Afrobella of the Week — Titi Branch, Miss Jessie’s Entrepre-bella
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More of you have commented about my first Miss Jessie’s post than any other thing I’ve written. As of today, the original post has 75 comments since I first wrote it in August, and my recent review of the products has gotten 45 comments so far. Few other products have produced so much debate within the natural hair community.
There are those who swear by Miss Jessie’s, and those who swear AT Miss Jessie’s, because of the price, the product’s ingredients, or what people view as unnecessary hype. Ever since I started this site, I’ve wanted to get to the bottom of the Miss Jessie’s controversy and learn what the sister/owners themselves, Miko and Titi Branch, had to say about their wildly successful products.
I got lucky.
Following her fantastic interview with Organic Beauty Radio, I got in touch with Titi Branch. And we had a long conversation that was enlightening on many levels. I learned a LOT more about Miss Jessie’s, and more still about attitudes towards natural hair within the community itself. Titi was a real eye-opener and she willingly put herself on the line and did her best to answer the controversial questions as well as the softballs.
First things first, the price point. I was initially afraid to contact Titi, as I had no idea how she’d respond to my first criticism of Miss Jessie’s. I don’t want to generalize the natural hair community, but I’m a bella on a budget. $38 to $58 on a tub of hair product just isn’t reasonable for many afrobellas, particularly for those who have never tried Miss Jessie’s before. But Titi surprised me by agreeing with me completely. And now, Miss Jessie’s has just released some new, smaller sizes made for bellas like you and me!
“The products were 16 oz, professional size, really big tubs. And that’s where the product started, in the salon. I think a lot of people didn’t understand that. They need to know we give a LOT of product, and it was originally done that way because people with natural and curly hair use a lot of product. But these [smaller sizes] are for the people who have never tried our product and just wanna try it,” says Titi.
I predict that those 8 oz and 2 oz sizes are going to fly off the shelves. The hype around Miss Jessie’s ensures a steady flow of curious customers, wondering if they should go for the Baby Buttercream or the Curly Meringue. Titi broke it down for me.
“The Buttercream series isn’t really for definition, they’re for moisture. The Curly Pudding and Meringue are for definition, and they have a little bit of hold to them. They’re best applied to wet hair,” she explains.
Using Miss Jessie’s products calls for an interactive hairstyling experience. Users are encouraged to bend over when styling, and to scrunch or stretch the hair. The site offers step-by-step instructions on most of their in-salon methods, like fingerstyling and shingling. A typical Miss Jessie’s in-salon treatment can last two weeks if carefully maintained, and they’re expensive. But still, there’s a misconception by women like myself, who just want to purchase a product, slather it on, and like Tim Gunn from Project Runway would say, “make it work!” And that ain’t gonna necessarily happen with Miss Jessie’s.
“The product is effective for different hair types, all dependent on the technique. So what someone with curly hair would do with curly pudding might be different that someone with a kinkier texture. What you have to realize is, everyone can get a curly result. But different people have to do different things in order to get that result, all depending on their hair texture. Someone with kinky, kinky hair can get a curly result by using Curly Pudding in a twist-out. Whereas someone with a curlier texture can just wet their hair, put Curly Pudding or Meringue, air dry, and go. You’ve got to take texture into account. I think a lot of people go to our site and they see the before and after pictures. We give a lot of explanation to reveal what we had to do to get the hair to look a certain way. You have to read all of that information to get it. We’ve got a couple of methods that we do in the salon, and they’re in-salon methods. When I talk to hairstylists, they get it. But sometimes people… they want to just put the product in their hair and they have a very kinky texture and they want to look like Tracee Ross. You can achieve the curl that you want, but you may have to do something different. You may have to get a silkener if you want your curl to look that particular way. You need to consider what you want to achieve, and that will determine how you get there,” Titi explained patiently. And this brings us to an important discussion in the natural hair community.
What defines natural? Are you less natural if you choose to fingerstyle your fro into ringlets? Or elongate your curls with weighty moisturizing products? Or get highlights to emphasize the kinkiness of your lush hair? What if you wear a protective wig or braids during the cold weather months? If you’re a 3B does that make you less natural than someone who’s 4B? And who the heck am I to judge you and how you choose to wear your hair anyway?
Titi was very forthright about their processes, including the controversial silkener, results of which can be seen in the before and after photos.
“The silkener is a chemical process. We use sodium hydroxide, which is commonly known as lye, and we put it in typically natural hair in order to stretch it out. There has been a lot of controversy about silkeners and chemical processing in the natural hair community. But I think the reason it remains such a popular service is because it really helps people to get what they want, that curly hair sass,” Titi explained.
I’ll be real honest with y’all. When Titi said the word “lye,” I could practically hear a menacing “dun dun dunnnnnnnn” in my head. If there’s any chemical that is universally loathed in the natural hair community, it’s lye. Just the way it rolls off the tongue. Ick. I was surprised at her admission, but I really appreciated her honesty. And Titi’s revelation made me consider some gentle criticism that’s been leveled against me by some of my readers that I’ll take this opportunity to address.
This site is called “Afrobella” for a reason. I want to highlight that natural, afro hair is beautiful. Black beauty is beautiful. I don’t think enough of us believe that. And so, I will always strive to primarily uphold the beauty of natural women, because I still believe that there’s a disparity in how we are viewed by society, and within our own community. There are many women out there who struggle to embrace their natural beauty, and my mission is to encourage that as much as possible. But at the same time, I don’t want to be a “nappy nazi.” I don’t need to put down someone else’s beauty to celebrate my own, I see too much of that as it is. I think there’s too much divisiveness among us already, and I don’t want to be part of that kind of pointless negativity.
