Let’s be honest, finding the right hair products that provide moisture, hold and definition can be a challenge, but once you find what works best for your curls, coils or waves you’re golden. Some women thrive off voluminous curls, while others prefer defined frizz-free curls. Whether you prefer to rock a wash n’ go or twist out the toughest part is determining what products to use depending on your hair type and your desired hairstyle. We understand the struggle and want to help take the guesswork out of finding amazing products because believe it or not, there are products that exit that actually works and allow you to rock your curls with confidence.

The NaturallyCurly Editors have diligently tested hundreds of products, deliberated and the votes are in for the 2018 Editors’ Choice Best Styling Products! Scroll down to see who won and what products you need to add to your curly girl collection.

What we look for:

Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:

• Does the product provide the hold, definition, and moisture needed for your hair type?

• Does the product do what it claims it will do?

• Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?

• Ease of use and product distribution

• Packaging and product functionality

• Innovation

• Scent

• Ingredients

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

Styling Creams

Type 2

Curl Junkie Spiral Lotion

“Amazing definition after using this product, probably the best I’ve seen in a very long time! I was really impressed. Used in soaking wet hair, scrunched til it was towel dried and scrunched in a bit more, then diffused until halfway dry and air dried the rest of the way.” – Grace, 2a

Type 3

Aunt Jackie’s Coconut Creme Recipes Butter Creme Intensive Moisture Sealant

This is a hydration sensation! This butter creme is the cure for dry hair and will leave your curls moisturized and softer than ever. It’s packed with natural ingredients such as Honey, Shea Butter, and Avocado to keeps your curls hydrated.

Type 3 c

Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Soufflé

Here’s the secret to the most magical twist out of your dreams! This twisting souffle will leave your curls soft, moisturized and defined for days. Not to mention the refreshing smell is amazing and makes you feel like you’re on a tropical island.

Type 4

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

Are your curls quenched? This creamy formula is blended to perfection with coconut oil, papaya butter, and plumeria extract to nourish and moisturize your hair. This thick and creamy smoothie will enhance softness for shiny, bouncy, and defined coils.

Styling Gels

Type 2

Salon Pro Exclusives Twin Olive Maximum Hold Gel

This $2 gel provides superior hold and definition for wavies and curlies with fine hair. This affordable and effective gel can be found at your local drugstores and is a new staple in the NaturallyCurly office. 

Type 3

Treluxe Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel

Provides long-lasting curl definition, brilliant shine, and moisture balance. A little goes a long way, plus it gives an excellent amount of slip to detangle and define curls. 

Type 3c

Aunt Jackies Curls & Coils Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel

“This gel is a game changer! For the longest, I steered clear of gels because I didn’t want to deal with the flaky or crunchy side effects. That’s certainly not the case with this gel. It gave me so much curl definition, shine and bounce!” – Alexandra, Type 3c

Type 4

Alikay Naturals Aloe Berry Style Gel

Aloe Berry Styling Gel contains a unique blend of all-natural ingredients to offer both styling versatility and moisture in a single styling product. With the Aloe Berry Styling Gel, you now have the freedom to style your hair without it drying, flaking, or feeling sticky!

Mousses

Type 2

Deva DevaCurl Frizz-free Volumizing Foam

If you want fullness, plus frizz protection, make this airy, boosting foam your new go-to! This alcohol-free, lightweight foam contains a blend of lemongrass and sunflower to give waves and curls va va volume, touchable definition and incredible shine. And frizz? Kiss it goodbye!

Type 3

Smooth ‘n Shine Curl Defining Mousse

This curl defining and detangling mousse is a new favorite for curlies. Formulated with shea butter and camellia oil it will bring out the best of your curls and radiate shine and add volume to your curls instantly.

Type 3c

Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse 

Whether you swear by your wash n go’s or your bomb twist outs, this mousse will be sure to deliver greatness. This new formula dries quickly, reduces frizz and adds gorgeous shine. 

Type 4

The Mane Choice Pink Lemonade & Coconut Mousse

It adds the perfect blended balance of clarification, hydration, and moisture to give your hair the ability to showcase its most optimal texture. This collection is a must have to the ultimate kinky hair regimen. Infused with biotin, vitamins, and nutrients to aid in hair growth and retention.

