Ursula Stephen CHANGED Your Life: New Image Beauty Expert

Rihanna and Ursula Stephen

So you may ask... who's the mastermind behind these Rhianna cuts and hair dos, whoever it is she has single-handly changed fashion and style worldwide.... her name is Ursula Stephen! And she is THEEEEEEEE New Image Beauty Expert.

Oh my goodness there are so many things I can say, but I will just keep it short- Ursula is an icon! Ohhhhhhh my goodness Rihanna is nothing without those cuts dahling.... (well not in a mean way I adore Rihanna, but I'm just trying to make a point).

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Check out this interview I snagged from Ursula's website via Clutch Magazine.

Q: When did you begin your craft of hairstyling?

Well my high school was a beauty school- - so technically and officially I started doing hair my freshman year. It was called “Sarah J. Hale”, located in Brooklyn. It saved my life and open many doors for me.

Q: How did you get into doing hair for celebrities?

It was definitely a word of mouth situation. I had a couple of clients that worked at record labels or were in the business in some way. They basically put me on.

Q: You’re the stylist behind Rihanna’s infamous bob. Why did you decide to do something that drastic with her hair?

Because I’m drastic! LOL. Rihanna wanted a new look. And I was tired of all these artist looking the same, that’s so boring. I feel that back in the day artist took more chances with their look and I missed that. So, I decided to do the opposite. Everyone was doing long and brown, so I did short and black. I’m always changing my look so that also inspired her. Basically giving her that confidence.

Q: There have been debates about who rocked the bob first. Was there anyone in particular whose hairstyle inspired the look you gave Rihanna?

Debates?? I inspired her Bob. I’m all about a great cut and that’s been my trademark for as long as I can remember.

Q: Summer is fast and coming. What advice would you give to Clutch readers looking for a shorter look for the season? Can shorter styles look good on anyone?

Shorter styles can look great on everyone. My advice is don’t necessarily follow the trend. Find the look thats right for you. It’s like jeans low-rise… it’s not for everyone!!

Q: You’re known for your expertise in “new image” hair makeovers. Do you have to do something completely daring to someone’s hair to create a new image?

How subtle can a new look be? Well you really don’t have to do something daring, it can be as subtle as cutting a bang or changing the side that you usually part your hair. Doing something opposite than what you usually do is a makeover in itself.

Q: What products would you recommend for us ladies whom have become attached to our flat irons?

(I carry mine in a holster at the hip!) Well one of my favorite products is FHI Hot Sauce. It’s a great product that restores moisture and protects hair against damaging effects of heat without weighing the hair down and smells really good too!

Q: My hair looks like a dried-out lion’s mane when I wear it naturally curly. Is there anything I could do or use in my hair to tame the beast on my head?

The trick to taming curly hair is applying product to the hair when it is still wet. And the best products are leave - in conditioners. One of my favorite products are TIGI Bedhead leave - in conditioner (for curls) and another is Atone with Nature. I like leave - in’s that cling to the hair without weighing it down. And these two are great for that — just the right amount of muscle.

Someone should tell our beloved Ri-Ri,
"Without Ursula, you are nothing!"
(squint their eyes, smirk, and sloooowly walk away)

Q: What hairstyles can we expect to see for Spring/Summer? Are bangs still popular, can we anticipate seeing more sleek middle parts?

Short hair will still be popular this summer. With combinations of heavy blunt bangs (old school), sexy side swept bangs. I also see middle parts coming back in a big way, but shoulder length nothing too long.

Q: Where else can we see your hairstyling finesse? Who are you currently styling?

Well as you know Rihanna is one of my main clients, Michelle Williams — we just shot her music video. I also do lots of beauty stories with Essence and makeovers.

Q: What’s the most rewarding and challenging aspect of your career as a celebrity hairstylist?

As its always been making people feel good about themselves. Seeing that smile as though a miracle has just happened!! And also having my work broadcasted for the world to see:)

Q: Lastly, what tricks do you live by? What are your personal trade secrets?

Well I can’t tell u everything, [LOL] but heres a good one. Lipgloss on fly aways!

Where does Ri Ri find these people? She has the best wardrobe stylist, best hairstylist... I mean c'mon how lucky can you get (as far as imaging goes).

http://www.ursulastephen.com/home.html
http://www.ursulastephen.com/home.html
http://www.ursulastephen.com/home.html

I looooooove this woman. visit her site. adore her. worship her, lol!

