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Rizos Curls has been making waves for Latinas as founder and CEO Julissa Prado continues to light up the natural hair market with innovative products, fresh ingredients, and eye-popping branding. Rizos was the culmination of Julissa spending years trying to love and embrace her textured curls and finding products to help remedy the most basic hair needs. She wanted to create products that would not only help treat common natural hair challenges like frizz and dryness, but also empower customers to truly love and embrace their curls, coils, kinks, and waves. Rizos Curls now spans several hair products, tools, accessories, with clean and natural ingredients that help nourish, hydrate, and moisturize hair. Customers can be delighted with the brand’s education approach that not only promotes their products but teaches them how to use them functionally in their everyday hair styling. We spoke with Julissa to discuss the brand’s impactful messaging on culture, products, and the newest trends for the year.
Which Latinx beauty pioneers inspired you growing up?
Selena and Jennifer Lopez were my two biggest Latina beauty idols growing up.
One of your biggest rollouts featured a collaboration with Thalia, why was having a Latinx celebrity important for your brand?
Working with a Latina celebrity was important to me because I always want to shine a light and uplift Latinx voices. However, what was more important to me with the Thalia collaboration was to tell the story of her curl love journey. First, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d get a phone call from Thalia to help bring her curls back to life. Thalia, like many people, had been looking to revive her natural curls and waves and enhance the health of her hair from past heat damage. So, Thalia and I worked closely to be able to share a regimen with people to give them the steps to revive and nourish their beautiful curls and maintain a healthy scalp and hair.
You remain so dedicated to community and culture with your online customer base, why is it important for you as founder to provide that visibility?
The very heart and DNA of Rizos Curls is Curls, Community and Culture. Everything we do – from the products we develop, to our marketing campaigns, to how we/I show up on social – revolves around those three Cs. We exist to empower our online customer base and beyond to uplift and celebrate Curls, Community and Culture. It’s important for me to uphold those three C’s because that’s where the representation we seek lies in.
Read more about Rizos Curls’ origin story.
Rizos Curls social media is integral to the marketing of the brand by giving clever, witty, and relatable content that reflects the Latinx experience, what goes into the ideation of your social content?
As a brand, we’re storytellers first. Whether it’s to educate, inspire, or whatever the message is, we have to be able to tell a story with the product and/or content. The ideation process for us is simple – it’s whatever our community wants. We show up on social media where they are, not where we think we want them to be. The ideas come from our comments, DMs, and emails. We really put ourselves in our community’s shoes and think about how they would want to learn about our products or be entertained by us.
We’re seeing an evolution of more Latinx brands enter the beauty sphere, how is this breaking Latinx beauty tropes?
The rise of Latinx brands is happening thanks to our community now having more access, education and more representation. We’re sharing resources and knowledge. It’s also in part to the combination of the consumer demand and the need to a focus on our unique cultural rituals.
What inspired your newest product the “Volumizing Hair Spray”?
The inspiration for our Volumizing Hair Spray is due to our own customer requests combined with my own need to develop a hair spray that gave hold, volume, and shine without compromising the health of the hair with an alcohol-free formula all while being good for the planet with the non-aerosol mist pump.
For first time users scarred from the hair spray of yesteryears, what are your best hair spray styling tips?
First, you can load up on our Volumizing Hair Spray without any guilt of damage thanks to the formula of clean and natural ingredients including Red Algae, Argan Oil and Rosemary.
For mega volume, spray the Rizos Curls Volumizing Hairspray all over the roots of your hair. An important step is to toss your hair forward so it hangs upside down and continue misting the hair spray on all roots. Then toss is back. Next, you’re going to grab your favorite hair pick, and begin fluffing your hair from just the roots in an upward motion. Add more hair spray to the root of your hair, if desired. Keep picking until you’ve achieved your desired volume.
Another tip is that you can apply our Volumizing Hair Spray on wet hair for even stronger hold than when it’s dry for even updos, buns, etc.
What hair trends are inspiring you at the moment?
At the moment, now that my hair is the longest and healthiest it’s ever been, I’m loving styles that keep my hair down but away from my face. So, I’m really enjoying half up and half down styles with playful braids or really cute headbands, incorporating clips, scarfs, and/or any different accessory for that cross between style and functional.
Find your next Holy Grail: 12 Latinx-Owned Curly Hair Products to Add to Cart
We have been so excited and anxiously waiting for all the amazing styles to debut from New York Fashion Week and they did not disappoint. As the runway continues to grow and change with new and emerging designers we have been casually spotting and looking for more representation to feature in our Texture On the Runway series. During a period where all eyes are on the latest trends, designs, clothes, and accessories that will usher in the latest in covetable looks, we want to see ourselves. And by us, I mean people of color with their natural hair on display for all of the world to see. NYFW has been working its way towards creating more representation for Black designers and championing for body and gender diversity on the runway. Natural hairstyles that are styled correctly and showcase a range in texture, color, and variations has been slowly catching up to the fashion world as we began to see designers embracing the versatility of natural hair.
Long gone are the days of making models sport long straight hair because they don’t have the tools, technique, or stylists to help them achieve the desired look. We’re now seeing fashionistas embrace Black-owned hair care and partner with brands to create custom looks for the runway like Marrisa Wilson did with Oribe. The world of fashion is understanding how natural hair can be embraced and used to not only enhance the visuals of their design, but the aesthetic of the show with custom braids, locs, afros, and finger waves in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes. We’re seeing less curly styles and more ornate designs that blend fashion and natural hair with accessories, extensions, wigs, and jewelry for a truly stunning visual. Check out these 15 styles that left us in awe for their originality, complexity, and ability to complete the vision of the designer.
1. Kenneth Nicholson
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Read next: The Black-Owned Brands to Watch at Fashion Week
2. Marrisa Wilson
Photo by @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
To see more looks from the Marrisa Wilson show, check out The Braided Hairstyles You’ll Want to Try from Fashion Week.
3. Tia Adeola
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Don’t miss: The Ultimate Y2K Trends from Fashion Week
4. Fe Noel
Photo by @yawasiedu_
Check out: Our Favorite Hair Moments from Fe Noel at New York Fashion Week
5. anOnlyChild
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6. Victor Glemaud
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7. Kim Shui
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8. markarian
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9. Bronx and Banco
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10. Area
Photo @area
11. Dur Doux
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12. Sergio Hudson
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13. Frederick Anderson
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14. WHO DECIDES WAR
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15. advisry
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Read next: Lacy Redway on Styling ALL Hair Types at Fashion Week
Mariel Mejia is the founder and CEO of Pink Root Products, a cruelty free and organic Latinx brand carving its way in the natural hair market. As the champions of #GetRooted, Mariel has worked to create a dynamic and inclusive brand that seeks to aid one of the most common curly faux paus in the curly world, damaged hair. Naturalistas flock to her products for their rich ingredients that are hydrating, moisturizing, and promote healthy hair growth after heat and color damage. The products are an extension of Mariel’s hair journey which she sought to conquer after years of failed attempts to revive her own curls. We’re very excited to share more about Mariel’s journey to loving her hair, celebrating her Latinx heritage, and the fall essentials we should keep handy for our curls this season.
Who were your hair inspirations growing up?
Growing up, my hair inspirations changed a lot as I went through different phases of what I thought was beautiful but I would say that Tracee Ellis Ross was always on my mood board. When I first started watching American shows and media outlets, because Latinx ones rarely ever portrayed people who looked like me, it was Joan, Tracee’s character from the show ‘Girlfriends’, who stood out to me the most. Her hair was absolutely fabulous and I remember thinking “I wish I could rock my natural hair like that.”
How did growing up in Washington Heights influence how you viewed natural hair?
I was born and raised in the Bronx but I did a lot of growing up in Washington Heights as well since it was right across the river. In my early years, growing up in this community, I viewed my natural hair very negatively and it was here that I formed a toxic relationship with my hair. I started relaxing my hair at a very young age because I was taught that I had “pelo malo” which translates to “bad hair” in English. So although the Dominican community is very big on hair care in general and weekly salon visits were non-negotiable in my household, natural hair was looked down upon so I had to search elsewhere for information when I first went on my natural hair journey.
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How do you find support from your community as a Latinx business owner?
At the beginning of my journey as a business owner, I actually struggled a bit with incorporating my heritage into the brand because I wanted to make sure that everyone felt included and comfortable when picking up our products, But as I continued my entrepreneurship journey, I realized that I was really doing myself a disservice by shying away from this because so many people could truly relate to my story of having a broken relationship with my hair. When I started to lean toward being more vocal about who I am and my upbringing, I was able to connect on a deeper level with our community and that connection has brought much prosperity to the business through different opportunities of being able to tell our story.
Do It For La Cultura: How We Can Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
What does Latinx Heritage month represent to you?
To me, Latinx heritage month represents a celebration of who I am. Although the community still has a long way to go as far as representation for Afro and Indigenous Latinos, this month still brings me a lot of joy. I love where I am from – the food, the music, the culture – it’s all made me who I am today and for that I am grateful.
Read: 20 Years After Selena, Where Does Latinx Representation Stand?
Which hair product will be a must-have item for the fall season and why?
The must-have hair product for the fall season is our leave-in conditioner! It’s so important to keep your hair hydrated and this starts the minute you step out of the shower. If you want to avoid breakage due to dryness caused by harsh cold air, then definitely be sure to apply some leave-in conditioner before beginning the styling process to fortify your hair strands. Formulated with sweet almond oil and keratin protein, our leave-in conditioner really helps to withstand and protect against any damage caused by low temperatures and high winds.
What are 3 tips for using your Curl Styling Paste?
The tips for our curl styling paste that I would suggest are:
1. Apply it in sections for optimal results.
2. A little goes a long way so be sure to not use too much as you don’t need to!
3. Use a brush for application for maximum definition. My favorite way to apply our curl styling paste is with a Denman brush to really define my curls and elongate them. It works like a charm each time.
How have Latinx communities adapted to changing beauty standards?
