On a recent Sunday morning, I walked down the corridors from the elevator leading to my apartment with Abdul, the feisty, in-need-of-The-Dog-Whisperer Jack Russell, leading the way. We did what we often do before making our way back to our door: knocked on the door of my neighbor-brother-uncle-to-Abdul-friend,  “Mr. MK”.

 

A little about MK: He’s one of the kindest, most intelligent, stylish men I know. A former beauty/fashion industry insider, he’s toiled for Kiehl’s Since 1851 and Gucci. The funny? I’ve actually known MK for eight years but we accidentally and freakishly became neighbors almost 3 years ago. “Mr. MK” and I were destined to reconnect…on this side of the Hudson, no less, I’m sure of it. I cook dinner for MK, we have a wall-knock code, he often keeps Abdul while I travel, is sometimes my final consultation—or, at the very least, the voice in the mirror—when I’m dressing for a gala or a night on the town. All that is to say, I trust MK and he usually commends me for my sensibilities.

 

That was until the Sunday in question. I gently tickled my knuckles on his door. It was early. He opened and groggily offered a “Hey.” And then, whammo! 

 

“It’s Sunday, right? Didn’t you get your hair done yesterday?” he asked after barely greeting me.

 

Uhhh. I didn’t know what to say. I thought about it. (I get a blow out every Saturday, and for the last eight years, remember?) Then I responded, “Yes, of course!?” (Half declaring, half asking.)

 

“You got it flat-ironed? Straight?” he quizzed.

 

“Ummm. Yeah.” (Slightly annoyed.) I humbly continued with an explanation, simultaneously grabbing my ever so slightly bent ends. “[MK], it’s humid…hotter than a Costa Rican rainforest.”

 

“Dawg!” he said with pity. “There’s got to be something you can do.”

 

Abdul and I (pouting) walked the remaining 50 feet to our door in silence.

 

It was dramatic. But, had I just thrown $70, not including tolls and parking, down the drain? I thought to myself, humidity or not, hair, don’t fail me now!

 

The next day I called my celebrity hairstylist friend, A. Dickey (http://www.hairrules.com/) who recently launched a hair care line, Hair Rules, that advocates hair health and celebrates textured hair. I wanted to get to the root of my summer hair frizz so I begged for answers to two basic questions:

 

Tai: What causes hair to react to frizz?

 

A. Dickey: “Dryness! [Usually] due to conventional shampoos that strip and deplete hair of its natural oils.”

 

Tai:  How can a straight-haired, curly-haired, wavy and kinkier-haired gal keep it away…far, far away…like Costa Rica?

 

A. Dickey: “Whether kinky, curly, wavy, or straight, a fool proof way to prevent frizz, fly-aways, keep curls defined and straight hair smooth is to use shampoos that are sulfate-free or non-sudsing. Use leave-in conditioners that are light but hydrating. And carry a small finishing cream [or serum] around [in your purse] like a lipstick.

 

Straight-forward, no-non-sense answers that make sense. Thanks Dickey! My realistic concern?  Hydrating without looking like I just took a dip in an oil well.  (You know what I mean.)

 

Mr. MK, since I haven’t visited and don’t have plans to visit a rainforest at all this summer (though I’ll be training in the sweltering heat of NJ), I tested more than 15 cleansing, conditioning, and styling products to see which kept my strands neat but lightly in place. Here’s where my frizz-busting loyalties lie…for now.

 

Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream Moisturizing No Suds Shampoo

, $18, and Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner, $22, Hairrules.com.

I took these with me to the salon a few weeks ago and asked them to use them. My normally, trés dry hair was soft and conditioned after the first shampoo and like melting butter at the end of the cold-rinse of the conditioner.

 

 

FHI Hot Sauce

, $10.99, Amazon.com

When I want straight hair to be smooth for at least six hours, long enough to have a meeting without looking or feeling like a poodle, I coat my hair with a dollop of this “heated” serum before flat ironing. It packs on and seals in moisture and shine.

 

 

 

Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk, $3.99, drugstores

This works as a finishing cream on all hair textures. It tantalizes my senses, too. The light but creamy lotion conjures up thoughts of an orchard lined with apple, cherry, and mango trees. (Not that these fruits would grow all on one orchard.) Yum!  The container is a little to big to carry with, so I’ve poured a few dime-sized servings into a tiny, travel-well container.

 

 

Victoria’s Secret Beauty So Sexy Wave Enhancing Spray

, $9.50 or 3/$21, Victoriassecret.com. 

So sexy is right!!! The bottle and my bouncy finished look! When I resigned to letting my locks do just what they do, this “very”-fragranced mist left my waves soft, defined, and fresh-looking.

 

By the way, Mr. MK, I’m now ready for a smooth close up!

 

C&V Giveaway Exclusive: The first 3 readers to email me at compactsandvignettes@gmail.com will receive an assortment of Hair Rules products to try for yourself. P.S.  A US mailing addy is required.

