Search Results: Becky Woodford
Pomades is a styling product that is sometimes overlooked and misunderstood.
A pomade is perfect for adding flyaway and edge control, moisture and shine and enhances natural wave and curl definition. Here’s how to create even waves using a pomade:
- Begin by smoothing the pomade between your hands to warm the product up and make it easier to work with.
- Section out your hair and begin to smooth your pomade through your hair.
- Twist each section. Once you are ready, carefully take them apart.
- Separate for desired volume and definition. Use your fingers or an afro pik to fluff.
This video goes over one of the most well-loved styles to use your pomade with, the twist out.
There are many different types of pomades to look at when making your decision on which is right for your hair, take a look below to help find your perfect match. Find these in the textured hair care section of your local drugstore.
Carol’s Daughter Hair Balm Nourishing Liquid Pomade
This pomade comes in a bottle rather than a tub like most pomades, but don’t let that fool you. It still packs just as much of a frizz control punch. This product has no silicones, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil or artificial colors and has sweet almond oil and shea butter to help you retain moisture.
Giovanni Wicked Texture The Definition of Pomade
If you are looking for serious flyaway control, look no further than this pomade. This product boasts many certified organic products and is made in the USA. It also includes marshmallow extract to help keep your hair moisturized.
Avlon KeraCare Styling Wax Stick
This on-the-go wax stick has the convenience of being able to apply directly from the stick to your hair without having to dirty your hands and being sold in a stick form makes it easy to toss in your bag. Be careful about leaving it out in hot weather though as it may end up melting on you.
CurlFriends Pomade, Seduce
A product to use on both wet and dry hair depending on your need. This pomade can define your curls without leaving them crunch. It can be used to refresh second day hair. It contains no alcohol so it won’t leave your hair dried out after use.
Cantu Shea Butter Hair Dressing Pomade
This product takes the phrase “less is more” to heart. With only four ingredients, this pomade will condition your hair while adding hard hold to styles. It uses pure shea butter to help prevent frizz and add shine and manageability to your hair.
This season, change your part and switch up your bun for a different look on your long, wavy hair.
It seems like this is the case more often than not, but if you don’t want to get stuck in a hairstyle rut, here are some quick and easy ways to rock a top knot. With so many different variations, you could try something new everyday!
The way you part your hair is an often overlooked important piece of a hairstyle. When you change up your part, it can seem to others like you have completely changed your look (even though you know it was with minimal effort”>.
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Triangle Part: Start with finger at temple and slide at an angle to the middle of the back of your head. Once you have that point, take your other finger to your opposite temple and slide back to the other finger holding the point. Lift your hair and pull it back with a hair band; you now have a triangular part!
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Rectangle: Place a finger at each temple and run your fingers straight back as deep as you would like to have your part go. Once you are at that point turn your fingers towards each other and move together until they are touching. Lift your fingers, put hair in your hair band, and you have a rectangular part.
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Ariana Part: Start with your fingers right above your ears and run your fingers straight up your head until your fingers touch at the very top of your head. Lift your hair and secure with a hair band.
Now that you have some parts to choose from, rock one of the bun hairstyles below to keep your wavy look fresh and on trend.
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The messy bun: One of the simplest techniques for a bun that is understated but still looks great. Start by grabbing handfuls of hair and piling it on top of your hair band. Once it’s all on top, use another hair band to secure it, most likely you will have quite a bit of volume that you can tame by using some bobby pins to hold this look together in the size you want.
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The Chignon: Pull your hair into a ponytail as normal but before you pull it through the last time don’t pull it all the way through. Instead, stop when you have the size loop you want your bun to be. Next, wrap your remaining hair around the base of the bun to hide the hair band you used and secure it in place. Pin the actual bun down to keep it in place, reaching your fingers through a little tunnel you have created. Pin inside so nobody will see them.
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Messy Fishtail Bun: If you like extra volume in your bun you can start by back combing at the top of your ponytail. Once you are satisfied with the amount of volume you have you can start to do a fishtail braid on the lower half. Then, pull apart your braid a bit to add volume and wrap it around to finish. Tuck the end under the bun and secure with bobby pins.
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Fold Over: The easiest of all the buns, this one is just like the chignon but without wrapping of the end pieces. Again, on the last wrap of your hair band, only pull your hair as far through as you want the size of your bun. That’s it! Pull some strands forward to add a little bit of piecey volume around your face.
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The Basic Wrap Around: Twist your ponytail around once or twice so it’s twisted but loose. Next, wrap your twists into the shape of a bun and pin the ends under the bun. This style will give the bun an effortless polished look.
Watch this top knot tutorial
YouTube creator Kayley Melissa shows us how to do it.
I have been obsessed with curly and wavy hair for as long as I can remember.
Growing up, my mom always wore her hair naturally wavy and I was in love with it.
As I got older, I was always watching out for different hair inspiration everywhere I looked, I was amazed at how hard it was to find people who didn’t straighten their hair or that weren’t done with a curling iron.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift became a music sensation when I was in high school and we both rocked very similar hair at that time–I gained the nickname Taylor from my friends because of this. I was in love with her big waves because they were not always perfectly in place. She showed me that naturally wavy hair was a beautiful hairstyle choice. I was inspired to keep trying to wear my hair curly even though at the time, I wasn’t quite sure how to care for it.
