Search Results: Becky Woodford

By Becky Woodford · Published February 10, 2017

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and although wearing your naturally curly hair down is stunning on its own, sometimes it’s fun when we enhance our curls and play with different styles.

Check out three of our favorite tutorial videos below for some V-Day date night inspiration.

Romantic updo

For those who want to wear their hair up on Valentine’s Day check out this beautiful updo tutorial.  Using your own curls makes this simple updo seem elegant and sophisticated, perfect for a night out.

Products that will help you achieve this look

• Crème of Nature Pure Argan Oil: this will help add moisture to day old curls and to enhance shine for this look.
• Design Essentials Natural Honey and Shea Edge Tamer: use this to help hold back flyaways while keeping your hair back in a ponytail all night.

Half up, half down

If you want to do only a little something more than just wear your curls down, consider just doing a small top knot for the evening. This look can be made to look fun and playful or softer and elegant depending on how much hair you take up and leave down.

Products that will help you achieve this look

• Phillips Maxi Tease Brush: use a tease brush with this style to get maximum volume for the top knot.
• Alikay Naturals Wake Me up Curl Refresher: use this to add moisture and tame any fly aways that you may have after teasing your hair.  

French twist updo

For those who are looking to get all the curls off their face and neck this is a great option to consider. The French twist looks very elegant but effectively keeps hair at bay for your evening.

Products that will help you achieve this look

• As I Am Leave In Conditioner: this will add moisture to dry hair before you pull it all back to help add moisture and softness to your hair.
• Ouidad Finishing Mist: use this to help hold your hair back in place all night without the normal drying feeling that comes from hair spray.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

By Becky Woodford · Published February 9, 2017

With the current harsh winter weather in full swing, it is important to make sure that my fine, type 2 wavy hair stays moisturized and healthy. 

I recently got to try out Carol’s Daughter’s new Pracaxi Nectar product line to see how it could save my curls through the driest weather my winter could throw at me. The ingredient that is this line’s name sake is Pracaxi seed oil. This oil comes from the Pracaxi tree that is found in Brazil and is used to help promote hydration in skin and hair and helps with cellular renewal.  

I was able to try out their Wash n Go Leave-In and their Style Control Gel together so that my hair was finally able to find some peace from the harsh elements.

Wash n Go Leave-In

• First impression: This product is best described as a hair cream/leave-in conditioner mix. Carol’s Daughter’s website states that this product brings long-lasting moisture and shiny definition that helps to soften and moisturize hair adding bounce and a boost of shine.  

How I cocktailed it

I added this product in right after I got out of the shower on soaking wet hair, scrunching it in. Right away I was shocked by the softness I felt as soon as the product smoothed over my hair.

At first I was unsure if it was only going to be an effective leave-in and that an an additional cream would be needed to help with curl definition, but that was not true. I found that my wavy hair that was conditioned and protected, and I was able to apply a strong-hold gel without losing all of the moisture I had just gained.

Application

I only needed a quarter-sized amount to provide good slip through my hair and curl definition. However, I find any more product than that could cause my hair to be slightly weighed down. For wavies and curlies with finer hair, I would say that less product is more–start small and work up if you feel like your hair needs more.

Style Control Gel

• First impression: This gel is what I would consider a medium hold gel. Carol’s Daughter’s website describes this gel as gel control with extra conditioning care, this styling gel keeps styles touchably soft and beautifully locked in place without any dusty or flaky residue.

How I cocktailed it

I used the gel after I had put in the Wash n Go Leave-In, scrunching it in on top. I was pleased to find they worked well together, leaving no flakes or dryness as they worked together on my hair. Once the product was completely scrunched in, I blow dried on low and warm temperature settings. I found that it left my hair with a very minor gel cast and incredibly soft, defined curls.

Application

I found that with this product I needed about two quarter sized squeezes to completely cover my hair.  The feel of this gel is thicker, like a harder hold gel, but it leaves your hair feeling super moisturized and very soft.  For those who do not like any sort of gel cast in their hair this is a wonderful option. I was surprised to find that even without the gel cast that I am used to it was still able to hold my hair for a full day of curls.

Final review

After trying out both of these products I was super impressed with the ability of the products to give good curl definition and hold throughout the day. This line is able to moisturize without weighing down hair and I would definitely recommend it for those who are looking to add some moisture to their routine.

Have you tried this line before?

I’d love to know what your first impressions were, share them in the comments below!

Read Becky’s Wavy Product Review: SheaMoisture Rose Oil Complex

This post is not sponsored.

By Becky Woodford · Published February 1, 2017

When it comes to curly girls and winter fashion, there is one piece that can leave us saying we are better off cold–a winter hat.

Photo courtesy of @jayecarrero

And while our curls look oh so cute poking out through the bottom of a cap when we wear them, trying to take it off usually leaves us with an odd shape in our curls and absolutely no volume on top. Luckily there are options to keep our head and ears warm while maintaining flawless curls during the cold winter season.

Earmuffs

Even though this option does not always get thought of, it is a rather easy solution. You can find the kind of earmuffs that go all the way around your head but that might not fix the hat head problem–since you will then have a line around your head instead of the top of your hair being flat–so it’s smarter to opt for the earmuffs that go around the back of your head. Try the Tahoe Ear Warmer from 180s. These let you lift your hair up in the back and simply slide on over your ears and will be set to stay warm and have rocking curls.

Dad hat

For the curly girls who are not big fans of earmuffs, rock a dad hat rather than the traditional tight beanies. While this solution won’t combat all the problems that come with hat hair, you will still look cute with salvageable curls when getting to where you are going. Remember to carry a travel-sized bottle of your favorite curl refresher and give your curls a quick spritz in the restroom once you are inside and warm. We like the color choices and price point of Top Level’s plain dad hats.

