Are you ready for Essence Festival 2023? Or should we ask, are your curls and coils ready? NaturallyCurly will be back at Essence Festival this year, armed with products, expert consultations, styling touch ups and everything you need to look and feel your best at festival. 

Join us as we bring the Curly Experience to the convention center floor at BeautyCon. BeautyCon, the annual convention for beauty lovers, has joined the Essence Ventures family and will be making their debut at Essence Fest 2023. We may be biased, but it’s going to be a must-see, can’t-miss event. 

What can you expect from the Curly Experience?

Get your hair styled

NaturallyCurly is partnering with Swella, a modern luxury braid bar located in Atlanta, Georgia, to braid and style your curls and coils, and lay and refresh your edges. “At Essence, when you step foot into the NaturallyCurly Booth, you can rest assured that you will feel rejuvenated when you exit” says Swella Co-Founder Brooke Hill, “we’ll have goodies that protect your hair strands and give you peace of mind.”

The Swella team will be doing stitch braids, front braids, bun styles, small cornrow braids, styling knotless braids, as well as laying and refreshing edges. “Whether you’re looking for a mid-festival hair switch-up or a braid refresh, Swella’s got you!” shares Hill. 

Join the BraidDown Contest 

Do you have braiding skills that deserve to be recognized? “Most Black Women grow up knowing how to braid, while many have lost touch with the skill” says Hill, “we want to tap into nostalgia with our Ameteur Braiding Competition. Attendees will compete based on their skills and speed in braiding for a prize!” NaturallyCurly is bringing the heat with amazing prizes from Dyson, Camille Rose, Ouidad and Uhai, for the most creative and skilled braids!

Watch Texture On the Runway

Whether you’ve attended Texture On the Runway at New York Fashion Week, or witnessed it virtually, you know this show is not to be missed. For the first time, Texture On the Runway will take the stage at Essence Festival of Culture 2023. The show will be hosted by Mielle Organics Founder Monique Rodriguez and NaturallyCurly Editor Cristina Cleveland, and accompanied by a classical hip hop string piece from Neutral Ground Orchestra. “Texture On the Runway is a unique and innovative event that puts textured hair and multicultural beauty center stage on the runway” says Rodriguez. “It represents more than fashion, it represents pushing the culture forward.”

This year’s runway presentation will pay homage to the iconic hip hop hairstyles of Salt N Pepa, Mary J Blige, Lil Kim, Erykah Badu, Missy Elliot, and more, with hairstyles by celebrity stylist Tater Pazon. “I am extremely excited  I was chosen to recreate looks of the most iconic females in HIP HOP” says Pazon, “especially because I’ve had the chance to work with a  few of them personally like Mia X and Megan Thee Stallion.”

We’re excited to continue pushing the culture forward, and to connect with you at Essence Festival. Stop by the NaturallyCurly booth and say hello!

Read next: Essence Fest Hairstyle Ideas To Try This Summer

Stumped on what to gift your dad for Father’s Day this year? Celebrate your father figures and dads by gifting them natural hair products to care for their curls, coils and beards. Here are Father’s Day gift ideas to show your people some love with SHOPNaturallyCurly’s Father’s Day Sale. Right now you can save 20% off site wide plus free US ground shipping! Just enter the code DADS2023 at check out to redeem your discount. 

Scotch Porter Nourish & Repair Hair Conditioner

A solid moisturizer is the foundation of any natural hair product lineup. And this one was formulated to replenish moisture, repair damage and strengthen hair from root to tip. This year it was voted by the NaturallyCurly community as a Best of the Best Award-winning product in the category Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair.

SheaMoisture Men Maracuja & Shea Oils Beard Conditioning Oil

Moisturizing applies to beards too. This Beard Conditioning Oil by SheaMoisture Men absorbs quickly to soften and condition full beards, while restoring moisture to dry facial skin. The maracuja infused Shea oil helps to soften, condition and style facial hair.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

This viral Mielle hair growth oil is a a scalp health staple. It won the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Hair Growth Product Award in three categories in 2021 (for Type 3, Type 4, and All Hair Types) and again swept the Best of the Best Awards in the Best Hair Growth Product category this year. The community cannot get enough of this product.

Uncle Jimmy Loc Hold

You won’t find the stickiness or residue of most men’s styling products here. The transparent pomade hair wax, Loc-Hold is the new generation of hair styling products for men that holds with dimension. Use it for molding styles, waves and for starting and maintaining loc styles.

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Beard Oil 

We know our fathers love a multi-purpose, low-maintenance routine. Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Beard Oil does double duty as beard oil, and a hair and skin moisturizer. This nutrient-rich oil adds shine and body to your beard and treats the skin beneath it.

SheaMoisture Men Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Beard Balm

This beard balm works to shape, smooth and define facial hair for a well-groomed beard all day long. Maracuja infused Shea Butter helps seal in the nourishing and moisturizing effects of this styling balm.

Read next: 10 Dads Do Their Daughter’s Curly Hair And It’s Guarantee To Make Your Heart Melt

KinkyCurly Curling Custard

This is an OG curly hair product, with good reason. You can gift this with confidence that it will work on many curl types. Curling Custard was one of the first moisturizing gels that defined curls without the crunch, and continues to be a staple styling product in the NaturallyCurly community.

Aunt Jackie’s Grapeseed Style & Shine Recipes POWER WASH Intense Moisture Clarifying Shampoo

This clarifying shampoo gives you a super clean feeling, removing sweat, build-up and residue from frequent use of tacky or waxy products – without stripping away moisture. Aloe and apple cider vinegar leave hair and scalp feeling super clean, while grapeseed and jojoba oils and coconut milk soften and seal in moisture.

SheaMoisture Men Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Full Beard Detangler

A product with good slip is critical to any detangling regimen – and that counts for beards too. This Beard Detangler formula smooths and adds slip to ease out knots without tugging. It also works to condition and soften thick, coarse facial hair.

Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener

This Beard Softener is a Best of the Best Award-winning product in the category Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 3 Curly Hair and for All Curl Types, voted by the NaturallyCurly community. The formula contains black seed, honey and blend of essential oils to soften the beard, provide intense moisture, reduce ingrown hairs, and stimulate the hair’s natural growth system for a fuller, more manageable beard.

Looking for even more gift ideas? Check out the rest of the Best of the Best Award-winning Men’s Products.

SHOPNaturallyCurly’s sale is 20% off site wide plus free US ground shipping, so why not re-stock on your Holy Grail product while you’re at it?

*Sale ends June 18, 2023 at 11:59 pm cst. Free shipping is limited to Domestic US Ground shipping to the lower 48. 

Thousands of community members voted, and the results are in! These NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Award-winning curly hair products are the Holy Grails your curls, coils and waves stay thirsty for.

WHAT ARE THE NATURALLYCURLY BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS?

Since 2006, NaturallyCurly.com, the leading resource for natural and textured hair, has polled the community for your favorite curly hair care products of the year. Thousands of community members vote and the winners receive NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards by product category, and by curl pattern. The awards are “now considered the ultimate seal of approval by curl brands both large and small” says NaturallyCurly Founder Michelle Breyer, “the gold standard for the textured hair community.” The Best of the Best Awards are an opportunity for the curly haired community to share your Holy Grail products with others in the community and give well-deserved recognition to the brands who’ve earned your trust.

“Winning the Best of the Best award put us on the map on a much broader stage than anything we had before,” says Canadian stylist Jonathan Torch, creator of Best of the Best Award-winning Curl Keeper, which won “Best Frizz Fighter” several years. “I still appreciate this victory, and I will always be grateful for the recognition and support that I have gotten from this award.”

WHAT SETS BEST OF THE BEST APART FROM OTHER BEAUTY AWARDS?

Our awards give you the opportunity to vote on products that work for your unique curl pattern, whether you have waves, curls, coils or locs. And this year, we’ve expanded our survey to be even more inclusive with new categories for men and kids’ products too. 

Onto the winners, these are the products so good you buy them in bulk. Scroll on for the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best curl products of 2023.

• Best Conditioners
• Best Shampoos
• Best Styling Products
• Best Hair Treatments
• Best Men’s Products
• Best Products For Kids
• Best Tools
• Best Brands
• Best Blogger

Best Conditioners for Wavy, Curly & Curly Hair

Best Co-Wash 

It’s not a wash-day without using this co-wash.

Best Co-Wash for All Curl Types: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash

Best Co-Wash for Type 2 Wavy Hair: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner

Best Co-Wash for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash

Best Co-Wash for Type 4 Coily Hair: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash

Best Leave-In

You can’t get enough of this leave-in conditioner.

Best Leave-In for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave-In for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave-In for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Curly Hair Cream

Best Leave-In for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner

Best Conditioner 

The conditioner so good you buy it in bulk.

Best Conditioner for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner 

When your curls need some extra loving, you reach for this DC.

Best Deep Conditioner for All Curl Types: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: amikaThe Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Black Castor Oil + Chebe Deep Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner

Best Shampoos for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Shampoo 

It’s not a true wash-day without a squirt of this shampoo.

Best Shampoo for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Not all pre-poos are created equal.

Best Pre-Shampoo for All Curl Types: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-Dandruff Pre-Wash

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Wonder Crown

Best Clarifying Cleanser

When your hair and scalp need a deep clean.

Best Clarifying Cleanser for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best Styling Products for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Mousse 

Just a few pumps for soft hair that lasts.

Best Mousse for All Curl Types: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

Best Mousse for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam

Best Mousse for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse

Best Mousse for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

Best Styling Cream

The all-in-one styling creme that holds and moisturizes without leaving a heavy residue. 

Best Styling Cream for All Curl Types: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Hair Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 4 Coily Hair: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream

Best Gel

Flyaways be gone with this holding gel that doesn’t dry hard.

Best Gel for All Curl Types: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard

Best Gel for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel

Best Gel for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curls Sea Moss Curl Slime

Best Gel for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard

Best Hair Butter 

The moisturizing butter giving cocoa butter kisses to your hair.

Best Hair Butter for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

Best Hair Butter for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer

Best Hair Butter for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

Best Hair Butter for Type 4 Coily Hair: Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream

Best Product for Braids and Twists 

A product your braids and twists stay thirsty for.

Best Product for Braids and Twists for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Pearly Braid Out Glaze

Best Product for Locs 

Your holy grail loc product.

Best Product for Locs for All Curl Types: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold

Best Product for Locs for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Product for Locs for Type 3 Curly Hair: Lockology Peppermint Tea Tree Oil For Locs

Best Product for Locs for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold

Best Edge Control Product 

A product that sculpts, smooths, and slicks hair back like a recliner.

