Search Results: Desiree Johnson
Daily styling can be the bane of anyone’s existence. Very few enjoy devoting hours every day before or after work to styling their hair, and that is not a club I want to join. One of the main reasons women restyle their hair daily is to combat frizz, and Lizzyar from Curly Q&A wants to know what’s going on with her hair in her neck of the woods.
Question
Image Source: @xoxoemira
Why don’t my curls stay? My hair is thick, I don’t know my hair type (I know it’s pretty curly), and it’s usually very humid where I live.
Answer
You have frizz or lose curl definition over time for multiple reasons. Some things are out of your control, while others require changing habits or techniques. These five reasons are the main variables.
1. High humidity + high dew points=frizz
Image Source: @tonaturali
When you live in a humid climate with high dew points, experiencing frizz is inevitable. NaturallyCurly is based in Austin, and we rarely attempt to style our hair when summertime rolls around. Anything we do gets obliterated when we walk outdoors. Humid climates with high dew points cause the hair to expand outward in an attempt to absorb moisture, which is why many women are anti-humectants or anti-glycerin to reduce the effects of this behavior.
Humectants attract moisture from the air, which is great for touchable curls but not the best for maintaining hold. You can try to use anti-humidity products but I assure you that Mother Nature will probably win if your weather is anything like Austin or Houston. Consider sealing your hair with an oil before applying a styler. This will help to lock moisture in your hair so your strands are not searching for it outdoors.
2. You are not applying the right curl defines
Finding the perfect styler, especially for curl definition, takes time. I am incredibly picky. I prefer cream stylers with moisturizing properties, slip, and hold minus too much crunch, which are hard to come by. The tighter your curl pattern, the more likely your hair will respond better to gels and puddings, and looser curl patterns will respond better to creams and mousses. Remember to read the product packaging for a description of the holding strength and style recommendations.
3. You are not applying products to soaking wet hair
Image Source: @thecurllounge
Styling products capture your natural curls, not create them. You want to apply your stylers to soaking wet hair so that they can set in place as it dries. Applying the product to damp or dry hair will still provide hold, but it will not revive your curl definition. Hydrated, healthy hair is the best foundation for all great styles. Air-drying yields the best curl definition, so put down the dryer if you use one and consider plopping.
4. You are manipulating your hair as it dries
Image Source: @briciaemilyn
I know our curls are irresistible, but you have to keep your fingers out of your hair. Hand-in-hair syndrome is the number one way to ruin a hairstyle. Over time, your hair will incur frizz, so don’t kill your style longevity by playing in your hair.
5. Your hair is naturally frizzy
Image Source: @yorgivlogs
This is very possible, especially for tighter textures. Controlling frizz is one of our FAQs in Curly Q&A, and for the most part, there are three reasons you experience frizz: genetics, damage (mechanical, thermal, and chemical), or dryness. If you deep condition regularly, limit or eliminate heat styling, seal, and get regular trims, then you may naturally have a fuzzy halo, and who doesn’t want volume?
Embrace your fuzzy curls, coils, and waves, and find other ways to style your hair if wash-and-go’s are not working for you.
This article was published in 2016 and updated for clarity.
Monaè Everett is a powerhouse stylist and entrepreneur who has been creating game-changing styles for decades. Her resume includes talents like Tia Mowry, Yara Shahidi, and Taraji P. Henson, just to name a few. As a texture expert and artistic director for Blushington, she remains a trusted expert voice and authority in the beauty and style industry. As Monaè has expanded her artistic pursuits to include speaking engagements, consulting, and training upcoming stylists, she continues to advocate for texture education. The Monaè Life Academy gives a variety of options ranging from books, braiding tutorials, and online classes that teach stylists how to work with celebrities and increase their revenue stream.
We sat down to chat with Monaè about her diverse portfolio of work and how tighter textures can embrace trending styles.
You’ve been busy with awards season. What has been your favorite look you have created so far?
Image Source: @monaeartistry
This award season has been full of beautiful looks. I liked the updos I created, but to change things up a bit, I fell in love with the look I created for Hailey Kilgore for her performance at Carnegie Hall.
As a stylist who has worked across print, digital, fashion, and beauty, what industry has been the most challenging for you to work for, and why?
Image Source: @monaeartistry
The most challenging industry to work for has been fashion. You have to mold the looks around what people find conventionally attractive, and for so many years, that left out curly and coily hair looks. Also, there’s always been this lie: you can’t get paid if you work in fashion. So many amazingly talented artists donate their hair and makeup skills to wardrobe artist designers so that they can look great and for major brands to shine.
It’s Women’s History Month; as a history-making stylist and entrepreneur, who are the women who have been influential to you in your career?
Bozoma Saint John and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson are the women most influential in my career. They both come to mind, but there are many more, maybe Jen Akin.
I love Bozpma because she has worked across so many amazing industries. She worked in fashion with Ashley Stewart, worked with Pepsi, and then, you know, she got into music doing like beats. And I love that she doesn’t let anybody keep her in the box. She pivots, knows her worth and value, and finds and creates opportunities.
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson is known as the Warren Buffett of Beauty. She creates opportunities and is always looking to help advance black women. She’s great with partnerships and is one of the few black women who has raised over a billion dollars through a venture capitalist. I love that. She creates new opportunities and new roads in business.
We know Jennifer Hudson from American Idol. She kicked down that door and made America love her. She and Viola Davis are EGOTS, but I love this act of life. Jennifer Hudson has her talk show and interviews people, so she has found a way to integrate her God-given singing talent into something else: interviewing people and creating relationships.
You recently released “Get Out Of Your Way: 25 Insider Tips for Booking Celebrity Clients.” What’s the biggest lesson you learned working with celebrities?
Image Source: @themonaelife
They are your clients. They are not your friends, but they’re people like everyone else. So, as their clients, you have to maintain a certain level of professionalism. You have to know when to add your viewpoint and when not to.
You have to know how to hear what they’re saying to you. Read between the lines and know that they are not professional hair stylists or makeup artists, so they will describe their needs and needs to the best of their ability. And it may use different terminology.
Celebrities are human. They may have good days and bad days. This job is for them, but getting their hair and makeup done for two to four hours may not be what they call fun. You get to see them in their most vulnerable times and places.
Many viral hair trends emerge, from mullet knotless braids to mob wife vibes. How does social media impact the type of styles you create?
Because social media is where so many people go to have their inspiration or inspirations put in front of them, we all know that social media platforms listen while you talk. Because your mic is turned on, they bring in your timeline. Social media has a great influence because this is where most people see things, and social media now defines the new beauty standards.
When we looked at magazines and TV shows, they were all skinny women, mostly skinny women with sleek hair. Now, we get to see so many different forms of beauty, including different hair textures. Social media is ever-changing, so people’s opinions are ever-changing, and many are based on social media.
Recently, we’ve seen the “coquette aesthetic” emerge as a reclamation of soft femininity; what are your favorite hairstyles that emerged with this trend?
So, the coquette aesthetic is a reclamation of soft femininity. My favorite hairstyles that emerge from this trend are: I’m a huge fan of the half-up, half-down with the cute little ribbon. I think it’s really sweet and just very pretty. And, of course, I’m always a fan of the perfect pony like Barbie. I think it’s super cute only because of its placement in a way that lifts the face with ribbons on it.
The coquette aesthetic is often seen on loose textures; what are your recommendations for how type 4 textures can implement this aesthetic into their styling routine?
Image Source: @anna1z
I recommend that Type 4 use stiffer ribbons where the bow is firmer so it stays, and wear the bows closer to the hairline around the air to draw attention to your beautiful face rather than throughout the rest of the hairstyle.
What products or tools can be used to create a coquette-style hairdo?
There are so many different ways to create a coquette-cut hairstyle. You can do twist styles, or you can do braidouts if you want to show off your coils or your curls. Go for a looser tone like large bantu knots and remove those large bantu knots after they try to have big waves, or you can also try something like stretching your hair straight and curling with a wand to have those types of loose waves products that I like to use for type 4 hair.
Accessories are a big part of this look; if people are hesitant to wear bows or ribbons, what would your alternative recommendations be for this trend?
Image Source: @haileyfkligore
An alternative recommendation for this trend would be adding diamonds and pearls to the hair. I’m a huge fan of that. I’ve recently created multiple looks on Haley Kilgore using diamonds throughout the hair.
Also, my client Brittany Howard allowed me to completely makeover her look from short curly hair to a large curly hair vibe with a triangle shape. But we softened it and made it more feminine by implementing diamonds throughout the hair. And she’s wearing this look for her new album, Now What, and her current tour.
Check out Monaè’s Beauty Show Tour, Texture Unleashed: Star Styling Simplified, coming to a city near you!
Cécred hit the market in February 2024, and like founder Beyoncé Knowles, it’s the talk of town. Whether it’s the enviable hair boxes, sleek packaging, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of beauty editors getting their hair styled by Ms. Tina Knowles, Cécred is here to be more than a product on your shelf. Fans everywhere can be inspired by Beyoncé’s journey to grow and fall in love with her natural hair after years of consistently switching it up as a powerhouse performer. There have been rumblings for years that Beyoncé would add haircare to her impressive business ventures that span music and clothing, and she did not disappoint.
