Rosie Perez Hair: Sassy Sizzling Texture - Steal The Look

Introduction

I adore Rosie Perez.  She is so vibrant and full of life. 

If you think that Rosie is a typical streetwise lady you have the wrong Rosie.  The real Rosie that many people have not taken the time to discover is a warm, funny, soft, very intelligent, compassionate and giving lady. 

You may not have seen much of Rosie out on the Red Carpets and that's because this beautiful, talented and sophisticated actress only makes appearances related to humanitarian causes she care about. 

Rosie is an outspoken and tireless AIDS activist working hard to raise awareness for the cause.

When it comes to acting Rosie is very very underrated for her tremendous talent. 

Rosie was spectacular in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump as Gloria and has enjoyed a very successful career as an actress and choreographer. 

She is a favorite guest of Ellen Degeneres on her Ellen show.  The funny lady once presented Rosie, who is very funny in her own right, with Fabreze fabric softener because the star had admitted that loved the scent so much.

Recently Rosie hit the headlines with her work in 'The Ritz' as Googie Gomez playing at Studio 54 through December 2, 2007.  Although many of the critics are wild about the play in general, many have pointed out the exceptional acting talents of Rosie and how she definitely adds spice to the performance.  Rosie appears coiffed in a huge "natural" wig which is a big attention getter for the crowds.

For those not in the know, Studio 54, which is the former location of disco-era hedonist excess, is now the Broadway home of the Roundabout Theatre Company.  'The Ritz' is a play that focuses on the happenings in a 1970s style gay bathhouse filled with characters, over-the-top wild hairstyles and fashions of that era.

Note:  If you would like to see Rosie in The Ritz which was written by Terrence McNally and irected by Joe Mantello, call 212-719-1300 for tickets, details and times of performances.  The play runs through Dec. 2, 2007 at Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., Manhattan.   Hurry, you don't want to miss this great actress on stage.

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Who Is Rosie Perez?

Rosie was born Rosa Maria Perez on September 6, 1964 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York to parents of Puerto Rican descent.  She was raised by her beloved aunt, Ana Otero, who was already raising five children. 

Rosie moved to California, as the story goes, to study marine biology but found work as a featured dancer on TV's Soul Train.  She never intended to be an actress but Karma knocked on her door and the rest is history.

She was "discovered" by famous director Spike Lee while she was dancing at an LA nightclub.  From that chance meeting Spike helped launch Rosie's career in Do The Right Thing.

Playing Tina from the hood in Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, Rosie was admired for her acting chops.  In that role Rosie appeared with her traditional dark Puerto Rican curly and frizzy hair.

Although Rosie was spectacular in the 1993 movie Fearless, she was passed over for any acting awards which was unfortunate, since she is a brilliant actress.

Rosie's Hair Secrets

Although Rosie is a Latina who has naturally curly thick hair, she usually wears it straightened with soft texture just along the perimeter of her style. 

The talented performer also wore soft wispy bangs that extended very slightly across her forehead from either side of her hairline, adding a softness to her look.

At the 2007 Spirit Of Independence Awards (June 2007) the fiery actress wore her shoulder skimming espresso tresses (with a hint of auburn) with lots of volume with a hint of soft curls and waves along the perimeter. 

The style had graduated layers that were seamlessly angled to create beautiful fullness around the face. 

Rosie's face shape appears to change with her facial expressions and her hairstyle.  She has a shape that might be categorized as heart or diamond shaped.

The multi-talented performer has gorgeous big eyes and lovely lips that are nicely showcased with her 2007 Spirit Awards hairstyle.

Steal Rosie's Sassy
Sizzling Texture

Rosie's 2007 Spirit Award style requires strands that are shoulder length or longer.

Natural curls and waves would need to be temporarily straightened with a paddle or flat brush and then curled along the ends with hot rollers or a curling iron.

Straight strands would need to be blown out with a round brush to add fullness and movement and the ends would require curling.

1.  Shampoo and condition natural curls with products created for your hair texture, type and current condition. 

If your strands are excessively dry, which naturally curly tresses might be, use products to add back moisture.

If your hair is colored or chemically treated be sure to use products which address these special needs to prevent the development of additional dryness or damage.

2.  Finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close the cuticle and help add natural shine.

3.  Towel blot - do not rub - hair with an absorbent towel.  Remove excess moisture so that hair is damp but not dripping.

Note:  If you wish to add volume products, apply a volumizing spray like PhytoVolume Actif or similar to your roots.  Finger pick and massage the volume building hair products through the root area. 

