Malaika Tamu Cooper
Natural Hair Care & Styling Specialist and
Master Loctician
Founder & Owner of Dreadz N' Headz in
Baltimore, MD
Malaika has graciously made herself available to The Coil Review for our special
beautiful readers - YOU! Now you have an all access pass to Malaika's info and insight,
right
here on The Coil Review. So don’t hold back.
Just Ask Malaika! Email: JustAskMalaika@thecoilreview.com
Get
to Know Malaika
Here are Ten Quick Facts about Malaika Tamu Cooper,
Natural Hair Care & Styling Specialist and Master Loctician
1. Founder
& Owner of Dreadz N’ Headz Natural Hair Care Center, located in Baltimore, MD
2. Founder
of The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo, which is attended by 5 thousand people
each year
3. Earned
an A.A. degree in Air Traffic Control, and lost her job because she started locking
her hair. Malaika chose not to use her degree and continue her previous career
because Hair Locking is her ministry
4. Styles
the locs of Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox, and has worked on the locs of
Wyclef Jean, music producer and artist, as well as Busta Rhymes, Hip Hop artist, and more.
5. Has trained
hair care professionals in Paris, London, Tunisia and the French West Indies, to
name a few
6. Has trained
over 400 Locticians who have gone off to start there own successful salon businesses
7. All Malaika's
classes sell out at the World Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Show in Atlanta,
GA.
8. The only
natural hair care specialist to be invited to the Salon/MCB, Salon Mondial Coiffure
Beaute' - Paris Show; the largest hair show in the world.
9. Trains
the youth, and instills in them the benefits of entrepreneurship through natural
hair care businesses.
10. Malaika
has dedicated her life to God and is fulfilling what she knows to be one of her
callings, which is to help women reclaim there African beauty.
July 7, 2008
ETERNAL BREAK FROM BREAKAGE By: Malaika Tamu Cooper
Email: JustAskMalaika@thecoilreview.com The factors from which breakage stems from are Internal
Factors, Stress Factors, Harsh Chemicals, and the manner in which we Handle Our
Hair.
Understanding is key – and the first thing that we must understand is:
1. Our hair is a living thing, and requires nourishment;
much like our bodies do. It is not only important to feed our bodies with nutritional
foods, it is also important to provide our bodies with vitamin supplements, which
will reflect in the
health of our hair. A diet that is low in essential vitamins such as B complexes
and vitamins C, D, and E, can manifest itself as ravished, dry, breaking
hair. Take your vitamins!
2. Your hair is made up of
living cells, and these living cells deteriorate once it has gone through its natural
shedding process; or when unnaturally altered. The unnatural alteration I am referring
to is the harmful things that we do to our scalp and hair, which is in many cases
what causes breakage. Let’s stop the abuse and take the term “Hair Care” literally.
You will see the difference when you give your hair the care it needs.
Maintenance Factors:
Pulling; Tight bands/hair styles; Cleansing negligence, etc.
3. Sleep and proper rest is
especially important. If you can’t get 8 hours of sleep a night, try getting close
to that amount. Also, did you know that while you’re sleeping, the body is healing
itself? Get some sleep ladies – it can and will significantly affect the health
of your hair.
Stress Factors: Sleeping habits;
Unbalanced work schedules; Unhealthy relationships; Life Events, etc.
4. And now for the chemicals.
A quick rule to live by is, stay away from harsh chemicals! Harsh Chemicals will break your hair. It
doesn’t get any more simpler
than that.
Harsh Chemicals:
Relaxers; Bonding Glues; Coloring/Dyes, etc.
5. Dealing with internal factors is where it gets tricky.
If you are experiencing breakage in the back of your hair or bumps in the nape of
your neck, this may represent toxins in the body. A cleansing of the
body is recommended. i.e. kidney and/or colon cleansing. Also, be sure your stylist
is using clean clippers, and stay away from tight head bands.
If you are experiencing
breakage near your temples, this being the area of the head that deals directly
with your reproductive organs, your doctor may inquire about a history of fibroids, recent delivery, hysterectomy
or menopausal symptoms.
If you are taking medications for conditions such
as high blood pressure and diabetes, you may be experiencing breakage on the very
top of your head, which can have a correlation. See a homeopathic specialist for
more information.
Internal factors:
Eating habits; Medications; Medical procedures; Illnesses, etc.
There is much more to learn, and there is much I’d like to share. Send your questions
directly to me at JustAskMalaika@thecoilreview.com.
