Search Results: Cristina Cleveland

By Cristina Cleveland · Published October 28, 2016

Many of us love how defined and shiny our hair looks when it’s wet, but then our hair dries and it transforms into a completely different look. Dryness, frizz, loss of definition, and crunch are mortal enemies of curly hair, so Merian, aka @MisMmo on Instagram, set out to battle all of these issues when she created the Bounce Curl Light Gel Creme with aloe. Merian says “The list of products that I tried to use were endless. I became frustrated with all the unsuccessful harsh products I was using, so I decided to create my own.”

If you’ve seen the love around this product on Instagram, then you’ll be excited to learn that Merian has added new ingredients  for extra moisture. Nourishing ingredients like hydrolyzed jojoba esters, jojoba esters, nigella sativa (black seed oil”>, and Boswellia carterii oil have been added to the lightweight gel formula, while still leaving out parabens, sulfates, and silicones. She’s particularly excited about the black seed oil as it’s a Middle Eastern ingredient that she and her family used growing up.

How to apply Bounce Curl to reduce frizz

Products are not solely responsible for frizz free curls. Technique is just as important as the product, especially when the product was formulated with a specific application in mind. This is the best way to apply Bounce Curl Light Gel Creme.

Step 1. Start with soaking wet hair

Step 2. Section & apply the product

Merian likes to separate her hair into three sections before applying product. You can rake the product through to evenly distribute it with your fingers, but if this disturbs your curl and breaks it up too much then just use your fingers to run the product over your hair without separating the curls. As a general rule if you have looser waves or curls then try not to rake through your hair as this may break them up, and if you have tighter curls and coils you may find that your curls and coils pop right back after raking.

Step 3. Clump

Clump your hair by grasping sections of hair in your fist and squeezing. This will prevent frizz. Watch how Merian clumps her hair below.

Step 4. Scrunch

Scrunch the section that you just clumped by placing your hand at the ends of your hair and scrunching up towards your roots. Be gentle when doing this so as not to separate the clumps or create frizz. You can also scrunch with a microfiber towel or t-shirt to absorb any excess moisture at this stage.

Step 5. Air dry or diffuse

Merian likes to diffuse because she gets better hold from this method, but some curlies report that diffusers create frizz for them. Our writer Sandra aka JustCurly says that she prevents frizz when diffusing by always switching the diffuser off “before you move to diffuse another section of your curls… turning off your diffuser to move it will prevent your curls from getting frizzy.”

Once your hair is completely dry, your curls should be defined and have soft, touchable hold. If your hair is a little too defined and you want to create volume, you can flip your head forward and use your fingers to gently loosen the curls at the roots. Both Merian and NaturallyCurly writer Hortencia, aka Stylefeen, pick their hair with a comb to create more volume.

If you have thick hair

For thick hair Merian recommends applying your leave-in conditioner or moisturizers to your hair first, then finish with the Bounce Curl gel for extra hold. Merian told us “if you feel a “squeaky” reaction when you apply the gel, that just means that the cream is not compatible with the gel. That is still ok because once your hair is dry, it will look incredible. Bounce curl is currently waiting for hair cream to finish in the lab. In the meantime, you can use your regular hair creams and combine it with Bounce Curl gel.” 

Hortencia told me she’s “actually pretty obsessed with Bounce Curl. It has a way of giving you the best definition/hold without the crunch feeling.” If you have dry hair, Hortencia suggests cocktailing it with a cream for an extra boost of moisture. She pretty much convinced me that I need to try this with this simple video on Instagram:

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A video posted by Hortencia Caires Casazola (@stylefeen”> on Oct 21, 2016 at 2:41pm PDT

Have you tried Bounce Curl? Share your thoughts on it below! 

This post is sponsored by Bounce Curl.

By Cristina Cleveland · Published October 4, 2016

Your Instagram feed is a veritable rainbow these days, and you’re feeling the urge to try the trend. But, there’s just one problem: Your hair is curly. Curly and coily locks are more delicate than straight hair, as each bend in the strand is a weak point prone to breakage. Also, curly hair tends to be more porous and, as you probably know by now, you need a significant amount of moisture to keep it healthy. Unfortunately, lightening and coloring only aggravates these issues by causing more breakage, higher porosity, and more dryness.

Don’t fret just yet — there’s a way for you to go purple! Many of our readers have been asking how to go purple, but these tips will actually work for any hair color your heart desires. By paying attention to a few key steps, you can get in on the trend all your straight-haired friends have been rocking.

The Coconut-Bleaching Method

If you want to get pastel or vibrant locks, then you will most likely need to lighten your hair before coloring in order for the dye to show up. Unless you already have very light, blonde hair, the color simply will not show up on your strands, which will make bleaching or double-processing a necessary step in the process. Of course, bleaching can be damaging — but coconut oil can help. We recommend the coconut-oil method.

The night before your bleaching appointment, take pure, unrefined coconut oil and saturate your strands completely, from root to tip. Cover up with a shower cap, and leave in the oil overnight. The next day, bleach (or go to a professional stylist”> with the oil still in your hair. The oil acts in the same way that your hair’s natural oils do, protecting the tresses and scalp from the harmful effects of bleach. Some women in the curly community have even found that it helps the bleaching process go faster.

My purple waves, using Manic Panic

Temporary Color

There are many color options on the market when it comes to blues, purples, and pinks, but you’ll find that most of them are temporary. Manic Panic and Pravana are among the most popular lines carrying an array of unicorn colors, and both wash out over time. Depending on how vibrant you want your color to be, you can mix a small amount (start out with just one drop”> of a purple like Manic Panic’s Violet Night or Pravana’s Violet or Lavender to 2 cups of conditioner to create a lavender tint. If you want the color to be darker or more vibrant, you can add more color to your mixture until it resembles your desired color. You can also add small amounts of blue or pink to alter the resulting color, just remember that these colors are extremely pigmented so even a drop to make an impact. I initially went to a salon to dye my hair purple, but when that dye faded I used Manic Panic in Ultra Violet mixed in with my conditioner to maintain my lavender color.

Watch how askpRoy applied Manic Panic in Ultra Violet and Hot Pink to her hair. She used the whole jar for a deeper, richer color payoff.

To enhance her color, askpRoy enhanced her curls using our next temporary method.

Eyeshadow

If you don’t want to commit to the rainbow and are looking for an even more temporary fling, then try artist’s soft pastels (make sure they’re not oil pastels or chalk”> or cream eyeshadow, like Maybelline’s Color Tattoo. These options will appear vibrant even on dark hair, but application and maintenance can be a little messy. Watch to see how Evelyn and I used eyeshadow and pastels on our hair, and read this tutorial for detailed directions.

Maintaining your color

Now that you’re a purple-haired beauty, you’ll want to know how to maintain the color and keep your curls healthy.

Avoid Sulfates

Curlies prefer sulfate-free shampoos as it is, but if your hair is color-treated, then you will definitely want to avoid these stripping agents as they’ll make your color fade faster.

Add Color To Conditioner

Mix a small amount of your hair color in with your conditioner, so that every time you condition, you are also giving yourself a color touchup.

Do A Weekly Protein Treatment

Protein will help fill the holes created by bleaching and lightening the hair, and it will also help soften the hair when it feels like straw. We like ApHogee’s Two-Step Protein Treatment and Tigi Dumb Blond Reconstructor. Check out our full guide to finding the right protein treatment for you.

Deep Condition

By now you you may be growing tired of this refrain, but lightening your hair creates a damaging chemical reaction that cannot be undone. While you can’t completely prevent or reverse the damage done by bleach, you can help reduce the negative effects by moisturizing your hair. We like EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque, Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask and MYHoneyChild Honey Hair Mask, but read here for a full list of deep conditioner favorites.

Want more? 

This is the key to maintaining healthy, bleached Type 4 hair.

Subscribe to AskpRoy for more of her videos and tutorials here.

