Mixed Chicks Your Hair Story Series: Addys Castillo
By: Desiree Johnson
Welcome to the Your Hair Story Series presented by Mixed Chicks. This dynamic, new innovative series allows Mixed Chicks users to share their personal stories behind their hair. Hair that kinks, coils, curls, waves, and tells a story reflecting their culture, race, ethnicity, and upbringing. Like our customers, hair comes in all shades, textures and shapes unique to each individual and here at Mixed Chicks we want to celebrate that to the utmost extent. Meet our exquisite Mixed Chicks women, men, and children who exhibit beauty from the root and give us honest, bold stories that we are honored to share with you.
Addys
What has your experience been with the Mixed Chicks products?
I was introduced to Mixed Chicks products when I first went natural in 2008. Back then I was accustomed to using gels and mousses that made my hair hard and flaky and that was a disappointing experience. Fortunately, my good friend gave me her Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner and I was floored by the results. It made it easy to detangle my hair and provided much needed moisture. I tried the shampoo & deep conditioner and needless to say my hair has been fabulous ever since. Thanks Mixed Chicks!
Do you have a go-to or token Mixed Chick Product you cannot go without? The leave in conditioner!
YES! The Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner is hands-down my most used product for my wash-n-go’s.
How has having a product specifically for your cultural/biracial/ethnic/multiracial background impacted your beauty regime?
Using Mixed Chicks has actually guaranteed that I never go back to a chemical relaxer. As a proud Afro-Latina, my curls are a reflection of my heritage and as such I wear them unapologetically with full audaciousness. Thanks to this product I feel confident wearing my hair in its natural state because its well nourished and it shows. More often than not, dominant standards of beauty have dominated how I wear my hair and what is considered “acceptable” in a workplace. Since discovering Mixed Chicks products I have come to embrace my curl pattern in all of its complexity. My hair journey has taught me the value of good products and styling techniques when it comes to managing my mane.
What makes them different than other products you’ve tried in the past?
In the past I have tried just about every product made for curly hair including: Miss Jessie’s produces, Shea Moisture, Kinky Curly, Deva, Carol’s Daughter, Curls, Bed Head, Eco Styler and Cantu. The difference has all come down to three things:
- Mixed Chicks can easily coat my entire head (and trust me, I have A LOT of H.A.I.R.!) with a small amount of product. More often than not, I can use a bottle of product within 4-6 applications. Given that I wash my hair daily, this means that I am constantly purchasing more products to keep up with daily maintenance. With expensive products like Miss Jessie’s Curly Merengue and Coiling Custard, the utility of the product becomes immaterial if I have to spend $40 weekly on just ONE product.
- Mixed Chicks is a better bang for my buck. As stated in number two, good products are costly and as my hair gest longer it takes more product to coat my entire head. With Mixed Chicks, I can purchase the large 33 oz. Leave-In lasts me up to two months!
- One wash and go can last up to five days! Not only does the product leave my hair feeling and looking soft and moisturized, one application can last up to almost a week. For me that is a big thing given how much time I spend in the gym. All in all, this is THE BEST product for my hair PERIOD!
How do your curls/hair texture represent your cultural/ethnic background?
My curly locks tell a story of a people of multiple cultures that include Spanish European, Native/Indigenous tribes and Africans all rolled up into my wild and audacious hair. I LOVE IT! It represents me and who I am underneath all that I am (i.e. mother, daughter, sister, friend, leader, activists, and all around bad ass curly girl!).
What is one feature of the Mixed Chicks brand that empowers your hair/beauty care?
I love the name of the brand and how it manages to bring together folks of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds all united under one curl.
Why is the hair revolution celebrating natural/healthy hair types vital for our generation?
Growing up I found myself constantly battling with my hair in trying to look like everyone on television and in magazines (long straight hair) and to my own demise I damaged my hair trying so desperately to fit into this standard of beauty. I think that it is important for young girls and boys to learn to love their natural features as they are as it gives them a sense of pride as to who they are. Secondly, I think it is equally important for the next generation to define themselves by their own standards and not those set forth by pop culture. As more folks embrace their natural hair it will continue to reaffirm that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that your hair is a representation of YOU!
If you could define Your Hair Story in one word what would it be?
AUDACIOUS!
Interested parties can feel free to LIKE, TWEET, or FOLLOW our social media pages for the latest posts/updates and contact our email for questions on how to get involved. We are looking to showcase anyone who uses the Mixed Chicks brand of beauty products and wants to share their story. What’s the story behind your hair? Let us know!
Gmail: yourcurlstoryseries@gmail.com
Instagram: @yourhairstoryseries
Twitter:@HairStorySeries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourhairstoryseries/
