Search Results: Desiree Johnson
There’s nothing worse during the hot summer season than frizzy hair and finding the right styler can be a bigger challenge with so many options on the shelf. Frizzy hair can be caused by a range of factors like dryness, lack of hold in your products, styling techniques, and humidity. While we can’t control all of these factors, we can control the types of styling products we use that need to be moisture rich. You voted and we’re sharing the stylers that won your heart this season which can help to smooth and hydrate your curls!
BEST STYLING CREAM
Best Styling Cream for All Curl Types: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream
If you’re looking for a buildable and lightweight styling cream, look no further than this nourishing, hydrating product that helps with detangling and manageability. As a natural styling cream, this was created for a range of hair textures with 5 nutrient-rich butters that work with thick, coarse, thin, and soft hair. You can watch your curls instantly transform into defined, shiny, and healthy textures that you will love.
Best Styling Cream for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Hair Cream
Let’s maximize our definition with this cream that adds a little extra bounce to type 2 curls and waves. As a daily styler, the curls benefit from hydrating ingredients from the rice curl complex that include amino acids, enzymes, and keratin. This muti-functional product provides a range of benefits such as sealing in moisture, and adding shine, and is safe for color-treated hair.
Best Styling Cream for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
As their best-selling styling cream Ouidad has infused anti-frizz nano technology with this product to help users achieve shiny and hydrated curls regardless of the climate they are in. The lightweight oils blended into the formula help to create a soft and flexible definition for touchable curls. It can be applied on damp curls and activated with a diffuser or by air-drying.
Best Styling Cream for Type 4 Coily Hair: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream
Since this was specially formulated for thick and coarser textures, it’s no secret that this is a favorite for type 4 textures. It can be easily applied to wet or dry curls and works as a vitamin-rich detangler that is highly adaptable and buildable with other products. As a vegan and clean ingredient product, this is ideal for men, women, and children and is non-toxic.
BEST ANTI-FRIZZ PRODUCT
Best Anti-Frizz Product for All Curl Types: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum
Say hello to a styling serum that is here to add shine, lock in moisture, and smooth the cuticle! This layerable blowdry serum can withstand heat up to 450 degrees which can help you achieve the ultimate blowout during the summer months. It’s ideal for all hair types and textures because of its ability to tame dry hair and prevent frizz and flyaways.
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment
As the #1 anti-frizz treatment that waterproofs your hair to stop frizz even in the worst humidity, it’s no secret why type 2 wavies love this product. This advanced formula leaves hair super glossy, glassy, and ultra-smooth with humidity-blocking technology that stops moisture from ruining your style. It’s an ultra-light spray, doubles as a heat protectant, and can last through 3-4 shampoos.
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer
Frizz does not stand a chance with this dry conditioning spray that is an instant de-frizzer for type 3 curls. As a dry conditioning spray, this tames up to 92% of frizz and leaves your hair smooth, soft, and shiny while replenishing the hair’s lost natural lipids. If you’re looking to revive your curls between wash days, this can take your dull strands to dynamic in a few simple steps.
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum
So nice we, you voted on it twice for type 4 coils, kinks, and tighter textures. The jasmine, grapefruit, and mandarin floral medley will have your hair shining as it stays sleek and frizz-free. This can be easily applied to wigs, braids, and twists, and will still help lock in moisture and prevent flyaways.
BEST HEAT PROTECTANT
Best Heat Protectant for All Curl Types: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream
This silky thermal protectant is an excellent choice for helping to safeguard your curls against heat damage. It provides heat protection for a variety of hair textures and helps to control frizz all day long for a sleek and smooth look you will love. As a 2019 BOB winner, it’s proved to be a consistent fan-favorite product for heat protection.
Best Heat Protectant for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil for Curly Hair
The moisture lock curl mist with jojoba oil is rich in Vitamin E and helps to detangle and define curls. As a hairspray, it protects against heat and allows you to use a variety of hot tools without any damage. It can be sprayed evenly on dry, styled hair and used as a finisher to help hold your style throughout the day.
Best Heat Protectant for Type 3 Curly Hair: OUAI Hair Oil, Multitasking Oil Protects from UV/Heat Damage and Frizz
As a lightweight, multitasking oil that fights frizz, prevents heat/UV damage, and delivers a super smooth finish. This product works great for medium and thicker textures and is packed with African galanga, ama oil, and Asian borage oils to keep color from fading and protect from heat damage. It can help improve split ends and has great fragrance notes like violet and gardenia.
Best Heat Protectant for Type 4 Coily Hair: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream
Eden Bodyworks never disappoints when it comes to protecting your curls and this hibiscus honey blow-dry cream is no exception. With ingredients like honey and hibiscus sabadariffa flower extract, tighter textures will love applying this to their hair before they add any heat.
Are you wondering how to choose the right styler for your hair? Read more on how you can Choose the Right Products Depending on The Weather.
Texture on the Runway put sustainable fashion, glamour, texture, and ballroom at the forefront of the runway during Beautycon earlier this month. ESSENCE Content Director Nandi Howard hosted the elaborate event that saw a diverse array of models strut their stuff on a neon catwalk. Each of the models sported jumpsuits, two-piece outfits, jackets, and dresses in vibrant patterns and ombre colored designs by BruceGlen.
As a celebration of Black culture and natural hair, Texture on the Runway shows the beauty of blending high end fashion with coily and tighter textures. Audience members were treated to jaw-dropping hairstyles like floor-length box braids, regal afros, and textured updos that showed the versatility and beauty of natural hair. Models of different body types, textures, and gender sashayed down the catwalk and wowed the crowd with vibrant looks and styles that would even rival fashion week.
Texture on the Runway had incredible energy: from the announcer and vibrant clothes all the way down to the next-level hair. I loved that show incorporated a variety of textures and looks including floor-length box braids, wigs, blonde-dipped pony tails and so much more. It made me excited to switch up my look and reminded me once again of the beauty and versatility of Black hair– we can truly rock anything!- Akili King, Senior Beauty Director at Essence
Celebrity hairstylists Tater Pazon and Mandy D. Williams were the dynamic duo pairing the beautiful waves, kinky curls, and tight coils with the 1970s retro-inspired style of clothing. The blend of natural hair textures and colorful luxury clothing from BruceGlen lit up the Beautycon stage with a clear message, our textures are here to stay and we’ll celebrate them. Texture on The Runway wouldn’t be complete without a showstopping performance to close out the show and the House of Balenciaga exthued confidence and showmanship with a Vogue performance.
“Texture on the Runway was an amazing experience for being able to see diverse and extremely unique styles for both hair and clothing. It was an honor to be able to be a judge for something so special! –Justice Jackson, Social Media Influencer
How fabulous are these looks? Stay tuned for more Texture On the Runway coming to a city near you this year!
We all know the dread that happens whenever you’re enjoying a nice long shower and then your hair starts falling out. This can happen in different ways whether it’s small pieces or long pieces, but it can be challenging to your hair all over the tub. There are several factors that can affect hair loss like styling routine, hormones, gender, and genetics, but that doesn’t stop us from wondering how much hair loss is normal. What’s too much and should I be concerned? In honor of National Hair Loss Awareness Month, we’re talking about all the ins and outs of hair loss in the shower.
How Hair Grows
Hair has several stages and phases that determine how fast, thick, long, and strong it grows. There are three stages that describe how our hair grows: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen which break down how active our hair grows at any given time. These phases cover how our hair follicles produce individual hairs before the last phase Exogen which sheds old hair so new hair can take its place. What helps to maintain our hair health during these stages are nutrition, vitamins, reduced stress, and proper hair care.
Hair Shedding vs. Hair Loss
Before we can go into how hair loss occurs, let’s get an understanding of what is considered normal. A 2018 scientific study showed that on average a person sheds about 100 hairs a day. The American Academy of Dermatology Association conducted a study that this can only increase when you get older and that hair loss differs from hair shedding. Hair shedding is described as a normal activity we all encounter, but stressors like weight loss, giving birth, and recovery from an illness can exacerbate hair shedding. Typically hair shedding is normal and temporary and your hair will bounce back between six to nine months. Hair loss differs from hair shedding because there are factors that stop the hair from growing back such as hairstyles, genetics, or medicine that you are taking.
Celebrity stylist Felicia Leatherwood shares that “Hair is at its most fragile state when wet, so you find that when washing your hair in the shower, you can experience more breakage. Hair shedding is also normal in the shower if you have not detangled the hair properly before. Hair shedding is normal, but hair loss is not. You may also find that if your hair lacks protein or something is going on with your diet or stress, it can snap very easily. The hair almost becomes like a weak rubber band when it’s wet and will snap easily.”
Factors That Affect Hair Loss
While there are many factors outside of your control that are causing your hair loss in the shower, here are a few to consider.
- Water temperature: How hot or cold your water is can severely impact your hair follicles, in the same way, using heat tools can. A hot shower is great, but hot water can make your curls more susceptible to breakage and frizziness. It can also affect your scalp by drying your hair follicles which can lead to inflammation or dandruff.
- Over shampooing: You should never be overwashing your curls, but if you must, then you need to ditch the shampoo. Over-shampooing can remove your natural oils and sebum and irritate and damage your hair follicles. At best you should be shampooing no more than 1-2x a week, but anything more could be contributing to your hair loss.
- Drying with a cotton towel: Your is fragile and delicate and should be treated with care even when you get out of the shower. Using linens like a cotton towel can put stress on our cuticles and hair follicles and result in breakage and thinning. The thickness and constant pulling against your hair, when it’s wet, can gradually lead to additional hair loss over time. Try swapping out the cotton for a microfiber towel which can be a big game changer for your wash day.
Best Practices For Washing Your Hair
Now, does the shower have to be our enemy? Absolutely not. Cleansing our curls is one of the most important aspects of our hair care, but we have to start implementing practices to do it the right way.