What’s your favorite styling product? Let us know in the comments below if yours was chosen and what you love most about it!

Check out the rest of our Editors’ Choice winners here.

“I began getting perms at the tender age of three years old, crazy right? Growing up of mixed race, my mom had no clue how to care for my thick curly hair. She was advised to perm my hair so it would be easier to manage and care for. So, I got perms faithfully until I was in high school and then began wearing sew-ins. I wore weave for about four years and started spot perming my leave-out which eventually lead to horrible breakage. During college, I was determined to get blonde highlights and my hair stylist bleached my hair. My hair was extremely dry and brittle from the bleach, plus I didn’t know how to care for color-treated hair so it was all bad. I let my hair grow out for a while, then I began cutting it until I was ready for the big chop in May of 2015. I went short – real short! I figured if I was going to start over might as well try a new look, so I decided to cut my hair in a pixie cut.”

What made you decide to go natural?

After years of perming my hair, wearing sew-ins, and then bleaching my hair, I was determined to reinvent myself and embrace my natural hair. I never knew how to care for my hair until I cut my hair off, which gave me the opportunity to learn my curl pattern and texture.

How has your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?

My family honestly couldn’t even tell when I wore weaves, but once I cut all my hair into a pixie cut they were shocked by how short I went. They’re pretty traditional and feel women should have long hair, so at first, they didn’t like it and would make jokes, but they’ve grown to love it.

What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?

Most definitely the big chop! I didn’t tell anyone I was cutting my hair, it was something I wanted to do to prove to myself that I could.

What hairstyle(s”> made you feel the most confident?

Honestly, it took me a while to love my short hair. At first, I didn’t feel confident because I didn’t know how to style it, but now that I’ve been rocking my short cut for the past two years it’s definitely my favorite hairstyle yet.

What was your transitioning hair regimen?

While I was transitioning I had no clue what I was doing. I was still straightening my hair and tried wearing it curly, but couldn’t find products that worked for my hair and went back to what I knew: the classic slicked back ponytail.

What is your current hair regimen?

I cleanse my hair about once a week and use Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner. Then, I dry my hair with a microfiber towel and apply a detangler or leave-in such as the SheaMoisture Baobab & Tea Tree Oils Low Porosity Protein Free Detangler or Kinky-Curly Knot Today,which works great because they both provide great slip and have a lightweight cream consistency that defines and moisturizes my curls. Since, I’m growing my hair out my go-to technique is the finger coil method for poppin’ curls. I have a new found love for gels and mousses and one of my favorites is the Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse, paired with the Camille Rose Curl Maker. I refresh my hair each morning with the Curly hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle that I love because it’s a continuous mist spray water bottle that gives my curls life without drenching them. Then, I let my hair air dry and add a finishing spray such as the Ouidad Mongongo Oil to shine add shine and control frizz for humid Texas days. Then, to amp up the volume I grab my pick and fluff my curls.

Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase and need some encouragement?

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 natural hair journey is an infinite one that brings countless lessons and opportunity for growth. If a product isn’t working, try something else. If you weren’t satisfied with your twist out, keep practicing or try another style. Luckily,  there are tons of resources and products at our fingertips so take advantage of it. Like any journey, it’s important to set realistic goals, pace yourself, keep an optimistic mindset and celebrate your progress.

Want more from Alexandra? Follow her on Instagram @queensconquer

What’s your hair story? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your story here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

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. 

Image: Getty

Anyone else still drunk in love from Beychella?

Let’s be honest, Coachella will never be the same. Last night Beyonce made history as she owned the stage at Coachella, becoming the first black woman to headline the music festival, and she celebrated in true Black Girl Magic fashion. Bey took us on an intimate and empowering evolution of her journey with a two-hour experience performing her top hits from “Crazy in Love” to “Single Ladies.” She also made it a point to use this special moment to exemplify Black culture and all it stands for.

If you missed it and couldn’t stay up until the wee hours of the night, chances are you’re experiencing severe fomo right now. Don’t worry, we have the highlights of how Queen Bey slayed Coachella and declared it Beychella forever. Yeah forever, eva.

