From my days with a short Curly Shag on Extra…

To experimenting with a Smooth Wet Set on HGTV’s DesignStar…

Magazine articles and Blogs about me and my TV career, ultimately conclude with the focus on my Hair….

Don’t get me wrong the hair celebration is awesome but certainly not something I orchestrated or really welcomed initially. In college I was hated on for not “doing SOMETHING with that hair” which I’m sure led to some of my hair insecurities. Yep we all have them and I’m certainly not exempt. Let’s be really honest… I’m over all those obnoxious messages on tv commercials and ads about how our curly hair is a DON”T.  “They” practically demand that we do everything in our power to change “our unfortunate hair” by destroying its very essence in order to gain those celebrated long straight locks. Boo and Boooo!!

Don’t let them get you girls!!! That’s why I love that we continue to be a part of a community that celebrates each other thru our Hair adventures…Let’s keep it that way…because when I have one of those fickle and insecure moments, I cherish how YOU help me bounce back like the perfect curl.

In case you ever need a lil pick me up, I wanted to share my absolute fav ways to celebrate our curly hair:

1. Oh my blessed Tweeps!!! @twitter can be a curly girls best friend and the quickest pick me up. Much love to all my #naturalcurlygirls, #naturalsistas #curlygirlies  Your tweets about “Loving My Hair” empower me and help validate my decision to continue wearing my hair wild and free. #rightbackatcha!!

2. I like to check in with some of the flyest Bloggistas in the curly hair game like CurlyNikki, Afrobella, and NaturallyJunky. They help me remember that a woman who proudly wears her hair curly is a woman with Swag!! Enough Said!!

3.  One of my most exhilarating boost is driving on an open road with the windows down. It’s an instant “Weeeee” moment.  I just had this mini vacay myself over the holidays driving up the coast that made me feel like I was flying, with my hair dancing in the wind to its own rhythym. When the ride was over my hair had grown 3xs it’s size but I LOVED IT. Give it a whirl!!

4. Appreciate a good “Hair Drive By”! I have met the most amazing women in airports, restaurants and every where in between in this Curly Hair Crusade and each one exhibits a strong independent adventurous spirit. As we connect and share hair tips & secrets I’m reminded I’m in great company. Whether it’s admiring the adorable lil X-Factor angel Rachel Crow’s hair or celebrating the fantastic images of Chaka Khan belting out “I feel for you” we help each other stand tall, curly and free!

So if YOU are having one of those “what the hell am I gonna do with my hair” days remember steps 1-4 and Rock that Fabulous Hair!!!

One of my New Years Resolutions is to start documenting these random meetings by featuring them in my new website/blog, TanikaRay.com.

Stay tuned you’re all invited!!

Image via gorilla.hr

Cooking is an endeavor full of creativity and exuberance, so maybe that’s why there are so many vivacious, curly chefs out there! Now comes curly-clad Kristina Kuzmic, joining the ranks of cooks with curls like Nigella Lawson, Bobby Flay and legend Julia Child. This talented and beautiful woman recently competed for—and won—a television show on Oprah’s new OWN network.

Naturally Curly spoke to Kristina to find out more about her and her hair, and reported that she loves the fact that she doesn’t have to wash it every day. She also mentions that she’s on the lookout for a great styling line … and Ouidad certainly hopes she’ll give some of our styling products, like Tress Effects styling gel and PlayCurl volumizing foam a try!

It’s wonderful to see a beautiful head of curls bouncing around a television kitchen. We couldn’t agree more with Naturally Curly, which said “It’s so refreshing to see someone in the media who embraces her curls instead of pressing, relaxing or hiding them to appeal to the public.”

Image via okmagazine.com

Reese Witherspoon Oscar winner, style icon, model mom, newlywed and…circus performer? Yep, with her most recent role, Miss Reese adds another fascinating character to her already awesome resume. In the film Water For Elephants, Reese played Marlena, a circus performer who fell in love with Robert Pattinson’s, Jacob, and a sweet elephant named Rosie.

