Search Results: Alexandra Wilson
Photo courtesy of @priscillaono
Rihanna showed up and showed out at the Grammys last night! Not only did she take home the gold for the best rap collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, but she owned the stage when she performed Wild Thoughts. We don’t know what was sexier: her hot dance moves or her voluminous curls. Either way, Riri stole our hearts for being one of the few women to rock big curly hair and we’re so here for it. We asked her hairstylist, Yusef Williams, to spill the tea on how to achieve the soft fluffy curls and here’s what he had to say to get Riri’s divalicious look.
The Grammys is one of the most iconic award shows and by far the biggest night in music. Most would think a lot of preparation goes into planning the perfect look, but the celebrity hairstylist surprisingly shares that the prep time wasn’t too extreme. “My team and I have been planning this whole thing for about a week. We styled Rihanna and all the background dancers so a lot of thought and work went into this.”
Rihanna’s Grammy look had us mesmerized and he explained the inspiration behind her fun and whimsical look. “We wanted to create a very chic studio54 inspired look. Rihanna and I were inspired to create this Disco Diva look by queens like Donna Summers and Diana Ross. The idea was to make Rihanna look like a fluffy dream.”
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Well, mission accomplished and according to him it only took 45 minutes to style her hair. If you’re wanting to achieve this look he says that you might want to add hair extensions, she’s wearing passion wave hair extensions by Hair So Fab. We’re always game for a great protective style and adding extra volume, here’s how he created the dreamy look. “I prepped her hair with the Biolage R.A.W. Frizz Control Styling Spray and then used the ghd air hairdryer to add some volume and then used the new ghd gold professional styler, which is available Feb. 1st to smooth out the root and get rid of flyaways.” Then, I used the new ghd gold professional styler and ghd classic wave wand to create voluminous curls and waves. Once her curls were set, I used Matrix StyleLink Style Fixer, the Matrix StyleLink Airy Builder, and the Matrix StyleLink Smooth Setter.”
What are your thoughts about her look? Let us 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?
Why not live your best life?
It’s that time where everyone is reflecting on their past year, planning their goals for the upcoming year and striving to live their best lives mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically. One of the most common New Year’s Resolutions is to make health a priority and exercise regularly. For many curlies, exercising can be quite a hassle especially because of the amount of time it takes to wash and style our hair post workout. Believe me sis, I understand your struggles. I’m currently rocking a protective style, a versatile sew-in with wavy hair extensions, but regardless of my hairstyle, naturally curly hair requires some extra effort. This year I made health and wellness a priority and I’ve never felt more confident, energized and motivated so I wanted to share a few essentials to hopefully spark a fire in you to want to feel and look your best in 2018! Here’s a few of my favorite items that could be a great gift for a curlfriend or yourself, to help you track your progress and maintain your curls in style.
Step Up Your Style
Why be basic, when you can be extraordinary? Something about cute activewear motivates me to work out and I love this Joy Lab bra and leggings from Target. The bold color block details make it easy where you can go straight from the gym to run your errands in style.
Finding the right pair of shoes is essential and these Huraches are known for being effortlessly stylish and comfortable.
Stay Hydrated
When you’re in it to win it, the key is to stay hydrated. This water bottle is the perfect reminder to always give it your best and challenge yourself every chance you get. Remember, you are your only competition.
Don’t Forget to Stretch it Out
Regardless of how often you exercise, it’s important to stretch before and after to prevent soreness and injuries. Grab this cute and comfy mat to stay ready at all times.
Track Your Progress
Not only is this a chic banlge, but it’s also a Fitbit. Transform your tracker into this beautiful accessory while you hit your goals.
Remain Focused
There’s nothing better than working on yourself and blocking out all distractions while your favorite music plays. These earbuds are great for your ultimate lit workout playlist.
This armband is a game changer! It’s most definitely one of my absolute essentials to have while I exercise. It helps me stay focused and off my phone and keeps my phone in place without me having to hold on to it or lose it.
Refresh Your Curls
Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from being great, especially not your hair! Sweat with confidence and keep your hair out of your face with this headband.
Whether I’m wearing my natural hair or a protective style, my hair requires some type of maintenance after I exercise. This scalp refresher is great because it cleans my scalp without having to wash my hair.
What are your essential fitness item(s”>? Let me know in the comments below.
