Search Results: Cozy Friedman
I love seeing African-American women sport hairstyles that are influenced by The Motherland.
I love seeing their locks, braids, twists and Afros on public display, and I get particular satisfaction seeing the styles flaunted in corporate settings and at church.
To me these styles are more than fashion statements; they’re symbols of cultural pride.
Such adulation should come as no surprise to regular readers of this column. They know that I’m a shameless supporter of nappiness and all things related.
But at the risk of tainting my reputation as a kink crusader, let me get one thing er, straight. My cultural affinity has not affected my common sense. Natural and African inspired hairstyles may be beautiful, but they can also be problematic if not given proper care.
Some of the most ‘hair-rowing’ stories that I’ve heard about hair and scalp problems have come from women who have gone au natural but gotten careless with hair care.
Women who wear braids are particularly vulnerable. Hair braided too tightly could result in serious damage. I asked Dr. Eleanor Ford, a dermatologist in Silver Spring Md., to talk about the consequences of poor braiding methods.
“There’s a condition known as traction alopecia,” says Eleanor Ford, who serves a large number of African American women who wear natural hairstyles. She also wears her hair in braids. “When you continuously braid the hair tightly around the temples and along the frontal hairline, irreversible hair loss and damage can occur.”
Dr. Ford says that one of the ways to avoid getting traction alopecia is to vary the braiding style to keep from placing stress on the same areas of the scalp. She also recommends going to experienced braiders.
Moisturizing is also a must.
“African American hair, in general, whether it’s kinky, straight braided or in locks, tends to be dryer than hair from other ethnic groups,” Dr. Ford says. “The cortex is thicker, and it makes the hair shaft dryer. The dryer it is, the easier the hair breaks.”
Dr. Ford does not endorse using one particular moisturizer over the other since hair textures respond differently to different types. She personally avoids moisturizing products that have a heavy base.
“I would not put grease on my braids,” she says. “It would get all matted up in the braids, and it’s hard to wash that out.”
Dr. Ford personally uses Pantene moisturizers that are reportedly good for both relaxed and natural hair of women of color.
So there you have it, my good citizens of the nappy nation. Continue to flaunt your cultural “hairitage.” But be sure to do it with proper hair care.
Julia Rizzo
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
As a curly girl, I’m sure you know the feeling. Maybe you’ve been traveling, or you’re out of your favorite shampoo. Maybe it’s windy, or you just didn’t have any hot water this morning.
Whatever the reason, all curly girls face it once in a while — the inevitable bad hair day.
When my hair seems to have a mind of its own, I’m tempted to grab a comb and wrestle it into a bun. Instead, I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks to help you go from fuzzy to fabulous.
Since I was little, a spray bottle has been my secret weapon. I fill it with water and add a little conditioner or frizz cream. After giving the bottle a shake, I liberally spray my hair and scrunch it to reshape my curls. This is especially effective if I already have product in my hair and it just needs a lift, like when I get home from school.
I have coarse hair, and when I’m really in a pinch, I always have a quick fix near by — hand lotion! I’ll rub a small amount on my hands and dilute it with water, and then run my fingers over my hair. I’ve done this more than once when the dry Syracuse winters turn my hair into a static-filled frizz ball! If you have fine curls that tend to be oily, try working a very small amount of baby powder into your hair, especially near the roots. The light powder absorbs the oil and reduces the shine. Using the right amount is key; gray streaks probably aren’t the look you’re going for.
Finally, accessorize! I frequently wear scarves in my hair to keep it out of my face and to disguise flyways. I’ll reach for a scarf in the morning because I’m not allowed to wear my favorite accessory — a hat — to school. Hats have enough personality to merit their own column. They’re fun, functional and come in all shapes, styles and colors. Buy a hat in a neutral color that matches your taste. You may be surprised at how often you reach for it.
Stay Curly,
Julia
Email your questions/comments to Julia.
This year, I promised to place the spotlight on prominent people of influence who wear natural and African-inspired hairstyles.
I call them Power Naps.
These are people I consider role models for those who have been brainwashed to believe that nappiness is a curse and a liability. These role models are proof that having nappy hair does not block intelligence or the ability to succeed.
One of my favorite Power Naps is Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Democratic Congresswoman for the District of Columbia. In more than 40 years of public service, Holmes Norton has been a leader in civil rights and women’s rights, and is one of the best-known and influential African-American political figures in America. She is a tenured law professor at Georgetown University and was the first woman to head the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As a public official, Holmes Norton helped to write affirmative action and sexual harassment guidelines and has doggedly pushed for reform in South Africa.
Holmes Norton’s work has taken her to many parts of the world, but she has never strayed far from her roots. I’m speaking of her “nappy” roots.
Throughout most of her career as public servant, Holmes Norton has proudly sported a natural ‘do. Her hairstyle choice speaks less about fashion and more about her desire to embrace a style that is in keeping with her culture.
“Nothing is more liberating than letting your hair be naturally what your hair is,” Holmes Norton said during an interview on National Public Radio.
It was 2003 and Holmes Norton was being interviewed by Terry Gross, host of the popular show “Fresh Air.” She was invited on the show to discuss her political career and her biography, “Fire In My Soul.”
At the very end of the interview, Gross switched gears and asked Holmes Norton what was the importance of wearing her natural hairstyle.
The question made Holmes Norton laugh. She sounded pleased to have an opportunity to discuss the style she has worn in some form for decades.
She talked about how she detested having her nappy hair ‘touched up’ with the straightening comb, and how the phrase “Black Is Beautiful,” which became the slogan of the days of the Black Consciousness movement, inspired her to start wearing an Afro.
“I must tell you, it was a revelation that this nappy hair wasn’t ugly,” she said. “It was the way it was supposed to be.”
Holmes Norton, who currently wears her hair very closely-cropped, waxed nostalgic about her old hairstyle.
“I long for my Afro,” she told Gross during the interview.
While Holmes Norton’s hairstyle is more modest these days, her feeling of nappy freedom apparently has not been diminished.
“Nothing is more liberating than letting your hair be naturally what your hair is,” she proclaimed.
I couldn’t agree with her more.
| Majoring in Curls | |
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| Email your questions to Aimee. |
I’ve always maintained the idea that nature is good. If it comes from a plant that’s grown from the earth, it’s probably good for me and my hair. After all, humans are natural, so nature must complement how our bodies work.
I’ve had tight curly hair for about eight years, and in that time I’ve tried a lot of products. And the ones that seem to work the best with my hair are those that are either pure or contain a good amount of natural ingredients. Hair conditioners and creams with lots of moisturizing elements make my hair feel incredibly soft, and make me feel good because I’m not putting tons of chemicals on my body. It always makes me less nervous when I can recognize and pronounce ingredients. And on a college student’s tight budget, they don’t break the bank.
