Search Results: Cozy Friedman

Obama’s Hair

Two years ago I wrote a column asking my readers to fantasize about a government run by a Nappy Administration. If nappiness were the only prerequisite, I asked, who would they want to see holding the nation’s top political posts?

The readers primarily nominated people who were actors, artists and performers who wore locks and wild and wooly Afros.

But one reader’s fantasy pick was a real life politician who wears his natural hair in a style that is close cropped and conservative. Her nominee was U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

“I’m not really sure how nappy his hair is,” said Linda Ball of Murphy, Texas, whose comments appeared in my November 2006 column. “But I’m just finishing up his amazing autobiography and he certainly has a great nappy mind. If he runs for real, he’ll get my vote!”

As it turns out, Obama is running for real. And in the real world of presidential politics, it would be best if his hair didn’t make waves.

Let’s face it. If Obama were flagrantly flaunting the Bob Marley look, he never would have made it this far in his quest to be president.

But there was a time in Obama’s past when he had the “audacity” to wear his hair in a style that expressed his African roots. While he was a community organizer in Chicago, Obama sported a short Afro. He continued wearing the style when he went to Harvard to study law. He didn’t bother changing it when he later decided to run for president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.

Barack Obama wore a short afro at Harvard.

It apparently wasn’t an issue. His peers who apparently recognized it was what in his head and not on it that impressed them enough to elect him president, making him the first African American to hold the post in the 111-year history of the law review.

I ran across a New York Times article written about Obama and his political activities at Harvard. Accompanying the article was a photo of him seated with his classmates looking quite becoming in his very low ‘fro.

Let me just say for the record that if Obama realizes his dream of becoming president and decides to let his hair go back home, he’d have my full support. There was a time in Obama’s past when he had the “audacity” to wear his hair in a style that expressed his African roots.


E-mail Linda your questions and comments.
Update on Teacher

Occasionally I write stories that provide updates about people in the past who did something hair raising enough regarding nappiness and things related, to make the news.

I call my feature “Whatever Nappened To . . .?

Ten years ago Ruth Sherman, a white schoolteacher in Brooklyn, made national news for the stir she caused when she read an award-winning children’s book called “Nappy Hair” to her class of predominately African American and Latino third grade students. She was essentially run out of school for doing so.

“Nappy Hair,” written by black author Carolivia Herron, was a story about the kinky hair texture of a little black girl. Herron’s reason for writing the book was to celebrate one of the unique characteristics of many African Americans. Sherman’s reason for reading the book to the students was to celebrate diversity and teach them about racial tolerance.

A parent of one of the students saw photocopies of a few pages from the book in her child’s homework and became offended over the images and the content. The parent, who had not read the entire book, circulated the pages to other parents who also got upset.

It turned out that most of the adults who were outraged also had not read the book and did not have children in Sherman’s class. That did not stop them from accusing Sherman of reading from a book that reinforced racial stereotypes. During a meeting held by school officials to discuss the matter, several of the adults threatened Sherman. She ultimately asked for a transfer and left the school.

Ruth McCloskey

So whatever happened to Sherman?

She is no longer the single, 27-year-old third grade teacher in Brooklyn. Sherman is now Ruth McCloskey who lives in Suffolk County with her husband and two young boys and teaches first grade at a predominately white elementary school on Long Island.

“I’ll always be teaching,” said Ms. McCloskey. “That is just meant to be.”

She said that when she left the school in Brooklyn, she transferred to an elementary school in Jamaica,

Queens where she taught for two years.

“That was just the perfect place for anybody today,” she recalls. “I can’t tell you how many different nationalities there were.”

She eventually had to leave the school when her husband’s job required them to move out of the school district. She says the she loves her current job but misses the multicultural mix.

“It’s so very different,” she says. “I hated to leave. But we moved to Suffolk County which was a two-hour drive away.

McCloskey says that she hasn’t read “Nappy Hair” since the incident in Brooklyn.

She says that she has not read from it because it was written for an older audience of children, and since the incident she has been teaching kindergarten and first grade. McCloskey recalls how the book was a refreshing departure from so many of the other books that she had been reading to her students.

“I wanted to think out of the box and do something different. What attracted me to the book were the pictures and the awesome colors. The little girl was so happy and so excited. I wanted to be that girl. I felt that if I felt that way that about the book, the students were going to love it.”

McCloskey says she still regrets how her intentions were misinterpreted by the parent who read portions of the book out of context.

“Most of the parents in the class who knew me never felt I would do anything racist to hurt their children,” she said.

“To this day it’s just sad.”

Herron, the “Nappy Hair ” author, heard about the controversy and came to McCloskey’s defense at the time.The two of them have done occasional speaking engagements together.

Even though McCloskey hasn’t read the book since the incident, she hasn’t totally abandoned it. Herron has asked her to consider writing a “Nappy Hair” workbook together. It’s a collaboration that McCloskey is excited about pursuing.

“I thought it was the greatest book ever,” she said.





Curly Teen Scene: Disney Princesses
Julia Rizzo

Julia Rizzo

Disney princesses gave me unrealistic expectations about hair.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Disney movies. When I was little, I idolized Ariel. I watched “The Little Mermaid” over and over again. And to this day, I can still remember an embarrassingly large portion of the soundtrack.

While the movie taught me about taking risks, following your dreams, and the dangers of sea witches, it also taught me that teenage hair is smooth, straight, and flawless, especially underwater. Ariel’s bangs alone defy half a dozen laws of physics, and somehow I thought that was what my hair was supposed to look like. There were days when my bangs defied physics, but that generally had more to do with the humidity.

Ariel’s fellow royalty didn’t do much to alleviate my misconception; Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Snow White all sported variations of the same perfect coif.

Disney Princesses

Even though the Disney Princesses never grew up, I did. In August of 2001, the month before I started seventh grade, “The Princess Diaries” was released in theaters. This movie deserves a spot front and center on any curly girl’s wall of shame. Anne Hathaway’s character is an unassuming high school student when she is told she is the princess of a small European country, Genovia. Her grandmother, the Queen, swoops in and gives her a makeover that will transform her from outcast to royalty.

The first change toward her new look? Going from curly to straight hair.

The generation that grew up with “Cinderella” and “The Little Mermaid” was rapidly growing out of them, so Disney provided us with a replacement; Mia Thermopolis, Princess of Genovia. At the time, I wore my hair almost exactly like Mia does in the beginning of the movie. When the film came out, some of my classmates saw her remarkable on-screen transformation and assumed I should do the same.

What they didn’t realize was that the character’s transformation didn’t come from the fact that her hair was now straight. As Mia gains confidence, poise and a sense of identity, she becomes more attractive to the viewer. I wish they would have avoided the flat iron, however, as they showed this transformation in her personality.

I’m not a princess, but I know that if I were to find out I was the heir (hair?”> apparent to the throne of a small European country, I would wear my curls with as much enthusiasm as I wore my tiara.


Email your questions to Julia.
Kids Curly Hair Q&A: Dealing with the Halo of Frizz

Q: I have a 6-year-old daughter who’s starting school next year. In our schools in South Africa, it’s compulsory for them to wear their hair up and out of their faces. She has long, blond curly hair. It’s not a very tight curl. It looks like locks, but it does frizz around her face when it’s in a ponytail. Do you have advice for me to keep her hair from frizzing? I’d also like to have a few ideas for different ways I can take her hair up. We are getting bored with only plain ponytails and buns. I have always had really short hair so I’m not too creative when it comes to long hair.

Cozy: That “halo” of frizz is such a common problem, but one that is easily remedied! After you pull her hair back in a ponytail, rub and evenly distribute So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream on your hands. Next, run your hands from the scalp back to the pony, smoothing the hair as you go. This should evenly apply a light layer of cream to keep hair smooth and frizz free. I prefer the Styling Cream to a gel because it won’t show at all. Sometimes the gel can change the look of the hair a little. You can also do this at any time of day to refresh. As for new styles, it’s hard to recommend any without seeing her hair. But look through magazines and see what appeals to you. Just don’t try to achieve those looks when you are rushing out the door in the morning. Experiment on the weekends or when you have some spare time. It will be a fun activity for you and your daughter!

Q: My 18-month-old daughter has very tight ringlets all over her head. If you pull her ringlets down straight, they are at the bottom of her neck. But I’m always battling knots. Should I be doing a daily routine with her hair?

Cozy: Yes, it’s so important to detangle daily before it becomes overwhelming. It is such a big problem for so many people that we created a kit just for this purpose! Try the So Cozy It Takes Two to Detangle Kit. Start with the Lucky Lime Pre-Detangling Treatment, which you use in the tub with the wide-tooth comb (it comes with the kit”>. Apply a liberal amount after shampooing, using more in tangled areas. Combing through tangles with the Pre-Detangler in her hair will be much easier and painless. Make sure to start at the bottom of the hair, holding a 1-inch section and working your way up the strand, inch by inch. Continue around her entire head. If you do this regularly, it won’t take long because it won’t be very tangled. Also in the kit is the Fruity Delight Detangler & Leave In Conditioner. This is great for removing tangles all other times of day and is also great because it is a leave-in conditioner.

Q: I have a 5-year-old daughter with medium curls. My question is how can I keep it from getting so big? It just gets so puffy by the end of the day.

Cozy: It’s a two-part answer. 1. She needs a great cut. Often it gets big because the layers are too short. Find a good curly hair stylist. 2. Products. Using the right products makes all the difference. Using adult products often weighs down the hair, making it flat and lifeless. Using no products will allow frizz and lack of curl control. You should test out different styling creams and gels to see which ones work best for her hair. I recommend using products without alcohols and parabens. It’s never too early to teach your children to be healthy and environmentally concerned.

Q: My 8-year-old wants to wear her curly hair straight. Is it okay to flat iron her hair? I want her to love her natural curls, but I also want her to feel like she has options. If I do blow out her hair or flat iron it, what types of products should I use to protect her hair from damage?