Photo courtesy of: Badgalriri rockin’ Ya Dig from Mattemoiselle
Fenty Beauty continues to deliver inclusive shade range and innovative products to redefine beauty for all. Rihanna debuted her makeup collection in September and as you know, the hype is real and apparently, she’s just getting started. In her latest interview with Time, she shared her lifelong obsession with beauty and what’s next for Fenty Beauty. “Some of my favorite products aren’t even out yet,” she said, when asked about her favorite Fenty invention. “The options are pretty much unlimited in the world of beauty, and I love challenges, so I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries in this industry.”
Photo courtesy: Fenty Beauty
Last week she announced via Instagram her official release date of her latest line of matte lipsticks called Mattemoiselle, 14 shades of bold, fun and colorful hues. Mark your calendars, December 26, these beauties will go on sale and in continuation of an inclusive beauty brand, Rihanna says that this too will be diverse and meant for all skin tones. “Lipstick is all about having fun and expressing your mood at any given moment” says Rihanna. “This collection makes it easier than ever because there’s a color for everyone.”
This holiday season calls for a bold lip and Riri got us covered. The 14 shades includes several bright colors such as: Ma’Damn (a blue-based red”>, Spanked (a dusty rose”>, Candy Venom (electric pink”>, Saw-C (tangerine”>, Up 2 No Good (nude peach”>, Single (rosy nude”>, Freckle Fiesta (terracotta”>, Shawty (warm chestnut”>, PMS (espresso”>, Midnight Wasabi (deep green”>, Ya Dig?! (periwinkle blue”>, Clapback (true navy”>, One of the Boyz (wild lilac”>, and Griselda (burgundy”>.
It’s no secret Rihanna has changed the beauty game, raking in over $72 million only one month after her beauty brand debuted and is named as one of Time’s 25 Best Inventions of 2017, but what I admire most is her strategic marketing and how she is redefining beauty. Fenty Beauty has featured some of the most distinctive models out such as Halima Aden, Duckie Thot, Slick Woods, Paloma Elsesser and her latest collection features singer-songwriter, Sza and the match-up couldn’t more perfect. Who knew green lipstick could look this good? I’m loving how Riri is creating colors that most would assume are impossible to pull off, yet Sza rocks it effortlessly.
Fenty Beauty Sza rockin Midnight Wasabi
Mark your calendars and set your alarms. The Mattemoiselle lipstick collection will officially go on sale December 26 and you can get yours exclusively at Sephora, Harvey Nichols, and Fenty Beauty.
Will you be trying the Mattemoiselle collection? Have you tried Fenty Beauty yet? Let me know your favorite products in the comments below.
Want more from Alexandra? Follow her on Instagram for all things beauty, fashion, and hair.
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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/curlreading/celebrity/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
15 Situations Where You Need to See a Trichologist
Did you see this episode? If so, what were your thoughts?
Learning to love and care for your curls is a journey and while it’s not an easy one, it’s most certainly worth it. Living in a society that has a narrow scope of how beauty is defined can be intimidating as a young girl growing up with a head full of curly coarse hair who feels like she’s not being seen. Regardless of what the media shows us, there is nothing more beautiful than rocking your natural crown unapologetically and I hope to inspire many girls by sharing natural hair stories. I spoke with NaturallyCurly editor April Bingham about her natural hair journey, how it’s affected her self-esteem and how she got through the transition phase. Here’s her story.
My hair journey has been one of acceptance.
Accepting my texture, understanding its beauty, and its “limitations” (nothing will change a 4A into a 3B, y’all”>, and more often than not accepting that I needed to relax…in the spiritual sense, about my length.
No one told me that when I started relaxing my hair I’d have to do it my whole life!
Had someone mentioned to 9-year-old April ‘Hey, you’re going to have to keep up with this until you die’, I probably wouldn’t have STOPPED being natural ever!
So my biggest challenge was very much one of ‘Why can’t my hair be out like all the other girls’ ?’
I’m almost entirely certain my family was one of maybe…five in all of Corpus when I was growing up. And I was the only black child at school—meaning the only braids, the only cornrows, the only poofy segments in those evil hard plastic bubbles. I was always so sad that after it was blown or pressed straight I couldn’t just have it STAY that way.
“My hair says I’m free. I’m free of the mindset that says I have no choice in whether to wear my hair straight or not and free of the need to bow to expectations that say I need to ‘tone down’ my mane to make other people more comfortable.”
My transitioning regimen involved lots and lots of cornrowing!
Which I hated. I wanted big Robert Smith hair at all times, and even though I was protecting my new growth, I was miserable. Eventually, we progressed to other protective styles with extensions, and the routine was ‘Mommy sink washes and deep conditions me, gets the TB grease on my scalp, then blows everything straight, before braiding. Looking back, I had a lot of heat used on my hair even while I was transitioning…I assume whatever was in the old gold and purple Motions bottles protected me from breakage.