Diane Mary
When I first started to realize there was a whole hair care community online dedicated to wavy and curly hair, Diane Mary was one of the very first YouTubers I stumbled upon. Her beautifully wavy hair and no nonsense reviews of products gave me the confidence to go out and try new methods I had never thought of for myself before.
Waterlily716
Soon after finding Diane, I found Waterlily716 (Sarah”> and Curly Penny who both showed me how to do updos and generally care for my curls.
Even though I have a pretty good handle on my curls now, I still look for inspiration wherever I can. Instagram has become one of my favorite platforms to find new ideas and looks for my hair because there are so many beautiful curl pictures to be able to lose yourself in! Accounts like The Curly Bunch have become amazing resources for girls like me who want to rock their natural hair texture.
Who are your favorite curl icons at the moment?
Follow me on Instagram @ThePolishedCurl for more of what inspires me.
Learning to care for your curls is not a process that happens overnight.
While jumping in head first is tempting, it can increase your chances of giving up.Trying to learn all of these things can become incredibly overwhelming and frustrating when you are new to the curl community, but having healthy and happy hair at the end will make the whole fight worth it.
When I began my naturally curly journey, my hair was stringy and frizzy with no discernable curl pattern whatsoever.
I didn’t feel confident wearing my hair down, but desired curly hair, so I never used a straightener. Because of this, I hated my hair and most of the time I just wore it up. Little did I know, that just with a little work and research, I had wonderful waves just waiting to come out.
There were many bumps in the road as I learned what worked and what didn’t, and many times that I thought my hair was getting worse than it had previously been.
Learning to deal with the build-up I was experiencing, moisturizing products that were only weighing down my hair and what combination of styling products to get my hair to work felt like a full time job. Many times after styling my hair and having it turn out terribly made me want to give up on my quest for healthy hair.
Remember when working through all of your obstacles: go at your own pace.
You may not be able to start doing every piece of a brand new routine right away. Give your hair time to adjust and listen to your own hair more than anything else. While jumping in head first is tempting, it can make your chances of giving up increase. Once I began to back off and slowly add in new products just one at a time, I started to find small successes in my routine and began to feel more confident.
When working with your natural texture, start looking at the long term health of your hair rather than your temporary “bad hair days”.
They will come and go–even when you have an absolute solid routine and healthy hair. Find peace in having bun days and know that it is a part of the journey that everyone goes through, you are certainly not alone. While it is not always easy, embracing your natural hair can help give you confidence and in the end make your styling routine quicker and easier than ever before.
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How do you feel?
Follow me on Instagram, @ThePolishedCurl.
My favorite style for Farouk James is a wash and go, air dried. I love the way his natural curls form without any manipulation–it’s at this time he gets the most compliments.
If you’re crazy about curls, chances are you have run across the latest viral sensation, curly kiddo Farouk James. His curls makes many green with curl envy and his classic style make this young gentlemen stand out in the crowd. I was able to get a chance to talk to Farouk’s mother recently and got some insight into the inspiration and care for these awesome curls!
Introduce yourselves!
Hi, my names Bonnie and I’m a mother of three. The two eldest are over the age of 18, so when I’m asked how many children I have, I can honestly answer 1 as Farouk James is the only child. I was a mother at a very young age and I was aware that I having made the choice to have mixed children I had a responsibility, along with teaching them about their culture, but also in maintain and embrace their hair to insure they could stand tall and be confident with who they are. I taught myself to braid, corn row and even though my family hated my Sunday hair regime with my daughter (which included a 2 hour braid and sometimes tears”> I remained determined to continue.
How long have you been embracing your son’s natural curls?
Farouk James was born with dead straight hair but this only lasted for about 2 months; his father had instructed me that his hair must not be cut until he is 3 years old due to his Ghanaian culture. I agreed and respected his preference as it was his first born boy and I knew how much it meant to him, but to be honest I never expected Farouk’s hair to grow so long! I embraced his curls as soon as they sprouted through. I had a lot of time on my hands in his first 2 years of life (I hadn’t began university at the time”>. I love grooming his hair and we very rarely experience tears. In fact, my sister–whose children are white–cry more when their hair is combed! I find the whole hair care experience a positive bonding and nurturing one, second to breast feeding.
Do you have any style inspirations in the curly community?
My favorite style for Farouk James is a wash and go, air dried, I love the way his natural curls form without any manipulation. It’s at this time he gets the most compliments and questions about how I “get his hair like that.” I can answer, “This is his natural style!” and usually leave a look of disbelief on their face. That’s why I love doing his YouTube hair journey videos to show the world that the most natural things are the most beautiful.
Farouk often has ideas of his personal clothing choice. It’s usually between a suit and tie or a superhero outfit, and because I strongly believe in self-expression, he is likely to get his own way within that regard within reason.
Our inspirations include Taren Guy and Mel Burgos of (Rock Yo Rizos“> who recently done a big chop. In the UK, I admire the inspirational talents of Fro Girl Ginny and Rene Daniella (Own By Femme“> and the way they help empower young girls to be themselves…I mainly admire the people who have experienced a struggle and overcome diversity remaining true to themselves. I have had curly hair and for me, it’s pretty easy to maintain. I really respect those with more difficult textures who put in the work to maintain their natural, although I appreciate we don’t all have the time. Our favorite page is Urban Bush Babes for hair care ran by the twin sisters TK and Cipriana Quann–their page is full of love, laughter and hair care.
