Search Results: Cristina Cleveland

How to Get the Most Popular Twist Out on Facebook
How to Get the Most Popular Twist Out on Facebook
By Cristina Cleveland ·

We love sharing NaturallyCurly community photos on our Facebook page, and the only thing we love more seeing the outpour of support and encouragement that you all give each other on those photos. It’s a great place to share your good (and bad”> hair days, and for people to ask what techniques and products you used to achieve them.

But there’s one community member in particular who consistently receives the most likes, shares and questions – we even call her “the most popular twist out on Facebook” around the office. Because we’ve been dying to know, and we know you are too, we asked Angel exactly how she produces these good hair days. And in case you’re wondering what climate Angel lives in (because that will certainly affects how the routine works”> she is based in NYC. 

Wash Day

I procrastinate quite a bit on wash day (every Saturday”> I wake up at around 7am with every intent of washing my hair but never get around to starting until 10-10:30. From start to finish of the wash/style cycle and depending on what I’m going for that week it can take me any where between 1 1/2 hrs for a washNgo, to 4-5hrs for a 2-strand twist either on air dried hair or tension blow outs on low/cool setting I like my hair to be damp or dry when I’m doing my twist hence the time. I use a tee shirt to absorb most of the water before I do either of these two steps.

  1. ACV Spritz – I start off by using 1 part water to 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV”> in a spritz bottle to saturate my hair in 4 or 2 sections using my fingers to detangle.
  2. Co-Wash – Without washing out the ACV I add my co wash (As I Am Coconut Co Wash“> massaging as I go along.
  3. Deep Condition – Wash that out and follow with my deep conditioner (Aubrey Organic Honey Suckle Rose or GPB“> sit under hooded dryer for 30mins or for intense deep conditioning I use the steamer.
  4. Condition – I then wash out and follow with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration.
  5. Blot Dry – Once I wash that out I use a tee shirt to dry out some of the water then I add my leave in conditioner/moisturizer (Oyin Hair Dew“>.
  6. Style – Then I add my styler of choice.

Maintaining a Twist Out

To maintain I sleep on a satin pillow case and re-twist on Wednesday evenings. If I have a fuzzy spot when I wake up I would add a little cream to my finger smooth it down that section of hair and twist it until I’m ready to head out to work. I tried the pineapple once and because my hair has a mind of its own it stayed to the top of my head when I woke up the next morning (I’m convinced that’s for longer hair”>.

Must-Have Twist Out Products

That’s easy! Oyin Hair Dew Leave In Conditioner (best moisturizer”> I have to use that before any styler touches my hair. As for stylers hands down As I Am DoubleButter Cream and Miss Jessie Jelly Soft or Pillow Soft Curls.

[prodmod]

It Wasn’t Always This Good

When I first started out doing the 2 strand twist I would do it on wet hair and I would twist the hair before wrapping it around each other (through YouTube I learned that was called the “kinky twist””>. For one thing I would wake up with my hair still wet the next day and it would be a shrunken mess. Yes I went to church with my hair looking like that hahaha. Couldn’t be bothered I knew one day I would figure it out.

Did I ever figure it out too. I decided to practice, I stopped doing it on wet hair and did it on damp or dry hair and instead of twisting before wrapping I started to smooth the strands down as I twist. It didn’t always turn out perfect at first but as time went by I started to master the art of the two strand twist.  That has now become my go to style.

Thanks for sharing your twist out secrets with us Angel! Feel free to share your twist outs and good hair days with us on our Facebook page.  

MORE: EClark6’s Ultimate Twist Out Guide

SheaMoisture Transitioning Milk | Product Review
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Evelyn reviewed the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk – phew! It’s a mouthful but so worth it. Evelyn has fine, low density, Type 4A coils that have been bleached and dyed blue, or in her words “dyed, fried and laid to the side.” Her hair used to be low porosity, but since dying it it has become high porosity. So although she’s not transitioning, she needs all of the moisture she can get.  

“It’s super slippery, that’s the reason I love it. It’s super slippery and moisturizing. Before I bleached my hair I would have said this was greasy, but now that I need the extra slip and moisture, and ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil… it’s packed with all the good stuff your hair needs.” – Evelyn

Watch the Video

For more tutorials and product reviews, check out our YouTube channel, The Twist!

3 Girls, 3 Curly Hair Routines
By Cristina Cleveland ·

All curls, coils and waves are totally unique, so their haircare routines should be too. The hair products you use and the way you apply them can vary drastically from one woman to the next, and today we’re going to see how these women care for their hair.

Devri’s Curly Hair Routine

Devri has color-treated Type 3C curls, so she has to maintain a very moisturizing curly hair routine to keep her hair moisturized and healthy. Here’s how she creates her favorite style, the wash and go.

What You’ll Need

Directions

  1. Divide hair into 4 sections
  2. Mix 2 parts Deep Treatment Masque with 1 part of your favorite oil
  3. Distribute throughout the hair, let sit for 15-30 minutes and rinse with Moisturizing Cream Shampoo
  4. Condition with Hydrating Cream Conditioner
  5. Use a quarter size of the Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream to damp hair
  6. Divide hair into sections again and mix the Define & Shine Custard with the Curl Activator Cream. Apply this mixture to the curls from root to tip for definition and hold.
  7. Apply Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment to your roots to prevent breakage. 

Cristina’s Wavy Hair Routine

Wavy hair needs moisture to prevent frizz and encourage curl definition, but it’s key to use lightweight products so as not to weigh down the curl. Here is how Cristina washes and styles her Type 2C, wavy pixie haircut.

