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the Original Moxie Blog

As salon professionals, we understand that finding your perfect hairstyle can often mean balancing tricky hair priorities! Join us as we tackle common hair dilemmas that our clients often present us with.   Cut vs. Trim Trims merely remove dead ends (less than 1″) without altering the shape of your cut.  Generally, trims are not sufficient to maintain a balanced shape and should only be performed in between regular cuts to remove dead ends or ‘polish’ a curly cut.    Creating a precise, connected shape may require the loss of some length, in the perimeter and elsewhere, to sculpt your desired look. You should always consult with your Stylist to let them know where you are willing to lose length and discuss how this may impact the finished look.   High Layers vs. Length Creating a balance between face-framing volume and maintaining length is a unique challenge, especially for those with a looser curl pattern. You either have to sacrifice length from the perimeter to seamlessly blend your layers, or opt for an intentional disconnect with bold shapes like a mullet or a wolf cut. Again, we suggest consulting with your stylist to 1.) understand your hair’s tendencies and 2.) find the ideal style that aligns with your preferences.    Low Maintenace vs. Lots of Hair The more hair you have, the more time and product you will need to invest in its upkeep. While this journey can be truly rewarding, it is important to be realistic about your expectations! We want your hair journey to remain fun and sustainable by finding that sweet spot where your curls can thrive without overwhelming your daily routine.    Volume vs. Definition Volume and frizz are close cousins. If you prefer to rock perfectly defined curls, then expect your hair to sit closer to your head. If, on the other hand, you don’t mind some functional frizz, as long as it means your hair is large and in charge, then please let your stylist know so that we can style it accordingly!   Day-1 Perfection vs. Longevity Do you want your definition to last longer, or to look its best on Day 1? Generally, you cannot have both. Greater longevity usually necessitates a strong cast, and a more compressed, less volumized set, reducing the need for refreshes throughout the week.If you want full, volumized curls, remember that frizz and volume are cousins. Embracing a voluminous style means you must embrace the frizz, or be prepared to frequently refresh. The choice lies in your styling preferences!   Hang-Time vs. Health Removing damage and evening-out breakage will require the loss of some length. Without that step, your hair may continue to have pre-existing holes, areas of breakage and sparseness, and tangling.  Styling products can also impact how your hair sits when it is fully dry. Optimally hydrated hair generally (but not always) shrinks up. Shrinkage is actually a sign of correctly moisturized hair. If you need hang-time over hydration (and health), we can work with that by choosing a moisturizer that weighs your hair down rather than springs it up – be aware that this will not result in your hair being optimally hydrated.   Disconnection vs. Easy Grow Out We all love a cute undercut or fun, piece-y style. However, this can often mean that your shape will get wonky faster and, should you decide to ditch the disconnect, that the process will be slower or involve a big chop. If you prefer going for a long time between cuts, then we advise choosing a smooth, connected cut that will grow out well and be easier to maintain.     If you’re in Michigan and looking for a curly hair salon, your search ends here! Our team of curl specialists at the Original Moxie Salon (located in Ypsilanti, Michigan) is ready to help you embrace your curls. For booking, visit originalmoxiesalon.com and hit Book A Service. You can also reach us by phone at 734-340-4022 during regular business hours.  

  While Washtenaw County, specifically the southeastern portion of the County, ranks highly for ethnic diversity, very few salons in the area offer high-quality beauty services targeted to meet the needs of people of color.    Three minority & woman-owned beauty businesses, Original Moxie, Anaya Beauty Salon, & Forever Beauty Co. aim to change that trend. Located in neighboring suites at 2925 E. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti Township, each business owner is passionate about their mission.   In the highly competitive beauty industry, they support each other by sharing resources and cross-promoting their services. Building on their unique ability to offer comprehensive, inclusive skin and hair services in one location, the three salons collectively brand themselves as The Beauty Block. Together, they hope to establish the area as a center for elevated beauty that prioritizes the needs of their underserved populations. Original Moxie offers inclusive, natural curly hair products and services. Discussing her motivation, Blistein explains, “Curly hair is traditionally a marginalized and misunderstood ‘niche’ within the beauty industry. Perhaps because of that, since the brand’s founding in 2009, we have worked hard to make our business accessible and welcoming to everyone. Feeling good about your hair in its natural state is liberating and empowering and can have an instant and significant emotional impact. That is an experience we want to share, not just with our clients, but with the wider community.”   Neighboring business Anaya Beauty Salon specializes in protective styles such as braids, wigs, and weaves and also aims to disrupt the status quo. Boasting a sparkling interior with stylish décor and comfortable stations, Anaya Beauty Salon is not your typical hair braiding establishment. With over 12 years of experience, Owner, Rickeilia Shah explains that her goal is “to change the narrative of traditional braiding parlors by creating perfectly crafted styles that are installed in an upscale environment, with appointments that start on time, and methods that promote hair and scalp health.”   Forever Beauty Co., jointly owned by three family members, Lynette Jordan Burrell, Jasmin Jordan, and Lauryn Jordan, is similarly motivated by a vision to offer professional spa services and cutting-edge techniques in a natural and uplifting space. As Aesthetician Lauryn Jordan points out, “darker skin reacts differently to conditions like acne and needs specialized products and treatments to help it look its best.” By teaming up with her Aunt Lynette and Cousin Jasmin, both licensed cosmetologists, the three offer a range of hair, skin, and lash services under one roof.