Olive oil is one of my favorite natural things in the entire world. I use it in my hair, on my skin, and — way too liberally — in my cooking. It has been used for thousands of years as a skin soother and moisturizer by the Greeks, Italians, and pretty much everyone in the Mediterranean area. These days, thankfully, you don’t have to live in a warm climate like that to reap the benefits. You can use it straight from the kitchen, without any additions. Massage a few tablespoons into your scalp and throw on a shower cap for around 30 minutes. Make sure you shampoo well afterwards or your hair will retain that slightly greasy look. (Believe me, I’ve tried it.”>
Shea butter is also wonderful for the hair and skin. It comes from the nut of a tree in Africa known as the Mangifolia tree and is very prized because of its properties. It’s a natural protectant from the sun’s rays, which is oh-so important these days. And it has strong cell regenerative properties, so it restructures skin and hair cells. Ladies with brittle, dry curls would do well to invest in some shea butter!
We can add to this wonderful list the miraculous aloe vera plant. As well as being a good source of hydration for hair, it’s a general heal-all for skin problems. A huge bottle of 100 percent aloe vera is one of the cheapest beauty aids I’ve ever found. You can use it on wet hair as a styling aid, on dry hair as a frizz-control gel, as a facial moisturizer, and as a soothing remedy for burns. And in some cultures, it’s been used as a remedy for hair loss.
Avocado Oil and honey are two other moisturizers to add to the list. I love them primarily because they taste great. (Not together, I hope”> But you can also apply them to the scalp and massage them in just like the olive oil for the same benefits. Play around with these different types of pure substances before you reject them. Some may work better with one type of hair than another.
Although some herbs and plants don’t actually do much for your hair or skin, they’re great when added to shampoos or treatments for an extra boost of scent. One of my favorites is lavender, which may be too strong if added too liberally. With all of these, it’s better to start with a drop or two and work your way up, depending on how strong you like the scent. Lavender has a naturally calming and relaxing effect, which is handy for stress-laden college lives. Sandalwood also has a similar effect, and it’s a little more earthy if you don’t like floral scents.
These two scents can also can be used as a remedy for depression, which can affect people in the winter when the sun disappears for days on end. Another good remedy for the winter blues is a citrus scent. If you add a few drops of lemon, bitter orange, or grapefruit extract, I guarantee it’ll perk you up. This is especially beneficial early in the morning when it’s hard to pick get yourself out of bed to that first class of the day.
Keep an eye out for those natural ingredients and figure out which ones work for you. In the long run, you might be creating your own natural potions that are geared just for you!
Q: My daughter is 2 years old and has white-blonde curls. She has so many knots and tangles every morning; it is awful trying to comb it! Can you suggest a product for me to try on her? Thank you so much for your help.
Cozy: You are not alone! Tangled hair is the No. 1 problem that we hear about from our clients. I have two suggestions for you. First, try So Cozy Lucky Lime Pre-Detangling Treatment. It is a new way to deal with knots. It has been created to use in the bath with a wide-tooth comb. After shampooing, apply a generous amount of treatment to hair the way you would a conditioner. It smoothes the cuticle and will allow you to comb through the tangles without damage to hair or pain! Rinse when finished. The formulation also has a lot of conditioning properties, so you can even skip conditioning if you want! Second, for help when you’re not in the tub, use So Cozy Detangler & Leave-in conditioner. It will help maintain tangle-free hair and will get out knots out on the go!
Q: My daughter is almost 3, and she does not enjoy getting her hair combed. She has very tight, frizzy curls. She is half Filipino and half Black. I don’t want to braid her hair as many advise me to do. Do you have any suggestions about how I can learn to work with her curls?
Cozy: It seems to me you have two issues: how to help your daughter get her hair combed and how to deal with her frizzy curls. Maintaining tangle-free hair will probably help your daughter deal with getting her hair combed. See question No. 1 for tips on preventing knots. Second, learning to work with her curls will be a learn-as-you-go process. You should try a product that will help smooth her hair to prevent the frizz that you are talking about. I recommend So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream, which is very light and yields a natural look and feel. One of the things that I like about this product is that you can use it on wet or dry hair, so it’s great for a quick help before school or when you just need a little last minute help, and it’s also great right after the bath to scrunch into her hair to help maintain curls and prevent frizz.
Q: My 2-year-old daughter has hair that is straighter in front and tighter in the back. When it is washed and drying, her hair looks beautiful. But after a few hours (once the water dries”>, it puffs up big time. After a few days, her hair gets very dry. The products I have tried work for a few hours and then they seem to dry her hair out. I want a product that will help maintain her curls and will help keep her hair moisturized and shiny. What products do you recommend?
Cozy: It sounds like the first thing you need to do is condition! If her hair is dried out, you must condition every time she bathes. I recommend So Cozy Sweet Strawberry Conditioner with sweet almond oil to lock in moisture and wheat protein to smooth and protect the hair shaft. To help maintain curls and lock in moisture, scrunch in So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream after bath. You can also use it anytime you need to refresh curls.
Q: I am from the land of the straight haired, so I’m confused about how to work with my biracial daughter’s curly/kinky hair. It is very healthy. But my main problem is that when she wakes up in the morning, she has this massive mess of hair. Is there anything I can do that will prevent it from becoming a tangled mess in the morning . I feel bad for her when I have to pick it all out, and I know I’m not supposed to wash it everyday or it will dry out. She hates this and it makes her really mad (she’ll be 1 next week”>.
Cozy: You didn’t mention the length of your daughter’s hair, but if possible I recommend putting it in a loose braid or pony before bed to prevent the tangles that occur when she is moving around in her sleep. Also try a satin pillowcase, which reduces friction, thus reducing tangles. You are right that it is unnecessary to wash everyday, but you can condition as often as she bathes. Additionally, using So Cozy Detangler & Leave-in Conditioner will help with the knots and condition at the same time. It’s okay to use on wet or dry hair.
Q: I need help with my 2 year old daughter’s hair. She has curly ringlets from the chin down. But the crown is as flat as can be. What products should I use (first timer, even for me”> to get more curls on top?
Cozy: Your daughter’s hair may be changing and it is not uncommon to see a child with two different types of hair. I would recommend a consultation with a good stylist who can advise you on the type of cut your daughter should have. It sounds like a few layers on top may add some body and curls to the crown, but it is hard to say without seeing your daughter. You should also try using a light styling gel that is alcohol free (so it won’t dry out hair”> like So Cozy Groovy Grape Styling Gel. This will help maintain the curls on the bottom and help hold the body on the top.
| Majoring in Curls | |
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| Email your questions to Aimee. |
I recently returned from a semester abroad in the lovely city of London. Four months in a different country provided countless opportunities for culture, museums, and theater.
The amazing thing about museums in London is that they’re completely free! Unlike most U.S. museums. England encourages people to absorb as much culture as possible without having to pay for it, which I love. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is the largest museum of paintings in the city, and I visited it three or four times. The time periods of the paintings span from the Medieval to around the 1800s.
When I visit museums, I’m drawn to paintings of people and how they lived—family portraits, saints and religious figures, and mythological scenes. It’s fascinating to see the differences in how people dressed and presented themselves.
