Search Results: Alexandra Wilson

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico where there is such a vast amount of people with different hair types. We are a blend of Native Indians called Tainos, Africans, and Spaniards. So different types of hair is completely normal there.

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?

My hair is such a big part of my identity. I never colored it or straightened it like I would see other girls.

What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?

I always felt empowered, different, and bold with my natural hair, but a moment I felt proud was when I saw my younger sister start to embrace her own curls after so many years of straightening it. She told me she loved how I always embraced it and it made her love her hair as well. It’s such a unique connection that we have because we know all that comes with having natural curly hair.

How do you protect your curls at night?

I actually don’t do anything to protect them. I just let them be wild and free!

Who is your curl crush?

I never had one until my sister did the big chop and transitioned. Her curls are so beautiful!

What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?

I live in New York City where gets below 0 sometimes during winter so I love to wrap my hair in a headscarf when I want to protect my hair from the snow or a very cold day. Sometimes I do it to embrace my culture. I am very proud of where I am from and express it with my hair and clothing.

What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?

I do what I call “intuitive” hair styling. I don’t have a set regimen. I just wake up and see what I think my hair needs. I usually wash my hair once a week with Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo, Conditioner. Other days I do a co-wash and just skip the shampoo. Once a week I use that same line’s Intensive Masque. I usually don’t put anything in my hair, but my sister goes through a lot of trial and error with the products she buys and she ends up giving it to me. One product I love and use when I want extra definition is Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls. When I want extra moisture I use Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leaven In Conditioner. I only use a little bit since my hair is very fine and too much product weighs it down.

What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?

Getting it to grow! When I was younger, my hair was to my waist but now it doesn’t go past my shoulders. I also get very scissor happy about once a month when it is time to trim my bangs.

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?

I love using a diffuser when I have an event that I am going to. It definitely defines my curls and they are more bouncy and shiny. Also coconut oil! I love putting some in my ends when they are a bit dry.I love Molivera Organics Fractionated Coconut Oil from Amazon because it comes in a liquid form with an easy pump.

What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?

Embrace the curls! EMBRACE THE FRIZZ! That’s something that I see a lot of curlies complain about. You have to think about your curls like they are your friends. Some of them are curvy, others tall and lanky, others like to be the center of attention and stick out! They are all unique and have their own personality and you love them just as they are. They are sexy and fun so show them how much you love them and just wear them proudly. Your curly hair loves you so love it right back!

Like many of us, we began perming our hair at an early age and never knew our true texture until we finally put down the straightener or relaxer and embraced our natural hair. Whether we felt like our hair was ugly, we wanted to fit in or our moms had no clue on how to care for our curls, we most likely didn’t learn how to take care of our hair until we were young adults. Thankfully, times have changed and we now have plenty of youtube tutorials and countless products and knowledge to embrace our beautiful curls and empower other women to do the same.

Recently, a young woman named Emerson transitioned after perming and straightening her hair consecutively since she was 8 years-old. She had damaged her hair severely to the point where she was told she would have to shave it off in order to save her hair. Her story is a reminder that your natural hair will be a journey, not a destination and it’s never too late to start. “Growing up with curly hair was pretty hard for me. I live in a small town with very few bi-racial kids. I used to always worry about fitting in. It seemed like no one had my kind of hair so I thought it was ugly and I wanted to just look like everyone else. It was also hard for my mom to figure out the right products or learn how to care for my hair, so I started getting relaxers and straightening treatments. Honestly, since I was about 7 or 8 years old I haven’t even known my curl pattern because of relaxers.”

I reached out to the stylist and founder of Southern Curl ATL, Robin Sjoblom, who helped Emerson make this transition as smooth as possible to empower and educate her on how to rock her natural crown of curls with confidence.

What was the process like helping Emerson transition?

Every approach I make to a new client is authentic and heart felt. When I saw Emerson and the state her hair was in, I literally cried. I held her hands and told her she was about to lose all of her hair if she continued to straighten her curls. The breakage around her hairline and front area was so severe… it was literally fried and broken off to about an inch in areas. She was 16 at the time- a very sensitive age and social time of her life. I knew she wouldn’t do a big chop, but I told her that she was not going to be able to use heat on her hair for at least a year from that initial visit. I explained to her that it would be baby steps if she didn’t want to go all the way, but that would celebrate the small successes and she would see a huge difference each time she came in. I recommended her to deep condition monthly with Olaplex treatments. She agreed. We did a cut every 3-4 months. She cried every time. One day she didn’t want to even get out of the car because she felt so ugly. We cried together and pushed forward. Every visit was progress. She started to see a change and started trusting and believing in the process. She started to smile and was happy to wear her hair in a puff for once. She became curious of what her curl pattern was … she began to embrace what was her God given hair.

What products and techniques did you use to repair her damaged hair?

We initially did a deep conditioning treatment with steam using Terrene Fusion moisturizing deep conditioner which contained a good bit of protein followed by an Olaplex treatment. We trimmed a lot of the straight pieces and showed her mom how to do a twist out (a protective style to hide the straight ends”>. Her go to products during the journey have been Innersense Organic Beauty. We chose them because of their clean ingredients and moisture content. They are unsurpassable when it comes to moisture. After her 3rd visit we taught her how to do a proper wash and go. She has less straight ends and was happy to wear it in a puff. She saw progress. Weekly deep conditioning was helping her new growth.

What are your do’s and don’ts for those transitioning?

Decide if you want to do the journey and take time/ do protective styles or are you a girl who wants it over and done with and would rather just start over? Find a curl specialist that you have seen their work. Realize that it may take awhile to get to the goal but every appt is a step in the right direction.

Can you share any other recommended products and techniques for those transitioning?

Moisture is key. Steam treatments and regular trims will get you there the fastest. Twist outs are a quick way to hide those straight ends while protecting the curls and adding a polished look.

What advice can you share with curlies who are on the fence about transitioning?

Know that it’s worth it. That you are worth it. It’s only a few months that the cut will make you feel “naked.” Once you embrace your desire to rock your curls, you will never look back. To be in a room full of other curlier is super empowering and a beautiful thing. Moms have Been transitioning so that their little daughters don’t want to straighten their curls… it’s multi-generational and freeing to realize that the curls you were born with are actually still there- and that they just need some TLC.

Emerson: Go for it!! Figure out a style that you can live with during the transitional part and a salon that can teach you how to manage and love your curls. Robin and the staff of Southern Curl in Atlanta have been just that for me.

Are you transitioning? Let us know how we can help, drop your top concerns and curly girl struggles below.

It’s no secret that the momentum of the natural hair movement has proved that women with curly and coily hair are making brands listen to their needs and expand their product offerings to embrace their natural hair. From drugstore to luxury brands, there are hundreds of new collections being made specifically for textured hair women.

More than 80 percent of women with curly and coily hair say they purchase products specifically for textured hair rather than general market products, according to the 2018 TextureTrends Report from NaturallyCurly. An estimated 65 percent of the U.S. population has curly, coily or wavy hair, with a growing percentage of textured-hair women embracing their natural hair.

