Gigi’s Hair routine # 2

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Gigi in Beauty, Hair Comments Off

I’ve been wanting to do an update on my hair routine, ie. photo shoot, video etc., but for whatever reason that has not happened, so I decided to do a quick iphone diary of my current routine.

this hair is a mess-

First I have to admit, between vacation, the beach, pool, and sun my hair is in need for some TLC- it is like a tumbleweed, so dry. I keep wetting it, which rejuvenates it enough to be presentable without starting from scratch. This is my “poof” first thing in the morning, normally I wet it, add some oil and smooth the fly aways and make this work again for another day…but enough is enough.

really bad…

See, I’m letting you see the real funky get down dirty “me”-these tresses are not falling down at my shoulders anytime soon. This hair needs to be done! So I don’t have a lot of time, I have an appointment in the city, so lets get this party started.

shampoo and detangle

Jump in the shower and shampoo with my “No Poo” 2x and detangle with lots of Tresseme conditioner. Today I’m going to deep condition with Bask Y.A.M conditioner , I should sit under the dryer, but I’m pressed for time today, so I will put a plastic cap on and do a few things around the house.

post wash

Y.A.M. conditioner by Bask

Rinse out the conditioner and “style” with these products:

love this product

I put a generous amount of this on my soaking wet hair in the shower. I then separate into 3 sections, one in the back and two in the front using big clips.

big clips

Today I am styling with these items. I change up a lot, just because I’m always searching for the mother lode product.

current cocktail

I start at the nape of my neck and quickly add products with my fingers, a little one condition, followed by Heaven in hair and a smidgen of b-leave in gel, I quickly apply in sections and then do the same to the front, separating my hair where I want it to fall in the front, ie. side part, enter part etc.

product applied

Next step is the hardest–don’t touch it anymore, I have to let it dry, if I am in a rush I use the diffuser, but I prefer for it to air dry. So I will leave it like this and go about my business. Once I get dressed I will use my special towel around my shoulders so my outfit does not get wet.

ready for the day

So I was out and about for about 4 hours, not completely dry the back it is still damp/wet and I am looking like a pilgrim. Not good.

Pilgrim hair

I’m going out tonight and cannot do the “pilgrim” look, so I will use the diffuser to encourage some volume. I really don’t like “first day” hair and I usually time my wash day a couple a days ahead of an event. Considering I did a rush job, it is okay and will work for tonight.

finished “do”

Finished “do

Happy Thursday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

WEEKEND OBSERVATIONS

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Gigi in Weekend Observations Comments Off

This was an incredibly busy weekend, so many events, I really had to juggle. My Saturday started off at an graduation, my friend Rosetta finished law school. We met when our girls were in preschool and I recall back then she was interested in law. I was so excited and happy for her, being a person who returned to school as an adult, I know it is not an easy feat to balance everything while being a full time student.

Rosetta J.D.

Rosetta won the Deans award and finished her program in 3 years. I have had quite a few friends that have returned to school and started new careers. It truly is never too late.

Gigi & Rosetta

Rosetta and I many years ago trained for a marathon and raised money for TEAM in Training. We did the Maui marathon together along with our husbands.

Gigi’s Graduation 2006

Here I am at my “late” graduation from U.C.Riverside. I went back to school and finished my degree MANY years later. It was not easy going to school with students who were close to my daughters age, but I’m so glad I went back and finished my degree. I will always continue to learn something…

Speaking of school, my next stop was at my elementary school reunion. I remember moving to California from New Jersey, it was a big adjustment, my parents had divorced, and we moved to a new place, and I started school at St. Albert, a catholic school in Compton. It was the first time I had ever seen an African-American nun, I was convinced that there was no such thing coming from a racist area in New Jersey. These friends were a big part of my life, so I could not miss this reunion.

St. Albert School

Gigi, Lynn & Anna

We were all little 12 year-olds running around, now we are all grown up and that period of our lives is behind us, just a faint memory.

ANNA

We were best friends…we shared so much and at the time we both were going through so much. Countless sleep overs, note writing, puppy love, and sharing our deep dark secrets, Anna and I had a lot of good times. It was nice to see her after 30+ years.

