Search Results: Chelsea Fregis

By Chelsea Fregis · Published January 31, 2012

Braid extensions have been around since forever and many women have used them over the years as protective styles to grow longer, stronger hair. But for every one women who reaches her hair goals with braids, there are several more who experience damage and breakage from this style. To avoid making the common mistakes many women do when wearing braids, read on for helpful tips to ensure that you get the most out of this style.

Deep Condition Before

Before even considering installing braid extensions, you have to ensure that your hair and scalp are strong enough to handle the extra weight and tension of the braids. To prepare your hair for braids, I would suggest doing a strong protein treatment followed by a moisturizing one at least twice before event thinking about braiding your hair.

Also, try to solve any scalp issues you might have that may be weakening your hair. For instance, try to focus on curing dandruff, dry itchy scalp, any fungal infections, etc.

Installation

Properly installed braids are the key to maximizing your hair growth. Failure to install your braids correctly can do more harm than good, and leave you with breakage and thinning hair. Here are some guidelines to follow when installing your braid extensions:

1. Parts should be smaller than half an inch by half an inch. By creating smaller parts less hair is being incorporated into each braid. This means that fewer strands will have to bear the weight of the added hair creating more tension than if a larger part was created and more hair was used.
2. Braids should never be bigger than the part. In order to achieve a fuller look and hide some of the parts you may be tempted to use a lot of hair per section to braid. The problem with doing this is that you are forcing only a few strands of hair to bear a lot more weight than they are accustomed to. This could cause the strands to snap from tension created. See the guide below for further detail.
3. Do not try to braid all of your edges. The edges of your hair are very weak and fragile and susceptible to breakage. Most people experience breakage from doing everyday things like brushing their edges and wearing too many back to back ponytails, so you can only imagine the breakage that can be caused by braiding the edges tightly and leaving that tension on it for a prolonged period of time. Try to use larger sections when braiding the front to distribute some of the tension throughout more hair strands. Also, avoid braiding the very front of the hair. Try leaving out the very front and simply applying a pomade and a scarf for ten minutes to smooth it down.
4. Use less hair near your edges to avoid adding too much extra weight and try to redo them whenever they get loose to prevent tension from remaining on the same region of the hair shaft continuously.
5. Ensure braids are not too tight. Contrary to popular belief tighter braids will not increase hair growth. The tightness, apart from causing damage, can lead to tension headaches and unsightly bumbs and sores.

Maintenance & Cleansing

There are many ways out there to wash braid extensions. I find that the most effective way is to split the hair into four sections, then using watered down shampoo and your fingers, apply the shampoo to the scalp and rub gently to lift the dirt off of the scalp. If you have a lot of product buildup from using greases, oils and growth aids then the use of a soft and small baby toothbrush can help. Just ensure that you do not rub too hard.

1. Once the dirt has been lifted off the scalp, band your four sections of hair to ensure that the braids remain in a downright position and do not mat during the washing process. Take more diluted shampoo and pour it over your head and squeeze sections of your braids to ensure that the shampoo penetrates the braids and cleanses the hair inside. Once done run your head under the water until it rinses clean ensuring your hair is still banded to avoid tangling.
2. You can now apply your deep conditioner, then conditioner, avoiding your scalp to prevent build up and squeezing the hair to ensure that it penetrates the braids. Rinse really well as conditioners and deep conditioners tend the be thick and could cause build up which can make removing the braids and detangling the hair once they are out difficult.
3. Keep braids banded until they about about 50 percent dry, then remove then bands and gently finger detangle if you have loose ends. Removing the bands before the hair is completely dry will prevent your hair from drying with the shape of the bands in them.

Moisture

It is important to remember that you still have hair underneath your braids that require TLC. The same way you moisturized your hair when it was loose, you need to ensure that your hair is moisturized while in braids. In fact, your hair may need more moisture as the braided hair can absorb some of the moisture from the hair. To ensure that your tresses do not become thirsty, use a liquid moisturizer or braid spray twice daily, spraying it on liberally. A liquid moisturizer is best as it can penetrate the braids and get to your actual hair better rather than simply sitting on top and will help to prevent build up on your braids, especially at the root.

Also this is a good time to keep your scalp happy with oils.

Take Down

The procedure used for removing braid extensions is just as important as the one used for installing them. The right technique is key to ensure that you hold on to as much your new growth as possible. To help to make the hair more slippery and pliable, try using a water, conditioner and oil mix to unravel the braids. Once it is out, detangle that section of hair right away rather than trying to tackle one large section. Do not run a comb through it, simply remove any residue at the base and gently pull the hair apart.

Also keep in mind that a lot of hair shedding is normal. It is estimated that we shed about 100 hairs per day, so if your hair has been braided for a prolonged period  then that shed hair is only now being removed from your hair.

Lastly, to prevent a nightmare of a detangling session, do not leave braids in your hair for more than 2 months, and even that is pushing it. You will end up losing more hair to tangles and knots than you will gain in hair growth.

Final Thoughts

I hope this info helped, and if I left anything out, please feel free to share in the comments section. 

By Chelsea Fregis · Published January 26, 2012

For the new converts to naturalness who are looking to revive damaged hair, or the curly whose hair simply took a turn for the worse, don’t fret — there are simple things you can do to get your hair back on track.

1. Trim Often!

Word to the wise: damaged hair is hard to fix. I know you love the length and parting with more than half an inch feels like you’re losing a limb, but this sacrifice has to be made. Focus all of your products, time and attention to the part of the hair shaft that will benefit from it, not ends that will never bounce back.

For light damage, consider cutting off an inch all around. For major damage, thinning and severely split ends, consider cutting off a lot more and evening out your hair all around. Give yourself a good starting point for your healthy hair journey and enjoy easier detangling sessions and stronger, more responsive hair.

2. Major Deep Conditioning

This step is the key to getting back on track and getting your hair to the point where it no longer breaks. To start off, I would suggest a heavy protein treatment to repair the hair followed by an intensive moisture treatment to give the hair back its elasticity and prevent the hair from snapping and breaking when manipulated.

As time wears on and your hair health increases, cut back on your protein treatments and their intensity by doing them less often and using more natural sources like egg and mayonnaise. As you do this, increase the number of times you do moisturizing deep conditioning treatments.

Also to help the hair retain more moisture, try to balance its porosity. The hair shaft has tiny shingle like structures surrounding it. Ideally they will be slightly raised to allow moisture to enter while making it difficult for it to escape. When hair is damaged, especially from chemical processes like relaxers, the hairs cuticle becomes raised making moisture retention difficult. The use of slightly acidic substances aid in closing the cuticle to help the hair shaft hold onto more moisture.

One way to incorporate more acid into your routine is to perform apple cider vinegar rinses. To do this, dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 2 cups of room temperature distilled water and use it as your final rinse after cleansing. Also try incorporating aloe vera gel and juice into your regimen as it, too, is slightly acidic.

3. Protective Styles

During this period your hair is at its weakest so manipulating it often can possible lead to more damage and breakage. This is no time for elaborate hairstyles and daily styling. Your hair needs time to repair itself so try putting in styles that will help you to keep your hands and tools out of your hair, protect your ends, are easy to put in and do not put unnecessary stress or tension on the hair. Try styles like medium sized twists and braids and wigs and properly installed weaves. During this time avoid styles like buns and extension braids, which can put added stress to the hair and cause even more breakage.

4. Growth Aids

I am going to start this off by saying that I really don’t think that there is a product that can give you more hair growth. I simply believe that products and supplements only maximize your hairs ability to grow by correcting any problems you had, be it a deficiency, dryness, etc.

Having said that, this is the time to pull out all the stops to nurse your hair back to health, so keep your scalp well moisturized with oils and massage it daily to increase blood flow. Use that mixture you’ve heard of for your thinning edges, apply your super moisturizer to your dry ends and stock up on your multivitamins. As long as you ensure you aren’t allergic to anything you’re using, then go all out to maximize hair growth and speed up the hair healing process.

Final Thoughts

I hope this info helps all of the women out there experiencing damage and I wish you the best of luck and happy hair growing. And, if I left something out, feel free to share in the comment section. 

By Chelsea Fregis · Published January 24, 2012

Like with every up-and-coming trend, there is a lot of curiosity and with curiosity comes questions. However, instead of pulling a natural aside and questioning her (or him”>, some people have chosen to come to their own conclusions and simply make stuff up. What’s even worse, is that people have taken that to be the truth – no matter how outlandish and downright ridiculous it sounds.

For a while now, there has been a lot of natural hair stereotypes circling the internet and by word of mouth. But just in case you haven’t heard, here is a list of just a few of these nonsense tales!