Cozy: I advise against flat ironing her hair on a regular basis, and really just save it for an extra special occasion. I know how badly it damaged my own hair so I can speak from experience. Of course the best option is to try to work with her to embrace her natural curls, but I completely understand the allure of straight hair. When you do blow it out (better than a flat iron”>, make sure to use a good leave-in conditioner first. Try So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler, not only will it protect her hair, but it will help to prevent frizz and keep it smooth looking. Good luck!

Treat Your Hair to the Benefits of Chocolate
chocolate1.jpgThe cacao tree is as beautiful and intriguing as it is useful. One of the top economic botanical plants, Theombroma cacaos pods yield cocoa butter, cocoa powder and that confection we desire most of all during February: chocolate.

Savoring the numerous health benefits of chocolate is a nourishing treat for skin and hair—adding shine, vibrancy and improving the general health of both. By using chocolate and cocoa butter products on your hair and skin, you get to enjoy the delightful chocolaty aroma and reap the benefits of antioxidants, vitamin and mineral, while skipping the fear and guilt of overindulging this February 14th.

The Theobroma Cacao tree grows in the tropical rainforests of Central America and Africa (particularly Ghana”>, where it makes a significant impact on the local economy. The tree is a remarkable sight. It has dark brown bark, resembling the color of chocolate. White flowers grow directly from the branches and trunk of the tree. The delicate, light-colored blossoms create a sharp visual contrast against the deeply colored, rough-looking bark. In fact, the cacao tree is one of the more unusual trees that I’ve seen. The scent emitted by the trees is subtle—not the rich chocolate aroma you might expect.

The part of Theobroma Cacao used in most in natural beauty products is also edible, derived from the processed beans. This article examines cocoa butter and its benefits for the hair and skin. Then we’ll focus on the tree’s other gift: chocolate.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is created from hydraulic pressings of the cocoa nib or cocoa mass from cocoa beans, which are further refined through filtering or centrifuge. The scent of cocoa butter is removed using steam or a vacuum. Some herbalists massage therapists and aromatherapists prefer the scentless substance called deodorized cocoa butter.

cocoabeans.jpgCocoa beans are 15 percent fat. Cocoa butter has been traditionally used as a skin softener, emollient, belly rub and soothing substance for burns. The oil is a very attractive as an ingredient in herbal cosmetics. It is useful as a superfatting[1] agent in soap. Oils and fats have different saponification value—”SAP values”—which is the amount that it will take to fully saponify 1 oz. of that oil. Because of this, each fat requires a different amount of lye to convert the fat to soap. Cocoa butter has a SAP value of 0.137.

Cocoa butter is a useful ingredient for vegans (those who prefer no animal products including beeswax”> since cocoa butter is a serviceable hardener, thickener and counterbalance to stickier ingredients like shea butter. An additional contribution of cocoa butter is that no solvents are involved in its manufacture; it is a human food-grade, edible ingredient. The edible aspect is appealing to those who desire wholesome, nurturing ingredients in homemade potions, creams and healing balms. Cocoa butter is widely available, ships well, is reasonably priced and has a shelf life of two to five years.

The high stearic composition allows cocoa butter to increase the hardness in handmade soaps and healing balms. In a pinch, I have substituted it for bees ax with good results. It can also be used as base oil in soap-making. When used this way, it is best combined with other oils, such as coconut oil, to produce a lather. The addition of tropical oils—coconut, palm or almond oil—also helps create a looser healing balm or salve that melts faster.

A hard soap, containing large concentrations of cocoa butter lasts for a long time in the bath. Cocoa butter-enriched soap will also hold intricate patterns of elaborate molds.

One of my favorite ways to use cocoa butter is simply to hold a small chunk of the butter in my hand as I run hot water in the bathtub. The cocoa butter melts and acts as a skin softener in the bath. After the bath, particularly during winter, I find cocoa butter useful on rough skin areas. I apply it nightly to my heels after a bath and then promptly put on cotton socks for an evening of foot softening. This also works well on calloused hands.

Black Cocoa Butter

Black cocoa butter is one of my newest obsessions. Most of you are probably familiar with the eggshell-colored cocoa butter that has been widely available for quite a while. Most of the ordinary cocoa butter that comes from Africa is processed before the seeds are allowed to germinate. With black cocoa butter, the cacao pods are germinated first, which produces a deep, espresso-colored butter that smells like roasted cocoa. As body butter, it truly lives up to the botanical name Theobroma cacao—”food of the gods.”

If you want to try something a little different in your skin-softening regimen. consider black cocoa butter because it is softer and more readily malleable than the cream-colored type. Black cocoa butter [2] is very easily absorbed by the skin,* and a nice addition to soaps, lip balms and body butters. It is useful as a hot oil treatment to condition the hair. I purchase this from Shea Terra Organics, Inc., a supplier that buys oils and butters directly from African cooperatives.

Chocolate

Chocolate itself is a newer arrival onto the skin and hair-care scene. Chocolate is derived from the same parts of the cacao tree, but is processed adding in other ingredients, such as milk, which is also good for the hair and skin. This derivative of the cocoa pod contains flavonoids called catechins—very effective antioxidants. Dark chocolate, which has hardly any sugar, is preferred for health benefits taken internally or applied externally in a spa treatment or hair-care formula. Dark chocolate has 35 percent more of the brown paste of ground cocoa beans than other chocolate so it is a concentrated formula. Lactose acid in milk has been shown to help deter wrinkles as well as smooth and refine skin texture.

For hair, lactose acts as a good humectant that helps curly tops retain moisturizer. The protein in chocolate is boosted by the milk, making it good for “natural” (without chemical relaxers or permanent colorants”> hair.

Antioxidant Benefits

Many of you are already familiar with the health benefits of green tea, and you may have noticed that it’s showing up in a growing number of hair and skin-care products. You might not be familiar with the fact that cocoa has more flavanoids, which means you are gaining a huge antioxidant boost from cacao-imbued products. In fact, chocolate may well be the best available source of flavanoid to use as a dietary ingredient, so just think of what that could do for your hair and skin.

What’s So Good In Chocolate?

Nutrients in chocolate include:

  • Protein
  • Riboflavin
  • Vitamin A
  • Thiamine

The minerals:

  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Phosphorous
  • Copper
  • Magnesium

Chocolate and Community

There are a wide variety of botanical-based beauty products containing cocoa butter and chocolate available in spas, salons and shops. As I mentioned, cacao is a huge economic boon to some countries. Unfortunately, the way that wealth is distributed is not always fair. It is best to buy chocolate products involved with fair-trade programs. Otherwise you may be supporting child labor or even the slavery industry, which has cropped up in parts of Africa around the chocolate industry. No organic chocolate products have been indicated in such activities, so you’re safe buying organic chocolate, cocoa butter and cacao health and beauty products.


Products containing ingredients from the cacao tree:

Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade

Oyin Handmade Grand Poo Bar

Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding

Wild Woozle Tiare Pommade

Curl Junkie Guava & Protein Curl Creme

Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave-in Conditioner

Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Creme Leave-in Conditioner

Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment

Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme

Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme

Circle of Friends Niklas & Heidi’s Yodel-Ay-He Chocolate Shampoo

Carole’s Daughter Hair Milk

Carole’s Daughter Khoret Amen Shea Butter Hair Smoothie

Carole’s Daughter Tui Shea Butter Hair Smoothie

Carole’s Daughter Hair Balm

Carole’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

Somerset Toiletry Co. Cocoa Butter Intensive Hair Conditioner

Philip B. Chocolate Milk Body Wash

Hairlox Cocoa Butter All-Purpose Cream

African Vision Shea Butter Daily Hair Cream


About the author: Stephanie Rose Bird is an herbalist and aromatherapist. She is also author of “Four Seasons of Mojo: an Herbal Guide to Natural Living” and soon-to-be released book on the spirituality of Africans and trees.
Kids Curly Hair Q&A: Do Adult Products Work for Kids’ Hair?

Q: I have 2c/3a hair. My daughter is closer to a 2a/2b. I don’t know what products to use in her hair. I have tried some of mine, but they tend to weigh her hair down.

Cozy: You are smart to look for the proper products for your daughter. Children’s formulations tend to be gentler and address the different needs that children have. I assume you are looking for a product that will help enhance her natural curls and eliminate frizz- without weighing her hair down. Try “scrunching” in So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream after her bath. Before scrunching, wring out excess water and try to apply evenly. For touch ups, you can use this on dry hair too to help reactivate the curls.

Q: I am going crazy. I have a 4-year-old (girl”>, a 3-year-old girl and a little one that just turned a year in September (boy”>. I am black, with very dry thick hair, and my husband is white with thin, fine hair. My oldest daughter has very long curly, but mainly wavy, hair. It’s thin like her dads, but because there is so much of it, it looks really thick. Right now, she uses adult shampoo and conditioners and a kid detangler. I tried Pert Plus, but it didn’t do enough. She is so tender-headed. My youngest daughter has curly hair like Shirley Temple — long ring curls. It isn’t too bad, but I have to use a anti-frizz cream so her hair doesn’t look like a big fuzz ball. How often should I wash their hair? And what are some good product suggestions?

Cozy: Let’s separate your issues. 1. Product recommendations: You should definitely use children’s products for both your girls. They are gentler and have the vitamins and nutrients that growing children need. Check out the So Cozy products in CurlMart. You will have your choice of all kinds of great hair products for kids, that come in fruity fragrances that kids love. 2. For your daughter’s tangles, try So Cozy Lucky Lime Pre-Detangling Treatment in the tub. Apply a generous amount after shampooing, and then comb through with a wide-tooth comb. It’s very important that you take an inch section of hair, hold it with one hand and start combing from the bottom,, working your way up the hair. This prevents tugging on her scalp, which can be very painful. Work your way around her head. You can touch up with So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler when dealing with tangles on the go. 3. Frizz- After the bath, wring out excess water and “scrunch in” some Groovy Grape Styling Gel evenly around her hair. NEVER brush her hair. This will separate the curls, making it look frizzy. To reactivate curls during the day, spray in the So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler and scrunch! Since it is also a leave-in conditioner, it’s good for her hair too!