The “Foundation” collection is the first from Cécred to consist of hallmark products that will delight the senses and restore hair health. The line can be bought a la carte based on your hair needs or bundled based on whether you want to treat, condition, or shampoo your hair. Cécred was formulated with scientists, trichologists, and salon-level testing to provide various hair solutions for any texture. With the luxury and richness of science-backed formulas, eight products seek to cleanse, condition, and repair curls, coils, and waves from root to tip. Each product ranges from $30-$52, with the full collection costing $265.
In a post-COVID era, when everyone is still trying to figure out the secret sauce to obtaining a healthy hair routine and regimen that will deliver consistent results, Cécred makes it simple with a step-by-step system. The first collection focuses on the most important aspect of hair: the scalp. Cécred acknowledges the range of damage we do to our hair daily, whether it’s color, combing, chemical, or manipulation, and provides products to help your hair reset. The entire brand and collection focuses on honoring the art of rituals, which means consistent practices done with intention.
After years of research, working with top-notch stylists, and having a mother who is a former hairdresser and salon owner, to say that Beyoncé knows hair is an understatement. She wanted to give her fans products integral to their hair routine and evolution with a silicone-free formula that could be used across any hair type and texture. Her patent-pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment contains “wool-derived keratin, honey, and lactobacillus ferment, that closely matches and replaces depleted proteins in hair. Its molecular weight is small enough to deeply penetrate the cortex to visibly strengthen weak, damaged, or highly manipulated hair.”
The Collection:
- Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub ($38 USD, 8 oz.)
Like skincare for your scalp. This Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub combines a balance of exfoliants, fermented purple willow bark, and tea tree oil to remove buildup and residue from your hair and scalp for a game-changing deep clean. - Hydrating Shampoo ($30 USD, 8 oz.)
This luxurious, hyaluronic acid-infused shampoo goes deep on hydration, leaving your hair visibly nourished, manageable, and strong. - Moisturizing Deep Conditioner ($38 USD, 10 oz.)
Bring dehydrated and dull hair back to life. This ultra-rich formula is infused with our African oil blend and shea butter to moisturize, soften, and improve manageability. - Reconstructing Treatment Mask ($42 USD, 10 oz.)
Hair repair in a jar. Powered by our patent-pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment, this treatment is clinically tested to visibly reduce damage, increase strength, and improve shine after one use. - Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual ($52 USD, 4 treatments)
Fermented rice water is long adored in Asian cultures for its hair-strengthening and length-retention benefits, but the fermentation takes days. This ritual begins with a Fermented Rice & Rose Powder that instantly transforms into a water-activated, fortifying hair rinse treatment followed by a luscious Silk Rinse. - Moisture Sealing Lotion ($38 USD, 8 oz.)
This multitasker does it all: seals, smooths, and styles with a light hold. - Nourishing Hair Oil ($44 USD, 1.7 oz)
This blend of 13 oils and plant-based extracts seals in moisture and adds a soft shine—all without silicone. - Ritual Shaking Vessel ($20 USD)
Take haircare to luxe levels with the bespoke vessel to mix our Fermented Rice & Rose Powder with water to create a fortifying hair rinse treatment.
Our Review
The NaturallyCurly team tested and reviewed these products on two different hair textures and is here to discuss performance and results. Each review was based on the individual needs of our hair texture and our normal routine, which meant we used only part of the collection in one sitting for the review.
Desiree, hair texture: 3B/3C
Image Source: @naturallycurly
Can you share your normal routine for a wash and go and what from this collection was an addition/deviation from what you’re used to?
My wash-and-go routine usually consists of a shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, curly cream, gel, or mousse, depending on the humidity, and an oil to finish off.
Since most of my routine focuses on incorporating stylers to maintain hold, definition, and frizz control due to my thick hair, I need a cocktail to help keep these curls together. The collection only has one styler (moisturizing lotion), which I don’t typically use in my hair regimen, but it was different.
What were your initial thoughts on the packaging/product lineup?
The packaging was very clean and simple, featuring many restorative products that can help with hair damage. The bottles were very beautiful and reminded me of something from Egypt, with straight lines and shapes.
How would you describe the scent?
I prefer fairly light scents, so this had a much heavier scent, reminiscent of perfume. It stays in your hair for days, so if you like a fragrant scent, this is great; if not, it may be too overpowering.
What’s your favorite product in the line, and why?
The hydrating shampoo was extremely impressive in terms of slip and moisture. After just one wash, it left my curls defined and shiny. I will keep this product in rotation and use it in my wash-and-go routine.
What was the texture of your hair before/after using the products?
My hair was fairly soft before and after using the products. Noticeably, I had great shine and definition and very fragrant hair that lasted for days.
Editor’s note: Products like the Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual are meant to be used over six weeks to get the full results so I opted not to use these for my wash and go. I do plan to review this product at a later date.
Keturah, hair texture: 3C/4A
Image Source: @naturallycurly
Can you share your normal routine for a silk press and what an addition/deviation from what you’re used to from this collection was?
I normally use Dry Bar’s Liquid Glass collection to blow out my hair. The steps are similar to my normal routine, but I noticed there’s no specific heat protector, which is worrisome for continued use. I did add a little of my own to protect my hair.
What were your initial thoughts on the packaging/product lineup?
I loved the look of the packaging. Its clean lines make it pretty enough to stand out without being an eyesore.
How would you describe the scent?
The scent was earthy. I’m still getting used to smelling it on my hair. Today is day 3, and it’s much lighter but still there.
What’s your favorite product in the line, and why?
I love a good oil! The Nourishing Hair Oil was my favorite. It’s light but gives a good shine.
What was the texture of your hair before/after using the products?
My hair was a little greasy since I was almost two weeks post my last blowout. It was still soft, sleek and shiny. After the products, my hair remained soft but much less sleek and a bit frizzy.
We can’t wait to see how Cécred expands and makes its unique footprint in the haircare market. We send a big applause to the team on this first collection, which is a standout, and we look forward to more products in the future. With Beyoncé at the forefront, they will surely be iconic all on their own.
Have you tried Cécred yet? What are your thoughts and experiences? Let us know in the comments!
It’s that time when we celebrate haircare, tools, and accessories that showed up and showed out all year. The 2024 Best of the Best Awards are here, and it’s time to VOTE for all of the products that brought glory to your curls, coils, locs, braids, and waves.
WHAT ARE THE NATURALLYCURLY BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS?
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned reader, we’ve hosted the Best of the Best since 2006 and have seen tremendous growth in the natural hair category online and in retail. NaturallyCurly.com, which continues to be the leading natural and textured hair resource, polls our global community for your favorite curly hair care products of the year. Thousands of community members vote, and the winners receive NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards by product category and curl pattern.
The awards are “now considered the ultimate seal of approval by curl brands both large and small,” says NaturallyCurly Founder Michelle Breyer, “the gold standard for the textured hair community.” The Best of the Best Awards allow the curly-haired community to share your Holy Grail products with others and give well-deserved recognition to the brands who’ve earned your trust.
WHAT SETS THE BEST OF THE BEST APART FROM OTHER BEAUTY AWARDS?
Simply put, haircare products, accessories, and tools remain the foundation of our awards. This year, we focus on the fundamental basics of haircare, like cleansers, conditioners, and stylers for waves, curls, coils, locs, and braids. Our awards allow you to vote on the products you love from brands, cementing their status in the natural hair category. This year, we’ve expanded our survey to be even more inclusive with new categories for men’s and kids’ products.
Are you ready to cast your vote? Get started here.
The spring season usually calls for tons of purging–whether you’re getting rid of hair products, winter clothes, or looking to change your style. We love to use the changing seasons to switch out our haircare routine and regimens but what about our color. What does that mean for you? Experimenting with temporary hair dye in the comfort and convenience of your bathroom. Although it is a great way to save money, it also means there is a greater risk of pink and purple hair dye stains all over your bathroom floor and countertops. That’s no bueno.
Here’s what to do before, during, and after your temp hair dye experience.
What You Need
Assuming you have already bleached or permanently dyed your hair color and you are now attempting to change the color with a store-bought hue temporarily, here is what you should have readily available:
Before and during the application:
- Pair of gloves (latex or vinyl)
- Plastic cap
- Glass mixing bowl
- White or apple cider vinegar
- Tub of Vaseline
- Tint brush
- Hair clips or hair ties
- Old T-shirt or cleanup towel
Before application, do a vinegar rinse in your hair after shampooing. Let white or apple cider vinegar coat your scalp for 30 minutes, then rinse. Do NOT condition the hair, as it will repel the color from staying on your strands. Vinegar helps bring your pH up.
Separate your detangled hair into four large sections with either hair clips or ties. Wear an old shirt you don’t mind getting hair dye stains on.
Put on your gloves and dip two fingers in your Vaseline jar, outlining your scalp and nape to prevent the color from spilling onto your face and neck (or baby oil, if you prefer). Pour the coloring mix into a glass bowl (plastic will stain) and use your tint brush to sort of paint the dye onto your hair, starting with your roots.
Use your shirt or a cleanup towel to wipe any color off your arms, the sink counter, or anywhere you notice. Do it quickly, as temp dyes tend to set in quickly and stain. Wear a plastic cap over your head and let the color saturate your hair as long as the brand’s directions advise you.
Image Source: @yazzbratz
After (cleanup)
- Toothpaste
- Brillo pad
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Facial astringent
- Cleanup towel
Image Source: @nolies420
Coat your bathtub floor with a generous amount of vinegar and/or baking soda. Discard your gloves in the proper place–trashcan. Do not set them on your counter.
