The talented and naturally curly Mýa is On the Couch! Although most may remember her from ‘Chicago’ or ‘Dancing with the Stars’, I still remember her debut single with Sisqo- ‘It’s All About Me’. That.was.my.song! Anyway, I’ve always admired her curls, and couldn’t pass up the chance to chat with her about her routine and favorite products.
On her hair story…
I was natural with no processing, coloring, or treatments for much of my life. I had my first texturizer in 2000 to loosen the curl for easier management and quicker styling. The texturizer I was given was very mild and only lasted for about 9 months. I grew it out, and was back to my natural state very shortly. I then began layering and cutting my hair for a more contemporary look. Over time and due to coloring and heat based styling, my curl has naturally loosened and become a bit more manageable. I have no plans to texturize again. I love my curls!
On embracing her curls…
I got teased quite a lot in school because my hair was “BIG” and “bushy”. I had no clue what products to use, so frizz ruled the day. I wanted straight hair so badly- – it seemed easier and of course, prettier. All the jokes and comments led me to believe my type of hair was not “good hair”. Now I know that healthy hair, no matter the texture, is good hair.
On her current routine…
I wash my hair every other day, and deep condition once a week now due to all of the color and heat that is constantly applied. I find myself loving wigs lately just to give my hair a rest, save time, and safely experiment with new looks.
My usual style is a wash & go. I wash, condition, comb (in the shower), and rinse. I then apply a light moisturizer or styling creme, towel dry, diffuse or let dry naturally and go.
In the featured photos, I’m rocking a roller set. I washed and conditioned, and allowed my hair to air dry to a semi damp state. I then brushed it out, sectioned, and set my hair on heated barrel rollers for 20 minutes. Finally, I removed the rollers, and lightly brushed the curls for volume.
On hair stylists…
Unless it’s a photoshoot, video shoot, or major red carpet event, I do my own hair and make-up. I keep a special bag of hair with me on the road so I’m prepared at all times. Everything from drawstring ponytails to clip in tracks, different wigs, to sewing needles is on deck. Gotta protect my real hair!
On her must have products and tools…
My favorite leave in conditioner is by Bumble + Bumble. It’s really light, yet moisturizing. My favorite conditioner to this day is still Pantene, which I mix with System Professional’s Color Protectant. I keep a flat iron with me!
On night time hair…
If I’m rocking a curly look the next day, I’ll usually braid my hair up at night and use just a little leave in conditioner. Sometimes I’ll even rock a shower cap overnight to preserve moisture. If I plan on wearing it straight, I wrap it up in a scarf.
On the best thing about being curly…
With the right products, you can wash & go and be set for the day! Simple yet beautiful!
On encouraging others to transition or embrace their curls…
I would tell her GO GIRL you are beautiful just the way you are and people pay to have what you naturally have-Embrace it! Even more importantly, we all have to learn how to embrace our natural selves as a whole and define beauty on our own. The media can tend to be very influential, very one dimensional in making all women feel that we need to change ourselves to be a better person and have a better life. If we’re strong enough in embracing ourselves and the adversity in the definition of beauty, we won’t fall victim to it. Plus it’s expensive as hell!
On upcoming projects…
I have a new album coming out this Spring titled K.I.S.S. (Keep it Sexy & Simple). And I’m the new celebrity ambassador for Africare (africare.org). My twitter page is @MissMya where I post updates on what I’m up to on a daily basis.
It doesn't bother me when biracial people identify themselves…maybe it is because I am biracial and growing up people always wanted to ask "What are you?"
Either way, I love Mya's hair!
I also hate it when folks identified themselves as bi-racial and then give the mix (@Anonymous said… March 14, 2011 8:51 AM) just state you have hair that does this or that. Who cares, bi-racials aren't the only ones that can have curly hair?!
Que linda eres mya!!!! te amo
"Over time and due to coloring and heat based styling, my curl has naturally loosened and become a bit more manageable." <– LOL, not damaged but manageable. Ok.
Loved Mya since Teen Summit (loved that show!). Her hair looks great!
omg!!!! I LOVE Mya and loved her with Sisqo and I even have 2 of her albums!!!
Nikki, this was definitely a pleasant and refreshing surprise.
Mya, thank you for laying everything out there and sharing soo much with us. I wish you the best with all of your future projects.
Great interview!
I love Mya! Thanks for taking the time to share your hair story with us. I've been a fan from day one and wish you the best in all u do!
Excellent interview! I love, love, love MYA!
