Search Results: Cristina Cleveland
Raising a strong, body confident young woman can feel like an endless battle when our girls are faced with messaging and pressure from the media to conform to one standard of beauty, and this is a mission we at NaturallyCurly have been championing since our birth in 1998. Here are a few helpful tips to help your daughter love her body and appreciate what it can do!
Love yourself first
It is important to model body comfort, because your issues can unknowingly rub off on your daughter’s self esteem. According to childmind “Girls get much of how they feel about these things from their mothers: If Mom is complaining every time she puts on a piece of clothing that she looks fat, or wondering out loud about which outfit looks sexier, that’s what the daughter is going to absorb.” The same goes for her hair! If you are constantly complaining about your hair, or don’t have confidence to wear it out in its natural state, then she will likely absorb that discomfort.
Listen to her
Does she want to straighten her hair? Does she hate her curls? Ask her why. Listen to her concerns and don’t immediately rule them out. Your words may feel condescending if she feels you have not first listened to and acknowledged her feelings as valid. Make a point to listen first, and then sympathize with her so she feels understood. Though she may be young now, eventually embracing her natural hair will be her choice, so let her input be heard so that she feels she has a say in the matter.
Give positive feedback
We want our daughters to love their natural beauty, while understanding that is not where their true value lies. Curls are unique and they are naturally beautiful, but they are also just one part of your daughter. Of course you can tell your daughter that her hair is beautiful, but give equal positive feedback for her talent and intelligence as well. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Involve her in her hair care at a young age
When we talk to mothers in our curly hair community, they stress the importance of involving young girls in their hair care routine from an early age. NaturallyCurly community member Krista tells her daughter Giselle to be soft and gentle when shampooing her curls, and lets her pick the clips and bows to wear to school, and Nicole lets her daughter Zoie care for her doll’s hair while she cares for Zoie’s hair. Find an act that your daughter can take ownership over so that she feels empowered in the process. Find products that make the hair care process fun instead of frustrating and painful, like Just for Me which has a ton of products that gets kids excited about doing their hair, and easily detangles.
Show her natural hair role models
.pdf” target=”_blank”>Research shows that, “according to communications theories, repeated exposure to media content leads viewers to begin to accept media portrayals as representations of reality.” It’s not often enough that we get to watch a natural hair heroines take charge in movies or television. Our curly kiddos are used to longing for long, straight hair and prince charmings, but this is not the case with the latest movie from DreamWorks Animation, Home. The main character Tip is resourceful, spunky, and wears her curly hair with confidence. In the movie, she sets off on an adventure when she meets an alien named Oh. Seeing natural hair represented in the media in a positive way can improve a child’s sense of belonging and healthy body image.
NaturallyCurly moms, weigh in! How do you help your daughter feel confident?
This article is sponsored by Just For Me.
To learn more about the DreamWorks Animation, Home and Just For Me, click here.
It all started with the bright idea to bleach my hair platinum blonde. That was fun for a little while, until my hair began to feel more like straw than hair, and with repeated touch ups and toner my curls began to lose their shape and bounce. Though the damage wasn’t immediately noticeable to the eye, my hair was so brittle that I didn’t even want to touch it, and the breakage was getting out of hand. So I bid farewell to the blonde, tried out purple just for fun, then went back to brown and resolved to start showing my hair some much needed TLC.
I knew my curls weren’t going to come back overnight, so I opted for a treatment that I could do over time. The Design Essentials Quinoa & Bamboo Hair Repair Collection promises stronger hair in four treatments, so I used it once a week for a month and filmed the process as I went.
After the second treatment the bottom layer of my hair was beginning to look like its old curly self, and after the third use the back was looking much shinier and more defined. I had some stubborn pieces framing my face that still were only forming loose waves, probably due to heat damage and exposure to the elements, but by the fourth treatment my hair looked noticeably healthier and bouncier. For a full demonstration, watch the video.
Watch the Video
[prodmod]This post is sponsored by Design Essentials.
Every award season we hear reports of red hair “trending” and not too long ago the media was spreading the (false”> rumor that redheads were going extinct. But the fact is, red hair is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle – and it’s one that’s here to stay. Just like curly hair, red hair comes with a unique set of advantages and challenges, and Holy Grail products to address both. So we got the ultimate hacks from redhead beauty experts Adrienne Vendetti Hodges and Stephanie Vendetti (pictured”>, the
Co-Founders of the ultimate redhead resource, How to be a Redhead.
1. Use a color depositing shampoo to keep your color from fading
Stephanie: The biggest question we get asked is, “How do I keep my red hair from fading?” We actually had to set up an entire section of our website, called ‘Get Vibrant’, to assist women with this question. Adrienne and I were both born with the same color hair, but as I got older, my hair turned strawberry blonde. I’m always using certain products to keep my hair vibrant. First and foremost, we love Davines Alchemic Red Shampoo/Conditioner. It naturally deposits color in and the product has never irritated my scalp — a common problem amongst redheads due to our sensitive skin. We also love Pureology’s Reviving Red Hair Care Line.
