Secret to Managable Curls in Humid Weather

I've always had an issue with my curls when I travel. I never wanted to bother with the hassle of humid weather and frizz so I would relax my hair and flat iron it before I'd go out of town, regretting it upon my return. I recently jumped on the bandwagon of coconut oil. I bought organic, unrefined. It was horrible. It left my hair like straw, dry, severely damaged and out of control frizz. I had damaged my hair more than I ever had in all my years. I rocked a top knot for weeks to hide it. Then I switched up my hair routine into 4 easy steps.

STEP 1: Wash hair with a cleansing conditioner. I wasn't sure how I would feel about using one but I tried L'Oreal EverCurl and was blown away. Not only were my curls clean, they weren't dry like with most curling shampoos. In fact, I didn't need a conditioner after but thanks to the coconut oil, wanted to try one just in case.

STEP 2: Treat hair with a deep conditioner like Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm by L'Oreal. It claims to reverse damage in one use so I applied it and prayed for a miracle. My hair was shameful, lifeless and fried. I wasn't expecting much and so left it on for the maximum 5 minutes. What I felt next, felt like healthy, virgin hair. Get it, miracle, virgin? No? Okay...moving on.

STEP 3: I wanted a moisture leave in and have been dying to try Carol's Daughter for a while since I've been growing out this relaxer but never have...until now. It is light weight and silicone-free, perfect for my curls. While it does have coconut oil in it, but it is blended with other oils so it seems to work very well.

STEP 4: This styling mouse was a fluke. I left for Miami with just a carry on and only packed the oil so the first night I ran into Walgreens and grab the first curling mouse in a small bottle I saw. I figured I would use it once and toss it but no. It is alcohol free and really defines my natural curl, a curl I hadn't seen in years.

My natural hair...

 With Miami hottie, Casey Garcia for my "last night in Miami" dinner.

 With Carlos Gomez after that super amazing dinner. I owe you one. Gracias!

Back home on Sunday on our way to dinner with my little family and my hair had been untouched for two days.

I got so many compliments on my hair in Miami and I had so many people touching it that my hair should be doing the walk of shame right now. All jokes aside, I really just needed my daughter to understand that her curls are amazing and that mommy is proud of hers as well. The relaxing is over, the curls are back. I mean,  Lou Diamond Phillips said my hair was awesome and that I was gorgeous so I guess I'll keep it! What do you think of my natural hair?


DISCLAIMER:  L'Oreal products were c/o and I have since ran out. I picked up an extra shampoo yesterday. I am still receiving text messages with questions about this product because I won't shut up about it. I do wish the bottle was bigger, like jumbo size and just for me.

Carol's Daughter was c/o KLOUT so thanks. That was cool.

Thoughts and ideas are all my own. You guys know the deal but I have to tell you anyway.

How to Create a Messy Side Chignon

So I was seeing side parts galore for hair at New York Fashion Week for Fall 2013. Mind you, I already rock a side part but these were deep side parts. I also saw messy chignons. I thought I would get a bit creative for last night's Hispanicize event here in Chicago, to FINALLY meet my Facebook buddy and try one myself.

Those that saw Tuesday's post, look at my skin. No foundation. The peel worked.

This was AFTER the party and after getting nachos at Uncle Joe's with my long lost girlfriend who I ran into. There is no one better to eat nachos with and laugh at extremely loud decibels. Anywho,  here are 3 easy steps to get the messy side chignon.*

1. Curl hair in very large sections (I did about 8 sections) with a 1" barrel iron. You hair should already have a deep part because once it is curled, it will curl in that direction. Make sure you use a heat protecting styling product prior to.

2. Finger comb hair to the side and bunch it in your hand. Tie it. Make sure you do not use a brush, it will look too done and too perfect. We want messy.

3. Lightly mist with a finishing spray with a soft hold. No one wants crispy hair here.

I'm really into different types of parts and ponytails right now since I am growing out my hair. Any looks you are into right now?



*Products I have linked are the exact products I am currently using. The heat styling product is new to me but like it so far. The hairspray plays a serious rotation in my haircare and seems to be the one I alway run to when I run out of my Frederic Fekkai. The curling iron, I have used for 15 years and have yet to replace it. No joke.

Hair All About It

Let's talk hair ladies. I know it is not a topic I've discussed much and when I do I am praising the classic bun out of sheer laziness and calling it chic. Don't get me wrong it is but sometimes we need more. After all, a woman's hair is her best accessory. While in Miami, I had the pleasure of meeting celebrity hairstylist, Leonardo Rocco and learn about Suave's new Keratin line. His accent was enough to make the other ladies in attendance fly out of their seats when he asked for a volunteer. When he mentioned he thought a woman with short hair was sexy, I couldn't resist asking for a pixie cut. He then shared with us a few tips for beautiful hair that actually work. Here are a few of my favorite.

The Wash:


-Wash your hair no more than 3x in a week so the natural oils can nourish the hair. If the scalp gets oily use a dry shampoo to give back bounce in between washes.

- When in the shower, wash and repeat. The first wash gets rid of dirt, the second treats and softens the hair.

- Conditioner should be applied from midway to roots (not all over the scalp) and massage so the hair cuticle seals.

- Rinse with cold water. Again, this is to seal the ends. Personally, I don't get frizz when I do this.

The Set and Style:


-For curly styles add styling creme, use a wide tooth comb and WALK AWAY! The more you mess with your hair, the frizzer it will be.

-If you plan on straightening your hair as I do, use a heat protection product.

-Finish by warming up roughly 2-3 drops of shine serum in your hands and apply midway to roots only.


I was lucky enough to get to try the Suave Keratin shampoo and conditioner and I followed these tips to the penny. My hair looks great and without a salon visit! For those that know Spanish, he tweets in it (melts off the chair), be sure to follow @leonardorocco and of course if you are ever in South Beach swing by Rocco Donna Salon for a little taste of heaven.





I was not paid to endorse this product or the salon. I did receive products to test out from Suave. All opinions are clearly my own. As always, I practice what I preach.