Naturals are hair obsessed

I must admit that, to the outside world, it may seem like this is true. Constantly perusing blogs and websites for new info and stalking the hair of others can come across as obsessive, and going above and beyond to retain every last inch may again cross the line. However, I think it is unfair to group every natural into the same category. While I may not knock anyone for all-day hair sessions and all-year-round protective styles, I can’t remember the last time I DC’d and I’ve only recently fought and won my battle with hand-in-hair syndrome and put in a protective style. Since I am one curly who does not fit this generalization, then these rumor spreaders are simply going to have to admit that there are exceptions to their stereotypes.

For some, it also takes a lot of TLC to get and maintain healthy hair, so if it requires going above and beyond, then DO YOU! It always amazes me when women with unhealthy hair bash the routines of women with gorgeous healthy tresses.

All naturals are vegetarian

I guess the confusion here arose with the word natural itself. People simply assumed that if our hair went natural, so too would our diet and that we would ditch the chemical-laden, unhealthy meat and make a run to the nearest farmers market. We are all for embracing a healthier way of life, but we need baby steps. Today the creamy crack, tomorrow the meat. While I may not follow the vegetarian lifestyle, I do follow a very strict diet of meat-a-tarianism.

Naturals hate women with relaxers

Again, I can somewhat understand how this natural hair stereotype came about. You see, lurking in the corner of hair forums and out there on the streets, there are women who have made it their life’s mission to convert the world to natural and police those who already are.

You already know how annoyed you get when the curly coalition feels the need to call you out for wanting more defined twist outs and wash and gos, or derail threads that dare to speak of straightening ones hair. So imagine how relaxed women feel when the women in their lives somehow always manage to slip it into a convo that they think every women who isn’t natural is a self loather and give the deep racial, political and social reasons why women relax. While some women go hard on the issue, I’m sure many of you will agree that the only head of hair you care about is the one attached to your shoulders.

There also seems to be an unspoken bond between naturals. There is nothing more thrilling than seeing a random natural on the street and giving her the nod and smile that says, “We’re in this together!” But just because I stop another natural on the street and a simple question about how she got her hair like that turns into an hour-long talk about products, doesn’t mean I don’t like women who choose to relax. We can still talk products and length retention, or just grab some lunch and talk about other girly stuff. Natural hair isn’t the only thing that interests me!

Naturals are all eco-friendly

Yes the world is dying right in front of our eyes and our kids are probably going to have to wear gas masks everywhere and won’t be able to see too far in front of them because of the industrial smoke, but, again, just because we put the relaxer down does not mean it had this deep, profound impact on the rest of our lives causing this huge change to do everything naturally. I still ride the gas guzzling bus, leave my electronics on all night and am sad to say that in my entire house there is not a single energy efficient light bulb. But at least I recycle, right?

Naturals don’t wear deodorant or wash their hair

Again, this is a natural hair stereotype that probably belongs to other types of people who decide to go “natural.” While our shampoo, deodorant and other cleansing products may not be all-natural, that doesn’t mean we’ll turn our back on them and embrace our funk. Those people are also forgetting that, for our more “aware” curlies, there are indeed natural alternatives. While I can’t vouch for the shampoos and the deodorants I have never tried, I can vouch for the fact that natural hair does not equal bad hygiene and a complete need to go from one extreme to another.

Naturals go natural for attention

Apparently we are just going through a phase like long braids and colored highlights, curlies. We are simply going natural because EVERYONE AND THEIR MAMA is doing it, and when all is said and done, we will dish our Kinky Curly and Oyin and race to the salon to have our hair fried, dyed and slicked to the side like we used to.

While I may not know the future, what I do know is that growing our hair the way it comes out of our scalp can never be a phase, but rather, the norm. I think we often forget that we weren’t born with a tub of relaxer, and too many back-to-back relaxers have us confused and thinking that our hair actually grows out of our scalp straight. Heads up: it doesn’t!

Final Thoughts

I guess the point of this entire article was to shout it from the rooftops that not every natural is a super health conscious, eclectic looking, huge afro-wearing, scarf adorning, African-print wearing, overly judgmental woman. Believe it or not.

What other crazy natural hair stereotypes have you heard?

By Chelsea Fregis · Published December 15, 2011

Sucking it up and learning to love and adore your curls, despite popular media, isn’t really all that bad of a task. In fact, most curlies love it! Embracing your type 3 curls and finally letting them do as they wish and be who they are allows you to do what you wish and be who YOU are too. It’s freeing and fabulous, but it can also be a bit of a major FAIL.

No worries, though, because with a few tips from those who have gone before you, you can avoid these curly hair care fails and start seeing the fabulous!

The Accidental Chop

If you are the average curly you know exactly what I am talking about. You did your research, perused the blogs, and Googled how-tos, but once those scissors got in your hands, a trim turned into a chop, and a chop turned into lopsided hair. Then you grab the scissors again to “correct ” your mistake. Now your hair isn’t just lopsided, but the progress you made in the last grow out challenge has now all been undone.

Don’t do it, curlies. Just don’t. Cutting curly hair is for the professionals. Find out. You’ll be happy you did!

Layering

Picture this: Black Friday has just passed and you ordered everything that was recommended by your curl buddies. The package arrives and even though you just did your hair yesterday, you hop in the shower to wash it and try out your new stuff.

But the problem is you just can’t decide what to use first, so the logical thing to do would be to use all at once. You split your hair into quarters and use all four leave-ins you bought and grab random sections just to try out that new gel even though you’re doing a twist out. It doesn’t hurt to use both stylers, right?

Wrong. Layering product on product will only result in you having to wash your hair again — and this time with shampoo! Remember, the less product the better because the less you shampoo the better! Don’t let product goop gather on your scalp. You’re reading product labels and avoiding silicones for a reason, ladies!

Tunnel Vision

As curlies, we often tend to form cliques and groups with women who share our struggle. Wavy haired women who plop together stay together, and nothing can bring kinky-curly haired women together more than the trials and tribulations of curl defining. But sometimes we get so caught up in curl typing that we completely forget about the other aspects of our curly hair care that are far more important.

Try ignoring curl size and shrinkage for just one moment and see what you have to learn from women whose hair could not be more different than yours.

Over-styling

I get the need to have hair that’s on point 24/7. It’s a diva thing. However, the need to have perfectly defined hair with just the right amount of volume and no frizz is probably costing you. It had to have crossed your mind that the daily wash and go, constant manipulation and overuse of the comb and brush was the reason behind all those single strand knots and splits. But what are deep conditioners for if not to help our hair withstand our constant abuse?

Stop the the over-styling and take the time to develop good curly hair care. Deep condition on a regular basis and be sure to properly detangle (which is by not ruining the curl pattern in the process”>. Simply doing those two things will help your hair look fab without all of that glab (aka, too much product or touching!”>.

Final Thoughts

What curly hair care tips and tricks of the trade have you had to toss because they just were NOT working?

By Chelsea Fregis · Published December 13, 2011

In the natural community, there are products and ingredients that get a lot of shine. They are loved by one and all, but I’m here to give the unpopular opinion that they aren’t all that. Here are my top five hair product ingredients that are overrated and that you can afford to take out of your rotation entirely.

Shea Butter

I dislike shea butter. There, I said it, and it felt good! But for the life of me, I can’t get away from it. It seems to be at the top of every ingredient list and used and loved by one and all. It’s thick, sticky, and when it dissolves, becomes oily.

I don’t think I’m the only one who shares this sentiment. There are kinky haired women walking around with oily unresponsive hair, with shea butter as the culprit because they were told that it was the miracle ingredient.

However, if there was ever an argument for casting aside hair typing and focusing more on hair porosity, this is it. It took me one and half years of naturalness to realize that I’m a low porosity natural and shea butter just sits there. So if you aren’t getting results from shea, then consider something lighter like oil, regardless of how tight your kinks are.

Aloe Vera Gel

Like the aforementioned shea butter, I just don’t get the hype. I firmly subscribe to the belief that “out with the old and in with the new,” which is why I don’t understand why aloe vera is still one of the most popular hair product ingredients.

It’s in just about everything, but it really just can’t hold a candle to flax seed gel. By itself, aloe just doesn’t have the hold to set styles like twist and braid outs or lay down edges. Also, if used by itself for curl defining, you would have to use an industrial sized jar to get the job done. Yet aloe continues to steal the spotlight when flax seed gel, which has hold and defines like a dream, gets no attention.