Typically the first thing I notice in these paintings is the hairstyles. And it amazes me how many women (and men”> are painted with curly hair. Compared to more modern art, curly subjects are more prevalent than those with straight hair. Where do you think the name for Botticelli curls came from?
From a purely artistic perspective, curls are a fabulous way to create depth and texture on a canvas. Having a subject with curls is aesthetically pleasing for the viewer and challenging for the painter. It’s actually very difficult to paint curls because of the differences in light and dark, and the fact that they’re very close to each other. For the viewer, the curls make the eye travel the entire painting much faster.
My favorite curls were on paintings and statues of Venus, the goddess of love. Curls are typically associated with sensuality. But they also are seen on many religious figures.
In Sandro Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, the two subjects are reclining opposite, with Venus watching Mars as he sleeps. Her hair falls in curls around her head in tighter coils and a small bun, while longer tresses drape over her shoulders. Mars himself also has gorgeous shiny locks that fall over his face. Botticelli was a master of curls, and I think without them his paintings wouldn’t be the same. He also did numerous paintings of the Virgin and the baby Jesus. In the majority of them, both subjects have lovely curls.
The next time you visit a museum (which I highly recommend doing as often as possible”>, take a good look at the subjects and how they do their hair. Our ancestors knew that curls were gorgeous, and they took full advantage of it.
Whenever I’m at a loss for a new way to arrange my curls, I always take a page from historical paintings or movies. The people of ages past knew how to mix and match chignons, defined curls, braids, and natural curls. Historical looks won’t make you look too old or frumpy, I promise. Everyone will be asking how you did it.
Take a page out of Botticelli’s book and try something new!
Gold, silver and bronze aren’t just for Olympic athletes and hotel heiresses. Along with pewter and copper, and paired with an entire rainbow of hues, they can be the perfect accessory with the little black dresses of the holiday season.
It used to be thought that the best way to wear metallic makeup was sparingly; one feature at a time. But new formulations of products can produce sheer results, as with the all-over shimmer powders produced by MAC (Iridescent Loose Powder”>, Stila (Illuminating Finish Powder”>, and Revlon (SkinLights Face Illuminator Loose Powder”> or Benefit’s Moon Beam luminizing liquid.
These illuminators can be used over the entire face to add a soft glow that looks lovely in candlelight, lightly along the cheek bones to draw attention to the eye, or dusted along cleavage and collar bones to enhance a beautiful neckline.
When choosing metallics for your face, if you are planning to highlight lips and eyes, it is best to choose equal tones of colour. For example, try Lola Bronzed Goddess eye shadow and pair it with Nars Hot Voodoo lipstick. And if you want something less predictable, there is Benefit’s Show Off in Bambi (iridescent peach”> alongside Sugar’s Pump ‘N Shine lip gloss. With this much shine, it’s best to keep cheeks matte and only lightly touched with colour – you want the attention to go to your eyes and lips.
The most traditional way to wear metallics is to highlight one feature only. When choosing a dramatic lip colour, select a neutral eye shade and pair it with plenty of mascara. Then pick something deep and daring for your lips, such as Prescriptive’s Cabaret, Make Up For Ever Copper Pink 312 or DuWop’s Larkspur.
I’m a lover of dramatic, smoky eyes. To my office Christmas party last week, I wore Stila Wheat with MAC Honey Lust and Madeline Mono Turkish Coffee pigment – all very shimmery, one copper, one gold, one bronze. But I paired it with an almost nude lip (MAC Viva Glam 5 lipstick and Viva Glam 6 lip glass”>.
Deep shades of purple and blue are beautiful with many different eye colours and can be some of the most beautiful around. Try Pop Beauty Glitter Stix in Navy, Clinique Colour Surge Super Shimmer in Crystal Berry, Too Faced eye shadow in Vixen, or MAC Beauty Marked.
For the more youthful readers who can carry off more shine, more glitter and generally more of everything, try something fun like the Hard Candy Glitter Lash Freak Mascara (this product should not be worn if you wear contact lenses”>, either alone, or over your favourite mascara. Or try a glittering eyeliner like those found in MAC’s new Jewelescent line with shades of blue/green and silver. Buy inexpensive coloured glitter at the dollar store or craft shop and sprinkle it on your hair, and mix it with clear lip gloss or add some to your body lotion for all-over sparkle.
If you’re looking for a gift for the sparkle-lover on your list (especially if it happens to be you yourself”>, try DuWop’s Pick Your Poison lip gloss set or Tarte’s All That Glitters Sampler Set.
However you celebrate the holiday season, I wish you beautiful nights spent in the warmth of family and friends.
Julia Rizzo
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
I love getting “hair things” for Christmas. I’m warning you that in my vocabulary, the term “hair things” encompasses a whole variety of different items. From hair ties to styling mousse, “hair things” provide great options when you’re looking for something to give your fellow curly girls. Barrettes and clips make great gifts for friends and family. You can find them in department stores, jewelry stores, boutiques and CurlMart. Barrettes are much like jewelry; depending on the type, they can be appropriate for any age, hairstyle or fashion sensibility. I love getting them because I frequently wear my hair half back. I have simple ones for everyday and a beautiful silver barrette for formal occasions. While larger barrettes have their uses, small, pretty clips are ideal for people who are growing out their bangs or have shorter hair.
For women with long hair (and some creativity”>, hair sticks are a beautiful alternative to hair ties and barrettes. LongLocks.com sells stunning one-of-a-kind hair sticks. The average pair costs around $60 and the creator guarantees that no two are alike. One of my favorite things about them is that they don’t damage your hair with frequent use, unlike ties or metal barrettes. (Remember less damage equals less frizz”>
Headbands also add color and dimension to a hairstyle without causing damage. Check out the beautiful headbands by This is J. A well-chosen scarf can be worn in a variety of ways and for many occasions.
If you read my column regularly, you know I often talk about my sister and her coarse, curly hair. Between her short dry hair and my long frizzy hair, we go through oodles of product each month. For Christmas we often get each other hair products; a few bottles each usually gets us through January! Pamper your friends by putting together some great products for them. This website sells some well organized collections and creative gift baskets. It’s also easy to make your own, combining time-tested favorites or a variety of products from the same line. For a friend at college, I tucked some of my favorite products into a brightly colored plastic caddie, which she can use it to carry her bath products in her dorm.
Finally, salon gift certificates make welcome presents. You can purchase a certificate from your friend’s current salon or one with a particularly good reputation. The CurlSalons section of this website is a good resource.
Whoever the curly girl is on your list, “hair things” are a feminine way to pamper your friends and show support for your fellow curly girls this holiday season.
Stay Curly,
Julia
Email your questions/comments to Julia.
| Majoring in Curls | |
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| Email your questions to Aimee. |
The holiday season is finally upon us! Who can resist time with the family? For college students with a semester of the year under our belts, it’s a time to relax.