Q: My 2-year-old daughter has beautiful curls. They are not super tight ringlets — more of a loose curl. But they are definitely more curly than wavy, which is what my 8-year-old daughter has. I am having a hair problem with her! She absolutely hates it when I mess with her hair. I only shampoo about once or twice a month, and usually it’s just with conditioner. I only comb her hair when it’s wet with conditioner in the bath. The problem is that by the end of the day or the next day, her hair is frizzy and everywhere!

The more immediate problem is that her hair is always in her eyes, and it clearly bothers her. She won’t leave anything in her hair — clips, headbands, scrunchies, etc. It gets ripped out within minutes, and putting it in is a battle. She spends most of her playtime pushing her hair back out of her eyes. I don’t want to make fixing her hair a huge battle, and some have suggested that I cut her hair into a style that will not be in her eyes. The problem is that I love her crazy hair, and I don’t want to cut it! More important, I don’t know what styles would be cute and manageable for her. I am a straight-haired mama, so I have learned all I know about managing her hair — which isn’t much — from my curly friend.

Cozy: First of all, it is crucial that you get the right haircut her—one that you will love too! I remember how sad I was to cut my son’s long locks the first time. But I also remember how much more I loved his hair afterwards! It’s not uncommon to see parents cry during a first haircut, instead of the kids! Consult a good stylist who you can trust. Second, it is clear that you need a very simple routine for now. This phase will eventually pass. But in the meantime you don’t want to turn her off to proper grooming in the formative years. I would recommend So Cozy Tropical Fruit 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo, to combine two steps together. To handle the frizz, use So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler. It is a spray-in Conditioner and will help smooth hair and enhance her natural curl. Since it is a leave-in conditioner, it is great for her hair too!

Q: About two weeks ago, I took my daughter in to get her long curly hair cut. We ended up cutting it into a bob and donating her long curly locks to Locks of Love. Since then, I have been unable to get her hair to curl up. I have used her regular curl shampoo and let dry naturally, but nothing? Why did this happen and how do I fix it?

Cozy: It is quite possible that your daughter’s hair has been changing and you didn’t realize it because of the length of the curls. You may have noticed that the top of her hair was straighter than the bottom. It is quite common for children’s (as well as adults'”> hair texture to change throughout their lives. Perhaps you can bring out a natural wave/curl with a different cut, adding some long layers. In any case, it is important that you embrace her natural hair to encourage good self-esteem in your child, no matter what her texture is.

Q: I grew up hating my curls because no one was around to teach me that they were beautiful. Actually, I didn’t really know that I had curls until I was 15. All I knew was that I had hair that was frizzy and unmanageable. Plus, I kept hearing that my hair had to look “nice,” which meant smooth and perfect. I was also told natural curls looked like you’d stuck your finger in a light socket. I finally went curly at 16, and my hair finally looked good and got me compliments. Now, my 3 1/2 year old daughter has wavy hair, and I’m trying to take care of her curls and just let them go free. I don’t want her to hate her hair like I used to.

Cozy: Your daughter is lucky to have a mom who totally understands how difficult curly hair can be for a child (and an adult, too!”>. Nothing looks worse than straightened, frizzy curly hair! I grew up not understanding my hair, spending too many hours worrying about it. It sounds like you will help her embrace her natural curls, which is a gift! Keep up the good work!

For more information about buying So Cozy products, visit CurlMart.

Naturally Speaking: Tina’s Tresses

Tina Turner was a wigless and weaveless Anna Mae Bullock when she was born November 26, 1939. But when she grew up, hooked up with Ike and hit the road as Tina Turner, sightings of her real hair was history. A few years back I wrote about Tina’s relationship with her hair that appears in my book, “Nappyisms: Affirmations for Nappy-Headed People and Wannabes.” I’d like to share those musings with you:

I have always admired Tina Turner.

I admire Tina for her uninhibited stage presence and for having the sexiest set of legs on the planet.

I admire her for finally finding the courage to leave Ike.

But what I have found most intriguing about Tina was the special bond she had with her wigs.
No matter what wild gyrations my favorite rock diva executed during her high-octane performances, her wigs always held tight.

Tina Turner

Tina was one of those sisters who wasn’t about to let anyone see what was really going on with her roots. I often wondered whether she used some sort of special adhesive to keep her chosen hair in place.

During television interviews, she was always fond of flipping and tossing her false tresses. I was a teenager when I watched those interviews and worried that she would accidentally hit a snag and expose what she didn’t want anyone to see.

Back in those days, one of the most mortifying things that could happen to black women who wore a wig was to have it fall off accidentally or be snatched off during a fight. Back then, we wore wigs not only to make a fashion statement but to cover up our naps. We were crazy like that.

I am convinced that fear of “wig shift” and nap exposure is what kept the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Aretha Franklin and other soul divas of those days from moving around too much when they performed.

But Tina never worried about wig shift. Her wig had such a grip that it even withstood the Proud Mary test.

For those too young to remember, “Proud Mary” is the rock-and-roll tune that Tina began by singing the words, “nice and easy.” Toward the end of the song, she would lead her backup singers in a wild, rough and frenzied dance. But through all of Tina’s wailing, flailing and strutting all over the stage, her hair remained firmly anchored.

A reporter for the Swiss News interviewed Tina, who lives in Europe, about her hair. According to the article, Tina described her wigs as being a part of her. She said that she purchases her hair from Spain and has it cut, colored and shaped to her specifications.

Tina is so attached to her wigs that she even wears them when she is puttering around her homes in Zurich, Switzerland and the south of France.

But Tina doesn’t put her hair through the grueling workout that she used to when she was on the road.

She is now in her 60s, and after doing countless concert tours and selling more than 180 million records, she is taking it “nice and easy.”

To mark her retirement, Tina made some changes in her lifestyle. Instead of “rolling on the river,” she spends more time relaxing by the Riviera. She has given up the flashy attire that suited her rock queen stage persona and replaced it with a wardrobe that is more low-keyed and comfortable.

But Tina hasn’t let retirement go to her head. She still hasn’t let go of her wigs.

That is certainly her choice.

But even though the former Anna Mae Bullock of Nutbush, Tenn. would rather flaunt her mane from Spain, the Swiss News revealed something that suggests that she has not strayed too far away from her roots.

According to the article, the real hair underneath Tina’s wig is styled into a bunch of little baby locks!

That’s right. Tina is a closet dread head!

Maybe we can convince her to come out of retirement long enough to perform Proud Mary one more time and rock her natural locks.

That may never happen. But we can only hope that one day she’ll let the poor babies come out long enough to get some air!

Kids Curly Hair Q&A: What to do About Hair Loss and Breakage

Q: My daughter is a 3b, I think. Back in April, her hair starting coming out around the edges. The doctor prescribed her Nizoral and Selsun Blue. I used it twice and noticed the texture of her hair was changing. I immediately stopped using it, but within a week’s time, I noticed her hair started breaking off. The breaking has not stopped yet. I first told the doctor and she told me that Nizoral can sometimes cause breakage. So she recommended olive oil and mayonnaise. That didn’t work. Then a beautician recommended using another product. That didn’t work. Now she is getting treatments once a week to repair her hair. But that doesn’t seem to be working either. Her hair is extremely dry, brittle and it looks very wiry. Her hair is usually very curly, thick and long. Now it’s a lot thinner, and it seems the breaking is only getting worse. Anytime I run my fingers through it, I get strands of her hair. Please help! Is there ANYTHING out there that can stop the breakage or even remotely get it back to the texture it use to be.

Cozy: This is a very difficult question to answer, especially without knowing the age of your daughter. But the first thing that comes to mind is your child’s diet. Does she take any vitamins? I would keep a journal of her daily food intake and possibly meet with a nutritionist. Second, I would talk with a dermatologist. Her problem sounds like more of a medical issue than an actual “hair” issue. While you are trying to get to the root of the problem, try to be very gentle with her hair so you don’t damage it more. Avoid tight elastics, wash infrequently to retain natural oils and use a generous amount of conditioner in her hair to keep it moisturized.

Q: My daughter has such thick hair. It almost looks like some sort of wig! She hates me touching her hair, but I have to wet it down with a spray bottle and put on a lot of gel to cut down some of the “bigness.” My husband is a barber and he cut a lot of layers into it and keeps it short. Any suggestions on cut and product?

Cozy: You are smart to ask about a cut and products for your daughter’s hair. The proper cut can make all the difference! A common mistake with thick curly hair is to try to “tame” it with a lot of layers. Very often, that will backfire and create that wig look you are describing. In my experience, longer hair with long layers will help avoid that “bigness” you are referring to. The right product is also very important. Try So Cozy Groovy Grape Styling Gel. It is alcohol free, so it won’t dry out the hair, but it will help maintain the natural curl and avoid frizz. Scrunch it into wet hair after bathing and let her hair dry naturally (or use a diffuser”>. You can also use it on dry hair to refresh the curls during the day.

Q: With my fine but thick and frizzy curly hair and my husband’s coarse thick curly hair, we knew our kids would have some major hair issues. We knew we’d have a hat baby — a baby that needs a hat all the time cause his hair is uncontrollable. I have no clue what to do with my baby’s hair. He has my texture, but it’s extremely dry in some areas. It’s coarse in one spot and frizzy. He has a huge mohawk with hair that’s pretty long. I put baby oil on it but it doesn’t help much. I’ve tried not washing it as often but then it looks dirty. Any suggestions?? If he was a girl, I’d actually put it in a ponytail right in the middle of his head. But, as a boy, i don’t think it would look right.