Satin-lined cap

Take a tip from your nighttime routine and when breakage and frizz are possibilities, wear a satin-lined cap. Remember to plop your hair into a cap, using a normal winter hat on top of that or you can buy specific satin lined caps. Make sure you put all of your hair into the cap because although they will protect you from the frizz of a normal cap, if you wear them with your hair down you are still prone to having a head full of flat, volume-less curls.

Hoodie

This is a great option for those who don’t necessarily like to wear hats. Instead, put on the hood that is already attached to your jacket. While it may not be the warmest option, it will not causes any creases in your hair since it is loosely fitted around the top of your head. Make sure your hair is super protected by sewing in a satin lining into your jacket’s hood–that way, you will not have to worry about frizz when wearing your favorite hoodie ever again.

To sum it up

It’s important to make sure that you keep yourself warm and safe through the winter season, so hopefully these suggestions will do that while also protecting your curls. Remember that if it is below freezing outside, your hair should be completely dry as freezing can be very damaging to your hair and cause breakage.

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By Becky Woodford · Published January 20, 2017

If, instead of seeing perfectly defined and clumped waves, you find yourself looking at frizz, one of these reasons could be to blame.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @SILLYGIRLCARMEN

On Wash Day you dedicate a few hours of your life to achieving soft, smooth, defined curls. Then you get out of the shower, let your hair dry while looking forward to scrunching out the crunch and seeing what all your hard work has done–but the reveal is quite lackluster. If, instead of seeing perfectly defined curl clumps, you find yourself looking at frizz, one of these causes might be to blame.

1. Breakage is causing a frizz halo.

If you do not cut off your damaged ends, you may start to see breakage throughout your hair. Unfortunately, breakage is one of the causes of frizz that cannot be fixed or reversed.

The best way to deal with it is to understand what is causing the damage in the first place: perhaps your hair dye or heat tool usage are to blame. Once you understand this, it will be easier to avoid the problems. Treat your curls to some extra protein or moisture masks.

2. You are brushing your hair after your shower.

Detangling wavy and curly textured hair is a must or you can wind up with mats in your hair; however, after the shower is not the time to do it. Hair clumps best when it is soaking wet, so once you are out of the shower, getting wavy hair to clump becomes more difficult. By running a brush through your waves, you are effectively removing their definition that you had worked so hard for in the shower.

The way to keep your curl definition: Either brush or detangle your hair during your shower when you have a conditioner with good slip in your hair. Because you do not want to cause your hair to stretch or break, finger comb or use a gentle brush that will not snag and pull tangles but instead the bristles will bend and you can slowly get the tangles out over a few brushes.

3. You are not giving your hair enough moisture.

Dry hair is frizzy hair, so if you are experiencing frizz, your hair is likely asking you for more moisture.

This can come in a few different ways: apply a deep conditioning hair mask that is packed with moisture on a once-a-week basis. You can also try a lasting leave-in conditioner that will help lock in moisture and keep your hair happy all day long.

4. You are not using a product with enough hold.

If you are not only seeing frizz but also seeing your curls fall out throughout the day, you most likely need a styling product with stronger hold. The amount of hold you need depends on your texture type.

Whatever you do, do not forget: make sure your hair is getting the moisture it needs in conjunction with a stronger hold gel because this type of curl definercan dry out your hair, which would give you more frizz.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @SILLYGIRLCARMEN

5. You are using a regular terry towel.

While some people can use a regular terry cloth towel and experience no issues, for those of us with naturally wavy and curly hair terry cloth is known to draw too much moisture out of our hair too quickly. The abrasive loops cause our curl clumps to deform and cause frizz.

Thankfully, there is another easy fix for this: dry your wet hair with an old t-shirt, as they are much less abrasive and will not suck out as much water from your hair.

6. You are diffusing with too much heat.

For those that use a diffuser, it is important to remember to go low and slow. Using the highest heat setting or a higher blow setting can cause major frizz, even through a diffuser.

Although it may take a little bit longer, do this: set your diffuser on cool instead of hot or warm. It can help to let your hair partially air dry up to 75% before you diffuse.

7.You are not being gentle enough when removing clips.

For volume on wavy and curly hair, clips can be used to  help create lift at the roots and help it dry. If you use this method, you have to remember to be incredibly careful when removing those clips. While this may seem like common sense, sometimes clips in the back are hard to see and when you get stuck you could be ruffling up hair and causing frizz.

If you find you are having a hard time getting a clip out: stop what you are doing and either ask for help or find a mirror and gently pull the clip out. In addition to causing frizz, speeding through this process could lead to snags and breakage (hello frizz halo”>.

8. You are touching your hair before it is completely dry.

Natural hair is beautiful and looks so darn touchable, it is why we have to yell at people to back off all the time. This usually makes us our own worst enemies.

Although it might be difficult: keep your hands off, giving your hair 10 extra minutes after you think it is completely dry before you do anything else to it. Once your hair is dry, quickly tousle your waves before you scrunch out the crunch.

9. You have damage that needs to be cut off.

This is a major cause of frizzy hair. Damaged waves and curls do not clump as easily and therefore, they will try to push away from other strands causing frizz.

Since the damage will likely be located at the bottom of your hair, do this: get a haircut to remove the damage and prevent further issues. You may not want to lose the length, but it will be worth it to give you the defined curls you’ve been working for.

