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Curly Nikki

Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!

By January 27th, 2021137 Comments
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!

Many of you may be just too darn excited to read the intro –
and that’s fine skip on down to the good stuff! Cause lemme tell you child,
when I found out I was gonna be interviewing my (imaginary in my mind) best
curlfriend I was more excited than Lil’ Wayne at a skinny jeans and skateboards
convention! I’m talking Sophia
Grace
at a Nicki Minaj concert kind of excited! I’m telling y’all, today -Tracee, tomorrow, Michelle? *dives behind rose garden bushes*
On her hair as a
childโ€ฆ
My hair has always been a huge part of me. I swear you can
chronicle the evolution of my spirit and my embracing and celebrating all of
who I am through my hair journey.  
In all honestly, Iโ€™ve completely resorted back to all of my
childhood hairstyles! The way I wear my hair at home, the way I braid my hair,
and the way I comb out my natural curls to get that huge wind swept, salt water
lookโ€ฆ itโ€™s all very reminiscent of my childhood photos and the history of my
motherโ€™s hairstyles. 
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
that’s a young Tracee on the left!
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
I have not always been natural.
I had a relaxer in my hair during my teen yearsโ€ฆwell it was more
of a texturizer than a relaxer. 
But I started as a natural girl. I used to go to Josephโ€™s every Saturday to get a roller set,
a wet set.  Iโ€™d sit under the dryer
for an hour while I waited for โ€˜lil Joe-Joe to do my blow-out. He was like,
โ€˜THE guyโ€™, so everybody waited for hours and hours to see him and that was the
majority of your Saturday.
So I did that for many years and if I couldnโ€™t go for my
hair appointment, my mom would blow my hair out or put the hot comb on the
stove, which was a part of her childhood. 
My hair never required a ton of heat and my texture was actually really
consistent but the pivotal point came when I moved to Europe to go to school.  Enter the Relaxer.
The teenage yearsโ€ฆ
I remember calling my mom from there and saying โ€˜Mom, I know that hair, in itโ€™s essence is
already dead, but my hair is dead in a way that I donโ€™t know how to explain.โ€™
  I was all the way in Europe and I was
in school and it was just me doing my hair.  I would kind of blow out the front of my hair, my sort of โ€˜quote, unquoteโ€™ bangs and kind of poof them forward with a headband and take the rest
of my hair and put it in a little bun really low down at my neck.  And so I had this poof in the front and
whatever in the back and whenever Iโ€™d come home from Switzerland Iโ€™d get my
hair relaxed.  So when I left
Switzerland and started going to school in the States, which was 10th
grade, the evolution of my Natural Hair began.
So I didnโ€™t cut my hair off, I basically grew my relaxer out
and then the journey began.  It was
sort of like this crazy experimental process of trying a million different
products and actually, Iโ€™m still the kind of girl that will try any and
everything!  The hard part was when
I started working, I mean modeling was one thing, but then when I started
actingโ€ฆthatโ€™s when it got difficult. 
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
… the beginning of Tracee’s natural hair exploration!
The โ€˜Girlfriendโ€™
yearsโ€ฆ
For the first three seasons of Girlfriends, if I had an early call-time, I would wake up 3 hours
before so my hair could dry naturally. 
Three hours before!  I
didnโ€™t use any form of heat on my hair at the timeโ€ฆ no blowdryer, no diffuser, I
wouldnโ€™t let anybody do anything to it. I had finally gotten my hair back to
its virgin conditionโ€ฆ my huge natural curls were back and I wasnโ€™t letting any
heat or chemicals near my head!  So
yes, there would be these conversations with the assistant directors where Iโ€™d
plead for a 9 am call time, but if I got a 6am call time – and Iโ€™m not joking –
there were times when Iโ€™d wake up at 3 am.  And itโ€™s not like you can wake up, wash your hair and go
back to sleep. 
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
Then something else occurred, an exploration of sorts.  Around year three, Traceeโ€™s hair became
Joanโ€™s hairโ€ฆ it was interchangeable. So when I was off camera, when we werenโ€™t
shooting, I started to get bored with my look. The things that were so me,
werenโ€™t anymore- – the โ€˜Tracee bunโ€™, my natural hair, became the โ€˜Joan bunโ€™ and
Joanโ€™s natural hair. I was like, okay, I need something different, I need to be
able to break away and turn back into Tracee when the season finishes.
So, I went to get my hair blown out and the person that
usually did my hair wasnโ€™t in town and the woman that she referred me to used
a stove and an ironโ€ฆ it was still a flat iron, but it was too much heat for my hair and
although I spent the entire summer with gorgeous, shiny, blunt, crazy great
hair, three months later, my hair would not curl. So I ruined my curl pattern
and I freaked out! But that created a whole new exploration.   
There was a man by the name of Scott Williams that came in
to work on the set of Girlfriends, I
think it was Season 4.  After that
season, I took great pictures of the straight hair that will never happen again
(because the curls would never come back), and we started to discover the Chi
curling iron, not the Chi-3 but the Chi. I don’t think they make it anymore, they keep
trying to reconfigure it and itโ€™s not the same, but itโ€™s okay because Iโ€™ve
discovered other things now. But anyway, the Chi iron saved my life! It was
ceramic and it would get hot enough that it would leave me with straight, silky
hair, but it wasnโ€™t so hot that it would change my curl pattern.  So we nursed my hair back to health
using a silicone-y something on my hair and the Chi and thatโ€™s when I discovered
all these other hairstyles that I could achieve. And we found that balance
between my natural hair volume and more โ€˜movie staryโ€™ looks- thatโ€™s what we
used to call it when I started naming all of the hairstyles! 
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
  
