NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Alisa Kress: My name is Alisa Kress. I am a wife, mother, professional fitness competitor, fitness model, the owner and creator of Snuggle Me’z and a curl lover.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls, or have you always enjoyed and embraced your curls?
AK: I didn’t always embrace my curls the way I do now. I struggled during my youth and through my college days with my curls and constantly tried to straighten them a few times. That didn’t work out so well for me, so from that point on I embraced my curls and set them free!NC: What is your current routine/regimen?
AK: I wash with the new Paul Mitchell Curls Spring Loaded Detangling Shampoo and condition with Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Conditioner. I always comb my hair out while it’s conditioning in the shower. Once I’m out I apply Paul Mitchell Curls Full Circle Leave-In Treatment to help with any frizz. I separate my hair in about 5 sections and add Twirl Around Crunch-Free Curl Definer to make sure my curls get proper definition. Once, I’ve added this I will spray with the Texturing Sea Spray, air dry and go… so easy! Once a week I will deep condition with the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Treatment to nourish my thirsty curls.
NC: What about your hair stylists?
AK: My stylist ROCKS. She specializes in curly hair, so she knows what works best for curly hair. She is AMAZING. If you are ever in Northern California stop by and see her: Jen Nordan at the Gallery Salon. Believe me, after she cuts your hair, no one else will compare.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?AK: There are so many ways to wear my hair curly. I can leave it down and natural, which seems to be my four-year-olds’ favorite way. I will put part of it up so it’s out of my face if I am going to be moving around a lot. My favorite up style is to wear it in a high side knot with some pieces falling out.
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NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
AK: My must-have products are a wide tooth comb in the shower — that’s the only time I comb my hair. Paul Mitchell Twirl Around and the Super Skinny Serum help make my hair shiny and frizz free.NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go naturally curly?
AK: I honestly get stopped at least once a day and asked about my hair, the products I use, the name of my stylist and if my hair is natural. This is a huge complement! NC: Did you every have any curly girl insecurities? AK: I did try “bangs” but they never worked with my curls. Of course I had curly girl insecurities at points in my life. When everyone had straight, flat hair in the 90s, I wanted it too! I wanted to look like the women in magazines. But it didn’t take me too long to realize I loved my curls and they set me apart from everyone else. I wouldn’t change a thing!NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
AK: Not a thing — I just let them go. I do try to lay my hair over my pillow so only my “under curls” touch pillow, but who knows how long they actually stay there.
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NC: What is the best thing about being curly? How has having curly hair impacted your life?
AK: I love how different and fun curls are, and they are so easy to control thanks to Paul Mitchell Curls line. My curls stay intact, are absolutely beautiful and constantly frizz free.NC: Does having curly hair affect your everyday life?
AK: I think my curls are my defining feature. It’s how people describe me and I am perfectly happy with that.NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
AK: Find the products that work for your hair. Keep trying different lines and combinations. Once you find what works best for you, embrace your curls and set them free.NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects. Tell us about your life and what you are up to!
AK: First of all, I am a mother. That is the most important job I could ever have! Second to that I am a fitness trainer, fitness model, professional fitness competitor, and the creator of an infant line of car seat covers called Snuggle Me’z. I am also training to to run in my second half marathon, the Nike Woman’s Marathon, in the middle of October. MORE: Yoga Class Focuses on Curly Hair and Body Image