Water

Before you skip over this one and cast it in the pile of, “This makes no darn sense,” just hear me out. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t use water at all. After all, what would we wash our hair with? Instead, I think that many naturals should reduce their water usage — no more spritzing, remoisturising, midweek detangling with water, etc.

They say that the more water we add to our hair, the more moisturized it will be, but all the while we are constantly manipulating our hair. Remember that hair is weakest when wet. Also, water by itself just doesn’t do it for most curlies. If you have to add something on top to finish off the job, then why not just save yourself the trouble and moisturize well from day one and avoid walking around dripping wet throughout the week?

Moisturizers

I am a no fuss girl and I like to extend that simplicity to my hair. So you can imagine just how frustrated I get on wash day when I have to apply layers of product to my hair section by section by section. So the natural remedy for this situation is to get rid of at least one of those layers, and the first layer to go is the moisturizer.

The leave-in provides the slip and moisture needed for detangling and keeping your hair happy. The styling agent helps to set your hair, which only leaves the moisturizer.

Its job is rather redundant, especially when you consider that its ingredients are pretty similar to the styler, just different ratios of shea butter and aloe vera gel — especially if they are from the same line. So save some time, keep cash in your pockets and see how your hair fares without the moisturizer.

Exotic Oils & Other Rare-ish Things

Don’t get me wrong. Like the average person, I’m a sucker for anything exotic. Give me a guava over an apple any day, but when it comes to hair product ingredients, I like to keep things simple.

Cheaper oils like olive and grapeseed work just as well as anything else exotic on the market and are much cheaper, too! Yet somebody had the bright idea to add one drop of (insert exotic oil here”> and sell me a product at double the price then if it didn’t have that ingredient. And this doesn’t just apply to oil!

Frankly, I don’t care how rare it is. I don’t care about the death defying climb to the top of the mountain to squeeze the oil from the berry growing on the only bush on the planet. I don’t care about the deep political and social history of the far away country where this ingredient is produced. And frankly, the story of the angel who came from heaven and gave you the vial of this mysterious ingredient doesn’t interest me in the least .

I shall not be swayed. I will take the $11 product with generic ingredients that works just as well and pass on the $30 product with angel tears, Zeus’ sweat, a unicorns horn, eye of newt and all the rest of that good and EXPENSIVE stuff.

It would be remiss of me to not add relaxers to the list of products that we most definitely can live without. I don’t need to explain. You get it.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have my list, ladies, what are some of the hair product ingredients that you believe are just too hyped up? Let it out, here and now!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published December 1, 2011

Oh, to be newbie again! I can only imagine the things that I would have done differently. I can remember only too well the many, many hairstyles that were spoiled from not having a good curly hair care routine at night.

This post is for all the curlies out there who just want to sleep in and not spend an hour in front of the mirror on a morning redoing a style. It is possible, there is a way and now you can master it!

To Preserve a Wash and Go

The first popular method involves keeping the curls moist so that they do not dry in an awkward position while you sleep. Remember those days waking up to flat hair on one side and smooshed curls? Well, no longer!

All you will need for this method of preservation is a spray bottle and a shower cap.

1. Lightly spritz your hair with water then cover it with a shower cap. Once you’re finished, put on your satin bonnet or scarf and hop into bed.
2. The slight moisture and your body heat create a green house effect, helping to keep your curls moist so you can simply fluff and go come morning.

Another way to preserve a wash and go is to plait the hair. I know it sounds weird to plait your hair when trying to maintain the curl, but loosely plaiting the hair helps to not only get rid of first day crunchy hair, but it also helps to stretch it to get rid of the Jherri curl look. And because it’s done loosely, the curl pattern will be left undisturbed.

1. Grab large random sections of hair and braid it loosely remembering to leave the ends (an inch or two”> undone to preserve the curl at the end. Use ouchless headbands to secure the braid if it begins to become undone.
2. Put on your satin scarf or bonnet and tuck yourself in for the night.

To Preserve a Twist or Braid Out

Second day hair for a twist or braid out seems to be somewhat of a myth or only enjoyed by a select lucky few.

Keeping in mind that the style may never look as defined, frizz free and gorgeous as day one, it is indeed possible to preserve it and get at least two days from a set with the right curly hair care methods!

1. Begin by applying pomade or gel to your hairline and tie a scarf around it. This will help to keep your edges down so come the next morning, there will be no battle to get them to behave and no need to pull out your hairline’s arch nemesis, the bristle brush.
2. You can then either loosely twist the hair in large sections or pineapple it. In order to pineapple the hair, bend at the waist and gather your hair at the very top of your head.
3. Secure it loosely with a satin scrunchy. Ensure that you do not tie your hair too tightly as it will leave a dent in it that will be difficult to remove in the morning. Put on your satin bonnet and hit the sack.

And, voila! Your twist or braid out is ready for day two!

To Preserve Straight Styles

For our straight haired naturals, or women who just love to change it up, it’s imperative that you maintain a strict curly hair care routine at night in order to get days and even weeks out of your flat iron job.

Press and Curl Maintenance

1. Grab each curl, and going in the same direction that it was formed, loosely begin to wrap it around your finger. When you have reached your scalp, grab a bobby pin and pin the wrapped curl to your scalp. Continue to do this until all your hair is done.
2. The following morning remove the pins and style your curls as desired.

Straight Hair Maintenance

1. Grab a wide-toothed comb and boar bristle brush (the boar bristles are less damaging to your hair”>. Part your hair from the centre of your forehead going back till the centre of your head.
2. Using your wide-toothed comb, begin to wrap your hair starting from the part going in either direction. Use the brush to smooth your hair down as you go along and continue to brush and or comb until your hair lies smoothly against your head.
3. Once done with wrapping, put on your satin scarf. Do not forget to wrap even the small hairs at the hairline to prevent them from reverting.

Tips: To really prevent reversion while you shower, opt for a shopping bag instead. Small shower caps simply don’t do a good enough job of keeping the humidity of the shower out and aren’t big enough to cover your entire hairline in the front and back. So grab a plastic shopping bag and tie it on your head. Then pull the front and back down to ensure that every last hair is tucked away.

Final Thoughts

Above all else, remember to cover your hair at night. The cotton fibers can leach the moisture out and create friction causing frizz. Also, wrapping your hair can help to keep it in position, especially for updos. For those of you who want to reserve the right to maintain your sexiest even while you get your REM, then opt for a satin pillowcase instead.

So until next time: love, peace, and curly haired bliss!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published November 21, 2011

You’re a super social butterfly, so you know it’s only a matter of time before someone calls you to go visit that new dance club that just opened up.

You’ve been practicing your ‘dougie’ all week and you have the perfect outfit and the killer shoes to match — the ones that are so tall that if trip in them you’ll break your neck. But the inevitable question that will pop into your mind is what are the best curly hairstyles for a night on the dance floor? A night of dancing is sure to make a straight style revert back to normal, and a twist or braid out will leave you with an undefined frizz ball at the end of the night.

So what’s a dancing diva to do?

Wavy (Type 2″>

While applying my makeup one day, it occurred to me that all of my beautifying efforts were in vain. After all, once I dropped my hair it would cover up the cheekbones I’d accentuated with blush, cover the smoky eyes it had taken me forever to get just right and hide much of my face. This brings me to look number one.

Pull it Up and Out of the Way

Accentuate your face with a chic top knot or super hero ponytail.

1. To begin, apply a styling mousse to freshly washed hair. Grab a medium sized piece of hair and roll it around two of your fingers until it forms a wheel or pin curl. Using a bobby pin secure the pin curl to your head. Continue to do this until your entire head has been pin curled.
2. Sit under a hooded dryer or start off with damp hair and allow your hair to dry naturally. When your hair has dried completely remove the bobby pins. You should have a head full of gorgeous loose curly waves.
3. Bend over from the waist down and using your fingers as combs secure your hair into a high ponytail. Bending over will allow gravity to help you get your hair to the very top of your head.  After securing your hair wrap it around the ponytail loosely to create a curly bun and secure your curly bun with bobby pins.
4. Then, grab a section of hair from the underside of your ponytail. Wrap it around it and secure the loose end with a bobby pin. Again grab another section of hair from the underside of your ponytail and wrap it around it and also secure the loose end with a bobby pin. You can do this until the wrapping of your hair extends your ponytail an inch or two away from the base.
5. To finish the look, do an exaggerated cat eye to draw the eyes up and use bronzer or blush to give you the high cheek boned chic look of a model. Lastly, for longevity of your style try spritzing your hair lightly with hairspray.

Your daringly high ponytail and uber sleek up-do is sure to turn heads the moment you enter a party.

