Search Results: Desiree Johnson
Elizabeth Davis is the genius behind the transformational hair growth system, Shedavi which is all about promoting healthy hair and length. Back in 2016, this Chicagoan decided to transform the haircare industry by creating a hair, beauty, and wellness brand that emphasized a holistic approach to taking care of yourself. By incorporating Ayurvedic healing properties into each product, Elizabeth inspired her customers to look at wellness as a lifestyle versus an arduous task to incorporate into their day. Each product focuses on internal and external nourishment for maximum hair health which benefits the scalp, elasticity, immune system, and skin. The Shedavi hair growth vitamins and hair elixir were even given the blessing by the big “O” herself and listed as a top product in Oprah Magazine.
We sat down and chatted with CEO Elizabeth Davis about her own natural hair journey, repairing damaged hair, and what it was like to be in Oprah’s Magazine.
What was your natural hair care journey like growing up?
From my early childhood years I loved hair. I remember growing up and having my mom and older sister take turns doing trendy hairstyles based on what I was interested in at the time. By being invested in the latest trends, it developed my creativity in braiding and enhanced my confidence in experimenting with all types of hairstyles and products. In middle school everyone had a relaxer and even though I really wanted one, my mom advised that she had waited until her adult years to try it out. She finally caved, and I remember feeling disappointed with the results.
That led me to start going to different salons in Chicago where Egyptian stylists would do blow-outs and as I transitioned out of highschool, I went to school in Florida where the humidity almost forced me to start going natural. It wasn’t realistic to maintain a blow-out or straight hair in Florida. I then progressively started expanding my natural hair to include protective styles like weaves and sew-ins and just committed to the process.
Your background is in engineering and project management, how did you transition into natural hair care?
Once I was natural and had trimmed off all my relaxer, I did try keratin treatments and experienced severe hair damage from the extreme heat. My hair was constantly breaking off and I was having to regrow it out. I was working in the construction and general contracting field and in my past time would be researching hair information because I wanted to understand how our hair worked. I began giving advice to different friends and family members who wanted to know how my hair was becoming so long and healthy. This sparked the idea to create a business that was not only going to make me money but provide a real service to the world.
How did you choose your brand name?
I chose the name “Shedavi” from a combination of my middle name and last name which is my mother’s maiden and father’s last name. People think it sounds exotic, but it’s just syllables out of my name. It’s very meaningful to me because it represents the interconnectivity of people coming together.
When you decided to start formulating your products, what were some key ingredients you wanted to include and why?
I was really focused on getting the right quantities of ingredients in order to achieve the right scent and effectiveness. What I love about botanicals is that they are bio-active and can be applied to your hair to create length and health. We aim to focus on not only the ingredients but the technique. I wanted ingredients that would keep the hair and scalp healthy.
What inspired you to take a holistic approach to your beauty brand?
The reason I made the products holistic is because I know our environment affects our bodies and the beauty products we put on our bodies like lotion are absorbed into the skin. I have family members who are nurses which made me health conscious and I wanted to make sure my products would respect our bodies.
What are your tips for retaining moisture in the winter?
My tips for maintaining moisture in cooler weather is to use a water-based moisture such as our leave-in conditioner. It has detangling properties with a lot of slip and hydrating oils so it’s a perfect styling product for this season. I also like to include a dime-sized amount of the elixir which will help it hold for a few days.
Restoration and repair are two staples of your brand and are reflected in products like the elixir oil and vitamins, what are some misconceptions around repairing damaged hair?
First, everything is a chemical and people should understand that, but not everything is going to create a chemical reaction. For a product to change your hair requires a chemical reaction and that’s how relaxers or keratin treatments transform your hair cuticles. Any topical product you put on your hair is temporary (ex: protein treatment or repairing masque“> and requires a regime to be effective. You can’t apply these treatments once and expect results. Creating a regime for yourself is important for hair health and preventing damage.
If you could give newbie naturalistas any tips about starting their hair journey, what would it be and which product would you recommend them trying?
You have to get used to your hair being natural and being open to experimentation whether that’s products or styles. You have to find what is optimal hair and makes your hair thrive. My hair thrives with protective styles, but that’s not the case for everyone. The products I recommend as your going natural are our shampoo, conditioner, protein masque, and the leave-in conditioner for detangling. I would also recommend the vitamins and elixir to help promote hair growth.
Self care has become a larger conversation in the Black community whether it’s mental, emotional, or spiritual, how do you incorporate self care into your lifestyle while running a company?
For me, self-care includes a day and night time regime that I’m committed to keeping. I have certain rituals that I practice such as thanking the lord first thing in the morning, meditating, and reading an inspiring business quote to get my mind ready for the day. During the night time I read my bible and prepare myself for the next day like writing a to-do list.
Your brand was rated #1 by Oprah Magazine, what was that experience like and how did it impact your business?
When we did get rated number #1 for the elixir it was a genuine surprise. I was discovered by the writer of the article on Amazon and it’s a testament to manifestation because I never believed it would happen…and it did.
Let’s give a big drumroll to the beauties who served, slayed, and brought the heat to our phone screens this year! Blogging is no easy feat and in our bustling age of hair tutorials, social media, and #sponsoredads, finding naturalistas who bring authenticity to their content is key to moving the needle in our community. We’ve seen a big evolution of how bloggers are sharing and creating content as the world of natural hair has grown in products, brands, and visibility. Long gone are the days of simply writing a post and promoting your website, the modern blogger has content on the most popular social channels, a website, brand deals, videos, and more. It’s a career and lifestyle that isn’t for the faint of heart, but these ladies make it look easy and keep us clicking with enviable content that is consistent, engaging, fun, and educational.
We asked the NaturallyCurly community to vote on their favorite bloggers of 2021 and here are YOUR winners! Get to know this year’s best bloggers and show some love to them in our comments.
Best Blogger for All Curl Types
Manes by Mell
This “stylist by trade” is all about entertaining, educating, and providing fun content that curlies of all curl types can enjoy. Mell Guido’s content is all about sharing her “big hair” tips that take viewers on her career in the beauty industry and the portfolio of maintaining her “big hair”. Her videos and tutorials are more than just your standard “how-to” pieces, she brings charisma, personality, and energy to each video from diffusing her hair to removing buildup. Most of her content features bold captions and titles that reflect her self-love and genuine love she has for her hair. Most recently she’s debunked and shared her impressions of viral natural hair trends and given her followers a peak at her life behind the camera.
Best Blogger for Voted by Wavy Type 2
Manes By Mell
Mell’s content is popping so much, she’s made our “Best of the Best” list twice for her expertise in wavy, type 2 curls. We’ve previously discussed her content and what makes it so memorable, but let’s dive further into her professional background and who she has worked with. Her content library features reviews of popular natural hair products such as Innersense, Olaplex, AG hair, and Curlsmith. If you’re in the market for a deal, her website features a ton of promo codes for your favorite brands like Bounce Curl, Verb, Twist, and additional beauty products. She’s very precise and detailed at walking her users through various products, ingredients, before/after transformations, and eco-friendly methods to reuse or upcycle products. Her sister Amanda also makes regular appearances to share her curl routine, as well as other guests with different curl patterns. Run, don’t walk and start subscribing to her channel today!
Best Blogger for Voted by Curly Type 3
BiancaRenee
Bianca is the curly hair enthusiast bringing all the gems and curl tastic content that will keep your hair poppin and happy. Her lovable and infectious personality makes watching her content entertaining, enjoyable, and like hanging with your best curlfriend. One of the most engaging aspects of her content style is that it’s trendy and reflects some of our most burning hair questions from deep conditioning to heat damage. Her hair product arsenal is one to rival your favorite drugstore because she has literally worked with everyone. She’s here to empower, encourage, and promote all curlies to be their best and love the skin there which makes all her content extremely uplifting and admirable. For all my type 3 curlies, she’s got all the deets on avoiding shrinkage, curly hairstyles for the holiday season, and how to maintain those coveted protective styles.
Best Blogger for Voted by Coily Type 4
IamBlackGirlCurls
Coming in hot from Chicago are two experts who are conquering the curl game one kink, coil, and twist at a time. Meet Aeleise and Aishia, a natural hair care duo who is bringing education to the forefront of conversation in the Black community. As “Black Girls Curls” they have been shaping how we teach, talk, and experience natural hair moments as professional stylists and dermatologists to give us all the facts we need to make styling easy and fun. Their content is witty, real, honest, and familiar because it feels like we’re chatting with our girlfriends, not just an educator or expert. Their brand spans several educational resources to help naturalistas embrace and love their hair from using their Eguide, listening to their podcast, or subscribing to their YouTube channel. As dedicated bloggers of the movement you can count on them to be encouraging, share their expertise on technique, and teach the basics of natural hair maintenance.
Who’s your favorite blogger right now? Let us know in the comments!
It’s that time of year again where we’re at the end of November and ready to transition into the last month of the year with one of the last big shopping sales…Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is a 24-hour online shopping event that encourages people to do their shopping online in lieu of the typical Black Friday pandemonium. In a post-pandemic era, we’ve seen more customers gravitate towards shopping online and Cyber Monday is no exception.This is the time to finish stocking up on your favorites that you might have missed over the weekend. Make sure to shop around and consider what you need going into the winter holiday. Perhaps you have the downtime to try out a new collection you’ve been eyeing or maybe you want to invest in new accessories for the holiday.
May the odds be ever in your favor as you start stocking your online cart! Check out these amazing deals now!
Aunt Jackie’s
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If you’re looking to build and customize your own bundle of hair products, Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils has you covered.Get any 3 for $20, 4 for $25, or 5 for $30.
Alikay Naturals
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Are you ready to stock up on your favorite Caribbean products? Shop the cyber monday deal with 50% off sitewide! Exclusions apply. No kits, collections, gallons or lifestyle. Cannot be combined with any other offers.
Bounce Curl
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These vegan and middle eastern inspired ingredients are the perfect way to kickstart your healthy hair journey, shop 25% off your purchase.
Carol’s Daughter
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Carol’s Daughter is bringing the heat with their CYBER MONDAY SALE where you can enjoy up to 60% Off + Free Black Vanilla Mini Set GWP on Orders $55+. Use code CYBERMONDAY2021
Creme of Nature
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If you love to shop at Sally Beauty, you can grab Creme of Nature hair care products, on sale now at your local Sally Beauty, mix and match your favorites, buy 4 for $20.
Design Essentials
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Forget a Cyber Monday, Design Essentials is holding a Cyber Week! Don’t miss out on stocking up on your favorites and save 30%.
Eden Bodyworks
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Eden Bodyworks is selling their vegan friendly formulas for $6 sale in honor of Cyber Monday which excludes travel sizes and bundles.
KISS Colors
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Hair accessory and tools makers KISS Colors have a buy 1, get 1 Cyber Monday sale with code: BOGOCOLOR on hair care & accessories.
Miss Jessie’s
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We love them for their “pillow soft curls’ product, head over to their website to buy one full-size product, get one 50% off with promo code: CYBERMONDAY.
Mielle Organics
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Mielle Organics is the gift that keeps on giving with the amazing $6 sitewide sale that will have your cabinet stocked with deep conditioners, shampoos, and gels for the year!
Mixed Chicks
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Whether it’s your favorite Deep Conditioner or the cult classic Leave-In, don’t miss out on their Cyber Monday sale with 30% OFF sitewide.
Olaplex
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The holiday’s are here which means you want to stock up on all the hair repair you can get. Shop Olaplex’s Cyber Monday sale where you get a FREE NO.6 with the purchase of two full-sized products.
Ouidad
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The curl experts are here to serve and deliver with 30% OFF your favorite curly products for Cyber Monday!
Pattern Beauty
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Who is ready to unlock the savings and start stocking up on Pattern Beauty? Tracee Ellis Ross is giving us 25% OFF sitewide to shop our must-have conditioners, shampoos, and accessories.
Rizos Curls
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This Latina founded company is giving us 20-60% OFF all her products SITEWIDE. Run, don’t walk with Rizos Curls Cyber Monday sale!