Oribe is one of the top luxury hair-care brands in the industry that teamed up with celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert, Stacey Ciceron, to create an extension to the moisture and control collection to raise the bar for curly and coily women to have an elevated experience. The four step collection includes a Deep Treatment Masque, Priming Lotion Leave-in, Curl Gelee and Styling Butter packaged in the most beautiful teal bottles that make you want to display them.

Courtesy of brand

Not only are the aesthetics on point, Stacey Ciceron assured that the formula was created to work for even the tightest curls. “I weighed in on the ingredient list and consulted on the texture of product—how it feels on our hair and how effective it is,” she says, later adding that ingredients such as essential and natural oils were nonnegotiables. “Highly textured hair requires more moisture and care, so I wanted to be sure we address those needs.”

The luxury collection ranges from $38 – $63, which is quite the splurge so you know I had to put it to the test to see if it’s worth the hype. I used the entire collection for 7 days, here’s how it worked for my 3c/4a curly hair.

Deep Conditioner

No lie this is the thickest and creamiest deep conditioner I’ve ever tried and I’ve tried a lot of products as you can imagine. It’s packed with heavy and hydrating butters like murumuru, mango seed, shea butter, plus almond and coconut oil. When I opened it I immediately fell in love with the fresh floral scent that Oribe is known for. I took a big scoop of it and raked it through my freshly washed damp hair focusing mainly on my ends. It’s been a while since I deep conditioned my hair so I decided to take full advantage and go full throttle. I put on my thermal hot head and let it sit for 30 minutes and I watched an episode from my latest Netflix obsession, The All American. Once I rinsed it out, I instantly noticed my hair my softer and bouncier.

Leave-in Conditioner

Next, I grabbed the leave-in conditioner and finger detangled my hair section by section with ease. It’s creamy consistency wasn’t your normal light-weight primer, but it definitely gave my curls the moisture and slip I was looking for. This leave-in shares the same formula as the masque with additions of olive oil, avocado oil and jojoba seed oil to help seal in moisture and added slip.

Styling Butter

Now, usually I’m not a huge fan of butters because they weigh my hair down, but this wasn’t as thick as I was expecting. Plus, it was in a tube which was easy to control how much I used. It has a very rich and creamy consistency so I only needed a couple dime size squirts and applied it on my ends and dry area near my hairline. The leave-in and styling butter were the perfect combo for refreshing my curls during the week because surprisingly my curls definitely lasted an entire week! Each morning I would refresh with my hair with my water bottle and add a little leave-conditioner and styling butter on my ends and that did the trick.

Curl Gelee

Gels are a staple in my routine so I was eager to see how this product would work on my hair. The consistency is more like a custard. It’s made with the same base formula, plus macadamia seed, avocado butter, glycerin and apricot oils for added shine and hold. I scooped a bit out, raked it through my hair and then noticed my curls began to form. If you’re a wash n go’ kinda girl like myself this would be a perfect product for you. It left my curls with a natural sheen and definition without the sticky gel feeling.

Scrunch out the Crunch with DevaCurl Hi-Shine Oil Mist

The gel did leave a cast, which I appreciate so I know it has a good hold. Once my hair was dry I sprayed my hair with the DevaCurl High Shine Oil mist for softness and extra shine. Grabbed my pick and fluffed my roots for my final look.

Image: @queensconquer

Overall, I was very impressed with the hydration and longevity of this collection. I encourage naturalistas to give it a try even though it’s more expensive than our average hair care products. The formula is consistent and packed with nourishing ingredients that will help our fro’ flourish. It’s definitely worth the splurge. Not only did I go the entire week using this collection, it left my hair feeling moisturized, defined and bouncy , without flakes or build-up. Oribe did that, they created a highly textured collection for even the tighest coils and did it with integrity and intention.

Would you splurge on the Oribe Moisture & Control collection? Let us hear from you in the comments below.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ITAYSHA JORDAN FOR ESSENCE

Issa Rae slayed the April 2019 cover for Essence Magazine and still has the internet in a frenzy with her jaw dropping beauty and bold fashion. She is the epitome of black girl magic who has captured our hearts with her witty and entertaining personality that made us fall deeper in love with her in her HBO hit show, Insecure. She is on fire and far from insecure. In the Essence cover story, she shared her journey of becoming the fearless and confident woman she is today, even when she didn’t feel seen or celebrated.

“My mom was extremely pro-Black, and I believed her. My dad is Senegalese, and I grew up around my dark-skinned cousins and just thought that they were the most beautiful women in the world. I was surrounded by beautiful dark people. And then middle school hit, and I was like, Oh, they think I’m ugly. They think I’m big. They think I’m unattractive. I went back to my mom like, ‘What the f—k?! Y’all lied to me my whole life. What is this?!’ I started realizing, Mom, you’re light-skinned. So I don’t know what you were talking about. It’s not like you can relate to being dark. And your hair is not the same texture as mine. So what do you know about telling me I’m beautiful? Why would you lie to me? That definitely had an impact on how I saw myself.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ITAYSHA JORDAN FOR ESSENCE

Issa Rae opened up about rejection and how she’s turned her awkwardness into a unique attribute that helps her shine unapologetically.

“At the core of it, Issa is still who she always was,” says Prentice Penny, Insecure’s showrunner. “And in terms of the imagery of a chocolate sister with natural hair being unapologetic about her look, unapologetic about the clothes she wears, unapologetic about her sexuality, I think that is still not the norm.”

It’s official, Issa gave us the ultimate glow in this cover story to remind us of our divine beauty and power. So you know we had to get the tea on the inspiration behind her style for this feature. We tapped the Natural Hair Queen, Felicia Leatherwood, who is Issa’s lead hairstylist and styled her hair for this shoot. 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ITAYSHA JORDAN FOR ESSENCE

What was the inspiration for Issa Rae’s hair and head pieces?

“Because the photo shoot took place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, the vibe was celebratory and ancestral. I created the antique blue and green flower headpiece with faux flowers and leaves by hand and it just happened to have went perfectly with the amazing sea foam green dress that Jason Rembert put her in.”

As you know, it’s important to keep hair moisturized before wearing a protective style. What are your top moisturizers?

“My top moisturizers are Curls – Blueberry Bliss Restorative Leave-in, EDEN BodyWorks Vitamin Hair Tonic and Shu Umera Wonder Worker.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ITAYSHA JORDAN FOR ESSENCE

Can we talk about the braided updo? Tell us your top tips on how to recreate them.

“I braided Issa’s hair for a movie that we had been filming in New Orleans called “The Love Birds.” So we made the most out of the style that was already created for the movie because we were in the middle of filming and couldn’t change it, but it worked out perfectly. I used gold rope and incorporated the rope into the braided pompadour and added gold jewelry clips on a few individual braids. Issa looked beautiful. The hair I used was a multi-color mix from Rastafri hair company.”

Did you catch the Essence cover featuring Issa Rae? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Every year we poll the NaturallyCurly community on the curly hair products and tools that have achieved Holy Grail status for them. We don’t prompt you with certain brands or products – this is purely the unfiltered opinions of thousands of curlies. Over 3,000 NaturallyCurly community members and team members have taken the time to share their favorite products, tools and necessities for curly, coily and wavy hair. That’s right, for the first time, we created the Best of the Best Leaders in Curl awards to recognize those products deemed the best textured-hair solutions, selected by both our community and our editors.