Watch The Polished Curl’s wavy hair care videos on YouTube

Read What Makes Wavy Hair Different From Other Texture Types

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By Becky Woodford · Published January 18, 2017

While many women may think of their hair washing day as just a peaceful, relaxing shower, the reality for many with wavy and curly hair is different.

For those of us with textured hair, Wash Day is the time we take special care of our hair so that it will turn out the best it can be.

While I frequently use the steam from my showers midweek as a DIY curl refresher, I only do a full wash routine two to three times a week depending on how my curls hold up. In order to ensure that I have the best chance at great curls, I have a few go-to essentials that I use every wash day that continuously have given me wonderful results!

Cleanser

For the best possible hair you need to remove any buildup that you may have while not stripping your hair of its natural oils. I have found for my type 2c hair that the best cleanser routine for me is with 1 sulfate free shampoo a week and a co-wash the other Wash Days.

• Sulfate-free shampoo: Jane Carter Solution Renewable Difference Detox Shampoo is my current favorite shampoo for deeply cleansing my scalp once a week because it leaves my strands feeling moisturized but very clean at the same time.

• Co-wash: I have yet to find a co-wash that I love as much as As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner . It leaves my hair nourished and conditioned, especially during the dry winters.

Hair mask

Once a week I like to treat my hair to a nice deep condition, making sure that I retain a good balance of moisture and protein in my strands. Depending on how my hair feels when I wash it with my shampoo, I reach for a protein mask if my hair is feeling too soft or mushy, or I go for a moisture-rich mask if it feels brittle.

• Protein masque: SheaMoisture Anti Breakage Strengthening Masque leaves my wavy hair feeling strong but not stiff, and if my hair is ever feeling damaged from the elements, this is the first treatment I reach for.
• Moisture mask: If its moisture you’re after, Especially Hair Moisture Foundation is the one for you. Packed with ingredients like avocado oil and jojoba oil, it nourishes my scalp and hair while leaving my waves looking voluminous.

Rinse-out conditioner

My rinse-out conditioner is the rock of my entire Wash Day because it will appropriately moisturize my waves while beginning to help define and clump my curls for styling.

• SheaMoisture Superfruit Leave-In or Rinse-Out Conditioner: Since I found this conditioner a few months ago I haven’t been able to stop using it. Aside from it smelling absolutely amazing, it also has the perfect amount of slip and leaves my hair feeling so soft.

Brush

The only time I will ever let a brush near my hair is when it is soaking wet and there is a rinse-out conditioner still in my hair to help with slip. I find that, when I brush my hair at this point I am still able to reform my curl clumps and do not have to worry about frizz or tangles.

• The Wet Brush: This has been my favorite brush that I have found so far because it is able to gently detangle my hair without a ton of breakage.

Leave-In Conditioner

This is the step where I follow the Squish to Condish Method to apply my leave-in conditioner. Keep in mind that this product must be light enough not to weigh wavy hair down but should also be moisturizing enough to keep frizz at bay.

• Yes to Ultra Moisture Coconut and Argan Oil Conditioner: This has been a favorite squish to condish conditioner since I started this method. The yes to brand offers curly girl friendly products that leave your hair perfectly moisturized and still light enough to not look stringy.

What’s in your Wash Day wavy hair stash?

Subscribe to Becky’s YouTube channel The Polished Curl.

Read Your Hair Isn’t Straight and Frizzy–It’s Naturally Wavy

By Becky Woodford · Published December 20, 2016

Are you looking for that perfect last minute stocking stuffer for the curly girl on your list?

Do not fret just yet, we have you covered with this list of accessible and affordable gifts that will make every curly hair-obsessed girl on your list giddy to receive.

photo courtesy of @_journeytowaistlength via Instagram

DevaCurl DevaTowel Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel

Microfiber towels are one of the essential tools every curly hair routine needs, and this one is able to remove excessive moisture without over drying the hair or leaving behind frizzy curls.

Donna Black Satin Sleep Cap

Tifara Beauty Flexible Curling Rods

While we would all love to be able to control our own natural curls all the time, the truth is that sometimes it is more convenient to add flexi rods or rollers for definition without the scrunching and curling. These particular rods make a great present to the transitioning or lazy curly girl in your life.

Scunci Effortless Beauty Thermal Twisters

A simple, cheap staple that almost every curly girl needs is a set of scrunchies. These help her keep hair out of her face while working out and at nighttime without causing damage or leaving a dents in her wash-and-go.

Water bottle

You can find a cheap spray bottle in any drugstore but if you want to give a treat try this water bottle that has a super fine mist and continuous spray.

Lila Rose Hair Clips

These beautiful hair accessories don’t only add a little glitz to your hairdo they also hold up curly styles incredibly well.

Wet Brush

This little brush makes detangling curly hair in the shower much less of a painful experience with gentle bristles that will not cause breakage unlike her traditional paddle brush.

Curlmart Gift Certificate

If you’re unsure of the needs of the curly girl in your life you can always give the gift of shopping! With so many holy grail brands to choose from, achieving the best curls possible on a tailored regimen will be easy with a gift card to Curlmart will always be appreciated.

Curlies, what’s on your curly holiday wish list?

Let us know in the comment section below.

By Becky Woodford · Published December 19, 2016

If you’re new to embracing your naturally wavy hair –welcome to the community!

You have likely heard about two generic hair categories: straight and curly, when your hair falls into the latter, discovering a unique hair care and styling plan can be a bit of a challenge. Coming from a mindset of hair being treated only one of two ways can keep you from finding its true curl potential because, after all, no two curls, coils, or waves want to be treated the same. If you fall in between straight and curly, you may feel like your only option is to straighten or curl your hair because it feels frizzy or unmanageable when you wear it naturally. Chances are your hair isn’t straight and frizzy, you may be naturally wavy.