I look forward to helping you
master the maintenance and styling of your blessed natural hair.
Give Thanks and Praises,
Malaika Tamu Cooper
July 7, 2008
FRESH N' FRUITY FINDS By Zenobia Rose Love
Although the recent seasons
have been acting pretty wacky lately; Summer is definitely here!
So get in the spirit why don’t cha! The sun is out, the trees are green, and the
air is (somewhat) fresh. Even Manhattan is starting to feel like an island oasis.
Kinda-sorta.
Ok, even if your hometown isn’t a Caribbean equivalent, at least give
your hair a treat that will make it look and smell as fresh and alive as a tropical
day of the beautiful island you wish you were on.
Here are 5 fresh and fruity styling products that will keep your hair smelling
sweet & pure, and feeling like natural goodness.
Start your day with the fresh earthy smell of Organic Herbal Shampoo
with Rosemary and Tea Tree extracts. This is a 100% certified organic, vegan-friendly
product; perfect for loose or locked hair. This shampoo encourages hair growth,
strengthens your roots, and leaves your hair feeling soft and healthy. This product
can conveniently be purchased at greenridgeherbals.com for $14.
Palm tree, sandy beach, umbrella drink deprived? Although not exactly a substitute,
the Jamaican Island Conditioner
from My Honey Child just might make you feel a
bit ire :) Jamaican Island Conditioner
is a thick and creamy conditioner, perfect for fighting the humidity that comes
with the summer heat. This sweet scented product contains orange, pineapple, coconut
butter and milk, as well as raw honey. It is designed to detangle knots and treat
damaged and dry hair. Your coils & curls will be pleasantly soft and light;
and ready to take on the summer heat!
And don’t worry, I have you natural beauties with locs covered. For a light
and inexpensive locking aid, try
Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Gel. It won’t leave your locs
feeling heavy or looking greasy at all. Quite the contrary; this light-weight locking
gel is perfect for maintaining soft locks that smell as great as they look!
Talk about options! Corn Rows and Company offers an Island Citrus Pomade that is ideal for daily
use. This leave-in conditioner is good for loose and locked hair. The pomade “melts
in your hand” and softens and strengthens dry and damaged hair. It contains natural
ingredients like jojoba and coconut oils, vitamin E, and grapefruit extract. Its
all-natural citrus scent will compliment your hair on any hot summer day. It can
be purchased at cornrowsandco.com for $17.99.
If you have a taste for something exotic, try Carol’s Daughter’s Tui Hair Oil. This oil has the scent of mango,
passion fruit, and guava, and the bonus is, it can be used as a daily conditioning
treatment. It leaves your hair and scalp looking shiny and feeling soft –and smells
like fruity heaven trapped in a bottle! Tui Hair Oil can be purchased at carolsdaughter.com. Also
check out the retail stores. The flagship store is located in the heart of Harlem,
the Brooklyn store still stands in the heart of Fort Greene, and you can also find it at Sephora. Very nice, Ms. Price!
Keep your hair feeling healthy and soft and add some fruity scents and freshness
to your hot summer days. Enjoy!
July 7, 2008
JANELLE MONAE AND
THE ROAD TO METROPOLIS By: Lauren Jillian
Whoever said that magic can’t come from Kansas has yet to encounter the lyrical
wonderment of Janelle Monae Robinson.
The Rock n’ Soul showgirl, donning a cascading frontward bound curl, ever-clad in her oversized bow tie and wing-tipped shoe combo,
is Bad Boy Records’ independent, forward–thinking genius that the industry has
been waiting for. Although, do note that Ms. Monae joins the Bad Boy family by way
of Wondaland Art Society - W.A.S., her independent label who has formed a partnership
with the Bad Boy emperor, P. Diddy Combs. So the inevitability of her success is
definitely tangible and destined for a steady upswing.
Her musical influences are as diverse as her subject matters – Judy Garland, Stevie
Wonder, Bjork and Buddy Holly. Equipped with an otherworldly outlook on life and
uncompromising in her personal style and identity as an artist, she never stopped
believing that music can change people. With motive in her heart, Monae almost overnight
became prophet
amongst black indie-funk fans, and is now ready to transport the
minds and consciences of her followers beyond the purple clouds that float above
Metropolis.
She crashed the scene in 2005 shortly after meeting “Nate Rocket” Wonder and Chuck
Lightning of Wonderland Productions.