Soultanicals
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Grab you favorites from this earthy, soul-infused collection with 35% off + $5 shipping using the Code: CM35.
Swirly Curly
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If you’re looking for protective accessories to enhance your hair, look no further than the SwirlyCurly where you can shop your favorite accessories for 25% OFF sitewide.
TGIN
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Whether you’re looking for curl repair, edge control, or hair growth vitamins, shop your favorite’s from tgin for 35% OFF everything during Cyber Monday.
Uncle Funky’s Daughter
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The gift of happy curls just got better with Uncle Funky’s Daughter 30% OFF sitewide sale! Get their purifying cleanser, bye-bye buildup conditioner, or the shine booster now!
Small Business Saturday is back and better than ever as we have more entrepreneurs who have emerged post-pandemic. If you’re not familiar with Small Business Saturday this holiday was designed to provide visibility and awareness to brands that typically don’t get it throughout the majority of the year. In a busy time of holiday shopping and frenzy, these can be some of the richest and most unique businesses to spend your dollar on. Communities gather together all over the United States after the turkey holiday to support local organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs in their communities online and in person. Whether that’s a local market, vendor fair, or online, there are many avenues you can take to discover the best new business near you. For the curl community, we often get familiar with our favorite brands at our local drugstores, big retailers, or online. We wanted to show to all of our natural hair businesses who are working hard and continuing the conversation around healthy hair through their products, tools, and accessories. Discover your new favorite brand below and show some love with a like or follow on their social media.
1. 2 Girls With Curls
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If you’re a naturalista looking for products that appeal to your vegan lifestyle, this is the brand for you. 2 Girls with Curls is a plant-based natural hair care line made with natural ingredients like olive oil, aloe vera, and avocado oil. This cruelty-free business is proud of their vegan products and features essential curly products like a shampoo, leave-in, hair lotion, and styling cream. Discover your favorite products with their current holiday deals.
2. Bella Curls
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Bella Curls prides itself on providing affordable products to the everyday consumer regardless of your curl type. The foundation of their products is coconut oil and honey which helps with moisture and hydration. Their collection features a refreshing mist, deep conditioning mask, and Jamaican black castor oil hair butter that will have your curls shining. Keep it calm and cool with their coconut infused products.
3. Curl Junkie
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Curl Junkie was created to make the naturalistas life a little easier with signature products that can help multiple textures. With over 15 products in their lineup, Curl Junkie features styling gels, reconstructive hair treatments, curl rehab, styling gel, shampoo, and leave-in conditioner. A few of the essential ingredients are fruit and oil based to provide much needed hydration and moisture to our dry tresses.
4. CurlMix
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If this curly brand sounds familiar, you might have caught their segment when they pitched on Shark Tank. Curl Mix has continued to expand and grow their product offerings and now features a unique ingredient blend of hemp seed, flaxseed, and avocado oil. Their hair growth line features an array of serums, gels, shampoo, and conditioners to help promote healthy hair maintenance for naturalistas.
5. Curl Rehab
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Curl Rehab is simplifying the product experience for curly consumers by providing a solution to common curly problems. Whether it’s dry hair, scalp care, or length retention their forumated products feature a dual packaging to help the consumer use (2″> products multiple ways. As a vegan brand they feature biodegradable packaging and feature natural ingredients like rice water, green tea, tea tree, and coconut milk.
6. Dominican Magic
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Founded by Gregorio A. Luciano, these products feature natural ingredients that are indigenous to the Dominican Republic. Dominican Magic’s curly hair collection features product pairings that will nourish, condition, and add moisture to your curls. Since these are formulated by a professional stylist you can count on ingredients that your curls will love like flax seed, aloe vera, and coconut milk.
7. Jessicurl
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Jessicurl was created out of a love to restore confidence and power to naturalistas through their hair. The Jessicurl products focus on curl enhancing and moisturizing ingredients that are vegan and cruelty-free. Their cleanse, condition, style, and essentials line span a range of products that are fragrance free, sulfate free, and can be used on multiple curl patterns.
8. Kaleidoscope
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Jesseca Dupart is the CEO behind the rising brand Kaleidoscope hair products who started her business as a salon before branching out into hair care. Their infamous miracle drops for helping to promote healthy scalp care from combating dryness to aiding in hair growth. In addition to variations of the miracle drops, Kaleidoscope just released a soul food inspired collection called “Soul Fed” inspired by your favorite holiday foods.
9. Many Ethnicities
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Many Ethnicities was founded in 2014 by Dr. Ena Hennegan to help with multi-textured hair. This scientifically based formula uses natural ingredients to help hydrate, cleanse, and fortify the hair with a regimen designed to restore balance to your hair. The natural ingredients are sulfate-free, color sage, and includes argan oil, avocado oil, moringa oil, and pea protein. They feature an adult and kids line so you can share with your littlest curlistas.
10. Moptop
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MopTop was designed to promote self-confidence and inspire women of all textures to love themselves despite their curl type. Their key ingredients include aloe, sea botanicals, and honey which are also color safe, cruelty free, and long lasting.They line features an array of products such as shampoos, deep conditioner, anti-frizz gel, and co-wash. You can shop their products for 20% off on Cyber Monday.
11. Oyin Handmade
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Moisture rich, clean, refreshing, and hydrating are just a few ways to describe Oyin Handmade. The clean, natural formulas were designed with the skin and hair in mind to provide maximum hydration that comes from rich food-grade ingredients. Founded by Jamyla Bennu, Oyin supports curly consumers through every phase of their curly journey which means there is a product for everyone.
12. Pink Root Products
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If your hair is in need of some TLC because you’ve had a little bit too much heat on it, these are the products for you. Pink Root Products were created to help with the transition from chemically damaged or heat damaged hair back to healthy curls. This nutrient rich brand focuses on a unique blend of health oils like rose, vanilla essential, and vitamin e to give consumers the much needed rejuvenation their hair is thirsting for.
13. SwirlyCurly
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The brand that brought you the Snapee hair ties and afro puff scrunchies has just added to their products with their “Moisture Max” 4 step system. Keziah Dhamma founded Swirly Curly to simplify everyday hair protection for curly users with tools, accessories, and education to help naturalistas feel confident taking care of their tresses. If you’re in need of essential accessories to help tame frizz and enhance your curly routine, shop here.
14. Rucker Roots
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Where do your roots lie? Rucker Roots is a family and women-owned brand whose ingredients date back to the ‘80s with local ingredients and garden vegetables. The foundation of family and history are all integral to how the brand approaches natural hair care. Their natural ingredients focus on cleansing the hair and providing nourishment to the scalp with ginger root, coffee bean extract, carrot root oil.Their collections span men’s grooming, serums, creams, shampoos, and conditioners.
15. Wonder Curl
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Scarlett Rocourt is the founder of Wonder Curl, a brand that was formulated in the kitchen and streamlined to help naturalistas with moisturizing and styling. Their signature product is the Get Set Hair Jelly that is designed to help combat frizz and humidity unlike typical gels. As an organic curly brand, Scarlett prides herself on clean and safe products that consumers will love.
Black Friday is here and it’s time to dust off our credit cards and start scouting for the best deals. However as we’re paying more attention to self-care and investing in quality hair products, tools, and accessories that can truly elevate our beauty game, your shopping may not be based on quantity but quality. While it can be tempting to stock a cart full of 50 products during this annual season of discounts and sales, it may be time to put those hard earned dollars towards some much needed splurges with beauty brands who offer a higher price point than your standard natural hair care at a drugstore. There is no better time to treat yourself this season and you can start with these 10 natural hair splurges that you won’t feel guilty about. Trust us, your curls will thank you.
1. MONAT Scalp Purifying Scrub
If you’ve never used a scalp scrub before…this is the product to invest in. As naturalistas we know too well about product build up and it can be tough to truly get your scalp clean between washes. This scrub works to deeply cleanse, purify and soothe your hair and scalp, leaving your strands cleansed and refreshed. It doubles as a 2-in-1 scrub and shampoo is that is powered with natural and essential ingredients like Apple Cider Vinegar, Pink Clay, Superfruit AHAs, Vitamin B6 and more to help dissolve dead skin cells, stubborn product buildup and environmental pollutants that leave hair looking lackluster.
2. Sunday ll Sunday Moisture Balance Kit
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If you have ever experienced post-workout hair sweat that usually ends with products running down your face, this is the kit for you. Sunday ll Sunday has created a line specifically created to put moisture and hydration back into your tresses whether you do yoga or HIIT workouts. This collection is an introduction to the brand that gives the staple essentials to revive your roots, nourish your edges, soothe your scalp, and moisturize your hair. A definite must-have to accompany your fitness goals and give you an easy set of products to compliment your pre/post workout sessions.
3. Briogeo Detox + Repair Scalp Shampoo + Hair Repair Mask
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TLC has taken on a new meaning with this delightful duo that gives your scalp and hair love in one bundle. This limited edition bundle is the ultimate combination to soothe your scalp and provide a boost to dry strands which is much needed during this chilly season. This award-winning combination features ingredients like charcoal, coconut oil, and tea tree oil to help repair hair breakage and detoxify your scalp. There’s no better way to treat your scalp and curls with a bundle that will tackle multiple curly problems at once.
4. Olaplex Daily Cleanse & Condition Duo
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Oh Olaplex, how we love you so. We’ve previously broken down the different Olaplex products and how they can help improve damaged hair. These two products are the perfect basics to help you cleanse and condition your hair that will start you on the path to hair repair. This features full size options so you are definitely getting the most bang for your buck because a little goes a long way with this fan favorite brand that stylists love just as much as customers. If you’ve never used Olaplex before this is a great introduction to the brand that allows your hair to strengthen and flourish.
5. Innersense Renew Texture Hair Ceremony
This organic beauty staple is shelling out the best of the best to help awaken, revive, and renew your curls from drab to fab. This bundle features a masque, conditioner, curl control, and shampoo to help address every naturalistas need. Key ingredients include coconut, shea butter, tamanu oil and a rich array of vitamins that will restore natural oils in the scalp instead of stripping them away.
6. High Definition Curl Brush
What’s better than one curl brush? How about a 2 in 1 combination that allows you to detangle and style your curls with ease. This patent-pending, dual-sided styling tool is specially designed to transform the look of curls, while enhancing the beauty of all hair types. The High Definition Curl Brush™ brings out the best in your texture by detangling, defining, and smoothing to perfection. Clear out those old bristled brushes and purchase a new and innovative way to style and define your curls with just one product.
7. Pattern Beauty Hair Tools Kit
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This powerhouse toolkit is a must-have to tame those curls, coils, and textured curls from all angles. Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross brings your tools that will help your dentagle, lift, and volumize your hair in a snap. Each of these combs are designed to help you expertly section, part, and detangle your curls from root to tip. They can be easily cleaned and used with wet or dry hair.
8. You Go Natural (YGN”> Sleep Collection
YGN is rolling out a new way to treat your curls during bedtime with their sleep collection. This upgrade to the traditional sleep bonnet incorporates mulberry silk to help retain moisture and protect hair from damage. Each option features an adjustable strap that compliments any texture or curl type regardless of how wet or dry your hair is. They’re also sexy, sleek and functional, complementing any night-time, loungewear or WFH look!
9. Grace Eleyae Dark Gray Slouchy Warm Slap w/ Pom
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The cold weather is here, but that doesn’t mean your curls have to suffer. Grace Eleyae is rolling out her newest edition of her popular “Slap” hair accessory with a beanie that offers more room, protection, and effortless style to compliment your outfit. This product is designed to help your curls, locs, and coils hydrated, healthy, and frizz-free in the cold weather. The time of sporting caps or hats that flatten your curls are gone with this satin-lined beanie that stretches with your curls.
10. Rezo Silk-lined Hoodie
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You can toss out your boyfriend’s hoodies because Rezo is upgrading this winter staple to complement your curls. This silk-lined hoodie is stylish, sleek, and features enlarged hoodies designed to work with your curls instead of flattening them. The terry-cloth design makes for a comfortable yet functional clothing option that can be worn during workouts, brunching, lounging, or on-the-go.