Each winner is organized by categories for each curl type and Editor’s Choice picks including:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair Treatments
• Styling
• Finishers and Refreshers
• Editor’s Picks

The Results

We have compiled the votes and are excited to announce 2019’s list of holy grail, must have items that every curly girl should try out. See the full list of winners here!

Did your holy grail(s”> make the list? Let us know in the comments any products we should try.

Getty Images

We are still swooning over Amandla Stenberg’s Oscars hairstyle that gave us so much life when she strutted down the red carpet. So it was only right we tapped the visionary behind this intricate braided updo, Vernon Francois.

Vernon is known for styling a few of the top naturalistas in the game such as Lupita Nyong’o, Willow Smith, Janelle Monae, Ava DuVernay and many more. He continues to remind us the versatility of natural hair and that it is truly a form of art, but he has definitely set the bar with this vintage inspired finger waves braids.

According to the celebrity hairstylist he said, “1920’s was our focus. We wanted glamour, sophistication with an equal blend of tradition, paying homage to Amandla’s curly coily hair texture. The metallic crystal chain-tiered gown by Miu Miu also helped bring the vision to life.”

Here’s What Products He Used to Create This Braided Updo:

Vernon Francois Mist Hydration Water and added a few pumps of the Cream of Nature Argan Oil Style & Shine Foam Mousse to help set the hair. Finished it off with Vernon Francois Braids and Loc Spray ~ Scalp Nourishment and Got2be hairspray then gel for the edges.

Image:@VernonFrancois

When rocking a protective style it’s important to take care of your natural hair and scalp and he dropped a few gems on the best tips to maintain your protective style. “Wrapping your hair with a silk scarf or satin head wrap before you go to bed at night is key. Using a little bit of serum on your ends will also help with breakage and will encourage manageability, preserve edges, stop breakage, lock in moisture and promote growth.”

He also explained that build-up can be beneficial in preserving a protective style and shared the best oils to use for your scalp to maintain a healthy hair regimen. He said, “Sweating on the scalp or scalp build-up for most hair types can be quite beneficial a bit of build up really helps to maintain the protective style. Using a sulfate free shampoo will definitely help minimize build-up overtime. Look out for key ingredients in products such as Jojoba and Sunflower oils, they are good for locking in hydration. Tea tree oil is another great oil that moisturizes and soothes the scalp.”

Would you rock this braided updo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image Source: @naivashaintl

From Yara Shahidi to Logan Browning, it’s no secret as to why hairstylist, Nai’vasha Johnson has been named the “Curl Queen.” Nai’vasha continues to keep texture at the forefront of the beauty industry by creating voluminous afro buns, sleek braided styles and flawless wigs that take our breath away. She has true passion for sharing stories through her artistry and says, “The stories that I strive to tell through hair is a narrative of individualism. Beauty and amazing moments are built on individual confidence. I enjoy watching and telling that story.”

As she prepares to slay the Oscars, she gave us some key tips and trends to keep an eye out for.

Image Source: @naivashaintl

Hottest trend(s”> for Spring

“Look forward to seeing more blunt bobs, more voluminous hair, and more accessories this spring!”

Image: @naivashaintl

Top Tips for Curly Girls

“My main tip for my Curl Queens would be to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Moisture is the key component to incredible curls.”

Image: @naivashaintl

Like most, natural hair is more than just hair. It’s a part of culture and individuality. She says, “Natural hair represents confidence and power to me. It takes strength to share your authentic self to the world.”

Image: @naivashaintl

What does natural hair represent to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Pictured: @prettygirlswithcurls

Are you a short curly hair girl tired of the same ol’ hairstyle? No worries, I got you, girl.

I big chopped almost three years ago and it has been an amazing journey stepping out of my comfort zone and reinventing myself fearlessly. Like many curlies who have taken the plunge and big chopped, I had no idea how to style my hair, what products to use or how to properly care for it. So I understand your frustrations and want to remind you that this is all a part of the journey, don’t give up just yet. Thanks to my NaturallyCurly fam and Youtube, I was able to learn more about the best ways to style and care for my 3b/3c hair and was surprised to see so many other curlies sharing their tips and tricks online where I could easily be more educated and aware of the best way to care for my curls.

Let’s be honest, starting over and transitioning can be scary, yet empowering. Just know that you’re not alone and there’s a huge army of curlfriends here to support you every step of the way. Which is why I feel community support is so important. When you’re in need of some curly hair inspo or boost of curl confidence to remind you of your magic, just know that you’re curlfriends got your back. For so long it was all about long beautiful curly hair, but now more than ever women are boldly rockin’ short haircuts and it’s so refreshing and inspiring.

So for all my curlfriends that have recently gone for the big chop, transitioning, or growing their hair out like me, scroll down and check out these hair tutorials that will you inspire you to switch up your everyday look and slay the day in style!

Image: Maureen Nicol founder and director of Campstory Growing up as a first-generation Sierra Leonean-American, Maureen Nicol wanted to pay homage to her mother country in a meaningful way to empower generations to come by creating an educational and creative experience for children. She incorporated her passion for teaching and community organizing to create [Camp Story](https://www.campstoryintl.org”> , a summer camp which aims to strengthen the wings of young storytellers socially, emotionally, and artistically specifically low income and marginalized youth. Maureen is currently a PhD student at University of Texas at Austin studying Early Childhood Education. After teaching for several years she noticed the power that the arts has on young children especially when it comes to identity, critical thinking, inquiry and building community. With the belief that all children should have the opportunity to have meaningful artistic experiences and the resources to tell their stories in the way they believe best, Camp Story was born. >”I created this to pay homage because that’s where my family is from and I know these children wouldn’t have this opportunity any other way. I show up for the people whom I feel need it most because I feel like I’m extensions of them.” – Maureen Nicol, founder and director of Camp Story > Maureen’s number one goal is to create a space where she is allowing youth to express themselves, their learning, and stories in a safe and creative environment. One of her biggest challenges, like most businesses, has been access to capital, but that hasn’t stopped her from taking risks and following her passion. “Money and fundraising was definitely a challenge. Let’s be honest, money is always an issue. You may have a great idea, but if you don’t have the access to capital it’s hard to make it sustainable. The first time we hosted Campstory, we made it work on a $3,000 budget and served 45 kids from ages 5 – 15 years old. Not only was it an opportunity for children to express themselves, but it also served as an opportunity for professional development for the teachers to collaborate to help create this memorable experience.” Maureen is known as the risk taker in her family and believes that regardless if you fail or succeed, there’s always a lesson learned. “The reason I have confidence to take risks is because I started off with one risk and it didn’t let me down. It showed me that if I listen to my intuition and act on it, even though other people may not believe in it or trust it, I have faith in myself. You have to take risks in order to progress. Noone who is comfortable and complacent will grow, so I see it as, I take a risk and I fail or I take a risk and I do well. Either way I’m winning because I learned something new.” Image: Jessica Nicol founder of Daffina Growing up as a middle child with two other sisters she values sisterhood and credits her oldest sister, Jessica Nicol, as her mentor who instilled 3 key values in her since a young girl. “Family, service and education definitely come to mind when it comes to things we cherish in our family. I take my role as the big sister very seriously and early on encouraged Maureen to follow her passion of teaching and serving others. Our parents taught us that helping others in need is priority. It’s important to identify issues that impact communities and do what you can to develop solutions.” Jessica is a government consultant and the founder of [Daffina African Clothing](https://daffina.com/”> , which is a family owned business inspired by the love of African fashion to capture the beauty and history of their motherland. Jessica says that she is beyond proud of the work Maureen is doing with Campstory and was grateful she was able to witness her in action last Summer when the entire family visited Sierra Leone for the first time in 20 years. “To see her in her element interacting with the teachers and students, I was very proud. She did an exceptional job planning and providing instructions to the staff in developing creative programs for the children. Though, it was hosted in Sierra Leone, she partnered with the International School and they were children from all over the world that were impacted.” How has your mentor supported you a long your journey? Let us know in the comments below. ### About SheaMoisture Community Commerce This post was created in partnership with SheaMoisture around its focus on [Community Commerce](https://www.sheamoisture.com/c/communitycommerce/about-2/”>, a purpose-driven business model that creates opportunities for sustainable social and economic empowerment throughout its supply chain and communities in the United States and Africa. Community Commerce focuses on entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, education and wellness. It’s bigger than beauty. It’s about investing in local and global communities, striving to eliminate generational poverty and empowering women. A portion of proceeds from select SheaMoisture Community Commerce collections are invested in its Shea butter, coconut and African Black Soap cooperatives in Ghana and others that supply their handcrafted natural ingredients. In the United States, their women’s empowerment programs focus on entrepreneurship and education, including fellowships to attend the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business Minority program and Babson College’s summer entrepreneurship program. Most recently, through the $100,000,000 New Voices Fund — created to invest in women of color entrepreneurs to help them build sustainable businesses — SheaMoisture is working to transform the landscape of business and what it means to live a more beautiful life.

