Search Results: Desiree Johnson
For stylists like (Dionte Gray”> aka Arrogant Tae, hair is not a hobby, it’s a calling. This Chicago native has been doing hair since he was 12 years old and has only gotten better with every client he’s worked with. To say Tae’s styles are the picturesque images of legends is no understatement, this celebrity stylist has famously worked with Nicki Minaj, Lala Anthony, Love & Hip Hop Star Dreamdoll, and model Ari Fletcher. He has become notorious for snatching, weaving, and slaying the wig game with bold colors, sleek cuts, and enviable looks that make him one of the most sought after stylists in Hollywood. Most recently he’s taken his expertise to the next level as the first-ever stylist ambassador for African Pride where he is promoting a custom Sealed2Slay regimen for healthy hair & protective styling maintenance. We sat down to chat with Tae about all the 411 on choosing, styling, and using a wig in your hair care routine.
Describe your journey of becoming a hair artist?
My journey to becoming a hairstylist started when I was 12 years old. I was doing my Mom’s friend’s kid’s hair in my room. I always watched my Aunt, Mom, and cousin- who also did hair. From there I knew I would make a career of doing hair.
What is your first memory of working with wigs?
My first memory of working with a wig was on my cousin shortly before I moved to Atlanta. I can recall buying the wig, coloring it, but I didn’t do any of the steps I do now. Lol. I didn’t bleach the knots, I didn’t pluck it. I installed the wig on her and it was so thick, but at the time it was how all the wigs were looking. My cousin didn’t have a thick hairline, so when I installed the wig on her it appeared even thicker, but the hair was so full and we thought it was so cute. When we looked at it, all we kept saying was “Yesssssss. This looks like your real hair.” Now looking back- it was horrible.
Can you share the most common types of wigs (hair type and styles”> and what you prefer to use with your clients?
The most common wigs right now are transparent and HD full lace wigs. The densities vary from 160, 180, or 200. I prefer HD lace wigs because the lace is so thin it literally melts into the skin. As far as density, I use 160 or 180. Density refers to how full the wigs are- like how much hair it has. I don’t like when it’s a full lace wig and it has too much hair, I feel that gives the “wiggy” look and I prefer natural looking wigs. My favorite styles I install on my clients with HD wigs are sleek styles- bone straight, middle part, ponytails, bobs, or long layers with curls.
You’ve worked with celebrity clients like Nicki Minaj, Ari Fletcher, and LaLa Anthony, is it a collaborative process creating their hair styles or do you come with concepts for them to choose from?
With all my clients, I like to come up with different styles and colors that I envision on them. I like my clients to sit down and I say, “we’re doing XYZ today.” I also love when their creativity comes to play and they suggest styles, color, and show me inspirational pictures I can take and put my own twist to it. When I do music videos/photoshoots the glam team receives a mood board with direction of the video or shoot and I’ll reference that for direction, but I always get more creative and always put my own twists and turns on it.
What are the 3 common misconceptions about wearing wigs?
The three most common misconceptions about wigs is they take your edges off, afraid it looks too “wiggy”, and that the wigs irritate your scalp.
For first time users, what are your tips for sourcing and choosing a wig?
For first time users, I always suggest 100% human hair, thin lace (HD”>, and make sure it’s a full lace wig so they can be versatile with styling.
What are three styling tips you’d recommend when wearing a wig
Three styling tips for wearing a wig are to make sure you use a hot comb to create a natural and flat hair illusion, do not use any oil products directly on the lace, and part out sections when curling and straightening the hair.
Tell us about your Seal2Slay regiment with African Pride
In partnership with African Pride, we are promoting a custom regimen for healthy hair and protective styling maintenance. The regimen features a selection of African Pride’s premium Moisture Miracle and Olive Miracle products that support under wig care. The regimen will be available for purchase on African Pride’s Amazon storefront.
Which products do you recommend for helping maintain protective styles?
- African Pride 5 Essential Oils
- African Pride Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Hydrate & Shine Leave-In Conditioner
- African Pride Olive Miracle Foam Setting Mousse
Which protective styles do you forecast will trend in 2022?
I think in 2022 wigs will continue as a protective style. I do however feel like more people will understand and educate themselves on the importance of protecting the natural underneath the wigs.
Pictured: Mila, @milathemartian
We can’t emphasize enough the power and influence that representation can have on an individual. Representation can have a life changing impact on how a person perceives themselves and how they use that to navigate their identity in the world. Whether it was young athletes seeing Serena and Venus conquer the tennis courts, Halle Berry winning an oscar, or nuanced stories that went beyond stereotypes in Crazy Rich Asians. While we’re seeing more hair types and representation across the media, books, and in our leaders, there is nothing like capturing the essence of someone witnessing themselves on screen for the first time. Natural hair education and all the tools, tricks, and techniques is one aspect of the representation we still lack in. People see the final results but may not always understand how we take care of our hair in our day to day lives, that is until…Rise Up, Sing Out.
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Created by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Amir “Questlove” Thompson, Rise Up, Sing Out is an animated series of short episodes with songs that focus on inclusion and empowerment that streams on Disney +. The series is five episodes in, and the latest episode “Super Bonnet” celebrates Black hair care at a slumber party where the girls teach their friend Amelia about how bonnets protect their curly and texture hair while sleeping.
