Search Results: Christina Patrice
I’m a product junkie.
More specifically, I’m a small business product junkie.
Ladies, there are some AMAZING products out there that I’ve covered consistently on the blog and even shared here on NaturallyCurly. I will always and forever continue to support natural hair small businesses because I believe in them. Not only are the products incredibly unique, well thought out, and crafted with love, but they are made by women (and some men too”> who know our hair best — because they are naturally curly too. They know and understand what ingredients we don’t like, and what we want our products to be able to do. And many of them are involved in initiatives beyond natural hair, aimed at making our communities (and world”> a better place, like TreLuxe.
TreLuxe is a socially conscious natural hair and beauty care brand founded by husband and wife duo Cortney and Kiprono Sigiali.
They have focused their brand not only on natural haircare, but on community-based initiatives to educate, support, encourage, and meet the needs of girls and women beyond hair.
TreLuxe hair products are designed to give ladies with natural hair a premium upscale product experience, combining wholesome ingredients and Active Botanicals to alleviate our hair woes — from dryness to curl definition. Currently, the TreLuxe line consists of four products — Untie the Knot Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner, Curl Supreme Styling Cream, ReFlex Curl Styling Serum, and Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel. I was too excited to try out the TreLuxe line. So let’s get on with the review!
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Untie the Knot Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner $18.50
Detangles, nourishes, and replenishes moisture for lively curls. Let’s face it, Mother Nature can do some serious damage to our precious curls. A constant beating from the elements without the proper protection can leave curls dry, brittle, and vulnerable to complex knots; but, there is hope. Untie the Knot Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner was designed with you in mind! The naturally based conditioner formulated with coconut milk, slippery elm, and olive extract allows for ease of detangling while moisturizing and softening every strand of your textured tresses. The formula is reinforced with a combination of avocado and broccoli seed oils to smooth hair and seal the cuticle, helping to maintain healthy curls and coils. Avoid the damage that Mother Nature never intended!
Ingredient List
Water (Aqua”>, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Steareth-2, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Extract, Keratin Amino Acids , Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Milk, Squalane (Olive derived”>, Ulmus Fulva (Slippery Elm”> Bark Extract, Panthenol (Provitamin B5″>, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli”> Seed Oil, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Top Ingredients 411
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Water
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Coconut Oil: oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
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Avocado Oil: Omega 3-rich nourishing oil extract that can enhances shine, moisture retention, softness, and elasticity in hair.
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Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
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Propylene Glycol: humectant and conditioning agent, often mistakenly attributed to being carcinogenic. It has no links to cancer or any other illnesses.
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Behentrimonium Methosulfate: gentle surfactant made from non-GMO rapeseed (canola oil”>, and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn’t cause buildup or irritation to the scalp.
Performance
One of the first things I noticed about Untie the Knot is the fragrance, and how totally appropriate it is for the coming fall and winter months. The fragrance is reminiscent of those sweet, warming apple, sugar, and pumpkin spiced candles that roll out at places like Bath and Body Works and Yankee Candle around this time of year. Just smelling it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Even if the fragrance isn’t your cup of tea, it doesn’t linger or conflict with other product scents. The leave-in is rich and lotion-y in consistency, without being greasy or weighing the hair down. For those of you that have tried it, the consistency is similar to Camille Rose Naturals Fresh Curl. What I love about TreLuxe the most (and this leave-in is no exception”> is that they work INSTANTLY. When applying the leave-in, my hair felt instantly hydrated, moisurized, and smooth. It helped encourage clumping and curl definition, while harnessing enough slip to glide through tangles and rough patches. I especially appreciate Untie the Knot because it s based in three ingredients my hair LOVES — coconut oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera. With temperatures dropping (as much as they will in LA anyway”>, I welcome Untie the Knot with open arms into my fall/winter product rotation.
Curl Supreme Styling Cream $22
Creates lustrous, defined, and moisturized curls with soft hold. Fear not ladies; moisturized and defined curls are well within reach. Curl Supreme Styling Cream was designed to make your natural curl pattern take center stage, moisturizing your curly tresses along the way. This premium styler is packed with natural oils and extracts to nourish and add lustrous shine, as our 360 Curls Complex regulates moisture and supplies the right amount of curl definition for the job. With just enough hold to maintain your style, this souffle-like creme is great for the coilest textures, as well as for those with moderatey curly hair who want to style with less hold and more moisture.
Ingredient List
Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice , Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Oil, Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut derived”>, Propylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Extract, Keratin Amino Acids , Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Glyceryl Stearate, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides (Coconut derived”>, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot”> Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Oil, Althea Officinalis Root (Marshmallow”> Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea”> Butter, Carbomer, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Milk, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E”>, Triethanolamine, Squalane (Olive derived”>, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Emulsifying Wax, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Top Ingredients 411
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Water
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Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
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Coconut Oil: oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
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Cetyl Alcohol: considered “fatty alcohol” — NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
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Propylene Glycol: humectant and conditioning agent, often mistakenly attributed to being carcinogenic. It has no links to cancer or any other illnesses.
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Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract: bio-fermented enzyme complex that creates long-term conditioning without buildup. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and a variety of potent phytochemicals. By directly nourishing the hair with essential amino acids, this extract efficiently provides hair the building blocks it needs to form keratin and maintain the hair’s integrity. It can readily penetrate deep into the hair fibre and works in synergy to protect and maintain the hair’s natural integrity and health.
Performance
When I get excited about a product, I start singing. Today will be no exception.
Now that I’ve got you in my stash,
I won’t let go of you,
Got you shackled in my product space
I’m latching on to you….
That pretty much sums up how I feel about Curl Supreme. See, I thought I had all my favorite moisturizers/creams locked down. Then Curl Supreme came along and made me re-evaluate my entire life. I’m being dramatic, but I am hard pressed to find anything about this creamy concoction that I don’t like. Of all the products in the TreLuxe line, this fragrance is my favorite. It’s sweet, floral, and not overbearing. It’s thick, rich, and super creamy, and has slip for the ages! Yes, a moisturizing creme wth slip! After applying it, my hair is soft, defined, and intensely hydrated. It works great by itself for a super soft hold, or makes a dreamy moisturizing layer underneath Hi! Definition or ReFlex. I’m ingredient obsessed, so the inclusion of Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract in Curl Supreme and all of the TreLuxe products excites me. It is a relatively undiscussed underutilized ingredient in the natural hair community. I’ve only seen it pop up in a handful of products from the likes of AG and Briogeo. Call me crazy, but I believe that extract really sets Curl Supreme apart from other moisturizers and curl cremes I’ve tried. Plenty of products have coconut oil and aloe vera in them. But none have come close to working like this!
ReFlex Curl Styling System $18.50
Creates bouncy, silky, natural curls with flexible hold. ReFlex Curl Styling Serum was created to bring flexible hold to your curly and wavy styles without sacrificing the “bounce” of your curls. Our lightweight liquid styler provides just enough slip to glide through every twist and turn of your tresses, wile adding definition and increasing curl elasticity for those bounce back curls you’ve been waiting to unleash. Botanical extracts help provide shine and smooth texture to showcase your curls while a coconut water/aloe juice infusion delivers moisture to thirsty curls, keeping them rejuvenated throughout the day.
Ingredient List
Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut”> Water, Vitis Vinifera (Grape”> Seed Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Juniperus Communis (Juniper Berry”> Fruit Extract, Polysorbate-20, Salvia Officinalis (Sage”> Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Top Ingredients 411
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Water
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Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
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Propylene Glycol: humectant and conditioning agent, often mistakenly attributed to being carcinogenic. It has no links to cancer or any other illnesses.
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Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract
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Rice Extract: provides natural UV protection for the hair, while also improving the structural integrity (strength/health”> of strands.
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Keratin Amino Acids: extracted amino acids from keratin that are purified and made more potent, with the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and repair damage, correct porosity issues, and increase sheen and volume.
Performance
I liked ReFlex, but I wasn’t crazy about it. This curl defining serum is definitely for the ladies that prefer a lighter hold, and desire that big hair on day 1 look. It does fight frizz, and creates voluminous hair as soon as it’s dry — no fluffing required! It was not drying and left no crunch or flakes whatsoever. ReFlex definitely delivers on the promise to deliver flexible hold curls with bounce. I see this product also working exceptionally well for looser, type 2 and 3 curls. Again, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with how ReFlex performed. I just like my curl definers to deliver a little more hold — which brings me to my other FAVORITE product from the TreLuxe line…
Hi!Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel
For long lasting curl definition, luminous shine, and moisture balance. Say Hi! to amazing curl definition and bye to pesky friss as Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Custard transforms tresses from lifeless to luxe in a snap. Our moisture and nutrient rich puree is infused with avocado, soybean, and honey extracts, and is specifically formulated to provide enhanced curl definition and luminous shine with medium hold. Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer helps maintain styles for days instead of hours, giving you confidence in every curl.
Ingredient List
Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera”> Leaf Juice, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan Gum (Seaweed Extract”>, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate-60, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Persea Gratissima (Avocado”> Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Panthenol (Provitamin B5″>, Glycine Soja (Soybean”> Seed Extract, Elaesis Guineensis (Palm”> Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage”> Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E”>, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Top Ingredients 411
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Water
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Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
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Propylene Glycol: humectant and conditioning agent, often mistakenly attributed to being carcinogenic. It has no links to cancer or any other illnesses.
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Carageenan Gum (Seaweed Extract”>: seaweed common to the Atlantic is boiled to release this compound, which thickens and stabilizes mixtures, keeping them from separating.
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Xanthan Gum: plant-derived thickener and mixture stabilizer that is water soluble
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Polysorbate-60: emulsifying agent that helps to keep water, oils, and extracts from separating.