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 23, 2016

2. Darcy’s Botanicals Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme

I like this product. It smells very good and is nice and creamy. A little bit does go a long way so be careful not to use too much. The first time I used the product I was heavy handed and my hair was very oily. But using a lighter amount worked perfectly. It didn’t provide any hold for me but it did add great moisture. I can use it to add moisture to just about any style. – KinkySheaPT

3. Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo

The best shampoo I have ever used. Moisturizes my scalp yet cleans well too. I use this every 2-3 days because my scalp won’t tolerate cowashing and I couldn’t be happier. Ingredients are pretty natural and there are some parabens, but they’re pretty low on the list and the price can’t be beat. I love the peachy scent! The only thing is that you do need to clarify every month or so, because it can cause some build-up after a while. But other than that it is literally the best shampoo ever. – Anonymous

4. Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

This is EXCELLENT!!! I love the smell so much. It smells like the Burnt Sugar Pomade, and it has such a smooth, light texture. It’s a great moisturizer, especially when you put the pomade on top. Also, it’s great for refreshing/re-moisturizing because the texture is light enough that it doesn’t cause build-up or residue. Amazing product, I adore it. – Anonymous

5. Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse

I’ve always been a fan of Camille Rose products and needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed when I tried this product for the first time, it left my hair moisturized, I mean I can literally run my fingers through my 4C hair while washing it which I’ve never been able to do…period!! Love this stuff and a little goes a long way, so I will be rocking this bottle for a while. – etrenise32

6. As I Am Cleansing Pudding

When I first purchased this product on the clearance aisle at Target(it was in the bottle then”>, I didn’t like it because it didn’t produce suds. I was new to the low-poo, no poo methods and didn’t understand about how to properly cleanse kinky hair. I revisited this product after a few months and after I started using the coconut co-wash. This cleanser is the next best thing to a sudsy shampoo. Gets my hair clean without drying out my coils. Definitely recommend. – Anonymous

7. Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I’m new to JBCO (I know, I’m behind the curve”>, but I’m excited so far. I’ve used this JBCO on my scalp after a wash, and as a sealant. I will echo other reviewers in that there is an odor, almost like sesame seeds/oil. It gets four stars for that, but don’t count this product out. Just use a light touch. Other than that, this oil has been touted as a strengthener, and I must agree that I’ve noticed less breakage. – Anonymous

8. MopTop Deep Conditioner

This is hands down the best deep conditioner I have ever used since I’ve been natural. It left my hair soft and incredibly moisturized. My hair felt like silk after I rinsed it out. My curls clumped together beautifully and the shine was amazing. I recommend this product to all curlies with low to normal porosity and medium to coarse density. This may be a bit too heavy for fine haired curlies. This product will definitely be one of my staples! – Anonymous

9. Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil

10. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen Grow Restore Leave-In Conditioner

I am in love with this product. I use this alone and set it with an oil spray. It’s makes my curls easy to detangle (I use a wide tooth comb”> and keeps them defined and moisturized. A very little goes a long way and it’s creamy and light enough to evenly distribute. I can definitely imagine myself using this product for a very long time. I love the smell as well! – kaithunt

11. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel

13. Kinky-Curly Travel Kit

This travel pack is super convenient if you love Kinky Curly. I absolutely need my Knot Today (even when I travel”> so I went ahead and bought this for my trip, and ended up using everything else except the Custard (which is not really for my Type 2 hair”>. It was very useful! – susonnahg

14. Jessicurl Gelebration Spray

Hair Type: 2b/c. I highly recommend this product if your hair is the type that gets easily weighed down. This product worked really well for my thick wavy hair. I applied GS (Gelebration Spray”> to my wet hair, distributed it with a comb, and then scrunched with my microfiber towel. GS gives my curls definition without weighing them down. I’ve tried many other curl enhancers (Jessicurl included”> and they all weigh down my curls and give my hair a wet crunchy look (I hate that”>. I like to use this product in conjunction with JC Awe Inspiriling Spray, and/or Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Hair Spray. – amberdm

15. ApHogee Curlific! Texture Treatment

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 19, 2016

PHOTO BY XiXinXing — GETTY IMAGES

If your workplace discriminates against you based on your natural hairstyle, is that a form of racial discrimination?

Chastity Jones felt like it was when her offer of employment was rescinded based on the fact that she wouldn’t cut her dreadlocks.

The EEOC argued that dreadlocks, a term originating during the slave trade, are “a manner of wearing hair that is common for black people and suitable for black hair texture. Dreadlocks are formed in a black person’s hair naturally, without any manipulation, or by manual manipulation of hair into larger coils.”

Jones had applied for the position online, and after being chosen for an in-person interview she received an offer of employment. After meeting to discuss paperwork the HR Manager told Jones they couldn’t hire her with her hair in dreadlocks because “they tend to get messy, although I’m not saying yours are, but you know what I’m talking about.” 

When Jones refused to cut her hair for the position, she was asked to return her paperwork and told that she could not be hired with them. At the time, the company’s grooming policy said that “All personnel are expected to be dressed and groomed in a manner that projects a professional and businesslike image while adhering to company and industry standards and/or guidelines. . . . [H]airstyle should reflect a business/professional image. No excessive hairstyles or unusual colors are acceptable[.]”

What does a business/professional image look like in 2016? It’s a question that our community members are talking about every day in our comments sections and Facebook feed. These “neutral” policies affect women starting at a young age in school and follow them all the way through their professional lives.

You can hear about the impacts on young girls from Butler High School in Louisiana to Pretoria Girls High in South Africa, and that’s only because these girls stood up and were vocal about how policies were affecting them. But we know all too well that the effects don’t stop there. They live on in the silent doubts that women ask themselves every morning when they get ready for work and school. They inevitably affect the confidence women have when presenting themselves or taking risks in the workplace.

With this latest ruling, it would appear that dreadlocks are still too much, and natural hair is still a “mutable characteristic.”

NaturallyCurly World, weigh in. Have you ever been discriminated on because of your natural hair in your workplace? Share your stories below.

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 15, 2016

NaturallyCurly is proud to be the Media Sponsor for The Curly Monologues, a series of gatherings where women can share their personal stories of growing up curly on stage to an audience of other curlies. Curly Monologues founder Jonathan Pillot says “it’s an amazing thing to witness curly girls as they step into the theater, their eyes pop open and they all viscerally laugh or nod or shake their heads because there’s never been a time in their lives where they walk into a place and everyone has curly hair.”

I recently sat down with Jonathan to find out what inspired him to start the Curly Monologues, and what makes the events such a cathartic experience for everyone involved.

What inspired you to start the Curly Monologues? As a man, and one with straight hair, what did you see in the curly story?

Curly girls always have something to say below the surface, and in my work as a storyteller and director I always try to focus on what’s going on below the surface. When I would ask a woman with curly hair if she had a story about her curly hair, she would look at me like I was crazy, because she didn’t have just one story – she had hundreds.

I realized that what these women were saying was so universal and powerful and personal and emotional and open and vulnerable and true and authentic, that the stories would and could work live on stage. And that was the moment that the Curly monologues were born.

I mounted a few in New York at different venues and they keep getting bigger. For the women, being in a room of other curlies kind of blows their minds and helps them feel welcomed in an environment where everybody gets everybody, and that gets to the heart of what this is about. My work as a storyteller around tribe is that they transcend age and ethnicity and all of those very limiting silos that people usually connect on.

Have you seen any common themes in the Monologues?

Curly hair is really just a metaphor for the bigger thing. The metaphor of fitting in, hiding out, not being yourself, accepting yourself. The Curly Monologues are about elevating the conversation beyond just hair.

Who started the whole notion that straight hair was professional? I often say when people make judgments about curly hair at a job interview it’s like saying that candidate’s arms were too long or something. You can’t make an extrapolation about their choices when they come to an interview based on how they look, that’s just so off.

I just want people to be themselves. I’m all about personal empowerment and celebrating who you are. I don’t want people to be discriminated against based on their hair, it’s just ridiculous.

What’s your goal for the Curly Monologues?

I want to grow it , I want to go on tour, I want to find the right partner who can see the big picture. I love that NaturallyCurly is a part of it and I want to grow our relationship together.

I’ve always thought this would do really well overseas, so I’d like to do that too. It’s not just a New York thing, it’s certainly not a white thing, black thing, brown thing, it’s just a curl thing.  I just filmed my first monologue entirely in French with a mom and a daughter.

How do they come up with the stories?

They write their monologues, I just try to help them tell the story. In most of us there’s a little bit of a storyteller right? And in the Curly Monologues they’re telling a story that they know very well, it’s not like I’m asking them to act. They’re very comfortable because they’re just telling the truth. They don’t have to think about lines or forgetting something, this is their story.

What I always say is it’s really just allowing people to be. I’m never there as a director to tell somebody what to say. I’m just trying to create whatever it takes for them to be the most authentic version of themselves.

The next Curly Monologue is in San Francisco on Sunday, September 25. Click here to purchase tickets, and follow the Curly Monologues for more updates. 

By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 13, 2016

We spend most of our time on NaturallyCurly talking about the naturally curly hair we love and embrace, but today we are talking about the naturally curly hair… that we don’t want.

This is why you always get ingrown hairs

Curly and coily hair is actually different from other hair types, and that can make it more difficult when it comes to maintaining a close, smooth shave. Dr. Henry explained that curly or coarse hair is “more prone to bending or curling back into the skin, so if we cut the hairs improperly they can bend into the skin, and when they re-enter the skin it’s almost like having a splinter. So that area becomes red, it becomes raised, and it becomes what we know classically as an ingrown hair… The curlier the coilier the hair, the more pronounced the arc, the angle of the curve. So the curlier the hair the more difficult it is and the more important it is to shave appropriately so we don’t create an ingrown hair.”