The most memorable moment of my hair journey . . .
There was a moment where I went back to a “mild perm” with Mommy’s convincing, around age 15. We did it at the house, it burned, I cried, all my hair fell out, and I cried some more. I still regret it, as I’d have twice the length I do now without it. But the day I realized we just washed it out with regular shampoo and not neutralizing shampoo, I lost it a little bit. And from there, much as I love, love, LOVE her, I resolved that I’d make my own hair decisions exclusively.
I feel most confident in long braids in the half side-ponytail ‘do I’ve been rocking for the last decade.
I was (and am”> very self-conscious about my five-head. But my goth-lite sense of aesthetics fit with sweeping my hair over my face as much as possible! When the big chop made that impossible without constant straightening, I started getting really big into microbraids, and from there, just extended braids that mom could do for me.
April’s Hair Regimen & Holy Grails
If my hair’s not in crochet braids or box braids, it’s a twist out. I prefer to do a LCO method with my rosewater/rainwater mix, Mielle Organics Moisturizing Avocado Hair Milk as my cream and Phytospecific’s Baobab Oil as the oil in that equation. I like to cowash every other week—and I mean cowash with actual conditioner. Camille Rose Naturals’ Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard has been good to me on that front. I usually mask up about once a month, and I’m enjoying the results from Coconut Restore’s Keratin Intensive Repair Masque. Internal maintenance is KEY for growth, and Curls’ Blissful Lengths Liquid Hair Growth Vitamin is really working for me. My ‘edges’ reach my eyebrows now.
What inspired you to go natural? We’d love to hear your story, comment below.
You might have heard of Controlled Chaos from its appearance on ABC’s hit TV show, Shark Tank. Controlled Chaos was founded by a hairstylist who wanted to provide her clients with a product that “Defines, detangles, eliminates frizz, enhances curls, adds shine and provides UV protection.” Not only is it a holy grail amongst many curlies, it recently won Best of the Best from our community. They named the Curl Creme their favorite styling creme, so I decided to give it a try!
Can you be a product junkie and a minimalist? Well, that’s how I would describe myself. My cabinets and drawers are filled to capacity with hair products, but I prefer to keep my styling routine as simple as possible by refreshing, detangling and then adding a light-weight leave-in conditioner. Even though my daily hair routine is pretty simple, I think it’s good to have a variety of products on hand depending on your hairstyle, weather conditions and etc.
My first impressions for the curl creme was the super sleek packaging! I can admit that I have an obsession with great branding and packaging and that’s what definitely caught my eye with this product. From the sleek, matte black bottle which is BPA- free to the simplistic design with pink accents, I was intrigued to see if the product worked for my short 3B/3C curly hair.
As I mentioned, my everyday styling regimen involves me refreshing my curls with a water bottle, adding my favorite detangler, and then adding a leave-in conditioner. For the past couple weeks, I have followed my daily routine and incorporated the Controlled Chaos Curl Creme as my leave-in conditioner.
The creme is light-weight, fragrance-free and doesn’t require any more than a quarter size of the product. Tip: A little goes a long way. To avoid product build-up, use a quarter size and add more every other day if needed.
Tip: A little goes a long way. To avoid product build-up, use a quarter size and add more every other day if needed.
As instructed, I used the curl creme on my wet hair, raked it through from tip to root and let my hair air dry. Once my hair was completely dry, I picked my roots to provide more volume.
After using the curl creme my hair was very defined, soft and bouncy! I would definitely recommend it to other curlies for them to experience because it most certainly lived up to the standards of fighting frizz, adding shine to my hair and is great for all curlies, which I appreciate.
Have you tried Controlled Chaos Curl Creme? How does it work for your hair? Let me know in the comments below.
To see the full list of Best of the Best winners, click here
Photography courtesy of @dahliadanda
Do you want to stay connected with Alexandra? Of course, you do follow her on Instagram for more hair, fashion and fitness inspiration.
Fall is all about layering bold textures, rocking your favorite booties, snuggling up in your coziest sweaters and flaunting your vampy lip unapologetically. For me, it’s also been a period of transitioning from my short cut to longer hair, also known as the awkward phase. Since I’ve been growing my hair out, I’ve been looking for hairstyles to try and this one was definitely a favorite. Being that I cut my hair two years ago in a pixie cut the growing out phase is tough especially since my hair is so many different lengths. There are many tutorials for long curly hair and TWA’s, but it’s harder to find hairstyles for the girls like me who are in the in-between phases. So if you have any other hairstyles that work for you, feel free to comment below.
