FashionJunkie Featured on StoreAdore.com!

Interviews · Thursday, March 27, 2008

In the shameless act of self-promotion, I thought I’d mention that FashionJunkie is featured on Store Adore - my favorite new web portal designed for shopaholics, including yours truly. Check out the site’s first-ever ”Expert Shopper Feature” (hint: look at the photo on the right-hand side of the homepage) to see what I had to say about… shopping, of course! From the best New York designer clothing spots to buzz-worthy e-boutiques, FashionJunkie comes clean! 

Calling All Curly Heads!

Interviews · Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Are you a victim of twisted tresses and unmanageable Brillo-pad hair? The days of fearing your frizz are over thanks to NaturallyCurly.com – a fun and informative social networking “curl-munity,” filled with expert tips, trends, top product information and North American salon listings. FashionJunkie recently caught up with NaturallyCurly co-founders, Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber (who share a history of fighting frizz) to find out what it takes to start loving your locks.

FJ: Why did you decide to launch NaturallyCurly.com?

NC: We both moved to California at different times and had unruly, curly hair. Having worked at the same newspaper, we constantly commiserated about how to handle our hair. After conducting extensive research, we noticed a serious lack of resources available for curlies and thus, NaturallyCurly.com was born.

FJ: How has the site evolved since it launched nine years ago?

NC: We initially launched the site in ’98 as a hobby, with very little content. Eventually, we took things a little more seriously and started treating the site as a monthly magazine. Then, in the spring of ‘04, we launched CurlMart (our e-boutique), which sells over 500 top quality products designed specifically for curly heads. The site has become extremely interactive and we receive a lot of positive feedback from our readers. People post all kinds of product reviews and look to us for expert advice, such as “how do I fight frizz” and “where can I find a hairdresser that cuts curly hair.”

FJ: Why would someone want to be a part of this “curl-munity?”

NC: For tons of information and advice! It’s come to the point where we’ve become such good friends with some of our readers, that we’re even launching off-line “curl gatherings.” We’re organizing an event at Devachan Salon (a cutting-edge salon for curly heads in New York) so that curly girls can meet and talk about a whole host of curl issues.

FJ: What advice would you give to curly girls who aren’t happy with their hair?

NC: We really want to help curlies learn to love their natural curls so that they don’t feel they have to straighten it. Curly heads make up 50-65% of the world’s population, so we’re encouraging them to embrace it. In fact, we’ve even developed a curly hair ranking system, which helps determine your hair type. This also enables us to make product recommendations and tips formulated specifically for every type of curl (i.e. loose waves or kinky curls).

FJ: How often do you straighten your hair?

NC: We have bad hair days just like everyone else. Since we live in Austin, Texas, the weather (and humidity!) is constantly changing, so we have to switch our products accordingly. But we haven’t straightened our hair in years!

FJ: Who cuts your hair?

NC: There are so many amazing curly hair stylists to choose from. Some of our favorites are Christo (owner of the Christo Fifth Avenue Salon in New York City), Lorraine Massey (co-founder of Devachan Salon in New York City) and Rodney Cutler (the Creative Director at New York’s Redken Salon). Visit our CurlSalons section for a complete cross-country listing of curly hair-cutters.

FJ: What hair products and tools do you use?

NC: Right now we’re into Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer, an organic line out of California, Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper (by Jonathan Torch), Curlisto Structura Lotion and AG Hair Cosmetics. Of course, there’s Curly Cocktails – seven intoxicating style offerings tailor-made to fight all types of frizz.

FJ: Is there a right or wrong way to cut or wear curly hair?

NC: It’s really about curl pride. Be proud of your curls and don’t fight them! Some stylists use the Bonzai technique, which is when they cut the hair according to where it needs cutting. Different things tend to work better for different people and it really depends on the hairdresser. We’ve definitely noticed a changing attitude about curls over the years. People used to fight them, but now they’re finally becoming fashionable.

FJ: What’s next for NaturallyCurly.com?

NC: We’d like to spread the word to as many people as possible. In fact, we’re organizing a ”Love Your Curls Day” in Austin, TX on Sunday, November 11th and are planning to host similar events across the country. Plus, we’ll continue to launch a wide range of new product collections such as Curly Cocktails.

Check out the FashionJunkie Fix email newsletter about Curly Cocktails, a hot new hair styling regimen designed specifically for curly heads.

Gaga For Giada

Interviews · Tuesday, May 08, 2007

It’s easy to be envious of Giada De Laurentiis. Aside from growing up in Rome (also home to Gucci, Prada and D&G!) with Hollywood lineage (granddaughter of film producer, Dino De Laurentiis), Giada is regularly gallivanting around the globe for her TV host gig on the Food Network (Giada’s Weekend Getaways and Everyday Italian) and as a correspondent on NBC’s The Today Show. During her downtime (umm… when?), she’s a private chef and caterer (founder of GDL Catering in L.A.) and is also the author of Everyday Pasta (Potter, 2007) – her third national bestseller.

FashionJunkie recently caught up with the down-to-earth De Laurentiis at New York Fall/Winter ‘07 Fashion Week at Bryant Park to dish about her favorite desserts, restaurants and of course… designers. 

-By: Dara Fleischer

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Lip Shtick

Interviews · Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Poppy King makes heads turn from Melbourne to Manhattan thanks to her uncharacteristically cool twist on the tube. Known as the “Queen of the lipstick scene,” this Aussie-born entrepreneur launched one of the first indie beauty brands on the market back in ‘92 when she was barely out of high school. Fast-forward twelve years: cosmetics giant Prescriptives came calling with an unbelievable job offer, so King closed-up shop and moved to their NYC headquarters to fulfill the roll of Creative Director. But those solo-preneur pangs refused to subside and eventually, King left the corporate world to launch “Lipstick Queen” - a coveted 20-piece collection of sultry red, burgundy and barely-there sheers (Saints) and bolder, movie-starlet-inspired mattes (Sinners). As if that’s not enough to make you smile, King just added “Oxymoron” to the mix - 4 subtle shades of must-have matte gloss, packaged into chic, clear cases that work wonders for lips and cheeks.

After barely four months since debuting the line exclusively at Barney’s New York and select grass-roots retailers, King is once again making a comeback. Known for her signature fire engine red smackers, edgy downtown style and spunky demeanor, FashionJunkie (FJ) dished with the makeup maven herself about life, leopard-prints, and of course… lipstick!

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