What’s your hair type?

There are several different factors that determine your hair type, like how thick your hair is or how tightly or loosely your hair curls. Your unique genes will dictate your hair type, which is why your hair may be completely different to your sibling’s or your mother’s. 

First, let’s define a few of these factors so that you can more easily determine your hair type.

Width

Also known as strand thickness, the width of your individual strands may either be fine, coarse, or somewhere in between (normal”>. You can also have more than one type of width throughout your head.  To be able to tell the thickness of your hair, hold a strand up to the light to more easily see; if a strand is hard to see then your hair is considered fine.

Curl Pattern

This boils down to how your hair curls. Those with larger, wider ‘s’ shaped curls are in the 2a to 2c wavy hair range. If your curls are corkscrews, they are in the 3a to 3c curly range. Those with tighter coiled patterns fall in the 4a to 4c range.

To be able to care for your hair you need to know where your hair falls in each of these categories.  While porosity and thickness both have simple tests to tell curl pattern is not that easy.  For that reason it is best to choose your hair products off of the first two tests when you are starting out your curl journey before worrying too much about which curl pattern you have.

Porosity

This is how well your hair absorbs water. While hair that naturally curls tends to have a higher porosity than straighter hair, that is not the case all of the time. The best way to determine the porosity of your own hair is to do a simple test, take a few strands of your hair and put them in a cup of water, let that sit for a few minutes and then check it. If it is floating you have low porosity if it has sunk you have high porosity.

These are just three elements of your hair type, here’s a full list of all of them.

When can you figure out your curl pattern?

This is a common point of confusion among new curlies. Your curl pattern will change over time if the current state of your hair is damaged and unhealthy. If you have used heat styling tools or chemicals like relaxers, texturizers, or bleach to lighten your hair, then your curl pattern will look much looser and less uniform than it would naturally. When you’re transitioning from damaging practices to starting to embrace your natural texture, your hair will grow in at the roots with your natural texture, but the length and ends of your hair will still be looser your natural texture.

Once your hair has grown out and you have trimmed your ends, you will be able to better determine your curl pattern.

Start with porosity and width

It is important to know your hair’s porosity and width in order to choose your products because that will tell you how well your hair can maintain moisture or if it will be weighed down easily.

Here are 3 ways you can figure out your porosity, and this test will help you figure out whether your hair is thick, thin or medium width.

What do type 2, 3 and 4 mean?

Once you have the first two tests down and are ready to dive into curl patterns, use this quick guide to determine which category your quirky, unique texture type may fall into.

Type 2 wavy hair (2a-2c”>

• Many times, people with type 2 waves consider their hair straight until they start caring for it in a curly hair fashion. Type 2 hair is defined by large loose ‘s’ style waves, typically the hair strands fall closely to the head. Wavy patterns also tend to be resistant to styling and can frizz easily.

Type 3 curly hair (3a-3c”>

• Type 3 hair is much more obviously curly compared to type 2 although it can still be manipulated into a straighter style with a blow dryer. Type 3 hair is defined by either a looping s-curl that comes back around itself (instead of fall down like a type 2″> up to tighter corkscrew curls.

Type 4 coily hair (4a-4c”>

• Type 4 hair tends to be tightly coiled curls that are densely packed together, ranging from a tightly coiled ‘s’ type pattern to a sharper ‘z’ curl pattern. Type 4 curls can be more difficult to encourage natural clumping and is usually more prone to breakage if it not well protected from things such as brushing or heat styling tools. This is due to the increased risks of experiencing dryness faster because of the scalp’s natural oils not being able to travel down the unique shape of the strands unlike wavy to curlier patterns.

Here is a full guide to helping you figure out your curl pattern. Most women have two or three curl patterns on their head, so don’t be discouraged if you feel that one single curl pattern doesn’t apply to you. Once you determine the curl pattern your hair seems to fall into you can begin to care for your hair based on educated recommendations for that type. Remember that even if your curl pattern is the exact same as someone else’s, the porosity and/or width of your strands may be different.

Remember, caring for your hair can take a lot of trial and error and it won’t always be perfect on the first go but once you start to work towards healthier hair you will begin to notice it get easier with each attempt.

By Becky Woodford · Published December 15, 2016

In the beginning phase of your naturally curly hair journey, you might have found yourself wondering if certain things are really worth shelling out the big bucks for a salon service versus the best affordable at-home options.

At-home treatments

All-over hair color

Box color is not the same as it used to be. Nowadays it is easy to find options that add depth of color as well as long lasting results–in the comfort of your own home. However, it is important to consider that if you do this for yourself, you will have to take extra precautions in order to prevent any permanent unwanted mess in the bathroom (or on your ears”>.

A blowout

While it is tempting to want to pay someone else to hold the blow-dryer for you when doing a blowout, it really is something that you can do at home with salon-quality results. To give yourself a blowout, pick up a good heat protectant and a quality round brush to make sure your hair will last for days on end.

Clip-in extensions

It seems like extensions have been all the rage lately in the beauty scene, and now salon-quality ones are more accessible than ever. Although some clip-ins require daily maintenance, the ease of doing the install compared to a sew-in weave makes it worth it a splurge on a nice set for yourself rather than spending that extra money every other month to get them done professionally.

Salon treatments

A haircut

In the naturally curly community there are many different feelings on whether or not cutting hair at home will give you the same results as a professional. Since a proper curly haircut is the foundation for how your hair will style in a wash and go, it is important to have it done well in order for you to get your best curls. And it is okay to be picky when choosing a hair stylist; ask a lot of questions and make sure you know what you are getting before it is done.