Stephanie: When the summer comes around and my hair is fading, I will go to our hairstylist and get a clear glaze. It gently lifts my hair up to its natural color and makes it more vibrant.
Adrienne: Make sure to always use sulfate-free shampoo if you aren’t using a color depositing shampoo. The chemicals in non-sulfate free products can strip hair (natural or ‘by choice’”> and no redhead wants that!
2. Use natural products to avoid skin irritation
Adrienne: We always suggest using natural products to refrain from irritations and breakouts because redheads do have more sensitive skin. We love skin lines like Deep Steep, Alba and Fresh. I can break out in an instant if a product isn’t ‘redhead friendly’ and I know most redheads feel my pain. We always suggest reading the ingredients of a product, just like you do at a grocery store. If you can’t pronounce it, you probably don’t want to apply it to your skin. On HowtobeaRedhead.com, all products recommended are ‘redhead friendly,’ meaning they’ve been tested on a redhead for a minimum of 10 days.
Stephanie: As a rule of thumb, if you can apply lotion to your body and it’s 100% natural, you probably can use it on your face too. Before we try a new face lotion, we always apply it to our arms to see how our skin reacts. We’ll test it for a few days before we add it to our daily regimen.
3. Cut sulfates out of your life
Adrienne: Avoid sulfates and chemical-heavy products. It’s not worth the breakout. Nowadays you can find natural products in drugstores/convenience stores; spend the extra money and invest in your skin and hair.
Many people don’t know, but Stephanie and I have very curly hair. It comes from our Italian side and so we can both attest that you can have a vibrant red and defined curls. The secret is using natural product lines and keeping your hair healthy. We are always applying Avocado and/or Olive Oil masks to our hair, we use sulfate-free shampoo/conditioners and on the days we rock curls, we love Kenra Professional’s Curl Defining Creme.
4. Change your life, find an eyebrow filler
Stephanie: Eyebrow products is the second most popular topic amongst our followers. Most redheads have very fair/blonde eyebrows (just like Adrienne and I”>, so they’re always asking what eyebrow products are best when filling in the brows. Our current favorites are:
- Clinique’s Fine Liner for Brows in ‘Soft Auburn’
- Too Faced Brow Envy Shaping & Defining Kit
- We love to hold our look together with Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara for Lash and Brow
Adrienne: It’s amazing how a little eyebrow filler can make the face defined and make red hair pop.
5. Mascara will keep your eyelashes from disappearing
Adrienne: Mascara is such a passion of ours! We will never forget the day our grandmother (also a redhead”> gave us our 1st mascara bottle. It was the Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes. We have very light eyelashes, and it’s amazing how a few swipes of mascara can change your appearance in a beautiful way. Our current favorites are:
- Urban Decay Super Curl
- We love applying brown to the bottom lashes & use Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
6. Use a lipstick with a blue undertone
Stephanie: We use to be apprehensive about rocking a bold lip. In fact, back in our high school days we tried to make our lips as pale as possible because we didn’t think redheads could wear lipstick! Boy, we were wrong. By the time we got to college, we started experimenting with bright lips and we’ve never turned back. Nothing makes us feel more beautiful and we’re so happy to see celebrities like Julianne Moore & Juessica Chastain wearing bold lips.
Adrienne: We always suggest lipsticks with a blue undertone, it is classic and complements any shade of red hair. Redheads can really wear any color, but have to make sure to adjust other makeup to complement the look. For instance, if you’re rockin’ a heavy lip, go lighter on the eyes for an natural look.
Stephanie: We usually choose our lipsticks based on the season. Our current favorites are:
Every Red Carpet season we are met with a parade of “bombshell curls” and “Old Hollywood waves.” But take one look at these curls and waves and we know that these can’t be achieved without a little (or a lot”> of heat styling action. With this year’s SAG Awards we were treated to Viola Davis’s TWA, Tia Mowry’s natural curls, and Lupita Nyong’O’s stunning updo. If you have a formal event coming up, or even if you don’t but just feel a little bit fancy, then this updo is for you.
Our Account Manager Kami admits she’d wear a gown to work every day if she could, so she tried out Lupita’s updo this week – just because! When it comes to Lupita’s cornrows you can recreate this look by either flat twisting or, if you have the patience and the skill, braiding. Kami went with a simplified version of flat twisting since we thought that might be easier for readers to follow along at home.
What you’ll need
- Edge smoother – Kami used Ampro Pro Styl Shine N’Jam Silk Edges
- Styler – Kami used Cantu Twist & Lock
- Marley braid hair
- Bobby pins
- Rat tail comb
Directions
Step 1
Start with freshly washed, detangled hair.
Step 2
Part the hair in a circle around the crown of the head, leaving a puff in the middle.
Step 3
Create a side part and begin flat twisting from the front of the hair, curved to the right. Apply edge smoother and styler to each flat twist for hold and to prevent frizz.