So I might not always have product advice for your chosen hairstyle, but if using chemicals and/or wearing a weave makes you feel beautiful and looks right on you, then more power to you. But if your hair is unhealthy and thin because of the processes you’re doing to it, or you’re relaxing for the wrong reasons and you feel conflicted, I’m here with transitioning tips for ya. Either way, it’s all love, bellas. I want this to be a site about sisterhood, solidarity, and strength without judgment.
Titi had more to say about silkeners in the natural age.
“Hair and our relationship with our hair runs really deep. There’s a variety of reasons why people go natural. Some people go natural just because they like the look of it, and they aren’t thinking of making a political or ideological statement. Some people get silkeners just because they want the look of curly hair and they don’t want to spend the time doing it. And some people with natural hair — depending on their texture — spend a lot of time trying to create a certain look. And few of us have that kind of time,” she says.
I’d never considered natural hair like that before, just a “style.” But some people really do feel that way — and I immediately started thinking of all the “Adidas rastas” I knew back home, who grew locks to be fashionable, not to make a political or religious statement. I mean, it IS just hair. But hair means so much in the black community, can we ever just say, “it’s just hair?” The recent Don Imus controversy tells me, not just yet.
So if you’re still curious about silkeners, Titi explained it all. An average silkener costs $300 and lasts for four months. “It liberates some women in a sense, because they can just wet their hair, use the product, and just air dry. Whereas before they might have needed to spend the time shingling their hair to achieve the same look. I mean, I understand what people are saying. They have a legitimate issue with it. But for many women, natural hair is very labor intensive. Most of our clients, when they come to the salon, they’re here three to four hours. It’s not just shake and go. You see with the coiling, what needs to be done to get it to look that way. That’s minimum three hours. It looks great, and it can last two weeks… but it takes time to make it look that way,” she says.
For those of you who have gazed at Titi’s mane and instantly want that for themselves, she’s got news for you. “My texture is kinky too. I have a silkener. I do. If you see pictures of me in some of the press articles, I do have a silkener. Why do I have a silkener? Because I don’t have time to do my hair, to spend the time that it would take to do it natural. It’s just a personal decision. I want to just be able to wash it, condition it, rinse it out, put product in it, and let it dry and get curly. That’s how I like to do my hair,” she said.
I had to ask Titi — have you ever gotten attitude from irate napptural activists who are anti-chemicals? “Yeah!” she said readily. “My answer to them is, it’s a personal decision. Why are you getting mad at me because of what I’ve done to my hair? I don’t understand natural nazis. I think everyone has the right to make that decision about their hair that’s on their own head themselves. On our website, we show women before and after and we tell you who’s got a silkener. We do. We don’t lie about it — straight up, here’s a silkener, here’s the hair before and after. Many women who get silkeners are very happy with them. But it’s funny though, because some of them have to be closet silkener people. Because they don’t want to be outed in the natural community. I think it’s unfair,” Titi said. “It’s funny, some of these people believe in their minds, hey, I’m still natural. My hair isn’t straight, it’s been tweaked a little bit, but so what? I only get it done four times a year. It’s just a matter of opinion, really,” she added.
That really got me thinking. Is that me? Am I that girl who makes my family, friends, or readers feel bad about not being 100% natural? That isn’t my goal. I do want to see more women embrace their natural beauty, to lay the chemicals down and embrace themselves as they are. I do want to see black women steer away from the 2 pounds of weave look that I see all over television and in magazines, and I think far too many of us want shiny, long locks at whatever cost. But If I say this site is for all shades of beautiful, I shouldn’t bash the ones who don’t fit into my definition of beauty, right? If I have done that, then I’m no better than the people who have looked me up and down and said I should “do something” with my hair.
How many of the women I’ve named Afrobella of the Week have been closet silkeners, or public curly weave-wearers? Does that make them any less admirable? Maybe these women’s decision to NOT relax your hair to dead straightness is as close to natural as they’re willing to get, and that’s OK. You tell me what you think about this, bellas. It’s a lot to unravel on a Monday morning.
Titi’s expecting the comments, she’s gotten it all. And she’s read the controversial posts on this site before, where readers come out to disparage one product or styling method over another. And she says bring it on, she’s willing to read it all, and learn from your views with grace.
“It’s not easy. When you put something out on the market, there’s gonna be criticism, good and bad. We hear it all the time. We try to address it as best as we can, and you have to understand not everyone’s gonna love you. But we remain focused on the people who love what we do, and what we’re bringing to them. And there’s a lot of them,” Titi said.
I found her approach to be positive and refreshing. Miss Jessie’s has been celebrated by many mainstream magazines and has a celebrity cult following, but Titi demurred from listing the who’s who of natural haired women who come to their salon and use their products. Instead, she wanted to tell me about the latest additions to the Miss Jessie’s line, and to talk about the salon, which has been the source of many rumors since it closed.