Image: Maureen Nicol founder and director of Campstory

Growing up as a first-generation Sierra Leonean-American, Maureen Nicol wanted to pay homage to her mother country in a meaningful way to empower generations to come by creating an educational and creative experience for children. She incorporated her passion for teaching and community organizing to create Camp Story, a summer camp which aims to strengthen the wings of young storytellers socially, emotionally, and artistically specifically low income and marginalized youth.

Maureen is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Early Childhood Education. After teaching for several years, she noticed the power that the arts has on young children especially when it comes to identity, critical thinking, inquiry and building community. With the belief that all children should have the opportunity to have meaningful artistic experiences and the resources to tell their stories in the way they believe best, Camp Story was born.

“I created this to pay homage because that’s where my family is from and I know these children wouldn’t have this opportunity any other way. I show up for the people whom I feel need it most because I feel like I’m extensions of them.” – Maureen Nicol, founder and director of Camp Story

Image: @campstory

Maureen’s number one goal is to create a space where she is allowing youth to express themselves, their learning, and stories in a safe and creative environment. One of her most significant challenges, like most businesses, has been accessing capital, but that hasn’t stopped her from taking risks and following her passion. “Money and fundraising was definitely a challenge. Let’s be honest, money is always an issue. You may have a great idea, but if you don’t have the access to capital it’s hard to make it sustainable. The first time we hosted Camp Story, we made it work on a $3,000 budget and served 45 kids from ages 5 – 15 years old. Not only was it an opportunity for children to express themselves, but it also served as an opportunity for professional development for the teachers to collaborate to help create this memorable experience.

Image: @williethewayfarer

Maureen is known as the risk taker in her family and believes that regardless if you fail or succeed, there’s always a lesson learned. “The reason I have the confidence to take risks is because I started off with one risk and it didn’t let me down. It showed me that if I listen to my intuition and act on it, even though other people may not believe in it or trust it, I have faith in myself. You have to take risks in order to progress. No one who is comfortable and complacent will grow, so I see it as, I take a risk and I fail, or I take a risk and I do well. Either way, I’m winning because I learned something new.”

Image: Jessica Nicol founder of Daffina

Growing up as a middle child with two other sisters she values sisterhood and credits her oldest sister, Jessica Nicol, as her mentor who instilled three key values in her since a young girl. “Family, service and education definitely come to mind when it comes to things we cherish in our family. I take my role as the big sister very seriously and early on encouraged Maureen to follow her passion of teaching and serving others. Our parents taught us that helping others in need is priority. It’s important to identify issues that impact communities and do what you can to develop solutions.”

Jessica is a government consultant and the founder of Daffina African Clothing, which is a family owned business inspired by the love of African fashion to capture the beauty and history of their motherland. Jessica says that she is beyond proud of the work Maureen is doing with Camp Story and was grateful she was able to witness her in action last Summer when the entire family visited Sierra Leone for the first time in 20 years. “To see her in her element interacting with the teachers and students, I was very proud. She did an exceptional job planning and providing instructions to the staff in developing creative programs for the children. Though it was hosted in Sierra Leone, she partnered with the International School and there were children from all over the world that were impacted.” 

How has your mentor supported you a long your journey? Let us know in the comments below.

About SheaMoisture Community Commerce

This post was created in partnership with SheaMoisture around its focus on Community Commerce, a purpose-driven business model that creates opportunities for sustainable social and economic empowerment throughout its supply chain and communities in the United States and Africa.

Community Commerce focuses on entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, education and wellness. It’s bigger than beauty. It’s about investing in local and global communities, striving to eliminate generational poverty and empowering women. A portion of proceeds from select SheaMoisture Community Commerce collections are invested in its Shea butter, coconut and African Black Soap cooperatives in Ghana and others that supply their handcrafted natural ingredients.

In the United States, their women’s empowerment programs focus on entrepreneurship and education, including fellowships to attend the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business Minority program and Babson College’s summer entrepreneurship program. Most recently, through the $100,000,000 New Voices Fund —   created to invest in women of color entrepreneurs to help them build sustainable businesses — SheaMoisture is working to transform the landscape of business and what it means to live a more beautiful life.

Each year the NaturallyCurly Editors divide up by curl pattern to test, review and debate on the best curly, coily and wavy hair products on the market in order to take out the guesswork for you. We’ve tried over 200 products. Our drawers can barely close, our cabinets are overflowing, but our scalps are refreshed and curls are poppin. If you have Type 3 curls, these are the curly hair products that won the Editors Choice Awards for your curl pattern.

Not sure what your hair type is? Take our quiz!

For the NaturallyCurly Editor’s Choice Awards selection process, we considered the following criteria when making our selections:

• Product efficacy: Does the product work for my hair type?
• Miracle claims: Does the product packaging deliver false hope or stay true to its claims?
• Added bonus: Does the product exceed my hair goal expectations by providing unlisted benefits?
• Innovation: Does the product contain ingredients that I have not used before? Is the product new to the curly community?
• Industry expertise: Are ingredients suggested for use by hair care experts?

If you’re on the search for products that will work for your Type 3 curl pattern, check out our 2018 Editors’ Choice award winners – and what we loved about them.