Step 4
Continue flat twisting around the ponytail from the hairline up to the crown of the head until all of the hair has been braided.
Step 5
Take 4 strands of Marley braid hair, and starting from the side part, incorporate the ends of the flat twists into a classic 3-strand braid with the Marley braid hair, braiding around the puff, adding more Marley hair as needed.
Step 6
Wrap the end of the Marley braid around the puff and secure with bobby pins.
Step 7
Fluff and shape the puff in the center using your styling gel.
The finished look!
If you try this look at home be sure to tag @NaturallyCurly on Instagram so we can share your photo!
Bianca Alexa is the queen of the pineapple updo, has an enviable accent, and is one of the best natural hair YouTubers (but we may be biased, since she’s one of our writers”>. So we were thrilled when she shared her pineapple updo with us. You see, we tend to wear our pineapples… to sleep. But Bianca’s version is certainly cute enough to wear outside of the confines of our bedroom, especially on those days when your 5-day wash and go is looking worse for wear. Bianca’s tutorial is super quick and easy, making this style perfect for your rushed weekday mornings.
What you need
- Curl refresher – a spray bottle full of water or your favorite leave-in conditioner. Bianca used the Body Shop Grapeseed Serum
- Scrunchie – Bianca uses satin scrunchie from Ebonicurls because they don’t snag on her curls or dry out her hair
Directions
- Remoisturize your curls with your curl refresher of choice.
- Pull your hair up, like you’re doing a very high ponytail. Bianca leaves out her bangs.
- Loosely secure the ponytail with the scrunchie. Bianca only pulls the hair through the scrunchie and does not wrap it a second time.
- Bring all of the hair forward to the front of your head. It doesn’t have to look perfect, just use your fingers to play with it until you’re happy with the shape.
Want to see more of Bianca Alexa? You can follow her on Instagram and YouTube.
Would you wear a pineapple out of the house? Or is it strictly a sleeping style for you?
We know you like hearing about new curly products and cult faves, and we know you like getting those products for free. So this one’s for you, curly world.
If you love the look of fluffy, soft wash and gos or stretched styles, then skip the gels and cream gels. Gels will likely give you more crunch than you like, so instead reach for puddings, souffles and butters because they tend to be more moisturizing and have less hold. A butter or pudding like G’Natural’s Honey Glaze Pudding will add resiliency, body and bounce to your go-to style.
How to Use it
After you apply your leave-in conditioner and moisturizers, divide your hair into sections and apply this pudding through each section from root to tip. You can either wear your wash and go, or go on to stretch your hair in one of our favorite 7 gorgeous styles for stretched hair.
[prodmod]Ingredients
If you are label-savvy then you’ll notice that this G’Natural Pudding swaps greasy mineral oil and drying alcohols for glycerin, shea butter and sweet almond oil. This product claims to be nutrient rich with ingredients like:
- vegetable glycerin, shea butter, sweet almond oil, wheat, soy, and keratin protein
- sulfates, parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and phthalates
Giveaway
We are giving a G’Natural Honey Glaze Pudding away to 5 lucky readers if you comment below!
Five winners will be randomly selected on Thursday, January 29.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.
*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that when we can notify you if you’ve won.
Watch the Video
We want to hear back from our curly community: Have you tried this NaturallyCurly World? Did you like it?
Tell us in the comments! Or share your feedback and tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #HaveYouTriedThis
This post is sponsored by G’Natural.
1. No Itching
After years of trying to manage my sebborheic dermatitis, it was not until a month a go that I realized that my itching ceased and my flakes are non-existent when I clarify twice a week. Some people avoid clarifying altogether out of the fear of stripping their hair, but your scalp needs to breathe and your hair adsorbs and absorbs products better when buildup is thoroughly removed. With an array of cleansers to select from, the issue is probably the product and not the cleansing itself. My current Holy Grail shampoos are the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo and the Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo. A little application of product creates a rich lather that does not leave your hair stripped and tangled after rinsing. A clean scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, so do not rid your regimen of clarifying.
[prodmod]2. Soft Hair
People do not associate softness with shampoo but my hair has never been as soft as it is today. Now that I cleanse my hair more frequently, it allows for my deep conditioner to be more effective. Cleansing regularly also creates a great foundation for trying new products. A great shampoo will leave your hair feeling clean and supple, not stripped and weighty. Also, my ends are less dry since I have been cleansing regularly. I never focus shampoo on my ends but after scrubbing my scalp I then stroke the lather down the length of my hair to smooth the cuticle. The lather will naturally graze my ends to remove product buildup.
Read more: 20 Clarifying Shampoos Gentle Enough for Damaged Hair
3. Fewer Tangles
Washing my hair twice a week has decreased the amount of tangles. Removing my shed hair more than once a week helps to decrease the potential for breakage during the detangling process, as less hair has an opportunity to become entwine with hair that has not shed. Since my hair naturally rises and shrinks throughout the week, detangling my hair more than once a week reduces my wash time by half.