4.  Depending on your specific natural curl type and condition apply a moisturizing heat protecting conditioner or a product cocktail which includes a leave-in conditioner and/or defrisant product along with a straightening balm (if your hair is wavy or curly) or a styling mousse (if you have straight strands and desire volume, natural bend and texture).

5.  Separate hair into individual 2" sections.  Clip remainder of hair out of the way. 

Start at the back and using a Boar's bristle paddle brush (paddle to straighten or round to add volume) direct air flow from a blow dryer with an attached concentrator down the shaft of the hair to seal the cuticle and add shine.

6.   After each section is 100% dry, roll around a large curler or into a free form pin curl.  Pin to the scalp and continue to blow dry the remaining hair.

7.  When all of the hair is dry, remove the pin curls.  Bend over at the waist and run fingers that have been lightly coated with shine serum through the strands.

8.  Flip hair back over and arrange with fingers or wide tooth pick. 

9.  Use a curling iron (or hot rollers if you prefer) and create random curls along the bottom of the style.

10.  Allow curls to cool and then tousle lightly with fingers.

11.  Finish with a spritz of hairspray for hold and to prevent frizz.

Optional Natural Curly Hairstyle

Although Rosie tends to wear her own naturally curly hair in straighter styles, when curly hair is healthy and well-maintained with trimmed ends, it is stunning.

If you would love to embrace and honor your natural curls, complete the following steps to steal an optional sassy natural style:

1.  Shampoo and condition natural curls with products created for your hair texture, type and current condition. 

If your strands are excessively dry, which naturally curls might be, use products to add back moisture.

If your hair is colored or chemically treated be sure to use products that address these special needs to prevent the development of additional dryness or damage.

2.  Finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close the cuticle and help add natural shine.

3.  Towel blot - do not rub - hair with an absorbent towel.  The goal is to remove excess moisture but still retain some slight dampness.  This also helps product to work better on the strands and minimize frizz.

4.  Depending on your specific natural curl type and condition apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner or a product cocktail which includes a leave-in conditioner and/or defrisant product along with an optional styling mousse.

Follow your own instincts and do what works best for you and your hair.

5.  Gently detangle hair from ends up to roots using a "hair friendly" comb or your fingers. 

Create any desired part extending from your hairline or arrange a desired fringe along the front of your face.

6.  Separate all of your strands into individual 2" sections.

Starting at the back of the head (to prevent tangles or knots from forming) use your fingers and apply the cocktail styling mix from the roots to the ends. 

7.  Use your fingers to gently twist each individual 2" section clockwise from the roots down to the ends. 

Use a "hair friendly" clip like a jaw or claw (or similar) to secure the twisted section to your scalp to hold it in place. 

Note:  Keep in mind that the tighter the twist, the tighter the ultimate curls and texture. 

8.  Continue to work in 2" sections around the perimeter of your head until all the hair has been twisted and secured.  This method allows your natural curls to form into their natural texture.  If a defrisant product has been used the curls will be frizz free.

9. Let tresses completely air dry, which helps to swell up the cuticle and lend a natural sexy fullness to the strands.

10. When hair is completely dry carefully remove clips. 

Note:  Do not brush your strands or they may get fuzzy and develop frizz.  Use your fingers or a wide tooth pick only.

11.  Apply one or two drops of shine serum to the palms of your hands and apply to your fingers.  Bend over at the waist and gently shake and tousle strands.  Apply the serum to your strands while sliding your fingers lightly through the strands.

12.  After the serum has been completely dispersed through your strands bend upright at the waist and use fingers to gently arrange curls into the desired style.

13.  Finish with a spritz of Paves Professional Hairspray (close your eyes and you will swear it is just like L'Oreal famous Elnett spray without the EPA warnings)

Summary

Rosie Perez is a multi-talented Latina with spectacular tresses. In 2006 Rosie joined a stellar cast of stars at BB Kings Blues club in New York on November 20th which was celebrating an evening of Latin Rhythms to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

To promote her role in "The Ritz," Rosie has been hitting the talk show circuit and has recently appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien and some New York news shows.

What's next for the talented performer?  Rosie played Marina De La Pena in The Take released in 2007.  She also has a role in the upcoming Seth Rogan (Ben in Knocked Up) comedy "Pineapple Express".

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• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.com

• Rosie Perez Gallery Of Images

• Paves Professional Products

• Latin Hair & Hairstyle Articles

• Phyto Selection Guide - Check out our Phyto selection guide to figure out which of these award winning products would work best for your hair type, texture and condition.