Performance
Oh, won’t you stay with me? ‘Cause you’re all I need…
This is love, and yes, those are more Sam Smith lyrics. Yes, yes, a million times yes. Hi! Definition is absolutely amazing. The fragrance can only be described as luxe. I can’t call it exactly, but I know I feel fancy every time I smell it. It is custard-esque without being too runny or impossibly thick. Because it isn’t super gel-ly or stiff, it mixes well with a wide range of other products — Curl Supreme included. As a matter of fact, the two make one heck of a wash and go duo. Layering Untie the Knot, Curl Supreme, and Hi! Definition gave me one of the best wash and go’s I’ve ever had to date. See for yourself! This wash and go lasted for days while retaining excellent definition and minimal frizz with no flaking or dryness. A word of caution to those that love to overzealously apply product — Hi! Definition doesn’t require gobs and mounds of product in order to be effective. Apply it liberally, but don’t go over the top. One or two quarter-sized amounts per section (depending upon the thickness and length of your hair”> applied to wet hair is plenty.
To sum it up…
As you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed the TreLuxe line of products. My only wish? That they had a shampoo and deep conditioner to go with these wonderful styling products! Hopefully those are in the works.
If you are interested in trying products from TreLuxe, be sure to support their newest initiative — A Natural Fit. TreLuxe has teamed up with Girls with Sole, Girls on the Run, and Girls in the Game to help promote healthy habits and active living among girls in communities that are at-risk for developing health-related illnesses directly correlated to a lack of physical activity. Through these partnerships, the A Natural Fit initiative is designed to support charities that enhance opportunities, build self-esteem, and promote healthy habits among at-risk girls and teenagers. During the month of September, 10% of all sales will go toward the charitable organizations supported by A Natural Fit. You can also donate your rewards points from shopping at discovertreluxe.com to the charities ($5 for every 375 points earned”>, and work with TreLuxe to host events where the charities directly benefit. For more information on A Natural Fit, click here. To get more information on donating rewards points, click here.
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Social media is abuzz lately with memes of makeup, hair, and body-Photoshopping sorcery. At the butt of these jokes are typically women feeling the pressure to be some version of themselves that is filtered beyond recognition–to get the most likes, have their hashtagged #teamnatural photos reposted on Instagram accounts, and live on the compliments of men and women on the internets.
Women that constantly style their hair with weaves, wigs, or crochet braids are often ridiculed for not accepting or trying to severely enhance their natural hair, as though there is some arbitrary line that dictates at which point protective styling becomes self hatred.
As women, we juggle a myriad of emotions when it comes to beauty and self-perception–especially with our natural hair. But do men struggle just as much as we do?
The answer might surprise you
While relaxer sales are taking a nosedive for women thanks to the sweeping interest in natural hair, texturizers for men are still making waves (pun intended”>. While women deride each other for lusting after the perfect curl pattern or texture, men are silently stocking up on S-Curl, pomades, and obsessively brushing to keep their waves dipping.
The truth is, men are pressured into the same parameters of acceptability that women are.
Locs, fros, cornrows, or even long flowing curly hair–anything but low cut curls, waves, and fades are seen as unprofessional and unkempt. Whether it be to switch up their look, or slow down on the amount of money spent at the barber shop, plenty of men have a desire to grow their hair out and pursue a more natural aesthetic.
But they can’t
Although women are well versed in the politics of natural hair in the workplace, the de facto (and sometimes de jure”> regulations around the images of acceptability for men are relatively undiscussed. There is an unspoken expectation that men interested in a viable career (anywhere, not just corporate america”> that want to be taken seriously must have clean cuts low to the scalp and clean shaven faces. And those that do chose to grow out their hair are penalized for not upholding “the company image”, and are even perceived as more intimidating to their counterparts.
And balding? Don’t even get started
As one friend put it, “Once that hairline starts to go, s*** gets real.” In the face of ridicule and insecurity, many men shave it all off once the signs of balding come knocking. Those that aren’t ready to take the plunge spend countless dollars on Nioxin, Rogaine, Saw Palmetto, laser treatments, hair transplants, regrowth vitamins, and more — just to keep up an appearance. Don’t be fooled; mens hair loss is a 3.5 billion dollar per year industry. This is a small fraction of what we as women spend (Black women alone spend upwards of 9 billion annually”>, but it is significant nonetheless. 3.5 billion dollars is some serious dough for men to drop on receding hairlines.
There are even a small few who get “man weaves”, use hair fibers like Toppix to cover thin spots, and even Graff*Etch hair pencils to color in hair lines.
From pressure in the professional sphere to putting down money to pause hair loss, men are challenged in their own respective hair journeys. They may not come across as concerned, but they are. Remember that the next time you poke fun at your bae’s thinning hair, or ask him why he can’t grow his hair out.
Are there any men out there on NaturallyCurly.com? I’d love to hear what you all think about men struggling to accept their hair!
Don’t be fooled! You don’t have to sacrifice soft, hydrated kinks and coils, for cleanliness.
Many naturals and curly girls hate clarifying because it causes so much drama.
You wreck your hair and strip it of natural oils, softness, and hydration for the sake of a clean slate. Even after intense deep conditioning, your hair doesn’t start “acting right” for another two weeks, and by that time, you’re able to get another good week and a half out of your hair before it’s time to clarify all over again.
Break the cycle
These shampoos offer you the chance to deeply clean with out stripping, and to clarify without causing drama. Get clean, healthy, shiny, soft, and moisturized hair with these cleaning powerhouses that don’t contain harsh sulfates like SLS:
Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo, $18
Ever since Ouidad relased this gem, I’ve been in love. This rich, creamy, clarifying shampoo is everything you need it to be, and nothing you don’t. It is free of SLS and other harsh sulfates, and is nothing short of a miracle worker. It offers clarified, clean hair that doesn’t feel stripped or dried out. Plus, you can detangle with it! Yes, this shampoo has slip! (Insert praise emoji here”>. It is gentle enough to use weekly, but the fragrance alone will have you sniffing the bottle daily (don’t judge me”>. Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo is also silicone-free, and curly girl friendly! For my full review, click here!
TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo, $15
One of my hands down, all-time favorite shampoos. TGIN has made it their business to completely turn around what we think about shampoo. Before TGIN’s shampoo waltzed into my life, I had no idea that shampoos could be so moisturizing, so softening, and so slippy! Needless to say, this sulfate-free gem has set the standard for how I rate and rank shampoos. To learn more about how this shampoo makes me sing in the shower, click here. This shampoo does contain cones, so it may not be ideal for ladies who are strictly adherent to the Curly Girl Method.
AfroVeda Carrot Seed Clarifying Shampoo Bar, $7.25
AfroVeda’s Carrot Seed Clarifying Shampoo Bar was one of the first shampoo bars I feel in love with back when I went on my poo bar kick. It always holds a special place in my heart, and is to date, one of the best performing bars I have used. It is ultra moisturizing, has tons of slip (yes, enough to detangle with”>, lathers well, and gets the hair and scalp clean while de-frizzing and moisturizing. Because it’s a bar, it has the added advantage of being travel-friendly. Pack it for an out-of-town trip, or use it for those post-gym showers when you’re short on time and (gasp”> may not have the capacity to condition. Yes, it’s that moisturizing, and curly-girl friendly too.
Kurlee Belle Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo, $16
This thick, luscious shampoo not only lathers like a dream, but keeps its promises. Thanks to sweet almond oil, shea butter, and apple cider vinegar, the Kurlee Belle shampoo delivers a cleaning power full of moisture, while making sure those hair cuticles are kept in check. Paired with my forever favorite Banana Nut & Avocado Deep Treatment, Kurlee Belle has a winning duo on their hands. This shampoo does contain cones, so it may not be ideal for ladies who follow the Curly Girl Method to the letter.
Koils By Nature Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Tea Tree Mint Cleanser, $8
What intrigued me the most about this Koils By Nature cleanser is that it contains absolutely nothing remotely close to a sulfate. This amazingly refreshing foaming cleanser is powered by castille soap, a powerful vegetable-based cleanser that will clarify your hair and scalp without stripping it of precious moisture. It also contains aloe vera, olive oil, and grapeseed oil to help ensure that hair remains moisturized as it is cleaned. The scent is invigorating and tingles while cooling the scalp — and the tea tree/peppermint duo is perfect for ladies looking to cleanse that also want to rid themselves of flaky scalp.
In the naturally curly world, we have a lot of our own lingo–so much so, that that a newbie natural may find herself looking for the Rosetta Stone of the natural hair world. Hopefully, we can help shed some light on a few terms that meant something else before you went natural. Here are 8 common terms, translated naturally curly style:
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8 Names That Mean Different Things For Naturals
Cones
Not the bright orange construction markers, or even the geometric shape. “Cones” is the abbreviated natural hair lingo for silicones, the styling and conditioning ingredient that many naturals and curly girls tend to avoid. Cones appear to improve the condition of the hair, creating a silky, shiny, lightweight microfilm around hair strands. Cones also help tame frizz, block humidity, and smooth rough cuticles. Why do cones get a bad rep? They build up and don’t always get effectively removed using the gentle cleansers we naturally curly girls lean toward. Ultimately, your decision to use or not use cones is up to you!
D.C.
If you see a naturally curly girl say “DC”, you can bet she isn’t talking about the nation’s capitol. “DC” means Deep Conditioner –which in the straight-haired world, is optional–but for us textured ladies, it is a must.
Poo
We’re not talking stinky stuff here. “Poo” is short for shampoo, and can stand alone, or be hyphenated in any number of ways. A pre-poo is a treatment done before shampooing the hair. It can also refer to Deva Curl’s Conditioning Cleanser. Confused yet?
Pineapple
No tropical fruits this time around. Pineapple or pineappling refers to the method elected by many naturally curly girls to preserve their tresses at night. All of the hair is gathered at the front of the head (which makes your head and hair take the shape of a pineapple”> with a scrunchie or scarf, which prevents curls, kinks, and coils from getting smooshed and fuzzy overnight.
LOC
Locs are another type of natural hair, but this time around LOC is an acronym for a method of layering products coined by Chicoro, which stands for Liquid/Leave-In, Oil, Cream. The LOC method ensures that the hair remains hydrated even after it is dry, by slowing the evaporation of water from the cortex via sealing it in with cream and oils.
Holy Grail
Not the cup or platter used by Jesus at the Last Supper, or the chart-topping hit by Jay-Z. For naturally curly girls, holy grails are products that put joy in our hearts and make our spirits sing. They’re the top of the top, must-have, I-hope-they-never-stop-making-this-or-change-the-formula products. Often purchased in bulk, holy grail products are touted for their effectiveness in a number of areas. Click here to see mine!