Best Edge Control Product for All Curl Types: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control

Best Edge Control Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Edge Control Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control

Best Edge Control Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Flawless by Gabrielle Union Repairing Edge Control

Best Refresher Product 

When you’re already running late but the hair needs a refresh.

Best Refresher Product for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist

Best Refresher Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls+ Flaxseed Curl Refresher Mist

Best Refresher Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Restore + Revive Bi-Phase

Best Refresher Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist

Best Anti-Frizz Product

This product keeps frizz out and moisture in.

Best Anti-Frizz Product for All Curl Types: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum

Best Heat Protectant 

Before the heat, apply this treat.

Best Heat Protectant for All Curl Types: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream

Best Heat Protectant for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil for Curly Hair

Best Heat Protectant for Type 3 Curly Hair: OUAI Hair Oil, Multitasking Oil Protects from UV/Heat Damage and Frizz

Best Heat Protectant for Type 4 Coily Hair: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream

Best Hair Treatments

Best Hair Oil 

If you could only use one hair oil, it would be this one.

Best Hair Oil for All Curl Types: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil

Best Hair Oil for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil

Best Hair Oil for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rice Water Treatment

Best Hair Oil for Type 4 Coily Hair: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil

Best Hair Growth Product 

Growing out your hair takes consistency, patience, and one of these hair growth products.  

Best Hair Growth Product for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Strengthening Treatment

The back on track treatment for dry or brittle hair.

Best Strengthening Treatment for All Curl Types: Olaplex No. 3

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 3

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Miracle RepaiRx Curl Protein Reconstructor

Best Men’s Products

Best Men’s Shampoo 

The weekly squeaky clean shampoo every man needs.

Best Hair Color for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo

Best Hair Color for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Brickell Men’s Products Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men

Best Hair Color for Type 3 Curly Hair: Young King Hair Care Shampoo

Best Hair Color for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo

Best Men’s Conditioner 

Not too heavy, not too light, the just right conditioner.

Best Men’s Conditioner for All Curl Types: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Hims Thick Fix Conditioner

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Scotch Porter Nourish & Repair Hair Conditioner for Men

Best Men’s Moisturizer 

What you reach for when you need a quick-fix of moisture.

Best Men’s Moisturizer for All Curl Types: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard

Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Tea Tree Hair Moisturizer

Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard

Best Men’s Moisturizer  for Type 4 Coily Hair: OKAY Black Jamaican Castor Oil

Best Men’s Styling Product 

The product you trust to hold the style all day long.

Best Men’s Styling Product for All Curl Types: Bevel Daily Hair Styler

Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Uncle Jimmy Curl Kicker

Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Cream Pomade Flex Hold

Best Men’s Styling Product  for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Daily Hair Styler

Best Men’s Beard Product 

Beards need love too.

Best Men’s Beard Product for All Curl Types: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener

Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash for Men

Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener

Best Men’s Beard Product  for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Beard Conditioner

Best Curl Products For Kids

Best Kids Line 

A kids line so good, you sneak it for yourself sometimes.

Best Kids Line for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Kids

Best Kids Line for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Kinder Curls by Curl Keeper

Best Kids Line for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Kids

Best Kids Line for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Kinky, Wavy & Natural for Children

Best Tools for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Hair Styling Tool 

No hair day is too tough for this tool.

Best Hair Styling Tool for All Curl Types: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Hair Pick

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler Tool

Best Hair Dryer

If you’re going to use heat, you only trust one of these dryers for the job.

Best Hair Dryer for All Curl Types: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

Best Hair Dryer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: InfinitiPro by Conair 1875-Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool

Best Hair Dryer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Best Hair Dryer for Type 4 Coily Hair: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

Best Detangling Tool 

Even the tender headed crew doesn’t mind wash-day with help from this detangler. 

Best Detangling Tool for All Curl Types: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood

Best Detangling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Hair Brush for Adults & Kids Hair

Best Detangling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Tangle Teezer NaturallyCurly Brush

Best Detangling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood

Best Diffuser

You could live without this diffuser, but would you want to?

Best Diffuser for All Curl Types: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 3 Curly Hair: The Curly Co Collapsible Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Conair Volumizing Universal Hair Diffuser

General

Best Holy Grail Product 

The only product you keep on auto-subscribe.

Best Holy Grail Product for All Curl Types: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Kinky Curly Knot Today

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion

Best Value Brand 

Even your frugal side is proud when you stock up on this line.

Best Value Brand for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture

Best Value Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Cantu

Best Value Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ecoco

Best Value Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture

Best New Brand

And the best new brand goes to…

Best New Brand for All Curl Types: Pattern Beauty

Best New Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Flawless by GU

Best New Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Donna’s Recipe

Best New Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: Pattern Beauty

Best Blogger

The blogger responsible for your screen time being up last week. 

Best Blogger for All Curl Types: Bianca Renee

Best Blogger for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Manes by Mell

Best Blogger for Type 3 Curly Hair: Bianca Renee

Best Blogger for Type 4 Coily Hair: iamblackgirlcurls

Congratulations to all of the Best of the Best Award winners! We love to see the research and investment in new and innovative products and tools for this community, both from legacy brands as well as the emerging brands on the market. We hope you find your next Holy Grail product amongst these curly-approved Best of the Best winners!

Read next: These NaturallyCurly Best Of The Best Winners Are The OG Holy Grail Curl Products

Curlies are not afraid to experiment for their best curls. We’ve seen kitchen strainers used as diffusers, KY jelly to fight frizz, and now – a pool noodle used for heatless curls. That’s right, your favorite summer pool day floating device could be the key to heatless jumbo curls thanks to this DIY by YouTuber Jonathan Monroe. Here’s how to curl your hair with a pool noodle.

For naturally wavy and curly hair, this method can stretch out your natural curl pattern heatlessly. For naturally straight hair this can act to give volume to the roots and a curl to the ends. It’s cheap (Monroe found his pool noodle at the dollar store for $1.25), it’s heatless, and depending on your hair you may be able to stretch your hair with just four pool noodle curlers. And you’ll be left with large barrel curls like we’ve never seen before.

How to use a pool noodle for heatless waves

What you’ll need:

• A pool noodle
• An old tee shirt you don’t mind cutting up
• Scrunchies

Step 1. Cut up a pool noodle into sections.

Step 2. Cut up a tee shirt, Monroe used a mesh tee. This will be used to hold your curlers in place.

Step 3. Section your hair, securing the top sections up and out of the way so you can focus on the bottom layers of hair first.

Monroe did this on slightly damp hair and did not use any styling product.

Step 4. Take a bottom section and smooth it with a brush. The section can be larger than your typical roller set, as the pool noodles are significantly larger and longer.

Step 5. Roll the section of hair around the pool noodle from the bottom up towards the roots, then secure it at the root by wrapping a piece of your tee shirt around it and tying a scrunchy at the base.

Don’t use a blow dryer to set the curl as you would with traditional curlers, the material of the pool noodle is likely to melt.

Step 6. Repeat with the other sections. Monroe curled his full head of hair in just 4 sections.

Results will likely vary depending on your hair density, width and curl pattern. Monroe’s long curls look to be mostly Type 3A and this method successfully stretched his curls. YouTuber Danica J Thomas had a similar idea three years ago and used a pool noodle to stretch her Type 3B curls. She used a slightly different technique and started with wet hair and found that the method was not able to stretch her roots out and left her with some frizz. She touched up her roots with a blow dryer after removing the pool noodle curlers to finish off her look.

Would you try this pool noodle heatless curling method?

Read next: How To Get TikTok Bathrobe Curls On Wavy Hair

Getting braids installed for hours on end may feel taxing to the customer sitting in the chair, but just imagine the toll it takes on the stylist installing them. We spoke to Swella braid bar Co-Founder Zanbria Asante and Swella Stylist Arkel Washington about the phenomenon of braider burnout, how to combat it, and the exciting new tool being developed to take braids down twice as fast.

What is braider burnout?

“When a stylist is in charge of prepping hair, collecting all the products for the style, installing, and braiding down it causes physical pain” explains Asante. “Braider burnout used to only refer to the physical pain stylists were experiencing, but in today’s world – braider burnout includes the mental toll of doing everything from marketing to braiding hair for hours a day.”

How does braider burnout affect stylists?

Washington: Personally, the most challenging effect of braider burnout for me has to be fatigue, irritability, and forgetting to eat! I’ve noticed that if I stand in the same position for hours on end, my body becomes sore which makes it a bit more challenging to move around during basic activities.  Not to mention the stress that comes from early morning and late nights if you don’t set strict hours. The toughest challenge I will mention is forgetting to eat. Certain styles such as Small Knotless Braids take many hours to complete and I can simply forget to eat during that time.  To fix this, I’ll set a reminder on my phone to stop and have a quick snack such as a granola bar and a drink of water.  This allows my client a chance to rest or stretch for a minute as well.

Asante: The majority of braiders serving customers are having to do everything from prepping hair to installing and braiding. On top of the manual tasks of braiding, they also have to keep their social media up to date and market themselves and their services to gain customers, it’s another job on top of braiding that can be mentally draining. 

Do you have advice for braiders who are currently experiencing burnout? 

Washington: My best advice from experience is to be sure to enjoy more relaxing activities such as massages, meditation, yoga, and more specifically, hand massages. Be sure to set boundaries and get some sleep. Be mindful of simple things you may be missing such as moments with family or even a meal while providing your clients the best service possible.  You can’t pour into your hair community and clients if you’re empty yourself!

What are some practices that have been put in place for the welfare of stylists at Swella? 

Asante: At Swella, we ensure that we’re putting the welfare of our stylists first by leaning into group dynamics. We have Operators that handle all the tasks outside of installing braids. This allows our stylists to focus on just braiding. We offer expedited services with certain styles that take a longer period of time so that stylists have an assistant braider there to help them complete services faster. At Swella we handle everything from marketing to our online booking platform which allows our stylists to just focus on one task. We’re excited to integrate technology such as the Unravl device to automate some of the tedious processes that over time start to cause physical pain to stylists. We aim to increase sustainability amongst our stylists and decrease braider burnout through technology. 

What is the Unravl device and how did you come up with it?

Asante: The Unravl device automates the unbraiding process and makes it 2x quicker to take braids down. I came up with the idea after a long and tiring Friday night in college taking my braids down. I wanted to get my braids re-done the next Saturday morning for an event on Sunday, but I had to take my braids down and wash my hair. I spent about 4.5 hours unraveling my medium-sized braids, and I wasn’t able to go out with my friends, or even eat because I was sitting on my bed taking each individual braid down for the next 4 hours, and this required both of my hands the entire time. I’ve been wearing braids since I was 5 so taking braids down was always a part of the process. But when I was in college, I saw an increase in automation in almost every industry except for the braiding industry. That’s when I had the idea to automate this manual and monotonous task to give people back their time and energy! 