Cozy: Your son absolutely needs a haircut! A baby’s hair does not grow in evenly. Call ahead to a salon and find out who they would recommend to cut your baby’s hair and schedule an appointment with that person. Make the appointment at a good time for your child (not during nap time or when he is hungry”>. Bring along a few toys, a snack or a book to keep him busy and distracted during the haircut. Bring a spare t-shirt in case he doesn’t want to wear the cape. Don’t forget to save the first lock for your scrapbook!

Q: My daughter is in kindergarten and totally hates her hair. She is the only little girl in her class with curls, so she feels different. Because we live in a humid area, it gets really frizzy, which only makes her feel worse about it. How can I help her feel better about it? What styles are good for a child with baby fine, curly hair. What products do you recommend?

Cozy: It’s not easy being different than everyone else. But you need to help her embrace her curls and appreciate them. In order to do that, you need to enhance her curls and get rid of the frizz. When her curls are looking good, she will be able to enjoy them. This took me many years myself! She is so lucky to have someone to help her understand this. Generally speaking, putting some long layers into her hair will enhance the curls. Since you say she has baby fine hair, I would make sure to use a very light styling product that will eliminate frizz without weighing her hair down. Try So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream. You can scrunch it into her hair either wet or dry. Never brush her hair, this will create frizz. Rather, comb hair with wide tooth comb when in the tub to remove knots. I recommend combing her hair in the tub while using So Cozy Lucky Lime PreDetangling Treatment. It will remove tangles and condition at the same time, and it smells great too.

Q: Do bangs work with curly hair or not? I want to try something new with my 5-year-old daughter’s tight ringlets.

Cozy: It is very difficult to wear bangs properly with curly ringlets. Instead, try long layers. This will help give her hair a different style, yet will work well with the ringlets.

Q: I don’t like to wash my second-grade daughter’s hair at night because it gets all frizzy and pouffy by morning. But I don’t want her leaving the house in the morning with her hair wet. Is it okay to blow dry a child’s curly hair? If I do, should I use a diffuser?

Cozy: It is fine to blowdry curly hair, but only with a diffuser. There is an alternative to washing her hair in the morning. She should sleep with a loose ponytail or braid, to help prevent her hair from getting out of control overnight. In the morning, you can scrunch in some So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream. This will help to reactivate her natural curls and get rid of the frizz from overnight.

Whatever Nappened to… BEN "Fear the ‘Fro" WALLACE?

I promised to share with my readers occasional updates about people or issues that were once involved in controversial hair matters — nappy hair issues in particular. I refer to these updates as my “Whatever Nappened to . . . .” reports.

My first offering is about Chicago Bulls basketball player Ben Wallace, formerly known as “Fear the ‘Fro.” Wallace, once known as the NBA’s “Most Valuable Defensive Player,” and also known for his wild and wooly Afro.

During his glory days as a Detroit Piston, Wallace’s Afro was as intimidating as his awesome moves on the court. Whenever Wallace made a particularly powerful slam dunk or slapped a shot out of the air, he made a point of directing attention to his ‘do. He claimed that his Afro was his source of power. He was the one who gave himself the nickname, “Fear the Fro!”

His fans in Detroit never disputed his boastful words. In fact, they frequently paid tribute to Wallace’s “mane” asset by showing up at games wearing oversized Afro wigs.

Wallace and his familiar ‘fro were also mentioned in the movie “Four Brothers,” which takes place in Detroit.

Ben Wallace

Wallace left the Pistons in July, 2006, and signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. His disgruntled fans in Detroit fans balked and sarcastically changed his nickname from “Fear the ‘Fro,” to “Fear the Dough.”

Wallace’s playing skills haven’t diminished since he moved to Chicago, but his nappy crown hasn’t had the same fame in Chicago that it had in Detroit.

A few months after playing with the Bulls, he was pulled from a game against the New York Knicks in November 2006. His temporary suspension had nothing to do with his ‘do. It had everything to do with the ‘ornament’ that he wore in it.

Wallace was benched for wearing a red headband.

Wearing headbands was forbidden by Bulls head coach Scott Skills and general manager John Paxton Wallace knew that but decided to be hard-headed and wore one anyway. He said at the time that the only reason he violated the rule was to shake up the team. The Bulls were 4-9 in the early season. The next month, the Bulls went on to have a 14-3 month. He never wore the headband again.

Kids Curly Hair Q&A: Should I Brush My Curly’s Hair?

Q: My 3-year-old daughter has mostly curly hair. If I let it dry naturally, it is much curlier. But it is fairly long and it tends to straighten out in some sections while remaining quite curly in others. In other words, it’s not the big whopping curls you see on some kids because she seems to have a few sections that are rather wavy instead of curly. Is this because she doesn’t have a proper ‘curly hair cut,” if there is such a thing? Also, I usually brush it, and the curls pretty much come out when I do that. I would like to maximize the curls, but I think that means no brushing, using certain products and a special cut. What should I do?

Cozy: It seems like you already know the answer to your question. She should definitely get a great haircut that will help to enhance her curls. Oftentimes, if there aren’t enough layers or the layers are too long, it will drag down the hair creating those straight hair sections. You are also right about brushing: NEVER brush curly hair! It will cause the cuticle to stand up, which creates that frizzy look. Instead, when she is done bathing, scrunch an alcohol-free styling gel into her hair to enhance her natural curl. I recommend So Cozy Groovy Grape Styling Gel. You will need to experiment with the amount of product needed to see what works. Start with a nickel-size and try to evenly distribute it through her hair while scrunching.

Q: I am the mother of a beautiful 8 1/2-year-old who will only wear a ponytail. She has 3b hair underneath, and most of her hair around the top — from the middle of her head up — is probably 3c and fuzz. Two years ago, I had her hair relaxed and only touched it up once. She only has about one inch of straight hair left on the ends. It seems like her hair has changed. I used to be able to let her wear some curls, but now it is just peach fuzz. I have used all sorts of products, but none of them seem to last on her hair.

Cozy: Your daughter obviously isn’t comfortable with her hair yet, which is VERY common. That is why she likes to wear it in a ponytail. I don’t see anything wrong with her wearing it in a ponytail, other than that it can cause breakage to her hair. To help prevent breakage, try putting it in a looser band. Also, make sure to condition her hair every day to help moisturize and prevent it from drying out. Most importantly, you should try to help your daughter to embrace her natural curls. Take her to a trusted stylist for a consultation. A proper haircut can go a long way and can help transform your daughter’s insecurity with her natural curls into a newfound confidence.

Q:: My 4-year-old daughter has fine wavy hair. I need a recommendation for a good moisturizing conditioner. Her hair keeps tangling bad!

Cozy: You are smart to start using conditioner on your daughter’s hair. It is so important to keep hair hydrated to prevent it from drying out. Try So Cozy Sweet Strawberry Conditioner. Not only is it packed with vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A and E and Sweet Almond Oil, but it smells so good your daughter will love it. Half the battle is getting your child involved in the grooming process!

Q: My 6-year-old daughter longs for hair like her straight-haired friends. Is it all right to straighten her hair with a flat iron just so she can get a different look? If so, what’s the best way to do this?

Cozy: I don’t recommend straightening your daughter’s hair with a flat iron regularly for two reasons. The first and most obvious reason is that the heat from the iron is very damaging to the hair. Second, I think your time will be better spent helping her to find hair styles that embrace her natural curls. I wish that when I was a child, someone would have helped me to work with my naturally curly hair rather than wasting my time and energy trying to make my hair look like my straight-haired friends. With that said, if you are going to flat iron her hair, comb it into 1-inch sections and work section by section. Make sure to use a thermal protectant to reduce heat damage.

Q: We’re looking for help with a big problem: our 4-year-old daughter’s hair. It’s very thick and curly, and in some areas there’s thick frizz. It gets full of tangles and knots, which makes combing and washing it stressful for all concerned. We use conditioner and keep it braided, which helps, but not enough. We’d like to avoid cutting it really short, because the length is pretty and her hair has become part of her unique charm. Any suggestions?

Cozy: You are not alone! Believe it or not, tangles are the No. 1 problem we hear about at Cozy’s Cuts For Kids. We believe that for thick, curly hair, detangling is actually a two-step process. You need the So Cozy It Takes Two to Detangle Kit. It includes:

  • Lucky Lime Pre-Detangling Treatment – This breakthrough formula is designed to be used IN THE TUB as it instantly starts the detangling process in the bathtub by smoothing the cuticle, which allows knots to comb right out easily and gently. It is formulated with natural ingredients such as quinoa seed, nettle extract, panthenol and wheat protein, which work together to smooth, nourish and moisturize the cuticle, keeping hair silky, shiny and tangle-free.

    How To Use: Simply apply a generous amount to the hair after shampooing, using more in tangled areas. Then, use the enclosed wide-tooth comb to work the knots right out. Rinse and then towel dry.

  • Fruity Delight Detangler & Leave-In Conditioner– This fruit-scented spray is designed to be used ON THE GO to keep hair smooth and full of precious moisture. It contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and wheat starch to condition and protect the hair shaft as well as Pro-Vitamin B5 to thicken and straighten the hair.

    How To Use: Spray evenly over the entire length of the hair, avoiding the face and eyes. Apply liberally onto hard to comb areas. Brush or comb hair at the ends and work upwards towards the scalp.

  • Wide Tooth Comb with Hook Handle – Used by the pros at Cozy’s Cuts for Kids, this comb makes detangling as easy and tug-free as possible.
  • Miniature Rubber Ducky – No bath would be complete without a fun toy, so this cute little guy comes along, too.
  • Detangling Instructions – Written by the experts at Cozy’s Cuts For Kids, these tips will give parents step-by-step instructions on how to use the kit.

Q: I have a 19-month-old daughter who has wavy/curly hair, and it’s unruly. I would love to get her a short haircut because it would be so much easier, but I wouldn’t do it because she would look like a boy and I don’t want that. What are my options?

