NYC-based dating service OnSpeedDating.Com in partnership with NaturallyCurly.Com recently hosted its first-ever “Curls Gone Wild” Speed Dating event on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010.
Dennis Reilly (36″>, a New York firefighter was one of the first single men to request OnSpeedDating add a “curly” speed dating theme to their constantly-growing portfolio of themed singles events. “I sent an email three months ago,” says Reilly. “I love confident, curly haired women and am happy to see it’s finally happening”.
Several recent requests for this particular event by curl aficionado NY singles, like Dennis, clearly counter the singular voice of Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger’s constant “curl bashing”. “It’s not even about straight versus curly anymore,” says NaturallyCurly.Com Co-Founder, Michelle Breyer. “It’s about women embracing their natural beauty. Patti Stanger is a giant step backwards in terms of female empowerment.” Contrary to Stanger’s obvious misconception, NYC men respond positively to women with curls. “We actually had a wait list for men wanting to get into this event,” explains OnSpeedDating.Com Co-Founder Carmine Di Re.
“I’m going to admit that I typically do blow-out my hair straight on a first date,” said single girl, Michele Jones. “As women, we’ve been pre-conditioned by the media to believe that men want women with straight hair. I was so excited to see a singles event where I can actually be myself and know the guys are gonna like me – curls and all!”
Thursday night’s event quickly reached its goal registration of 15 men and 15 women ranging in age from 24 to 46. The Watering Hole, a Gramercy mainstay, featured three-tiers of cascading two-top tables and romantic lighting. Each table was adorned with a number, dating pamphlets, pencils and plenty of sponsor-provided Sweetbreath breath freshener, ensuring daters would breath-friendly throughout the night.
First-time speed dater and recent California transplant Thomas Holmes, (24″>, heard about OnSpeedDating’s multitude of theme-specific events through their guest appearance on Howard Stern. “I find curly women to be fun and sexy and like to think of their wild, curly hair as an extension of their extremely outgoing personality. There are so many gorgeous women here tonight I am really psyched.”
The evening started off with singles checking in around thirty minutes prior to the event start. Informal mingling over drink specials gave the men the initial opportunity to marvel at the abundance of cascading curls, while a few of the women swapped hair styling tips with each other.
The speed dating began at 7:30pm once all of the single men and women had been seated in pairs. The chime of the bell signaled each couple to begin their three-minute “date”. Many were relaxed, a few were nervous, but conversation, curls and drinks flowed all night and smiles were contagious. With every chime, the men moved to the next table until they had the chance to meet all 15 women in attendance.
In support of the confident curl girls who ventured out on such a cold December evening, DevaChan Salon and Deva Spa Co-owner Lorraine Massey made a surprise appearance with a $250 DevaCurl gift basket in tow to award to the woman with the best curls. With 15 curl-vaceous women to choose from, after careful evaluation, Lorraine’s expert eye singled out the curly blonde tresses of single New Yorker, Gail Glidewell (33″>.
“I definitely connected with some women tonight,” says Financier Rob Alder, (33″>. “I’d say there were at least 4 women that I would be interested in seeing again.”
For $35, the curly haired women in attendance not only got to meet attractive, professional men, they also were guaranteed that they wouldn’t go home alone. Every woman left with three bags worth of curly swag from major hair care sponsors like Devachan Salon, Deva Spa, Miss Jessie’s, Christo 5th Avenue, Hercut, BeautyVT and Avon. Performer, Tauren Hagens (36″>, a brunette with above the shoulder curls enthused, “I am blown away by tonight! Hot men and free hair care products? What more could a girl ask for?”
Di Re summarized the success of the evening by stating, “Based on the turn-out, energy and connections I saw tonight, I foresee this becoming one of our more popular events.”
To guarantee a spot at OnSpeedDating.Com’s next “Curls Gone Wild” speed dating nyc event, register for the waitlist at OnSpeedDating.Com.
Check out the photos from “Curls Gone Wild” Speed Dating by adding Amber Guesa as a facebook friend.