I think the Latinx community has been setting trends within the beauty space for a very long time and now it’s more about reclaiming our contributions. We were often viewed as “ghetto” or “hood” when it came to fashion and beauty but a lot of trends that we grew up on are now being repackaged to a different audience as “trendy.” We see this play out a lot on social media and so I think more than ever our community should be empowered to be vocal about our ability to be at the forefront of trends and not necessarily always following them. We don’t really need to adapt to the trends that we helped build.
What business advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
My piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be authentic in your approach. Consumers have changed and they’re a lot more conscious when it comes to purchasing decisions so if you’re in it to just make a quick buck or to capitalize on a trending industry, customers will notice that so make sure that what you’re creating truly speaks to you because people will notice.
Check out these 12 Latinx-Owned Curly Hair Products to Add to Cart
Ceremonia invites you to join the family with a clean haircare brand that celebrates, champions, and uplifts the Latinx community. Hair and beauty have always been essential components of Ceremonia founder Babba Rivera’s upbringing whose father was a hairdresser. When she moved from Sweden to the United States she was able to embrace, love, and reconnect with her Latin heritage that empowered her to create Ceremonia. Ceremonia is a sustainable brand that features rich ingredients from the heart of Latin American countries like babassu oil, patua oil, maracuja oil, and cupuacu oil which are vegan and cruelty free. Babba wanted to be intentional in sourcing and extracting ingredients that were not harmful, toxic, and had tangible benefits for customers. Ceremonia’s products seek to help promote healthy scalp care, frizz control, dry and damaged hair. We are pleased to share more about Babba’s journey to creating Ceremonia and how she champions Latinx culture and community as an entrepreneur.
You originally grew up in Sweden, where did you go to find representation from your culture?
Growing up as a Latin American immigrant in a homogenous country like Sweden, I never found myself represented in mainstream media and the products I consumed, especially in beauty. I grew up very closely connected to my culture thanks to my parents who to this day only speak Spanish, and who have a large community of Chilenos around them in Sweden. That being said, despite having a rich community of Latinos as part of my upbringing, I never saw people like us represented in any success stories. Once I moved to NYC, I was able to for the first time connect with people who, just like me, grew up in between cultures, and who had set out to create something big for themselves. The Latinx community here inspired me to reconnect with my heritage and honor it, in a pursuit to change the status quo around what it means to be Latinx.
How did growing up in Sweden shape how you viewed your hair?
I was not proud of my hair growing up. As everyone was blonde and had thin and tamed hair, I remember hating my thick hair that was so wild in comparison to my Swedish friends’ hair. I remember how I envied them stepping straight out of the shower after gym class and letting their hair air dry straight and frizz-free, whereas mine seemed to grow an aura of frizz by the minute. I was so excited to have discovered the hair straightener which allowed me to mask my natural waves, and it became like an addiction for me, I would bring it everywhere. Between straightening my hair on a daily basis and bleaching it to be less dark – my hair was completely malnourished. I could never just let my hair air dry or leave the house without first spending about an hour blow drying and straightening it under heavy styling. As a result, it kept getting more and more dry and damaged. Today, I am so happy to be in a place where I can embrace my natural hair instead of trying to make it something it’s not. Ceremonia was born out of the desire to reclaim my natural hair with products that will support my hair instead of masking and damaging it.
How did you transition from the tech industry to the beauty world?
I truly built my career in the tech industry – the fast-paced environment and startup culture suited my personality type very well, and I think that’s when I realized I did not want a traditional fashion career. My passion for beauty is in many ways the result of all the multifaceted life I’ve built up. I don’t fall into one single category, and Ceremonia is in many ways my life’s work as so much of me and my passions fit into this journey. The creative aspect of building a brand, the marketing and sales aspect of growing a brand, and not to mention the startup hustle and business mentality that it takes to make it successful.
When did you first notice the need for Latinx representation in the hair industry?
Despite the modern Latinx community, and the fact that Hispanics account for 20% of the U.S. population, I still witnessed an enormous void of Latinx representation in almost every aspect of my life after my arrival to the States. I noticed this professionally, in the media, the brands I consumed and not to mention role models in entrepreneurship. As such, I began to feel a strong sense of responsibility to propel change. Ceremonia was born out of the desire to celebrate the richness of the Latin culture, inspired by the rituals I grew up with. Ceremonia provides a wellness approach to hair through inclusivity and cultural relevance.
Read: 20 Years After Selena, Where Does Latinx Representation Stand?
What does the word “Ceremonia” mean to you?
The brand name translates to “ceremony” in Spanish. I learned from an early age that beauty is a form of self-care. My mother practiced beauty rituals as a form of self-love, and taught me it is something you do for yourself, not something you do to impress others. I wanted Ceremonia to be an extension of this belief and I wanted to reframe the routine of taking care of your hair as a ritual to reconnect with yourself and the joy of being proud to be You.
Why was sustainability a crucial part of your brand?
I am a firm believer in the power that nature holds, and as such, we need to protect it at all cost. Although sustainability should be an uncompromisable essential for brands today, we recognize that the industry still has lengths to go. For Ceremonia, every decision we make is guided by our commitment to creating a brand of the future that cares about people and the earth, so that you can enjoy products that are good for you and kind to the planet at the same time.
What are three stereotypes you could debunk about Latinx hair?
In general, I hope to challenge any and all stereotypes and outdated expectations for what Latinx hair should or shouldn’t look like. There is no one size fits all approach, especially with hair, and especially within the varied cultural richness of the Latinx culture. Most importantly, there is no such thing as pelo malo!! For the longest time, Latinx women have been made to believe that beautiful hair equals straight, shiny and frizz-free hair that is perfectly tamed. At Ceremonia, we celebrate the full spectrum of hair types, including the big category of ‘in-between’ hair. You know the hair that is not straight, yet not fully curly? The hair that lives its own life and has its own personality, some days it’s in one mood and other in a different mood. Embracing who your hair wants to be without judgment.
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How does Ceremonia stay connected with culture and community?
Community is the fabric and DNA of who we are. We are quite literally manifested from a devotion to our community and are constantly seeking ways to illuminate the next generation. Our products are co-created with our community and we constantly lean on them through feedback sessions and forums as well as sampling. More importantly, we love to celebrate with our community, because when we win, we win together. Most recently, we brought our Latinx community for a Chivas bus ride to see our billboard in Times Square celebrating Latinx heritage month with Sephora. A true pinch-me moment, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this monumental milestone than with our community of Ceremonia Familia.
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Do It For La Cultura: How We Can Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
What are key ingredients first-time customers can look forward to in your products?
Ceremonia products are packed with tons of powerful natural ingredients from Latin America – it’s hard to only highlight a few! Two of my favorite ingredients are Babassu Oil found in our Hair Mask and the Aceite de Moska, which is an amazing ingredient for hair nutrition and shine. Yucca Extract is our groundbreaking natural alternative to sulfates that give our shampoos a really rich lather without stripping hair. We’re also obsessed with Pequi and Guava – they’re both superfruits with powerful antioxidant properties that make our styling products multitask as treatments.
The Latinx community is still growing within the hairspace, what does being a Latinx brand mean to you during Hispanic Heritage Month?
For the longest time I had this limiting belief that in order to stand a change in this world I had to change parts of who I am. I’ve come to realize just how incredibly important representation is and how detrimental the lack of it can be. This is why Latinx heritage month is so important to me. It’s a moment to come together as a community to celebrate – and to be celebrated- while highlighting the richness of our cultura. But more importantly, it’s an opportunity to claim space. We account for the largest minority in the US, are one of the biggest spenders in beauty, and are also the fastest growing demographic in this country — growing 7x faster than any other demographic. It’s time these numbers are reflected in our society, whether it’s on the beauty shelves or on a Times Square billboard dedicated to highlighting Latinx voices! Through this journey, I hope that I am inspiring and paving the way for more Latinx founders and businesses.
Check out these 12 Latinx-Owned Curly Hair Products to Add to Cart
Gabby Goodwin is here to blaze her own trail. She is a young, growing, and budding entrepreneur who has been building her brand GaBBy Bows since the age of seven and hasn’t let off the gas since. Co-founded and mentored with the help of her mother Rozalynn Goodwin, Gabby entered the natural hair industry with her anti-slip barrettes designed to help prevent hair slippage with textured hair. Now at the age of 15, she’s grown her empire to include wash day products, lifestyle products, mentoring services, and her own salon. Building and owning her own physical storefront has been a milestone for her entrepreneurial journey to not only enhance her brand, but fill a gap in the beauty market for young girls needing natural hairstyles from Black stylists. She is a passionate, growing, and thriving entrepreneur looking to pour into her community and provide a path for future entrepreneurs to be successful. We’re so excited to chat with Gabby about the evolution of her brand as she’s growing into a young woman and what she looks to conquer next.
What inspired you to create GaBBy Bows?
I wanted to inspire others and be a role model for girls who looked like me. When I was younger I saw Misty Copeland, Zendaya, Oprah being successful in their careers and I aspired to be like that. I’ve been a dancer since I was 2 and I wanted to be the next “Misty Copeland” and be a great ballet dancer for other people to look up to, but I ended up carving out my own path instead in entrepreneurship.
I got into barrettes because my mom would spend 15-20 minutes doing my hair in the morning and investing her money into these barrettes I was constantly losing. I would get in trouble and my bows would slip out of my hair because they weren’t designed for my hair texture. I wanted to solve that problem by a.”> Not getting in trouble for losing my barrettes and b.”> Becoming the type of person who could inspire other girls to pursue their dreams.
What was it like co-creating this brand with your mom?
It’s been a very cool journey to grow up in entrepreneurship with my family surrounding me. It’s a family oriented business with me and my sitting as co-founders, my grandmother fulfills the orders, my dad is an advisory member and business keeps us connected. Having friends and family come together to support me in my dream has been such a fulfilling experience because I’m not alone in anything I do. My mom helping me become a good CEO and leader has been vital because I don’t do everything on my own because if I did I’d be really stressed out.
How did you decide what look, colors, and design you wanted for your brand?
