Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine (1999)

After the Vibe Magazine release, fresh off the plane from Honduras, Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine catches up with Lisa for their next issue, finding out Lisa does not repeat the same hair styles, how her styles are mutli-flavored like Life Savers, not working out, and breaking down her VIBE issue quote.

TLC's Left Eye: She's Got An Eye For Style Sophisticate's Black Hair, July 1999

Looking unbelievably fresh for someone who just stepped off a 1:00 a.m. flight from Honduras, TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes is a bundle of energy and in the mood to get her hair done.

After just four hours of sleep, hip-hop music diva Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was good to go for her exclusive Sophisticate's Black Hair cover shoot. "I've had less hours of sleep than this," she smiles, dismissing the on-the-go schedule that's become routine for her.

Lisa, currently digging the view from atop the music charts with super trio TLC's latest CD release FanMail (LaFace Records), was positively glowing when she arrived at the photo studio. "Right now, I have a sun tan," she declares showing off the effects of the Central American sun after her week-long R&R in Honduras. "It's been a while since I really had a chance to just relax and enjoy the sun. Honduras is beautiful--with some nice waterfalls and mineral springs." Her secret for getting a radiant glow safely: "I use shea butter. I use it on my face to moisturize and it helps protect my skin from the sun. I also use 100 percent, pure aloe vera gel to help soothe sun burns."

Rules for Cool For someone who's worn cybercool silver body paint (for the cover of the FanMail CD), it isn't surprising that this trendsetter would want to express her style via cutting-edge hair fashions. "I'd say my look is multi-flavored--like a pack of Life-Savers," smiles Lisa. "You open a pack, you never know what color is going to be on top!"

Digging into her backpack stuffed with rainbow hued hair pieces, Lisa came prepared with a bevy of style ideas for our camera. "I went to the hair store before I came here, and I bought purple hair, green hair and orange hair," dishes Lisa about her plans for color-coordinating her mane moves.

What inspired the coif creativity? "We got a chance to do so many hair styles on The Cut," shares the singer about her stint as hostess on the MTV show. "I never repeated a hairstyle--and I taped about 55 to 60 episodes!" With a style track record like that, one can't help but wonder how she achieved the feat. "Oh, it was play time! We used a little bit of everything: hair pieces, wigs, hats," lists the always stylish Ms. Lopes. "Depending on what the outfit looked like and what kind of mood I was in...those things had a lot to do with how we came up with the hairstyles for the show." Kicking back in the dressing room while hair stylist Gail Hudson does her thing with the star's tresses, Lisa tells us, "I'm very creative--and creativity has no end. So, there's really no limit to the amount of hairstyles that we can come up with!"

But doesn't all that style switching take a toll on her tresses? "Well, when you're in this business, it's kind of hard to keep it looking good," admits the hip-hop princess, who relies on celebrity stylists Hudson (she regularly reigns in the star for frequent trims) and Marie Davis (her mane thing is conditioning) to keep that ever-changing coif camera ready.

Away from the spotlight, the star streamlines her hair care routine by keeping heat styling to a minimum, often pulling her mid-length mane back into a ponytail for a hassle-free look. "Olive oil is good for your hair, too," shares the star about a fave treatment she does at home. "I work it into the hair and then rinse it out. Sometimes I leave it in over night to give the hair a good conditioning."

On the TLC Tip Known for wearing bare-as-you-dare fashions when performing, it's surprising to learn that Lisa really doesn't have to sweat it in order to work it. In fact, she once told SBH, "Working out? Not at all! It's my metabolism." But with a TLC world tour in the works, Lisa admits that lately she's a lot more active--thanks to high-voltage show rehearsals. "I've been on a health kick," admits the shapely singer, who professes that deleting dairy, sugar and meat from her diet has resulted in an energy surge.

Energy that could well come in handy amidst the buzz about Lisa's further involvement with TLC. "Actually, I said that I couldn't stand 100 percent behind the project. But I didn't say anything about leaving," points out Lisa about a magazine interview which inspired speculation about her leaving the Grammy Award-winning group. "It has a lot to do with 'politics'. There were a lot of politics involved with this project. It does not reflect on my relationships with Tionne or Chilli," says Lisa without elaboration. But in the same breath the singer also professes being pleased with the way the FanMail CD turned out and confirms that she's very happy being a part of TLC's success.

Always an enigma, and a true veteran when it comes to handling the drama that seems to gravitate towards her personal and professional life, this superstar nevertheless knows how to take care of business when the spotlight turns on. "When it's time to do something, you've got to get up, look alive," Lisa says simply, easing out of the hair chair to make her way back to the photo shoot set. "It's show time, baby! Smile for the cameras!"

Photos taken by photographer Tom Carson.