The Beauty Block Presents the Self-Care Fair Sponsored by Trinity Health Three minority and woman-owned beauty businesses, collectively known as The Beauty Block, are hosting a free event to promote wellness in the BIPOC community. The Beauty Block, which includes Original Moxie, Anaya Beauty Salon, and Forever Beauty Co., is located in neighboring suites at Ridge Center in Ypsilanti Township. The Second Annual Self-Care Fair will be held on Sunday, September 15th from noon to 4 p.m. at 2925 E. Michigan Ave in Ypsilanti Township. For its second year, the event is sponsored by Trinity Health and is free to attendees.  The event will feature demos from the Beauty Block, workshops, food trucks, music, free and discounted health and wellness services, family-friendly activities, and more! Additional details on the Self-Care Fair are available on Eventbrite and Facebook. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP, but tickets are free and the event will be open to the public. We’re still seeking unique vendors, especially minority- and women-owned businesses, that offer health, wellness, and personal care goods and services. New vendors are added daily. Space is limited – Sign up today to reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/SCFVendor  Other vendors include The Mix Studios, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Kelly Caroline Henna, Spectacle Society, Everlasting Links Permanent Jewelry, Wired for Empathy, etc.

Hailed as a powerful immune-booster and anti-inflammatory, Turmeric has gotten a lot of press for its health benefits.  But did you know that, applied topically, it also has immense benefits for the skin and scalp?   This golden, earthy-smelling powder is what gives our Get Clean! No-Foam Shampoo is beautiful hue as well as many of its key properties.   Dedicated users of this cult favorite have come to appreciate the way in which it balances oil and moisture for all hair types. This is, in part, thanks to Turmeric’s ability to regulate the production of sebum in the scalp. The active component of the root, Curcumin, possesses  anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and works effectively to correct scalp conditions from Cicatricial alopecia to dandruff.   Original Moxie Founder, Rachel Blistein, attributes the remission of her her lifelong Seborrheic Dermatitis  to this one product. So trust us when we say, this is way more than your average no-foam shampoo! It’s truly Turmerific.

Moisture and hydration are good things for your hair, right? Unfortunately, the answer is that it depends. When it comes to product, getting the RIGHT moisturizer in your hair makes all the difference. That’s true for any hair type in any climate. But when it comes to the water that enters your hair from the environment, your hair type and product choices can make all the difference between a curl that pops and one that flops. Follow these simple steps to keep your hair healthy and defined in all kinds of weather: 1) Assess your hair type That’s right folks. Stop and do not pass go until you know the following about your hair: Curl Pattern (the tightness of your curl); and Texture (the size of your individual hair strands) Not sure? Take our Hair Type Quiz to find out in less than a minute. 2) Assess your climate Is your home base humid or dry (we won’t get into dew points here as it can get very confusing, very quickly)? Keep in mind that humidity can change daily, but mainly follows seasonal shifts. For those of us in North America, winter is usually dryer and summer is more humid.   3) Assess your styling preferences Do you prefer more volume and lift? Less concerned about frizz? If so, humidity may be your best friend since extra water that enters the cuticle will swell the hair shaft and add volume to the hair. Once you know your hair type, styling preferences, and climate, it’s a snap to find products that give you predictable results that last!