“We’re relocating the salon. What’s happened is, we were located in BedStuy, and we’re moving to Prospect Heights. We’re renovating and looking forward to the new place. I didn’t anticipate that it would take as long as it took — almost four months! But we hope to be open by late June, early July,” she says eagerly. “Our old place was located in a brownstone, a very private, cosy setup which was very nice. But I think we need to be a little more accessible to people. The objective was to open in a better neighborhood, and it is a storefront situation so people can come in to pick up products. We didn’t have the opportunity to do that in the old place. But we will also maintain the personal feel of the salon. It’s just a matter of how we decorate it,” says Titi.
Customers have even more to look forward to than just new sizes of already existing products, too. “We’re coming out with three new products. Well, a total of four. Curly Pudding unscented, I think it’ll be a big seller. Some people love the smell, some people just can’t get with it. We’re also coming out with Quick Curl, a great, quick styling product you can put in when your hair is wet. It isn’t as thick as Curly Pudding, it dries quicker, it’s gonna be in a tube, and it just gives you a quick curly look. The other product is the Rapid Recovery Treatment, a deep treatment that we use in the salon. It’s great. It really helps to repair dry and split ends, and to bring moisture to your curly hair. Curly hair really looks best when it’s moisturized, conditioned, plump, and happy. The last product is Stretch Silkening Cream. That’s a styling product, not to be confused with the silkener. It’s in the family of Curly Pudding, but it’s weightier. It’s for women who want the weight with less hold,” she says.
I cannot WAIT to try the new products, which will be hitting the shelves in a variety of sizes. All of the products have been personally tested by the Branch sisters, and they believe so much in the products they sell. After all, they are named after their late grandmother, who passed in 2001.
“Her spirit remains with us. I think she’s looking down, and I think she’s really proud. She knew we had the hair salon, but she passed before we came out with the product line. But it’s all her,” says Titi. I think Miss Jessie is smiling down at Titi and Miko, and she’s pleased as punch about their success. “You know, the Miss Jessie’s brand it’s heartwarming, it’s authentic, it’s solution oriented. It’s the stuff that works. And that’s how we will continue,” Titi promises. Sounds good to me.
My interview with Titi Branch was a really good one. She was very thoughtful in her responses, and I really appreciated her consideration and honesty. And that’s why I named her Afrobella of the Week. Congratulations, Titi!
Category: Hair
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I wore my hair semi-natural for years, — have gone for up to a year without a relaxer. I like the wave and curl of my natural hair. I was toying with relaxing or transitioning, not sure which I would do.
Recently when I mentioned I had a texturizer, someone told me “That’s NOT natural.” It was one of those things where I had hoped that whatever I decided to do — transition, or not, that I would be supported by other women.
In the end I decided to relax again, because I realize whatever I do is my choice. I look good with curly and straight hair, and I feel as if I should be able to have the choice no matter what. If i decide to go natural, it will still be my choice.
I don’t think there needs to be a problem with if a woman perms, silkens, curls, or straights her hair. It is just style and fashion. Black hair can do all kinds of tricks. And other races of women do spend alot of time and money working on their hair (my cousin works with in a salon with these women, so its true). However, I don’t believe that a Black person has a right to criticize natural hair because at the end of the day that is what we all are in our natural state. And thats beautiful and its how God made us.
Dear Lena,
I did ask, and like I said earlier, that was the one thing I didn’t get to fully discuss with Titi. Whenever there’s a legal dispute, both parties are not supposed to discuss their issues. I hope that one day I’ll interview Miko, but by then I honestly hope that the two sisters are united as family once more. And Leeleesmommy, I think that Titi was very forthright about the salon reopening, I know she was very concerned about the processes being done by professionals in the salon, so however the salon’s going to be reopened, I’m sure the employees will all be up to Miss Jessie’s standards. Miko and Titi didn’t come this far by falling short of expectations, that’s for sure!
Don’t get me wrong I want the salon to open up again, but as a customer for the past several years one of the draws to the salon was the fact that these two sisters created a niche which they controlled – when you go to the salon to get a silkener it is in a non-discript bowl so you are unsure as to how it is made or what brands of product it is – Also if you noticed all of the things are Trademarked so I am sure the secret to the silkener is also protected and they would hate for it to be mass produced or the trademark secret to get out – especially if it is as some others suggest Affirm perm – For those of you who have had their hair done by Miko you all know she gives that I am not a hairdresser but a hairstylist and she is very serious about her craft – All I was saying about Titi is that she does not have a license to do hair, therefore, while she may use a silkener on her own hair I am not sure she will be able to pull off the Miss Jessie Angle and balance cut w/out Miko -that is just my opnion – and please if I am a new stylist hired by them to do hair with the prices that they charge I want to know what the product is so I can mix some of that bad boy at home and have a side hustle…LOL Also, I seem to remember that in order for you to open up a hair salon you have to have a license and I don’t think she will be able to do it w/out a licensed beautician who is also part owner – I am not 100% sure but I think that is the law…since you definitely don’t want accountants opening up hair salons across the city…Well in New York anyway..LOL
With regard to the litigation, I read on another board that they had a falling out some time last year and it has been one thing after the other – I wish they would clear it up and get back to making money and providing a service that is wanted by several including myself. Plus I heard some were referred to Turning Head Spa and were disappointed with their experiences…Good luck to all my curly and natural girls out there..I have faith that things will work out
Great, fantastic, dope, brilliant and all of those good words interview!
Just wanted to add how much I’ve enjoyed reading these comments. In my experience, this kind of “debate” can often spiral out of control into negativity. But it’s a tribute to us – and to the positivity behind this blog/board – that we could discuss without putting down; share our choices while being open to other viewpoints; be strong and encourage strength in others. Afrobella, thank you so much.