As you know finger coils are my method for creating defined curls and great to wear for a few days when you don’t have much styling or prep time.
Tip: To add more volume fluff and pick.
The hairstylist, Christina, used my favorite styling products the ORS Styling Smoothie and Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Paste. To make your hairstyle stand out add some accessories like these gold hair cuffs, that are sold at your local beauty supply.
Now that I’ve shared all my hair details, let’s talk about this outfit! Every season the Pantone Color Institute highlights the top 10 colors we’ll see in fashion and for another year the Burgundy color is a Fall staple color. This year they’re calling it “Tawny Port” which is a deep red wine color that is elegant, sophisticated and tasteful, which is a great way to describe this look. It never fails that my eye eternally gravitates toward this hue and I’m officially obsessed, can you tell?
Living in Texas it can be anywhere from 44 to 88 degrees on the same day. It can be tricky on what to wear, so the best thing to do is layer lightly. I paired this maroon bodycon midi dress from Forever 21 with a floral satin trench coat from Nordstrom to add some flavor to this simple look. What I love about this coat is how light-weight and ridiculously soft it is, it’s the perfect third piece to keep in your wardrobe to wear on multiple occasions from desk to dinner.
Let’s get into these boots though! Who else lives for Fall to pull out your most fabulous boots? Yasss girl, me too! Being that I’m 5’8, I’m extremely picky when it comes to shoes, especially heels. I prefer a block heel like these booties and it’s a priority that they’re comfortable and fit well. These velvet boots from Steve Madden are so comfy and easy to walk in, not to mention they make such a statement! They have some brown and purple undertones which are great because they can easily be paired with several looks. If I’m going to invest in a good quality shoe, it’s important that they’re transitional and can be worn with various outfits.
Oh and I can’t forget to share my lip color! I’ve seriously had this lipstick from MAC for years and every time I wear it I feel like a new woman. A bold lip color goes a long way, so I encourage you to find your power color and own it!
What’s your fall color staple?
Want more style and hair inspo? Follow me on Instagram
Photography by Cassandra J. Klepac
Hair by @prettyeyegirl_mzcuts
Kerry Washington graced the November cover of Allure Magazine and she is giving us all the feels. The award-winning actress and producer who is known for her powerful role in Scandal gets real about beauty standards, motherhood, and politics. There are so many things to love about this cover shoot from her natural makeup look, loose cornrows, the jaw-dropping fashion and we’re here for all of it!
This. Is. Black. Girl. Magic.
On Politics
Can we be honest? This year has been challenging, emotionally draining and filled with countless acts of terror and hate where it can seem tough to navigate as a brown woman living in America. So anytime you catch a glimpse of hope, hold on tight. In her interview with Allure she shares that this year has also been tough for her, “I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.”
I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.
On Representation
Most of the time we spot Kerry Washington it’s on the ABC hit drama Scandal as Olivia Pope, who is known for her bold actions, flawless fashion statements and go-getter attitude who always gets the job done no matter the circumstances.
{Insert your favorite “It’s Handled” meme here} Only the real Gladiators will catch that.Kerry Washington and the Scandal creator, Shonda Rhimes have helped change the trajectory for women in media, especially African-American women. Kerry Washington tells Allure that most people’s relationship with Olivia Pope may be the most intimate one they have with a black woman, “For her to be three-dimensional and complex and fully human and not anybody’s stereotype or caricature is a big deal,” she says.
On Natural Hair
For centuries African-American women have been scrutinized for how we choose to wear our hair, especially our natural hair. While the natural movement is slowly changing the game there are still societal pressures to look, “beautiful.”
Not until recently, celebrities rarely wore their natural hair. Celebrities such as Kerry Washington are usually seen on the red carpet with silky straight hair and their edges laid, so for her to come through and make this raw statement, it’s everything we needed.
“I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”
I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.
According to her hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, she says, “I parted her #natural blown out #hair in four sections. Then braided it from the front to the undone ends. I left the flyaways on purpose to show the imperfections with the hair. Then finished off the #hairstyle with some gold hair jewelry.”
One of the beautiful things about natural hair is the versatility. In her second look, she rocked curly extensions by her celebrity hair stylist who is clearly killing the hair game.
Thank you, Kerry Washington for reminding US of our power, beauty, and resilience. Continue to break barriers and shine bright Queen.
What do you think about her cover look? Are you here for it? Let me know in the comments below.
