry Washington is exceptionally smart. I will throw that out there; Most people wouldn’t expect that. But she is extremely smart. Like blow your mind smart. She has worked alongside the president in the White House.”
Special thanks to Ursula Stephen for taking the time to talk to Divas and Dorks, she is such a humble, talented individual!
Interested in winning a Motions StyleBar gift set filled with products, styling tools and more? Comment below: Which of Ursula’s clients have the best versatile style, or who would you like to see push their style to the limits more often?
Check out some of Ursula’s infamous celebrity styles in the gallery below…
ESSENCE.COM Feature: 10 Hair and Beauty Apps We Can’t Live Without
April 10th, 2012 by Christen
With tons of smart phone applications available for your iPhone, Blackberry & Android devices, it’s safe to say there’s an app to solve almost any problem. Did you know, there are apps to solve even the slightest of beauty problems? From selecting new hair color shades to correcting your worst make up faux pas – there’s an app for that! It’s now easier ever than before to get the best beauty advice, quality product reviews and step-by-step tutorials all from the convenience of your smart phone.
Tried, tested and true, check out our favorite FREE beauty apps available for your smart phone and enjoy the beauty of technology at your fingertips. Read my complete Essence.com article below…
10 Hair and Beauty Apps We Can’t Live Without
Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/04/10/10-beauty-and-hair-apps-we-cant-live-without/#ixzz1rg44SsWH
