Keisha Garrison is one of the NATURAL BEAUTIES who received her Glam Makeover in NYC this June.  Ms. Garrison entered the contest online at Vibe.com over a year ago and at the time of entry, just started growing out her natural tresses after completely chopping off her relaxer.  After one year of rocking curly coils, she wanted to create a more manageable and versatile look for her FRO.

As a marketing executive for InStyle Magazine, Keisha wanted something free flowing, versatile and stylish. The SOLUTION!  A Softener to elongate her natural curl pattern with Diane’s Curl Reform Technique and PhytoSpecific Beauty Relaxer System. The Curl Rerform Technique previewed in NYC with a video makevover presentation featuring Broadway Performer, Amber Efe’, of ‘Legally Blonde, The Musical’ and at Phyto Universe’s Launch Event in 2006.  Then, Dekar Lawson of Turning Heads Day Spa gave Keisha a fierce cut after blowing her hair straight.  Keisha’s tresses actually touches the back of her neck when blown straight.

Check out before & after shots of Keisha’s NEW FAB LOOK!

(ABT Winners surround Julissa Bermudez standing next to Diane and Earlecia Gibb, fashion stylist, sitting second from left. Winners from left to right, Keisha, Patricia, Emma, Pamela, Mya B, Michelle, Erika, Kennesha and Adebola.)

American Beauty Tour winners pictured above entered to win a complementary total revamp– hair, beauty & fashion makeover in several beauty and lifestyle magazines from 2007 through May 2008. Recap: these very lucky ladies received product gift sets from BECCA Cosmetics, Jane Carter Solutions, PhytoSpecific Hair Care and a copy my book TEXTURED TRESSES. (Amazon.com)

They were also provided with a Day of Beauty from Tendrils Hair Spa, Wellington Hair Spa and private session hairstyling with Diane Da Costa & Dekar Lawson in NYC. The DIVA PHOTO SHOOT was taken the day of at LOFT ELEVEN in NYC by G. Giraldo Photography and the before and after glam transformations will run in Natuallycurly.com, Ambermag.com, a Latina.com’s video segment and right here on Uptownlife.net.

Stay tune for Uptown’s coverage of the before and after individual makeovers and see all the ladies’ amazing transformations!

City Clerk, Patricia Nares, one of the American Beauty Tour, NYC Winners revealed her glam transformation on Latina.com’s makeover video. Patricia flew in from California to receive her complete revamp by Diane Da Costa, (color specialist), Dekar Lawson, (cut & style), Lynne Furge, BECCA Cosmetics and Earlecia Gibb, Fashion Stylist on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Ms. Nares entered to win her makeover on Latina.com. Actress & TV Personality, Julissa Bermudez premiered the contest in May of this year with her own beauty makeover at the media launch event.

The American Beauty Tour made a very special appearance to Urbanbella, the Atlanta based apothecary and web-boutique that specializes in enhancing and defining products for curly, kinky and wavy hair. I had the pleasure of stopping by Urbanbella for a Curl Talk & Tea Seminar and book signing during the Atlanta tour date a few weeks ago. Urbanbella’s entire starff welcomed our team with a warm southern hospitality– bite size frosted covered cupcakes, ice tea and lemonaide, a cheese & fruit platter and red & white wine. An afternoon delight. INDEED!

Urbanbella also hosted the two-hour Master Class for professional stylists featuring Diane’s Curl Reform Technique, (see textured tresses how to-achieve) utilizing PhytoSpecific Beauty Relaxer . The Master Class previewed the step-by-step video presentation & Glam Makover on Atlanta native & Broadway Performer, Amber Efe of ‘Legally Blonde, The Musical’, followed by a Q & A discussion.

Urbanbella’s Curl Talk & Tea Seminars invite customers and product speakers to exchange their hair secrets, as well as learn the tricks of the trade from the professionals themselves, including stylist to demonstrate cutting and product application techniques. What an awesome concept to provide customized solutions, product knowledge on how-to advice on purchasing hair products to a thirsty natural community!! After each seminar Urbanbella’s style experts are on hand to guide each client through the right variety of products and styling tips geared toward that indivdual’s wants and needs.