Credits:
Fashion stylist: Hanna Kelifa
Hair: Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
Makeup: Francelle Daly
Photography: Sharif Hamza
No matter your curl type, volume is most likely at the top of your priority list. There are many techniques to add volume to your hair such as fluffing, diffusing and scrunching. But have you tried a pick? Believe me, it will surprise you how much it makes a difference in your curls. I know there is some fear that when you pick your hair it may cause frizz and breakage, but that’s not the case with all picks. Now that I’ve found the Cricket Ultra Smooth Coconut Pick to create fluffy voluminous curls I don’t leave home without it. Read along to find out why you should keep this pick in your bag, at all times.
A few months ago the NaturallyCurly team had a pick challenge to show the difference in how your hair looks before and after using a pick. I never used a pick before and was up for the challenge. Being that I have short, type 3b/c curly hair, I always thought my hair should be defined and slicked to my forehead. I’m not sure where I got this idea from, but you couldn’t tell me otherwise until after I saw how good my hair looked picked out with volume.
Usually, my daily hair routine involves me refreshing my curls in the morning, adding my favorite leave-in to the ends of my hair and letting it air dry. Once my hair is completely dry I then grab my pick for the finishing touches.
How to use the pick
I’ve learned that the best way to add volume and keep your curl definition is to lift your roots with the pick, but don’t comb all the way through the ends. Since my hair is styled in a pixie cut, I prefer to add volume mostly to the right side of my hair where my hair is longer. Then, I’ll pick the rest of my hair to make it evenly full.
What I love about this pick is that it glides right through my hair and is infused with coconut oil and keratin to help reduce frizz and add a lil’ shine, without leaving residue on my hands. I have seen metal sharp picks, but I prefer plastic and these edges aren’t too sharp to poke my scalp or cause breakage to my curls. You can read more about how metal picks and plastic picks compare here. Also, I like the size of it and how it can easily be thrown in my purse, backpack or suitcase. You never know when you may need to fluff on the go to get that extra oomph.
I highly recommend this pick for all curlies, wavies and coilies. You can now get yours at SHOPNaturallyCurly for only $5.00, say whaaat? Girl, you better get you one. Thank me later!
I’ve been rockin’ my fro lately, and just check out the volume I’ve been able to achieve!
Do you use a pick? Share what you use to add volume to your hair in the comments below.
Photography by Cassandra J. Klepac, last photo by Dahlia Danda.
Want to stay connected with Alexandra? Of course, you do, follow her on Instagram for all things health +beauty + curly hair chronicles.
*Editors Note: This post is not sponsored.
I big chopped two years ago and decided to get my hair cut in a pixie. Although I have enjoyed my sleek short hair cut, I think I’m over the “short hair don’t care” season of my life and I’m ready to let my hair grow out. Currently, my hair is a variety of lengths and curl patterns, so it can be frustrating to style my hair at times. If you’re a short curly like me growing your hair out or transitioning and in need of some inspiration, here’s what helps me to own the in-between stages of my curly hair chronicles.
Protective Styles
This summer I started experimenting with protective styles and now I’m obsessed with trying out new hairstyles! It’s so easy to get comfortable with a hairstyle, but there are so many options for your try, so I encourage you to be open to change and try something new. One of the braided hairstyles I tried was the feed-in ponytail with gold cuffs, which was great for my summer vacation trip to Belize.
A few weeks after that, I tried the fulani braids with beads, which I got for my New York trip to Afropunk. These were definitely a fave, but to be completely honest the braids that came to the front kept getting in the way when I washed my face or slept, so definitely keep that in mind when trying a style like this. Ask yourself, are you more focused on fashion or functionality?
Headwraps
If you’re in need of a quick fix and don’t want to spend too much time or money, wrap it up! Headwraps are definitely one of my go-to’s when my hair isn’t cooperating. If I’m in a rush or the humidity kills my vibe, then I can quickly grab one of my colorful headwraps to complete my look. Headwraps are great for any season, plus there are so many different ways to tie one.
If headwraps are new to your styling repertoire, check out this video.
Finger Coil Method
I feel like I’m officially the finger coil queen! Seriously, this is my go-to method for blending in the shorter strands, plus it defines my curls like no other. My hair has been growing a lot lately, but it tends to be very uneven with so many different curl patterns. It can be tough to style at times, especially since the front is long and the sides are short.
Here’s my finger coiling method step-by-step:
- Mane Choice Softening Milk rake through my hair
- Part in sections and finer coil each section
- Air dry
- Undo coils
- Fluff and go
Own Every Stage
Remember, direction is so much more important than speed. Don’t get caught up on what other curlies are doing, do what works for you! The more familiar you become with your hair’s needs, the easier it is to know how to maneuver along your natural hair journey successfully. Like any journey, it’s important to set realistic goals, pace yourself, keep an optimistic mindset and celebrate your progress.