Curly (Type 3″>

Let me begin by saying that I am a fan of wash and go curly hairstyles for clubbing. Why one may ask? Well it has the ability to withstand a long night of humidity and sweat and has shock value. Considering every woman wears some variation of the little black dress, ridiculously tall heels coupled with poor lighting and beer goggles, everyone pretty much starts to look the same.

As curlies, we are not ones to blend in. While there is nothing wrong with a perfectly round wash and go ‘fro, pulling your hair to the side just creates a new spin on an old ‘do.

An Asymmetrical ‘Do

For very thick hair:

1. For very thick hair: Grab a rat tail comb, ponytail holders and bobby pins to achieve this look. Part your hair from ear to ear into two equally sized sections. Secure each section close to your ear. Gently pull on your hair and fluff it to get your desired volume. Bobby pin some of your hair to hide the ponytail holders.
2. For thin to medium hair: Gather your hair to one side of your head into a ponytail. Secure a banana clip lengthwise around the ponytail then remove the ponytail. The banana clip will secure your hair whilst leaving plenty of volume.
3. To complete the look wear a long dangly feather earring on the opposite side of your ‘fro.

Kinky (Type 4″>

As a kinky haired diva, I know all too well what happens to twist and braid outs when the club humidity gets to it. So here is your reversion preventative plan to help you look just as fabulous stepping out of the party as when you entered.

1. Start off with with freshly washed hair and apply a generous amount of styling product. Two strand twist your entire head into medium sized twists using a lot of styling product for a firm hold.
2. Take each individual twist and wrap it around its base to form a bantu knot. Allow your hair to dry completely before removing the knots and unraveling the twists. Only unravel the twists and try your best to not separate as the humidity of the club will cause your hair to swell anyway so starting off with really defined hair will allow your style to still look great après clubbing.
3. Using a wide toothed comb smooth the front of your hair and put on your favorite wide headband. Take the ends of each curl and loosely wrap it and pin it to your head. When done the curls should hang messily and loosely from your head. Use additional bobby pins to pin and tuck your hair to hide your scalp that may peek through.

This style will help you weather the dancing storm because the extra product will give you the hold that will help to keep frizz at bay and the knots will help to give a more defined curl pattern than traditional twist and braids outs. Also, by pinning your hair up and out of the way, you will not get the uncomfortable heat that loose hair creates nor will any sweat be able to ruin your ‘do.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published November 11, 2011

As a member of team curly, there are certain hair accessories we have to rock our natural hairstyles. One of these accessories is a headband or tiara. You simply can’t call yourself a bona fide curly without at least one.

After purchasing your tenth headband or tiara, it will occur to you that doing the “same old same old” is boring, but you still have to at least make an attempt to wear them and put your money to good use.

We’re here to help you get the most out of the accessories you already have and be the natural diva you were meant to be. Oh, and in the meantime, save you some cash!

Wavy (Type 2″>

When it comes to natural hairstyles, more is always better. Why choose just one headband when you can wear several? To create this look, get one cloth headband and a second, thinner, stiffer one. Then, simply wear the wider one and place the thinner one on top.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of this look:

1. Color blocking with two colors on the opposite end of the color wheel, like yellow with purple or green with red.
2. Mixing and matching patterns, like polka dots with stripes or florals with a more modern pattern.
3. Using several thin headbands to hold your hair back instead of the usual, boring black headband.

The reason why this works is because natural hair has a lot of volume, and it’s difficult to find accessories that really stand out and don’t get lost in fabulousness that is our hair. Using more than one headband creates more interest.

Curly (Type 3″>

If you ever find yourself in a bind and forced to rock a boring bun, then reach for your nearest cloth headband and jazz it up. Once your sock bun has been created, grab a medium width decorative cloth headband. Then gently wrap the headband around the bun being careful not to destroy it.  If done correctly, the headband should encircle the bun adding texture and design to an otherwise mundane natural hairstyle.

A few tips for rocking the scarf-wrapped bun:

1. If the headband is too thin, it will not wrap around the bun properly, rather it will end up under the bun and no one will be able to see it.
2. Be careful not to wrap the headband too tightly or too many times as it will also end up going under the bun and will be able to be seen.

Kinky (Type 4″>

Naturally Curly reader Cashmere.

As kinky haired curlies, we have rocked a pony puff at least once with our natural hairstyles. To jazz up this look, try searching through your stash for a wide and stiff headband or tiara. It cannot be the thin cloth kind as it simply won’t work.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of this look:

1. Style your hair into a pony puff, then grab your headband or tiara and place it on the crown of your head like you normally would. However, instead of leaving it there continue to slide it back until it surrounds the base of your puff.
2. To finish the look, gently pull on your curls and spread them around the puff to hide the sides and back of the headband or tiara. Just like that, you turned an average puff into a regal updo.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published November 7, 2011

Finals are right around the corner. Isn’t it crazy how fast they snuck up on you?

You probably can’t remember the last time you slept, and you’re thinking about the mountain of books piled up that you have to study even as you’re reading this.

During finals week, you simply don’t have time to indulge your hair playing, so what is a college curly to do? The answer is not to walk around looking like Cousin It’s daughter from hair neglect. Simply read on for fabulous tips on how to spice up your ‘fall back’ curly hair styles like the bun and twists or braids and avoid looking like the school librarian.

Wavy Hair (Type 2″>

My fav styles for when I need a break from my hair are twists, braids and wash and gos. Twists and braids last a long time, and wash and gos are really quick to do, which means less time spent on hair. So why not mix and match all of these styles for an overall look that’s fun, different and easy to do? For this look all you will need is your styler, bobby pins, a seamless ponytail and rubber bands.

1. Starting off with freshly washed hair, do a wash and go using your favorite styler. Then, grab random sections of hair and alternate braiding and twisting them and secure the ends with transparent rubber bands. The sections should be large enough that the braid or twist can be distinguished from your curls, but not large enough that they take over the style. Remember, you want a seamless fusion of waves, curls, twists and braids.
2. Now for the fun part! You can either put your hair into a cute ponytail or bun, or go the more exciting route and grab large sections of your hair, loosely spin it around itself and pin in into place using bobby pins at the nape of your neck for a low, messy, free form bun.
3. To complete the look, pull out a few sections from the bun, and allow a few curls to drape your face. Grab your favorite thin headband, and you’re done (a thin headband is best as you do not want a statement piece to detract from your style”>.

Tip: To prevent your rubber bands from tangling in you hair, dip them in a light oil like jojoba, and use a paper towel to blot off the excess. The oil will lubricate them and prevent them from snagging your hair. Remember to use scissors to cut out your rubber bands rather than unraveling them.

Curly Hair (Type 3″>

If you follow celebrity hair fashion, you know that side braids are in. For our straight haired sisters, recreating this style is just a matter of learning how to cornrow. For curly haired women, it becomes a little more complicated when working with a lot of volume — but it’s not impossible. To create this look you will need a rat-tail comb, thin seamless hair bands the color of your hair, a boar bristle brush and a styler of choice.

1. Using your rat-tail comb, section off a two to three inch section in the front of your hair from ear to ear. Gather the hair to one side of your head and use your boar bristle brush and your styler to smooth down the sides before securing it close to your ear.
2. Once finished, cornrow the hair normally to create the side braid. You can also just twist the individual sections, then grab two twists and begin to twist them together. When you have made a few rotations, add one more twist to either the twist in your left or right hand and continue to twist the three twists as if you only one in each hand. After a few more rotations, add another twist to the hand that only has one and continue your rotations. Continue to rotate and add twists to alternating hands until there are no more twists remaining. Twist your hair to the very end and secure your twisted or braided hair at the end with a hair band.
3. If your hair is not long enough to fall to your shoulder, then take your loose end and create a wheel with it by rolling it around itself. Position your wheel or pin curl against your head at the base, or slightly to the side of your last section and pin it in place with a bobby pin.
4. To complete the look, grab a large floppy flower and pin it near your ear on the same side as your braid.

Kinky Hair (Type 4″>

While doing my daily internet crawl for anything hair related, I came across a form of styling twists that is too gorgeous to be summed up in this one article. At first glance, it appears far too intricate to be attempted by the average curly, but in actuality, it is super easy to do. All you will need are bobby pins, a thin seamless hair band and a styler of your choice.