Our lovely host, Keneesha Hudson, owner and founder of Urbanbella says,”Anyone who says they hate their curly hair just simply is not using the right products. Urbanbella takes the ‘guess work’ out of your product selection process by supplying curly enhancing products especially made for curls and by employing only highly trained curly experts to advise in the purchasing process.

Located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, the Urbanbella retail store features chocolate colored ceilings and floors with Tiffany blue walls and chandeliers, giving this cozy space a ’shabby-chic girlfriend’s living room’ type of atmosphere. The line up of products include top brands, such as Difiaba, Jane Carter Solutions, Miss Jessie’s Original Curly Products, Kinky Curly, FHI heat protectors, Irons & Blowdryers, Phyto, PhytoSpecific Hair Care, Curly Q’s and many more.

We want to thank the entire staff of Urbanbella for a fun-filled day of beauty and delights!

The American Beauty Tour’s creative team just came back from HOTLANTA on June 16th and we stopped by a very special new and thriving salon in Atlanta.  Tangerine..A Salon, is a must visit for all those looking for a cozy and intimate salon with a trendy, healthy mantra for all textures.  Specialities include color, cuts, locs, natural textures and relaxers. 

Tangerine…A Salon’s styling team participated in the actual contest winners’ makeovers on the American Beauty Tour 2008 .  Attallah Vaughn, Renee Huganir and Keisha Atwater executed a soft spiral curly look with ceramic irons on Janie Herron’s naturally curly hair, usually worn twisted.  The girls were very informative, professional and highly creative.  They took on a barage of questions from the audience members and answered each an every question with experience, technical skill and wisdom.  Before and after images of the entire tour coming soon!

 Tangerine A salon is located in the newly renovated Studioplex Lofts in the Martin Luther King district of downtown Atlanta.   The charming, earthy and modern, yet eclectic decor designed by Melody Vaughn is inviting and exciting.  The ladies specialize in all hair textures with a natural, healthy approach to coloring, styling, texturizing and styling natural hair.  Vist the salon at www.tangerine

OTHER HOT SPOTS:

Cantelberry Salon & Spa, 186 Northside Drive, Suite 100, Alanta, GA 30313  - 404 582 0081

Like the River Salon & Spa, 240 North Highland Suite D, Atlanta GA 30307  - 404 376 3674

Nsenge, 3365 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta Ga 30305 - 404 943 1818

Jon Van Salon, 2949 North Druid Hills Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

U Salon, 2965 Hardman Court, Atlanta, GA 30305 -  404 814 1402

(Courtesy of UPTOWN magazine/Diane Da Costa)

Are you looking for that care free hairstyle that works with summer humidity and summer fun activities? The best summer styles are iron free and easy fuss-free styling. Ponytail attachments, textured relaxed hair and full curly and wavy extensions are your best bet for the hot summer months.

Ponytails come in a wide range of textures and lengths and can be easily attached or weaved in by your stylist to relaxed, softened, texturized and natural textures. The pony style also gives your coif a rest from the stress of blow dryers and curling irons. Relaxed styles that have not been straigtened bone-straight can be worn textured and crimped, by simply applying curl enhancing products like, Jane Carter Solution Wrap & Roll and air drying naturally. Those who have smooth bone straight hair can section the hair and braid large plaits or cornrows, then release the braids after over night drying to create a textured care free look without heat. Daily moisturizing products will keep your tresses hydrated. Try PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm.

(both images courtesy of Khamit Kinks)

For those of you who want a totally care free look, a curly or wavy hair extension will do the trick.  A full or partial weave, extension braids or twist will give you an instant curly or wavy look that will last you the entire summer without any fuss.