You’re shaving the wrong way

Many of us have spent our adult lifetimes shaving one way: against the grain. We slide our razor from our ankles up towards our knees, and apparently we’ve been doing it wrong all along. Blackwell explains that “at Bevel we always say shave with the grain. Which means, shave in the direction that your hair grows in. I think there’s a lot of education or even in commercials you see everybody going against the grain, so pulling up, and doing all of these things that go against the grain. But really shave in the direction the hair goes, which helps to keep that shave smoother and right against the skin.”

What does shaving against the grain do?

Is this just a difference of opinion, or does shaving against the grain actually have negative effects? Many of us shave against the grain because we feel that it gives us a closer shave that will give us longer lasting results, but this may not work for our naturally curly hair. Dr. Henry says that when you shave against the grain, “you’re lifting those hairs and cutting them below the surface of the skin, so when that happens, when the hair starts to grow and starts to curl as it does, it may even start to transept the follicle, or grow into the skin deep. That’s when you get the deep, painful ingrown hairs. So it’s really important to go with the grain and cut the hair right at the level of the skin.”

If this goes against everything you have ever learned and believed in, you’re not alone! “Honestly, it changed my life learning that. It really changed my life, because I did it wrong for years and that one shift was a profound revolution” said Blackwell.

Why do ingrown hairs matter?

Ingrown hairs can be annoying and even painful, but the effects can last far beyond that single hair. Dr. Henry told us that “in brown skin or in darker skin, what I see is that razor burn can also cause hyperpigmentation. Ingrown hairs can cause hyperpigmentation. This becomes a huge, not only a kind of painful, uncomfortable condition but also an un-aesthetically pleasing condition. So that’s probably the biggest concern with dark skin is that when we get the ingrown hairs, the hairs will grow out and the bumps will go away but the hyperpigmentation will last for a long time.”

If hyperpigmentation is an issue for you, Dr. Henry recommends using an after-shave – no, they’re not just for men. She likes Bevel’s post-shave Restoring Balm because it has salicylic acid and lactic acid in it. “What’s great about that is it doesn’t only feel good because it’s kind of moisturizing, but it’s also preventing ingrown hairs. So that salicylic acid and that lactic acid will help to lighten that hyperpigmentation just a touch.”

Don’t skip shaving cream

We know our community embodies the DIY spirit when it comes to caring for and even cutting our hair, and many of our community members like to use coconut oil or other oils to shave with. So does oil really work just as well as a store-bought product?

According to Dr. Henry, “It’s nice to use an oil because it will provide a barrier, but what’s really going to help your shave and to help you prevent ingrown hairs is using something that can lather and lift those hairs. So what the shaving cream does is lift those hairs, and in addition it’s hydrating. What happens when we hydrate the hair is that it swells, and when it swells it’s easier to cut. You’re just not going to get that with an oil alone, so it’s really important to use something that’s hydrating and moisturizing and with a little bit of a foam to help lift those hairs.”

Cassidy recommends using the Bevel Badger Brush, because she says “when you whip a lather with this it also works to do exactly what Dr. Henry says, which is to lift those hairs and really prepare them to shave.”

Watch the full Hangout

We covered even more ground in the Hangout, like the best way to shave our bikini areas and why shaving every 2 weeks is not enough (I know, we were disappointed too”>. Watch the full Hangout for more surprising shaving tips.

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 7, 2016

Did you grow up feeling like your hair was wrong? You’re not alone.

Despite 60% of the population being born with textured hair, it’s amazing that the experience can still be such an isolating one. Every day we strive to change that here at NaturallyCurly, and it’s one of our priorities that we support people who share our mission.

We are proud to be the Media Sponsor for The Curly Monologues, a series of gatherings where women can share “The Secret Lives of Girls with Curls” through music, spoken word and theater.

I recently sat down with two-time Curly Monologuer  Valerie Bennis to find out what it’s like to get up on a stage and discover you’re not alone. 

What did you feel it was important to share in your Curly Monologue?

I shared throughout my life what it was like having curly hair, starting from being a little girl and wanting a ponytail. And having a mother who wasn’t very adept at hair grooming, so she kept my hair short through most of my childhood and I thought people might think I was a boy.

But I think more than anything there was a certain amount of shame I had about my hair.

All I wanted was a long ponytail or braid, yunno something very sleek or smooth.

But then as I grew up, as a teenager my mother and I used to go and get our hair straightened. So we would go to a professional place and get my hair professionally straightened once a year. 

The message was always that there’s something wrong with your hair.

I got teased about it. My mother when I would let it grow a little bit wild when I was a teenager would make me smooth it out, sit under a dryer, put it in rollers, wear it in a bun, I wore kerchiefs on my head.

The whole message there’s something wrong with your hair. Through family, through our culture, through people at school, I remember someone teasing me at school and saying your hair is like pubic hair. For a teenage girl to hear that, I couldn’t feel attractive with this hair.

I didn’t know what to do with it, there were no grooming products, it was a source of shame where for many women hair is a source of pleasure. When you feel that your hair looks good, you feel that you look good.

Then to make matters worse, my twin brother has beautiful, thick wavy hair. So it was like why did he get that hair and I got this hair?

My hair, which I now appreciate, is very tight curls.

What happened to me when I turned 50 was I went to Devachan and they taught me what to do with my hair, and now there are all of these products – but that was a lifetime, from the age of 8 to 50, of not liking my hair. I wore it short, I straightened, I curled it, I did everything to try to manage it and hide it.

Did you feel alone in that process?

I did, I did because if I look back on the people I went to school with, no one had hair like mine. If they did they surely were straightening it. My best friend in high school had really beautiful, long straight hair down her back. My grandmother had beautiful long straight hair. But my mother had curly hair, and she didn’t really know what to do with it, she used to go to the beauty parlor every week. So I felt alone, I didn’t know anyone else who had the same issue – and it was an issue. I used to lie in bed and wish for straight hair.

There was a loneliness, there was a sense of not being attractive, and not looking “right.”

What was it like to get on stage at the Curly Monologues and tell your story?

It was very cathartic, it was very cathartic seeing other women with curly hair and hearing their stories. Also when I went to Devachan for the first time, seeing other women with my kind of hair and being in a place where curly hair is totally accepted and loved – that was so different!

But at the same time, what’s interesting is there were people who would come up to me and say “wow are those curls yours” and “did you get a permanent,” and there were people getting permanents so in a way it was a conflicted message. In a way, people were telling me no this is not the right kind of hair to have, but there was an interest or fascination with it so that also made it confusing.

It sounds like it took a long time to get to a point where you knew what to do with your hair, do you feel that now you’re fully at peace with it?

I think for the most part I am. Do you have curly hair?

Yes I do

So you know that with curly hair, there are days when the curls look really good, the weather conditions are right. Mostly I don’t think I would ever straighten it again, I recently had it blown straight out of curiosity. Most of the time I’m okay with it, but sometimes I do think I wish it wasn’t as curly or I wish I had a different kind of curl, I wish it was a looser curl, not these tight curls. So I still go to that place of inacceptance of what my hair is.

Do you feel like you’ve seen a shift in the culture around the acceptance of curly hair?

Without question, I definitely see a change. The products on the market – there are so many products on the market for curly hair now.

But still, I recently met a woman who has wavy hair and she straightens it because she thinks it’s not professional to be wavy curly. I still hear women say that they think it’s not professional looking and that they straighten their hair for work. That woman shared her feelings with me and I was able to give her some tips since she wanted to try going naturally curly. I think we’ve made a lot of progress, certainly with Devachan Salon, Ouidad, I know there are other great salons now, what you’re doing, what Jonathan is doing, this is all very positive. So I definitely, definitely feel we’ve made a lot of progress and that curly hair is definitely more accepted.

What do you think is so special about the Curly Monologues?

First of all I think it’s great that it was started by a man who sees the originality of curly hair and wanted to give women who struggled with it a platform. I just think that’s such a beautiful contribution.

Because it is, no matter whether a woman has straight hair or curly hair, hair is part of her sense of beauty and confidence, it can be such an integral part of identity, so what he’s doing is giving women a special platform to share how they feel, really about themselves. It is a connection to their identity, it’s personal, it’s funny, it’s poignant, it says a lot about our culture and what is supposed to be “good.”

Like somehow straight hair is better, or more elegant or more professional. So having all of these women together, younger and older, women who have finally accepted their hair, I think it’s very special and unique.

I think it’s many-layered, because ultimately it’s not really about their hair but more so about how they feel about themselves.

I hope that we as a culture keep going in the direction that all looks are perfect, no matter what. And that there is no better than or best hair. Hair can be used to our advantage as a form of self expression, because each curl is really unique and different.

To get tickets to a Curly Monologue near you, click here.

By Cristina Cleveland · Published September 6, 2016

As a NaturallyCurly Editor and community member, I’m pretty proficient in reading my hair product labels at this point. I speak the language of water-soluble silicones and fatty alcohols. I also use sunscreen rated highly by the Environmental Working Group and natural charcoal deodorant, yet somehow I still remain blissfully unaware of what’s in many of the cosmetics I use every day.   I realize it’s a contradiction, and speaking with fellow curlies it’s one I believe many of us share.