Use a brillo pad and your usual cleaning supplies for spots on the counter, sink, and floor. Toothpaste works for pesky spots in the sink, too.
When rinsing the color out, use a color-corrective or color-enhancing deep conditioner. Your hair needs as much moisture restored to it as possible.
Use a facial astringent or vinegar to get the unwanted color off your ears, forehead, etc.
On your next wash day, use this to touch up your roots and add leftover dye to your shampoo.
Are you planning to add color to your curls, coils, and waves this season? Let us know in the comments.
About a year and a half ago, I decided to start detangling damp hair instead of soaking wet hair. When our strands are saturated in water, the hair shaft swells, making it weak and vulnerable to breakage. Since my 4A coils are fine in width, I know that even though wet detangling in the shower was easier, it is not the best approach to prevent breakage. After parting my hair in six sections before removing tangles and shed hair at the sink, I reach for one of these five conditioners (daily conditioners and leave-in conditioners) with slip that eliminates all friction between my strands for smooth application.
Image Source: @Natasha Leeds
1. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner
The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner has been my go-to detangler for the past year, and I am still on the same 13 oz. Bottle, using 2-3 pumps per section. With coconut oil as the third ingredient, I feel confident about preventing hygral fatigue, and the stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and behentrimonium chloride give me an endless slip with little application.
2. The Mane Choice Prickly Pear Paradise Leave-In Conditioning Cream
The Mane Choice is one of my favorite brands that does not disappoint. My coils love this conditioner because it features fatty acids that leave my strands soft, moisturized, and highly conditioned. As a leave-in conditioning cream, it’s deeply penetrating, helps improve the elasticity of my hair, and locks in lasting moisture.
3. Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-in Treatment
The Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-in Treatment not only provides great slip but also adds moisture. The surfactant behentrimonium methosulfate makes my tangles disappear, and the castor oil and shea butter leave my strands soft without the need to refresh before my next wash day. It spreads easily, and a little goes a long way. This leave-in conditioner also pairs great with any styler like the Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Set Styler and Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Styling Cream.
4. TXTR by Cantu Leave-In + Rinse Out Hydrating Conditioner
I love the play on words using”texture”! Cantu TXTR is my go-to solution for my coils because it quenches my thirsty strands by working a leave-in conditioner and rinse out conditioner. The silicone and paraben free formula is infused with shea butter, spearmint oil, and canola oil. I love that it can soothe my dry scalp and minimize breakage throughout my wash days.
5. Soultanicals Knot Sauce
Love dessert fragrances? Then the Soultanicals Knot Sauce is for you. This coil detangler is nourishing and packed with oils, marshmallow root slippery elm for slip, and aloe juice for its humectant properties. The flaxseed gel provides curl definition with light hold, making it a great primer for your styling product.
What are your favorite detanglers? Let us know in the comments!
How many of us remember the excitement of choosing a doll at a toy store, one that we would create imaginary worlds for that mirrored the lives we thought we might one day have? Except too often, those dolls didn’t mirror us. Their blonde, straight hair and impossibly tiny waists were so ubiquitous that they made us question our bodies and see our differences as imperfections.
Today, the doll industry is making moves to do a better job of representing more girls in their offerings, and where the mainstream toy companies have fallen short, small businesses have taken up the mantle. We believe that young girls will be all the more confident and comfortable in their bodies for it. You only need to watch the 1940’s “Doll Test” once to see the impact of this issue.
Here are fifteen companies that make black dolls.
Note: We previously published this list in 2015 with six companies, but we’ve added to the list to incorporate the great feedback we got from our readers!
1. Corage Dolls
Image Source: @coragedolls
Flora Ekpe-Idang is the founder and CEO of Corage Dolls. After interning at Hasbro to learn about the landscape of the toy industry, Flora was inspired to create a doll that would celebrate Black beauty. Corage Dolls exist to encourage girls of color to be unstoppable, and are reflected in their hero doll, Aaliyah, who is an 8-year-old entrepreneur with curly hair and flexible arms and knees. Parents can enjoy a variety of Aaliyah-based merchandise to accompany the dolls, such as accessories, books, and shirts that reflect her courageous attitude.
Price: $49.99
Where to buy them: On her website
2. Herstory Doll
Image Source: @herstorydoll
If you’re looking for a doll reflective of African descent, look no further than Herstory Dolls. Queen Cee and Queen Dollylama created these 18-inch dolls to reflect brown skin tones and diverse textures. Each doll was created to be a representation of girl characters with distinct personalities spanning interests in crafting, sewing, videography, photography, and more. Your child can unlock their inner creativity with a notebook and pencil to engage with DIY crafting ideas posted on the website to help them engage with their potential.
Price: $120.00
Where to buy them: On her website
3. Healthy Roots
Image Source: @healthyrootsdolls
Zoe is the first Healthy Roots doll created with an educational play experience blended with curl care. Yelitsa Jean-Charles is the founder behind these diverse dolls who span different facial features, skin tones, and hair textures that can be styled in multiple ways. As their hero doll, Zoe aims to make new friends like Marisol and Gaïana, who inspired her to love herself and others. You can explore the Healthy Roots universe with a curl power kit you can use to style your dolls hair, coloring book, and satin bonnet.
Price: $84.99
Where to buy them: On her website
4. The Melanie Dolls
Image Source: themelaniedolls
The Melanie Dolls are here to transform the character growth and development of girls of color by providing Black representation that is empowering and positive. CEO Datreese Thomas created The Melanie Dolls to help elevate your child’s self-esteem. Each doll comes with its own “Black Girl Mantras” to help encourage self-love and eliminate negative self-love that can come from doubt and hate. The Breonna Doll is currently available on the website now!
Price: $24.99
Where to buy them: On her website
5. Somi The Computer Scientist
Image Source: @innovant_tech
Computer science got even cuter with the Somi doll, the first interactive African American/Black STEM doll for all children. The founder, Bukola Somide, is the brains behind this adorable doll, which was created to support Computer Science education and bring awareness to Cyberbullying. This STEM toy speaks over 220+ words that cover terms in JavaScript, HTML, binary numbers, and more. As an interactive doll, kids have the chance to be exposed to computer science in a fun way and can help cultivate logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Price: $89.00
Where to buy them: On her website, Amazon Prime
6. Melanites
Image Source: @brownboyhood
Even boys deserve to play with dolls representing their interests and goals. Jennifer Pierre is a social entrepreneur who is passionate about creating spaces for diversity and empowering children to dream. Melanites celebrates the joy and beauty of boys with Jaylen, a curious thinker who loves to solve puzzles and create inventions. As an action figure, Jaylen is the perfect companion for your child’s next adventure!
Price: $65.00
Where to buy them: On the website
7. Brown Boy Joy
Image Source: ourbrownboyjoy
Racial tensions have been at an all-time high in the past few years, and ten-year-old Lil Dee wanted to find a way to create positive social change from all the discourse. Lil Dee created his own company, Our Brown Boy Joy, to help motivate and inspire boys nationwide with a monthly subscription box with positive affirmations. The “My Friend” character is a plush doll that speaks positive affirmations and will put a smile on their face.
Price: $49.99
Where to buy them: On the website
8. WorldGirls
Image Source: @teamworldgirls
Twin sisters Laken and Carlissa King wanted to create dolls that would spark creativity and celebrate togetherness. Worldgirls represents girls from different countries and backgrounds to learn, break down barriers, and explore the world. The Worldgirls dolls come in different skin tones, hair textures, and ethnicities and reflect characteristics like Explorer, Scholar, Rebel, Healer, and Warrior.
Price: $89.99
Where to buy them: On the website
9. My Natural Doll
Image Source: @mynaturaldoll
My Natural Doll was created by Cutting It In the ATL’s Mushiya Tshikuka, and like the custom wigs she sells in her shop, the doll’s hair is made with 100% Virgin African textured hair. This feature was important to Mushiya because “in a community where our self-esteem and self-worth beauty is directly translated by the love of our skin and hair, this feature allows little girls to see the dolls model hair as beautiful and thus themselves as beautiful.” Mushiya also designed a Kikwembe (African print”> baby doll dress; the 18-inch doll comes with a song entitled My Natural Doll.
Price: $95.00
Where to buy them: Mushiya’s website Runway Curls
10. The Fresh Dolls (Formerly Positively Perfect Dolls)
Image Source: @thefreshdolls
When Positively Perfect Dolls Founder Dr. Lisa Williams was first approached to start a line of dolls, she initially turned down the offer. She had previously been the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. from Ohio University’s College of Business, then became a professor, public speaker, and author. Toys were not her area of expertise. Dr. Williams told The Grio that it was a segment on CNN about the way young black girls react to black dolls that changed her mind, and she then made it her mission to manufacture dolls for minority girls.
Price: $39.99
Where to buy them: Online website, and Target.com
11. Queens of Africa
Image Source: @queensofafricablackdolls
The Queens of Africa dolls were the first Nigerian fashion dolls designed to empower children of African descent. Founder and Nigerian entrepreneur Taofick Okoya created the dolls as part of a Queens of Africa program along with comic books, music, and an animation series to help children of African descent to be more confident. Each doll is made to represent a different Nigerian ethnic group, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba, and comes in beautiful outfits of both Western and traditional styles.
