Meet Shelley Davis of Kinky-Curly Hair Products!
Kinky-Curly Hair Products was founded in 2003. We are the first all natural product line that was created specifically for curly hair. Our goal is to provide women with quality natural products that will allow them to style and maintain their hair in it's natural state. We want to end the frustration that so many women experience when dealing with their natural hair. We recently launched our children's line Tiny Twirls so that moms can start a healthy hair routine with their daughters and not feel that they need to relax the hair in order to have it be manageable.
Q. Do you have natural hair? If so, what's your story?
Yes I am all natural since 1998! My mother relaxed my hair at a young age. Other than the burning scalp during the relaxer application I really didn't experience any serious damage or breakage with all my years of relaxing. I always took care of my hair and had the relaxer applied by a professional stylist. One day I simply decided I wanted to see my natural hair. I was actually inspired by Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope album cover and wanted to wear my hair curly. I didn't do a "Big Chop". I grew my hair out gradually and trimmed away the relaxed ends over a period of 18 months. I did two strand twist outs, braid outs and a fake pony tail extension in an effort to blend the two different textures as my natural hair was growing out. When my natural hair reached a bit above shoulder length I chopped off the rest of the relaxed ends and had a cute curly bob.
Q. We noticed that your company is a signer of the "The Compact for Safe Cosmetics". Can you tell us a little bit more about your decision to use natural/organic ingredients in your products?
I lost my luggage when traveling to my hometown of St Vincent & the Grenadines. I was unable to find any of my regular hair products at the local market so a family friend cooked up some aloe vera and some herbs from her yard and gave me this brown sludgy concoction to apply to my hair. Needless to say it looked disgusting but out of desperation I applied it to my hair and was surprised to find that it worked quite well. When I returned to the USA everyone kept complimenting me on how shiny and healthy my hair looked. I then realized the importance of herbs and natural ingredients. I experienced first hand how they nourish and strengthen instead of coating and suffocating the hair shaft.
I set my mind to re-create this "brown sludge" in a more elegant visually pleasing formulation. I figured if my hair could benefit from a natural product then certainly others would be interested as well. I took some cosmetic chemistry classes so I could have an understanding of the basics and then teamed up with a chemist and after a lot of revisions we developed the Curling Custard. (Formerly known as Jojoba Jelly)
Q. Where do you get the inspiration for the creation of new products in your line?
We listen to feedback and suggestions from our customers. We realize there are a multitude of different hair types and everyone has various lifestyles and live in different climates so we try our best to take everything into consideration when developing new products. Our primary goal is to produce quality natural products that deliver results to our customers.
Q.What do you enjoy most about having this business?
I enjoy connecting with my customers. It is something I don't get to do as much as I would like but I love the praise (of course, who doesn't) - the kind words that I get via email or even when I meet customers out in the streets of Los Angeles. When ladies tell me how Kinky-Curly has changed their life and how much they love their hair now...words can't express how wonderful it makes me feel. With all the hard work that is put into running Kinky-Curly on a daily basis this makes it all worth it.
In addition to this there are so many myths and misinformation that have been passed down from generation to generation. I love doing in-store events where women come with questions on just hair care in general. It is great when they have that "Aha! moment" after I explain to them why water wont damage your hair or that you cant strip a relaxer from your hair with vinegar.
Q. Where can we find your products to purchase?
Kinky-Curly products can be found nationwide at Whole Foods Market stores and also at salons & beauty supply stores.
Q. What is your favorite product out of your line and why?
The Knot Today detangler. Why? because so many women have damaged their hair by ripping through snarls and tangles. The Knot Today melts away tangles and it makes the comb out process so much easier and less frustrating. The Knot Today can benefit any one if they are relaxed or natural and if their hair is tightly curled or with loose ringlets.
Thank you for the opportunity for this interview & keep spreading the word about natural hair with Natural Chica!
- Shelley Davis