Our designs are named after what parents would define as “little girls’. We have “little lady” which is a ladybug, “sweet pea” which is named after the flower, and then “daddy’s girl” is a bow tie. My dad has been coined as the “bow tie” comedian for always rocking this accessory during his stand-up so that honors him. We polled our community to gain an idea of what the color scheme would be and this was very important to me because I wanted authentic customer feedback. The whole brand itself has vibrant girly colors that showcases who we are and that is also reflected in the packaging and products.
Name a few of your favorite hair styles to create using GaBBy bows
I’m in high school, so I don’t wear barrettes any more, but when I was younger I loved to rock twists. When I see our customers all over the world I see them worn with braids, natural hair, extensions, cornrows, and any style with added hair.
Who do you look up to?
One of the most inspirational peers I know is Mikaila Ulmer who created Me and the Bees was an entrepreneur I really aspired to eventually be in my own business. Now that I can call her a friend and see her journey whether it’s traveling around the world or watching her product collection expand, gives me such motivation. There are other amazing women entrepreneurs like Pinky Cole or Lisa Price who are diversifying their portfolios and become serial entrepreneurs with different types of businesses.
What’s been an accomplishment you’ve been proud of?
Being able to buy our own headquarters and salon was a hallmark moment for me and my family. This helped provide fulfillment space because we used to complete orders from our dining room with boxes stacked up to the walls. We can also sell our products in person, have a dedicated space for inventory instead of paying for storage units, and have a salon dedicated to girls’ hair. I’ll never forget the ribbon cutting and watching our community be enthused to see the doors open. It’s an honor to say we own our business and a building where we can provide a space for Black stylists to create amazing styles for little girls.
What is one tip you could give mom’s when they are during their daughter’s hair on wash day?
Be patient and have fun. It can be stressful on both sides and developing a routine can help to make the process easier. Go into it with a good attitude and look at it as a time to bond instead of a stressful task. We’ve been able to provide helpful tips to set up a wash day and successfully style hair through our Facebook group and immerse yourself in the community.
The Marrisa Wilson Spring/Summer 2023 Collection was heavily inspired and designed as an ode to her Guyanese-American heritage. “It is that feeling of the past and the present coming together to inform the future that I wanted to evoke,” she said of the collection. If you got to check out her amazing New York Fashion Show, you were treated to an array of expressive prints, watercolor strokes and brightly colored feathers complemented by a hair look that brings the theme “Of Many Waters” to life.
Kien Hoang is the mastermind behind the innovative hairstyles that brought Marrisa’s vision to life. As the Oribe Principal Artist of Content and Styling he created a variation of braided styles, all adorned with clear beads in a range of sizes to mimic rain drops. This was the second season working with the Oribe team and Marrisa wanted to be intentional in casting models with natural hair who could be supported by a team of expert stylists. Marrisa was enthused to continue growing the relationship with the Oribe team and partnering with them to “translate multicultural and protective styles in a direction that is inspirational and is really exciting.”
Get the Look from Oribe:
- Prep and detangle hair with Run-Through Detangling Primer.
- Apply Curl Gelèe for Shine & Definition throughout hair to add shine and enhance curls.
- Braid hair, creating either cornrows, plait braids, beaded braids or individual braids.
- Finish braids with Rough Luxury Molding Wax at the ends for hold.
- Add clear “rain drop” beads to braided hair.
How did your Guyanese-American heritage influence your approach to creating the hair styles?
I normally illustrate each of the looks from head to toe in order to get a full vision of how the girls will look on the runway. It’s not just the clothes that I end up painting and illustrating but the hair as well to accomplish the overall aesthetic. I always aim to elevate and innovate textured and natural hair with any of my collections. This is why the hair statement is intentional and we implement it in a thoughtful way. Guyana is located on the northern tip of South America and has many streams, creeks, passage ways, and the largest single drop waterfall in the world. I wanted to pay tribute to that with the water droplet look I had illustrated for the hair.
They’re are several different beads to use with natural hair, how did choosing clear beads to replicate rain drops coincide with the theme “Of Many Waters”?
The hair concepts started with these big white chunky beads and I’d shown these trim I’d sourced from the garment district that was on a herring brown strip with clear beads added. The clear beads were going to represent water because Guyana in an Amerindian language means “land of many waters” so we wanted to create an idea that the models had water dripping from their har. When I connected with the Oribe team’s key stylist Kien, he loved the idea of the beads, but the beads that were available online you would use for twist were smallers, colored, wooden, and weren’t clear. Kienwas determined to find the beads and after a few weeks he found the hundreds of these clear bubble beads that he had to cut apart because they were for ponytails. Sourcing them gave us a nostalgic look back into my heritage and also gave me the memory of getting my &utm_source=Google+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-shopping-v2&gclid=CjwKCAjwyaWZBhBGEiwACslQo5AKRJNAOS9u8k_6u0RFGgfNE4OuZcacOYrVtBdeVSTfELwE2WDfFxoC3OwQAvD_BwE” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>hair adorned with these when I was a kid. Taking that nostalgic accessory and then crafting it into an elevated and innovative direction was incredible.
Photo: @bestcommajeb
Photo: @bestcommajeb
The hairstyles were very complimentary to the designs of your show, why did you choose braided looks versus other types of natural styles?
I wanted the girls to have a cool girl hanging out on the beach look that was inspired by Rihanna in Guava Island where she had these chunky braids that weren’t slicked down andt were moisturized and slightly frizzy. The original direction was to have the majority of girls in braids, but during casting many of them had their hair in cornrows or braids or natural curls that we didn’t want to manipulate. We really wanted to combine their natural hair with our concept and not have to force a style into their hair. With my own natural hair I’ve stopped using heat and embraced my natural hair so I’m sensitive to being a part of NYFW and seeing these girls get their hair deconstructed.
How did the Oribe team help achieve the styles?
We talked about the types of looks we wanted to create and being intentional with every design and I trusted Kien to execute the vision. I made a point to say I’m cool with frizz because we can often associate super laid and pristine looks with protective styles and I wanted a relaxed approach for these looks. When you’re on the beach you are embracing the sun, staying moisturized, getting the Vitamin D, and enjoying yourself.The day of the show it rained which helped to add that tropical aesthetic to their hair because of the humidity.
Prepping the hair is essential for any braided look, what tips or techniques were most effective when creating these styles?
I wanted to highlight my Caribbean heritage and I connected with many of the models who came from the same background. I wanted to showcase what Carribean textures look like and whether that’s loose waves or kinky curls, I wanted to have a hair moment that fit the collection.
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
Photo: @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
New York Fashion Week is in full swing and if you’re like us, you have been eagerly scrolling your social media to see the latest and greatest fashion drops for the season. And we’ve rounded up a few of the Black-owned brands we’re keeping an eye on! Who is walking down the runway, what am I adding to my Pinterest, when will this new item be available to shop? It’s a busy and bustling time for fashionistas far and wide looking for new brands to start investing in.
Getty Images
As the world of fashion continues to diversify itself with emerging designers and household names, we’re seeing more Black-owned brands get their chance to be seen on the biggest runway in the world. It’s been reported that New York’s fashion lineup is 25-30% more diverse than in previous years with more initiatives and partnerships to provide space and opportunity for Black designers. These efforts mark a step towards progress and change and we’re looking forward to seeing Black designers continue to blaze their own trail in this very competitive market.
Tia Adeola
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Tia was born in Nigeria and raised in London and eventually went to school in NYC where she started working on her fashion brand in her dorm in 2017. As an aficionado of the Renaissance period she has used this for inspiration to help rewriter fashion for people of color. She considers herself a couture designer and dedicated her spring/summer ‘23 collection to the late Thierry Mugler and his love of film noir. This season she debuted design elements like ruffles, feathers, and romantic themes reminiscent of the Victorian age. Her show was closed out by celebrity influencer Jayda Cheaves and Dess Dior.
Fe Noel
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Felisha Noel is a womenswear designer from Brooklyn who is a passionate advocate for femininity and the complexity of womanhood. Her familial influences from her Carribean heritage has played a large role in how she approaches her fashion and her designs are targeted for multifaceted women who love travel and style. The most recent connection pays tribute to her Grenadian roots with maxi slipdresses, bra tops, satin robes, and updated conventions on “power dressing.” Her standout piece from the collection was “the Dre$$” which is a corseted strapless gown valued at $1.6 million that highlights the 30% wage gap between genders.
We went backstage at Fe Noel to interview Celebrity Hair Artist Lacy Redway on the hair, the show, and the way the industry has changed.
an Only Child
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Maxwell Osborne is the disruptor of the fashion halls with his brand “an Only Child” that pays homage to the experience of being alone. His clothing is reminisce of his West Indian heritage and often features jewel-toned satins, draping, ruching and then balances with modern designs like oversized bombers and streetwear. What makes his collections so unique is that they are often constructed of dead stocks found from New York sample rooms, distributors, or donations from fellow designers to prevent waste of excess garments. As his first public runway debut since COVID, Osborne has been a favorite of the New York scene for his experiential shows that include objects and trinkets reminiscent of how only children entertained themselves growing up.
Victor Glemaud
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Victor is a Haitian-American designer who was raised in Queens, New York and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology where he worked as a publicist and design assistant. He started blazing his own design path when he became the first womenswear design advisor at Paco Rabanne and then the style director at Tommy Hilfiger. His designs are gender neutral and focus on statement knitwear that blends comfort and styles for any race, size, and personality. This season he put his fashion on roller skates with vibrant statement knits, capes, cutouts, and eyewear. He chose to include a number of TikTok celebrities for his show including Brittany Xavier and wanted to focus on a youthful, vibrant, and playful color palette reminiscent of the roller boogie era he infused on the runway.
Black Boy Knits
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Black Boy Knits highlights the contributions of queer, black, and immigrant narratives and works as a made-to-order design studio with hand-operated knitting machines. This Brooklyn-based fashion brand is helmed by Parsons graduate Jacques Agbobly who is making their debut at New York fashion week this year. Jacques was born in Togo, West Africa who prides themselves on having an “international perspective” and approach when creating their designs. As a knitwear designer he loves the comfy and relaxed look of his custom designs and always seeks to celebrate his Togolese heritage with modern takes on vests, school uniforms, and tanks. He had his first NYFW debut on September 12th and will release his full collection in November.