On her hair todayโ€ฆ
It took about a year to nurse my hair back to health and
now, I can do both. I can do my completely natural wash and go, not manipulated
at all and I have all the straighter variations that I can achieve with
irons.  I can do a regular round
brush blow-out, where I have great volume and ease of movement.  Itโ€™s silky and straight but notโ€ฆyou
knowโ€ฆNaomi Campbell straight.  I
can also do my โ€˜manipulated naturalโ€™ now that Iโ€™ve learned to diffuse my hair
in a way that works, especially if I have to wake up for an early call.  And let me tell you Nikki, Iโ€™m not
going to give you all my secretsโ€ฆIโ€™m saving those for my website and my book!
[laughs]
On her routineโ€ฆ
I am constantly discovering new products. As a naturally curly
girl, you know that our hair, our cuticle gets used to products rather quicklyโ€ฆ
some more quickly than others and the truth is that when I find a really good
one, I save it for the days when I know Iโ€™m shooting or on camera, so that Iโ€™m
somewhat guaranteed a good hair day.    
I will also tell you that depending upon which state that
Iโ€™m in, different products work better because of the water quality.  So products that work in New York donโ€™t
work so great in Los Angeles.  And
the water in Atlanta is insane! 
When I was working there, my hair was like, what the heck is this Atlanta water? My hair was totally confused, I think it was the water quality combined
with the humidity.  I had to get
from my apartment to the stage quickly, and then not go back outsideโ€ฆ it was
this whole thing.  Anyways…
The truth is that my natural hair out in full Tracee form,
because of how much I work and am on camera, I rarely do for my personal life.
My personal life is usually a bun, braids, or a blowout because it lasts for
more days. I wash my hair with shampoo only once a week, but I will often wet
my hair more times than that. If Iโ€™m getting a blowout, I always get a fresh
wash.  I prefer hair that is not coated
and weighed down, I get better curls the less product I have in my hair and I
get a better blow out the less product I have in my hair.  I wash my hair with the shampoo once a
week and then while in the shower, with enormous amounts of conditioner, I
separate my hair into six sections and the rest of the hair that Iโ€™m not
working on, I clip out of the way with a large clip. I then use the Denman D4
rubber brushโ€ฆ love this brush, I have for years, it is the best curl making
brush that exists. After I do two sections, I add a little more conditioner to
it in order to create curls, and then when my entire head is done, I add a
little bit more water and little bit more conditioner and then I turn my head
over and I scrunch to create more curl definition and then I turn my hair back
over and rinse with low water pressure so as not to break up the curls that are
on the top of my head that have just found each other.  Finally, I turn the water to complete
cold, no hot water. In the winter it sounds like this (hugh hugh hugh!โ€ฆpanting
noises, sounds of icy pain) in my shower and then in the summer it sounds like
this (ahhhhhh! Cool relief!)  But
it is complete cold, not like coolโ€ฆits actually cold.  Itโ€™s like the cold water rinse you get
when you go to the spa.
Yes itโ€™s painful, but hereโ€™s the thing that changed my
relationship to the pain. That cold water rinse, itโ€™s actually really good for
cellulite! [laughter].  Have you
ever been to the Korean spas and seen the open fist pounding they do?  Well, I will sometimes do that in the shower,
under the cold water, across my rear and my legs.  
I go hard in the paint for this hair and this body!
So the other thing is that while in the shower, I apply my
products to soaking wet hair. Right now Iโ€™m loving Optimum Salon Haircare 6-in-1 Miracle OilI use it a couple of
different ways. Unlike most oils, the consistency is more like waterโ€ฆit doesnโ€™t
come out slowly when you pour it out of the bottle, so I have actually
transferred the oil to my own bottle and I have a couple of different ways that
I apply it to my hair. If Iโ€™m traveling and itโ€™s just in the bottle that it
comes in, I try to put it in my hands in little bits and I kind of do sections
and then I take my hair and I squish my hair with all the water in so that it
gets evenly distributed throughout my hair. But the other thing that is really
helpful is that I put it in a little diffuser, like a pump bottle, and itโ€™s
actually thin enough in itโ€™s consistency that it comes out like that and it
also gets evenly distributed through my hair. In the summer thatโ€™s all I need
to achieve a beautiful wash and go.

Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!

Then, if Iโ€™m putting it in a bun, Iโ€™ll use the Optimum Salon Haircare Miracle Oil Hair Moisturizer which
makes my hair shiny but doesnโ€™t weigh it down.  Itโ€™s really rare to find an oil that doesnโ€™t leave your hair
greasyโ€ฆbut still leaves it shiny.  Itโ€™s
also rare to find an oil that doesnโ€™t weigh you hair down, but kind of smoothes
the cuticle. There are some oils that either weigh your hair down completely or
make your hair look really greasy or worse, you will actually feel it on your
skin. This oil penetrates my hair when itโ€™s wet and by the time it dries, the
curls have had time to find each other and they kind of coagulate and the
product has completely sunken in! Iโ€™ve also been known to use this oil around
my cuticles and after mixing in some essential oils, apply it to my wet skin to
give it that glow.
Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!
On tips for women who
want to go naturalโ€ฆ
With me, anything that Iโ€™ve done that Iโ€™ve found to be worth
it in life, has taken a little time. 
Itโ€™s taken time to discover it for myself, time to actually be in a
relationship with myself in the process of whatever that thing is and its been
no different with my hair. Itโ€™s been a journey and it will be a journey for you
and what works for me will not necessarily work for you, but it might just give
you ideas. 
I have three girlfriends with hair very similar to mine and
some things work for me but not for them, it is what it isโ€ฆthe process. The
suggestions that Iโ€™ve given might not be specifically what works for them, but
it helps them discover something else that will work for them. My suggestion to
anybody that wants to wear their hair similar to meโ€ฆ go toward the internal
version of it, instead of the external. 
So the thing about my hair is that it is really authentic to me, the way
I wear it for certain days and events is really what feels right to me, and my
suggestion and encouragement to everyone is to do what feels right to
them.  For example, if you are
going to a class reunion or your prom, itโ€™s probably not the day to try a new product
or a new hairstyle.  If prom is two
months away, start experimenting on Sundays or a day that you know youโ€™re going
to be at home.  These are the days
that you try a new product or a new way of combing your hair out.  Then try it a couple of times, because
the thing that Iโ€™ve discovered with curls is that they take a minute to find
each other. If for example youโ€™re growing out your relaxer or your perm, it
takes a minute and if you donโ€™t have the courage or desire or the willingness- because
itโ€™s not just about courage, sometimes you canโ€™t, you know some people canโ€™t
just chop their hair off- then give it some time! Find a great way to braid your
hair.  Iโ€™m the one who knows how to
braid my hair, I mean know one else knows how to braid my hair. 
Itโ€™s not always good in Tracee land.  Iโ€™ve had some really bad moments, I was
going to a dinner party for a friendโ€™s birthday, and I donโ€™t know what it was,
but like my back section looked really good, but the top became this weird puff
of horridness and I figured out this way to kind of twist the front of my hair
and create a poof. It looked good with the naked eye in the mirror. I caught a
glimpse of a photograph however and I was like what the heck was I doing?! And
thank God I wasnโ€™t on a red carpet. So you kind of have to experiment and donโ€™t
be afraid to take a photographโ€ฆ I always say this about clothing too. Looking
in the mirror, you see your feelings and if you feel good in something it will
most likely look good to you, but just because it feels good doesnโ€™t necessarily
mean it looks good, especially if youโ€™re going to be on a red carpet. If you
look at a photograph of yourself you have a little bit more objectivity.  I used to do it with Polaroidโ€™s, but
now I do it with my camera phone and Iโ€™ll put the phone on a little kick
stand.  When I look crazy I say, โ€˜Iโ€™m glad you enjoyed your little moment
putting that on or did your hair like that, but you will not be able to leave
the house in that mannerโ€™.
[Laughter]
On randomnessโ€ฆ
Iโ€™m excited about my new
website! It should be up and running soon! I love your site Nikki, I actually
check it quite often, so much that it seems as if weโ€™ve already met. Iโ€™m happy
we were finally able to connect!
CN Says:
Best damn interview I’ve ever had in my life.
Stay tuned for a major
announcement. Like, MAJOR. 

Oh, and check out Optimum Salon Haircare’s Facebook Page
and follow Tracee on Twitter!

137 Comments

  • Aisha says:

    Great interview. I love Tracee's style and spirit.