Leatherwood shares “When you’re detangling your hair while in the shower and not using your fingers to do it, you will experience snapping and breakage. You should use a tool such as the Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush, to aid in detangling. Also, make sure that you are using
a really good, conditioner like the Pardon My Fro Detangler Leave-in Conditioner from root to end of the hair. Then section your hair in 4 sections with your fingers very gently/delicately and brush through and detangle from the bottom of the hair back towards the scalp towards the root of the hair. If you notice that you have two hands full of hair, then you may need to add protein treatment for remedying, followed by deep condition to add moisture. Anything more than that, there’s something more serious going on and you should see a doctor.”
Have you experienced any hair loss in the shower? What remedies worked best for you? Let us know in the comments!
Who doesn’t love a good conditioner? It’s typically the second step in your hair regime after giving your curls a good cleanse with your shampoo. Conditioners can not only add hydration back to your hair but also help to detangle, reduce frizz, and add definition to your curls, coils, and waves. Every conditioner works differently depending on its function, use, and ingredients, but you voted, and we’re ready to break down the winners of our Best of the Best awards for 2023.
Whether you’re looking for a co-wash, leave-in conditioner, conditioner, or deep conditioner, we’ve got something for everyone!
BEST CO-WASH
Best Co-Wash for All Curl Types: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash
This conditioning co-wash is excellent for detangling any hair texture due to its rich ingredients which include coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and shea butter. This has been a staple of any curly regimen for years because of its ability to quickly remove residue between regular washings, promote a healthy hair environment, and promote healthy hair growth. It’s affordable, thick, and very easy to incorporate into your hair regimen.
Best Co-Wash for Type 2 Wavy Hair: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
As I Am has been bringing a game-changing co-wash to curlies for years and they aren’t stopping anytime soon. This co-wash is very gentle for type 2 wavies looking to preserve moisture and is an alternative to your normal shampoo routine. As an award-winning conditioner, it has a great blend of tangerine, coconut oil, castor oil, and saw palmetto, that works with your waves to gently remove product buildup, residue, and scalp sebum from your hair.
Best Co-Wash for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
Curlsmith is bringing us a co-wash that also includes cleaning properties that are gentle on the scalp and can melt away dirt and buildup. For type 3 curlies with medium to coarse thickness, this is great for frequent cleansing without sacrificing the natural moisture and oils from your hair. The creamy non-foaming blend of avocado oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter can be massaged into the scalp to give you a gentle cleanse you’re going to love as you transition into your styling products.
Best Co-Wash for Type 4 Coily Hair: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash
We’re eyeing our type 4 coilies looking to change up their co-wash game with this cleansing and conditioning co-wash. This is a great option to us if you rock coils and kinks because it helps to blast build-up and residue, condition hair between washes, and can be used generously. The blend of ingredients ensures a hydrating and moisturizing experience that your coils will love.
BEST LEAVE-IN
Best Leave-In for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner
A hallmark product from their “leave-in” collection, this product is here to provide maximum hair hydration for everyone. The simple blend of honey, olive fruit oil, and aloe leaf juices can be applied to damp hair liberally to ensure moisture across every strand. If you’re looking to achieve soft, smooth, and moisturized hair that will protect your hair from damage, this is a product to add to your arsenal.
Best Leave-In for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner
Bounce Curl is bringing the juice with their Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner which is ultra-concentrated and works to provide the ultimate nourishment for customers sporting waves. The leave-in is blended with 5 ancient eastern Mediterranean oils Egyptian, neroli, jojoba, olive, and argan oil which provides fantastic moisture and daily protection. A little goes a long way with this product and is clinically proven to help improve shine and moisture retention.
Best Leave-In for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Curly Hair Cream
If you’re looking for a versatile leave-in conditioner that can be easily incorporated into your routine, type 3 curlies, Curlsmith is calling your name. The silky and lightweight texture is great for finer curls because it includes lightweight ingredients such as castor oil, jojoba, babassu, and murumuru butter to provide nourishment for your texture. This product is best applied with wet curls after a wash day so the hair shaft and cuticles can easily absorb the coat the curls.
Best Leave-In for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner
Calling our type 4 textures with coils and kinks looking for maximum hair hydration, this product is here for your hair. The simple blend of honey, olive fruit oil, and aloe leaf juices can be applied to damp hair liberally to ensure moisture across every strand. As a hydrating conditioning base, the hair can be transformed into smooth and soft textures that can maintain moisture and be protected from damage.
BEST CONDITIONER
Best Conditioner for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner
Mielle is always a winner in our books and the Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner can help any hair type and texture achieve shiny, smooth hair with the ultimate slip and texture. This has versatile uses whether you’re looking to cleanse the curls as a leave-in conditioner, prime the hair before styling, or define the curls. Whether you have thick, fine, or curly hair, this is an excellent conditioner to help improve your texture.
Best Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Your curls take front and center with this rich oil blend conditioner that blends papaya butter and plumeria extract. For our type 2 wavies this is a fantastic product for helping to detangle, defrizz, and define your curls. It’s a very moisturizing and curl-enhancing conditioner that helps with softness and shine.
Best Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner
We love a great conditioner and that’s why Mielle Organics made the list twice! Type 3 curlies love this product for its ability to provide intense hydration with a silky feel that locks in moisture for thick and curly hair. Its detangling properties create a shiny and smooth-to-the-touch hair experience that conditions, primes, and defines the curls.
Best Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner
Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potatoe Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner has a wonderfully sweet and creamy texture full of nutrient-rich ingredients like sweet potato extract, cinnamon, and vanilla. It works exceptionally well with type 4 coils and kinks because it helps with moisture, frizz control, scalp nutrients, and shine. Customers love its nourishing hair and scalp properties that help with hair growth, build-up, and prevent dullness in the hair,
BEST DEEP CONDITIONER
Best Deep Conditioner for All Curl Types: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner
Let’s give a round of applause to our deep conditioner that took the prize as best for all curl types and textures. The Miracle RepaiRx Deep Hydrating Hair Mask helps to restore dry and damaged hair with biotin and castor oil. If you’ve experienced any damage due to dryness or color treatments, this is a deep conditioner to keep in your product arsenal.
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: amikaThe Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask
If you’re looking for an intense bond repair mask, look no further than the Kure which helps to reduce breakage and prevent future damage for finer textures like type 2 waves. It was specially formulated for thick and coarser hair types and includes ingredients like mango, shea butter, and borage oil. The clinically tested and proven results are deeply hydrating and can provide significant help to dry and brittle hair.
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Black Castor Oil + Chebe Deep Conditioner
We love a rich and nutrient-filled deep conditioner and Camille Rose is bringing a hair butter that is crafted and designed to restore moisture for thicker hair textures. Type 3 curlies will benefit from the strengthening power of African Chebe Powder and Jamaican Castor Oil for healthy hair growth and maximum softness. It can be applied liberally to freshly washed and conditioned strands and be used to moisturize and set protective styles.
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner
Type 4 coilies can look forward to improved shine, manageability, and a deep conditioner that locks in moisture and repairs damage. The Miracle RepaiRx Deep Hydrating Hair Mask reduces shedding and breakage while restoring life to any damage your hair has experienced over your lifetime. You can enjoy a deep treatment after cleansing your hair and then rinsing it out with warm water for maximum results.
Are we excited about this amazing list of conditioners? If you’re looking to improve your conditioning technique, read our article on The Dos and Don’ts of Deep Conditioning. Let us know in the comments below!
We spent all month covering the ins and outs of hair loss from how it happens, and what is normal. Hair loss occurs from a variety of factors outside of our control like genetics, immune deficiencies, and stress. Research shows that there are certain drugs and treatments that can directly contribute to our hair loss. Creatine is a controversial supplement in the hair community because it has not been scientifically proven to cause hair loss. You’ve probably heard of creatine as it’s a common muscle-building supplement to improve your body composition. Fitness is an important function of our daily lives so we decided to explore if creatine correlates with hair loss.
What is Creatine?
Creatine is a popular supplement amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts for its ability to improve muscle mass, performance, and recovery. It can be consumed in a powder form as a dietary supplement or through meat and is an amino-acid derivative. Creatine naturally occurs in our body from our kidneys and liver after eating protein. Taking creatine helps elevate your body’s energy levels and build your muscles without bulking up. Many people who consume creatine can have an older age range because it helps to slow age-related muscle loss. Other people take it to help improve neurological functions like memory and related diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
How Creatine Affects Hair
The conversation regarding creatine and hair loss happened when in 2009 scientists monitoring rugby players consuming creatine over a week-long period saw an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a metabolite of testosterone which for males can shrink hair follicles and lead to hair loss, which can also lead to baldness but this has been determined more of a myth than a hard fact. The rugby study showed an increase in testosterone no definitive proof that consuming creatine led to any hair loss or baldness in their subjects. The short-term effects of creatine usually include weight gain since it focuses on targeting muscle growth and helping achieve greater gains.
The Verdict
At this point, creatine is not proven to negatively impact hair health or result in hair loss, but you should always do your research before incorporating any new supplements into your routine. Everybody reacts to supplements and vitamins differently, so if you’re concerned how this could affect your curls or coils, we always recommend seeking out the expertise of a medical professional. You can easily purchase creatine at any vitamin or supplement store in a powder form, energy bar, tablet, or drink mix. Since creatine is a naturally occurring substance that our body already produces, some dieticians recommend that it’s best for vegetarians who don’t consume creatine as part of their regular diet.
What are your thoughts on creatine? Have you ever taken it and seen a change in your curls? If you’re experiencing hair loss, read our latest article on Why is Hair Loss More Common for Women with Curly Hair?
Monique Rodriguez has helped revolutionize the natural hair game with her best-selling collections of Mielle Organics products. For years she has been bringing us products with rich ingredients that help tackle any hair and scalp issue you may be having. Her beauty products span hair, skin, and nails, with a blend of herbs and amino acids to help support your immune system. She focuses on healthy ingredients incorporated into each luxurious collection she has created for her global customer base. With so many fantastic options, it can be hard to determine what you need to shop for, but we’ve rounded up the most popular Mielle Organics products to make it easier.
Read more below to learn how these Mielle Organics products can help take your hair to the next level!
