Black Canadian Dolls - available

I am so happy and proud of this news.

Some of you may remember one my posts Dolls Like Us.  I talked about a letter I sent to Maplelea Girls about creating a doll that represented black girls. We know that growing up most of us did not have a doll that looked like us or that we could relate to. I know I would have loved to have a doll that looked like me when I was young.

I did a survey asking all of you what you thought a black doll should look like for skin tone to hair type. I submitted your opinions to Maplelea Girls and guess what … they listened and took your comments into consideration when creating the dolls.

The two black dolls from Maplelea Girls. Photo: www.maplelea.com

Here is what Kathryn Morton, President of Maplelea Girls said, “We have two black dolls available now. We did the curly hair, as your readers suggested, but we also wanted to offer an alternative so we also did one with “textured” hair. They are part of the Maplelea Friends collection where girls get to make up their own name and character for their doll, using the journal that comes with it. Thanks so much for your help with this.”

WHAT A VICTORY! Thanks so much for being wonderful readers and for helping to make a difference. I’m really PROUD -  you should be too!!

Blessing and Curls,

B-Curlie

Product review - Curls Curl Soufflé

I pulled out one of my product staples this morning and then I realized that I had not shared this with all of you … my amazing readers!



PHOTO: www.curls.biz

The product is Curls Curl Soufflé. I use it as a moisturizer. When I purchased it the first time, I tried to use it as a styler for my twist-outs. I mean the twist out was OK, but not something to write home about. My hair was soft and smelled great, but there was no real hold so my twist-out frizzed out within a day or two. For me the strength of this product is really its moisturizing properties. It is water-based and smells like cake and looks like pudding. Put it this way, if I was three years old, it would definitely be hard for me not to put it in my mouth.

What I love about this moisturizer is the fact that it’s great to use now that the colder weather is upon us. The Curl Soufflé provides an easy way to apply a form of water on your hair without making it soaking wet and avoiding a case of the winter snuffles. It cannot replace all the natural moisturizing qualities of water, but it’s convenient if you are not fortunate enough to live in a warm climate in the winter.

Ingredients

purified water, certified organic sunflower oil, octyl palmitate, certified organic aloe vera leaf juice, glyercin, glyceryl stearate, potassium stearate, panthenol, stearic acid, sodium carbomer, allantoin, cetearyl alcohol, certified organic sweet almond oil, shea butter, certified organic jojoba oil, soy tocopherols, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

How do I use it?

Well I find myself putting it on my hair in addition to my leave-in after washing, followed by my styler, which is usually Jane Carter’s Curl Defining Cream. I also use Curl Soufflé in the morning when I’m trying to bounce some life into my curls, to get rid of the slept on look. I use a generous amount and distribute throughout my hair and then seal using coconut oil, shea butter or any other natural oil or butter on hand.

What water-based moisturizers are you using during the cold fall and winter months?

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie

PT 1: Dermatitis life-changing

 

So I think I’ve reached a turning point in regards to the treatment of my dermatitis, thanks to my amazing dermatologist who came up with a great treatment plan.

I’ve written about my experience before in the Fighting Scalp Issues post. I honestly thought I could handle this outbreak by myself in the beginning. It was a mix of me wanting to do it 100% natural, or pick up products from the drug store and also because I thought to myself, I’ve been through this before, I can’t fix this.

Wow, was I wrong, by June of this year the irritation had not subsided and I was actually starting to lose hair in the front and top area of my crown. In terms of styling, I was confined to head bands and beanie hats. The panic sat in. This was definitely bigger than me. I needed some professional HELP!

I went to see my doctor, very good friends with one of my “sisters” who also happens to be a great dermatologist. Not only is she black and knows about what we as black women put our hair through, but she also has succeeded in keeping her own dermatitis at bay. That was very reassuring for me. A feeling of relief came over me.

She prescribed clobex to me and it is wonderful – it’s the truth! It started to heal the area on my scalp and my hair started to bounce back. She told me that oiling my scalp was out of the question, but my mainstays, shea butter and coconut oil are fine to use on my hair. 

Even though things were looking good, she still wanted to test me scalp for follicle damage and to make sure her treatment was strong enough. The test show that I had minor scarring, that could spread if not addressed. Pretty scary stuff right! My doctor assured me that based on the fact that my hair was already growing in, she says my scarring is miniscule and treatable, as long as I continue a healthy regimen. HALLELUJAH, I’m one of the lucky ones!

This is part one of a mini-series I have planned. I really think these scalp and hair conditions are health issues that black women need to know about and take responsibility for.