She took us to church to sing our praises to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is also known as the black national anthem. She enrolled us into the most prideful and vibrant HBCU to educate us about the black greek life, feminism and the importance of representation. Not to mention she dropped gems from Malcolm X, Nina Simone and paid homage to African Queens such as Nefertiti. She took us down south to honor her family roots by intertwining Texas trill music, New Orleans bounce, and brass band sounds to back that thang up. She let us experience the evolution of her own journey performing 26 of her greatest hits, and even invited a few guests to share the stage. Destiny’s Child gave us the ultimate reunion, performing faves such as “Soldier” and “Say My Name.” Solange showed up for the ultimate twerk off, and Jay-Z made an appearance with a classic duet “Deja Vu.”

What was so beautiful about this meaningful, forceful and inspiring performance by Queen Bey was the homage she paid to women. She reminded each and every woman of the power they hold, most importantly the ones that came before her. Beyonce declared, “This is for all the incredible women that opened the doors for me, thank you so much.” Beyonce most definitely outdid herself and officially lit the desert on fire to showcase the beauty of femininity, African-American history, and true art in the purest form.

If you haven’t seen this groundbreaking, epic performance yet, please do yourself the favor and watch the full performance here.

What was your favorite moment from Beychella? Let us know in the comments below. Bask in the beyhive glory and get into this Black Girl Magic of what is called #beychella

In case you didn’t know, Earth Day is kind of a big deal.

Honestly, we should be celebrating our beautiful Mother Earth every day because she’s the one that makes it all possible. Whether it’s recycling, conserving water, eating clean or simply using products that are chemical free, we can each play a part in protecting her natural beauty while honoring our own. This year we chose to step up our game and celebrate Earth Day in style, and we’re here to spill the tea on how you can join in on the fun, plus get tips on a new do’.

Coconut Restore Au Natural Giveaway!

Oh! Did we mention, we’ve got a special prize for you?

Coconut Restore is giving away 6 of their au natural products to keep your waves and curls nourished, scroll down to get the deets!

Our Pinterest feed is full of gorgeous hairstyles, and one style that we’ve been eager to try is the waterfall braid. Before you talk yourself out of it and continue to rock your everyday ponytail, trust us it’s not as hard as it looks. We teamed up with Brooke Michie, hairstylist at Lyric Salon, to share a step-by-step tutorial to achieve a whimsical waterfall braid.

But First Let’s Talk Products . . .

As usual, it’s important to start with clean hair. Grab, the Moisture Replenishing Shampoo to gently cleanse your hair and restore your natural oils. Once you rinse out the shampoo, now it’s time to apply the Daily Strengthening Conditioner to moisturize your hair packed with protein and coconut oil that will make your hair healthier, stronger and softer.

If your curls are in need of some extra TLC, we got you covered! Once you have rinsed out the conditioner and towel dried your hair, apply the Keratin Intensive Repair Masque section by section covering your hair from root to tip. For best results, cover your hair with a shower cap or a plastic bag and let the masque sit for 10 minutes and then rinse it out.

It’s cocktail time!

To give your waves and curls some definition, grab a water bottle and the Curl Control Leave-in Conditioner. Squeeze a small amount of the leave-in conditioner into the water bottle, shake and spray your hair until it’s damp.

Get the Look

Now, that your hair is clean and conditioned for greatness, it’s time for the real fun!

Take three strands of hair near your temple as you would a normal braid. The piece higher up closer to the part line is section one and the hair in the middle that you’re crossing over is section two and then section three comes up to cross over the tail of section one.

Repeat this process, adding in hair like a French Braid to section one again and then letting it drop over section two. Collect hair from the section near/beneath the dropped hair to be the new section three that comes up and over the dropped piece like a stitch to keep it in place and start the braid again.

Continue this process until the braid is wrapped around your head.

Tip: Direct the braid downward toward the nape if you want the braid to have a curved, low-slung shape.