Price: Ranging from about $14-60
Where to buy them: Toy stores all over Nigeria, and on their website Queens of Africa
12. Natural Girls United
Image Source: @naturalgirlsunited
You may recognize Karen Byrd’s Natural Girls United dolls from social media. They come with a wide range of hairstyles from twist outs to tribal-inspired braids to locs, chunky locs, braided updos, and afros. There is even a range of hair textures within these styles, like the tight coils and soft curls of the Afro doll, as well as a variety of fashionable outfits. They are designed to help both children and adults recognize their natural beauty.
Price: $$69.99-79.99
Where to buy them: On their website Natural Girls United
13. Malaville Toys
Image Source: @malavilledolls
St. Lucian model Mala Bryan created the Malaville line of dolls out of frustration when she couldn’t find affordable with kinky or curly hair for her own personal Barbie collection. She told Huffington Post that “there are lots of adult doll collectors that would reroot black Barbie dolls with more natural hair, but they are usually quite expensive…I notice[d] a high demand for them.” It’s true, dolls are not just for children! Her dolls come in four models with different skin tones: Maisha, Mala, Malina, and Mhina.
Price: $19.99-$24.99
Where to buy them: On her website Malaville
14. Ikuzi Dolls
Image Source: @ikuzidolls
Ozi Okaro was inspired to create Ikuzi Dolls by her two daughters, who have two different skin tones. She recognized that most black dolls on the market came in one skin color and failed to represent all of the many shades of black beauty. With the help of her young daughters, she has been working to create dolls with textured hair and African print dresses. You can even buy a set that includes a doll and dress, plus a matching dress for your daughter.
Price: $15-$80
Where to buy them: On their website Ikuzi Dolls
15. HarperIman
Image Source: harperimandolls
The mother-and-daughter duo behind HarperIman is committed to making dolls representing beauty, intelligence, talent, and creativity. They recognized that dolls of color are often underrepresented and wanted to create a toy showing the spectrum of Black and Brown toys. These handmade linen dolls come with set hairstyles of different curls, coils, and waves, showing the beauty of diverse hair textures.
Price: $110-$150
Where to buy them: On their website and Target
Is there a doll you love that we left off the list? Please share it below!
Out of the hundreds of gels on the market, you may be wondering what differentiates one from the other/ is its texture. Consistency? Formula? Gel has had a serious comeback in the past few years as new businesses and brands have found a way to reinvent the crunchy curls of yesteryears with a firm hold and definition that truly awakens your curls. A good gel product can be extremely versatile and is more about creating a shape than leaving a sticky mark. What the modern-day gel does for naturalists is enhance our natural texture and provide our curls with much-needed moisture, especially when it’s humid outside.
These gel selections below are staples for our naturalistas whether they are creating a classic wash and go, laying down their baby hairs, or braiding a protective style. They have been tried and tested for their amazing formulas, anti-frizz effects, and ability to lift the curls instead of weighing them down.
We have gels for Type 2 wavies, Type 3 curlies, Type 4 coilies, and if you’re not sure what your curl pattern is, you can take our Texture Type quiz to learn more about it along with your porosity, density and width.
Best for All Curl Types
Ecoco Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel
This is a gel classic for curlies because it has a great shine and adds moisture back into the scalp, unlike other gels. This is the OG of gels and has continued to be a staple for naturalistas everywhere because it absorbs into the strands which can produce stunning results whether you’re looking to create twists, braids, bantu knots, or a wash and go style.
Image Source: @mayaeaglin
This reigning “Best of the Best” winner is beloved for its versatility amongst all curl types, alcohol-free formula, and UV protection, which means your curls can bounce happily in the sun. The 100% pure olive oil combination with the gel creates a moisture that gives back to your curls and won’t weigh the hair down. It can be applied to wet or dry curls and won’t create any itching or flaking to the scalp! A little goes a long way with this fan favorite, so start stocking up your shelves.
Wavy Type 2
Raw Curls Firm Hold Gel
If you’re looking for a gel with a little extra oomph to hold your curls together, my wavy friends, this is your gel. What makes this a fan favorite amongst curlies is the certified natural and organic ingredients that make it eco-friendly for the vegan user. Some ingredients include flower extract from honeysuckle, aloe, and cucumber, resulting in a light scent that won’t overpower your curls.
Image Source: @hairandcurlsbyliz
For wavy users, definition and hold are important in a gel, BUT it cannot weigh down your hair. As a firm hold gel this product is all about preventing frizz and retaining moisture which results in a shiny, defined, and moisturized effect that you will love. The consistency is thick and firm, so a little goes a long way, and it is best used on wet or damp curls. This is the gel to add to your cart if you’re looking for maximum frizz control.
Curly Type 3
Ecoco Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel
Argan oil is here to stay with this 2021 “Best of the Best” winner that is here for type 3 curlies looking to slay. If you’re looking for a gel to help revitalize the hair on day 2 or 3, this is the one to keep handy. The argan oil conditions and protects the curls with an amazing shine that will make your curls vibrant in between washes.
Image Source: @luanabxnks
Argan oil is derived from Morocco and can help shine, smooth, and condition the hair. It’s popular for helping lay down edges and doesn’t leave a white residue when it dries, which makes it a grade winner to use between wash days. It can be used on wet or dry hair and is alcohol-free, which means no crunching or scrunching. Like many Ecoco products, it is extremely affordable, can be purchased at a drugstore, and doesn’t require much product to be effective.
Coily Type 4
Ecoco Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel
A gel so good, we had to put it on here twice! For our coily, kinky-type 4 naturalistas, Ecoco Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel remains supreme as the go-to gel to use on your hair. The alcohol-free formula makes it gentle on the scalp but has a thick enough consistency to hold a number of hairstyles.
Image Source: @elisacici_
Whether you’re sporting a protective style like braids or cornrows or creating a puff, your hair will remain moisturized, hydrated, and happy. The olive oil combination can also help promote healthy hair growth and rejuvenate the scalp instead of causing flakes or itch. Apply your favorite styling techniques using this little piece of heaven.
Which gel do you plan to add to your routine? Let us know in the comments!
Kim Kimble is an industry legend who has created hundreds of iconic looks that you’ve pinned, saved, and bookmarked from your faves. As a celebrity hairstylist, she’s become the go-to stylist for stars like Beyoncé, Zendaya, Halle Berry, and Brandy, just to name a few. While her talents can be viewed by everyone on-screen or on red carpets, this beauty maven was determined to carve out her own space in the beauty category. She used her expertise to create her own line of styling tools, wigs, and haircare products that can be used to renew, restore, and transform your everyday curls, coils, and waves.
Our readers submitted their burgeoning winter haircare questions to be answered by Kim Kimble, and she delivered all the details to survive the winter.
What’s your favorite celebrity hairstyle you created?
Image Source: @kimkimblehaircare
Beyonce’s Coachella look is my favorite celebrity hairstyle that I have created. It was a gorgeous half up half-down with amazing texture.
Did you get to style or create any of the wigs for the Renaissance tour? (if not- What recommendations do you have for first-time wig users?)
No, I did not. My recommendation is to try to get the right style and the right fit.
Which product from your brand is best for type 4 hair?
For type 4 hair, I would recommend my Peppermint Cream Shampoo for a deep clean without stripping the hair of its oils. I would then follow up with the Curl Defining Conditioner
How do you avoid breakage in the wintertime?
Image Source: @tladytheslayer
Protecting your ends during the cold winter months is key to retaining length and avoiding breakage. The easiest way to protect your ends is using a Kim Kimble Silk Bonnet or the Kim Kimble Silk Pillowcase. This will prevent any snagging and will make a great difference in your hair health without any effort. Silk also works to protect hair from the loss of natural oils and moisture.
What are some remedies to cure an itchy scalp?
Image Source: @chazpringle
Oiling your scalp regularly is a great remedy for a dry, itchy scalp. The Kim Kimble™ Replenishing Oil Drops is a light oil formula that helps nourish an itchy scalp. This product is great for braids, natural hair, locks, and extensions. I also recommend the Kim Kimble Scalp Relief Itch Spray.
Should I get a silk press or blowout?
I recommend getting a silk press because they often last longer than blowouts. A silk press can last up to two weeks if you take care of it properly. The only downside to a silk press is that the exposure to humidity or moisture can revert the treatment.
Is it better to use a hair mask or deep conditioner?
Choosing between a hair mask or a deep conditioner depends on the type of hair you have. Deep conditioners tend to be lighter, while a hair mask is thick, richer, and provides more hydration. So if you want a more intense treatment, going with a hair mask is the right move.
Do all hair textures need a protein treatment?
When hair is weak, a protein treatment can be beneficial to strengthening any hair type, especially when using color or relaxers. So while they don’t necessarily need a protein treatment, all hair types could use one to treat any damage.
Interested in more iconic styles from Kim Kimble? Check out our interview discussing her inspiration behind the Black Is King hairstyles with Beyoncé.
If there is one universal truth for all curlies, it’s our hair falling out whether you are combing it, brushing it, detangling it, or washing it up in the shower. This can commonly be referred to as “shedding” or “fall out” and can happen for a variety of reasons. Whether you have coils, waves, tight textures, or curls, all of our hair strands have an expiration date. This begins with understanding each strand on our head lasts 2-5 years which means there is a continuous growth and death cycle. Our hair goes through three phases called Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen which decribes the growth and fall-out cycle of our hair over a while. The American Academy of Dermatology Association cites that it’s normal for people to lose anywhere from 50-100 hairs a day.