Rice Water & Aloe Vera Braid Set Foam
Are you ready to set it and forget it with a fast-drying foam that can help your braids last for days? The Rice Water & Aloe Vera ingredients help to moisturize, strengthen, and nourish hair which can help retain length when wearing a protective style. The foam blends with synthetic and human hair and can be used on wet or dry hair to smooth fly-aways and prevent braid frizz.
Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Overnight Conditioner
As our 2023 Best of the Best Hair Butter, to say this is a winning product is an understatement. This overnight conditioner help to restore moisture to your hair while you sleep provides intense hydration, and protects your hair from split ends. If you’re a Type 3 curly, you will love how hydrated, shiny, and soft your texture becomes after applying this conditioner to your hair overnight and rinsing it out in the morning before your shampoo.
Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
It’s no secret that this product became a viral sensation in 2023 as the #1 hair oil in the US market, but it is also the 2023 winner for our Best of the Best Hair Growth product. Customers love this product because it features more than 30 essential oils and nutrients that nourish hair follicles, smooth split ends, and help with dry scalp. It can be directly applied to the scalp or integrated into any scalp treatment routine like a hot oil treatment.
Mango & Tulsi Nourishing Instant 3-IN-1 Serum
If you’re looking for instant satisfaction, this instant 3-IN-1 Serum offers a trio of benefits by nourishing, repairing, and strengthening damaged hair and split ends. It can be easily applied to help improve weak and frizzy hair that has been damaged by hair color and excessive heat. It is truly versatile and can be used to help repair the ends of the hair during a wash n go, smooth out styles after blow drying, or can be applied as a finisher after your routine.
Sea Moss Gel Hair Masque
As one of the newest Mielle products, the Sea Moss Gel Hair Masque is already making waves with customers for its unique combination of hydration and moisture. If you’re experiencing dry or brittle hair this is an excellent, lightweight product that promotes shinier and healthier hair. It can be applied after cleansing your hair for a deep hydration that your curls will love during these summer months.
Oats and Honey Sooth Scalp Stick
Dry scalp does not stand a chance with the Oats & Honey scalp stick that is convenient and easy to apply to dry or itchy scalp. The soothing ingredients of oats, honey, olive, and mango combine to saturate and nourish your scalp leaving it feeling calm and refreshed. It can be used by any gender and and is perfect for on-the-go hydration.
Pomegranate Honey & Curl Defining Mousse
Mousse is all the rage this summer season because of it’s hydrating and easy application to our dry curls. This is an excellent mousse for type 4 curlies looking for a non-sticky mousse that will hold and define their curls. Ingredients like apple, honey, and aloe help add moisture and hydration that will rejuvenate your curls when you need it the most. It can be applied to damp or dry curls from the root to ends for fantastic results.
Mint Almond Oil
This luxurious oil has been a crowd favorite for years because it helps promote healthy hair and soothes and balances the scalp. The rich blend of mentha and almond oil with glycine soja helps to bind each strand and helps to lock in moisture. As an organic oil, it’s super lightweight and has a sweet, refreshing scent that your hair will love.
Brazilian Curly Cocktail Cream
Who doesn’t love soft and defined curls? Mielle’s Curly Cocktail Cream is a specialized formula that is designed to help hair absorb the product quickly and lock in moisture. If you’re looking to achieve frizz-free curls then this is a must-have product that you want to include in your product arsenal. This is a curl cream that contains a rich blend of Brazilian oils and can be applied to damp hair.
Moisturizing Avocado Hair Milk
Hair milk is an important part of your hair routine that can help provide hydration to very thirsty hair. As an award-winning moisturizer with organic ingredients like jojoba oil, avocado oil, and sage extract, it can be used to seal ends and refresh curls alongside your favorite leave-in conditioner. It’s light enough to be a daily moisturizer that you can continually apply to improve length retention and make your curls more manageable.
Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray
The heat is no joke this season which means protection is key to helping sustain healthy hair. The Mongongo Thermal and Heat Protectant Spray can be used with a high heat style whether you’re blow drying or straightening your hair. Using a heat protectant helps to reduce frizz, maintain shine, and prevent your hair from being damaged when applying a high level of heat.
Honey & Ginger Styling Gel
Gel is a curly staple for your product arsenal that is extremely moisturizing and hydrating during the summer months. This amazing Honey and Ginger Styling Gel is great for freshly washed curls or second day curls needing a bit of a refresh. The blend of ginger, aloe, and honey make a fantastic combination of nourishing ingredients that can smooth frizz, enhance definition, and help create a manageable hold for your hair.
If you’re interested in trying out her viral Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil, read more about the 4 Ways to Use Rosemary for Hair Growth.
We’re leaving summer behind and about to embrace the fall season which means you may be looking for your new signature style. Look no further than the French bob haircut which has been undeniably making a comeback this year. This is a flirty, fun, and chic style that is face-framing and trendy for all hair types. It’s a versatile cut that we have worn across several hair textures and can help give your hair a much-needed health boost if you’ve been needing to reduce styling with heat. We’ve seen the French bob on celebrities like Zendaya, Kat Graham, and Rihanna who have played with sleek and curly versions of the cut. If you’re interested in seeing if this is the new cut for you, then keep reading.
Image Source: @romeufelipe
What Is a French Bob?
When you think about a French bob what comes to mind? A short cut? Perhaps something from a black and white movie? The French bob is typically a blunt ear-length cut that can be accompanied by bangs but can be adjusted to fit your face shape and personality. More modern takes on the cut specifically focus on a lightweight length that encourages curls, waves, and fringe. As a classic Parisian haircut, it’s always associated with ultra-chic style and fun accessories like hair clips and a beret. The key to pulling off a French bob is maintaining the texture and avoiding an over-styled look, it’s meant to be effortless and easy.
Is It Curl-Friendly?
The French bob has evolved since its 1920 origins which means we’ve seen tons of variations of it across the natural hair spectrum. The misconception is that need straight or loose waves in order to truly pull off this look and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Having curls, coils, kinks, and waves allows for this style to have lots of volume and for your stylist to play around with layers versus just a blunt cut. Products like mousse and styling creams can add definition and dimension to the French bob and elevate it to a more textured look.
Inspiration comes in many forms and whether you’re looking to make it short, textured, layered, or a straight cut, we’ve compiled 15 French bob haircuts to save for your stylist.
Image Source: @shorthair_queen
Image Source: @glogovan
Image Source: @jayne_edosalon
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Image Source: @bigcurlslittlecurls
These looks are stunning and can have you rethinking your currently curly style for the upcoming holiday season. If you’re ready to make the big chop and transform your curls, coils, and wave s into this chic French bob, you can show your stylist the following Instagram Reels and TikToks! The transformations are stunning and showcase the versatility of this unique cut on a variety of textures.
Image Source: @ginaatinukeknight
Image Source: @edwardkutana
Image Source: @heatherisradder
Image Source: @whitneyleehair
Image Source: @amandarrwalker
Image Source: @notkayleerose
Image Source: @curlygirlmeg
Image Source: @aasian
Image Source: @joycecrawfordhair
Image Source: @beautyconamor
Image Source: @nataninixon
Which French Bob do you plan to try this season? If you’re looking for additional information to help elevate this cut, read how you can learn how to Diffuse Curly Hair Without Frizz.
Wavy hair is one of the most recognizable hair types because it often sits between straight and curly with loose loops or “S” shaped waves. These curls can look like spirals, beach waves, and swirls and often fall between straight and curly hair. Typically categorized as type “2” curly hair, wavy hair commonly deals with challenges like frizz and needs lighter products like creams and mousses to help with definition. As a matter of fact, wavy hair patterns need products that will enhance the waves without weighing them down because it can create a bulky effect. If you’re in need of a product refresh, we’ve compiled a list of the Best of the Best wavy products too add to your shelf!
Best CoWash for Type 2 Wavy Hair: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
As I Am has been bringing a game-changing co-wash to curlies for years and they aren’t stopping anytime soon. This cowash is very gentle for type 2 wavies looking to preserve moisture and is an alternative to your normal shampoo routine. As an award-winning product, it has a great blend of tangerine, coconut oil, castor oil, and saw palmetto, that works with your waves to gently remove product buildup, residue, and scalp sebum from your hair.
Best Leave-In for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner
Bounce Curl is bringing the juice with their Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner which is ultra-concentrated and works to provide the ultimate nourishment for customers sporting waves. The leave-in is blended with 5 ancient eastern Mediterranean oils Egyptian, neroli, jojoba, olive, and argan oil which provides fantastic moisture and daily protection. A little goes a long way with this product and is clinically proven to help improve shine and moisture retention.
Best Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Your curls take front and center with this rich oil blend conditioner that blends papaya butter and plumeria extract. For our type 2 wavies this is a fantastic product for helping to detangle, defrizz, and define your curls. It’s a very moisturizing and curl-enhancing conditioner that helps with softness and shine.
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: amikaThe Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask
If you’re looking for an intense bond repair mask, look no further than the Kure which helps to reduce breakage and prevent future damage for finer textures like type 2 waves. It was specially formulated for thick and coarser hair types and includes ingredients like mango, shea butter, and borage oil. The clinically tested and proven results are deeply hydrating and can provide significant help to dry and brittle hair.
Best Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo
If you’re a type 2 looking for a moisturizing shampoo that will create a creamy lather and gently cleanse the scalp to remove buildup, look no further than the Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo. This formula includes terrific ingredients like shea butter and pure coconut oil to help fight frizz, reduce breakage, and enhance shine. Wavies love it for its ability to tame frizz and reduce brightness at a cost-efficient price point that only Suave can deliver.
Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-Dandruff Pre-Wash
Let’s give your scalp something to look forward to with this SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-Dandruff Pre-Wash that’s fantastic for taking care of your scalp’s microbiome and strengthening your hair. For type 2 wavies, this can gently exfoliate and remove flakes while detoxifying your scalp. It’s best used as a pre-shampoo treatment on either a wet or dry scalp and is beloved for its powerful blend of apple cider vinegar, vitamin B3, and shea butter.
Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
Type 2 wavies need a product that is going to be gentle and lightweight in their hair and this product does the job with a scalp-soothing formula of oat and apple cider vinegar. As a sulfate-free shampoo, it is clarifying and adds shine to the dullest hair that can be massaged generously into the hair and rinsed out.
Best Mousse for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
Did someone order volume with their mousse? This lightweight styling foam is perfect for type 2 wavies looking to uplift their roots and build body in their hair. It includes ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and sugarcane for an airy foam that you will love. The lightweight foam won’t weigh down your hair and helps to increase fullness and manageability so each strand is moisturized and hydrated.
Best Styling Cream for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Hair Cream
Let’s maximize our definition with this cream that adds a little extra bounce to type 2 curls and waves. As a daily styler, the curls benefit from hydrating ingredients from the rice curl complex that include amino acids, enzymes, and keratin. This muti-functional product provides a range of benefits such as sealing in moisture, adding shine, and is safe for color-treated hair.
Best Gel for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel
Say goodbye to frizz with this award-winning gel that is infused with ceramides and defines curls with a strong, long-lasting hold. Designed for extreme humidity, this helps to bring hod and definition to finer curls with a crunch-free finish. The combination of sericin, anti-frizz nano technology, and molecules works to protect your curls in any climate.
Best Hair Butter for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer
Innersense is here to bring your curls inner peace with their whipped creme texturizer that focuses on hold, separation, and texture. As a lightweight texturizing formula with shea butter and bee-friendly honey, you can look forward to flexible and defined waves. For type 2 waves and finer curls, this is a very moisturizing formula that protects from humidity, and elimination frizz, and flyaways.
Best Refresher Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls+ Flaxseed Curl Refresher Mist
As an Aloe Vera-focused product, this curl-defining mist can deliver perfect hydration for type 2 waves. Maui created a lightweight conditioning spray that is vegan, silicone-free, and works to invigorate flat and dull curls without weighing them down. The tropical blend of coconut water, flaxseed oil, and aloe vera is an excellent combination for fine to medium curls that need an extra boost between wash days.
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment
As the #1 anti-frizz treatment that waterproofs your hair to stop frizz even in the worst humidity, it’s no secret why type 2 wavies love this product while applying heat or just wearing their waves loose. This advanced formula leaves hair super glossy, glassy, and ultra-smooth with humidity-blocking technology that stops moisture from ruining your style especially when you’re out in the heat. It’s an ultra-light spray, doubles as a heat protectant, and can last through 3-4 shampoos.
Best Heat Protectant for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil for Curly Hair
The moisture lock curl mist with jojoba oil is rich in Vitamin E and helps to detangle and define curls. As a hairspray, it protects against heat and allows you to use a variety of hot tools without any damage. It can be sprayed evenly on dry, styled hair and used as a finisher to help hold your style throughout the day.
Best Hair Oil for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil
Pattern Beauty is coming through with a jojoba oil blend that type 2 wavies love for its super lightweight and oil residue-free blend. Ingredients like safflower oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and lavender oil help low-porosity hair that prevents damaged hair by reducing breakage. You can massage this oil into your scalp to help with pesky problems like itchiness, soothe dandruff, and prevent a dry scalp.
Best Hair Growth Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
It’s no secret that this viral sensation dominated all of social media and the haircare aisle for 2022 and it’s certainly given users countless reasons to love this product. Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil is an intensive formula infused with biotin and features more than 30 essential oils and extracts to get curls, coils, kinks, and waves strong and healthy. This multi-faceted oil can be used for braids, weaves, and protective styles to increase longevity and preserve the hair under the scalp. Get ready to smooth split ends, condition dry scalps, and help improve your overall length retention with this all-star oil that won’t disappoint.
Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment
This is a concentrated hair formula that works to protect against breakage and moisturize the curls before any real damage can occur. Your hair will go from dry and brittle to nourished and happy due to the fortifying rice protein complex. It can be used as an intensive treatment as left on overnight with users citing seeing a 60% decrease in hair breakage after just one use. Mixing rosehip oil, algae extract, B vitamins, and rice protein complex can help balance hair hydration and control frizz.
If you’re looking to improve the definition of your waves with any of these products, check out How to Clump Your Waves For Better Definition.
While “Barbie” has been the talk of the town lately, let us not forget we started the summer with “The Little Mermaid”. We were able to revisit this classic Disney film and marvel at the updated storyline and visuals that saw Ariel (Halle Bailey) with bold red locs. We didn’t just see little girls donning the signature mermaid tale but finding creative and bold ways to incorporate mermaid-esque styles into their hair. If you’re looking for inspiration then we’ve got you covered with parents who are killing the curly game with 15 mermaidcore hairstyles that truly bring out their child’s inner mermaid.
IMAGE SOURCE: @social.lenaa
What Is Mermaid Core
MermaidCore takes inspiration from all of the fanatical elements of Mermaids whether it’s beachy waves, pastel highlights, peal-inspired accessories, or any sea-aesthetic materials. The fashion industry has had waves of showing Mermaidcore styles in clothes and accessories, but this rendition of The Little Mermaid widened the conversation about what Mermaidcore could be. Mermaids are mystical creatures which means that the fanatical elements about what they can look like and the styles they wear should be versatile and creative. The hues of colors and seaside variations of Mermaidcore mean there are even more opportunities to get whimsical with your child’s hair.
Whether it’s decadent braids, colorful extensions, or beachy accessories, we’ve seen a wonderful assortment of hairstyles that have transformed curls and coils into their versions of the Disney princess. Many of these items can be purchased at local beauty shops and craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby which has an assortment of beachy accents like seashells, starfish.
Color
IMAGE SOURCE: @mayelinrosario_
IMAGE SOURCE: @meish_miri
IMAGE SOURCE: @designedbyjahiya
IMAGE SOURCE: @bonnie_braids
IMAGE SOURCE:@razzi_boo
Braids
IMAGE SOURCE: @princessaraeah1
IMAGE SOURCE: @t_eraburton
IMAGE SOURCE: @thalia.hairstyles
IMAGE SOURCE: @katclark
Accessories
IMAGE SOURCE: @jfam.ily
IMAGE SOURCE: @ourlovelypak
IMAGE SOURCE: @gabanadahllia
IMAGE SOURCE: @abbys_hairstyle
IMAGE SOURCE: @heybambino_
IMAGE SOURCE: @hblazevic
Which mermaid-inspired hairstyle will you create this season? Let us know in the comments!
Antoinette Hill has been creating game-changing hairstyles for the past 20 years with Hollywood’s top talent. As a licensed cosmetologist and hair extension specialist she innovates and creates intricate hairstyles that have adorned the red carpet, magazine covers, fashion runways, and the small screen. Her specialization in weaving and extension techniques has allowed her to bring her client’s visions to life with box braids, sleek looks, and fishtail ponytails.
As one of the most sought-after celebrity stylists, her impressive portfolio with stars like Michaela Coel, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Law Roach, and Zendaya. We sat down to chat with Antoinette about her glamorous work with Zendaya and how to keep your curls frizz-free this summer.
What or who inspired you to become a stylist?
I have always wanted to be a hairstylist ever since I was a little girl. I started with doing cornrows for my older sister every Sunday for the school week.
How long have you been working with Zendaya and what have been notable projects you worked on?
I’ve worked with Zendaya for almost two years. I’ve styled Zendaya’s hair for the Venice Film Festival, the Cover of W Magazine, the Cover of Vogue Italia, the 2022 Oscar’s, the Cover of Time 100, Lancôme Campaigns, Bulgari Campaign, Smart Water Campaign, and Louis Vuitton Campaign, to name a few.
Photo Credit
If you could share 2-3 of your favorite summer styles she’s worn, what would they be and why?
Zendaya’s bob haircut is truly one of my favorite summer styles. It is a very versatile haircut that can be blown out straight or worn with its natural wavy texture. My other favorite hairstyle is when we add wavy clip-ins for added length. The clip-ins blend seamlessly with her natural wavy curl pattern.
What inspires the summer styles (onscreen or off) that you’ve created for her?
The inspiration for her summer styles is a collaborative effort between Zendaya, her wardrobe stylist, and me. The chosen hairstyle is an accessory that compliments her entire look.
What are the hallmarks of styling curly hair during the summertime?
Styling curly hair during the summertime is made simple once you find the right products to assist with styling. My go-to brand for curly hair is Aunt Jackie’s, which has a wide range of products for all types of curly coily, and wavy textures.
Do you have a few tips in regard to tools or products you want to keep on hand during this season?
Aunt Jackie’s is a staple brand that I use for defining curly patterns and eliminating Frizz. My signature favorites are Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La, Ice Curls, and Frizz Patrol.
Are there common mistakes or missteps you see naturalistas make with their curls doing the summertime?
The key to effortless, movable, frizz-free curls is moisture and serums added to styling routines while the curls/ waves are wet. Also, allowing the hair to dry without disturbing the texture is essential to a beautiful finish.
What advice or tips could give aspiring stylists looking to broaden their range with natural hair?
Stylists looking to broaden their range with natural hair takes lots of practice and observation. My advice is to approach styling natural hair in sections first with freshly cleansed and detangled hair. Then, assess what the end goal is for the texture you’re working with. Have a range of curly texture products available, like serums and curl creams. Lastly, the curl pattern will guide you on which way its natural direction wants to flow.
In honor of National Hair Loss Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the importance and impact that hair loss has on our daily lives. Alopecia is a common disease that directly attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. However, there is a specific type of alopecia that directly affects people with natural hair because of the way we style our hair. Traction alopecia is a common condition for Black women due to tight and curly spiral hair that can be exasperated when wearing tight braids. Protective styles like cornrows, extensions, weaves, buns, and dreadlocks create constant tension on your scalp and potentially damage your hair follicles. Once the hair follicles are damaged it makes it harder for your hair to grow back which can lead to permanent hair loss. It can also be caused by certain hair accessories like elastic headbands, sports helmets, and relaxers which change the structure of your hair shaft
Am I Experiencing Traction Alopecia?