I firmly believe that embracing your natural hair is just one step in the larger journey to self-love, and for many that journey includes becoming a more conscious consumer and being more thoughtful about what we put on our bodies. One switch I’m in the process of making is from using nail polish brands that contain harmful ingredients to brands that make an effort to leave out these culprits. Here’s what to look for.

What’s so wrong with nail polish?

Leading nail polish brands contain many chemical ingredients that help the formula stay on our nails longer, apply evenly, and prevent them from chipping. Of course we want our nail polish to do all of these things, but at what cost?

Many nail polishes have traditionally contained formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, three chemicals that have come to be known by public health advocates as the “toxic trio.” Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen while the other two, toluene and dibutyl phthalate, are linked to developmental defects. As brands have been making the move to remove phthalates from their formulas, they have been replacing them with a chemical called triphenyl phosphate, also known as TPP or TPHP. Triphenyl phosphate is a flame retardant used in many household products such as foam cushions in furniture and is used to make plastics, it also helps make nail polish last longer. According to the Environmental Working Group, “TPHP might disrupt hormones in humans, and in animal studies has upset reproductive and development processes.”

Even when brands have stopped listing these toxic ingredients on their product labels, a 2012 investigation by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control found that brands were continuing to use the ingredients in their formulas even after removing them from the labels.

Why does it matter?

• Salon employees – who are exposed to these chemicals all day, every day
• Teens and children – who are especially vulnerable to hormone disruptors during the developmental stages before and during puberty

What to avoid

Even “natural” nail polishes are still going to contain synthetic materials and VOCs that you will be exposed to during the application, wearing and removal, but if you are looking to find nail polishes that don’t contain known harmful ingredients then it’s a good idea to start with the “toxic trio” of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. Products that don’t contain the “toxic trio” are common referred to as “three free.” Here’s a short list to look for:

• triphenyl phosphate, aka TPP or TPHP
• formaldehyde
• toluene
• dibutyl phthalate
• formaldehyde resin
• camphor

A few of the popular brands that EWG’s Skin Deep database lists as containing TPHP in their polishes include:

• Sally Hansen
• Essie
• OPI
• butter LONDON
• Revlon
• Wet N Wild 

Should you stop using nail polish?

As with all ingredients, it is a personal choice. It is important to note that the studies on the effects of TPHP that have been done so far have been conducted on animals, not humans. As Richard Sachleben, an expert spokesman for the American Chemical Society, points out in the Huffington Post, the results found in the Duke and EWG study hasn’t been directly linked to human health. Keep in mind the high risk groups who may be affected most greatly by use of these products, nail techs, teens and children.

I’d love to know, do you avoid chemicals in all of your cosmetics and household products? Or mostly just in your hair?

And if you’ve found a “three free” nail polish that you love, please share it below!

What’s next?

Want to know what to look out for in hair products? Here are 5 ingredients to know and avoid. 

It’s not all bad, here are 4 ingredients that are good for your hair and your face. 

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published August 26, 2016

I have yet to meet a curly girl who doesn’t have a haircut horror story in which a stylist cut their hair too short. Whether it’s because they failed to take our natural shrinkage into account, or they simply didn’t listen to our requests to cut just one inch (and instead cut 6″>, many curly girls have been burned one too many times and now boycott the salon.

Why do you need a haircut?

Avoiding the salon when you’ve been disappointed before is understandable, but it can also lead to hair that is pyramid shaped, has damage on the ends, and stops cooperating no matter what products we use. I have definitely gone years without visiting a salon before in an effort to save my length, but in the process I was left with long, damaged hair that stopped clumping into defined curls. I’ve since discovered stylists who know how to cut my curls and embraced the game-changing effect a haircut can have. 

If you’re in a long-term salon boycott right now, it’s important to know that it is possible to get a curly haircut without ending up with a bob. The key is to:

• Do your research and find a stylist who has experience with your hair type
• Schedule a consultation with them first to talk about your goals and their approach

There are many curl stylists now, and each has a their own techniques and cuts that they pull from depending on your goals and personal style. One stylist may use a dry cut for one client and a wet cut for another. I recently spoke with stylist Amanda Troisi, aka MyCurlsNY, at Julien Farel Salon about how she works with clients who want to keep their length, and this is what she shared.

Before

My client wanted to achieve more height and movement, without creating choppy looking layers and jeopardizing the length. She also wanted to get rid of any dead ends and discover an overall shape for her thick curly hair, which did not have one. She asked for a curly cut that was low maintenance and modern.

The cut

One of my haircuts that I do is called the bonsai cut.  I brush the curls out into its full form using a silicone brush  that combs through the curls with ease and does not rip at the hair. This cut helps see the shape of the hair (the perfect shape is circular, not boxy”>. I then trim it just as you think – like a bonsai tree!

Why do you brush out the curls first? How do you make sure not to damage the hair when brushing?

Brushing the curls is a huge part of the cut. I use a silicon brush that detangles the curls gently and with ease! This brush is by a company called Janeke and is made in Italy. I brush the curls to see where the hair sits when it’s reaching for moisture, this gives me the opportunity to find the curls that reach out of place.

It’s like sculpting the curls.

What was causing the boxy shape of the cut before, and what did you do to create a rounder, more flattering shape?

What was the outcome of this cut? 

After

She felt like the cut gave her hair appropriate height which she said highlighted her facial features. Her final words were  “this is the only way I’ll cut my curls now!”

You can follow stylist Amanda on Instagram at @MyCurlsNY, and her client is dancer @Rosiepbell.

If you love seeing before and after photos as much as I do, check out these 15 Curly Hair Transformations You Have to See to Believe.

To see more cuts by curly hair specialists, check out the 18 Best Haircuts for Curly Hair. 

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By Cristina Cleveland · Published August 11, 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN JOSEPH SALON

We recently published an article on the curly hair concern our readers refer to as triangle hair, mushroom head, Christmas tree head, and perhaps most commonly, pyramid head.

PHOTO VIA NATURALLYCURLY ON FACEBOOK

Curly hair specialists weighed in on the importance of a flattering cut from an experienced stylist to combat this common shape. But beyond the cut, there are a few tricks that curly hair specialists use to prevent pyramid head. Ultimately, we are trying to avoid two common tendencies that curly girls have:

• flatness at the roots and 
• excessive volume at the ends

These two looks combined create the triangle shape that many curlies are trying to avoid. I do want to note that this shape is not inherently bad, it can look fabulous! Curly hair stylist Isabella Vazquez loves this silhouette because she says “opening the curls at a starting point of the eyes will accentuate and draw attention to the eyes, cheeks and lips.” But if you prefer more lift at the roots and less weight at the ends, try these expert styling tricks.

PICTURED: BREANNE PRINCE

1. Clip the roots

Shari Harbinger, Vice President of Education at DevaCurl, recommends using clips at the roots to create lift, “keeping the hair from weighing down on itself.” To clip your roots “take two fingers and lift one family of curls and place the clip as close to — or on — the scalp, east to west.” Use a minimum of six clips, and for best results use 10. For your best results, try not to touch your hair during the drying process. I know that’s easier said than done, so for a full guide to clipping check out curly hair stylist Brianne Prince of  Brianne Prince Salon‘s step by step tutorial, complete with a handy name that will make easier to recreate, “O Clipping.”

PICTURED: ROCIO MORA

2. Rake & shake

Ouidad, owner of New York’s Ouidad Salon, the Curl Education Center, recommends that you “style it from the bottom, with our ‘shake and rake’ method. With gel in your palm, rub your hands together and grab your hair in sections from the root, sliding your fingers through the end to recreate the curl pattern. If you do that in steps all the way to the top, you’re setting your curl pattern. Then, take duck clips, put them on their side, and slide them on your scalp to lift the root up and allow the curls to cascade down.” NaturallyCurly contributor Rocio Mora filmed how she uses the Rake and Shake method for defined, touchable curls, you can watch her full tutorial here.

PICTURED: NATURALLYCURLY EDITOR GERILYN H

 3. Section to style

Christo, global artistic director of New York’s Christo Fifth Avenue salon says “The bottom layer of your hair will expand, even with a good haircut, if you’re not styling it properly. Invest the five to 10 minutes it takes to section the hair and apply your products correctly, so you won’t have to worry about frizz or pyramids.” This tip holds true for every hair type, from loose and wavy to tight and coily, no matter your hair length. Here is our Branded Content Editor Gerilyn sectioning her TWA into “tiny, tiny, tiny puffs” in her article “Yes, You Can Section a TWA in 3 Easy Steps.”

We don’t all have easy access to curly hair stylists in the areas we live in, so if you are in between haircuts, or if you have had the misfortune of getting a bad haircut, Christo recommends that you “make sure your hair is styled well, then you can pin some of your curls back with bobby pins. It will add lift to the root area so you can fake a haircut.”