Cozy: Not all short haircuts are “boy” cuts! You need to find a trusted stylist to consult with. You may want to look through magazines or research haircuts on the Internet to open up your mind to all the possibilities. I see hundreds of adorable little girl haircuts every month that are so cute & feminine. In the meantime, to alleviate the unruliness, try So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler & Leave-in Conditioner. It will help you to gently comb through her hair, while conditioning it at the same time.

Just Peachy: Peach Leaf and Peach Kernel Oil for Healthy Skin and Hair

When you think of peaches, you typically think of a juicy summer fruit as well as a delectable addition to pies and traditional American cobblers.

These days, peach is finding its way onto the ingredient list of cosmetics. Why, you may ask, would I want to lather up with a peach? In this article, we explore the wholesome qualities of peaches. By showing how to use peach tree parts as herbs, it will help explain why peaches are not only tasty but also an herb useful in healing, hair conditioning and skin treatments.

Peach Habit and Distribution

Peach is known as (Prunus persica”> in botanical Latin. Peaches grow in many different temperate and warm regions around the world. In the United States, the dominant peach producer is California, although Georgia peaches are famous. Personally, my memories of peaches come from the numerous orchards in South Jersey where I grew up. Where ever they hail from, peaches are a delightful seasonal fruits, brimming with vitamins, minerals as well as fiber.

Parts Used and Purpose

While we focus on the fruit, other parts are useful in cosmetics. The leaves are quite medicinal, possessing diuretic, expectorant, laxative and sedative qualities. Peach leaf tea is used for chronic bronchitis and chest congestion. This tea has such a strong laxative action that is not recommended during pregnancy. The powdered leaf is made into a poultice and used to heal wounds.

Peaches contain a lot of boron, which boosts steroids in the blood. The boron in peaches increases estradiol 17B, the most active form of estrogen, making the fruit useful during menopause or after a hysterectomy. I can attest to peaches efficacy in relieving menstrual cramps and PMS.

Peaches are also believed to decrease the occurrence of osteoporosis and increase testosterone because of the boron they contain. A collaborative study between U.S. government scientists at the Agricultural Research Service and their South African and Israel/Palestine colleagues found natural oil in peaches kills fungi and other pests in the soil. This peach oil is being investigated as a pesticide that would be safer for animals, people, insects and the environment than other options.

Many handmade soap makers and cosmetic formulators, both large and small, use nature identical oil (NIO”> or synthetic peach scent (fragrance oils”> for scenting candles, soaps, creams, lotions, conditioners, shampoos and pomades. Aromatherapeutically, peach scent lends thoughts of peacefulness, gaiety and romance, hence its use in aphrodisiacs. The juice, oil, pit and fruit are used in magical love brews.

What’s the Big Deal About Peach Kernel Oil?

One of the most important parts of the peach when it comes to the hair and skin is the kernel oil. Peach kernels are pressed, yielding precious, sun kissed, non-greasy oil that is added to many cosmetic products. Peach kernel oil contains minerals including boron (previously discussed”>.

I have always had very sensitive skin, and unfortunately I didn’t really start to have acne until my childbearing years. Peach kernel oil is a delicate oil suitable for those with skin like mine that is very allergic to artificial ingredients and fragrances. The oil’s regenerative and tonic abilities are attributed to its content of antioxidants vitamins A and E. Recommended for its ability to battle dehydration, peach kernel oil is also respected for smoothing wrinkles and lending suppleness to all skin types. Peach kernel oil is recommended for inflamed skin and is recommended for serious conditions such as eczema or psoriasis or overexposure to sun and wind. Peach kernel oil is also high in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPFAs”>.

Peaches in Hair Care

It seems that modern-day hair care product formulators have revisited the annals of herbal hair care. Traditional American Folklore espouses the use of peach leaf for hair conditioning and as a hair-growth aid used as a water-based infusion (tisane”>. I bought a pound of cut and sifted peach leaves and created a tea from some of it. I then used the peach-leaf infusion as a conditioning rinse on my kinky, curly, thick hair with good results. I like how it makes lackluster hair shine, and how it created more volume and body.

Peach kernel oil’s use in haircare formulations is similar to skin care. It acts as an emollient and is a light oil (easy to wash out and it doesn’t weigh down thin hair”>. By coating the hair shaft, it retains natural color and chemically applied color, making color treatments last longer. By gently coating the hair shaft, peach kernel oil protects hair from environmental conditions such as sun, wind, rain and pollution. Coating the hair shaft with light oil also deters frizz and helps define curl patterns. The nutrients in peach kernel oil, like peach leaf infusion, condition hair, aiding hair growth by preventing breakage and tangles.

Using Peach Kernel Oil

Peach kernel oil can be used neat (applied to scalp, hair or skin straight from the bottle”>. But that approach may prove expensive. Most formulators, aromatherapists and soap makers, including this one, dilute it.

Remarkably, it is equally effective in dilutions of 10 – 50% in carrier oils such as grape seed or sweet almond or jojoba oil, as it is used alone. Peach kernel oil can be used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy or as an emollient hair or skin treatment.

To use as a scented carrier oil to massage the head, scalp or body, stir 10 to 12 drops of pure essential oil to 6 to 7 teaspoons of peach kernel oil. Recommended essential oils for kinky, curly or wavy hair include sage, rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, Roman chamomile, sandalwood, palmarosa, patchouli, ylang/ylang and neroli. You can pick a few and mix them if desired.

Do-it yourselfers will enjoy the superior emollient qualities of peach kernel oil when added to handmade creams, lotions, massage oils and lip balms. Luckily, these formulas now are pre-prepared and sold as ready-to-use bases by certain companies.

For best results, peach kernel oil needs to be kept out of the sun. Stored in a cool dry place it lasts an incredible two to three years. The oil should also be derived from cold-pressed kernels, as over-refining reduces antioxidants.

Warning: Anyone with nut allergies in their home should avoid peach kernel oil and products containing it.


Products Containing Peach
  • Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo
  • Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner
  • Back to Basics Pomegranate Peach Shampoo and Back to Basics Pomegrante Peach Conditioner
  • Garnier Frizz Ultra Doux Walnut Peach Leaf Shampoo and Frizz Ultra Doux Walnut Peach Leaf Conditioner

    Frederic Fekkai Technician Shampoo for Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair

  • Pure, cold-pressed peach kernal oil is available from many vendors, including Garden of Wisdom. It ranges from $6 16 ounces to $21 per gallon. This light, yellow, faintly scented oil can be applied directly to the skin, scalp and hair.
  • Brambleberry sells base (pre-prepared, ready-to-use”> lotion, lip balm, soap, cream, shampoo, to which peach kernal oil and favorite essential oils can be added. They also sell peach fragrance oil — one simply called “Peach” and the other called “Peachy Keen.” Added sparingly to your base, you can have a semi-homemade totally peach experience. Contact them at www.brambleberry.com or 360-734-8278.
  • Aromatic creates a base cream for mature, sensitive, dry skin featuring peach kernal oil to which you can add your own natural fragrances and color.
Curly Hair Q&A: Styles for the Tender-Headed

Q: My daughter, Arianna, is 4 years old. Her hair is 4b/3b from front to back and super thick. She is more tender-headed than I was at her age. None of the hairstyles I try last more than half a day before they frizz up, unless I do braids, which take hours and only last a few days. No moisturizers last in her hair. Detanglers only work until her hair is dry. Gels don’t work either. I don’t know what to do anymore!

Cozy: Are the hairstyles you are trying for her Arianna’s hair styles that work with her natural hair texture? I ask because I know that when I blow my curly hair straight, it doesn’t matter what products I use; if it is humid outside, my hair will frizz! Finding a style that works with the hair’s natural texture is half the battle of working with curly hair. Also, it sounds like Arianna’s hair really needs some great conditioning & moisturizing. Try leaving in a little conditioner in the bath, rather than rinsing it all out. I recommend So Cozy Sweet Strawberry Conditioner. It’s thick and creamy and enriched with Sweet Almond Oil for extra conditioning. Also, the sweet strawberry fragrance is a favorite with kids.

Q: After many years of wearing his hair short, my son has decided to grow his light brown 3c/4a hair longer. He has picked it, for fun, and it is a soft fro. He likes to just wash and dry it. But it is so dry that it just looks frizzy. We have also noticed a lot of hair in the shower after he washes it. I think this is a combination of natural hair loss that we never noticed when it was shorter, and the fact that his hair may be breaking because it is so dry. When he was little, we used to spray in detangler, comb it, mess it back up and he would have cute 3b curls. I would love to those type of curls again.

So I guess this is what I’m looking for: a conditioner and shampoo for multiracial hair, with a scent that’s not to flowery so it’s acceptable to a guy. I’d also like a leave-in product he can use to make looser, corkscrew curls, or at least keep it from getting frizzy. A possible problem here is that he plays basketball, and he doesn’t want something that will run into his eyes.

Cozy: Does your son like his hair the same way that you do? From what you have said, it sounds like he likes his new fro and thinks that it looks good, although you may think that it looks frizzy. Does he want help with his hair? If the frizz is the problem, stop picking it after you use detangler. Let the curls form their natural curls. A great detangler and leave-In conditioner sounds like just what your son needs. Check out So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler & Leave-In Conditioner. It may be the answer for both you and your son!. For shampoo and conditioner for multi racial hair, check out Mixed Chicks His Mix Hydrating Shampoo and His Mix Leave-in Conditioner. Both are formulated for guys.

Q: My 3c/4a toddler is terrified about getting her hair washed. It’s an ordeal! She’s afraid to take baths in the bathroom; we have to put her in a tub in the living room. I know it’s only a phase she’s going through. But the instant the water touches the back of her hair, she immediately starts fighting and water gets into her eyes and ears. She doesn’t understand that if she holds her head up, I can actually do a good job without getting face wet at all. I have a small watering can with a long spout that would work very well and keep her face dry, if she’d let me. But it is just about impossible. I could do so much more with her hair if she’d let me get it wet. I like to do conditioner rinses, oil treatments and things like that on our hair. Please help me!

