We've Moved!!!!!

Dare 2 Know Hair Kutz & Kurlz Professional Hands on Seminar

This is NOT A MEETUP!!!

This is a professional Hands on Seminar held in Atlanta, GA conducted by MaKesha Melvin, a lead educator who travels the United States offering Advanced Training Classes as well as Continuing Education classes & credits to students & Licensed Beauty Industry Professional needed to renew their Professional Licenses. Some classes are offered just for continued growth in the Hair Industry!

Dare 2 Know Hair offers training in a wide variety of areas to include: Transitional Salon Training for students who have just completed Beauty School, Basic (sewed in & bonding) & Advanced (mekani, malaysian,fusion, micro-linking, custom wig-making, DSW-detachable sewn-weaves), Weaving Techniques, Braiding patterns for weaving, Proper Closures, Short Kut & Kurlz, Natural Hair & Styling, Eyebrows & Lashes, Make-Up Application, Salon Professionalism, Client Consultation, Customer Service, How to become a Continuing Education Provider, How to Publish your 1st Instructional DVD, Barber Training, & more.

Early Bird Registration Ends on Nov 5th

Discount Pricing For Students

Get your Tickets NOW!!!!!

http://kutzandkurlz-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Now booking Speaking Engagements, Private Hair Parties, Private Instruction, Events, Expos, and Workshops- (minimum) 15 people, you choose location, Advertise, & Provide Light Refreshments,  and MaKesha along with her Dare 2 Know Glam Squad  will come to YOU!!!!!!!  
**some restrictions apply **

10 Hair Trends You'll Want to try on Natural Hair

While browsing totalbeauty.com website I noticed an article on hair trends to try for the summer. Of course all of the highlighted styles was on straight or chemically altered hair. I wanted to show naturals that we can ROCK the same styles as those with straight hair. Take a look at the side by side comparisons. The descriptions and styling tips under each picture was taken from Totalbeauty.com

Face Framing Highlights

"It's a fresh way to transition into spring." The roots and the crown of the head will be darker (a plus for anyone who loves the low-maintenance aspect of ombré), but the highlights around the face will make the color transition seem more gradual.

Straight Waves

 
 
To get the look, Shorter suggests using a spray gel on damp hair and then sleeping in three or four big braids. "Whether your hair is naturally straight or curly, this will change the texture into waves," she says. "And if you're in a rush, you can always blow dry the braids." Once you've taken your braids out, use a 1-inch curling iron to define each of the sections even more.
 

Braided Updo

Braids have been big since the Spring 2010 Alexander Wang runway show -- and that was actually in September 2009. Sure, they've evolved from thick ropes to more intricate fishtail styles, but it's about time for a real change. Instead of the hanging versions, Corby thinks braided updos are the next big trend: "I'm going to be braiding like crazy this season -- but I'm taking them up," he says. "Whenever you think braids are going to go away, we stylists find a way to incorporate them." He also thinks it's a reflection of the times: "People are still in a hippie mood -- so it's got to be a little natural."

Scarf - Tied Updo

The head scarf updo makes us think of the classic "Rosie the Riveter" poster, but you don't have to work in a factory to make the head scarf look work for you. Danielle Bucco-Regazzi, Farouk Systems Creative Artist, says it's an easy style for the busy mom on the go, or a fun touch for brunch with the girls. Keep it modern: For your scarf, ditch the red and white polka dots and go for a fun floral print in a trendy color like mint green. This is also the perfect updo for hair that's overdue for some shampoo.

Side PonyTail

Keep it modern: Make sure the hair at your crown isn't too teased. You want to have the volume be fluffy, not stiff. And you can choose to add waves to your hair to give it a tousled, beachy look.

Teased Double Bun

Keep it modern: "This evening look began as an elegant updo, but you can modernize it by loosening up the hair and creating lots of volume on top," says Bucco-Regazzi. The key is to not try to make your hair look perfect.