PICTURED: TANESHA AWASTHI

4. Bun while drying

Fashion blogger  Tanesha Awasthi has an envy-inducing wardrobe and a gorgeous head of curls to match. She has a game-changing trick for air drying that anyone can master: air drying in a top knot. After applying her styling product, she air dries it in a loose top knot until it is 50% dry, then she takes it down to air dry the rest of the way. For a full tutorial from cleansing to the finished look, watch Tanesha’s tutorial here.

PICTURED: NATURALLYCURLY EDITOR JAMIE K

5. Plopping

Plopping is a tried and true technique that was born right here on our NaturallyCurly forums. It is similar to a towel turban that many of us learned at a young age, but instead of using a terry cloth towel we use a t-shirt or microfiber towel. This prevents frizz, blots out extra moisture, and gives hair the opportunity to dry without being pulled down by wet hair. To plop, flip your head forward into your t-shirt or towel and tie it in a knot around your head. We created step by step tutorials for both the towel and the t-shirt method here.

PICTURED: BREANNE PRINCE

6. Curl kebabs

When clipping became difficult for Breanne Prince due to a limited range of motion, she invented a new gravity-defying technique: curl kebabs. For this technique, Breanne recommends using anything that’s long, thin, and not blunt at the ends so as not to disturb the curl pattern. Kebab skewers, pencils, chopsticks, rattail combs, or anything you have in this shape will work. Slide the skewers towards each other to lift the curls up at the roots and allow them to dry this way, then slide them out when your hair is dry. This may be easier for some to master than the clipping is – it’s all about finding a method that works for you. Watch Breanne’s full video tutorial here.

PICTURED: SANDRA AKA JUSTCURLY

7. Diffusing upside down

Diffusing is a major time saver for curlies who don’t have time to wait for their hair to air dry fully. Not only do diffusers speed up your drying time, they also create volume. If you’re pressed for time or find that your hair dries flat to your head, make sure you focus your diffuser at the roots to create lift there. To prevent frizz, NaturallyCurly contributor Sandra recommends that you “don’t move your drier whenever it’s turned on. Always turn it off before you move to diffuse another section of your curls.” Watch her routine for getting her curls to clump here.

Have you dealt with Christmas tree head?

What’s next?

A good routine and a flattering cut can make all the difference, just look at these 15 Curly Hair Transformations You Have to See to Believe. 

Haven’t found a curl stylist yet? Look for these 6 Signs a Stylist Knows How to Cut Curly Hair. 

In a hair rut? Follow us on Instagram @NaturallyCurly and stylist @EvanJosephSalon (whose work is pictured above”> for inspiration.

Like what you see? For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

By Cristina Cleveland · Published June 23, 2016

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We still can’t believe Natalie got invited to the attend the @uswomen2016 #StateofWomen conference for her efforts to empower young girls to find their inner superpower! #MoxieMcGriff #jaxmomsblog #ilovejax #kinkcoily #blackgirlmagic

A photo posted by Adventures of Moxie McGriff (@adventuresofmoxiegirl”> on Jun 2, 2016 at 4:49pm PDT

Do you remember what it felt like to be 8 years old? Do you remember the messages you were seeing on TV in cartoons and ads every day, and how they made you feel? For me it’s been decades since I was in those shoes, so I personally found it both inspiring and humbling to speak with Natalie McGriff, the award-winning co-author of “The Adventures of MoxieMcGriff.” Natalie recently attended  The White House Summit on the United State of Women for her efforts to empower young girls to find their inner superpower and promote literacy amongst girls of color, and did I mention she’s 8 years old? Natalie co-wrote the comic “The Adventures of MoxieMcGriff” about a superhero with superpower afro puffs along with her mother, due to Natalie hating her natural hair, the color of her skin and reading. After writing the comic, in which the heroine (based on Natalie”> gains superpowers in her hair, Natalie realized the power and beauty in being unique and loving yourself.

What inspired you to write this book?

What inspired me to write was that I didn’t like my hair, and so I wrote this book about a girl who doesn’t like her hair and she saves the library with her red and blue afro puffs.

How did you come up with the red and blue afro puffs?

Red and blue is my favorite color, and they stand for fire and ice.

When they see me in the cartoon they’ll feel confident about themselves and learn to love themselves, because they’re seeing someone their color and someone who looks like them on TV.

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A photo posted by Adventures of Moxie McGriff (@adventuresofmoxiegirl”> on May 27, 2016 at 5:08pm PDT

Had anyone ever said anything negative to you about your hair?

Well no one said anything negative about my hair, but I wanted my hair to be straight because I saw other people with long and straight hair. So that’s why I wanted my hair to be long and straight.

I know a lot of our readers have felt that way about their hair at some point too, so I think this book will be really helpful. What would you say to other girls your age who don’t like the way their hair looks or don’t like the way they look?

To love the way their hair is made and have confidence in themselves.

What have your family and friends done to help you be more confident in yourself?

Every day my family tells me I’m beautiful, but it was when I wrote my book that’s when I really started liking my hair.

What do you think it’ll take for other young children and children of color to feel self-love?

I think it takes kids seeing people like them, people their color doing things. So when they see me in the cartoon they’ll feel confident about themselves and learn to love themselves, because they’re seeing someone their color and someone who looks like them on TV.

What are you doing to promote literacy among young children?

Donating books, reading to children, having book drives where other people donate books. I go read to the Boys and Girls Club and I go into schools to read too.

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A photo posted by Adventures of Moxie McGriff (@adventuresofmoxiegirl”> on May 14, 2015 at 1:20pm PDT

What are you most excited about attending the United State of Women Summit?

Going to Washington DC, and meeting Michelle Obama.

Angie, Natalie’s Mom: Maybe, maybe meeting Michelle Obama.

Natalie: Maybe. That’s on my list, my bucket list.

Can you tell me about the cartoon?

One character is based on my cousin Chris, he has hearing aids and we decided that could be his super power, good hearing. He uses his hearing aids to hear very long distances and he throws it as a boomerang.

Angie, Natalie’s Mom: We came up with some more characters for the next book and the cartoon to add to the Moxie Crew, and a lot of those characters had insecurities or disabilities. So we used those insecurities and disabilities as their super powers.

What’s a talent or a skill of yours that you’re most proud of?

Track, running, and gymnastics. But mostly track.

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#MoxieMcGriff at the @uswomen2016 #StateofWomen Summit #StateofWomen

A photo posted by Adventures of Moxie McGriff (@adventuresofmoxiegirl”> on Jun 14, 2016 at 5:41am PDT

Angie, what are you most proud of about Natalie?

Angie, Natalie’s Mom: I’m proud that she’s starting to come out of her shell and really starting to love herself. Before she was infatuated, because I work with a diverse group of people in community organizing, and she would be fascinated with my friends that are Caucasian. She would say “I want long straight hair like Miss Meredith” and so we incorporated Meredith into the book. Every time she saw someone who was white she wanted their long hair, and I think that’s because oftentimes in television shows, in books, on clothing items and book bags all you see are girls like the ones from Frozen. So I’m proud that she’s ok with herself now, that’s sad to see your daughter having those insecurities at the age of 6, which is when it started happening. So I had to take a plan of action, which is why I encouraged her to come up with the idea of the superpower book. At first she wanted her superpower to be fire coming out of her eyes, but I said “what about your hair!” So then she came up with fire and ice.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Angie, Natalie’s Mom: I really want to remind mothers and fathers to really speak life to their children. Even though me and Natalie’s dad aren’t together, when I noticed she was having self esteem issues I told him you have to start taking her out on dates and every day call her and tell her how beautiful she is because that goes a long way. I was never told that much as a child, and I think that had a negative impact on my childhood, which is why it wasn’t until I became an adult and graduated from college that I started to love who I was, being natural, being me, and being my authentic self. I think it’s very important that we speak life into our kids and start instilling in them a healthy sense of self love and self worth.

Giveaway

We’re giving away a copy of the book to a lucky reader! To enter, comment below telling us who you’d like to win this for.

This giveaway ends June 30, 2016 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 follow on The Adventures of Moxie Girl on Facebook, Twitter @moxiegirlcomics and order the comic book online at moxiemcgriff.com.

By Cristina Cleveland · Published June 17, 2016

As NaturallyCurly editors we have a strong grasp on the wavy, curly and coily hair landscape in the United States, and we always love learning about what that looks like in other countries, from our Swiss contributor Nora to our Jamaican contributor Vanessa who lives in Canada, to our Kenyan contributor Tabitha who lives in Australia. Every curly girl brings with her a unique perspective, and that is why I am excited to introduce Anjana, a Software Engineer from India who started to embrace her curls 2009 “as a curly haired girl I saw few beauty bloggers in India writing about curls. So I started my blog to make all curly haired beauties fall in love with their curly hair.”

