Ashley from Cali

Meet student/singer/actress/model Ashley. Here's her answers from a little Mane & Chic Q & A.

On going natural...
My hair was very long but extremely damaged from all the heat I was using. I wanted to be myself and get rid of all the heat damage. Going natural was the best thing I could have done for my hair; it's easier to manage and much healthier.

On her hair care regimen...
I use Matrix Biolage shampoo and conditioner with Paul Mitchell detangler. A stylist told me that using foil infuses heat while conditioning, turns out that was a faster way for me to grow my hair. So I do that for 15 min- an hour depending on how much time I have while conditioning. After my hair is clean I spray ION leave-in conditioner and massage it in my hair, along with Carol's Daughter Hair balm. I distribute it evenly and comb it through. I learned a trick with curly hair, and its not to put curly hair care products in your hair unless your curls are very long, so I switched from Iso bouncy cream to Paul Mitchell smoothing balm and I section my hair in to 4 sections and put a quarter amount of smoothing balm to each section with my fingers. After all of that to finish it off I take a quarter size of Shine Heat gloss and work it through my hair combining the sections back together. From this point I will let it air dry or blow dry depending on how much free time I have. I usually wash my hair every third day, but have been washing it every other day. I know people say curly hair should be washed once a week but I have a secret, moisturizing weapon that allows me to wash every other day and grow my hair out faster, Carols daughter Hair Balm.



Hair secrets...

• taking Biotin / Folic acid/ and a multi vitamin
  
• conditioning for 30 min or more
  
• air drying hair
  

Favorite places to get hair products...
I have a variety. BeautyDeals.net always offers discounts. My new Favorite place is Carols Daughter and the Beauty Gallery.

Favorite Style...
down and natural



Ashley's style...

Rihanna meets Heidi Klum, something that you've never seen before.

Favorite places to shop...
Wet Seal, Hollister, Forever 21, Urban outfitters, Guess, BeBe, Coach, Up Against the Wall, and just about everywhere in the Santa Monica Promenade and Melrose Street

Must have wardrobe pieces...
accessories, a kimono type blouse, shorts, sandals, heels!!

Ashley's links...
ashleyepate.blogspot.com
twitter.com/ashpash32
myspace.com/ash32

Photography by Daniel Acuna and Marlon with Shea Photography. Styling by KS Consulting Inc.

repost, originally posted 6/15/09

Author of Thank God I'm Natural, Chris-Tia Donaldson

Mane and Chicers, meet Author of Thank God I'm Natural--The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair, Chris-Tia Donaldson.

Chris-Tia's hair regimen: I usually wash and deep condition my hair once a week. I also try to spritz it with water every couple of days, because natural hair loves moisture. I try to keep heat to a minimum to avoid messing up my curl pattern, so I usually only get my hair flat ironed/pressed about 4x a year. In terms of color, I just got highlights for the first time and it really helps to make my curls pop. At this juncture, I will only be getting my hair highlighted once in the year (around May just in time for summer).

Chris-Tia's favorite hair products: I love Mizani’s Moisturfuse® Moisturizing Conditioner and I recently started using Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner. Both products are gentle and keep my hair extra moisturized. When I have the time, I also like to make my own hair products. Some of my favorite recipes can be found in my book in the chapter titled, In the Kitchen.

Chris-Tia's on shopping for hair products and salons: I’m like a gyspy when it comes to getting my hair done. I go to one place for color (Tyme Hair Gallery, Chicago, IL), one place for trims/straightening (Anthony at Variations, Chicago, IL), one girl for kinky twists, and I have a girl (Tatiana) comes over to my house and does my rods. Tatiana usually does my hair on a weekly basis, so she’s extremely familiar with it and can spot whether something crazy is going on (e.g. breakage, stress, etc.).

Favorite hair style: I love a flexi rod set, because its wild and neat at the same time. I also used to be really big on the braid out, but it seems to require a lot more maintenance to keep it looking good.

Chris-Tia's links: All of my upcoming events are posted on my website at www.thankgodimnatural.com. You can also purchase an autographed copy of the book there and order fitted t-shirts and totes online. Thank God I'm Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair can also be purchased on Amazon.com by clicking here.

