Tag Archives: nyc

Aug21

Havana Twists Sale at Afrigenix

Posted on by
Standard

Okay, so the post that I did on Havana Twists consistently garners the most views on my site, day after day, week after week … for months now!! LOL!! So, I thought it imperative that I share this sale that is presently posted on the salon that seems to have made the style famous (maybe even created it?), Afrigenix. The site doesn’t indicate how long the sale lasts, so if you’re interested in the style and live in the NYC area, then you may want to investigate and/or book your appointment today!

(p.s. I don’t know if the $88 includes hair, but I doubt it. A representative from Afrigenix commented on my original post and indicated that the hair used is Havana Hair and is available at FINGERCOMBER.COM. It’s $12.99 a bag and, from what I understand from the comments on the original post, 5 bags are needed for this style. So, if you book an appointment for the sale price, make certain that you check on the price if they provide the hair!!)

Advertisement
Jul16

Haircut Party: They’ve Been Jaded!

Posted on by
Standard

After Tameeka (aka Jaded Tresses) did a demo at the Hairscapades Meet-Up in May and cut my hair in June (as seen here), several local readers started contacting me and her about getting their hair cut as well. I knew Tameeka made “house calls” and did hair parties, giving a great discount off of her NYC salon prices too! I mean, she comes to you … saving tunnel, train, parking and what-have-you fees to NY and you get a discount off her amazing services to boot?!?! How can you beat that?!

So, the week before I left for vacation, I set about organizing a Hair Party. Tiffany asked her parents to allow us to use their house on 7/15 and they very graciously obliged! It started with a small group of 5-6 ladies and we ended up with about 18 people in the house, with 9 of those getting their hair cut or trimmed and styled!! Yesterday, we took over the kitchen and dining area with our hair shenanigans!! LOL!! Oh, and Wei somehow ended up on babysitting duty, but I think he enjoyed every moment of that ;).

We started at 11 am and didn’t wrap things up until 8 pm (Tameeka didn’t take one break!! She’s a BEAST! *lol*). Every head of curls had a different shape, length and texture. It was awesome to see her cut and style each lady’s hair without seeming to take off any significant length!! The hair on the floor and her flip-flops was proof that hair was falling though!! Tameeka really worked her curl magic. A great time was had by all, everyone learned a lot and, I think it’s safe to say, every lady walked out a satisfied customer!!

So, without further ado, here are “before and after” pics of everyone! All “afters” immediately below are of wet hair except Tiffany, who was the last client of the day. So she was the lucky model for Tameeka’s diffuser demo. Here we go …

Tiffany (Tiffany’s sister-in-law)

Takara

Chloe

Michelle

Gina

Shauna

Nicole

Michelle

Tiffany

And here’s a slide show of some of the stuff that happened in between, as well as some “final results” dry hair pictures. Everyone looks amazing!!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So, what do you think? Don’t they look awesome?!

Jun25

Share the Love Beauty Soirée Recap

Posted on by
Standard

Happy Monday ;)!! Just sharing a few pictures from the Share the Love Beauty Soirée that I attended and presented at in Brooklyn, NY yesterday! The place was packed and gorgeous natural hair was EVERYWHERE!! OMGosh, the pics just don’t do it justice ladies!! Anywho, Sade of 1GirlBoutique organized and coordinated the event and had her lovely jewelry on sale. Savvy Brown hosted and “interviewed” each of the presenters “On  the Couch.” I talked about protective styling, low manipulation styling, long-term and short-term protective styling and the purpose and benefits of each option. Scarlett of Wonder Curl talked about her product line and did a demo (shoot, I didn’t get that picture!) with a model. Shelley of Amazing Botanicals talked about how her all-natural line was born out of her need to find products that addressed her eczema. And, finally, Ketta Vaughn spoke about summer make-up trends, make-up application and did a demo with her line Ketta Vaughn Cosmetics!

Then, everyone got up, mixed and mingled, enjoyed some good eats, checked out the vendor tables of all of the presenters (except me … I need to get some tee-shirts or something ;)), got their gift bags and then a few giveaways were raffled.

It was a good time with food, fun, friends and the sharing of admiration, inspiration and information!!

Here are some more pics from the event!!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

(p.s. Deets on my hair later today! I tried a couple of new gifted products to do this WnG!)

