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Home • Moisturizing

3 Types of Hair Treatments - And Who Should Use Them

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3 Types of Hair Treatments – And Who Should Use Them
By · Published April 22, 2024

A treatment is vital to any healthy hair regimen, regardless of hair type. Whether you are recovering from damage, trying to grow your length or want your hair to be the healthiest it can be, taking care and time to treat the hair pays off tenfold. But between deep conditioners, protein treatments, and even Olaplex – it can get a bit overwhelming and confusing. I’m here to try to clear that up a bit for you.

Deep Conditioners

briogeo dont despair repair deep conditioning mask

The benefits deep conditioners have on the hair are nearly endless. From adding moisture to dry hair, improving texture, fighting frizz, and reducing split ends and breakage, the list can go on. This kind of treatment is ideal for any hair type, as there are so many out there now to cater to different hair sensitivities, porosities, and curl types.

Deep Conditioners are richer and thicker than rinse-out conditioners. I believe everyone should use a deep conditioner treatment to keep their hair healthy at least one time a week. If your hair is super fine or gets weighed down very easily, every other week might be okay. Personally, my super high, high porosity, frizz-prone hair likes them every time I wash, which is about twice per week. My all-time favorite is Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask. This silicone-free jar of magic is the perfect balance of both strength and moisture, and every time I use it, I notice more shine, and my hair feels more hydrated.

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I also believe my hair is shedding a lot less since using it consistently. An awesome protein-free deep conditioner is SASHAPURE Restorative Conditioning Masque. The Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask is another good one, and SheaMoisture has a ton of affordable deep conditioning treatment options as well. Deep conditioners are, on average, meant to be left on the hair anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes. Some people like to leave them on a little longer, and if you truly are short on time, even 10-15 minutes would bring some benefit.

3 Types of Hair Treatments – And Who Should Use Them

To further enhance deep conditioning benefits, adding heat will allow the nutrients inside to penetrate the hair shaft to nourish hair from the inside out. An awesome and easy way to add heat that I and many other curlies like to use is the Thermal Hair Care Sweets Hot Head.

aphogee two step protein treatment

Protein Treatments

Protein treatments are less frequent than deep conditioning treatments. Most non-protein-sensitive curlies can get away with doing them every month to six weeks. If your hair is truly damaged, twice a month may even be good to start. If your hair is protein-sensitive, skip these entirely.

Protein treatments can help restore most damaged hair to a healthier condition while minimizing breakage, strengthening the hair strands, and enhancing the curl pattern. Please keep in mind that protein treatment is a treatment and not a miracle, and there are super extreme cases that are past the point of repair and must be cut off. If you use any chemical service (color, relaxer, etc.) on your hair, protein treatments are essential to protect its integrity.

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Just be sure not to do them too soon after, or the color can fade quicker (check with your professional stylist). A true, hard protein treatment requires heat to help the treatment absorb into the hair strands. True protein treatments will make the hair stiff when done properly – this is normal. But because of this, they MUST be followed up with a super moisturizing conditioner. My favorite hard protein treatments are the Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment and Ma Browns Protein Steam Treatment Rinse.

Check out our guide if you’re unsure which protein treatment your hair needs.

Bond Builder

olaplex no 3

Olaplex is getting so much well-deserved recognition with curlies lately. Olaplex No. 1 and 2 are done in the salon, and since I’m not familiar with them, I will leave it be. Olaplex No. 3 is the at-home version and one I’ve been using regularly. I spoke to the people at Olaplex, and they did tell me people will see benefits using No. 3 even if they did not get No. 1 and 2 done in a salon, but ideally getting the salon treatment done first would be good.

Olaplex is NOT a moisturizing deep conditioner or a protein treatment. Olaplex does contain some protein, but not enough to be considered a hard protein treatment. It is a bond builder meant to “relink the broken disulfide bonds caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage to the hair.”, according to the brand’s site, olaplex.com. The main goal of Olaplex No. 3 is to strengthen the structure of the hair and improve the overall look and feel. Olaplex No. 3 is meant to be left on for 10 minutes, but the longer, the better. Once the hair is dry, Olaplex no longer works, so adding heat to the product is unnecessary.

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Olaplex No 3 is applied to damp hair BEFORE cleansing and conditioning, almost like a “pre-poo.” You should use your favorite shampoo or co-wash and conditioner after using Olaplex. Many curlies notice increased curl definition, shine, and softness once they do an Olaplex treatment. For my personal results and how I like to use it, check out my review here.

3 Types of Hair Treatments – And Who Should Use Them
Image Source: @dianemary126

Like anything else, starting your natural curly journey or trying new things is truly about trial and error. What I love, you may hate, and vice versa. No two heads of hair are alike, even if curl patterns may look similar, and not everything works for everyone, so please keep that in mind.

