I’m excited to share with you my interview with actress, singer, musician, and artist Persia White.

A little bit about Persia White (via wikipedia.org): she was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, and Miami. At the age of three, she earned a scholarship to the Nassau Civic Ballet Company. At age eight, she joined the Miami Coconut Grove Children’s Theater. As a teen, White studied dance, acting, singing, and painting. Her films roles include: various independent films, including Red Letters (opposite Peter Coyote) and the cult horror Blood Dolls.

Persia White’s TV movies roles includes: Operation Sandman (opposite Ron Perlman), and Suddenly, opposite Kirstie Alley. Her television work includes guest starring roles on Angel, NYPD Blue, The Steve Harvey Show, Brooklyn South, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as a series regular role on Breaker High with co-star Ryan Gosling. In 2008, White appeared in The Fall of Night, as the character Dawn. She can also be seen in Chrisette Michele’s video, “Be OK”. White recently completed the drama Spoken Word, set for release in 2010. Persia is a vegan and an animal welfare and environmental activist.

I spoke to Persia White on the phone this past summer. I had the most amazing conversation with her about her beginnings as an actress. Her role on the long-running sitcom “Girlfriends”. The award-winning documentary Earthlings which she co-produced and was narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. What does fame really mean to her. What’s in her makeup bag. And future plans. Persia to me came across as absolutely beautiful inside out. I want to thank Persia for taking the time to chat with me!!

Marta Walsh: How did you decide on a career in acting, and what were some of your first breaks as an actress?
Persia White: I loved acting since I was 8 years old. I started to do theatre in Miami on the Coconut Grove Children’s Playhouse. That was my big introduction to acting. Then a talent scout founded me suggested I should find an agent. I was also a dancer and kept dancing but eventually I got into acting, which is a bit easier. Dancing is such a hard career. I still love dancing. I used to be one of these artistic kids and always loved make people laugh. I would do stand-up comedy skits when I was young. I moved to LA when I was a teenager and booked my first TV Series: “Breaker High” with co-star Ryan Gosling. I did several TV guest star appearances like in NYPD Blue and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I then booked a soap opera in New York which so happened to get cancelled. I moved back to LA, which was good because I booked the role of Lynn Ann Searcy in the sitcom “Girlfriends”.

BCA Shopping Guide: I absolutely love the Aveda Hand Relief cream. It smells very soothing, it makes my hand soft and hydrated, and it’s not greasy. It’s on my desk at all times and keeps me company all day when my hands needs a little TLC.

This is why I’m excited to find out that now there is limited edition version of Aveda’s cult-favorite Hand Relief specially for the Breast Cancer Awareness month.

As is tradition, this year Aveda is raising funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) by selling a limited edition, 150ml/5oz tube — a 19% increase in size with a 7% savings for guests – of  Hand Relief. During the month of October, Aveda will donate $4 from the sale of each Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief to the BCRF to help advance the understanding of environmental links to breast cancer.

During the month of October, Aveda will donate $4 from the sale of each Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief to the BCRF to help advance the understanding of environmental links to breast cancer.

Retail price: $21
Purchase: Aveda.com, Aveda salons, spas and Institutes

Matthew Williamson has recently launched his new H&M collection. Aveda was the exclusive hair stylist of his launch party, and you are being let in on a behind-the-scenes look at how to achieve the look for his models!

The inspiration: “Matthew wanted a modern, fresh style that’s easy and youthful yet elegant. This look is sleek at the roots with textured, slightly undone ends, very ‘nighttime-at-the-beach.’ The results complements the bold summer look of his H&M collection.”-Kurt Lowry for Aveda

Show: Matthew Williamson for H&M
Lead Hair: Kurt Lowry for Aveda
The Hairstyle: A modern style with straight, sleek hair at the roots and textured thickness through the length.

“This look is reminiscent of natural summer hair. The top might be flattened from a scarf covering at the beach all day and the ends are textured and wind-blown. To create the look at home, create a sleek part and work Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener through the top portion of hair. Backcomb ends with your fingers to create texture and spray Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil for added shine.”-Kurt Lowry for Aveda

How To Get This Look Step by Step:

We love Aveda’s Smooth infusion and Conditioner.  They smell good and gentle on you hair.  Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo is a daily cleansing shampoo that smooth and softens hair up to 60%. 

Other benefits using Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo include: moisturizes and reduces frizz, reduced unwanted wave, helps prevent flyaways, protects against surface damage from heat styling, and Babassu-derived cleansing system softens hair with a luxurious lather.  Ingredients include: an exclusive plant infusion of organic aloe, maize, and guar bean.  Cost: $20.  You might also like Aveda Smooth Infusion Conditioner, $20.

To complete your hair smoothing regime you might also like Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid which is a fluid styling formula that adds shine and movement and restores a healthy look and feel to hair.  Ingredients include: certified organic jojoba.  Other benefits using Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid are: smooths and conditions, dries with a soft touchable finish, adds weightless free-flowing movement, body and natural shine, and it is suitable for all hair types.  Cost: $23.