Search Results: Ashley Glenn

Top 20 Shea Butter-Free Products

We need to change our curly regimens when the seasons change. Now that it’s summer, a lot of curlies prefer more lightweight products for their hair due to the hot and humid weather. Here are the Top 20 Shea Butter- Free Products.

Top 20 Shea Butter-Free Products

Top 30 4b and 4c Hair Vloggers to Follow

You see them on blogs, social media, and their YouTube channels. Check out the Top 4b and 4c Natural Hair Vloggers.

Sulfates: Know What to Avoid

washing hair with sulfates

Today, there is a growing selection of sulfate-free shampoos that are becoming available to us. But do we know why this ingredient is being purposefully left out of our hair products? And which sulfates should we avoid?

Sulfates are cleaning agents, which are not restricted to beauty products but are also found in household cleaners as well. Sulfates cause the cleanser to lather. We tend to associate lathering suds with cleansing. The lathering suds can also enhance the experience of our wash day by helping to lift dirt and build-up. However, an excessive use of sulfates can cause dryness, breakage, and scalp issues.

How do we know that our shampoo contains sulfates? Always read the ingredients on the products that you use. It’s nice to know what you’re putting on your body. Also, try to look at the ingredients of other beauty products rather than just shampoo. The first few ingredients are the main items in the product. The most common sulfates that you will see listed on shampoo bottles are listed below, from most to least harsh.

  1. Ammonia Laureth Sulphate
  2. Sodium Laureth Sulphate
  3. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

MORE: Homemade Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Why should curlies steer clear?

Sulfates strip the natural oils in your hair, which causes dryness and can potentially lead to damage. As curlies, we need to maintain as much moisture as possible to keep our curls bouncy and shiny. If you have color-treated hair, shampoos with sulfate should be eliminated from your hair regimen. Cleansing your hair with a shampoo that contains sulfates can cause the color to strip from your hair. In addition, curlies with Type 4 curl patterns are more prone to dryness, so shampoos with sulfates won’t help their manes maintain moisture. 

Also, an extended use of sulfate shampoos can trigger scalp issues, including dryness. We want to maintain a healthy scalp so we can have healthy hair. If you are a swimmer, a sulfate-free shampoo is something that you should be interested in. Swimmers constantly cleanse their hair to remove chlorine. A sulfate-free shampoo provides a better alternative without stripping the hair of natural oils so frequently. In addition, if you exercise regularly, a sulfate-free shampoo would be great to remove excess salt that is in your sweat. Not interested in a sulfate-free shampoo? Try cowashing. It will keep your curls and scalp moisturized.

MORE: Surfactants, Sulfates, and You

11 Reasons to Love Pomegranate

The beautiful red hue of a pomegranate shouldn’t be the only thing attracting you to this fruit. This fruit is full of nutrients and vitamins that can improve the health of your overall body, hair, and skin. Pomegranate seeds are a great travel snack that can help improve your health one bite at a time. Check out these benefits of pomegranate seeds that may make you interested in this tasty fruit.

Top 20 Essential Oils

We experiment with different oils to see what works for our skin, nails, and definitely our beautiful curls. Essential oils are usually from plants and have benefits that can improve our overall health. Below is a guide of top 20 oils that can be used in our beauty regimens and overall lifestyle routines.

Pros & Cons of Baking Soda Shampoo

Lately, more curlies are starting to ditch their normal shampoos because of the sulfates and parabens that are drying to curly and coily hair. Instead of using commercial shampoos, DIY shampoos are starting to become equally effective and a less costly alternative. In addition, they’re easy to make and consist of ingredients that you’re more likely to already have in your home. If a chemical-free shampoo is something that you are looking for, you may be interested in baking soda shampoo. This slideshow will present the pros and cons for you to decide if this is option is one you want to consider.

Pros and Cons of Baking Soda Shampoo

U.S. Army’s Controversial New Grooming Standards

army regulation hairRecent changes to the U.S. Army’s AR 670-1 have sparked a lot of discussions, especially in the natural hair community. According to The Stream, the U.S. Army has made changes regarding grooming and appearance in the AR 670-1 that took effect on March 31, 2013. These changes involve banning hairstyles such as dreadlocks and twists. In addition, the U.S. Army set limitations for braids and specifies sizing and spacing measurements that are considered acceptable.  