For long hair:

1. Gather your hair into a low, side ponytail and secure it with a seamless hair tie. Then, grab medium sections of your hair and twist them using your styler for hold. Continue to do this until there is no more loose hair in your ponytail.
2. Take one twist and begin to spin it around itself until it forms a wheel or a pin curl. Then, lay the pin curl against your head and pin it into place with a bobby pin. Continue to roll and pin the rest of your twists stopping to look in the mirror every so often to ensure that your pin curls create a bun shape. Feel free to layer your pin curls for more dimension.
3. Please note that smaller twists mean more pin curls, which will mean that you will have the ability to create a wider, more layered bun. However, if your twists are too small, you will not be able to pin curl them.

For short hair:

1. Instead of doing a ponytail, try flat twisting or cornrowing the front of your hair and twisting the back.
2. Doing a twist at a time, spin the twist around itself to create a wheel or pin curl and pin it to your head using a bobby pin. Repeat this until all of your twists have been turned into pin curls and bobby pinned.
3. Using a handheld mirror, take a peek at the back of your head and reposition any pin curls to hide any scalp that peeks through. If done correctly, you will have created a more whimsical take on the tired bun or created a rose garden of a style. For added interest, try clipping in small flowers or butterfly clips to keep with the flower theme.

Final Thoughts

There you have it ladies, three styles that will have your friends wondering how you found the time to have such wonderful hair and still get good grades.

Until then, remember to have love, peace and curly haired bliss!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published November 1, 2011

We used it then, but should we use it now?

There has been much debate about the re-emergence of one old school product that was once on the “Natural No-No” list: hair grease.

Who would have thought that of all ingredients from silicones to sulfates, grease would be the one to come back? When we think of grease, we think back to the days of being between our mothers laps having our scalps ‘scratched’ and greased, or sitting in kitchens having our hair prepped with grease before being pressed.

For some, the grease days are reminiscent of longer, healthier hair, and for others, grease stains left on furniture, greasy foreheads and overly shiny hair. But with so many women singing the praises of a product that’s cheap and easily available, it makes you wonder, is grease really our enemy, or could it be that because of our and our parent’s lack of knowledge, we failed to reap the benefits of it long ago?

This question will probably always spark debate, but it is interesting to note exactly how curlies are implementing hair grease into their daily regimens.

Sealant

Just about the first thing you learn when joining the online natural community is the art of moisturizing and sealing. Most of us know that sealing the moisture in is critical for maintaining healthy hair. While light oils may work for some, there are women out there — like our high porosity sisters — who need more to lock in moisture.

Many women have attested to having well-moisturized hair for days after sealing with hair grease. This may be due to the fact that grease is a lot heavier than its natural counterparts and doesn’t dissipate easily. This means that when you apply that barrier of grease, you can trust that it is not going to go anywhere, and neither will your moisture.

Light Hold

Think back to your childhood days when you undid your plaits on wash day and had lovely definition. Of course, it was combed out since our mothers had no clue about what a twist or braid out was, but the definition was there.

As curlies, we have come to expect that definition comes only with creams and gels. I bought into the hype too, until one day, out of sheer desperation from running out of my styler, I used some grease and twisted my hair up expecting nothing more than limp, lifeless locks. Imagine my surprise to awake the following morning to a fabulous twist out! It seemed that the stickiness of the grease was just enough to give me the soft, touchable hold I craved.

I’m not surprised that many women are experiencing the best styling days of their natural haired lives using hair grease. It can be quite gooey and sticky, which can be just enough to lock in a curl pattern, minus the hefty price tag.

Reducing Crunch

Almost every curly who has tried a wash-and-go can remember having hair that came out too crunchy at least once. They’ve probably also whipped out just about every oil and pomade in an effort to “scrunch the crunch.”

After perusing the hair boards, it seems that many women have eliminated that problem by using good old hair grease. The trick is to use it after the moisturizing step, but before the gel or styler. This barrier of grease helps to prevent the gel from hardening, and also seems to help with curl definition.

The thickness of grease is probably why it is so good at eliminating this problem. Many leave-ins and moisturizers simply aren’t thick enough or are easily absorbed by the hair as opposed to grease which cannot be absorbed by the hair and will therefore sit on it, providing the long lasting barrier that the hair needs from gel.

I also think back to my own experience the last time I was natural as a little girl, having my hair twisted with a mixture of gel and beeswax or grease. This was a miracle mixture for twists back then and it still is today in St. Lucia. It gave me and my sister’s twists good hold that would last for weeks at a time, and give our hair a lot of shine without ever being crunchy. But this mixture was only used when our hair was dripping wet.

Words of Caution

Despite the praises I’ve sung about hair grease, keep in mind that it’s not for everyone. Some may hate the smell and texture, and fine haired curlies should beware the product!

But let’s face it, for $2 to $3 a jar at your local beauty supply store, it’s worth a try. Here are a few extra things to keep in mind if you want to add hair grease to your regimen.

1. Less is more! If you think you’ve taken enough out of the jar, put about half back and then apply the rest to your hair. Hair grease is very concentrated and can make your hair an oily mess very quickly. Try layering very, very small amounts of grease, and if you feel you have applied too little, it probably means you’re using just enough.
2. Don’t use it on your scalp! Hair grease should not be applied to your scalp, since it  can block pores, irritate your scalp and cause a whole host of issues. Make sure to use it only on the length of your hair.
3. Use sulfate shampoos and wash more often! There’s a catch to using hair grease. Due to its chemical makeup, co-washing isn’t enough to remove grease from your hair. Only a sulfate and/or clarifying shampoo will work to remove grease from your hair. If you fail to heed this advice, you can find yourself suffering from really bad build up.
4. Use a water based moisturizer first! Regardless of how our parents used it back in the day, hair grease is NOT a moisturizer. In and of itself, grease has no moisturizing properties. It should only be used as a sealant after applying a water based moisturizer. It should never be used alone unless your trying to lock in water after having saturated the hair.

Final Thoughts

There you have it ladies — the breakdown on hair grease. As I sit here contemplating whether or not I’ll begin to start using grease again, I’m keeping my eyes open for the post on Jherri curl juice as a leave-in.

By the way, if anyone knows where I can purchase some Soul Glo, please leave a comment below. I like to be ahead of the trend because I have a feeling that this one will be making a comeback too.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published October 28, 2011

Now that you’re all grown up, Halloween parties take on a slightly different format.

No longer are you expected to play pretend for the night in ridiculous and somewhat uncomfortable costumes. You are now free to look your best and dance the night away as your favorite character of all time — YOU.

But just because you are no longer dressing up does not mean you can’t keep the Halloween theme alive with your hair. Here are a few curly hairstyles and tips that will help show you how to rock your curls on Halloween night without the ridiculous get-up.

Color Me Halloween

You can never go wrong with a splash of color or bright hair streaks, whether it’s from spray dye or glitter.

1. Section the hair that you want to color and separate it from the rest of your hair using hair ties to get the look and ensure that your color is even.
2. When satisfied with the sections, grab them one by one and color or glitter them. This method allows you to see what your result will be before hand and help you avoid lopsided or overdone hair. Remember you are going for streaks, not all over color.
3. Traditional Halloween colors are green, orange and black. Beat others to the store for those colors first, and try alternating color with glitter for a truly unique and unforgettable look.

If you’re feeling really bold, you can try an asymmetrical look (à la Nicki Minaj”> and dye half your hair or one large section. The best thing is that, come the next day, you can wash your hair and be right back to your normal haired self.

Go BIG or Go Home

Remember the hours on end that you normally spend trying to tame your hair and keep the volume to a minimum? Well, give yourself a break this Halloween and showcase your volume with big curly hairstyles. I’m not just talking width here, I’m also talking about height!

1. Use your fingers as combs to lift the roots of your hair or diffuse it during the styling process to your desired height and width.
2. Blow dry with a concentrator nozzle to blast your roots for extra height and width.
3. Remember to use a heat protectant if you are going to use any heat on your hair to avoid heat damage.

For the brave of heart, try doing a bouffant by gently teasing the hair at your crown for added height.

Clip-in Pieces

Halloween looks are often ensembles that you want to get rid of the day after! But just for the night, your hair can be as wild and as crazy as you want it to be with fun and festive clip in pieces. Clip-ins can include colored pieces, feathers and hair ornaments, and you can’t go wrong with black, orange and green.

Why not make your own clip in hair ornaments? All you need are hairpins, transparent beading thread, small and large beads, small Halloween ornaments (bats, pumpkins etc”> and a glue gun.

1. Tie one end of your string to your hair slide and secure it with a drop of glue.
2. Thread beads onto your beading thread until it reaches your desired length.
3. Ensure that the last bead on your thread is large, and then tie a knot above your last large bead to prevent your beads from falling off the thread. Cut off the excess thread.
4. Place a generate amount of glue on both your ornament and the underside of your large bead, and attach the two to one another.
5. Leave it to completely dry for five minutes, and you’re finished!