Partial highlights

While all-over color is something that can pretty easily be done at home, highlights don’t necessarily fall into the same category. Since you have to carefully choose the placement of your highlights, it is best to save this for a salon professional. They will make sure the color development is correct too.

A perm

Another thing that is best left to the professionals is a chemical perm.  If you are unsure of what you are doing you can do some serious damage to your hair by trying to do an at home perm, you may end up paying more trying to fix it than if you had just gone to the salon originally.  

How to find a salon

When looking for a salon it’s important to make sure you find one that is good for you and your hair texture to make sure you get the best results possible, luckily there are lots of resources for you to utilize to make sure you find the stylist that is right for you.

• NaturallyCurly Salon Finder: Here, you can search by city or state to find a curly hair salon near you and salons can be rated and reviewed based on others experiences.

• Yelp: By searching Yelp for curly stylists, you can find a pro who may have residence at a salon that is not curly-specific. You can also view before and after photos, which is helpful.

• DevaCurl: If you want to specifically find a DevaCurl trained or inspired stylist you can go straight to their website with contact infor for all of the qualified stylists in your area.

By Becky Woodford · Published December 7, 2016

As I navigate my way through life, I have learned quite a bit along the way, and I most certainly have grown in ways I never would have predicted.

photo courtesy of @sillygirlcarmen

With my 10-year high school reunion quickly approaching, I have been seriously reflecting on what I have done, what I still want to do, and what I would change if I could go back in time. While I know time travel is still a thing of science fiction, learning from my past mistakes is a great way to move towards a better future.

Be true to yourself

Sure, you hear it all the time–but you never hear how people do it because admittedly, it is a pretty hard lesson to learn. For me, it was realizing that everyone is far more centered in their own lives and not mine, especially those who gossip. Being yourself is the best gift you can give yourself because when you are who you are supposed to be, you will find yourself surrounded by people who truly love you for you, and there is no better feeling.

Be patient

Learning to be your authentic self is not something that will happen overnight. I do not have the best handle on it all the time, but it is something I actively work to achieve everyday. If I could go back to see myself in high school, this is the piece of advice I would attempt to drive into my head. All of the fear, judgement, and social isolation I self-implemented just because I was afraid of someone thinking I was “different” was far worse than anything anyone else at school could have done to me.

Nothing is a failure if you learn from it

It is important to remember that things pass; the issues that seem so overwhelming right now will soon be distant memories. What you will carry with you are the improvements and lessons that you have learned from any self-perceived “failures” or “missteps.”

Every time something in my life goes awry–regardless if it’s a bad hair day, something I sewed falling apart, or even an argument with a friend or family member–if I can take something away from it, then I did not fail. Instead, I look at how I improved myself to be better next time.

Don’t be afraid to try new things

It could be scary to step out of your comfort zone, but you will only get so far if you do not stray into daring new territories. Go ahead, try out a new club at school because, who knows, it may become your new favorite hobby. Sure, you might fail, or you might feel really silly trying new things in front of strangers–remember that everyone has been in the same place as you. You may not love it and you may never want to do it again, but as long as you tried you did not fail, you just learned something new about yourself.

To sum it up

Generally, a big problem for young women is that we tend to be hard on ourselves. Understanding the true meaning of failure is one of the scariest parts of growing up. We are often our own harshest critics, and constantly bringing yourself down is not going to bring you to becoming the best you. Surround yourself with others who will elevate and ignite a drive in you to do and be better. Those who live their lives in negativity will do nothing but put a damper on your dreams. While I have no secrets for my younger self, I do have a few years more experience and I want my younger self to know that I am special, I am important, and I am unique, and I should not be afraid of that. Remember this:

• Even though you are just one young woman in this world, you have a voice that deserves to be heard.
• You have a passion that deserves to be explored.
• You have a life that you deserve to live just the way you choose.

By Becky Woodford · Published December 1, 2016

It’s easy to get caught up in all the beautiful packaging and excitement of new products, but sometimes our wallet begs us to stay away.  If you are looking to save some extra money around the holiday season, don’t forget to look at the drugstore to fill your product junkie quota. You don’t have to spend big bucks to get great hair products! Here is a list of 10 products under $10 that are easy to find so you can try out some new options without breaking the bank.

1. TRESemme Perfectly (UN”>done Conditioner

If you prefer to stay away from silicones, but still need a great moisturizing conditioner, try the TRESemme Perfectly (UN”>done Conditioner. This is curly girl method friendly and will give your hair weightless moisture that lasts all day.

2. As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

Don’t want to spend your whole paycheck every time you run out of products? Skip a whole step by not using shampoo! This method is called co-washing. This particular co-wash cleanses and moisturizes just as well as the higher end co-washes and is a fraction of the price.

3. Dove Advanced Quench Absolute Shampoo

If you’re not quite ready to give up your shampoo yet, you can still find options at the drugstore that won’t dry your hair as much as a traditional sulfate shampoo. This shampoo is specially formulated for curly hair to replenish moisture while still giving you the deep clean you crave.

4. Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Cream

If you are looking for high quality ingredients and a brand that really focuses on curly hair at an affordable price, Cantu is for you. This cream is extremely moisturizing and will help you style your hair to keep frizz at bay. You will be surprised it’s not a more expensive product!

5. Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Treatment Masque

If you are in search of a super moisturizing hair masque but you aren’t interested in spending a ton, this masque is for you. With organic ingredients such as hemp oil and bamboo extracts, this masque will strengthen the strands and leave the hair nourished and moisturized.