From the best conditioner to the most amazing scalp treatment, find out what products made the cut and what you should add to your curly girl cabinet.

Pre-Poo: The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-Poo

This herbal hair tonic and soy milk deep hydration pre-poo melts away tangles softens and minimizes moisture loss. Gentle enough for daily use and potent enough to drastically improve your tresses.

Shampoo: Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo

Wash to win the frizz fight. Smooth and protect hair so humidity can’t undo what you’ve done to your ‘do.

Clarifying Shampoo: Up North Naturals Clean Curls Cleanser

This product cleanses your scalp and your hair without it feeling stripped of moisture or dry. A light tingle of peppermint and rosemary stimulates hair growth stops hair fall removes dandruff and relieves itchy scalp.

Dry Shampoo: DevaCurl No Poo Quick Cleanser

A botanically infused conditioning spray that cleanses without water instantly refreshing hair while adding texture to curls and invigorating the scalp.

Cleansing Conditioner: Amika Nice Cream Cleansing Conditioner

Are you the co-wash Queen? This one-step treatment co-wash gently cleanses and weightlessly hydrates hair. The formula works especially well to freshen up curls without losing their beauteous bounce.

Daily Conditioner: Eden Bodyworks Citrus Fusion Conditioner

Nutrient rich conditioner to fortify and strengthen the hair. Great as a rinse out or leave in. Smooths reduces frizz nourishes thickens and strengthens.

Leave-In Conditioner: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-in Conditioner

This light-weight leave-in adds definition, seals moisture and leaves curls soft. Not to mention the slip is amazing and the smell is out of this world!

Deep Conditioner: DevaCurl Melt into Moisture Matcha

This nourishing treatment mask is like a magical elixir for dehydrated waves or curls. This nutrient-rich buttery formula effortlessly melts into hair without feeling heavy. All curl types are left feeling shiny silky-soft and completely transformed.

Scalp Treatment: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Oil Scalp Treatment

Are you experiencing a dry, flaky itchy scalp? This scalp treatment has cooling blends of peppermint and spearmint oils that reduces scalp itchiness, buildup and dryness. Add a few drops to your scalp after a wash or in between to soothe irritation.

Hair Oil: Balanced Guru Organic Sheer

Sheer organic silicone-free hair oil helps control frizz on fine to medium type 2a-3a curls. It nourishes moisturizes and adds shine by penetrating the hair shaft and working from within.

Hair Mask: Innersense Hydrating Hair Mask

Repair and restore dry, coarse and damaged hair with this rich treatment masque crafted with flax seed, shea butter, coconut, monoi and tamanu oils and quinoa to repair hair while delivering rich hydration and shine.

Styling Cream: Curl Junkie Spiral Lotion

This lightweight volume enhancing conditioning curl creme can be used on wet hair to enhance and define curls without weighing them down and can be used on dry hair to revive 2nd day hair or reduce frizz add moisture and shape/definition to wavy-curly hair.

Styling Gel: Tre Luxe Hi Definition Styling Gel

A high performance curl definer that causes curls to take shape providing long lasting curl definition and shine and giving you the upper hand in the fight against frizz without the flake or crunch.

Cream Gel: Redavid Orhcid Dual Therapy

This two-part universal repair system takes on heavily damaged hair as well as offers total support for the needs of curly hair.

Find the full list of Editors’ Choice Award winners here.

I met Gabrielle Deculus a few years ago during SXSW and we’ve stay connected ever since. I would be doing you a disservice if I tried to put her in one category because she wears many hats flawlessly. She’s a businesswoman, visionary, philanthropist, and changemaker who is empowering women and serving others in need. Dedicated to her community, the Louisiana native recently led recovery efforts in response to devastating floods, mobilizing the public while raising over $30K in the process; a feat that later earned her the “Hometown Hero Award” courtesy of Beyonce and Essence Magazine. She’s the founder of Business Rules for Women, who has created a thriving digital media platform for emerging entrepreneurs and ambitious businesswomen; using a diverse network of contributors to share unique tools and resources to an audience of over 190K success-driven women online.

I had the opportunity to speak with her and her mentor, her mother, Ramona Deculus. Ramona is a business coach, entrepreneur and motivational speaker that prides herself on being her kids biggest fans. Being that family morals play such a important role in her life, we first chatted about her family and the values they instilled in Gabrielle early on. Her mother shared, “My parents instilled these things into me and these were transferred to my children. The first thing is integrity. It’s not about doing the right thing, but doing the right thing when noone is watching and holding them accountable. The next thing is work ethic. My parents still to this day, my dad is 81 and my mom is 73, they continue to serve others. That is what keeps them young and going – waking up to help others. The third thing is to be a person of your word. If you tell someone you’re going to show up, you show up – on time.” She continued on and said that, “Time is money and you shouldn’t waste anybody else’s money or time.”

Image: @gabrielledeculus

Being that her mom plays such an intricate role in her life I was curious to know how she encouraged Gabrielle to follow her dreams and find her purpose when she was younger. “I never encouraged my kids to do one thing in particular, instead I encouraged them to find their passion. My grandfather told me as a young girl, that if you do something that you love to do, you can make as much money as you want, but if do something for the money you’ll never be happy.” She said from that moment, that stuck with her and she passed that lesson onto her children.

As a teenage girl, Gabrielle was interested in being a part of an organization so she joined the Junior Knights of Peter Claver. Her mom explained that, “Being apart of that organization really inspired her to help others and she lit up anytime she had a chance to do community service. It didn’t surprise me when she chose a career that gave her that same type of energy, excitement and passion to serve others.”

“The seeds that you plant early in life, you water and nurture them and they will show up in places that you don’t expect them to.” – Ramona Deculus, mentor and business coach

It’s no doubt that finding your purpose is truly a journey and everyone finds that at different moments throughout their lives. Gabrielle found hers in college and has hit the ground running ever since. “My teenage years gave me some idea of what I enjoyed, but when I got to college I met a group of friends, who are all business owners and entrepreneurs now, that wanted to create events for our peers because we didn’t like the events that were being held in Louisiana. I realized from that point on that I liked being in a position of being the problem solver, the innovator or the creator of giving people what they need.

Image: @gabrielledeculus

After that moment of being in college and starting my first company and realizing that people are actually coming to me to help them with their ideas, business plans and marketing ideas – way before I was ready because I put myself out there. That showed me that they saw the spirit in me where I can help them get things done and get that stamp of approval and love from my peers that I appreciate.”

“If you answer the needs of the people you will always have a job.” – Gabrielle Deculus, founder of Business Rules for Women

Being a business owner comes with challenges and regardless of what you’re taught in school somethings you just don’t read in the books; you have to find out through trial and error and adjust as you go. I was curious to know how Gabrielle has overcome obstacles in her career and what was a tool(s”> that helped her improve her skills. She most definitely put it into perspective and reminded me the importance of being intentional in all that you do. “Being that I have a problem solver attitude, I don’t look at things as setbacks, but opportunities. Language is very important to me and I look at challenges as opportunities to get better and improve. I’ve had plenty of challenges and I would say one of them was figuring out how to balance multiple projects. When I was in business school I was taught how to run a business for someone else, but not for myself, so that was a learning curve for me. Years later, I was introduced to basecamp and found that there are tools out there that can help me manage projects and serve my clients efficiently.”