Keep reading and checking in with me on Twitter @canadiancurlie for the upcoming posts or comment if this hits home for you or someone you know.

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie



















 

Curly Canadians - New Product Line

Recently I was in touch with Althea, from Curly Canadians^TM, you may also remember her from my post, when I featured her as a Curlie or maybe you are already one of Curly Canadian’s clients.

They started out as an online store that provided natural hair and skin beauty products to all Canadians. The site really reflects diversity in every sense of the word and still prides itself on this fact.

A week or so ago, I was on Twitter and chatted to Althea for a moment. She told me that they are in the process of creating their own product line and the tentative launch is early to mid-2013. They will be releasing the following:

·         shampoo bar

·         cleansing conditioner

·         bentonite clay mask

·         protein treatment

·         deep conditioner

·         styling wax

I’ve reviewed a couple of their products in the past and I love them, needless to say I’m super excited about Curly Canadian’s new line… I will keep you posted as soon as I have more news. Definitely something to look forward to in the New Year!

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie

Featured Big Chopper - Amanda Henry

Hometown: Ajax, ON

How long were you relaxed: 

I have been relaxed on and off for 20 years.

Do you remember your first perm and what was it like:

My first perm experience was back in 1992 when I was in grade 4. My mom was no longer able to style my hair for school due to her full-time job and decided that relaxing my hair would be the best option. She felt that I would now be able to manage my hair for myself on a daily basis. The first time I ran my hands through my hair I was in shock! I felt like I had the same flowing hair as the other girls in my class and that I finally fit in.

Amanda with relaxed hair.

What made you to decide to big chop:

I finally had enough of the relaxer life this past summer. I was tired of having to flat iron and curl my hair on a regular basis and had started to wear my hair slicked down. Also, I wanted the “wash and go” life for when I worked out at the gym and I resorted to putting my hair in Senegalese Twists to avoid having to deal with it. However, my scalp and hairline did not agree. It was after seeing some of my friends with natural hair that I felt that it was time to make the transition.

How do you feel now that you’ve taken the plunge:

I definitely think I made the right decision! I love how it is so easy to manage and have gained back a great deal of time when getting ready for events, to do other things.

What type of feedback did you get from your loved ones:

My close loved ones and friends have been nothing but supportive. I’ve received positive feedback from strangers and have been told that the cut really suits my overall look.

Amanda rocking her fresh and sassy big chop.

Although you are newly natural, do you have any favourite products or products you are looking forward to trying:

I’m still learning about what’s out there in the market, but I have invested in the Keracare line to start with. However, I am still looking for a product that meets my needs as a daily moisturizer.

The best part of being natural for me is:

The best part for me has to be the idea of knowing that I am 100% free of chemicals. Previously I had difficulty embracing my natural texture and now I have a greater appreciation.

 

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie

 

Featured Curlie - Brooke

In early summer, I was fortunate enough to connect with a young Curlie, who is an up and coming, actress, model, entertainment correspondant and aspiring ROCK STAR … her name is Brooke of http://www.itsbrookesworld.blogspot.ca . She is very wise in her nine years and really a joy to meet and talk to. So it was my great pleasure to interview her and meet her parents. She is definitely on her way to stardom and a great inspiration to other young Curlies out there. Keep up the great work Brooke and Thanks for being a part of Canadian Curlies. See our interview below:

 

Let's keep our girls strong and self-aware of their beauty! What young curlies inspire you?

Blessing and Curls,

B-Curlie

Hair Support

I was recently talking to a friend of mine who is natural and she mentioned that she almost broke down a got a relaxer the other day.

PHOTO: www.kewlgraphics.com

I was in shock and tried to encourage her not to. The thing is, after thinking about it, I do not think it is right to judge others and try to tell people what to do. It’s never been my nature so why start now? Another thing I would like to mention is that I know I will probably be natural for the rest of my life, now that I’m here and have fallen head over heels in love with my curls.

Don’t get me wrong there are days when feel like shaving it off into a buzz cut or pressing the hell out of it, but there are also days when my curls reflect my personality the way nothing else can.

The bottom line is, yes I would love for my friend to stay natural and for us to continue our CURLY journey together, but I know this life is not for everyone, so I have to respect that.

This brings me to another point that those of us of African descent need to embrace each other whether we are straight, wavy, curly or reppin’ dreads in our hair.

Yes, some styles are healthier than others, but at the end of the day it’s a personal decision and we should not let how people wear their hair change the way we treat them and we should also respect their decision.  The truth is we should not even have to consider these thoughts and just be who we want to be and what feels right.

Blessings and Curls,  

B-Curlie