Cozy: You are right in assuming it is just a phase your daughter is going through, and it will definitely pass. In the meantime, you need to simplify your process as much as you possible until she gets past this. Forget about oil treatments and everything else right now. Cleanliness is all you should worry about. Try a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner when you do shampoo her hair, cutting two steps into one. So Cozy Tropical Fruit is a nice, gentle product that smells great and will get the job done. As far as how to get her into the tub and allowing you to shampoo her hair, I recommend making a game out of it. When your daughter is NOT in the tub, have her give her baby doll a bath and wash its hair. Use the watering can and let her become involved in the process on her doll. This way, you can talk about it without her being emotionally involved. If that doesn’t work, try using a wash cloth over her eyes or a shampoo visor (Sassy makes a cute one”>. That will prevent water from dripping down her face. Good luck!

Q: I am VERY new to curls. My son was bald the first year of his life. Now his hair is growing, and it is curly. The top of his head is just wavy – maybe a 2a/b (more curl when wet”>. But his sides and back are pretty curly – 3a/3b. I’ve been wetting it in the mornings, but when it dries it gets really frizzy. I was wondering if there were any products that are safe for very young toddlers? I would like to cut down on the frizz without getting the “wet look.” I am curl illiterate.

Cozy: This is a very common problem. Many children have many different textures of hair. This is because the baby hair is growing out and their “real” hair is coming in. Rather than using water, which you already know doesn’t help, you need a product that will relax the cuticle and prevent it from looking frizzy. So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream was created specifically for this problem. It will help smooth and control his hair, and the light formulation will not leave it looking greasy or stiff.

Q: My 6-year-old has beautiful, shiny 3a curls. But they fall into her face. We have to pull it back with a headband or pull it back into a ponytail to keep it out of her face. She looks at her friends, and they don’t have to do this and she wonders why she does. Any ideas?

Cozy: Have you consulted with a stylist for ideas about different cuts and styles for your daughter? It’s hard to answer without seeing your daughter’s hair, but perhaps some professional advise may help. It may be possible that some long layers may help.

Curly Teen Scene: Travel Your Curls in Style
Julia Rizzo

Julia Rizzo

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

It was the middle of the night and we were running through the airport, checking gate numbers as we flew past. We only had a few minutes to go through security and find our gate. Our flight was boarding, and we were almost there.

There were a lot of thoughts going through my head as we raced through the airport; I was relieved when they allowed us to go to the front of the passport line, and I prayed we wouldn’t miss our flight from Amsterdam home to Syracuse. Of all the things, I was worrying about that night, my hair wasn’t one of them.

We made our connection, and after several hours of travel, we arrived home safely. I had spent the last several days in Rome, Florence and Venice with family friends, which was a wonderful experience.

Although my hair was the last thing I thought about when I arrived in Italy, I did consider my curls while packing for the trip. I dug through the bottom drawer of my vanity for my travel-size bottles, filling them with my most reliable products. I love these tiny containers. Who wants to carry 32 ounces of shampoo and conditioner when you’re only going to use two? I don’t blowdry my hair, but if you do, I recommend bringing a travel size hair dryer. If you’re traveling abroad, don’t count on a hotel having one, and be aware that you’ll need an adapter to plug it in.

Packing before I left, I couldn’t wait for the trip to begin. Before going to the airport I washed my hair and braided it over my left shoulder. The braid kept my hair relatively neat and in place. And the style is completely flat on the back of my head, which is perfect for sleeping on the eight-hour flight between Newark and Amsterdam.

Now, I won’t pretend I arrived with every hair in place, but when I undid my braid, my curls were wavy and fresh. During the week and a half I spent in Italy, the only thought I gave to my hair was when I was washing it. Generally there is less water pressure abroad than there is in the United States, so I used less conditioner and spent another minute rinsing.

There are curly girls all over the world, and you’ll find them whether you’re in nearby city or another continent. If you find yourself traveling anytime soon, I hope you have an amazing trip!

Stay Curly,

Julia


Email your questions/comments to Julia.

The Benefits of Tamanu

tamanu plant

Tamanu oil has become a highly prized raw material, popping up in a variety of cosmetics and hair-care products because of its ability to regenerate, strengthen and protect.

Known as Calophyllum inophyllum L., Clusiaceae, it is brimming with essential fatty acids and nutrients, gaining a reputation as a miracle oil.

This article describes Tamanu oil, where it comes from, its traditional uses as well as how it may be useful to those of you with kinky, curly or wavy thick hair.

Tamanu Shrub

Tamanu shrub is indigenous to tropical Southeast Asia; growing in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, South India, Sri Lanka, and the Melanesian and Polynesian islands. This dark-barked shrub grows up to three meters tall and has shiny elliptical, beautiful leaves with a tendency to crack. Twice a year Tamanu blooms, perfuming its environment with fragrant, white flowers. Later these flowers transform into clusters of yellowish green-skinned spherical fruit. The fruit’s pulp is pleasant, with flesh tasting much like an apple but with a large nut nestled in its flesh.

The nut is of primary interest to those utilizing the tree for cosmetic reasons. It contains a pale kernel, called ‘punnai’ in certain areas of the Pacific. The kernel is sun dried for several months, becoming sticky, dark, thick and rich oil in the process. This precious oil is cold-pressed, yielding greenish yellow oil with some similarity to olive oil and a nutty smell. The oil is expensive because the trees are very slow growing, and 100 kilograms of its fruit is required to yield just 5 kilograms of cold pressed oil. This is equivalent to the full yield of the nuts of one tree.

Folk Uses of Tamanu

There are many traditional uses for Tamanu oil in the journals of folk healers where it grows. It primarily it is utilized for critical skin care. In Indonesia, its dark leaves are soaked in water; the resulting infusion is a blue brew that is applied to irritated eyes or consumed internally to treat heatstroke. In the Philippines, its rich elixir soothes hemorrhoids. Some groups of Filipinos also use Tamanu sap along with sulfur to formulate an ointment for boils, open sores and wounds. Similarly, the Manus people of Papua New Guinea infuse the leaves over an open fire. Once they are softened, they are applied to a number of skin disorders including boils, cuts, sores ulcers and acne or other skin breakouts. On Dobu Island the leaves are used to make a tea, which cleanses skin rashes.

Centuries ago, Jamaicans used a type of Tamanu species to treat wounds and sores. Fijians use Tamanu oil for joint pains, arthritis, bruises, oozing wounds, chapped lips and preventing diaper rash. In many places where Tamanu grows, it is recognized as an analgesic for sciatica, rheumatism and ulcers. Pacific islanders also apply Tamanu oil topically to scrapes, cuts, burns, insect bites and stings, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, diaper rash and herpes sores. The oil is used for several foot disorders, cracking skin and foot odor.

Like elsewhere in the world, Europeans use it on an array of skin disorders including mucous membrane lesions, chapped skin, surgical wounds, skin allergies, cracked skin, bedsores, wounds, rashes, abrasions, athlete’s foot, boils, and infected nails. It is highly touted as a treatment for puffy, wrinkled eyes with dark circles underneath.

The fact that is can be used on chemical burns makes it a welcome addition to African-American and Latina hair care or for others who chemically or heat-straighten their hair. Tamanu oil’s ability to regenerate and act as an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic make it a welcome addition to the curly hair care arsenal, particularly in protective and healing formulas for those who use heat or chemical formulas on their locks. Many of us with kinky, curly and wavy hair seek natural ingredients to help with hair growth or to stop breakage — in this area Tamanu oil shows promise. Not only is Tamanu oil recommended for skin disorders or scalp burns, but its regenerative properties make it the oil to reach for when trying to recover from hair loss. It is a wonderful aid for sisters seeking relief from brand-new, super tight cornrows, or micro-braid extensions, which often produce a burning, itching, irritating sensation on the scalp or even freshly twisted locks as well as on Nubian Knots.

Tamanu contains chemical constituents that are scientifically proven to help restore and regenerate. In shampoo products, the saponification process releases calophyllic acid from the oil, which is highly restorative. Look for shampoos specifically containing Tamanu. Tamanu promotes new tissue formation, accelerating healing and healthy skin growth.

You will notice Tamanu goes by many names so always look back to its botanical Latin name. It often is called Foraha oil.

It can be obtained from most online fixed oil suppliers, soap-making suppliers and handmade cosmetic suppliers and at your local health food stores. It typically is applied directly to skin undiluted, although you may want to dilute it to save money. There have been some scientific reports of adverse effects from topical application (contact dermatitis”>, so do a 24 hour pre-test before using. Apply a small bit to the wrist and see if there is a reaction the next day.

Tips

For thick, dry hair, Tamanu oil can be applied directly to the hair directly after shampooing or as a deep-moisturizing pre-wash. Because of the extremely high cost of pure Tamanu oil, consider diluting it with a quality, nourishing carrier oil such as jojoba oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, hempseed oil or grapeseed oil. Because of its extremely pungent nutty smell, masking it with a few drops (dropped from a dropper 2-3 drops”> of lemongrass, ylang/ylang, patchouli, bois de rose or geranium would work well.