Image via wonderwall.msn.com

It was a touching movie, well-acted and beautifully shot, but above it all we kept thinking:  “Reese’s hair looks amazing!” Her curls were truly the star of the show.

Her finger wave style is simple to achieve if you’ve got a little time and some great hair products. Ouidad styling PlayCurl Volumizing Foam is perfect for making these curls look just right! So, before you jump on the circus train grab some bobby pins and try these stylin’ recommendations from wikihow.com:

• Start with wet hair; wring out any extra water, and apply gel or setting lotion to the side or section of hair you are beginning with.

• Pull hair on the crown of your head, or part, back and downward, and place finger over it

• Pull strand of hair forward, creating a wave pattern, and pin

• Once pinned, remove your finger, and keep repeating the two prior steps until you have as many waves as you want

Then rock your under-the-big-top style!

Image via chicagonow

We saw all the stars come out to say goodbye to talk show host and living legend Oprah Winfrey during the final week of The Oprah Show.  After 25 years of life-changing television, Oprah left us with her legacy with The Best of Oprah farewell shows, and Ouidad is delighted to celebrate Oprah too, being the big curly hair fans that we are! We wanted to highlight some of Oprah’s best curly hair moments over the past 25 years. Let’s take a look…

From the beginning Oprah has loved her curls and donned many a twisty looks through all the years of her groundbreaking show. The cascade of Oprah’s styles, from a fancy curly updo with a little color, to when she preferred to relax her curls and make big waves.

It might come as a surprise that Oprah’s naturally curly hair is often straightened before a final curly look is set.  Kinky hair like Oprah’s, and many other African-American’s, is the tightest curl pattern on the curly hair spectrum.  But because kinky hair is incredibly versatile, a looser curl pattern can be achieved by straightening the hair before curling it to the desired look. So ladies like Oprah can flaunt lots of curls – for that professional look in the daytime and a more glamorous style for a night of excitement.  Just ask Andre Walker, Oprah’s hairstylist of 24 years!

There’s no doubt Oprah’s history-making show will be missed.  After all, it’s where we saw some of the most memorable surprises and those “favorite thing” moments.  But perhaps most importantly, we’re thankful that Oprah has left a lot of curly hair memories for us to remember too!

Whether you live in a large coastal city like San Francisco or at a mountainous retreat like Lake Arrowhead, curls are always in style. It’s important to treat those voluptuous locks with love and respect. After all, your curls speak volumes about who you are as a person!

To give your hair a loving lift, Ouidad’s PlayCurl Volumizing Foam creates volume while moisturizing and creating long-lasting volume, shine, and manageability. Don’t forget to use our Duckbill Clips to help style and shape your curls at the roots as they dry.  Let Ouidad Show you!

Click here to view the embedded video.

You know, when your hair has a gorgeous sheen, it looks vibrant and healthy. That’s why mountain and city girls alike love Ouidad’s Shine Serum because it fights frizz while allowing your curls to play their own starring role.

Take care of those fashionable California curls and they’ll love you right back!

Photo via GearLive

Lady Gaga’s new album “Born This Way” is heating up the airwaves, and here at Ouidad we can’t help but notice there’s a song on the album all about hair!  Not only does this particular song have a catchy beat, but it’s appropriately titled “Hair!”

In the song, this forever-evolving chanteuse known simply as Gaga proudly proclaims:

I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to love me for who I am.
I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to know, I am my hair.

…

I’m as free as my hair.
I am my hair.

On this note, we’d have to take the opportunity to remind all about Ouidad’s powerful message of  curl confidence.  Ouidad encourages all you curly haired beauties to be yourself and give your hair the freedom to be what it wants to be. Like Gaga, be “as free as [your] hair” and enjoy the glory of being “Born This Way,” with such fabulous curls!

Be the spirit of your curls and love your hair…we’re sure Gaga would say the same!

Image via screencrave.com

It’s the summer wedding season! A time of love, sweetness and sometimes a little bit of craziness, as we saw portrayed in the early summer hit movie Bridesmaids. Ouidad knows that it takes a lot of curl confidence to keep up with the fast paced bachelorette party scene, and this movie certainly puts that confidence to the test. The main character Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, storms though a lot of crazy experiences as maid of honor in her best friend, Lillian’s wedding.