What You’ll Need

Directions

  1. Wash the hair with Moisturizing Cream Shampoo and Hydrating Cream Conditioner 
  2. Apply a small amount of Creamy Hair Lotion to the ends of your hair when wet
  3. Scrunch the curls to encourage them to form, and then lock in the curls with Shine and Hold Mist
  4. Optional: For Cristina’s style she likes to slick down the hair on one side of her head with a few drops of Super Shine Hair Silk

Lakeisha’s Coily Hair Routine

Lakeisha likes to use thicker creams on her Type 4 hair to keep her hair hydrated and soft. These thick creams would weigh down Type 2 waves, but they’re absolutely essential for coily girls.

What You’ll Need

Directions

  1. Start by washing with the Conditioning Co-Wash in between shampoos
  2. Apply the Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream to keep your hair moisturized 
  3. Apply Coconut Curling Cream to style your coils 

Watch the Video

This post is sponsored by Cantu.

Did a Blogger Make You Buy That?
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Five years ago, the landscape of advertising and celebrity endorsements was a well oiled machine, and one that consumers were growing increasingly attuned to. Consumers these days are savvy enough to know that your favorite celebrity has been paid to appear at that event, that outfit was given to them in exchange for a Red Carpet plug, and that “paparazzi” shot is probably a planned photo op. As growing mistrust of traditional advertising became palpable, brands turned to a previously untapped source of credibility and authenticity: the blogger.

But as bloggers begin to expect compensation for their resources and their reach, and rightly so, the waters of the blogosphere are muddied and their credibility called into question. While bloggers, YouTubers and brands navigate the uncharted territory of sponsored content, consumers today are faced with the challenge of discerning who they can and can’t trust. Does my favorite blogger genuinely like that product, or have they been paid to mention it? Quite likely, it’s a mix of the two. And that’s where things get complicated.

To address this phenomenon as it evolves, NaturallyCurly hosted a panel with representatives from each interested party: the blogger, the brand, and the consumer. Host, TextureMedia Inc. Co-Founder and President Michelle Breyer, led a discussion between blogger, YouTuber and TV personality Shannon Boodram, curly community member and consumer Jordan Maney, and Sundial Brands Co-Founder Richelieu Dennis (of SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage“>. 

Much as NaturallyCurly did 15 years ago, the blogger platform arose as a solution to a consumer need and the desire of women to express themselves and connect with likeminded people. “That’s how this started,” says Dennis, “it was women helping women figure out how to solve their issues, particularly as it pertained to their hair.” Not only have these women had a profound impact on their friends and followers, as the co-founder of a well-liked brand in the curly hair community Dennis acknowledges that “we should also realize that the brands that have been impacted and helped by the bloggers and vloggers stand to benefit considerably.” And he feels this relationship goes both ways, “bloggers themselves have benefited in terms of becoming more known, having some celebrity and being impacted in ways that have also advanced their experience. All in all I think it’s been a very symbiotic relationship but I do see that that’s started to change.”

One of the biggest changes and indeed the hottest topic in the arena today is the question of compensation. TextureMedia Inc. President Michelle Breyer says “we know brands are compensating bloggers and vloggers, we know an increasing number of bloggers and vloggers are wanting compensation. How does that affect the message?”

Curly hair guru Shannon Boodram says the message should still be intact. “I look at it as you’re paying for the amount of effort that I put in, but I’m not feeling influenced because I’m doing my brand a service and my audience a service no matter what I choose to say about the product.” Dennis and Boodram are on the same page here, “one of the things that has always troubled me, is you have bloggers and vloggers that dedicate their time, dedicate their resources… and these brands have been very successful based on the work that they’ve done. Me personally I feel it’s unfair that they don’t participate in the financial rewards of doing that role,” though he acknowledges that his personal view differs to others on the brand side of this exchange. So what the brand is really paying for here is not a positive review, but rather “direct access to a market” Boodram says, “and with that, authenticity is the currency – that’s what you’re providing in exchange.”

This model challenges a lifetime of learned consumer behavior – if a positive review has been paid for, how do we know that review was not made under the influence? When giving product recommendations is a personal hobby, and one that you originally did for free, there’s a fine line between promoting a product you love, and being paid to promote a product. However Boodram argues it’s not a fine line, but “a huge gaping hole.”

She compares it to television advertising in which actors are paid to promote a product, “you know she’s a paid actress so her credibility is null and void, so once [a blogger] crosses that line of being a puppet, you no longer really have a voice as a blogger. You should now be on television in the commercials.” If bloggers and professional actors are both being paid to perform the same service, what is the difference? Boodram points out that advertising in magazines is required to divulge that it is paid advertising, “if [bloggers] are going to feign authenticity… if you’re sort of muddling the two, then you’re not doing your service at all.” To further complicate matters, blogs and YouTube are composed of many different personalities – that is what we love about them – so not every blogger or YouTuber will approach this issue in the same way.

As brands and bloggers work together to find the balance between sponsored endorsements and genuine opinion, it is the consumer that is left to discern for themselves the difference between the two. Luckily, Michelle Breyer feels that as a “savvy consumer, and I believe most women with curly and coily hair are a very savvy consumer, they can figure out if someone’s being authentic or not.”

You can view the full panel discussion on YouTube and decide for yourselves: do you feel the act of paying for sponsored content on blogs and YouTube diminishes the authenticity of that medium? 