How to: Split your hair into two sections, creating a part in the middle of your head, from one ear to the other. Clip the top section out of the way, then take the lower half and tease for volume. Then wrap the lower section of hair into a loose bun, using bobby pins to secure the ends. Next, take the top section of hair and spray with a generous amount of hairspray before backcombing your roots at the crown. This will give you a modern beehive effect. Secure the pouf with bobby pins before tying the top section into a ponytail. On the last loop, don't pull the ends through the elastic. Lastly, gently tug the looped pony, so that it hangs over the lower bun.

Rolled Back Updo

"Keep the part a little haphazard and not so precise," says Philip B. "The highlights here are really bright, which is what keeps the style modern. And the rolls are pinned in place but not in a severe way, so the texture looks touchable and sexy -- a departure from the '40s look."

Have you tried any of these hair styles? I wear the braided head band alot and I will definitely try the scarf tied updo- I'm seeing that look every where!!!!!

Picture Disclaimer: Mz. Sixx creates no claim or credit for images featured on this posting unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to it's respectful owners and we make every effort to link back to original content whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear here, please contact us and they will be promptly remove.  These pictures were courtesy of preciouscurls.com, Curlynikki.com, naptural85, Naturally Me!, natural chica, and TotalBeauty.com

June's Fab Finds on Etsy!!!!!

Its that time again- to spotlight some of my favorite shops on Etsy. You all know what Etsy is-right? Etsy is website where you can buy unique handmade and vintage items directly from independent sellers around the world. All of the products spotlighted, I have purchased with my own money. I was not compensated with merchandise or monetarily.  I'm spotlighting these shops because their products/service was awesome, high quality, and affordable!

1. The Queen Gems- http://www.etsy.com/people/TheQueensGems
Handmade unique and affordable jewelry -inspired by Natural Hair, Wooden, Fabric, Hoops, Sports Teams, and Tassle Styles.

I purchased these earrings a few weeks ago-I LOVE them-received many compliments on them.  They are light weight and very colorful- can wear with many items from casual jeans and a tank to maxi dress w/ a cute pair of wedges.




2. BoBeam Natrural Hair Products http://www.etsy.com/shop/BobeamProducts
Bobeam's specialty is shampoo bars made with all natural ingredients and they can be used on all hair types, including locs. The shampoo bars contain no SLS or SLES, detergents, surfactants, or sulfates. They are all-natural, 100% vegetable soap, non-comedogenic, hypo-allergenic and biodegradable.



My absolute favorite shampoo bar is the shealoe shampoo bar. It works great on my daughters loc's- thoroughly cleaning without stripping. This bar is also a GREAT make up brush cleanser. Wet the bar, wet the bristles on the make up brush, swirl around a couple of times- and you have a squeaky clean make up brush- that is still soft!



3. Au Naturel Diva Apparel http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuNaturelDiva#
High quality, original design, specialty apparel and accessories for kinky, curly, coily and loc'd natural haired women of color.


Calling all sororities!!!!!!! If you are natural and are a member of the divine 9-then this shop is for you!!!!! I fell in love with this shop because of the shirt pictured above- Reppin them pretty poodles of Sigma Gamma Rho EE-YIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ** All sororities are represented on her Etsy site** I also love her Loc lover tees













4. Think Kinkz Natural Hair Apparel
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThinkKinkz
Think Kinkz was created from the love I have for being natural. It is a brand committed to helping women express their individuality. These fashionable tees encourage women to embrace their kinks and not care what others think!  

Ya'll know I love this shirt because it is  PURPLE and I love the message. This shirt is available in small-xxl and in other colors. This fashionable tee is screen printed on an American Apparel or Tultex* fitted tee made of 100% fine ring-spun combed cotton. This lightweight fine jersey is ultra soft and form fitting. For added "flair" I cut the collar off and made it an off the shoulder tee :)







5. Ewa Madam http://www.etsy.com/shop/EwaMadam
Nigerian-American, Self-taught jewelry designer, Poet, Yoruba Initiate (Obatala Priest in training), Omo Obatala ati Omo Yemoja, M.P.A. holder and African Humanitarian that loves watching Ghanaian and Nigerian movies, exploring the world of African cultures, the arts i.e. music; dance; movies/theater, tradition and shares that expressively through word, deed, and when the opportunity presents itself-- teachable and creative moments:)...