May30

Mish Mash Mosh

Posted on by
Standard

I didn’t get home from work until almost 9 p.m. last night and I was just as frazzled as my hair. *lol* Not every day is a good hair day! In fact, my hair was in four pre-pooed twists (AO HSR/Vatika oil) that I did on Sunday. I still haven’t gotten around to washing it out. I know some people may be bothered by going to work with a little frizz and fuzz. Maybe it’s my nerdy ways, but I really don’t think much about it. Generally speaking, at work, my hair is pulled back and very “unspectacular.” I don’t feel a need for it to look fabulous every day. It’s like when I go to the gym, I usually layer up with clothes that are huge and swallow my shape, even when I’m ripped. Or, how I generally don’t wear make-up. I know what I look like, I know what’s under those layers, what’s in that bun, what a little make-up can do. And, I’ll “whip it all out” on occasion *lol*, but I don’t feel like I need to flaunt “what I got” all of the time. I’d rather save my “big reveals” for special occasions and get that, “Wow, she cleans up real good!” reaction. LOL!! Hmmmm … this was kind of a ramble. But, I was just thinking of how boring (and fuzzy) my hair generally is during the work week and how it doesn’t bother me or make me feel like I’m tucking my hair away and not having fun. I realize that my lack of self-consciousness about my hair and inclination to tuck it away is based on the same personality trait that keeps me layered up at the gym and make-up-less most of the time. It’s just who I am … and probably a manifestation of my Ugly Duckling syndrome (Shallow Hal … look it up ;). *lol*).

Okay, back to the late day at work last night. I got home mentally exhausted, hungry and not particularly savoring the thought of a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I walk in the door and, to my surprise and great pleasure, Wei had brought dinner home from the city! And not just any dinner … “salmon” steak from Veggie Paradise II, which we had just been discussing my love of the day before!! Definitely one of those, “I love me some him” moments:).

Mmmmm … and the leftovers always taste better on day two!!

In other news, my girlfriend gave me free tickets to see A Streetcar Named Desire last Wednesday. It was really good and Nicole Ari Parker was SPECTACULAR!! She played the heck out of Blanche DuBois (yes, that’s who the character on Golden Girls is named after)! I’ve known of the movie for years … who hasn’t heard, “STELLAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!” But, I really knew nothing of the plot. The play was originally written in 1947, yet the topics it addresses are surprisingly modern! I won’t give anything away though. I’ll just say, check it out if you’ve never seen the play or movie. On a side note, Belle Reve, the family estate of sisters Stella and Blanche, is also the name of the prison for metahumans in the DC Universe (you know I had to slip in that comics reference!). Oh, and one last thing! Towards the end of the play, the actress on the right who played Stella walks to the edge of the stage, squats down and we hear her say, “Give it to me.” Next thing we know, she stands up with what is obviously a lit cell phone in her hand, pockets it in her dress and finishes her lines. The crowd broke out in applause. #GANGSTA!

Before we went to the play, we actually made it into the city early and were able to hit the Tracy Reese sample sale, which was a couple of street blocks away! I picked up a really cute pair of aqua blue, high-waisted and belted harem pants for $50! I’ll be sure to post pics soon ;)!

And finally, to wrap up this mish mosh mash post (you get it now, right? I’m all over the place ;)!), the humidity on the day of the meet-up was a BEAST!! I mean, you could see the air. Ugh. So, I decided to try something that I had picked up in November when I went to an Aveda retailer salon to get a heat protectant for a tension blow-out.

Curly Nikki had raved about the Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade in the past and, of course, I had to snag some since I was already there! Well, given that it was winter, I really had no need to use it! But Saturday? Good Googa Mooga!! Yeah, time to break-out the anti-humectant!

via Aveda.com

Benefits:
This satiny pomade repels moisture from your hair, helping to prevent frizziness and flyaways. Tames curls to give hair a polished look. Excellent in humid weather. Work through hair before or after styling.

• Repels moisture
• Prevents frizziness
• Satin finish

via Amazon.com

Ingredients:
CAPRYLIC/CAPRICTRIGLYCERIDE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, C18-38 ACID TRIGLYCERIDE (MIXED PLANT (MELANGE DE PLANTES)), BIO-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE 1 (SOURCE: COCONUT (NOIX DE COCO)), BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2 (MIXED PLANT (MELANGE DE PLANTES)), CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS), PHENYL TRIMETHICONE (SILICA (SILICE)), CYCLOMETHICONE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), GLYCERYL LAURATE (MIXED PLANT (MELANGE DE PLANTES)), RICE BRAN OIL (ORYZA SATIVA)

So, I opened to jar to find a translucent white product that strongly resembled and smelled like … wait for it … grease. Yeesssss!! LOL! I placed a little tiny bit in my palm, emulsified it and applied to my dry hair, as directed. I had done a twist-out with Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose the night before and, again, my hair was completely dry the next morning!! Yea for Aubrey!! Once I got to the spot, I fluffed the twist-out and I think the pomade really did help to preserve the definition in my style. I usually would have been a big, tribble-like, frizz ball in that type of humidity …

Instead, my hair looked pretty decent!

Now, the face in this pic is another matter entirely.

So yeah, after the first round, the score is 1-Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade, 0-Humidity. The fight’s not over yet though folks. Summer hasn’t yet officially started and we have a long battle ahead of us. So, don’t turn that channel;)!