Amazing article, amazing.,I had in the past wanted to go the Curve = Miss Jessies but opted against it as to the price and services and ingredients in the stylers. I did not think it would be for me. I do admire their spirit as to their business and process. Whatever has happened with the “fallout” of the sisters, it needs to be corrected soon. It is family and you cannot let that override anything business come and go but family is something that has to work. I read your column daily at work and this week I am on vacation, I am reading it off and on when I log on to my laptop and I want to appreciate your candor and non objective opinion when it comes to your posts, you make this a site that I am glad that I found. I am natural about a year now and it is a decision that I am glad that I did and will not go back to using chems and I do appreciate your candor in presenting information here.
I currently use several different products and enjoy the process of trying new things that are not mineral and petro based and natural.
Thank you for your information.
Still not buying it. How are they justifying a $300 relaxer? The “it lasts four months” argument doesn’t cut it.
Also, that salon once sold a giant tub of BB Glass styling cream for $20. Then they came out with a rip-off version of their own for $20 and then jacked the price when they got popular. I’m not against making money but at least be up front about it and drop the kumbaya attitude.
With regard to the price increase – look my first silkener was 175.00 back in 2002. Fast forward to my last silkener in 2006 – it was 325.00 yeah I didn’t even get a customer discount -matter of fact – 5 years later and they make you pay before the service now – so I know it was all monetary based – but also like any other business they have over head – but I am not mad at those girls because so long as they have a core group of women who will pay they will provide the service – I remember when I had a perm I would get my hair done religiously every week at 24.00 a pop for a wash and set – so I would spend 96.00 a month on just washing my hair – now times 3 it is almost the same price – then I would get a perm every 8 weeks at 75.00 so I think that they just charge more on the front end but not any more then any other stylist who has a customer who is a regluar – that is just my opinion – one thing I loved was the fact that I could actually go there twice a year and w/products spend less then 1000 a year on my hair which was cheaper then when I had a perm..so if you hang yourself on the price you will never go – NOW that being said – I would not recommmend going there for a trim -it starts at 125.00 or two strand twist – I say take the curly pudding to another salon and ask them to use the product in your hair it will be cheaper LOL – Good luck ladies!
Great interview and very informative. I was a curve/miss jessie’s client for the past 2 yrs and was disappointed in the short, short notice regarding the closing of the salon. (I do take issue with Titi claiming that BedStuy is not a “good” neighborhood. Prospect Hgts is just as “good” or “bad” as BedStuy. It’s not as if she’s moving to the Upper East Side. And I loved the brownstone setting and the privacy. There were no vendors coming through asking you to buy anything from bootleg CDs to panties. That being said, I look forward to the re-opening of the salon.)
I have a silkener and love it! All I do in the morning is apply a little Buttercreme and fluff it with my fingers. I only wash every other week. It’s not natural in the true sense of the word, but it is definitely a “black” style; it does not simulate straight white hair. In the absence of Titi and Miko, I went to Diane DaCosta at Serenity Salon for a touch up and a cut. She did not apply a curling product and I was not that happy when I left the salon. When I got home, I wet my hair and applied Curly Pudding and I must say that I am very happy with the Diane’s cut. She layered the back and it really looks full and thick and she charged less than Miss Jessie. But when Titi opens up again I will be there!
I love this lady’s curls and cut!!! The product is a bit pricey, but if it means I’ll get to rock a fabulous fro again, without having dried and brittle hair, then it’s definitely worth the investment! Thanks Afrobella for this post!
P.s.–Afrobella, I read in a different post that your hair stopped growing from overprocessing, what was your fix? My hair growth is at a stand still, I cut it to shoulder legnth after much deliberation, because I had too many split ends and breakage, but my hair,(which used to be mid back in length) has not grown, and it’s been almost 10 months since my initial cut. I’m desperate to find a cure, please advise;)
I’m not a “Nappy Nazi”, but I know that they do exist. I don’t like them, either. As black women fighting for the right to justs…be, we can’t afford to alienate one another, based on hair choices. That’s foolishness at the most base level. We are not our hair.
However, I believe black women are heavily influenced by the media, and we base a lot of our worth on how attractive we are to men. One of the most common reasons black women fear going completely nappy is because they don’t believe they’ll be viewed as attractive, desirable women — by black men, in particular. How do I know this? Because I get emails from sistas, who ask me about it — all the time. I believe there are many women, who would love to get off the perm merry-go-round, but they don’t have the confidence to walk on the ground.
Yes, the decision to “soft-relax” the napps is a personal decision. But I ain’t buyin’ that the decision is not greatly influenced by the desire to “fit in” and be considered most attractive, for MANY (not all) women. Let’s tell the truth, shame the devil, and free somebody.
Thanks, Afrobella!
“…do your thing, but at the same time don’t say I’m ugly because I am wearing what God gave me.”
I agree with this 100%.