Try mixing and matching your beads and ornaments, and be creative with it. To style your hair with them, simply place the hairpin in your hair as normal.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it — fun and festive curly hairstyles to keep Halloween alive without the costumes.

Until then, remember to have love, peace and curly haired bliss!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published October 27, 2011

Halloween is right around the corner and the inevitable question pops up, “Who am I going to be?”

The average curly will go through a laundry list of possibilities, each of us wondering how we’ll style our hair to suit our character. Instead of styling your hair into submission, why not make your costume work with your curls for a change? After all, there are plenty of characters with great curly hairstyles that you can be!

Cave Woman

Big Hair, Big Bones, Big Fun!

The reason this character works so well is because it calls for big, wild hair that we don’t have to try very hard to achieve.

Simply style your hair as normal in either a wash and go, braid/twist out, then jazz it up by blasting your roots with the concentrator nozzle of your blow dryer to make your hair extra big. You can also style your hair a few days prior to your party to allow it to grow naturally and avoid having hair that is too defined.

To finish off the look, gather a small section of hair at your crown and wrap it around a fake bone or secure it with a huge bow made out of leopard print cloth.

When using heat, it’s important to protect your hair from heat damage by using a good heat protectant like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula.

Learn how to blow dry your hair for more volume! »

We’ve got your quick & easy wash and go solution! »

Browse hundreds of products with heat protecting qualities! »

’60s and ’70s Diva

Bigger, Higher, Better

In the 60’s and 70’s, big hair was in, and not just for our tightly coiled sisters. Think Farrah Fawcett, Karen Carpenter and Juice Newton.

To create these iconic, curly hairstyles, try doing a wash-and-go and allow your curls to naturally get bigger as the days wear on. You can also do a twist/braid out and fluff it out until you have more volume than definition.

For added interest, try using spray hair color to add a few gold streaks since gold was very popular back then. If your hair is wavier, you can also try creating a bouffant, which was very popular in that era, by GENTLY teasing some of the underlying layers of hair at your crown.

As always, big hair has a big enemy – gravity. Be sure to spray that mane with firm holding hairspray to keep the style in place all night long! Try something like Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Hairspray.

Take a cue from Farrah Fawcett and be a new Charlie’s Angel »

Gold not your favorite color of choice? Try these streaks instead! »

Browse hairspray reviews from users just like you! »

Vampire

Undead and Unruly

Gone are the days when vampires had super straight, boring hair. Thanks to a pop culture fascination with the undead, vampires are more glamorous than ever, and almost always rock otherworldly curly hairstyles. So grab your favorite defining gel or mousse and create gorgeous tousled spirals and waves.

If you’re a die-hard Twilight fan (like me”>, you know that vampires are literally drop dead gorgeous with perfect hair, so make sure your hair is as healthy and as well styled to complete the look. Try to deep condition the day before using a moisturizing or steam treatment. On the day of, do not be skimpy with the product or rush it. You want every curl to be in its place. Finish off with a gloss or light oil to create a healthy looking sheen.

To complete your outfit, use a face powder a few shades lighter than your skin tone to achieve a pale, creature-of-the-night look. As for makeup, try doing a smoky eye and complement it with a nude lipstick or lip-gloss. And don’t forget your fangs!

Check out vampire Victoria’s beautiful, bountiful curls! »

Shop for the perfect deep conditioners for your curls »

Read reviews of the best hair oils to keep your look in place! »

Hippie Chic

Be Natural & Be You

Being hippie is all about just being you, curls and all. Curly hair is perfect for the “I just rolled out of bed” look hippies made famous.

Grab a beaded or braided headband and tie it around your forehead and secure it behind your head. You can also tie å large scarf around your head and allow your hair to hang down. The good thing is that you probably already have these items lying around your room, so styling on the day of will take you no more than ten minutes tops.

For those who want to go all out, a feather extension or two can add interest. Find a salon in your area that can insert these for you and you’ll be rocking the now totally in feathered look long past Halloween night.

Learn how to make your own hippie headband! »

The feathered hair trend goes curly, and you can too! »

Find a curly hair salon in your area for Halloween night! »

Super Curly

To Your Curly Hair Rescue!

I love to see women portrayed as superheroes. After all, everyone knows that we can do it all!

A great thing about “super women” is that their hair calls for something different. Wonder Woman had a bouffant on screen, and wild curls in cartoons. X-Men’s Storm had white hair and a pixie cut. I can go on, but note that all super heroines have rocked tresses that were the opposite of what their current culture thought was popular, or even in style.

Being a superhero calls for outrageous curly hairstyles, and I’m thinking Mohawks. But before you pick up the scissors, I’m referring to a fauxhawk.

To create this ‘do, section your hair from ear to ear three or four times (depending on the thickness of your hair”>, securing each section as you go along with a seamless ponytail. Your smooth edges and loose hair in the middle will give the illusion of a Mohawk. Remember to use your favorite styling gel or cream, like Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, to keep your edges smooth.

Check out user submitted Mohawk photos and copy the style! »

Join the CurlTalk convo: Halloween Costumes! »

Our favorite curly hair idols are definitely curly superheroes! »

Wrapping it Up

• I hope this article has inspired you to think more creatively with your Halloween outfits and prevented you from buying yet another Halloween wig!
• Until then, remember to have love, peace and curly-haired bliss!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published October 26, 2011

As a college student, you will quickly realize that 24 hours simply isn’t enough time to get everything done. Between classes, assignments and extracurricular activities, sleep will become a luxury, and curly hair care a distant memory. But, as curlies, we know that ignoring our tresses can mean disaster in the long run. So here are some curly hair tips to help you seamlessly fit hair care into your everyday routine.

Study Hard, Curl Hard!

1. Cleansing. I know the feeling of always wanting to have gorgeous curls, but school should always come first. So back away from the shower, put the conditioner down and just let your hair be. Grab your hairband and put your hair up in a bun, add a cute accessory and go to class. A few extra days without washing will not kill you. Having said this you will need to wash eventually. Try washing your hair early in the morning, so you can use the entire day to let it dry.
2. Deep Conditioning. Deep conditioning can be a long, drawn out affair, but it’s vital to your curly hair care. Try to get at least one session in a week by applying your DC, putting a shower cap over it and wearing either a silk scarf or a hat. Then feel free to leave the dorms and go about your scholarly activities. No one has to know your little secret.

3. Styling. If you need your twists or braid outs to set, leave them hanging down and grab your favorite beanie or hat. Make sure that it is lined with satin to prevent frizz, or put on a bonnet or silk scarf before putting on your hat. This will allow you to look cute and be able to leave your dorm room while letting your hair dry. You can also try styles that last longer and require spending less time on your hair. Buns, braids, twists and updos will help you keep your styles in for at least a week, so you will have time for other fun things.
4. Hot Oil Treatments. Instead of just a study day, why not make it a study/spa day? Use this day to do your ayurvedic treatments, deep conditioning, face treatments and more. Apply your muds, pastes treatments, etc and let them work their magic while you study. Then use your break times to rinse, apply another treatment, snack, etc. Two birds with one stone!
5. Maximize your sleep time! Out of a 24-hour day, approximately 8 hours are spent merely sleeping, when it could have been spent on hair care. Use your sleep time wisely to get in extra deep treatments, ayurveda treatments, set braid or twist outs, and anything else! Use a shower cap, then scarf to prevent dirtying your sheets, and tuck cotton pleats under your shower cap around your head to catch any drips.
6. Extras. To do lists are not just for your parents. Getting everything done can be a problem when you can’t remember what needs to be done! Write down what needs to be accomplished and set due dates and time limits, and watch your life become organized and stress free. Once organized, pencil in time for hair care.

Final Thoughts

What time saving curly hair tips do you use? Let us know and help out other college curlies!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published September 22, 2011

There’s nothing more frustrating than being excited about cutting it all off or rocking your curls for the first time than negative parents. Have the rude comments and sarcasm become too much to bear? Then lend me an ear and I’ll tell you how to get even the most stubborn parents behind your big chop.

Consistency is Key

Now and Later

If you want to sell your parents on the big chop, you have to be consistent. If you ignore the comments and show them that you’re resolute in your decision, then they’ll take you seriously. Your parents are probably worried that you’re simply following a fashion trend. They don’t want you to do something drastic, and then spend the next year listening to you whine about your short hair until it grows back.

By sticking to your guns, you’ll show your parents that your decision to go natural is both mature and well-thought out. Plus, if you can’t make up your mind, then your parents will do it for you, and their decision might not be one you like.