6. Giovanni Direct Leave-in Weightless Moisture Conditioner

While this brand can be a little harder to find, it is an absolute staple of many in the curly hair community. With its super affordable price tag and positive track record, it’s worth giving it a try the next time you run out of your leave in.

7. Aussie Instant Freeze Gel

Hard hold gels are pretty common products to find at drugstores, but how do you know which one is the right choice for you? We have your answer. Aussie Instant Freeze Gel will fit both your budget and your desire of hold until your next wash day, regardless of humidity or lack thereof.

8. Queen Helene Cholesterol Hot Oil Treatment

In search of the perfect oil treatment for your hair? Here is an option you can easily find in most stores that carry hair products. This oil promises to rejuvenate dry and damaged hair and helps add body back into your hair within only a few minutes of use.

9. Giovanni 2chic Ultra Repair Super Potion Hair Oil Serum

If your hair needs a little something to keep it in check after styling, don’t fret — here it is! This serum is packed with antioxidants to help smooth and soften and help control those pesky flyaways that we all want banished from reality.

10. Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Twice As Nice Curl Refresher Spray

Second day hair frizz doesn’t stand a chance against this curl refreshing spray! This spray not only moisturizes to reawaken your sleepy locks, but it also provides additional hold for perfect curls that last the rest of your day.

You can feel better about purchasing your next new product from the drugstore since it’s about the same price as your favorite fall latte!

Find what you’re looking for? Let us know below which products are your favorite (but remember, you have a $10 max”>.

What’s next?

Want more? Here’s How to Wash, Condition & Style for Less Than $10.

Read Craving Yellow’s tips on How She Stopped Wasting Money on her Hair.

For more informative articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

By Becky Woodford · Published November 29, 2016

This November was filled with emotion from many different news stories to have to wade through, but while I could have gotten easily hung up on all of the sad stuff, there was still plenty to make me feel proud to be part of the naturally curly community.

photo courtesy of CURLS

Curls Girls Rule the World Empowerment Luncheon

photo courtesy of Runway Curls

My Natural Doll: Keleshe

photo courtesy of Amazon Kindle

12-year-old author encourages young girls to love their natural curls

We Are Girls Conference 

photo courtesy of Ringo H.W. Chiu – AP

Kamala Harris, the Second Black Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate

What has made you proud this month?

Let us know on facebook.com/naturallycurly.com

By Becky Woodford · Published November 25, 2016

There is one product love affair that only curly girls truly understand, and that is for our conditioners.  Looks of disbelief cross friends and families faces when they find out how much conditioner that you actually use and that you in fact do finish your conditioners before your shampoo, or *gasp* you use your conditioner as a shampoo!  When following the Curly Girl Method, finding conditioners that meet your CG requirement list can be quite the task, spending hours in product aisle staring at ingredient lists, searching online for products free of silicones and alcohols it can be exhausting.  So to make your lives a little easier and to celebrate our favorite hair product, we have compiled a list of ten silicone free and non-water soluble ingredients-free, Curly Girl-friendly conditioners for you to add to your wish list!

Rinse-Out Conditioners

Mop Top Bamboo Daily Conditioner

A basic daily conditioner is something everyone needs in their hair routine. Just because this one doesn’t have any fancy qualifiers to its name doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing. With its first ingredient as aloe barbadensis gel, you know that this conditioner is going to help heal and moisturize frizzy, dry and damaged hair.

Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner

The name says it all — this conditioner is packed with super moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and an impressive list of natural herbs. It works to give your hair incredible shine and definition even after you have rinsed it out!

Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner

With virgin hemp oil and honey making their appearance in this ingredient list, it’s apparent that this conditioner has something good goin’ on. This conditioner promises phenomenal slip and moisture, so if you’re looking to make your shower a little more spa-like, look no further.

Leave-In Conditioners

Miss Jessie’s Leave-In Condish

This is a lightweight option for those whose hair may be weighed down easily, but still packs a punch of moisture to keep your curls in check. With pumpkin seed extract providing some serious moisture and ample vitamins for your hair, you can be sure you are taking great care of your hair when you apply this.

As I Am Leave-In Conditioner

This one has become a CG favorite for a number of reasons, the first being it works well for many different hair types. This leave-in is infused with soothing ingredients like green tea leaf extract, which seals the cuticle of the hair to prepare it for styling and a frizz free day.

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment

Coconut water and natural oils are combined in this leave-in treatment to deeply condition your hair. It also includes the heavy hitter flax seed oil, which is packed with omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your hair as healthy as it can be.

Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner

If tangles plague your hair even after you detangle in the shower, this product provides some extra slip to really double down on troubled tangles to get your hair ready for styling. It locks in moisture with ingredients like marshmallow root so you don’t have to reapply day after day to reap the benefits.

Deep Conditioners

Kinky-Curly Stellar Strands

For a luxurious hair treatment, look no further. This deep treatment includes macadamia and argan oil, which will leave your hair feeling refreshed and moisturized. This deep conditioner also helps improve the elasticity, which reduces breakage over time.

SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-In-1 Renewal System Hair Masque

If you are looking for a balanced deep conditioner to add moisture and strength to your hair, SheaMoisture has you covered. With marula oil to help intensely moisturize your hair and biotin for added strength, your hair will thank you when you treat it to this conditioner.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

For those with damage from hot tools, hair dye or chemical treatments, it’s time you found this deep conditioner. With avocado oil and strengthening keratin proteins, this deep treatment will take years off your hair. It’s specifically targeted to help improve elasticity and prevent breakage so a weekly date with this conditioner will overcome anything you can throw at it.

Which of these are going on your wish list this year?

What’s next?