Watch the Panel

DIY Whipped Shea Butter | Video
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Our Social Media and Community Manager Evelyn likes to keep things s-i-m-p-l-e. So when she told us she was going to try her hand at a DIY whipped shea butter we knew it was going to be an easy-to-follow recipe that even the most novice of Curly Mixologists could do at home. With a few drops of your favorite essential oils and a little bit of shea butter you can whip up a super creamy mix that’s  great for sealing moisture into your skin or hair! Curious about the benefits of shea butter? Check out this conversation about shea butter as a moisturizer. 

What You’ll Need

Directions

  1. Combine the shea butter and jojoba oil in a bowl
  2. Boil a pot of water and place your bowl inside the pot to create a double boiler, stir until soft
  3. Add less than 10 drops each of spearmint and lemongrass essential oils
  4. Whip the mixture with a handheld mixer 
  5. Create a piping bag by placing a ziploc bag inside a large cup
  6. Scoop the whipped mixture into a ziploc bag
  7. Cut a hole in one of the corners of the ziploc and squeeze the mixture into a container

Watch the Video

9 Reasons Straight Hair Is Better – April Fool’s!
By Cristina Cleveland ·

We couldn’t think of 10 reasons, so here are 9 reasons straight hair is better than curly hair, as illustrated by our favorite curly comic Tall N Curly! PS… Happy April Fool’s Day!

Illustration by TallNCurly for NaturallyCurly





How to Pineapple Curly Hair | Video
By Cristina Cleveland ·

If you’ve seen the word pineapple circulating on the curly hair blogs and forums, you might have guessed by now that they’re not talking about the tropical fruit.

In fact, the term pineappling was born right here on NaturallyCurly!

It’s an essential step in the nighttime routine of many curly haired women, including our own Email Marketing Manager, Nikki. Watch how Nikki gets ready for bed in our latest video.

And if you’re wondering if that hair tie snags in Nikki’s curls – we know we did – it doesn’t! Nikki was skeptical at first but she says the hair tie by Mixed Chicks actually works a charm.

Watch the Video

Do you pineapple? Or have you found something else that works better for you? (Like the double pineapple“>.

Tamera Mowry-Housley Big Chopped! Her Stylist Shares A Word of Big Chop Advice…
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Tamera Mowry-Housley has a lot of change happening in her life right now. The end of her reality show with her sister Tia, her new talkshow The Real, and now, a new ‘do! Just last week she was pledging her love to her long, wavy locks, but last night we knew something was afoot when she tweeted a picture of her hair on the floor, “This is happening right now. Thanks @ShaiAmiel for my beautiful cut. Can’t wait to show y’all pic.twitter.com/IZk0dIt3x8.”

Tamera has been transitioning since last year, and lucky for us she’s been Instagramming pics of her transition hairstyles along the way. Perhaps she was inspired by the New Year to embrace a whole new look too!

If you’re considering your first (or second, or third”> big chop this year, Tamera’s hairstylist Shai, of Capella Salon in Studio City, CA, says this is what you can expect:

“It’s an exciting fresh start! You have to commit and be prepared to have all your healthy hair. It will react better & will be easier to control since you won’t have different hair textures. You will feel a big relief because you won’t be spending money on cleansing, conditioning & styling dead hair that doesn’t want to curl.”

If you’re feeling intimidated by the thought of styling your freshly big chopped curls, don’t be. Shai says just “Wash & go!” That’s what he did with Tamera, because she wanted “something simple and playful. I gave her a vintage style bob that resembled early century hair. Her curls will give it that old fashioned look.” 

“She can diffuse for added bounce but I think it’s gonna be an easy wash & go.”

From what we can see on Tamera’s Instagram, she’s already having fun accessorizing her new easy look.

Before You Big Chop

Lately, Shai has noticed an increase in the number of women wanting big chops from him, and we’ve definitely enjoyed seeing the celebrity reveals on social media. The plethora of celebrity and real life hairstyles on Instagram and Pinterest have made it much easier than it once was to find hairstyle inspiration for the big chop, which Shai says is an essential step in the process, “look for inspiring looks. Take your time researching different styles. My Pinterest is loaded with great haircuts of all lengths.”

Step two in your big chop preparations? Shai says you should “do your research to find a stylist you trust and see if they’ve done this. Read up their reviews and see if they have pictures of their work. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.” 

Once you’ve found a style and a stylist, be sure to snap a before and after selfie of your big chop to share on our NaturallyCurly Facebook page, our community loves before and afters. What did Tamera do right after her big chop?

“She gave me a big hug and said it’s ‘the bomb.’ She kept looking at herself in the mirror and playing with it. She couldn’t keep her hands off it. She grabbed my phone and took a lot of selfies; that’s a good sign. She posted it on Instagram as soon as she arrived at her house and it was late!”

We have a feeling this isn’t the last celebrity big chop we’ll be seeing this year.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAMERA’S INSTAGRAM & CAPELLA SALON
15 Tips for Curly Hair Care
By Cristina Cleveland ·

We’ve learned many lessons about our curls over the past 15 years of NaturallyCurly.com. One woman who has been an invaluable resource to our readers is Lorraine Massey, the author of The Curly Girl handbook and founder of DevaCurl.

Many of our readers and loyal CurlTalkers have experienced drastic curl transformations using her curl care methods, so to celebrate our anniversary our long-time friends at DevaCurl put together their top 15 care tips for curly hair!