A few common causes of hair shedding, thinning, or fallout can be hereditary, the growth rate of your hair, diet, thyroid disease, and physical stress. While this isn’t a conclusive list, there can also be factors like your styling method, color damage, or the types of products you use. It is normal to have fallout but if you are experiencing any loss, thinning, or fallout in clumps or sections that is resulting in balding, we recommend going to see your doctor. As part of National Hair Loss Awareness Month, we’re continuing the conversation about prevention and education to help with this common issue. We sat down to chat with two haircare experts to get their tips and feedback for helping combat fallout.
The Experts
Felicia Leatherwood, Celebrity Natural Hairstylist
Felicia Leatherwood has been setting trends and breaking boundaries as the Celebrity stylist to stars like Issa Rae, Ava Duvernay, Anthony Anderson, and more. Her expansion into creating her brand led to the “Brush With The Best” Detangling brush which has helped to improve the haircare of curlies everywhere.
Jennifer Nast, Stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon
Jennifer Nast is a NYC hair stylist who specializes in giving structural elements to haircuts to make them more dynamic and edgy. With over ten years of experience, her expertise has been featured in mainstream publications like Byrdie, InStyle, and PureWow, and she continues to work with clients at the Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon.
What causes hair to fall out?
Leatherwood: Your hair falls out for many reasons. It could range from stress, diet, not enough rest,
hormonal imbalances, your adrenals could be off, selecting the wrong products to care
for your hair or simply not setting up a regimen at all to care for your hair.
What are common indicators of hair shedding?
Nast: Common signs of hair shedding are hair in your hair brush, hair in the drain after washing your hair, and loose hair on your shirt.
What are the signs of excessive hair shedding?
Nast: If you start to see an increase in the amount of hair in your brush or drain, you may be experiencing excessive hair loss.
How can you prevent excessive hair shedding?
Leatherwood: If you go down that list and check it off – you have to ask yourself an important question –
Do you have a routine? A must-routine is to regularly shampoo, condition, deep condition and hydrate your hair, at the same time, in the same places every few weeks. Pardon My Fro’s Moisturizing Hair Milk, Curl Enhancing Hair Cream, Mousse, and Detangler Leave-in Conditioner provides Hydration depending on hair type and style desired.
Nast: Many things can trigger excessive hair loss (hormonal changes, health, and stress to name a few). You can help slow and possibly prevent excessive shedding by adding a hair supplement to your diet.
What types of treatments can reduce hair shedding?
Leatherwood: Healthy hair starts within. Drinking water and hydrating yourself from the inside out is key to growth. Your lifestyle and eating habits play an important role in the health of the hair. You have to ask yourself a few questions – do you intake a lot of salt or sugar? Or do you balance it with a pretty good lean diet? Are you getting enough rest? 6, 7 hours or more rest is ideal. Are you having positive thoughts? Essentially, are you stressing yourself out by thinking the same thing over and over again? These real-life factors can aid in hair growth or hair loss.
Also based on ongoing research, since the pandemic, many people who ended up having COVID-19 had hair loss 6 months to a year later. It’s a possibility that if you’ve had COVID, the follicle needs oxygen and a few more nutrients that are missing because of COVID-19.
Nast: Treatment for excessive shedding can include adding more protein to your diet. Taking a daily hair supplement and/or hair treatments like shampoos and other topical treatments. There are also lots of hair growth systems available (Philip Kingsley and Harklinikken).
Hair spray. These two words may ignite distant memories of sticky residue and crunchy, stiff hair. The images of 80s-style hairstyles and large updos held together by this magical spray that will leave it sturdy and in place for hours are outdated perceptions that often accompany hairspray. In the years since hairspray is experiencing a resurgence that has changed how it interacts with hair. Hairsprays that hold your hairstyle are a notion of yesteryears. Instead, they have changed their formula to help protect your hair from humidity, provide a flexible hold, and give you a shiny, manageable style.
Image Source: @curly_barbie
So when did the hairspray revolution take a turn for the better? It made a quick pivot and turn after people realized that the traditional aerosol formula that most hairsprays in the 90s were causing harm and damage to our ozone layer. People wanted a hair spray that was not only environmentally friendly but could offer more versatility when styling their hair. Non-aerosol hair sprays are better for curls because they offer more hold and control than aerosol formulas’ sticky texture and fine mist. Today’s hairspray can be used as a moisturizing agent to help fight humidity and definition and give curls a flexible hold.
Here’s a roundup of hair sprays that are changing the curly game!
1. Bounce Curl Alcohol Free Hair Spray
Alcohol-free is the way to be when you are using a hairspray. Our 2020 Best of the Best hairspray winner is formulated with natural ingredients that are void of silicones, parabens, and sulfates. It is especially designed to combat summer humidity with a medium to strong hold for any curl type. A few spritzes with an ultra-fine mist, and you will be on your way to a long-lasting style you will love.
2. Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray
Curlsmith is here to help you say goodbye to Humidity with their Flawless Finish’s formula is specially designed to help protect any style, even in high-humidity environments. Whether dealing with unruly frizz or unpredictable weather conditions, Flawless Finish will help keep your curls intact, giving you the confidence to embrace any occasion.
3. Morrocanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong
There’s nothing like an added oil dose to keep your curls shining all day. The Morrocanoil hairspray is infused with argan oil to fight frizz and humidity even on the hottest day. Whether you’re creating an updo or braids this hairspray is designed to give you a flexible hold without any flaky residue.
4. COLOR WOW Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
Nothing is better than a specially created hairspray to keep curls bouncing all day. The COLORWOW hairspray is a finishing spray that you can layer with other products without buildup or flaking. It’s lightweight, brushable, and won’t create any yellowing, darkening, or dullness to your current color hues.
5. Rizos Curls NEW Alcohol-Free Hair Spray
Rizos Curls is bringing a new formula to hairspray featuring red algae, which helps shield hair from environmental damage & pollution while nourishing & repairing weak, brittle hair. This highly popular ingredient in skincare has great benefits for hair care too!
Whether you’re using hairspray to fight your frizz or looking to add a little shine to your curls, you always want to make sure you’re selecting a product that is alcohol-free and formulated to give your hair more than just a stiff hold.
Using hairspray is also a great way to maintain your on-the-go style. What are some of your favorite hairsprays? Let us know in the comments below.
To say that Grammy-nominated artist Tyla has been heating the 2023 musical charts is an understatement. The South African Queen blew up earlier this year with her afro-beat hit, Water, quickly rising to the top 20 of the Billboard charts and racking up over 675 million views on TikTok. The infectious song has spawned thousands of TikTok dances from fans replicating her signature moves and even led to a remix with Travis Scott. What better way for her to end the year than gracing the cover of the December issue of Glamour SA?!
Rocking her voluminous ‘fro, Tyla sat down with the Glamour team to talk about her musical journey, growing up in a predominately white school, and, of course, her relationship with her hair which, she credits to Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils.
Image Source: @xx_niquita_xx
The artist shares, “My parents weren’t able to spend on the hair products I love because there were five of us, so as soon as I started making my own money, I spent my coins on the 3-for-2 sales on Aunt Jackie’s products.” Her daily go-to product? Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard. When discussing her hair journey with Glamour, she cites that she loves “trying out new hacks” and that embracing her texture came after years of feeling the pressure to straighten it at a predominantly white school.
Image Source: @auntjackiescurlsandcoils
Tyla’s stylist, Kelvin Takudzwa, wanted to create an 80s-inspired look reflecting top-tier volume for her first cover. He transformed Tyla’s hair using Aunt Jackie’s hydrating leave-in conditioner and saw palmetto elixir essential oils. Her additional images put the power of her texture on display with an ornate fishtail braid, sleek swoops, and an edgy top knot bun. Each look was created to bring out her fun and vivacious personality.
Image Source: @auntjackiescurlsandcoils
Do you love these beautiful hairstyles? You can get these Aunt Jackie’s products in our NCSHOP now!
The holidays give us many reasons to celebrate, whether you’re excited for downtime with your family and friends or just ready to unplug for a few days. However, amongst all the holiday cheer is the opportunity to shop till you drop in the form of Cyber Monday. If you missed any of the amazing Black Friday deals, you get a second chance to scoop up your favorite tools and products on Cyber Monday. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck with top-tier brands that your curls, coils, and waves will love, look no further, we’ve researched for you.
Frizz+ Co
Image Source: @frizz.co
Deal: Cyber Monday Promo that is on now until November 28.
(BOGO) Buy one, get 50% off.
Bomb Ass Fro
Image Source: @bombassfro
Deal: Based on available inventory, the 15% off will be honored for Cyber Monday.
Pink Roots Products
Deal: Exclusive 30% off sitewide, along with free shipping (no code needed) as part of our Cyber Monday sales.
Be Rooted
Deal: Use Discount Code: Cyber2023 for exclusive sales!
The Mane Choice
Image Source: @themanechoice
Deal: Get 40% OFF on all products.
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils
Deal: Buy one, get one free + free shipping!
UNice
Image Source: @unicehairwigs
Deal: 20% off Wear Go Lace Wigs with free gifts (11/1-11/30)
KISS Colors & Care
Image Source: @kisscolorsandcare
Deal: 40% off any product on colorsandcare.com!
Bio Ionic
Image Source: @bioionic
Deal: 30% off site-wide for an entire week, from 11/21-11/28! Plus, you get a gift with purchase when you spend over $150, so you have no excuse but to buy that hair tool you were thinking about trying!
Ouidad
Image Source: @ouidad
Deal: Ouidad.com is having a 30% sitewide sale from 11/21-11/27 with a 7-piece gift with purchase for anything $75+!