It’s that time of year where we’re getting ready to splurge and save all in the same sentence in honor of the holiday savings known as Black Friday. Black Friday is a time honored tradition that allows us to shop our favorite brands in person and online with the tiniest hope that we save a few dollars. Whether you’ve been looking to stock up on your favorites or try out the new brand that you’ve been eyeing for some time, Black Friday is coming in bigger and better with deals that can’t be topped. While Cyber Monday is right on the heels of Black Friday, you don’t want to miss out on any of your favorites being out of stock. Here’s our roundup of the best Black Friday deals on natural hair products to start shopping, a few had early releases before Black Friday so make sure to RUN…don’t walk for these sales.
1. Alikay Naturals
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Get up to 50% off your favorite Alikay Naturals products starting from November 21-30.
2. Carol’s Daughter
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#BlackFriday is happening now for Carol’s Daughter which is featuring a major sale with up to 50% OFF sitewide! Stock up on your faves while supplies last and mix and match your favorites.
3. Curls
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Curls is serving up a sale with a $30 bundle box that features their blissful lengths liquid hair growth vitamin, blueberry bliss reparative leave in conditioner, so so fresh vitamin v + mint scalp treatment, lavish curls moisturizer, a curls full sized mystery product and a custom “It’s the CURLS for Me” t-shirt.
4. Curl Keeper
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Curl Keeper is celebrating Black Friday all week long until November 27th with amazing sales that range from 20%-25% off based on your total order amount.
5. Design Essentials
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Hurry and stock up on your favorite Design Essentials products, their sale runs from 11/22-11/30 with 30% OFF while supplies last! Their Almond and Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse was our 2020 Best of the Best award winner.
6. Flawless By GU
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With the recent relaunch of her haircare line, Gabrielle Union will be featuring 20% off the entire Flawless by Gabrielle Union collection between 11/26 – 11/29 on Amazon.
7. Girl + Hair
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Your favorite scalp treatment products just got better with 35% OFF all items of $25 or more from 11/24-11/30. Get rid of the itch and give your scalp the much needed TLC it has been craving during these colder months.
8. It’s a 10 Haircare
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There is an incredible sale happening with 30% off sitewide from November 26th to November 29th. The leave-in remains a holy grail of naturalistas everywhere and should be added to your daily hair routine.
9. Mielle Organics
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Every single product is $6 sitewide with free shipping on orders over $100. This is a classic sale that never fails to please the masses. We recommend Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Scalp Treatment which was one of our 2020 Best of the Best award winners.
10. Mixed Chicks
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Get stocked up on your favorite products ranging from their infamous leave-in conditioner to classic accessories you can’t live without! Their newest line “Hair Four Days” helps to revive and revitalize curls during non-wash days.
11. The Mane Choice
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Starting 11/24- 11/29 you can buy One Get One Free (of equal or lesser value”> with your favorite Mane Choice products. Shipping will be free within the US.
12. Rizos Curls
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Rizos Curls will be having a sale on RizosCurls.com from 11/25 through Cyber Monday where products will be up to 60% off sitewide. Keep an eye out for their announcement of 3 new products to their lineup!
13. Sunday ll Sunday
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Looking to improve your hair care during your gym sessions? Take 40% off when you shop any 4+ products with this Black Friday sale.
- 1 item = 20% off
- 2 items = 25% off
- 3 items = 30% off
- 4+ items = 40% off
14. TPH by Taraji Henson
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Shop the newest line that naturalistas are embracing from Taraji P. Henson which features a scalp-focused approach to helping improve your haircare. Save 20% for every 3 products you purchase!
Let us know in the comments what brands you plan to shop this season!
Puzzles have always been a fun pastime to help unwind from a long day or to enjoy time with family. In lieu of the pandemic, virtual learning, and remote work, more people have found themselves gravitating to puzzles because they can be a healthy distraction that help reduce stress at any age. This resurgence in your favorite childhood pastime led to many new puzzle businesses emerging and creating puzzles specifically designed for adults. These elaborate puzzles are far from the character or animated cartoons of yesteryears- they have now become living works of art that people can do solo or collectively and hang when completed. With the holiday season coming up we compiled a puzzle gift guide from Black and AAPI-owned businesses to help you decompress. Check out our interviews with 5 different artists and entrepreneurs who share their artistic process.
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Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I was born in Juazeiro, in Bahia, Brazil, in 1985. I moved to Salvador in 2001, and in 2003 I attended The College of Design and in 2004 attended the Fine Arts School at the Federal University of Bahia. During this period, I became interested in studying photography, Fine Arts Paintings and engravings, inspired by studies and research of lithography, Serigraphs, metal engraving, and consequently a deeper study of posters, the main references for my engraving techniques.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
I love study and integrating differents cultures and peoples, cultural references from ancient times to the present day, harmoniously working and interacting together in the same composition, where all elements of different aspects come together for a single purpose : the creation of Works of Art, where the plurality of shapes, colors, styles, cultures and peoples, are peacefully integrated into a single composition, united with characters that transmit messages of strength, beauty and positivity that reflects all of the beautiful and divine nature of the human being.
What was your creative process like when creating “Mae Africa“
To honor the Black Consciousness Day, which is celebrated in Brazil on November 20th, the Zumbi of Palmares day, the United Nations created, in 2013, a special project “Encontro das Africas” to raise international awareness against racism. I was invited to participate in the project along with three other artists, each of them had to select a theme from African history to represent. I chose to work on the theme ‘African Empires’. The artwork is an acrylic painting on canvas, (210 x 160 cm”>, that represents an imaginary mother of Africa giving birth to a new society full of splendor and wealth, in harmony with nature and rich in traditions and culture.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>?
I love to experiment with different materials, but my favorite is acrylic painting.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
It’s amazing because we can have fun and see art at the same time!
Kaitlin June
Tell our reader about your background as an artist
My name is Kaitlin June and I graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati with a BFA in illustration. I currently work as a freelance illustrator and tattoo artist in Jacksonville Florida.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Much of what inspired me as a child is what inspires me now (sailor moon, astrology, ethereal daydreamy backgrounds, fashion, tattoos, color”>.
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What was your creative process like when creating “Strength“
The process for creating “Strength” was quite chaotic. It started out as an oil painting I was really unhappy with. I was starting to feel more depressed in my life and it was affecting my work. I decided to approach the piece digitally so I took a pic of the work and reworked it in photoshop.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>
My favorite means of making art is through Procreate on my iPad. I have been in love with digital art for over ten years, I love the control digital art gives you. I enjoy working in traditional mediums as a hobby and a fun break to digital art.
There is a comfort to working digitally as I can make infinite changes and versions of a piece. I leaned into a lot of negative feelings to get the original version of “Strength” and when I was asked about making it into a puzzle I wanted to make a few tonal changes to read a bit more like hope and optimism.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
I’ve loved seeing my work as a puzzle. I do love the idea of people putting this work together because it adds another element to the meaning of this work.
Putrice Thomas
Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I started through the love of puzzles and raising my 3yrs old daughter. A search for diverse toys and educational products led to me using my hobby in digital art to capture the details found in the compositions. I have over 15years in business and managing people in organizations in the Caribbean and North America.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Too many to mention. I typically like fantasy art which brings out the playful narratives seen on the puzzles mixed with realism in modern digital art that helps portray the realities of the scenes.
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What was your creative process like when creating “All Better Now“
With art being my hobby, I knew I needed to find someone with a skill set to master the sketches. I collaborated with Jefferson Jacome, a character designer and illustrator from Queens, NY. Jeff sketched the design for “All Better Now” which was inspired by imagination, play, and pretend while being at home during the pandemic. The story shows a little girl dressed as a veterinarian trying to help her puppy feel better. “As a mom, I would always tell my daughter, you’re all better now, whenever she gets a boo-boo so, the title for the puzzle came naturally”. In the picture, you can see how the little girl wraps her puppy’s paw with a bandage and soothes him with a hug. This puzzle was so much fun to design, and it provides a great teachable moment for parents as it shows emotions such as compassion and kindness.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the artboard to a puzzle?
From doodling in an art journal at 2 am to never letting go of my dream to own my own business , I enjoy every minute of being an entrepreneur. “Having people walk to me and admire the work solidifies the mission but when a child smiles after receiving one of our puzzles it makes my heart warm”.
Marianne Rodriguez
Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I am an Filipino-American artist and abstract contemporary painter based in Covington, Louisiana. Due to my parents’ work with the United Nations, I spent 15 years living abroad in West Africa, Central America, Europe & Asia before landing in the US. Marianne went on to study in New York where she obtained a B.A. in media studies & anthropology from the City University of New York at Hunter College, and a degree in fashion design from FIT.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Matisse, Klimt, Yayoi Kusama
What was your creative process like when creating “Island Hopping“
It was joyful, upbeat and free. Island Hopping was a part of a collection titled Islands which was inspired by my Filipino heritage, infused with tropical, sunshine flavors.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>
Island Hopping is a mixed media piece, composed of acrylic paint and fabrics. In hindsight, the process of creating a mixed media artwork is very much like improv puzzle-making, except on a canvas. Moving pieces around constantly until something clicks.
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How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
It’s been so exciting to have this totally new way of being able to allow people to interact with my art, and to be a part of a shared process in creating something together while being apart – if that makes sense? Haha. When someone is honed in on the process of puzzle assembly, and analyzing each piece with careful thought, the feedback I’ve gotten from people is that the nuances of the art are brought to light, the process of the painting is dissected, details are noticed, and the artwork as a whole becomes better appreciated. The icing on top is when puzzle-lovers end up framing the piece once completed. It’s a massive compliment.
Jackie Ogidan
Tell our readers about your experience working with different artists
As Founder of Little Likes Kids, I enjoy working with a team of talented artists, channeling my passions into creating an inclusive line of products that represent a diverse array of cultures and contemporary themes. I have worked with a number of different artists and each person has brought unique perspectives to creating art for the company. However, all of them incorporate our core values of diversity, fun, and relatability. I am proud to have kept my original vision as I grow the company.
What was the inspiration behind creating your business?
I founded this company as a mom who wanted to see quality screen-free toys that were inclusive of children like my son and his wonderful and varied gaggle of friends. And I did so not just for children, but also — and maybe primarily — in service to other moms. The quality, diversity, and broad availability of our toys make it easy for mothers to stock their children’s toy boxes with items that show them they are seen and loved.
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What can we look forward to in the future?
I am excited about our future. Currently, we are available at Target, Nordstroms, World Market, Uncommon Goods, and Amazon in addition to wonderful independent retailers like Kido in Chicago and Mahogany Books in Washington, DC. In 2022, we are “movin’ on up” as Upbounders® by Little Likes Kids. Please stay tuned as Upbounders® by Little Likes Kids brings even more joyful diversity to toy shelves at your local retailer.”
Julissa Prado is the trailblazing CEO behind Rizos Curls, the trail blazing natural curl brand providing clean hair care for any curl type. The high quality ingredients, community, and authentic connection Prado has desired to create with her customers has been a staple of the brand and it’s journey from Ecommerce to the shelves. Prado aimed to create an inclusive like of products that would not only aid the common curly user but help them to embrace the beauty of natural hair. The brand recently celebrated its 4th birthday and we were ecstatic to chat with Julissa about all things beauty.
How would you describe your natural hair journey?
Growing up, my curls were a pain point for sure, because culturally having curly hair was “ugly,” so it did make me want to have straight hair. In school, I was called “puff ball,” “frizz puff,” and other things so it further drove the illusion that straight hair is pretty hair. I remember when I was around 5 years old I went to the hair salon with my mom for my first haircut, back when they had hair styles you’d pick from a salon book. The stylist asked me to “go through this book and tell me what haircut you want” mostly to keep me distracted. I remember finding a picture of a girl with super long straight blonde hair and I excitedly ran to the hair stylist and told her “I want my hair just like her!” Everyone looked at me with my huge gravity defying curly hair at the time and started laughing. That moment has always played such a critical moment because all I wanted was straight hair after that.
It wasn’t until I was in High School, where I started embracing my natural hair. I went to a progressive high school where we learned race theory, and how many of the standards of beauty we have internalized are a result of systems of inequality against people of color. I realized that I needed to love my hair and dismantle my previous beliefs around my hair being ugly or less than.