  1. Banish the Brushes! Always, use your fingers to comb through hair that’s wet and drenched with DevaCurl One Condition; or No-Comb Detangling Spray.
  2. Granola, Not Curls, Should Crunch: Over-cleansing and leaving in too much conditioner or using alcohol-filled gels can give your curls a crunchy look. Give your hair a break and just refresh with a spritz of DevaCurl No-PooTM Quick Cleaner at the roots.
  3. Hands off! Don’t interrupt your curls while they’re drying, or they will frizz up.
  4. Avoid Snags: Detangle in the shower before rinsing out your conditioner. It’ll make for easier styling and less breakage.
  5. Body of Work: Make your workout session double as a curl treatment. Before you hit the elliptical or treadmill, run DevaCurl Styling Cream through your locks and twist up in a bun. The heat your body produces while working out allows curls to soak in moisture and conditioners.
  6. It’s all in the Details: For natural, healthy curls, only use a defining or styling gel that’s alcohol and silicone-free, and soluble in water—as the gel can remain in your hair for 2-3 days.
  7. Don’t Fracture your Hair! Remember to remove your hair from your shoulders before slinging on your handbag, backpack or messenger bag.
  8. Boost Your Roots! To give your curls at the top of your hair extra volume, lift and clip the hair at the roots while it’s still wet. Doing so will release the top layer from its own weight, allowing it to dry faster and in an even curl pattern from roots to ends. Clipping also speeds the drying process.
  9. Natural Order: The top of your hair should be the last place you cleanse and the last place you rinse the conditioner. Start from the bottom and work your way up!
  10. Radiant Curls in Record Time! Spot cleansing not only saves time but it can instantly boost volume. By absorbing oil, No-PooTM Quick Cleanser refreshes, conditions and helps add the ideal volume and tousled texture.
  11. Handle with Care: Precious hair fibers require special attention. Using a soft fiber cloth or DevaTowel, gently rotate and “scrunch-squeeze” curls in an upward motion toward the scalp to absorb extra moisture.
  12. You’re Fine! If your curls are baby-fine, use a hairnet when showering. The net allows water to flow through and lets you cleanse the hair with your fingers while helping to contain the wave structure.
  13. Good Night’s Sleep: For perfect next-day waves and curls, spray curls with DevaCurl Spray Gel, and then ball your hair into a bun at the top of your head just before bed. Unfurl the gorgeousness the next morning.
  14. Hydrate! Invest in a top-quality humidifier for your home. A humidifier will encourage curls and keep your hair and skin from drying out! 
  15. Pin Up: For a curlier look on dry or second-day hair, try the pin method. Starting at the crown, wrap a section of hair around your finger, slide the finger out, hold the coil with your other hand and insert a clip at a right angle. After the hair is dry, gently remove the clips and loosen curls with your fingers. Finish with a tilt and scrunch.
Purgasm Shop | Curly Product Review
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Purgasm Shop

I’m not quite sure how I even came across Purgasm Shop, but I’m so glad that I did. Once I poured over their product offerings, I just KNEW I had to review them. Some of their products sounded like they’d smell absolutely divine, and others seemed too unique to pass up.

I was provided the Cocoa Yogurt Facial and Shampoo Bar, Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel, and Wild Cherry Treatment Hair Truffles to test drive….and I must say I loved every single last product….down to the last drop.

Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel

The gel was the first product out the gate to test drive, and I absolutely ADORED the results. So did the folks on Instagram!

Description:

This botanical based gel will quench your curls and bring them back to life! It gives great curl definition for kinky, coily, and curly textures and nourishes dry hair and scalp with a light hold. Curl Poppin Gel is specially formulated to provide excellent definition, detangling, shine, and moisture. Wake up your curls! * Great for “Wash & Go”, twists, braids, shingling, and other textured styles.

Top Ingredients 411:

Ingredients List

  • Distilled Water (infused with Marshmallow Root, Wild Cherry Bark, Flaxseed, Hibiscus, Proprietary Botanical Blend”>
  • Aloe Vera Gel
  • Vegetable Glycerin
  • Silk Aminos
  • Xanthum Gum
  • Phthalate Free Fragrance/Essential Oil Blend
  • Wild Cherry Bark is known to condition, smooth, and silken the hair shaft
  • Marshmallow Root softens the hair, increases moisture absorption, and provides an excellent slip
  • Flax seed provides a high dose of omegas which help improve shine and elasticity
  • Aloe Vera is incredibly healing, and balances the pH of the hair (closing the cuticles”> to promote shine, softness, and moisture retention
  • Glycerin is an amazing humectant
  • Silk Aminos penetrate the hair shaft to repair and strengthen

Performance:

I thoroughly enjoyed using Wild Cherry Curl Poppin’ Gel. The consistency is similar to a DYI flaxseed gel, but the extra slip and amazing cherry scent are divine. The gel spread easily, which makes it super ideal for a wash n’ go. I was able to rake it through my hair with zero problems. Once dried, my curls were shiny, defined, fluffy, and soft. No crunchies anywhere, despite my tendency to be heavy-handed with product. Even my heat damaged ends felt silky smooth! The cherry scent was delightful, and didn’t linger in my hair.

Cocoa Yogurt Facial and Shampoo Bar

I won’t lie to you guys, I never do. When I first opened this poo bar, I sat and tried to convince myself that nobody would judge me if I nibbled off a corner. It just smelled SO good. And it looked so creamy. It smelled like a creamy cocoa cupcake. I had to hurry up and put it in a soap dish just to affirm to myself that it was indeed soap and not a snack.