But unfortunately, December also can be a month of utter chaos and craziness, especially with finals, Christmas shopping, the trip home for winter break, partying with old friends and overeating. Add to all this the colder weather, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Overdoing things causes your immune system to crash, and you can feel the difference if you don’t take care of yourself. It can be horrible for both your health and your hair!
I’m not suggesting popping vitamins and Echinacea all day long. But a few changes in your eating habits will drastically improve the look and condition of your hair. The last thing we want at a holiday party are dull, frizzy curls. This isn’t Halloween, after all.
To prevent hair loss, everyone needs about 50 grams of protein during the day. So don’t skimp on the chicken and fish. All people lose about 25 to 250 hairs a day. This seems like a huge range, but most people consistently lose the same amount daily. Whenever I shampoo, which is usually about twice a week, I always end up with a hand full of hair — as I’m sure the rest of you do. Don’t worry about this unless it seems to be a lot more than usual. This could be due to excessive amounts of stress, poor nutrition or a hormonal problem. If you’re really worried, definitely give your doctor a ring and let them know.
The cold weather of the season also can cause dry, brittle hair. That means you need to give it more moisture! Never skip out on the conditioner. But a lack of fatty acids in your diet can also make the hair dull, no matter how much you condition. Primrose, flaxseed and fish oils will help this. You can buy capsules at any vitamin store or pharmacy.
You can also get another boost of shine from foods rich in iron and Vitamin B. Green leafy veggies are always a healthy choice. They are full of iron and other lovely nutrients. In addition, foods high in Vitamin C are crucial because they enable your body to better absorb iron. Vitamin C also increases circulation in the scalp and promotes growth. So load up. Whole grains, legumes, eggs, carrots, cauliflower, and raisins are great examples of foods high in Vitamin B. If you don’t like eating healthy, get over it! Cut back on the saturated fats, caffeine and corn syrup. Skin, hair, and teeth all benefit from good food.
Rodney Cutler
Q: One thing that’s annoying for me is the fact that my hair doesn’t curl right from the scalp. It’s wavy or just plain straight for about six inches or so. Then it starts to curl. It looks kind of flat on top — I think it’s due to all the products I have to use to prevent it from getting big and bushy as it dries during the day. Any suggestions on how to make it curly from the scalp, and give it more volume there?
Cutler: Add some layers to remove weight from the hair so that the curl is not pulled out. Use a curl activating product that is not too heavy. Try Cutler Curling Cream or Redken Ringlet.
Q: Is there a way to keep curls nice overnight without sleeping sitting up?
Cutler: Use a trick that grandma used. Sleep on a satin pillowcase. This allows your hair to slide over the pillow’s surface, keeping the curl less-disturbed.
Q: My hair was naturally curly nine months ago. I decided to get it permanently straightened (CHI”>, and now my hair is slowly returning to its curl, with a wave on the crown of my head. I miss my curls and plan to have a perm to quicken the process of getting my natural texture back since I always wear it in a ponytail to hide the wavy hair on my crown. Before I do anything, I’m looking for advice from an expert. Should I go ahead and have a perm or wait for it to naturally return to its natural curl?
Cutler: Do not perm your hair. The reason why it is called “permanently straightened” is because it is permanent. In this situation, it’s best to let your hair grow and return to its natural curl while continuing to trim the straight ends away. Use your curling iron to add some curl to the ends whenever you are having a bad hair day, or to get you through this awkward hump.
Q: After I color my hair — even just the roots — my hair is stringy and difficult for a few days. I’m guessing it’s from the weight of the color particles. It takes at least three or four washings for it to get back to normal. Is this normal?
Cutler: The color is creating a super, almost astringent clean feel to your hair. While addingcolor, hair color also cleanses your hair of its natural conditioners. These conditioners help give your hair body, texture and shine, and even add weight to your hair. Next time your hair is colored, use a little more conditioner, leave it on a little longer and rinse it out a little less. Your hair will feel a lot better.
Q: Now that the weather is cooler, I like to wear my hair straight. But I’m not sure which causes less damage –a blow-dryer or a straightening iron. Any thoughts?
Cutler: The answer to this is like the chicken and the egg. With both, you can start with wavy or curly hair and finish with straight hair. It comes down to which you are more comfortable using, and which are you less likely to over do. The most damage is done when the user overdries/overheats the hair. A great way to protect your hair with either method is to first apply a thermal protectant product that will actually treat the hair while protecting it as you heat style it, Teri Hatcher and Rachel Ray love Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray.
Julia Rizzo
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
A few weeks ago, my friends and I decided to go to our favorite diner, the Eggplant, for breakfast. It was buzzing with people as usual, and we quickly fell into a pleasant conversation as we ordered our food. After our meal, my friend Taylor took down her hair. With a little fluffing, her subdued bun was transformed into a cascade of curly brown hair. Heads turned at the tables around us. When I complimented her on the change, she said, “I like to rock my hair.”
I love that! Taylor is a great example of how curly hair makes a statement of confidence, especially if it’s not beaten into submission with layers of product, a blow dryer, and a barrette. She’s a curly girl in action, with curls everywhere — whether she’s going to a party or going out to breakfast. Taylor embodies Peter Nivio Zarlenga’s quote, “Beauty is being in harmony with what you are.”
While Taylor frequently wears her hair down and natural, I have another friend who often wears her hair in a ponytail. She recently commented that she has a hard time releasing her hair. She’s not alone. A lot curly girls are timid when it comes to rocking their hair. We only venture to wear it down when it’s behaving well, when it’s tame and when it’s frizz free.
I often leave for school in the morning with my hair down. But once it gets a little messed up in class, I don’t hesitate to put it up! Barring bed head, I know I should be more willing to wear my hair down, even when it’s less than perfect.
Unfortunately, people in the hair industry aren’t big fans of this idea. At GetHairapy.com, the website for a line of Sunsilk products, they offer this tip for frizzy hair: “To completely stamp out the frizz, use a flattening iron. It’s the best tool for keeping frizz at bay.”
I think we should keep our curls and our individuality. In a society that’s driven by perfection, let’s let our hair down!
Stay Curly,
Julia
Email your questions/comments to Julia.
Not long ago I wore my hair in a naturally curly tiny ‘fro about 1” in length. With a no-nonsense hairstyle like that, little refinements go a long way. I had been working to clarify my curls using a product that didn’t flake onto my clothing, turn white (a hideous look on dark brown hair”> or harden my hair. I also was looking for a product that delivered what its packaging promised. Low and behold I came across an exquisite gel in a spa, which has since (unfortunately”> gone off the market. What I remember about it is that it was all-natural and contained very few ingredients. The key active ingredient was meadow foam oil. For many NaturallyCurly.com readers, products containing meadow foam oil may also be just the ticket to simple, healthy, sexy-looking curly hair. To begin to understand why it is such an important oil for us, let’s explore the plant that yields the oil.
Useful Qualities of Meadow Foam Oil
As a light-colored, odorless triglyceride, meadowfoam seed oil is drenched in long-chain fatty acids, great for hair-care products because it’s moisturizing, without that greasy feeling we deplore.