As someone who relaxed their hair for many years before ‘going natural’ almost two years ago, I am certainly not going to knock those who decide to choose to chemically alter their hair. However, I think it is ‘deceptive’ to use chemicals that permanently alter the hair and still go about calling oneself ‘natural’. A silkener is a texturizer–in other words, a weak relaxer. I’m so glad Titi was honest and did not ‘lie’ about NOT being ‘natural’. There is nothing wrong with relaxing your hair, if that is what you want. When I did relax my hair, it was never about ‘trying to look white’, either. I couldn’t make myself look white if I tried, nor do I want to. I just wanted more manageable hair. After going natural, I surprisingly discovered that my natural black hair wasn’t difficult to manage at all! I had bought into the stereotypes (about ‘black hair’) for so many years that I hadn’t even tried to deal with my own natural hair before! I love my natural hair, and I love being FREE from the stylists who used to ABUSE my hair (and have the nerve to charge me for it)!
So, to each his own, as long as you don’t criticize the people who embrace the hair God blessed them with naturally.
Hey JustMyWord, the only thing that worked and made my hair start really growing again was a complete lifestyle change. I started eating healthier, taking vitamins more than once in a blue moon, went natural and stopped using unhealthy hair products, and tried to take better care of myself in general. It took months before I noticed a difference in my hair and skin. But it worked!
A Nappy Girl, I agree with you that we naturalbellas shouldn’t be hating on our relaxed sistahs to me that’s no different than judging each other based on skin color or class, whether its something you can change or not, all these non-issues are meant to do one thing – DIVIDE THE BLACK RACE! I’m down for any bella whose down for the betterment of our people… I see these natural websites as a source of information about natural hair that wasn’t being address by other main stream outlets (not even essence has provided the tomes of info that afrobella has done on this one site)… I’ve seen natural sistahs who looked way better relaxed and vice-versa, I for one am just glad that ALL our options our finally being discussed allowing us to make the best decisions for ourselves… And for the sistahs afraid to go natural for fear of their attractiveness to men that’s ALL women – breast implants, botox, lipo, working out, going blonde, dressing a certain way, etc… It’s all about enhancing our look in order to feel attractive so I don’t think we should knock relaxed sistahs for their concern, we women, especially black women have it hard enough already constantly being judged by others – lets uplift one another to be comfortable in our own skin no matter what instead of knocking others choices trying to convince them our way (nappy) is better… Which to me is like a “Christian” trying to make a heathen feel bad enough to accept Christ – while knowing that the Bible ask us to testify to one another yes but ultimately it is God through the holy spirit that calls and actually saves! Sorry, for the rant lol but I just hate any form of moral judgment passed on others to make ourselves feel superior hence why I heart your site afrobella and think your a true model of acceptance and open-mindedness making this blog such a breath of fresh air! nothin’ but luv for bellas worldwide -
for anyone looking for another product that can achieve the same look as Miss Jessie’s, i would suggest Matrix Curl Life Contouring Cream. it gives great results paired with a diffuser.
i live in the uk where no body appriciate natural, not even blackwomen, its a big shame as i love my natural hair and wont change it for the world. u cant even get a salon where you can do your hair just enter a hair saloon with your naoppy hair and they all look at you like you’re a zonbie.
dont know how i got on this site but i thank my heaven i found it, its such an inspiration. wish black peole in the UK could be as positive about nappy hair as black women in the uk.gonna be getting missJ product throught the internet soon, cant wait to get my hair kinky and curly.luv been being afrobella.
ok….. one weekend i really wanted to try the product, and tried to get to rickys on broadway , but there were so many parades . it’s almost like a higher power did not want me to get ms jessies… .. fast forward 1 week ago finally got to ricky’s , brought the large containers of the buttercreme , pudding and meringue… I love it , it is fabulous . I have long hair , and love wearing my hair in a chignon , usually i use a little gel , but the curly pudding or meringue does the same thing. i love this stuff.. I hate wearing my hair out , because i don’t like the fuss , air dry takes to long.. But if you have curl in your hair , u can put on the meringue and blow dry and your hair will curl…
It’s not easy having your own business , and i am sure these two sisters will agree. It’s also not easy to work with family … In regards to thier pricing , it is not expensive that is the going rate in a black salon with a name . In regards to bedstuy , its an aquired taste , and prospect hghts is more developed , we also don’t know what feedback they are getting from thier clients ( so i am not mad they want to leave bedstuy). Kudos to these two sisters who have produced a product that is causing much discussion . when i went the to ricky’s AND the sister at the counter knew about ms jessies and said many people come to buy it , FYI ricky’s is one of the few places you can purchase ms jessies in ny ..
What Salon in DC is Miko currently at. I’ve been trying to find the name and number so I can go get my hair done! I used to go to the salon in New York, and was surprised that there was no info on how to contact her.
Well- I’m sure you all are aware by now. It is officially over for the salon. Great to finally hear honesty. After lying to people for months.
Here’s the statement on their website:
“Dear Miss Jessie’s Salon Patrons:
As you may already be aware, Miss Jessie’s announced the closure of The Salon effective July 2, 2007. The decision to close operations was a difficult one but part of an overall restructuring plan to focus on the wonderful products we deliver to help you manage your naturally curly, kinky and wavy hair. We want to thank all the patrons whose lives we have touched either directly or indirectly.
Should you have any questions at all please contact us at 718-852-2600.
Sincerely,
Titi Branch
Managing Director”
Well finally the truth has come out – Titi and Miko knew for months that the salon would not be reopening – it is sad that they could not work out their differences – I tell you money, power and family are never a good mix – hopefully Miko will open her own salon and start a new…..
For the ladies who had a silkener like myself – I currently use revlon texturizer w/kera care conditioner mixed in and it is almost as good as going to Miss Jessies/
Good luck everyone!