(courtesy of Khamit Kinks)

100% human and Indian Remi hair are available in all textures that are as natural as your own curly, wavy and coily textures. Ask your stylist for a consultation to recommend the best style that works for your lifestyle. 

If you already have natural curly or wavy hair a great cut, color and treatments will enhance your DIVA look!

A GUIDE TO TOP SALONS IN NYC FOR GREAT SUMMER DO’S

MAHNHATTAN

PhytoUniverse - non chemical Relaxers & Treatments

Salon Santa Cruz - Curly Hair Expert/Color & Cuts                                                                 (wireimage.com)

Tai Texture - Diane Da Costa, Multi-Texture Specialist - Color/Textured Cuts/PhytoSpecific Beauty Relaxer Sytstem/Botanical Softener Curl Reform & Hair Extensions

Ted Gibson Salon - Precision Cuts/Color/Styling

Turning Heads (HARLEM)- Dekar Lawson - Color/Precision Cuts/Smooth & Textured Relaxed,

Tina Pearson Salon - Mizani Relaxers/Cuts/Weaves

Wellington Hair Spa, Patrick Wellington -Precision Cuts/Relaxers

BROOKLYN

Tendrils Hair Spa - Braids, Twist & Extensions/Weaves

Khamit Kinks, Braids, Locs, Twist & Extensions/Weaves

I had the pleasure of attending the Alica Keys concert featuring special guest, Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ….. Madison Square Garden was completely sold out before the tickets even went on sale way back in March. The concert was a gift from my big sister, Sharon. Thanks Girl….I am a SUPER WOMAN, so Alicia told me!!! She opened with ‘TEENAGE LOVE AFFAIR’ and the teenagers, including my nieces, Deanna, Ariel and Kamala went ballistic, singing all the words and popping in their seats. ‘Did I do that to the Jackson Five ? - Hell Yes!

Alicia performed for a straight two hours, with 4 to 5 changes - costum designs provided by Giorgio Armani, of course. The long, spiral curly tendrils cascading down her back held up for the entire performance. Alicia stepped out of her comfort zone and danced the night away side-by-side with her back up singers. She even did the twirl-the-head around and around thing for that sexy affect. Go Alicia!!! Because, Alicica says, “I know how to get down, when I want to baby!’ ”But really all I want to do is play my piano.”

Jordin Sparks opened the show with about 5 to 6 songs and closed with her hit single ‘NO AIR’. Then Ne-Yo set the stage. Well, what can I say, the man can dance and with All Hit Songs.

Check out the many hairstyles of Alicia Keys here.

(Pic #1, 2)

YES! We finally made it to the BIG APPLE! What a day of festivities the American Beauty Tour displayed!! Beauty, glamour & fashion stormed through LOFT ELEVEN with a full day of FABULOUSITY! Transformations, Beauty Talk with our esteemed beauty editors, executives and product company panelist and most of all we touched the lives and hearts of very deserving women.

Julissa Bermudez rocked the house as our special guest host by adding her special beauty secrets and approach to many of the questions asked. The two part BEAUTY TALK! - Q & A sessions were very lively. The Beauty, Health & Well-being discussion was headed by Trae Bodge, Co-founder of Three Custom Color Specialists, Baze Mpinja, GLAMOUR magazine, Editor/Writer and Max Szedek, founder of DIVABETIC.org. (picture #2).  I must say there was definately a wealth of knowledge in the air.

‘MANE’ Attraction, the second BEAUTY TALK! session really stole the show. The panelists spoke for over 45 minutes and the questions just kept coming.  Hair, Hair and more Hair questions…… Diane Bailey, Founder of Tendrils Hair Spa,  Jane Carter, Creator of the Jane Carter Solution, Ayana Byrd, Author & GLAMOUR Editor and Marcia Cole, Editorial Director of AMBERmag.com kept the momemtum upbeat and informative. Lindi, PhytoSpecific’s eductor was on had to examine the scalp and hair and offer her expert advise with product sampling.