Yesss Found It: Natural Product to Make Permed Hair- Curly. Miss Jessie's Quick Curls

Now THIS is what I'm talking about. After further going through Miss Jessies products I found this:


And its SOLD OUT. SMH! Not cool Miss Jessie, NOT cool at all. Lol, I'm about to send an email inquiring about when they will have more because this is what I was looking for. And at $9? I'm not mad... that is if it will make my hair curly. I really really hope they replenish within the week, if so, I will purchase and let you all know how it goes.... if you have used it, please let me know how it is. I'm sorta anxious about this product.... hurry Miss Jessie! Get in that kitchen and whip up another batch!


PRODUCT REVIEW: Update June 29, 2009:

This product is an EPIC FAILURE. I tried it twice on a section of my permed hair- once with it airdrying, another using the blowdryer... both times- no curls. My hair type (what they call 4a/b, what I call 1a/b) I think this product is for girls with straight hair like asians, some european-americans, some hispanics, and women with 3 a/b hair or lower.

Hair Creams to Create Curls, From Kinky to Curly within Minutes: Miss Jessie's Hair Cream and Kinky-Curly

I've always indirectly searched for a cream to make my hair curly... you know more curly. Why? You may ask, well two main reasons:

1. sometimes I just feel like having really easy immediately cute hairstyle that I pretty much have to do NOTHING to- you know just get up and go. Braids are cool, but sometimes I want something a bit looser and I feel if I could make my hair very curly I could have this look.

2. because I've wanted to try the sorta curly weave and I want it to blend in perfectly. So I figure it wold blend best if I made my hair the same texture as the weave naturally instead of curling it every morning

I don't know how well this product works, perse, but many many women SWEAR by it--- Miss Jessie's Original Hair Cream. She has an array of products that seem to almost instantly make your hair curly... the only problem is, is that I don't know how well it works on permed hair. But it works WONDERS on natural hair.... I personally feel EVERY girl with natural hair should go into one of Miss Jessies locations and get her treatment. It seems to make the hair grow while looking fabuously healthy and beautiful.

Check out some of these before/after pictures. After seeing them I'm a little upset I permed my natural hair... longstory short I wore weave for about 2 years and wore my hair natural underneath... it grew sooooo much, "my afro" was huge- when pulled straight my hair was about mid back. Though my hair prefers a natural state I permed it because it was too much to deal with, buuuut I really sorta regret it after seeing these pictures....







It looks like her hair grew 5 inches huh? Its amazing.


This is about how my hair looked after I took my weave out (after abotu two years of wearing it... I would wear it for about 2 months, take it out, get cornrolls for about a week or so, then put it back in) My hair thrives in its natural state, but it was too much for me to deal with, so I had to perm it, but I wouldn't have if I would have known about this product.

This has to be one of the best "before after"

She has hair like Oprah :-)

Is it just me or does it really feel like someone is playing a trick on us? Lol, no but seriously, thats EXACTLY how I feel after viewing this. I keep thinking--- this can't really be real. Check out the gallery of transitions of women undergoing the curly process here. And the women above are before/after, check them out here.

I absolutely adore the packaging. Classic and timeless.

And I love Miss Jessie's FAQs page, I've been reading it for the past few minutes and was tickled when I got to this:

"ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THOSE 'NATURAL' BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS ARE REAL. ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT USING SILKENERS™ ON EVERYONE TO ACHIEVE THOSE CURLY LOOKS?

YES WE'RE SURE. WE ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE CURL VIA CHEMICAL OR NON CHEMICAL METHODS. PLEASE GO ON THE BEFORE AND AFTER PAGE. THERE ARE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SERVICES THAT INDIVIDUAL RECEIVED.

I'VE BEEN ON YOUR BEFORE AND AFTER PAGE. ARE THOSE CURLY AFTER PICTURES WEAVES?

NO. WE DO VERY LITTLE WEAVE WORK."

Talk about taking the words or the question rather, right out of my mouth, lol! I was thinking some of these pictures MUST be weave. Let me just go on the record saying "I love you Miss Jessie, and I can't wait until your products make it to salons and chinese-owned beauty supply stores everywhere".

To PURCHASE these Miss Jessie's products visit the online store OR simply visit a retailer near you. Oh and if you do purchase pleeeeeeeeeease come back and tell me how you liked it.