For extra advice, 5 Steps Every Curly Girl Should Remember This Fall.

For tool tips, The Ultimate Curly Girl Tool Guide.

For more informative articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

By Becky Woodford · Published November 23, 2016

One of the best things about hair is its versatility–the many different styles and colors you can play with, but there is a downside to this.

Sometimes the ever-changing trends can be damaging. So what happens when you want to style your hair in the fun and different style you saw on Instagram–but you don’t want to loosen your curl pattern, or possibly lose length? Here are a few under-the-radar ways  to give your curls a change without the commitment.

Use Kool-Aid dye as semi-permanent dye

Install Clip-in Extensions

Try CurlFormers

Style a Faux bob

Change your part

By Becky Woodford · Published November 17, 2016

We have now firmly entered into the fall season, and our hair might be starting to show some signs of the change as well.

While it is certainly not necessary to change every single step or product in your current curly hair routine, there are a few things that can be done during the fall season to help curls cope with cooler, drier weather, and increased static. Here are some of our top suggestions to keep your healthy curls this fall.

Remember your seasonal clarifier!

Build-up comes in many different forms, not just from your styling products. Pollution, styling product, sea salt, and even chlorine can all dirty your scalp and cause your curls to become lifeless and limp. Do not forget to clarifying, as this will remove all of your build-up and easily allow your curls to accept the moisture you are trying to give them. If sulfates are a big no-no for your routine, there are some effective sulfate-free clarifiers available such as SheaMoisture Sacha Inchi Clarifying Shampoo.

Remember your deep conditioner!

A deep conditioner is an important part of all-year round healthy hair care, but with the drier days comes an importance of making sure this step does not get set on the back burner. Deep conditioners come in many shapes and sizes. Some curlies prefer DIY masks with ingredients easily found in the home while others prefer store-bought options. Whichever route you decide to go, remember to do this step once a week during the fall.

Remember your night cap!

Now we are more prone than ever for receiving static in the air, so it is important to protect our curls at night in order to beat frizz for pretty second day hair. If you do not like wearing a scarf on your head at night or move around too much, switch out your cotton pillow case for a satin option. Then, put curls up into a pineapple.

Remember your oil!

This is one product that is a fall and winter must for sealing perfection after styling and drying curly hair. Wearing more layers in the cooler months requires scarves that are brushing past our hair and causing frizz, so by using a little oil beforehand, we can leave the house with a dryness buffer.

Remember your haircut!

Even for us who are trying to grow out our hair, getting regular cuts are an important part of keeping your hair healthy.  Fall is a great time to plan on a routine trim to make sure the curls are their healthiest before being subjected to dry winds and static hats–AKA split ends that worsen or cause breakage.

By Becky Woodford · Published November 16, 2016

Rarely do I expect to find a haircare line that has multiple products that actually work quite well across the texture spectrum, but Alikay Naturals proved me wrong.

On the search for the next Holy Grail product, I have come across many lines. Rarely do I expect to find a haircare line that has multiple products that actually work quite well across the texture spectrum, but Alikay Naturals proved me wrong. Alikay Naturals has become a household name within the naturally curly, coily and wavy hair community. Recently, I tested some out to see how well they worked for my type 2c hair. Here is what I thought of the following products from the line.

Lemongrass Leave in Conditioner

Since this is the base for my hair care regimen, I’ll start my reviews with the Alikay Naturals leave-in. This liquid is super bright yellow with a lemon-like zest, which is no joke. I am in love with the fact that it smells like fresh lemons without being overpowering. The leave-in is in a spray bottle, however, I do not spray it into my hair. Instead, I spray some into my hands then scrunch into my strands so I can control the amount I use more than nozzle allows.

Featured ingredients:

• silk amino proteins to help rebuild damaged hair cuticles
• aloe vera that moisturizes and heals damaged hair
• lemongrass oil which helps promote shine and volume.

Wake Me Up Curl Refresher

Just like the leave-in, this curl refresher is not lacking in the scent department. This one reminds me of a yummy mango. Like the leave-in, Alikay Naturals’ curl refresher also comes in a spray bottle, and I also prefer spraying some into my hands for more control of the amount I use. In the morning to refresh, I dampen my hair with a spray bottle of water then scrunch in a few sprays of the curl refresher, and go. I find this refresher adds a nice amount of volume to my second day hair, when often times, it can fall flat. The product also controls my frizz all day long.

Dulce Hydrating Curl Lotion

This lotion smells like watermelon jolly ranchers, what more can I say? It is also the lotion that switched me back from using mousse as my primary styler. With ingredients like kokum butter to help increase the elasticity of my waves, in addition to preventing breakage, it is no wonder why this cream is so soothing. I scrunch about three pumps into my hair after applying the leave-in and finish it off with a hard hold gel. I have found that my hair has a beautiful shine and amazing curl definition while also feeling soft and moisturized.

Glazed Argan Oil Silkener

This oil sticks with the trend of the line with its fresh scent. It comes in a pump bottle which I can appreciate because it is not as messy as most oil blends can be. While I cannot apply this heavy oil to wet wavy hair, I enjoy using it for overnight applications or midday if my hair feels drier than normal–in this case, one pump is enough for all of my hair. For the silkener, I like to smooth through with a focus on my ends. I find that if I apply the oil on dry hair, it does not weigh the waves down. It actually leaves them feeling moisturized and not slick.

Watch my review

Subscribe to my channel, The Polished Curl for more wavy girl product recommendations.

By Becky Woodford · Published November 7, 2016

Have you ever gotten hold of a product on accident? Then when using it, you realize you can go a whole day without styling after you use it?

That is how Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle worked for me.