How can braiders get an Unravl device? 

Asante: We plan to roll out the Unravl device by Q1 of 2024. You can join our waitlist on swellabeauty.com. Once you sign up, you’ll be the first to know about the exact date we plan to release the Unravl device!

Read more: Meet Swella, The Black Woman Owned Luxury Braid Bar

“Drybar for Braids..?…What do ya’ll think?” This short group message from Swella CEO and Co-Founder Brooke Hill to her classmates was just the beginning. Together with Co-Founder Zanbria Asante, Brooke Hill has been working to create a one-stop shop for luxury, convenient, and stress-free braiding experiences while building wealth within the community. In September of 2022, the Swella Braid Bar opened in Atlanta, Georgia and it is already changing the way women receive braids and the way braiders operate. We got to ask Hill how they brought this business idea to life.

Check out: 20 Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Add to Your Collection

How was the idea for the Swella born out of your experience in school?

I was sitting in the classroom as a graduate student, reviewing the case study of Drybar. It was 2020, and my class had been recently sanctioned to virtual courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My camera was turned off because I was getting my hair braided during class; I’d like to say this was an unusual occasion, but it wasn’t; receiving braids while working remotely had become a staple in my monthly hair maintenance routine. While the comfort of my home was cool, I longed for something better that didn’t leave long strands of braiding hair on my kitchen floor. The idea of Drybar sounded much more appealing. Without much thought, I swiped through my peers’ faces and realized four of the five black women in my virtual classroom were rocking braids. I immediately messaged them in a group with the words, “Drybar for Braids..?…What do ya’ll think?” Immediately everyone in the text thread agreed this idea should’ve manifested itself yesterday. 

What inspired you to innovate and disrupt both the salon industry and the technology used in it?

Frustration was the start of it all – for myself and my co-founder, Zanbria Asante. I wasn’t asking for much; I wanted safe spaces that served accessible, convenient, and quality braid services. I always say, “If hair braiding impacted everyone like it impacted Black Women, someone would’ve already created technology to improve the process.” My idea was “Drybar for braids,” and I knew more cities than Philadelphia – where I launched our first pop-up – could benefit from the model. I also knew that to be scalable; I had to find a way to make the process more efficient. One of Swella’s investors, Daniel Acheampong, of Visible Hands, introduced me to my now co-founder Zanbria Asante, who was working on integrating robotics to remove monotonous tasks in hair braiding to improve braider lives and make the process more efficient for customers. As soon as I heard about what she was doing, I first thought, “wow, this is genius,” I knew this was exactly what we needed to scale this Drybar for Braids model. We needed technology that would expedite hair braiding. Zanbria was living in Texas at the time, and so I flew up there for a week for us to visualize and manifest all that Swella would become. The rest is history! 

What has the process of building this business looked like from idea to development?

Step 1: Research; Step 2: Test! 

Step 1 was User Interviews. Zanbria and I have interviewed more than 200+ Black Women on their braiding experiences. Having worn braids for more than 20 years, we knew our experiences. Still, I knew it was essential to gather feedback because not everyone’s experiences would match ours. We built Swella to respond to the 200+ Black Women we interviewed. We heard the women we interviewed loud and clear – they wanted a space that allowed them to receive the same quality of braids at the same price but with a better experience in half the time. Step 2 was rolling out our MVP to the market. The MVP was meant to meet the user more than 60% of the way and still be differentiated enough, making us significantly better than any alternative on the market. We re-launched our Drybar for Braids model in Atlanta, Georgia September 7, 2022. By November, we had met capacity and sought ways to turn this pop-up into something permanent. We are now headquartered in Atlanta, GA, at our original location. We started in our space with three chairs dedicated to Swella, roughly 33% of the salon. We now own and manage 100% of the salon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swella Beauty (@swellabeauty)

For other small business owners in our industry, can you talk a bit about what fundraising looked like for you?

On paper, it looks like a scribble, but there is a method and strategy to the madness! I was a member of Visible Hand’s first cohort of entrepreneurs. I got $25K to attempt to launch Swella. Once I proved the business model, Visible Hands gave us a follow-on investment of $150k that allowed us to launch our first braid bar in Atlanta, GA. 

At one point, we were heavily seeking VC – we were on the fundraising bandwagon without really realizing how much we needed. I had a conversation with an LP that changed my perspective one day. He made me realize that sometimes you have to work and show progress with minimal resources so that you can accurately determine how much you need and not fall into fundraising to fundraise and potentially find yourself partnered with firms or individuals who do not have an aligned vision or goals for Swella. 

Fortunately, Swella was blessed to receive several grants, including Africon, Afrotech, The Whitney M Young Venture Competition, Grid 110 + Slauson and Co., and others that have enabled us the funding we need to keep building. We still plan to fundraise actively, but at our stage, we are very picky about who we partner with and we want to ensure that the VCs and angel investors are aligned with our long-term vision for Swella, which is to empower and inspire people with textured hair. We will get there by innovating and creating sustainable business practices; Swella will be a leader in generating wealth for communities of color.

What unique business challenges did you face, and how were you able to overcome them in launching Swella? 

The biggest challenge has been appealing to braid stylists. We are disrupting a space that has primarily existed as a shadow market. We found in our research that if you ask a person wearing box braids where she received them seven times out of ten, her response will not be a salon. Some Swella customers come to us simply because we can provide shampoo services alongside braid services. We are a one-stop shop for braid services, and according to our customers, that is a game-changer. However, if you look from the braiders’ lens – which we attempt to do at Swella often – you realize why this experience never existed. Because many states require you to have a cosmetology license to shampoo and blow-dry hair, Black women turn to braiding as a way to enter the industry without having to jump through legal hoops. Swella says, “hey, as a braider, you can feel confident that we’re providing everything we can to make your job easier. We provide shampoo and blow-dry for your customer. We provide the luxury atmosphere and vibes, for once – all you have to do is show up and perfect your craft of hair braiding.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swella Beauty (@swellabeauty)

You recently opened Swella Braid Bar in Atlanta, what have the first few months been like?

We are so grateful because the Atlanta community has welcomed us! We have more than 50% of our returning customer base, and our braiders love the experience. 

Do you have any advice for other budding entrepreneurs who also want to create a business in an untapped market? 

Research and test. I advise entrepreneurs like myself to become obsessed with the customer and to speak to them! Figure out their needs and desires and then build an imperfect version of the solution and test it. Remember, it is just a test, and you don’t obsess over the test version because it will change based on your insights and learnings – build something. The goal should be to develop and test an MVP that addresses just over 50% of your target markets’ needs.

What can we look forward to from Swella in 2023?

Expansion! We plan to continue to build and test in various markets. Swella Braid Bar, Atlanta, will be our flagship, and we want to continue to serve our customers there. We’re not going anywhere – so please keep us in mind the next time you get that itch to receive braid services. Swella’s got you! 

Read next: How Entrepreneur Gabby Goodwin is Growing Her Beauty Empire at Age 15 

Straight-backs, baby bangs, and buzzcuts – the Met Gala gave us so much more than “Hollywood mermaid waves” this year. And we appreciate the creativity. Scroll for our favorite hairstyles from the 2023 Met Gala, and save your faves for your next wedding, prom, or special occasion.

Quinta Brunson 

Hairstylist Alexander Armand made our formal updo dreams come true with Quinta Brunson’s show-stopping, sculptural updo. Strategic hairpieces and products from Maui Moisture made Brunson’s Met Gala debut a memorable one.

Michaela Cole 

Michaela Cole’s straight-back cornrows are all the prom hairstyle inspo we need this season. 

Imaan Hammam 

Anyone looking for curly bridal hairstyle inspo? Imaan rocked gorgeous, gorgeous curls that stood out against her simple white gown.

Whitney Peak

Finger waves were all over the beige carpet at last night’s Met Gala, and we’re partial to Whitney Peak’s glossy take on the 1920’s hairstyle. 

Adut Akech

Another 1920’s nod with the chic blunt bob, Adut Akech adds an edge with her black lipstick.

Salma Hayek 

Looking to dress up your ponytail for a special occasion? Salma Hayek add red rosettes for a bubble bow style.

Olivia Rodrigo 

Olivia Rodrigo was channeling Audrey Hepburn with her soft baby bangs last night.

Maya Hawke

The wolf cut is everywhere this year, including the Met Gala red carpet. 

Tems

Tems knows how to make a statement on a red carpet, and this feathered headpiece is no exception.

Florence Pugh

Florence’s feathered headpiece certainly had everyone talking, and below it? A freshly shaven buzzcut. We know how empowering it can feel to go short, and we’re excited to see Florence Pugh in this new hair phase.

Rita Ora

Let’s be honest, Rita Ora’s beauty look was really all about the nails. But the waist length waves caught our eye too. 

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid wore a half-up, half-down ponytail – along with many other celebs including Emily Ratajkowski and Anne Hathaway. This wavy take is our favorite.

Erika Woods 

Save Erika Woods’ updo and stunning hair accessory look for your next special occasion or event. 

Maya Penn

Gen Z environmental climate activist Maya Penn caught our attention with a stunning hairstyle by Lacy Redway. Pictured here with Quinta Brunson, Julius Tennon, and Viola Davis.

Quannah Chasinghorse 

Quannah Chasinghorse’s hairstyle by Paul Mitchell Artistic Director Paula Peralta celebrated her indigenous heritage.

Halle Bailey

We’d like a full tutorial from stylist Tinisha “Sparkle” Meeks on the magic behind this hairstyle.

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X was completely encrusted in silver body paint and rhinestones – except for his hair. Which naturally, we love. 

Lizzo 

Lizzo’s stylist Shelby Swain paired an updo with the Lush Wig Hair Trainer and customized hair pieces with spiked micro-bangs. 

Gabrielle Union 

Gabrielle Union wore waist-length goddess braids, a popular style in the NC community.

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae’s super tall, structural top knot by celebrity hairstylist Nikki Nelms was inspired by her exaggerated tweed tuxedo. Nelms used the Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Blend Super Hold Edge Gel to get those edges laid down.

Julia Garner 

It’s rare to see natural waves on the red carpet – they’re so often heat styled beyond recognition. That’s why we love to see Julia Garner’s naturally wavy pixie at none other than the Met Gala.

FKA Twigs 

Stylist Louis Souvestre created art with FKA Twigs’ intricate, sculptured updo. 

Ice Spice

The signature ginger curls were pressed straight for Ice Spice’s debut at the Met Gala. We love the way the color pops against her white dress.