CurlyNikki’s says: natural hair creates confidence! »

The big chop can be scary, but acceptance is part of the process! »

How to survive the first year of natural hair »

Prove Them Wrong

Nicely, of course!

Remember, while your parents’ may not be that young, they’re still impressionable. For too long they have been brainwashed by the media’s claim that straight hair is better, so it’s up to you to educate them. Show them the beauty of natural hair. Many people still think that the only styles curly heads can pull off are afros and undefined puffy hair. While both styles are gorgeous, your parents will want to know that you will have more styling options come Monday morning. Guide them to some pictures of curly hair styles to show them the hundreds of great looks you can get with natural hair.

For stubborn parents who refuse to sit in front of the computer, trying out a few styles on yourself for them to see. When they ask about your new hair, just tell them you’re practicing a few styles for when you get the big chop.

Three easy natural hair twists you can try tonight! »

Browse our gallery of curly hairstyles and add your own! »

Find more natural hairstyles on our YouTube Channel! »

Compromise to Win

Meet Them Half Way

With everything in life, there has to be some compromise. While you may want your hair big and free all the time, the people who have to sit behind you in church and movie theaters may not, and neither do your parents. Leave the drama for the weekends and school, and keep it pulled back, sleek and tamer for more formal situations. A little compromise can help dissipate the friction over your new hair.

Remember that while your parents may seem cruel, they’re coming from a place of love. They may still remember the days when women were discriminated against for having curly hair and deemed unkempt. It’s up to you to have patience with them. Even parents need a little guidance sometimes. Bring them up to speed with the 21st century where natural hair is not only accepted, but very much in fashion!

Hair matters, even at church! »

Hair Etiquette: Is it OK to wear wet hair out? »

It’s sad, but true: curly hair stereotypes still exist. »

Talk it Out

Parental Communication is SO Underrated

Finally, do the unthinkable: TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! This may seem like a foreign concept, but it just might work. If yelling and arguing isn’t working (and it probably won’t”>, try telling your parents why you want to do a big chop. Tell them about the harm that relaxers and flat irons have done to your hair. Inform them of the natural hair movement and the new information out there about caring for natural hair.

If you have problems saying what’s on your mind, write out a little script for yourself and rehearse it before talking to your parents. If you really don’t want to have a long drawn out conversation, you can always write a letter.

While you’re at it, let your stylist in on the new routine. »

Join the CurlTalk convo: Help with parents! »

Straight talk: how a college curly feels about variety. »

Final Words

• In all that you do, be respectful.
• I’m not responsible for any groundings, loss of allowance and other privileges or any punishment that may result from your rudeness.
• And remember to always have love, peace and curly haired bliss.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published September 7, 2011

Everything about college is complicated, from the homework assignments to the lectures. Thankfully, your hair care doesn’t have to be! Simplify your routine with these quick, but long-lasting curly hairstyles that will take the guesswork out of hair care for up to a week.

Buns!

So many options, one great style!

This bun is created by placing the hair in a ponytail, then winding a sock around the ponytail. The hair is then placed over the sock to hide it, creating the round shape of the bun. A thin hair band is then placed over the sock and the hair to keep the hair in place. Tuck excess hair under the round shape of the bun.

Southern Tease Bun

To accomplish this look, pull hair back in to a low ponytail, and then take the end of the tail and pull it up to the center of your head. Holding the tail in place, pull one side of your hair back into the same place. Holding both this side and the tail in place, repeat the process on the other side. Pin the hair in place at the axis point (where the tail and two side pieces of hair are positioned”>. This will create a low bun look, that will look like you spent a lot longer than you actually did!

Moving Bun

Why not try to play around with the placement of your bun for more interest? To be more sophisticated and chic, attempt a high bun or top knot and gather your hair at the very top of your head so your bun will be higher. However, if you want the more relaxed girly girl look, do the low bun by gathering your hair at the nape of your neck, or the side bun by gathering your hair at either side of your head. Also, if its one of those lazy days, then try pulling out a few strands out of your bun to give it a more messy I-just-got-out-of-bed look.

Double Bun

Start with soaking wet hair in the shower, and separate hair into two sections. Then create three big twists on each side, six in total. Once out of the shower, let the twists out and rake your product through to define the curls. Then, section out a 1 to 2 inch chunk of hair at your face and flat twist it. Gather the twist and loose hair into a ponytail holder, pull through twice and secure with bobby pins. Repeat on the opposite side. Use this pictorial how-to to see how it is done.

Maintaining the Style

The key to keeping this style for at least a week is starting off with moisturized hair, so lay on the moisturizer to avoid dry frizzy hair mid week. Also, in order to maintain this style, you will need to tie your hair down at night. I suggest using a silk scarf to tie down the crown, and a bonnet to keep the rest of your hair covered. I know that this is not the cutest bedtime look, but sleeping out on a satin pillowcase will mean having to redo the bun every morning. Trust me, you will want the extra twenty minutes of rest in the A.M.

See more wavy bun hairstyles! »

See more curly bun hairstyles! »

See more kinky bun hairstyles! »

Twists & Braids

Not just for your pre-teen girl anymore!

Many women adore these curly hairstyles since they last a long time. Once done, this style can last for upwards of a week- some curlies even leave them in for a month!

Maintaining the Style

Being able to rock this look for an extended period requires that the braids or twists be installed properly from day one. Start of with a clean scalp and overly moisturized hair as you do not want to have to re-moisturize and cleanse too early on which will cause frizz. Also, do rope twists instead of regular twists to help them last longer and cut back on frizz. Rope twists are done by coiling the two sections of the hair prior to twisting them. This binds the hair more to keep the frizz at bay and causes the twists to have a twirlier, cuter look.

You could sleep on a satin pillowcase and call it a day  or night. However, I highly suggest using a silk scarf to keep the twists in one position while you sleep as the friction between them could cause frizz. Also, the scarf helps to keep the braids or twists in a downward position so they don’t stick out at weird angles come the following morning.

See more braided wavy hairstyles! »

See more braided curly hairstyles! »

See more braided kinky hairstyles! »

Wash-n-Go

Quick, easy and long-lasting!

It may seem weird that I’m suggesting these curly hairstyles, but a wash-n-go is perfect for a college curly on the go. For the most part, a wash-n-go can be done quite quickly. Also, unlike styles like twists, braid outs or curler sets that require a whole day of being locked inside the house while your hair dries, a wash-n-go can be worn out while it dries. As the days wear on, a wash-n-go only gets more gorgeous, as the curls loose the crunch and the hair swells. The way to rock a wash-n-go for an entire week is by wearing it out for the first few days then pulling it up by either doing a pony-puff using a stretched headband or a big messy ponytail or bun using a hair tie. This style will help you to have a new look every few days without having to go through the whole routine of washing and styling.

Maintaining the Style

Normally I wouldn’t condone crunchy hair on day one, but in the name of longevity I would suggest using a tad bit more product to have really defined hair from the start. This will help to control the frizz so that as the week wears on, you do not end up with a puff ball.

Read all about users’ wash and go successes! »

Join the conversation: What’s your wash-n-go routine? »

See how a wash and go is done. »

Updos

Not only for formal occasions.

No, I’m not talking about the super formal curly hairstyles for proms and weddings! I’m talking about the cute messy updos easily created with a light hold gel and a few bobby pins. This style is so effortless and perfect for pulling the hair back to showcase your gorgeous face and getting the hair off of the neck for the hotter months. Try grabbing small sections of hair and loosely twirling, twisting or braiding them, then pinning them at the center of your head or base of your neck.

Maintaining the Style

With this style, a good hair gel is a must. Try to find something that gives good hold without the crunch or flake factor. Also, you will need to scarf it at night to ensure that everything stays in place. However, if things start to droop or fall, just grab another bobby pin and put it back into place.

See more wavy updos! »

See more curly updos! »

See more kinky updos! »

Extra Insight

• Test products to see what works best with your hair type. Crunchy curly hair looks fake, and it isn’t! So, avoid the crunch factor whenever possible.
• Do you have cool, easy and long-lasting curly hairstyles you love? Tell me about them. After all, it is all about love peace and curly hair bliss.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published September 7, 2011

College is expensive, and for those of us who are looking for a higher form of education, there is simply no way of getting around the thousand-dollar price tag. After hyperventilating over shelling out for college tuition, books and other miscellaneous expenses, you are probably looking for ways to save a buck or two.

Besides the obvious ramen noodle diet, you could also save money by getting the most out of your natural hair products. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you stretch your hair products and dollar with three cheap and easily available ingredients.