There’s no doubt that in order to be successful, you must believe in yourself and be confident in your craft because if you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect someone else to? Gabrielle shares how her family, especially her mother, instilled confidence in her at an early age and that has played a huge role in being the businesswoman she is today. “Confidence was something I learned early on. Of course you have your small doubts and insecurities, but I never felt like I was less than the next person. My peers, my family and my purpose really helped me navigate things. I saw my mom leave Louisiana being somebody’s staff member to owning her own insurance agency, which was huge for me. Seeing her putting in work, building a home for her parents and giving people what they need to build their legacy and keep people safe in case something goes wrong.”

Image: @gabrielledeculus

Her mom modestly responded, “It takes a lot of hard work to do what I do, but I enjoy it. I learned early on that to whom much is given, much is required. Once you know better, you do better. When you have somebody who can lay a roadmap in front of you, it’s a lot easier for you to lay a roadmap for yourself. It gives you confidence and instills pride in what you’re doing and a feeling of accomplishment when you see the result of the fruits of your labor. I’m very proud of the work that Gabrielle has done and I know one day she’s going to build me that house. Family matters and supporting each other is important to us. We take pride in that.”

I couldn’t end this conversation without asking Gabrielle her #1 rule for businesswomen, “Invest in yourself. I tell this to everyone, what are you doing to become a better person? What are you doing to make your business better? What are you doing to make yourself more competitive? What are you doing to grow?

Image: @gabrielledeculus

We spend a lot of time and money on things that don’t help us in those categories. The moment that you start budgeting time and money into yourself, whether it’s going to therapy, getting a business coach, getting a trainer and being conscious of your nutrition. I feel like if you invest in yourself, it’s more likely that opportunities will come your way and that other people and businesses will invest in you.”

Thank you again to Gabrielle and Ramona Deculus for sharing your wisdom, time and experiences with us. I admire all the work you’re both doing and appreciate you for reminding us the power of mentorship, family values and serving with a purpose.

This post was created in partnership with SheaMoisture around its focus on Community Commerce, a purpose-driven business model that creates opportunities for sustainable social and economic empowerment throughout its supply chain and communities in the United States and Africa. Community Commerce focuses on entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, education and wellness. It’s bigger than beauty. It’s about investing in local and global communities, striving to eliminate generational poverty and empowering women. A portion of proceeds from select SheaMoisture Community Commerce collections are invested in its Shea butter, coconut and African Black Soap cooperatives in Ghana and others that supply their handcrafted natural ingredients. In the United States,  their women’s empowerment programs focus on entrepreneurship and education, including fellowships to attend the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business Minority program and Babson College’s summer entrepreneurship program.  Most recently, through the $100,000,000 New Voices Fund —  created to invest in women of color entrepreneurs to help them build sustainable businesses — SheaMoisture is working to transform the landscape of business and what it means to live a more beautiful life.

Who are women who have inspired you along your journey? Share your story with us in the comments below. 

Maintaining proper moisture is important for all hair types, but coily hair is even more susceptible to damage if it lacks moisture. Because of the structure of coily hair follicles, moisture can escape from the shaft quite easily, so not only is it a must to restore and maintain precious moisture, it’s important to find a way to seal it in. Here are 12 products to help moisturize coily hair and keep that moisture in!

1. Light-Weight Moisturizer

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

This is a conditioner every coily/curly needs in their arsenal! It provides enough slip for detangling (even on dry hair”> and is supremely moisturizing without leaving a residue or weighing the hair down.

2. Must-Have Moisturizer

The Doux Fresh Rinse Moisturizing Conditioner

Formulated with the perfect combination of Shea Butter, Sea Silk, and Hibiscus, the ultra-moisturizing conditioner will hydrate your hair and provide thermal and environmental protection.

3. For Regular TLC

Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner

This light, penetrating, silky blend enriched with aloe vera gel, hemp oil, honey, and hydrolyzed silk protein. It’s got nice detangling slip and serious moisturizing power. It rinses cleanly and also makes a nice pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment. It can even be used as a creamy, nourishing leave-in!

4. Worth the Splurge

Obia Natural Curl Moisture Cream

This pH balanced leave-in conditioner is full of luxurious oils that seal in moisture and minimize frizz by smoothing and closing the cuticle. Antioxidant rich Argan Oil, Burdock Root and Grape seed Oil strengthens and adds shine.

5. For Those Who Wash N’ Go

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker Marshmallow and Agave Leaf Extract

Made with natural horsetail and beet extracts to transform your hair into curls without leaving it hard or crunchy. Your hair will have amazing curl definition, bounce and moisture that every curl or coil will love.

6. Shrinkage Fighter

ORS Curls Unleashed Shea Butter and Honey Curl Defining Creme

Helps to add shine, define and moisturize coils without any shrinkage (a common curly/coily girls problem”>. Because it does provide some hold, it is perfect to use for wash and go’s, twists, braids, and up do’s.

7. For Protective Styling

Cantu Coconut Curling Cream

This thick and creamy concoction defines, conditions, and helps add manageability. It’s perfect for adding sheen and moisture, especially when prepping for protective styles (like twists and braids”>. It’s also great for smoothing down edges and up do’s.

8.Ultimate Deep Treatment

Camille Rose Natural Algae Deep Conditioner

hand-mixed with amazing Blue Green Algae, which is rich in Vitamin B, and helps to improve hair cell regrowth, resulting in thicker, stronger, longer hair. Plus, it will soften and moisturize dry, moisture-craving hair giving it the care and love it needs to have body and shine, naturally!

9. Ultimate Deep Treatment Masque

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grown & Restore Treatment Masque

This product is a hair-superhero because it will save you from bad hair days and whip kinky hair into shape! Use only after shampooing. Apply evenly throughout hair paying attention to ends with any size comb. Can be worn in hair for 10-15 minutes plastic-wrapped under warm dryer or without heat for up to an hour.

10. For Scalp Health

Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner

A lightweight moisture treatment created with skincare innovations in mind. It works with each individual strand to pull moisture from the atmosphere and hold it there, while preventing frizz and promoting a healthier scalp.

11. Best Detangler around

Kinky Curly Knot Today

Most often used as a detangler, this lightweight leave in conditioner was  designed to smooth the cuticle and is great for adding moisture and shine to coils without weighing them down.

12. Multi-purpose Oils

Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil

Have you tried all-natural products but the results weren’t exactly what you’d expected? Well, this botancial blend of natural oils is known for being a great sealant and used a curly cocktail, pre-poo and hot oil treatment.

Was your favorite listed? Let us know your go-to moisturizer in the comments below. This post was originally posted in 2015 and has been updated.

