Miss Jessie, I’m Back!

In addition to keeping my eyes and ears peeled for the latest fashion trends, I am always on the prowl for hair care products, especially those for curly (or what is often called “natural”) hair on African-American women. My latest find is actually an old friend: Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft curls.

Miss Jessie’s is, to quote their site, “the best darn natural hair care products for curly hair, period!” This brand is one of the first of its kind, and was founded by sisters Miko and Titi Branch. According to their site and most press about the duo and their line, “Miss Jessie's Products took the curly hair market by storm in 2004.” The sisters already ran a salon, also named for their no-nonsense paternal grandmother. The salon quickly earned a reputation as the place to go. The sisters were troubled by the fact “there wasn't a lot to work with” as far as products were concerned, and decided to create their own and Miss Jessie's Products was born.

You can read more about the brand at its website.

Shortly after I stopped getting my ’do did in early 2000, I discovered Miss Jessie’s hair products. It was love at first sight and first “dollop,” which is a term often used to “measure” how much product to use. The line wasn’t as extensive as it is today; in fact it was only available online and their NY salon at the time, so I ordered their original butter crème.

What drew me to the product was all of the pictures of folks with cool-looking and what I like to call “crazy” hair. That the ingredients were not the yucky ones found in most other products was also appealing, and the charming story behind the product was just a bonus.

My love affair with Miss Jessie lasted quite a few years, and I have tried several other products but the butter crème became my staple. Although it’s a bit pricey, it was worth it to finally have such a great product…but one day the love affair ended. I never blamed Miss Jessie; I think my hair just got used to it, since I am convinced it has a mind of its own.

I was brokenhearted, and since that sad day, I have tried more products than I care to count. I even went back a few times and tried other items by Miss Jessie, but the magic had gone.

But yesterday in Target, I noticed a couple of new product additions. After a short debate over product choice and whether I even bother, I gave Miss Jessie another chance and headed home with Pillow Soft Curls

What I also love about the brand is they have such a clever way to describe how your hair will feel (or how it should look) after using their product. It may sound funny to some folks, but it makes sense. To loosely quote the tube, “PILLOW SOFT CURLS™ borrows fabric care technology and marries it to hair care.  If you don't want ramen noodle definition and want a larger, expanded, fluffy curl, this is for you! It's a ‘fabric softener’ type that will leave your curls clothesline fresh and fluffy soft.”

I could not have said it better myself. I am not big on products with scents, but this one smells nice. I will confess I did buy a tube of Quick Curls as a back up, but so far, so good. Yep, Miss Jessie, I am back.