Slip
Leave your grandma’s undergarments out of this one. Slip refers to how slippery (I know, I hate using the root of the word in the definition, too”> a product is–often used to gauge how a product will perform when it comes to the task of detangling, or distributing product through the hair. Show me a natural that doesn’t like slip, and I’ll show you a liar.
Sale
For most people, a sale is an opportunity to save a few bucks on something you need or would like to have. For curly girls, sale = a green light to go absolutely berserk and stock up on holy grail products, or try new products everyone has been buzzing about. Sale means clear the shelves, and accept the crazy looks you get from everyone as you wait in line (or spare yourself the embarassment and order online”>. Sale means sacrificing your daily Starbucks run for a month in order to beef up your product stash. *insert flashing red siren emoji*
Before dropping a product into your basket at Target, Ulta, or in your cart on CurlMart, how much time do you spend reading the ingredients? At this point in the game, probably more than you have in your entire life.
Whether you’re an ingredient snob and only purchase products made with the best of the best, a clean living curly who believes in eating and using only whole and natural products, or a natural newbie just taking it all in, there’s one thing we can all agree on–ingredients can sound confusing, scary, and like you need an advanced degree in material science to understand how to pronounce them.
Luckily, not everything that looks and sounds terrible is. Relax, naturally curly world– take in these 8 ingredients that sound all sorts of naughty, but are really pretty nice!
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Because of how harsh traditional shampoo and cleansers can be, many of us turn away from anything that has the word “sulfate” in it. But the truth is, behentrimonium methosulfate is a far cry from the sodium lauryl sulfate that dries out and damages our kinks, coils, and curls. In truth, behentrimonium methosulfate is neither drying nor a sulfate. It is actually a super gentle surfactant made from non-GMO (imagine that!”> rapeseed (canola oil”>, and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn’t cause buildup, or irritation to the scalp. You can find this gem in products like Kinky Curly Knot Today, Camille Rose Naturals Fresh Curl, and Lawrence Ray Concepts Shake & Go.
Cetrimonium Chloride
Nerd moment: I really, really, like, REALLY love cetrimonium chloride. I’m *almost* obsessed with it. I make it a point to ensure that practically ALL of my deep conditioners have this ingredient. Why? It rocks. Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt with penetrating, conditioning, anti-static, and emulsifying properties. It also helps to gently cleanse and prevent odor by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, and helping oil mix with water to be able to wash them away. And lastly, what REALLY rocks my socks about cetrimonium chloride is what it does when combined with heat. When cetrimonium chloride is activated by heat (like sitting under a dryer, blow drying, and even the occasional flat ironing”>, it increases the tensile strength of hair. This ingredient is a MUST HAVE in any deep conditioner, leave-in, or heat protectant if you’re planning to blow out, flat iron, or just maximize your deep conditioning. Catch it in Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask, ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer Spray, ApHogee Curlific Texture Treatment, and TGIN Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner.
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Another common ingredient found in many regular and deep conditioners. Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine sounds scary, but it’s really just a derivative of stearic fatty acid that is used to keep ingredients from separating (an emulsifier”>, as well as provide slip for easy detangling. But where does stearic acid come from? Here’s where things get a little sticky. Typically, stearic acid is derived from animal fat. However, you can ensure your hair goodies are free of animal byproducts by purchasing products that are vegan, and that explicitly state they contain no animal products. A good place to start is Obia Natural Hair’s Babassu Deep Conditioner.
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-propyl Silanetriol
Whoa, that’s a mouthful. We’ll just call this one Keravis protein, since that’s what it’s marketed as. Keravis protein is a vegetable-derived protein and silicone blend that was designed specifically to strengthen, fortify, and revitalize dry and damaged hair. Although its composition makes it not Curly Girl-friendly, Keravis protein is able to penetrate the cortex of the hair, helping to build strength from within while coating and conditioning the hair to protect the surface. The end result is hair with significantly improved tensile strength, which helps reduce the damage our hair sustains from dye jobs, environmental factors, and mechanical stress from styling. If you’re ok with cones, get your Keravis protein fix in Eva NCY Therapy Session Hair Mask and ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer Spray.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Typically, when you see a sulfate free shampoo, this ingredient almost always makes the list. And no, manufacturers aren’t pulling the wool over your eyes — sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate really isn’t a sulfate. It is a surfactant and gentle alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate often used in conjunction with other mild cleansing agents to deliver a clean scalp and hair without completely stripping or drying out. Typically, the most gentle cleansers have sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate as opposed to C12-14. The numbers represent the number of carbon atoms, and the larger they are, the more gentle the surfactant is. Get your gentle cleansing fix with TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo and Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo. (Tgin and Ouidad superfruit.”>
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Would you be surprised if I told you this ingredient was a combination of something you probably have in your pantry? Simply put, maltooligosyl glucoside is a complex derived from carbohydrate syrup (sugar”> and corn starch that conditions and moisturizes the hair. It helps improve moisture balance and moisture retention in the hair, and also helps soothe and improve dry scalp. It also goes by the name of hydrogenated starch hydrolysate. Not scary or bad at all, right? You can find this sweet little ingredient in Ouidad’s Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo.
Propanediol
If you’re wary of propylene glycol, then this propanediol should make you sing! Propylene glycol has raised concerns in the naturally curly community, and propanediol definitely eases them. Propanediol is actually a plant-based, ECOCERT-approved emollient, solubilizer, and viscosity improving agent. As a natural alternative/replacement for propylene glycol, it improves moisture binding activity which results in silky smooth hair. Catch this safer and less irritating alternative in Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Cleansing CoWash.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
A water-soluble derivative of guar gum, which comes from the cluster bean. It conditions the hair and contains anti-static properties that help fight frizz. For these reasons, it is a great additive to conditioners, deep conditioners, shampoos, and leave-ins that claim to soften and tame frizzies. Innocuous enough, right? Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is the perfect example to showcase that ingredients that are difficult to pronounce aren’t inherently bad. Catch these magic beans in Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque, Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls, and ApHogee Curlific Textured Hair Wash.
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If you have a pulse in the natural and curly world, you know about CurlBox. If you’re a little more well-versed, you probably know about CurlKit too. But have you heard of these 3 subscription boxes for natural and curly girls?
Sneak Peek Box
Ever wish you could sample a plethora of high quality, small business and major brand products without committing to an entire jar or bottle of something you may not like? Enter: Sneak Peek Box. Sneak Peek Box is a monthly subscription box designed to meet the needs of the natural who is curious about high quality, natural and organic hair and skincare, but would like to get a feel for the products before actually committing. The Sneak Peek Box comes with 5-7 sample sized-products from an array of handpicked brands, and the Sneak Peek Notes booklet, which is by FAR the most helpful box insert I’ve ever come across. In the Sneak Peek Notes booklet, there is a page dedicated to each product that shares information, instructions on how to use, full ingredient lists, where to find the products online, brand social media information, and coupon codes for discounts. Essentially, everything you’d want to know about a product before taking that leap to purchase. Perfect for the product junkie trying to reel herself in, or that has no more room in in the stash for full-sized products.
Below is the August Sneek Peak Box. It includes samples from:
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TreLuxe Untie The Knot Leave-In Conditioner
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Pretty Kinky Naturals Aggressive Growth Elixir
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Positively Natural Avocado Butter Blend
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The Naked Bar Soap Co. Pit Cream Natural Deodorant
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iii Sisters of Nature Natural Curling Gelo
Subcription boxes are $20 per month, but you can also purchase for 3 months at a time for a discounted rate of $50. For more information, visit www.sneakpeekbox.com.
Curl Collection
Maybe you’re the exact opposite, and you can’t stand sample sizes. You’ve cancelled other subscription boxes for that exact reason. Or maybe, you can’t deal with new products every month and would prefer something less frequently. Curl Collection is right up your alley. Every other month, subscribers receive a box of 4-5 full-sized products, from high quality brands like CURLS, WonderCurl, Koils By Nature, Coco Curls, and more. The genius of Curl Collection is that it affords you the ability to try an entire line of products in sync with each other, and gives you plenty of time between boxes to use them up. You can even participate in the Curl Collection Forum to swap products with other subscribers, or use exclusive discounts to purchase more of newly discovered faves from box brands.
The August Curl Collection Box features Koils By Nature (review of KBN products here“> and includes:
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Ultra Moisturizing CocoAloe Deep Conditioner
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Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner
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Herbal Soothing Curl Defining Gel
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Nourishing Hair & Body Butter
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1 Pair of Koils By Nature Button Earrings
Subcription boxes are $35 every other month, but you can also purchase a one-time box for $40. For more information, visit www.curlcollection.com.
Hot Coco Box by Cream and Coco
Unlike the first two, the Hot Coco Box is not a subscription box, you have to purchase it every month outright. The upside here is that you never, ever get stuck with a box you don’t want. The Hot Coco Box is exclusive to natural hair, bath, and body brand Cream and Coco, which features handmade, delectable goodies that are often multi-use for both hair and skin. Boxes always include unique and exclusive products available only to Hot Coco Box customers, made with all-natural and organic ingredients. The August Hot Coco Box featured 10 hair and body products, and customers were over the moon with the summer selection. Just search the hashtag #hotcocobox on Instagram to see what I’m talking about. Currently, Cream and Coco is gearing up for the September Hot Coco Box, which will be themed around the Fall Equinox, with a twist. Not only will the products be centered around herbs that are affected by the moon, the September box will be full of items to take you from daytime savvy to nighttime sassy. The exact contents of the September Hot Coco Box have not been released yet, but I’ve heard that the products included will be a celebration of the seasons changing with:
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5-7 items for hair and skin
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Innovative blends of seasonal fruits and fragrances
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Full-sized bar of soap with a new fall fragrance
Hot Coco Boxes range in price from $15 – $45, depending upon the products that will be included. The September Box is $22 and available for pre-order now at www.creamandcoco.com.
Will you be purchasing a subscription box anytime soon?