It’s officially winter here in Michigan (where our headquarters are based)! As the air turns colder and drier, our hair often bears the brunt of the chilly weather. We’ve gathered helpful tips to keep your locks healthy and happy in all kinds of weather.    Head Coverings  Protecting your curls from friction and moisture loss is your first line of defense! If you’re not already using these products, we recommend sleeping with a satin bonnet or pillowcase. Add a stylish touch to your winter outfits with a satin-lined hat or head scarf! The satin lining is a protective barrier, shielding your hair from harsh winter winds and minimizing the risk of dryness and breakage.    Boost Your Moisturizing Routine  Boost your regular moisturizing routine by combining an Emollience Pre-Treatment with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, such as Get Clean & Intense Quench Deep Conditioner.  Pre-treatments are traditionally applied to dry (as in not wet) hair to allow the oils to penetrate your cuticle without competition from water. You can apply Emollience overnight and cap your hair with a satin bonnet the night before your wash day, or even under a scarf while running errands. Its key ingredients of Cupuaçu Butter and Castor Oil help dry hair hold onto moisture and boost shine while creating a protective barrier around the hair shaft.    Get Regular Trims & Detoxes If you’re local to Michigan, you can book regular trims and Moisture Detoxes with the Original Moxie Salon curl experts! Regular trims help reduce breakage, prevent tangling, encourage growth, and more. The Moisture Detox is a signature salon treatment that improves hair health, balances moisture levels, and optimizes your natural texture. Most clients notice a dramatic improvement in softness, curl definition, vibrancy, and overall appearance after 1 treatment! We recommend a seasonal approach, with a Detox every three months.  Even if you don’t live near our salon, you can use our store locator to find a Moisture Detox Certified salon near you. You can also find salons that use our products and stores that sell them. Enter your zip code and filter the store type to show “Moisture Detox Certified” salons.   Start at the Scalp For many of us, Winter is a time of all kinds of hair and scalp challenges, from hat hair to weird fungal issues that crop up on the scalp. Maintaining a healthy level of sebum (the skin’s natural oils) and a balanced pH on the scalp is essential.   To help break the cycle of scalp irritation, opt for a gentle shampoo. Our Get Clean! No-foam Shampoo is enriched with Neem and Karanja, 2 very powerful anti-fungal agents, and does not strip the hair’s natural oils. Our Featherweight or Intense Quench conditioners both help restore the scalp and hair to the optimal pH level between 4 and 5, thereby curbing the growth of harmful fungi. Step three is regular scalp massage with a product such as our Scalp Therapy, which is enriched with a wide array of anti-inflammatory agents and moisturizers. Scalp massages stimulate blood flow, thereby aiding the overall resiliency of the follicles and skin.  

  Moisturizer: A hydrating leave-in that attracts and binds water to the hair.   Moisturizers can be entirely water-based, or a mixture of water and oil. Water and oil creams are best for tight to very tight curls as they slow evaporation and boost moisture retention.   Oil-free moisturizers can be used as a primer for tighter textures or as a stand-alone for looser textures. Always apply your moisturizer to clean, wet hair, before any other leave-ins.   Reapplication of moisturizer between washes is counterproductive, as it may create drying build-up. If your hair does not feel moisturized in between washes, it’s not you – it’s your product.   Finding the right moisturizer for your hair type makes all the difference between a curl that ‘pops’ and one that flops! Take our Hair Type Quiz to learn about your hair type and find the moisturizer that’s meant for you!   Our Moisturizers are loaded with what we call ‘Hydration Helpers,’ like Amino Acids, Pro-Vitamin B, and Natural Osmolytes. These are ingredients that assist the hair in building and retaining moisture.  

Definer: A leave-in styler that encourages the hair to retain or assume its natural shape. Most offer some degree of frizz control.   Serums, gels, mousses, foams, and styling sprays are all types of defining products. Moxie Definers all contain moisturizing and conditioning ingredients for the hair, making them suitable for all-in-one styles for normal to oily hair types.   When used with a moisturizer, your definer should be applied as a second step, while the hair is still wet. Since the function of this product category is surface-acting and cosmetic, definers can be used to refresh and restyle throughout the week as needed.   Which definer you use is up to personal preference, and can be layered to achieve your desired look. Take our Hair Type Quiz to learn about your hair type and find the definer(s) we recommend for you.   Our Definers are highly-concentrated & flake-free. We offer various levels of hold from lightweight frizz control, to strong and cast-forming.