  • Francis Moore says:

    LOL, me either. Too bad my hair isn't the same texture as hers. I don't what to do with my ya'll. Everything good for it, makes it itch. It doesn't fit my face. If I wear it out……..like in a twist out or wash and go it get tangled and the growth gets stunted. People are telling me to do a press. But I don't want to.

  • Jacki Whitford says:

    I really enjoyed reading about her hair journey. I am on a similar one, having given up relaxers a few years ago and menopausal hormones and age have certainly changed the texture of my hair. I no longer need relaxers, but I do need to keep my hair healthy. That I do from the inside out first – eating well, daily exercise and using good hair products.

  • Ger Chiofolo Smith says:

    natural groomed is the best

  • Valerie says:

    Pounding and cold water check!!!

  • John Sweet says:

    All I can say is what a lovely looking woman!

  • ARW says:

    Thanks for the interview. What a honor. I loved your girlfriend's hair.

  • Raine says:

    What Chi or other iron is she using on her hair now? That area was completely vague. I want to staighten or curl my hair without changing the pattern as well. Nurse it back to what it was.

  • Derika says:

    Same here! lol

  • Derika says:

    I LOVED this interview! She seems like such a nice person!

  • Genesis says:

    This was the best darn thing I read in YEARS!

  • Denae says:

    I think you just took that waaay too far…both Nikki and Tracee both seem like genuine down to earth people. There are interviews with regular people on this site almost everyday! Just because she pushed those two products in the interview doesn't mean she doesn't actually use them or that the interview is "fake" or a "lie". And Nikki had no control over her answers so really…I'm sorry but everything you just said is a bunch of crap. If you didn't like the interview thats fine but discrediting this whole site because of it is a whole 'nother issue entirely.

  • SavanahRae says:

    I know so many women have bookmarked this interview lol

  • CurlyAddy says:

    Absolutely amazing interview ! I'm a huge fan of Tracee Ross and always adored her curls on Girlfriends. Thank you for finally interviewing her.

  • Courtney Iisycksc Pro Cruise says:

    "I go hard in the paint for this hair and this body!". Looove it!

  • Natural Beauty says:

    LOVED this interview.
    celebrateyournaturalbeauty.blogspot.com

  • ElleX says:

    Tracee, you are so FABULOUS! Just like your mom, Diana "THE BOSS" Ross!!!

  • prettyparticular says:

    Ok…she's a celebrity so she is probably being paid to endorse the product. Everything we see/buy/want is endorsed by someone. But to discredit the entire interview because she pushes two products near the end is a litte over board to me.
    Also, you cite an interview from December where she names other products as her fave for what reason. To say that she is lying about what products she REALLY likes? I mean really, she says in the interview above that she is "constantly discovering new products". That is a true statment for a great number of naturals including me. I couldn't even tell you what I using back in December. Other than the products, her regimen basically seems the same. I don't care if she uses Optimum products or not, I'm not going out to buy them but I still love her…hair, body, fake product listing and all. lol

  • Kammy says:

    she mentions optimum like twice and all of a sudden it is an endorsement or it isn't authentic? she literally spoke about when she was younger, the techniques she used and what works now…stop being so judgmental or skeptical about every single thing people.

  • ... says:

    I loved this interview, but you also have to understand that with celebrity comes influence. So product placement to influence your fans/readers choices based moreso on your *possibly paid* endorsement rather than genuine results, now you have to understand why that may be an issue. Products ain't cheap. However, another possibility may be product placement for a product you truly believe in at the time, and contacting them letting them know you will be endorsing them and getting paid/ working out deals and contracts that way. That to me seems a more genuine way of getting paid, but who are we to know these things.

  • Karen says:

    I'm sorry but I'd just like to say that your ignant as hell…both of you! Do you mean to tell me that you didn't like that long, thurough and humble ass interview…for real? (SMH) Celebrities get paid to endorse things, thats what they do…duh. That doesn't mean that she isn't in the shower doing exactly what she said she was doing. If you want to use another product, do that boo boo.. what the hell does that have to do with rinsing with cold water or applying productt in the shower to soaking wet hair. I swear, you have the audacity to read the interview, enjoy it and then take the time out of your day to come in here and hate on it and Nikki. Also why are you mad at Nikki, she just did the interview, the responses were Tracee's. How is Nikki responsible for what Tracee says… I swear its chicks like you that had Solange in here acting a fool. Please ignore this foolishness Nikki and keep doing you, I for one loved the damn interview.

  • Nisha T. says:

    Exactly! I feel the same. The interview most have been waiting for seems very inauthentic now. Oh, well. I used to really love this site but it, as well, has become more inauthentic. I loved when it was about "regular" naturals but it seems it's more about celebrities and products more than anything. I understand everyone has to make a living and I say do you. I also understand when something no longer serves a purpose in my life. Thanks for the early help, Curly Nikki. The old feel is truly missed. I wish you the best.