I’m planning on getting a sew-in next, which is right on time to switch up my look for fall. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how I care for my natural hair and scalp, and how I maintain the hair extensions. I’m also planning on sharing how to style my extensions to blend in with my natural hair, so stay tuned for more!
Want more hair + style inspo from Alexandra? Of course you do. Follow her on Instagram.
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Most curly hair women grew up with the mindset that water was our biggest enemy, especially if we had a perm. We had gone through far too much pain to let the rain ruin our freshly pressed hair. I would try my best to duck and dodge from the rain. Even when I went swimming I wore a swim cap, because I did not want to deal with the aftermath of wet hair. Having been natural for over six-years, I now understand the importance of water as an essential ingredient to a healthy hair regimen.
When I first started working at NaturallyCurly, Evelyn introduced me to this water bottle by Curly Hair Solutions. It was a NC favorite and came highly recommended by all of the editors, so I was eager to find out what the hype surrounding this water bottle was all about. Now, you can expect to pay $15 for this water bottle. I know I know, this sounds a bit steep, so I decided to test it for myself. I’ve been using this water bottle for the last eight months and girl, let me tell you, it will change your life! It most definitely changed mine. Keep scrolling to find out its magical powers.
I have a combination of Type 3b/c curls with medium porosity, and my hair desperately needs moisture. For the longest, I used to dump my head in the sink or wet my hair in the shower each morning. Being that I live in Texas, humidity is always a component that comes into play, so I usually have to also refresh my curls in the evenings before I head to dinner or an event- – it’s such a game changer.
There are many things I love about this water bottle from the ultra-sleek packing to the easily refillable bottle in which you can cocktail to perfection. Another reason why it is now a part of my everyday essentials is that it sprays a continuous mist without drenching my hair. If you only knew how I used to walk around with soaking wet hair slicked to the side for at least half of the day because I would re-wet my hair in the shower each morning. Who knew it would take me 25 years to find something so simple that works wonders? It’s such a great reminder that the natural hair journey is truly a journey. The more familiar you get with your curl pattern and find what products work best for you, you’ll conquer the curly girl struggles and get the defined voluminous curls you’ve been searching for.
I’m sure you’re wondering how you can get your hands on your very own Curly Hair Solutions Water Bottle, right? SHOPNaturallyCurly has restocked them so you can now get your hands on one. I guarantee it is worth the investment because you will witness a curly hair miracle happen before your eyes.
Now I know why the experts consider this to be the BEST water bottle for fabulous curls. *Praises Curly Hair Gods*
What is your go-to curl refresher? I’d love to know in the comments below.
Photography by Cassandra J. Klepac
Want to stay connected with Alexandra, of course you do! Follow her on Instagram
*Editor’s Note: This article is not sponsored.
Growing up as a bi-racial girl with no sense of identity, there were only a handful of women I admired and felt I could relate to on television. Women like Lisa Bonet, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tia and Tamera Mowry and Brandy Norwood helped change the trajectory of how women were represented in the media, especially African-American women.
One woman, in particular, Tracee Ellis Ross, who recently won a Golden Globe for her phenomenal role in the ABC hit show Blackish, which shines a light on topics such as gender roles, race, and parenting continues to pave the way in the media industry by being refreshingly honest and funny. She is not just an actress but in her words an, “Actively compassionate advocate for freedom, equity and joy, culture of beauty expander.” I got that straight from her Instagram bio, so you know it’s real. I’ve been a fan of hers since her lead role as Joan in Girlfriends, which was by far one of my favorite TV shows of all times. Even though I was definitely way too young to be watching that show, it showcased the power and beauty of sisterhood, black excellence, and sexuality.
From her charismatic personality, ability to eloquently spit lyrics as T-murda, glorious style that embodies feminity, and warm spirit that makes you feel as though she’s your favorite auntie. She is redefining beauty and breaking barriers to shine a light on the importance of representation and inclusivity in media.
In her latest interview with Vogue, she answers 73 intimate questions including her biggest fear in life and what inspires her. Her advice to her teenage self was something we can all use a reminder of:
I swear you will get more comfortable in your skin, and keep dreaming honey.
It seems we at NaturallyCurly have a lot in common with Tracee, because the one thing she wants to be remembered for is “inspiring people to feel comfortable in their skin.” The moment she describes beauty and here is everything to us.