Image by: Brio Photography

Don’t get me wrong, I love rockin’ my short, natural, 3b/3c curls, but I also enjoy switching up my naturally curly hair with protective styles. I mean versatility is key right? Especially since I’m growing out my pixie cut, it can be challenging finding hairstyles that work for my hair during this in-between phase and honestly wearing my hair the same way every day gets old, really fast. To add some length and volume to my hair, I tried the Bounce Beach Wave hair extensions and here’s how I kept them fresh and fabulous while protecting my natural hair. insert hair flip here*

Ways to Style Hair

In order to protect my natural hair, I got a versatile sew-in by my stylist, Tara. She braided my hair where I can wear a part down the middle, side part, and ponytail. Since the hair extensions were a loose wave, I applied heat to my hair about every 4 days to blend my natural hair seamlessly. To be sure I didn’t get any heat damage I used my go-to heat protectant before applying heat. Ultimately, I chose to get hair extensions to help my hair grow, so it was very important for me to be mindful of how much heat I applied and keep my styling as low maintenance as possible. When I didn’t have much time I would refresh my hair with water and a styling cream and wear it wavy. When I wanted a more defined look, I would wand my hair or pin curl it and seal it with a light-weight oil, which was great because both of these styles held a curl pretty good where I didn’t have to curl my extensions daily.

Tip: The more heat you apply the looser the curl gets, so try your best to use heatless options such as flexi rods or pin curls when possible.

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A post shared by Alexandra Wilson (@queensconquer”> on Nov 12, 2017 at 10:11am PST

Wash Day Essentials

I’ve learned that the better you take care of your hair extensions, the more opportunity you have in reusing them for a future style, especially if you invest in quality, human hair. As I said I tried my best to apply heat only every 4 days or so and would wash my scalp and hair extensions weekly. Since I exercise frequently, it was essential for me to cleanse my scalp weekly because the wave itch was something serious. If you’re not sweating much or not experiencing an itchy scalp you can wash every other week. I wore my extensions for 6 weeks and here’s my wash routine that saved my scalp. I never realized the importance of oiling my scalp until I started getting protective styles. Not only is it important to keep a clean scalp, but it’s also important to wash and deep condition the hair extensions just as you would your natural hair. While wearing a sew-in, I followed my normal wash routine of a conditioner followed by deep conditioner. I noticed each time I deep conditioned the hair extensions were softer than before with even more bounce. After each wash and daily I used this scalp oil not only would it soothe the itching but it also is great for hair growth.

Tip: Treat your extensions as you would your natural hair and wash them regularly.

Are you growing your hair out or transitioning? Let me know how you’re taking care of your hair during this time, I’d love to know in the comments below.

Photography: @_str8dope_ Design: cuur

Taija Kerr recently made history for being named the first Afro-Hawaiian woman to star in a beauty campaign. Although the beauty industry has made progress in being more inclusive, there is still work to be done. Taija hopes to expand the conversation on representation and be a beacon of light for others, especially Polynesians. “Being apart of the Sephora Campaign at the beginning was just something I wanted to do to make my family proud. At the time I had just moved to NY to find myself, but after the campaign went up people were finding themselves in my photo! Not only representing natural hair, but as soon as you see that photo, you see a proud Polynesian woman!! Something you don’t see much of in the beauty industry and my only objective is to be a great representation of my Polynesian people.”

Photography: @joe_chea

For most of us, hair is a part of our identity and how we express ourselves, but it can be extremely tough to find the courage to embrace your individuality when you don’t see people that look like you in the media. As Taija got older her perspective changed and she became more expressive and embraced her unique features, especially her naturally curly hair.

“My hair has always been another way to express myself. Right before I started my natural hair journey, three years ago, I was coloring my hair once a month, but that was my way of expression. Now, my hair does all of the expressing for me! Honestly, I’ve always felt like my hair doesn’t define me. The hair that grows from my head tells a story about what’s going on in the inside. Usually, when I’m happy, my hair looks happy and vice versa when I’m sad. The more I learn about my inner happiness the more my hair reflects how I feel.”

Photography: @mounttainbikekeith

Can we take a moment to admire those beautiful curls! You know I had to get the scoop on what her holy grails are. Taija loves the Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard, Aunt Jackie’s Curl & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-in Conditioner,Vernon Francois Co-Wash Shampoo, and a Metal Black Power Pick for ultimate volume.

Being a bi-racial woman it’s truly amazing to see someone like Taija break barriers and use her story to empower others, especially multi-cultural women. Thank you, Taija for your courage and vulnerability to use your voice and shine a light on the importance of representation. Every opportunity to expand the conversation on traditional beauty standards is essential for progress. Let’s continue to support brands, people, and organizations that are genuinely working towards creating inclusive and diverse spaces for all.

“Find whatever makes you feel beautiful and add a little creativity. We all have the same parts, so always know we’re one in the same, but the sparkle you add is what makes you beautiful.”– Taija Kerr

Do you feel the beauty industry is striving towards creating an inclusive and diverse space? How can we help use our platform to push the needle? Let me know in the comments.

Photo source: istock

From January 5-19 the members of the NaturallyCurly team and community are participating in the NaturallyCurly No Sugar Challenge. If this includes you, you’re past the withdrawal hangry stages and feeling energized! I’ve been doing lots of research on foods with sugar to know exactly what to steer clear of and it’s unbelievable how much added sugar lives in most of my everyday foods. Scroll down to find out the top 10 foods that have added sugars in them and how to substitute those foods for a healthier option.

Bread

Surprisingly, many popular brands have added molasses or high fructose corn syrup to their loaves for a better taste. So, unfortunately, you can’t have your delicious Instagram worthy avocado toast unless you opt for a whole wheat grain bread or Ezekiel sprouted bread.

Salad dressing

How can you go wrong eating a salad? You can easily take a not-so-healthy turn when you add a vinaigrette or ranch to your salad, yes even the light and non-fat dressings. Many salad dressings contain up to 5 grams of sugar per tablespoon. Instead, stick to extra virgin olive oil or try these recipes so you know exactly what you’re eating.

Many salad dressings contain up to 5 grams of sugar per tablespoon.

Condiments

Ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and mayonnaise – you name it, it’s full of sugar. Before you saturate your fries with ketchup, keep in mind each tablespoon is 4 grams of sugar. Instead, look for a low sodium/low sugar versions to be on the safer side.

Cereal

You already know our childhood favorites such as Lucky Charms, Frosted Flakes, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are loaded with sugars, but even Raisin Bran has about 18 grams of sugar per cup. So stick with the plain and simple cereals such as shredded wheats. Even the instant oatmeals, especially the flavored ones, are packed with sugar so opt for the plain oatmeal and add your own raisins, cinnamon or fresh fruits for a sweet breakfast.

Soda

Who else usually grabs a soda for a mid-day pick me up? Well, the temporary upper isn’t worth the crash later, not to mention a normal sized Pepsi contains 69 grams of sugar. The average 12-ounce soda contains about 150 calories and at least 30 grams of sugar. Even the sugar-free and diet sodas have artificial sweeteners in them, so instead grab a glass of water and add lemon or lime.

Fruit Yogurt

Yoplait is one of the most popular brands of yogurt, and though many of its products are fat-free, the same can’t be said for its sugar content. In fact, a small, a six-ounce strawberry Yoplait Yogurt has 26 grams of sugar in it. If you really want to steer clear of sugary yogurts, choose a plain yogurt and add your own fresh fruits for sweetness.