Description:

These hand poured cleansing bars are all natural and are botanically infused with Cocoa, Rhassoul, Yoghurt,and Silk Aminos. Formulated to leave hair and skin nourished, soft, and moisturized; they contain Argan oil, Honey, and Shea Butter. This dual purpose bar provides a hydrating, softening, and deliciously scented clean that does not strip the natural moisture from delicate facial area or the hair shaft. Purgasm cleansing bars produce an abundance of light and creamy lather and leaves hair feeling clean, soft, moist, and easier to detangle. Skin is left refreshed and renewed and the botanical blends natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHA”> leave your skin brighter, more even toned, with clearer and healthier pores! Say bye bye to dry, tangled, moisture stripped hair and dull skin and clogged pores!

Top Ingredients 411:

Ingredients List

  • Coconut Oil
  • Palm Oil
  • Safflower Oil
  • Glycerine (kosher, of vegetable origin”>
  • Shea Butter (refined naturally crushed”>
  • Purified Water
  • Sodium Hydroxide (saponifying agent”>
  • Sorbitol (moisturizer”>
  • Sorbitan oleate (emulsifer”>
  • Honey
  • Soy bean protein (conditioner”>
  • Titanium Dioxide (mineral colorant”>
  • Argan Oil
  • Yucca
  • Undutched Cocoa
  • Yoghurt
  • Silk Aminos
  • Essential Oil/Phthalate Free Fragrance Blend

When we talk about soap or shampoo bars, the term “saponified” often comes into play. Anything saponified is done with Sodium Hydroxide, aka lye. But that’s not an issue at all! In fact, it has little to no impact on your hair. Click here to learn about that.

  • Coconut is the amazing moisturizing, hair-penetrating oil (almost”> every natural knows and loves
  • Palm and Safflower Oils contain significant amounts of Omegas 9 and 6, respectively which support softening and elasticity in hair
  • Shea butter is a super-softening emollient, and Glycerin (as we discussed above”> is a humectant
  • Rosemary Essential Oil: Concentrated oil that is great for stimulating blood circulation on the scalp, promoting nourishment and growth. It is also has antibacterial properties, and can help relieve dry, flaky, and irritated scalp.

Performance:

I utilized the Cocoa Yogurt bar on both my face and hair. It smells amazing. I just can’t seem to get past that. I really enjoyed it as a hair cleanser, it definitely made my hair feel clean without stripping it of moisture. The shine, as you can see below, was just TOO real. I wished it would have given me a little more slip, but it was in no way a deal breaker. As much as I enjoyed the bar for cleansing my hair, I loved it even more on my face. It left my face clean, smooth, and didn’t aggravate my psoriasis, which is really important to me. And did I mention the smell was divine?

Wild Cherry Treatment Hair Truffle

It’s like buying your hair a big ol’ chocolate bar after a rough day (or during a cheat day…or heck, any day. No occasion needed for chocolate!”> but I digress. Seriously, these truffles look and smell like chocolate. I just had to add hot water to give my hair a treat.

Description:

The Wild Cherry Treatment hair truffle mask is specially formulated to provide the ultimate damage repair and conditioning experience for curly, kinky, and afro textured hair. Our special blend of rhassoul clay, wild cherry bark, banana, honey and marshmallow root intensely conditions, softens, increases moisture retention, and provides excellent slip for detangling. Say bye to dry, brittle, and malnourished kinks and curls with this aryuvedic and botanical blend! *These intense conditioning hair truffles are lighted dusted with undutched cocoa powder on one side for it’s nourishing and moisture retaining properties.

Top Ingredients 411:

Ingredients List

  • Rhassoul Clay
  • Unrefined Cocoa Butter
  • Banana
  • Honey
  • Marshmallow Root
  • Wild Cherry Bark
  • Hibiscus
  • Argan Oil
  • Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60
  • Silk Aminos
  • Jamaican Black Castor Oil
  • Organic/Phthalate Free Fragrance Blend
  • Undutched Cocoa Powder
  • Vitamin E
  • Rhassoul Clay detoxifies the hair, removing impurities while providing body and volume and calming scalp irritation and dryness
  • Cocoa Butter is a hair softening emollient made from pressing cocoa nibs
  • Banana moisturizes, nourishes, imparts shine, and softens hair, as well as helping to control scalp issues like dandruff.
  • Honey is an amazing anti-microbial and humectant
  • Marshmallow Root softens hair and provides slip
  • Wild Cherry Bark makes an appearance here too, conditioning, smoothing, and silk-ifying hair

Performance:

I followed the instructions to a tee. Gauging by the current thickness of my hair, I knew I would need to use all 3 truffles. I added hot water bit by bit, until I achieved a consistency akin to melted ice cream. Sorry about all the food references…it’s just that everything from Purgasm Shop seems to be dang near edible! It didn’t break down smooth, it felt kind of grainy. I was skeptical that anything lacking creamy consistency could make my hair feel loved. Boy, was I WRONG! Like, dead wrong. The truffles were truly a treat for my hair. After rinsing them out, my hair was super silky, super soft, super shiny, and virtually frizz free. It was super detangled, and applying product afterward was a snap. This is definitely going into my regular hair treat routine!