Gigi & Anna

Next stop LA Curly Girl International Natural Hair Meet UP Day. I have been on my natural “hair” journey for about 15 years, what that translates to that I made a decision to stop chemically straightening my hair. It was truly a journey, one that I have never looked back on. Since I started embracing my natural hair I have watched an entire movement start, there are numerous products, hair blogs, video how to blogs, books and meet ups. I attended my first such event, and it was wonderful. I was in AWE of all the variations of “natural” hair do’s all so beautiful. One of the highlights of the evening was when I won the “Wash N Go” contest! It was a fun evening and I am looking forward to the next one. Here is a snippet of the evenings festivities featuring CurlyKimmyStar a popular vlogger.

Sunday Jack & Jill Induction Ceremony. I have been a member of Jack & Jill for about 16 years. The organization is full of tradition, some of which date back to 1938 when the organization was founded.

Jack & Jill

Finally the weekend ended with a date with my Sweetie…at our new favorite restaurant Baco Mercat.

GIGI at Baco Mercat

Well I am glad this weekend has come to a close. I am looking forward to next weekend being a bit more leisurely. Hope you had a good weekend as well.

XOXO,

Gigi

Weekend Observations

Oprah-Embracing her Natural Hair

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Gigi in Hair 13 Comments

Oprah Embracing Her Natural Hair

Oprah Winfrey posed for the September cover of O magazine with her natural hair- no blow dryer, flat iron, press etc.. Oprah’s natural “do” is making headlines. Her hair looks fabulous! It is sad though, that an African-American woman wearing natural hair in 2012 would make the news. Some articles are discussing how “natural” is her hair -does she have a mild relaxer? I’m not concerned with if she did a braid out, twist out, air dry, I’m happy that a public icon would embrace her textured hair for the world to see.

As a natural curly girl, my journey has been a long one. I wore my hair relaxed and straight for most of my life. It was the standard that I grew up with, that long straight hair was beautiful and short kinky hair was not. I began to question that reasoning when I could not remember what my natural hair texture looked like. After my son was born I stopped relaxing my hair, and I have never looked back. What I found most interesting is that my friends and family were most concerned with my natural hair transformation. I had to explain that I was not making a political statement and that I was not against European inspired hair styles, I was just embracing my authentic self.

Gigi with flat ironed hair

Gigi rocking her natural curls

British Nigerian film maker Zina Saro Wiwa’s hair documentary “Transition” chronicles her journey to wearing her natural hair and the natural hair movement taking place with women of color who are now embracing their natural hair and all its glory.

Interesting article and video. by Zina Saro Wiwa

What are your thoughts on Oprah’s “natural” hair on the cover of her magazine?

xoxo,

Gigi

My Devachan Curly Girl Cut

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Gigi in Hair 23 Comments

The challenge with being a curly girl is getting a haircut by a stylist who understands curly hair. Every since I read Devachan salon founder and author Lorraine Massey’s book, Curly Girl the Handbook I have wanted to go to Devachan. The only problem was that the salon is located in New York.

Cover of Curly Girl

I was thrilled to find out that Devachan opened a salon in Culver City. I called to book an appointment and was scheduled with Robert a senior stylist/educator from the Soho salon. Devachan is know for their dry cuts. Curls are cut in their natural form, one curl at a time. The stylist studies the clients hair and notes shrinkage pattens ie. in my case kinky areas versus loose curl areas, obviously when curly hair is cut straight all of the hair looks the same. I wear my hair curly 95% of the time so this makes perfect sense to me to cut my hair curly.

Before Devachan

This was my before picture, my hair was four days old. You can see that my hair if falling like a “Mop top” and is dry, from color and the elements. It is to heavy in the front and covers my face if I don’t pull it back. You can’t see it on this picture but my hair falls in the middle and is flat on the top. I can’t wait to see how Devachan will work with my hair.

Devachan Culver City

Upon arrival I was greeted by a fellow curly girl, given a pretty nude color robe, and a glass of herbal ice tea in a champagne flute. Robert examined my hair and began to cut it curl by curl. I felt very comfortable and did not have any anxiety regarding to much hair being cut.The atmosphere is spa like with neon green accents coordinating with the product line.

Post cut with Robert

This was right after my dry cut with Robert. Although my hair looks a little crazy here, I could tell I was going to be happy with my results.

cleansing station

This was really nice. Instead of being in a chair with your neck in a weird position you reclined on the bed underneath the canopy while your hair was washed, conditioned and styled. Everything was explained to me as I relaxed on the “shampoo bed”, how to apply product, which products I should use, and basically how to take care of my curls. Read more

Curly Girl

Gigi’s Hair routine # 2

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