She could certainly uses that Ouidad confidence with all the bridesmaid’s stress, planning the bachelorette party, choosing (or not choosing) the dresses and helping the bride keep calm during all of the chaos! We couldn’t help but notice a lot of great curls all through the chaos!

image via reelmovienews.com

If you are going to be a part of a wedding this summer, we feel that one thing you shouldn’t be is stressful about doing your hair. Ouidad has what you need to takes the potentially disastrous, and makes it fabulous. Control your wedding party curls with our Tress Effects Lightweight Styling Gel to help keep curls soft, defined, frizz-free and super smooth, and without weighing them down. Finish your look with Styling Mist Setting and Holding Spray for long-lasting hold and freedom of movement so you can dance the big night away with no hair worries.

When you have that Curl Confidence, “always a bridesmaid” doesn’t sound so bad!

Image via harpomarx.net

The Marx Brothers—Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo and the lesser known Gummo—were known for the wild stage and film antics in their comedies, made in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Each brother had a different showbiz “character” and a trademark personality. Our favorite? Why Harpo, of course! With his signature curly hair, a top hat and his horn, Harpo’s curly character stole the show in nearly every scene … and all without speaking a line!

So what about this curly Marx brother’s hairstyle? Well, when Harpo was young and not “in character,” his hair was a nice brown color and the curls were dense and —dare we say it?—rather sexy!

Photo via wikimedia.org

But later, as he performed as the loveable but mischievous Harpo in the classic Marx Bros films and stage productions, Harpo favored that famous and zany curly wig that can only described as outrageous! It definitely worked for his character—and makes a great Halloween costume still today—but we would not recommend the hair style to our Ouidad clients!

Photo via wikimedia.org

Harpo’s name was actually Arthur Marx; he was a gentle and talented member of the popular and brilliant theatrical family.  As his son notes on his website: “There were two Harpos—the actor and the man.  The actor was the one who horsed around with his brothers and pulled all sorts of junk from that bottomless pit of a trench coat. But it was also the dedicated family man who sat down and played the harp.”

So here’s to Harpo (or Arthur) … may his curls live on as some of the most notable and hilarious in entertainment history!

Image via broadwayworld.com

Ouidad has shown us that curly hair can be styled quick and easy. Good thing for actor John Turturro, who seems to be always busy at work. Throughout a career that has spanned four decades, the talented curly-haired Italian actor has appeared in films ranging from The Big Lebowski and Barton Fink to The Nutcracker in 3D

And just since 2009, Turturro has starred in six films (including upcoming 2011 releases, Transformers 3 and Somewhere Tonight). He has also directed the movie, Passione, served as writer and director of the Italian film,Prove per Una Tragedia Siciliana, and played himself in the documentary Lost Bohemia. Those curls better be easy to handle!

John refuses to be pigeon-holed, and he spoke about the variety of roles he has played –

I knew that movies were predicated on how you look.
But a few people gave me the opportunities to do other
[types of roles] and I just took it and ran with it.

Here at Ouidad we can’t help but think John’s curls have helped propel the cerebral, award winning actor into a variety of sophisticated and entertaining roles. And always working? Credit the curls!

Image via Classicforever.com

Woodward, with her blond, wavy hair and somewhat tomboy-ish countenance, worked on television, the stage and in the movies beginning in the 1950s in a diverse career that was also full of twists and turns. She won an Oscar for her role as Eve White, a woman with multiple personality disorder, in the 1957 classic movie, The Three Faces of Eve.

Image via Classicforever.com

Woodward was hugely popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a time when the Hollywood Walk of Fame was just starting – in fact, she was one of the first group of eight actors to be honored on the Walk (some reports credit her with being the very first star on the Walk of Fame)!

One thing’s for sure: Joanne Woodward, even decades after first appearing on screen, is beautiful inside and out! With her fashion sense, her impeccable hair and her devotion to philanthropy, Woodward is a star in every sense of the word. For that, and for much more, Ouidad salutes her and her curly ways!