Traction alopecia can occur anywhere on the scalp and can look like broken hair around your forehead, receding hairlines, and any patches of hair loss where your hair is pulled tightly. If you have tight or protective hairstyles on a regular basis then you want to start checking for these early signs of hair loss. For some people, it gets to a point where the hair no longer grows back and there is just shiny, bald skin. You don’t want to let it get to this point because then your hair will not grow back.
Before you start feeling hopeless or panicking, the great thing to know is Traction alopecia is preventable and reversible in some stages. We spoke with Yetty Bames who has been a full service beauty artist (hair, makeup, brows, lashes, and fashion styling) since she was 15. She has been professionally working on set and in salons since 2009. She worked exclusively with models from 2009-2011, MIZU Salon 2011-2013, Garren NYC 2013-2015, John Barrett 2015-2020, Sharon Dorram 2020-current and currently works at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon.
What Is Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by consistent heat to scalp damage, incorrect chemical processes, hair pulling, and tightness to the hair follicle. Over time, tight ponytails, tight extensions, heavy locs, and tight braids can contribute to scalp sensitivity, hair breakage, and permanent hair loss.”
Is this more common with specific hair textures/types vs. others?
Traction alopecia was considered most prevalent amongst African American/ Black women or women with coarse/ coily textured hair. We now know that traction alopecia can affect anyone, male/ female from any background who puts considerable tension onto their scalp consistently over time.
What are the symptoms or signs of Traction Alopecia?
Traction alopecia is also noticeable when hair easily breaks or becomes miniaturized around the hairline and in the middle of the scalp where the hair is most sensitive. When any of these symptoms are identified, going to the dermatologist for a scalp test requires immediate action. A visual scalp test or a biopsy may be done depending on the hair loss degree.
Is Traction Alopecia preventable or reversible?
Traction alopecia is reversible and preventable if the symptoms are detected early on and if a hairstyle change is made. The symptoms of traction alopecia can be mild to intense scalp soreness, follicle bumps, tenderness, and inflammation.
What are your recommendations for products or tools to help treat it?
Topical scalp antibiotics like clobetasol may be prescribed for mild traction alopecia. For severe scalp pain and sensitivity, cortisone injections in conjunction with topical antibiotics may be necessary to slow down the progression of the traction alopecia. If all else fails and there is permanent hair loss, hair transplant and custom wigs are an option.
If you are experiencing Traction alopecia then we recommend a few steps you can take on your own before heading to a doctor. You can start avoiding any tight hairstyles, changing your hairstyle each week, and limiting any use of relaxers or chemical products on your head. You can also purchase hair growth products to help restore any thinning hair.
Holy Curls is a London-born haircare brand looking to innovate, inspire, and change the direction of curly conversation with its Curls 2.0 Campaign. Founder Badria Ahmed used her experience growing up in Sweden as the motivation to break myths and misconceptions about hair type and texture with products that will have big results. As a multi-award winning brand, Holy Curls is clean, vegan, and made with ingredients that will nourish and moisturize the curls like coconut oil, baobab oil, and yucca plant.
We sat down to chat with Badria about her ‘Curls 2.0’ campaign which was born out of the realization that “the way we currently speak to our customers about curl care simply isn’t good enough.” Instead of focusing on curl patterns and using the classic curl typing system to inform how customers should use products, Holy Curls decided to pivot “to bring education to the forefront so that curlies understand their hair holistically – without complicating it or getting too science-y.” The team developed a Curl Routine Finder questionnaire, which will identify a person’s curls by their behavior using different hair products, porosity, density, and thickness. The team is also working with experts to create a new, holistic hair typing system that makes it easy for consumers to learn and understand their curl DNA.
How did living in Sweden impact your haircare education/routine?
That’s really where it all started for me because there was nothing when I grew up in Sweden. I mean, there was not much in general in the market at that time. But in Sweden, there was nothing because there were very few black people with the exception of my own and also Muslims. I covered my hair as well, so it was a complex relationship that I had with my hair but the one who styled it was my mom and she’s Somali. She would put everything in my hair but she didn’t have the education on what would care so. She was just really struggling and I remember when I was 7 I was begging her to chemically perm my hair. her my hair. We bought the perm and it was just for me and I was just so excited that I wouldn’t have to worry about it.
Where did you find the resources to help you care for your hair as you grew up?
I moved to Australia when I was 21 and perms did not exist at all and I was searching for this product so I was like, you know, at that point you’re an addict like you don’t know what to do. Australia was hot and humid and I didn’t know what to do with it. I started researching and I just knew that natural was the way to go and no one needed to tell me that.
I knew that oils would work on my hair because we used to use oils on our bodies. Yeah, we didn’t do it in our hair. It just made sense for me to go that route and I didn’t need to go and buy products because I could put together the ingredients myself. I used aloe vera, coconut, and olive oil, and I started researching on the composition and the structure of my hair type.
The information was more kind of a scientific education because back then we didn’t have YouTube.That’s how I discovered and fell in love with the whole natural movement just going away from the synthetic and that’s carried over into the vision I had for Holy Curls.
What was missing from your haircare products that inspired you to create your brand?
No one cared about branding and making the packaging look nice. You know, if it was for black people you’d see big letters or all these colors. I was working as a copywriter with creative teams, and understood the importance of aesthetics for example skincare brands were much further ahead in obtaining the eye of the customer. It felt like no one was looking at the full picture of, you know, high-performing products that you want to put in your space. When I came to London we had these big beauty stores with only wigs and weaves everywhere and haircare products on some shelves. There and just like, oh, my God, what is this? It just didn’t feel right or sustainable to me. You know things have changed today, but when I was researching and developing the idea for the brand I didn’t have much to work with.
Do you feel hair typing limits or expands our understanding of natural hair?
I think in the beginning it expanded because it created a conversation and before that, there wasn’t any real way to discuss our different hair types. There wasn’t a wider conversation or a mainstream conversation, so it did help to create that understanding and health education along in ways but today it’s very limiting. You know, it’s just not good enough today because we know that hair typing isn’t the most important aspect of hair care.
Why do you think porosity isn’t discussed with the same weight as hair type/texture?
I think about who started the whole prototyping conversation and he was linked to Oprah Winfrey and was named Andre Walker. He was a celebrity and he started the conversation and it took off because of the platform he had. If someone with the same influence as Oprah Winfrey started talking about porosity it could curb the conversation in mainstream media. Overall, I think it’s just a lack of education and laziness from brands that just go along with what’s already out there.
What products do you recommend for first-time users?
Holy Curls is a brand built on simplicity and we have six to seven across the brand so it’s not like all these products that will overwhelm the customer. Everybody in my opinion should wash their hair so the shampoo would be a great start. The cream is a bestseller because it’s super moisturizing that can be used across the board with fine and wavy hair all the way to coily types. It’s very slippery as well and for me, this has been missing from creams because you know they’re moisturizing but I want slip, not just in my conditioner, but also in my cream.
The Curls 2.0 Finder on the website shows people a quiz they can take and it asks you a few questions about your hair, about how it behaves, and all of that, and then builds a profile. You also get a step-by-step routine about how to use the products and that’s personalized for that particular texture type. I’ve seen a lot of quizzes online and a lot of a lot of them recommend products that they will tell you how to use I think the most important part is understanding how to use the product for your hair type. It’s just like taking it that one step further and just putting a bit more effort into actually educating people and that it has been missing on the paths that we want to change.
What is the hero ingredient of your brand and why did you choose it?
The baobab oil. I was traveling in Africa when I was working on Holy Curls and just understood the creation of so many ingredients. It was amazing to see ingredients for skin, hair, and build up and oil was one of them. I was traveling in Madagascar and you see these big beautiful baobab trees and the communities that all live in these areas get so much from the ingredients. Every part of this tree can be used for something and the oil that they create they extract the the food is incredible. It’s called the Tree of Life and that’s the one ingredient we’ve got across all the products.
Did you have entrepreneurial mentors or guides that supported you?
I would love to say that I did, but that wasn’t the case. When I grew up, my family owned a restaurant, so running a business was always something that I had experience with in addition to when I was working for other companies. I felt I knew that I wanted to create something for myself, but I didn’t know what that was. When I started working on all the components to create a brand and a product all the little things had to come together right? It was just learning the industry as a whole and the lingo, like a minimum order quantity, and with the Curls 2.0 movement, this is an entirely new initiative. We just launched it a couple of months ago and we’re trying to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach to the paths and we must educate ourselves because there are just very basic things that will just help us.
You know, you don’t have to go to the specialist you can, it’s great, but you can you know you don’t have to because you can do it yourself and it’s not that hard if you do your research. What we’re trying to do as a brand is make that research part easier for people and to give that value to people that they don’t have to, you know, look somewhere else to to figure out how to do this with our products. We’re moving away from the old curl charts that box us into narrow spaces and put an emphasis on valuing education.
Read next: How To Condition High Porosity Hair – And KEEP It Moisturized
Knotless braids have been a mainstay of protective styles since Janet Jackson donned them in “Poetic Justice” and have only evolved from there. This braided style is popular because they are lightweight and can reduce tension on the scalp. Unlike box braids, they use a feed-in method that blends with your natural hair versus incorporating extension at the beginning of the braid. They can be used with short, medium, and long hair and used in a variety of styles like Bohemian, bun, waist length, half up/down, jumbo, goddess, and more.
If you have ever been interested in learning more about knotless braids, we’ve secured the experts to give you all the details. Swella Beauty is a black woman-owned luxury braid bar in Atlanta, Georgia setting a new standard for the braid experience. They take the guesswork out of protective styles whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer with efficient services that are fast, luxurious, and educational. We sat down to get the 411 from their stylists about knotless braided styles, maintenance, and best practices.
What are knotless braids?
“Knotless braids are a great protective style in which hair extensions are gradually braided into
the hair” says Swella Stylist Gabrielle Wood, “very similar to traditional box braids, but without the knot at the base.” “The technique used creates a more natural look with a lot less tension [than box braids]” shares Swella Stylist Chantelle Clay “Nowadays with the way everyone is caring for their natural
curls, less tension is always better. Knotless came in about 5+ years ago and really changed the
game” says Clay.
