Curly Hair Rocks!!!

My hair curly, sewed up in a pompadour. I used Authentic Moisturizing Balm to style.

So... The delay in posts can be directly attributed to the fact that I've been over thinking this particular post for quite some time.... Why you ask? Well, I've recently been reading up on curly hair and wanted to create something meaningful and as kick ass as possible. As much as I would have loved to write a blurb on another subject, I just couldn't focus. It became an overwhelming concept that even so much as consumed my dreams... SERIOUSLY!!!

Let's face it, I've never been one to sugar coat things and quite frankly I'd rather tell you the truth about your curly hair... Are you ready to hear this?!? Here it goes!!!!

Your curly hair is AWESOME!! Please, for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT let anyone tell you otherwise!!! For years I have "struggled" with my curly hair... The money I've invested, the horrible haircuts, the hours of trying to get it straight, the embarrassment of getting things stuck in it... The list could go on!!! It took me YEARS to get to a point of acceptance and love for my curl which has grown to an undeniable adoration for the natural state of my hair. I do, however, wear it straight sometimes but only because I enjoy having an option that the "straighties" out there don't.... Be jealous!!! Be very, very jealous!! Ha!!

The Truth About Curly Hair:

1. DO NOT let people touch it!!!! It is yours!! It is a part of your person. Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, it is different. NO, you cannot touch it!!! Why? What most straighties don't know is that it will frizz so, speaking from experience, they will mess it all up!!! Politely tell whoever it is that believes it's ok to violate your personal space "no", smile and then continue on with whatever it was you were doing before they, most likely, interrupted.

2. DO NOT shampoo your hair. Ok... I realize that this is a hard one to swallow so I should rephrase. Shampoo your hair as needed. Your hair is curly, it does not need it. What it needs is the natural oils your scalp so lovingly provides. I, personally, only shampoo when I transform it from curly to straight or from straight to curly and that's it.... For realz!!! Through helmet hair, derby sweat and other general grossness I do not shampoo. What I do is stand in the shower under the warm water (as warm/hot as I can stand) and scrub my hair and scalp for a good bit to loosen the unneeded gross, condition with my preferred Davines conditioner, let the conditioner sit while I do all the other shower time stuff and rinse before I exit. Viola!!! Best. Thing. Ever!!! By day 2 or 3 my hair looks fabulous!!! Not kidding!!! The longest I've gone without a shampoo is 3 months :) Try it. Your hair will thank you!!

3. DO use good product. If you're buying it at Walgreens or Target, it's not good. Sorry, but it's the truth. My recommendations are as follows:

Davines- Momo Curl Serum, Momo Fluid, Authentic Moisturizing Balm, Oi/Oil, Protein Sculpting Lotion, Artifixture Gel, Invisible Styling Cream, Shaping Gel, Creative Molding Foam, No. 1 Oil Non Oil, No. 3 Universal Mattering Mousse, No. 8 Quick Setting Hard Gel, No. 11 Universal Instant Grip Glue.... The possibilities are endless!!!

Kevin Murphy- Un.Dressed, Motion Lotion, Body Guard, Easy Rider, Young Again

These recommendations are definitely texture specific so when you're in, we can discuss what will work best for you.

4. DO use a wide tooth comb. Brushes separate curl vs. a wide tooth comb that honors what a curl pattern is all about. They have them at Sally's but if you're interested in the Kevin Murphy version, aka my FAV, let me know and I'll get your hooked up!!

5. DO find a good hairdresser!!! Cutting curly hair is not complicated BUT it is not something that is very widely or thoroughly trained. I have picked up a few techniques over the years because I have sought them out. Most hairdressers do not. Sad but true.... So do your research. Stop a fellow curly haired gal whose hair you like and ask her where she gets it done. Pay whatever the hairdresser charges and make it happen. Do not settle for the bell shape poof that I see so often. Do not pull your hair up all the time because it's easier. Let your curly hair flow in a brisk breeze... But not the wind!!! The wind is not good for us!! Haha!! Let the bounce of your curl match the bounce in your step as you parade your lovely locks with pride. Make the straighties jealous!!! They totally are so give them a good reason!!!

Ok... I'll step off my soap box now!!! Haha!!!

I'm sure I have more insights to offer for my curly haired sisters but for now I will bid you adieux. If more comes to mind I will rant further in a future post. For now, I will leave with this; embrace, love, and cherish your curl. It is just as much a part of you as the freckles on your nose or the hitch in your giddy up. It is not until you release yourself of the burden of hating your curl that you can truly be happy. Curl on my friends.... Curl on...



