MopTop Blog
Join MopTop in Recognizing National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month A long time ago I was bullied continually about my hair. Although that was decades ago, the sting is still fresh when I let my head go there. Those experiences culminated in the eventual creation of MopTop, to empower others to feel confident in their natural beauty, but you don’t need to start a hair care business to make an impact. Let’s address it together. Not just in October, but every month… EVERY DAY! What Can We Do? – Start a Chain Reaction of Kindness – Studies have shown that unexpected kindness to others generates a natural chain reaction, whereby those you’ve smiled at, complimented, let have the right-of-way, held the door for, or helped are far more likely to act kinder toward those they come into contact with. Bullying is a result of poor self-esteem, and if we all crank up the NICE factor a few notches and make those around us feel a part of our community, we can make a dent in unkindness. – Treat Others the Way You Wish to Be Treated – Golden Rule. Enough said! – If You See Something, Say Something – Be bold and don’t be a bystander. Speak up for those more vulnerable, less fortunate, who are still finding their own voice. If this is a scary proposition for you in your circumstances, ask for help. There is strength in numbers, and the more we address this collectively, as a united front, the greater impact we’ll make. – Start the Conversation: Wear Blue Every Day in October – Wear blue tops, blue jeans, blue earrings, blue eye shadow (isn’t 80s make-up making a come-back?!). Others will notice and ask why. October gives us the national platform to make a statement. Keep the awareness going (remember – chain reaction!). Green is my go-to color – but this month please join me in going blue. Embrace your natural beauty!
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Happy Hair = Happy Customer: See What Our Customers Are Saying
com•pli•mentnounplural noun: complimentsˈkämpləmənt/a polite expression of praise or admiration.“she paid me an enormous compliment”synonyms: flattering remark, tribute, accolade, commendation, bouquet, pat on the back Everyone loves a good compliment and MopTop is no different. Thank you for buying our products, telling your friends, and sharing your stories of hair, finding your voice, and rising above the challenges in life. We ALWAYS welcome your feedback, both the positive and not so positive – it’s how we grow and improve, and that’s a key part of our success. Here’s a sampling of recent comments we’ve received. See for yourself what our customers are saying about us! “Love your products. They actually work like they say they do. So nice I have tried just about every product known for curly hair with not good results. So glad to have come across your products, and all natural and no yucky stuff a major plus. Thank you so much.” ~ Robin (OK) “This is the first product that has controlled my curl and reduced the frizz. I told my hair dresser about it and she loved it. She has told all her curly hair clients about it and they all LOVE it!” ~ Karen (CT) “Bought the sample pack, tried it today and LOOOOOOOOVEEEEEEEEE your products!” ~ Skylar (NE) “Holy curls I am so impressed with this product! I have Hagrid-esque textured hair and it usually takes some industrial strength gel and prayers to get my curls looking cute. I’m not sure what sorcery must be involved in this product, but my curls look defined and dare I even say HYDRATED (which really is a miracle considering my hair is much like what I imagine a beaver pelt to be. Impervious to water). Love love love!” ~ Jessica (location unspecified) Embrace your natural beauty!
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Mother's Day Legacy: To Serve and Give
Kelly and her Mom, shortly after her mother learned she was ill. As Mother’s Day approaches, I tend to get reflective. This will be my third Mother’s Day without my mom to celebrate and share space with. Mothers play such a significant role in our lives. They are our rocks. They challenge and support us. Even when we feel they aren’t in our corner, we know that ultimately they have our back. My mom was the best and the worst. Sometimes our relationship was challenging; after all, she was human and so am I. Sometimes being human is not that pretty. As the mom of three amazing young ladies, I think my girls could say the same about me. That’s hard to admit. She was very stubborn and so am I, and I’m pretty sure my girls are, too. God bless their future spouses! I love to study people and it is interesting because as I reflect on what I want my legacy to be, I think about my mom. It’s funny how seemingly small events can make such a HUGE impact on a life. I vividly remember a hot summer day driving around town with my mom and middle brother. We had stopped at a traffic light and watched as a sweet little old lady made her way across a busy street, pushing a big wire basket-walker on wheels that was full of groceries. Despite the 100 degree heat, she was dressed to the nines in a long dark skirt and long sleeved blouse, with matching hat and white gloves. Her hair was neatly combed and carefully pinned into an up-do (yes, I noticed hair even then!). She moved so slowly, but deliberately. My mom pulled over to offer help. That’s when we met Miss Pinkly, who lived with her ill younger sister and their seven cats. She had been a public school teacher and never married, but considered her former students to be her “kids”. As I watched my mother serve Miss Pinkly, that moment sparked my own desire to serve others. In that moment, I wanted to be just like my mom. Over the years, we continued to help out Miss Pinkly. She was a sweet and proud woman, and sometimes resisted the help. She would allow my mom to drive her to the grocery store and on occasion she would allow her to purchase some extra groceries for her. Miss Pinkly always made sure her cats had enough to eat, but I think there were times when she didn’t