While Anjana doesn’t speak for the curly hair experience of all Indian women, she is sharing her own journey with us today, and we look forward to continuing to represent more stories from our worldwide community.

I still remember the days when I used to comb and brush my curly hair over and over again expecting miracles to happen, but my hair forever looked like hay. Nobody around me told me that I should be doing it any differently. Thankfully I had never chemically straightened my hair. So my transition was just from ugly curly hair to curly hair that I love and adore and hair that I am obsessed with. And this love started around 7 years ago. There was no chronological flow really – I just started realizing that my hair looked better uncombed, and that was followed by a good haircut one sudden day, and then months and years later I realized I had fallen in love!

Wash hair, oil it, comb it, braid it – this is the most prevalent hair care routine in India

ANJANA'S HAIR, BEFORE SHE EMBRACED HER CURLS

It was not at all common in India to see curly hair in all its glory – wash hair, oil it, comb it, braid it – this is the most prevalent hair care routine in India. Most people in India are not aware of their hair type. They assume what they have is frizzy ugly hair. You can hear excuses like “My hair isn’t curly, it’s just frizzy” “I don’t really have curl, just unruly hair”. And they keep combing and brushing it to make it look straight. Or resort to chemical relaxers. Because hair can only be straight, right? Even advertisements and movies (Bollywood included”>, magazines and posters mostly showcase women with straight hair. This is despite a large proportion of the population actually having curly hair, especially in the southern part of India.

Advertisements and movies (Bollywood included”>, magazines and posters mostly showcase women with straight hair. This is despite a large proportion of the population actually having curly hair, especially in the southern part of India.

Finding curly products in India

There are no brands in India like DevaCurl or Ouidad to cater exclusively to curly hair. So, be it products or hair stylists, straight hair wins here as well. You have to check labels and ingredients and see if products will suit your hair. Of course products can be imported, but they come with hefty shipping fees. From my experience here are some of the products that have suited my curly hair and are quite easily available in India, mostly on online shopping sites like

• Flipkart
• Amazon India
• Nykaa
• Purplle 

We can find brands such as L’Oreal Professional TEC Hair Mix Spiral Splendour, Mythic Oil and Masque, BBlunt High Definition Curl Defining Leave-In Cream, Silicone free conditioners by Enliven and Revlon Flex. I have also found products from brands like OGX, The Body Shop, John Frieda, Toni & Guy, BedHead and drugstore brands like Dove, Pantene, Sunsilk, L’Oreal, Tresemme, and Garnier. Even with these drugstore brands their curly hair products like Tresemme Naturals or Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair are never seen. Isn’t that strange?

And the oh-so-loved ingredient in the curl community, our very own coconut oil, is so easily available in India and is dirt cheap. So much so, that a state here called Kerala (aka God’s own country”> is nicknamed the Land of Coconut trees.

” src=”https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/kZ_Anjana-Muralidharan-Curls-and-Beauty-Diary-2.jpg”>

Finding curly hair stylists

Most stylists will tell you not to get layers for curly hair, they give advice on how “straightening” or “smoothening” can make your life better, they beat the life out of you trying to detangle your curly hair with a brush, and finally they blow dry your hair after the cut. At the end of all this, you will more likely than not, walk out of the salon with a triangle head.

And not to forget the Great Indian Monsoon that lasts for 4 months every year – the rains and humidity can test your patience!

Where to find curl inspiration

When I started out on my curly hair embracing journey, there were very few Indian bloggers to inspire me. So I turned to curl bloggers and YouTubers and NaturallyCurly contributors like Curly Penny, Polished Curl and Sandra (Just Curly“>, as well as Hif3licia for inspiration. That also made me realize the importance of telling my story and curly hair techniques to my fellow Indians. And my blog was born.

And then with the mails and comments flowing in from the readers, I realized that it was just the lack of awareness that was holding people back. They were ready to accept their curly hair. And I’ve had the urge to walk up to so many women and tell them just how beautiful their curls would look if only they stopped brushing it dry. But that would be too rude. My family & friends were more than supportive because they were astonished to see my “steel wool hair” become “curly spirals”. I’ve had many of my straight haired friends tell me that they wish they could swap their hair with mine.

One thing I’ve noticed is that there’s no discrimination against curly haired people in India (especially on a professional front”> like in the stories I’ve heard from across the world. That’s really a big positive here! On a lighter note, curly haired women are often addressed as Maggi noodles (a popular instant noodle brand here”>.

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A photo posted by Kangana Ranaut (@kanganaranaut”> on Nov 26, 2015 at 11:46pm PST

Even other major brands have curly haired women as models. Bollywood actors like Kangana Ranaut & Tapsee Pannu are embracing their naturally curly hair. I remember, around 10 years ago you would think India didn’t have any curly haired women.

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A photo posted by Taapsee Pannu (@taapsee”> on Aug 22, 2014 at 5:03am PDT

Now when I see photos of my friends or their friends on social media, rocking beautiful curls, I realize that there’s a big proportion of curly haired women in India. And that there are even more hiding beneath the combed, oiled, poofs waiting to come out!

You can follow Anjana on her blog Curls and Beauty Diary and on Instagram as @curlsandbeautydiary. 

By Cristina Cleveland · Published June 9, 2016

Do you put your hair up while it’s drying, or do you have your own air drying trick? Share below so other curlies can try it out!

By Cristina Cleveland · Published May 30, 2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATEHER STOCK

The NaturallyCurly Editors will be the first to tell you it is hard to find images of women with natural hair for our articles. We spend hours every week searching for beautiful imagery of natural curls, coils and waves that we can purchase or get permission to use – in fact one of our favorite pastimes is sharing ridiculous stock images with each other and wondering who ever thought this was a good idea? And while things have certainly improved, we want to see more! And we know you do too.

One of the ways we do this is by supporting innovative businesses who are making strides in this area like CreateHer Stock, a “destination for images you can truly relate to.” Their founders, Neosha and I’sha, along with their talented team of creatives are working to create stock imagery that represent and inspire our community.

That’s where you come in.

We know our community is full of inspiring women and we’d love to give you the opportunity to model for the CreateHer photographers and be published here on NaturallyCurly! CreateHer is holding curly model casting calls in several cities, and you can sign up to be a part of it!

So far, they are planning casting calls in Texas, Atlanta, and New York City. Space is limited for each location so sign up before they run out.

Sign up here

By Cristina Cleveland · Published May 20, 2016

Top knots, balayage, wash and gos – we all have our stand by styles that we rely on, sometimes a little too heavily. We get it, we know what works, we know what to expect and exactly how long it will take to do our hair in the morning, why mess with a good thing?

Because doing so neglects to take advantage of one of the best things about curly hair: the versatility!

So we tapped none other than Lupita Nyong’o’s esteemed hair stylist, Vernon François, to tell us how we can harness a little bit of Lupita’s style prowess this summer. He created the tallest top knot to walk the Met Gala red carpet, so he knows a thing or two about making your curls stand out from a crowd.

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A photo posted by Vernon François LA-NYC-P-LND (@vernonfrancois”> on May 2, 2016 at 5:46pm PDT

If you’re ready to try something new, these are the next trends to take over summer 2016.

1. Sun kissed ends

Ever take a photo on a really great hair day only to look at the photo and find that your hair looks like one big, dark mass? You can’t distinguish one curl from another when it’s all one color, but François knows how to fix that. “We are going to see more natural hair textures and subtle injections of lighter colors, in shades of mahogany brown and honey.” Rather than bringing the color all the way up to the roots like traditional 90’s highlights, he recommends leaving the roots dark “as this will make hair look extra thick and full adding soft colors to the tips of your hair to create that sun kissed, summer feeling.”

2. Shorter hair

If you’ve been toying with the idea of going shorter, Pinning short haircuts and pulling your hair back to imagine what it might look like – there is no better time to try it! Our curlfriend Mel Burgos aka Rock Yo Rizos has named 2016 the year of letting go, and  went so far as to shave off all of her hair in an act of personal growth. Whether you have something to let go of, or just want to try a new look for fun, now is the perfect time to give it a go. François says “tapering your hair cut at the neck will keep the shape for longer and wrapping your hair in a silk scarf at night will help to stop breakage.”

3. Color Pop Hair

We’ve seen a literal rainbow of hair colors and trends from Cruella DeVil hair to pixilated color over the last year and we understand if you prefer not to make a statement quite so bold. But if you feel like having fun with color François recommends keeping it “low risk by adding some pop color to the back of your hairline.” We love the way it turned out on his client (above”>.

4. Cold blonde

“Beige, cold blondes and ash tones always go down well over the summer months” says François. We’ve all seen how easily dark hair can turn orange when lightened, so the key to rocking this trend is knowing how to keep the color cool rather than brass-toned. Working with a knowledgeable colorist who can help you achieve the color you want without severely damaging your curls is crucial, as is knowing how to properly use blue shampoo and toner to maintain your cool tone.