Now I've heard from people like Miss Afrobella that Miss Jessie's products are just too much (too expensive)... I can understand. So another equally as great, but less expensive product is Kinky-Curly. I sort of see these two as rivals, I haven't used either of them, but I want to! Purchase Kinky-Curly here. This line has supposedly been used by The Real Housewives of Atlanta-- which is pretty cool. I sent them a message on their myspace asking which product is best for permed/straight/relaxed hair, so we'll see what type of response I get.

Hair Product for Weaves: SoftSheen Carson Professional Weave Care Detangler.

Nowadays, alot of women wear weaves... all types (every ethnicity), but TOO many women don't take proper care of their weave. Well, slowly but surely many of the top hair care companies are creating products exclusively for weaves.

One in product that I've been hearing about, SoftSheen Carson Professional Weave Care Detangler. It supposedly works well.... and any weave-wearing gal knows how easy it can get tangled, especially after the first week and a half. I suggest trying this and reporting back.

After a small search I found their website and Softsheen actually has an entire line of products, check it out here. I can't wait til Mizani creates a line!

Oprah's Hair: This is Not a Weave

Oprah's hair unstraightened

Oprah's hair straightened

It's everywhere I figured it might as well be here... Oprah, got tired of people saying "Girrrl, I like your weave", and I don't blame her. People, that's really ghetto to tell someone you like their weave- wtf?! lol... I could soooooo see how that could be annoying.

Oprah's hair is NOT a weave- and I knew that from the jump. She's Oprah Winfrey! C'mon now... she's literally the "queen of the world"... so I'm she probably has the best hair stylist in the world, and so therefore that is NOT a weave because she can afford to grow it out and keep her hair in tip top shape. Also, to me its very obvious that it wouldn't be because we have literally seen her hair grow over the years from a short nice cut, to a bob, to shoulder length, to right past the shoulder, to now... the entire time her hair was very thick.

I just feel it's very ignorant for people to assume it is and of course its black people-- listen, all because you or no one in your family doesn't have long thick hair doesn't mean others can't... The only reason I feel like people who thought it was hers before suddenly thought it was a weave when straight is because of the 2 short pieces a the front of her hair, I think that's a usual "tell-tell" sign someone is wearing a weave... but Oprah's hair has been cut in layers for awhile, she's had bangs, and there have probably been times in which she had weave... but that hair- it's all hers-- duuuuuh!

Check Oprah's Hair Evolution: From short & chic to long & layered.
With the right products, patience, and a great hair routine
you can have beautiful hair like Oprah too!

(click to enlarge)

Best Products for Natural Hair: Biosilk and Carol's Daughter

From what I hear, these are some of the best products for natural hair... especially for those newly relaxed to natural ladies.



1. Biosilk Hydrating Shampoo and Silk Therapy

2. Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil and Khoret Amen Hair Smoothie

via essence.com

Bye-Bye Stretch Marks: Tips on How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Forever, Tips on How to Get Smooth Skin

They annoy us... they come they go... we prefer them to stay way--- S T R E T C H M A R K S. Many women have struggled with them since the age of 12, others after they gained the freshmen 15, others after giving birth. And guys struggle with them as well... when they finally gain the extra pounds to form those sexy muscles or when they trim down to get cut.

Well, Let's cut the small talk and get down to the nitty gritty... how to get rid of stretch marks.


1. The number 1 way to get rid of stretch marks? I don't think you're going to want to hear this, but... Eat healthy (lots of fruits and veggies), exercise almost daily, and drink lots of water. For most women struggling with stretch marks its because you are fluctuating too much in weight-- up and down and up and down (that's the story of my life)... if you adapt a healthy lifestyle (not a diet) then you are waaaay less likely to have stretch marks. Your body loves and need stability, all the yo-yo dieting and sweet binges are not what's up... yessss, we're emotional creatures and we tend to binge when we aren't doing too well with the beau or if we're stressed, but you MUST fight it as much as possible :-) Instead of opting for a dairy queen blizzard get a smoothie king smoothie.

Okay and so now, what you want to hear... the products.