How do you merge your love of fashion and hair?
I have never followed trends when it comes to hair. Everyone is an individual–a natural hair style is timeless and never goes out of fashion. It’s annoying to hear that the afro is “back in”. It’s insulting to people’s natural hair or any texture to consider them cool or not based upon what one was born with! Of course with clothes it’s a different thing it’s a human design and created–not made by God–so I can accept harsh personal opinions.
It’s annoying to hear that the afro is “back in”. It’s insulting to people’s natural hair or any texture to consider them cool or not based upon what one was born with!
When dressing myself, I always start with my shoes and go from there; with Farouk, dressing can only start from the hair. I have to ask myself “Will that clash with his fro, his curls, the size of his hair and the colour? It’s a very interesting concept to others.
Describe your personal style.
I have a very eclectic style and is always mood reflective. I believe what you wear can attract people or scare them off. So if I have a busy day and I don’t have time to chat I will wear one colour plain colour maybe dark blue, grey or black which I have found works. But I do love socializing general so I wear bright colours always coordinated. I’m also dyslexic which makes colours very important and useful for me so I use them as much as possible.
Farouk and I often combine styles and when we are together: I start with his hair, my shoe,s and the planned day. If it’s a trip to the park, of course comfort and movability for him is priority. However, Farouk often has other ideas his personal clothing choice. It’s usually between a suit and tie or a superhero outfit and because I strongly believe in self-expression, he is likely to get his own way within that regard within reason. For example, I will not allow a Darth Vader outfit to be worn to church!
What are the pros and cons of having your son be an online sensation?
The pros are definitely to inspire and give others the confidence to embrace their own natural hair and to break the stereotypes that people have about afro hair and even further about white mothers who have mixed kids in that they cannot maintain afro hair.
I haven’t found any cons as of yet for him being online as he doesn’t get any more attention from being there, it has always taken me an hour to get a pint of milk from my local store from being stopped by people asking questions about him. I love when he wears braids during the week as it gives me a break!
Only time can tell what may come from his online popularity. I am vigilant and if is see any negativity which could affect Farouk James then I would obviously reconsider our position about being online.
Only time can tell what may come from his online popularity. I am vigilant and if is see any negativity which could affect Farouk James then I would obviously reconsider our position about being online. And the great thing is if I cut his hair he would no longer be recognized so easily. Farouk is a confident kind loving humble little boy and that’s how I want him to remain.
Favorite product routine?
My first stop for products are natural shea butter–which I have sent to me from Ghana–and organic coconut butter. These are my holy grail of products and I have plans to create a hair product line from them. In the meantime, I’m trying virtually every brand I can to see what works with Farouk’s high density, low porosity mix of type 3c and 4 curls; because his hair is so diverse from the back to the top to the ends, I often have to use different products in places during one session. All reviews will be honestly posted on YouTube and Instagram. Not to say that one product that works for us will work for someone else!
Can’t get enough? Follow Farouk James on Instagram and YouTube.
A mousse is a hair styling product that comes in a foam consistency in an aerosol can. It’s often loved in the wavy and curly hair communities because of its lightweight form and hold.
If you would have asked me a year ago if I was planning on adding a mousse into my styling routine, I might have laughed out loud at that notion because it reminded me of my pre curly girl routine when I had stringy, poofy waves and no definition. What I have realized since then, however, is that it wasn’t the mousse that created my hair troubles, but instead my lack of knowledge and curl care. With this new revelation, there is now a whole world of products that I am ready to explore and start testing out. I encourage other wavy and curly girls to do the same.
Note: Mousse is best applied when hair is wet and can be smoothed from the roots to the ends, then scrunched upward in to help form and hold waves.
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Curlisto Bio-Gel Mousse
A non-aerosol option, this mousse promises to give you the moisture of a mousse but with the hold of a gel. With its botanical extracts and wheat protein it’s also able to add volume and protection to your curls.
Raw Curls Mousse
This mousse has 100% natural/organic ingredients and is best suited for those with finer curls. It adds volume and with its first ingredient being aloe barbadensis leaf extract, it will add softness and shine to all hair.
SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Styling Mousse
Formulated without silicones, this mouse is able to add moisture with ingredients like shea butter and coconut water. It’s formulated to shape and add fullness to lifeless waves.
Chi Magnified Volume Spray Foam
For added volume, this protein rich mousse will protect your strands from thermal heat styling. It has silk molecules to smooth cuticles and improve shine.
Tigi Catwalk Curlesque Strong Mousse
A strong hold mousse that adds strength and elasticity to your curls, this mousse boasts marine notes and fresh botanicals too add indulgence in your routine.
Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Mousse
For those looking for more of a beachy wave look this product will help make waves appear messy while you’re still completely in control.
Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse
Curls that need more moisture can look to a mouse like this, with olive oil and vitamin B complex it nourishes the hair while adding a natural sheen.
SoCozy Behave Styling Mousse Medium Hold
For more definition, a boost in volume and frizz control, this mousse can do it all without the crunch. With ingredients like kiwi fruit extract and rosemary extract this mousse will leave your hair soft and silky.
Elucence Volume Designing Foam
High quality ingredients at drugstore prices, this volumizing mousse ticks all the boxes for a product to add hold and shine to any curls.
Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Mousse
For volume starting at the roots this humidity resistant mousse is where to reach. This mousse comes out as a spray and turns into a mousse to lift and add hold.
Whether you have never tried a mousse or still make them a part of your routine every day, these mousses are a great option to add lightweight hold to your waves!
What exactly makes a product earn Holy Grail status for you?
We all have our own opinions on what exactly we expect a product to be able to do for us. Here are some of the things I look for in a product that makes me know that it will stay in my rotation for a long time.
1. It has to be moisturizing
With my hair type this can be a big ask. My hair needs a lot of moisture but it can’t be in a heavy form like a butter or oil, or it will feel weighed down and I will have limp curls. So I look for something that adds moisture to my hair but is lightweight enough to still allow my waves to bounce back to their fullest potential. One of my favorite moisturizing ingredients is argan oil; when I see a product with that listed I have a hard time passing it up.2. It has to give me definition
Having looser waves, it’s important that my products can help my hair remain clumped throughout the day so that my waves don’t disappear into each other. Regardless of being a cream, custard or gel, if the product doesn’t help define my separate curl clumps I am not going to want to use it.3. It has to have hold
This is another thing I am very picky about, products must have enough of a hold to keep my waves under control all day but it cannot be so hard that I am unable to scrunch out the crunch and am left with stringy waves. The perfect amount will form a cast that is easily scrunched out after my hair has dried.4. It has to be lightweight
This one almost goes hand in hand with how moisturizing it should be. However, there is more to a product being lightweight than just how much moisture it adds. I look for products that generally can be layered with multiple other products and not cause my waves to fall down.5. It has to give me volume
When you have wavy hair, a lot of times it will want to lay flat to your scalp but to get the waves all the way up I need a product that can lift and give my waves room to move. I tend to find the best volumizing products in sprays such as Tresemme sea salt spray or Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Blow Dry Spray.To sum it up
When I find a styling product that can tick at least three of these requirements I know it will be repurchased multiple times. The day I find one that can meet all of these requirements, my hunt for the perfect styling product will be over. Or maybe the product junkie in me would never let me actually stop trying out new things…because you never know if something might just blow you away.How do you know when you have found a product that makes your Holy Grail list?
Most of the styling product we use on a daily basis is meant to control our curls and keep them in place, not necessarily make them softer. Does your medium to high porosity hair feel dry when using a styler? If you’re looking to add some softness back to your tresses, look for these specific ingredients to kick the crunch in your styling product.
Honey
Honey can do different things for your hair depending on how you use it. When used in a styling product, it can help with hold and provide clumping; when used in a deep conditioner, it can actually increase your hair softness. There are many DIY hair masques you can make with honey to get the benefits. For those who prefer to get products from the store, many manufactures have also started to take advantage of the use of this ingredient for soft, lustrous curls.
Try: SheaMoisture Community Commerce Hydration Intensive Hair Masque
Glycerin
While glycerin can be a touchy topic in curly hair care, it can add moisture and promote softness when used in the correct order in a regimen. Glycerin is a humectant which means it attracts water, because of this it promotes moisture retention for your curls.
Try: Yes To Coconut Ultra Moisture Conditioner
Aloe vera juice
We all know that aloe vera is an amazing plant, it can help heal sunburns, is anti-fungal and can help general wound healing, with all these benefits it’s no wonder this product is sought after in hair care. Aloe vera has emollient properties which help smooth and soften hair and it is also a humectant so help moisturize your strands.
Try: Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Hydrolyzed protein
While a protein may not be what everyone might reach for to promote softness in their curls, it is a necessary part of hair care and when used correctly will smooth and increase hairs ability to retain moisture. If your hair is sensitive to proteins, try using it in your rinse out conditioner to get the benefits without having the product sit on your hair all day.
Try: Ouidad Playcurl Curl Amplifying Styling Spray
Avocado Oil
Another common ingredient of DIY hair masques is avocado, and there is a good reason behind it, avocado oil is packed with vitamin E which helps smooth cuticles and can moisturize and plump the hair shaft. When used as a leave in, avocado oil can help protect hair from everyday pollutants and UV damage, this can help keep your curls soft all day long.
Try: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme
Next time you’re shopping for a new product to add to your haul, search the label for one of these natural ingredients to help increase the softness and luster of your curls.
DevaCurl Mirror Curls
With ingredients like sunflower seed extract, this serum promises to add shine and moisture to your curls. It’s silicone free so for those who are following the Curly Girl Method this is a serum that you can try without worry.
Elucence Silk Hydrating Elixir
Can’t stop using your heat styling tools? That’s okay! Add this protecting serum to shield your hair from any damage. With hydrolyzed silk protein, it will double as a strand strengthening and flyaway smoothing styler for your curls.
Raw Curls Shine Serum
Created with 100% organic oils this serum promises moisture, shine and healing properties. This oil can be used on skin or hair; with high quality seed oils like tamanu and broccoli, you’ll feel good about what you are putting on your body.
Tgin Argan Replenishing Hair and Body Serum
This oil is perfect to add moisture and softness back to your curls without the weight. Argan Oil is a lightweight oil that will seal in moisture and works together with peach kernel oil to pack a punch of hydration even for those with fine waves.
U R Curly Sili-Free Hair Serum
Looking for a serum with great ingredients but you’re on a budget, look no further than this silicone free serum. abyssinian seed oil works on your hair to prevent frizz throughout the day and helps tame any split ends you may have.