What was one of the biggest challenges you had transitioning from customer to CEO?
One of the biggest challenges was to finally create and bring to life what I always wanted for my own hair because as a customer what I wanted out in the market was not there. I was very relentless in the fact that there were products that I wanted for myself and I needed to create them. What was eye opening was that once I started that process of trying to create these products, I then understood why these products I was after (clean, natural, high-quality ingredients, etc.”> weren’t available because the access to these ingredients, learning the price difference of natural ingredients versus synthetics, etc. Creating these products with these ingredients was such an uphill battle. So now I have such an admiration for brands that are doing things in a clean transparent way from an ingredients aspect. Because as a customer you think it’s so easy to just create products in a certain way versus actually doing it.
How would you describe Rizos Curls in three words?
Curls, Community, and Culture
“Clean hair care” is becoming a very popular segment of the market, so why should naturalistas invest in brands with clean ingredients?
I can’t speak for the whole industry, but having clean ingredients in our products is a priority for Rizos Curls. My goal is not just to make your hair look beautiful at that moment but I want to nourish your hair and scalp to be healthy from a long term aspect with continued use.
You recently expanded into styling tools, what are the benefits of diffusing vs. air drying?
What I love about curly natural hair is that we can create a variety of styles and looks once we know how to use all the tools available to us along with understanding hair texture, pattern and porosity. The more options you have out there for your scalp and hair the better. A diffuser gives people the ability to bring out additional volume and definition. People with wavier hair patterns really benefit from a diffuser as it really enhances that pattern. Plus, women with various textures who struggle with even patterns may be due to damage, the diffuser helps even out and enhance the pattern.
Your new line features three different types of combs, what are the benefits of using a comb instead of detangling with your fingers?
This comes down to preference and texture. Some people like wide tooth comb, some like a natural hair brush and some love using their fingers, so we come out with products based on customer feedback of what they want next across all hair styles.
For example, I personally love the Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush because it glides through my curls to easily detangle, it’s super comfortable on my scalp thanks to the curved shape and helps to evenly distribute product.
What are your tips for maintaining moisture in the colder months?
Deep conditioning is key for colder months. I have my signature deep conditioning low bun for those deep conditioning days. I start off with putting oil in my scalp (I’ve been testing an oil for more than a year that I plan to launch soon and can be used as a pre-poo”>, then I put our Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner from the mid shaft to the ends of my hair. Once the conditioner is evenly distributed, I put my hair in a low bun, go about my day so that the conditioner is saturating my hair for hours and then wash it out when it’s wash time.
If you could give younger naturalistas advice about embracing their curls, what would it be?
I would tell them that the perception that curly hair is more difficult than straight is not true. Curly hair just requires a different method and education. Once you learn the method to your curl type and pattern, you will love it and see the freedom in all the ways you can rock your hair.
How does the community play a role in building the Rizos brand?
So much of our decisions, innovation and so much of our everyday activities are based on our community and what our community is asking us for. They said “we want a pump for your bottles!” So, we sourced a pump that can be added to any of our bottles. “We want a refreshing spray, a small business summit, etc.” Our community calls the shots and we execute.
Rizos recently launched in major retailers like Ulta and Sally Beauty, what’s next for the brand in 2022?
We are excited to be launching new products very soon which will complement anyone’s wash day regimen.
As a professional hairstylist with over a decade’s worth of experience working for brands like MorrocanOil, it was inevitable that DESIGNME co-owner Amy Stollmeyer would create her own brand. DESIGNME was created to bring a personalized experience to an individual’s hair care routine with carefully crafted formulas that deliver salon-quality results. This Canadian based brand serves up creativity, performance, empowerment, and authenticity to truly capture the beauty of a person’s individual hair texture and type. They recently added to their growing collections with a “Curl and Define” line that delivers hydration, definition, and nourishment with 6 products. We sat down to chat with Amy about the new line, DESIGNME’s origins, and the Canadian approach to haircare.
You have an extensive professional background as a stylist, what did that experience teach you about caring for hair?
I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world as a stylist with professional haircare brands. I also grew up and worked as a stylist in a beautifully diverse country; Trinidad. I’ve learnt (in all its simplicity”> that hair is hair regardless of what it looks like and who it belongs to – it is made of the same material with the same challenges. I saw that hair around the world is not being cared for properly- the same way we care for our skin and bodies, these are learned practices over time (usually with lots of trial and error”>. I saw that people from the Caribbean, North America, Mexico, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa all struggle with many of the same hair challenges in different degrees; dehydration, scalp-imbalance, chemical/heat/styling damage, frizz, weather & environmental effects. Most of these challenges are an easy fix to rebalance with the right care and at home regimen.
How did you begin your entrepreneurial journey in the beauty industry?
Six years ago my husband Safir and his best friend (one of our business partners”> discovered a unique packaging concept that could dispense powder through a direct nozzle in a pump format, that had never been used or seen in the beauty industry. Once we tested formulas and landed on ‘the one’ – we took a leap of faith that hairstylists in North America would find Puff.ME as cute, fun and innovative as we thought it was!
We had one professional distributor and one product – PuffME the Original Volumizing Powder was born in 2016 and was fully embraced by the professional community, it changed the volumizing category.
We operated the company from a Whatsapp group for the first year (we all had other jobs at the time”>. Then, a viral video in the US showing how PuffME worked for instant volume sent us on a seemingly overnight upward trajectory – my husband Safir and I made the decision to leave our other jobs and go all-in on DESIGNME, Safir is a Co-founder and the CEO since 2017.
What inspired you to start your own hair care line?
It’s been a dream since my first years in Cosmetology school. I had written it all down in notebooks. Growing up in Trinidad I had felt (in those days”> that we had limited access to exciting, innovative and clean products. I always felt there could (or should”> be something better, cleaner, more creatively inspiring and easier to use to achieve healthy results both behind the chair and at home, for all stylists and consumers.
When my husband and I met – He was on the distribution/sales/operation side of the industry and I was a hairstylist on the education/r&d/marketing side. We both felt we could bring a different approach than what we had experienced to the industry.
We wanted products within the professional space for hairdressers AND customers that triggered the creatively endless world of hair for the modern consumer. Fun, energetic, versatile, unique, provide instant results, inspire playfulness and creativity, be gentle on the environment, cruelty-free and truly for every human. And that, really is what DESIGNME has grown into.
How did you come up with the concept for “DESIGNME”?
We really focused on defining the key pillars of our brand philosophy: Creativity, Performance, Accountability, Empowerment and Authenticity – these set the groundwork for everything we do and every product we produce. All of our products are proudly Peta-certified cruelty-free, sulfate and paraben free, vegan and gluten-free, gentle formulas, for all people.
The name itself is intended to inspire;
DESIGN: is as much an art as it is a science. Complex yet subtle, it’s the driving force behind everything that we do whether you’re a hairdresser behind the chair or achieving your at home beauty routine. Our products are designed to nurture confidence and authenticity.
ME: It’s about everyone one of you! Each person has their unique hair care needs and their own definition of beauty.We design the product, you design the beauty.
Your brand is proudly based in Canada, are there differences in Canadian approaches to haircare?
Being based in Canada there are 2 very strong movements currently with product production:
- Being cruelty-free and
- Eco-friendly / more sustainability-facing packaging. These are the future of product development standards in our industry.
We also battle some real weather extremes and this has helped us significantly with product testing, when a product can perform on multiple (or all”> hair types, and in any weather condition we face, it gives us the confidence to share them with the world!
Bounce.ME is your newest line aimed at curly hair consumers, what drove the innovation from the Curl Balm to an entire collection?
We had wanted to launch a full curl collection launch, however we confirmed Curl Balm’s formula first and we became so excited by how it performed that we launched it on its own to test the market instead of waiting longer for the other products. As we weren’t known within the curl care space, this gave us time to really perfect the rest of the Bounce.ME collection and build a relationship with our curl customer base that fell in love with Curl Balm – then pandemic hit and all of our launches were of course halted and postponed. SO many people have begun their curl journey due to the pandemic and the timing was right when the salon industry re-opened to finally be able to provide a full regimen of wave and curl care no matter which stage of the journey you’re at!
Which product (s”> would you recommend curly users start with from your collection and why?
Bounce.ME Curl Balm
The OG is our Bounce.ME Curl Balm, it’s a versatile hybrid styler; a cream-gel texture, it has good stretch and elasticity with both hydration and a buildable hold. It’s best for medium to coarse textured 2b/c, 3 a/b/c, 4 a/b/c, wavy, curly and coily hair! There’s both heat and UV protection, and Curl Balm is also CGM approved to cover all curl styling and care preferences.
*Hot tip it can also be used to blow dry waves & curls smooth and bouncy for those who wear their waves & curls both ways.
InfiniteMIST Curl Enhancer
The next would be the InfiniteMIST Curl Enhancer, this is the curl refresher and enhancer of dreams. Housed in a refillable 360 degree continuous sprayer, it has never been easier to dampen and enhance waves or curls instantly like this. We are the first brand in the entire beauty space to have a 100% recyclable carton box refill system (your refill is in the same type of box as a milk carton, but way cuter”>. The formula is a lightweight true thirst quencher for all wave and curl patterns (fine, medium and coarse textures”> and it’s also CGM approved. Simply mist. scrunch or retwist and shape, let dry naturally or diffuse. Use on wash day or any day in between. Curl Enhancer will also help to reactivate your previously applied products (if any”>!
The fragrance experience of the new Bounce.ME Collection is worth honourable mention – they’ll all take you away to an endless summer with notes of warm pink pepper, cardamom, bergamot and coco-de-mer. It wears beautifully with your natural chemistry, it’s gender-friendly and really is just *chef’s kiss*!
What are the hallmark ingredients in the curl collection?
The formulas are deliciously healthy for the hair, a few of my favorite ingredients are:
- Mango fruit extract – promotes elasticity
- Kukui nut seed oil – cleanses & hydrates
- Shea butter – softens & moisturizes
- Buriti oil – strengthens and protects
- Argan Oil – rich hydrator and anti-frizz
- Chamomilla extract – promotes healthy hair growth
We’re moving into the colder months, what are 3 styling tips you’d recommend for natural hair users?
Hydration and protection is key for the colder months
Opting for our GlossME Hydrating Treatment Mask to richly hydrate (infused with Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil”> on each or every other wash day will help reset hydration loss due to cold weather. It’s the hair’s ‘back-to-life’ stuff.
Keep long hair protected
Wearing longer hair a bit off the neck with soft scarves and head wraps to keep secure from friction from rough sweaters, thick scarves, and jackets which can really wreak havoc creating more dryness, frizz and even breakage.
Lay off the heat
When hair is battling extreme dehydration from weather – continuous heat will make it a real up-hill battle. Opt for accessorizing to glam up or disguise/hold unruly areas vs. going on with extra heat.
What are you excited to share about your brand in 2022?
Access and expansion! We have so many exciting new initiatives in the way people can both access and learn about all of our products more easily. Product education will be a focus of mine personally. Really fun and entertaining Social Media Content and how-to videos are coming! We have a few new international distributors also in the line-up which is exciting to have DESIGNME being able to reach even more hair lovers around the world!
Mariel Mejia is changing how we rejuvenate and restore our natural hair – one curl at a time. This Dominican CEO hails from the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City and was looking to revive her curls with ingredients that were going to replenish and nourish them from root to tip. After spending a considerable part of her childhood relaxing her curls that led to extreme hair damage she was inspired to seek out products to help bring her hair back to its glory. However, Mariel found out during her discovery process that many of the natural products on the shelf focused on styling and aiding with natural curl maintenance, and provided no real remedy from naturalistas starting from square one. Pink Root Products was born to be a solution for customers looking to make the transition from heat damaged hair to healthy curls. Ever since 2015, Mariel has been perfecting the formulas and ingredients of Pink Roots Products to be an aid to anyone on their natural hair journey.
We were fortunate to chat with Mariel and learn about her personal journey to restoring her hair, business tips, and the new ventures we can expect from Pink Roots Products.