have enough to eat. One mantra of my mother’s has always stuck with me: “Be kinder than you have to be – you never know what someone else is battling.” I find myself saying that often to my kids, even when it’s the hardest thing to do. I do not think my mom set out to have service as her legacy, she just walked this talk. And my mom is the reason and the inspiration behind the “Why” of MopTop’s support of charities/organizations that are special to us. April was Autism Awareness Month and thanks to your support we were able to donate funds to purchase a table and 6 chairs for the Brent Woodall Foundational for Exceptional Children, a local non-profit organization that provides behavioral therapy and support to children and families affected by autism. In the coming months, we will also sponsor military veterans, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Gifts of Hope for Guatemala, the North Texas Cat Rescue, and others. If any of these causes resonate with you, please share and help us support them. My mother “obeyed without delay” when it came to serving others. My desire is to follow her example and do the same throughout my life. I LOVE you and miss you, Mom, aka Nana Wolf (that’s a story for another time!). Let me encourage you to go hug on your mom, grandma, and kids this Mother’s Day, and just enjoy sharing space with them. To share your own stories about your Mom or a motherly figure who influenced your life, please send them on!
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Make Some Ripples – And Not Just in Your Hair
The View From Out Here What do YOU see? Well, I can only speak for myself… We have a tendency to look at ourselves and see all that we are NOT, but when we look at others we tend to be more generous – we see their gifts, their potential, their achievements. Why aren’t we kinder to ourselves? Our self-perception can be skewed, so we look to others for approval. We have this deep desire to be known and to have others value us, validate us, believe in us. The Ripple Effect I want to challenge you to embrace the Golden Rule, with a twist, and help others see themselves as YOU see them. Stir up the waters. Encourage the people who surround you. Support them as you desire to be supported. Gift a sister, brother, friend with your unyielding encouragement and approval in how they are created today! Keep telling them until they believe it. This is when inner belief will take root and grow. This is the ripple effect of change and how we become agents of change, first within our own inner circle and then the wider world around us. You may not be who you want to be right now, but you are EXACTLY who you are supposed to be. You must stand firm – you will be honored in this, not in perfection. A super hero standard is not possible. You can and should be YOU. You may not be who you want to be just yet, but you can move in that direction. Open Your Eyes What are you being called to do? What will your legacy be? Be available, be obedient. Keep your eyes open and see who needs you to give them that little boost of encouragement about their parenting skills, their contribution at work, their partner choices, their hairstyle. You will make their day and possibly change their life! I’ve recently been inspired by songs that carry the same message that I have on my heart. Here’s another one from the Chainsmokers called “Something Just Like This” about seeking. (Lyrics can be found at https://www.directlyrics.com/the-chainsmokers-something-just-like-this-lyrics.html) I’m looking for someone just like you. You may not be who you want to be exactly, but you are created exactly as you were supposed to be. Share your stories with me – I want to lift you up. Together we can walk with each other, support each other and create a few ripples. I want something just like this, just like you. Super heroes need not apply.
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Embrace Your Inner Beauty: Feel Better, Choose Better, Live Better
I LOVE people, I love to watch people, I love to talk and engage with people… it just makes my heart happy! You start to notice so many similarities after a while. One interesting thing I have noticed is no matter the age, ethnicity, hair texture, culture, or socio-economic status, people make choices based on how they feel about themselves. This is why I choose the ingredients and signature colors and scents I do for MopTop and FuzzyDuck products. Our hair drives so much of how we feel about ourselves, so I love the idea of improving the routine process of caring for your hair. If I can make it more enjoyable, more refreshing, more empowering, and help you feel beautiful, I am thrilled. Feel better, choose better, live better! You see, I think we have a “sight” problem. We often see ourselves differently than others see us. We are hard on ourselves, and our view/lens tends to be a little more negative. I believe you are created as a “masterpiece”, a perfect workmanship. Often I listen to contemporary Christian (WAY FM) or country music, and this weekend I was introduced to this AMAZING song. I am such a fan-girl over this artist right now! The musician is Alessia Cara and her song is “Scars to Your Beauty”. She writes and sings with such real, raw authenticity about her struggles with how others perceive her, and even how she perceives herself. I LOVE her message! You are BEAUTIFUL inside and out. More important than what’s on the outside is who you are on the inside – that is what matters most. I didn’t fit in growing up because I wasn’t supposed to fit in and neither were you! Do not believe what society says – you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I challenge you to lift up and encourage a friend today AND to be kind to yourself today. What are YOU being called to do? Well done, Alessia Cara! You are my anthem! I am eager to watch this outstanding young lady’s career thrive! Please reach out to me if you have a story to share. We are on this journey together! Together, we can overcome ANYTHING!