If your scalp is always itching, your hair seems to be excessively dry, and you want to spend less time detangling, then washing more frequently might be the solution. Your hair and scalp will thrive when they are clean and moisturized, so do not think you have to compromise one for the other.
Do you wash your hair more than once a week?
We all love a good soirée but spreading all of this holiday cheer night after night can really do a number on your curls, especially if you’ve been heat styling. Whether you’re a heat junkie in need of curl rehab, or a staunch no-heat kind of girl, this textured pompadour will give you edgy, old school charm while providing your curls with some welcome relief this party season.
In addition to being heat-free, this protective style has the added benefit of keeping the ends of your hair tucked up and away, preventing unwanted wear and tear on the oldest and most fragile part of your strands: the ends. Protective styles are important in the winter because they prevent split ends, breakage and exposure to the elements like cold, dry wind. Click through for a step-by-step guide to getting the hairstyle.
What You’ll Need:
- A spray bottle full of water
- Bobby pins
- Your favorite moisturizer or refresher
- Your favorite pomade
Directions:
This hairstyle works on either a wash and go or stretched hair. We started on a second day twist out, but third or fourth day hair would work just as well.
1. Create a ‘bang’ section at the top front of your head and section that off with a hairband to get it out of your way.
2. Spray the remaining loose hair with your moisturizer product, we like Obia’s Curl Hydration Spray.
3. Starting at the right ear, create one loose flat twist along the nape of your neck, continuing to twist from right to left until you reach the left ear
4. Secure the twist with bobby pins.
5. Now take the bang section and twist it from right to left until it meets the first flat twist, creating a loose, textured pompadour.
6. Secure the ends with bobby pins.
7. Spray a small amount of water into your pomade to make it more malleable and easier to apply; we used Kinky-Curly Gloss Pomade.
8. Smooth your edges using a small amount of pomade.
9. Use bobby pins to secure any flyaways or errant pieces of hair.
It may seem like there are a lot of steps, but fortunately, none of them are too involved. Once you get the hang of styling your hair without reaching for the heating tools, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
Watch the Video
[prodmod]
Question: Straight ends after cutting off damaged hair?
So about a month ago I decided to cut off my damaged, straight ends of my hair. What’s bothering me is that I still have straight ends in the front layers. My stylist said she couldn’t cut anymore. I can just pin most of it back and wear it curly, but is there a solution for this? What should I do about this? Also can someone help me figure out my hair type? It’s has tight waves in the back, loose waves in the front, and a ringlety underlayer. That would probably be somewhere around 2c, right? Thank you for the help!
Answer:
Dr. Kari Williams, Licensed Trichologist and Natural Hair Expert
If you still have straight hair in the front, it is more than likely the remaining damaged hair. Your stylist probably cut as much hair as she could to help you retain length for styling. Otherwise, you would have had to cut off all of your hair very short to get rid of it at once. The solution is to continue to trim the front of your hair little by little until the straight hair is completely gone.
Hair typing is tricky, and it sounds like you are dealing with a case of genetics. What I mean is, your hair is not consistently one texture or curl pattern. It is difficult to give you an accurate answer regarding your hair type without seeing or touching your hair. Based on the description you provided about your hair, you have 3 different curl patterns. You probably have a combination of 2c, 3a and 3b hair. The hair in the front is tricky because you stated it is still straight. Once you completely cut that hair off you will have a clearer idea of the hair pattern and texture in that section of your hair. I encourage you to visit a professional stylist in your area who can provide you with a more accurate analysis of your hair type.
This week Dr. Kari is answering your questions on Curly Q&A. If you need advice on anything from hair damage to bad haircuts, you can ask her here.
Dr. Kari is one of the leading voices in the natural hair care movement. She is the newly appointed Vice President of the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Dr. Kari is also a Board Certified Trichologist, Licensed Natural Hair Care Specialist, Barber, Master Loctician and owner of Mahogany Hair Revolution Salon and Trichology Clinic in Beverly Hills, California.
Ask any girl with curls what her favorite thing about her hair is, and nine times out of 10 she will tell you that it’s the versatility. Given the right styling tools and products, she can wear her hair curly, straight, braided-out, twisted, and everything in between. And yet, there is one area that many curlies rarely dare to venture into: bang territory.
It’s true, a vast majority of the bangs we see in the media are straight, swooping side-bangs or blunt fringes — looks that can’t be easily achieved on curly hair without the near-daily use of a flat iron or a round brush. But, that does not mean this haircut is impossible. There are just a few things you need to know before you take the plunge.
Accept That Shrinkage Is Real
Shrinkage is that all-too-familiar phenomenon of curly hair appearing much shorter than it really is. When curly hair is wet or straightened, it may reach halfway down your back; but, when in its natural state, it might barely touch the shoulders.