Bottom Line

I love that all of Purgasm Shop’s products are free of artificial fragrances. The more products I come into contact with, the more I realize that my allergies are sensitive to some fragrances. But of course, no issues here with Purgasm Shop! I also love how unique their products are. Seriously, a treatment for hair that looks like Valentine’s Day Chocolate? I can also appreciate their commitment to quality ingredients, and standing by their statement “no phthalates, no petroleum, no sulfates, no parabens, no junk.” I told ya’ll, you can never go wrong supporting small business.

Treat your hair to some Purgasm Shop!

Shop Online: www.purgasmshop.com

Instagram & Twitter: @purgasmshop

Does Your Child’s Dress Code Ban Natural Hairstyles?
By Cristina Cleveland ·

An Ohio school faced intense opposition after an issued dress code update that banned afro puffs and “small twisted braids” last week.

The Lorain Horizon Science Academy in Ohio posted the following information online in regards to the upcoming school year:

“Afro-puffs and small twisted braids, with our [SIC] without rubberbands, are NOT permitted.”

While it remained unclear on exactly what the administration meant by “small, twisted braids,” many in the community were concerned that this restricted box braids, a protective hairstyle that has been worn for generations. In addition, afro-puffs, as has been mentioned by multiple blogs and commenters including BGLH.com, are the “black version of the ponytail (when pulled back our hair puffs out instead of laying down”>, and yet the rules do not have a ban on ponytails for students of other ethnicities.”

As of June 21st, after a viral dialogue of sorts that spread the message of the dress code across the internet, involving many natural hair communities, the school has lifted the ban.

Focusing on their lack of intention to offend, the school stated:

“In the dress code information packet, a statement was made about not allowing a certain hairstyle. This information has offended many people and by no means did we have any intention of creating bias towards any of our students. We truly apologize for this mistake and want to thank everyone for their feedback about the information.”

In addition, the school posted that they have undertaken efforts to ensure that this never occurs again and that there will be a new dress code handbook issued in the coming weeks.

Keep an eye on this one. It seems that the situation is solved, but nothing will be proven until the final copy of the dress code is released. In the meantime, be sure to read through your entire copy of the dress code for your child’s school and as always, support the natural hair movement and those standing up for injustices.

When young girls are given the power to accept themselves for who they are and see beauty is every aspect of their natural selves, they will excel. Let’s ensure that happens.

Miranda Kerr Wavy Side Braid Tutorial
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Ever since the punk-inspired Met Gala we’ve been gushing over this hairstyle. It creates the illusion of the shaved undercut, without any of the commitment! This tutorial was inspired by Miranda Kerr, but we’ve seen stars from Jennifer Aniston to Cara Delevigne rocking the same style. It consists of two French braids along the side of the head, so French braiding will be the only technique you need for this. Pin them at the base of the neck and wear the rest of your natural waves down for a glamorous effect. If you’re going to a formal event, you can run a curling wand through a few of the pieces for more controlled waves (but this step is totally optional!”>.

What You’ll Need

How Miranda Got The Look:

Miranda Kerr’s hairstylist David Keough shared how he played with Miranda’s “signature style of glamourous…but infused some rocker by adding two braids on the side, which wrapped around and tucked underneath the nape of the neck.”

  1. While hair is wet, create a deep side part. Use Davines For Wizards No. 8 Quick Setting Hard Gel throughout the hair to create a solid hold.
  2. On the side opposite the direction of the part, create 2 sections and french braid each section parallel to one another, wrapping them down around the head.  Tapering down to the nape, tie them off and tuck them under the rest of the hair.
  3. Apply quite a bit of the gel mixed with the Davines For Wizards No 3 Universal Mattering Mousse throughout the rest of the hair as it creates longevity for keeping the looks. (Mixing the products is a trick Keough likes to use.”>  Layer with Davines OI/OIL for ultimate shine.
  4. With the remaining unbraided hair, blow dry with a round brush.
  5. Using a 1 inch curling iron, separate and curl large sections.  Pin them up and let hair cool down, while makeup gets done.
  6. Pull the hair out and spray roots with a bit of Davines For Wizards No. 14 Sea Salt Primer, for a bit of lift and blow dry a touch.
  7. Finish off with Davines Defining Invisible Hair Spray to lock the look in.

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Curlies Review Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy
By Cristina Cleveland ·

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy

How To Do a Curly Makeover with Strawllers
By Cristina Cleveland ·

We’ve all fallen victim to a moment of curl envy, no matter how happy we are with our curls, coils and waves. Pinterest and Instagram will do that to you! So when I first heard about Strawllers my interest was piqued – I can have tighter, pretty ringlets without a curling iron? I’m afraid of curling irons (ever since this incident“> so I had to give Strawllers a try.

Curly Hair Makeover

Ava Raiin Real Texture Talk
By Cristina Cleveland ·

We had the privilege of connecting with singer songwriter Ava Raiin in Austin, home to SXSW and NaturallyCurly.com offices! During her career Ava has gone natural, toured with Chrisette Michele, concurred SXSW and is currently touring with Solange – we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!

If you want to know how she does it all, and what her curly routine and must have products are, keep reading!

Ava Raiin’s Real Texture Talk

MORE: Real Texture Talk: NFL Cheerleader Goes Natural

NFL Cheerleader Goes Natural: Real Texture Talk
By Cristina Cleveland ·
NFL Cheerleader Danetha Doe

Danetha Doe, former Indianapolis Colts cheerleader, is auditioning for the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush squad. While she cheered, she wore a relaxer and weaves. Since then, Danetha has embraced her natural hair and will rock it during auditions! NaturallyCurly interviewed her about her natural hair journey on and off the field.