Check out my work at www.indigo253.com :D

How I ReUse My Essentials Bottles

As I spend my days gabbing with clients and educating in other salons, one of the facts about Davines I like to speak on is the fact that as a company, Davines is very Earth conscious. I get a bit giddy when I get to tell people about Davines' association with Lifegate and how specifically the Essentials bottles are recyclable and reusable. I purposefully buy Essentials for myself in different sizes so I can use them around my home and here at Indigo. I know right?!?

Alright!! It's nerd out time!!!

Essential Hair Care is Davines' basic cleansing and conditioning line. These are the "essentials" you utilize on a daily basis to give your hair the foundation it needs to be healthy and able to be beautifully styled. The bottles themselves are transparent, what you see is what you get. If you need moisture, you would pick up Momo shampoo and/or conditioner for the day. If your hair is curly or you would like it to be straight, that hair needs the love that only Love Curl Enhancing or Love Smoothing can provide.... I could go on. You will notice that the names of the are short and sweet, like nicknames. That's because that's exactly what they are. Each product is given a nickname in accordance with what it does (Momo = moisture). Essentials is the first line within Davines to be completely zero impact, the second being Su, with the hopes that soon all of Davines will be as well. The bottles are made of PE/PET plastic (the same plastic that water bottles are made of) which is a food grade and safe plastic to recycle and reuse.

OK... So how would you go about reusing these bottles?!? The possibilities are ENDLESS!!! Seriously, when I find a new way to use them, I freak out and immediately to an "I'm so proud of myself" happy dance for at least 30-45 seconds..... SERIOUSLY!!!

What I have pictured below are just a few ways I use my Essentials bottles at home and at Indigo:

1. GARLIC!!!- I use A LOT of garlic when I cook so it's easier for me to peal a bunch at once and store it in the fridge. This, by far, has been my favorite way to store the stinky stuff in the fridge cause the screw on top allows for an airtight seal meaning no funky smell AND my garlic stays fresh for quite some time.

2. Lotion- I am very particular about the lotion I use on my skin due to skin sensitivities and what not. This means I can't just pick up any good smelling lotion and throw it in my purse for travel and daily/obsessive applications to hands and other "ashy" areas. When I finally found a lotion that worked well with my skin, it did not come in a travel size option so..... Essentials to the rescue!!!! After emptying a purposefully bought travel size Essentials bottle, I quickly washed it out and filled it with my fav, non irritating body lotion for purse convenience and travel. This is also how I travel efficiently with other products that do not come in FAA regulated travel sizes yet.








3. Vinegar- I am a klutz when it comes to pouring stuff out of big bottles. So, instead of risking the possibility of a spill I transfer the contents of my large bottles of things like vinegar and laundry detergent to liter size Essentials bottles. This makes for easier and less spilly pouring and is awesome for easy storage in the various places I use vinegar (laundry, all purpose cleaning, 1/2 water 1/2 vinegar mixture for pet accidents etc.).






4. Waxing Space- To save space at my "waxing station" located next to the shampoo bowl, I utilize a Momo Conditioner container to house the waxing sticks, q-tips (to dry wet ears after shampoo), trimming shears and tweezers. I pre-cut my own wax strips to the size I like and they live in an Authentic Replenishing Butter jar (not Essentials but totally reusable). I really enjoy how decorative it makes the space look and how each container brings its own sense of charm to the space.




Now that you've seen what I do with my Essentials bottles, I hope this gives you ideas on how to use your empty bottles in the future.

Oh!!!! I forgot to mention!!! I also store leftovers in a variety of containers, put bobby pins and hairpins in an emptied Momo Fluid bottle and made myself a little after derby anti-stink/germ kit out of a Dede Mist bottle, Momo Conditioner container and Solu Shampoo bottle... Like I said, happy dances and excitement all around when I figure out new ways to use these awesome containers!!

Cheers and happy reusing!!!

More photos taken after the original post:

I use a Momo Fluid bottle to hold hairpins and bobby pins in my "hair stuff" drawer at home.

This a homemade dog shampoo I made and now store in a Melu Shampoo liter.

Make Up How To!!!

Make up, to some, is a scary thing. I feel like (and sometimes see) that there are a number of people who struggle with make up application. Whether it be a day-to-day face, day-to-night transition etc, it truly doesn't have to be complicated. I often think of applying make up as art so when I say, "I'm going to paint my face" I literally mean that my face is my canvas and my make up my artistic tools. Here are 2 tutorials for some very basic make up applications. One is a "5 Minute Face" and the other a 2 minute-ish "Day To Night" transitional look. Take what you can and incorporate them into your routine. If you truly have questions on how to apply your make up and need hands on help, feel free to book a make up lesson and we'll cover all the ins and outs of working with your canvas.

PS- I feel like I should also say that I REALLY do not like the thumbnails that YouTube chooses for you. If there is a way to choose my own, will someone please let me know... Otherwise, you're stuck with these awkward faces!!! Hehe!!!

DON'T LOOK UP MY NOSE!!!