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The Wash & Go Myth About Curly Hair: Curly Hair Is Easy (Knot!)
This week we’re featuring a guest blog by Deana Ruggieri, who viewed the mountain of unruly curls atop her head as a flaw, a punishment, and even a curse! It took her decades to overcome the damage inflicted by cruel kids in the school yard, and the desire for long, straight hair. In an effort to help girls with curls love themselves, she is currently writing “My Hair: The Long and Short of It”, the story of how she learned to love her hair. Myth #1 By Deana Ruggieri “Curly hair is easy; you just wash and go!” This statement is false, and as a curly-haired girl I ought to know. My curls and I go way back — oh, we’ve had our battles all right, too many to recount. There’s a personal struggle behind every curl on my head. It reminds me of a story my grandmother passed down. There was a little girl,Who had a little curl,Right in the middle of her forehead.When she was goodShe was very, very good,But when she was bad, she was horrid. And THAT I was when I had to deal with my hair! Shrinkage, Fluff, and Moisture-Moisture-Moisture So, what actually happens when a curly-haired girl simply applies the “wash and go” technique? Hold on to your hat, you might need it. Stripped of precious oils and product that provide structure and weight to the hair, clean curls shrink! In my case, they spring up to my earlobes. And if that’s not bad enough, clean curls are susceptible to the elements; they fly away and expand with the wind. The result is fluff that I’ve come to love. Well, almost. Furthermore, “wash” cannot be followed by “go” because steps must be taken in between. After a good shampoo, it’s time to condition and moisturize. Yes. Both! One application of hydrating conditioner is never enough. Apply it in the shower and leave it on at least long enough to shave your legs, then rinse with hot water. “Uncurl” Your Curls Daily for Maximum Effect Not a bad idea to massage in a detangling conditioner too. Wash it out with cold water after you loofah your feet with a salt scrub. Unless curls are gently “uncurled” everyday, in other words separated by comb or pick, they form dreadlocks faster than you can say “Bob Marley.” Left to their own devices, clean curls wrap around themselves and coil into knots without anyone noticing. They tend to be sneaky, with a mind of their own. If you’re ripping your hair out during the detangling step, there’s work to be done. For now, take smaller sections of damp hair and coat them with your favorite oil or serum, and gently comb. What comes next depends on your agenda for the rest of the day. If you’re going water skiing, while it may feel wonderful to have the wind blowing through your hair, there will be a price to pay! Gel and French braids are the way to go to protect the hair from shredding. Likewise, physical activity or a drive in a convertible warrants a low bun or braid, and possibly a hat to shield the hair. Make Peace With Your Curls Curls require patience, care and (at times) compromise. To “wash and go” is laying out the welcome mat for frizz, knots and frustration. Follow the steps in between and you will make peace with your curls.
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The Big Chop: Does It Define Me?
Why Shrinkage Matters Before the Chop. Have you ever made a decision, followed through and then experienced a brief flicker of panic? Well, that's the position in which I recently found myself. About a month ago, I got a Curly Casualty. A big chop (4 inches coiled, 6-7 inches stretched out), quite a dramatic change from the way I've worn my hair for the past 20 years. Did I just say that? Out loud?! OK, some perspective - it's just hair. It will grow back. And I've received many compliments on it. I actually like it. However, I no longer look in the mirror and see who I'm expecting to see and I've been surprised by how this has affected me. It's kind of funny to say that, as I built my business on nurturing confidence, compassion and your hair! AFTER the Chop Background: From FuzzyDuck to Swan I was bullied because of my hair as a young girl. It was frizzy, it was big, and I did not have anyone in my circle who knew how to work with it to best advantage. I was called Fuzzy, Brillo, Poodle, and MopTop, which affected my self-image and eventually drove the creation of my own haircare line. That's why it's ironic that decades later I am once again feeling so philosophical and "hair-aware" as a confident woman with her own business. Apparently, I have a bit of a Samson-complex, except instead of physical strength it's tied to my emotional fortitude and overall outlook. Who knew? Why is hair for a female such a big deal anyway? There are so many biblical references. Here is a sampling: 1 Corinthians 11:15: NIV But that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 1 Corinthians 11:6 ESV For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. Luke 12:7 ESV Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Proverbs 16:31 ESV Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. A Voice Bigger than My Hair That said, my hair tells a story about me, but it doesn't define me, no matter the length, quality of the cut, amount of curl or frizz, height or volume... and while I prefer many more good hair days to bad, at my core I know that regardless of how my hair appears to the world, it's window-dressing compared to the rest of who I am. I'm a Christ follower, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a business person, a visionary. I'm a visionary because I've been hurt and crushed and bullied, but was able to find my voice and rise above; and it turns out my voice was even bigger than my hair! @SimonSenik says it best “ that we need to believe that the solution we find to overcome our weakness as children becomes our strengths as adults, to not play victim, and the solution makes us a success as adults."