Check out a great new, up and coming natural hair blog!
http://salonnaturelles.blogspot.com/
I love celebs sharing on CN and can't wait to learn more about the organization Mya's involved with, Africare – kudos! I'm always a little disheartened however when someone describes looser curls as "more manageable"; to me it implies that old stereotype of smaller curls or 'kinky' as not or requiring more work which I disagree with.
I.Love.Her.
Mya where is ur album honey? I too have been a Mya fan since day one..have every album..My song is 'If you died I wouldn't cry…"and "No Sleep Tonite"<—–the jam!okay enough fanatical behavior..lol..love her hair, very bouncy..I need to try a rollerset but my arms get tired after while..lol.
-Carlita
You go Mya! You look gorgeous! As always, great interview Nikki!
I have been WAITING for this interview. Because of Mya I did my first wash and wear in high school in 1999 and kept rocking despite split reviews. I love that her own hair and even though she has a looser curl pattern she KNOWS all the tricks in the book (from clip-in pony tails to cornrowing to sew-ins).
Mya hair looks really good, and for some reason I really can't imagine her with bushy hair.lol…. But she has done a really job of taking care of it, and love her music.
Hum, now on a side note, I'm here at the library and this black man just went off on this little girl of his who looks to be 3yrs old. I couldn't believe he just cussed and belittled that little girl out like that. It was something like this if you don't sit your mutherfucking black ass on down, I'm going to bitch slap your ass in here. Then had the nerve to say, did daddy hit you yet no? then shut the hell up. Everyone heard this guy and I was like that is no way to speak to a child. Please excuse the language, but I hate for parents to do this to kids whether in public or not, it's just not right.
Excuse me, go on Mya!
Loved her hair for a while. Glad to read this interview.
So happy to see Mya interviewed. I love her!! I would love to also see Chilli, tatyana ali, and tracee ellis ross!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about my teen idol!
The first song I thought about while reading was my her song my love is like whoa! I love her as an artist and her hair looks great. Thanks for sharing!
http://iluvmyselftherefore.com/
she has been my hair idol FOREVER! we don't have the same texture, but i've always loved her hair.
i want to see a tionna taylor, ya ya dacosta, sweet rush, and shakara ledard interview! I WOULD DIE.
Mya is one of my faves. I think its especially good for people to read that even celebs have the same basic routines as other curly girls (like braiding hair up for the night or wrapping with a scarf or a roller set for volume!). Sometimes people develop an unrealistic expectation that there is such a thing as a magical hair type that does not require some styling or some product to look glam. Thanks for dispelling that Mya! You look more beautiful every year.
OMG! I LOVE the hair Mya!!! I was wondering what she's been up to lately. I am gonna have to attempt the roller set once again. My hair isn't quite as long as hers and not quite the same texture but close. GORGEOUS!!!! ;o)
awesome interview! I love Mya!
OMG, Nikki, I have seriously been wondering if you would ever interview Mya. I've loved her since 98. I still listen to all her albums and ready for the next one.
I love Mya, thanks for the interview and I have always admired her hair!
been a fan of Mya since her Teen Summit dancer days! DC stand up!
I've been a fan since 1998! Keep doing what you're doing Mya, I love your hair and your music.
Great interview CN! Mya is beautiful and so is that roller set.
I love Mya! Great interview.
Confessions of a Purse-a-holic
I LOVE, LOVE LOVE MYA! So much that I convinced my mom to name my baby sis after her in 1998!Cant wait for the new album!
Wow, I've been a Mya fan since way back in the day (All about me, What ya Gonna Do, If you Died I Wouldn't Cry Because You Never Loved Me Anyway, etc – hahaha). Nice interview.
For some reason I can't get my comment to post via my google account 🙁
OMG! I love her! I have all her albums so I will definitely get the new one 😀 Y'all remember her hair in that one video with Silkk tha Shocker or whatever his name was. The song was I'm Movin On. Her hair was so fly in that video.
How cool! Mya! I'm a huge fan and still pissed you didn't win Dancing with the Stars. You are beautiful inside and out and I'm happy to hear you love your hair. I'm mixed (Asian and Black) and I too was teased relentlessly as a child. I got a perm because of the bullying. I've since grown up, gained confidence in myself and now wear my naturally frizzy curly curls proudly.
Cool glad to see a celeb that is not too BIG to do their own hair.
www.lipstickmanual.blogspot.com
LOL @ Nik! I'm with you, Its all about me was my song too! Thanks for the interview! I've always admired Mya's hair and talent. She is beautiful and I hope her next album is successful!