  • Yavonkia Jenkins says:

    Nikki I'm so excited to see your interview with Tracee! She is my birthday twin (we'll be 40 in October) and one of my favorite actresses, and also one of my best friends (in my head of course) Great interview!

  • J says:

    She did an interview in the NY time in December and this is an excerpt:

    TT: How do you keep your hair so fabulous looking?

    TER: When Iโ€™m not working, I spend a lot of time on my hair. When itโ€™s time for my hair to get some rest, I either wear it in a ponytail, bun or my favorite โ€œmilkmaidโ€ braid. My everyday essentials are Kim Kimble satin rubber bands, Bumble and Bumble Quenching Complex leave-in conditioner, Aestelance Hydrate leave-in conditioner. When slicking my hair into a clean pony, bun or braid, I mix a little Moroccanoil with water and smooth it on. The shampoo and conditioners I use depend on how Iโ€™m styling my hair โ€” that list is reeeally extensive.

    Now, I feel like this whole interview was a product placement ad or some sort of infomercial for soft sheen. Love her hair, just feel some kind of way about the interview. Like its not genuine.

  • Davina916 says:

    Great interview!

  • Joyce says:

    so you didn't like the interview??? i thought it was amayayazing…

  • Gloria says:

    Wonderful interview!

  • Jessica Coletrain says:

    Great interview. The cold water rinses sounds like a great idea, but that takes some dedication. Don't know if I'm ready to go that hard and deep yet.

  • prettyparticular says:

    Me too Ambrey! I REALLY wish I could be in NYC.

  • Anicka Smith says:

    i have always love her hair!

  • Kay says:

    So how much was she paid for the Optimum endorsement? Looks like a media spree. Curly Nikki interview, check. NYC event check. I like her hair, as I do many types and textures of hair I just don't think it results from Optimum. I don't like when black hair companies think that we are sheeple. But what is L'oreal/Soft Sheen Carson to do with all these independent black women coming out with their own lines in their home kitchens and making serious money? They go to a reputable blog and a celebrity who's curls are worshiped by some (another topic). I'm sure many of you see through this, and have read some of the comments posted already questioning the authenticity of some (not all) of the things Tracee is saying here.

  • hairscapades says:

    LMBO!! I already do the cold water rinses for the hair, I'm going to have to remember the part two technique for the body!! LOL!!

  • Bevy says:

    Loves her even more now!!

  • Carmen says:

    Me either!

  • Carmen says:

    I. Adore. This. Woman. Love her hair, personality, body, style, she's a great actress..love her! My fav interview, too Nikki!!

  • Princess Dayana says:

    This is awesome Nikki!!! OMG She was my inspiration for letting my hair be!! (i.e. wear it natural). My very first regimen was based of an interview she did a few years back. I am somewhat relieved that I'm not the only one changing up the products and the routines! Congrats on this interview Nikki, I know you enjoyed it as well!

  • KitKat says:

    and with that you have said it all, so agree.

  • JESS says:

    BEST DAMN INTERVIEW!!!! THIS IS A REAL NATURAL CELEBRITY WHO KNOWS HER HAIR LIKE NO OTHER….iM SAVING THIS

  • Curly_Boo says:

    loved this interview!! i've always admired Tracee's huge hair. I will be starting my quest at Walmart, Sally's and Boom-Boom's for that D4 rubber brush and Optimum Oil ๐Ÿ™‚
    I rinse out my conditioner with cold water but I don't take it to the painful level but still leave my hair feeling smooth, sotf, and plush. But whew-i don't make it painful, lol.

  • Angela B. says:

    Great interview!!! Tracee provided so many details. Pure awesomeness ๐Ÿ™‚ I absolutely adore Tracee's hair. It's so nice that you got to interview her. Good job, Nikki!

  • ambrey watkins says:

    yeah so i just had a hair swoon moment. and i will be in pout mode the whole day after also reading about the nyc event. (crocodile tears)

  • Esther Komolafe says:

    Great interview!

  • ky says:

    THE curl GOD! thanx nikki!

  • Kudos says:

    Umm yes, soon as I read that I was like, open hand pound…
    "I go hard in the paint for this hair and this body!"
    Yes, indeed!

  • CorettaJG says:

    Me either!

  • jzycaramel says:

    she has always been and will always be my hair idol. truth be told one of the celebrity influences for my reason to go natural too

  • Kimberly says:

    I bet you're pregnant (I wonder how Boogie is going to take news like that, I can just see her), good interview and Tracee is a great story teller just like you. I think it's the best interview yet, thanks Tracee you're beautiful and I love you too.