Camille Rose Naturals Cocoa Nibs & Honey Ultimate Growth Serum
Alma oil, honey and Ayurvedic healing herbs work to prevent breakage and help you grow long thick hair. Applying this treat directly to your scalp will increase blood circulation, improving the overall strength and health of your hair.
Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Growth Serum
Thinning hair can be a frustrating problem but this serum promises that with its blend of essential oils, like rosemary and jojoba, you’ll only need a few drops massaged into your scalp to increase blood flow and help regrowth.
Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Serum
A strengthening serum of bamboo and garlic extract work to fortify your strands while hemp seed oil moisturizes to reduce frizz in this all natural powerhouse.
Original Moxie Hold Up Defining Serum
If you’re not a multiple products type person this serum has everything you are looking for. With lemongrass and horsetail Root this product will provide hold, add moisture and define your curls without and additional help.
SheaMoisture SuperFruit Complex 10-In-1 Renewal System Hair & Scalp Serum
This serum is perfect as a pre-poo to protect your color and add seal in moisture. It’s a drugstore option that still boasts ingredients like safflower but won’t break the bank. Have you used any of these serums? Leave a review in our Naturally Curly product database. [prodmod]
When searching for the best oil for your hair, one you are certain to run across is argan oil. This oil is not just a one trick pony–there are a multitude of beauty uses from this single product because of the benefits this oil brings! It is high in vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. Therefore, argan oil is amazing to use not just on hair, but your skin as well.
Argan oil has been considered a miracle worker for a long time in Morocco; it has since found vast popularity in hair and beauty products all around the world.
Argan oil comes from the argan nut which only grows in southwestern Morocco, the original way to gather this amazing oil is to crack the nut open between two rocks and extract the raw argan kernels that are then hand ground and cold pressed into the oil. This oil has been considered a miracle worker for a long time in Morocco and has since found its popularity in products all around the world.
Products that use the awesome argan oil
Karen’s Body Beautiful Hold It Hair Gel W/ Argan Oil
This gel promises to define your hair and because of the argan oil they included it gives flexibility and no crunchy feeling that you get from many drying gels. A natural finish with added frizz protection make this gel a definite to take a look at if you want to try out an argan oil product.
Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan & Olive Oil Daily Hair Conditioner
This moisturizing daily conditioner is perfect for not only your rinse out but also can be utilized as your leave in for the day because of it’s amazing ingredients. It is filled with moisturizing oils that seal without weighing your curls down.
AG Hair The Oil Extra Virgin Argan Miracle
This serum will add all the softness and shine you could want to your hair. Because argan oil is a lightweight moisturizer this serum will not only work for thicker hair but also for those with finer hair as well!
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4 reasons to use argan oil
Let’s go over some of the benefits this oil will provide you and your hair!
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Moisturizing to your scalp: If you want healthy hair you have to start with the scalp, many times this area gets over looked. Rubbing a little argan oil on your scalp will add moisture and luster to your scalp and hair follicles to increase overall hair health.
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Great natural deep conditioner: Used alone or easily added into your favorite deep conditioner this oil will penetrate into your hair cuticle and help give it back and hold onto the moisture it wants and deserves.
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Perfect frizz tamer: If you’re off to a dinner right after work you may be looking for a product to refresh your hair after a full day and argan oil is the perfect go to, it will smooth down the frizz without adding weight.
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Awesome hair sealant: This oil is a perfect way to top off the benefits of any of your favorite products because it is lightweight enough. In addition, the vitamin E will add shine and softness to your hair’s elasticity (bounciness”>.
Next time you are thinking of adding a new oil to your product line up look no further than the super oil from the argan nut! What are your favorite ways to utilize argan oil?
Do you have a question for our NaturallyCurly community? Post it here in our ASK section.
Trying to find the perfect hair products is a hard enough challenge for naturally wavy-textured hair. But when you have to worry about how your sensitive skin will react, it can make the search even more difficult. Here’s a question by one of our NaturallyCurly community members, Surbhz94:
Question
I’ve been using sulfate/silicone-free shampoo and conditioner for my 2b hair for a while now–specifically, the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle products. It’s been working really well for me; however, my dermatologist recommended that I start using oil-free hair products to avoid excessive breakouts on my face! Does anyone have any oil-free recommendations?
Answer
Here are 3 of my tips for people who have sensitive skin.
1. Use an oil-free line
The term “oil-free” is not exactly a common search term for people looking in curly hair care lines; in fact, most talk up the many oils in their products to moisturize and repair your naturally wavy and curly hair.
After doing some research, I have found that a good oil-free option in Living Proof. Their full haircare line is sulfate, silicone, and oil-free. This brand uses their patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA”> for all of the care and hair benefits you would normally get out of an oil.
2. Keep your hair out of your face
One of the simplest ways to keep your skin safe from your hair products is to keep your hair off of your face. Avoid hairstyles like bangs, as they tend to sit on your forehead and can cause any products that you put on your hair to transfer onto your skin, which is bad for acne prone skin. Don’t forget to “pineapple” your hair while working out or running errands to avoid sweat and dirt to make contact with your acne prone skin. Create a loose bun on top of your head, as this can help you keep your curls for the next day while still making sure that no strands find their way onto your face.