NC: Do you feel pressure to wear your hair relaxed or wear weaves in your industry?

DD: Yes, there is a certain level of pressure to wear a weave in the professional dance industry. Parts of our dance routines have “hairography” elements where you have to whip your hair. With afro textured hair, my hair doesn’t whip like it does with a weave and sometimes I feel out of place during those sequences because of my hair texture.

NC: What has your experience been wearing your hair natural to auditions?

DD: So far, I’ve had a positive experience wearing my hair to the preparation clinics for Auditions. I’m the only one rocking an afro and I’ve received a lot of compliments on my hair. Also, since there are so many girls in the process, it’s important to find a way to make yourself noticed. My hair has definitely helped me stand out! My biggest concern is making sure I don’t sweat my hair out after a long day of heavy dancing!

NC: What has the reaction been from other cheerleaders? From staff? From your family? 

DD: The reaction from other cheerleaders, and staff, has been really positive. I’ve received a lot of compliments from the Gold Rush squad and other ladies that are trying out. I’ve also had women from other squads from the NFL and NBA reach out to me and wish me luck! The overall support, especially from those that don’t have afro textured hair, has been amazing and reassuring.

NC: Were you a slow transitioner or a big chopper and why?

DD: I was a slow transitioner! I actually transitioned during my last season as a cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts while wearing a weave. This process made the most sense to me. Since I was already a part of a squad, a drastic change to my look would have been difficult to do during the NFL season. After the season I rocked my natural hair and about eight months later, I cut off the remaining relaxed ends.

NC: What has been your greatest challenge transitioning?

DD: My greatest challenge transitioning was learning how to take care of my hair. My hair was very damaged while I wore a relaxer and I dealt with a lot of breakage and shedding. Once I went natural, my hair was much healthier but I had no clue how to moisturize or style it. I had a couple of friends who were natural, but I mostly relied on YouTube and blogs like Curly Nikki and NaturallyCurly to help me!

NC: How does your hair affect your persona on the field? Is that different now that you’re natural?

DD: Well, I hope that I make the squad and I can tell you how it feels to be natural on the field!! But, hair can be a huge aspect of cheering on the field. Whipping your hair and flipping it around is all a part of being an attractive and sexy performer in the field. I definitely felt confident during my time with the Indianapolis Colts with my long hair and pretending that I was Beyonce! I hope that if I make the squad, I can maintain that level of confidence and inspire other women that you can be beautiful by rocking your naturally gorgeous look!

NC: Have you inspired any of your fellow cheerleaders to go natural?

DD: I have inspired other cheerleaders! Which is so awesome!! One example, a former Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleader is now auditioning for the Atlanta Falcons squad. She recently did the big chop and was thinking about wearing a wig or weave to auditions. She read my story in Ultimate Cheerleaders and has decided to rock her natural look at the auditions. Sooo cool and it reassured me that this is bigger than me making the SF 49ers squad. Its about helping to change mainstream’s idea of beauty and helping other women recognize their own beauty.

NC: What’s your current hair routine?

DD: My current hair routine is really simple! Once a week, I rinse my hair with Black Tea and deep condition it with mayo, olive oil and egg. I rinse it out and do the Curly Girl method. Once I get out of the shower, I add castor oil to my hair and wrap it with a towel. After 30 mins-1 hour, I run a styling product through it and either flat twist it back, two strand twist or braid it. I wear my hair in one of those protective styles for the remainder of the week. The last day or two, I untwist or unbraid it and rock it out. Once a month, I shampoo my hair to remove the buildup.

NC: Must-have products?

DD: I’m still trying to figure out what products I like! But, so far I really like Cantu Shea Butter, the Deva Curl line and the Kinky Curly Custard. Oh, and I have to have castor oil. It has worked wonders on my hair. My hair is colored right now (it’s a honey brown color”>, so I’ve been using John Frieda’s brilliant brunette’s conditioner to accentuate the color.

NC: What do you do to maintain your hair at night?

DD: I have to braid or twist my hair at night or it will be a hot mess in the morning. If it’s not already in a protective style, I’ll add a little castor oil with Cantu’s Shea Butter conditioner and braid it into 8 braids.

NC: What do you love the most about your hair?

DD: I LOVE the versatility of my hair. I can wear any style I want and I’m not dependent on a chemical or heat to make it happen.

NC: What advice can you extend to some of the natural newbies?

DD: My advice to natural newbies…is to enjoy every moment! Totally cliche, and not what you want to hear, but like life- learning to love your natural hair is a journey. Everyday you’ll learn something new about your hair and its beauty and uniqueness.

NC: What are you working on now?

DD: I am a financial strategist and launched my accounting practice, EmeryCloud, last year. I provide bookkeeping, accounting, strategy consulting services to clients within the beauty and fashion industry! I love what I do and helping others build their dreams into successful, profitable businesses.

NC: How can our readers find you on the web?

DD: You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Youtube  (handles for all of those is MissDanetha”> or my company’s websitewww.emerycloud.com. I regularly post fitness tips and business/finance advice!

How to Achieve 3D Curls
By Cristina Cleveland ·
Woman with curly hair
Inspired by the Matrix texture experts in Brazil, this technique is for women who want to keep their curls. New 3D Curl Service enhances and defines curls, banishing frizz while boosting dimension.