The Stream also states that the U.S. Army’s PowerPoint presentation about these new changes was leaked on March 20th.  The presentation included images of unauthorized female hairstyles. The full AR 670-1 lists the changes and descriptions for each hairstyle.

“It’s very targeted because we all know who they’re talking about even though they never explicitly say the world ‘black’ or ‘African-American.’ We all know who typically wears these types of hairstyles and then they went as far as to include pictures of black women in the PowerPoint,” U.S. Army Veteran, “Tonya”, told The Stream.

However, she isn’t the only one who expressed how she felt about the new changes.  Some U.S. Army women have found that natural hairstyles are easier to maintain while performing their duties. Now, their hairstyle choices are limited. They can choose from options such as hair extensions and wigs.

army natural hair regulationSince the change, the natural hair community has voiced their thoughts about the grooming standards over the Internet, including social media networks. Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs, of the Georgia National Guard, created the White House petition asking for the U.S. Army to reconsider the changes in the grooming standards. The petition states the following:

“More than 30% of females serving in the military are of a race other than white. As of 2011, 36% of females in the U.S. stated that they are natural, or refrain from chemically processing their hair. Females with natural hair take strides to style their natural hair in a professional manner when necessary; however, changes to AR 670-1 offer little to no options for females with natural hair. In the proposed changes, unauthorized hairstyles include twists, both flat twists as well as two strand twists; as well as dreadlocks, which are defined as “any matted or locked coils or ropes of hair.” These new changes are racially biased and the lack of regard for ethnic hair is apparent. This policy needs to be reviewed prior to publishing to allow for neat and maintained natural hairstyles.”

In an interview with Army Times, Jacobs stated, “I’ve been in the military six years, I’ve had my hair natural four years, and it’s never been out of regulation. It’s never interfered with my head gear.” She also stated in her interview that she “kind of at a loss now with what to do with my hair.”

The petition was created on March 20, 2014 and has received over 13,000 signatures. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by April 19, 2014 in order for the White House to make a statement about the petition.

Click here to sign the petition and make an impact on our current military hair guidelines for ethnic women.

This Unlikely Food Can Do Wonders for Your Hair

oatmeal for hair

Yes, that’s right!

Oatmeal isn’t just a breakfast cereal that we consume before we take on the day. It also has benefits for your hair. The next time you’re searching for a new hair product or you want to try something new with your homemade treatments, look for oatmeal and see the benefits for yourself.

Strength & Length

It can strengthen and help you maintain a healthy length.

Oatmeal can cause the hair to become more elastic which can prevent damage. As curlies, we are constantly manipulating our hair by using a comb or even braiding our hair. We need our hair to be elastic so it doesn’t snap. Oatmeal can be an ingredient in your daily strengthening conditioning treatment.  A strengthening conditioning treatment is necessary and can contribute to healthy curls. Daily use of oatmeal can lead to length retention and help you reach your hair goals.

Stop Itch

It can soothe an itchy scalp.

Think about it, oatmeal can used to treat dry and itchy skin. It’s also a popular ingredient for oatmeal bathes to help treat the chicken pox. It works so well on dry skin, of course it can help relieve a dry and itchy scalp! Oatmeal is a natural moisturizer and regular use can help treat a dry and itchy scalp. Also, if you’re having issues with dandruff, oatmeal is an ingredient that you should incorporate in your hair regimen.  Massage your scalp with your favorite homemade oatmeal treatment. Not only are you circulating blood flow in your scalp, you’re also exfoliating dead skin cells. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a great scent!

Moisture

It moisturizes and softens your mane.

Lastly, oatmeal is also moisturizing.  It contains vitamin B and penetrates the hair which allows moisture retention. Oatmeal contains Polysaccharides which makes the hair soft. Even though we’re almost finished with the colder months, a moisturizing treatment should be stable for a curly girl’s regimen.  After using an oatmeal moisturizing treatment, seal moisture with your favorite leave in conditioner, oil, butter, or curl cream.

Nutrition

Don’t want it in your hair? Just eat it!