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On Valentine's Day, Heart Yourself - We'll Heart Your Hair
A MopTop Valentine: Love-Thyself-Fest It’s Valentine’s Day week, and as I zip from store to store for all the essentials (conversation hearts, valentine cards, enough chocolate to rival a Halloween haul), I have to say I’m feeling a little anxious. Did I remember everything? Did I get enough? Do my kids love the confectionary treat I just purchased loads of, or is that the one they NO LONGER like? The brief twinge of angst aside, I love Valentine’s Day! What’s not to love? Hearts and flowers and chocolates rolled into a 24-hour love fest of affection (or recriminations, if I really DID get the candy wrong!). I love it… not so much because of the Hallmark-inspired rigor of card-candy-flowers, but because it really does remind us to “walk the talk”, as we say here in Texas, and back our words with a little more flourish in our actions – gush a little more, hug a little longer, take an extra piece of dark chocolate. I’d love to remind you to also do a little something for yourself on Valentine’s Day… and every day. Love yourself and show it! Permission to Love THYSELF: Eat, Sleep, Treat EAT when you’re hungry, but eat deliciously and healthily so you FEEL BETTER, and your body and mind function more smoothly and in synch. It doesn’t have to be all giraffe-food all the time (cake and chips DO have their place in the food pyramid), but lean more into the giraffe options and reconsider your carbs. Get enough SLEEP – go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual to allow yourself time to run through your mental checklist and solve all the world’s problems, and still have enough time left over to get a decent night’s rest! TREAT yourself to some extra time– most of us don’t require hearts and flowers and candy every day, but most of us also rarely indulge ourselves when there are others around to indulge first (husband, children, dog, rinse and repeat)! Indulge in the little daily things that give us a few moments back – reclaim that time and ENJOY it… whether it’s a second cup of coffee, an extra 10 minutes of hot shower, a few pages of uninterrupted reading time (ha!), a bike ride (yes, we’re still allowed, even when children aren’t accompanying us), or letting someone else walk the dog or collect the drycleaning. It’s your time, too. So enjoy it! And we are always here to help you love and nurture your hair. Happy Valentine’s Day from MopTop, where we “heart” your hair! Valentine’s Day Special Use VALDAY20 for 20% off orders placed Feb. 14-15!
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Live Naturally and Authentically: Embrace Your Best You in 2017
Season Survived – Check! Roll On 2017 We’ve survived the holiday season! All that excitement and anticipation and over-indulging without judgment! We indulged in food, fashion, frivolity and technology – did we REALLY need another infinity scarf? A bigger data plan? Another (insert here, as applicable) hor d’oeuvre/sweet/cocktail? Now that 2017 has arrived, unpacked, wrestled the remote control away from us, and settled in long enough that we’ve stopped writing 2016 on our checks, it’s natural to experience a little low-grade nugget of dread that subtly burrows into our conscience as we contemplate fresh starts. The Pitfalls of Fresh Starts Most of us will take a die-hard type approach to being our best selves, with a food/fashion/frivolity/technology fast, martyring ourselves with notions of virtue and extreme self-denial. We will focus on what we eat, how much we spend, how much we exercise – all the things WE THINK will make us happy in the new year. It’s all about the definition of self-improvement we’ve been conditioned to believe. Such extremes can’t last and we’ll soon be punishing ourselves for our lack of discipline and self-control. That we actually allow ourselves to succumb to the exhaustion awaiting us at the end of the day, and rather than swimming laps or biking to nowhere at the gym, we wrestle the remote back to watch a little HGTV before bed. Embrace Yourself: A Closer Look At Core Change And since what’s in the mirror is more “in your face” (no pun intended) in terms of what we can physically change and where we’ll see the biggest difference, we tend to look less closely at how to live our core values in a more robust fashion. How to live more simply. More kindly (including more kindly to ourself). More authentically. More happily. Less tech-y. In 2017, that is what I intend to do – to really indulge in being more authentic, not just with my hair, but in all facets of my life. I want to embrace my natural best – and I invite you to do the same and to share your wishes for the new year with us. Embrace Your Natural Beauty and the Very Best of Everything in 2017!
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