Products Containing Tamanu

  • John Masters Honey and Hibiscus Reconstructor
  • Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
  • Shea Terra Organics Tamanu Oil
  • Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
  • Aveda Be Curly Conditioner
  • Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer
  • Aveda Be Curly Curl Control
  • REN Tamanu High Glide Shaving Oil
  • Sundari Neem & Tamanu Corrective Moisturizer
  • Sundari Neem Healing Treatment
  • Innersense True Embrace Body Lotion
  • Innersense Blissful Body Butter
  • Innersense Harmonic Healing Oil
  • Monoi Kemeri Tamanu SPF3
  • New Chapter Organic’s True Tamanu Tropical Topical Skin Rescue
  • Scar So Soft
  • Lauren Hutton’s Tamanu OIl Set
  • Boots Eastern Calming Massage Oil
  • Boots Calming Sandalwood, Amber & Tamanu Bath Soak
  • Mode de Vie Shea Butter Body Lotion with Tamanu Oil
  • Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Moisture Bath & Shower
  • Green Fire Herbs Healing Bath Oil
  • Aveda Outer Peace Acne Relief
  • John Masters Organics Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Cream
  • John Masters Organics Linden Blossom Face Creme Cleanser
  • John Masters Organics Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum
  • John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Face Serum
  • L’Anza Healing Moisture line

Raw Sources

Shea Terra Organics, (foraha from Madagascar”> 8400-C Hilltop Road, Fairfax, VA 22031 (checks must be made payable to African Shea Butter Co.”> call 877-427-6627; fax 703-846-9883

Sheabutter.com

Curly Hair Q&A: Jonathan Torch

Q : I just found the website and am curious about growing my hair out a bit. I have been wearing my naturally curly, dark blonde (with well-maintained highlights”> hair pretty short for about 11 years. I can style it as I please at this length (it’s no more than 3-4 inches long anywhere”>, but I’m quite bored and am thinking of growing it out — not long, but maybe just above my shoulders. I have a Scottish background, and my hair looks much like traditional British Isles curlies, loosening somewhat as I approach 40 years old. My concern is frizz and control. Once I style my hair in the morning, I don’t like to think about it any more until the next day. How can I style it as it grows and gets “big” and what kind of style might I have in the future that keeps its shape without being sprayed to hardness? I am tired of having bangs as well. It’s windy and/or humid a lot here!

Torch : As you have found, it is quite challenging to grow out curly hair. The process goes through several phases, and the styling ease and finished look vary from phase to phase. You will have to be flexible with the styling techniques and have a lot of patience. The benefits of growing out your curls are fantastic. You will feel younger and discover a curl freedom that you will love and appreciate. However, you should realize that curly hair tends to be messier than straight hair. That doesn’t mean that you will have frizz. I promise that the Curl Keeper will take care of that. The frizz will not be the problem. Having the persistence to allow your curls to dry on their own, with as little touching as possible, will be the greatest challenge. Creating the finished look needs patience to allow the products to do their job. When wearing your hair curly, you should first create the curls with Curl Keeper on wet hair and allow the hair to dry on its own until the entire frizz is controlled. Then, slowly and gently begin to soften and separate the firm curls to bring out the style that suits you. You will need the help of a qualified stylist to control where you want and need volume. Because you will need the hair to grow, I suggest working with a stylist to perfect your styling techniques. You can then show your hairstylist your curls when they look great so there is no guesswork involved. I have helped many people grow their hair long, and you will find that it is possible to make the journey a success. If you get discouraged, play with hair color. And, always use the best products.

Q : I have naturally curly red hair. I hate it because I am going on 17 years old and I still can’t figure out how to style it right. I get up in the morning and wash it. Then I put Paul Mitchell gel in it, let it air dry while doing my makeup, fling it back and forth and hairspray it with Aussie hairspray. It keeps the frizz down pretty good, but my hair looks like its wet all day. I want it to look nice and soft and dry without frizz. Can you help me, please?

Torch : You certainly take the time to style your hair! And, taking the time and effort in the preparation will result in more success in achieving perfect long-lasting, frizz-free curls. You should be able to rely on the correct products to perform properly. A good haircut can only go so far. That only applies to straight hair. The first step is to clean, condition and completely detangle your hair. Then, apply Curl Keeper generously throughout your wet hair. There are no silicones or oils in Curl Keeper so you can never overdo it. You want to achieve the same frizz control you have while your hair is wet without the look and feel of product in your hair. Allow your hair to dry on its own for as long as you can. If you are in a rush you can begin to diffuse your curls but only when they reach the point that the surface feels dry. That is when you will need patience. Slowly create some movement, but try not to disturb the curls you had while it was wet. If you overdo it, you can reactivate the Curl Keeper by wetting your hands with water and touching the flyaway curls. Because the Curl Keeper softens to the touch, you can create the fullness you are looking for when your curls are completely dry. The more movement you create, the softer and fuller your style will become. If you follow these steps, your frizz will be controlled for several days. Curl Keeper reactivates itself with water as long as you use a sufficient amount.

Q : I have naturally curly hair. My hair used to be very thick, and when cut short went right into an afro. The last 10 years, I have been losing my hair, so it is quite thin. I am 47 and am going through menopause. My hair is more wavy then curly now and I cannot seem to make it do what I want. I have no idea what kind of hairstyle would help me or if there is something else I should be doing at this time. My husband says I should cut it short — it is shoulder length and layered at this time. I prefer longer hair but it isn’t working well. Any suggestions?

Torch : If the best style for you depends on fullness, then cutting it short will not solve your problem. Volume is simple when working with curly hair. What causes curly hair to lie flat is the humidity factor — which drops in the winter months — and, over-layering curly hair. Cutting wavy hair short cuts the bend or curl right out of the hair. Be sure to study the curl or wave pattern before determining where your hair should be cut. Another cause of flatness is the overuse of products that build up film and coat the hair. To correct your problem, learn how to enhance your curls. This should be done when your hair is quite wet by applying Curl Keeper and some gel to the flat spots. A squishing technique is required, which means you squeeze your hair with your hands until you hear a squishy sound. If you don’t hear the “squish,” you either don’t have enough water or product in your hair. A few clips will help keep the wet squished hair in place until your hair dries on its own. Then you can diffuse your curls to speed up the drying time and expand your hairstyle. Remember, only judge your hairstyle when it is completely dry. This is a process to control your curls.

Q : I have naturally curly hair (obviously”>. I straightened it yesterday, just because I had basically nothing else to do, and decided to go pay my boyfriend a surprise visit at where he works. When he saw me, he flooded me with all these compliments on my hair and how pretty I looked with it straight. And he asked me why I didn’t straighten it every day. I told him it’s because it takes me an hour and a half, and he said “Okay, get up at four thirty.” I know he won’t like me any less because of my hair, but I can’t stop thinking that maybe if I straightened it every day it would make him more happy? I’m stuck between what’s easier for me, which is keeping it curly, and what he wants. Any suggestions?

Torch : The first impression your boyfriend got was a clean, shiny, controlled, longer hairstyle that was different and new. Change is fun and exciting, and I suggest that you don’t stay with one look all the time. The straight look will begin to look boring over time. What I suggest is to take the time and show him the full potential your curly hair has to offer. Don’t be lazy — take the time to use the correct products and learn how to create perfect frizz-free curls that are clean shiny and soft. Show him what real curls are made of.

Q : My name is Sandra and I am 57 years young. I have been fighting the frizzies all of my life until this past summer. I decided that I was too tired to fight with my hair any longer. I have let it go curly but did not realize how curly it was. I just thought that I had very wavy, frizzy hair. I tried many products and spent a lot of money doing this. I have found that mousse is the best product for me to tame my hair. I am still not satisfied! I have very course, dry, thick hair. I would like smooth, bouncy curls that shine too. Am I asking for a miracle? At my age I do not have the time or the patience that I had as a teenager. Please HELP me! My son is getting married in May, the start of the frizzy season. What can I do without spending thousands of dollars on products? Also ,does the right cut make the difference? I am counting on you to be my curly “Guru.”

Torch : The cut is only important once you have discovered the trick to creating perfect curls. To loosen the tight curls, you start by combing through soaking-wet hair with generous amounts of Curl Keeper from roots to ends. Our Silk Leave-In Conditioner will soften any wiry areas that are harder to control. I MUST emphasize that to do this properly your hair must be soaked with water and have Curl Keeper combed completely through. Some curly heads do this while still in the shower as it can be messy. When your hair is completely detangled, start combing with the smaller teeth of the comb. There is more tension with the smaller teeth which will result in looser curls. Your hair may need to be combed for quite some time before you are content with the looseness of your curl. If you squish your hair it may tighten up. However, if you can let your curls dry as much as possible on their own without touching, Curl Keeper will duplicate that exact formation without the frizz. Once you have dried your hair cuticle in a closed position with Curl Keeper, it will stay that way until it is rewashed. You can reactivate any section that frizzes up by simply running wet hands slowly over any frizzy areas. Once you have mastered controlling the frizz, you will enjoy your curls. The next step is to find a hairstylist that knows how to cut curly hair as your hair seems to have bulk issues.

Curly Teen Scene: Tips for Bad Hair Days
Julia Rizzo

Julia Rizzo

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

As a curly girl, I’m sure you know the feeling. Maybe you’ve been traveling, or you’re out of your favorite shampoo. Maybe it’s windy, or you just didn’t have any hot water this morning.

Whatever the reason, all curly girls face it once in a while — the inevitable bad hair day.

When my hair seems to have a mind of its own, I’m tempted to grab a comb and wrestle it into a bun. Instead, I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks to help you go from fuzzy to fabulous.

Since I was little, a spray bottle has been my secret weapon. I fill it with water and add a little conditioner or frizz cream. After giving the bottle a shake, I liberally spray my hair and scrunch it to reshape my curls. This is especially effective if I already have product in my hair and it just needs a lift, like when I get home from school.

I have coarse hair, and when I’m really in a pinch, I always have a quick fix near by — hand lotion! I’ll rub a small amount on my hands and dilute it with water, and then run my fingers over my hair. I’ve done this more than once when the dry Syracuse winters turn my hair into a static-filled frizz ball! If you have fine curls that tend to be oily, try working a very small amount of baby powder into your hair, especially near the roots. The light powder absorbs the oil and reduces the shine. Using the right amount is key; gray streaks probably aren’t the look you’re going for.