3. Put your hair up at night
Even if you are good about keeping your hair away from your sensitive skin during the day, you won’t be able to control your motions while you are sleeping, so make sure it is up and out of the way. Change your pillowcase frequently–since you sleep on it every night, you can be sure that some amount of product is ending up on the case. This helps to make sure that natural oil and dirt don’t transfer onto your face and cause a sudden breakout.
picture courtesy of @aviasparkleicious
Every year, I like to reflect on the past year as well as what’s to come.
This includes any products, techniques, and routines that I liked, and the ones I disliked. Then think about the year to come and what I want to see out of it. 2015 was full of new and exciting things for me; so far, 2016 seems to be going in the same direction. Here are some things I am looking forward to trying out with my naturally wavy hair.
1. Hard hold gel-creams
This year is the year that I start trying to search for the elusive cream that has enough hold to keep my waves under control. My current routine has always ended with me covering everything with a good hard hold gel to keep my frizz at bay, but I have recently been introduced to a gel-cream that can do it all. I know there must be more out there like this, so it’s time for me to get out there and experiment!
2. Master shorter waves
I have visited so many stylists over the years and one thing they all try to warn me about is getting layers or having shorter waves. Now that I have taken the plunge and cut my bangs on my own, I’ve realized that I don’t need to straighten them every day in order for them to look good. I’m ready to start looking at a fun shorter style to really test my skills!
3. New ways to deep condition
My hair loves getting its weekly deep conditioning treatments. Normally I just bounce around from store-bought masques to a hot oil treatment. Now I am ready to open up my horizons to some DIY masque recipes. Admittedly, I’ve always had my concerns about putting pantry items in my hair, but this year I am ready to face that fear head on!
4. Try new updos
We all have it: our go-to 2nd or 3rd day updo. When my waves are just not behaving how I’d like them to, I resort to a simple messy bun. While I do love the look, I’m ready to include some additional ideas to jazz up my locks, playing up a bit more on the waves that lasted throughout the night.
5. Volume without diffusing
I love bouncy, voluminous waves. But sometimes mine would really prefer to stay closer to my scalp when I let them air dry. This year, I’ll look for products or techniques that will give me the full volume I desire without running the risk of heat damage from a diffuser.
6. Adding color to my curls
The last time I dyed my hair was in my early years of high school. While I luckily never had a bad experience, I always have people telling me that I shouldn’t touch my hair color because the natural color is too nice. I do love my strawberry blonde waves, but I’m ready to see how I look with the rainbow colored through my hair…or maybe just start with a henna glaze to dip my toes in again.
Do you have any techniques, styles, or products that you are looking to try out in 2016?
Most curlies and wavies alike can agree that SheaMoisture is a holy grail brand, and I am no different. Whenever I see a new SheaMoisture product on the shelves, I can’t stop myself from picking it up. Recently, I found the styling products from their new Peace Rose Oil Complex line at Target and immediately added them to my growing collection.
The Peace Rose Complex line boasts the ability to hydrate and define dry, brittle hair. It is, of course, free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil.
Featured ingredients
Peace Rose Oil Complex: a blend of Alpine, Damask and Musk Rose Oils that nourish and silken dry hair
Date Palm Extract: imparts a moisturizing, protective layer that smooths hair cuticles
Camellia Leaf Extract: natural antioxidants properties deliver essential benefits to improves hairs softness and luster
NOURISH & SILKEN STYLING GEL-CREAM
I was most excited about this product. I absolutely love hair creams but I have not been able to find one that has enough hold that I can use it without pairing with a gel. For a product to claim to be both a gel and a cream, I wasn’t sure what to expect from it. Was it going to have the moisture of a cream or the hold of a gel? This product claims to define beautiful, crunch-free waves and curls with and from my experience, it does.
How I applied it
1. I used a little less than a palm full to smooth through the hair while hair is soaking wet after the shower.
2. I scrunched the product into my hair.
3. I used an additional quarter amount of product to scrunch into ends of hair.
4. I diffused my waves on low settings till it was 80% dry.
5. I let my hair air dry completely and scrunched out any crunch.
My review
It is an amazing styling product! Although I did have a small amount of crunch in my waves after my hair was completely dry, I was easily able to scrunch it out and have soft, bouncy waves that were moisturized but held all day. I would not have expected to have found one product to be able to do so much but this is a product that could quickly move into holy grail status.
NOURISH & SILKEN HOLD MIST
At first I had thought this was more like SheaMoisture’s traditional moisture sprays, but it turns out this is more of a hair spray for curls! It claims to boost shine and provide medium hold with movement. Normally I associate a hairspray with the crispy hard hold product that makes you feel like you’re going to suffocate when you spray it in a small room. I was very interested to give this mist a try.
How I applied it
1. I sprayed three times on the top of my head on dry hair that was limp or falling out.
2. I flipped my hair over and sprayed 3 to 4 more times on the underside.
3. I fluffed my hair at the roots to encourage volume.
My review
I like that this spray also has a bit of hold to it so that, just like with the gel cream, I get two products in one. I didn’t experience any crispy or crunchy feeling afterward, which was a big plus. The product gave me the ability to tame a lot of my frizz and flyaways, too.
All in all, I am very excited about this new line from SheaMoisture!