DurDoux
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We love a mother-daughter duo and DurDoux is back to NYFW better than ever with a spring/summer 23 collection that you will be drooling for. Founded by Cynthia and Najla Burt, this is an accessible luxury brand that toggles between opulence and sensibility. Their Carnivale inspired capsule collection features shimmering sequin gowns, formal wear, deep slits, and fitted gowns that are tasteful and bold. Their fashion draws creativity from travel, film and providing timeless pieces that find a happy middle ground between softness and elegance that can be seen in staple pieces like tulle skirts, hues of green, tropical prints, and relaxed luxury. For their NYFW designs they also included fun accessories like palm tree earrings, wide brimmed hats, chunky bangles, and ornate scarves.
Sergio Hudson
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Sergio Hudson is all about bringing Rock and Roll back to the fashion landscape. As a child of 80’s, his inspirations were Gianni Versace and Grace Jones whose iconic looks can be seen in his sultry and sexy collections that balancy androgynous looks and sexy silhouettes. His big break came during Bravo TV’s “Styled to Rock” which provided him the opportunity to work with celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Pharrel Williams, and Rihanna. His NYFW collection represents a hue of shapes, bold colors, and designs inspired by Africa tribal masks. Attendees were treated to color blocking pieces of royal purples, cobalt blues, shawl coat, and keyhole blouses. As an aficionado of pairing bold colors with prints, he also blended signature animal prints like leopard and polka-dots with textures of velvet, suede, and leather.
Kevan Hall
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Keval Hall has been after the fashion world since he decided to become a designer at the early age of 7. He became the Design and Creative Director for Halston in 1998 before launching his own brand in 2002. His designs reflect his fashion philosophy of expert tailoring, draped silhouettes, and purity of style. He’s dressed celebrities like Tina Fey, Debra Messing, Sandra Oh and more. His recent collection at NYFW takes people back to the era of global trade with origins of folklore, textiles, jacquard prints, and twill sheaths.
Studio One Eighty Nine
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Co-founders Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah are bringing the heat to NYFW with their artisan produced fashion lifestyle brand and social enterprise. The brand is made in Africa and focuses on curating African-inspired content and clothing who works with artisanal communities that specialize in various traditional craftsmanship techniques including natural plant based dye indigo, hand-batik, kente weaving and more. They live streamed their runway show on Instagram where bold prints, textured skits, button up blouses, that reflect the beauty and culture of their artisans.
Who Decides War
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The duo behind Who Decides War launched their spring/summer 2023 collection at NYFW and it did not disappoint! Ev Bravado and Tela D’Amore also known as “Everard Best” and sought to create a lighter approach that paid homage to their Caribbean roots. Their collection showcases all the vibrant and light-hearted elements of island life like beaches, palm trees, and tropical elements to bring the varying island societies to the runway. This collection featured denim pieces in a hues of blue and gray washes with distressed detailing and embroidered patches. They expanded their collection with matching sets of tropical pants, jackets, and sweaters in textures of leather, lace, wool, and cotton.
We’re so excited to usher in another amazing season of fashion starting with AFROPUNK which made its return to Brooklyn since 2019. Headliners included talented musicians like The Roots, Burna Boy, Lucky Daye, Freddie Gibbs, and more who helped usher in the joy, spirit, and decadence that the Black community continues to embody in the face of resilience. This event was held on September 10th and 11th and served a celebration of life, music, food, and culture within the Black community. Afropunk champions all things Black by hosting markets full of businesses, food truck vendors, curators, and NYC chefs.
What is Afropunk?
Afropunk is all about encouraging Black people to break conventional stereotypes of identity, race, and gender. The creators of Afropunk define it as:
“Afro: as in, born of African spirit and heritage; see also black (not always”>, see also rhythm and color, see also other, see also underdog.”
“Punk: as in, rebel, opposing the simple route, imbued with a DIY ethic, looking forward with simplicity, rawness and open curiosity; see also other, see also underdog.”
Afropunk originated from the concept of unacknowledged Black people who were excluded from the white punk scene and European alternative lifestyles. The first festival started in 2005 and originally catered towards a punk audience, but has now evolved to encompass alternative R&B and soul. Over the years Afropunk has featured performers like Solange, Willow Smith, Algiers, and Princess Nokia. As a space that invites and celebrates artistic and creative expression, it can also serve to showcase innovative fashion, media, art, photography, and film. We’re very excited to see such a fantastic turnout for Afropunk’s return to the masses and have been dying over these jaw-dropping looks below!
The Best Looks from Afropunk 2022
Vivacious Accessories
We thrive on accessories whether it’s sunglasses, headscarves, or hats. Accessories have always been a mainstay of Afropunk because truly anything goes. Folks turn up in head turning ensembles where we see a blend of culture, innovation, and personal style that can be a play on BDSM styles or an ode to heritage with dashiki fabrics.The idea is to go big and loud with statement accessories that don’t have to compliment your look so much as showcase individuality and imagination. We loved that despite a less than sunny day, Afropunk attendees still brought the attitude with larger than life shades in bold shapes while keeping dry from the rain.
Read more: Why AfroPunk Is So Much More Than a Music Festival
Subtle Accents
Nothing adds flair to a look than face jewels and handy jewelry like statement necklaces and earrings to add just the right amount of pop to your wardrobe. In true Afropunk, adorning your face and body with decorative pieces and ornate objects is an ode to break conventional styles of dress. While clothes can be viewed as a way to dress your body, accents can be a way to showcase who you truly are from a mental, emotional, and spiritual perspective. These accents are used to compliment the natural hairstyle and bring attention to center facial features or body parts as an expression of one’s self.
Naturalistas on Parade
Bring on the hair. One thing about Afropunk, it’s going to serve looks on looks on looks when it comes to hair. We love to see natural hairstyles like locs, afros, braids, and gravity defying looks on full-display. Hair is such an intimate and personal experience for the Black community and there’s no better place to get creative and inventive with your natural hair than Afropunk. It’s not about aesthetics or conforming to societal standards of what’s “good hair” or “acceptable”, the hair should represent your own personal freedom. We see looks that are bold, braided, beaded, and giving inches on inches on inches.
Read next: Black and Disruptive: Afropunk is Changing the Festival Marketplace
All-Weather Accessories
The rain couldn’t stop Brooklyn’s most stylish festival-goers from showing up and showing out. Whether you’ve been to Afropunk or even just experienced it vicariously through social media, you know nothing else compares to the safe, inclusive atmosphere of Afropunk. This environment fosters unmatched creative freedom and self expression through the hairstyles and street style. And the rain just added an extra level of innovation – transparent trench coats, picnic blankets-turned-head coverings, and all the hats and accessories.
What are your favorite looks from Afropunk? Let us know below!
All photos by Karston Tannis / @skinnywashere for NaturallyCurly
BREAD is all about providing naturalistas with the essential products, ingredients, and maintenance that textured hair needs. As the founder of BREAD, Maeva Heim took the experiences she had in her mother’s braiding salon combined with a degree in business and law to create a brand that’s carving out space for multicultural hair care. As one of the first Australian brands selected for the Sephora Accelerate program, BREAD was immediately launched into the zeitgeist of high-end and coveted beauty products that are a staple for today’s customer. With sleek packaging, fresh ingredients, and branding focused on making haircare fun and attainable whether you have wavy, afro, curly, or coily textures. BREAD doesn’t complicate the haircare process, but seeks to simplify it with must-have products like a deep conditioner, hair-oil, hair-cream, and hair-mask. We sat down to speak with Maeva about her entrepreneurial journey, how Australia influenced the ingredients, and the brand’s mission to stay sustainable.
Tell us about your relationship with hair growing up?
The journey with my hair has been gradual. Straightening my hair with a relaxer was something I had done since I was 6 or 7 years old. And whilst I had protective styling over the years, my natural hair, when left out, was always straight. Growing up, I never had to deal with my natural texture or even understand what it was.
Because of this, I grew up using products that were designed for straight hair. When I was transitioning to wearing my 4C hair naturally, I knew those products were no longer going to cut it. The first thing I wanted to do was find hair care products that were specifically designed for my natural texture.
How did spending time in your mother’s beauty salon impact your perception of beauty?
My first introduction into beauty was back in the ‘90s at my mother’s African hair braiding salon. It was one of the very first African hair salons in the entire country and one of my very first experiences in the beauty industry. From the age of 10 I would spend my weekends there braiding customers’ hair, sweeping the floors, answering the phone and managing the booking diary. We would import a lot of hair-care products from the U.S. that were designed for textured hair and sell them in the salon. That’s how I initially became familiar with the category and what was available in the market for curly and textured hair.
My Mother has always been my number one fan, and there is no one I trust more with my hair than my Mom. Despite me wanting relaxed hair or weaves throughout childhood, she continually and gently encouraged me to wear my natural hair out. I was vehemently against it as a teen, but looking back now I am so appreciative that she was always down to let me do whatever I wanted with my hair.
What inspired the name “Bread”?
When I started the brand, it was actually called something completely different. But someone had trademarked that name so I had to go back to the drawing board which forced me to think about what I was creating. When I thought about what the staples were in other categories, my first thought was bread. BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY is: here for the essentials. The must-haves. Like bread. That just stuck and I kept it.
I’m also really lazy when it comes to hair, which is part of the inspiration for Bread as well. I knew that I wanted Black women to feel like they could embrace “lazy girl hair,” something we haven’t always been allowed to embrace in the past.
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What would you describe as the “essential” haircare products for natural and textured hair?
The first thing we set out to do was simplify wash day, which is why we designed our kit 1-wash. kit 1-wash includes all your full-size wash day essentials: 1 x hair-wash (8.4 fl. oz.”>, 1 x hair-mask (12 fl. oz.”>, 1 x hair-oil (3.3 fl. oz.”>, 1 x bread-puff (scrunchie”>. Then we have other hair care essentials to layer (and layover”> between wash-days, like our best-selling hair-cream (leave-in curl cream”>.