Deep Conditioners

Making less do more

If your hair is thick or long then you know just how painful it is to use half of an 8 oz. jar of a $20. So, don’t! Instead, soup up your products by adding your favorite ingredients for natural hair products. If your deep conditioner is thick, then thin it out and stretch it by adding oils such as coconut oil, olive oil and grape seed oil, all of which are cheap and easily available in most grocery stores. You can also add honey, avocados and coconut milk to add extra moisture to your dry strands.

You never know, adding your own ingredients could just lead to your next batch of cheap, homemade hair recipes.

Learn how to make deep conditioners that are good enough to eat! »

Find out which deep conditioner is right for your hair type! »

Browse CurlMart’s deep conditioners, and find your favorite! »

Moisturizers

It is all in the base

Stretching a moisturizer is super simple. All you need to do is determine the base for your moisturizer. Most moisturizers are shea butter based, so in order to stretch it, add more shea butter. Likewise, if your moisturizer is mango butter or avocado butter based, then add those. However, keep in mind that by adding more butters you will make the moisturizer heavier, and you’ll need to use less.

Make sure to apply your natural hair products when your hair is wet, since it will be easier to apply at this time and result in wasting less product.

The top 10 natural hair ingredients, and how you can use them! »

Read all about the natural hair care properties of the avocado! »

Don’t waste. Become a CURLS Environista! »

Styling Product

The thick of it

If a product is very thick, adding aloe vera gel will help to thin out the product without sacrificing its hold. If a product is too thin or does not have enough hold, add a butter to it, like shea. The thickness and stickiness of the butter gives hair more hold, but still retains the softness of your curls.

Read all about the natural hair care properties of aloe vera! »

What is shea butter, and why is it so awesome? »

Browse hundreds of reviews for curly hair products! »

Shampoos

Less is always more

The most cost effective way to use shampoo is by diluting it with water. A lot of shampoo is wasted on the actual length of the hair, and even more conditioner is wasted trying to put moisture back into the hair that the shampoo has stripped. So, avoid all the drama and use the applicator bottle to get the shampoo to where it is needed, the scalp.

While rinsing, the shampoo will run over the length of your hair and cleanse it gently. By doing this, you should use a fraction of the amount of shampoo you normally use during each wash session.

Do you even need shampoo? See if the no shampoo method is for you! »

Learn how to dilute your shampoo in three easy steps! »

Browse hundreds of shampoo reviews and find your favorite! »

Conditioners

Oils are the secret!

I absolutely love to add oils to my conditioners! They not only allow you to use less product, but they also give your conditioner more slip and help to put the moisture right back into your hair after a stripping shampoo. My recommendations are anything lying around the house like olive, coconut and grape seed oil. It is seriously that simple!

Also try pre-pooing with oil prior to cleansing. The protective layer of oil on your hair will prevent your shampoo from stripping it. This means you will have to use less of your conditioner to get the soft feeling back into your hair.

See our top ten favorite, low-cost curly hair conditioners! »

Add avocado and reap the natural hair benefits! »

Browse hundreds of conditioner product reviews. »

Words of Warning

• Never add the ingredients directly to your product container. Your products have been preserved carefully. By adding more ingredients to the mixture, you will upset the balance of product to preservative and you could cause the product to go bad. So, always remember to whip up your concoctions in a separate bowl.
• Remember to only make enough natural hair products to use in one sitting. I’m making an assumption here by saying that you guys are not chemists and therefore have no clue about how to preserve your mixes. Sometimes placing something in the fridge is not enough, and whipping up a whole batch only to have it spoil will be going against your efforts to save money.
• Never, and I mean NEVER, add water to your mixes unless you plan to use them immediately. Unless it is purified, water can add bacteria to your products and quickly disturb the ratio of product to preservative to create the perfect environment for bacteria to breed. Not even a refrigerator will be able to help your cause.

By Chelsea Fregis · Published September 7, 2011

After the giddy feeling has worn off and you have said goodbye to the ‘rents, the tears will come down like a waterfall when you see the storage space in your shoebox-sized dorm room.

Soon panic sets in, as you, a long-time product junkie, try to figure out where you will put your salon-sized bottles of conditioner, store your summer products, find storage for your winter products and stash your I-no-longer-use/want products that you can’t bear to throw away.

So here are my tips to help you de-clutter and find space for all your curly hair products. How else would your college transition to natural locks look great every day?

Clear the Clutter, Organize the Product

College is not the time to be a product junkie. Stop hoarding the gels and butters and get organized!

Lots of Product, Little Money

• Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
• VO5 Blackberry Sage Tea Therapy Revitalizing Conditioner
• Eco Styler Firm Hold Styling Gel

1. Get Rid of It. As a curly who embarks on a natural hair journey, it’s only normal that you try to experiment with as many curly hair products and tools as possible. Along the way, you acquire your Holy Grail products and stuff you wouldn’t even give to a friend. If you are like me, you kept it all anyway. Don’t even try to deny it, because if I looked in your bathroom cabinet, it would look like warehouse storage for a small beauty supply store.

1. Buy Large Sizes. If you can buy the largest bottle possible of whatever it is that you need, then do it! It’s much easier to store one large bottle of something than it is to store two or three smaller bottles. If you really love it, and it is a part of your everyday routine, invest in the large bottle.
2. Utilize Spaces you Wouldn’t Think of Normally. Storage bins are lifesavers. They can be cute, colorful and found in just about every size to fit every space. Invest in a few and use them to store your stuff in unconventional spaces like under desks and beds and on top of clothes cupboards. Also, many storage bins can be stacked to save floor space. Be imaginative, because you can’t ask to use your roommate’s storage space to store your own stuff!!
3. Simply Your Hair Routine. Many of us have long rituals that we go through every style session to get our hair just right. These style sessions usually involve a plethora of styling agents and tools. Let’s be realistic, though, in college, you wont have enough time to sleep, let alone style your hair. Also, any extra time will be spent catching up on assignments, the family you forgot to call, the friends you haven’t seen since your first college class and the well-balanced meals you haven’t had since you started dining in the school cafeteria. My advice would be to focus more on creating a healthy hair regimen rather than getting every curl just right. Try styles that are quick and easy and that require very few curly hair products to create. Then go all out on the weekend. By simplifying your routine, you will be able to limit the number of products you use and therefore have to take with you to college.

Final Thoughts

I hope this helps to take the guesswork out of packing your bags and storing your stuff. Good luck with all your scholarly endeavors and as always, love, peace and curly hair bliss!

By Chelsea Fregis · Published August 31, 2011

Many of you have probably been stalking online curly hair communities for quite a while and been on the fence about going natural or ditching the flat iron and rocking your curls. You have probably found a million plus one reasons why you shouldn’t go natural, so I’ll give you three awesome reasons why you should.

Gossip Moves Fast!

Remember that girl and that guy and the other girl when they did that thing that time? No? Neither do I. High school is like one big soap opera. Every time you tune in to the show by going to school, there’s a whole new drama unfolding. Things unravel at the speed of light, and the scintillating drama that had everyone buzzing yesterday will be just that — yesterday’s news. Walking in with a new ‘do or a head of curly hair may be the talk of the school today, but the hot gossip of who’s hooking up or breaking up will soon overshadow any drama surrounding you.

Difference is Key

Walking down the halls of high school is almost like stepping into some alternate universe where every girl is forced to look alike. In this alternate universe all the girls are made to have straight hair, and individuality is a crime. Those of us with curly hair don’t live in this universe. Besides, didn’t you hear being yourself is in now? If being yourself means ‘rocking what your mama gave ya’, then go for it! Don’t be a mindless drone following the crowd. Be yourself, and when you walk down the halls in school, hold your curly hair up high, add a swing to your step and let them wonder how you got your hair like that.

Get Out of the Rut!

Have you ever been stuck in a styling rut that you just can’t seem to get out of? Well, if you have curly hair, limited styling options is just not a problem. There are so many options from showcasing your own curl pattern to mimicking someone else’s. You can twist and braid it, wear it down and out and do cute updos. If you are in a lazy mood, every day is an opportunity to rock a new ‘do as it swells, gets bigger and generally more funky. No two styling days are alike and you can rest easy knowing that no other curly has hair quite like yours.

Final Thoughts

As a young curly, I understand wanting to be liked by all. High school can be a cruel place for those who don’t fit in, but it can also be an opportunity for self-discovery and self-expression. So, take this opportunity to find you and your curls. As a wise person once told me, if you allow what others say to dictate what you do now, it speaks volumes about what the rest of your life will be like.