Mahisha Dellinger knows a lot about hair. President and CEO of CURLS, she created the company with her own savings, due to her frustration in not being able to find effective products for naturally curly hair. Today, CURLS is a multi-million dollar brand that's continuing to grow. She and her brand have been featured on CBS's The Talk and CNBC's Street Signs. You may have also seen her and CURLS in publications like Essence, Glamour, InStyle, Vibe, Black Enterprise and Parents, among many others.
Celebrities like Halle Berry, Nia Long, Blair Underwood, Ashanti and Alicia Keys are known to be CURLS fans as well.
Ms. Dellinger is a sought-after speaker and now an author. In February 2015, her book Against All Odds: From the Projects to the Penthouse, was released. The book details her personal journey against insurmountable odds to the successful businesswoman she is today.
We're honored to feature an exclusive interview with Ms. Dellinger, where she dishes on hair care, products, life advice and tips.
Q: Black Hair (BH): What inspired you to create the CURLS company? For example, did you have hair issues growing up? Problems finding the right products for you?
A: Mahisha Dellinger (MD): I created CURLS out of a sheer necessity. Back 13 years ago, Target’s shelves were not filled with the top newly natural products. I just started transitioning from relaxing and color treating my hair and realized, I didn’t have any options for me. So I stepped up to table and filled the gap.
BH: What makes CURLS different from other brands on the market?
MD: CURLS, unlike other ethnic lines, offers products for every hair texture. Curly, wavy and kinky textured women alike all rely on CURLS for effortless, frizz free hair. CURLS also has products for every age, from the cradle to the grave - It’s A Curl (organic and tear-free baby line), Curly Q’s (organic kids line) and CURLS (organic adult line). Our policy to formulate with organic ingredients, free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial colors, oils and fragrances also sets us apart.
BH: You've recently published a book, Against All Odds: From the Projects to the Penthouse. Can you tell us what obstacles you faced in life and/or creating your business?
MD: As a young African American girl raised in the ghetto, I faced a host of challenges…some life threatening and some life altering, all challenging. From sexual violence to poverty, generational cycles of poverty and more. The book details my journey from the despair and dysfunction to my meteoric rise, against all odds. You have to read it to get the full story.
BH: Based on your tough younger years, can you offer some words of encouragement to girls and women who may be in similar situations?
MD: Despite what your current situation looks like, despite what the statistics say….you TOO can achieve great success. The path to success begins with education. You can’t change the hand you were dealt, but you can shuffle the cards and create a new game.
BH: One thing about CURLS that makes it stand out from its competitors is that it offers products for all age ranges, from babyhood to adulthood. Please inform us of the benefits a consumer can expect from using CURLS.
MD: Parents should always use baby products for their babies hair….never use adult products. Beyond enhancing the beauty of your natural texture, you will also improve the health of your hair, using CURLS.
BH: Can you give some basic advice to someone who may want to be natural, but has trouble embracing her natural hair?
MD:
Tip #1 - Out with The Old!
Dump all of your alcohol laden stylers, sulfate-based shampoos, and silicone-filled serums. Drying alcohols, found in a host of styling products, can cause the cuticle to swell up and the hair to frizz. Sulfate-based shampoos rob your tresses of much needed natural oils, another culprit of frizz.
Tip #2 - Heat Things Up!
Frizz happens when dry, porous hair sucks up moisture in the air. Give yourself a deep treatment, with heat, to help seal in moisture and prep your hair for frizz-free locks. To maximize the conditioning effect, warm up a helping of pure jojoba, olive or pomegranate seed oil and mix with your conditioner.
Tip #3 - Seal and Protect
Sealing in moisture, with natural oils regularly, is key to protecting the hair and retaining growth. The act of "sealing" your hair locks in moisture and prevents breakage and dryness. Cleanse and condition your hair, and rinse. Detangle and blot dry with a microfiber towel. Before styling, apply a layer of your natural oil of choice; I prefer jojoba oil, and follow up with a rich curl cream.
Recommended Curl Cream: Crème Brule $10.99 available at Target, Wal-mart & Sally Beauty.
Create the Perfect Frizz FreeTwist Out
“What do I do with my newly natural hair?” is the email question I receive at least 3x a day. The perfect twist out is every natural’s new best friend!
Here’s how…
Step 1: Apply Crème Brule Curl Cream to freshly cleansed and conditioned hair. Section the hair into 10-15 squares. Smooth with a boar brush, twist the hair root to ends.
Step 2: Take each twisted section and wrap individually around an 1” flexi rod (available at www.sallybeauty.com). Tie hair in a silk scarf and allow to dry overnight (preferred). If you are in a rush, you can sit under a dryer for 30-40 minutes (depending in the density of your hair).
Step 3: Remove the rods, and gently separate the hair with lightly oiled fingers (for added sheen) -- any natural oil of your choice will do. Smooth edges with Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste (available at Target, Walmart and Sally Beauty). If you prefer more volume, gently tease the roots with your fingers.
Please feel free to email us directly for all of your transitioning questions at customerservice@curls.biz.
BH: How do you think CURLS products help girls and women accept their hair in a society that's only slowly beginning to embrace different looks outside of straight hair?
MD: CURLS helps today’s natural woman feel good about her hair, and therefore herself.