I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be a professional hair stylist. I talk about what I learned by researching, reading, and talking to other curlies and industry professionals. Please always remember to be kind.

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Home • Beauty

The Boom of K-Beauty Blush And Why It’s Everywhere

From K-pop to Cottagecore, BeautyCon examines global blush trends and their connected popularity.
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The Boom of K-Beauty Blush And Why It’s Everywhere
The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
By Cierra Black · Updated December 19, 2024

K-Beauty trends have dominated the feeds, cosmetic counters, and online moodboards for the past few years. At the same time, blush is having its moment, with looks such as sunset blush, blush contouring, and cottage-core makeup doing rounds across beauty circles worldwide.

Makeup artists in the global editorial sphere, such as Chinese MUA Valentina Li whose work can be seen on the cover of W Korea, have used blush and bright pigments to color outside the lines, so to speak. Meanwhile in the States, cottage-core and strawberry makeup blush trends were gaining traction in tandem, as well as sunset blush and bright under eyes through American creators such as Alissa Janay and Naezrah. The culmination of the two developments results in one of many techniques of interest for international beauty lovers: the undereye blush trend.

The particular way soft pink blush is placed under the eyes and across the apples of the cheeks is a growing technique born out of K-beauty circles, through the rise in influence of K-pop groups such as Aespa and NewJeans. A slight evolution from the Aegyo Sal K-Beauty technique that accentuates the under eye for a youthful look, this lifting blush trend shares more similarities with Western blush placements, and therefore may speak to its global traction.

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A post shared by 조은비 | Jo Eun Bee (@biyaaaa)

While the practice existed amongst many Korean MUAs (namely Jo Eun Bee, MUA to many K-pop stars and actresses), its large-scale popularity cemented by 2022, around the time global sensation NewJeans debuted and took off. Bee’s utilization of Clinique’s Cheek Pop blush sent the internet into a frenzy and prompted the trend that Sharon Lee, Korean American beauty and cultural creator, believes harnesses a key aspect to K-pop’s allure. 

As far as the late 2010s to 2020s are concerned, K-pop groups have commanded the global zeitgeist. Consider: Aespa’s Coachella 2022 performance, NewJeans’ historic performance at Lollapalooza 2023, BLACKPINK’s global sold out tour, highly visible collaborations with Western artists such as Selena Gomez and Megan Thee Stallion, and fashion and beauty ambassadorships with the likes of Chanel — the influence is undeniable. Everyone is talking about them, everyone loves them, and everyone wants their look. 

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A post shared by 조은비 | Jo Eun Bee (@biyaaaa)

Lee believes a large element of the K-pop beauty influence is its stars’ ability to balance both cute and sexy aesthetics, as executed through traditional and editorial influences. 

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“We’re definitely seeing the Hallyu in action,” she explains, across cultural elements including language, food, film, beauty, and music. Hallyu, or “Korean Wave,” which originated in the 1990s refers to the circulation and acceptance of Korean culture globally. 

“I feel like global audiences are hypnotized by Korean dramas, K-pop, K-food, K-beauty, and anything that’s a vessel for Korean culture because Koreans have a way of making people and things aesthetically pleasing. We deeply care about outward beauty as a society. In Korean culture, beauty means success.”

She speaks to Korean culture’s affinity for the cutesy, girl next door vibe, as exemplified by K-pop girl groups, in relation to the way these groups are adapting for global audiences. With global popularity increasing, many K-pop stars are opting for a more “editorial” look, which helps to balance the more innocent and conservative aesthetic with an edgier, yet elevated twist. The blend of Korean and global beauty standards results in the popularity of a fun and flushed approach to blush application. 

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A post shared by 조은비 | Jo Eun Bee (@biyaaaa)

Of note, is the influential “soft bunny aesthetic” which also adapts a high blush placement to emulate rounded bunny-like cheeks. While this cutesy aesthetic pulls from many influences including Japanese culture, its reach was expanded by NewJeans, whose utilization of bunny motifs is almost synonymous with their brand.

“I’ve been seeing bunnies EVERYWHERE—Sandy Liang, New Jeans, hip hop artists wearing bunny hats, etc. All this peaking in 2023, aka the year of the rabbit, is also funny and probably connected,” Lee contemplates. “I think the soft bunny fashion trend is a response to folks finding the softer life ideal, especially post-COVID with recent economic turmoil and political upheaval.” This plausible correlation sits in the same conversation of the cottagecore trend which rose in the U.S. for similar reasons.

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Today, the K-beauty blush trend has positioned many K-beauty makeup brands to take center stage alongside Western brands that historically have dominated global markets. Korean brands such as AOU Cosmetics (helmed by Jo Eun Bee), JSM Beauty, Hince, and Fwee to name a few, are excellent places to start if you’re interested in trying the rosy blush look for yourself.

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