  • hairscapades says:

    Just had to chime back in again. You know what I love about that first pic and want to point out? Look at the irregularity of her hair pattern. There are kind of straight pieces on the left and bottom right, it's coarser on the top with a less definitive curl …. and we LOVE it! I think we are often too hard on our own hair, looking macroscopically, dissecting every single curl, expecting perfectly uniform perfection. But Tracee's curls aren't like this and she is the hair idol of many a natural. At the end of the day, we need to look at our hair, our selves as a whole and appreciate the beauty of imperfection. #justsayin ๐Ÿ˜‰

    #thatisall

    Shelli

  • Nichole says:

    Tracee is like the original Curlfriend. Loved her on Girlfiends. I think I stopped watching tv after the show went off the air. We so need a reunion with the ladies.

  • BajanRhonda says:

    Enjoyed the interview my hair idol finally!!! Thanks Nikki……

  • Foxyrou says:

    Wow! She provided the readers with a wealth of information. I want to know more of her hair tips. C'mon Tracee tell it all!!! ๐Ÿ˜€

  • hairscapades says:

    Oh, and though my pics were pretty sucky, I did take a whole bunch of Tracee from the screening! LOL!! Here's the post for anyone interested:

    http://hairscapades.com/2011/10/11/hair-crush-alert/

  • hairscapades says:

    Such an awesome interview!!! She seems so warm and genuine!! I met her for a hot second last fall at the screening of the Reed Between the Lines pilot. I was so excited and I think I even mentioned something about her being a hair idol. Sure I sounded like a random dweeb, but she was very sweet about it! LOL!! Hope I make the cut for the NYC meet-up and have the chance to geek out again;) … not for just one of my hair idols, but two;)!

    Shelli

  • laporsche jackson says:

    Love this! Amazing!

  • Hilary B. says:

    that was such a great interview!! So detailed and informative. I feel like Ms. Ross is THE natural hair icon, or at least one of the most prominent ones from the blogs and hair stories that I read, lol. Y'know? "I've always wanted Tracie Ellis Ross curls" is something that i've read so many times. And for good reason, she has a gorgeous head of hair and it sounds like she's worked really hard at "learning" it. Anyway, sorry for writing a novel. Congrats Nikki!

  • Joshay says:

    I just love her!

  • Natasha Walker says:

    So I had to pause and come back to my computer. I remember watching Girlfriends as a teen and staring at Tracee's hair. Great interview! Ive always kind of thought she took all of the hair awe in graciously, but would never really do an interview solely about it. Hot damn, Nikki! You got it! The Queen! lol

  • TheRealFedup_CoMod says:

    Love this interview!!! Love her hair!!,

  • SavanahRae says:

    lol

  • Gwenn4ya says:

    I've always loved Tracee Ellis Ross! She is so beautiful and her hair is just simply gorgeous!!! I would of been excited to do this interview too…kinda like Sophia Grace! Ha!!!

  • Ivonne says:

    I LOVEEEEE… JOAN!!! so happy to read this interview. I always wanted to know about her hair routine. i love her hair and her style and i love "Girlfriends"

  • MsA says:

    Excellent interview with my imaginary fairy god-mother ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Laxmi says:

    Looooved this interview!! It was great reading about bits of her childhood- her mom pressing her hair *awwww* :)) and her hair during the 'Girlfriend' days. WTG Nikki.

  • DYTG says:

    luv her
    www.do-your-thing-girl.blogspot.com

  • Angie Ang says:

    Great interview! Thanks for sharing!
    ( /)( . .)c(โ€)(โ€)http://www.bunnymysweet.com/

  • Faye says:

    I want to know about that too! That show was my life! POW! (As i want it to be… lol)

  • Faye says:

    Loved it! That WAS the best darn interview Nikki! LOL! Her hair is most definitely the goal for many Naturalistas and I am most def one of them! I know we don't have the same texture but it doesn't stop me from wanting to go and get that oil and try some of her techniques! Ummm…I am not, however, pounding on my self in a cold shower… Yeahhhh – No.

  • J says:

    side-eye to the product placement…I still adore me some Joan Clayton…and that luscious hair…is Reed Between The Lines coming back???….oooooh that luscious hair

  • Devon Warner says:

    What an awesome interview Nikki! Ahh, now I need those products in my arsenal!

  • naturaldiva23 says:

    I dunno, but I liked all of the detailed instructions she game on her routine…plus the opportunity to meet Tracee. I'm in NJ so I def got my RSVP in! Truly epic interview. Nikki did it even bigger this time.

  • Miss Anne says:

    Absolutely wonderful interview… wooohooooo this was such a good read!!! go Nikki, go Nikki! Amazing!

  • Sue says:

    The just announced NYC meetup will be sponsored by Optimum and Tracee Ellis Ross will make a special appearance.

  • Janele says:

    In the words of Tasha Mack, "She's my shero!". Loved the interview.