BH: Thank you, Ms. Dellinger, for this insightful interview! Readers, CURLS products can be found nationwide in Target, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS and Duane Reed, to name a few. You can also visit the website directly at curls.biz, where you'll find products, accessories, tons of advice and more places to find CURLS locally.
Celebrities like Halle Berry, Nia Long, Blair Underwood, Ashanti and Alicia Keys are known to be CURLS fans as well.
Ms. Dellinger is a sought-after speaker and now an author. In February 2015, her book Against All Odds: From the Projects to the Penthouse, was released. The book details her personal journey against insurmountable odds to the successful businesswoman she is today.
We're honored to feature an exclusive interview with Ms. Dellinger, where she dishes on hair care, products, life advice and tips.
Q: Black Hair (BH): What inspired you to create the CURLS company? For example, did you have hair issues growing up? Problems finding the right products for you?
A: Mahisha Dellinger (MD): I created CURLS out of a sheer necessity. Back 13 years ago, Target’s shelves were not filled with the top newly natural products. I just started transitioning from relaxing and color treating my hair and realized, I didn’t have any options for me. So I stepped up to table and filled the gap.
BH: What makes CURLS different from other brands on the market?
MD: CURLS, unlike other ethnic lines, offers products for every hair texture. Curly, wavy and kinky textured women alike all rely on CURLS for effortless, frizz free hair. CURLS also has products for every age, from the cradle to the grave - It’s A Curl (organic and tear-free baby line), Curly Q’s (organic kids line) and CURLS (organic adult line). Our policy to formulate with organic ingredients, free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial colors, oils and fragrances also sets us apart.
BH: You've recently published a book, Against All Odds: From the Projects to the Penthouse. Can you tell us what obstacles you faced in life and/or creating your business?
MD: As a young African American girl raised in the ghetto, I faced a host of challenges…some life threatening and some life altering, all challenging. From sexual violence to poverty, generational cycles of poverty and more. The book details my journey from the despair and dysfunction to my meteoric rise, against all odds. You have to read it to get the full story.
BH: Based on your tough younger years, can you offer some words of encouragement to girls and women who may be in similar situations?
MD: Despite what your current situation looks like, despite what the statistics say….you TOO can achieve great success. The path to success begins with education. You can’t change the hand you were dealt, but you can shuffle the cards and create a new game.
BH: One thing about CURLS that makes it stand out from its competitors is that it offers products for all age ranges, from babyhood to adulthood. Please inform us of the benefits a consumer can expect from using CURLS.
MD: Parents should always use baby products for their babies hair….never use adult products. Beyond enhancing the beauty of your natural texture, you will also improve the health of your hair, using CURLS.
BH: Can you give some basic advice to someone who may want to be natural, but has trouble embracing her natural hair?
MD:
Tip #1 - Out with The Old!
Dump all of your alcohol laden stylers, sulfate-based shampoos, and silicone-filled serums. Drying alcohols, found in a host of styling products, can cause the cuticle to swell up and the hair to frizz. Sulfate-based shampoos rob your tresses of much needed natural oils, another culprit of frizz.
Tip #2 - Heat Things Up!
Frizz happens when dry, porous hair sucks up moisture in the air. Give yourself a deep treatment, with heat, to help seal in moisture and prep your hair for frizz-free locks. To maximize the conditioning effect, warm up a helping of pure jojoba, olive or pomegranate seed oil and mix with your conditioner.
Tip #3 - Seal and Protect
Sealing in moisture, with natural oils regularly, is key to protecting the hair and retaining growth. The act of "sealing" your hair locks in moisture and prevents breakage and dryness. Cleanse and condition your hair, and rinse. Detangle and blot dry with a microfiber towel. Before styling, apply a layer of your natural oil of choice; I prefer jojoba oil, and follow up with a rich curl cream.
Recommended Curl Cream: Crème Brule $10.99 available at Target, Wal-mart & Sally Beauty.
Create the Perfect Frizz FreeTwist Out
“What do I do with my newly natural hair?” is the email question I receive at least 3x a day. The perfect twist out is every natural’s new best friend!
Here’s how…
Step 1: Apply Crème Brule Curl Cream to freshly cleansed and conditioned hair. Section the hair into 10-15 squares. Smooth with a boar brush, twist the hair root to ends.
Step 2: Take each twisted section and wrap individually around an 1” flexi rod (available at www.sallybeauty.com). Tie hair in a silk scarf and allow to dry overnight (preferred). If you are in a rush, you can sit under a dryer for 30-40 minutes (depending in the density of your hair).
Step 3: Remove the rods, and gently separate the hair with lightly oiled fingers (for added sheen) -- any natural oil of your choice will do. Smooth edges with Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste (available at Target, Walmart and Sally Beauty). If you prefer more volume, gently tease the roots with your fingers.
Please feel free to email us directly for all of your transitioning questions at customerservice@curls.biz.
BH: How do you think CURLS products help girls and women accept their hair in a society that's only slowly beginning to embrace different looks outside of straight hair?
MD: CURLS helps today’s natural woman feel good about her hair, and therefore herself.
BH: Thank you, Ms. Dellinger, for this insightful interview! Readers, CURLS products can be found nationwide in Target, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS and Duane Reed, to name a few. You can also visit the website directly at curls.biz, where you'll find products, accessories, tons of advice and more places to find CURLS locally.
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