Let’s talk about subscription boxes…
Be sure to join us on September 4th from 12:30 – 1:30 EDT for the live panel on beauty boxes featuring CurlBox owner Myliek Teele, Briogeo owner Nancy Twine, and more! These ladies will be discussing the value of beauty boxes for both brands and subscribers. Click here for more info!
It’s no secret, I’m a Product Junkie. I love the thrill of the chase–discovering new products and brands, re-imagining old favorites, and everything in between.
When the opportunity to try out Mielle Organics came knocking, I couldn’t say no! Founded by waist length textured hair beauty Monique Rodriguez, and vouched for by curlies with gorgeous manes (like @TarenGuy and @MuchMoreThanBeauty”>, Mielle Organics is a budding small business brand aimed at helping ladies of all textures and hair types grow long, healthy hair. With a focus on simple ingredients and getting back to the basics of haircare, Mielle Organics aims to nourish, strengthen, and protect hair at each stage of growth.
The Mielle Organics line consists of the Honey Dew Berry Detangling Co-Wash, Almond Mint Oil, and Healthy Hair Formula vitamins. I had the opportunity to try both the Co-Wash and Almond Mint Oil. How did these products stack up against some of my favorite cowashes and oils? Find out below!
Honey Dew Berry Detangling Co-Wash
Description
All natural. For all hair types. Strengthen, lengthen, moisturize. Co-wash gently removes buildup without drying the hair, retaining moisture. Used best with Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil.
Ingredient List (* = certified organic”>
distilled water (aqua”>, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearalkonium chloride, *extra virgin coconut oil, pure shea butter, *jojoba oil, natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherals”>oil, polyaminopropyl biguanide, silk amino acids, Abyssinian oil, marula seed oil, potassium sorbate, natural(phthalate-free”> fragrance, citric acid.
Top Ingredients 411
- cetyl & cetearyl alcohol: considered “fatty alcohols” — NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Both cetearyl and cetyl alcohol are lubricants, thickeners, and emollients. They give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
- stearalkonium chloride: positively-charged salt derived from plant fatty acids that attracts and binds proteins in the hair. It improves luster, condition, and provides anti-static and detangling properties.
- coconut oil: oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid”>. One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
- shea butter: emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree used to moisturize and soften hair.
Performance
The first thing I did was smell the co-wash. How could you not want to stick your sniffer into anything labeled honey dew berry?! The fragrance is everything I imagined it would be. Sweet and fruity, with a hint of creamy berry. The fragrance is light and formulated just right — no overbearing chemical smells for ladies with sensitive sniffers or allergies. The consistency is fairly thin and more lotion-like, which I wasn’t expecting. Typically co-washes are slightly thicker. But it spread easily in my hands and in my hair! It was incredibly hydrating, and soaked right into my hair. Because of the consistency, I wasn’t sure that it would effectively cleanse my hair but it did! After rinsing, my hair was incredibly shiny, soft, de-frizzed, and buildup-free! The co-wash did an amazing job at getting up my gunk without stripping my hair. It had pretty good slip — not enough to fully get my detangle on, but most certainly enough to keep previously detangled hair nice and knot-free. Sweet!
Mint Almond Oil
Description
The nourishing properties of this all natural scalp & hair oil treatment help prevent breakage by sealing in moisture. Soybean oil conditions and protects. Sweet almond oil conditions and aids in adding elasticity to the hair. Peppermint oil invigorates scalp and helps circulation. Moisturizing elements eliminate dryness and will give your hair a soft, healthy shine. Our Mint Almond oil is a favorite and it is our second step in promoting healthy hair and growth by working on the last two phases of the growth cycle by soothing and re-balancing the scalp by promoting circulation. Paraben free.
Ingredient List: glycine soja (soybean”> oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond”> oil, mentha piperita (peppermint”> oil
Top Ingredients 411
- soybean oil: carrier oil used to lubricate and nourish the hair, providing softness and shine.
- sweet almond oil: smoothes hair cuticles, promotes hair growth and thickness, boosts shine.
- peppermint oil: essential oil that invigorates the scalp and stimulates the folicles. Believed to promote hair growth.
Performance
Confession time: peppermint is my favorite essential oils. Not only does it smell amazing, and provide a cooling sensation to the scalp, it is also one of the more affordable essential oils out there. So when I opened the box that the Mint Almond Oil came in, and I smelled the inviting aroma of peppermint, I knew I was in for something awesome. The consistency of the oil itself is a little thinner than pure sweet almond oil, thanks to the blend with soybean oil. The peppermint fragrance is definitely prominent, but not overbearing by any means. The oil features pure, thereapeutic-grade oils and is completely silicone free. The Mint Almond Oil made a great pre-poo oil for my hair and scalp, and even helped me get some dry detangling done. It worked incredibly well as an oil to seal in my wash and go, for scalp massages, and helped me keep my freshly trimmed ends from drying out and splitting. Even better, the oil worked great to help impart shine on my flat ironed curls! Talk about an all-around, multi-use product.
Overall, I really enjoyed using the Mielle Organics products. They smelled amazing, worked great, and are full of great ingredients. Both the co-wash and oil are curly girl-friendly, for ladies looking to avoid silicones, sulfates, and other no-no ingredients.
Both the Honey Dew Berry Co-Wash and Mint Almond Oil are $13.99 at www.mielleorganics.com!
Summertime is coming and you know what that means — out hair! When the temperatures warm up, naturalistas live for a good blowout, braidout, twist-out, bantu knot-out, or even flat-ironed hair. And for many of us curlies–the bigger and smoother, the better.
At the heart of almost every good style is stretched hair. Check out these 5 methods and get ready for #goodhairseason!
1. Bunning
For me, bunning is a great way to stretch only the roots of the hair. By creating buns with old wash and go hair, my roots and the perimeter of my hair are stretched, while maintaining the bulk and volume of my hair through the ends. Bunning is the perfect precursor to a half up, half down or pulled back style. Buns always work best on dry hair. Wet, bunned hair is an invitation for eternal dampness and tangle city. Amp up your sleekness for the bun and the takedown style by using a little Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste on your edges.
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2. Blow Drying
Many naturals aren’t a fan of blowdrying, because it can be, well, drying. But for the most elongated and stretched hair, blowdrying is the way to go. Just remember to deep condition your hair, and always use a leave-in and heat protectant to prevent the hair from drying out and causing heat damage. For deep conditioning, try Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask. For leave-in and heat protection try Blow Dry Addict, It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin, and Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray.
3. Banding
Banding is another popular way to go, because it only requires two things: scrunchies and patience. Depending upon how stretched you want your hair, you can band in as few as two sections, or as many as 10 (or more”>. Simply part hair into sections, and put each section in a ponytail. Move down the length of the hair, adding more scrunchies. For less stretch, space them wider apart. For more stretch, put the scrunchies close together. For hair that stretches quicker, wait until your hair is almost completely dry to band it — or band hair that is already dry. Soaking wet hair underneath bands will take an eternity to dry. And remember — don’t cause too much tension at the roots!
4. Braiding
Braiding as a stretching method gives you the best of both worlds. Not only does it elongate the hair, but the end result can range from a smooth crinkly style to flowy mermaid-esque waves. For less stretch and more definition, create smaller braids. For more stretch than definition, make larger (about 4″> braids. For maximum elongation, make sure hair is completely dry first. Some naturalistas love to blow dry or band, then braid!
5. Bobby Pins
Don’t want to chance ruining the rest of your style, but still want some stretch? Try bobby pins. I have multiple textures, and the front/center area of my hair shrinks significantly more than the back of my hair. To avoid mushroom hair syndrome, I almost always spend day 1 of my wash and go with a pulled back style using bobby pins. It allows the bulk of my hair to dry, and helps my hair to dry in the most shrinkage-prone areas of my hair to dry in the stretched position. Bobby pinning is also good for braidout stretching as well. Braiding the hair, stretching it across the head, and securing it with bobby pins guarantees even more stretch!
How do you stretch your hair?
“Stay away from mineral oil”
Whether you’re newly natural or a textured hair vet, this is one piece of advice that continues to propagate across blogs, YouTube videos, books, social media, natural hair product websites, and more.
But why? What’s so bad about mineral oil? Let’s explore some commonly held beliefs about the taboo ingredient, and whether or not they are rooted in truth.
Is Mineral Oil Bad For Hair?
Rumor #1
Mineral oil is contaminated with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.
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Verdict: FALSE
We want natural oils to be virgin/unrefined and extracted without eliminating the vitamins and nutritive benefits, mineral oil is highly refined and purified to removed any crude ingredients and toxins. For what it’s worth, cosmetic-grade mineral oil processing is regulated by the FDA and other international regulatory agencies. No scientific data supports cosmetic grade mineral oil causes cancer. The rumored link between cancer and mineral oil likely stems from older studies surrounding the impact of aerosolized mineral oil on laboratory animals. Cosmetic grade is highly regulated and refined.
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Rumor #2
Mineral oil dries the hair out.
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Verdict: FALSE
Mineral oil–just like olive oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and others–is an occlusive. It’s designed to create a waterproof barrier that does not allow water to penetrate or escape. Just like with any oil, if your hair is properly hydrated, sealing will lock it in. If you use mineral oil, or any other oil improperly, the end result will be dry feeling hair. But don’t blame mineral oil, it’s not the oil’s fault.
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Rumor #3
Mineral oil causes dry/flaky/irritated scalp.
Verdict: TRUE and FALSE
This rumor hold some merit, but not in the way that you might think. Mineral oil typically is not the ROOT cause of scalp irritation, flaking, and dryness. More than likely, your scalp is responding to irritants within a hair product (like certain preservatives and essential oils”>, or fungal growth. Again, mineral oil isn’t generally the cause of dry, flaky, or irritated scalp. However, it can exacerbate it and make it worse by clogging the scalp follicles, often leading us to believe that mineral oil is at fault.
One Benefit
Now that we’ve addressed the three major concerns surrounding mineral oil, is there any real actual danger associated with incorporating it into your regimen? Not really.