For a regal crowned style, repeat that process beneath the first braid with dropped sections included in the new braid for a fuller, lacier or more textural effect. Then, secure the braid with a bobby pin. Accessories are a great way to jazz up your style, feel free to add more pins and clips for a fun adorned look. You’ll thank us later!

Now, that’s not so hard right?

Coconut Restore Au Natural Giveaway!

In honor of Earth Day, we want you to celebrate in style while doing your part in protecting Mother Earth.

Comment on how you’ll be spending Earth Day for a chance to win the entire Coconut Restore collection. We’ll be choosing 3 winners, so don’t miss out!

This post is sponsored by Coconut Restore.

It’s all about “Moisture, moisture, moisture!”??‍♀️

Recently, I noticed that I needed to switch up my styling products from heavy creams to gels because they were weighing my hair down and not giving me the curl definition I was looking for. Eco Style is known for creating some of the most trustworthy gels out that not only keep your baby hairs laid, but curls defined and frizz free so I had to see what the hype was about. They sent me a special gift to try, and I can’t wait to spill the tea about their latest 2-in-1 product that has everyone buzzing!

All I can say is . . . The hype is real.

Eco Style continues to update their famed styling gel, and they just released their most innovative product, yet: A gel that is half conditioning treatment, half styling product packed with four key ingredients that your curls will love including flaxseed, olive oil, shea butter, and black castor oil.

Here’s why these ingredients are so essential for hair health:

• Flaxseed provides the strong hold without the crunch plus adds shine and curl definition.
• Olive oil is known to seal, coat and penetrate the hair to prevent moisture loss and combat frizz.
• Shea butter is an essential ingredient for most curlies because it’s a natural moisturizer and provides protection against heat and UV rays.
• Black castor oil strengthens, thickens and increases hair growth.

What I liked most about this gel is that it left my hair feeling so soft, defined and moisturized! Let’s be honest gels have a bad reputation for making hair feel crunchy, flaky and dry and that’s because they’re usually filled with alcohol and synthetic polymers that lead to product build up. That is certainly not the case with this product since it’s packed with the top natural ingredients it’s not only styling your hair but moisturizing it as well.

In addition to the Eco Style Gold Gel leaving my curls poppin’ this gel stood out to me because it moisturizes your scalp and increases hair growth which is extremely important to me as I grow out my hair. Plus, the hold and shine are on 10 and it’s literally everything your hair needs in one jar.

Is gel a part of your styling routine?

Let us know if you’ll be trying out the Eco Style Gold Gel in the comments below.

This post is sponsored by Eco Styler.

Has winter left your curls dull and dehydrated?

Don’t worry you’re not alone curlfriend, we’ve all experienced winter woes and have bounced back from it. Winter is known for leaving curls depleted, brittle and dehydrated, but don’t lose hope that just means your curls need some TLC. In the drier months, it’s important to hydrate, protect and nourish your curls and we’ve got exactly what you need to help your curls come alive.

We know that wash day can be a hassle so, AG Hair has released the ultimate wash day duo to give you that boost of #curlconfidence we all desire. AG’s latest Curl Revive Shampoo and Curl Thrive Conditioner has just hit the shelves, and everyone is buzzing about its amazing super-hydrating benefits for curlies, keep reading to find out why you need to add them to your curly arsenal.

AG created this collection specifically for curls, coils, and kinks that crave moisture. It’s formulated with nourishing ingredients such as organic shea butter, sunflower seed oil, quinoa, and Curl Creating Complex (C3″> to bring your curls back to life in no time.

Curl Revive Shampoo

It’s a common notion, that most curlies prefer to co-wash because shampoos can be harsh and strip moisture from our curls, but that isn’t the case with this shampoo. Curl Revive is a rich, creamy shampoo that gently cleanses, maintains moisture, controls frizz and reinvigorates curls. It’s enriched with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, sunflower oil and pea peptides which help to seal in moisture, prevent breakage and add shine.

Key ingredients and benefits include:

• Coconut oil – composed of fatty acids and vitamin E, coconut oil has a low molecular weight that easily penetrates the hair cuticle, helping hair retain moisture, add shine and prevent breakage.

• Sunflower oil – conditions hair and helps seal in moisture, protecting hair from free radicals and UV degradation.