Alright, gotta go!! I’m going to be off schedule today, but hope to put up a couple of the last few April GOC updates later today … just in time for you to start sending in your May updates ;)!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

*********************************************************************************************************

So, what’s up with you ladies? See any movies or plays lately? Score any great clothes or shoes? Try any new products? What was your week’s Mish, Mash, Mosh?

Oct21

CurlyNikki NYC Meet-Up: I Was There!!

Posted on by
Standard

Could I look any more excited, but trying to be cool about it? LOL!

So, so, so much fun:)! I saw many familiar faces and lots and lots of new ones! Nik was just as GORGEOUS in person as she is online. I don’t think that she can take a bad pic either! But, I mean, look at her … how could she?? And, she let me hold Boog!!!! Boog came right to me!! I think she may have been confused by the hair and thought that I was Nik for a second (even Nik’s husband said that we looked alike from behind … WHAT a compliment!!). Boog went back pretty quickly to Nik, but she did let me get a kiss:)!!! She’s a little doll and I could have played with her the whole evening (maternal clock ticking much, right?)!! LOL!!

There were sooo many beautiful naturals out … I mean, talk about hair porn!! I just kept spinning around in circles trying to look at all the different styles and textures! OMGawh, natural hair is so the bomb!! I mean, in regard to variety, it just doesn’t get any better!!

Finally, THANK YOU to all the ladies who came up to me to let me know that you like the posts on CurlyNikki and/or enjoy Hairscapades. You made my evening sooooo memorable and really put me over the moon with happiness! You don’t know how much it means to me as it’s your support that makes this feel so worthwhile, like it’s helping someone (which is my intent) or at least entertaining 😉 … without all of you, I’d really just feel like a self-absorbed narcissist!! LOL!!  Okay, gotta get ready for work! But before I do, wanted to share pics with you guys! I’ll tell you more about the hair later!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Oct10

Good Times, Good Times

Posted on by
Standard

No, I did not pose for this picture! LOL! I’ll tell this story in a minute. But first … we had a lot of fun on Saturday at our little mini NYC Meet-Up :)! It was an absolutely gorgeous, summer day, despite the fact that it is fall:)!! So, it was the perfect day for an NYC outing! First, we checked out the small Tim Okamura exhibit, Brooklyn•Bronx•Queens, at The Lyons Weir Gallery. Then, we chatted over a nice lunch at a local restaurant and finally, we continued to talk as we took a walk to Circle of Sister at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (which we decided to forego after seeing the line to enter, which we would have to wait in AFTER waiting in the line to buy tickets!).

Heather, Robin, me, Shana (my sister) and Miche'al. (Not pictured, as he was taking it, Weusi. :))

The exhibit was very small, about 8 or 9 paintings, but the pieces were gorgeous. The artist’s use of texture, color and brush work were beautiful and gave his images and subjects so much dimension. I particularly loved his treatment of the lips of the women as they looked so alive and beautiful. I would really love to see this full series exhibited somewhere as I can imagine it would be enthralling with all of the paintings displayed around one room.

Now, on to the story of the first painting. So, we are walking around and a young man catches me off guard when he says, “Is that you?” I’m like, “Huh?” as I look around and then understanding dawns upon me. The woman in the picture does bear an uncanny resemblance to me, though, not an exact likeness. Everyone agrees and we start laughing as I advise that the young man that the woman is not me. But, of course, I couldn’t resist taking the above picture of me striking the same pose in front of the painting:)!!

It was really fun meeting Heather and Robin for the first time and Miche’al for a second. I hope you ladies enjoyed the day as much as I did! And, I hope to meet many more of you at the CurlyNikki Meet-Up on the 20th! I have a feeling that the event is going to be CUR-RUR-RAYY-ZEE!! But, I am so looking forward to the madness (which is so not like me as I’m such a homebody!)!!

Well, with that, I’ll leave you with a few more pics from the gallery. Enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Oct3

UPDATE: Okamura Exhibit & Mini-NYC Meet-Up

Posted on by
Standard

If you remember, about a month ago, I wrote about the NYC exhibit of Tim Okamura after learning about it from Cipriana of Urban Bush Babes. I suggested a little gallery viewing and lunch meet-up.  When I asked who was interested and what date would work best, several of you responded and the consensus was October 8th. Well, that date is fast approaching. Therefore, I just want to confirm who is planning on attending our mini NYC Meet-Up so that I can make an appointment. I would like to make it for 1 pm, so if there are any objections, let them be known now or forever hold your peace ;). Oh, and afterwards, we can grab lunch nearby and enjoy a conversation about … what else?  Natural hair:)!! Hope to see some of you there!!