2. Typical answer yet usually reliable- cocoa butter... I personally feel like cocoa butter doesn't RID stretch marks, but it PREVENTS them. With daily use you shouldn't have any new stretch marks and the others will get alot smoother and some will fade. If you're going to use cocoa butter, I feel like you should adapt my "cocoa-butter duo" treatment. You purchase cocoa butter oil and cocoa butter in a jar. After washing your body in the shower rub cocoa butter oil all over your body, then gently rinse it off. After getting out of the shower dab yourself dry with the towel and apply cocoa butter onto your body, particularly rubbing it into areas with stretch marks. This certainly will help your skin to become more one-toned, soft, and smooth. If you're really good you'll do what I did back in the day: I used cocoa butter soap, oil, lotion/creme, and serum to boot... again it didn't per se rid my stretch marks, but it made them and all my skin very smooth and more even-toned. (Some people say the natural cocoa butter works best, but be careful because its not as easy to use, you'll have to heat it to apply it).


3. Two words: BIO OIL... I haven't personally used it, but I have heard ALOT about this oil. and out of all the at-home products and treatments this seems to be the best. Women and men say that with daily use they have seen obvious changes, some women say they've seen it work over night... (I'm not sure if these women are black though)... Soooo, long story short I'm going to order some today and I'll use it and I'll report back. The best thing about Bio Oil is that it can be found almost anywhere- walmart, walgreens, ebay, amazon. I just praaaay it works because I have a few stretch marks on the back of my leg (behind my knee) that I MUST rid asap.




4. Natural ingredients. Some people say the only way their stretch marks go away is with natural ingredients... check out this routine a woman swear's by:

"Everyday I shower, and use an exfoliant on my marks. This exfoliant is very gentle and takes away any dead skin cells. It is made out of:

-Plain Oatmeal

-Honey

-Pure Ginger Root (ground into a paste)

(Keep in the fridge)

Then I will put 100% Vitamin E oil, with 40,000 IUS.

After it is rubbed in completely, put 100% Coco Butter on the marks.

At night, repeat the steps but this time with the Vitamin E oil, rub it in and put a thin towel over the marks. Then get a hot water bottle, or heating pad and put it over the marks for 10 min or so. This penetrates the oil deeper into the skin.

I also drink 2 L of water a day, and have a very healthy diet, with lots of exercise. I also found that tanning, only naturally, helps the marks..because we receive vitamins from sunlight"

Her routine sounds pretty solid, huh? I say if you have a routine that hasn't been working- try this... its 100% natural so you won't hurt your skin.



5. Jojoba Oil. Many people haven't heard of this one, but they say its one of the best- certainly better than cocoa butter. Jojoba oil is rich in Essential Fatty Acids will help to repair and regenerate your new skin cells. It's 100% natural and non-allergic.


6. Skin peel, laser treatment, and/or cosmetic surgery. If you have the funds, I say cut the bullsh*t, lol, and just go get them removed- that's what all the stars do... you know our beloved Beyonce or J.Lo has stretch marks, but they pay to get them removed. Matter of fact, I think I remember Beyonce or one of her assistants talking about it a few years ago... Anyway, the fact of the matter is, the treatments are often expensive but you can save up for it, do research on the best doctors in your area who specialize in removing stretch marks on women of color (specifically black women) and make an appointment. After your stretch marks are removed you can now work to prevent them, with the oils and treatments above. I say if you can splurge on a brand-new coach bag with matching boots or on a new plasma screen, why not on a treatment that is likely to boost your self-esteem or atleast give you some extra confidence. (But don't hastily get one of these treatments, consult your doctor, and do alot of research and thinking).

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Stretch marks are on most people- thick, thin, short, tall, fat, skinny, old, young, black, white, female, male... don't feel alone. Women, believe it or not but most men surprisingly don't even care, they'll still think you're sexy... and men if you have bulging biceps who cares about a few stretch marks... but if you want to treat them, the above methods will work.

Stretch mark cremes? Yeah, these usually don't work and if they do it's usually for new stretch marks, not for old one's that you've had for a year or longer. Generally speaking do NOT waste your money on these cremes, unless you have extra money to spend and you have new stretch marks and you have fair skin.

How long will this take me? Be patient! Give yourself a month... stop your complaining, time flies. If you've been living with stretch make for years, whats a few weeks to see progress and a few months to see them vanish away.

Get in a routine, oil your skin and massage the oil into your stretch marks TWICE a day for atleast 4 weeks... drink lots of water, eat healthier portions, more green veggies, more juicy fruits, and lean proteins... exercise daily (atleast jog in place for 5 minutes, do a 25 situps, a few lunges/squats, and 5 push-ups), lol... stay positive and you'll see perfection.

FEEL FREE TO GIVE YOUR STRETCH MARK REMOVAL ADVICE BELOW.