What are the benefits of wearing knotless braids?
Zanbria Asante, Swella Founder, says “Knotless braids have less tension on the scalp but also in my opinion look neater than the traditional knotless braids. You’re able to do versatile styles to your braids immediately after installation, without feeling the braids are stiff or uncomfortable.” She started wearing knotless braids about four years ago. “With traditional box braids, I constantly felt the tightness for at least five days after getting them installed, and after 15 years of dealing with this, I was excited to try out a different method of receiving braids.”
Stylist Chantelle Clay likes how lightweight and flexible they are, “The same day, if installed correctly they can be worn in a top knot bun or a ponytail.” They also last weeks longer than box braids because of how they are installed. “Perfect for all ages during summer break and warmer seasons” Clay says.
Why do stylists like knotless braids?
“As a stylist, I absolutely love knotless braids because they look sleek and sexy, and I know I am
contributing to saving edges one client at a time” shares Wood. Clay agrees, “knotless braids are saving the girls’ edges all over the world!” They typically receive little to no complaints in regard to knotless braids being too tight or too heavy.
“Some of the best benefits of wearing knotless braids are how easily you can access your scalp and strands for oiling and maintaining the moisture and health of your hair” says Wood. “It is also a low-tension style that allows a lot of versatility for changing up your look. The best part is waking up for weeks without worrying about what to do to your hair!”
What are the best practices for maintaining knotless braids?
Zanbria Asante: It’s important to still show your hair love while wearing braids. Try your best to wear a scarf or bonnet to bed. For those who are active, I recommend putting your braids in one or two big braids or putting them in a bun while working out. Make sure when taking a shower to wear a shower cap, to protect your hair.
Knotless braids are a great hairstyle for outdoor activities, even including water activities. We recommend picking your favorite moisturizer and mousse to refresh your braids after water touches them, this will help with the frizziness.
Chantelle Clay: The best practice for maintaining knotless braids is to number one PUT ON THAT BONNET! Or scarf, or Durag, or whatever it is that you tie your hair down with. Making sure your hair is
protected while you sleep is very important but also protecting your hair while you shower is
important too, especially with knotless braids. Also, don’t be afraid to wash your edges and oil
your scalp at least once a week. Product build-up can be harmful to your edges and nobody’s
scalp should be dry while you have such easy access to it.
Zanbria Asante: We offer braid touch-ups at Swella for those who want to keep their braids in for an extra two weeks. Braid touch-ups provide a fresh look by getting the front and back touched up in half the time of a regular braid service. After six weeks with braids, we recommend coming in for a braid takedown and wash and blowdry before moving on to another style!
How do you maintain boho knotless braids?
Gabrielle Wood: Boho hair can be maintained by spraying on a leave-in conditioner, followed by an oil of your choice. To maintain frizz, a mousse or foam wrap may be used as well. Finger detangling occasionally is also helpful.
Chantelle Clay: To maintain those beautiful boho braids I recommend detangling curls after you have applied a generous amount of leave-in conditioner. You will probably need to detangle twice a day, morning and night. Once you detangle at night put your braids in 2-4 twists and put that bonnet on. The twist won’t prevent tangling but will make your detangling in the morning a lot less stressful.
Who are celebrities with good examples of knotless braids?
Chantelle Clay: Celebrities with good examples of knotless braids are Gabrielle Union, Jhene Aiko, Keke
Palmer, & of course the Iconic BEYONCÉ (shoutout to my fellow beyhive!)
Gabrielle Wood: When looking for braid inspiration I frequently check out Eva Marcille, Gabrielle Union, and Tia Mowry. Sophisticated, sexy, and cool is the vibe I get when seeing the styles they step on the
scene with.
Are you ready to book an appointment for knotless braids? Have you tried them before? Let us know in the comments!
PROUDLY is the first baby brand specifically designed for Black and Brown babies and was created by Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade. After the birth of their daughter Kaavia, they were inspired to examine the products and ingredients used in melanated skin. As clean and functional baby products the Wades worked with dermatologists of color to reimagine how they could support and provide quality products to families of color. This September PROUDLY expands its line of skincare and baby products to include haircare. Their debut collection will include a shampoo, detangler, and two different conditioners to soften and hydrate natural hair textures. We sat down with the PROUDLY team ahead of the September retail release to discuss the origins of the haircare line, baby haircare, and more!
How would you describe the current landscape of textured hair care for babies?
The baby aisle in mass retailers is filled with 2-in-1 and all-in-one options—Body Wash + Shampoo or Shampoo + Conditioner. The assumption is that because they are babies, the same thing that works on their bodies will work on their hair. For babies with developing textured hair, that isn’t the case. Their curls are delicate and their pattern is still forming. From our research with approximately 500 parents of kids under 5, 20% of parents of Black children don’t ever use a 2-in-1 on their child’s hair or those parents leave the baby aisle for the hair care aisle approximately 2 years before parents of children with non-textured hair. Simply put, baby products have different standards, and bringing textured hair care to the baby aisle with gentle products that meet the needs of developing textured hair should be a priority.
What is the misconception about textured hair care for babies?
The misconception about textured hair care for babies is that since the hair isn’t fully developed into its texture or has less volume combo washes in the baby aisle are going to work. Our babies deserve products that nurture developing coils, curls, and waves. Furthermore, all textured hair is not the same. There have been curly hair products for kids and babies that have hit the baby aisle in mass retailers; however, not all curly hair is the same and the tightest textures are not having their needs met. The same product that is designed for type 3A ringlets cannot meet the needs of type 4C coils. With PROUDLY Hair, we designed a full hair care line focused on the needs of the tightest textures. We have two different conditioners—a medium that is meant for curls and waves and a heavy that is designed for the tightest textures, coils, and curls. Two different weights of conditioners are incredibly common in the adult textured hair aisle, but not in the baby aisle.
What was the ideation behind PROUDLY creating a haircare line?
Baby Hair Care is our number one most asked-about category by our PROUDLY Fam. While we knew the opportunity existed, we knew with hair, we had to do it right and formulate gentle products that work. We had to do our research to understand the needs of both baby hair and textured hair and what parents and caregivers were looking for. We then worked with our consumers to formulate products and test with them at every step. We first created samples and started testing with more developed adolescent hair types in a salon setting. Then when we felt confident with the products, we tested again with children under 5 with type 4 coils and type 3 curls. And of course, all products in the hair care line are Kaavia tested and approved!
How does textured baby hair differ from other hair types?
Similar to how adult textured hair is different from straight hair, textured baby hair is different at different ages and stages, and evolves differently. Textured baby hair needs care, attention, and understanding when it comes to selecting the right products.
Which types of ingredients should be used on baby hair?
Baby hair and scalp are delicate and require gentle cleansers, thoughtful concentrations of functional ingredients, hypoallergenic formulas, and natural scents. Evolving textured baby hair requires all these things, but has more nuanced needs to provide the right moisture to nurture and promote a healthy scalp and the development or growth of coils, curls, and waves. All-in-one or 2-in-1 products are too drying for textured baby hair that requires nutrient-rich, hydrating ingredients and a routine that supports moisture retention. Every PROUDLY Hair Care product has gentle-for-baby, nutrient-rich ingredients that define curls, improve manageability, and nourish the scalp to help promote hair growth.
What are the best practices for new parents applying hair products to their baby’s hair?
When discussing new routines with our babies, we refer to our advising pediatrician, Dr. Heather McGowan. There is a common misconception that babies’ hair shouldn’t be washed in the early days. Before a baby’s umbilical stump falls off, it is still important to gently exfoliate with a soft washcloth because the baby’s skin and scalp slough off and if not exfoliated can clog pores and lead to a cradle cap. If cradle cap occurs, use our Nourishing Hair and Body Oil to break up flakes. In the early days, gentle exfoliation twice a week is recommended and once the baby is older and curls begin to develop or growth comes in, a more nuanced hair routine can be incorporated. Some babies with high volumes of tighter textures at weeks old could benefit earlier than others. We recommend consulting with your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you have a particular concern about when to start with your child.
How do the PROUDLY products create new avenues for baby hair products?
Just like there was a need for creating baby skin care centering the needs of the darkest skin tones with PROUDLY skin care products, there is a need for creating textured hair care centering the needs of the tightest hair textures. We know the products we are launching with are just the beginning of baby textured hair care and look forward to hearing from our PROUDLY Fam on what they want to see from us next.
If you could recommend one product for first-time parents to try, what would it be and why?
We would recommend a programmatic approach to our hair care line as our shampoo, conditioners, and detangler work best together. However, if you want to start with one product from our line as a first-time parent, we recommend checking out our conditioners. Evaluate your baby’s hair type and volume and decide between our Moisturizing Medium Conditioner for Curls and Waves or our Nourishing Heavy Conditioner for Coils and Curls, which could be a good start to add to your existing routine.
Are you ready to upgrade your baby’s haircare routine with PROUDLY products? Let us know in the comments!