Mavis,
Miko has her own website:
http://www.findmiko.com
Her phone number is listed. I just made an appointment for later this month. She tells you the price up front and it is astronomical. Be prepared!
I had my hair cut yesterday in a long established and expensive afro hair salon in a swanky part of West London and I left the salon traumatised.
A bit of background – I have natural hair and after months of wearing braids (cost approx $550, time spent taking them out approx A SOLID 24hrs each time!!) and I’d finally reached a point where I was happy with my hair, it was nice and even in length, especailly at the back where I’d struggled to grow out the crown. It now just needed neatening up and some layers to take weight away from the front.
So.. I made sure I was EXTREMELY clear with the stylist with what to touch and what not to touch – “I want to keep the length and I’m growing it out and I want to still wear it tied back sometimes, etc, etc..”. The stylist cut my hair whist it was damp by pulling sections out straight and snipping. Now as my hair is not in its normal curl pattern because of how she combed it I can’t see what the shape is really like. I’d said at the beginning that I wear my hair curly (I went in there with it curly and out so they could see it!) and that is how I wanted the end result to be.
Well, the stylist finished cutting then she said that the back was hanging down too long so would I like her to even it up? HUH??!! So she showed me in the mirror and there was about 2-3 inches of hair (curly – not pulled straight length which is longer) hanging down at the back lower than the length of the sides. At this point it is dawning on me that she’s taken too much off but as my hair wasn’t styled at this point I couldn’t really tell but I told her not to take it off. She then combed my hair some more and tried fluffing it up with this comb that is too fine for a start then she put on some smelly spray, probably some type of curl activator from 1983 because it STANK then she sat me under the dryer with my ends dripping!
As my hair is say 3 different textures naturally, if it isn’t styled correctly it looks a mess and as it turned out that the stylist didn’t have a clue about natural hair textures that is how my hair turned out – a mess, frizzy on the front and crown and gheri curl on the sides and back of my head.. I can achieve an even curl texture all over my head by just using the right conditioner and styling cream (no fancy techniques required) so there was no excuse for my hair to be styled so badly.
Once I was left under the dryer I was left to sort out my own hair from that point on. Can you believe that?? All I could do was towel dry the ends so the stinky jheri curl spray she’d put on me wouldn’t drip on my shoulders. This is 2007 isn’t it??
I was almost in tears as I left the salon. I didn’t say anything because I was too upset so I quietly paid my exact money and left. I could tell that she’d hacked into the sides too much by cutting layers that were too short but it was only when I’d got home and washed and re-styled my hair myself when I saw the true damage. Basically, there is no style or shape to my hair, about 3-4 inches needs to come off the back to level it up and it will take a good 18 months for my hair to get back to the length that it was when I entered the salon yesterday mornning. Sick? Well I know that every morning when I look in the mirror and struggle to style my hair that I now can’t wear out or even tie back and makes me feel ugly, that I’m going to think of that clueless stylist and get upset.
So that’s it now, after countless salon traumas I will never, ever let someone cut my hair again.
Thanks Coco,
I spoke with her and have an appointment as well. Yeah, the price is steep, but I hope well worth it! Thanks again.
HELLO!
I REALLY would love to get a silkner. Please tell me how to get in touch with Miko and Titi in DC. What salon are they working out of???
Thanks
Zaneta, I just did a post about that this week. Click here: http://afrobella.com/?p=308
Miko’s new website is http://www.findmiko.com. Good luck!
Thank you! By the way I LOVE your website.
Sincerely,
Zaneta
I am going to get a silkener. Right now my hair is 100% natural but I cant take it. I’m noticing that I want it to “look” like I have a silkener. I do twist outs, it leaves my hair dry unhealthy and tangled. I am signing up for the silkener. Its better than pressing my hair every two to three weeks, just to wash it out. Plus my twist outs dont last~ FRUSTRATING. I may take vitamins and change my diet to get some more length. OR I’ll just fly to DC http://www.findmiko.com, perhaps my journey will be worth it.
Do anybody know about miss jessie’s salon in uk.tks
I just got the silkener. My head is really sensitive so I could not keep the chemical on long. It was really expensive $425 just for the silkener. It looks okay…not sure how much difference a phytospecific texturizer would have looked on my hair. Miko does a great job with styling hair! But as far as the chemical I am still working with it…I can put my fingers through my hair that’s good. It can still look like an afro too; thats cool…I like it, but is it really different from having a regular texturizer???
Hi,
I did go to Miko in DC and the salon was packed. Like the sister who posted before, I was the only one not getting a silkner that day. I’m not going to lie. I have had my hair cut by not as good as Miko did. That angle balance method is awesome! My twist outs are amazing. I wish I know how to do it. Besides that, I only did the shingling method and it was really nice, but my style only last a couple of days. I don’t have an issue with silkners, but I don’t want any chemicals in my hair. Since going natural, my hair has been so healthy and I’m afraid of going back to chemicals destroying my hair. There are many products out there to help maintain a natural hairstyle, but I do know we all have different textures. So, I do sympathize with hair woes. Anyway, I loved Miko’s energy and attitude. She was really nice and even got me to look at various hairstyles she was doing that day. I think she’s going to do great in DC!
