L-R: Melody Harris (Clairol), Terrica Jones (Winning Hair Color Competition Stylist), Briana Cost (Model), James Bronner (Bronner Brothers)

Stylists competing in the Clairol Professional® “Art of Fabulous” Hair Color competition will take “everyday” women and transform them in the “FabU Studio” at each art gallery event. Competing stylists will use products  from the Clairol Professional® Hair Color Collections Liquicolor Permanente, Beautiful Collections and Jazzing to reveal the fabulous new looks on their model’s hair color. The winners from each market will receive $2,500, and the coveted opportunity to compete in the legendary Bronner Bros. International Hair Show in Atlanta, Georgia (source: dryerbuzz.com).

Hosted by Dwight Eubanks,  BRAVO’s Atlanta Housewife personality/celebrity,  the Atlanta event was exclusive to divas and hair mavens. As I walked in it was all about GLAMOUR! Hair. Make-up. Nails. Eyelashes.  The competition was fierce—not that I was competing—-and continues in New York City (July 25), and Chicago (July 31) which will showcase Clairol Professional® hair color products that are available to African-American stylists nationally and internationally.

Professor Cali on the Red Carpet with Dwight Eubanks. Photo by Ralph Smith

As I scoped the scene, in walks Mr. Eubanks himself—looking fab. Black suit, swanky white tie, square toe black shoes and flawless skin…well make-up. Because I was there assisting with media and participated as media–thanks to this blog–I interviewed Dwight first.  Ummm…so what do I say? Well, thanks to some prep with Professor Mac a couple days before, I was ready.

The art of “fabulous” is being able to define your beauty. According to Dwight, being a diva, “I’s not just hair and make-up, it’s a complete package.” He also mentioned that fashion should always be an expression—how do you have it put together from top to bottom?

Considering we were at a hair event, this famed Atlanta stylist offered some tips. The most important point I took from our conversation: be adventurous with your hair as long as you have a knowledgeable stylist who truly knows about hair and your hair.

Dwight’s Tips:

Change is good: Every three months hair trends change and so should you especially to freshen up your look. And color can be a part of that new look.

Style: Find a stylist and build a relationship. Easier said than done right? It’s like finding a good church… a process so be patient—that’s my two cents.

No Plain Jane: Change it up and make sure your stylist does too. They should not be stagnant in their creativity.

Now don’t go coloring your hair or cutting it because you think you can do it yourself  after reading this post–lol—get a professional. What will be your next hair step? Let us know in your comment. Mine will be a weave—yes, a weave–post to follow.  It’s truly time for a change and I am ready. The hair journey continues!

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

Empire State Building

I fell in love with New York the first time I went there with my grandmother at age three.   Before the diva became a professor, I traveled to NYC frequently while working as a journalist.    This is the first year in many that I have not already been there several times by summer for work and/or play.  Therefore I was very excited to be in the city this past weekend.

My godmother, Renee, and I decided to honor our late Aunt Anne by spending her birthday in her favorite city doing our favorite activity we shared with her next to shopping ─ theatre.    We decided to see August Wilson’s “Fences” starring Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Oscar nominee Viola Davis.    I’m a huge August Wilson fan and see every production of his work I hear of. 

This trip was a frugal foray.  I used Amtrak Rewards points for train tickets and Hilton Honors points for a hotel room.  Finding an award reservation in Manhattan was impossible so I opted for the Doubletree in Jersey City, NJ.  It’s a quick PATH train ride into midtown.  Before the show we dined at the Bourbon Street Bar & Grill on Restaurant Row.  While enjoying great New Orleans cuisine and peach margaritas, we lost track of time and had to walk briskly, pick up our tickets and slide into our seats minutes before the curtain came up.   

All of the actors’ performances were great, especially in the second act.  The 10 Tony Award nominations are truly earned.    The play reminded me of how much I miss seeing Denzel in dramatic roles.  I’ve skipped all of his sci-fi and action movies over the last few years.    Mykelti Williamson’s performance was a great surprise.  His portrayal of a mentally challenged man is given with great depth.  

During intermission I noticed a man in a skull cap.  It was a balmy night in the city so I figured it must have been unbearable.   After the show I realized it was comedian Paul Mooney in the skully!   After the show Renee and I remained outside the theatre with hundreds of others to see the stars exit through the stage door.   We strolled around Manhattan before heading back to the hotel. New York has this energy that emboldens you.  When I stepped off the train, I literally felt like belting out the name of the city ala Alicia Keys!   The next day we took in a little more of the city before I headed back to my summer home and Renee off to Connecticut.  It was hard walking down Madison and Fifth Avenues and not patronizing any shops.  I have many miles to cover this summer so I must maintain my budget.   Therefore I took no cabs and only used the PATH and subway trains.  My next stop is Indiana University for a journalism professors’ workshop.  

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

P.S. Check out more pictures from my NYC trip on facebook.  What’s your favorite place or activity in NY?  Leave a comment.

My earliest memories of my Aunt Anne are of her emerging from the car after a 12-hour trip from New York to South Carolina and still looking radiant.   She always traveled chic, no sweats allowed.   When she arrived in Washington, D.C. for my graduate school graduation this past spring those memories came to mind.  More than 20 years later she was still the chicest traveler.

Anne traded South Carolina for NYC in 1968. She dove into city life; always looking fabulous, attending Broadway shows, and dining at hot restaurants.  She was the most glamorous person I’d ever seen. There were many suitors that tried to “Put a ring on it” but she was the original “Miss Independent” and preferred holidaying in the Caribbean to domesticity.  

Although she was living the glamorous life she loved visiting her family in South Carolina and hosting them in New York.  Her siblings provided her with an army of nieces and nephews that she doted on.  When I was little, I’d help her unpack when she came to visit.  I loved her clothing’s fabric, especially the furs!  I’d ask why there was an LV on her brown luggage when her initials were AW.   It was diva training!

During my trips to New York she introduced me to her city.  When I was interning in New York every Sunday she gave me subway tokens, made me dinner, and styled my hair into a chignon or French twist that withstood the summer heat.  Her closet was my “Bag, Borrow or Steal.” I borrowed Louis and Gucci.  Years later I was so proud to introduce Anne and my mom (her older sister) to my then city of Washington.  We shopped, saw a play, and dined at Zola and B. Smith’s.

Anne retired at the age of 52 and returned to South Carolina.  She reconnected with old friends, learned to drive, and bought her first car: a Mercedes. If I had become really busy and didn’t call her, soon I’d receive a voice mail message laced with love and encouragement. I saved her messages and listened to them several times.

When I returned to South Carolina this summer we were both excited that we could now spend more time together.  She quickly corrected anyone that called me a teacher and said “she’s a professor.” All year she had been experiencing mysterious health problems.  She endured test after test with style and grace and in heels.   She was a woman of faith and was confident that she would beat this mystery illness.  Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and the prognosis was bleak.   Anne made all the decisions about her treatment although she could only communicate through written notes now. On Monday night she returned to her home instead of going to a hospice facility. Her siblings rallied around and prepared to care for her. Tuesday morning she made her transition.

I’m devastated.  We wanted to go to California together, holiday shop at the Saks outlet, and one day I’d have a daughter that she would be a great aunt to.  At 62, my original diva exited too soon.

For more information on Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), please visit http://www.alsa.org/.

Professor Diva Mac