“It is a good moisturizing and rejuvenating compound,” confirms Dr. Ali D. Ghannad, vice president of research and development for Farouk Systems, which uses the oil in styling aids and conditioners. “It’s excellent for shine. It adheres to your hair shaft.”
The oil is actually extracted from the crushed seeds of the meadowfoam plant, which is native to northern California, southern Oregon, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. An English botanist first classified the meadowfoam plant (also known by its scientific name, limnanthes alba”> back in the 19th century, when Europeans used to import it as an ornamental plant. After all, it was named after its beautiful, creamy white flowers that resemble a meadow of foam. It also grows more than a foot tall, with one or more branches sprouting from its base.
Many different types of cosmetics and personal care products contain meadow foam. Since meadow foam oil has the ability to remain on the skin for a long time, it is useful as a night cream. It is used in mousse and gels because of its good slip. Meadow foam oil is included in shampoos and conditioners because of the shine it lends to hair as well as, moisture retention frizz control, and conditioning ability. Other products that feature meadow foam oil: sun tan lotion, eye shadow, mascara, hand/face/night creams, cuticle repair lotion, face powders, lip sticks, rouge, shaving cream and body oils.
“It’s highly resistant to oxidation,” says John Davis, co-founder and director of AG Hair Cosmetics. “Any time you can prevent oxidation in hair you are going to keep hair and hair color more vibrant. If the color molecules start to oxidize you start losing color and it fades.”
Products Containing Meadow Foam
As a relentless researcher of hair-care ingredients, Curl Junkie founder Marsha Coulton began to notice the products that added the most shine and moisture to her curly locks contained meadowfoam seed oil. And when she decided to concoct her own line of curly products, she wasted no time ordering a batch. The testing began. What she found was an ingredient that was not only effective, but also “very efficient.” “It helps to provide shine but doesn’t weigh down the hair tremendously,” Coulton says. “It also helps to cut down some of the frizz and you don’t need huge amounts of it.”
Coulton now uses the seed oil mainly in her styling aids. “It’s better in a styling product that is going to stay on your hair,” she explains.
Botanical Background of Meadow Foam
Meadow Foam (Limnanthes alba”>
The 10” – 18” plant grows wild near vernal pools (small ponds that come and go with the seasons”>. The flowers are 1 ¼” wide, a canary yellow with white tips. The flowers are very fragrant, and they readily reseed. They need consistently moist soil to grow and have been found to grow well in other areas; for example, they have been tested for commercial production in Virginia. Other names for this plant are ‘Poached Egg Plant’ and ‘Fried Eggs’.
What is Meadow Foam Oil?
Meadow foam oil is a light golden, odorless oil extracted from the seeds of the meadow foam plant — either cold pressed (preferable, as this doesn’t require additives”> or the extraction method. The 2-3 mm seeds contain 25-30% oil by weight. While the full scientific explanation might not appeal to all, a cursory glance into the science of the plant will help all understand what is so good about this oil.
Meadow foam oil consists of a unique, long chain of fatty acids, which are chains of 20 or more carbon atoms. The oil is approximately 98% fatty acids. It is very stable oil due to the presence of a, b, and g-tocopherols. The main constituents are ecosenoic acid, euric acid, docosadienoic acid. Here are the qualities of each:
Tocopherols — vitamin E, antioxidant, nutrient that stabilizes natural oils and aids their longevity
Ecosenoic acid — a fatty acid
Euric acid — monounsaturated fatty acid
Docosadienoic acid — a class of polyunsaturated fatty acids with 22 carbons and 2 double bonds
*This combination of constituents yields very rich, long lasting, non-greasy oil.
Now that you have meadow foam on the mind be sure to check for products that contain it — you’ll find plenty of natural products that do. There are many reasons for its popularity including the following list of meadow foam oil’s attributes:
- Adds stability to beauty formulas containing less stable oils such as sweet almond oil, kukui nut, evening primrose, borage and hemp.
- Makes a good addition to soap (combines moisture with cleansing action”>
- As a binder it anchors scents and fragrances when used in bath salts, soaps, massage oils and other personal care products.
- Prevents moisture loss in skin and hair
- Emollient
- Has good slip (grip; molds well to hair and skin”>
- Conditions hair
- Adds shine and luster to hair
- Non-greasy
- Reduces wrinkles and other visible signs of aging
- Lubricant
- Stable regardless of heat, cold or other environmental conditions
- Resistant to oxidation
- Its medium to thick consistency has properties of a carrier oil
- It’s a mild oil that works well on sensitive skin
- Has higher quality triglycerides (fats”> than most other vegetable oils
- Lightweight
- Add fullness and body to fine or thin hair
- Taria Curls Curlz in Control Coconut Frizz SmoothieOjon Hydrating Thickening Conditioner
- Ojon Hydrating Styling Cream
- Ojon Conditioning Volumizing Foam
- Ojon Leave-in Glossing Cream
- Curl Junkie Guava & Protein Curl Creme
- Curl Junkie CoffeeCoco Curl Creme
- Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil – Fine Hair
- Fairy Tales Curly-Q Natural Curl Maker
- Blended Beauty Natural Hair Oil
- Naked Herbs features a full line of aromatherapy bath oils by Desert Mermaid that all contain meadow foam oil.
- Mountain Rose Herbs carries the oil in various sizes.
- After the Rayne product designer Nikie Brown creates a shampoo bar featuring meadow foam oil.
Environmental Impact
Those of you familiar with my previous articles know that typically I am compelled to speak on the place of each herb discussed in our environment—with the case of meadow foam there is plenty to make note of. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the United States Department of Agriculture started researching the meadowfoam because it was looking for a renewable source of raw materials. Towards the end of the 1960s, growing trials began at a dozen sites, and within the next decade growers began considering it as an oil seed crop, Commercial development of meadow foam began in 1980 on an experimental 35-acre farm in Oregon. The Japanese cosmetics industry joined in. By the early 1990s, it was catching on in the states and Europe as well—for reasons far beyond the oil’s moisturizing benefits to the hair and skin.
Today, meadow foam is used as an alternative crop on some farms. Since grass seed farmers are no longer allowed to burn their fields in many places, they can plant meadow foam as an alternative crop. This brings additional income to farmers. It is relatively kind to the environment since it can grow well on its own as a wildflower. In commercial production it still requires less pesticides and fertilizers. Meadow foam oil can also be transformed into a liquid wax ester that is a suitable substitute for sperm whale oil and jojoba oil. For all these reasons coupled with its numerous useful qualities you will find meadow foam oil (and personal care products containing the oil”> carried by numerous natural ingredient suppliers, herb-crafting businesses, spas, boutiques, health food stores and gourmet markets. Find some and enjoy its many benefits!
Here is a list of a few online sources for meadow foam oil and products featuring it:
Q: If my daughter was curly before she was two, and they’ve disappeared, does this possibly mean that the shampoo has stripped them away? Or does it mean that she just had the typical “kid loses curl” thing?? I’d LOOOOVE to have some of her wave back.