Granted, mineral oil does not possess any nutritive properties like coconut, argan, or avocado oil–but the advantage it does have over more of the natural oils is that it is the most effective at sealing hair, period. Users of mineral oil and petroleum-based products report that their hair stays moisturized twice as long or more than with natural oils.
Stripping the Hair
It requires more than co-washing and sulfate-free shampoos to get it off of the hair completely. To remove mineral oil from the hair, harsh cleansers like sodium lauryl sulfate (a big no-no for the Curly Girl Method crew”> are required. This is perhaps where most of the disdain for mineral oil truly comes from. It creates a vicious cycle of stripping and re-moisturizing the hair on a regular basis.
Bloggers like Curly Nikki have even shared their experience with the likes of Dax and Blue Magic, and plenty of others have enjoyed returning to products from their childhood. At the end of the day, the decision to return to mineral oil and petroleum-based products is entirely your own.
If you do use it…
Avoid the scalp. Don’t clog your scalp’s follicles–that can do more harm than good. Invest in a good clarifying shampoo. When dealing with mineral oil, sulfate free formulas, apple cider vinegar, clays, and baking soda are not beneficial. Using cleansers that don’t completely strip the hair will lead to buildup and ultimately, dry hair. Ensure that your hair is properly hydrated beforehand. Because it is an incredibly effective sealant, it keep will water from entering your hair. If your hair is not properly hydrated via deep conditioning, water-based leave-ins, and water-based creams prior to application, the inevitable result will be dry hair.
By far, the best decision I ever made in my natural hair journey was to have my chop turned into a Deva Cut at the end of my transition. Not only was there a tremendous amount of care put into cutting my hair curl-by-curl, the resulting shape of my hair (both curly and straight”> was awesome:
But that was in December. According to several popular stylists that work with natural hair like Felicia Leatherwood, as a rule of thumb natural and curly girls should look to trim their ends every time the seasons change — every 3 to 4 months. It doesn’t have to be a drastic trim, but just enough to get the split, dry, damaged, or uneven ends away from the bulk of the healthy hair.
As much as I love my Devachan stylist Sergio, I can’t afford a Deva Cut every 3 months. Besides, he travels back and forth between New York and LA, so getting appointments that regularly would be insane.
The solution? Do it myself.
Although there are about 54,648 different reasons to not take scissors to your hair yourself, a small trim at home does have some benefits:
1. You save money –you’re only major cost is shears. I spent around $12 for a pretty decent pair from Target.
2. You have a reason to play in your hair, and doesn’t love playing in their hair?
3. You’re able to learn even more about the unique characteristics of each section, coil, kink, or curl–thus becoming intimate with your natural hair.
4. You’ll become better at trimming. Because of number 3, the more times you work with your hair, the better at trimming it you get. If you know that one side shrinks more than the other, or one section has looser curls, you can trim accordingly to help maintain the best shape.
There are two ways to approach maintaining a Deva Cut. Option one mimics the Deva Cut itself–working curl-by-curl in medium sections. The second option follows the same notion of working in sections, but on blown out hair.
What you’ll need:
- Clips
- Hair shears
- Clean, dry hair that is styled how your normally wear it. A wash and go style is best, because it allows you to see your hair un-manipulated or stretched, and curls are already clumped and prime for trimming. You can also work with day 2 or 3 wash and go hair.
Instructions
- Clip hair in 5 to 7 sections, depending on length and thickness.
- Ideally, you want to separate hair based on how it is shaped. Two horizontal sections across the back, three sections around the middle/through the crown (one on the left, right, and center/crown”>, and two in the front/center section.Starting at the back of your hair, take your first section and break it into 3 or more sections. each section should contain a few clumps of curls, to show you how your hair “falls” naturally.
- One by one, gently stretch each curl until you reach the end of your hair that you desire to trim. Get as close to the end of the “C” in your curl as possible. In one snip, Trim the end of the curl in a downward motion.
- Repeat this step for each small section of curls. Frequently check for a general evenness (each curl will not be dead even”>, and that hair is still falling in the Deva Cut shape you initially had. You can always go back in and trim more.
- Repeat steps 2 – 4 for each of the clipped up sections of hair. When you reach pockets of hair that you can’t readily see like the back of your head or crown, use two mirrors to see with shorter hair. For longer tresses, when stretching, pull each curl to the left, right, or upward to see.
- Shake it out and fluff! You’re all done! You shouldn’t really notice too much difference in length, but your hair should look fuller!
To do a DIY Deva Cut trim on blown out hair, you’ll need:
- Clips
- Hair shears
- Blow dryer with comb attachment or concentrator nozzle
- Paddle brush
- Heat protectant
Instructions
- On freshly washed and deep conditioned hair, apply your heat protectant and blow your hair out in sections. Use either the comb attachment or concentrator nozzle and paddle brush to get your hair as stretched as possible. If you’re looking for a good heat protectant, click here.
- Clip hair in 5 to 7 sections, depending on length and thickness.
- Ideally, you want to separate hair based on how it is shaped. Two horizontal sections across the back, three sections around the middle/through the crown (one on the left, right, and center/crown”>, and two in the front/center section.
- Starting at the back of your hair, take your first section and break it into 2 sections. Take the first section, and brush it with the paddle brush to ensure it is fully detangled and stretched.
- On the final brush stroke chase your index and middle fingers (similar to how you’d use a fine tooth comb chasing a flat iron”> down the length of your hair behind the paddle brush, until you reach the end you want to trim. Follow the same swift snip in a downward motion.
- Repeat steps 2-4 for each of the clipped up sections of hair. When you reach pockets of hair that you can’t readily see like the back of your head or crown, use two mirrors to see with shorter hair. For longer tresses, when stretching, pull each curl to the left, right, or upward to see.
Happy Deva Cutting!
About a month ago on Instagram and Facebook, I posed this question:
For the ladies in relationships, did you consult with your significant other before deciding to go natural? Why or why not? And for the single ladies, would you talk it over with your partner, or is it a “my hair, my choice” deal? Lastly fellas, would you want your lady to talk things over with you, or nah?
At the end of the day, for me, consulting your significant other in the decision to big chop, transition, or go natural does not make you subservient, or strip away your self-determination or empowerment as a woman.
The responses I received were diverse and sometimes complete and polar opposites. Here are a few excerpts:
“I don’t see a good reason to talk/have his permission for something that grows out of my hair naturally…”
“I didn’t ask for his permission, but I did let him in on my decision. I explained to him what it meant to me…”
“My boyfriend had his reservations about me becoming natural. He didn’t understand why I wanted to cut my hair. So for a few months, I educated him on it and showed him how versatile it was. When I did the big chop, he loved it. Moreover, he admired my courage to make such a drastic change…”
“Nope. Didn’t even consider asking him.”
Sentiments on the subject matter range from indifference, to hotly contested notions of not seeking validation from a man. When it comes to this topic, there is no right or wrong answer. Everything hinges on experiences and perspectives.
So I’ll share mine…
Back in 2011, I fell into a slump. My hair was a mess. I was flat ironing it every other week (on 437 degrees Fahrenheit, mind you”> to maintain a straight look, dyeing it every color I so chose, and wondering why I had to trim split ends every time I straightened it. My hair was growing (in spite of frequent trims”>, but it was paper thin. When I washed it in the shower, it came out in gobs. I reached the point where I was frustrated, scared, and praying to God that I didn’t end up bald. I had never worn a weave or wig in my life, and the fact that my once resilient hair was quitting on me was foreign.
I began searching online for solutions to thinning hair, and with the help of resources like NaturallyCurly, Black Girl with Long Hair, and CurlyNikki, I was able to come to grips with the fact that I was suffering from severe heat damage. No magic potion was going to bring my hair back to life, and the only thing I could do to get my thick hair back was go natural. I was forced to confront the ugly reality that I had been hiding behind the flat iron for years, and it finally burned me.
I knew I wasn’t going to big chop, because I cut my hair all off before in 2008 and I was not a fan of the growing-out process. Plus, I always personally felt like my head was too big to rock a TWA. I knew I wanted to transition to natural hair, but I had another person to consider in this: Samuel.
Yes, before I decided to embark on a natural hair journey, I consulted my boyfriend. Not because I needed his permission or his validation, but because as an equal partner in this relationship, his voice mattered. When he and I met, and for the first year and a half of our relationship, my hair was straight. The transition to natural would mean that particular sleek, straight hair aesthetic that was a constant would now emerge at points few and far between. We talked, and I explained why I needed to do this to restore the health of my hair. His response was about as much as I could expect from him on the matter: I support you because that’s what you want, but I don’t really care that much. If that’s what you want to do, do it.
Thankfully, my transition to natural hair wasn’t complicated by disgruntled feelings of a significant other who preferred straight hair. My heart goes out to the ladies currently embroiled in those struggles. Even though his opinions lacked a flair for the dramatic, he and I both agreed that communicating around me going natural was necessary and healthy for our relationship.
As far as my relationship is concerned, communication is important. Knowing how to support each other, and navigate through sometimes difficult and complicated emotional terrain is essential. Did I expect Samuel to understand how much I value my hair, and how important it was for me to embark on a journey to restore health, and by extension, self acceptance? No. For him, my hair was just a pretty accessory and something nice to look at. But we talked about it anyway.
We even talked about the very question posed at the beginning of this article. I asked him how he felt about me approaching him about going natural. He had this to say:
It’s not like you were asking for my permission. You’re grown, and ultimately you’re gonna do what you want to do for yourself. But the fact that you thought enough of me, and value me enough to approach me with the topic says a lot. It lets me know that you respect me…and that you respect my opinions.
At the end of the day, for me, consulting your significant other in the decision to big chop, transition, or go natural does not make you subservient, or strip away your self-determination or empowerment as a woman. It has more to do with communication and partnership than it has to do with control and permission.
After all, if Samuel decided to shave his head bald, I’d expect him to approach me about it, too.
What say you, NaturallyCurly community? Did you consult your significant other before going natural, why or why not? What would you do, single ladies? Sound off!
Like most folks, I love chocolate. But we can’t eat it all the time, right? Luckily, I’ve found the perfect substitute for a chocolate-fueled sugar binge: hair products.
So the next time you feel a sweets craving coming on, pick up one of these 20 products to indulge in, guilt-free.