As a result, at some point you have probably walked out of a salon with hair much shorter than you bargained for. It happens to the best of us, and it’s important to know that bangs are even more susceptible to this shortening effect. To help ensure you get a cut you’re happy with, bangs and all, go to a stylist who either has curly hair or who is very experienced working with it — that way you won’t end up with accidental Beyoncé baby bangs.
Work With A Stylist
We know that it can be very daunting to entrust your curls to someone, but in this instance, it’s probably a wise move. Curly hair expert and Devachan founder Lorraine Massey says, “In my experience with curly hair, any sort of a fringe (bang”> can potentially lead to frizz and extreme shrinkage. It’s best that you get another set of eyes on your curls to help determine how they might react.” This is not the time for you to try out your scissor skills for the first time. Once a stylist has given you the initial cut and shape, you can learn to trim your bangs at home. But, leave the first cut to the professionals, please.
Think About Style Time
As I said before, curly hair can be stretched, straightened, twisted, or worn natural, so you have plenty of options when it comes to styling. Before you get bangs, be realistic about your habits. It’s easy to say, “I can blowdry them every morning.” But, if you have a five-minute morning routine right now, then it’s unrealistic to think that you’ll suddenly be willing to add on a lot more time to style your new ‘do. Fortunately, curly bangs look gorgeous framing the face, which requires little hands-on styling time. And, curly hair is often thicker than straight hair and can hold a style easily, so when you’re short on styling time, a twist and a few bobby pins will keep those bangs up and out of your face all day long.
Find Your Hair Twin
Before you take the plunge, find someone with a curl pattern similar to yours who has bangs. With social media, this is now easier than ever. If you have Type 2 wavy hair, take a look at Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky, who rocks a sideswept bang with lots of volume. Elizabeth says she’s not a morning person and needs a low-maintenance style: “Most days, it’s just wake up, make sure it’s not doing anything too wacky, maybe fix some wonkiness, and go.”
NaturallyCurly’s Nikki Johnson has Type 3 curls and recently cut bangs herself (yes, against our advice”>. But, she has found plenty of ways to style them. If you have Type 4 coily hair, watch Ambrosia Malbrough on YouTube for inspiration.
So, in case it’s not clear: Yes, curly haired women can absolutely pull off bangs. And, remember, no matter what happens, hair grows back, so if you’re not completely satisfied with your cut the first week, you might just love it once it’s had some time to settle in.
One of the great things about curly hair is that it can hold a curl! It may sound obvious, but when you twist, braid or bun straight hair often times you are just left with a crease. So that is why we relish in the opportunity to manipulate our curl pattern heatlessly and then watch in admiration as the curls stay curly all day long.
In this tutorial UrbanOG demonstrates how to achieve big beautiful curls with no heat and minimal product. Because this style will rely on bantu knots, these sexy tresses are best achieved when set overnight. A major plus factor of this style has to do with the fact that there are no rollers needed when setting this style.
For this style you’ll need to make sure your hair has been freshly washed and has a little leave in conditioner, like Design Essential’s Natural Almond & Avocado Leave-In Conditioner. This will help work as a deep conditioner as your hair sits over night as well as helping to minimize frizz and dryness. Continue by patting the hair dry until it’s mostly damp. You don’t want soaking hair because drying time will take a lot longer. Following that, be sure to use a wide tooth comb to separate any tangles you may have. Once you’ve removed any knots or kinks with your wide tooth comb, begin sectioning off the hair for your bantu knots. Once the hair is sectioned you can begin twisting the hair in each section. You’ll want to make sure that you roll the hair all the way up to the scalp. Oh, and don’t forget to use hair pins to secure! Let hair sit until the following morning, gently take down and your fabulous bantu knots should look like stunningly transformed waves!
Watch the Video
[prodmod]This post was originally published on Design Essentials.
Last week we launched a new series here on NaturallyCurly called #HaveYouTriedThis, and we’ve been overwhelmed by your response! We had a hunch that, like us, you might be Product Junkies who want to hear about the next new oil, butter, or cowash on the market, and we were right.
This week we’re sharing Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil. This is an ayurvedic mixture of pure oils and extracts with no silicones or mineral oils. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the ayurvedic lifestyle, this may be your gateway.
There are a few ways to work a hair oil into your regimen, depending on what your hair wants and needs.
Pre-Poo
The non-greasy formula makes it a perfect oil for your pre-poo treatment. Work it into your hair and scalp and leave it in for at least 30 minutes before you shampoo, or even overnight.
Sealer
Apply this light oil to the ends of your hair as the final step in your hair routine to seal in moisture and add shine.
Scrunch Out the Crunch
You know that crunchy feeling your curls and coils get when you apply too much styling product? Avoid that look by placing a small amount of oil on your fingers and gently scrunching from the ends up to soften the look of your wash and go.
Watch the Video
Giveaway
We are giving a bottle of Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil away to 5 lucky readers if you comment below!
Five winners will be randomly selected on Thursday, November 20.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.
*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that when we can notify you if you’ve won.