Beauty is about the way you feel, about having desire, and having choice. And beauty is about you.
Can we just be best friends already? When asked what she loves most about her hair, she replied emphatically, “that it’ll do anything.”
Press play and watch it for yourself!
Never underestimate the power of your words.
You’re beautiful. I love you. Know yourself. Write in the journal. Be yourself. Love yourself. Be of service. Be teachable.
From her beautiful home, messy bun, effortless style, and inspiring words I’m officially obsessed with Auntie Tracee and hope she has inspired you in some form to speak your truth and embrace your curly crown!
What do you love most about your hair? Let me know in the comments!
Music, fashion and beauty icon Rihanna has everyone glowing in her latest make-up collection, “Fenty Beauty”. Last week she dropped the exclusive collection and, unlike other celebrities, she created enough product for people to purchase rather than releasing a limited amount that would sell out in hours. From the strategic marketing, sleek packaging and diverse products she is paving the way in the beauty industry to redefine traditional beauty standards. For the past two years, she has been working diligently with Kendo Brands to release an innovative, inclusive and cruelty-free make-up collection in which all women are celebrated. Get into this glow and find out what all the hype is about.
Representation Matters
Let’s talk about the beauties she hand picked for this campaign, such as Halima Aden, Duckie Thot, Slick Woods, Paloma Elsesser and more reminding us that beauty has no limits.
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“Fenty Beauty was created for everyone: for women of all shades, personalities, attitudes, cultures, and races. I wanted everyone to feel included. That’s the real reason I made this line.” xx Rihanna
Women of color have been left out of the conversation for far too long when it comes to the beauty industry, especially finding the right match for darker skin tones. What I admire most about this make-up collection is that she created 40 boundary-breaking shades of foundations, which has never been done before! Also, to take the struggle out of finding your match she created an online matching system that helps you find the perfect foundation for your skin tone. To make the process even more flawless, when you visit a Sephora the associates have match cards that tell you recommendations for the entire Fenty Beauty collection from highlighter to concealer based on your foundation color. Seriously, this is how you create your own lane! 
My Experience
Foundation is Key
I’m sure we can all agree on the struggle of finding a foundation that matches perfectly and doesn’t leave you ashy, orange or oily. I went to Sephora and got matched for the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in 300. I’ve been a MAC girl for over 5 years and thought it was the best foundation for my skin, but this foundation is everything!!! It’s lightweight, medium coverage and shine-free. It does oxidize so it changes color after you put it on, so give it some time to set before you try a new color. Did I mention it’s oil free and sweat resistant?
Glow Baby Glow
I tried her Killawatt duo highlighters in Mean Money + Hustla Baby and Girl Next Door + Chic Phreak. In my opinion, they were too subtle and didn’t show up very well on my skin. Then, I tried the Match Stix in Rum, a roll-on shimmer stick that can be used as a highlighter, lipstick or eyeshadow. OMG!!! *Throws hands up and praises Riri* Y’all this Match Stix is by far my favorite product from Fenty! What I love most is it’s multi-purpose and so easy to apply. You can purchase it individually or in a trio that includes a concealer and contour for the ultimate slay! 
Where You Can Get It
You can get yours at exclusively at Sephora, Harvey Nichols and Fenty Beauty, plus it ships globally so everyone has a chance to experience what it feels like to glow year-round. Expect to invest $16 – $54, but I feel it is most definitely worth it!
What Do You Think?
Have you tried it? What’s your favorite product? Let me know in the comments below!
Texture on The Runway, powered by Sally Beauty, is an ode to natural hair, culture, art, and fashion. It’s an opportunity to create a space for women, men and kids with textured hair to inspire one another to rock their crowns with confidence. TOTR took place at Gotham Hall, which set the scene eloquently for greatness to take the stage. The runway was filled with beautiful curls, bold afros, intricate braids adorned with metallic ornaments and let’s not forget the jaw dropping fashion. Celebrity wardrobe stylist, Wouri Vice, teamed up with Curlformers to bring Bohemian Chic to TOTR. Wouri has styled some of our favorite leading ladies such as Taraji P. Henson, Alicia Keys, Viola Davis and more. I had the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with him to find out his inspiration for the runway looks and the importance of diversity in the fashion community.
Curlformers theme was “Bohemian Chic x Flower Power” so it was all about florals, bold colorful prints and patterns.
Wardrobe Stylist, Wouri explains why he chose to go with Flower Power and the significance it has with curls, “Flowers bloom, they start small and they get big just like curls. There is so much power in the curl, there’s so much power and strength for a woman to wear her hair in a curly texture in this climate because it’s an immediate judgment, but I think that’s the beauty of it because there’s so much variety in how curls are worn. So I transformed that into flowers and what I see as we’re moving into the Spring season.”