Not interested in these ways of adding oatmeal to your hair regimen?  Do it the old fashioned way and eat a nutritious bowl of oatmeal. Just because you choose the old fashioned way of receiving your oatmeal benefits, it doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Add your favorite fruit topping! You’ll still receive benefits that will help you maintain healthy locks.

If you’d rather use a hair product with oat properties in it, try one of these curly girl faves:

MORE: 3 Steps to a Drama-Free Wash Day

But I Have More Than One Curl Pattern…

Many curlies have a range of different curl patterns and textures in their hair. It’s more common than you think!

The multiple textures can cause a curly girl to be confused and unsure of the proper hair care for them. These textures can be difficult to manage and make you realize that certain things may not work for certain textures of your hair. The following tips can help you better manage the multiple textures in your hair. 

QUIZ: What’s My Curl Pattern?

Pay attention to texture

This can help you realize what type of hair care those textures will need. This leads to the best hair care regimen for your curls. Paying attention to what your hair needs can help you learn more about your hair. Neglecting certain textures that you’re not familiar with can cause damage to your hair. It may take some time to get accustomed to, but it will help you learn how to properly take care of those textures. During moisturizing and detangling sessions, section your hair in manageable sections. This allows you to pay attention to areas of the hair and to notice what certain sections need.

Apply product accordingly

Some sections may need a heavier hair product to cause the hair to hang and to blend in with loose textures of your hair. Those with areas of tighter curls may need extra moisture and a butter sealant than those with loose curls. In addition, you may need more patience with detangling more coarse areas of the hair than more loose areas. This can help you select particular products and routines for your hair care regimen and make you aware of areas that you have to pay a little more attention to.

Style for consistency

Styles such as wet sets, rod sets, twist outs, and braid outs can help blend the multiple textures. For some, the difference in curl pattern (and therefore length due to shrinkage”> can be severeThese styles can allow more consistency and won’t make the multiple textures as noticeable.

For loose curl patterns, try a twist out and rod the ends with a perm rod. Even though the hair is loose, the tight curly ends can help blend in with the other textures of your hair. In addition, up-do styles allow you to tuck in your hair. These protective styles minimize the exposure of your textures and will be easier to manage.

Acceptance is the first step

While learning to better manage multiple textures of your hair, acceptance is one of the best ways to manage them. The many curl patterns can cause frustration and leave you puzzled, but always remember they are yours and no one has the exact same texture as you do. Our textured curls are what make us stand out! Embrace your many textures and love them. Your textured tresses are one of the many things that make you so special and unique.

MORE: Do You Have Multiple Curl Personalities?

5 Ways to Decrease Shrinkage

It happens often, you spend time styling your wet hair for it to eventually shrink up to a shorter length. You may feel frustrated because you want to show off the length that you worked hard for. Shrinkage is normal for curlies, especially those with Type 3 and 4 curls. These tips can reduce shrinkage with hair.

5 Ways to Decrease Shrinkage

Natural Hair Beach Bag Essentials

Beach Bag Essentials

I Love Your Hair: Introduction to My-Cherie’s Video Blog

Welcome My-Cherie Haley to NaturallyCurly’s video blogging world. My-Cherie has been a NaturallyCurly blogger for a long time, and has now joined our vlogging ranks. We’re so happy to have her!

My-Cherie: Dare to be Bold
My-Cherie

My-Cherie

In the modeling and acting industry, there’s a lot of bouncing around from one audition or go-see to the next. I stay busy, energetic and naturally curly.

Last week I went to an audition for a Time Warner commercial. I didn’t have time to pick my hair out into a neat fro, like my head shot. I decided to go with my twisty curly locks. Two nights prior to the audition, I twisted my hair with Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner. Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner rules! It’s lightweight, creamy and full of sunshine!

My-Cherie

At the audition, I got a lot of strange looks accompanied by lots of smiles, due to my “crazy” hair. I didn’t know what to expect. I just went in there and gave it my best shot!

Once I got the callback from my agent saying I got the job, I was ECSTATIC! All I could say was, “They like my hair. They really like my hair!”

My rule of thumb is, if you don’t try it, you’ll never know, and you don’t want to walk away without knowing. From now on, I dare to be bold. I dare to be different. I dare to be curly — naturally curly.