What was your natural hair journey like growing up?
Growing up I had a pretty negative relationship with my hair. I was always taught that I had “bad hair” and was never encouraged to embrace my natural texture but rather to alter it. This subconsciously led to some of my biggest insecurities as a teenager/young adult and around the age of 18 I had finally decided that I had enough and wanted to do something about it. I decided to go natural during this period of my life and never looked back at another relaxer. It was very liberating to say the least!
The transitioning process from damaged hair to healthy curls can be a long process, what is some advice you would give to your younger self during this time?
The only thing you can really do during your transitioning journey is to be patient! We live in a world where everyone wants instant gratification and immediate results but it just doesn’t work that way, especially when you have endured years of damage to your hair. It takes some time to get your routine going and figuring out what works for you so definitely be patient with yourself.
What inspired the name “Pink Root”?
Pink Root’s name was inspired by the ingredients used to naturally color the products. We use what is known as Alkanet Root Powder to naturally dye our formulas pink and we thought that incorporating that into the name would be a perfect way to introduce people to our brand.
How would you describe your brand in three words?
Natural. Vibrant. Authentic.
What are the key ingredients in Pink Root Products?
We have so many! At Pink Root Products we really value our formulas and want to ensure that we are creating products that truly help maintain your hair’s health. Some of my personal favorite ingredients are sweet almond oil, baobab extract, cocoa butter and mango butter but we have a long list of the rest of our ingredients which can be found on our website.
The hallmark of your products is restoration and repair, what are some misconceptions naturalistas have about restoring their healthy curls?
I would say that one misconception that exists is that you can restore your ends. There is no way to truly revitalize split ends other than just cutting them. Just let it go! If you don’t, they will continue to split upwards and damage some of your healthy hair. Trust me, it’ll grow back before you even know it.
We’re coming into the season where people start straightening their hair for the colder months. What is a product they can use to help prevent heat damage?
Leave-in conditioner! My absolute favorite product to use when I am straightening my hair is our leave-in conditioner. Once my hair is freshly washed, I apply a little bit of leave-in conditioner to my hair while it’s still wet to prep for styling. This helps add moisture to my hair while also adding a protective layer to it for the heat it’s about to encounter.
What are your tips for keeping hydrated curls this fall season?
Protective styles! I know a lot of us turn to braids and other forms of protective styles during the summer but I think these are essential year round. I regularly have my hair up in braids if I am not actively going out to post-covid events, participating in zoom meetings, etc. I keep my hair moisturized this way and protect it from the cold weather that can be super drying to my hair.
You launched Pink Root Products in 2015 and again in 2019, what business lessons did you learn during this time period?Did you have any mentors that helped guide your entrepreneurial journey?
I learned so much in between the time that I originally launched Pink Root and our relaunch. I learned how important it is to really perfect a formula before introducing it to the public. Our very first original products were completely oil based which a lot of people loved but I realized through further research how important water is in formulas and quickly went back to the drawing board to perfect our products.
If I am being totally honest, I would have loved to have a mentor but unfortunately I didn’t get the opportunity. I relied mostly on family and friends, mainly those with industry experience, to help guide me through my journey. Having that support was crucial in staying consistent because there were plenty of moments in which I was unsure if I had picked the right path but there is no reward without risk.
How will Pink Root Products expand in the new year?
In the months to come Pink Root will be launching a new product which is our Travel Pack! It will include all 3 of our styling products in travel size, TSA-friendly bottles along with our microfiber towel and waterproof bag for easy travel. We will also be launching some new formulas in the new year and are super excited about it!
Smooth,elegant, lucious, and easy are just a few ways I would describe Verelle. This cruelty free and vegan hair care line was created by founder Christina Pan who was looking to create a simple but effective method for bringing curl confidence to the forefront of the conversation. Verelle is bringing customization and personalization to the forefront of haircare with a 3-step system designed to combat core natural hair problems. Each line focuses on either a wavy, curly, or coily hair type and then the customer is transported to an array of products designed for that specific texture and pattern. Verelle’s clean ingredients feature coconut, aloe vera leaf juice, and chamomile flower to hydrate, define, and soften the curls. We chatted with the founder and got all the details on this specialized product, how the business has developed, and why custom hair care is the way to go!
How did Verelle get started?
As a female founder, I wanted to focus on building a company that helps solve problems for women and that embraces our diverse voices and choices. Verelle was born out of the frustration that many curly girls still have trouble finding effective products that work for their hair and the oftentimes complex routines recommended for curly hair. As a modern woman, we are constantly juggling many responsibilities both at work and at home and may not have time for a 5 step hair care routine. So I created Verelle’s 3-step system (wash, condition, all-in-one multifunctional styler”> to make it easy and effortless for curly girls to take care of their curls. Given the differences between curl types, I customized each system by curl type to ensure the best results.
In addition, due to my own skin allergy struggles with personal care products, I made sure that all Verelle products are clean and free of sulfates, parabens, and other harsh chemicals so that our products are not only better for curly hair, but also for our customers’ health.
What was the inspiration behind the name?
One of our key missions is to celebrate women who embrace their natural hair and to create a community that feels confident about their beauty choices – whether that be going natural or going makeup-less. We wanted a unique name and played around with many different words. The name “Verelle” is inspired by the French words “vers” (to/towards”> and “elle” (she/herself”> so that we can all be or become who we want to be.
Describe any challenges you faced in the initial phase of building out the product?
During our initial phase of building out the product, after many months and rounds of product development, one of the biggest challenges we faced was that the initial prototypes didn’t get very positive feedback from our various curly hair testers. Instead of launching as planned, we ended up going back to the drawing board and re-started the entire development process because product quality is our number one priority. It took another 2 years of development and testing until we arrived at our current set of products. We’re really grateful to hear that our customers love our new line of products and will continue to strive to introduce high quality new products.
How is “custom hair care” a better approach than the “one size fits all” approach?
As many curlies already know, different hair types are inherently built differently from a structural or molecular level and have different styling needs. Curlies tend to need more moisture vs straight hair and even within curlies, coily hair tends to need even more moisture vs looser curls. We designed custom products for each curl type (wavy, curly, and kinky-coily line”> so that your hair gets the specific ingredients that it needs, which leads to healthier and more manageable curls in the long term. For example, our coily all-in-one styler includes both castor oil and mango butter as the top ingredients to build elasticity and prevent breakage.
What are the benefits of using cruelty free and vegan hair products?
Because it’s kinder and more environmentally friendly! We believe a better business starts with how we make our products.
How do the natural ingredients used in the products benefit natural curls?
Many curlies have already switched to natural hair care products because they are better for your natural curls and your health. One of the key benefits is that it’s free of harmful chemicals such as sulfates – which can strip away curly hair’s natural oils and make your hair drier – or parabens which can potentially disrupt hormone regulation. There are already many safe and effective natural alternatives, however, many haircare products on the market still contain harmful chemicals because they are often ‘cheaper’ to manufacture.
Verelle focuses on using high quality and natural ingredients and is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates and mineral oil. For example, our hair wash and conditioner contain aloe vera juice, which nourishes existing strands and promotes healthier hair and scalp. Our stylers contain many natural ingredients – such as argan oil, shea butter, and castor oil – that not only moisturize hair, but also strengthen and repair curls from the inside out.
What is a signature product from your line and how is it used?
One of our signature products is the all-in-one multifunctional styler (one for each curl type”>. After you wash and condition your hair, you can apply it to wet hair in sections and then scrunch or style and air dry. Instead of needing 3-4 styling products, this multifunctional styler is designed to do it all – it hydrates, defines, softens and smoothes curly hair without adding weight or the dreaded ‘crunch’. One simple and effective styler to rock any style so that you don’t have to spend too much time or buy countless products to look great!
We’re coming into the colder months where retaining moisture is vital for naturalistas, what are 3 tips you have for retaining moisturizing this season?
We like to think of it holistically and that it’s not just about taking care of your curls but also your environment and what you eat:
- For your curls, definitely make sure to deep condition (do it more, do it for a bit longer”> to inject moisture directly into your strands. We love using Verelle’s Restore & Repair Hair Mask, which contains nourishing natural oils and butters, as a deep conditioner
- For your environment, as it gets drier indoors, use a humidifier to keep moisture in the air which improves your curls and your skin
- For your body, remember to drink plenty of water even during the winter which can help moisturize your hair from the inside out
Your line features products for wavy, curly, and coily hair types, how do the ingredients and consistency of products differ for each customer type?
The key differences are the hold, hydration, and texture. For our wavy line, the all-in-one has the consistency of a soft smooth cream. It provides a lightweight hold and softly defines and moisturizes wavy hair without weighing it down. For our curly line, the milky cream feels almost like a cross between a cream and a gel. It provides flexible medium hold / definition and hydrates and plumps up curls without the ‘crunch’ or leaving any residue behind. For our coily line, this styler feels more like a custard and has a thicker consistency. It provides maximum moisture, strong hold and shine without heaviness or crunch.
There are times when our recommendations differ from what some of our customers want. This is why we also created our Styler Trio that includes all 3 stylers, which allows our customers to test, play, and mix & match our stylers!
The natural hair market is getting to be extremely competitive, what are your tips for entrepreneurs looking to add their own unique products to the market?
Don’t be afraid to make product changes! When I talk to software founders, their iteration cycles tend to be much faster and they can change their products on a week to week basis. Even though it is relatively harder to adjust physical products, don’t be afraid to improve your existing products or launch new and improved versions of them. After we received feedback from real customers on our initial product prototypes, we incorporated their suggestions and continued to iterate and improve our products until we arrived at the current version that we love.
What can customers look forward to from Verelle in the coming months?
We have recently filmed many fun and easy-to-digest 1 minute video tutorials to teach our customers how best to use our products. As our products are high-performing, using a little bit can actually go a long way and using too much product can lead to suboptimal performance. We hope our short videos can help teach our customers what’s the best way to use Verelle’s products (and by using less their products will also last longer”>!
We’ve also been working on a couple new products in the background and are planning to launch additional complementary hair products next year and be the go-to place for all easy-to-use and high quality curly hair care products!
With the fall season upon us, hydration and moisture are key to keeping our curls happy and healthy even in the chilly/dry air. Many of us turn to our favorite oil to help maintain frizz, flyaways, and prevent breakage. In the past few years, we curlies have turned to several new alternatives to care for our curls, and baby oil could be the latest product to add to your shelf. Before you say “No,” let’s read up on the ingredients and potential benefits of using baby oil, and learn how it can be used in your hair care routine.
Ingredients
First off, baby oil is a mineral oil, which is a colorless and odorless oil that’s made from petroleum. The fact that it’s a by-product of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline can be a deterrent to those considering using it on their bodies, as can the fact that it’s used a machinery lubricant. But mineral oil has been used in a multitude of products in the beauty industry for many years. In the beauty world, mineral oil has to be boiled and vaporized to eliminate the hydrocarbons within it.
First off, baby oil is a mineral oil, which is a colorless and odorless oil that’s made from petroleum.
Unlike some oils, mineral oil is non-drying; it does not leave a film on the hair. Different types of baby oils can be combined with other essential oils to make soaps and conditioners, but classic baby oil is just paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil”>, and a light fragrance. Tocopheral actetate (vitamin E”> can also be added, or as some brands have done, they can also include shea butter and coconut oil in their formulas.
The Pros
1. Little to no scent
For those of us wanting a lighter smell or a non-fragrant oil for our curls, baby oil has almost no distinguishable scent.
2. Moisture retention
We love our moisture! Baby oil can hold moisture. All you need is a few drop to get the job done and your wet or dry curls will thank you.
3. Detangling
Tangles can be a curlies’ worst enemy, but baby oil is here to smooth out your curls and reduce breakage. Using it fresh out of the shower can give you excellent results.
4. Independent
Baby oil is one of the few hair agents that has multiple uses on its own without cocktailing. You don’t have to have wet hair which can save you time when applying on a non-wash day.