• Pea peptides – a complete source of amino acids, which help strengthen and condition the hair cuticle.

• Silk and keratin protein – add moisture, strength, elasticity and shine.

• Copernica cerifera (carnuba wax”> – provides exceptional shine and texture.

Curl Creating Complex (C3″> containing:

• Bio-fermented tomato fruit extract – shrinks the hair cuticle and encourages curls.

• Rice amino acids – hydrate and improve hair strength, defines curls and helps fight frizz.

Curl Thrive Conditioner

It’s no secret that curly hair thrives off moisture, especially in dry climates. The Curl Thrive Conditioner is created with a blend of quinoa protein, pea peptides, and silk amino acids to help moisturize and strengthen the hair cuticle, while hyper-rich shea butter and lightweight sunflower oil help smooth, calming split ends and frizz. It’s luxurious and hydrating formula will leave your curls defined and moisturized.

Key ingredients and benefits include:

• Organic shea butter – super rich and creamy, helps smooth and condition curls.

• Sunflower oil – conditions hair and helps seal in moisture, protecting hair from free radicals and UV degradation.

• Hydrolyzed quinoa – a complete plant-based protein that contains all 8 essential amino acids. Helps hair look and feel smoother and silkier by forming a protective barrier, sealing in moisture, nourishing the hair cuticle and helping repair damage.

Do your curls need a boost of #CurlConfidence?

Let us know how you revive your curls in the winter and tag @aghair to show off your beautiful curls!

This post is sponsored by AG Hair.

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.

African-American women are beginning to emerge as leaders across all industries, harnessing their economic and political power by recognizing their collective power. Their resilient mindset is present in their growing confidence, self-awareness and rising income. African-American women are not only redefining what it means to be a woman for themselves, but are at the vanguard of changing gender roles and unlimited possibilities for American women of all ages and races.

The proof lies in the pudding and this is evident prominently in the creation of new businesses: the 2016 American Express OPEN State Of Women-Owned Businesses Report found that women-owned businesses have grown five times faster than the national average since 2007, fueled primarily by African-American and Latina women.

The number of businesses owned by African American women grew 322% since 1997, making African-American women the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Though African-American women face greater adversity and are presented with less opportunity, they continue to be the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. Some of their biggest challenges include institutional racism, gender inequalities, access to capital, and mentorship. What is even more inspiring is that they use adversity to fuel their determination, hone their talent and build their resilience. And now they are using their success to raise their visibility, share their experiences and liberate more women to take up the challenges of leadership and entrepreneurship.

Not only are women using their success to empower other women, but men are also investing in women-owned businesses and providing an opportunity for growth, mentorship, and access to capital. Richelieu Dennis is the mastermind behind leading skin and hair brands Shea Moisture, Nubian Heritage and Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture. He’s built an empire that is cross-cultural and innovative, serving countless families for over 25 years and investing in women-owned businesses. Dennis believes in the power of commerce to change the world and created a Community Commerce Program that serves over 700 women, as well as providing mentorship and funding to minority women executives and business owners by partnering with one of the top business schools. In a recent interview, Dennis shared how his challenges motivated him to believe in his purpose of serving others, “To get to a certain level of leadership and success, you have to have conviction in what you’re doing. You have to have the stomach to stick to what you’re doing because the challenges that you’ll face, whether you’re building a business or leading people, are going to be many. So make sure that you’re willing to stick with what you believe in. We’ve been doing this for 26 years. It took me 16 years just to get our products on a retailer’s shelf.”

About Sundial Brands Community Commerce

With entrepreneurship being a core pillar of the Sundial Brands, CEO Richelieu Dennis has led the initiative to provide minority women executives, business owners and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to attend Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and be able to define their business strategy to prosper and scale their business. As a graduate of the Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business Minority Programs, Dennis felt that it was critical to make the opportunity available to more deserving minority entrepreneurs in 2015. For 26 years, purpose-driven entrepreneurship has been at the core of Sundial’s Community Commerce business model. Dartmouth’s MBE programs have now graduated 15 Community Commerce Fellows over 3 years, ranging in fields from apparel manufacturing to entertainment public relations.