Eden Body Works Coconut Shea All-Natural Cleansing CoWash
Why It’s Sweet: At under $10 for 16oz, the setup is already sweet. Not only is this product the perfect wash day companion, it has slip for days and is curly-girl friendly. You can’t be mad at that!
tgin Moisture-Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo
Why It’s Sweet: I sing love songs to this shampoo all the time. It is the most moisturizing, detangling, smoothing, and shine imparting shampoo I’ve ever seen in my life. Others may come close, but no product can touch this Moist Collection shampoo.
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls
Why It’s Sweet: Most curlies hate day 1 hair, because it tends to lack volume and has a little too much definition. Pillow Soft Curls solves that problem, leaving you with soft-touchable, and defined yet voluminous curls on day 1.
Koils By Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave-in Conditioner
Why It’s Sweet: Naturals of all textures love this stuff. It’s creamy, moisturizing, curly-girl friendly, and contains wonderful ingredients that keep hair nourished and healthy. No wonder why it’s called the other creamy crack!
Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker *New formula
Why It’s Sweet: Sometimes, formula changes are good. In this case, they’re great. I wanted to like the old pink Curl Maker formula, but I could never quite get it to “work”. It seemed like no matter what I did, I ended up with white flaking and frizz. The new formula lives up to its claims of no more flaking and providing more definition. Yes on both counts. The new formula is a winner!
Wonder Curl Curl Control Styling Lotion
Why It’s Sweet: A new addition to the Wonder Curl line, the Curl Control Styling Lotion delivers touchable definition for all textures, while blocking humidity and nourishing strands with organic aloe vera juice and Pro-Vitamin B5. It is non drying, silicone-free, and free of parabens and other harsh preservatives.
Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask
Why It’s Sweet: Holy Grail Alert! Ever since I grabbed my first jar of Therapy Session, I haven’t been able to stop. It smooths, adds shine, strengthens, and rejuvenates even the most damaged hair. If you haven’t tried it already, you must do so at least once. I promise you’ll love it.
Hydratherma Naturals Scalp Soothing Shampoo Bar
Why It’s Sweet: Skeptical about shampoo? Try a bar. Shampoo bars are an amazing alternative to synthetic shampoos that can stress your tresses. Made with all natural oils–like coconut, olive, castor, and rice bran–and infused with aloe, peppermint, and tea tree, this bar is a scalp tingling sensory treat. Even when I’m not using the bar, I can’t help but sniff it. In fact, I’m sniffing it right now…
As I Am Curling Jelly
Why It’s Sweet: Hands down, As I Am Curling Jelly has become my go-to summer curl definer. It has tons of slip and works easily through the hair. The Curling Jelly provides tons of definition without sacrificing in the volume department, and will easily allow you to achieve day 3 and 4 hair. When paired with the As I Am Leave-In, shiny, bouncy, and defined curls will always be on the menu.
Deepthi Organics Moroccan Beauty Oil
Why It’s Sweet: Other companies sell you argan oil “serums” [more on oils vs. serums] packed with cones at steep prices. Deepthi Organics Moroccan Beauty Oil is certified organic, pure argan oil with organic essential oils of orange and niaouli. That’s IT. It works wonders on both the face and hair without burning a hole in your wallet.
Soultanicals Mango Dip Detangling Slip
Why It’s Sweet: Besides the heavenly smell, Mango Dip is an epic detangler that packs a moisturizing punch. It can be used as a detangler, moisturizer, and even a pre-poo treatment! Products that have multiple purposes are always sweet.
Purgasm Shop Wild Cherry Treatment Hair Truffles
Why It’s Sweet: For starters, these truffles look like yummy chocolate candy hearts. But once you break them down in a little hot water, your hair is in for an ultimate conditioning treat. Packed with rhasoul clay, banana, cocoa, honey, and more, these truffles nourish, add shine, tame frizzies, and deep condition like none other. In fact, they’re a staple ingredient in my henna mix.
Infusium 23 Pro-Vitamin B5 Leave-In Treatment
Why It’s Sweet: Another multi-use product, this wonder liter of liquid is packed full of nourishing oils and amino acids that hydrate, strengthen, and smooth damaged and dry hair. It has tonsssss of slip, and makes a great detangler, pre-poo hydration treatment, leave-in/rinse, and refresher.
Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo
Why It’s Sweet: A clarifying shampoo that doesn’t make your hair feel like straw? Stranger miracles have happened. Aside from smelling great, this creamy shampoo will clarify your scalp and strands without leaving that “squeaky clean” hay hair. It has great slip, and helps detangle while washing.
Lawrence Ray Concepts Shake & Go
Why It’s Sweet: Epic detangling and frizz banishing power. Anyone who has come into contact with Shake & Go sings its praises. Spray it on your hair for an extra boost of hydration, to eliminate frizz, improve softness and shine, while obliterating tangles and snarls.
Silk Elements KERA Minerals Smoothing Deep Conditioner
Why It’s Sweet: An unlikely suspect in an unassuming mauve-ish jar, this jolly rancher sweet smelling deep conditioner is marketed as a part of their Keratin Hair Smoothing System. Who doesn’t want smooth-feeling curls? It won’t straighten your curls, but it will deliver touchable, butter-like smoothness, moisture, and shine.
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin
Why It’s Sweet: Whenever my hair needs a boost, I call on It’s a 10. Not only does it provide immediate softness and hydration, the bounce factor is off the charts! This spray can be used as a leave-in, but I love it as a refresher to infuse moisture, shine, and a just enough protein to bounce my hair back with tons of touchable volume.
Curls Blueberry Curl Control Paste
Why It’s Sweet: Sleek edges that are as sweet as can be. Not only will this yummy smelling paste slick down edges and tame flyaways, it also nourishes and protects those vulnerable edges with castor oil, keratin, quinoa, silk amino acids, blueberry extract and more.
ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer Spray
Why It’s Sweet: This super lightweight spray is recommended for all textures of hair. It provides a protein boost without making the hair brittle or hard (like some of their other products”>, and revitalizes tresses with green tea extract. It also contains heat and UV protectants — perfect for use during the hot summer months, or the next time you plan to flat iron your hair.
Eden Body Works Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque
Why It’s Sweet: If you have super parched hair, this thick masque is a must have. Packed with coconut oil, aloe vera, shea buter and more, it will definitely up the hydration and moisture in your strands. It smooths, adds shine, and nourishes dry hair almost instantly (but you can leave it on for 20 minutes for better results”>. It’s a must-have in my arsenal. Eden BodyWorks, please start putting this product in jars!!!
In my recent article 6 Oils and Butters for the DIY-Challenged, I confessed that DIY oil and butter blends are not my cup of tea. I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion a home mixtress — I loathe the idea of whipping cake batter. So when Deepthi Organics came knocking, I was beyond excited to dabble into two new oils that I hadn’t seen much about online. I was sent two oils from the Organic Verdana collection — the Shine & Control Hair Oil and the Moroccan Beauty Oil.
Both bottles are well on their way to being empty, and with good reason. They are versatile and multi-use, which gets them ranked high in my book. Both oils are 100% natural, silicone-free (curly girl friendly”>, scented with essential oils, and free of parabens and other synthetic preservatives. The Organic Verdana oils are certified organic by EcoCert as well.
I fell in love with Deepthi Organics, and I seriously cannot get enough of the Moroccan Beauty Oil and Shine & Control Hair Oil. Here’s why:
[prodmod]Watch the Video
For more information on the products themselves:
Moroccan Beauty Oil
Description: Liquid Gold in a Bottle, Dermatologist Tested. Multifunctional product for skin & hair.
- Extremely light and fast absorbing
- Ideal nighttime treatment for face & neck
- Softens dry elbows and heels
- Tames and conditions hair
- Nourishes scalp and cuticles
- For all skin and hair types
Top Ingredients 411:
- Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan”> Oil: Oil derived from the seeds of the fruit of the Argan tree, touted for high concentrations of vitamins A and E, Omega-6 fatty acids, carotenes, squalene , phenols and other phytonutrients. These are critical in the development and maintenance of a healthy skin barrier and healthy hair. Antioxidant rich and able to penetrate the hair to some degree, Argan oil can help reverse and repair signs of aging hair and skin, as well as protect it from further damage. Argan oil conditions, softens, and improves elasticity in hair and skin.
- Organic Sweet Orange Oil: Essential oil fragrance known for brightening, and mood-boosting properties. Also contains mild cleansing propertes which can help prevent buildup of oil and product on the hair.
- Organic Melaeuca Quiquenervia (Niaouli”> Oil: Natural essential oil made of the Niaouli leaves and branches, native to Australia and Madagascar. It is promoted for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and preservative-like properties.Used to keep oils and butters from going rancid without the potentially harmful side effects of traditional preservatives.
Shine & Control Hair Oil
Description: For silky smooth hair. Tames frizz and flyaways. Dermatologist tested. Non-greasy; perfect for all hair types. Super light, quick absorbing, organically scented.
Top Ingredients 411:
- Capric/caprylic triglyceride: Fractionated coconut oil that is light weight, nutrient rich, and fast absorbing. All the benefits of coconut oil without the heaviness.
- Organic Glycine Soja (Soybean”> Oil: Moisturizing and nourishing oil rich in omega 3 fats and protein.
- Organic Sweet Almond Oil: Nourishes hair, smoothes hair cuticles to control shedding, promotes hair growth and thickness, prevents hair loss, and boosts shine.
- Organic Sunflower Seed Oil: Pressed oil of the sunflower seed, rich in omegas 6 and 9 which help stimulate growth, improve elasticity, and ciments the cuticle layers to help improve moisture retention and correct porosity issues.
- Organic Sesame Seed Oil: Oil enriched with Vitamin E, B complex and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and protein which strengthens the hair from the root and gives deep nourishment.
- Also contains extracts of Brahmi, Gotu Kola, Lavender, and Green Myrtle. These extracts work together to nourish the roots of the hair, stimulate the scalp, and increase luster while revitalizing dry, dull, brittle hair.