I can’t wait to get my hands on their shampoo and conditioner as well. One thing to note about these product is they are very fragrant like roses, so if you are sensitive at all, this may be one line that you should open up and smell in-store before purchasing. Also, a big plus to this line is it is part of the community commerce line so 10% of the sales go to community commerce programs!
To me, Shea Moisture has done it again and provided a line that any curl type will enjoy pampering their hair with.
#1 Raw Curls Mousse
I have not had such a love affair with a mousse since my pre curly girl days. After realizing what horrible results I used to get I pretty much swore off mousse all together, that was until I found the Raw Curls mousse! This product has the ability to give me lift and definition and leaves my hair feeling soft and looking shiny. This has never left my curls feeling weighed down and with ingredients that are 100% natural/organic and no alcohol, it’s given me a new outlook on mousse.#2 Kinky Curly Curling Custard
One of the most finicky yet most rewarding products I have tried out. As with many curly girls I normally plan to use a fair amount of any product on my curly locks to get them tamed, but with this product a little goes a very long way! After finding the careful balance of how much to use with this product, it opened up a world of crisp, defined curls like I have never seen before. If your search is for a product that will bring out each curl to stand out on its own, look no further than this custard!# 3 ISO Bouncy Crème
This was the very first curly girl friendly crème I bought when I started my journey so naturally I have a soft spot for it. Beyond my fond memories of this product making my hair look like waves/curls for the first time, it actually does pack a punch. This is a do it all crème, it adds shine, moisture and at the same time gives you definition and texture in your curls. This is my go to product for a simple wash and go day where I don’t want to find myself spending too much time fussing over styling my hair.#4 Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls
A gel is a wonderful product to really help define your curls, however, it can leave curls dry and crunchy. With the jelly soft curls that is not a concern, this product gives you the hold of a gel without the crunch. This is one of the few gels that I can actually use without anything underneath, it leaves my hair feeling soft and defined without much additional work.#5 As I am Leave in Conditioner
The first step to getting truly defined curls is to make sure they are moisturized, that is why a leave in conditioner makes my list. This leave-in will moisturize your curls without weighing them down. For curlies who prefer not to use too much product but still want their curls to be defined and healthy, a leave in conditioner is where to turn.What’s your favorite defining hair product for type 2 wavy hair?
Do you feel like your waves will not last through an entire day, no matter what you use in your hair?
If that’s the case, you probably need a product that has a stronger hold than what you are using. Strong hold products for waves can be intimidating because you generally do not want to have a stringy crunchy look to your waves but rather a soft hold that will clump your waves without separating them.
How I use a strong hold gel on fine or wavy hair:
Since it might leave a cast on my hair, I make sure to apply it to soaking wet hair and scrunch it out after my waves have completely dried. Remember, start slow and add more as needed.
After trying many different strong hold products and having many different results from them, I have put together my top strong hold styling products to have your waves or curls last you all day.
DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel
This is a perfect gel to dip your toes in the water. Especially if you have multiple curl patterns, this gel is ideal. It will help give you great hold without leaving much of a cast on your dry hair at all.
Raw Curls Medium Hold Gel
Another gel that is perfect for beginning to learn how to use a stronger hold product; it adds great definition and volume. It is also forgiving in the amount that you use, so even if you use too much, it’s not going to get crunchy or weigh your hair down. This line also has a step up to a firm hold gel that is great if you feel like you still need some extra hold for those humid summer days, but the medium hold is perfect for fine hair or waves.
Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer
Available in Target & Sally Beauty Supply
One of my all-time favorite gels to use during the winter months! This product has the strong hold of a gel but also the moisturizing properties of a cream, this combination makes it great to give you hold during the drier winter months.
Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel
Available in most beauty supply stores
This product is where you start to set up to a new level of hold in this list. It is great for stubborn 2c type hair that can’t decide if it wants to be curly or wavy on any given day. It does leave a cast on your hair, so make sure to scrunch it out after your waves have completely dried. It will not leave your waves looking stringy or greasy, however, this gel does have some level of a learning curve. It is not as forgiving when you use too much, so start slow and add more as needed.
L.A. Looks Mega Mega Hold Styling Gel
Available in most drugstores
If you need serious hold for your waves to make it through the day, this a great gel to look at. It will contain fly aways and clump curls incredibly well, but again will create a cast that needs to be scrunched out of waves to leave them looking soft and bouncy. To get best results from this product I scrunch it in to soaking wet hair right out of the shower or mix it with a more medium hold gel.
Volumax Work That Body Volumizing Styling Gel
Available in Sally Beauty Supply
This product is only for the wavies that seriously need hold. This is an awesome gel but for me always has to be diluted with water or only used as an add-on to a medium hold gel to get some extra definition. This gel will lock your waves in place for the day and can get you up to 3-4 day waves pretty easily. I do recommend using a very moisturizing product underneath this to keep your hair from drying out.
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Just because you have wavy hair doesn’t mean that you can’t use a strong hold product. Just remember when using one you will need to “scrunch the crunch” out of your hair after it has completely dried, which is the biggest secret to getting these hard hold products to work for you.
Do you use strong hold products on your wavy hair? Which is your favorite?
Just like all other heads of curly hair, we need to add moisture to ensure the best definition. That’s why I am constantly on the search for a good deep conditioner. When I tried out Every Strands Shea and Coconut Deep Moisture Masque (at Sally Beauty“> I was both nervous and excited. For me, shea butter is often a no-go when it comes to hair products; but my hair loves coconut oil, so I wanted to tried it.