Cozy: This is such a common question because a baby’s hair can change so dramatically that it can be very suprizing! I’m sorry to say that most likely, your daughter is growing into her new hair, and that the curls were probably her baby hair. Our hair changes throughout our lives so it is best to try and embrace the “new look,” and work with styles and cuts that will look best with this new hair type and texture.
Q: What ingredients make a shampoo tearless. What are the pros and cons of these products?
Cozy: Tear-free Shampoos are created by using milder formulations than typical adult hair care products. Specifically, So Cozy Tear-Free Shampoo uses the much gentler ingredient PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, rather than the harsh Lauryl Sulfate which is found in many shampoos. Both are surfactants, which help cleanse the hair and remove grease, but the one used in So Cozy Hair Care products is much more gentle.
Q: My daughter is two years old, and I am quite frustrated with her hair. It’s 4a in the front and 4b in the back. I bought coconut oil, which I use as a conditioner after shampooing. I rinse it out. It leaves her hair soft. But her hair is still and gets drier as the day progresses. Her hair becomes messy during the day, and I make her wear a hat. That makes me feel frustrated. Can you recommend any products or recipes that I can try? I am thinking the coconut oil can be mixed with something else to make it lighter. Can you also recommend any styles that I can try on her her, i.e. cornrows and ponies?
Cozy: It sounds like your daughter is in great need of a good conditioner to protect, moisturize and nourish her hair. For very dry and frizzy hair, I would recommend a double conditioning treatment. Use So Cozy Sweet Strawberry in the bath AND a Leave-In Conditioner, such as So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner, afterwards. Not only will she have 24-hour conditioning, but combing her hair will be much easier, which will prevent breakage and damage (which adds to that fuzzy look”>.
Q: I’m looking for new styles for my 6-year-old daughter. She has loose curls midway down her back. If we don’t do anything with it, it falls in her face. We’re both sick of headbands. What are some other stylish, easy looks?
Cozy: It is so difficult to recommend hair styles to someone with out seeing their hair or face shape, but it sounds to me like your daughter may benefit from adding some long layers into her hair. This may help keep it out of her face yet still make it possible for you to pull it back when you want to. You should look through hair styling magazines and books to get some ideas about styling ideas and other ways to put her hair back. I recommend that you experiment with her hair when you have time to play around and aren’t rushed or worried if the hair doesn’t look great.
Q: I have a question about my son. He’s 10 years old, and has beautiful curls. But he hates them. He always wants to cut his hair short to hide his curls. How can I help him to love his curls.
Cozy: The grass is always greener! So many people have had this problem (including myself”>. It took me nearly 40 years to embrace my curly hair! The best thing I can recommend to you is that you show him positive role models, celebs, athletes, etc that have curly hair. Accepting oneself the way you are is a lifelong battle for everyone — why should a 10-year-old be any different!
Julia Rizzo
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
I love fall in New York State. The leaves change colors, my family goes apple picking and I cheer in the stands at my brother’s soccer games.
As October ends, it’s time for Halloween. I’ve always been passionate about Halloween, although my choice of costume has been, at times, questionable. In fourth grade I was a tree (complete with squirrel”>, and a few seasons later I was the “The Spirit of Autumn.” This costume involved a hot glue gun and a lot of ribbon, and was not easily identifiable. Though parties and horror movies have replaced trick-or-treating, one thing never changes. I have to have a costume I love.
So, in this column, I’m going to take a break from talking about embracing who you are and what you look like. Instead, I will talk about becoming someone else!
Don’t worry. This is still a column about hair. We’re going to explore some ways to get the perfect ‘do for your costume.
If you want to temporarily change your hair color to fit your new persona, a product I’ve used is L’Oreal Color Pulse. This “non-permanent” hair color has the same consistency as mousse and comes in a similar container. It washes out in about 10 shampoos, making it great not only for a Halloween costume, but for any time you crave a temporary change. The colors that are available are funky, ranging from blonde to black, with a lot of red shades in between. Since it’s non-permanent and contains no ammonia or peroxide, you can only go darker than your natural shade without damaging your hair. If you have very long or thick hair or want really dramatic color, pick up two cans.
If you want a look that is even more dramatic and temporary, crazy cool wigs are easily found around Halloween. Whether you want a futuristic silver bob or Rapunzel braids that reach down your back, you can probably find it out there. There are three steps to wearing a wig properly. First, put your hair in a low, flat bun. Second, fit a wig cap over your hair to keep your hair flat and in place. You can purchase a wig cap or improvise with a piece of nylon stocking. Finally, slide your wig on over the cap. You shouldn’t flip your head over to put your wig on because this will tangle it.
If you just want to add some energy to your normal hair, there are several products that can instantly add color or sparkle. Colored hairspray is very easy to find and use, as are tubes of pigment, which you can streak into your hair with a wand. One year, my sister dressed up as the Bride of Frankenstein. She puffed up her short, very curly hair, and put a streak in it using white hair spray. It looked great!
However you decide to dress for Halloween, I hope you enjoy the process of creating a costume and becoming someone different for the night. Take pictures, have fun and be goofy! The hairspray will wash out, the clothes will go into a box in the basement, but a favorite Halloween costume can be a great memory forever.
Stay Curly,
Julia
Email your questions/comments to Julia.
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
“Mom! Mom! Have you seen my hairbrush?”
“Will you braid my hair before I go to bed?”
“I think I’m going to buy a straightener.”
“She’s offering me the opportunity to write a column!”
While thinking about being a curly kid, memories, like sound bytes, pop into my mind. Growing up with curly hair was a challenge for me, albeit one that gradually became easier as I grew in self-confidence and maturity.
During my first few years of elementary school, I brushed my hair out every morning — wet or dry. All my friends brushed their hair, so I brushed mine too. This left my hair, as you might imagine, unruly at best. And I tamed it by putting it into a low, tight coil that I now can only describe as a “granny bun”.
One day in sixth grade I misplaced my hairbrush. Not being able to find it anywhere, I settled for detangling it in the shower and realized it looked a lot curlier! My reaction was to put it in a ponytail instead of a bun. And since I was in the middle of my tomboy phase, I pulled my curly ponytail through the back of a baseball cap (I had several”>.
When I was 12, my mom made an appointment for me at a salon. It was a breakthrough! Previously, I’d gone with my dad to the barbershop down the street or my mother would insist on giving me a trim in the kitchen. My mom is a nurse, and while she’s great at taking out stitches, her haircutting skills leave a little to be desired (surgical scissors usually aren’t a stylist’s first choice”>.
At the salon, my hairdresser took one look at me and taught me how to use curl specific products and a diffuser to get curl definition and frizz control unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Suddenly, instead of putting my hair up, I wanted to show it off!
That same year I started seventh grade at a new school, and had a series of experiences that paved the way for my future defense of curly hair.
At an age where conformity is valued, many girls in my grade straightened their hair every morning. People frequently asked (and still do”> “Don’t you ever straighten it?” I took this to mean that I should. While I was learning to bring out the beauty in my curls, I had girls telling me beauty was found somewhere completely different! So I tried straightening it, and I found that the process difficult and the results less than attractive. I gave away my straightener soon after that experiment.