Are you ready to take your hair, scalp, and body health to the next level? Sea Buckthorn Oil may just be the thing you need. When it comes to healthy hair and scalp, oils like tea tree, castor, coconut, and olive are frequently mentioned. As far as supplements go, biotin and MSM tend to reign supreme.
Sea Buckthorn Oil helps stimulate hair growth while improving the overall health of your hair, scalp, and skin.
Where’s this wonder oil from?
The sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides”> plant is native to several sandy coastal and semidesert areas of Europe and Asia. 90% of the world’s natural Sea Buckthorn habitat is found in China, Russia, northern Europe, and Canada where it draws part of its name from its proximity to the coastline and the salt sprays it receives from the sea.
Nutrients
Sea Buckthorn Oil is a deep amber and relatively thin in consistency, but boasts a rich nutrient profile beneficial for hair and scalp:
Vitamins A & E
Vitamins A & E are actively involved in the rejuvenation and renewal of cell membranes, and are superior antioxidants which help to fight aging in hair and skin — combating dryness, brittleness, thinning, and breakage.
Vitamins B1 (Thiamin”>, B2 (Riboflavin”>, B6 (Pyridoxine”>
Combined, these B vitamins are responsible for helping to convert food into energy, and are essential for the rejuvenation and creation of healthy skin, hair, and blood. B6 is also responsible for the creation and stimulation of healthy blood cells, which transport oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the body and to the hair.
Vitamin C
Anti-oxidant properties of this essential vitamin are beneficial for fighting the free radicals and environmental factors that can cause structural damage to the proteins in hair– helping to prevent breakage and split ends.
Amino Acids
Hair is made of keratin, and keratin is made of amino acids. Amino acids are essential to replenishing the strength and health of hair that has suffered mechanical or chemical damage, and for promoting healthy hair growth.
Omega-7
A little-discussed omega, this fatty acid provides key building blocks for skin, hair and nails. It helps combat dryness, loss of skin and hair elasticity, and other symptoms aging and damage. It protects against oxidative damage, helps hair retain moisture better, and can even help repair sun-damaged hair and skin.
How to Use Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Buckthorn Oil is incredibly potent, and in use for hair it is best treated as an essential oil — meaning you will get the most benefit and value by mixing it with a complimentary carrier oil for use. Coconut, jojoba, hemp, olive, grapeseed, and sweet almond are all great options. But be warned, it does not have the most pleasant of smells. Combining with other carrier and essential oils will help mask the smell and make it more tolerable.
Sea Buckthorn Oil can be purchased at many online retailers. I purchase my Life Flo brand of Sea Buckthorn Oil from Vitamin Shoppe for $17.
Scalp Massage & Pre-Poo
For a stimulating scalp massage and pre-poo, mix:
- 1oz Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil
- 1oz Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil
- 10 drops Sea Buckthorn Oil
- 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
Massage into the scalp and work through the length of your hair. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour then continue your wash day regimen as usual.
Scalp Treatment
If you suffer from psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, or Eczema–use this soothing blend on your skin and scalp. This blend will help ease itching, and may even slow scalp flaking.
Ingredients
- 1oz Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel (I recommend Thayer’s”>
- 1/2oz Glycerin
- 8 drops Sea Buckthorn Oil
Directions
Mix all of the ingredients and shake well. It will be runny, so applying a little at a time to the desired areas using a dropper is best. Be sure to rub it into your scalp or skin well, to avoid staining from the Sea Buckthorn Oil.
Easy DIY Conditioner
For extra conditioning, add 5 – 10 drops of Sea Buckthorn Oil to your favorite regular and deep conditioners. Be careful at all times when handling Sea Buckthorn Oil — it can temporarily stain clothing, surfaces, and even your skin a deep orange, which is why diluting it (like in the recipes above”> is recommended. Alternatively, this Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn Leave-In Conditioner already contains the oil as an ingredient.
Vitamin Supplement
If you want to kick the benefits of Sea Buckthorn up a notch, taking a supplement is always an option. I personally take the Solaray Super Omega 3-7-9, which has been working exceptionally well to combat my scalp psoriasis. Since incorporating the Sea Buckthorn-based omega into my vitamin regimen, my scalp health has drastically improved, which has translated into less flakes, less breakage, and less-complicated wash days.
Will you be incorporating Sea Buckthorn Oil into your regimen? Let us know.
And go visit more of my posts on ManeObjective.com.
Although the wash and go is touted as an easy, breezy low maintenance and drama free style, getting it to work for your hair type can be closer to an exact science. But once you get that formula down, magic happens and the style becomes everything it was intended to be — quick, easy, painless, effortless, long-lasting, and FABULOUS!
So what are my secrets?
1. Set yourself up for a good hair day.
Wash day is the perfect opportunity to set yourself up for a good hair day and week. Get in tune with what your hair needs to be the healthiest version of itself. For me, this means a pre-poo and cowash like Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Cleansing CoWash or gentle shampoo like tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo that is hydrating, smoothing, and helps keep frizz at bay. And always follow up with a deep conditioning. It should be a part of your regimen like clockwork. My picks? Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask, Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque, Silk Elements KERA-Minerals Smoothing Deep Conditioner, and Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment.
[prodmod]2. Make sure your products mix beforehand!
I can’t stress this one enough. Nothing sends a wash and go down the drain quicker than white gummy buildup balls and flakes. Although you can most certainly layer products on the back of your hand or in your palms for mixability, I’m all about patch tests. If you can, cleanse a small nondescript section of hair and layer in your products. Pay attention to how they interact with eachother, and at what quantities. That last part is super important! I struggled with EcoStyler for this very reason. For example, a few weeks ago I did a wash and go using Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In, Pudding Souffle, and Eco Styler. It was perfect. The next week, I tried to replicate the combo (while rushing and pressed for time”>, without regard to how much product I was using. The end result? Flaky ball city. The problem wasn’t the combination, it was the quantity. I was slapping in too much souffle. But being able to identify that early on helped me not make that mistake again.
3. Start in the shower.
Winning wash and go’s are dripping with water from the outset. Hair needs to be soaked in water not only to help maintain hydration, but to encourage clumping and keep frizz at bay. While in the shower (and occasionally rewetting sections of hair”>, layer in your leave-in, moisturizer/cream/lotion , and oil. My picks: I use Infusium 23 Pro-Vitamin B5 Leave-In Treatment as my “rinse”, Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In, Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk or Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Pudding Souffle for moisture, and seal with coconut oil. As you’re layering in product, hair should be visibly wet and somewhat drippy. Once out of the shower, you can apply your styling product.
4. Apply product in the right order.
Although there are tons of moisturizing and sealing methods and orders, there is one that works particularly well for the wash and go — liquid/leave-in, cream/lotion/moisturizer, oil, and then and styler. The liquid and/or leave on provides water based hydration, while the cream provides moisture, and the oil locks it in while providing a buffer between your hair and the styling product.
5. Rake, smooth, and get close to the root.
Some ladies rake, others smooth. I like to do both. Raking ensures that styling product is getting through to each strand of hair. Smoothing helps to well, smooth and encourage clumping. The other keys to application are using enough product and getting close to the root. If your styling product doesn’t get to the root of your hair, the end result will be poofy roots and defined ends — yikes! As an aside, I’m heavy-handed with product, and that works for my texture and density of hair. Yes, I will have a super defined day 1 wash and go, but days 2, 3, 4, and beyond will be EPIC. Big day 1 hair is cool, but in my experience, those wash and go’s go bad by day 2.
6. Don’t touch!
Once you’ve finished applying product, don’t touch it — unless you want frizz. Even if you can’t air dry and have to diffuse, make sure you use the diffuser to manipulate your hair and not your hands.
7. Maintain moisture and protect your hair at night.
I refresh my hair at night, to keep my progressively stretching day 2, 3, and beyond hair from reverting and shrinking back up. I tend to band the front/center section of my head, and scarf pineapple after that. With this method, the wash and go stretches gently all around, instead of just at the back of the head.
Watch the Video
One thing that most naturals can agree on is the do-it-yourself spirit that permeates throughout the natural hair community. From whipping up deep conditioning treatments to complex updos, many ladies aren’t afraid of rolling up their sleeves and digging deep into the trenches of experimentation.
I love it, I really do. I just can’t do it myself. So if you’re like me, check out these oil and butter blends that you could probably whip up yourself, but you’re probably better off buying:
6 Oils & Butters For the NON-DIYer
Every time I get the itch to whip up some fluffy shea cream or flaxseed gel, I dig deep into my storage and start making preparations. Everything goes well until I turn on the hand mixer. Or when I’m making flaxseed gel, I always end up melting something and burning my fingers. And generally making a mess. Deep conditioners? Yeah, I don’t even bother trying. Some of us just aren’t built for the DIY life, and that’s okay.
Note: All oils and butters are silicone, petroleum, mineral oil, and paraben-free.
Deepthi Organics Shine and Control Hair Oil
If you’re looking for a lightweight pick-me-up for your hair with an ayurvedic twist, Deepthi’s Organic Shine and Control Hair Oil is the one. It has a smooth, serum-like feel without any of the icky stuff. It is all natural, and contains no silicones. Coconut, sunflower, and argan oils penetrate the hair, nourishing and providing essential vitamins and antioxidants. Brahmi, gotu kola, lavender, and rosehip heal, revitalize, stimulate and protect the hair. As an added bonus, this oil is Certified Organic by Eco Cert!
Available online at www.organicverdana.com, $19 for 4oz.
Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil
Pre-poo for the ages! If you’re in to ayurvedic haircare, Darshana’s Natural Indian Hair Oil is a must. Sunflower seed, coconut, olive, and apricot oils are enriched with arnica, Indian Penywort, henna, hibiscus, Indian Gooseberry, Saw Palmetto and other extracts to provide scalp stimulation, nourishment, inflammatory relief, and growth stimulations. Darshana’s oil is nutrient packed, rich in omegas 3, 6, and 9, and chock full of antioxidants. It works great as a pre shampoo treatment left on the hair anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. It can also be used to seal as a part of a regular moisturizing routine. And the bright citrus fragrance is amazing!
Available online at www.darshanabeauty.com, $38.00 for 6oz.