  • Jillian says:

    Nikki if you were Sophia Grace I was her little cousin Rosie. Just as excited but too nervous to do much of anything lol. I have been waiting for you to do this interview!!!! Too excited over here…feeling like I actually spoke to her. Thanks a million for this one and Tracee for gracing us!

  • K.Nicole Williams says:

    Was this sponsored by Optimum or does she now have a contract with them? I ask because two of their products were mentioned and bolded/linked as was their page plugged at the end of the interview. Not saying that those products don't work well for her, it just sounds like it's a sponsored post. Forgive me if this question was asked in the previous 59 comments I didn't read them.

  • Donna Lee says:

    Neither did I…lol

  • Donna Lee says:

    BEST INTERVIEW EVER!!! I LOVE HER ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Ree says:

    Squuuueeeeee! Big time fan girl here. Glad you landed your biggest hair idol "get" so far. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • MyNaturalCurlyLife says:

    **squealing on the inside**

  • Gaye Glasspie says:

    hahahahahahaaaa yes!!

  • Gaye Glasspie says:

    I felt like I was in the interview with you guys! Bravo! I love her even more now!! Well done Ms Nikki..Well done!

  • sam says:

    You should state that she is a paid endorser of Optimum products. I was feeling the interview at first…then came the commercial.

  • Sydney says:

    Gorgeous!

  • Raelo says:

    This is perhaps the BEST darn curlyview that I've read (not that your others' have not been fabulous). Tracee described a situation that I've previously only been able to express with emoticons. Henceforth when curl separation causes me to make the :-/ face I will be reminded that "my curls just need to find themselves." I swear by the "shower wash-n-goโ€ (which I affectingly call "The Becky"). When I tell people that I donโ€™t touch my hair once I step out of the shower they often look at me in disbelief. But I have found that the more I try to โ€œfixโ€ my hair the more I disrupt my natural curl pattern. I get perfection when I add product to soaking wet hair in the shower, followed by a little water, then a little more product, then a tad more water, and finish with a vigorous shake. There is something fantastically liberating about stepping out of the shower, sitting under a hooded dryer for 5 min (just to eliminate the โ€œSoul Gloโ€ drip), and walking out the door.
    Bravo CN! Mrs. O (Obama) is nextโ€ฆ or maybe Ms. O (Winfrey) wants to sit on the couch.

  • Jamiah Prince says:

    Loved this interview I have been waiting to read about her hair routine thanks Nikki!

  • nelle says:

    WTG Nikki!!!
    she is my first and favorite hair inspiration : )

  • Brooke B. says:

    I can't believe you got an interview with Ms. Tracee Ellis Ross. That was amazing, I felt like I was catching up with an old friend. I can't wait for her website launch.

  • Natural83 says:

    I know right! She did say "tommorrow,Michelle"! Hmmmmm?!?!?!?!?! Make ya wonder! lol

  • @thoughtthnkr says:

    OMG, OMG, OMG!!! Joan/Tracee the Queen of the Natural Hair World! Fire Interview! To this day I wanna be Joan! Congrats to the Natural Hair Princess @CurlyNikki on getting a chance to get the interview of every Natural Grls dreams!

  • Mcdee says:

    YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!! GREAT FEATURE OF TRACEE.

  • Lala85 says:

    OMG…luvin me some Traci. Thanks Nikki for the wonderful post. You have just made my Wednesday!

  • Courtney Jenkins says:

    AMAZING INTERVIEW! I love her so much!

  • Wanett says:

    Great interview!! I love to laugh while learning something new! Cold water body rinse? I'm on it! Optimum hair oil? I'm on it!! Lol

  • Wanett says:

    DITTO!!

  • My Will says:

    Love Tracee and this interview was great!

  • BrwnSkinnedLoca says:

    Tracee is about to have me pounding all on my thighs & butt under cold water in the shower for less cellulite! haha! I love her & her hair!! AHHH!

  • amarie615 says:

    I, too did not want this interveiw to be over. Love it!

  • Ashlei says:

    ahhhhhhhhh..thats all i can get out..*jaw drops*

  • Tasha26 says:

    I love tracee's hair! More importantly, I love this interview! This is the most detailed and in depth interview I've ever read on CN or any other site for that matter. I love that she really took the time to explain what she does now as well as what she did/what was going on with her hair during the different seasons of Girlfriends. This was so cool and humble of her. Love it!

  • Brittbritt says:

    So who went out immediately after reading this and tried to find that Optimum hair oil and hair creme? *slowly raises hand* I couldn't find it though! lol Womp! But great interview Nikki!

  • jada07 says:

    Awesomeness!!!!