The Panelists (From Left): Diane Bailey, Jane Carter, Marcia Cole and Ayana Byrd. (#3)

Latina.com’s contest winner, Pat Nares, (picture #1),  a very deserving woman, had gastric bypass surgery 2 years ago and lost over 170 lbs and counting.  Ms. Nares was extremely delighted with her new look. Check out Pat’s complete makeover here.   I transformed her Peg Bundy layered, bleached out look with a fab color correction and Dekar Lawson of Turning Heads , gave her a modern cut and style with over 6 inches chopped off.

Look out for more contest winners before and after GLAM! transformations coming soon from BECCA cosmetics makeup team and American Beauty Tour’s Styling Team, Patric Wellington (Wellington Hair Spa), Dekar Lawson and Diane Bailey!!

Diane Da Costa’s American Beauty Tour Update: 

Four contest winners in the Chicago area won complete makeovers during the Diane Da Costa’s American Beauty Tour on June 1, 2008.  The event was held at the University of Chicago’s Ida Noyes Hall in Hyde Park, the South side of Chicago and was sponsored in part by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

It was the first beautiful day the Windy City experienced in a very long time.  The weather was perfect!  Everyone flocked to the awesome and amazing Michigan Lake.  We were a little nervous since most of Chicago wanted to be outside enjoying the lovely weather.  Yet, the folks still came out to cheer on their loved ones for their Fabulous Day of Beauty. 

Nekeisha Briggs, Zetta Cox, Tamala Lawerence, Mary Kargo and Joi Robert began their day at 7:30 am in the morning with a meet & greet with myself and my production team, (Pamela Greendige and Earlecia Gibb).  The four women were then driven in a Navigator to start their complete transformation at Time Hair Gallery in West Chicago.   Kenyon Hall, proprietor and Joico Color Educator and her styling team gave the girls a warm welcome with black tea, bagels and muffins.  Next, the consultation.  They quickly moved onto  softening, coloring, cutting and styling with The Jane Carter Solution and PhytoSpecific Beauty Relaxer products, since the team only had 4 hours to execute the girls’ final looks!

Onto the University of Chicago, where Lynn Furge, BECCA Cosmetics National Makeup Artist - Trainer and Yana applied the girls makeup for their professional editoral photo shoot with photographer, Raymond Peyton of Chicago.  Earlecia Gibb, the tour’s resident stylist extraordinaire, outfitted the girls to meet all their curvy figures.  The History of Textured Hair narrarated by Jazz & Rock Star Drummer, Cindy Blackman opened up the show on the 50″  video screen.  Then, Dina Piersawl, Chemist and Consultant to Cosmotologist, Trichologist and Beauty Manufacturers accompanied me in answering all hair & beauty questions as the girls poised for the camera.

What an amazing day!  Over 100 gift bags were distributed to the students of the Multicultural Student Affairs Office filled with goodies from BECCA Cosmetics, The Jane Carter Solution, PhtyoSpecific, Latina Magazine and our very won UPTOWN magazine.  Be on the look up for the complete glam makeover pics coming soon!

Cheers to all!

The History of Textured Hair previewed at the University of Chicago on June 1, 2008 during Diane Da Costa’s American Beauty Tour’s first tour date. The three minute video slide-show (below) is narrated by Jazz & Rock Drummer, Cindy Blackman. You might recognize Cindy as the Big Afro wearing- only female drummer of Lenny Kravitz’s Band. Cindy is an accomplished Jazz Drummer and has a new cd entitled,’The New Millenium’ out now! The video-slide show chronicles the History of Textured Hair and was edited by DLake Media Group and scripted by SekouWrites based on the introduction of Diane’s book TEXTURED TRESSES.

The slide show explicitly explains all hair textures and types from the beginning of time throughout each decade with illustrious images of Ancient Egypt, the Roaring Twenties, Afro wearing 60 & 70’s, modern hair styles depicting celebrities and Diane’s editorial works from major beauty & fashion magazines. Enjoy some History !!

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