“We’ve got everything from Zara to Cristina Economou. For me, it’s more about the concept rather than the designers. I wanted to show women that fashion can be fun with florals and patterns.”
Doube the cuteness, double the fun, Anais & Mirabelle Lee owned the runway in the most adorable outfits. Peep the Chuck Taylors.
Marissa Hill glided down the runway in the most beautiful floral prints I’ve seen. This kaftan is everything!!
Carol Rojas rocked the runway mixing lace & leather, so timeless!
Britney Watkins graced the runway reminding us that work wear can be fun too! I think I need this yellow sweater in my wardrobe, what a statement!?
The bottom line is we’re magical and everyone wants a piece of the magic.”
Wouri said, “Platforms like this are creating the moment for diversity. I think that there’s space for diversity to grow in the community, but the fashion community doesn’t want to admit that they’ve been wrong. When it comes to hair, I don’t see a lot of curls on the runway so this is a very important show to be a part of and I was excited that Curlformers invited me to join their team.”
Thank you for sharing your expertise, Wouri Vice. It was a pleasure chatting with you! You can find the Curlformers used for all of these styles at Sally Beauty.
This post is sponsored by Curlformers.
Photography by Corey Reese Photography
Real Women. Real Fashion. Real Texture.
Texture on the Runway, powered by Sally Beauty and presented by Naturallycurly, kicked off NYFW showcasing the beauty of natural hair, which isn’t usually represented in the fashion industry. TOTR is an opportunity for textured hair to have the spotlight and reminded us that texture can be the perfect complement for any fashion. This year, 6 brands each created a unique experience for attendees to be inspired and empowered by their natural hair in all of its forms. I had the pleasure of working with Curlformers, a heatless curling tool that creates a variety of curls, from ringlet spirals to loose-barrel waves.
Alexandra Efstratiou, Curlformers lead hairstylist, sat down with me and shared her inspiration behind the TOTR runway hairstyles and the variety of ways she used Curlformers to create beautiful curls that we dream of.
What inspired your theme for this year’s TOTR?
Bohemian Chic, Flower Power is the theme I created as I styled this event. I took the idea of a flower and its power to expand as it’s formed. Just like a flower a small plant or seed can grow into something miraculous and beautiful. We wanted to show the different types of looks you can create with Curlformers on different textures while showcasing the natural bohemian feel which mirrors Curlformers.
What products were used to create these looks?
We used a mixture of curler widths and lengths will be used from Corkscrew Curlformers to create a powerful, rocker boho chic afro to Spiral and Barrel Curlformers to bring to life the whimsical look-and-feel inherent of a beautiful, traditional, care-free and high-spirited bohemian woman. For the first time in the US and for any runway show, we used our new range of wet styling products – Styleformers due to launch soon which features a range of products including a curling cream and serum, perfect for using alone or together as part of a fun, cocktail hair mix.
What do you want people to experience when they see these hairstyles on the runway?
We wanted to show that you can have a professional look and still have natural texture. We’d like to introduce that it’s not only straight hair that can be born in a business office.
What current hair trend do you love and how did you incorporate that into the show?
One trend I love, and part of why I am so excited to do the Curlformers texture on the runway show, is natural texture. I enjoy an unrepressed approach to beauty. Trying to make every style straight and shiny is just a bit boring, and it does not reflect what we are seeing on the streets of NYC, where sporty, urban, nonchalant, laid-back styles are de rigueur. As such, the basis of our idea for the show is to show off chic bohemian styles that celebrate wave and curl, texture and movement in the hair.
What are some tips to create a variety of looks when using Curlformers?
You think of the product, Curlformers, you think everyone will have these tight spiral curls, but we also wanted to show the variety of styles Curlformers offers to amp up the volume or tone it down with a loose wave. To make a looser curl you definitely want to increase the size of Curlformers and drag the roots down so that the curl isn’t coming directly off the scalp, but flattens it out a little bit and starts closer to the temple.
Why do you feel it’s important to have texture represented on the runway?
Hair should make you look and feel young and carefree, sexy and fun and fabulous. By celebrating texture on the runway, we can continue to spread this message and encourage more people to wear their hair naturally.
Thank you for sharing your insight and inspiration, Alexandra Efstratiou. You can find the Curlformers used for all of these styles at Sally Beauty.
This post is sponsored by Curlformers.
Photography by Corey Reese Photography