This was a great article since i stumbled upon this product tried the curly meringue at home and loved out it turned out. I had locks which i untangled and wanted to be able to wear my hair curly to keep from having to mess with it too much. The silkeners look aweson in pictures not sure it is something for me becasue i have color in my hair and i i think that is enough chemical for me. Does anyone know if Miss Jessie’s shop has reopened in Prospect Park in Brooklyn?
I’m completely new to Afrobella, and stumbled upon the site as I was looking for other press mentions regarding Ms. Jessie’s. I’m your classic “woman in transition,” trying to figure out how to care for my dual-texture hair, and voraciously consuming information on styles and products. I don’t know if this has been addressed before, but has anyone used any of Carol’s Daughter products as substitutes or alternatives to Ms. Jessie’s? They produce all natural products that perform a variety of different “hair tasks.” Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Natural hair care is certainly becoming big business. I remember living in Fort Green (N.Y.) and walking to Lisa’s brownstone to get her homemade Carol’s Daughter concoctions. That was a many years, and millions of dollars in sales ago.
Wish me luck on my natural hair journey (2.5 months perm-free and counting. I’m already loving it. I can’t wait for it to hurry up and grow! Does anyone know of any similar salons that cater to natural hair in the S.F. Bay Area, where I now reside?
TO Leeleesmommy
I have a question for you.
How do you apply your newly found own SILKENER
STEP 1: FIRST YOU WET YOUR HAIR
STEP 2: APPLY THE KERA CARE HUMECTO CREME CONDITIONER
STEP 3: APPLY THE REVLON TEXTURIZER
(DO YOU MEAN THIS ONE
: – REVLON Professional Realistic Permanent No Lye No Mix for Normal to Coarse Hair Creme Texturizer 15oz/425g
OR
ANOTHER ONE IF SO COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME
AND WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER APPLYING THE TEXTURIZER WAS IS OUT OR LEAVE IT IN MY HAIR.
AND CAN I WET MY HAIR WITH THE SILKENER IN IT AFTERWARDS……..
lOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU
CINNELIOUS
AFROLIOUS
Hi!
Well first I section I out my dry hair to prepare for my silkener – I then take the revlon texturizer w/the purple top and mix in the kera care mosturizing conditioner – I mix it well and it becomes very fluffy. then I apply the texturizer like a perm -I do not leave it on for long – no more than 7 minutes – and I rinse and wash my hair – you should look for shampoos and conditioners with soy protein in it as that helps soften the hair and prevents breakage – afterwards I rinse my hair and apply some curly merengue and once I get out of the shower I apply curly pudding evenly throughout my hair and I tell you – you would not know that I did not just step out of Miss Jessies..
Hope that helpS
Hi,
I did get my hair done by Miko in April 2007 in DC by Miko. I loved my cut, but you really can go elsewhere to get a twistout cheaper. I will go back for the haircut.
Hi,I cant seem to find the link for the giveaway’s..please please this sounds like a life changer for me!!
ANY CHEMICAL PLACED ON THE HAIR IS NO LONGER NATURAL. A SILKENER IS A CHEMICAL. IT’S ASHAME HOW WE FALL VICTIM TO NOT LOVING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CHEMICAL EVE USED ON HER HEAD? LEARN TO LOVE YOUR HAIR. ANOTHER THING, I ALSO DISAGREE WITH LOCS, ALL OTHER EXTENSIONS AND FLAT IRONS. UUGH! I JUST HATE THEM ALL. “A NAPPY NAZI” YOU SAY? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
I’d read about Curve in Essence, and made an appointment 2 months before I left my island home to visit New York’s museums and do some shopping. I’d been natural for almost 2 years, an allergic reaction to medication had caused my hair (well past my shoulders) to fall out. When the hair loss became obvious, my boyfriend washed and shaved my head for me insisting that “it was only hair”. Like most Black women, I had no idea what the true kink of my natural hair was, and was pleased when little coily-woilys sprouted. They were precious, I loved pulling on them and feeling go “spriiiooonngg” back into place. As they got longer, I could group and play with them. I said I would protect my coily- woilys.
Appointment day I wake up, order a cab for the right time and prepare according to the explicit “pre-appointment” instructions: do not wash, but water your hair; do not comb or manipulate; do NOT use product; let dry naturally. I arrived looking like Buckwheat – now you know the secret to the before and after pictures.
I tried asking questions, but was told the “silkener” was a blah-di-blah gobbledigookey to silken to hair. But why does it smell like that “crack cream”? Almost 5 hours, over $400, disappointed at the result (not very different normal)and near tears at the cost. I could have bought a pair of shoes with that! And to add insult to injury, the smell of the Curly Pudding gave me a migraine, plus wimp that I am I bought a tub of that crap.
I have no problem with how people choose to wear their hair, or what they put in or on it. My only problem with the entire Miss Jessie’s website is that it’s implicitly or explicitly promoting a type of hair that just is naturally realistic for the majority of black women. The goal is to get “Tracy Ross” type hair instead of helping all black women love their own texture and work with it. Kinks are seen as something that needs to be fixed through extensive hair processes or chemicals. Like Afrobella said, I wish it was just hair, but it’s not. Just like perms, the choice to get any type of texturizer or the desire to have a particular type of curly hair is not made in a vacuum. I would love to see all types of natural hair celebrated, since their is still a distinct preference for a certain type of natural (or texturized) hair.
Which salon is Miko working at in DC?? I’d like to get one of these famous cuts, at a minimum. Thanks!!