When caring for my naturally wavy hair, the last thing I’m looking to do is weigh them down with heavy moisturizers.
What this masque is made of:
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Shea Butter absorbs quickly, hydrates and refreshes dry hair, and repairs damage
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Coconut Oil strengthens hair, increases manageability, adds body and shine
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Essential facts- no parabens, no sulfates, no DEA
My first impressions (and how I applied it”>
When I first opened the package the first thing I noticed was a very nice floral coconut scent.
I ran it through my soaking wet hair and noticed a really nice slip to the product. It wasn’t just running through my hair, but instead really staying on my strands and coating them. I let it sit in my hair for 5 minutes while I was in the shower, then rinsed it fully out. After rinsing out the masque, my hair instantly became moisturized and more manageable.
My problem in the past with masques
While I have used many masques that are able to leave your hair feeling pretty nice after the shower, the problems usually come once it’s time to style after deep conditioning. This time, I applied my normal products after my shower and diffused as normal. I noticed a wonderful surprise–my hair was not weighed down in the slightest but instead had great definition and was incredibly soft.
For the rest of the day, I caught myself touching my curls and noticing how soft even my ends felt. I also saw little to no frizz I had forming throughout the day, thanks to the Every Strands.
Surprise! It’s a clarifying shampoo, too
The next use I found for this product was using it prior to doing a clarifying shampoo. Since I am prone to build-up, I tend to do this about once a month. But because leaves my hair feeling like straw, I like to deep condition beforehand to protect some of my scalp’s natural oils. Once again, I let the Every Strands sit in my hair for 5 minutes and followed with a clarifying shampoo. While doing this still stripped my hair–as is my intention–my hair was less frizzy afterwards and didn’t feel as much like straw as it normally does after clarifying.
Did this masque work?
I really enjoyed this masque. I felt like it was able to give me everything that I am looking for in my deep conditioning without making my hair look weighed down when styling.
What do you look for in your deep conditioners?
1. Add Moisture
2. Pineapple
3. Cover them up.
Your nighttime routine doesn’t have to be complex!
A nighttime routine doesn’t have to be complex in order to work, it just has to be something you are willing to do every night before bed. The best way to get great second and third day hair is to remember that your curls need just as much care overnight as they do during the day.
Having fine hair and curls can be both a blessing and a curse. Luckily, if you have fine hair that happens to be curly, too, it naturally adds more volume to your style without having to pick up a heat tool. Unfortunately, however, many products that will help you achieve your best curl are made and marketed towards those with coarser, denser hair. Finding balance between the two, while difficult, is possible and here are a few tips on how to have your best fine, curly hair.
1. Become obsessed with reading labels.
- Stay away from products marketed as butters, milks, and lotions
- Instead, style with a light hold gel
Nothing will ruin your fine hair style faster than heavy products. This includes the conditioner that you think you are rinsing completely out in the shower. Many times these products, when purchased specifically for curly hair, are made with oils that will remain on your hair to nourish even outside of the shower, although that can mean stringy, greasy looking strands for your fine hair. Becoming an obsessive label reader will help tip you off to when a product seems like it may weigh your hair down. There are clear red flags, too. Products marketed as a butter, a milk, or a lotion generally pack a moisture punch that, for many curlies, is necessary. But it can leave you feeling limp if you have fine hair. In many cases, you may only need to leave in a small amount of your in shower, rinse it out, and top off with a serum, such as Curl Keeper or Jessicurl Rockin Ringlets, to control frizz. If your fine curls are still unwieldy after this, adding a gel to your routine can hold your curls without weighing them down.
2. Add a protein in your regimen.
- Shampoo after using a protein mask for the benefits without the weight
- A sulfate-free shampoo is the perfect balance between moisturizing and build-up removal abilities
Remember to add protein to your fragile locks. While adding a protein can be scary when dealing with delicate hair it can be exactly what your hair needs. Adding in a protein will strengthen your hair and reduce the amount of breakage that you experience, which is very important to keeping your hair looking full and healthy. You can find many deep conditioners that contain proteins that are able to add in moisture if you feel that the conditioner may weigh your hair down. Also, you can always shampoo after using the mask in order to get the protein benefits without the weight of the moisturizers.
Fine hair can many times be prone to looking dull and lifeless, if this is the case you may have your cleanser to blame. For fine hair a lot of times co-washing simply isn’t enough to give it the clean that it needs, but regular shampoos are much too harsh and can cause tangles which lead to breakage. For fine hair, a sulfate-free shampoo is a perfect balance between the moisture for detangling you need and the ability to remove build-up from curls to enhance their shine and bring back bounce.
3. The way you dry your hair matters.
- Minimize frizz with prong clips
- Use a diffuser instead of a blow dryer
To add volume to your curls, remember clips can add as much as diffusing your hair. Fine hair tends to want to sit closely to the scalp, which can cause you hair to become greasy and can make your curls look run down. Using a blow dryer on your fine hair can cause unwanted frizz, so next time reach for two prong clips during your hair drying time can give you the lift your curls need without frizz or damage. There are many different looks they can help you go for.
While having fine curly hair can be a daunting thought, caring for it and styling it doesn’t have to be. How do you combat the weighed down look on your fine hair?