Question
My type 3A hair becomes greasy, oily, and stinky very easily. I have it cut quite short, around chin-length, and wash several times a week with drugstore shampoo and conditioner. Along with the smell and oil, my scalp itches and produces greasy dandruff. Does anyone know what could be causing this or how to fix it.Answer
Like most hair and scalp concerns, two of the best places start is diet and cleansing. I firmly believe in a holistic approach to health, which includes hygiene. You want to make sure you are drinking enough water and eating a well balanced diet. As for hair care maintenance, regardless of your hair texture, everyone’s scalp needs to be clean in order to maintain healthy hair and decrease the potential of scalp issues.
Cleansing
You describe your flakes as greasy, which sounds very similar to the scalp condition that I have (i.e. sebborheic dermatitis“>. Because I am not a dermatologist or trichologist, I do encourage you to schedule an appointment with either and express your concerns. Until then, here are some tips I can assist you with. As someone with sebbroheic dermatitis, I try to cleanse my scalp twice a week with a gentle shampoo and I always follow up with a deep conditioner.
When your scalp overproduces sebum you want to create a regimen that addresses your scalp needs without neglecting your hair’s needs. Due the nature of textured hair, the tighter the curl, the harder it is for the sebum to travel down the hair shaft, thus leaving tighter curl patterns more prone to dryness. Since you have short, 3a hair (looser curl pattern”> it is more prone to accumulate sebum, debris, and product buildup at the scalp, which can create a breeding grown for odor and bacteria if not cleansed regularly and properly.
Like any other part of our bodies, it is important to be mindful of what you apply to it and how it responds. Some people overproduce sebum because there is a dysfunction of the sebaceous glands while others overproduce sebum as a reaction to certain products. Sometimes your sebaceous glands do not respond well to certain products and can overcompensate in sebum. You mentioned that you use a drugstore shampoo and conditioner, so I hope that they are formulated for your hair and scalp needs. Cleansers formulated for curly hair tend to be gentler on textured hair than the standard shampoos that contain sulfates.
First, try switching cleansers to see if your previous products were agitating your scalp. If your scalp continues to produce too much oil, then consider using a dandruff shampoo or explore gentler shampoos. If you do prep-poo treatments I would encourage you to stop and see what happens. Sometimes the key to eliminating buildup is to decrease the amount of products we apply.
Moisturizers
When trying to infuse the hair with moisture via deep conditioning, the next biggest step is maintaining that moisture with a leave-in conditioner, moisturizer, and/or oil. Since you have 3a hair, I strongly encourage you to peruse Jamie’s favorite products under our editor’s picks. The key for looser textures and low porosity textures to main moisture is to use lightweight products and oils. You can also try a dry oil. Dry oils are formulated to evaporate quickly so your hair (and body”> will not feel greasy long after application. Try all of these tips and let us know how it worked out!
NaturallyCurly, how do you manage your oily scalp?
Introduce yourself!
Hi my name is Tiffany Nicole also known as NaturallyTN or T.Nicole. I am a Native American and Trinidadian naturalista from Queens, New York who resides in Florida. I am also the founder of Love Embrace Inspire, Inc. a non-profit organization designed to motivate encourage, uplift and inspire young women to walk in their purpose and divine destiny. I am also the founder of LEI Lady Magazine, an online magazine that is a branch of the organization. I love natural hair, music, dance and just being around positive, inspirational people.
How long have you been natural?
I’ve been fully natural now for 3 years, since September of 2011 and prior to chopping off my relaxed ends, I transitioned for 11 months before I couldn’t take it anymore! Lol!
What’s your daily hair routine?
My hair routine varies from day to day depending on styling and my schedule. When I first went natural I had a very thorough routine, now it’s based off of a look I want to achieve or even if I have the time to prep my hair. But one thing I can say stays consistent is keeping my hair moisturized. It’s a must for me. I deep condition at least 1-2 times a month and moisturize every night using my favorite hair moisturizers, oils and of course H2o.
What are your favorite products?
Well my hair LOVES Cantu Shea Butter’s Leave – In Conditioning Repair Cream mixed with my favorite oil, Castor oil. I usually apply this for moisture, the mixture also works well for twist-outs styles. As far as shampoo and conditioner, my hair absolutely loves Clear’s Cleanse & Nourishing Ultra Shea Butter shampoo & conditioner. It really leaves my hair feeling clean and moisturized! Prior to shampoo, I soften my hair with 100% raw Shea butter mixed with Castor oil for about 10 minutes and then shampoo and condition it. Especially if my hair is super dry.
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What’s your nighttime routine?
At night, I moisturize and seal which locks in moisture while I sleep. I usually twist my hair in sections applying the Cantu Shea Butter’s Leave – In Conditioning Repair Cream and a heavy oil like Castor if I want a weighed down twistout look or Coconut oil if I want to achieve a more fluffy twistout look. I then cover with a silk scarf or sleep on a silk covered pillow.
Do you ever get tired of natural hair?