Hello, you guys are looking for a good salon, besides Miiko Salon, check out Edris from Edris Salon in New York, she a beast with natural hair as well as, just google her name.
wow i was just looking for reviews of the products and glad google brought this afrobella interview to my attention.
thank goodness the sisters will still be doing hair as i have dreams of one day getting a holiday booked around getting my hair done by them.
my hair is natural and i agree too many stuck up naturals give naturals a bad name.
but yes a nice interview and so much to take in
i must make an order while the pound is still strong if they do sip to the uk.
i pray their business continues to grow… who knows they may start selling shampoos and conditioners too.
p.s. what struck a cord with me is that its sooooo true with any product you need to take time to apply to achieve what your after
@ Shannon here is the link to the salon in DC.
http://www.findmiko.com/
I had my hair done by Miko today in DC. I must say that she is so beautiful and has a very nice personality. She seems confident and knows what she is doing with regards to cutting and styling. My only complaint is the prices! I was charged $350.00 for a two-strand twist-out. This included a haircut, which was really more of a trim (shaping), but not much of my hair was cut because I insisted that I did not want a haircut. However, my ends were ragged, so I needed it. When I asked Miko what bought her to DC, she responded “litigation” and that’s all she said.
I had been using Ms. Jessies Curly Pudding since late 2006, so I was already familiar with the product, which is OK. I noticed that most of the women were getting two-strand twist which is something that can be done at home and you can save tons of money. Although the customer service was great at the salon, i.e., warm welcome, refreshments, complimentary deep conditioner, complimentary “Miko” t-shirt, I will not be paying $350.00 again for a two-strand twist-out. What’s funny is that Miko’s policy is that you pay a $75.00 deposit over the phone when you make an appointment, and once you are there, the receptionist comes to you and settle the bill long before your hair is completed. This is the first time that I have ever paid for service for hair and/or nails, and had to pay up front. This policy I assume is to protect her in the event a client is not satisfied and refuses to pay. However, I thought it was kind of rude for the receptionist to come to me for money while I’m sitting under the dryer with a wet head. Maybe Miko does it this way because some women are excitied at first, but once they get their hair done, they realize that they could have done it themselves and have refused to pay.
Overall, I’m glad that I went because the curiosity was killing me! But now that I’ve satisfied my curiosity about her technique, I’ll go back to styling my own natural mane. But again, she seems genuinely a sweet person and I do hope that her and Titi will resolve their differences.
Best,
Cindy
I have absolutely nothing against getting a silkener. I am actually for them. It sucks to be on some natural hair/product high horse and be upset with how your hair looks. I spent almost 9 months last year with natural hair and it rarely looked good enough for me to wear out. I kept telling myself when it gets longer then I will just love it. Well I ended getting it relaxed and didnt like that either. I would have loved a silkener so that I could have curly hair that can easily be defined but also have the option of wearing it fluffy. And most importantly wouldnt have wasted 8 1/2 months of hair growth on a stupid relaxer that didnt come out right. Im not into wearing a big picked out afro everyday or dreads. Right now Im natural once again because I hacked off that relaxed hair. Im not trying to be one of those so called “fake natural”. I think hair is just hair. I tried to convince myself that this was self love. That being natural was what I wanted, but it was not. Im in love with curly hair and that is all that I have ever wanted. So I will be setting up an appointment with Miko as soon as I get some length.
Also I have no real big problem with the Miss Jessie’s product having mineral oil in them. A lot of ladies who are relaxed spend big bucks on hair products laden with mineral oil and silicone and their hair looks great and so do many curly heads. I see little natural haired kids with long hair who parents only use johnson& johnson baby lotion and kid’s organic shea butter detangling lotion and those things have silicones in them. Right at this moment the only product that keep my hair feeling soft is fantasia ic ice polish that’s second ingredient is mineral oil with the exception of Kinky Curly curling custard + knot today. Kinky Curly is great. So Im all for trying out the Miss Jessie’s products. I have put it off for too long. People complained about them when they were natural and people still complain about them now that they arent. What is the harm in trying and seeing for oneself rather than listening to product junkie’s who cant decide on a single product.
Someone on this blog mentioned Edris Salon and said she’s pretty good. I checked out the website; the prices are expensive but I assume (and hope) that her skills is top-notch. But my question, has anyone went to Edris and if they did, what was your experience like? I would love to go to DC and let Miko bless my hair with her expertise but I called the receptionist for a price quote and she told me 425 dollars( only for the silkner NOT the angle balance haircut) If I go then I will probably pay half of a thousand dollars for hair service and that’s not what I wanted to do. And besides paying for hair, I would have to find myself spending money on transportation so if I really look at it, I would blowing alot of money in one day. So if Edris Salon is as good as one person stated then I’m willing to risk my money and time to check her out.
CaramelPA, Edris has cut my mane, all I can say is that I love it and the cut grows out extremely well over a three to four month time period. Edris, is the real deal, she create perfects haircuts that fits your life style and face. I have naturally curly hair I think I would be considered 3C, and Edris was able to create a “white boy” cut onto my hair. She is the best and her team is awesome you can not go wrong with Edris Salon.
Has anyone tried any of Cristo’s products from the Curlisto site? This in light of the comments on the Miss Jessie’s products being so expensive.
In light of speaking of the products for Miss Jessie and how expensive…has anyone used the Cristo products from the Curlisto site? Are they good?