 

Are you a frizz-fighter? What products get the job done for you? Even better, what special or secret tip do you employ? Let the C&V community know!

 

Beauty-fully yours,

 

Tai

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am not your expectations (no)

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am the soul that lives within

 

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend

Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity

Expressing my creativity

 

--India.Arie, “I am not My Hair,” Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationship (2006), Universal Motown

  

I am fortunate to say that I get compliments on my hair frequently. And God knows I appreciate them. Rarely am I asked whether the hair on my head is mine. But occasionally, it happens. But when I am asked the rather forward question, I often ponder whether or not Beyoncé, Kim Catrall, or Gwenyth Paltrow are ever asked the same.

 

So, today, I am coming out!

 

Yes, I’m wearing hair extensions. I have been for a little over a year. My “real,” au natural hair is chemically straightened, sandy in color and now rests healthily below my shoulders. But when I made a long-term commitment to wear my “temporary” longer tresses, it was a drastic change. What was one day a short, cropped, Mia Farrow-pixie that shaped my face like a customized picture frame became what my ultra-conservative, demure mother calls an “unbeweavable” hair-to-there hair-peration.

 

I beg to differ. My chest-length extensions are trés believable. The store-bought locks match my hair texture and color perfectly.  And their believability-factor was, at least for me, a prerequisite to wear them in the first place. My stylist, Carla Gentry Osorio, is the genius weaver. However, as evidenced by this entry, my intention is not to fool anyone about where my own hair begins and/or ends. After all, I am not my hair. Or am I?

 

I mean, I believe women like you and I (and India.Arie) don’t see our hair as a defining characteristic of who we are. Instead, I believe, our tresses are a mere extension (no pun intended) of our style, personality, our mood, a matter of self-expressio. Or perhaps, in my case, an equally important convenience that affords the comfort of working out four times a week without worrying about “my” hair becoming excessively dry or damaged.

 

So with the season’s celebrity “It” hairstyles all of which I love, running the gamut – from the...

 

 

Sassy Chic Katie Holmes-Cruise (I so want her to hyphenate her name):
I adore this cut! The bangs add a whimsical flair to an otherwise structured look. In fact, I’m contemplating doing this one…if only I could tug and pull it into a pigtail during my work out?

 

 

 

To the...Classic Jennifer Lopez: 
She’s been wearing her coif in a simple, yet timeless chignon often since the twins. This look and any close cut takes confidence and self-assuredness. (It seems motherhood does that!)
   

 

 

 

And the… Femme Fatale Sarah Jessica Parker:

Talk about a healthy head of hair? I’m still not sure whether SJP’s stylist adds hair to create her super-full and flow-y look. But I love how playful yet feminine her loose curls look.

 

 

  
 

 

And even the…Rock Star Rihanna:

What some might view as indecisive, I call cutting-edge. The asymmetrical cut has returned after a twenty-plus-year hiatus. But what remains hasn’t changed about this style? It’s still daring, funky, edgy, and rocker-chic!

 

I have to agree with India. I am not my hair! But my hair is ME, I mean “we”. And today (and for the last year or so) I’ve settled into feeling a little more femme fatal-ish like SJP. But with summer coming soon (I hope), who knows, I might just decide to take my rock-star quotient up a notch. Stay tuned!

 

In the meantime, what hair-statement are you making now or thinking about making?

 

 

Welcome, ladies! It’s a pleasure to have you here, and I hope all of the great finds in Compacts and Vignettes will keep you coming back again and again! But before we get started, I have a confession: I am a beauty girl! No, really. I mean, I love fashion, I love style, I love interior design; but I liiive for all things beauty. And quite frankly, isn’t beauty found in all of the above?

I’d happily (well, maybe not “happily”) forgo purchasing the season’s It-bag or shoe for a fabulous perfume or face cream that makes me feel ten years younger. I have held my standing hair appointment at Styles New York Salon for almost a decade, and I indulge in weekly manicures and bi-weekly pedicures whether it’s gladiator sandal or platform knee boot season. And while I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, I rarely (except to walk my insanely cute and equally hyper Jack Russell Terrier, Abdul, at 6:30 AM) leave my Jersey loft without concealer, blush, tinted lip balm, and mascara. A little high-maintenance by some standards? Perhaps.

But here’s the thing, whether you’re a beauty buff who can’t get enough or a woman who just appreciates the new Olay moisturizer or L’Oreal lip color, you deserve to feel beautiful at all times. That’s what Compacts & Vignettes is all about—delivering the best beauty options for you, and showing you that you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to look and feel like a million bucks. It’s all in the selection, and I’m here to help sort through the choices. Beauty products, treatments, trends, tips, news, discounts, exclusives—you can expect to find it all here in Compacts & Vignettes!

So, what’s your beauty must-have? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment here and we'll talk soon!

Tai