Amanda Seyfreid

Amanda Seyfreid gave us all the volume with her 70’s inspired disco waves. 

Cardi B 

Cardi B wore not one, but two completely different outfits and hairstyles to the Met Gala last night. One featured an auburn red low bun and the second was a silver 60’s inspired look with a headband. Which was your favorite?

Teyana Taylor 

Expect to see more of the pixie mullet now that Teyana Taylor brought it to the Met Gala.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer’s voluminous Hollywood hairstyle was the perfect accompaniment to her Sergio Hudson tweed gown.

Men with Braids

It’s not just about the ladies, we’re here for all  the men with braids at the Met Gala.

Trevor Noah 

Trevor Noah in straight back cornrows.

Pusha T 

Maluma

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

He wasn’t named the most stylish player in the NBA for nothing. 

A$AP Rocky

Closing out with A$AP Rocky, who shut down the Met Gala carpet alongside Rihanna with their late arrival. It did not disappoint.

Which were your favorite hairstyles at the Met Gala?

When you find a Holy Grail product that actually works, you want to shout it from the rooftops – and this is your chance to do just that! Make your wavy, curly, or coily opinion known by voting on NaturalyCurly’s Best of the Best 2023 poll. 

What are the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards?

Every year NaturallyCurly.com, the leading resource for natural and textured hair for over 20 years, polls the community for your favorite hair care products of the year. Thousands of community members vote and the winners receive NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards.

What sets Best of the Best apart from other beauty awards?

Our awards give you the opportunity to vote on products that work for your unique curl pattern, whether you have waves, curls, coils or locs. And this year, we’ve expanded our survey to be even more inclusive with new categories for men and kids’ products too. 

If you’ve been transitioning or building yourself a healthy hair routine, you know it can take a whole lot of trial and a whole lot of error. But when you find that Holy Grail, victory is so sweet. The Best of the Best Awards are an opportunity to share your Holy Grail products with others in the community and give well-deserved recognition to the brands who’ve earned your trust.

Is there a conditioner so good you buy it in bulk? An all-in-one styling creme that holds and moisturizes without leaving a heavy residue? A product your braids and twists stay thirsty for? We want to know! And your fellow curlfriends do too. 

Vote in the 2023 Best of the Best Poll

Voting is open now and polls close on Friday, May 17.

If you’ve tried and loved the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil – yes that hair oil that everyone’s been talking about – we thought you might like to know there’s more where that came from. 

You can get the amazing benefits of rosemary oil for hair growth from shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and even edge gels. If you’ve been curious to see for yourself whether this hair growth product lives up to the hype, or if it’s been sold out at your local retailers, here are even more ways to get the benefits of rosemary for your hair.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Collection

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil 

The hair oil everyone is talking about. The Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is a multi-use product that can be applied to soothe and nourish the scalp, as a hot oil deep treatment, or as a split end treatment. See why NaturallyCurly readers voted this the Best Hair Growth Product for Type 3, Type 4 and All Hair Types. 

Read more: My Review of the Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint MultiVitamin Daily Styling Creme

Get the benefits of rosemary and mint benefits from everyone’s favorite hair oil in the form of a styler. This double-duty gel cream has a lightweight formula that can be used daily on twist-outs, braid-outs, and wash-and-go styles. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

For those who love that scalp-tingling feeling. This shampoo was made to gently cleanse your scalp while protecting and strengthening your hair to bring weak or brittle hair back from the brink.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque

Treat your curls to some extra TLC with this biotin-infused masque. This nutrient-rich formula is packed with natural and organic ingredients like rosemary, mentha oil, honey, and coconut oil for strength and moisture. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel 

Voted the Best of the Best Edge Control by NaturallyCurly readers for Type 3 Curls and All Hair Types. This gel achieves healthy hold for delicate edges, along with that popular rosemary mint scent. 

More Rosemary Oil Products

Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil

This formula combines the potent hair growth benefits of Jamaican black castor oil with rosemary oil. And if the smell of JBCO is usually too strong for you, the light fragrance of rosemary makes this one more palatable.

Bloom Health Goods Rice Water & Brewed Rosemary Spray

Yao women of southern China have been rinsing their hair with fermented rice water for centuries for longer, healthier hair. This product combines rice water with rosemary oil to soothe scalp itchiness and promote healthy hair growth.

PURA D’OR Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner

The plant-based formula of this anti-hair thinning shampoo and conditioner contains herbal DHT blockers like nettle extract, as well as more popular curly ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera, and tea tree oil – along with rosemary oil.

Dominican Magic Revitalizing Hair Mask

Have you been meaning to add a hair mask to your regimen? Try this revitalizing hair mask that has restorative ingredients aloe vera and rosemary extracts. It’s ideal for dry, processed hair to improve moisture and length retention.

Camille Rose Rosemary Scalp Hair Treatment

Improve circulation and soothe your scalp with Camille Rose’s Rosemary Scalp Hair Treatment. Cleansing is a key step for any hair growth regimen.

Sunny Isle Rosemary Mint Hair and Strong Roots Oil

This rosemary mint oil in a dropper is ideal for protective hairstyles, weaves, locs and braids. Sunny Isle’s Double Growth formula is infused with their popular Jamaican Black Castor Oil as well as hair growth ingredient Biotin.

Honey Baby Naturals Really Hold It Honey Intense Hold Styling Gel

Shopping for a curly kid? Honey Baby Naturals has products for curly kids that the whole family will love. Use this gel on edges, ponytails, sleek buns, or for creating curl definition. The honey and rosemary in this formula helps keep curls hydrated.

OBIA Naturals Babassu Detangling Conditioner

Don’t let knots and breakage keep you from reaching your hair growth goals. This detangler is formulated with vegan, PH balanced and natural ingredients to nourish your hair and repair elasticity while you detangle.

Pure Rosemary Essential Oil

If you’re a DIY natural, you can always create your own oil treatment with rosemary essential oil. As with any essential oil, it is very potent so be sure to dilute this appropriately with a carrier oil before applying it. And be mindful that a little goes a long way when it comes to essential oil. 

TXTR by Cantu Oil + Vitamins Scalp Saver

This blend of vitamins, extracts, essential and natural oils comes in a convenient nozzle to be applied directly at the roots. This treatment offers relief for people with eczema-related dryness and chronic dry, itchy scalp.

A surprising acquisition amid recent TikTok drama, has long-time Mielle Organics enthusiasts concerned about the integrity of the products in the future.

Late December, Alix Earle included Mielle’s best-selling Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil in a video roundup claiming she saw “tremendous hair growth” in just a month. Then on January 11, Mielle Organics announced it will be joining P&G Beauty, the company behind Pantene, Always, Crest and many other well-known brands. Between the TikTok drama and acquisition news, many fans of the hair brand have voiced concerns of changing formulation, increased prices, or textured hair no longer being centered in the marketing. But are these concerns all a result of the viral video and Amazon price-gauging, or are these anxieties emblematic of something deeper happening in the Black hair market?

The Mielle Oil TikTok Controversy

Let’s start with the fact that this hair oil isn’t new. The $10 oil won the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Hair Growth Product Award in three categories in 2021 (for Type 3, Type 4, and All Hair Types”>, and community members have reported it being difficult to find even before Alix Earle’s Amazon list (it also went viral on TikTok last year after several Black women showed their rapid hair growth”>. The oil launched in 2018 after Monique Rodriguez, co- founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, noticed there was a gap in the market: a product that stimulated growth for women with textured hair.

Now onto the controversy…

Products created for textured hair, especially products that work for your specific hair porosity and goals, have always been limited and difficult to find, unlike products for straighter textures. This is compounded by the fact that funding and support for Black-owned Businesses is highly disproportionate to their white-counterparts (Black women receive less than 0.35 percent of all VC funding“>. For many long-time fans of Mielle Organics, seeing white women talk about this “hair growth hack” on TikTok feels like the colonization of the “ethnic” hair aisle. Like all Mielle Organics products, the oil description outlines that they are products for Black hair: “Use it on protective styles, including braids and weaves.” The viral GRWM video with over 5 million views now, sparked a larger conversation on Black products and gatekeeping, particularly Black-owned hair brands and products tailored to Black hair. Though not a new conversation, the combination of mega influencers (Earle has more than 3 million followers”>, viral TikTok products, and the ease to which consumers can buy these recommended products, has led to products selling out within minutes. And while this new age digital phenomena is not exclusive to white influencers sharing beloved natural hair products, the dynamics are worthy of taking a closer look at.

Perspective 1:

@hoodocomedy #stitch with @kellyannestone #greenscreen mielle controversy #fyp #funny #funnyvideos #blacktiktok #mielleorganics ♬ original sound – hoodo

Perspective 2:

@kita.io #stitch with @ronelle__ ♬ original sound – Kita iO

Perspective 3:

@lenabeanchats Not too much on my makeup routine, I do the same thing everyday? #mielleorganics #miellehairoil #rosemaryoil #alixearle #miellerosemarymintoil #smallbusiness ♬ original sound – Olena

Whatever your opinion on the matter, what’s clear is that Mielle Organics, now a part of P&G, has a new opportunity to reach a wider market and will now need to find ways to meet the increased demand of their product.

Mielle Organics Joining P&G

On January 2 Monique Rodriguez put out a statement that there were no plans to change the Rosemary Mint & Oil formula. The news that Mielle would become a part of P&G came just over a week later.

,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% – 2px”>; width:calc(100% – 2px”>;”>

” fill=”#000000″>

View this post on Instagram

translateY(7px”>;”>

translateX(3px”> translateY(1px”>; width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;”>

translateY(-18px”>;”>

translateY(-4px”> rotate(30deg”>”>

;”>

;”>

translateX(8px”>;”>

A post shared by Mielle Organics LLC (@mielleorganics”>

While product reformulation isn’t unheard of after an acquisition, (looking at you Shea Moisture and Unilever”>, that doesn’t appear to be the plan here. “This partnership gives Mielle an opportunity to serve more textured hair consumers with the great products and formulas that our community loves.” – Monique Rodriguez, co-founder and CEO in the January 11 press release. The release also indicates that Mielle Organics will still be led by founders Moniquee and Melvin Rodriguez who serve as the brands CEO and COO. In a more personal message on Instagram to the OG Mielle Organics fans, whom Monique calls “Mavens and Mavericks,” Monique shared “This is a historic move for black women founders, and I want to continue to keep inspiring and showing the way. I will continue leading the vision forward with Mielle and better serving our customers. Please listen to this message in its entirety!! This is my heartfelt letter to my mavens and mavericks. I love all of you and will never turn my back on you.. this is just the beginning only up from here!! Queen of Hair ???” For many in the natural hair community, watching a favorite Black-owned brand merge with a larger company is an emotional experience. “Please make sure they don’t change your product!” was the sentiment from many black consumers on Instagram. “I’m happy for you and please don’t let them change the formula. It has happened to every single black hair care line you’re one of the last product lines that work for my hair” one comment read. Brand enthusiasts under Moniques Instagram video expressed this uncertainty in the comment section, but Monique has continued to affirm that Mielle’s formulas will not change.

Gatekeeping Black Products

So, should the natural hair community start gatekeeping products? Or is this newfound virality of textured hair products and styling a win for the Natural hair market and industry? It might be too early to tell. In 2017, SheaMoisture notably fell out of favor with many Black consumers after a brand campaign that failed to feature any women with 4C hair. The brand faced further critique from their original black fan base for changing the formulas to suit straighter hair textures. While I, and even the most spirited vloggers on TikTok don’t have a concrete answer, it’s important to consider that Mielle Organics, and the rosemary mint scalp and hair strengthening oil is a product meant for black and textured hair. It is a product that black women have used and can count on to work for them, when most aisles are filled with products that won’t. The oil, meant to be used on your scalp, is infused with more than 30 essential oils including biotin and castor oil, vitamins known to help prevent hair loss — and are especially popular ingredients in the natural hair community to protect hair from breakage and while using protective styles like braids and weaves. Styles that non-black communities are not acquainted with. And while the TikTok jokes about gatekeeping black products by saying the Mielle oil made them bald have merit, the main issue is a systemic one. There shouldn’t be a lack of investment in Black women. Black hairfluencers should be receiving as much attention and brand deals as other influencers. And most of all, credit needs to be given to black people for trends like oiling your scalp, braided tendrils, and the “clean girl look.” Do your research before you come to TikTok bragging about a new trend or product that black people found or created first, and then you can try and promote products in a more respectful way. Lastly, while the oil can be used by various hair types and/or races, hair specialists always recommend finding and using products that work for your personal porosity level, your hair health, your density and width, and your texture type. We recommend researching the products and ingredients and testing what works on your hair, rather than blindly buying products recommended by people on social media who have a different hair type to you. What’s your take, is Mielle for everyone?

With so many curl products on the market these days, you know a product really works when you finish the whole bottle and buy it again, and again, and again.

These are the products that the SHOPNaturallyCurly community purchased (and re-purchased”> the most in 2022. From must-have hair tools to multi-tasking stylers and cleansers that won’t strip your curls dry, these are the hard-working products that got the job done.

All of these are available on SHOPNaturallyCurly, where you can get free domestic US Shipping for all orders of $50 or more!

22. Hair Remedie Frizz Eliminating Towel 

Have you ever used a microfiber towel that was simply too small for your long or thick hair? Same. Well the Hair Remedie towel is a generous 39 inches across and 25 inches wide, and its multi-layer, patent-pending design helps faster without the frizz or damage.

21. The Mane Choice Peach Black Tea & Vitamin Fusion Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Shampoo

If you’ve been wondering “is it normal to shed this much hair in the shower?” then you may be interested in this anti-shedding cleanser. It cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping it, and was formulated to promote scalp health. 

Read next: Hair Loss vs. Hair Shedding for Natural Hair

20. Kaleidoscope Miracle Drops

Kaleidoscope Hair Products was one of the most talked-about brands of 2022, and their best seller is the Miracle Drops. This hair oil is formulated to combat dry scalp and aid in hair growth. 

19. Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter 

If you’re not familiar with Camille Rose, it’s time to acquaint yourself with this must-know brand. It appears no less than three times on this list. This Coconut Water Style Setter is a moisturizing styler that can be used on twist outs, wash n go’s, roller sets, and more.

18. Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter

Camille Rose Naturals once again with a Twisting Butter that has won NaturallyCurly’s community-voted Best of the Best Awards multiple years in a row. 

17. AG Hair Beach Bomb Tousled Texture 

It’s not always easy to find styling products that will give Type 2 Waves hold and definition without weighing them down. This Beach Bomb does the trick, making it a NaturallyCurly Editors’ Choice Award winner. 

16. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel 

Flaxseed is a star ingredient for DIY naturals, but if you’re not the DIY gel type then this Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel is the styler for you. 

15. Curl Junkie Curl Queen Leave-In Conditioner

Moisturizing and lightweight is a much sought after combination in curl products, and this water-based leave-in conditioner ticks the boxes. 

14. Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil 

This blend of Ayurvedic botanical ingredients has won both the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best and Editors’ Choice awards for its nourishing properties and 100% natural ingredients. 

13. Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Original 

You know a product has reached Holy Grail status when the 1 liter bottle is a top seller. Curlies get their bang for their buck with this water-based frizz fighting styler. 

12. Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream 

If you like your curls to look natural and voluminous without the crunch, give this styling cream a try. This Latina-owned brand is one to watch in 2023 and beyond. 

11. Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil 

You’ve likely seen this oil making the TikTok rounds for its hair growth properties and for being hard to find – lucky for you it’s available and authenticated on SHOPNaturallyCurly now. 

10. LONG AID Curl Activator Gel for Extra Dry Hair 

Another best selling product in large-size packaging (32 ounces!”>. Water, aloe vera gel, and glycerin are the top three ingredients in this popular curl gel. 

9. Botanika Beauty The Mendor 

If you’re in need of a protein treatment this season, curlies use this unique protein-enriched formula for restoring damaged and weakened hair. 

8. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker Marshmallow and Agave Leaf Extract 

This curling jelly is a moisturizing styler made to give you moisture and definition without the hard cast. You can dial up the definition by cocktailing it with stronger hold products. 

7. Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Un-Tangle Me

Looking for an effective detangler with all the slip? This weightless leave-in contains some of our favorite slippery ingredients like Slippery Elm and Marshmallow Root.

6. Dippity-Do Girls with Curls Curl Boosting Mousse 

Achieve lift, body and bounce to your curls with this lightweight mousse. For extra lift, apply this to hair when wet and then diffuse to dry. 

5. KinkyCurly Spiral Spritz

This Curly Girl-friendly styling product lightweight and aloe-based and can be used to style freshly washed or second day curls. 

4. The Doux One Love CoWash 

Gently cleanse, detangle, and deep condition with just one product. We love a hardworking multi-tasker in our curl regimen. 

3. Dippity-Do Girls with Curls Curl Shaping Gelee

The original curl setting gel continues to be one of the top three best selling products of the year. It’s CG-friendly and less than $8, what more could you ask for?

Read next: Top 20 CG Approved Drugstore Products Under $10

2. KinkyCurly Curling Custard

KinkyCurly took the top two spots of our top sellers list this year. So if this Curling Custard is your first time trying this brand, you can feel fairly confident that it won’t be your last. 

1. KinkyCurly Knot Today 

And coming in at number one is KinkyCurly Knot Today. We can’t say we’re surprised, this product has been winning NaturallyCurly’s awards for years. This multi-use leave-in and detangling product will help you resolve your worst snarles and tangles. 

What was your star product of 2022? Share your new discoveries or tried and true Holy Grails in the comments!

Read next: 12 Curly Girl Method Approved Curl Creams for Every Curl Pattern

The NaturallyCurly Leaders in Curl interview series highlights the people and the brands that are redefining the beauty industry – one curl at a time. Curly girls have traditionally been marketed and sold tools and products to tame, loosen and straighten our curls. The curly product industry has expanded exponentially since NaturallyCurly launched in 1998, with creams, sprays and treatments now being made for every curl concern you can think of. But tools have in large part stayed the same, often employing high heat to manipulate textured hair into submission. Dawn Myers, Founder of Richualist, is working to change that. Richualist’s tool is called The Mint, “technology for textured hair.” The Mint is a wand with bristles that was engineered to detangle and distribute product evenly throughout curls and coils for a faster and easier wash and go. We spoke to Myers about how this product idea came to be, and what it has taken to bring it to fruition.

Most of the styling tools we see in the hair industry are related to heat styling and straightening, so we were thrilled to see that your tool is specific to styling curls! Can you tell us about The Mint?

Of course! it is my absolute pleasure to introduce our all-in-one curl hydrator and styler, The Mint! The Mint cuts the time and effort required to style textured hair by simultaneously detangling, conditioning your favorite curl creams and gels, and applying that product to get you quick, easy, consistent results. Our tech turns on our styling pods – kind of like Keurig K-cups, except they gently warm and distribute your favorite curl creams and gels for maximum product penetration and augmented hair health. Further, our compact design and TSA compliant pods make this static process ultra portable. Now we can style at the gym, on travel, out of the country, or wherever our dynamic lives take us. We all know that we are supposed to perform heated product treatments, but few of us have time for an extra step in an already cumbersome process. Gently warming your curl products doesn’t just get healthier results, it also helps cut down on time and product use. On average The Mint cuts styling time IN HALF for our users. We have also made this product highly tailorable with interchangeable bristle options and an optional double sided construction so your Mint works like it was made just for you. It works just as well on TWAs and transitioning curlies. It’s super gentle and designed to minimize shedding. We’ve literally thought of every pain point in a curly girl’s routine and solved for it!

What hair types would this work best for?

The Mint works best on Type 3 and Type 4 curls and kinks. Any person who spends more than 30 minutes or uses more than a couple ounces of product each wash day can benefit from the time savings and product savings The Mint offers. While all porosity levels can benefit from the application of gentle warmth during the styling process, users with low porosity hair will see a marked difference in hair health and product absorption on day 1.  

For heat-averse curlies, can you talk about the way this tool utilizes heat differently than what we’re used to seeing?

Our tools leverage heat differently. The Mint’s warming function is designed to be ultra safe for curls. Other hair appliances (think flat irons, curling irons, and hot combs”> weaken bonds and destroy natural curl patterns with excessive heat. We have collaborated with industry experts to figure out the optimal heat point to open up the cuticle and achieve maximum product penetration without damaging the hair cuticle. Heat isn’t the only game changing innovation this tool offers. The Mint cuts down styling time at home and is compact and portable for styling on-the-go. Removable product cartridges are easy to transport, which means you can quickly and easily style whether at the gym, leaving work, or on travel. The Mint is super compact, so you can carry it in your tote, gym bag, or carry-on. We have taken all the elements of your styling routine and rolled them up into one beautifully designed unit so that your busy life doesn’t have to revolve around your hair.

What has the process of building this tool looked like from idea to development?

Development has been a 5 year winding road of intellectual property development, research, engineering, testing, re-engineering, team building, fundraising, and manufacturing. Our progress has really followed the prototypical founder’s journey. I really struggled with maintaining my natural hair between work and athletic activities. I just really needed help and the help didn’t exist on the market. I thought about what kind of widget might solve my problems and I immediately went out to Ace hardware and CVS, picked up supplies (glue guns, soldering irons, combs, brushes, etc.”>, and built a very early prototype. That very early prototype was a mess – it looked like Frankenstein if Frankenstein were a hair tool – but it was enough to perform some early testing, get some early prospective customer feedback, and see that there was something here. From there, I started getting on the train from DC to NYC to meet with executives from various corporations to understand the landscape. The smartest thing I did was doing some of the early engineering off-shore. Engineering in the states can be super polished and precise but SUPER expensive, and the early ideation phases require a lot of time and variable testing. By the time I had done a few accelerators and secured major funding, I already had IP and the basic engineering in place, which saved us a ton of money in the long run. We were lucky enough to fundraise and be able to partner with an amazing NYC-based engineering firm called Tomorrow Lab. They were so determined to get this right for our customer, and they knocked it out of the park! We established a partnership with Dow, a major global manufacturer, and they helped us test and ready our product for launch. Now that we’re launched, we’re just elated to get actual feedback from customers. I’m blown away every single time a user’s eyes light us when they try it for the first time. The road has been long, but it’s worth it to get results.

For other small business owners in our industry, can you talk a bit about what fundraising looked like for you?

Tech-enabled products are notoriously capital intensive and logistically involved, so we knew that our company would be a hard sell to investors. Furthermore, our technology solves a huge problem, but that problem isn’t very visible to most funders. Many companies with a similarly big vision are looking for big checks from funders in the early stages of development. We knew that was a less realistic prospect for us, so we took an incremental approach that helped us build credibility, expertise, and ecosystem support over time. We started with pitch competitions where we won small checks that sustained us in those early days of development. We put on community events where we encouraged our friends and family to support with investments or in-kind contributions. We then moved on to accelerator programs where the checks and expertise were more robust. With the headwinds from accelerators and ecosystem supporters, we negotiated partnerships with massive companies in the space. While this approach took more time, it gave us space and an army of supporters who helped us learn the practice of product development, engineering, intellectual property, and company governance. These learnings and this accumulation of support positioned us for more substantive investments from venture investors. Building physical products is a magic. We can make our very own solutions to our communities’ biggest problems and improve the quality of life of people we care about through ingenuity and innovation. But building tech-enabled products is a complicated undertaking, and most companies in this space fail. It’s a super power to be able to ignore the pressure to grow fast and lean into a more strategic approach. There are so few tech tools that solve pain points for textured hair care, and I am excited to see this massive white space filled in by the ingenuity of women in our community!

What unique business challenges did you face, and how were you able to overcome them in launching this product?

There were so many challenges, but the hardest obstacle was getting investors and partners to value and understand this customer’s problem. As you can imagine, the vast majority of decision makers and key contractors in this space are men who have never encountered a 4-hour wash day. We had to do a lot of education – videos, customer interviews, demonstrations and so on – to convince investors and partners to take us on. Then we had to devise our own data gathering and scientific experiments to fill in the massive gaps in information around the needs of textured hair. Industry reports simply do not contain adequately nuanced information around our hair type, so we had to create our own data sets to inform design. The list of obstacles never ends, but what’s important is that we maintained focus on the needs of the curly girls and women we serve. That focus informed every major business decision and helped up navigate the endless red tape to get to market.

How do you see your brand expanding beyond the launch of The Mint?

Our first order of business is expanding our liquid product partnerships so that our customers can access all of their favorite brands and products through our pod subscriptions. We want to make everything about washday more convenient, including sourcing and replenishing your product stash. Beyond product partnerships, we are in the early stages of developing even more innovative product designs that can arm our customers with information and a data feedback loop to monitor hair health and recommended routines and products for their hair type, pain points, and hair condition. This is just the beginning and we are so excited for customers to be a part of our journey.

Where can our readers buy it?

Visit us at www.richualist.com … and subscribe for tips, styling tricks, and discounts! Read next: How Young King Hair Care is Bridging the Curly Industry Gap for Young Black and Brown Men

Photo courtesy of @havuni

If your hair is fine or low in density it can dry like a wet blanket, close to our head without the lift and volume we see with other curls. Luckily there are some tricks that fine haired curlies and anyone looking to amp up the volume have in their toolboxes. You may find that in the pursuit of bigger hair, you have to accept some of the frizz that comes with separating your perfectly clumped curls – it’s all about the look you’re ultimately going for.

1. Clarify your hair

If your hair is forever flat at the roots, it may be weighed down by product buildup from your moisturizers and stylers or residue from hard water. The first step in the pursuit of volume is to clarify and remove anything that’s holding you down. The Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo is a classic clarifier in the curly community, and I’ve found that it really does help me in my volumizing routine. Another great volumizing shampoo I’ve tried is the Eprouvage Gentle Volume Shampoo. I’ll usually use a clarifier once every week or two, but you may find that clarifying once a month or less works best for your hair type and lifestyle. Here are a few more clarifying shampoos that are gentle enough for curly hair.

2. Rinse upside down

I discovered this tip by accident while washing my hair in a sink, but it really does help me achieve more lift at my roots. By tipping my head forward and allowing the water to run over my roots in the shower, my curls start to clump and form pointing up, instead of flat to my head. I like to apply my conditioner, flip forward, and comb the conditioner through with a wide tooth comb, then rinse.

3. Clip at the roots

Clipping at the roots is a widely used technique in the curly community. While this technique may be intimidating to the beginner, I’ve heard it best described by curl stylist Brianne Prince, who calls it “O Clipping” due to the shape your arm makes when inserting the clip, “I have so many clients that come in and tell me that they have tried clipping in the past and just couldn’t get the hang of it. Usually the reasons why are that they are using the wrong type of clip for their hair or that they are attempting to clip at an awkward angle.” To clip, after applying your styler or refreshing your curls:

1. Lean out to one side, this makes your hair is hang off of your scalp, which is very important 
2. Grab a small section of hair (less than an inch”>
3. Create an O around your head with your arm, and insert the clip with the “mouth” of the clip facing away from your roots
4. Leave them in for 10-20 minutes, then carefully remove

See a full clipping tutorial with photos and videos here.

4. Use mousse

I recently rediscovered mousse thanks to curl stylist Brooke Michie, owner of Lyric Salon in Austin, Texas. She made me reconsider mousse when she used it in Grace’s wavy hair transformation. She likes DevaCurl’s Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam because “it’s alcohol-free and lightweight, and the airy formula helps give your roots lift and volume – especially for fine or looser textured hair.”

Photo courtesy of @makaylamclovin

5. Diffuse

If I really want my hair to have volume, then I absolutely have to diffuse. Air drying is fine for my curl definition, but it doesn’t give me the bouncy volume that a diffuser can. For an extra boost, flip your head upside down (a common theme”> and diffuse upside down, switching your part from side to side so that it doesn’t set in one direction.

6. Fluff with your fingers

I learned this technique from NaturallyCurly’s Co-Founder Michelle Breyer. At various moments throughout the day, you can see us at our desks, heads flipped forward, fluffing our roots out to make our hair bigger. As Michelle says “big hair is the new long hair.”

7. Use root lifting products

I don’t place a lot of stock in “volumizing products” because nothing can actually make the strands of your hair wider, but there are some products that do help me achieve the appearance of greater volume. In my experience, the best products for this are the ones that add hold and stiffness to the roots so that they don’t dry flat to my head. EvaNYC has a powder with a unique candy floss consistency that works well on dry roots. SheaMoisture’s Dragon’s Blood & Coffee Cherry Volume & Lifting Spray is one of the few products that I have sprayed on my roots that doesn’t weigh them down, and Brooke Michie also recommends using the DevaCurl Mousse all the way up to the roots.

8. Tease with a pick

This tool may typically be used by tighter, coilier curl patterns, but curlies of all shapes and sizes can benefit from picking out their hair from time to time. If you have looser curls or waves, you can use the pick by placing it close to the ends and pushing the hair up towards the roots a few inches, then repeating on different sections around the head. If you have tighter curls or coils, you can insert the pick at the roots and then pull gently towards the ends a few inches, to loosen up the curls closest to your head. Just be sure to be gentle with your curls when using this method, as you don’t want to over-manipulate or cause breakage with the pick. Check out this article for a tutorial on using a pick for more volume at your roots.

9. Get a haircut

If your hair is long and hasn’t been trimmed in months, then the length of your hair may be working against you. I can’t overemphasize the impact a proper curly cut from an experienced texture stylist can have on the shape of your curls. I’ve definitely experienced times when my hair stopped responding to all of my usual tips and tricks, but once I got a trim they were back to bouncy and defined. A stylist will also be able to advise you on your specific curl pattern, density, width and length. These tips are a broad starting off point, but a personal consultation with a stylist who can see and feel your curls would be invaluable.

Optional last resort:

As someone who has suffered bleach damage, I don’t recommend this lightly; however, there have been those with very fine hair who find that lightening their hair gives them the extra volume that they seek. Bleach does raise the cuticle, which could appear like fuller hair. The trade-off here is that bleach also damages your hair and loosens your curls, and this damage is generally irreversible. It all depends on your priorities. If your hair health and curl definition are a higher priority, then give this a pass. If you’re seeking more volume at the risk of your ringlets, then consult a colorist for their professional opinion on what your individual hair can take.

NaturallyCurly World: Have you found any tricks for bigger hair? Share yours in the comments!

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

Growing up with curly hair was difficult, I have a lot of hair and it was very hard to detangle because it was so dry and not very well taken care of.

I was using products not meant for my hair and it was damaged from heat styling. I was constantly being told to “just brush it” when I would wear it natural, and whenever I would straighten it people would gush on how much better my hair looked. So, I created negative associations with my natural hair, and positive ones with my straight hair.

Also, back in 2009 when I first started transitioning, we had VERY limited options for curly hair education and products, I was kind of winging it and experimenting constantly. Now I think it’s incredible how many resources and product options are available, making wearing your hair natural so much more accessible.

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?

I started growing my hair out and at the time and my curls looked more like waves from all the heat damage from straightening – but I was starting to really like the way my waves were looking, I was dabbling more in the natural hair section at Target, and would get compliments on the waves. It inspired me to stop straightening and look into how to take care of my hair.

I started growing my hair out and at the time and my curls looked more like waves from all the heat damage from straightening – but I was starting to really like the way my waves were looking

What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?

The most amazing thing is getting messages and comments on instagram from people saying that they’ve been inspired to start their curly hair journey and wearing their hair natural, I think that’s just the coolest thing. It’s an amazing feeling to see progress after all the hard work you put into getting your hair healthy again.

What is your curl pattern?

Type 3a

How do you protect your curls at night?

Satin Pillow Case, “Pineapple” and sometimes a bonnet

Who is your curl crush?

Ayesha Malik and Penny Tovar raised me. Recently, I’ve been obsessed with Mell from Manes by Mell, and Merian the founder of Bounce Curl.

What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?

Gel and a really good detangling brush (Tangle Teezer or biggie brush from Crave Naturals”>

What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?

Cleansing:

I wash my hair 2-3x per week.

Conditioning:

I try to do a deep conditioner at least weekly – my favorites are the Bread Beauty Supply Deep Conditioner and the Miche Beauty Indugle Deep Conditioner.

I also try to do detox treatment to remove build up about 2-3x per month my favorite is the Bounce Curl Tumeric Detox Mask.

Styling:

I start with a hydrating product either a leave in or styling cream, I love the Kinky Curly Leave in Conditioner, and the Bounce Curl Avocado and Rose Oil Defining Cream.

Then, I always usually use TWO gels – one being a softer hold usually protein free, and the second being a stronger hold protein rich gel. My favorite protein free gels are the Kinky Curly Curling Custard and the Jessicurl Spiralicious gel, and for the stronger hold gel my holy grail is the Not Your Mothers Curl Talk Gel – it’s so good if your hair likes protein!

What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?

Learning what products to use! Now especially it can be overwhelming because there’s so many options, and it’s important to remember that someone else’s routine might not work for you, and that’s ok.

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?

I am pretty religious about deep conditioning/masking at LEAST once a week, sometimes more, and making sure I do a detox treatment at least once a month. I feel like it really helps with the quality of my hair and scalp.

What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?

If you’re in the middle of transitioning it can difficult because there’s definitely an awkward stage were your hair might not be looking so hot – don’t give up! It takes time, for me it took several years to get it right, but once you do it’s so worth it!

You can follow along with Ashley’s journey at @fris.ee on Instagram. 

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

If you’ve been in the curly world for a while then you are no stranger to the general curly hair advice for avoiding frizz: shampooing less often, moisturizing more, and avoiding damaging habits like heat styling our hair. But sometimes we have specific questions for persistent issues like frizz that just won’t quit, no matter what you do. We received this question from a NaturallyCurly reader and to help answer it we’re bringing in heavy-hitting curl experts to share their insights on possible frizz fixes. 

QUESTION

My 3c/4a hair is completely frizzy with no definition when wet, and always frizzy, why?

“I have 3c/ 4a hair and I have been CG [following the Curly Girl Method] for almost a year. I co-wash, deep condition with heat and style my hair once a week, faithfully. My hair is always, I mean always, frizzy. So frizzy that even after styling it with loads of gel to tame the frizz, the very next day it is frizzy all over again, as if I never used all that gel the day before and on top of all the gel I put on the previous day I have to load it with more gel every day until wash day. When I style I use the LCO method. Then when I wet my hair, it is so frizzy when wet. I see girls who wet their hair and their curls looks so defined but when my hair is wet there is barely any definition and massive frizz, when soaking wet :(. I don’t understand. I thought it might have been build up but I clarified my hair last week and same frizz. This is becoming very very frustrating and I hate having to use so much gel everyday. My hair is low porosity and I stick to shea moisture coconut and hibiscus line for my whole regimen. Can anyone please help me figure out the problem? 🙁 Also even after a protein treatment, same frizz. Any advice would be greatly appreciated…on day 1 my curls are nice and defined, every day after that frizz. my curl pattern is the same as Christina’s from maneobjective.com” 

ANSWER

1. Make sure to remove buildup

Frizz can be the result of product buildup, and it is possible the clarifier you recently used did not contain surfactants powerful enough to do the job. According to Rhonda Marshall, a Chemist, Educator, and the Founder of Inahsi Naturals, even common clarifiers like apple cider vinegar can leave product buildup behind that contributes to frizz.

“Apple Cider Vinegar is a weak acid which will remove some product and close the cuticle which will reflect light, which in turn will give shine. But to remove conditioners, gels, mousse, and oils/butters which are positively charged designed to stick to the hair, you need a clarifying shampoo that contains anionic (negatively charged”> surfactant like Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate which is a key ingredient in our Soothing Mint Clarifying Shampoo.” As this reader co-washes, Marshall suggests she “alternate between the cowash and the gentle cleansing shampoo. Adding a gentle cleansing shampoo will provide better cleansing to remove oil, dirt, and product without stripping… Not using a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and hard water will definitely lead to frizz.”

2. Use more water when applying product

You described applying loads of gel on day one followed by even more gel on day two, but experts suggest water may be the key. “Frizz is can also be the result of improper application of product,” says Marshall, “When you are applying product particularly gels or custards, you want to make sure that your hair is saturated with water and that you emulsify the product in your hand then apply it from root to tip.” Even damp hair may not be saturated enough to prevent frizz, it should be soaking wet. 

Nubia Suarez is a Master stylist, curl expert, and the owner of the Rëzo Salon in NYC and the creator of the Rëzo Cut method of cutting curly hair. Suarez has coined the 80/20 Rule for applying products to curly hair (from cleansing to conditioning to styling”>: a ratio of 80% water to 20% product. So if your hair is starting to feel damp during the styling process try adding more water instead of piling on more product. She recommends using 20% of a styling gel like her Rëzo gel because it’s hydrating, and “if the curls still feel dry, go apply more water and work the product until the section feels like seaweed. Work it evenly from roots to ends, continue in sections (usually 4″> until you’re done!”

3. Style your hair in the shower

If all of this water sounds like it might create a mess in your bathroom, consider styling your hair in the shower instead. “Many people wash their hair in the shower,” says Marshall, “but you can also style there as well. Your hair is cleansed, conditioned and dripping wet, which are the best conditions for your styling products to work effectively and for you to achieve the best results.” 

4. Follow the Rake & Shake Method

Christina Patrice of the ManeObjective (who you referenced above as sharing your texture type”> wrote an article for NaturallyCurly titled “My Hair Looks So Good When It’s Wet”… Here’s How to Make That Last. In it she admitted that despite being a product junkie, what matters most is how you apply the product.

Marshall says “to get curls that will last for days make sure you apply your gel on clean dripping wet hair manually using various methods such as the praying hands method, shingling or a styling tool like a detangling brush.” Patrice’s personal favorite method is the Rake & Shake method, created by master curl stylist Ouidad. Although Patrice had seen this method used by Type 2 wavies and Type 3 curlies, she actually found great success when she experimented with it on her own Type 4 coils. She started with soaking wet hair, “remember, the best wash and go’s happen on WET hair! Capturing the curl while it’s still wet will guarantee you a longer lasting result.” Here is her process:

1. Smooth and rake a generous amount of your curl definer from root to tip in a section, “Really work it in so it coats all the strands.” Then take hold of one small part of the section and move the rest of the hair out of the way.
2. Starting at the root, “rake your fingers through your hair. Rake thoroughly 3 or 4 times, so that your hair is evenly clumped between your fingers.”
3. On the 3rd or 4th rake, “stop just short of letting the hair go. Holding on to the ends, gently shake the hair up and down a few times to set the curl.” Ouidad recommends shaking at the wrist to help curl formation.

Continue this until you’ve coated all of the strands. It takes Christina Patrice 15 minutes to complete her whole head, then she air dries. Click play to watch her method here:

5. Spot treat frizz

Chuck Amos is a celebrity stylist who has styled everyone from Tracee Ellis Ross to Alicia Keys to Kerry Washington to the NaturallyCurly Texture On The Runway event. Amos says that if you’re noticing frizz in sections throughout the day or on day two or beyond, “don’t be afraid to rewet your curls and layer products on,” and at this point it’s no surprise, but he recommends using water. “If there are just certain curls that need your attention, I recommend applying the Ouidad Coil Infusion Give A Boost Styling + Shaping Gel Cream and the Coil Infusion Good Shape Defining Gel with your fingers, with an extra spritz of water on your fingers as well, and run the product from root to tip to ensure perfect frizz free defined curls during your touch up days.” He recommends reapplying the Coil Infusion Soft Stretch Priming Milk on day one to “elongate your curls and bring total definition into your curls, preventing frizz at the ‘curl priming’ stage” and layer your styling products on top of that. “As the days go on, you should reapply the gel cream and also use the Coil Infusion Good Shape Defining Gel for the unruly curls that get undefined and frizzy after a good night’s sleep. These three curl styling products together will really do the trick without leaving hair hard, crusty, or flaking!”

We hope that these expert insights will help you find new methods to experiment with in your frizz fighting routine!

Sponsored by Conair.

When I get out of the shower with wet hair, my curls are defined, beautiful S-shaped ringlets. But somewhere between wet and dry, my clumped curls can separate and become frizzy.

I’ve discovered that the drying stage is the difference between defined curls and frizz. I’ve tried every tool on the market, including kitchen implements, and I’ve finally found the answer to my curly prayers: the InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System. Here are all the reasons my new InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System is better than other diffusers on the market.

Frizz-free curls

Whenever I leave the house with wet curls, there’s a perfect chance I’m going to experience frizz throughout the day. Heat, humidity, and cold wind don’t mix well with damp curls. That’s why it’s critical to me to dry my hair entirely within the comfort of my temperature-controlled home (preferably without having to wake up at 5 a.m.!”>. With a powerful professional motor and ionic and ceramic technology, it sets my curls quickly.

Volume and Definition

I always thought that I had to sacrifice some definition and accept a bit of frizz to achieve volume. Especially with my looser texture, the volume can be elusive. When I air dry my hair, I find that the weight of the wet hair pulls my waves down and causes them to dry flat at the root, and I personally find clipping my roots to be too cumbersome most mornings when I’m in a rush.

That’s why I was excited to discover that this InfinitiPro by Conair Texture Styling System gives me both volume AND definition. My curls are big, bouncy, frizz-free, and lifted at the roots. Keep reading to see just how I create that lift.

Enhances curls

I have a mix of Type 2c and Type 3a waves and curls, and it can really vary from loose and fluffy

to bouncy and defined depending on the products and methods I use. I personally have found that when I air dry, then my hair is closer to Type 2c and even Type 2b, and my waves are less defined. Most frustratingly, they are not uniform, some areas are very loose, and others are curlier.

Most standard diffusers blow out your curls because the airflow blows up and out, causing frizz. The InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System circulates the airflow gently and around my hair, giving me a more uniform curl pattern. I love the way this diffuser cups my curls in the bowl, which I’ve noticed makes my curls tighter, which gives me the 3a/3b curls I love.

Refreshes

When I wake up in the morning, I can count on my curls to be stretched out and standing in all directions. But all I have to do is spritz them with water to reactivate them, use a tiny amount of styler to spot treat any frizz, and lock in the style with a diffuser. This is honestly easier than trying to pull it up into any sort of half updo or updo.

Faster Drying

The InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System has cut my drying time in half. With a powerful, professional motor and ionic and ceramic technology, it sets my curls quickly and gently so I can walk out the door in the morning with my best frizz-free curls. That means I can stay in bed an extra half hour, a big plus on cold, Brooklyn winter mornings!

Here are My Top Diffusing Techniques

Step 1

You’ll want to apply a gel or a cream gel to the hair when soaking wet. Hair clumps together to form curls when wet, so it’s important to lock that definition in by evenly applying a styling product to all of the curls. I typically start a few inches away from the roots to prevent the roots from getting greasy and flat.

Scrunching the curls from the roots towards the ends encourages my waves to clump into spirals.

Step 2

I like to flip my hair upside down. (Yes, upside down!”> This lifts the hair up and away from my head as I diffuse it, creating volume and bounciness.

Step 3

I follow the pixie curl method to diffuse, which means I cup a section of curls into the bowl of the InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System. Then I switch the dryer on for 30 seconds or longer. Then I switch the dryer off and move on to the next section. It may seem insignificant, but it’s very important to switch the dryer off before moving between sections because it can really cut down on my frizz.

If I’m in a rush, I use heat, and if I have extra time, I diffuse without heat. InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System has three heat settings and 2-speed settings so I can customize the temperature and airflow. There’s also a cold shot button, which locks in my curls.

Step 4

Since my ends tend to dry faster than the hair closer to my roots, my stylist taught me the importance of diffusing the sources by holding the InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System directly over them. In addition to preventing frizz, this technique also creates more height. With other diffusers, the airflow can blow the hair around as you’re styling. Because of the InfinitiPro By Conair Texture Styling System‘s unique airflow, it circulates the air gently and evenly around the hair, so this is never an issue anymore. 

Step 5

If you’re looking for a bigger, slightly messy look, fluff your hair at the roots when the hair is dry. For even more volume, flip your hair over, putting it all into your M.O. then stop here. I personally prefer a bigger, slightly undone look, so when my hair is completely dry I fluff it at the roots to create even more volume., flip your hair upside down, resting it in the bowl of the InfinitiPro By ConairTexture Styling System on the cool setting.

Voila! From soaking wet to dry and defined in just 15 minutes.

And I’m able to return my strainer to where it belongs: in my kitchen cabinet.

So you bought hair products with the word “curl” on the bottles and watched a few tutorials by a YouTuber who has your dream curls, but for some reason your hair still isn’t coming out the way you want it to. Let’s take a step back: Do you have the same curl pattern as the person whose curls you’re envying? If not, you may be setting your curls up to fail.

If you are new to the world of natural curls, getting to know your curl pattern can help you discover styling techniques and products that will work for you. You’ll also be able to more easily find the videos that’ll be most relevant to you.

Related: What’s Your Hair Type? Take The Quiz

What’s a curl pattern?

At NaturallyCurly, we find it useful to divide curl patterns into three main groups: wavy, curly, and coily. We know “curly” means a lot of things to a lot of people, and we wince when we see comments on social media saying “Those aren’t real curls; those are just waves!” We have no tolerance for comments that insinuate that one curl pattern is better or worse than another. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: We want women of all curl patterns to love and embrace their hair. This texture-typing system is not meant to be divisive, but to provide guidance that will help you care for, style, and LOVE your mane.

Where to start

The best time to identify your curl pattern is when your hair is at its healthiest state; this means moisturized and free of damage. If you have been straightening your hair for the past few years or even months, you may have heat damage. To get a clear idea of your natural curl pattern, it’s best to look at it once you have stopped using heat tools — including blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands — for at least three months. If the roots are curlier than the ends of your hair, then this is a clear indicator of heat damage, and figuring out your curl pattern may be a struggle until your natural curls grow in and the damaged ends have been cut off.

If you have curl patterns that are drastically different from each other, you may want to treat those sections of your hair differently

Remember, most people are a mix of a couple of curl patterns. As you can see in the graphic above, we included examples of someone who could be considered Type 2c/3a, and someone who fits in between Types 3c and 4a. If you feel you fit multiple curl patterns, that is totally normal. If you have curl patterns that are drastically different from each other, you may want to treat those sections of your hair differently (for example, using heavier products in one section”> or some use perm rods to create a uniform curl pattern. Finding an experienced stylist who knows how to work with curls can also help customize your haircut to accommodate your multiple curl patterns (so one section doesn’t look longer than another”>.

Below, find descriptions for the three most common types of curly hair. Within each of the categories, there are more subtle distinctions; read on to determine which one fits you best.

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is characterized by S-shaped waves (rather than coils”>. Women with wavy hair typically use mousses, leave-in serums, and heat protectants rather than creams or gels, and are generally most concerned with reducing their frizz and finding products that will give their waves light hold without weighing them down. Those with wavy hair are less likely to avoid certain ingredients like silicones and sulfates, and more likely to use heat-styling tools like flat irons or curling wands. Think Taylor Swift (back before she straightened her hair”> and Lorde.

If your hair is close to straight but has a loose, gentle bend, you likely have Type 2a waves. If your hair is mostly straight at the roots and more defined waves form below your eye level, your waves are Type 2b. If your waves start right at the roots and you have very defined waves mixed with actual ringlets, then you are Type 2c.

Curly Hair

Type 3 hair has more defined, springy curls that form spirals or ringlets. Those with Type 3 hair are mostly concerned with reducing frizz and adding definition. They use creams and gels to give their curls definition, and they’re more likely to avoid drying ingredients in their shampoos.

If your curls are similar in size to the large sidewalk chalk you used as a kid, then you’re Type 3a. If your curls have the circumference of a Sharpie, then you’re Type 3b. And if your curls have the circumference of a pencil or a straw, then you’re Type 3c. Many people believe (and we tend to agree”> that Type 3c curls are almost their own category, because they are much tighter corkscrews and generally have much more volume than 3a and 3b curls, yet they are still very different from Type 4. YouTubers with Type 3c hair include heygorjess and Shinestruck.

Coily Hair

Type 4 hair can appear much shorter than it is (a phenomenon known as shrinkage“>. For those with Type 4 locks, it’s all about moisture and preventing tangles. Conditioners with lots of slip and moisturizers are must-haves in a coily girl’s product lineup.  Slip refers to how the product lubricates your hair and describes products (i.e., daily conditioner, deep conditioner, or leave-in conditioner”> that are usually applied during washing and detangling.

If you look closely at a strand of hair and it looks like small, tight corkscrews the size of a crochet needle, you’re seeing Type 4a coils. Type 4b coils are tighter than 4a and more closely resemble the spring of a pen. If you have Type 4c hair, then your coils will be similar to the 4b curl pattern but you may have higher density (more hair strands per square inch”> and coarser strands (each individual strand is wider”>, which creates greater shrinkage and less curl definition.

Two women with the same curl pattern can have hair that looks completely different

Curl pattern is only one part of your hair type

You may have realized by now that two women with the same curl pattern can have hair that looks completely different. That is because curl pattern is only one part of the hair type equation. Other important factors are porosity, length, width, and density. In other words, whether your hair long or short, fine or coarse, thick or thin — these will all drastically affect the way your hair looks and how it reacts to products.

Does it matter?

There are many hair-typing systems out there, and many people also argue that curl pattern doesn’t matter. We think it matters because the way one woman pineapples her Type 3c curls at night may not work for another’s Type 3a hair. And while it seems like everyone can’t get enough of coconut oil, not all hair types should use it in the same way. For example, Type 2 wavies might find more success using coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment  while someone with a tighter texture might use it to seal her ends with a moisturizer.

With so much information out there, focusing on tips and reviews from those who share your curl pattern will likely be more beneficial than advice from people in a different category, and will prevent hair fails that make you want to reach for the flat iron. As with all things, it takes trial and error, but knowing your curl pattern can help cut down on the errors.

This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for clarity and to incorporate reader feedback.

Your scalp says a lot about the overall health of your hair. While hair oils are often a great remedy for a dry scalp, if your scalp produces excess sebum, you may be hesitant to add more oil to the mix. However, there is evidence that putting oils in your hair can actually prevent the appearance of a greasy scalp. Lots of curlies ask, if I have an oily scalp should I avoid hair oils? Let’s take a closer look at this question.

Photo Courtesy of Cecilia Gorgon’s Instagram: @ceciliagorgon

If I have an oily scalp should I avoid hair oils?

There is no rule that you have to avoid anything, oils included. In fact, there are many hair oils that will leave your scalp healthier and producing less natural sebum than before. Although, it should be noted that certain store bought hair oils might not be best for your already oily scalp. This is because many hair oils also aim to add gloss to hair and the way they achieve this is with silicones that coat the hair. These silicones can actually be worse for those with an overproduction of natural oil because it can make it harder to properly shampoo. So, make sure you check for silicones when choosing pre-made, store bought hair oils as opposed to all-natural oils. You also want to make sure you do not overdo it on oils which can lead to greasy hair and a scalp that is weighed down with excess oil production.

What else should I know about using oils?

If you already have an oily scalp, you’ll want to use pure essential oils or natural oils instead of store bought options. If you do choose a store-bought oil, make sure it isn’t too heavy because that will make it harder to rinse out of your hair completely. Often times an oily scalp is also associated with flakes and dandruff, as well as too much bacteria. This can be a result the over production of oil is a result of too much bacteria. Choose essential oils that have antibacterial properties to help balance out the scalp. You also want to choose oils that are lighter. For example, opt for coconut oil over olive oil or rosemary over coconut for an even lighter option. You can also try diluted essential oils to get a better balance. When first starting with oils, it is better to use too little and work your way up than to overload your already overloaded scalp with more oil. Try adding oils to your routine once every few weeks and if that goes well, try it every week. The key is to find the balance that works for you as an individual.

What oils are best for an oily scalp?

You’ll want antibacterial oils to help restore moisture balance, so choose options such as rosemary, lavender, and lemon oil. There are others, but these three are a good starting point since they are easy to find for most people.

• Rosemary offers stimulation of the scalp which may help with better distribution of oil production while also helping to remove fungus from your skin. You can try this Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil here.
• Lavender offers the same antibacterial properties while also naturally balancing natural oils and soothing irritations. Try this 100% pure Lavender Oil from Cococare.
• Lemon oil is a great treatment for dry scalp, flakes, and overbalance of oil production since it is also antibacterial. Try the Cococare 100% Natural Lemon Oil.

When adding anything new to your routine, it is best to take it slow. Add these oils in and experiment to find the best combination for your hair!