Hydratherma Naturals Hair Growth Oil
Based in olive and castor oils, this warm vanilla coconut fragranced hair and scalp oil is full of omegas, ceramides, and other scalp and hair nourishing vitamins. Hydratherma’s Hair Growth Oil also contains Emu Oil, which assists in the stimulation of hair growth by increasing circulation and moisture in the scalp. It has anti-inflammatory and anti- aging properties, soothes the scalp, contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The oil is a little thick, but certainly not heavy, so a little goes a long way.
Available online and at these retailers, $13.99 for 4oz.
Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex Bath, Body & Massage Oil
I know, I know. It says bath, body, and massage — not hair. But trust me on this one. Not only does the fruity slightly floral fragrance smell ah-may-zing, it’s packed with oils and extracts that are great for your hair and scalp. Safflower oil is packed with ceramides, and shea, sweet almond, jojoba, and more are packed with essential vitamins, antioxidants and emollients that nourish and soften the hair…and skin. Nothing wrong with a product you can use from head to toe!
Available at: Ulta Beauty, $9.99 for 8oz.
Koils By Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter
Although this creamy butter blend comes in many fragrances, I am forever a fan of Marvelous Mango. On more than one occasion, I’ve been tempted to take a little taste. It smells like mango candy, but not in an overly sweet chemical sort of way. This super smooth blend of shea, coconut, kokum, mango, and aloe butters works wonders for rough and dry feeling tresses. Unlike most shea-based whips, this butter is lightweight and not at all tacky. It melts right into the hands, and is easily spread on both hair and skin. I’m warning you now — if you grab this butter, people will be sniffing and following you around all day (in a good way”>!Available online at www.koilsbynature.com, $23 for 8oz.
Kyra’s Shea Medleys Original Butter Cream
Kyra’s Shea Medleys offers a number of butter cream blends with various properties, but Original Butter Cream is my hands down favorite. It has a warm vanilla fragrance that reminds me of sugar cookies. This super luxe blend of aloe vera juice, avocado butter, coconut oil, jojoba, and shea will truly give your hair life. Aloe soothes the scalp and helps adjust hair pH while the blend of oils and butters soften, nourish, seal, and improve elasticity. It can be used from head to toe– a little bit goes a long way.
Available online at www.kyrasheamedleys.com, $20 for 8oz.
From wash and go’s to stylish updos while temperatures climb, or for slicked back ponytails for a polished 9 to 5 look, sleek edges are the cornerstone for many of the most chic natural hair styles. Taming curly, kinky, and coily edges can be a daunting task, but luckily these 10 products are up for the job. Decide what level of hold you’re looking for and find the one that will work for you!
Top 10 Curly Girl Edge Tamers
Soft Hold Products
If you prefer a softer, more natural looking hold, these products are for you. Get some extra mileage from them by gently spritzing your edges with water first before applying:
Qhemet Biologics Aethiopika Hydrate and Twist Butter
Based in olive oil, mango butter, and rice bran oil, this omega and ceramide rich blend provides perfectly soft sleekness while nourishing your edges. Especially great for edges prone to thinning or breakage.($14, www.qhemetbiologics.com“>
Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Edge Taming Taffy
Full of shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil, this nourishing taffy provides hold and softness for any style.($12, CVS, Walgreens”> For more Nubian Heritage products, visit Shop.NaturallyCurly.com“>
Flexible Hold Products
If you prefer the best of both worlds, these products will work wonders for you. They are versatile enough to slick your hair up for the day, and shake loose for a wild look (with polished edges, of course”> at night:
Eden Body Works Coconut Shea Edge Control Gel
With coconut oil and aloe vera, this edge control gel will provide medium hold and maximum hydration. A must-have for edges sensitive to styling products. Oh, it also won our Best of the Best Awards! ($10, Shop.NaturallyCurly.com“> [prodmod]
Curls Passion Fruit or Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with these two. Both contain yummy extracts great for natural hair, and provide touchable hold free of stickiness. If your edges are in need of moisture and hold, opt for the Passion Fruit variety that contains glycerin, castor oil, mango, jojoba, and more. To strengthen your edges while adding hold, the Blueberry Bliss option adds keratin, quinoa, and silk amino acids to the mix.
($8 – $10, Target, Wal-Mart, Sally Beauty, www.curls.biz. Find more CURLS products on Shop.NaturallyCurly.com.”>
mainelement:love Herbal Styling Balm
Palm, neem, and vitamin E oils feed the hair while this herbal-based balm provides shine, hold, and sleekness.($9, www.mainelementlove.com“>
Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Perfect Edges
Blended with glycerin, castor oil sweet almond, and argan oils, this medium hold edge tamer will provide sleekness, shine, and nourishment to your edges. The added bonus of keratin and protein will help strengthen edges to make sure they’re here for the long haul!($5, Sally Beauty, Walgreens, WalMart”>
Strong Hold Products
Feel like nothing works to hold your edges in place? Give these 4 mega-sleeking options a try:
EcoStyler Gel with Argan Oil
Good ol’ Eco. If you’re looking for a budget friendly, alcohol-free gel to slick back edges, this is the one. It can harden and form a gel cast, so mixing it during application with your favorite oil will help hold back the crunchies.($5, Sally Beauty. For more Eco Styler gels, visit here.”>
Design Essentials Honey and Shea Edge Tamer
Packed with glycerin and castor oil, this edge tamer will hydrate, protect, and hold edges in place for the long haul.($11.99, Shop.NaturallyCurly.com, Sally Beauty”>
As I Am Smoothing Gel
Versatile enough for edges and styling, this gel will provide super sleek edges and hold without hardening and drying alcohols. For maximum slickness, gently spritz edges with water before applying.($7, Shop.NaturallyCurly.com, Sally Beauty, Target”>
Obia Natural Hair Curl Enhancing Custard
Another curl defining and edge controlling favorite, this thick custard will give your curls and edges desired hold without making them crunchy. Enriched with grape seed, argan, and olive oils, the custard will provide hold, shine, and hydration. ($15, www.obianaturalhair.com”>
As always, when it comes to your edges, remember:
- Mind your ingredients. Steer clear of drying alcohols, and products with petroleum and mineral oil that will clog your follicles.
- Less is more.If you can, slick your edges back with your hands instead of a brush. To lock them in place, tie a satin scarf over them while you finish getting ready.
- Avoid tight pulling and style repetition. Leave buns, ponytails, and updos a little loose to avoid too much tugging and pulling. If you can, move them around from time to time to avoid repetitive stress to the same area (high bun, low pony, etc.”>
- Sleep on satin.Pillowcases, scarves, and bonnets all reduce friction between your hair and pillows or sheets. Be sure to protect your edges before tying up hair too!
If you’re anything like me, growing up you sat between your mom or grandma’s legs, head resting on her knee while you winced and whimpered as she combed, brushed, styled, braided, or pressed your hair. “Tenderheaded” was your middle name as a child, and as an adult, you get a little teary-eyed at the thought of sitting through braids and other styles.
Coping With a Sore Scalp
Even though my years of tenderheaded wincing and ponytails are over, I still get the occasional sore scalp from time to time (which I write more about here on my blog“>. Most of the time, I can attribute it to new growth spurts (awkward, but I know for my hair, that’s what’s happening –this goes all the way back to my middle and high school days”>. Usually, with a little massage (with coconut, olive, jojoba, or any other type of oil”> the soreness goes away within a few hours. But if a scalp massage isn’t solving your sore problems, check out these other 6 culprits that may be to blame:
Too-Tight Styles
Pulling your hair up into a tight bun every day as a protective style? Sure, it may be saving your ends from sudden death, but it may be wreaking havoc on your scalp. Pulling ponytails, braids, and buns too tightly leads to extra stress on the scalp, which can cause scalp soreness, breakage, premature removal of hair from the follicle, and ultimately trauma to the follicles (hello, bald spots”>.
Excessive Manipulation of Hair
Yanking, tugging, pulling, and stretching is excessive. Remember those painful hair sessions we talked about earlier? You weren’t crazy as a kid. The tugging, pulling, and stretching of hair to make it bend to your will can cause soreness in the aftermath. Not to mention, breakage and unnecessary hair loss.
Dirty Scalp
Us natural gals are the queens of using conditioner for everything. By and large, there is nothing wrong with using conditioner to cleanse, condition, and leave-in as a moisturizing base for styling. But every once in a while, we’ve got to clarify ladies! Conditioner, like heavy butters, oils, stylers, and everything else we use, tends to build up on the scalp. This buildup suffocates the follicles, which can lead to soreness and hair loss. Can’t remember the last time you touched shampoo, or used ACV or baking soda? Make your next wash day a clarifying day.
Inflammation or irritation
If you wear your hair loose, clarify regularly, and don’t have any abrasions on your scalp, or any chronic skin conditions, you may have a sensitivity to one or a few of the ingredients in products you use. Check your ingredient labels for artificial dyes, artificial fragrances, drying alcohols, propylene glycol, and other known irritants to the skin. If one of your faves has any of those ingredients, swap it out for another product that is more natural and see how your skin responds.
Chronic Skin Conditions
Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis result in dry flakes, scales, and patches on the scalp. As a result, sufferers may experience sore scalp and itchiness as the scales and patches proliferate. Using omega 3-rich oils such as hemp, flaxseed, kukui, and soybean mixed with soothing jojoba, olive, or coconut and an essential oil like tea tree, rosemary, or peppermint to make a scalp massaging blend is perfect for soothing the sore scalp, helping prevent infection (from scratching”>, and lifting dead skin flakes.
Skin Infections
Often times flaky scalps are itchy, and well, we scratch. Sometimes a little too hard, and with our nails. This leads to breaks in the skin, which can then become infected. If your scalp break produces puss, and you have swollen lymph nodes, don’t treat this at home. Seek a medical professional. Scalp infections can (and will”> lead to hair loss at the site of the infection if not treated properly.
Doctor’s Orders
It is important to note that if you are experiencing scalp soreness in accompaniment to any of the below conditions, that you seek medical professional. Those symptoms include:
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puss
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swelling
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rashes
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hair falling out in clumps
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redness/feels hot to touch/burning
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lumps/bumps