5. Reduce frizz
Who doesn’t love frizz free curls? The mineral oil that seals in moisture is going to work against any frizz that can be the cause of dryness. We suggest adding a few drops between wash days to help reduce any frizz you could be experiencing.
6. Health for fine hair types
If you have “fine” or fragile hair, baby oil is light and won’t weigh down and create stringy hair like other commonly used oils. This is one of the reasons baby oil and mineral oil based products are used for infants and toddlers.
The Cons
1. Use sparingly
When choosing to use baby oil, you need to use it sparingly to avoid build-up and grease. Baby oil will mix with your natural oils and create build-up that only a wash day will remove.
2. Staining
Unlike most oils we use in our hair, baby oil may stain your clothes/pillowcase if used in excess. It’s not a product that absorbs into your curls since it’s a non-drying oil, so be tactical in how you use it throughout the day.
3. Environmental impact
As we mentioned above this is derived from petrochemicals. If you are trying to minimize the environmental impact of your beauty routine or lifestyle in general, then it is worth considering opting for natural oils instead.
Currently, many hair care brands are incorporating and combining baby oil with other natural oil or gels to help strengthen and shine natural hair. These products can be used for children or adults and vary from just the traditional baby oil bottle. If you are interested in using baby oil into your current regime, you can start by researching your favorite brands and seeing which products have it in the ingredients. Start your fall season with a product to help reduce frizz, seal in moisture, and add shine to your season.
Are you considering adding baby oil your product line-up, or have you already? Let us know in the comments below!
Inahsi Naturals is the haircare line that keeps on growing. Founded by Rhonda Marshall, these hair care products are all about incorporating natural ingredients to help curlies embrace their products from head to toe. As a chemist and educator Rhonda worked meticulously to help naturalistas uncover real solutions to helping maintain healthy hair. Inahsi features several different types of products that range from wash day to styling. Their multifunctional use can be used against any hair type, texture, and can help with length retention, breakage, and promoting healthy hair growth. Their natural ingredients feature rosemary oil, hemp oil, palm oil, peppermint oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter to name a few.
Inhasi’s latest products from their “Pamper My Curls” collection might be their best line to date. This line is designed “to moisturize, define, repair, soothe and promote overall healthy hair and scalp”. Most of us know our hair and scalp have been through the ringer and could use a little TLC and this line is here to deliver. Here’s my review of the “Pamper My Curls” collection.
Pamper My Curls Sculpting Glaze, 8oz.
A protein free styling glaze that leaves curls defined, protected and shiny. This gel is made with sunflower oil and includes ceramides to help repair the hair from any damage. It provides a strong hold without leaving flakes or the signature white residue. It can be used to smooth down edges or to help define curls.
My review:
This is probably the first gel I’ve ever genuinely been in love with. It’s not sticky or has a thick consistency, it’s a perfect blend with a slip that makes it easy to work through your curls. I was initially surprised at the idea of a gel glaze being effective but have loved using this product on freshly washed, damp, or dry curls. It doesn’t leave a crunch and has a medium sized hold that still allows you the versatility to style your curls without the stiffness that makes most of us frustrated when we’re trying to style our hair. The pump is also a nice change from having to scoop out or squeeze out gel.
Pamper My Curls All-In-On Leave-In Moisture Mist, 8oz
A light-weight oil free mist that can help moisturize, nourish, and refresh curls. It includes ingredients like marshmallow root, lavender, angelica root, and chamomile extract to help soothe a dry and itchy scalp.This leave-in can also aid as a repair from color damage, heat damage, and general wear and tear.
My review:
A leave-in + moisture mist is the ultimate combination I never knew I needed until now. I used this the most as a refresher between wash days and it worked like magic from root to tip.It has a light scent that blends well with other products or can be used with water for all over moisture. A refresher spray like this is so important to include in your product arsenal and what makes this stand out is it’s combination effect on the curls and scalp. I personally can have a drier scalp due to the climate and appreciate having a product that isn’t overly oily so it weighs down my curls. I’m sad to say out of all the product this one is running low!
Pamper My Curls Hair & Scalp Elixir, 4oz
A product that gives back to your curls and scalp. This little bottle packs a big punch and by helping to restore shine and bring dull and lifeless curls to life with just a few drops. With a mixture of sunflower, tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary oil, this elixir helps to soothe an irritated scalp and support healthy hair.
My review:
A little bottle with big possibilities. This is a great product aimed at helping ease your scalp problems. This can be used right before you begin your wash day and serves as a scalp prep before you begin shampooing and has a specialized tip to directly hit your most sensitive areas. The peppermint comes through the strongest out of all the ingredients and the oil combination is very heavy so I would suggest using sparingly. It definitely can help with any dry patches or itchiness you are experiencing and probably would be a great asset if you’re wearing a protective style.
Give your curls the moisture and luxury they deserve this season, try these Inahsi must-haves!
As we have seen the beauty market expand in category, ingredients, and products…it was only a matter of time until vegan curly hair products joined the line-up. When the “curly girl method” grew in popularity, brands flooded the shelves with regimes and remedies to help our aid our curls, but not all of them were cruelty-free (vegan and animal-test free”>. Similar to regular products, vegan curly hair care can come in a variety of options from shampoos, deep conditioners, leave-in’s and more. Vegan beauty products can be marketed as hair care for conscious curls which usually boils down to the types of ingredients used which can be eco-friendly and good for the environment, cue Curl Rehab.
Curl Rehab is a vegan, eco-friendly curl treatment that aims to address unique curl problems such as scalp care, dry/damaged hair, and length retention. This new line is made with no sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, and is 100% biodegradable. Their mantra is “save your curls, love the world” and their ingredient lineup includes natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, green tea, rice water, grapeseed oil, coconut milk, and avocado depending on the treatment you receive. While they are new to the market, they have already begun to knock down the retail doors of major companies like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens.
Curl Rehab 2-N-1 Shampoo Conditioner
Out of their three treatments, I chose the “Dry hair, Damage repair treatment” to help give my curls some much needed moisture after I decided to be blonde in 2021. The first product in this treatment was a 2-N-1 Shampoo Conditioner made with Coconut Milk and Avocado. It comes in a generous 16 oz. bottle and is aimed at moisturizing dehydrated curls.
My Review:
I loved the fresh smell of the coconut milk that wasn’t too overwhelming or giving me tropical vibes. It had a pretty smooth consistency with a good amount of slip which surprised me since it was a shampoo/conditioner mix. It lathered very easily and was very nourishing to my hair. It took me a bit to adjust to the idea of a 2-N-1 product because of my natural inclination to put leave-in conditioner in my hair after the shampoo. However I did try a few combinations with the additional products they sent below. I have very thick hair with alot of volume so for me waking up the next day, the conditioner aspect of this product didn’t leave my curls very moisturized or defined. I did have to add in other products to achieve a more controlled look. I preferred to use this as a co-wash in the middle of the week, but didn’t enjoy it for my wash day.
2-in-1 Hydration Treatment
The remaining products in the “Dry hair, Damage repair treatment” was a repairing oil treatment and hydrating mask packet. The instructions for each packet could be used individually or together depending on your hair problem or goal. The 4 way customized treatment could work as a leave-in treatment, pre-shampoo treatment, deep treatment, or conditioning treatment. The packets are easy to open and have a 4.8 ounces of product within each section.
My Review:
These were a little confusing to use because of the duality of how they can be applied. I opted first for the leave-in treatment with the repairing oil treatment which had a thick consistency and light coconut smell. I applied this after the 2-N-1 shampoo conditioner and enjoyed how easily it went through my hair and immediately defined my curls. It had a good hold and left my curls relatively frizz free. My only issue was that the oil aspect of this product sat very heavily on my scalp and was a bit too greasy for my roots.
The hydrating mask had a much stronger scent than I anticipated for an avocado scented product and I didn’t particularly enjoy the fragrance, it lingered post wash. This product performed the best for my curls when it was combined with the oil treatment and left my hair fully hydrated with tons of moisture. The combination of both ingredients worked well together and had a balanced fragrance that I enjoyed.
Overall Review
Overall this is a brand I enjoyed reviewing and loved the guilt-free aspect of knowing I was using clean ingredients that benefited the environment. I believe in time as the products grow beyond hair treatments they will provide refreshing and innovative way for naturalistas to go vegan in this sector of the market.
To say that Black-ish has made a significant cultural and societal impact on the way audiences view the modern Black family is an understatement. Created by Kenya Barris, the ABC series revolves around the lives of an upper class African-American family that takes viewers through the individual experiences of the characters and how they navigate socio political issues. Black-ish stars amazing talent such as Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Laurence Fishburn, Marcus Scribner, and Miles Brown. Each character is infused with personality, intelligence, and opinions on modern day hot button topics such as Black Lives Matter and police brutality that have made them forces on and off the screen. As one of the prominent Black families on television, viewers have grown to watch the family evolve over 7 seasons and gravitate to their stunning styles.
We had the chance to talk with the innovative Emmy-nominated Black-ish hair stylists Nena Ross and Stacey Morris who are the creative forces behind the dynamic hair styles on the show about how the show is impacting representation of natural hair in mainstream media. And we got to ask them their favorite looks from the show!
Tell us about your backgrounds as stylists and how your experience has been working on Black-ish
Stacey: I was raised in New York, my father was involved in the music industry and my mother was a model so I was always surrounded by industry people and fashion. Because of the environment I grew up in I adopted an interest in styling and spent my summers assisting in salons and I eventually made that my career. I’ve had an awesome experience working on Black-ish because I’m given the freedom to create the looks we see fit for each character which are modern and reflect the current community trends. We’re all like family and there’s a different type of connection that occurs with styling because we get to do Afro-centric designs that are indigenous to us, for us, by us which makes it fun and interesting. It’s not one specific look we have to adhere to all the time and while there are “checks and balances” that occur when working on a network show it’s pretty fair when it comes to being artistic and creative.
Nena: I started doing hair in high school through various programs and also went to beauty school right before graduation. My first salon experience was in Long Beach, CA and then I began training in different hair techniques before eventually opening my own salon. I later got into the industry where I did various hair shows and competitions, joined the union, and started working on different shows which eventually led me to Black-ish. It’s been a great experience that has allowed me to express my creativity while working on hair and pick a lot of styles that are true to the culture and characters of the show.
How has Black-ish helped to normalize natural hair in mainstream media?
Nena: Black-ish has been able to normalize natural hair partially due to the pandemic because people were unable to go to the salons and were forced to think of creative ways to do their hair at home. It really ties into what we’ve been doing at the show, for example Diane (Marsai”> wore braids for the majority of the season so I was able to do creative braids and add accessories like jewels to give it a contemporary look. It’s been a blessing to be able to work on this show and be on a platform that embraces natural hair and can set new trends for our viewers.
Stacey: The more that we see ourselves on screen, it builds that momentum to normalize it in everyday culture and for people to wear their natural hair unapologetically. It’s empowering. Black-ISH is a staple in people’s homes because it reflects themselves and has set its own trends within our culture. I’ve had so many people reach out to me about how I style Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner”> hair since guys are now growing their hair out. Styles come back into the mainstream, obviously we’re not wearing 1970s afro’s but we’re seeing that make a comeback now and I do different textured looks to that length.
What inspires the styles you create for the characters on Black-ish?
Nena: For me it’s a combination of the look of the character and what they are doing in the scene. It ends up being a collaboration for me with the cast where I do research and we go over different looks with various hair options. Everything depends on the character and their personality as a person so we just collaborate together and I give them my inspiration and they provide their input.
Stacey: I agree with Nena where it’s about finding a style they will be comfortable in and also what translates well on the camera because the director may want something different. In the initial seasons our show creator Kenya Barris was very much involved in the look of the show whether it was being age appropriate for the children or adjusting the style based on how we needed them to look. For example, Jack Johnson (Miles Brown”> had a little boy haircut for a while, no line up, edge ups, just very natural and this last season we gave him a line up to show his age. There’s lots of checks and balances and we bring it all together for the small screen.
What defines a “hair moment” for you? Is it the time spent, technique, intricacy/details?