A hallmark of your products are clean ingredients, are these inspired or influenced by Australia?
One of the things I found when I was researching products and looking at different industry reports was that hair products marketed to Black women had been found to be more harmful than products in the general market. I wanted to make sure we were creating products that were safe and really showed that we care about the customer.
We infused our products with different Australian ingredients, in part because that’s my heritage, but also because I want to put those ingredients on the map. Coming from Australia, I really wanted to highlight and celebrate the incredible native ingredients that grow here that have been used a lot in skincare, but not as much in hair. Many of our native ingredients have properties that are incredible for textured hair.
Tell us more about the mud-mask, hair oil to-go and hair-cream and how they can be used for your curls
hair-oil: is a silicone free, multi-purpose oil that we describe as being like a lipgloss, but for your hair. It can be used in 3 different ways: before wash day as a pre-wash treatment, after-wash day to help lock in moisture, and in-between wash days to help add shine to your strands throughout the week. My favorite way to use it is as a pre-wash treatment (also known as slugging, which has become super popular recently”>. It’s infused with Kakadu Plum and safflower oil, and smells sweet like berries.
mud-mask: is a clay mask, but not for your face. It is a targeted pre-wash treatment that features a blend of Rhassoul, Bentonite, Kaolin, and Quartz to help reset your curls and gently detoxify your scalp so that you can go longer between wash days. It’s also just gone viral on TikTok!
hair-cream: is our 2-in-1 conditioning and repairing curl cream for all curl types. When creating hair-cream we wanted it to treat your hair while you wear it, so it’s designed to repair and soften your strands throughout the week. It’s infused with Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, and Mango Butter, leaving your curls softly defined and feeling lightweight. My favorite way to use it is for a wash and go. I like to use a brush to evenly distribute hair-cream through my damp hair (in sections”> from root to tip.
Why was creating a sustainable brand so essential for your business?
Our products are packaged in glass bottles to cut down on the use of plastic. The hair-oil glass vessel can be recycled or reused in a number of ways – i.e. as flower stem vase, or to decant other beauty or food oils. The landscape is changing constantly in terms of what’s actually moving the needle, so it’s super important to me to continue assessing at what stage of the product life cycle our sustainability efforts will make the most impact.
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We love seeing your glorious braided styles like colored box braids, marley twists or knotless jumbo braids and goddess braids. Once you’ve selected your coveted style, it’s more than just cute pictures for the gram and travel photos, you’ve got to maintain and protect them. The scalp underneath is just as important as the style you’re sporting which is why you want to shop for products that will help with moisture retention, frizz, edge protection and more.
Whether it’s your first or 50th time rocking a braided style, you don’t want to make the mistake of not being prepared because it can not only ruin the style but wreak havoc on your scalp. You want to develop a routine that can help you protect your hair before, during, and after styling to minimize any damage and get your curls ready to emerge for fall.
Products Before Braiding
Before you can begin getting your hair braided, you want to focus on prevention and protection to allow your hair a chance to grow and still be healthy. Some braided styles have more manipulation on the hair than others, but that shouldn’t prevent you from ensuring your hair is cleansed, conditioned, and moisturized before seeing your stylist. You never want to go with your hair unwashed, tangled, and dry, this is going to make it harder on your hair the stylist. Your strands and scalp are the two most important aspects of your braided style so invest in a good, clarifying shampoo, deep conditioning masque, and pudding or custard to set your hair.
Products During Braiding
While most stylists may have their own products they use during braiding, it’s always handy to keep your own products if you’re DIYing at home or have specific allergies to certain ingredients. Getting your hair braided is not about the braids themselves, but ensuring your hair is as healthy as it can be while it’s in the style. Moisture is one of your biggest tools when sporting braids so you want to consider products that will cleanse your potentially exposed scalp and prevent breakage along your hairline. You want to use soothing products to help relieve your skin of any itchiness, flaking, and reduce the amount of buildup on your scalp.
Products After Braiding
Now that the style is complete, it’s time to preserve, maintain, and protect those braids. Keeping a satin bonnet is going to help reduce frizz and allow your hair to stay moisturized which you will most definitely need from constant sun exposure. Restorative sprays, balms, and oils can help to add moisture to your roots, prevent breakage and dryness depending on the length of your style. Be gentle with your scalp during this timeline and make sure you are using your fingers to rub on the scalp, between your braids, and in any crevices where you can have product build up, sweat, and flaking skin.
Community Members’ Favorite Products
Taylor Bobb
Photo Credit
“It’s the mousse for me! Maintaining my summer braids is always a breeze with styling mousse! My favorite styling mousse is the Creme of Nature Pure Honey Mousse. It controls the frizz and flyaways on my braids. What I love most is that it’s infused with pure honey, shea butter, and coconut oil which moisturizes my natural hair and scalp!”
Benita Oseleononmen
Photo Credit
“Braids are my favorite low manipulation hairstyle. While giving my kinks a break with this style , the Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey super hold edge gel is a must have styling product for my braids . As someone with thin fine type 4 hair, I love an edge gel that sleeks down my edges with maximum hold and without flaking. Glycerin and honey as one of its main ingredients, acts as both an emollient and humectant to moisturize one’s hair. Love this product because it last all day even in the summer, and it causes no breakage to my edges.”
Sandy
Photo Credit
“To maintain my natural hair while using proactive style braids. I use Aveda Nutri-plenish shampoo and conditioner and a treatment mask.I maintain my braids by washing them when needed. To help my braids last longer. It also helps to cleanse my braids and keep my natural hair hydrated.”
CURLS has been a staple of the natural hair community since its inception in 2002 and 20 years later it’s still a fan favorite. Founded by Mahisha Dellinger, CURLS was developed to celebrate and honor kinky, coily, curly, and textured hair during an era when the natural hair revolution had not bloomed yet. As an emerging leader in the natural hair space, CURLS has been at the forefront of innovation and originality in their unique formulas and diverse product collections. They have worked with iconic celebrities like Nia Long, Alicia Keys, and Ashanti, who have been champions of the quality, ingredients, and ethical business practices. As CURLS officially celebrates their 20th anniversary, we were excited to sit down for a desk side chat with Mahisha who discussed the journey CURLS has endeavored as a fan favorite and how the brand is carving out a future for naturalistas everywhere.
How does it feel to be celebrating 20 years in the natural hair space?
It feels phenomenal. I’ve experienced so much success, pitfalls and key learning lessons. To say that I’ve been in business for 2 decades when 80% of business fail by year 5 makes me so proud. I’m proud to be a pioneer in this space, grow my fanbase, the CURLS offerings, and to still be thriving in this community.
What do you remember about the natural hair category when you launched in 2002?
Target was the first creator of a natural hair category in retail which happened around 2007, but prior to that it was challenging. We launched in 2002 and we were a part of a handful of brands that were all e-commerce based along with Miss Jessie’s, Carol’s Daughter, Shea Moisture, and Heritage. In the stores you could only buy perms, jerry curl juice, hawaiian silky, and jam so it was grim for us because we had no options.
The reason I created the brand was because I was a new mother and didn’t want to use drying gels and jerry curl products so needless to say, before CURLS my hair was a hot mess. Me and my fellow sisters in this industry have created brands that back then were inspirational and now we’re on fire. Alot of retailers didn’t think this was going to last, for example: I pitched my products to Ulta and Sally Beauty and they rejected them because they thought natural hair was a fad that was going to go away. 20 years later we’re still here.
If you could recall one big milestone CURLS had in the past 20 years, what would it be and why?
Hands down without a doubt it’s being one of the four pioneering brands that created this brand in retail. When Target called, they only had old legacy brands at the time and relaxer sales were down. Linda Sullivan was the buyer and decided she was going to create a multicultural category that she tested in 105 stores with me, Shea Moisture, Miss Jessie’s and Jane Carter and we were on an endcap. They said if it does well, we’ll grow with you and if not then we’ll just end the relationship. We all did really well and then the other retailers saw the success and started using our products in their store. Because of her direction and Target’s category, it changed the direction of the CURLS brand in exposure, credibility, respect, and it took us from e-commerce to retail.
The climate in the early 00’s in terms of collaboration vs. competition was a different ecosystem than it is now, how do you think that has changed in 20 years?
In 2002, the space was too new to be hypercompetitive, but by 2006-2010 it was pretty crazy because they were pitting brands against each other. It was CURLS vs. Mixed Chicks, Kinky Curly vs. Miss Jessies, Carol’s Daughter vs. Shea Moisture, you couldn’t like more than one brand. It made it detrimental for our sisterhood. It wasn’t very healthy because even if it wasn’t directly us it was the buyers and the distributors also fueling that fire. When we finally got past that time period, we found a new respect for each other. Now I see more collaboration like Mixed Chicks creating an event we all participated in at Essence Fest or at the World Natural Hair Show where we’re all together instead of spread apart like at the white conferences.
We’re seeing new product brands pop up daily, how do you feel about the current climate of natural hair products entering the ecosphere?
We have to be mindful about how certain brands are being positioned in order to avoid any confusion between customers. The general market is not worried about shelf space, there are always a lot of products for women who are not of color. For us, it’s ensuring everyone has their unique branding and positioning clear versus copycatting what’s already on the shelf. For example, there was a big wave of people formulating their ingredients with coconut oil, shea butter, and argan oil and then everyone was burnt out.
CURLS has always taken the stance of creating products with unique ingredients that have never been used in our category before such as: blueberry extract, cashmere and caviar extract and most recently, sea moss. Originality matters because you want to deliver to a need and not just want what you think is popular for the shelf. We have to start listening to our consumer, more women are wearing more wigs and weaves, do those products exist for their hair? We try to find unique formulas and solve problems with solutions.
What can you tell us about the brand’s new category launch?
Our “Hair Under There” collection was created based on data I researched that 70% of women in 2020 had reported they had already worn or planned to wear a wig, weave, and extensions. I saw that data and thought about how you were going to grow the hair under the protective style. You want to avoid neglecting your scalp, breakdage, dry, and brittle hair that’s going to hinder your hair growth. We have a lot of products but this line is for a Black woman who wants to see their hair flourish and grow.
