In this day and age, we are so connected to our phones, devices, computers –you name it, we are probably on more than one at a time! Admittedly, I can find it very hard to turn everything off for fear of missing out, but luckily, I grew up with my Mother and Grandmother who taught me the importance of mindfulness and meditation, and how beneficial it is to find the time to strip away the superficial and focus on the authentic.

Because an amazing thing happens when I strip away the noise, the clutter and the commotion of my everyday stress. I become present, live in the moment, and reconnect with my true self again, allowing my creativity to flow and for greatness to happen, in whatever form it might be.

Now for a little segue, you all remember the past Herbal Essences commercials (the shower scenes haha) and how good the products smelled, right? Well now the brand is introducing two new collections – Herbal Essences Naked Clean & Refresh, and Herbal Essences Naked Smooth & Soft Shampoo and Conditioner, which are both free of heavy residues, parabens or dyes.

They approached me about working with their the latest collection, which is focused around who you are in your most pared down, #nakedstate of mind, and because of everything I just mentioned above, I was intrigued to experience and learn more.

I started by spending an afternoon with the very talented Celebrity Hairstylist Charles Baker Strahan who taught me all about the Naked Collection and walked me through all the steps needed to create the beachy, loose waves I wanted. Because my hair is fine, he used the Herbal Essences Naked Clean & Refresh Shampoo and Conditioner, which smells of strawberries and mint, to cleanse and brighten it before styling.

Now I’ll walk you through our process!

The Naked Volumizing Soufflé (the mousse) is best to put in your hair when it’s really wet and fresh from the shower. Apply at the roots and then work it towards the ends. Twist your hair to wring out the excess moisture in your hair, which will also help to more evenly distribute the product through your hair.

Next, because I have naturally curly hair and it can tend to get a bit frizzy around the hair lines, Charles recommended combing the hairline area and tucking it behind my ears to smooth out the cow licks and extra curly areas. He suggests also using a bobby pin or a flat clip to hold it in place to allow the hair to air dry.

Save your hair styling for the last part of getting ready. He explained to me that the heat is what changes the shape of hair, so doing too much in the way of styling with a blow dryer is sort of a waste in energy.

Tip: A rough dry can do the trick because you only need the hair to be around 90% dry.
Charles blew out my edges with a large natural bristle brush and a diffusing nozzle, then added loose waves with an iron.

Tip: If you reshape wave or curl with irons or wands, hair is much less likely to frizz and you can also comb or brush it to integrate waves and/or build body or volume.
Lastly, he spritzed my hair with the Naked Flexible Hold Spritzer to hold waves and scrunch it in to create a beachy look.

Tip: Using the Naked Dry Shampoo is a great way to add extra body and volume too!

After my hair consultation and styling session with Charles, I headed to a meditation session at ISHTA Yoga to learn some tips on how to quiet the mind and center the body through breath and movement. It was a lovely mix of yoga and meditation, and I found it so amazing and calming to sit quietly for an hour with no phone. I came out of the session so relaxed and refreshed, plus my hair totally stayed in tact while moving through my yoga flow.Then later on in the evening, I went with my dear friend Liz to Rockwood Music Hall for an 8PM showing of the band Bellehouse. I love live music and this New York-based group is a mix of Old Time and folk revival with touches of Celtic, classic rock, soul and Motown to name a few. It was a great day overall and I loved getting in touch and taking time for myself to enjoy things that bring me happiness. 

Photos by Falcon Griffith

Created in partnership with Herbal Essences