Through this fellowship, candidates will be fully funded by Sundial Brands to attend Dartmouth’s April 2018 program – “Building a High-Performance Minority Business” – which is committed to helping entrepreneurs adjust their business strategy and refine operations to prosper, grow to scale and benefit from other offerings. The program runs from April 15-20, 2018 and is open to applicants now.

Apply for the Fellowship

Are you an owner or senior executive of a minority-owned company with a minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience running a small business and at least $300,000 in annual sales?

Learn more and apply by March 15, 2018, 11:59 pm EST

Check out the 2016 fellows and find out how Sundial Brands Community Commerce program played an intricate role in elevating their businesses.

Winter not only drains us emotionally, but it also sucks the life and water from our skin and hair leaving us with chapped lips, dry skin and dull curls. While staying hydrated is important, it’s even more essential to treat ourselves with some extra TLC this season to protect ourselves against the Winter woes that haunts us all. If you’re experiencing winter dryness this season, we’ve gathered our favorite face and hair masks (and deep conditioners”> we’re using that are giving us so much life. Plus, who doesn’t love feeling like you’re in a spa in your very own home? Scroll down to see what moisturizing essentials you should add to your winter routine.

Best Face Masks

DR. JART+ Water Replenishment Cotton Sheet Mask

This mask contains allantoin, marine collagen, chamomile flower water, and witch hazel to provide the skin continuous moisture. The sheet features an immediate cooling sensation, leaving skin clean, hydrated, and completely refreshed.

GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

A skin-smoothing, radiance-boosting sleeping mask with watermelon and hyaluronic acid for post-facial results, all in one jar, leaving skin baby-soft and bright in the morning, effortlessly.

KIEHL’S Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask

A calming mask that helps to soothe, hydrate, and reduce signs of distress. This lightweight gel mask—formulated with hand-picked calendula flower petals and aloe vera—bursts into a refreshing surge of cooling hydration upon application to instantly achieve hydrated and soothed skin.

LANEIGE Mini Pore Waterclay Mask

A clarifying gel-clay mask, crafted from mineral mud and mint water, that removes pore-clogging oil and impurities. Innovative and a pure pleasure to use, this watery gel clay mask is crafted from refreshing mint water and clarifying mineral mud. Featuring Pore Minisizing™ technology, it glides smoothly onto skin, clearing impurities and reducing the appearance of pores.

PHILOSOPHY Renewed Hope in A Jar Moisture Mask

An instant renewal mask for skin that’s energized with a burst of cooling moisture. This rich, whipped mask works to gently retexturize skin, restore all-day moisture, and intensify your natural, healthy-looking color.

Best Deep Conditioners & Masks

Camille Rose Naturals Algae Deep Conditioner

This is a holy grail amongst the NC community and it’s worth the hype! It’s mixed with Blue Algae and Vitamin B to improve hair growth, plus it softens, moisturizes and detangles curls. Did we mention it smells like Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream? Yummy.

Every Strand Hair Masque

Whether you’re a curly on the go or just want to save time in the shower, this is the perfect fix for you. The decadent combination of Shea Butter & Coconut oil provides nourishment, hydration, and strength to your curls in under 5 minutes.

DevaCurl Heaven in Hair

This rich, creamy deep conditioning treatment drenches dehydrated curls with Cupuacu Butter for long-lasting moisture, Murumuru Butter for protection and shine and vitamin-infused Cacao Butter to soften and nourish curls.

As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Condioner

This intense deep conditioner is infused with pure herbal ingredients such as coconut, green tea, shea butter, apple, lemon, vegetable glycerin and vitamin E to encourage hair growth, shine, and repairs split ends.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Fortified with ultra-hydrating avocado, sweet almond & Argan oils, strengthening keratin protein, power-conditioning rosehip oil, soothing aloe, and super hair-essential vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin. This unique complex of targeted ingredients helps increase hair elasticity and moisture to prevent breakage, promotes healthy shine and luster, and replenishes strength.

Have you tried any of these? Let us know how you combat winter dryness in the comments below.

Pictured: nat_torious

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!