The Queen of Comedy is back On the Couch!
Acclaimed actress, comedienne, and fellow curly, Wanda Sykes took some time out of her busy schedule to catch us up on her hair, favorite products and amazing career. Enjoy!
On her curly hair state of affairs…
The state of affairs? At this moment… everything is nice, peaceful and harmonious in my hair world. Everybody’s getting along. [Laughter] I just had it done last Friday, my stylist Lisa Deveaux, did a nice deep conditioning treatment and straw set for me that should hold up for a week to 10 days. I’m in a good place with my hair right now.
A couple of weeks ago my stylist was out of town and one of my best friends was here visiting and did some twists for me… she flat twisted my hair. She did about 4, and although it took my hair forever to dry, I really liked the look. That, and the french braid-outs. It’s a good tip that I picked up from your website as far as what to do when you can’t get to your stylist for a full, clean straw set, but need to look presentable. The twist and braid outs look really nice and are a great option.
I told my wife to watch what my friend was doing and was like, I’m going to need you to learn that! [Laughter] We haven’t tried yet but I’m like, if you f up my hair, there might be a problem. I’ll let you know how that works out. [Laughter] I’m like, how can she not know how to braid, they call it French Braid and she’s French. Come on, you should know how to do this!
On hair mishaps…
My family recently got back from France. We weren’t in Paris, we were like way out in the country and I was really serious about rationing out my products. It was hot and a little humid but not too bad, so every morning I would have to wet it and apply my products to wear it down. For like first two hours, you know, when your hair is still a little damp, it’s nice, but as it begins to dry, it starts creeping up and it gets tight. You know, like when your hair wants to make a fist or tries to stand up and testify?! [Laughter] I would then put a little more product in it to keep it moisturized and soft, but it was funny because I had to ration it, thinking, ‘how many days am I going to be here, how much product do I have left?’ It was ridiculous and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to find Mixed Chicks over there. It turned out okay though and I ended up using a lot of headbands and hats.
On her favorite products…
Besides the Mixed Chicks, I’m still loving Fast Food and a curl definer called Recoil both by AG. I also enjoyed the samples you sent me last time and find that right now, the most important thing is keeping the moisture in my hair. My hair is very dry and has the tendency to soak up water and products, so I’m still looking for that perfect moisturizer.
A message for the CurlyNikki community…
Be patient! Wearing your hair curly is a commitment. It’s trial and error and you have to find what works best for you. I’m telling you, once you can get into a groove and you know what works, it’ll be so time saving. When I go to get my hair done, or when I twist or braid it myself, yes, it takes a while, but the style lasts a while and I don’t have to go that often. It’s a huge time saver and it’s just easier.
The lovely Shatterproof Glass Dolls submitted the following-
On making others laugh and turning it into a career…
I noticed that I could make people laugh in junior high. Before, I would say things and would end up either getting a beating or put on restriction. [Laughter] I had all the right premises but I just didn’t have any punchlines. So it wasn’t until junior high that I was like, hey, okay, now this is funny. We’re laughing!
After college, I was working a regular job, bored to tears and I knew that there was something else for me to do. And something just told me to write down some jokes. I did and entered a talent contest I heard about on the radio. I did some stand up and everything just made sense from that point on. I’ve been doing it since 1987, almost 25 years now!
On unforeseen challenges…
I think my view, on life, is that there are always challenges. So there wasn’t anything that I didn’t expect. The most challenging part for me is the travel. To have to get on the plane, and be to this place by a certain time. And that’s the thing, I’ve never been good with time and I’ve never walked into a meeting and not had to say, ‘oh, sorry I’m late’. That’s my opening line… I think when I die I’m going to put that on my casket. I’m going to make sure the coffin shows up a half hour late to the funeral. It would be very appropriate.
On new projects and upcoming tours…
I’ve been on vacation and enjoying family but now it’s time to get back to work. I’ll be kicking off my tour in Hawaii next month. For dates and times near you, check out WandaSykes.com. You can also check me out on Ice Age 4.
Excellent interview!