After two 80’s infused tracks on Purple Ribbon
All Star’s compilation album, “Got Purp Vol. 2”, she unveiled her first solo project
“The Audition”. Her unusual and infectious tunes garnered her widespread love on
the underground circuit and landed her on Outkast’s “Idlewild” soundtrack singing,
“In Your Dreams” and “Call the Law”.
In August 2007, Monae graced anticipating ears with “Metropolis Suite I of IV: The
Chase”, one of a series of creative melodic works, each telling thematic stories
of a “cyber girl from outer-space’s” quest for love and truth, in a world corrupted
by earthly boundaries.
I’d highly recommend getting intimately acquainted. Between her creative inclinations--
Fred Astaire meets Yves Saint Laurent fashion sensibility, and that amazing signature
hair style, this funk-punk soulstress will surely take you on a fantastical grooved-out
journey, where the twists and turns will not only be fashioned on her crown, but
witnessed through her path to musical reign!
For more pics of Janelle Monae, visit the The Coil Review's
CoilStar section!
Check out this 'black cinderella-like' performance by Janelle called, "Cindi". A must watch and listen.
July 7, 2008
Ads With Lame Claims By: Shannon J. Effinger
As a “southern belle” from Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, with smooth dark skin, almond shaped eyes, and soft wooly hair – my mother
never fully appreciated her natural attributes. Not that my grandfather helped any,
often using discouraging words like “ugly”, amongst others, to describe her untouched
beauty. As a young girl, she would sit for hours while my grandmother would press
(and sometimes) burn her thick natural hair for Sunday school. And all this was
done with the help of a hot comb and gobs of Dax or Royal Crown hair grease of course;
two hair maintenance products that were heavily advertised in those days.
As the hair culture changed, so did the ads and so did my mom; turning into a young
woman of the sixties donning her doo-wop wigs and Cher-like falls. You know the
change of the times didn’t stop there though, right? Then comes the “Black is Beautiful”
era, a mantra that my mom fully embraced…for a quick minute; flaunting her short cropped
natural proudly. Black and Proud! Unfortunately, that period didn’t last for too
long with her.
During the ‘80s and ‘90s, I remember waking up on Saturday mornings to the smell
of hair burning on the stove and seeing half empty cans of Royal Crown in the kitchen.
The TV would be cranked up, and the commercials that usually aired back then, in
between Soul Train and morning cartoons, were the garden variety of “no lye” relaxer
kits filled with promises of a “more manageable, better you”. And if you were wondering,
yes, mom tried those hair altering processes too.
The reality is, many women share the history my mom has with hair care and styling
– or more accurately, hair crime and frying. Some of it is due in part by bogus
ads that have been running through the airwaves for decades. They change with the
times, but in some ways, still stay the same. And you know what? There are still people
that believe in the promises that these advertisements from mainstream hair and
cosmetic companies make.
I watched a recent spot for a hair care product on BET this weekend, as it claimed
to have supernatural effects. A miracle if you will. It showed two black women with
long, relaxed hair, fighting over this product with an omniscient male voice speaking
loudly above them. They then shouted their praises to this mighty being; hailing
his product, as though he were a god of sorts. Not only did it show black women
desperately fighting for a product that, yet again, makes promises to make us “better,”
but it further perpetuates the myth that some of us allow men to control and measure
the essence of our beauty. But I digress.
For years, these commercials have done more detriment than good, because they have
never showed us how we are in reality, but how they think we want to be, in a fantasy.
Our foremothers may have had to internalize those messages of self-denial, because
those were the times. But times have totally changed. We have more options, more
resources, and more positive images we can relate to.
Just like the hues of our skin, there is also a range in our hair—from loose bouncy
curls to tightly wound coils. And to have that diversity reflect in the media, would
really aid in inspiring the audience that these ads are meant to influence and convince.
Fortunately, there have been recent strides made in creating hair care products
for women who go against the grain and welcome their natural born texture. But just
be sure to use your ability to discern those companies with genuine interest in
the culture, health and beauty, from those with genuine interest in the gwop, cheese
and paper.
Recommendations from Andrea Cole of iVillage on... GETTING YOUR BEST HAIR EVER
Style
Remix: Dress Up Your Hair
For a fun change, try some Senagalese twists. "This is an easy-to-do
style that's always cute and fresh for spring," says Saunders. Part your hair horizontally
from earlobe-to-earlobe for a center part. Working back from your forehead, twist
narrow sections of your hair flat against your scalp, picking up more strands as
you move back (like when cornrowing). Pin each twist at the horizontal part, and
leave the back wild and loose.