Sea Moss is a hot and trending super food ingredient and people are aware it’s good for your body, hair, and skin. It has 92 of the 110 nutrients your body needs and is vitamin packed to help keep your hair supple, it has a naturally conditioning agent that helps with shine, prevents breakage and promotes hair growth. We took that one superfood and created a whole collection that customers will love.
Our accessories “CURLS Ultimate Detangler Brush” which is similar to a denman brush, it has rows of bristles that you can pop in or out. If you have denser hair you can take out rows to give more room for your curls, if you’re straightening your hair it can be used as is, wavy hair you can remove 2-3 rows. The edge control brush has the brush to sculpt the edges and a fine tooth comb on one side and medium comb tooth on the other. The detangling comb has pliable bristles and teeth to detangle along the shape of your hair whether it’s wet or dry.
Headwraps have been all the rage this season because let’s face it, the sun has been coming for us left and right. But despite the hot weather, these stylish and ornate accessories are not only great for protecting your scalp or style, but have become a go-to staple for naturalistas everywhere. Headwraps are chic, feminine, and are adaptable to any wardrobe or style. We’ve seen them all over Instagram, TikTok, and more Black-owned brands like Constant Covering and Crownned debuting premium headwraps we can’t get enough of.
The benefits of headwraps
What makes headwraps such a vital accessory for traveling or daily use is that they are versatile, functional, and can be used in a variety of hair scenarios. Whether you’re rocking locs, braids, sporting a pineapple, or protecting your hair from climate weather, they are a staple piece to keep in your closet.
If you’ve never worn a headwrap before, it can feel slightly intimidating deciding how to wear it and make it blend with your natural style. You may be wondering if you have the right length of hair, is it tied securely, will it slip off, does it blend with your current style. The good thing is there is no wrong answer to this question! Headwraps can be worn with any texture of hair and can be styled simply by weaning your hair down, protecting your braids, or with an updo or bun. Many headwraps come in solid, print, and can even come pre-tied so half the work is done for you. We talked to four influencers who shared how they wear their favorite headwraps, get your pens out, it’s time to take some notes!
Pri Yunes
Photo: @curlygirlpri
“I tend to use headscarves to prolong wash day since it’s a protective style. I make sure to apply a leave-in so that my hair stays moisturized and I massage my scalp with hair oil to relieve tension and promote hair growth. When I wear a headscarf I make sure to put my hair up in a pineapple with a satin scrunchie to prevent breakage and I tie it no more than 1-2 times to prevent unnecessary tension which can cause breakage. A gel or pomade is a great hair product to slick your hair back and also clean up your baby hairs when you use a headscarf making the style look more polished.”
Kassandra Hazlehurst
Photo: @hazkas
“I find myself reaching for my head wraps most with a protective style in. Braids can be extremely heavy, so for this look I created the ponytail first with a strong hair tie. I then wrapped the fabric around, criss-crossing both sides to build height, and then tucked in the ends to secure the style in place. This look is also great when you’re coming to the end of your protective style and are looking for a way to disguise any new growth”
Faith Armstrong
Photo: @honoryourfaith
“Wearing a headscarf isn’t just for bad hair days – I love how it adds color or texture to my outfit. I have a few different ways that I like to tie them and depending on if I want to wear my hair down or all up will determine how I wrap it. The great thing is there’s no wrong way to wear a headscarf, as long as it’s secure and doesn’t unravel throughout the day it’s going to look good. To finish the look, I always use my Babytress edge styler and Prose custom styling gel to swoop my edges and keep them in place. I try to use natural products to style my hair to keep it from flaking or feeling itchy when it’s wrapped up.”
Abigail Hunter
Photo: @_theabnormallife
Best practices:
1: Use bobby pins for added security.
2: Don’t tie your scarves too tight.
3: Taking time to style your edges adds elevation to your scarf style
Jessica Morrobel
Photo: @travelingwithjessica
Some days my hair feels bouncy, fresh, and voluminous enough to wear it out. Other days, not so much — it gets frizzy or seems to have a mind of its own. Depending on the day, I’m looking to protect my hair, and a head wrap style is great. One of my go-to head wrap styles is the ‘Double Front Twist’ style, in which I use a long head wrap — at least 40” x 72”. Fanm Djanm has stretch-knit wrap with a flexible material that easily folds over the head, which I like to use to help hold the wrap in place. To style, I start by folding the wrap over my head. Then, I bring the two long ends towards the front of my head and cross them into a knot. Afterward, I take the two ends and cross them back down my head in a knot — tucking in the loose ends. To keep my curls defined for this style, I like to mix two or more products that hydrate my hair without leaving that crunchy feeling, like the AG Hair Recoil Curl Activator.
How do you wear your favorite headwraps? Let us know in the comments below.
Back in March 2022 I had the distinct pleasure of laying my eyes on the stunning journals, stationery, and writing tools from Be Rooted. The detailed images of beautiful black and brown women adorning sleek updos, laid baby hairs, headscarves, and free flowing curls were unlike anything I had seen before. Shortly after this I had the chance to meet Be Rooted founder, Jasmin Foster, who had shared her enthusiasm and excitement for having her products sold at Target.
As the creator of Be Rooted, Jasmin sought to create a business and products that would allow women of color to be seen, appreciated, valued, and uplifted. Be Rooted gives customers the freedom to live out their wildest dreams in the safe space of journals, notebooks, and planners. It encourages you to be introspective, thoughtful, and confident in the pursuit of your day to day activities whether you’re looking to travel, channel bravery or hustle harder. We’re so excited to chat with Jasmin and discuss her entrepreneurial journey, her inspiration for her designs, and what’s on the horizon for the brand.
Who were your hair influences growing up?
Growing up, I loved spending the day at the beauty shop. I was always excited to see what new hairstyle my stylist would have, see what celebrities were rocking in the latest beauty magazines, and listen to gossip that was way over my head. I learned a lot about beauty, style, and confidence in the beauty shop.
What was your favorite or signature natural hairstyle to rock when you were younger?
I spent a lot of my earlier years exploring what worked best for me between braids, sew-ins, straight styles, and learning my curl pattern. I don’t know that I had just one, but I love the versatility of our hair.
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How would you describe your entrepreneurial journey?
My entrepreneurial journey has been a lesson of learning myself. It has been an amazing exploration of testing my boundaries and pushing myself to design the life that I want to live. I love the freedom of waking up each day and knowing that the effort that I put into today directly impacts me seeing my vision come to life while also consistently getting direct feedback from the community on how it is having an impact in their life.
What inspired you to create “Be Rooted”?
As a little girl growing up in Indianapolis, I always loved stationery. With every new semester I would be excited to buy school supplies, and into adulthood, I’d buy a new planner to map out my work and life. Despite my enthusiasm, over the years I realized that I always felt disconnected from the category. I never really felt like journals and stationery were designed with women of color in mind. I wanted to change that.
After many years waiting for a brand to come in and to help me feel seen, I launched Be Rooted because I wanted to change the face of the stationery and gifting industry. For far too long and in too many spaces, Black and Brown women have been left unseen and unspoken to. Be Rooted was created to flip that narrative and center Black and Brown women by making them feel loved, celebrated, and uplifted.
What are the origins of the name?
I want my community to feel rooted in culture, rooted in representation, rooted in who they are.
Imagery is the heart of your products, how do you capture the range of texture in your graphics?
Our design process is multi-step. It first starts with brainstorming the theme and mood of what we want to evoke from the collection. From there, we are able to build out a more detailed mood board and color palette that is inclusive of inspiration from the real world. From there my designers move to sketching, and once we align, we illustrate.
Why was it important for you to use these images on journals and stationery?
The stationery industry is over $40B and there is not one major Black-owned national brand. Black and Brown women deserve to feel seen, heard, and loved across all industries.
You’re a champion for collaborating with independent artists for your products, how does this support the mission of “Be Rooted”?
I am a huge advocate for not just being a business that sells goods, but to really think about your impact on the whole ecosystem. With the community that we are building, I love being able to expose our audience to independent artists and using our platform to continue to widen their exposure.
How does stationery, journals, and writing accessories support BIPOC representation?
Be Rooted supports the representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in their prominence on the artwork on the journals and gifting items. Be Rooted is focused on amplifying a diverse range of BIPOC so that they too feel seen and heard.
What new products can we look forward to in 2022?
We have a very exciting Holiday collection launching at the end of October. We will be launching 20+ skus across 6 different stationery and gifting categories.
Simone Tetteh & Maude Okrah are the founders of Black Beauty Roster (BBR”> a diversity and inclusion platform that connects the media, fashion and beauty industry with diverse beauty talent for on and off set needs. “As businesswomen, beauty enthusiasts, and Black women, we saw an opportunity to close the beauty diversity gap in the industry by providing more opportunities for beauty professionals with diverse skill-sets and helping the media, fashion, and beauty industries truly understand how to become better allies and advocates for diverse talent and their beauty needs.”
We created BBR because we saw and heard the cries from talent of color in the industry about the struggles to find not just great but even adequate hair and makeup professionals who knew how to take care of and style their hair and work with their skin tones.
What were your individual relationships to your hair growing up?
Simone: Growing up, my hair served as a means of self-discovery. I saw my hair as an accessory that helped me try on different types of personas, and try to live out the ones that most fit. As a younger child I only wanted to look like the girls on the Just4Me relaxer boxes, all smoothed edges and bumped ends and as I grew into my adolescence I wanted to look like the girls I saw in music videos, with long straight weaves and highlights.
When I look back on what my “hair goals” were growing up, I can’t help but realize I was always trying to be and look like someone else. I was constantly rejecting the texture of hair that grew out of my own head in favor of what was deemed most palatable and trendy by others. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I was able to not just come to terms with my natural hair texture, but also show it off and honor it in ways that truly suit me and my own preferences as opposed to the dominant trends of the day.
Did you have any stylists or hair inspirations that influenced you?