Get the Look

1. Shampoo hair with Total Results Sleek Shampoo, rinse and towel dry. Section hair into four quadrants. Starting at the nape, take ½-inch horizontal partings and apply 2-3 pumps of Opti.smooth Pre-Treat from scalp to ends. Complete entire head.

2. Outline the back left and right with Opti.smooth Smoothing Cream. Using ¼- to ½-inch horizontal sub-sections, apply smoothing crème starting 1/8 -inch off the scalp to the first 1½ inches of hair with a comb. Work half way up the head, then repeat on left side. Continue working right-to-left and complete the back. Apply smoothing crème to ends using a wide-tooth comb and gently scrunch again. Work side-to-side, scrunching remaining hair.

What you’ll need

3. Process for 15-30 minutes, depending on hair type and desired curl pattern.

4. After processing, rinse with warm water and use a scrunching technique for 7-10 minutes. Towel blot and gently detangle using a wide-tooth comb.

MORE: How to Wrap and Roll Your Curls

Want more curly how to’s?

Read the digital edition of Texture!

Introducing Texture My Way
By Cristina Cleveland ·
Texture My Way

Introduce yourself and tell me a little bit about yourself and how you got started in the hair care business. 

My name is Dwan White. My entry into the hair products industry came in 2000 when, as a consumer, I fell in love with a new hair product. After carefully exploring the label, I realized the manufacturer was located right in my city! I sent a short email (with my resume attached”> to the President of the company letting him know, as both a consumer and marketing professional, how much I loved the products. That communication led to the President offering me an opportunity to become a consultant to the company.

From there, I began a career as a Product Development consultant in the hair products industry, servicing that company and others, including House of Cheatham. I joined House of Cheatham full-time in 2008, creating new brands and products, specifically for women with textured hair. I’m now the Director of Global Marketing & Product Development at House of Cheatham.

Let’s talk a bit about the line/products. Can you tell me about it, its ingredients etc.? 

We were careful to formulate Texture My Way with a well-balanced blend of natural and synthetic ingredients that are essential to help deliver long-lasting moisture, softness, manageability and shine. The extra virgin olive oil and shea butter in each formula helps to strengthen and soften hair.

A couple of our products do contain small percentages of light weight silicones. We included them because they optimize the formula’s ability to retain moisture. We know that moisture retention is all-important to women with textured hair.  The small amount of silicone included helps the hair to hold on to moisture much longer than it would without it. With our moisturizing products, you don’t have to reapply them throughout the day to get the moisture you need. Each therapy is completely free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oil and petrolatum.

Texture My Way

Who was your product line developed for? Do the products will work better or differently for certain hair types?

Texture My Way was developed with style chameleons in mind — that segment of women with natural hair who enjoy switching up their style. They go from sporting bouncy curls or coils to wearing it flat-ironed, silky straight and other versatile looks in between. Manageability, shine and softness are important to them, as well as products that don’t weight their hair down or leave it feeling gummy or oily.

We’ve also worked hard to keep our products affordable. Each one retails for just $6.99, making them perfect for curlies on any budget!

How do your products work for curlies? What results can they expect?

Texture My Way is ideal for curly hair. We get lots of great feedback on how the therapies keep hair moisturized, are light-weight, smell great, and provide the manageability and style control that 2A-4c hair needs.

Do you have any tips for women who are considering going natural or new curlies?

Patience is essential for women considering transitioning from chemically straightened to natural hair. Hair in transition goes through a learning curve. There’s always some trial and error, but training hair that has been chemically altered to become manageable without chemicals takes patience and the right maintenance.

The “big chop” is the fastest way to dealing with the transition, but not every woman wants to take that plunge. Gradually cutting hair shorter helps, as well as opting for styles that are not super straight. Candy curls, spirals, roller sets…anything that gives hair body can effectively masquerade different textures.

Texture My Way Naturally Straight Flat Iron Butter can be used to keep new growth flat and silky smooth, and Keep It Curly Styling Foam can give bounce to roller sets or twist outs. For growth, a healthy, clean scalp is the key. Texture My Way Hydrate! sulfate-free Shampoo gently and effectively cleans and nourishes hair and scalp.

A style tip that helps control frizz on curly hair involves sectioning curly or wavy hair into big (or smaller”> twists at bed time using Texture My Way Keep It Curly when twisting. When ready to style, apply just a bit of Texture My Way Mega Protein Oyl Elixir to finger tips, as you release the twists and finger style hair. Keep it Curly’s moisture retention helps control the frizz, Mega Protein Oyl locks in the shine, and this regimen keeps the style from becoming “fly away.”

Texture My Way

Do you have a “suggested style” or a “featured style” to use wear with these products?

That’s entirely up to the style chameleon. There’s a Texture My Way therapy to assist with creating and maintaining natural styles, whether silky straight, springy coils, soft afros, deep waves or bouncy curls.

Tell us where we can connect with your brand.

You can connect to Texture My Way at www.texturemyway.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Where are your products available?

Independent owned, neighborhood beauty supply stores nationwide, and at CurlMart.

Lastly, what’s your opinion on the texture revolution. Do they see it becoming a bigger trend/movement?

We are happy to see women embracing their natural texture. This movement is self affirming and a great message for young girls about celebrating who they are, naturally. As styling techniques, products and social media evolve, so will the movement. Hollywood is still about creating illusions. While many celebs are fine with their natural texture in their personal lives, if their role calls for the illusion, then that’s what we’ll see in front of the camera.

SHOP: Texture My Way Products at CurlMart