Wanda is hilarious! Glad she's still sticking with the journey and it was good to read an update from her. ~KF519
at anon 9:27 im not the original person your speaking off but there's no reason to attack anon 7:43..its her opinion respect it or better yet ignore it..you want everyone to be tolerant to each other yet if someone goes against what you believe they're ignorant and not with the times..and really no one should have to change their beliefs just to fit in with "the times"…some people dont agree with a woman having a wife and thats fine…they have a right to believe this..just like you have a right to believe its OK..dont attack someone for not agreeing with you..
..but i guess tolerance is a one way street..
I love this chick. I hate when I have to ration product. I'm heavy-handed and don't know the meaning of rationing. especially when it comes to products that smell good.
SaBrina thanks for that link. i hadn't seen that one but it was helpful!!!
Excellent interview!
Wanda is so funny and her hair still looks great. Just curious have you Curlynikki tried using pipe cleaners to stretch twists
or ladies on here as well?. I saw this while on youtube this morning and loved the results. It's called "Twist and Curl" by TraNaturally fellow youtuber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsVg48Xw-8E&feature=channel_video_title
Come on now in this day an age everyone is aware of people living "alternative" life style's! If your not up on it…you better ask somebody! There is nothing wrong with partners, spouses, or friends for that matter to help each other with thier hair! Anon 7:43 get over yourself!!! Your point is Mute! None relavent if you don't know what I mean!
Wanda,
Your bush is growing! It's fabulously excellent!
LM
www.lillian-mae.com
I love Wanda! Thanks Nikki and Wanda for sharing!
@Anon 7:43, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. Are you just plain offended that she's a lesbian in a happy, long-term, committed relationship with another woman? Sykes was joking, anyway, but I don't think it would be weird if her wife was able to learn how to do her hair, since so many women deal with their own hair at some point. Even women with short pixie or TWA styles have often had longer hair at some point in their lives. Would you think it strange if sisters (another scenario with two women in the same household) helped each other with their hair?
I don't think it is uncommon for spouses to help each other with some basic grooming, either, whether they are heterosexual partners or homosexual partners. A friend of mine had a boyfriend with locks, and she helped him with maintenance. When I had a TWA that I kept really short, my husband helped me maintain it with the clippers. He doesn't do my twists, but I do help him trim his hair. If your partner is able to help out with your hair, why is that strange?
Her "wife"??? Enough said after that. I guess every "husband" should expect their "wife" to do flat twists or french braid-outs.
C'mon! Wanda Sykes is a comedian! That quip about the fist is a joke! Even if you didn't think it was funny; lighten up!
OMG…besides the fact that I am in love with Wanda, I loved this article. She's a celebrity so I would think they'd have products and stylist that would ensure their hair is never dry (idk why i thought celebrities had a secret, magic beauty supply. lol). When she expressed that she still has to deal with dry hair, it made me feel a whole lot better! I also don't think she was dissing The Nap. There are pros & cons 2 EVERY type of hair, and she was just expressing her hair journey.
Now lol that she made her wife pay attention to her friend style her hair so she could do it in the future. Anywho, loved the interview and can't want to see more of our curly celebrities (with or w/o weave) share their naptural stories with us. 🙂
@kandyapple…LMAO @"ooh chile" …but i totally feel ya ma!!
My hair texture is very similar to Wanda's. I've learned that twists and braids are great for my hair. Even with her hair stylist away, she can still two strand twist her hair if she can't french braid. I do it all the time and it looks great! As usual, I love me some Wanda Sykes!
I don't feel she was dissing the nap. The most negative thing she said in regard to her was the statement about standing up and testify, and even that wasn't negative, IMO. Some folks are encounter didn't issues with their natural hair. Her's happens to be dryness and major shrinkage. That combination can wreak havoc on the hair if you are still learning how to probably care for your hair.
My personal issue is thickness. Those twists she said that she sports b/c it just easier at times. For me, it can be much more trouble than it's worth. Talk about tangles and knots in the take down, ooh chile. And on top of that, it's not the pretty and full twists that some of the others are able to pull off. *sigh* oh well. At least I finally am managing a damn fine braidout, if I say so myself, lol.
I can relate! My hair is dry as a brillo pad and always trying to stand up and testify! Thanks for being honest and for being a role model.
I kind of felt like she was dissing the "nap" a bit much. I don't really appreciate negative connotations with regards to kinkier or more coarse types of natural hair. However I understand everyone's journey and perception of their hair differs.