Simone: I was always flipping through Hype Hair magazine back in the day and absorbing all the daring and cool styles rocked by my favorites like Kelis and Rihanna. I also paid close attention to the credits in the magazine where I learned about the stylists behind these incredible looks like Ursula Stephens and Maisha Oliver. I learned early that it was these stylists, often women of color, who were the masterminds and true trendsetters behind so many of our favorite celebrity looks.
What inspired the creation of the BBR?
Simone: We created BBR because we saw and heard the cries from talent of color in the industry about the struggles to find not just great but even adequate hair and makeup professionals who knew how to take care of and style their hair and work with their skin tones. This is an issue that is pervasive for both men and women and across ethnic backgrounds on film sets, photo shoots, and red-carpet/press opportunities. Models have shared stories of crying in their trailer or bathrooms because they were so overwhelmed with having to take on the task of being talent + hairstylist/makeup artist or even actors convincing directors that their character should have braids for a role, so the actor could avoid the uncertainty of the hair and makeup trailer.
We know there are a lot of amazingly talented beauty professionals with diverse skill-sets who can work on every hair texture and skin tone but for many reasons they are not getting the opportunities to show off their skills and get the jobs they deserve.
We know there are a lot of amazingly talented beauty professionals with diverse skill-sets who can work on every hair texture and skin tone but for many reasons they are not getting the opportunities to show off their skills and get the jobs they deserve. We also know that the beauty, fashion and media industry wants to become more diverse and inclusive and needs to understand not only where to find diverse talent but also how to truly engage in the conversation of allyship and diversity. BBR serves as a platform to be able to both engage the beauty community and the industry and finally bridge the beauty diversity gap.
How does BBR’s mission help to create a more inclusive environment for Black professionals in media?
Simone: At BBR we are constantly advocating for the presence and influence of diversity on set and we know oftentimes that can begin in the hair and makeup trailer. We understand and have seen firsthand what a positive influence having hair and makeup that understands how to work with all hair textures and skin tones can be for Black talent.
Not having to worry about if they know how to work with curls or kinky coily hair or if the makeup on your face matches the skin on your neck while standing under a stage light, helps talent to truly focus on what they are there to do, whether it’s delivering an award-winning stage or screen performance or showing off the season’s most coveted designs. This ability to focus solely on their craft allows Black talent to shine and live up to their greatest potential.
How would you describe the current evolution of natural hairstyles in Hollywood?
Maude: I think the showcasing of more natural hair across TV and movie screens is truly an evolution. It has been great to see more Black actresses wearing their natural hair on screen and writers and directors are embracing the importance of it in creating storylines. Representation matters, especially with natural hair – normalizing it in Hollywood is a major step.
What were your initial thoughts when you heard about the CROWN Act?
Simone: The Crown Act is such a monumental moment in helping to destigmatize Black hair in the workforce and beyond. It’s an incredible step in truly addressing the history of anti-Blackness in the professional world.
Editor’s note: The CROWN Act is a law that prohibits race-based discrimination, including the denial of employment and educational opportunities. CROWN stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”
Have you seen any immediate impact from the CROWN Act being passed by legislature in 2021?
Simone: The passing of the Crown Act across a handful of states has led to previously unheard of and unspoken conversations and curiosity about hair discrimination. Everyone from hair stylists to corporate executives are now speaking about and examining how they’ve previously thought of and approached the topic of hair in the workplace as well as removing rules and mandates that were previously harmful and exclusionary to people of color. These are great early steps, however we believe more tangible and lasting change can come once the law is passed nationwide.
The CROWN Act is currently a law in California, but is still pending legislation in 18 states, how can Hollywood help inspire change?
Simone: Hollywood sets the tone and is the driver of so much of culture. Hollywood can continue inspiring the embrace of change and diversity by continuing to show that in the content it produces. The more we see diverse faces, hairstyles, and even clothing in the media, the more people become accustomed to difference and don’t see it as a threat or something to be controlled or minimized. Creating more inclusive film and TV sets leads to more voices and appearances being heard, seen and uplifted.
What do you think is our biggest hurdle in overcoming hair discrimination in the workplace?
Simone: The biggest hurdle appears to be communication and education. In certain workplaces people are not educated not just on various ways of styling one’s hair but also how to engage and speak to folks who are different from themselves. It’s important for people to look inward and examine their biases, educate themselves and communicate with others before coming to conclusions on others’ appearances and what that says about their lifestyles or ability to thrive in certain work environments.
If you’re a beauty professional and you’d like to join the Black Beauty Roster to be considered for beauty jobs in TV&Film, Editorial and Commercial, sign up here.
Have you been searching for your next easy natural hairstyle? Curl expert, celebrity stylist Cataanda James, shares everything you need to know about trying crochet twists.
As the resident brand educator for The Mane Choice, Cataanda James is all about teaching naturalistas the latest trends, best products for hair care, and creating innovative styles for your hair. She’s been a stylist for over 20 years and worked with popular celebrities like the late Kobe Bryant, Terrance Howard, and America Ferrera. She’s a licensed cosmetologist, multicultural beauty educator, and has spent years working with different hair textures and types. As we’re easing into the last month of summer, she’s here to share all the details on one of the most popular styles, crochet twists. Read more for her tips on styling, maintenance, preparation, and the most popular ways to rock these gorgeous styles.
How do I choose the right crochet twists for my hair?
Choosing the right crochet twists for your hair partly depends on the end goal for your style, size of twists, and desired texture of the extension hair. Most importantly, you want to consider the texture, density, and condition of your natural hair. If you have fine, thin hair, you don’t want to install any style twists that are too weighted, causing excessive tension or friction on your natural strands which can ultimately result in hair loss. If your hair is thick, and dense, same precaution. You don’t want twists that are too small because you will end up with a massive amount of twists and more added hair causing strain on your neck. Sourcing the right style is necessary for the best style results and health of your hair.
What are some trendy ways to rock crochet twists?
Jumbo marley twists, short kinky twists, and passion twists are just a few of the many trendy ways to rock crochet twists.
Which celebrities can we see wearing crochet twists often?
Keke Palmer, Brandy, and Kerry Washington have all been spotted on the scene rocking their crochet twists.
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What tools do I need to create crochet twists at home?
To create crochet twists at home, the two specific items you will need are:
- A crochet hook, or you can improvise and reshape an open ended hair pin into a fish shaped loop
- The twisted extension hair for installation.
Some other basic necessities needed to create the look are a fine-tooth comb for precision parting, and clips to control section and keep the hair out of the way that you’re not working with.
How do I prep my hair for creating crochet twists?
Start with a fresh shampoo to ensure a clean scalp and clean head of hair free of any product build up or debris. If you have natural hair that is on the curlier spectrum (Type 3b-4c”>, thicker and denser, you may want to consider heat stretching or blowing out your hair prior to installation. This will allow for more control and manageability. If you are not one to apply direct heat on your hair and you have some extra time on your hands, sectioning your hair and braiding it up to air dry 100% is an alternative. This will also offer some stretch to your hair sans the heat.
What hair products should I keep on hand for creating my crochet twists?
When creating your twists, there are a few must-have The Mane Choice products that will make the styling process easier while offering some nourishment to your scalp and hair prior to the install, during, and after.
h2Oh! hydration therapy Scalp Toning Micellar Water
is a gentle scalp toner, providing an added boost for a clean, well-maintained scalp. It helps remove excess oil and product buildup from the scalp. Keeping a stash will come in clutch when your scalp starts to get itchy, flaky and the sebum tries to ruin the life of your protective style!h2Oh! hydration therapy Soothing Scalp Oil
is a silky and invigorating blend that nourishes and hydrates a dry scalp, helping in scalp comfort. This lightweight formula is a must-have to apply at the time of installation of your twists and throughout the duration of your protective style to relieve tension and provide hydration to the scalp. The icing on the cake is, it smells divine!h2Oh! hydration therapy Mineral Rich Hydration Spray
infuses hair with essential moisture and shine and helps to provide a protective shield against pollution. This is the answer to making sure your hair underneath is properly nourished and hydrated while rocking your twists.Hair Type 4 Leaf Clover Stubborn Edges Freezing Gel
is a powerful, nourishing edge gel that adds a firm, sleek hold, and amazing shine to stubborn, unruly edges that will super hold your crochet twists for a lasting, polished finish.
Read next:Product Review: How Hydrating Is The Mane Choice H2Oh! Hydration Therapy Collection
What type of accessories can I wear with crochet twists?
You can accessorize your crochet twists with charms, beads, hair jewels, metal cuffs, metallic cord, headbands, the options are endless.
How long do crochet twists last?
As for any twists and/or braided protective style, I suggest no longer than 4-6 weeks depending on how well you cared for your scalp and hair and how fast your hair grows. Although crochet style twists are a more forgiving technique, when the grow out is extended too far beyond the root, the tension can still become damaging to your strands. The purpose of a protective style is to protect your hair from over manipulation and excessive styling to encourage length retention.
What advice do you have for beginners new to wearing crochet twists?
If you are new to wearing crochet twists, I suggest doing your research to learn what type of twists are best for your hair type and your lifestyle.
We’re in an age where new ingredients are constantly being discovered and popping up in our products and being promoted by our favorite brands. A single ingredient has the potential to change the landscape of our hair texture, pattern, definition, hair type which is why we have to pay extra special attention to labels. Bhringraj is gaining increased traction in the beauty world for its ability to help with hair growth.
Let’s dive into the Bhringraj fundamentals for all your curly care.
What is Bhringraj?
Bhringraj is an herb that is grown all over the world but is most common in places like Brazil, Thailand, and India. The leaves of the plant are mixed and heated to create an oil which can be used in capsule or powder form. In 2008 a study was conducted to determine Bhringraj’s ability to aid in preventing hair loss and showed promise due to the Vitamin E properties that fight against the elements that prevent hair growth.
What are the hair benefits of Bhringraj?