Finally, accessorize! I frequently wear scarves in my hair to keep it out of my face and to disguise flyways. I’ll reach for a scarf in the morning because I’m not allowed to wear my favorite accessory — a hat — to school. Hats have enough personality to merit their own column. They’re fun, functional and come in all shapes, styles and colors. Buy a hat in a neutral color that matches your taste. You may be surprised at how often you reach for it.

Stay Curly,

Julia


Email your questions/comments to Julia.

Majoring in Curls: Curls in Art
Majoring in Curls
Email your questions to Aimee.

I recently returned from a semester abroad in the lovely city of London. Four months in a different country provided countless opportunities for culture, museums, and theater.

The amazing thing about museums in London is that they’re completely free! Unlike most U.S. museums. England encourages people to absorb as much culture as possible without having to pay for it, which I love. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is the largest museum of paintings in the city, and I visited it three or four times. The time periods of the paintings span from the Medieval to around the 1800s.

When I visit museums, I’m drawn to paintings of people and how they lived—family portraits, saints and religious figures, and mythological scenes. It’s fascinating to see the differences in how people dressed and presented themselves.

Typically the first thing I notice in these paintings is the hairstyles. And it amazes me how many women (and men”> are painted with curly hair. Compared to more modern art, curly subjects are more prevalent than those with straight hair. Where do you think the name for Botticelli curls came from?

From a purely artistic perspective, curls are a fabulous way to create depth and texture on a canvas. Having a subject with curls is aesthetically pleasing for the viewer and challenging for the painter. It’s actually very difficult to paint curls because of the differences in light and dark, and the fact that they’re very close to each other. For the viewer, the curls make the eye travel the entire painting much faster.

My favorite curls were on paintings and statues of Venus, the goddess of love. Curls are typically associated with sensuality. But they also are seen on many religious figures.

In Sandro Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, the two subjects are reclining opposite, with Venus watching Mars as he sleeps. Her hair falls in curls around her head in tighter coils and a small bun, while longer tresses drape over her shoulders. Mars himself also has gorgeous shiny locks that fall over his face. Botticelli was a master of curls, and I think without them his paintings wouldn’t be the same. He also did numerous paintings of the Virgin and the baby Jesus. In the majority of them, both subjects have lovely curls.

The next time you visit a museum (which I highly recommend doing as often as possible”>, take a good look at the subjects and how they do their hair. Our ancestors knew that curls were gorgeous, and they took full advantage of it.

Whenever I’m at a loss for a new way to arrange my curls, I always take a page from historical paintings or movies. The people of ages past knew how to mix and match chignons, defined curls, braids, and natural curls. Historical looks won’t make you look too old or frumpy, I promise. Everyone will be asking how you did it.

Take a page out of Botticelli’s book and try something new!

The Beauty of Meadow Foam

Not long ago I wore my hair in a naturally curly tiny ‘fro about 1” in length. With a no-nonsense hairstyle like that, little refinements go a long way. I had been working to clarify my curls using a product that didn’t flake onto my clothing, turn white (a hideous look on dark brown hair”> or harden my hair. I also was looking for a product that delivered what its packaging promised. Low and behold I came across an exquisite gel in a spa, which has since (unfortunately”> gone off the market. What I remember about it is that it was all-natural and contained very few ingredients. The key active ingredient was meadow foam oil. For many NaturallyCurly.com readers, products containing meadow foam oil may also be just the ticket to simple, healthy, sexy-looking curly hair. To begin to understand why it is such an important oil for us, let’s explore the plant that yields the oil.

Useful Qualities of Meadow Foam Oil

As a light-colored, odorless triglyceride, meadowfoam seed oil is drenched in long-chain fatty acids, great for hair-care products because it’s moisturizing, without that greasy feeling we deplore.

“It is a good moisturizing and rejuvenating compound,” confirms Dr. Ali D. Ghannad, vice president of research and development for Farouk Systems, which uses the oil in styling aids and conditioners. “It’s excellent for shine. It adheres to your hair shaft.”

The oil is actually extracted from the crushed seeds of the meadowfoam plant, which is native to northern California, southern Oregon, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. An English botanist first classified the meadowfoam plant (also known by its scientific name, limnanthes alba”> back in the 19th century, when Europeans used to import it as an ornamental plant. After all, it was named after its beautiful, creamy white flowers that resemble a meadow of foam. It also grows more than a foot tall, with one or more branches sprouting from its base.

Many different types of cosmetics and personal care products contain meadow foam. Since meadow foam oil has the ability to remain on the skin for a long time, it is useful as a night cream. It is used in mousse and gels because of its good slip. Meadow foam oil is included in shampoos and conditioners because of the shine it lends to hair as well as, moisture retention frizz control, and conditioning ability. Other products that feature meadow foam oil: sun tan lotion, eye shadow, mascara, hand/face/night creams, cuticle repair lotion, face powders, lip sticks, rouge, shaving cream and body oils.

“It’s highly resistant to oxidation,” says John Davis, co-founder and director of AG Hair Cosmetics. “Any time you can prevent oxidation in hair you are going to keep hair and hair color more vibrant. If the color molecules start to oxidize you start losing color and it fades.”

Products Containing Meadow Foam

As a relentless researcher of hair-care ingredients, Curl Junkie founder Marsha Coulton began to notice the products that added the most shine and moisture to her curly locks contained meadowfoam seed oil. And when she decided to concoct her own line of curly products, she wasted no time ordering a batch. The testing began. What she found was an ingredient that was not only effective, but also “very efficient.” “It helps to provide shine but doesn’t weigh down the hair tremendously,” Coulton says. “It also helps to cut down some of the frizz and you don’t need huge amounts of it.”

Coulton now uses the seed oil mainly in her styling aids. “It’s better in a styling product that is going to stay on your hair,” she explains.

Botanical Background of Meadow Foam

Meadow Foam (Limnanthes alba”>Limnanthes alba, expounds on the flower’s beauty. ‘Limne’ means “marsh” in Greek, whereas the second half of the first name ‘anthos’ means flower. ‘Alba’ is white in Latin. Meadow foam is also so named because a profusion of the flowers in bloom resemble white foam on the ocean.

The 10” – 18” plant grows wild near vernal pools (small ponds that come and go with the seasons”>. The flowers are 1 ¼” wide, a canary yellow with white tips. The flowers are very fragrant, and they readily reseed. They need consistently moist soil to grow and have been found to grow well in other areas; for example, they have been tested for commercial production in Virginia. Other names for this plant are ‘Poached Egg Plant’ and ‘Fried Eggs’.

What is Meadow Foam Oil?

Meadow foam oil is a light golden, odorless oil extracted from the seeds of the meadow foam plant — either cold pressed (preferable, as this doesn’t require additives”> or the extraction method. The 2-3 mm seeds contain 25-30% oil by weight. While the full scientific explanation might not appeal to all, a cursory glance into the science of the plant will help all understand what is so good about this oil.

Meadow foam oil consists of a unique, long chain of fatty acids, which are chains of 20 or more carbon atoms. The oil is approximately 98% fatty acids. It is very stable oil due to the presence of a, b, and g-tocopherols. The main constituents are ecosenoic acid, euric acid, docosadienoic acid. Here are the qualities of each:

Tocopherols — vitamin E, antioxidant, nutrient that stabilizes natural oils and aids their longevity

Ecosenoic acid — a fatty acid

Euric acid — monounsaturated fatty acid

Docosadienoic acid — a class of polyunsaturated fatty acids with 22 carbons and 2 double bonds

*This combination of constituents yields very rich, long lasting, non-greasy oil.

Now that you have meadow foam on the mind be sure to check for products that contain it — you’ll find plenty of natural products that do. There are many reasons for its popularity including the following list of meadow foam oil’s attributes:

    1. Adds stability to beauty formulas containing less stable oils such as sweet almond oil, kukui nut, evening primrose, borage and hemp.
    2. Makes a good addition to soap (combines moisture with cleansing action”>
    3. As a binder it anchors scents and fragrances when used in bath salts, soaps, massage oils and other personal care products.
    4. Prevents moisture loss in skin and hair
    5. Emollient
    6. Has good slip (grip; molds well to hair and skin”>
    7. Conditions hair
    8. Adds shine and luster to hair
    9. Non-greasy
    10. Reduces wrinkles and other visible signs of aging
    11. Lubricant
    12. Stable regardless of heat, cold or other environmental conditions
    13. Resistant to oxidation
    14. Its medium to thick consistency has properties of a carrier oil
    15. It’s a mild oil that works well on sensitive skin
    16. Has higher quality triglycerides (fats”> than most other vegetable oils
    17. Lightweight
    18. Add fullness and body to fine or thin hair

    Environmental Impact

    Those of you familiar with my previous articles know that typically I am compelled to speak on the place of each herb discussed in our environment—with the case of meadow foam there is plenty to make note of. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the United States Department of Agriculture started researching the meadowfoam because it was looking for a renewable source of raw materials. Towards the end of the 1960s, growing trials began at a dozen sites, and within the next decade growers began considering it as an oil seed crop, Commercial development of meadow foam began in 1980 on an experimental 35-acre farm in Oregon. The Japanese cosmetics industry joined in. By the early 1990s, it was catching on in the states and Europe as well—for reasons far beyond the oil’s moisturizing benefits to the hair and skin.

    Today, meadow foam is used as an alternative crop on some farms. Since grass seed farmers are no longer allowed to burn their fields in many places, they can plant meadow foam as an alternative crop. This brings additional income to farmers. It is relatively kind to the environment since it can grow well on its own as a wildflower. In commercial production it still requires less pesticides and fertilizers. Meadow foam oil can also be transformed into a liquid wax ester that is a suitable substitute for sperm whale oil and jojoba oil. For all these reasons coupled with its numerous useful qualities you will find meadow foam oil (and personal care products containing the oil”> carried by numerous natural ingredient suppliers, herb-crafting businesses, spas, boutiques, health food stores and gourmet markets. Find some and enjoy its many benefits!


    Here is a list of a few online sources for meadow foam oil and products featuring it: