Search Results: Cristina Cleveland

If only we didn’t have to get to work on time, we’d wear these looks every day.

Gerilyn’s Unicorn Highlight

Describe your holiday beauty philosophy

Although I follow makeup artists and brands on IG, I do not participate in glamming up at any time of the year; it’s just not my thing. Less is more for me!

What inspired your holiday makeup?

As mentioned, I have zero makeup aptitude. This look was picked by Cristina, maybe? Haha! In any event, it turned out lovely! The purple highlight has been trending on Instagram for a while, I guess, so we wanted to try it. IRL, it garnered plenty of unexpected attention, but it boosted my happiness quotient significantly!

Tell us about your makeup look

My makeup look is B-A-S-I-C. True story. If I am feeling ambitious, I might wear Maybelline True Fit foundation, a random lip gloss, and Wet ‘n Wild mascara. Otherwise, you will catch me bare-faced.

Leslie’s Gold Glitter Cat Eye

Describe your holiday beauty philosophy

My family’s pretty casual, so I like to glam up a casual look, but still be comfortable enough to eat without having to unbutton my pants. For parties or events I like to dress up, any excuse to wear something sparkly!

What inspired your holiday makeup?

Since I was already doing gold bobby pins I wanted to do a gold cat eye instead of a traditional black. I just wanted to be obnoxious and as sparkly as I could, so we threw glitter on my eyes as well. Everything else was pretty simple. Since it was just a cat eye I think it’s simple enough to do at home, it just might be a little messier than a professional makeup artist – but that looks cool too.

What’s one makeup trend you’ve been loving?

I really love the monochromatic look. So all purple, or all pink, on your eyes, lips and cheeks. I haven’t tried it yet because I feel like it might be very costume-y, but it’s something I’d like to try.

Who is your beauty icon, and what do you love about them?

I aspire to be a blend of Diana Ross and Selena, so very flashy, fun, and glam, but in their own way. I just imagine Diana Ross wearing fur and silk in her everyday life, eating cereal. I wanna be as glamorous as that, in my one bedroom apartment.

I just imagine Diana Ross wearing fur and silk in her everyday life, eating cereal. I wanna be as glamorous as that, in my one bedroom apartment.

April’s Pink & Purple Color Block

What inspired your holiday makeup?

I honestly was thinking ‘At a traditional holiday dinner, what would get the most aunties to side-eye me…’ I usually wear dark makeup, and it kinda tickled me to think of what my family’s reactions would be if I showed up on the extreme other side.
Tell us about your look

So color blocking is just…wearing eyeshadow, but not blending? It was a look MADE for me! I have accent wall eyes, I love it.
Describe your holiday beauty philosophy

I usually don’t do too much for the holidays, but if I am going to go out, I’m going to show out. I want reindeer antlers, disco ball mirror squares on the cheeks, the works!

Alexandra’s Gold & Purple Ombre Lip

What inspired your holiday makeup?

This year purple became one of my favorite colors. I found myself constantly gravitating towards all things purple, so when I saw the ombre purple lip I knew I had to try it!

Tell us about your makeup look

My make-up looks was everything!!! I absolutely loved how Luxe & Lotus made this look my own by incorporating gold glitter to add some sparkle. From the purple ombre lip with the gold glitter to the smoky eye with gold glitter on the inner corners of my eyes really made a statement.

Who is your beauty icon, and what do you love about them?

My beauty icon is hands down Zendaya! I love how she effortlessly slays every look and embraces each one boldly and confidently. Also, I respect her even more for being an activist and using her platform to shine a light on important issues such as woman’s rights, cultural appropriation, and body image.

Cristina’s Star Freckles

What inspired your holiday makeup?

Which came first – the Instagram filter or the makeup trend? I’m not really sure, but star freckles are the latest magical rendition of the fake freckle trend of 2016 and glitter, stars and sequins are perfect for this time of year. Sidenote: I couldn’t find these tiny stars at my local hobby stores, so I would recommend searching beauty stores instead.

Tell us about your makeup look

The little stars were glued on using a dot of lash glue on each star. Just dot them on until you’re happy with the amount of sparkle.

What’s one hair or makeup trend you’ve been loving?

I love that makeup is breaking through barriers of looking “natural.” Up until a couple years ago you could only buy shades of pink, red and berry lipstick, and all of the eyeshadows were brown, black, and beige. Now you can find every shade of the rainbow at your local drugstore, and even cheap makeup is pigmented! It’s a whole new world, and I intend to take advantage of it.

Want to learn more about these hairstyles? You can get the full scoop here.

Whether you have short hair that can’t make it into an updo, are rocking extensions this winter, or are a real life rainbow unicorn, we have the curly party hairstyle that will help you turn heads when you walk into your next function. You can quickly tell with just one look that our editors had fun with these holiday hairstyles, and so will you.

Leslie

What inspired your holiday hair?

90’s R&B singers and girl bands. Plus my hair’s short so I was trying to figure out a way to still do an updo with my short hair.

Tell us about your hair style

The hairstyle was second day hair, and we twisted the back up and secured it with some bobby pins. The ends of the hair were left loose, since I have short hair that’s all it took to put my hair up. We used gold bobby pins along the hairline as accessories, and that stayed put! So if I wanted to leave it in for the next day I probably could have.

What’s one hair trend you’ve been loving?

I’m always fighting myself not to go pixie, and I’ve been seeing a lot of cute pixies lately. I’ve created a Pinterest board to keep me busy instead of cutting it.

April

What inspired your holiday hair?

My holiday hair was inspired by ’40s pinup queens! It’s kind of a box braid take on victory rolls, with a little twist and LOTS of pinning.

Tell us about your hair style

Mommy always asks me to get my hair out of my face, so I thought ‘Let’s see just how out it can get!’.

What’s one hair or makeup trend you’ve been loving?

I’ll always be a sucker for rainbow hair. It belies my usual ‘too goth to function’ aesthetic, but I do find myself drawn to the ‘so obnoxious it’s perfect’ kinds of looks.

Who is your beauty icon, and what do you love about them?

I have too many icons to count, but Shrinkle of Sugarpill comes to mind most immediately for this look. I want to be EXTRA extra, and she always looks so day-glo perfect!

Cristina

What inspired your holiday hair?

Honestly all I could think of was space buns, but since I’ve already tried two buns I decided I should shake things up with… three buns. This look is just 3 buns going down the back of my head, forming a fauxhawk.

Describe your holiday beauty philosophy.

I think of it as a time to try out looks I don’t have the time and patience to do in my day-to-day life. If I could stick little star freckles to my cheeks every morning before work I absolutely would, but given my time constraints, a swipe of mascara and lip balm usually has to suffice.

Tell us about your hair style

I wanted my curls to show, so instead of twisting the hair into traditional buns, we just gathered the hair into three ponytails, one on the top of my head, one at the back, and one near the base of my neck. Then the hair was pinned loosely with a bunch of bobby pins.

Who is your beauty icon, and what do you love about them?

@iconaccidental on Instagram. She is unapologetically fierce and doesn’t play it safe. I aspire to own my look as well as she does, even if that means something different from one week to the next.

Gerilyn

What inspired your holiday hair?

The longing for Springtime is the inspiration behind my hairstyle. Bright, punchy colors and fresh floral sprigs give me a sense of happiness, especially in the wintertime when things seem bleak and gloomy. This look livens me up and I love it!

Tell us about your hairstyle

As my obsession with box braids grows, so does my desire to experiment with super fun, bright colors. It is also fun to learn how to box braid; I installed these rainbow-unicorn box braids myself, with a little help from my mom who also has never braided hair. Although I was a bit apprehensive about the bold color, I knew that once I started installing the very first lime green braid, I was locked in. It is one of the wildest choices I have made, aside from shaving my head in 2003.

Who is your beauty icon, and what do you love about them?

Nina Simone. EVERYTHING. Do I need to go into detail? I mean, goodness… she’s perfection. Her heart was the only accessory she ever needed. However, she did have that iconic cat eye, and I do love that.

What’s one trend you’ve been loving?

Don’t slap my hands, but you know what I’m going to say…. BRAIDS :”>

Alexandra

What inspired your holiday hair?

Vanessa Simmons inspired my holiday hair. Since I have a sew-in with wavy extensions I wanted to amp up the volume and create a voluminous curly hairstyle.

Describe your holiday beauty philosophy.

The holiday season is usually the best time to be a lil extra. So I’m all for being extra glamorous, sparkly, bold and fabulous. Why not? I do like to switch up my look and get glam, that’s always the fun part seeing yourself transform and embrace a new side of myself I don’t always see.

Tell us about your hair style!

My hairstyle was a part down the middle with big soft curls. To keep the curls defined my hairstylist, Christina, curled my hair, used a light hairspray and then pin-curled them until the very last before the shoot.

What’s one trend you’ve been loving?

I’m loving the undefined, fluffy, fringe curly hairstyles on women such as Tracee Ellis Ross.

What hairstyle are you partying in this holiday season?

Photos by @dahliadanda for NaturallyCurly

“I started having babies with bad eczema and a lot of allergies,” Janell Stephens told us when we interviewed her for our new book, The Curl Revolution. “Nothing worked. We thought it might be environmental. We changed everything. I started paying attention to ingredients. I told my husband we needed to research ingredients and make products ourselves. Within two weeks of paying attention, the problems were gone.”

This attention to ingredients lead Stephens to solve not only her own childrens’ hair concerns, but the hair and skin concerns of women all over the world. “At Camille Rose, our customers are label readers.  If you’re natural with your hair, you should be natural with your body as well.” As the founder and CEO of Camille Rose Naturals, which launched in 2011, Janell Stephens is responsible for cult favorites like the Coconut Water Leave In and her Almond Jai Twisting Butter. 

She recently shared with us how she uses those products and a few simple techniques to create this gorgeous stretched look above on her fine, Type 4a/4b coils. 

Step 1. Shampoo, Condition + Detangle

I Use CRN’s Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse to thoroughly cleanse my hair, focusing primarily on my scalp to break down any build up. I follow up with our Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard to moisturize and detangle my hair.

Step 2. Apply Leave In

Then I apply CRN’s Coconut Water Leave In Treatment to freshly shampooed and conditioned hair, working the product through the strands from roots to ends.

Step 3. Stretch

I like to braid my hair into one big plait and letting it air dry. Once it’s at least 80% dry, I part my hair into 4 sections and apply our Almond Jai Twisting Butter to flat twist each section.

*Editor’s note: If you are new to flat twisting, it’s a technique used for stretching and defining the hair that’s similar to a twist out or braid out. The difference with a flat twist is that the hair is twisted lying flat against the head. You can learn how to do it here.

Step 4. Untwist + Fluff

I apply CRN’s Cocoa Nibs & Honey Growth Serum to the palm of my hands to unravel the flat twists. The Growth Serum works to minimize frizz and seal the strands. To finalize the look, sometimes I use a wand curler on medium heat to give less defined areas more definition, and I finish with the Ajani Growth and Shine Balm.

Are flat twists a part of your routine? Let us know in the comments below!

 

This article was originally published on December 14, 2017 with an incorrect quote that was not by Janell Stephens. It has been updated. 

Stylist Cally Raduenzel

The 13th and final stop of the 2017 portion of the The Curl Revolution book tour perfectly summed up everything that has made the past two and a half months so special.

Women of all ages, all ethnicities and all curl textures came together at Curls and Co Salon for the 2-hour event. Founders of different brands – Cortney Sigilai from TréLuxe, Aisha Crump from Honey Baby Naturals and Aishia Strickland from 30-Day Hair Detox – bonded over their shared passion for curls.

This kind of fellowship and entrepreneurship was exactly what I wanted to celebrate in The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories & Practical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community.

Cortney Sigilai, founder of TréLuxe

By night’s end, new friendships were forged and each attendee left with a bagful of curl products. We sold out of books!

A highlight of the night was meeting curl expert Cally Raduenzel, who has amassed a loyal clientele who travel from all over to get their curls and coils clipped at the salon. This stylist/singer has brought together a creative collective of stylists specifically chosen because of their talent, training, personality and devotion to curls, coils and waves.

“It doesn’t matter what age or sex you are; dudes, college professors, professional folks, musicians, comedians, barista’s and bar staff, accountants and chess nerds…you have a new place to call home when you need our skills! We will not make fun of you if you want a mullet or to look like George Stephanopoulos or Sid Vicious,” according to the Curls and Co. website.

I am so thankful for our tour sponsors – As I Am, DevaCurl, Aunt Jackie’s, Paul Mitchell, Curlformers and Ouidad – who made this tour possible, enabling me to travel from California to New York and points in between.

You can order “The Curl Revolution” now from SHOPNaturallyCurly. Use the code RUSH24 for an extra 24% off!

We’re getting dangerously close to mid-December. Do you have your gifts sorted out yet? Do you feel stressed about that? I have something that I think will help you on both counts.

Artist Andrea Noel is a soulful creator who is publishing a coloring book celebrating Black women’s hair. The act of flipping through the book and seeing Noel’s illustrations is joyful in itself, but to color them in and set your own creativity free may be just what you need this season. I interviewed the artist about her path to publishing this, and we have a special giveaway at the end for you as well.

What has your journey been to this point, have you always been an artist?

I began drawing 15 years ago. Initially drawing was only a pastime and way to de-stress from my Chemical Engineering curriculum at Howard University. But in 2008, I was asked to draw a piece as a gift for someone and since then, I’ve drawn thirty commissioned pieces. I began showcasing my art in 2013 and to date I’ve participated in 25 art shows. The art market is tough, but I am determined to make my brand successful and I spend as much time as I can creating, marketing, diversifying my services, attending art shows and partnering with others to make my aspirations as an artist and entrepreneur a reality.

Can you tell us about your creative process? Where do you draw inspiration?

I get inspiration from my story and the stories of others. I love bold, thick lines and bright colors, so my medium of choice is sharpie markers on watercolor paper. My creative process involves getting clear on my subject or theme, sketching pencil drafts and creating bold thick lines to ensure that the main image(s”> stand out. Then I weave intricate patterns in and around the main images. My final step involves applying bright colors to the art piece, or on rare occasions I leave the piece in black and white.

Coloring book illustrations in progress

What inspired you to create this coloring book?

Inspiration for the coloring book came from customers and people I encountered at art shows who frequently said that my work would make a great coloring book. The theme for my book came to me when I made a decision to grow my hair out after wearing tapered haircuts for a few years. Then I thought about the many hairstyles I’ve rocked throughout the years and initially wanted the book to chronicle my hair story. However, after I created the first 10 images I considered how versatile black hair is and decided to celebrate the different styles black women wear. That’s when 10 images grew into 30.

Why is it important to you to incorporate soul and spirituality into your artwork?

Connecting with my soul/spirit I’m inspired to authentically express me; it also gives others permission to be who they are. I also believe that soulful connections promote and sustain our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing. I endeavor to help people soulfully connect with themself, others and the Sacred.

Are there lessons you’ve learned or challenges you’ve overcome in this process that you’d like to share with our readers?

The most important lessons I’ve learned as a creative entrepreneur are:

1. I have everything I need to be successful; the Universe will always provide whatever I need once I am open to receive it. Being open helps me recognize when the Universe is offering me what I need. Often times I am so attached to what I want I’m unaware of what I really need.

2. One reason we do not achieve our dreams is because of fear. Fear is useful since it can warn of apparent dangers, but when we allow our fears to hijack our lives it cripples us. We can overcome fear by facing them and making them our friend. Yes, I befriend my fears. I talk to them and get to know them. Learning where my fears come from helps me rewrite the stories that keep my fears around.

3. Love will carry you whenever you can’t stand on your own. When I am at my lowest it’s my love for creating art that keeps me trying. I keep creating and selling my art because I love sharing meaningful art. Whether I make $500 or $10 in a month I keep working on my art, and business, because I love what I do. I love how my art can inspire others and connect people to self, each other and God.

Coloring book illustrations in progress

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or creative?

Keep creating, no matter what and don’t hide what you create. Your creations are your gift to the world. Sell your work, trade it for other meaningful things; display it in your home, workplace, on social media and wherever it can be seen. Your creative spirit is needed to heal others and make this world a better place. So never hide what you create.

What is your vision for this coloring book, how would you like to see it used by those who buy or win it?

My vision for the book is that it helps black women love their hair and most of all love themselves. I also hope that it encourages them to practice ways, like coloring, to take a meaningful break from their busy lives. In order to care for others, perform our best at work and be our best selves we have to take care of the spiritual, emotional and physical parts of our life and coloring has been proven to be a way to positively impact those aspects of life.

Giveaway

2 lucky winners will win two copies each of Kinks, Perms & Afros: A Coloring Book Celebrating Black Women’s Hair. One for yourself, and one to gift to a friend.

All you have to do is comment below telling us who you’d like to gift your copy to!

This giveaway ends December 15 and is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.

*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that we can notify you if you’ve won.

You can also purchase your own copy of the book on Amazon now.

Thank you so much to Andrea Noel for sharing your coloring book with our community. You can follow more of her work at @anoelcreates.

I may be a Product Junkie. I can admit that to you. That means I have more products than I likely need, I enjoy the hunt for the Holy Grail, and I will keep searching even if I’ve already found it.

But that does not mean my product purchases aren’t well-researched or carefully considered. I want to know that other curly community members who have my hair type have loved this product first. I also calculate the price per ounce so I know I’m not getting duped by a sale or price tag. Because today is Cyber Monday, and I know your Product Junkie senses might be tingling, I wanted to share the best selling products on SHOPNaturallyCurly, and why curlies love them. SHOP is hosting its biggest sale of the year today so you can get 30% off storewide and free shipping today only. I know that’s a lot to choose from, so here are some cult favorites to help you narrow down your options.

Cleansing Conditioners

As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner (16 oz.”>

$9.00 Now $6.30 ($0.39 per oz”>

306 reviews have named this the most popular cleansing conditioner in SHOP

“This is my HG cowash. I absolutely love it! Great scent, cleans my scalp very well yet moisturizes at the same time. My hair is silky soft when I finish washing with this and I can also detangle while using this. I will never be without it.” – jess13

EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea Cleansing CoWash (16 oz.”>

$8.99 Now $6.29 ($0.39 per oz”>

“This product is amazing! I have just started to wear my hair curly again after nearly 15 years of straightening it, so it is without say that I need some deep conditioning products. EDEN coWash both cleans and conditions my hair; and after only two weeks of use, I can see my curls becoming healthier and happier.” – Anonymous (Type 3b”>

Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Quinoa Co-Wash (16 oz.”>

$32.00 Now $22.40 ($1.40 per oz”>

“Amazing cowash! I personally don’t use cowashes that often because I feel like they weigh down by 2B/2C hair and leave my roots greasy, but this does NOT! Super moisturizing and loaded with natural ingredients. And since it is a 16 oz bottle I can rotate it with my regular shampoos and not run out so quickly!” – Heather W

Sulfate Free Shampoos

Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo (10 oz.”>

$9.00 Now $6.30 ($0.63 per oz”>

“I have never used a more moisturizing shampoo in my life. Whether on natural or chemically treated hair, nothing will leave your hair more moisturized My hair wasn’t tangled and a little goes a long way.” – elokinar

Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner (12 oz.”>

$20.00 Now $14 ($1.17 per oz”>

“Wow, I think I found my HG cleansing condish. My hair has never felt so buttery and silky in the shower. It is pricey, but I need to use less than a palmful, which is unheard of, especially for a cleansing conditioner, so it is a decent value overall. It has the mildest peppermint smell and actually cleans my hair, but is oh so moisturizing at the same time.” – seamelody14

Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse (12 oz.”>

$11.00 Now $7.70 ($0.64 per oz”>

“I really enjoyed this product. It’s a little on the expensive side for a shampoo, but you get what you pay for and you’re getting a really big bang for your buck. A little goes a looong way. It’s sulfate-free but it lathers impressively well. A quarter sized amount will take care of my entire head of 4a/4b coils. After I rinsed this out, my hair and scalp was squeaky clean but was not stripped and I could actually detangle my hair without adding any conditioner. I think every natural should at least give this shampoo a try and being that it’s vegan and cruelty free is a plus!” – Taylor W.

Clarifying Shampoo

EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo (8 oz.”>

$8.99 Now $6.29 ($0.79 per oz”>

“Rejuvenating!!! I love shampoos and conditioners with tea tree oil, it was a bonus to have peppermint. After washing my hair, no matter what conditioner I use, you get the refreshing feel on your scalp. Love it!!! My hair smells good as well. I don’t have flaking issues, not sure how well it does for the flaky scalp. Will try on my little girl’s head, which she does. A must try.” – Brandy P.

Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo (8 oz.”>

$12.00 Now $8.40 ($1.05 per oz”>

“It has a super helpful twist-nozzle that you can apply directly to your scalp. My hair is so soft afterwards.” – Evelyn Ngugi

Deep Conditioners

Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner (8 oz.”>

$14.99 Now $10.49 ($1.31 per oz”>

“I LOVE this product so much!! It has amazing slip and makes my hard incredibly soft, but strong! It replenishes my high porosity, fine strands perfectly! I highly recommend everyone try this out…I promise it will become an HG product in your routine as well!” – Danielle Alyce

Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque (15 oz.”>

$9.99 Now $6.99 ($0.47 per oz”>

“Love this product more all the time. First, it does a beautiful job conditioning my hair (which is medium curls”>. Best thing, though, is how great it is as a leave-in and/or revitalizing creme. And it smells great. My daughter, who has tighter, long curls, never wants this to run out in the house. Even my wavy-haired girl loves this creme. Thank you, Aunt Jackie!” – TJ

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment (8 oz.”>

$20.00 Now $14 ($1.75 per oz”>

“Staple item for me. My hair LOVES this product. With this and As I Am’s Coconut Cowash, my coils are defined and elongated and there’s no frizz issue. My hair is an addict for this! Only issue I have is that it’s an 8 oz container. Would like a larger size but it’s well worth the price.” – Anonymous

tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask (12 oz.”>

$17.99 Now $12.59 ($1.05 per oz”>

“The first deep conditioner to actually penetrate my 4b/4c low’ish porosity strands! Most deep conditioning treatments sit on top of my hair and leave no lasting moisture after rinsing out, but THIS? This gets the job done!” – dsherman

OBIA Naturals Babassu Deep Conditioner (8 oz.”>

$14.99 Now $10.49 ($1.31 per oz”>

“This brand is amazing I can’t say enough about these products they leave my hair feeling so super soft with defined beautiful curls. The scent is clean and nice but not to strong. My favorite thing about this particular product is how great it works in the kitchen, girls the crown of my head gets to TRIPPIN some times and this product sets all that straight making detangeling a breeze!” – Anonymous

Daily Conditioners

Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner (8.4 oz.”>

$13.99 Now $9.79 ($1.17 per oz”>

“Best conditioner I’ve ever used. Good slip, makes my hair so soft and shiny and keeps it in defined ringlets for DAYS! Last time I used I didn’t wash my hair for four days. I’m more 3A than 2C. ” – Anonymous

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner (10 oz.”>

$9.00 Now $6.30 ($0.63 per oz”>

“It is amazing how moisturizing this conditioner is! I am fairly new to the curly girl method, and I am glad I found this conditioner because my conditioner search is over! I love using this as a leave in. I will definitely re-purchase in the big bottle! (MY hair is low porosity & color treated”>.” – Anonymous

Leave-in Conditioners

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner (16 oz.”>

$10.99 Now $7.69 ($0.48 per oz”>

“It’s affordable, it smells divine (and I’m usually not too big on any fragrances”>, and it works!! It gives me the extra moisture my 3b curls were needing, and honestly with the short length I have it now, it defines my curls so well all on its own that I’m not using a styler anymore” – Kate

Soultanicals Knot Sauce Coil Detangler (8 oz.”>

$16.00 Now $11.20 ($1.40 per oz”>

“So I absolutely love this stuff! It has a crazy amount of slip and is able to take my dry super tangled matted hair and turn it into detangled sleek and shiny curls. It can take me well over an hour to just detangle my 3c/4a bra strap length hair. But with this product I can detangler my whole head in less than 30 minutes. It definitely lives up to the hype. I also like that it is not glycerin heavy which I have found does not agree with my hair. My bottle came with the pump which is genius! When I run out I’m going to get the salon size. That’s just how much I love this stuff! Do yourself a favor and buy this product!!!” – Miko

Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-In Conditioner (8 oz.”>

$15.99 Now $11.19 ($1.40 per oz”>

“I really like this leave-in. Helps moisturize, detangle, and soften my hair without giving it an oily/greasy feeling.” – Dana P.

Stylers

Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle (12 oz.”>

$20.00 Now $14 ($1.17 per oz”>

“Definitely one of my favorite product so far. I have type 2a-c fine wavy hair and this has been a great product for me since going CG a couple of months ago. It’s very light but seems to really enhance my curls and cut down on frizz. I usually use it as the enhancer step of my LCEG styling routine. Sometimes it replaces both a cream and enhancer product.” – Sara S.

Bed Head by TIGI Superfuel On The Rebound Curl Recall Cream (4.22 oz.”>

$19.99 Now $13.99 ($3.32 per oz”>

“I really love this product. It define my curls really well. I love the presentation, smell and consistency. I like defined curls but I don’t like the crunchy feeling and this product is perfect to do so. Perfect fro wash -n-go and twist out. A little bit goes a long way” – Dailycurlz

Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine (4 oz.”>

$22.00 Now $15.40 ($3.85 per oz”>

“I love this stuff. I have 3b high lift colored curls and my hair loves Nourish and Shine, makes my hair so soft with a nice shine love it.” – shardae2

Design Essentials Natural Honey CurlForming Custard (8 oz.”>

$16.99 Now $11.89 ($1.49 per oz”>

“Happiness in a jar. I’m still new to the whole “natural” life and I try so much with awful results. Piling product on top of product is not the life I want to live, I have recently found my cocktail and this honey custard is my .C. So often these products just leave me with flakes and crunchy hair, but this custard and my Oyin Hair Dew do the job and no ‘hours’ of waiting to dry. And FANTASTIC smell. Both products are not cheap but I love my results.” – Kiana J.

Tools

The Original Curly Tee Towel

$21.99 Now $15.39

“This towel works well! I wish it were a little thicker but it’s so much better than just using my old t-shirts. I would recommend this to a friend.” – Anonymous

Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush

$12.10 Now $8.47

“Once you realize that this is for STYLING/SMOOTHING and not detangling,you’ll understand why it’s a 5 out of 5. . . I take out every other row of bristles and it’s PERFECT for defining my coils and smoothing out my hair for shiny, long lasting twist outs. Staple hair tool throughout the years.” – atx_eve

Shop these products and the rest of SHOPNaturallyCurly’s inventory on sale now for 30% off with free shipping here.

What cult favorites are you thinking of trying this Cyber Monday?

The weather was balmy in Los Angeles. In Toronto, freezing rain was falling. The sidewalks of downtown L.A. were filled with people in shorts and T-shirts. Toronto residents were bundled up in their winter coats and scarves. In L.A. streets were lined with palm trees. The leaves on Toronto’s oak and maple trees had turned gold and red.

Los Angeles and Toronto may be dramatically different in many ways. But the tour stops for The Curl Revolution; Inspiring Stories & Practical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community shared the same incredible curl kinship, with women of all ages, ethnicities and textures.

It was a packed house at The Curly Hair Institute salon in Toronto’s North York suburb. Jonathan torch, founder the salon and the Curly Hair Solutions brand, hosted the party. He was a key expert throughout the book. As attendees sipped sparkling water and nibbled on appetizers, they shared their stories with each other.

Veteran TV meteorologist Suzanne Leonard of The Weather Network, who was still dealing with pressure to straighten her curly bob. Some of the leading voices in the natural hair community, including Stephanie Joseph, founder of Toronto’s Textur’d Hair & Beauty Show and Christina Piazza, founder of the Curls & Confidence subscription box.

There were also newcomers to the curly world. Deepti Avinash – a NaturallyCurly Trendsetter – was two weeks into her curly journey and was trying to get used to her hair’s natural texture. Another, who went natural a year ago, found out about the event on a blog post and came in hopes of getting inspiration from other naturals. She got plenty.

The event included Q&A with Jonathan and me. I have known Torch and co-owner Steve Torch for nearly two decades, stumbling upon his company in the early days of NaturallyCurly. In the curl desert that existed when we started, I was thrilled to see a curly hair company and quickly connected with him. Curly Hair Solutions’ Curl Keeper became an early Holy Grail and still remains one of my favorite products. Curl Keeper has since expanded into an entire brand.

Thursday’s event was also a great chance for Torch to showcase the brand’s new look. The new packaging features a color-coded system, making it easier for curlies to identify which products address their unique hair needs.

Torch never thought he’d become an expert on cutting curly hair, but he had one curly-headed customer with bulky, unmanageable hair and he made it his mission to find a cut that could help her get the haircut she desired. So Torch began to study curly hair. He studied the way it looked wet and dry; he worked with tight curls and loose waves. He learned about shrinkage and frizz and curl formation. He learned how to create different layers of ringlets. He learned to play with the hair to see what it wanted to do. And he learned to throw some old ideas out the window — ideas that were the holy grails for cutting straight hair.

The Curl Revoluton has been an opportunity to celebrate pioneers like Torch and Ouidad, whose passion for texture has made the world a better place for all of us curlies.

You can order “The Curl Revolution” now from SHOPNaturallyCurly for 20 percent off with the coupon code: CR20.

Here is where we’ll be next:

• Baltimore – Dec 2

We can’t wait to meet you and hear your story!

We receive article submissions from our readers through our pitch form and this one came from Dominique, a home birthing, breastfeeding, Mother Nature loving womyn, and the blogger behind DommiesBlessed.

Oiling the scalp is quite nostalgic for me. It reminds me of when I used to sit between my mother’s legs and she would rub oil into my parts. It felt funny and so satisfying at the same time. Here are three reasons our family still oils our scalps today.

Oils Promote & Maintain A Healthy Scalp

Our youngest allegedly developed “cradle cap” when she was an infant (I say allegedly because I’m not fully convinced that’s what it was”>. I knew her scalp needed some natural ingredients to promote self-healing. After massaging olive oil into her crown, the “cradle cap” cleared up. Our now two year-old has the most beautiful head of hair and no scalp problems.

Neither I nor our five year-old daughter ever had scalp issues. Yet, we still use oil to maintain healthy heads of hair.

Oils Create A Beautiful Shine

After oiling their scalps, I brush their strands to bring the oil all the way down to the ends. This leaves their tresses soft and shiny. I prefer to use oils over leave-ins, creams or any other products, mainly because it is a simple and natural ingredient that enhances our curls.

Oils Coat The Strands

The oil seems to protect their precious curls from dryness, knots and breakage. I use a very small amount of oil once or twice a week.

We do not use grease or petroleum on our scalps. Just oils. Olive oil, straight from our kitchen cabinet, is our household favorite. How do you feel about oiling the scalp? What oil(s”> do you use?

Our editors weighed in on whether or not oiling their scalp is a part of their routines.

Kiana, Type 3c Curly

I do not regularly use oil on my scalp, but once a month I do a hair mask with avocado oil that I use all over my hair, but also on my scalp. Coconut oil is too heavy for my finer hair and can leave my hair feeling greasy even after shampooing. My DIY oil mask consists of about 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, and a couple drops of honey. I massage in into my scalp and distribute the rest throughout my hair, leaving it in for about an hour. I shampoo and condition again after.

Grace, Type 2a Wavy

I used a lot of oil on my scalp when I was transitioning from using a lot of sulphates/silicones/stripping products to going sulfate-free/more natural. My scalp was a hot mess, flaky but still kind of oily, and using oil as a treatment seemed to help balance it out and calm it down a little bit. I found that I could use it pre-shower and then after my shampoo my scalp was clean but not as dry and irritated as usual. I still do this if I notice my scalp getting dry – especially when the seasons are changing. I don’t have to do it as often now because I use products that aren’t as harsh and use heat less often. My favorite oils are Darshana and argan oil. I’ve tried coconut, moroccan oil, etc. but those two are definitely my favorites!

Gerilyn, Type 4c Coily

Absolutely, I do oil my scalp! My scalp needs consistent moisture. The best way for me to maintain this is by applying hair oils that contain olive oil, neem, and nourishing emollients. I’ve tried coconut, argan, macadamia, grapeseed, and flaxseed oils, but of all these I am a fan of olive oil. A new oil I’d like to try is passion fruit. What works best is when I massage multi-oil formulas into my scalp. My go-to is Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil.

Cristina, Type 2c Wavy

Since I’ve cut down on shampooing I find that every now and then my scalp gets super itchy between washes. I know how harmful it can be to scratch, so when I really can’t fight the urge I use an oil with tingling ingredients like tea tree and peppermint oils. I have a bottle of Mizani Scalp Care Oil on my desk at work, and

Devri, Type 3c Curly

Hair grease and a scalp oil are two different things. Grease contains petrolatum (mineral oil”> which prevents moisture from entering. For some, it’s also known to clog pores. I use the ingredient on my hands in the winter or on a fresh cut and tattoo due to the very reason I don’t put it on my scalp. It literally suffocates the follicles, preventing healthy and normal hair growth.

I suggest mixing carrier oil with an essential oil to stimulate the scalp. Applying an essential oil directly onto the skin is strongly suggested against. My faves over the year have been peppermint oil (although it’s a doozy for people with hypersensitive allergies”>, olive oil, jojoba, almond, rosemary and lemongrass, lavender.

Massage the scalp under the showerhead for about two minutes before shampooing for healthy and soothing results (also known as the “pre-poo””>. I have been doing this for years and find that it has great aromatherapeutic qualities, too.

I also want to hear from you in the comments section. Do you oil your scalp?

Weigh in!

The OmniPotent Duosity Double Whipped Repair Treatment is super popular among the NaturallyCurly editors, but I haven’t seen it widely talked about in my social feeds or on YouTube, so I wanted to share a full review and hopefully get the conversation going around this product. It was included in a CurlKit last year and has won a few NaturallyCurly Editors’ Choice awards, so if the name sounds familiar that may be why.

I first started using this product after my hair was bleached platinum blonde. Needless to say, it was damaged and in grave need of moisture and protein repair. I was well aware that my damage was self-inflicted and I could not expect any product to undo the damage done by lightening my hair color that drastically, so naturally I had low expectations when OmniPotent first came into my life.

Key Ingredients

• Keratin, Soy Protein, Vegetable Protein, Rice Protein
• Silk Amino Acids
• Polyquaternium-7
• Panthenol
• Glycerin
• Rosemary, Sage, Aloe, & Camellia Leaf Extracts

The proteins and silk amino acids in the formula make this a strengthening treatment, while the glycerin and extracts are humectant ingredients that provide nourishment and moisture. It does not contain any parabens, gluten, salt, sulfates, or silicones.

The packaging is actually a single bottle with two compartments. When you squeeze the tube, product comes out of two spouts.

Consistency

Aside from the results, the consistency of this product is one of the most standout features of this product. The packaging is actually a single bottle with two compartments. When you squeeze the tube, product comes out of two spouts. Then you mix the two components together in the palm of your hand, and a chemical reaction occurs that creates a new, foam-like texture. Seeing the change happen before your very eyes feels like a science experiment.

Application

I apply this to my hair in the shower after cleansing about twice a month. The directions say it only needs to be left on for 3-5 minutes, so I apply it and then go on with soaping rest of my body and my face, which is just enough time for me to rinse out the treatment. I really appreciate that I dont have to apply this and then get out of the shower for 30 minutes, only to have to take a second shower to rinse it. After this quick treatment I can always feel a marked difference in the elasticity and feel of my hair. It feels strong and moisturized, and I see my curls come back in areas that may have been stretched out and having a hard time curling.

I have a mix of Type 2c/3a waves and curls, but I know NaturallyCurly Editors with a range of curl patterns have tried and loved this product, and we’ve actually fought over who was going to give it an Editors’ Choice award before – the Type 2s or the Type 3cs (incidentally, it won both awards”>. I would definitely recommend Omnipotent Duosity to other curlies who are dealing with damage and a loss of elasticity, because that is when I saw the greatest impact with this product. Considering the quality of the product I think $14.99 for four ounces is a fair price. You won’t find anything else like it, so I’d also recommend this to Product Junkies who love trying something new and different.

Have you tried this unusual product? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments.

If you’re a procrastinator with absolutely no idea what you’re wearing for Halloween this year, we’re here to say… we’re procrastinators too. But that’s okay, because sometimes our most creative ideas come to us under pressure. The NaturallyCurly editors challenged each other to see what last-minute ideas we would come up with, and here’s what happened.

Leslie

I dressed up as Missy Elliott from “The Rain” music video. I’ve always been a huge fan of both Missy Elliott and her stylist June Ambrose. Both were/are revolutionary and changed the industry. The music video was released 20 years so I thought it was only right to pay homage this Halloween. I definitely took the easy route when making this costume, so all I really needed was black trash bags (prepare to sweat”>, sunglasses, and a bike helmet, all of which I found at a thrift store. This was probably the funnest costume i’ve ever made. Not only is it completely ridiculous to walk around it, but I really enjoyed channeling my inner “The Rain” Missy.

Cara

I’ve been watching the original running of the show Twin Peaks. It was filmed very near my hometown, but I hadn’t ever seen it. My costume is Bob from the show, who is a scary mad man who only certain people can see. He makes really crazy faces in the show—he does very little speaking but lots of mouth snarls. I like to play the part that fewer people expect, so I decided to dress up as this terrifying man. I already owned the owl, a black face paint crayon and some grey eyeshadow for my beard, jeans and a belt, I just had to buy silver and white hair paint. You can use Jerome Russell’s Temp’ry Hair Colors in Silver for this. Then I borrowed hairspray to keep my bangs back, a denim jacket, and my boyfriend’s flannel (since the colors of mine were too girly”>. As a bonus, I printed out the wanted poster.

Gerilyn

Although most would assume just by looking that I am the forsaken light bearer, villainized in ancient texts and scriptures, I am a regular ol’ demon with a penchant for modeling. The bow tie is a spirited nod to the literal red-headed stepchild, “Junior,” in the movie Problem Child, starring John Ritter #RIP. As an adult, I like elaborate the youthfulness of my character as much as possible, so dressing up as a playful demon was the perfect choice for me.

Being a kid means you don’t have a lot of moola to spend on extravagant costumes. Such is the case for the lazy adult, making CVS a lifelong friend. It took me $5 and my regular clothes to create the look. I love the fact that I can move with ease while still getting into the Halloween spirit. Plus, I like the idea of being a horned supernatural entity. It’s pretty cool!

April

This Halloween season, I’m a reminder of what’s truly inside of all of us—a skeleton!

It’s pretty easy to find bone themed goodies when you’re the kind of person that shops on the creepy side of Etsy and Hot Topic well into adulthood, even if I DID have to swim through a sea of ‘Adventure Time’ merch to find the outfit. Meanwhile, in the interest of keeping things extra quick and simple makeup-wise, I forewent laying on any of my clown white paint for a skull face in favor of just deeply outlining my jaw, deepening my eye “sockets” and drawing in the suggestion of exposed teeth and finger bones with black eyeliner, shadow, and lipstick! The cool thing about All Hallows’ Eve is that even if you’re going all out, you don’t need to be an anatomy student or a practiced MUA to get the spooky vibe right. Just believe you can be frightening, and you will be!

Cristina

I dressed up as an old man a couple years ago, and even created real wrinkles using liquid latex. That costume was so much fun but if I’m being honest it was a literal pain to remove, so this year I wanted to resurrect my wrinkles and moustache in a quick and easy way. To create my Einstein face, I simply took an eyeshadow brush and the eyeshadow I use for my brows, and drew wrinkles on. To make this realistic, I would raise my eyebrows or furrow my brows and trace my actual wrinkles with the shadow. It’s basically contouring, but the opposite of what we normally aim for. I dotted the eyeshadow to create a few liver spots, for a special touch. Then I brushed out my dry, curly hair – which is such a big no no, it was actually fun to do it for once – and sprayed some white and grey hair paint on it. I didn’t have spirit gum on hand so I used hairspray to make the mustache stick to my face, and I stole a shirt from my boyfriend and put on a blazer of mine. To top it all off, I stuck my tongue out! I know for many Halloween is a fun time to bring out their sexier side, but I actually like to do just the opposite. I think everyone should give it a try.

What are you planning to wear this year? Share in the comments for anyone who still needs ideas!

Photos by @DahliaDanda. 

One of the top two reasons I love working at NaturallyCurly is the talented, diverse group of people who I get to work and collaborate with every day. The other reason is the mission, providing visibility and a voice to people who have historically been underrepresented in the media. What’s really cool is that many of us work towards this mission day in and day out at NaturallyCurly, then go home at night to create and produce awe-inspiring personal projects.

You may be familiar with our Director of Video Strategy, Evelyn from the Internets? If, like me, you’ve exhausted every video in her YouTube archives and every NaturallyCurly video and you need more, then you are in luck. She’s co-starring in a new short film series called “We Are” that’s airing on Issa Rae’s YouTube channel. The series was created, directed and produced by B.B. Araya, a former NaturallyCurly team member who is doing her part to ensure that women of color are represented on screen in all of their many layers. I interviewed her after the Austin screening about how the project grew from its inception to a full anthological film series on Issa Rae’s channel.

What was your vision when you initially set out on this project? And did that change or morph as you collaborated with your co-writers and producers?

My vision when I set out to make “We Are” was to bring together all of the things about Austin that I know and love, but tend to get overlooked – performers, artists, musicians, landmarks/murals – while portraying honest depictions of women of color.

For me, collaborating is building together and being open to something different, so while the foundation of the vision never changed, it sort of became realized and more fleshed out as it was written and pieced together with everyone on the team.

In filmmaking, it’s also common to alter the vision to accommodate circumstance and resources, but all of those alterations were ultimately for the better.

Tell us a bit about the We Are Series, how did the stories come together?

We Are is an anthological short film series that lets you drop in on seven women of color at different moments in their lives. Performers co-wrote their episodes so that we could infuse a sense of realness to each film. We also feature a lot of visual art and music from local Austin creatives, particularly creatives of color and women.

The series came together as the first large collaboration between myself and Tamar Price, our head producer. We met at an Austin Film Society party, gravitated towards one another and hung out the whole night. We bonded over the fact that we both wanted to make movies, so we decided to do it together. I got Jessica Vasami of RoosterTeeth on board as another producer and the ball started rolling quickly thereafter.

I outlined the stories with these specific actors in mind and approached them about the project letting them know that it would involve co-writing their episode. A lot of them are already writers and some of them hadn’t written narrative before. We would just get together on evenings or weekends and talk about our experiences and where we could take these characters. After everything was written, we were constantly massaging it, even on set.

You chose to work with several people on this project who had never officially produced or acted before, but you had faith in their talent and abilities. I know many of us have experienced impostor syndrome in our work before, and I’m wondering what it was like overcoming those kinds of feelings and supporting each other as you worked on this project?

It’s true; prior to We Are, Tamar had never produced, Evelyn had never acted, and Tope had never done production design before, but I just knew in my heart that given the opportunities to shine, everyone would. We’re not going to get these sort of opportunities unless we are giving them to each other, so I’m all for working with first-timers. Plus, they already had the skill set (Tamar works fast paced events, Evelyn is a without-a-doubt a comedian, and Tope is an art collector/has a passion for aesthetic”>, this project just allowed them to flex those muscles under different circumstances. Also, this was my first time directing something of this caliber, so I was essentially a newbie as well.

I like to laugh my way through imposter syndrome. There were many days on set where Tamar and I would just look at each other and laugh, like “What is happening? What are we doing?” Ultimately, the stakes are very low when making art, so I just like to constantly remind everyone that it’s okay for us to fall and make mistakes. We’re trying things and experimenting. It’s not supposed to be perfect. We’re here to make a mess and tell the truth.

You co-wrote the series with the actors in each episode; even though they had different plots, were there one or two themes that you noticed kept coming up?

Yes, episodes were outlined with the actors in mind and then co-written with them. It was a part of the experience I enjoyed so much, because we just did a lot of talking about our experiences in this world and then incorporated those things into the episodes. A theme that pops up a few times is mental health. It’s not something we often to get explore on the screen with women of color, but it’s something we all deal with. Fortunately, WOC are being more outspoken about our mental health which is great because it removes the stigma and makes room for healing.

Other than that, a general theme that shows up a lot is just the angst of being a human – regardless of our race or gender. I sort of wanted to explore the exhaustion that can stem from being a human and having so many feelings.

Congratulations on having your series live on Issa Rae’s YouTube channel! What does that mean to you?

Having our series on Issa’s channel means everything to me. When representation was really poor (right after the 90s”> her channel is where I went and felt home. It’s where I saw people that looked like me having regular, everyday, awkward experiences. There’s no better place for the series and I’m genuinely honored that it gets to share a home with “Awkward Black Girl” and other great content. Not to mention what she’s doing now with Insecure by showcasing friendships between black women and putting black people in front of and behind the camera – which is so powerful! (I am still coping with the fact that Season 2 is over”>.

I also think it’s beautiful and necessary the way she pulls us up and gives us opportunities to shine. If we want more representation and visibility in the entertainment industry, we’re going to need more people following Issa’s model of uplifting and showcasing the voices without microphones/platforms. I’ve been a huge fan of hers for like five years now and I’ve enjoyed watching her climb the ladder of success and win so hard. I take her success very personally. A lot of us do.

What can we look forward to seeing from you next?

Hopefully, a feature!

You can watch the first episode here, and tune in every Sunday for more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAlPDtqMlwk

Something I really love about working at NaturallyCurly is that on any given day I can turn to my coworkers and ask what they think of certain products, and get input from several different hair type. We all have different hair goals, lifestyles, and expectations when it comes to our products, and I never get tired of learning about what works – and what doesn’t. When The Mane Choice recently released their new Heavenly Halo line at Target, we decided to try it out on a Type 2 wavy, a Type 3 curly, and a Type 4 coily because A”> we thought it’d be fun and B”> we hoped it would be helpful for you. The 6-product line was designed to “restore moisture-depleted hair with intense hydration. Highly concentrated with essential hydrating ingredients to help deliver vital moisture to each strand.” Here’s what Gerilyn, Alexandra and I thought of the line.

The Mane Choice® Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Serum Oil Mist

Gerilyn’s Hair Type: My hair is Type 4C, low porosity, high density, and mix of fine and medium width.

First Impressions: Compared to hair oils I typically use, this one of the lightest feeling of all. It’s somewhere between a dry oil mist and a thick oil. As you will learn, hair oil tends to show up on my face, making it appear oilier than normal; because of this, I am very particular about hair oils and which ones I recommend to NaturallyCurly readers.

Application: I used the serum oil mist immediately after rinsing out the Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Mask and drying my hair with a microfiber towel. Then I spritzed my wrists with a signature fragrance and did not notice a clash in aromas which is key for me.

Results: After consulting with a few stylists, each one of them told me that even though my scalp is healthy, I need to oil it more often than not. Admittedly, I am annoyed by this because that means more work for me in between wash days. It also means that my T-zone and nose will be oil slicks; for some reason, the more I put on my scalp, the oiler my face is… and it’s gross. When I saw The Mane Choice® Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Serum Oil Mist, I was very excited to try it because of the misting bottle it’s in. This product design told me 1″> this oil is most likely lightweight and 2″> if it’s a serum, it’s got to have super ingredients in it. Going into the application process, my fingers were crossed that I would be able to easily apply to my scalp and curls and not experience the face-oil-slick-grossness that hair oils tend to give me. With that hope and blotting papers at the ready, I drove to work today to experience the full extent of the serum oil mist’s wear. It’s about 2 pm CST; I applied the serum oil mist to my curls around 9 am CST; and my face isn’t covered in oil! Also, my hair is so soft you’d be envious. Instead of turning green, get yourself a bottle. I recommend it because it has been 5 hours, and my hair is still holding strong to the product’s hydrating ingredients. I’m a fan; if you have low porosity hair strands and dense curls that make sometimes impossible to get to your scalp to oil it, you will be a fan, too.

*Gerilyn also reviewed the Deep Hydration Mask from this line, you can read her review here.

Mane Choice Softening Milk

Alexandra’s Hair Type: I’m a combination curly, I have a mix of Type 3b and 3c curls, with medium porosity.

First Impressions: I’ve never used the Mane Choice line before, but know it’s a staple for many curlies, black-owned and affordable so I was eager to give it a try. What I noticed first was the smell! It has a heavenly scent with a mixture of sweet citrus and fresh roses. The texture was whipped to perfection, creamy and light-weight. I’m usually to prefer a heavy cream on my hair but was quite intrigued how much I liked the texture of this hair milk.

Application: I applied the Softening Milk on my damp hair, raked it through from roots to ends. I then finger coiled my hair into sections and let it air dry.

Results: Usually, I prefer more of a defined look with tighter curls but was surprisingly impressed how fluffy and voluminous this softening milk made my hair. Not only was my hair fabulously fluffy, but extremely soft and shiny! I’ve never seen my curls this with so much volume, this is a new look for me and I’m loving it!

The Mane Choice® Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-poo

My Hair Type: I have Type 2c waves mixed with 3a curls. My hair is coarse, with high porosity (due to lightening”>.

First Impressions: I’d never used The Mane Choice, and I’d also never used a pre-poo, so I was very excited to test this. My initial expectations were that a pre-poo may weigh my hair down and make it feel oily. I also primarily see The Mane Choice being used by curlier and coilier women in my social feeds, so I didn’t know if it would suit my waves.

Application: I followed the directions and applied the pre-poo to my hair before cleansing and let it sit for 5 minutes. It felt strange applying so much product to dry hair, but I was happy it didn’t add much time to my normal morning wash routine. Then I hopped in the shower and rinsed the pre-poo, and followed up by cleansing with the Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Shampoo. I fought the urge to use a clarifying shampoo because I really wanted to see how the products worked together in the line.

Results: I was pleasantly surprised by this pre-poo! It did not make my hair feel oily, weighed down, or limp. If anything it actually made my hair feel a lot softer, and I’ve had great volume on the days I’ve used it. I do have highlights on the ends of my hair, and now that my hair is getting longer I find that my ends get very dry, so I appreciate how soft and moisturized my hair feels when using this. I also do hot yoga classes most mornings, so I tend to cleanse a little more often than I otherwise would, and having a pre-poo in my arsenal now makes me feel like my workout routine doesn’t have to be at odds with my hair health. I would definitely recommend this to other wavies and curlies who are curious to try a pre-poo!

Have you tried the new Mane Choice Heavenly Halo line? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below, and be sure to share what your hair type is.

Thousands of curly community members voted in this year’s annual Best of the Best survey, and we recently announced the winning products. From your favorite cleansers, conditioners, moisturizers and stylers, you weighed in on the Holy Grail products that have been working for your curls, coils and waves this year. At NaturallyCurly we consider the Best of the Best results to be a shopping guide, so many of us have been trying out the winning products for ourselves to see what all the hype is. Today we’re sharing our reviews with you.

Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter

I’m always ready to try Camille Rose products, they’re a well-known allstar in the natural hair community, and their Curl Love Moisture Milk is one of my top “Make April’s hair super soft” go-tos. Since the Milk worked so well, I figured…why not try the other “dairy” products?

I’m not usually a fan of almond anything, it tends to go on too lightly for both my hair and my skin. But as soon as I saw honey in the ingredient list, I got excited again. The product does contain an alcohol and a methosulfate as a thickening agent (different from sulfates that suds and strip”>—however, because I know what to expect from Camille Rose Naturals, I went into this trusting that it would help. Coilies that already know their hair doesn’t play nicely with ‘science lab’ ingredients will want to look elsewhere though.

The consistency is pretty soft, like a whipped lotion. Because the first ingredient is deionized water I went a little heavier with it than I normally would anything called a ‘butter’ since my hair is high-porosity. My coils soaked it right up! And once again, they’ve managed to make something that smells like a creamy dessert going on, but because the smell isn’t too heavy or lingering, I’m glad that I can layer on my more woodsy perfumes and not have it clash.

My hair’s definitely softer after use—a bit heavier than my normal routine leaves it, but with a product made for light hold and elongation, that’s to be expected! I made the right call in just using this with my water bottle instead of going full LOC method—adding in another oil when the Almond Jai is largely oils and milks in itself would have left my scalp (and face, let’s be real”> super clogged. I don’t feel like the butter on its own would hold me down through being outside in the humidity for a good length, but it did get me between the walk to the car and to the office without losing the the loose definition I prefer. I think I’d have gotten a more dramatic lengthening effect with some flat twists instead of just my normal two-strand twists though, and I’m excited to experiment further!

For $15-17, the Almond Jai butter isn’t the cheapest thing you’ll ever pick up, but considering it does the work of a lotion as well as a light definer, it’s worth it for an 8oz jar!

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

I’ve never heard of this product, but do like to wear my hair straight, especially in the Fall. I’ve been on the hunt for a product that will protect my hair from heat damage so I was eager to try this out. I found it’s a favorite for many people regardless their hair types, so now it makes sense why it’s considered a holy grail for our community.

My first impression of this product I immediately noticed the sleek packaging, the lock and unlock button, and the easy to use nozzle that sprays out a mist. I’m all about the details and those small details made it extremely easy to use. I’m also huge on scents and I really liked the floral perfume smell!

Lately, I’ve been rockin’ my fro and I used this before I blow dried my hair. It left my hair soft and shiny. In the past, I’ve used oil based heat protectants and they weighed my hair down and left my hair too oily. So I was glad to see that wasn’t the case with this product.

I would definitely recommend this product and I do like how it is a product that can be used for all hair types. What’s great is that you can get this at a drugstore or Amazon for under $6, which is a major steal.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

First impressions: Upon receiving it, I shook the bottle and felt as if I were about to put 100% opaque white spray-deodorant onto my scalp. Skepticism turned into remorse. Why did I choose to try this? My 4C curls are braided into a protective style so I wanted to see if I could get away with not having to wash my scalp and braids by using Batiste. Oryza Sativa Starch, also known as Rice Starch, is the only ingredient that stood out to me. It is absorbent, which makes it perfect for those that have oily scalp and hair. The spray liquid is featherlight which instantly surprised me, especially since I was expecting a weighty spray that would cake onto my scalp.   Typically, I pre-poo, or massage a blended-herb scalp oil, into my scalp before cleansing my curls. In this instance, I wanted to get straight to freshening up my scalp and box braids, so it was the very first step I took in my routine. Having a fear of the results, I used this product one time and only for the sake of this review. Although it needs a little help from hair oils and serums, Batiste is so simple to use and is a reasonable alternative to a full scalp and braids washing session. It works for my intended purpose: efficient scalp and braids refreshment and cleaning.Although prices vary by retailer, I’ve seen it online and priced under $9.

Mielle Tiny Tots Sacha Inchi Curl Enhancing Cream

I’ve seen nothing but great reviews about this line, which is why I was excited to try it on my two-year old son’s hair.

The pump makes this cream really easy to use and my son is super independent so he likes when I pump the cream in his hand so he can apply it to his own hair. I loved that it has Sacha inchi, a plant native to South America. It’s full of nutrients including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as protein, vitamin E, dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and various other antioxidants. These ingredients make it great at locking in moisture, helping stimulate growth, and eliminating dandruff.

The instructions say you can apply to wet or dry hair so I’ve used it both ways. When I applied it to damp hair I used my fingers to comb it through his hair, which is my preferred daily routine. It made his hair more moisturized throughout the day, and it smelled great and felt extremely soft. I did notice that this makes the softness last longer than the current product I’m using in his hair.

This worked so well on my son’s dry hair that I’m actually thinking about trying it on my coliy hair.

It’s not sold at drugstores but you can easily order it online, and the standard prices is $11.99 plus shipping. I will definitely be purchasing this again when I run out.

DevaCurl Mist-er Right

I typically refresh with a spray bottle of water and a dime-sized amount of my styler, and I was worried that spraying a product all over my hair the way I do with water would leave my hair looking oily. I’ve had success using other DevaCurl products though, and I know the community has been loving this product for a long time, so I was optimistic.

I’ve recently gotten very into diffusing essential oils and am crazy about lavender oil, so I absolutely love that lavender oil is in the top 5 ingredients. Water is the number one ingredient, which is ideal for a refresher. The ingredients also include chamomile and rosemary extract, so it has a lovely botanical scent that feels very spa-like. It is DevaCurl, so it’s free of silicones. 

On dry, day 2 and day 3 hair I sprayed this liberally throughout my hair and then scrunched, following the instructions on the bottle. When I really wanted my curls to pop I would follow up with my diffuser for just a couple of minutes (which is what I did before the photo above”>. I also used this directly on my scalp on days when I take hot yoga classes and didn’t wash my hair. It helps keep my scalp fresh and to reactivate my curls after working out.

My hair definitely doesn’t feel oily or weighed down after using this, even with castor oil being the third ingredient on the list. My curls are actually very light and bouncy, and if I diffuse then I get plenty of volume. I will say that it doesn’t provide much hold, if any at all. If you’re someone who worries about frizz and needs to apply strong hold stylers on day 2 and day 3, then you may want to follow up with scrunching a gel in after you refresh with this. I actually like my hair to look as big as possible, so I don’t mind the fluffiness.

This product costs $17.95 for 12 fluid ounces, which I’d say is above average as far as curl refreshers go. You could potentially DIY yourself a similar mix of oils and water, but it wouldn’t keep as well or as long so you’d have to do that more often and you’d probably need to experiment to find your perfect blend. If you’re not the DIY type and you’re looking for an effective post-workout or 2nd day refresher, I would definitely recommend this one.

Have you tried these community Holy Grails? Let us know in the comments what you think of them.

To see the full list of Best of the Best winners, click here.

When I was considering cutting my hair short I tried to find examples of women with short Type 2/3 curls, and as you probably know if you’ve ever considered a cut, they are few and far between. There are plenty of “short curly cuts” that feature curling wand-induced waves and curls, but those are not a reliable predictor of what my hair will look like when I wake up in the morning. If at all possible, I like to find my haircut inspiration and then study the cut from every angle – front, side, back – and in many different situations from wash day to gym hair to refreshed 4th day hair. Perhaps it’s a lot to ask, but the world of social media has been a big help in this regard. TV and movies? Not so much.

That is, until recently.

I was settling into the latest binge-worthy drama Ozark on Netflix last week (think Breaking Bad, but set in the Missouri Ozarks and starring a financial planner instead of a high school teacher”>, when I was struck by one of the characters’ curls. Ruth Langmore, played by Julia Garner, is the brilliant ring-leader in a family of criminals and holds her own against stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. Following my Netflix binge I promptly got on Google to search for Garner’s curly hair routine (as you do, when you’re a curly”> and unfortunately I came up short. After watching and reading interview after interview with Garner throughout her career, inexplicably none of the interviews have asked her the one question we all want to know “what do you do with your hair?”

I did learn though, that she hasn’t always had curly hair. Garner told TheCut “When I was like 12, suddenly my roots started growing out curly and the ends were straight,” she recalls of that fateful time. “It looked like a rat’s nest — it was disgusting. I went to the hairdresser to fix it and he had to cut all my hair super short, so that all of my hair could be curly,” Garner recalls. “That was one of the weirdest experiences that I’ve ever had in my life. I went to school the next day and everyone was looking at me like, Who’s the new girl? My best friend didn’t recognize me.”

She embraced the dramatic new look. “I also started wearing super red lipstick when I was like, 14. I just feel like a lot of boys were like, ‘What’re you wearing lipstick for? Are you trying to like, impress us?’ And I’m just like, ‘No, I’m wearing it for myself.'”

I can get behind a woman who wears her hair, makeup and clothes because she likes it, and not for anyone else.

I have cut my hair short a couple of times now, and each time I was met with a surprising number of people who felt the need to tell me that curly hair does not look good when it’s short. That it made me look old. And that they preferred it long. I can honestly say that I don’t care what they think, but if I were younger and less confident it would have upset me and hurt my self esteem. This is why I think it’s so important that the women we see on TV, in movies, on the news, on red carpets, and in our magazines continue to push boundaries and wear their natural texture no matter what response they’re met with. I’m thankful for Garner and all of the women who continue to wear their hair for themselves.

By the way, I have asked her about her hair, and I will definitely let you know if I hear back.

We have published hundreds of curly hair recipes on NaturallyCurly, but to this day the most popular treatment of all time is: the mayonnaise hair treatment. This is probably because our grandmothers, our mothers, the magazine you browse at the grocery – everyone is telling you to use mayonnaise on your hair.

Does it really work?

Yes and no. We often see eggs and mayonnaise (because it contains eggs”> incorrectly touted as a strengthening protein treatment that can combat breakage. However, in truth they do not work as a protein treatment because the protein in eggs is too large to fit into the cuticle. Proteins must be hydrolyzed in order to do the job. So if your goal is strengthening, try a protein rich product that has been formulated for that purpose instead.

If your goal is softer, shinier, smoother feeling hair, then mayonnaise may be a good match for you. Mayonnaise does contain some hair healthy ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar and soybean oil which contain fatty acids and vitamins that can boost shine and act to seal in moisture. To find out what’s in a store bought jar of mayonnaise and its benefits, read here.

If you want to try a mayonnaise treatment for yourself, follow these steps.

How to do a mayonnaise hair treatment

1. Apply mayonnaise to freshly cleansed, damp hair the way you would a conditioner. Focus on the ends as they are the oldest part of your hair, and avoid your roots especially if you have fine or thin hair.
2. Put on a shower cap (a plastic bag works just as well”> or a heated thermal cap. This step can increase the absorption rate of the mayonnaise into your hair.
3. Leave the treatment in your hair for 15-30 minutes.
4. Cleanse with a gentle shampoo to remove the mayonnaise from your hair. If you feel you still have some residue you can cleanse again. 

Update:

“I tried it on my Type 2 & 3 curls! I went into this certain it would not work. We’ve published articles before about how the protein in mayonnaise is not hydrolyzed and therefore cannot work as a protein treatment. I’m also not a fan of using food for my hair – it’s just too messy! The mayo also smelled, and that was extremely offputting. So I was very surprised when I tried this treatment and it really did make my hair feel noticeably softer! My hair felt the way it does when I do a nourishing deep conditioning treatment. Anecdotally, I’ve seen a lot of people say this makes their hair feel smoother, softer, and shinier, and now I have to agree. I’d recommend this as a cheap and easy treatment for anyone hoping to get those results! Will I be doing mayo treatments on the regular now? Probably not. I just can’t get past the smell, and there are too many delicious-smelling DC’s on the market for me to put up with smelling like a sandwich in the shower.”- Cristina, NC Managing Editor

You can buy store bought mayonnaise or you can make your own with eggs, olive oil, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil. Whichever mayonnaise you choose, always remember you can also add other natural ingredients such as olive oil, avocado, or honey to mix a custom cocktail for your hair needs. In fact, specifically adding almond oil and vinegar can help to get rid of lice.

If you’re looking for softer hair and extra shine, we recommend trying this treatment once a month.

Have you tried mayonnaise on your hair? How did it work for you?

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This article was originally published in July 2011 and has been updated for grammar, clarity, and reader feedback.