Edrée
Image Source: @edreehair
Deal: 30% off all hair tools sitewide with code CYBER30
Rizos Curls
Deal: Monday 11/28: Cyber Monday Sale 25% off + Free $25 Gift Card w/ $100+ Purchase
CURLS
Deal: Exclusive to Curls.com includes 40% off orders of $60+ on Cyber Monday.
Oyin Handmade
Deal: Get 30% OFF Monday-Monday, with coupon code BF30!
Bevel
Deal: 30%off services (excluding foil shaver)
Kitsch
Deal: 25-40% OFF SITEWIDE
Act + Acre
Deal: 25% OFF SITEWIDE
Dae
Deal: 11/14-11/28: Spend $85 get 25% off + free shipping + 15% off all bundles and holidae kits
Originals by Africa’s Best
Deal: Buy One, Get One Free + FREE SHIPPING
UndefinedCo.com
Deal: 11/27 – 50% off a surprise selection of Undefined products for one day only
The loulou 2-in-1 air styler
Deal: 30% off with code CYBER30 on Cyber Monday
Rebundle
Deal: 20% off the entire purchase with code BLACKFRIDAY
Flawless by Gabrielle Union (Amazon Storefront)
Deal: 20% off the entire Flawless collection on Amazon
CurlSmith
Deal: Save up to 40% off (excluding dryers), PLUS daily deals up to 50% off between November 20-26.
RevAir Cyber Week
Deal:
- $349 RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer + Free Shipping + Deluxe Packets (save $83, $432 value)
- $399 RevAir Total Package + Free Shipping + Deluxe Packets (save $162, $561 value)
- $99 Hydration Haul + Free Shipping (save $74, $173 value)
Looking to add more to your cart? Shop our Black Friday sale on ShopNC until November 28, 2023!
Tis the season for shopping and restocking on your must-have haircare products. Natural hair products can be notoriously expensive whether you have curls, coils, or waves. Seasonal holidays like Black Friday give us the chance to restock and save big. This momentary window of time gives us the chance to shop our favorite tools, accessories, and products from our favorite retailers for just a fraction of the price. While there are plenty of deals you can shop in-store, if you’re an Amazon girlie, then look no further.
We’ve combed through the best Amazon has to offer and brought you the best natural haircare products, tools, and accessories to kick off your Black Friday.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY.COM. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Haircare
Haircare products are the staple of our coily, wavy, and curly hair routines. They can range from cleansers, shampoos, stylers, and treatments. These are the foundation for how we maintain our hair on a daily basis and should be the first item on your shopping list. Whether you’re wanting to try an eco-friendly option, scalp treatment, or you need a restock for your tiny tot or bearded man, there’s an option for everyone!
1. SUPERZERO Solid Shampoo Bar for Curly, Coily & Extremely Frizzy Hair
If you’re in need of a hair repair, then Superzero brings a powerful and gently cleanse that can help to repair bonds and reduce frizz. As a sulfate-free shampoo it contains ingredients like moisture-rich shea butter, strengthening creation, and triolein to improve long-term hair and scalp health.
2. ACT+ ACRE Restorative Conditioning Hair Mask
The holidays are the perfect time to devote extra time to your curls, coils, and waves, and there’s no better product to help than a hair mask. Act + Acre uses a plant-based formula to help retain hydration and block out humidity which can help restore dry and damaged hair.
3. tgin Rose Water Curl Cream
tgin is bringing back their fan favorite rose water collection for a Black Friday deal you won’t want to miss. This lightweight styler is great for low porosity hair types because of it’s nourishing formula that includes acai berry and rose water. Your curls will love the definition and and moisture that won’t leave icky product buildup.
4. Fairy Tales Tangle Tamer Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner
This is the ultimate Black Friday bundle that combines a kids shampoo, conditioner, and detangling spray all in one set. You can easily transform your child’s curls to soft and silky goodness with the sulfate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free Fairy Tales Hair Care set.
5. Not Your Mother’s Plump for Joy Jumbo Dry Shampoo (2-Pack)
Not Your Mother’s is delivering double the goodness with a dry shampoo that works to absorb oil in minutes. This spray is formulated with natural barley and rice starches and will leave hair smelling fresh and clean with scents like orange mango, wild mint, and mango.
6. Shea Moisture Beard Kit For Men
The bearded men in our life can always use a touch-up this season, whether they have a thick or thin beard. Shea Moisture is a powerful set of products that will nourish and moisturize all hair types and contains vitamins that will make skin and hair touchably soft.
7. Camille Rose Black Castor Oil & Chebe Cleanse
Bring on the cleansing! Camille Rose treats us with this oil-infused shampoo that can help eliminate build-up without stripping the hair. The African Chebe Powder and Castor Oil work together to cleanse, condition, and nourish the hair in just one wash.
8. DAE Hair Signature Shampoo
DAE’s sulfate-free shampoo is great for all hair types and works to address hair concerns like dryness, oil control, color damage, and frizz. The hibiscus flower extract blend can help promote a healthy scalp and restore elasticity to the hair follicles.
9. Flawless by Gabrielle Union Repairing Edge Control
We love a good edge control and Flawless by Gabrielle Union delivers the goodness to you on Black Friday. You can easily smooth flyaways and hold hair in place without the dreaded crunch or flaking with the help of biotin and passionfruit seed oil.
10. Mielle Rosemary Mint Growth Oil
Mielle Organics had a year with their viral rosemary mint growth oil taking off and selling out everywhere. This versatile oil can be used on all hair types and has a blend of 30 essential oils that can penetrate the scalp, smooth split ends, and prevent damage to hair.
11. Love Ur Curls Ultra-Defining Curl Kit
Simplicity is key when building your haircare routine, and this ultra-defining curl kit can help you achieve your hair goals this season. The combination of shampoo, conditioner, styler, and sea moss gel works to repair, nourish, restore, and strengthen your curls in one package.
12. Evereden Kids Shampoo
If you’re looking for a plant-based shampoo and conditioner to help cleanse your little one’s coils, curls, and waves, look no further. The plant peptides, argan oil, and shea butter are gentle yet effective on any hair type and leave hair soft and shiny.
13. Avenue Man Curl Defining Cream
Let’s add a little pizzazz to our men’s hairstyles this season. This curl cream is great for adding texture and volume, and fortifying brittle hair strands.
Accessories
14. YANIBEST Satin Bonnet Silk Bonnet Hair Bonnet
Give yourself a gift that will last all year long. A satin silk bonnet can be a game changer for your haircare routine by helping reduce friction and reduce frizz while you sleep.
15. Scunci Scrunchies Gift Set
This is the perfect holiday gift not only because scrunchies are back in style, but because this Black Friday deal is a steal.
16. FRAMAR Large Hair Clips For Women
Claw clips are all the rage this season, and Framar offers various colors and sizes to support any hair type or texture.
17. 50 PCS Satin Hair Scrunchies for Curly Hair Silk Scrunchies
Can you ever get enough scrunchies? This multi-colored pack is filled with every colorway you want for the new year.
18. Flower Hair Clips
Hair clips can be tiny but powerful pops of color to your everyday style whether you’re wearing your hair in curls, braids, ponytails, or space buns.
19. PLwelth Black Headband for Women Girls Gold Chain Padded Headband Non Slip
Nostalgia is on the menu, and headbands are having a moment. This classic yet elegant accessory can be worn with any stylish seasonal outfit.
20. Bunzee Bands Large Hair Band for Thick, Curly, Natural Hair
Say goodbye to headaches and hello to a secure and adjustable hairband that won’t snap, break, or tug at your curls, coils, and waves.
Tools
21. Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
We’ve given you all the 411 on maintaining heatless curls; now it’s time to try them out at home. Kitsch is bringing you Black Friday savings with these gorgeous, heatless curling sets.
22. Inala Strand Smoother
We can never have enough combs and inala has a natural bamboo comb on sale that will have your curls, coils, and waves thanking you for it. It’s durable, long-lasting, and eco-friendly and can easily detangle curls and increase blood flow to your scalp.
23. Morrocanoil Effortless Blow Dryer
Say hello to simplicity and ease with this 4-in-1-Blow-Dryer Brush that is designed for all hair types and can reduce drying time. The ionic technology leaves hair frizz free, moisturized, and shiny for any style you want to create.
24. Hicober Microfiber Towel, 3 Packs Hair Turbans for Wet Hair
Microfiber towels have become a staple of the hair-drying process due to their rapid ability to absorb water without causing friction or frizz to your coils, waves, and curls.
25. Diffon Supreme
Bring on the tech this Black Friday, and it doesn’t get any better than this 2-in-1 diffuser from Bellissima Diffon Ceramic. Regardless of your hair texture, this popular diffuser is easy to use and can add hydration and shine back to your hair.
26. Arkam Beard Straightener for Men -Premium Heated Beard Brush Kit
We love a good beard comb because we like seeing moisturized and hydrated hair on a guy. This tool can help reduce frizz and provide all-day results that will make your man’s beard smooth and shiny.
27. Ionic Hair Dryer, 1800W Professional Blow Dryer (with Powerful AC Motor)
Buying a blow dryer with versatility, multiple heat settings, and different attachments for each style is always worth the investment. This professional salon-quality tool is small, portable, and a must-have this season.