Can you say EARGASM!!!!!!! Every time I go to her site I have an eargasm- her pieces are unique and too die for!!!!!!!  She also does custome peices, and in addition to earrings she has necklaces, rings, and bracelets.  Check her out!!!!
 

If you make a purchase be sure to tell them that Mz. Sixx sent ya!!!!! ** If you know of a shop/merchant I should check out- please post the link to their shop in the comment section. Next Etsy spotlight will be July 1st**

 Disclaimer: I write this blog for my personal enjoyment. From time to time I may give my opinion on a product or service. It is just my opinion, I'm not an expert in the field and other people's opinions may differ.  To keep my reviews independent and free of conflicts of interest, my personal policies for reviews are:


1. This blog receives no payment or other compensation for advertising.


2. This blog receives no payment or other compensation for reviews of products or services.


3. If I did not pay full retail price for a product being reviewed, I will explicitly state that in the review.

The almighty chase of the curl & definition

Day 3-4 of a flat twist out



I'm always asked the question " what do you use to get your hair curly?" " How do you define your curls?"  The answer has remained the same for the last 6 months- I do flat twist out, using diluted lottabody setting lotion and my homemade whipped shea butter. I pineapple my hair at night, shake, and fluff in the am and ROCK OUT!

I have curly hair, however I'm no longer chasing curls and demanding that my hair is " defined" 24/7. I do my twist out on Sunday and I don't re twist until the following Sunday. I stretch a twist out for 5 days ( sometimes 6). The picture above is a 3rd or 4th day twist out. In the morning, I take down my hair ( from the pineapple), take my shower ( the steam help loosen the hair), after the shower ( i don't not wet the hair- I just let the steam work), spritz with Oyin Handmade Juice N Berries ( or you could use water), fluff and go.. I'm now in love with my hair on day 3-5 of my twist out- I love the volume and loose curl. Day 1-2 the pattern is really tight and and not " big" as I would like- not my fav look ( on myself).

Day 2 of a flat twist out 

MOISTURE is what defines and shapes our curls, not product. MOISTURE is what chases frizz away. Use products to enchace what you have, not create something that isn't there. Curls come naturally- not in a jar ( or tube, or bottle).


{ posted on BlackGirlLongHair.com/} " Don’t fight nature, embrace it. Haute hair, begins with healthy hair. So, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Trim every 3 months. Choose protective styles whenever possible. Avoid heat like the plague. Once you have mastered these principles, explore styling options that work with your natural curl pattern. If your hair is very kinky, roll with it…literally. Styles like finger twists and comb twists will produce awesome lasting texture with ease. These styles also tend to look better as they age. Gently separate the twist after a few days for greater volume and variety."

Now that summer is creeping up on us and the the heat and humidity is in FULL EFFECT- Below are links to a few post to help you maintain healthy summer hair and keep the curls popping by providing tips on how to moisturize & maintain length.


Co-Washing Natural Hair

Moisturizing & Sealing Natural Hair

My ( daily/weekly/monthly) Regime

Disclaimer: These images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Mz. Sixx. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2012 – Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx

31 Days of Lupus Awareness Facts



Lupus Awareness Month is observed during May to increase public understanding of this unpredictable and potentially life-threatening disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Here’s today’s important fact about lupus.

May 1: Lupus is an unpredictable and complex autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and can damage any organ in the body with life-threatening consequences.




May 2: Ninety percent of the people who develop lupus are female. Males also can develop lupus and their disease can be more severe in some organs.



May 3: Lupus develops most often between ages 15 and 44. However, between 10 and 20 percent of cases develop during childhood and these cases can evolve more rapidly into serious health complications.



May 4: In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. The result is the production of autoantibodies that causes inflammation.



May 5: Some people have genes that allow them to develop lupus. Factors that may trigger lupus in these people include infections, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain prescription drugs, and certain hormones.



May 6: Many symptoms of lupus mimic those of other illnesses, and symptoms can come and go over time, which makes diagnosis more difficult. Consequently, lupus can take three to five years or more to diagnose.