5. Halo Braids

Is it enough to love this just because Lupita wore it? We think so. But in case you need more convincing, halo braids are “a great solution not only to summer festivals, weddings and special occasions but for those hot summer days when you need an easy manageable solution for your hair” François says. If your hometown is anywhere near as hot and humid as it is here in Texas, you probably just want to keep your curls off your shoulders and out of your face. If you’re not feeling trend #2, then this is the next best way to do just that.

All photos courtesy of Vernon François.

By Cristina Cleveland · Published May 2, 2016

When you are on the search for a Holy Grail product, clicking ‘Add to cart’ can feel like a major commitment for your curls – and your wallet. Especially when so many of us have experienced disappointment after disappointment purchasing products that have promised us all the moisture in the world or 300% more curl definition.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just ask thousands of curly and natural hair enthusiasts what actually works on their hair?

Lucky for you, we can. And we do it every year with our annual Best of the Best survey. Our community is constantly testing product combinations (especially the Product Junkies”> and we love being a platform for you to vote and declare your love for the brands and products that really get you and your hair. We asked over 4,000 women what their favorite products and they answered, totally unaided. They were not limited to certain brands or products, they could type in anything they wanted to.

If you’re shopping for cleansers or conditioners, stylers or moisturizers, let our community take the guesswork out of your shopping process. Here are your favorite curly hair products of 2016, and why you love them.

Favorite shampoo

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore

Favorite sheamoisture shampoo! I noticed less shedding and my hair felt clean and stronger, and it didn’t leave a residue behind but it also didn’t strip my hair! Love it! – CurlyGirlieLiv

Favorite cleansing conditioner (co-wash”>

As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner

I have tried a decent amount of cowashes, and to be quite honest, I was skeptical about using this one in particular. I was pleasantly surprised at how well this worked! It INSTANTLY defined my coils, moisturized my hair, and left my hair feeling light, clean, and healthy! My hair detangles so easily after I start washing. I have high porosity hair and prone to breakage and this significantly reduces it when I finger comb. I had taken a chance with another shampoo that loosened my curls big time, but after using this twice, they started coming back! I would definitely recommend this to a friend and it will be a staple in my bathroom! – Anonymous

Favorite daily conditioner

DevaCurl One Condition

For me this is one of the greatest products ever created. It makes my hair soft, detangled, and bouncy. I LOVE the scent…lemon-lime…it’s so refreshing. This is also an excellent leave-in that really helps keep gels from crunching. My 32 oz. bottles last for months. – gardencurls

Favorite leave-in conditioner

Kinky Curly Knot Today

KCKT is my staple leave in conditioner. It detangles well, moisturizes without weighing my hair down, and works great under many different stylers (though using with the KCCC is a tried-and-true combo”>. I can also add a bit of this into my conditioner-only WnG’s for some added shine. At $12, this is one of the lower-priced products for naturals (and available on the ground”>. Will repurchase again and again. – Anonymous

Favorite deep conditioner

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque

I love this product so much. I’ve had a problem with hair breakage for a while and since I’ve been using this product all I’ve been seeing are great results. Less breakage and more hair growth. This product also keeps my hair moisturized throughout the week. This is definitely a new staple for me. – Anonymous

Favorite hair moisturizer

Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

This is EXCELLENT!!! I love the smell so much. It smells like the Burnt Sugar Pomade, and it has such a smooth, light texture. It’s a great moisturizer, especially when you put the pomade on top. Also, it’s great for refreshing/re-moisturizing because the texture is light enough that it doesn’t cause build-up or residue. Amazing product, I adore it. – Anonymous

Favorite styling cream

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

The curl cream has seriously been a life saver and is most definitely one of my staples! First of all, I love the smell! Kind of has a fruity/marshmallow scent. This product has multiple uses for me. I remember when I had no idea how to take care and style my hair, this product STILL got my curls to pop. Now, I put this in my hair (as a cream”> using the LCO method and I scrunch this into each section. Then I let it air dry and my hair is so soft afterwards. The CES has my hair lasting for days too! Definitely would recommend this if you need a good styling cream for your curls. – Anonymous

Favorite styling pudding, custard, or butter

Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Being the on-the-budget college girl I am, I was very hesitant to spend $17 on this product. However one summer day I decided to bite the bullet…and I’m so glad I did! It’s slippery enough to glide through my dense, kinky-curly hair, and keeps my hair wash and go defined until my next wash day. Plus a little goes a long way…it usually takes me 6-7 months to finish a jar so the price actually is pretty cost effective for me. I pair with Kinky Curly Knot Today and Avocado Oil to keep my hair from being crunchy. This is a holy grail product for me. – ATCG

Favorite oil

Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil

A wonderful product. Love the fact that it is all natural. Worthy of all the rave reviews. Price, in my opinion, is more than justified because a little goes a long way and also because of the purity of ingredients with no petroleum products, parabens or mineral oils added as in the ones used prior to this. Smell is heavenly and couldn’t ask for better results. Worth every penny! – Anonymous

Favorite frizz fighter

Curl Keeper Original

I loved this stuff. I purchased this because I was looking for some new and lighter products to use on my type 3b hair. This product worked WONDERS I never want to use another styler! The consistency is almost like water and has a very light unnoticeable floral scent. It defines my curls and clumps them together nicely and lasts for up to 5 days. My favorite for a wash n go. – Anonymous

Favorite transitioning product

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk

This is my holy grail product. I love it. My hair loves it. I have very dry, brittle, and coarse hair and it takes away it all. It melts onto your hair and gives it ultimate shine! The softness and suppleness of your curls will last for days. Light enough for a daily styler and has enough slip for a detangler! It smells great too! Like sweet, baked goods…NOT just for transitioning hair… I’ve been natural for close to one year and love it! – cscamsam

Favorite styling tool

Denman 3 Brush

Love this brush as a styling-curl-maker! Please do not use this brush to detangle because it will basically rip curls out depending on the thickness of your hair. Simply finger or comb detangle your hair with your leave in or styler then take the brush and use it to form curls at the END of your hair. – CurlySassy

OVERALL Favorite brand of 2016

SheaMoisture

For the last two years our community named SheaMoisture their favorite brand, earning it a spot in our Hall of Fame. Our community voted on their favorite products, retailers, bloggers and more in 36 different categories, you can see the full list of this year’s winners here.

By Cristina Cleveland · Published April 27, 2016

Every year in the NaturallyCurly offices, the Editors spend months diligently testing all of the new releases, the old tried and true Holy Grails, and the new-to-us products that we receive from over a hundred different brands. As you can imagine, the testing gets pretty intense. Our team of 13 editors, ranging in hair type from Type 2a-4c, divide into groups of wavy, curly, curly coily, and coily and passionately deliberate on the standout products that have earned their spot on our crowded bathroom shelves. In some cases the winners have dethroned our Holy Grails, while others have entered the Hall of Fame for products that win year after year.

What we look for

Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:

• Does the product cleanse my hair of buildup without leaving it feeling stripped or dry?
• Would the product replace your Holy Grail product in that category?
• Ingredients
• Does the product do what the packaging claims it will do?
• Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?
• Ease of use and product distribution
• Packaging and product functionality
• Innovation
• Scent

If you’re on the search for a cleanser that will work for your curl pattern, check out our 2016 Editors’ Choice award winners – and what we loved about them.

Best Shampoo

Wavy – Honey Baby Naturals Honey Child Moisture & Scalp Balance Gentle Shampoo

This sulfate-free shampoo keeps my hair moisturized, and soft. Plus, I love all the natural ingredients it contains. – Julissa, Type 2b

Curly – Briogeo Rosarco Reparative Shampoo

This is a luxurious shampoo that cleanses without stripping my hair. I love the smell! – Jamie, Type 3b

Curly Coily – Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream

This cleansing cream was gentle, has great ingredients, and smell amazing. It’s doesn’t lather. It’s also really moisturizing. I wasn’t sure at first if it was a conditioner or a cleanser. I didn’t think I could have both. – Nikki, Type 3c

Coily – Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo

Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo is great for cleansing the hair and scalp without worrying about tangles. The lather is not overwhelming, so it does not take long to rinse out and your curls are left clean without feeling stripped. – Amanda, Type 4a

Best Clarifying Shampoo

Wavy – Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo

Rarely do any volumizers work on me, but this clarifyer actually makes my hair feel fuller after using it. I love how clean my scalp feels and it’s not too drying at all. – Susonnah, Type 2a

Curly – Jane Carter Renewable Difference Detox Shampoo

With all the styling products I use, I need to clarify on a regular basis. This is one of the best clarifying shampoos I’ve used. It gets rid of the gunk without making my hair feel like straw.- Michelle, Type 3b

Curly Coily – Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo

It’s just a timeless true cleansing shampoo. It removes all the gunk and build up but doesn’t make your hair feel like would break if you touched it. It’s gentle, but powerful – Ellery, Type 3c

Coily – Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo

Whenever a cleanser actually softens my hair, I know it’s a keeper. It completely removes product buildup without matting and tangling my hair. The twist top is brilliant and makes shampooing coily hair much easier. I get the best “naked hair” when I use this! – Evelyn, Type 4c

Best Shampoo Bar

Our wavy editors do not use shampoo bars

Curly – Soultanicals Honey, I Shrunk the Frizz Poo Bar

Sometimes shampoo bars can be hard to use and your hair doesn’t feel like it gets the same benefits as traditional shampoos. This one really works, smells great and I have to admit I’m a sucker for a clever name.