Damage Control
To combat ho-hum hair, give it volume by braiding in big sections
at night. "As you get closer to washing time, natural hair can loose it's buoyancy
and start to get limp," she explains. In the morning, unbraid it, spray the roots
with a flexible holding spray, and finger-tousle your tresses. If all else fails,
part your hair down the middle, and create a french braid on each side. Stop each
braid at your earlobe, and on each side,
grab the remaining hair, and twist it into
a low bun.
Get Healthy
Even though your hair isn't chemically treated, most black hair
is dry and prone to breakage. The good news is, there are new supplements that can
help strenghten hair. JF Lazartigue's Vita Hair Supplements ($32 for 60 capsules,
DiamondBeauty.com) contain a mixture of wheatgerm, keratin builders and plant extracts
to revitalize hair.
Cool Accessories
Spice up your natural style with some eye-catching barrettes and
pins. Try: Bobbe Pots Sunflower Pins ($14.95, BobbePots.com); Frederic Fekkai Calfskin
Flower Headpins ($65, 888-FEKKAI); SpecialTile Barrettes ($12, SupplyCurve.com).
Color Code
All-over metallic shades like bronzy coppers mare staging a comeback.
For at-home color, Clairol Natural Instinct 24 Shampoo kit in Moroccan Spice ($6.99,
at drugstores) -- the ammonia-free formula has built-in moisturizers for extra shine.
The Winner of
The Coil Review’s Looks You Love for July
Showing off her fabulous Locked Look is,
Chantal P. – Boston, MA
The Coil Review got a chance to chat with Chantal P. to learn a little about her
and her fierce natural hair. See what Chantal P. has to say about her fabulous Locked
Look.
TCR – When did you start locking your hair and what inspired you
to do it?
Chantal P.– I started locking
my hair back in 2002. I always wanted to lock my hair, but my mom was very much
against it. And being the rebel that I am, I just decided
to go for it anyway. My
good friend Rob had always been my biggest inspiration. He started his locks in
the 90's when everyone basically looked the same.
TCR – Were there any growing struggles along the way?
Chantal P.– There were many
struggles along the way, with the bushy stage and with the days that I could not
figure out how I wanted to style my hair. Although, I have to admit that I honestly
miss the days that I started growing my crop.
TCR - Looks like you're not afraid of colors. What colors have
you experimented with?
Chantal P.– I’ve experimented
with goldish and reddish hues. I went through a phase where I wanted to look different
from everyone else. I must say that coloring does put a strain on your hair, as
you must constantly keep it moisturized when it's chemically treated. So at this
point I have opted to keep it natural all the way!
TCR – In a few words, what makes your hair fabulous to you?
Chantal P.– Honestly, there
are times that I get tired of my hair, but then there are times when I totally embrace
it. I believe that my hair is fabulous because it brings out the inner me - budding,
forever changing and growing.
TCR – Do you have a life motto you'd like to share?
Not necessarily
about hair; just an ideal or principle that you live by.
Chantal P.-I have learned that at times,
life might get hard along the way, and though at times it may be hard to visualize, "It gets greater later.
Don't forget! Send us your photo and tell us something about the beauty of your natural hair. It'll be
featured in the My Coilaroids section of The Coil Review. To submit your photo, email:submissions@TheCoilReview.com
Although the recent seasons
have been acting pretty wacky lately; Summer is definitely here!
The Rock n’ Soul showgirl, donning a cascading frontward bound curl, ever-clad in her oversized bow tie and wing-tipped shoe combo,
is Bad Boy Records’ independent, forward–thinking genius that the industry has
been waiting for. Although, do note that Ms. Monae joins the Bad Boy family by way
of Wondaland Art Society - W.A.S., her independent label who has formed a partnership
with the Bad Boy emperor, P. Diddy Combs. So the inevitability of her success is
definitely tangible and destined for a steady upswing.
As a “southern belle” from Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, with smooth dark skin, almond shaped eyes, and soft wooly hair – my mother
never fully appreciated her natural attributes. Not that my grandfather helped any,
often using discouraging words like “ugly”, amongst others, to describe her untouched
beauty. As a young girl, she would sit for hours while my grandmother would press
(and sometimes) burn her thick natural hair for Sunday school. And all this was
done with the help of a hot comb and gobs of Dax or Royal Crown hair grease of course;
two hair maintenance products that were heavily advertised in those days.