28. AIMIKE Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush, Scalp Scrubber w/Soft Silicone Bristles
Scalp care has been all the rage over the past few years, with every major brand releasing their version of scalp care accessories and products. This shampoo brush can be integrated into your wash day routine and used to remove product build-up and stimulate the blood flow in your scalp.
29. BRUSHZOO Hair Brush for Curly Hair
Here’s a brush set worth investing in. Brushzoo brings an essential starter pack of brushes and combs that will work to detangle and style your hair all season.
30. SWEET VIEW 3 Pcs Slick Back Hair Brush Set
Edges don’t even stand a chance with this 3-in-1 set that can be used to part, pick, and lay down your edges at any given time.
Which Black Friday item will you be adding to your cart this season? Let us know in the comments!
Who doesn’t love the holidays? We get time off, we’re traveling, we’re resting, and we’re showing up and out with glamorous holiday looks. If you’re a parent, you’re tasked with spreading the holiday spirit throughout the family and coordinating looks for your children. Whether it’s a school play, classroom party, or family event, there’s no shortage of opportunities to create fun and festive holiday hairstyles. Whether you aim to go glam with soft curls or updo or get silly with accessories like headbands or colored hair pieces, there are endless ways to create a holiday hairstyle for your kids.
If you’re ready to get inspired, then get ready to screenshot and save these 12 adorable holiday hairstyles for your tiny tots.
1. Bubble Braids with Cornrows
Image source: @kids.hair.space
It’s giving range, dimension, and lots of accessories with the beautiful headband and silver clasps to decorate the bubble braids.
2. Half up/down with twisted crown
Image Source: @eurayzaoliveira
We love to see a wash and go with a little flair. This mom elevates the curls by twisting two separate sections to create a crown across the middle of the head.
3. Loose Curls With Pearls
Image Source: @tijeritaskids
The best holiday hairstyles are simple and this is one that you can easily replicate regardless of texture by simply including festive jewels across the top and and middle of the head.
4. Rope Twists
Image Source: @bliss.blythe
We all know that the dress and hair are the staples of traditional family portraits. A protective style like these ornate rope twists are long, beautiful, and easy to maintain all season.
5. Twist
Image Source: @_novemberlove_
Twists are a fun and simple protective style that keeps the strands moisturized and can help with length retention. Adding a little fun accessory a bow, is an easy way to dress this style up for the holidays.
6. Bubble braids
Image source: @tionneandrenae
Bubble braids have been all the rage this season because they work with any texture and can be dressed up or down with a fun part.
7. Mohawk Buns
Image Source: @ponpon_sisters
Updos are really chic ways to style any hair texture during the holidays. This mohawk bun is simple, and pretty and can be decorated with festive clips throughout the hair.
8. Braided ponytails
Image Source: @crown_couture_
Bring on the braids and beads. Ponytails are always a go-to style because you can easily section different hair pieces and tie them up with a band. This look takes that concept to the next level with blinged out jewels throughout the hair.
9. Formal Updo
Image Source: @loveisinthehairbytranese
If your tiny tot opts for a blowout or silk press, you can still rock a classic holiday hairstyle like an updo. Pulling out loose pieces to frame the face is great for adding dimension, which can be curled or left straight.
10. Space Buns
Image Source: @keyerasimona
Space buns are always fun to create with any braided style and the pop of color weaved into each bun is perfect for ushering in December.
12. Two Buns
Image Source: @_harrisjanae_
This adorable style takes a classic look like two buns and elevates it by twisting them to the front and using gold accessories for additional holiday glam.
Let these holiday hairstyles rule the season, and if you’re looking for the perfect products, check out our article on the 11 Best Natural Hair Products for Styling Kids Curly Hair.
CurlyCon LA was a feast for the eyes. From decadent bites from local vendors like Beignet Box and The Ice Guy to chic photo activations throughout the event, Founder Ava Pearl left no stone unturned for her attendees. As the first annual event, CurlyCon LA was designed to create an immersive experience that would bring curly girls from all walks of life together. Pearl cites that her brand CurlyCulture and the event came from the idea that “I realized it was more important to have a platform where curlies could get together, learn, connect, and develop authentic offline relationships. Once I saw that need for community, I wanted to create a platform that could be a hub for curly hair creators. I’ve never been to an event where all of us were in the same room, and I identified a huge need for that.”
Image Source: @sherlytavarez
Guests were given the VIP treatment upon entering with complimentary flower crowns and swag bags with products from brands like Sally Beauty, Donna’s Recipe, Curlsmith, Naturally Drenched, and Camille Rose. The ornate space hosted at the Rolling Greens Center in Los Angeles was decorated with fresh flowers and succulents that radiated a feminine and chic aesthetic. Hause of Curls founder Sherly Tavarez, who flew in from New York City, shared that “I’m not used to going to L.A. at all, so getting to know people I met online in real life is cool.” Curlies came dressed to impress in feminine brunch attire with larger-than-life afros, pixie cuts, tight coils, and soft waves. Attendees could grab complimentary drinks inside the venue, which boasted a VIP lounge, DJ, and elaborate stage with seating.
Image Source: @curlyconla
Those needing the Los Angeles sunshine could walk out onto the deck with local vendors, photo activations, and an outdoor stage that offered additional opportunities to connect. Naturally Me events creator Abrianna Gutierrez discussed the importance of having a West Coast event, “I’m so happy because you think of CurlFest on the east coast, and we get jealous because we have a community here as well. It’s cool to see Ava’s YouTube channel come to life with the creation of this entire event.”
Image Source: @curlyconla
Education was an essential part of the experience, and Pearl worked with influencer Bianca Renee to curate panels that would provide insight into popular hair topics like scalp care, ingredients, and microaggressions. Popular natural hair influencers like Poofy, Christine Obanor, Persia Bella, and Fola Amudipe led conversations on their hair experiences that were vulnerable and honest. These candid conversations were a hallmark of each panel which focused on helping attendees find common ground in the everyday struggles of the natural hair experience. It wouldn’t be L.A. without the appearance of a few famous faces and actresses, Anjelika Washington and Chelsea Tavares provided their expertise and insight into the world of curls in Hollywood during the “Behind The Industry” panel. As the last panel of the evening it lifted the curtain on the nessecary work ahead for people behind and in front of the camera rocking their natural hair.
Image Source: @curlyconla
Washington who came sporting crotchet locs discussed how the inclusiveness of this event supported the community and connection naturalistas all need. “It’s healing to be around so many women who get it and have different cultures, nationalities, shapes, and sizes whose one commonality is our hair. Although we may have different textures, we accept where they are in their hair journey.” America’s Top Model and actress, Eva Marcille and dance queen Ashley Everett closed the event with a vivacious catwalk which included enthusiastic audience members. Pearl cited that the event is “This event is exactly what I envisioned; I wanted people to be engaged, excited, and empowered.”
Did you attend CurlyCon LA? Let us know in the comments!
Ava Pearl is the epitome of taking lemons and creating them into lemonade. In her case, the lemons are the curly community, and the lemonade is her first annual event, CurlyConLA, which makes its West Coast debut on November 4, 2023. As a former influencer, Ava is all too familiar with the trial and error that can come with breaching the steep learning curve of the natural hair world. Between trying to understand your hair type, texture, regimen, and which products can turn your curls from drab to fab, it can be overwhelming and confusing.
Ava identified this familiar feeling and pivoted her brand from focusing on her experience as an individual to creating an inclusive digital space for the entire community. This weekend, she’s removing the digital barrier and making her vision of community, curls, and candid conversation a reality with CurlyConLA. As one of the first major curly events to be hosted in Los Angeles, CurlyConLA invites attendees to unite and connect throughout the day with celebrity-hosted panels and live demonstrations. Celebrity hosts like Ashely Everett and Eva Marcille will lead discussions on microaggressions in Hollywood and navigating the pressures of wearing straight hair. This all-day event will also feature live demonstrations like a “Mommy and Me” panel in addition to a “Big Chop” that will bring education and awareness to universal struggles within the community.
We sat down to chat with Ava about the ideation behind CurlyConLA, her entrepreneurial journey, and what attendees can look forward to from this event.
How did you begin your hair journey?
My natural hair journey began in 2019 when I decided to do the big chop after years of damage from blowouts and bleach. I was done with the dead ends and cut it off on my YouTube channel, which led to me discovering my hair regimen and working to get it healthy. To this day, I’ve never put heat on it again. I went through all the classic naturalista essentials, like sleeping with a silk scarf, using a wide-tooth comb, and figuring out what worked best for my curls. It has been an empowering journey because our hair is important to our identity, and I feel most confident when I wear mine naturally.
What were some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you encountered throughout your journey?
“For me, natural hair is like a box of chocolates, so to speak; you never know what you’ll get. I’m not a short hair person, so when I did the big chop, I was very self-conscious and had to adjust to that new style. I needed to embrace the daily imperfections, whether it was dealing with the frizz or each curl not forming the same. It can be so tempting to straighten it or slick it back in a bun because the vision doesn’t match what’s in your head.”
What experiences did you have as an influencer that helped your development as a businesswoman?
Being an influencer/creator has been a major part of how I formed CurlyCulture on YouTube and built out CurlyConLA. As a former YouTuber, I understood all the intricacies of monetizing, developing brand relationships, and connecting with fellow curlies, which is important and helped me transition into a better businesswoman. I could hone my YouTube skills to promote the event on camera or get granular with how I wanted the event space to look.
You transitioned your channel from focusing on individual content to community topics with CurlyCulture; what inspired the name and repositioning?