Shana Peete of Honolulu, Hawai

Ladies, meet Shana Peete.

Shana's Regimen: I wash my hair every 7-14 days depending on my energy level, my activity level, and the style I am rocking. I deep condition like a maniac sometimes, sitting under the bonnet for 20 minutes EVERY time I wash. When I am dragging a little or in a rush, I may only do it once a month. I am easy.

Sometimes, I go NATURAL, not using any heat on my hair at all. Other times I will press it, but it has been a while. I am in a phase where I blow out the fro every time I wash. Then I braid it at night and release the kinks in the morning. I am a fan of the way highlighted hair looks, but I am not able to do it myself. I don’t know what stops me, but maybe one day for a big birthday or something, I’ll try something new.

Shana's Staple Products: My fave fave fave hair products are Cream of Nature Conditioning Shampoo and Reconstructor as well as Hair Mayonnaise by Organic Root Stimulator. I find the cheaper generic, whose name escapes me at the moment, works just as well. Actually, when I experienced the stress of law school a few years back, I found that an area the size of a quarter directly front and center of my hairline basically thinned away. Hair Mayonnaise was the thing that brought it back. Whenever life starts getting me down, I use this and my hair won’t even go there anymore. I also like Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment for it’s earthy fragrance and light moisture; TCB Natural’s line is amazing as well. I just started using Carole’s Daughter Hair Honey and find it amazing. I also love that it’s Black-owned and focuses on hair health.

I buy products wherever I can. Because I live in Hawaii (and cannot get on the military bases), I am EXTREMELY limited in options. Walmart always seems to have at least the bare necessities. My mom goes to the beauty supply in Memphis sometimes and ships me what I need.

Shana's Favorite Hair Style: What style is my favorite depends on when you catch me. The big blow out fro is my favorite hairstyle…for the minute. I also like the wet set wavy fro but find that it is a bit more effort than I want to give for hair now that I opened my own practice.

Shana's Links:My website is under construction, but the address is thepeetefirm.com. I am the principal of a law firm in Honolulu. Though I accept all kinds of cases, I have a passion for the arts, sports, and entertainment. As such, I represent clients in these areas from all over the country. I am living my dream and have no intention of waking up any time soon. Shana Peete, The Law Office of Shana Peete, LLC Pacific Davies Center (841 Bishop Street, Suite 2125, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 539-1102 Phone; (808) 723-1171 Fax; shana@thepeetefirm.com)

NYC's Zewiditu Jewel

Meet Gemini student/artist/believer Zewiditu Jewel also known as ZewluLotus.

On being natural...
I have worn my hair natural since the 8th grade. Seven years that makes it. The most beautiful thing in the world. I actually had a kiddie perm 3 years ago and of course I went back natural. I had a short cut and it's super easy to maintain while permed. I have been natural ever since and my curls are finally taking their natural born curl. It makes me so happy. I'm natural because it's so free and open to any hair possibilites.

Hair care regimen...
I usually get my hair washed, I promise it's the reason I go to get my hair done. THE best thing ever!! My close friend's mom used to keep her daughter's hair dirty for a month, she said it helped thier hair grow and it's true; they all had super long hair. Just saying:) Not a WHOLE month though.

Favorite products...
I'm a HUGE fan of Hot Oil Treatments. I LOVE Biosilk, Nexxus, and Mizani.

Hair tip...
Keep your hair conditioned

On salons and stylists...

I try different Salons frequently, I'm always a fan of Dominican Hairdressers. When I'm wearing my hair curly, I'm my best stylist.

Favorite hair style...

I LOVE to wear my hair in an unkempt, semi formed afro. The Afro thats been slept on and semi picked out, if you will.

On style...
my STYLE...hmmm...If Elton John were a bird with several wings, flying through a galaxy of colors.

On shopping...
My house is the ultimate SPOT. I am heavily influenced by both my Grandmother and Mom-I wear their clothes always:)

Wardrobe must-haves...
I HAVE to have sunglasses, my purple scarf, and a great pair of heels. Right now they are these Fire Truck Engine Red Pumps I got at the Thrift store.

Follow ZewluLotus on twitter at twitter.com/zewlulotus.