Stacey: It’s the transformation and what you end up with. You can wow somebody because they come with one idea and leave with another. In addition, I enjoy incorporating different hair types into various styles, I call making the hair submit. A few things I’m proud of is when I get to build a look that appears natural or real, like when I can create a beard or give a bride hair she didn’t originally have. I’m always impressed with figuring out what it looks like in “Coming 2 America” and Wesley Snipes needed a wig and I had to bring that look to life. On this show Jack Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner”> has a smooth curl to his hair and when you wet it shrinks up so there are moments I have to make it appear undone or ungroomed.
Nena: Intricacy and technique are what defines a hair moment for me because a lot of hairstyles require different supplies and ways to style the hair. I love the details of a look, whether it is sleek, caufed, or fine-tuned- I like using accessories to give that extra pop. The more intricate and time spent on a style can determine the bigger look. It all depends on the character, for example I did a montage of Olivia’s hair (Katyln Nichol”> where I did a 1930s finger wave on the side with accessories. It took about 45 minutes and was very beautiful. I love being challenged and thinking outside of the box like when Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross”> comes to me with a style I’ve never done before and I have to really research how to create that look.
How would you describe the hair journey of a specific character? As people age/mature texture can evolve/change, how do you adapt to that?
Nena: I came aboard in season 7 so I did a lot of research on each character to understand their hair journey. With Diane Johnson (Marsai Martin”> the goal was to transition her from a kid to a young lady and bring her to a contemporary style. Her hair texture has changed and what she wants for the character has changed like adding jewels, metals, or wires to her style. Tracee usually wears her hair natural and I wanted to build on those styles and her brand by staying true to the character.
Stacey: It was all about growth over time which you can see on the boys whose cuts and styles have changed over time. In real life kids grow up and they become their own person and start finding their own identity through their hair. With Jack Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner”> he started on the show really young and his hairstyles matured as he did. Even with Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson”> he has grown and matured with his beard which is now longer.
If you could recommend any of your favorite types of hair accessories, what would they be?
Nena: Accessories can always change depending on the hair texture, but I like using hair accessories that include bobby pins. I like to use jaw clips, wires, strings, yarns, etc. and I source them from all different places whether it’s a Michael’s or a Forever 21.
Are you given the freedom to try any trend you like?
Stacey: The show is a brand now that has a certain aesthetic so we can’t use every single trend that’s popular. It took awhile for the network to get onboard with letting Anthony’s beard grow even though that’s popular in mainstream culture.
Nena’s favorite looks:
For the characters we do about 3-4 different looks per episode and try to keep the continuity between scenes. We don’t have a lot of time to create every single look so I like to create transition styles that help us as we move onto the next scene. I have a chart organized by how many styles we have per week, what I’m creating each day, and then we build additional styles on that.
Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi”>
We went with two high buns and I slicked it back with product, I made undetectable hair extensions from fishtails I had pre-braided and set to the side. Once I swooped her hair up, I added the extensions and then added in jewels for a contemporary wedding look.
Diane Johnson (Marsai Martin”>
For her wedding style we did her hair in braids and added a lot of jewels and created a big fishtail braid which brought out her outfit and look.
Stacey’s favorite looks:
Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson”>
I love what we’ve been doing with Anthony’s beard which reflects what is happening with the world. In the past longer beards were worn by caucausians or lumberjacks and they have now been adopted by every culture. Everyone is wearing bigger beards, we always say that his beard is a whole other character.
Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner”>
I previously mentioned what I’ve been doing with Andre Johnson Jr. (Marcus Scribner”> and how he’s wearing a longer style. I love that it is so well received and want to know how I get it like that because trends start at the grass roots level. Stylists will see a look we like and tweak it, but once we do it and it’s seen on a massive platform like Black-ish where it’s viewed by millions of people, we inadvertently become trend setters. Marcus is fun and likes to try new things and I love what we’ve achieved with his look.
About the Stylists
Nena Ross
Nena Ross is a Journeyman Celebrity Hairstylist with more than 20 years of experience working in the hair and entertainment industries. She recently received her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling as the Hair Department Head of ABC’s “Black-ish,” Season 7. Her work can be seen across a wide range of programming from serving as the department head for Seasons 3 and 4 of “Grown-ish,” the CW’s “America’s Next Top Model,” and NBC’s“Access Hollywood” where she supervised the hairstyling for each cast member, to the pilot episode of ABC’s hit series “How to Get Away with Murder” where she styled leading lady and award-winning actress Viola Davis.
Stacey Morris
Stacey Morris, who does business under the pseudonym Stacey Kutz, is oftentimes referred to as “Stylist to the Stars.” For the past thirty plus years, Stacey has been an established Barber-Stylist based in Los Angeles catering to the demands of high profile clientele that span across the music, sports, television and film industries Worldwide. Stacey has been nominated for four Emmy Awards and four MUAHS Awards (Makeup Artist and Hair Stylists Guild”>. She was also the Hair Department Head for Coming 2 America and her other film credits include Sylvie’s Love, Bad Hair, Gone Girl, Norbit and Dreamgirls. She has also worked on and is the standing barber on several TV series including America’s Funniest Videos, Black-ish, and The Voice.
We all know the struggle of having a dry scalp. It’s itchy, flakey, uncomfortable, and can make you feel like you want to rip your hair out. However, it can be hard to determine whether that itch is due to dandruff or a dry scalp. While dandruff and dry scalp can have similar characteristics they are different conditions that require different treatments. Dandruff is caused by too much oil on the scalp and with a dry scalp the skin gets irritated and then flakes off. Once you are able to identify the characteristics and symptoms of each condition then you can take the right course of action to get the right treatment and be rid of the irritation.
If you’re looking for help, you’re in the right place: we’ve rounded up a team of expert trichologists who are here to give us the 411 on differences between dandruff and dry scalp, scalp health, and tips for treating your condition. Trichologists are professionals who study diseases and problems related to the hair and scalp by assisting people with issues like hair loss, scalp psoriasis, hair breakage and more.
Before we dive into the details, let’s meet the experts!
Kachelle
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Kachelle is a certified trichologist and hair loss specialist who provides all inclusive services like trichology consultation and scalp revitalizing treatments in addition to styling and color services. She is passionate about helping people discover how to have healthy hair and is a vital resource for guiding through every stage of this process.
Enitan
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Enitan best known as Enitanhaircoach and is the UK’s first Black Hair Coach and an accredited trichologist who educate and assist women with mainly afro-textured hair to have the audacity to be bold with their expectations for their hair and scalp health.
Jonesia
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Jonesia is the owner of Salon J’Lynae (Galveston county first trichology salon”> and Eminence Remy hair, an Indian and Brazilian hair company which was established in September of 2011. She is a certified Trichologist and has worked with top industry professionals in media, print, and television.
What is the difference between having a dandruff and having a dry scalp?
“There really isn’t a difference between dandruff and having a dry scalp because both are characteristics of what is scientifically known as seborrhea which is a dysfunction of the sebaceous glands (oil glands”> which is an overproduction of oil or underproduction of oil. Other factors that contribute to this are genetics, stress, diet and hormonal changes.”- Kachelle
“Very similar characters in terms of their symptoms and signs. Both can look flaky, with tight scalp, irritated skin and feel itchy. As a result of the similarities many of my clients confuse the 2, but a high percentage of those who think they have dandruff actually just have irritated scalp due to lack of washing or perhaps what the scalp is washed with. Dandruff is a medical condition that can get worse by stress or cold weather. Dry scalp is as the name suggests, scalp that lacks moisture or lubrication. This doesn’t means add oils to the scalp, as that makes the scalp even more irritated.” – Enitan
“Dandruff and dry scalp have some similarities therefore a lot of people feel like they can never get rid of it. Dandruff is harmless and can be more embarrassing if anything and can be caused by the off balance of ph on the scalp. Some cells overturn more quicker than others which attributes to the flakes that you see.” – Jonesia
Does your scalp health correlate with your hair health?
“Your scalp/ hair health absolutely correlates because they are both a reflection of what is going on internally in the body. Your hair and scalp are an indicator if you have a health imbalance. For example, if you are consuming too much sugar in your diet, it will cause your scalp to become more flaky. Also if you are not consuming enough water your hair and scalp will be dehydrated as well resulting in “dry hair””- Kachelle
“Your scalp health correlates more strongly with your nutritional intake than your hair health. You can have hair that’s thriving but a scalp that is always inflamed. This is because skin is a living cell and hair is not. Where the scalp is unhealthy, it can and will impact the quality of hair that comes through but that hair can still thrive with the correct care, it may take you longer and you will have more frustrating results before thriving one. However, if your minerals and vitamin intake is insufficient to meet the scalp needs, not only will the environment of the scalp be poor but you are likely to have premature hair shedding and the hair is more likely to be more brittle. Sometimes the hair is already damaged before it surfaces from the scalp.”- Enitan
“It’s ideal to eat a balanced diet and drink water to keep your skin in optimal condition. Acidic food can cause flare ups which may cause dandruff in most clients. Temperament or stress can also cause your scalp to flake. Take time for yoga,meditation or exercise to get the blood flowing to your scalp as well as providing your scalp with nutrients.”- Jonesia
What are your tips for helping combat dandruff?
“My recommendation to combat and ease the condition of dandruff are:
- Staying hydrated (Drink at least 64oz of water”>
- Have a balanced diet; consume sugar in moderation.
- Shampoo/condition frequently
Especially with a medicated shampoo followed up with a moisture shampoo and deep condition.” – Kachelle
“Most medicated shampoos that are impactful to dandruff, do a fantastic job at keeping things under control but they are terrible for afro textured hair and make it very dry. Therefore, by using correct techniques the scalp can begin to be under control without drying out the hair. There is no cure for dandruff but it can be under control to the point you can go through the rest of the year and not have a single flare up.
Identify your triggers, for some that means prolonging wash days, for others it could be using a scarf that isn’t an appropriate fabric and /or hasn’t been washed in a while, I recommend the nudes4bed scarf made with mulberry silk. Triggers could also be using synthetic hair extensions so always be mindful of what type of extensions you are using.
Shampoos formulated with ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and selenium sulphide can also be helpful. Don’t scratch when it is itchy, dandruff doesn’t cause hair loss but the aggressive scratching will. You can rub lightly but if you understand your triggers It can be managed that you wouldn’t even itch. Work with a trichologist or dermatologist.” – Enitan
“Dandruff is usually flakes and dry scalp is usually associated with the cracks on the skin. I wouldn’t recommend greasing your scalp at all , placing grease on top of dandruff only packs the scales down underneath the mineral or petroleum based product.With dry scalp I always explain that the opposite of dry is wet. If you have a plant that is dying and the leaves begin to dry up you will never reach for oil , water is always the key.” – Jonesia
What are 3 recommendations for helping ease a dry scalp?
“Too much washing with shampoos with harsh surfactants will make it worse, use a moisturizing shampoo.
Instead of using an oil on the scalp, try aloe vera gel.
Don’t use hair masks on the scalp; they are designed for the hair.”- Enitan
“Shampoo more frequently with a mild based shampoo and conditioner, make sure you rinse really well and apply leave-ins to your hair only to prevent irritation.
Buy professional products, don’t reach for the cheapest brand. It may have irritants in it that your scalp may not be able to tolerate.
Don’t scratch this may lead to inflammation due to you ripping the skin with your nails.”- Jonesia
Which products would you advise to help treat dry scalp?
“I would recommend the over the counter “Nizoral Anti Dandruff” medicated shampoo once a week to minimize flakes while following up with your favorite moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner. Following up with a moisturizing shampoo/deep conditioner is very important to retain moisture. Afterwards, you can apply a light weight-absorbing oil such as jojoba, sunflower seed oil to the scalp to hydrate the scalp. Apply as much as needed throughout the week. These oils are penetrative and will not clog the follicles. A healthy clear scalp is a thriving scalp for hair growth.”- Kachelle
My personal recommendations are aloe vera or a moisturizing shampoo like Angel helichrysum shampoo”- Enitan
“A real aloe vera plant can help soothe your scalp after properly cleansing your scalp. If you see any fluids coming from your scalp I would recommend contacting your dermatologist.”- Jonesia
Some countries are emerging from lockdown and many naturalistas have been eagerly awaiting the day for the salon doors to reopen so we can enter the season with a new fresh cut and shrug off our lockdown blues. It is finally time to unleash the curls and say hello to summer. Whether you’re needing a trim, a new shape, or updated look, we can all agree that there is no better feeling than having a fresh cut to give life back to your curls.