By freshman year, I really came to terms with my hair. I perfected different styles and found products that worked. My curls became my signature. At the same time I became known for being a proponent of curly girls, I came upon NaturallyCurly.com. “How cool!” I thought, wishing that I’d found the site three years earlier.
I wrote to Michelle, and I was thrilled when she gave me the opportunity to write a monthly column for the site. I’d love to hear your memories.
E-mail me with your stories!
Stay Curly,
Julia
With summer in full swing, many of us are drawn to beaches, sun and sand. This article features Monoi Tiare (also called Monoi de Tahiti”>, the fabulous Tahitian oil featured in intoxicating soaps, shampoos, conditioners, oils and even styling pomades — all designed to protect the hair and skin from the ravages of salt water, overexposure to sunlight and everyday dryness we curly tops are all too familiar with.
What is Monoi Tiare?
Monoi (pronounced moh-noy”> means scented oil in the R’eo-Maohi language. Tiare (pronounced tee-ray”> refers to the gardenia with the Latin botanical name Gardenia Tahitensis. Gardenia Taitensis is native to the highland shores of Melanesia and Western Polynesia. It is an aboriginal introduction to the Cook Islands, French Polynesia and possibly Hawai’i.
Tiare is considered the queen of Polynesian flowers, and its delicate perfume is akin to the heady scent of tuberose or other species of gardenia. The flower is pure white, shaped like a pinwheel and set off by dark green. shiny foliage. A member of the fragrant family Rubiaceae, tiare grows on a small 4-meter shrub and it is nontoxic. Traditionally it is used in leis and placed behind the ears of vahines (Tahitian women”> and tane (men”>.
Monoi Tiare is exotic, aromatic oil created by soaking the tiare (Gardenia Tahitensis”> flower in carefully refined coconut oil. Typically the male plants are cultivated and utilized to create the scented oil since they produce profuse flowers.
Coconut oil is the foundation of Monoi Tiare. It is excellent carrier oil useful for dry, itchy and sensitive skin. Carrier oil is the vehicle oil to which other more precious oils are typically added in much smaller amounts (for example essential oils”>. Coconut oil is easily absorbed and astringent — thus, it doesn’t clog pores.
Appellation d’origine
Genuine Monoi Tiare must have the label “Appellation d’origine,” which specifies that a minimum of 15 tiare flowers are soaked in each liter of refined coconut oil. Monoi Tiare products with “appellation d’origine,” are authentic, and the designation is only granted to the finest products with a guarantee of superior-grade products. Appellation d’origine contributes to fair-trade and local money-making enterprises of Tahitians and other groups. It recognizes local traditions and customs involved with preparing Monoi Taire. Finally, buying Monoi Tiare products with Appellation d’origine means you are purchasing cosmetics that are richly imbued with the unique qualities of regional soil of the atolls, islands and archipelagos that yield the ingredients for the scented oil.
Monoi Tiare in Polynesian Tradition and Lore
Monoi is a traditional natural remedy beloved by various groups of Polynesians. Monoi is a very popular remedy in Polynesian traditional medicine. It is one of the main substances in French Polynesia’s traditional pharmacopoeia. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including earaches, migraine and headaches, mosquito bites, joint and muscular pain.
It has been important in ceremony and ritual as well. Monoi is traditionally used in religious rites and ceremonies that take place in “maraes,” an open-air consecrated stone temple. Maori priests of New Zealand in traditional ceremonial attire use Monoi to anoint sacred objects and to purify the offerings placed on the stone altars to honor various deities.
The flower is important at the inception of life, following one through life’s passages. The entire bodies of newborn babies are traditionally slathered with Monoi oil. During traditional funerals the body of the deceased is embalmed and perfumed with Monoi to ease passage to the next life. It is an essential element of a rich culture, and the flower that scents the coconut oil creating Monoi Tiare is the national flower and emblem of Tahiti.
Uses of Monoi Tiare
Monoi Tiare Products
- EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Hair Milk
- EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Moisturizing Shampoo
- EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Revitalizing Conditioner
- EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi All Natural Hair Oil
- EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner
- Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo
- Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner
- Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask
- Wild Woozle Tiare Pomade
Gardenia tahitensis contains many useful chemical constituents that contribute to the medicinal qualities of Monoi Tiare. These include:
- Linalool—a volatile oil with antimicrobial qualities
- Methyl salicyclate—a liquid ester that eases muscle and joint pain when applied externally using therapeutic massage.
The union of Tiare (Gardenia Tahitensis“> with highly refined Tahitian coconut oil produces aromatic oil that penetrates and hydrates the hair and skin. It seals the surface of the scalp, hair cuticle and skin, preventing dryness. It is renowned for protecting the skin and hair against salt water and sun damage. The oil is hypoallergenic, moisturizing and nourishing. The Tiare extract has excellent rejuvenating and conditioning benefits for the scalp and hair cuticle. Minor scalp irritations and itchy scalp is alleviated.
Monoi Tiare Hot Oil Treatment
Monoi Tiare is an especially effective hot oil treatment. To create a Monoi Tiare hot oil treatment, heat an appropriate amount of the oil for your hair thickness and length (between ¼ cup and 2/3 cup”> in the microwave (about 1 ½ minutes”> on high. Allow to slightly cool. Apply warm Monoi Tiare to the ends of hair where split ends occur and to the scalp. A clean, dry paintbrush is a handy tool for applying the warmed oil to scalp. Part hair in small sections as you work. Work quickly, otherwise oil will get cold. Put on a plastic cap; sit out in the sun if possible or under a dryer for 30 minutes. Alternatively, cover head with a bath towel to retain heat. After a half hour, shampoo thoroughly and rinse.
Q: My 2-year-old daughter has unique hair. The front half is soft curls that hold nicely, and the bottom half of her hair is really tight kinky curls. In recent weeks I’ve noticed that her sideburns are also becoming dry and kinky. We recently cut her hair in order to lessen the detangling and pulling. I would love to start using a good product that will give her hair the essential nutrients. Any suggestions? Cozy: Your daughter’s hair isn’t as unique as you think! It is quite common for the new hair growing in to be different than the original baby hair. It sounds to me that what your daughter really needs is some great moisturizing, conditioning and detangling. I recommend that you use a thick, creamy conditioner (we like So Cozy Sweet Strawberry“>, and comb out your daughter’s hair with a wide-tooth comb in the bath WITH the conditioner in her hair. Definitely use a leave-in conditioner/detangler, which will help add the vitamins and nutrients that your daughter’s hair so desperately needs. We like So Cozy Fruity Delight, which was made specifically to fill the needs of your daughter’s hair!
Q: My daughter’s hair is extremely coarse and frizzy. Pieces of it look as if they were crimped with a crimping iron. It doesn’t grow very fast, but feels super thick. Both her dad and I are Caucasian with wavy hair. I don’t know what products to use on her hair or if there are curls hiding in all that frizz. Do you have any advice you could give? We would all appreciate it. Thank you!