No! Not to the point that I would go back to a relaxer! But I would say, my hair has grown tremendously in the last 1 year and the longer and fuller it gets, the more time consuming it gets! So I find that I am finding ways to stretch out styles and lock in moisture for longer periods of time. I love being natural and I would not go back but I have found that as my hair changes so will my routine, how much time I spend maintaining it and keeping it healthy.
When did you start vlogging?
I started vlogging back in December 2012. I enjoy making videos and sharing my experiences with natural hair. There will be more to come as we enter into the New Year, so stay tuned to Love Embrace Inspire TV and NaturallyTN on YouTube!
How did you become a successful guru?
Well first I will say that I don’t consider myself to be a guru, but someone who desires to inspire others with what I know and the experiences I have gone through. To encourage and motivate anyone who is struggling with their natural hair journey. I am always open to sharing and inspiring for sure. I believe success is defined by not how many subscribers and followers one has, but success is when one has reached their goal and for me, when I read the comments under my videos and see that my goal of inspiring and motivating has indeed been done, I feel that yes, I am a successful vlogger.
Do you have any advice for new natural hair vloggers?
My advice would be to determine what you want to achieve from vlogging. You set your own bar of success so that when you reach it, you can feel good about your achievement. It’s all about motives, if your desire is to inspire others it doesn’t matter how many subscribers you have, what will be the most rewarding is knowing that you’ve made an impact helping others.
Any upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
Yes! I will be hosting my first event under my non-profit Love Embrace Inspire, Inc. called “When Girl Meets Curls.” on November 15th in Orlando, FL. This event will consist of a Q&A segment with our Curl Talk panel, demonstrations and giveaways! I am so excited to be able to connect with Central Florida naturals who have a desire to want to learn more and to get connected to the experts in their area! We have guest natural hair salon experts, bloggers and vloggers on the panel.
Where can we follow you online for future updates?
You can certainly follow me on my website and social media platforms,
Organization Website: www.LoveEmbraceInspire.org
Online Mag: www.LoveEmbraceInspire.com
Google+ : https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TiffanyNicoleNaturallyTN/posts
Instagram: @NaturallyTN and @LEI_Curlfriends
Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveembraceinspire
Twitter: www.twitter.com/naturallytn
YouTube: www.youtube.com/naturallytn & Love Embrace Inspire TV
Introduce yourself!
How long have you worn your hair curly?
What’s your daily hair routine?
I’m so not a morning person…Luckily curly hair kind of does itself!
What are your favorite products?
What’s your nighttime routine?
One kid in junior high said I was 90% hair, 10% body, which I took as a compliment.
Do you ever get tired of curly hair?
When did you start blogging?
How did you become a successful blogger?
Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
Any upcoming projects/events you’d like to tell us about?
At this point it is near impossible to avoid Charli XCX’s voice on Billboard toppers like Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy,” but you’d never guess her pop royalty status if you got the chance to sit down and have a chat with her… which we were very lucky to do.
We sat down with Brit popstar Charli XCX on her current international tour to find out how she always manages to look so quintessentially bedhead (turns out, it’s pretty easy”>, who her beauty icons are, and what’s on her beauty bucket list.
What’s your curly hair routine?
To be honest, it’s pretty nonexistent. I just kind of wake up and I’ll just roll out and that’s it really. Add some of my favorite styler, and that’s kind of it, I don’t really brush it too much. I brush it when I wash it, but I don’t really brush it. I’m happy to let my hair do its own thing most of the time. Sometimes I’ll leave it in ringlets and be totally natural.
Do you have any Holy Grails?
My favorite product is the Bedhead After Party, it always makes my hair a little smoother so that it’s nicer curls rather than frizzy curls, you know what I mean?
Yes, we so do. Do you have any curly hair hacks you’ve figured out along the way?
I always think a lot of hair flipping with curly hair is good, because if you have height at the top of your head it doesn’t matter how curly it is. I think when it’s flat on top and curly that’s when I have a problem.
Who are your beauty and style icons?
Can Marilyn Manson be a beauty icon?
Yes, of course.
Then Marilyn Manson is my beauty icon. My style icon is Rose McGowan, I feel like her red carpets were always amazing. And same with 90’s Mariah Carey.
Do you have any hair horror stories? Haircuts you regret or school pictures…
I do actually. When I was younger I’d always had hair exactly like this and I really wanted a change so I went to the hairdressers and I had the whole back half of my head shaved and I left a long bit at the front. I’d never really had regular haircuts before and it was so drastic, and it’s still growing out. It’s still different lengths from when I had one long bit at the front and everything else is shorter.
I tried to like it for a week and then I got to the end of the week and I was like “what have I done!?”
What colors do you want to try?
I would love to be blonde, blonde and green and they’re both on my bucket list to try before I die.
So watch out Charli’s Angels (as she affectionately calls her fans”> for your London Queen may soon be a blondie. We warned her about the damage, and if she needs tips we’ll be here.