With all the emerging new trends you may be wondering what to do with your curls post-lockdown? Should you do the big chop, add some color to your tresses? We’re here to help stir up the idea pot and give you some curl inspiration to bring to your favorite stylist this season.
Image: @gabbys.way
1. Front Bangs
Bangs are back in a big way this summer and have become one of the most popular post-lockdown styles to rock. They are an excellent way to give your look a makeover and provide a fresh look for your day-to-day styling routine.
Image: @nubiarezo
2. Long Shag
The shag haircut was made popular in the early 70s and was inspired by rockstars for a carefree look that promotes freedom. This overly layered cut is perfect for naturalistas because it promotes volume and highlights your texture.
Image: @jayne_edosalon
3. The Wolf Cut
The Wolf Cut is the trending haircut of the season – a choppy mix between the shag and the mullet. You may have seen your Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards filled with this look on mostly straight heads of hair, but we love the character that texture brings to this bold look!
Image: @jhanaenae
4. Short Layers
With summer here, it’s understandable that a few of us want a little less length on our shoulders. A haircut with short layers can help create the illusion of volume and length without the weight of bulky curls. Adding layers to a short haircut can also add texture and create movement throughout the curls which compliments a variety of face shapes.
Image: @many.whorls
5. Angled Triangle
Ah the triangle, a cut that never fails to provide the perfect statement for a curly looking to be bold. The triangle is ideal for naturalistas with a tight curl pattern with thick density and is great for styling on the go.
Image: @ravenrowsalon
6. Edgy Pixie
The pixie is a cut that is perfect for naturalistas wanting a low maintenance style that truly highlights their texture in all its glory. The curly pixie cut is a trendy and flattering curly style that is viewed as very fashionable and chic.
Image: @melimel_citycurlstudio
7. Shape Up
If you are unsure of what style you want to rock post-lockdown then asking for a shape up is a great way to revive your curls without committing to a specific style. Asking a stylist to redefine the “shape” of your curls can help them bring your hair back to a healthy state by trimming the ends, bringing back the natural style of your hair, and giving your curls the chance to grow!
Image: @lepetitsalon_devacurl
8. Modern Mushroom
This is a fresh and updated version of the “bowl-cut” for naturalistas with tighter coils and curls. It can be extremely flattering and is a simple hairstyle that is viewed as edgy, bold, and can frame your face!
Image: @elizabethlingafelt
9. Curly Diamond
The “diamond technique” is a great way to eliminate the bell-shape effect many short haired curlies get as their hair grows. This cut is all about embracing your volume and fullness by giving an even curl across the many tresses of your hair.
Image: @thehivesalon
10. The Fringe
The curly fringe is a style that compliments bangs by helping soften your face shape and drawing attention to your eyes. A curly fringe can be customized to individual face shapes and add balance to your face by creating a softened look that you will love. This a perfect pairing with bangs if you are ready to commit.
Image: @chrissycollins_hair
11. The Big Chop
As we’ve mentioned before it is getting into the hotter months and we’ve been in lockdown. There’s no bolder way to create a hair statement than by giving up the length and committing to the big chop. This is a great way to put “refresh” on your curls and get rid of unhealthy hair that has been damaged due to color, chemical treatments, and poor maintenance.
Image: @vancityhairgirl
12. Curly Lob
The curly lob is a combination bob that still maintains your length! The classic bob is great for allowing your facial features to stand out and can range from ear to jaw length depending on your preference. This is a fun and playful style that is eye-catching and versatil for many textures.
Image: @theloftmedford
13. Long Layers
Long hair will always be in style and we always give props to our naturalistas who want to keep their length. Adding layers to your long curls can help create more movement and volume and works for fine or thicker curls.
Image: @spritzhairstudio
14. Tapered Cut
Natural hair always looks well with a tapered style regardless of your curl type because these are blunt, provide flexible cut and styling options, and will have you feeling fierce. This is a great style for curlies looking for an easy cut that will shorten styling times and decrease overall product usage.
Image: @catchmebloomin
15. Long Diagonal Angled Cut
The long diagonal angled cut can remove the bulkiness from the bottom of the hair and frame the face beautifully. If you have long loose or tight curls this is a nice departure from layers because it will actually give your longer hair a defined shape that compliments you.
Image: @cosmobyelise
16. Side swept bangs with layers
Are you considering bangs but not ready to make a full commitment? Side swept bangs are an excellent middle point between the fringe/front bang style which is great for framing your face shape and allowing the option to grow them out if you don’t like them.
Which cut should you get? Here are expert stylist opinions
We asked a few of our favorite stylists for their expert opinions on getting a post-lockdown cut and what advice and tips they had to help guide you in your research.
Image: @naturallylamonica
LaMonica Williams
“Move over 2020 there’s a lot of dead weigh to cut off and that includes your hair. Big chops are in for anyone looking for a drastic change or feeling extra spicy and you’re ready for a whole new look. No worries if you’re not ready to take the plunge a nice shaped “rounded curly cut” that will complement your hair giving it life and movement no matter if you’re wearing a wash and go or a twist out.”
Imag: @loveleyshair
Haley Smith
“The best option right now for a post-lockdown style will be a cut with a defined shape. My favorite would be a “Tapered Heart Shaped Curly” cut. Having your haircut into a clear shape helps to make styling effortless and is perfect for the get-up-and-go low maintenance ladies who want to hurry up and get back outside!”
Image: @theloftmedford
Sharita Payton
“We are blessed to finally see many of our clients back in our chairs. Post-lockdown it’s been great to see our clients back for maintenance cuts, many in need of some much needed TLC and shape. We have been serving many Rëzocuts (body, balance and shape while maintaining the new longer lengths”>. Due to COVID-19 most have grown out of their desired shape and now lack volume. The Rëzocut has been great in helping to create that balance between volume and maintaining longer curls.”
Photo Source: Stylist Taisha Ortiz
Let’s just come out and say it, gel is our curlfriend. Long gone are the days of crunch and flake that had us scratching our heads and hating our curls. Gels today are the perfect antidote to frizz and can help define and hold your curls, especially in the warmer season like summer.
Gels are made for all types of hairstyles whether you’re wanting a protective style, wash and go, twist out, or braids. While the consistency of gel can vary depending on variants in the ingredients, gels are a great styling product to help with humidity, eliminate frizz, and lock in the moisture our curls so desperately need when we battle the sun. There are tons of brands that now include hydrating ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, flaxseed, and other hydrating nutrients to help maintain definition and sculpt your curls.
With so many options to choose from you may be wondering which are the best of the best gels? We talked to stylists who shared with us their top styling gels, what curl types work best with them, and how to apply them to get the best results out of the product.
1. Rëzo Curl Define Hair Gel
Stylist: Nubia Rezo, creator of the Rezo Cut and founder of Rezo Salon
“This gel is super hydrating for curls, while also being flexible, weightless and adding so much shine.”
Best for
“The Rëzo Gel is for ALL hair types. I love to use it to style twists, braids and run finger coils.”
How to apply it
“Less is more! 80% water 20% product. On looser textures follow the 50/50 technique, this method is incredible, diffuse half way, reapply small amounts of gel again then continue diffusing until hair is 100% completely dry. For tighter textures, apply with prayer hand technique in the same direction vertically down elongating the hair, dry under a hooded dryer.”
2. Bumble and Bumble Anti-Humidity Gel Oil
Stylist: Ona Diaz-Santin CEO of 5SalonSpa in Fort Lee NJ
“It has a light glazy viscosity to it and it’s an organic option.”
Best for
“It works on 2abc – 3abc fine, medium or coarse hair types.”
How to apply it
“Application and saturation is key, so making sure you take small sections and by applying the gel roots to ends will give optimal results!”
3. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator
Stylist: Yessenia Reyes, Curly Cut Expert also known as The Textureologist
“I love this gel because it offers great hold (without the crunch”> and definition.”
Best for
“This gel works well for all curl types, wavy, curly, coily and kinky hair.”
How to apply it
“To lock in curl definition, always apply the styling product on soaking wet hair. Work in sections to rake and smooth the product into the hair. This will ensure the product is distributed throughout the hair evenly. To set the curl, diffuse, air dry, or sit under a dryer. When dry, fluff and you’re ready to go!”
4. Mizani True Texture Coil Oil Gel
Stylist: Joe Ortiz, Designer of The Precision Curl Cut also known as El Rey de Los Rizos
“This gel has replaced most of the gel we used because it’s moisturizing, shine and medium hold it has in hair. This gel does not require in most situations a primer, like a leave in or spray prior to application.”
Best for
“The gel is used for very curly to coarse hair.”
How to apply it
“Amount of product for application I recommend is a pea size per section and of course most of the time is based on your density, porosity and texture.”
5. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker Marshmallow and Agave Leaf Extract
Stylist: Genese Cervantes, Curly Hair Stylist of My Curl Connection
“This works well at keeping your curls defined and looking moisturized!”
Best for
“I normally use either of these gels on a majority of my tighter curled clientele or even on myself!”
How to apply it
“Apply in small sections using the Felicia Leatherwood detangling brush, as this helps you distribute the product evenly on your strands. Always dry your curls either under a hooded dryer or diffuser, so you can “set” your curls in place. If you have a looser curl pattern, you can opt for the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control® Heat and Humidity Gel. Although light weight in texture, it will still define your curls and can give volume when you diffuse!”
6. Innersense Organic Beauty “I Create Hold”
Stylist: Andrea Mororo, Mixed Indigenous Curl Specialist
“I love this gel because of its water-based ingredients like aloe vera is an ingredient that holds and hugs onto moisture. It also doesn’t dry out the hair which gives the definition we strive to achieve with our curls.”
Best for
“This gel works amazing for all tighter curl textures that wish to wear their hair out.”
How to apply it
“The best way to use this gel is by applying it to wet hair that is ‘juicy’ not ‘dripping’. I like to add water before adding more gel and using your fingers and/or a detangling tool to help evenly distribute throughout the hair in sections. Overall, there should be greater water to product ratio for a slippery texture and allowing hair to dry by setting it with a diffuser or letting air dry. To achieve greater volume, fluff once hair is entirely dried.”
7. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Climate
Stylist: Nicole Gomez, Owner of Curls Amore studio
“As a fellow curly girl / stylist living in Florida we don’t do well with humidity. This gel keeps my hair well kept during this time of year. It adds tons of shine and a great hold. One thing I really love is that it doesn’t leave my hair hard or crunchy like some other gels tend to do.”
Best for
“This gel works well with most curl types. I’ve used it on clients from wavy to coily hair. It’s good to use alone or a leave-in conditioner.”
How to apply it
“When applying I always make sure to section off my hair and start with a nickel size amount, add more if needed.”
8. Big Poppa Defining Gel
Stylist: Ruth Mullen, Owner of Ruth Elena Salon
“I love that it gives enough hold for definition but keeps the hair feeling soft and bouncy.”
Best for
“I use this gel to create hold on all textures.”
How to apply it
“Depending on the desired finished look is. I’ll adjust the amount of product I use and how I apply it. Make sure you use lots of water with the gel! For more definition apply more gel and smaller sectioning, if you want more volume use less gel and bigger sections.”
9. AG Hair Mousse Gel
Stylist: Taisha Ortiz, Owner of Magic Curls Hair Studio
“I absolutely love this gel because it is a 2 in one styling product that gives hydration, moisture and hold.”
Best for
“This can be great for clients with all hair types , the only difference is the amount of the product being used depending on the density and curls type. This mousse gel can be used for any style especially for sleek looks, braids and to enhance your curls with added volume.”
How to apply it
“I typically like to take the product and rub it in first on my palms before applying it to the hair. Otherwise there will be areas that take too much of the product and affect the style entirely.”