Dr. Sasibhushan is the creator of Vatika Ayurveda hair products and states that “Bhringraj is called the ‘king of hair’ in Ayurveda with various benefits that include: hair growth, improved skin complexion, and digestive benefits”. This Ayurvedic herb is used in many hair treatments to help treat dry scalp, reduce graying, prevent hair loss, and treat dandruff. It’s a very nutrient rich substance with minerals like vitamin e, vitamin d, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Reducing Dandruff
Bhringraj oil has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with conditions like psoriasis or other skin conditions that occur on the scalp.
Slowing Down Graying
While there is no foolproof way to prevent graying hair, Bhringraj does slow down the appearance of gray hair due to the darkening properties of the herb.
Hair Growth
When you massage the oil into your scalp you can help increase blood flow and circulation.
How to use Bhringraj on your hair
Bhringraj is best used when it’s applied onto the scalp and massaged into the roots so it can penetrate the hair follicles. If you’re looking for hair and scalp growth it can be applied as a hot oil treatment and used as a mask for an hour and then washed out. For gray hair prevention you can mix it with coconut oil and wash the scalp liberally for 2-3 times a week. We do recommend consulting a dermatologist or your physician before using it as a direct treatment for dandruff, hair loss, or graying hair in the event you have any scalp sensitivity to the ingredients.
Hair Products With Bhringraj
While there is still a growing market for including Bhringraj into hair products, the oil itself is very easy to obtain on Amazon and can be found in its purest forms at a variety of prices.
Brazil Kertain Ayurvedic Eclipta Alba Treatment ($11.17″>
Eclipta Alba is the herb that Bhringraj is derived from and this treatment can help reduce grays and strengthen hair follicles.
Vatika Ayurveda Strengthening Oil ($24.99″>
Nourish your hair and scalp with this strengthening oil that works to prevent breakage and provide a soothing experience to your scalp.
Mauli Rituals ($45″>
This “grow strong” hair oil helps to strengthen follicles and promote growth while minimizing split ends and dandruff.
As we’re becoming more in tune with self-care, that means looking deeper into the label and uncovering what the components are of the latest and greatest ingredients on the market to understand how they truly can benefit our hair.
Have you tried Bhringraj in your hair care routine?
Jesseca Dupart is a force to be reckoned with. In 2014, she re-launched her Atlanta Salon after experiencing a devastating fire and included her new product line Kaleidoscope Hair Products which were designed to help her clients who were experiencing hair loss due to weaves and color damage. Her four staple products, including her best-selling Miracle Drops grew her multi-million-dollar business to legendary proportions and the rest is history. The brand has received celebrity endorsements from Tina, Angela Yee, Monica, Christina Milian, and Blac Chyna to name a few. Kaleidoscope is one of the fastest growing brands in the haircare industry, slated to double in size and door count this year alone – with new retail partnerships (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and more”> and a new, highly-anticipated haircare collection launching in March. We sat down with Jesseca to talk about her entrepreneurial journey, hair growth tips, and her relationship with her faith.
Tell us about your relationship with your hair growing up?
From a young age, around 7, I remember cutting and styling my dolls’ hair. A fond childhood memory I have is sitting on my dad’s back with his head full of barrettes. He would let me play around with his hair all the time. After that while in middle school and high school, I started doing my friends’ hair along with my own.
How would you describe your entrepreneurial journey to creating Kaleidoscope?
Crazy! That’s the best way to describe the whirlwind now known as Kaleidoscope. What started as something I was offering to my clients (I was a hairstylist for over 20 years”> became something that retired me from behind the chair. Learning to leverage social media while offering products that work was perfect synergy for growth. Taking over social by storm over the years was FUN because it let me be creative in my own unapologetic way.
You reopened your business in 2014, what were some business strategies you applied to the new salon?
- Being fiscally responsible was paramount – finding a better option for some of the things I may have purchased prior.
- Marketing that is disruptive – instead of traditional marketing I opted into things like funny spoofs, remakes of music videos, driving an educational point of what our product does but in an entertaining way.
- Also letting go of any fear!
Ingredients are a staple of any haircare, what types of ingredients did you source for your products?
I sourced many natural ingredients that promote blood circulation in the scalp to help with hair growth and overall hair health, such as Coconut Milk, Aloe Vera, and Castor Oil.
Your best-product is the miracle drops which focus on hair growth. What was the inspiration for this line and production process like?
Because our customers love the Miracle Drops (Original, Extra Strength and Coconut”> and we already have the Miracle Drops in our edge pomade and leave in conditioner, it was a natural next step to extend the collection. I figured this was the best way to conquer two of the most common hair concerns – length retention and lack of moisture – all at once.
Hair growth is an essential focus for your brand and products, what has your experience been with hair growth?
Like many, I have colored my hair multiple times, and for the most part I am able to bounce back. It was the last time I colored my hair in particular that almost forced me to transition to be fully natural. It has been quite an exciting journey growing out my curls. During this time I did a lot of research to develop the perfect formulation for the Miracle Drops Collection.
What are three tips would you provide to women looking to grow their hair out this season?
- I am an advocate of hydration, so one drink A LOT of water while taking your KaleidoGrow Vitamins daily, and apply the Miracle Drops every other day.
- It is super important to remember to use low tension protective styles during the spring and summer.
- Whether relaxed or natural, remember to get your ends trimmed regularly.
What would be the holy grail products for first time customers to your brand and why?
The holy grail of Kaleidoscope Hair Products would be Miracle Drops (Original”>, Miracle Drops Edge Pomade (for a full and sleek hairline”>, and Miracle Drops Leave-In (perfect on all hair types and extensions”>.
Philanthropy and faith remain at the cornerstone of the brand and who you are as businesswoman, how has this impacted how you approach business?
My whole business is rooted in my faith, and I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by other believers as well. I will never take it lightly that God has blessed me to be in the position I am in, so in turn, I do my best to bless others in whatever capacity that may be. I approach many of my business and personal decisions in prayer first. When I created the #praythroughtheprocess movement it was not because I wanted a cute hashtag, but it was my way of encouraging myself and others to remember to keep their faith rooted in God, and to know your today does not have to be your tomorrow.
What can we look forward to from your brand in 2022?
You can look forward to major growth and visibility for Kaleidoscope in 2022! We have more than doubled our distribution in retail this year. In addition to our partnerships with Walmart, Target, and Sally Beauty, Kaleidoscope Hair Products is now in CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid (June 2022″>.
Juices & Botanics is a natural hair care company founded by celebrity natural hair growth and care expert, Whitney Eaddy (The Growth Guru”>. Whitney is known as the “Afro-Whisperer“ for her ability to grow natural hair to amazing lengths. With over 16 years of experience, Whitney used her unique understanding of caring for natural hair to create Juices & Botanics. This haircare brand celebrates self-love, self-care, and sisterhood through a blend of botanicals, roots, herbs, and nurturing ingredients that promote hair growth and optimal health. She is an HBCU alumni and used her degree in Public Relations and Marketing to build her brand. She used her experience with chemical relaxers to create a line of products that would empower and invigorate women of color to embrace and love their natural hair. Juices & Botanics offers a variety of products intended to nourish, cleanse, hydrate, and protect natural hair.
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What I’m Looking to Achieve:
My curls are a blend of 3A-3C and have been on a long road to recovery from 3 years worth of color damage. I usually wear my hair down, in a ponytail, or bun so I try to look for products that will be hydrating, moisturizing, and help define my curls. I often experience dryness between wash days that is only heightened in the summertime so I need products with rich ingredients that will save me some time between wash days.
The Products (The Juice Box Lux“>:
- The Juice Detox Deep Cleanser – This shampoo helps to purify your hair without stripping it of its natural moisture. Its ingredients include charcoal, sage, rice water, and tea tree oil.
- The Juicy Smooth Conditioner – A hydrating conditioner to help detangle curls during wash day and provide essential nutrients and vitamins to the hair.
- The Juice Cleanse CoWash – A detangling co-wash that is formulated to help reduce tangles between wash days and can help alleviate dryness and provide hydration.
- The Juice Replenishing Leave-In Spray – An ultra-lightweight spray that helps to eliminate tangles, manageability, luster, and elasticity.
- The Quench Cream – A leave-in conditioner that can provide an added boost of frizz protection and restore natural moisture.
- The Drip – A healthy hair growth elixir to help seal in hydration, soften hair, and stimulate hair growth.
- The HydraCream Cream – A cream formulated with honey, aloe juice, and mango seed butter. The lightweight formula is supposed to help with dry hair issues.
- The Juicy Curl Cream – A curl defining cream formulated with grapefruit oil and mango seed butter to create soft, defined, and hydrated curls.
- Hair Growth Berries – A hair growth accelerator vita gummy you can take to help enhance your hair growth.
The Review
1. First step was to cleanse my hair with the Detoxifying Shampoo which had a very acidic smell and was cleansing to my scalp without stripping my hair. I’ve had some strong clarifying shampoos so I was very happy this cleansed without leaving my hair gasping for moisture.
2. Next I applied the Hydrating Hair Cream and left it on for about 10-15 minutes. This product had alot of slip, a minimal fragrance, and felt very buttery in my hair. It combed through well and washed out well leaving my hair detangled, hydrated, and moisturized.
3. After drying my hair I applied the “Drip” to enhance my hydration and used it liberally across my scalp. This felt like a good blend of oil and water without leaving my scalp with excess oil, it blended well with the existing products.
4. Next was the leave-in spray called “The Juice” which was very lightweight and helped to detangle my curls. I typically would want something a bit heavier in terms of product for a wash day but was happy it detangled my curls and was very hydrating.
5. Last but not least I applied the quench cream which raked well through my hair and added a bit of definition that was needed from the leave-in.
Final Thoughts
Overall this line has a lot of potential with rich ingredients that are natural and extremely beneficial to maintaining healthy curls. I will say since these products are so lightweight they didn’t hold up for my wash-day.
I think because they are mainly cream and water based it doesn’t provide a good hold to maintain definition and reduce frizz over time. I had to re-wash my hair later that week because my hair was soft and frizz versus maintaining a good hold with definition. The standout was the Hydracream which gave instant results after my wash that left my hair shiny, detangled, and ready for the next set of products.
Have you tried Juice and Botanics? Let us know what you thought in the comments!