I had never used a curl serum before this year, and now I cannot believe it took me this long to try one. I purchased Curls in a Bottle on a whim because I was attempting to get the free shipping deal online at CurlMart. While browsing, I came across this ‘silicone-free serum’ that promised to help maintain and enhance my natural wave definition while controlling frizz. I was sold.

Who is the serum intended for?

This serum states that it works well for type 2 and 3 wavy-curly hair. I also liked that it can be used as a standalone product for fine hair. While coarser textures can use the serum as well, in order for it to perform well, I would recommend layering another styling product for the best results.

My Curls in a Bottle review

I was happy this serum did not add weight to my 2c waves. It also played well with my cream and gel cocktail without causing flakes. Since purchasing, I have found multiple uses for it in my personal wavy hair routine.

Before I apply another product in my soaking wet hair, using Curls in a Bottle as a base styler reduces frizz and enhances curl definition for multiple days. It works as a standalone to prevent poofy bed head, too. 

I can use it as a hair refresher. On second day hair, I dampen my waves and smooth the serum over. Then, scrunch for natural formation.

Why my waves love it so much

While some products can have an obvious impact on your hair, this serum is more of a background player. By that, I mean that you may not realize how well it is working until you realize you can go without it the next day.

After a few weeks of using Curls in a Bottle, I has not been quite convinced it did enough to warrant me purchasing again in the future so I decided to go a wash day without using it to see if I noticed a difference. While the difference wasn’t immediate, throughout the day I started to notice that I was getting more frizz than I had been and one of the biggest differences I noticed was the lack of softness of my hair.

This serum from Curl Junkie was able to help keep my hair moisturized and soft under the usual hard hold gel that I like to use, which is no easy feat. It also acts as a workhorse for refreshing my second day hair with minimal effort. I accidentally found a styler that has earned a coveted place in my routine–indefinitely.

When is the last time you found love on accident with a product?

Do tell. Leave us a comment below.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel, The Polished Curl.

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By Becky Woodford · Published October 18, 2016

Any lover of health and beauty knows that vitamins are important for their health.

Vitamin A turns out to be an important part of a well-balanced diet.

However, sometimes it can be hard to reach a daily goal without a supplement. If you need some reasons to go out and add a new multivitamin to your regimen, take a look at some of the benefits this hard-hitting vitamin can add.

Why everyone loves vitamin A

• It is an antioxidant that can help produce healthy sebum, which will is effective in stopping excessive hair breakage

• It is essential for cell growth, which promotes your fuller hair growth and length retention

• It helps renew the health of your skin, which in turn assists your hair follicles to be healthier, too

How everyone takes vitamin A

Because too much vitamin A can cause an overdose, it is recommended to take supplements with water-soluble mixed carotenoids. Vitamin A can also be found in many different supplements, and when taken in moderation, are safe to consume. Take once a day with food to get the best results.

The most popular carriers of vitamin A supplements

• Airborne Everyday Immune Support plus Multivitamin: This vitamin is easy to take with no need for water, it also contains many other beneficial vitamins to help your immune system.
• Nature Made Vitamin A: If all you are looking for is to add vitamin A to your diet this is a wonderful option to easily find at a drugstore near you.
• Carlson A&D: Vitamin D helps the absorption of vitamin A so if you are not getting enough of that you will have trouble absorbing your vitamin A so you can get both of these together here.

Do you take vitamin A?

Let us know your experience in the comment section.

By Becky Woodford · Published September 27, 2016

When you start diving into the world of naturally curly hair, you begin to realize the complexity about all the ingredients that you put into your hair.

pictured: talia_music

One popular ingredient that always comes up in the natural hair conversation is glycerin–what’s its deal?  There are so many differing opinions and a lot of conflicting research can leave your head spinning. The simple truth about glycerin is that it does not do the same thing for everyone’s hair. Let’s go through the pros and cons of using glycerin products on your curls.

What is glycerin?

Glycerin is a thick, clear liquid that is either naturally derived from plants like coconut or palm oils. It can be synthetically made from petrochemicals–the use of synthetic glycerin is currently under scrutiny on its safety. Glycerin is a water-soluble conditioning alcohol that is extremely hydrophilic, meaning that it attracts water to itself.

The good

• Since it is water soluble, glycerin is safe to use when following the Curly Girl Method.

• Because glycerin is hydrophilic, it attracts moisture into your hair–and retain it.

• Glycerin mixes easily with other ingredients, so it is safe and easy to add into your routine.

• Glycerin helps prevent breakage for those who still brush their textured hair.

The bad

• Vegan naturals should double check that the product only contains vegetable oil-derived glycerin to ensure its purity.

• Glycerin is extremely dependent on humidity–too much might cause over-moisturized hair and low humidity levels can cause frizz.

• Using it alone in its pure form can cause the strands to dry out, so diluting the ingredient down with other ingredients is recommended.

• Because it seep into the cuticle, glycerin may cause issues repelling semi-permanent hair dye.

The takeaway

Glycerin is an ingredient that is useful for most naturally curlies across the spectrum. However, knowing when to use it is important. Humidity should be between 20 to 60%. For those using a semi-permanent hair color, it may be best to stay away from glycerin, as this well prevent over-processing as well. If you have permanent hair color, keep glycerin away the day after your appointment.

If you choose that glycerin is a product, add it into your hair roundup and see what it does for your curls. Make your own spray or leave-in, or find a store-bought product that contain glycerin as a top ingredient.

Have you used glycerin on your curls?

What was your experience? Let us know on Facebook – NaturallyCurly

Some curlies don’t like glycerin–here are product suggestions for them.