10/7 UPDATE: It’s a go guys! I called the gallery on Tuesday, no appointment necessary. So, we’ll be meeting at the gallery at 1 pm and we’ll grab lunch afterwards. Anyone know of any restaurants in the area? Oh, and if you didn’t respond, you can still come hang with us if you are in the NYC area!! Can’t wait!! See you soon!

Lyons Wier Gallery

542 West 24th Street (between 10th & 11th Ave.)
New York, NY 10011
212.242.6220

Hours: 11 am – 6 pm

Sep8

Bronx * Brooklyn * Queens Exhibit: NYC Meet-Up?

Posted on by
Standard

So, I was on BGLH the other day reading a post by the gorgeous Cipriana, with whose hair I’d previously fallen in love when I read her Style Icon interview several months ago. After she posted a very sweet reply to my “hair lust” comment, I decided to visit her blog, Urban Bush Babes, for the first time. When I clicked the link, I was awed by the images that greeted me!! They were these amazingly gorgeous, energetic and expressive portraits of Black women with natural hair that was as energetic and expressive as the faces it framed! The portraits are by Tim Okamura, a Canadian transplant who now lives in Brooklyn, and Bronx•Brooklyn•Queens is currently on exhibit at the Lyons Wier Gallery in NY.

Anywho, when I saw the series of portraits and the location of the exhibit, I immediately asked Cipriana if I could share her post and she graciously obliged (please check out her detailed overview of the artist and more of his work here). But then, the seed of an idea emerged. This exhibit is on display from September 8th through October 8th. Our DC Meet-Up met an unfortunate demise and it’s very unlikely that I will be able to re-schedule it in the same locale prior to November. So, I was thinking, perhaps we can have a mini- NY/NJ contingent Meet-Up that begins at the gallery and ends with lunch at a nearby restaurant! I’m going to this exhibit regardless, but thought it would be so much cooler if several of us got to enjoy it together!! So, what do you think? Anyone down for this? If so, we have to do it this Saturday (9/10), next Saturday (9/17) or the last Saturday of the exhibit (10/8) as my last two weekends in September are booked and the gallery isn’t open on Sundays. Also, it seems we may need to make an appointment according to the website. So, my NY/NJ ladies, please let me know ASAP if you are interested and which dates work for you, list all and rank from best to worst, so that we can try to make this happen!! A’ight?!?!  LOL! I am sooo not “street.” 😉

With that, I’ll leave you with some more eye candy …

Sep7

Calling All Sofistanistas!! *CLOSED*

Posted on by
Standard

Sofistfunk Prep

Don’t forget to get your entries in before the deadlines in order to be eligible to win one of the fabulous giveaways below!!

G i v e a w a y   1

3 VIP packages
Each package includes a VIP Gift Bag and 2 tickets to the NYC Sofistafunk Fashion Week Party and Fashion Show on Thursday, September 15, 2011

For your chance to win*:

1. Register on www.polyvore.com and follow Sofistafunk.
2. Create a co-branded set using a featured Sofistafunk skirt.
3. Post the skirt set to the Sofistafunk Facebook Page.

Entry deadline:  September 8, 2011

Three winners will be selected and announced on September 9, 2011.

*Entrants must live in the NYC area and be 21 years of age or older to attend.

G i v e a w a y    2

1 Sofistafunk Swag Bag
Valued at $250+!

For your chance to win:

1. Follow Sofistafunk on Twitter.
2. Tweet “Hairscapades.”

Entry deadline: September 15, 2011

A winner will be selected on September 16, 2011


Sep1

Sofistafunk Giveaways – Fashion Week Event Tickets/Swag Bag *CLOSED*

Posted on by
Standard

Sofistafunk & Houndstooth

SOFISTANISTAS

Don’t forget to get your entries in before the deadlines in order to be eligible to win one of the fabulous giveaways below!!

G i v e a w a y   1

3 VIP packages
Each package includes a VIP Gift Bag and 2 tickets to the NYC Sofistafunk Fashion Week Party and Fashion Show on Thursday, September 15, 2011

For your chance to win*:

1. Register on www.polyvore.com and follow Sofistafunk.
2. Create a co-branded set using a featured Sofistafunk skirt.
3. Post the skirt set to the Sofistafunk Facebook Page.

Entry deadline:  September 8, 2011

Three winners will be selected and announced on September 9, 2011.

*Entrants must live in the NYC area and be 21 years of age or older to attend.

G i v e a w a y    2

1 Sofistafunk Swag Bag
Valued at $250+!

For your chance to win:

1. Follow Sofistafunk on Twitter.
2. Tweet “Hairscapades.”

Entry deadline: September 15, 2011

A winner will be selected on September 16, 2011

*************************************************************************************************************************

Don’t wait!! Enter today for your chance to win!!!  I can’t, but that didn’t keep me from playing around on polyvore.com and making the outfits featured in this post!! Too much fun!  LOL!!

Sofistafunk Sweet Party