1. Halo Fro
Image: @naturally_charlette
A round halo cut is flattering on most face shapes and shows off the beauty of the full textured cut. A great way to style this is with a product like coconut oil that will provide plenty of moisture and shine.2. TWA
Image: @jaynellenicole
TWA is a classic short natural hair style that is typically worn after a big chop! This is perfect for giving your hair a refresh after heat damage or a transition from relaxed hair.3. Angular Bob
Image: @vonie_boo
The angled bob is a haircut that is typically shorter in the back and transitions to a longer length in the front. This is definitely a new twist on a classic curly cut that is flattering, edgy, and easy to style.4. Pixie Cut
Image: @twinsunisexsalontheglambar
The curly pixie cut is a short natural haircut that is cropped into layers and has a tousled effect on the coils. They are a fun, low maintenance style that allows you to embrace your texture in its full glory while serving volume and definition.5. Shape Up
Image: @theloftmedford
If you already have a signature style that you enjoy, don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for a shape up! This is a great way to revive your current style or for your stylist to get creative and reshape your hair based on new trends or hair goals.6. Tapered Cut With Fade
Image: @beautywithbj
Tapered haircuts are short and trendy and showcase your texture by bringing attention to the hair being longer at the top and shorter on the sides. Incorporating the fade along the side gives an added style to the cut, but keep in mind it does have to be upkept every few weeks as the hair grows out.7. Afro
Image
Short afro hairdos are an eye-catching cut that complement thick and coiled curls. The afro is a classic hairstyle that can be worn as full or short as possible and compliments many face shapes.8. Tapered Cut W/Design Accents
Image: @juliedavette
When rocking a tapered cut you should always be open to versatility and creativity that comes with this dynamic cut. Many barbers love to include accent designs and signature lines to the sides of the cut to give it additional edge.9. Layered Afro
Image: @mckenzie_renae
Layering your coils and kinks is an excellent way to create the illusion of fullness or thickness. This is a popular way of creating versatile shapes that frame the face and allow for the cut to still be visible as they grow out.10. Pompadour
Cut and color by @kennycolesalon on @mariahmartin67
If you are looking for a bold and fresh way to rock short hair, look no further than the chic pompadour. This look is very versatile for curlies who may already have short hair and need a refresh. In addition it can be worn with a dry or wet curly look for more definition.11. Fresh Fade
Image: @mahogany.xploher
A fresh fade is viewed as another “big chop” which is a great way to start your hair growth anew and give your scalp some much needed TLC. Fades can be styled with color, accent designs, or edge ups in order to give them a better shape and definition.12. Blunt Bangs
Image: @korluhairartist
Bangs are a commitment regardless of the type of texture you have, but blunt bangs are a great way to add some style to your everyday hairstyle. They can be worn curly or straight and and worn with a variety of styles.13. Curly Top Fade
Image: @sabrinakvictor
This stunning style is a great way to wear your curls uptop and shaped with a short to medium fade along the sides. You can wear your hair with as much definition and volume as you’d like depending how high your cut is.14. Fro Hawk
Image: @iam.tiffany.renee
Frohawks are a popular hairstyle in the natural hair community because they can be cut or styled with any hair texture. They can be cut as long or short as the customer would like and are meant to maximize the definition of the hair.15. Bowl Cut
Image: @jess_salonlola
This signature cut is making a triumphant return with a little added curly twist. The bowl cut is a great low maintenance style that allows for the versatility of length and growth.
Step into the world of science, research, and health with co-founders Anne Cheatham, MSN CRNA, and Christine Martey-Ochola, PHD who are on a mission to create healthy and well-nourished hair with NUELE . These organic and natural products were created without harsh chemical relaxers or keratin treatments to help improve manageability and hair growth. They launched in March 2020 with just one product – the Hair Serum – which became an instant hit, and soon after launched the Hydrating Hair Mask, Brow Serum, and Nighttime Scalp Serum.
NUELE products are 100% natural and organic, sustainable, Fair Trade, and free of Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetics, and Artificial Fragrances. Additionally, the brand uses ingredients that are responsibly sourced from Ghana and Morocco to help drive the local economy. As a brand looking to set a new standard for clean beauty the 100% natural and organic products include rich ingredients like shea, jojoba oil, clary sage, baobab oil, and black currant oil. We chatted with Christine to learn more about the science behind NUELE and the benefits the products have on textured hair.
How did you and your founder’s background in biochemistry influence how you approach creating a new hair care line?
We did a lot of research in the cancer field and in the health field and have always been very interested in identifying various ways in which people are exposed to substances that are not good for their health. You know, sense improves the way people navigate hair care, especially from a healthy perspective. We’ve brought together our research background and our interest in health into hair and how do we ensure that as we move forward, we continue to put the health of anyone who’s using the world from from center?
What would you say inspired you to create not only an inorganic but natural hair care line?
When you buy a product that’s stated as being organic, but it’s 100% organic often at least within our U.S. market if you have products for 75%. We wanted to be able to distinguish ourselves in that regard. We can mitigate inflammation and reactions to ingredients that our body is not familiar with and we decided to lean into natural because there’s a higher probability that at least our bodies have been exposed to these natural products in some shape or form. It’s really the intention around being as clean as both organic and natural are great options for users who are looking for these types of products.
How does using a scientific method to formulate your products make them better than what’s currently on the market?
A key factor is really trying to understand how natural products work together outside of working together from a chemical perspective, and how we interact with our hair. We’ve spent years studying not only the science behind the ingredients we use but also how they interact with one another and then interact with our scalp. That scientific method around identifying what would work well in what type of capacity, in what concentration, why should we make products that are more highly concentrated than others? People are looking for products that they’re buying that are natural and yet the market is oversaturated with products stating they are organic. I suppose they wanna put this product that was organic from natural but it just doesn’t seem to perform as maybe all the synthetic ones out there. The science for us is really around saying how we get to a point where we can still authentically use organic and natural ingredients that perform.
Can you discuss and share the everyday activities or processes that are happening for natural hair that damage hair bonds?
Some of them naturally occur from activities would be things as insufficient hydration which interferes with the strength of our hair. Hydration is a critical component but there’s that component of ingesting the water but also ensuring that our products have hydration components to them. Other things that interfere with our hair would be things like blow drying without protecting your hair because the heat causes bonds to break using chemicals that are straighteners. When our hair strand is optimized that way there’s less chance of breakage when we pull our hair, when we brush our hair. How do you get our hair to a point where when we pull metal brush it, we’re not losing too much? Part of why we end up losing a lot of hair is our bonds. It might be that would either use products that interrupt the strength of our hair or maybe they’re just lifestyle things that we’re doing. People use very, very strong shampoos, right? We’ve really been playing with and working towards just building products that will allow for those bonds that are the most important to increase hair integrity so that we can have healthy hair.
What has been a hallmark moment in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
I would say for us it’s having our customers come back to us with the feedback that “You know my hair is better because of your products or I continue to buy your products because I’m literally seeing that without them my hair just does not get the nourishment that it needs.” To be able to get that validation from people who are using our products authentically with others is significant validation for me. When I think about what it takes to make natural products and still arrive at that performance level for people who maybe have have gotten a little concerned about. Can we actually find value in these types of products from a performance perspective? That’s critical for us.
What product do you recommend for first-time users?
I would recommend the Shampoo and Conditioner, and Nuele Hair Serum Combo. If a person has curly dry hair, I would recommend the Detangler and Shea Moisturizer combo.
Will there be any additional launches or products this year?
We plan on launching an eyelash serum later this year.
Check out: 20 Black Owned Natural Hair Products To Add To Your Regimen
Say hello to Pardon My Fro, a brand that is fierce, funky, and crafted to help women embrace their hairstyle and heritage. Created by graphic designer turned CEO Dana Bly, Pardon My Fro™ is an exclusive lifestyle brand that includes haircare, home decor, bags, and signature apparel including illustrative kimonos crafted specifically for women proud of their hair and their heritage. This year Dana expanded her brand into Pardon My Fro’s hair assortment which includes: Moisturizing Hair Milk, Curl Enhance Conditioner, Detangler Leave-In Conditioner, Edge Slayer, Mousse, and Growth Oil. We sat down with Dana to chat about creating her first haircare line, her experience as a designer, and her entrepreneurial journey.
How did your experience as a graphic designer impact how you approached the versatility of textured hair?
I think when I first started designing, I literally probably self-consciously was always designing tight curls because my hair was sporty. It wasn’t until I learned about different textures of hair and got inspiration from my friends that I expanded my designs. I realized that natural hair comes in all different shapes and sizes and I feel like it definitely changed over the years. If you see a design from like 2010 versus now, you’ll definitely see some versatility in that.
How did your entrepreneurial journey inspire you to create your latest fellowship for start-ups?
I was very excited to be able to do this partnership with Bethany Baptist Church when they approached me for the experience I felt like it was right on time. I’ve been in the industry for eleven years and I remember how difficult it was starting out. How I wanted to do things and I couldn’t because of finances and resources. Understanding where to start and who to talk to is half the battle. I remember when I needed to connect with a bag manufacturer and learn how to bring the design to the product and determine what should it look like. I struggled at the beginning to try to find my niche. Resources, operational support, and money were definitely the top three challenges I needed to take this journey to the next level.
Your brand features apparel, home decor, and bags; which products did you create first and why?
I started designing prints first because it was the most cost-efficient, I could print at home, using my printer to save money, so it was a no-brainer. First, as I started selling my prints and going to different vending shows, I started looking at what other brands were selling there. I was there with my parents, and I was proud of that, but then I saw T-shirts and mugs. I think I fell into being a lifestyle brand by accident because I was basically gearing up for what my customers were telling me. If they’re like oh, I have your artwork on the wall, but I would love to be able to have your brand out on the street with me as a travel bag, sweatshirt, and t-shirt.
Overall, I was just listening to my customer base and transformed into a lifestyle, and I felt like the art that I was designing could easily transition to a variety of lifestyle pieces. I was always into interior design, always changing my bed and my wall space every season. but it was very expensive to do. I started with the prints and then gave myself the freedom to venture into home decor so then I transitioned into mugs.
What have you learned from creating your first collection?
When I worked with the chemist, I really wanted to make sure that whatever we did, it was just going to be focused on hydration and moisture had to be the key. I built the hair care line based on my experiences of being a type 4C. I felt like my hair never got washed, moisturized enough, and never got hydrated enough. My scalp was always so dry, so I examined all the brands that I knew worked for me. I’ve brought it back to the chemist and said, well, these are the ingredients that work for me. It was very intentional for me to make sure that anything that we put out, that it definitely has hydration.
What have you learned from creating your first hair care collection?
I’m still learning. We launched in Walmart in February and the overall experience has been great. I always never want to complain about anything and take everything in stride. When I started out I was really nervous because I felt like it was already being done right because the brands that I was using for my hair were still very successful. It really took me about a month to sit on the idea with my partners came to me with the challenge to determine how I could make myself different in the market. I’m an artist first and that’s the difference that you’re going to see in my brand is that I am an artist first and this hairstyle line is an extension of my passion and how I connect with my customers.