  • Positively Jewls says:

    OMG, I jumped right over here when I got the tweet on my phone. Love, love, love Tracee… Cold water for cellulite? I'm on it, lol.. Great job Nikki. ๐Ÿ™‚ Think I May have to home and watch some GF re-reuns.

  • Sherry Beverly says:

    Tracee is my hair idol…..great interview….I'm so ready for her book!

  • Tamieka McGibbon says:

    Great interview and Tracee seems to personable. Love her hair and the confidence she exudes!

  • kwnatural says:

    Love TER! Miss Girlfriends terribly!

    Great interview Nik… I love it when folks just sit back and jaw!

  • Sue says:

    Lovely interview!

  • Brittany Monet says:

    Yessssssssssssssssss!! I've been waiting on this interview and it really is the best I've read in… well ever! I love, love, LOVE Tracee <3

  • Natural83 says:

    Kudos to you Nikki for finally getting Tracee Ellis Ross on the couch! How awesome is that??? And the fact that she said she checks the site quite often…yaaasssss!!!! I don't think I've seen a hair interview this extensive on Tracee! Bravo!

  • NelleB says:

    I know right! She is my hair idol

  • Auset Abena says:

    I have been waiting for this for so long. Thanks so much. Great interview!

  • Latoya says:

    Thanks for the interview! I LOVE Tracee, her hair and her style. One of the biggest compliments someone gave me is when they told me is was "so Joan" ! Love it!!!!

  • Talisha White says:

    I haven't even read this article yet, and my thirst is so real..lol.

    Even though we don't have the same curl pattern, I've been on my "Joan Clayton" all summer. Big, bushy, beautiful hair!

  • Natasha says:

    Love it…I almost jumped out of my chair when I saw the title…great interview. Tracee is my hair idol!!

  • Donelle Benjamin says:

    I didn't want this interview to be over ๐Ÿ™

  • seriouslyaisha says:

    Awesome sauce!!

  • Felicity Rhode says:

    Yeeeeeesssss, Nikki! This is too awesome! Tracee is my style, and you are my hair icon! This is too perfect! lol

  • MelMelBee says:

    Definitely had a Sophia Grace moment with you Nik! Tracee doesn't know how many naturals say "I want the Joan"….LOL! ok…maybe it's just me!

  • abrunnin says:

    awesome interview!! Super excited about her book and website too

  • Shana Allen says:

    Great interview!!

  • ShoeHOTLINE says:

    Can I tell you that I completely stoped inmy tracks to read this interview. Like let my work phone go to voicemail 3 times yup… And it was so worth it AWESOME interview chica. Ms. Tracee was so worth the wait. Now where is this Major announcement because I can't move until I read i.

  • Mars Bar says:

    Tracee's hair is EPIC!!! Like my dream hair. Love her!! Great interview!

  • Chica19 says:

    Great interview! Did she say the epitome of fabulosity, the first Diva Ms. Ross- pressed her hair using a hot comb on her hair? I love it! Go Diana! Tracee has great hair!

  • hunnybun says:

    this was like the best interview ever ever ever. I can't wait for the website.

  • Colette Kimon says:

    Great interview! I enjoyed reading it. She seems to have a great sense of humor. I used to watch girlfriends all the time, and I still do watch the re-runs ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Meika Sterling says:

    i really enjoyed reading this interview….Tracee is the bomb

  • Davina W. says:

    Great interview Nik!

  • Elizabeth says:

    Great interview. She has such beautiful hair and there are hardly any interviews out there with her discussing her hair. GREAT JOB!!!

  • keisha says:

    YES….Tracee Ellis Ross…the interview of the YEAR!!!!! Great interview!

  • chai says:

    seriously….amazing!!! Love this interview

  • Jeanie says:

    im about to jump outta my seat waiting for this announcement!

  • Megan M. says:

    This sure is the best damn interview! I screamed as if I saw her in person myself. Felt like I was chillin' talking to an old childhood friend from back in the day lol! Love her and her hair. I am going to do that open pound fist on my rear and legs now in the shower lol! Oh do not forget the cold water,panting noises might be heard lol!

  • Bonycle Thornton says:

    This just made my damn day…hot damn.

  • misstiff says:

    the first shot in b&w – GORGEOUS!

  • Pecancurls says:

    Nik, what a score!! Awesome interview. Love, love, love Tracee and her fierce hair. I love this: "Iโ€™m glad you enjoyed your little moment putting that on or did your hair like that, but you will not be able to leave the house in that mannerโ€™." I too have had my fierce moments in the mirror that later turned to horror when I looked at a picture.
    Nik, at this rate, an interview with Mrs. O is just around the corner for you. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Monica Lake says:

    Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal!

  • Rhonda C says:

    Like fine wine, Nik! These interviews just get better with time. Great interview with Ms Ross! I heart her gorgeous curls!

  • Tiffany says:

    Great interview! Love her.

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