Now, for a Giveaway
If you’d like to win a full set of TIGI Bedhead products for yourself, we’re giving away 3 huge prize bundles worth $150 each!
Each set includes:
- TIGI Urban Anti+dotes Recovery Shampoo, $15
- TIGI Urban Anti+dotes Recovery Conditioner, $15
- TIGI Bed Head On The Rebound, $19
- TIGI Bed Head Oh Bee Hive!, $19
- TIGI After Party Smoothing cream, $22 (Charli’s favorite”>
- TIGI Bed Head Queen for a Day Thickening Spray, $20
- TIGI Bed Head Masterpiece Hair Spray, $19
- TIGI Bed Headrush Shine Enhancer, $22
- TIGI Bed Head Motor Mouth Mega Volumizer, $22
To enter
Comment below and tell us why you want to win! We will pick 3 winners on November 3, 2014.
[prodmod]This post is sponsored by TIGI Bed Head.
You’ve been pinning pixie cuts and bobs for months, framing your face with your hair, watching long-to-short transformations obsessively on YouTube. Your haircut cravings are at a fever pitch. But, there’s just one thing…you have curly hair.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, when you cut your hair, it is not going to behave the way Emma Watson’s does (in fact, quite the opposite”>. We’ve had friends, parents, even hairstylists tell us “you can’t cut your curly hair short” but, we’re here to say — yes, you totally can. You just have to know what to expect.
Find Realistic Inspiration
If you walk into the salon with Kate Lanphear’s photo in hand, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Before you start looking for inspiration, take a moment to get to know your hair. Do you have Sharpie-sized ringlets? Or tighter, Z-shaped coils? In the curly community we call this curl pattern, and there’s even a quiz to find yours. Once you have a good feel for your curl pattern, you can look for inspiration among women with similar hair. This will give you the most realistic idea of what to expect and, hopefully, prevent feelings of disappointment — or worse — regret, in the stylist’s chair.
Your Hair Will Get Curlier
Long hair tends to stretch out the curl, and once free from the weight of that length, your curls will pop like never before. If your hair is loose and wavy now, it will most likely be curlier and more defined once you cut it. Be aware that your hair will shrink and appear shorter than it really is, so be sure that you and your stylist account for this shrinkage factor when you’re determining just how short you plan to go.
See a Curl-Friendly Stylist
Salons can be a scary place for a curly-haired woman.They’re the setting for many of our most traumatizing childhood memories. So, it is important to place your curls in the hands of someone who knows — and loves — curly hair. Someone who won’t take a straightening iron to them at the first chance he or she gets. You can search and read reviews from other curly haired women using our salon finder. Keep an eye out for “Deva Inspired Stylists” as they have been trained in the DevaCurl method of cutting and shaping the curls when the hair is dry.
Make Friends With Your Stylist
If you have long hair, and like many curlies, suffer from serious trim phobia, then your trips to the salon may be few and far between right now. That will all change once you get a short haircut. If you’re going for a pixie style, you can expect to need regularly scheduled trims every 4-6 weeks to keep the style looking fresh. Not only will this alter your lifestyle and bring you closer to your stylist than ever before, but it can also impact your budget. Those trims can quickly add up, so make sure you’re ready for the time and financial commitment before you schedule that first appointment.
“But, Your Hair Looked So Good Long”
Hopefully your friends and family will have the tact not to say (directly or indirectly”> that they don’t like your new ‘do, but in the event that they do not, be ready to let the negative comments roll off your back. When I cut my hair I had plenty of people express their distaste for it, but frankly if you care what other people think, then a bold, short cut might not be for you.
What matters most, of course, is how you feel! And, if you get to know and love your curls before the cut, then you will be best equipped to enjoy them in all of the lengths and styles to come.
No-poo, poo-free, whatever you want to call it it sounds a little funny. But women in the naturally curly world know how life altering this regimen can be for the health of your hair. If you’re still on the fence about replacing your shampoo with baking soda then you can check out the Pros & Cons of Baking Soda Shampoo. Our curly community members use this recipe to wash their hair and you’ll be surprised how cheap, easy and effective it is.
NaturallyCurly member Curly-Kinky says:
No more shampoo or conditioner for me. I have been “poo free” for a couple of weeks and still can’t get over how great my hair looks. This treatment costs around 3 cents and does the same thing as sulfate-free shampoos.
NaturallyCurly member melindaann says:
I use this plus I do an apple cider vinegar conditioner made with hot water and 1 teaspoon of vinegar in a spray bottle…Hair is very soft and not so wild the next morning.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 8 oz. hot water
Directions
- Mix baking soda with hot water and stir or shake until well dissolved.
- You can use a funnel and put this in a container like a squirt bottle.
- Wet hair well, rub in some of the baking soda and mix into your scalp well.
- Rinse.
One ingredient plus water, this might be a record breaking recipe for us. If you try this at home please leave your reviews down below, we know our readers will be curious to see what you think!