I’m learning about the business side of dealing with retailers and what customers like and just recently had my first experience at a natural hair show. When you have something like a brand baby, you just want to protect it, so you want to ensure that you’re doing the right things.
The journey definitely has had its ups and downs, but I’ve really been enjoying it.
What is your favorite product out of the entire collection and what are your recommendations for using it?
In the beginning, it was the hair milk because it’s a heavy cream, but it’s very moisturizing, and hydrating. Recently, our Edge Boss won the Pop Sugar Beauty Award for Best Edge Control of the Year which my daughter used frequently because she was always wearing braids. This has become my favorite because it smells good, it’s compact, and travel-friendly.
How have you seen the natural haircare landscape evolve since you started your business in 2010?
2012 was when the natural hair movement kind of got started, so I’ve seen it all and I’ve been to all the hair shows. I think the biggest difference I’ve seen is really utilizing influencers because even back then before there was even that word influencer I feel like we had the OG influences, but they just weren’t titled that. I wanted someone to be able to use the product, for them to be genuine, and I didn’t want it to be like a business transaction.
People were really tired of putting perms and chemicals in their hair at that point, and so I’m glad to see that it’s grown so much. I’m just excited to be part of it now and to be in that whole journey with them, because I was just doing natural hair art back then, just trying to keep up with the differences and the changes.
Will you be adding the Pardon My Fro products to your shelf this year? They recently expanded the haircare line with the brand’s first set of hair tools this summer!
Check out: 20 Black Owned Natural Hair Products To Add To Your Regimen
Innovation and haircare meet for a new type of haircare experience with Our X. This first-to-market platform for highly textured hair is on a mission to create a new standard for tighter textures and scalp care. OurX does not just provide products, but a full experience that includes an in-depth assessment, education, and hair coaching for textured hair. Comprised of industry experts such as CEO Meghan Maupin, celebrity stylist, Johnny Wright, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenna Lester, OurX is customizing and tailoring solutions for your specific haircare needs. The OurX products are prescriptive and thoughtfully developed based on the state of hair, length, and what is needed to create the healthiest strands and scalp based on common concerns with textured hair.
We sat down to chat with Ceci Kurzman who has a rich career in business, investment and serves as one of the few Black, female board members who set out to create a platform that would reach the folks who have been left behind in the hair aisle and the DTC and premium CPG experiences. Via OurX, Ceci has a vision of ushering in a new standard of premium hair health and care in the Black hair care industry with the hopes of removing barriers to access exceptional, premium hair care for those with tightly textured hair.
You originally come from a music background, what piqued your interest in getting involved in the haircare industry?
I was inspired by three things, First I’m a consumer and I fall into the category of spending the equivalent of a mortgage on my hair and never felt confident in my ability to understand and take care of my hair. I thought it was just me and I learned through this process over the years that not only is it not just me, but it’s an overwhelming number of people. Coming from the music industry, I’ve worked with a lot of women and artists of color in the pop and pop urban artist development sector for 20 years. A lot of my interests in these other categories really came with challenges we ran into working and developing artists, and this was a big one.
When you become more established you can hire hairstylists like Kim Kimble and always look great because you have, hair and wigs that travel in first-class seats. However, it just was hard even for the artists themselves and certainly, for people who looked up to and aspired to understand how to maintain and manage your hair properly over time. In many cases you’ve never seen a real artist’s hair and if you had you’d be shocked because of the wear and tear and beat down that that hair takes even with all of the experts that you have at your disposal.
What was the ideation behind OurX?
The ideation for OurX came from knowing our consumer is interacting with brands at the highest touch level whether that’s music, film, and television. You’re driving share of wallet and I’d love to see that happen in the beauty category by doing that, you give Access to a customer and give them preference. Baba from Ceremonia said, “At what point do we not get the benefit of preference?” You allow us to choose from a wide range of things that’s not just products, that’s offerings with different price points, distribution channels, and ingredient stories. It’s not that we don’t have great products in the market we do we should have more. We should have more and different and you know give more founders and entrepreneurs room and resources to introduce things into the market because you can’t say we don’t want it if you never allow us to have it exactly right.
What inspired the name?
I was trying to find something that hit on a few categories: community, innovation, and personalization. Community is something of ours and inclusion, hence the X. If you say “OurX”, it also sounds prescriptive, like a prescription. It also speaks to innovation when you’re talking about prescription grade and science speaks to innovations.
As a businesswoman, what did you feel was missing from the haircare market for the Black consumer?
I think what’s missing is preference. What drove me as an investor was to try and find table stakes and business models that we talked about, e-commerce, data-driven, sustainable, sort of key pillars in any modern brand. I wanted to find the brand in this category that pulled on all those levers and I had a hard time finding them. I was having a hard time finding anything that had data at its roots, one was Texturized, Candace. She was instrumental in helping us build the foundations of OurX and how the algorithm would work just by being able to use data to demonstrate how strong this consumer is. I could say anecdotally we spend more on hair, hair in terms of products and services in the general market and I don’t think anybody who lives in this world would disagree with that.
When I turned around to look for where is the facts and data it was really hard to find. I look at a brand like Olaplex, which was not marketed to this customer and is now in many cases being driven by this customer. I think the only way to solve that is to build a really strong data set and that’s where it started. We hope to build enough data to be able to publish a data index at the end of the year that just underscores this point. I think the data also refines what we’re able to offer to the individual consumer. We may all be a community, but we’re also individuals who all have different needs when it comes to hair care, and that is based on the actual attributes of your hair and scalp, your genetics, or your lifestyle.
How did using data allow you to enhance your brand offerings?
We’ve developed an interactive assessment that determines so much more than just your texture, it examines how porous your strands are. If you don’t know, here’s how to figure it out so that in the process you’re also understanding your hair and scalp and your needs better. The premise of OurX is no two heads are alike and we want to zero in on the individual and give each individual a plan and a regimen that works for them and is going to yield results for them.
We’re super proud of our product and this is designed from the ground up with the 4C texture in mind so that you’re getting high-performance design for you. Other people can use it, but that is the core consumer which is developed for. We’re highly focused on more than a wash day, but what you do every day in between because you know that’s where folks are either reaching goals or falling behind.
How does the personalized approach for each consumer help with the spectrum of haircare concerns they could be facing?
The way we design it for somebody may need intervention from one of our dermatologists because they’re facing issues versus someone else who may have very different needs and just need to know how to develop care that suits their lifestyle. It’s a combination of taking in the data and then curating product usage, but then more importantly than the products themselves, what to use how frequently in combination with what and what to do every day in between.
So we’re sort of the expert in your pocket at night or in the afternoon to learn how you need to style your hair so you’re not putting too much tension on it, even if you haven’t washed it for a few days. Every single plan is going to be a little bit different and there’s the intervention of the. coach, expert stylist, trichologist, and dermatologist when needed to supplement that. It’s a combination of art and science with a personalized stream of content. The content, types of products, and expert support are all going to be designed around the data. I think that the wave of personalization is getting more and more and more sophisticated, certainly with AI, it’s going to get more sophisticated.
The brand includes a muti-tiered approach of a plan and experts, how did you select which industry experts to partner with?
Johnny Wright has been a partner in crime since the early ideation of OurX many years ago and in some part the inspiration because when he was working with the Obama girls their hair was healthy, strong, thick, and long. A couple of years later I asked him how he did that because you know our platform is not about style, it’s ultimately focused on health. When I started talking to Johnny about that, he started educating me and we started pulling the ideas together of how we inform with hair health in mind, not as product-focused but how to care for the hair and scalp.
Jenna Lester came on board recently because she is a Harvard-educated certified dermatologist who has huge practice out of a major tier-one hospital. She developed an entire hospital sector specifically focused on melanin, rich hair, and skin. I am not an expert. I am a customer and I’m learning every day myself. When I first met Johnny, I didn’t know what my hair texture was and they’ve been teaching me ever since and I was like, “Wow, if everybody had the benefit of these folks teaching them and telling them about their hair, it’s like, it’s amazing how quickly you learn to do it for yourself.” I certainly was not confident and was petrified to go near my hair myself if I couldn’t find my stylist.
Your products include a recyclable and reusable option, why was that important to you to include in the marketing?
We had the benefit of not coming from this industry and being able to canvas the industry a little bit to see not just the consumer problems that needed to be solved but what else wasn’t happening in the category. There are brands doing much more on sustainability than we are, but there’s a baseline any brand today has to live up to. Whether it’s cleaning products or other consumer goods, you know refillable options are going to become standardized.
What would you say is your hero ingredient or product from this line?
One of the things that we wanted to focus on was scalp care. We’re doing 10-step regimens on our faces these days and yet our scalp is just supposed to get the residue from the shampoo. Now we’re learning how to apply some oils but the scalp gets as much attention in terms of pre-cleansing cleanse. When it comes to what we’re trying to do, which is health, growth, thickness, and luster, and all the things that are signatures of hair health and that all emanate from the scalp.
Instead of creating multiple different conditioners, we have a hero mask which is rich and incredibly effective. We have boosters that mix in with the mask, for example, once every six weeks you might want to mix in a protein or moisture. You’ll be able to add different elements to it given whatever your needs are on that particular treatment day.
What can we look forward to from OurX in the future?
We intentionally launched with treatment because we wanted to spend a good amount of time on just the foundation of care. We play with the data to refine the individual regimen, but we are excited to come out with stylers soon. We’re a treatment-first brand, so you won’t have edge care that doesn’t have active ingredients to heal, repair, and strengthen your hairline. You’re not going to have anything whose preliminary function is not to either repair or protect the hair and scalp.
We’re focused on making the digital tool that reflects the individual so we hope that continues to get better where each individual has an expert in their pocket than at any time. Not only could they access a real expert on the other line via chat by scheduling a meeting and getting direct responses, but we can also recommend stylists in your city. We want to be that resource that gives you kind of everything you need in terms of support wherever you are.