Curly Coily – Folie Apothecary Honey Marshmallow Root Shampoo & Body Bar

Nikisha got this one right. I don’t really use shampoo bars for various reasons but this one was really great at being a creamy slippery rinse for my hair. Also the ingredients are simple and it smells great. – Nikki, Type 3c

Coily – Soultanicals Honey, I Shrunk the Frizz Poo Bar

If you are looking for a clarifying shampoo that does not leave your coils dehydrated, this is the cleanser you want. I rub it directly on my wet scalp, massage it in to lift dirt and debris, and allow the lather to run down the hair shaft. To preserve this shampoo bar I cut it into squares and store it in a small Tupperware container to prevent the soap from disintegrating in the shower. – Amanda, Type 4a

 Best Cleansing Conditioner

Wavy – NYC Curls by Carlos Flores The Curl Cleanser

An effective cleansing conditioner can be tricky to find for wavy hair, most of them leave my hair looking flat or weighed down – but not this one. My curls feel both cleansed and conditioned whenever I use this product. – Cristina, Type 2c

Curly – Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner for Curly Hair

I love everything about this cleansing conditioner. It distributes well, refreshes and cleanses my hair and smells great. – Fran, Type 3b

Curly Coily – DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence

It has no lather, and applies evenly to my coarse, dense hair. I love how soft it instantly makes my hair feel after rinsing it out. – Devri, Type 3c

Coily – Alikay Naturals Cowash Me Cleansing Conditioner

My scalp was so clean! This left no residue but didn’t completely dry my hair out. – Kami, Type 4b

We voted on products in every category from cleansing conditioners to edge tamers, to see the rest of the Editors’ Choice winners click here for a full list.

What’s your favorite cleansing of 2016? Share yours in the comments below!

By Cristina Cleveland · Published April 26, 2016

Hold and definition are a matter of personal preference when it comes to curls, coils and waves. Some women love a big, voluminous look while others prioritize definition. Some rock twist outs and others swear by their wash and go. Your hair type, the hairstyle and your personal aesthetic all play a role in determining what styling products work for you. Whether you’re a devoted cream girl, a gel girl, or even a cream gel girl, we’ve tested all the options.

Every year in the NaturallyCurly offices, the Editors spend months diligently testing all of the new releases, the old tried and true Holy Grails, and the new-to-us products that we receive from over a hundred different brands. As you can imagine, the testing gets pretty intense. Our team of 13 editors ranging in hair type from Type 2a-4c divide into groups of wavy, curly, curly coily, and coily and passionately deliberate on the standout products that have earned their spot on our crowded bathroom shelves. In some cases the winners have dethroned our Holy Grails, while others have entered the Hall of Fame for products that win year after year.

What we look for

Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:

• Does the product provide the hold and moisture needed for your hair type?
• Would the product replace your Holy Grail product in that category?
• Ingredients
• Does the product do what the packaging claims it will do?
• Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?
• Ease of use and product distribution
• Packaging and product functionality
• Innovation
• Scent

If you’re on the search for a styler that will work for your curl pattern, check out our 2016 Editors’ Choice award winners – and what we loved about them.

Best Styling Cream

Wavy – Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls

I first discovered this product when I curly coily Editor Devri came to work with amazing looking hair and I asked her what she used – Killer.Curls. Our hair types are so different that you wouldn’t think it would give me the same results, but this product consistently delivers curl definition with just the right amount of hold. Plus it smells like men’s cologne, which I love. – Cristina, Type 2c

Curly – Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls

Hands down, I legit get “killer curls” EVERY TIME I use the product. I don’t know what’s in it, but my curls love it. The perfect cream based product to give me just the right amount definition every time. – Fran, Type 3b

Curly Coily – Eden Bodyworks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme

This cream has great hold and moisture. I’m really happy when I use this because the ingredients again are simple and I can feel good about what I am putting on my hair and not worry about sacrificing the quality of the definition and hold. Love this – Nikki, Type 3c

Coily – Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel

This is by far one of my favorite moisturizing stylers! I don’t need to use a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer before applying this product. It provides great slip for shingling your curls without friction and yields soft, touchable twist outs. – Amanda, Type 4a

*Not sure what Type 2c or Type 4a means? We know that all waves, curls and coils are unique so we have a Texture Typing system that helps you find a category that most closely fits your curls. If you want to know yours, here is a helpful guide to finding your curl pattern. 

Best Styling Gels

Wavy – Raw Curls Medium Hold Gel

It’s hard to find a gel that has enough hold to last a couple of days without being too crunchy. But this gel is it! And I love that I get so much out of this bottle. It will last me forever! – Susonnah, Type 2a

Curly – Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

I typically don’t use gels, but this is the one gel that I do use. It helps keep my curls frizz free with the right amount of hold. – Fran, 3b

Curly Coily – Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls

It has my favorite fatty acids, which give my curls a lot of body and no frizz for days at a time. Perfect for a low-maintenance wash-and-go routine. – Devri, Type 3c

Coily – Design Essentials Natural Honey CurlForming Custard

Curl definition, moisture, no crunch — what we all want in a styler, right? Slippery, moisturizing ingredients help smooth down the hair’s cuticle which means shiny, juicy twist outs! – Evelyn, Type 4c

Best Cream Gel

Wavy – Jessicurl Spiralicious

My go to Gel-Cream! It gives my hair, a hold of gel, but leaves my waves soft, and frizz-free, with no crunch. – Julissa, Type 2b

Curly – Matrix Biolage Defining Gel Cream for Curly Hair

Love, love, love this gel cream. It is the perfect consistency and gives me great curls without crunch. Smells incredible! – Michelle, Type 3b

Curly Coily – Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel

This product does it all. It applies like a moisturizer but essentially is a styler because of its ability to hold and define. For those with that annoying frizz halo who need something to prevent excess moisture from entering your hair shaft, as well as seal the existing moisture from co-washing for days on end, invest in this butter-gel. – Devri, Type 3c

Coily – Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel

This is by far one of my favorite moisturizing stylers! I don’t need to use a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer before applying this product. It provides great slip for shingling your curls without friction and yields soft, touchable twist outs. – Amanda, Type 4a

Best Frizz Fighter

Wavy – TréLuxe ReFlex Curl Styling Serum

This serum actually gave my waves a gorgeous shine. I love how it smoothes out frizz and acts as a styler all in one. It’s super light weight and glides on like serum, but acts like gel. Amazing. – Susonnah, Type 2a

Curly – Alikay Naturals Glazed Argan Oil Silkener

Helps tame frizziness and adds that extra shine without all the greasy-ness! And it smells amazing too. – Jamie, Type 3b

Curly Coily – TréLuxe Curl Supreme Styling Cream

I didn’t think I was that much of a cream girl. I definitely thought I was more of a leave in type of curly but turns out I can be both. I really like this cream because of its moisturizing properties, creamy consistency, and it works really well on styles. – Ellery, Type 3c

Type 4 editors do not use styling cream

Best Refreshers

Wavy – Obia Naturals Curl Hydration Spray

I first fell for this refresher when my hair was bleached platinum blonde and I was very ingredient-focused. It gives me the moisture that my hair needs with a light formula that won’t weigh down my waves. – Cristina, Type 2c

Curly – Garnier Fructis Curl Renew Reactivating Milk Spray

I love this product. It perks up my curls and refreshes them. I use it for 2nd-day hair as well as after a workout. It smells amazing! – Michelle, Type 3b

Curly Coily – Au Naturale Dark and Lovely Anti-Shrinkage Twice As Nice Curl Refresher Spray

This no-fuss refresher gives me the slip and moisture I need to perk up my curls on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th day. It always leaves my hair feeling soft and rehydrated. – Ellery, Type 3c

Coily – G’Natural Herbal Products Caribbean Coconut Milk Black Honey Leave-in Conditioner Spray

This isn’t just hyped up water. It’s packed with ingredients that help me re-moisturize and finger detangle my hair when it’s thirsty. Smells delicious and helps me extend my wash days for those times I’m feeling lazy! – Evelyn, Type 4c

We voted on products in every category from cleansing conditioners to edge tamers, to see the rest of the Editors’ Choice winners click here for a full list.

What’s your favorite styling product of 2016? Share yours in the comments below!