Processed Meat

Whether it’s lunch meat, sausage, bacon, beef jerky or salami, processed meats contain many harmful chemicals that are linked to diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Most processed meat contains ingredients like refined sugar, corn syrup, and glucose. Try to limit the amount of processed meat you eat and choose fresh red meat or fish.

Fruit Juice

Fruity drinks may seem like the perfect way to get your recommended two servings in for the day, but most are loaded with artificial sweeteners. Be sure you read the labels and choose a fruit juice that is 100% sugar-free or stick with the real thing.

Non-Dairy Milk

Milk has natural sugar in the lactose, but carefully read the labels for any added sugars. Keep an eye on the labels of milks like almond milk, soy milk, and cashew milk and be sure to steer clear of non-fat milk or sweetened milks.

Spaghetti Sauce

This one might seem surprising, but most mainstream processors add sugar in the form of corn syrup to counteract the acidic taste most tomato sauces have. One-half cup of Ragu spaghetti sauce contains 7 grams of sugar, so double check the label and choose one of these sugar-free sauces.

Welp, that about sums up my everyday essentials. Were you surprised by any of these? Let me know which ones will be the toughest to give up in the comments.

Sign up to join the challenge and find out what we’re giving up.

This is what happens to your body on a no sugar challenge.

Want more from Alexandra? Follow her on Instagram for all things health, beauty, and fitness.

Art: Sasha Martoni

Hair has always played an important role in American history and culture. Whether we’re expressing our individuality, political opinions or influenced by the hottest culture Queens during that era, hair trends help to define each new generation and separate it from the one that came before. If you didn’t rock one of these looks you knew somebody who did. Scroll down to see the most influential hairstyles that are timeless and often still seen today.

1920’s

The Roaring Twenties, women such as Louise Brooks popularized the blunt bob haircut and cropped curls – flapper fashion was in full effect. Brooks’s signature bob haircut began the era of “the new woman”, where women became more independent and bold with their style.

1930’s

During the 1930’s, the major trends for hairstyles were all about the waves. Jean Harlow contributed to this era and women began wearing marcel and finger waves for a softer and more elegant look.

1940’s

In the 40’s, the war caused many women to go into the workforce. Most women wore their hair up in pin curls and victory rolls to keep their hair out of their face.

1950’s

In the 50’s, there was a love for Italian fashion. Actress, Dorothy Dandridge trademarked the Italian short cut and it was very popular for women. Oher popular hairstyles included the bouffant, ponytail, poodle cut, and short curly hair.

1960’s

The 60’s was known as the “counter-culture” where the social taboos were challenged and women opted for edgier and exaggerated hairstyles. There were many popular hairstyles such as the mop top, flipped bob, the “Twiggy” a short sleek pixie and of course the beehive. The beehive was seen everywhere from celebrities such as Aretha Franklin to television shows like Star Trek.

1970’s

The 70’s was known for its change and progress. The most popular hairstyles included the shag, the feathered “Farrah Fawcett” look, the pageboy, the Jheri curl, and afro. The afro was worn by celebrities such as Barabara Streisand to Pam Grier as an alternative to the straight sleek uniform look most women wore their hair.

1980’s

The 80’s was all about big, fluffy, voluminous hair. Popular hairstyles included the mullet, flat tops, crimps, curls, perms and the mushroom bob. In the late 80’s hip-hop, Mc’s such as Salt n Pepa popularized this hairstyle and the hip-hop phenomenon began to flourish.

1990’s

The 90’s was the ultimate era of pop and hip-hop culture. Some of the most popular hairstyles included the “Rachel”, swooped bang, sock bun, slick baby hairs and box braids. Janet Jackson starred in Poetic Justice and popularized the box braids, which is still very prevalent today amongst the African-American community.

2000’s

The 2000’s was filled with a variety of hairstyles and though there wasn’t a defined hairstyle this era was a time to experiment with hair color, highlights and hair accessories such as butterfly clips and bandanas. During this time was when women slowly began to be empowered by their natural hair and the “natural movement” began.

2010’s

In 2010’s, the natural hair and the curly girl movement spread like wildfire and women began to fully embrace their natural texture. For so long, there weren’t products or resources for women with curly hair, but that’s no longer the case. Women are now educated more than ever on the best practices to care for their curly hair and are stepping out of their comfort zones and going for the big chop rocking their natural crown. During this decade expect to see more natural textures, shapes, and styles. Today’s woman is fierce, versatile and fashion-forward and her hair reflects that.

Did you rock any of these iconic hairstyles?

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Photo credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC | 2017 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

NBC’s hit drama TV series, ‘This Is Us,’ is known for its ability to take you on an emotional journey and shine a light on topics that are generally tough for most families to digest. They’ve thoughtfully addressed divorce, drug abuse and adoption, and in one recent episode they tackled alopecia and the intricacies of natural hair. In this specific episode, [our favorite character, Beth Pearson,](https://www.beautycon.com/article/why-nbcs-latest-tv-star-is-my-new-natura”> discussed the importance of self-care and how to properly care for your natural hair, especially when dealing with hair loss, a taboo topic for most people but particularly in the African-American community.

Deja, played by Lyric Ross, is Randall and Beth Pearson’s adopted daughter (temporarily”> who is going through a rough time in her life. Her mother is in jail and she is living with the Pearsons, slowly adjusting to their way of life. During the episode, she refused to wash her hair for two weeks when Beth noticed an odor. After being insulted by a girl at the bowling alley, Deja finally decides to ask Beth to do it. As Beth brushes through her hair she notices a handful of bald spots. Deja acknowledges them, admitting that her condition gets worse in times of stress. Beth comforts her by sharing personal hair stories, and lets her know her sister has alopecia. Beth offers to braid Deja’s hair to hide her bald spots.

*Eyes immediately swell up and slows claps*

Why is this topic so important?

I applaud ‘This Is Us’ for bringing this story to light in such an authentic way that reminds us the importance of creating an informative yet genuine dialogue around sensitive topics like alopecia. Most women feel too embarrassed to share their experience with alopecia with others, let alone seek treatment. We all know a Deja or Beth, and I appreciate how well they explored this topic, especially since it’s common amongst African-American women. Being that Deja is a teenager, it’s a widely-held belief that hair loss and thinning is an issue that only affects older people, which is not true. While half of all women over fifty experience hair loss due to hormonal causes, men and women of any age can suffer from hair loss as early as their mid-20’s.

What is Alopecia?

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, or NAAF, “Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body. In fact, it affects as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S.” What’s more interesting is that according to research by Johns Hopkins Medicine, one third of African-American women suffer from traction alopecia with a strong connection to scalp pulling hairstyles. What may be most concerning is that the majority of these women do not seek consultations or guidance.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning, understand that you are not alone. There’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed about seeking guidance and taking the proper steps in order to gain more education about this condition. Here at NaturallyCurly, we want to continue providing a safe space to share resources and information to learn more about alopecia and the importance of seeking guidance. If you’re experiencing hair loss and are in need of some support, check out these articles below:

What You Need To Know About Temporary and Permanent Hair Loss

Look For These Anti-Loss Ingredients in Your Products

Repairing Thin Edges

15 Situations Where You Need to See a Trichologist

Did you see this episode? If so, what were your thoughts?