I wanted a brand I could own but didn’t have to be the face of all the time. I wanted to do a play on words with interloping Cs, so CurlyCulture was born. I wanted to dive deeper into the natural hair world but didn’t know where to start. I considered making products, but we have enough on the shelves. I realized it was more important to have a platform where curlies could get together, learn, connect, and develop authentic offline relationships. Once I saw that need for community, I wanted to create a platform that could be a hub for curly hair creators. I’ve never been to an event where all of us were in the same room, and I identified a huge need for that. The more people I talk to, the more it becomes apparent that there are interconnecting experiences and stories we all share.
We’ve seen various curly events hosted throughout the country. Why is having a curly event on the West Coast important?
A curly event on the West Coast is imperative because it’s a melting pot out here between Latinas, Persians, Black women, and mixed-race families. It’s so odd because there has never been a curly event in L.A. We’re the first group tackling that. I get a lot of moms who may not be the same race as their child who approaches me wanting tips and tricks to do their child’s hair. Those interactions inspired the “Mommy and Me” panel we’ll be having with a live demonstration where we’ll be styling a young girl’s hair on the stage. She’s Black and Asian, and her mom has straight hair, so even that distinction is important to educate people about.
Many prominent figures from the natural hair community are featured on panels at this event. Why is putting influencers at the forefront of these conversations meaningful?
Many of the influencers we chose focused on hair content. I wanted people who had done the research, had the communities, and had the expertise to speak to attendees and their struggles confidently. I’m very excited about one of our panels called “Behind the Industry: “ which focuses on microaggressions that celebrities and actresses with textured hair go through on set versus other people. Eva Marcille will be moderating that panel and has her journey to share as she’s been a prominent figure in the industry since she won America’s Top Model. We didn’t want to choose any celebrity; we wanted it to be community-based.
With hosts like Eva Marcille, who wears locs, it seems you’ve intentionally been inclusive at this event. Why is it important to destigmatize the perceptions around natural hair?
I grew up in Los Angeles, a melting pot of different cultures, and initially, I had pushback around not making this centered on women of color or one specific texture. I wanted this to be multicultural, inclusive, and span the entire spectrum of hair from 2A-4C. There is a panel for every type of texture, and that was important to me because there can often be a lot of discourse online between hair types.
What shaped the topics and panels you’ve chosen for your event?
The day starts with a scalp and hair growth panel with a licensed cosmetologist who will be on hand to provide their expertise. We’ll then transition into a panel regarding choosing the right products for your hair and why understanding ingredients is so important. The next panel will be moderated by Ashely Everett, who will discuss what it’s like being pressured to straighten your hair within our community. Finally, Eva Marcille will be leading the Behind The Industry panel I mentioned earlier before we transition into live demonstrations outside.
What can attendees look forward to at the event?
The first 200 people who arrive will receive complimentary flower crowns in addition to live photo activations that will be available throughout the event. There will be complimentary frose and vegan roll ice cream and garden bars for some casual daytime sipping.
This is the first annual event for CurlyConLA; what can future attendees look forward to next year?
This year will be elevated and classy, but next year, we want to expand it and make it larger with a marketplace featuring popular curly brands and local vendors.
Missed our live conversation with Ava? Check out our Leaders in Curls chat below.
In the burgeoning world of curly hair care, tips, tricks, and advice…it can be confusing to understand what mistakes to avoid. As we all tread down the curly path of products and how-to’s, there are a few universal issues all of us curlies want to steer clear of. Whether you are new to your curl journey or perhaps you are a seasoned vet needing a refresher, we can never learn enough about how to improve our routine.
Here are 10 curly hair mistakes you want to avoid and a few influencers who are here to share their own curly blunders with us.
1. Using Too Much Heat
While many of us love to straighten or blow out our curls, there is such a thing as too much heat. Styling with heat tools like a straightener can change your hair texture and curl pattern permanently. If you decide to straighten or blow out your hair, you always want to make sure you are applying heat protectants that will keep your curls protected and healthy. Heat protectants can prevent the heat from causing permanent damage to your hair and add vital moisture to your curls.
Image Source: @domis__world
“In order for my hair to recover from the heat damage I had to completely stop using heat all together, when I first went natural I used heat every 6 months as a “treat” for rocking my natural curls. Doing this ruined the progress I made over those 6 months, now that my hair is 100% healthy it has been almost 3 years since I used heat. The biggest “treat” is seeing my curls healthy today.”
2. Detangling Your Hair When It’s Dry
To brush or not to brush, that is the question. The rule of thumb is that you should never brush your curls when they are dry. This can not only cause your hair to break but knots can form which can cause breakage. There are specialized brushes like a Denman brush or wide-tooth comb which are created to work the product through your hair while it’s wet or when you’re in the shower. Remember, when you are detangling, you always start from your ends and work your way up to the roots.
3. Skipping The Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner is bread and butter to your curly hair routine. What makes leave-in conditioner so important is that it’s designed to give long-lasting moisture to your hair. You should be investing in a lightweight leave-in conditioner for your hair texture and applying it daily. When you skip putting leave-in conditioner in your hair, you’re robbing your curls of the nourishment that can prevent breakage, frizz, and harmful UV rays from damaging your hair. We recommend keeping a leave-in conditioner like Kinky Curly Knot Today nearby for daily use to help detangle your hair.
Image Source: @kelseynicole
“I’d say my most memorable hair mistake while being natural was with my first bantu knot. I had an event planned, did a bantu knot on soaking wet hair and applied way too much product. The style was nowhere near dry the next day and I had to quickly find a way to restyle my hair in the short amount of time I had before my event. My top tips are, “If you have thicker hair, try a bantu knot on damp or stretched, dry hair. I’m a little heavy handed for my twist outs and it’s helpful, but for bantu knots, less is more when it comes to product application. Sit under a hooded dryer. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, that can definitely speed up the overall drying times.”
4. Over Cleansing Your Hair
There is such a thing as overwashing your hair. Washing your hair should be kept to a minimum because textured hair needs the natural oils our scalp provides in order to keep healthy curls. When you overwash your hair you can leave your scalp dully and dry, which can lead to damage and breakage. You want to use a sulfate-free shampoo like Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo which not only cleanses your hair but is infused with castor oil and shea butter to promote hair growth.
Image Source: @cache.marchell
“I’ve been embracing my natural hair for two years now! My most memorable hair mishap has to be when I first started buying products for my hair and would mix several products before styling. I would end up with horrible product build-up and couldn’t understand why I always had flakes in my hair. Well, I did some research and learned that it was because of me applying so many products in my hair that simply don’t mix well with each other. Be sure to test the products on the back of your hand! If they mix smoothly, then it’s a mix! If they don’t mix smoothly, it will clump together and that’s your indication that it’s not a mix!”
5. Not Protecting Your Hair When You Sleep At Night
Sleep is just not sleep when you have curls, kinks, coils, and waves. You may have heard of silk bonnets, scarves, and satin pillowcases. These aren’t just fun accessories to keep on your nightstand, they help preserve your curl pattern. Cotton pillowcases or towels can rob your strands of moisture, which makes them dully, dry, and frizzy. Your curls are worth caring for and you want to make these investments for long-lasting results that your hair will love.
Source: @ms.tmarie
Having naturally curly hair can be a hassle especially if you’re just starting out your journey and you are still trying to get the hang of things. Having PATIENCE is a must, but here are a few things to avoid: “Always sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet: I know we all have our lazy nights, but it’s important to protect our hair. Doing this helps lock in all the moisture and it keeps our hair from breaking. Because of the silkiness of the satin scarf or bonnet it’s much gentler on the hair than a cotton scarf would be.
6. Skipping Out On Seasonal Trims
No matter how healthy your hair gets, you can never skip out on a visit to the salon. Seasonal trims are important to your hair health because they keep your curls healthy and growing. You don’t have to get a big chop or anything drastic, but it is essential to get rid of loose, dry ends that could be causing breakage to your curls.7. Using Products With Sulfates and Silicones
Sulfates and silicones are the double “Ss” you want to avoid in your curly hair regime. Both of these ingredients tend to weigh your hair down, which results in lifeless and limp curls. Sulfates can strip and dehydrate your curls, which means double the work because they become lifeless and frizzy. You want to always read the product labels when shopping and look for “sulfate-free” on the bottle.
8. Using The Wrong Towel To Dry Your Hair
Drying your hair can feel like an exercise when you get out of the shower, but you don’t want to dry your hair with the wrong materials. Using a cotton or terry cloth towel fabric can be too rough on your curls and result in immediate frizz. A microfiber turban or t-shirt is a great way to help maintain the form and definition. Several major hair care brands have towels, but you can also shop your favorites from our exclusive SHOP of over 200 brands.
9. Waiting Too Long To Apply Styling Products
Caring for your curls is a process, and each step you take can be the difference between frizz and damage. You always want to apply styling products to your hair when it is damp and before your frizz can set in. Styling products are the finishing touch to your hair care routine, and no matter how rushed you feel, you always have to at least apply one before your hair gets frizzy and the weather creates its style for you.
10. Touching Your Curls Too Often
While this can seem like a no-brainer, who hasn’t got done styling their beautiful tresses and then started weaving your fingers through your hair? It’s bad enough when a stranger or a friend asks to touch your hair, but you want to avoid frizz and loss of definition by playing or touching your hair. It may be tempting, but just remember your curls will thank you in the long run.
Have any common styling mistakes of your own to add? Please share them in the comments!