Cozy: What you need to try to do is enhance and define your daughter’s curls. Try leaving a little bit of conditioner on the ends of her hair instead of rinsing it all out in the bath. So Cozy Sweet Strawberry Conditioner is thick and creamy and filled with herbal extracts and Sweet Almond Oil, which will help deal with the coarseness and frizzies. After bath, DO NOT comb her hair. Wring out excess water and scrunch in alcohol-free Styling gel to help define and enhance curls. So Cozy Groovy Grape Styling Gel comes with a pump for easier use. Let hair dry naturally or use a blow dryer with a diffuser to encourage curls.
Q: I have a 3-year-old daughter who I think is a 3c (sometimes”>. It is a thick, frizzy, wild dry mess. Some parts are straight and some parts are curly. She reminds me a lot of the picture of Julianna Margulies on the celebrity section when her hair is wet and she has a lot of product in it. I have always had her wear it in ponytails because it bothers her to be in her face. Because of this, it is breaking along the hairline. Here in the humid Florida rainy season, her hair is a big frizz ball. I have reached the point of making an appointment to cut it really short and hope for the best. I use an anti-frizz shampoo and a separate conditioner about every three days, a leave-in conditioner or detangler and mousse or gel. It looks good down for about 30 minutes. But then it becomes dry and frizzy until I wash it again. Her hair acts like a sponge and seems to dry out within a few minutes no matter what. Should I keep me appointment? Is there a short hair style for a 3-year-old that would look okay and be easier to care for?
Cozy: It is hard for me to say without seeing your daughter’s hair whether she has new hair growth along the hairline or if it is in fact damaged hair from constantly pulling it back with an elastic. Either way, she sounds like she could very use use a good leave-in conditioner to help moisturize, hydrate and heal. So Cozy Fruity Delight will help with that and will also detangle hair so that when you comb out will not break. Mousse is not the right product for her hair and is probably help cause the dryness. Also, mousse is used to add volume, which is not what you are looking for! Use a styling cream like So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream. Not only will it help smooth, de-frizz, control and add shine, but it has aloe, panthenol & Vitamin E, which will help hydrate & strengthen hair. It smells great too!
Q: My daughter is 2, and her hair curls in ringlets, from the bottom of the head to the ends in the back. But is straight in front, on the top and and on the sides. How do I encourage the curls but make the rest of the hair look good? She has a mild form of eczema, which gives her cradle cap, so we have to be careful with shampoos. What would you recommend? I don’t want her to wait until she’s an adult to love her curls (like I did!”>.
Cozy: It sounds like your daughter’s hair is still developing, and that she currently has a combination of baby hair and her big girl hair! Of course, for a 2-year-old you need to keep your “styling regimen” as simple as possible, I’m sure you are busy enough. One product for styling two types of hair is best. So Cozy Kooky Kiwi Styling Cream is great for both curly and straight hair, so this will be perfect! The styling cream will help de-frizz and define the curls while at the same time smoothing it and adding shine to the straight part. Use a gentle and mild shampoo no more than two to three times per week since she has eczema. You want to try to keep her scalp hydrated and moisturized.
Q: My daughter is 18 months old and pulling her hair out. I don’t know why this is happening, but just last night she pulled a tuft of hair out of her head while in her car seat. As a result, the top of her hair is very thin and wispy compared to the rest of her head of curly 3a/b type hair. I comb her hair just before we leave the house because she will pull it all out. Once we were driving somewhere and I turned to get her out of her car seat and her hair was a mess all over her head and she had a big proud grin on her face. What kind of styles would you recommend? So far, I’ve either put it in a curly ponytail on top of her head, or one curly puff of each side of head. Sometimes, I twist the hair and put barrettes on ends. I need something that I can do quickly because she will not sit still. The hair around face is always fuzzy.
Cozy: Your daughter’s habit is much more common than you think. Unfortunately, there isn’t that much you can do until she grows out of it on her own. Very often, we see kids with the same problem at Cozy’s Cuts For Kids, and we give them a cute, super short haircut to discourage their natural tendency to tug and pull their hair. Just remember that this is a temporary thing and it will pass.
Q: I need help with my 2-year-old’s hair. She has curly ringlets from the chin down and the back of her head to her ends. The crown is as flat as can be. I didn’t think I was curly until a friend had me put products in my hair. Wow was I amazed! So I was thinking this might be the same case for my daughter’s hair. What products should I use (first timer, even for me”> and how do I get her to let me touch her hair? She won’t let me near it!
Cozy: My guess is that your daughter needs a haircut with more layers on top. The layers will encourage her curls to come out. Try So Cozy Groovy Grape Styling Gel to unleash her curls. Enlist your daughter’s help by having her pump the gel into your hands and then you can scrunch it in, evenly distributing it throughout her hair. Try this on wet hair and let it dry naturally. It also is okay to use on dry hair as a de-frizzer!
CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.
I recently spent a week at a Christian camp for high school students on Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Saranac Lake is gorgeous, and I loved getting to know the 10 girls in my cabin. After a week of living together, we all learned a lot about each other. The girls in my cabin reminded me of one thing I’d forgotten; straightening your hair takes a lot of work!
As I saw every morning, straightening curly hair is a very involved process. The most frustrating thing was that expending so much energy straightening their hair, the girls felt that they couldn’t swim, hop in the shower, or (heaven forbid!”> get caught in the rain. Even a little water or humidity — while making naturally curly hair curlier – turns flat-ironed curls into a frizzy, lifeless mess. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know that the curlier your hair is, the more “interesting” a straightened hair style looks when it gets damp.
One morning, it started to lightly rain while we waited outside the dining hall for breakfast. I could immediately identify the girls who were scrambling to put up their hoods or duck under awnings as the ones who had straightened their hair. They would even go so far as to plan their daily activities around keeping their hair dry. “I can’t go tubing at five because I won’t have time to redo my hair before dinner!”
On the other hand, one thing I love about naturally curly hair is that it can take relatively little effort to style. Many curly girls have a dirty secret they keep from the rest of the world — they don’t wash their hair everyday. They don’t need to! I usually shower at night, wake up the next morning, spray on a little leave-in-conditioner and head to school.
During our last night at camp, we had a “dress up dinner”. I pulled out my “To Hell With Straight Hair” t-shirt I got from NaturallyCurly.com and helped some of my friends craft elegant curly styles as an alternative to straightening their hair. One of my friends, who usually wears her brunette curls in a ponytail, looked like a Hollywood starlet after we took down her hair and bobby pinned one side away from her face. I wouldn’t let her straighten it, reminding her that not only were her curls easier to style but they also had more personality.
So, girls, rock your curls! We shouldn’t sit out any experience because of our hair, whether it be tubing or running through a warm summer drizzle. Ultimately, true confidence comes from within, and our hairstyles should be more a form of creative expression than something we we are a slave to.
Stay Curly,
Julia