May 7: There is no single laboratory test that can determine whether a person has lupus. Diagnosing lupus involves analyzing the results of several lab tests, a review of the person’s entire medical history, and the history of close family members.



May 8: Lupus is treated by a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in conditions affecting the joints and muscles. Some people with lupus may need additional care from specialists, like a dermatologist for skin problems, a nephrologist for kidney disease, or a cardiologist for heart complications.



May 9: More than 90 percent of people with lupus will experience joint and/or muscle pain that can be disabling. Medication and mind-body therapies can be used to help control the pain associated with lupus.



May 10: Lupus can be an expensive disease. The average annual cost to provide healthcare for a person with lupus is $12,643, and rises to nearly $21,000 when lost work productivity is included.



May 11: African Americans, Hispanics/Latinas, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans are diagnosed with lupus two or three times more frequently than Caucasians; however, lupus affects people of all races and ethnicities.



May 12: Successful treatment of lupus often requires a combination of medications. A new treatment for lupus was approved recently, and nearly two-dozen clinical studies are underway to develop a full arsenal of treatments.



May 13: As many as 80 percent of people with lupus experience fatigue. For some, fatigue can be debilitating, even to the point of forcing them to stop working.



May 14: People with lupus are usually encouraged to engage in appropriate daily exercise in order to maintain muscle and bone strength. Care should be taken, however, to balance exercise with rest.



May 15: Systemic lupus is the most common type of lupus. Systemic lupus can affect any organ system of the body, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, blood, joints, and skin.



May 16: Discoid lupus (the most common form of skin lupus) accounts for approximately 10 percent of all cases of lupus and occurs in 20 percent of those with systemic lupus.



May 17: Drug-induced lupus is a lupus-like disease caused by taking specific prescription drugs. The symptoms usually disappear after these medications are stopped.



May 18: Women with lupus are at increased risk for loss of bone mass (osteoporosis) and are nearly five times more likely to experience a fracture.



May 19: Blood disorders such as anemia (a low number of circulating red blood cells) are common in lupus, affecting about half of all people with active disease.



May 20: People with lupus should eat a nutritious, well-balanced, and varied diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of fish and lean meats. Lifestyle adjustments should always include quitting smoking, as tobacco products can cause flares of lupus symptoms.



May 21: More than 80 percent of people with systemic lupus will experience some type of nervous system complication, ranging from mild confusion or memory loss to strokes, seizures, and vision problems.



May 22: The malar, or “butterfly” rash on the face is present in about one-third of those with systemic lupus. This flat, reddish rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, is often the only visible symptom of this form of lupus.



May 23: As many as 40 percent of all people with lupus, and as many as two-thirds of all children with lupus, will develop kidney complications that require treatment.



May 24: Only 10 percent of people with lupus will have a close relative who has lupus or may develop lupus, and only five percent of children born to a mother with lupus will develop the disease.



May 25: About 40 percent of people who were originally diagnosed with cutaneous lupus, which affects only the skin, will go on to develop systemic lupus that can affect any organ in the body.



May 26: Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects infants of women who have lupus. With proper testing, physicians can identify most at-risk mothers, and the infant can be successfully treated before or at birth.



May 27: Lupus is not contagious and cannot be “given” to another person. Lupus is not like or related to HIV/AIDS or any other infectious disease.



May 28: With current methods of therapy, 80 to 90 percent of people with non-organ threatening lupus can look forward to a normal lifespan.



May 29: Advancing technology and better understanding of the disease have improved pregnancy outcomes. Today, 80 percent of women with inactive lupus can have successful pregnancies.



May 30: Most people with lupus are able to continue to work. However, some people may require modifications to their work environment and schedules, such as flexible work hours, job-sharing, and telecommuting.



May 31: Today people with lupus are leading healthier lives and living longer than at any time in history, thanks to researchers who continue to discover more about the underlying science of the immune system.



Click Here to Learn more about Lupus

Click Here to donate to team Lupie Chicks in the 2012 Walk for Lupus- Baltimore MD - September 29, 2012

Click Here to Join Team Lupie Chicks in the 2012 Walk for Lupus- Baltimore MD - September 29, 2012