On March 4th, Breanna Martin captured her daughter’s reaction to watching the episode and the results are precious to say the least. Her genuine excitement and joy in seeing girls like her singing proudly about their bonnets is truly a sight to see. The video was received with tons of love and support and has become one of the many clips parents are sharing online. We know the value and importance bonnets play in our hair regime whether you’re having a wash and go or looking to maintain your protective styles, bonnets have been around for ages and are a signature aspect of having textured hair.
The #superbonnetchallenge and #riseupsing out hashtags have begun to grow steam online and we are thrilled to see these tiny tots reacting to this episode. Check out a few heartwarming clips below:
1. 2-year-old Mila recognizes a bonnet on screen and is overjoyed.
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Pictured: Mila, @milathemartian
2. This tiny tot danced while wearing her bonnet.
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Pictured: Adara, @natural__08
3. This precious little one watching the show while sporting her colorful bonnet.
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Pictured: Amiyaha, taken by her mom @screamprincesz
Nia Madison Thompson, the actress and singing voice of the character Taniya, has caught wind of all the adorable videos and been featuring weekly segments called the “Superbonnet Affirmations” where she’s meeting with different #superbonnetchallenge winners and dueting with them on Instagram! She empowers and encourages them to sing the song while they sport their bonnet.
To say the impact of this show is monumental is an understatement, we can’t wait to see more tiny tots rocking their bonnets proudly! We’re keeping Rise Up, Sing Out on our favorites list!
Do you have a little one who’s been watching Rise Up, Sing Out?
Carolyn Aronson has been trail blazing even before she became the CEO and founder of It’s a 10 haircare. Her career in beauty began with a successful tenure as a hair stylist and salon owner which propelled her desire to create a salon-quality hair care brand that would actually deliver upon the results it promised. It’s a 10 haircare line has become a global hair care brand that is sold within salons and popular retail chains like Ulta and Regis. The staple product is their “Miracle Leave-In” which is beloved by naturalistas alike for its luxurious quality and powerful ingredients like sunflower seed extract, green tea leaf extract, and silk amino acids. Carolyn has used the success of her brand to champion her love of philanthropy and supporting diversity through community initiatives and using it’s national recognition to showcase the beauty of all hair types. We’re excited to chat with her about her entrepreneurial success, early ideation of her business, and tips for helping improve deep conditioning.
What was your relationship to your hair growing up?
At 6 years old, I took my bangs and started to wear a side part. This empowered me and made me understand how changing your hair could not only change your appearance but also make one feel different inside as well. When I was eight, I already knew I wanted to be a hairdresser. I was very blessed at a young age to know my purpose in life was to give people the empowerment of changing their appearance. By 16, I was working on my license to become a cosmetologist and by 18, I was a hairdresser. My first entry level position was apprenticing under a busy hairdresser at a high-end salon.
What was your journey like from stylist to brand founder?
It was a whole new learning experience. It took years of training and learning from mistakes to finally truly understand it. I was not going to give up even after my first company failed.
If you could describe “It’s A 10” in three words, what would they be?
Instant, miracle, results.
How did you come up with your brand name?
Each of my products provide 10 different benefits. When I first came up with the line, I was frustrated by how many products I have to use to achieve the result I wanted. Instead I created one product that would achieve all 10 things in 1 bottle with ultimate quality. Hence, It’s A 10.
What were the hallmarks of your entrepreneurial experience?
I have three hallmarks that stand out: A super bowl commercial, becoming the #1 selling leave-in conditioner in the country, and creating a national hair holiday registered in the book of calendars called National Love Your Hair Day on October 10th.
Your star product is the “Miracle Leave-In” what attributes of this product make it a must-have item?
The leave-in is packed with natural ingredients that leave all hair types smooth, bouncy and stronger with each use. It enhances your hair’s body and brings out its natural luster. If you’re looking for a leave-in to suit specific needs we have 9 different variations for blonde hair, keratin-infused hair, coily hair and more.
As more people are practicing self-care, deep conditioning has become an essential part of our haircare routine. What are the benefits of deep conditioning and which products do you recommend?
Deep conditioners work by penetrating the layers of the hair shaft to strengthen and condition the hair. This helps to repair the cuticle layers and ultimately reduces frizz and adds a beautiful shine. The Miracle Hair Mask is a simple-to-use conditioning treatment that enhances softness and smoothness and works for dry, damaged and over-processed hair.
What are the best practices for deep conditioning?
I believe that all hair should be deep conditioned occasionally (at least once a month”>. If you haven’t given your hair a treatment in a while or it has a dull look to it, I’d recommend that it’s time for a nice deep condition.
You have a wide array of products, what are your current favorites you use and why?
My current faves are the new Coily Miracle Collection and the Miracle Blow Dry Collection. The Coily Collection was specifically made for the needs of coily hair – each product in the line works to reduce frizz, soften and seal strands so they are bouncy and moisturized. The Coily Miracle Leave-In is perfect for enhancing curls, detangling and hydrating. The Miracle Blow Dry Collection was created to keep hair silky, shiny, nourished and protected while heat styling. The Miracle Blow Dry H20 Shield is especially great – it locks out humidity and repels moisture while deep conditioning strands to preserve your style.
What can we look forward to from It’s A 10 in 2022?
As a brand, we love to be at the forefront of innovation for all hair types. You can expect a new product collection later this year, that will help to target a problem area that many people have within their hair care routine. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
We’re keeping it fresh to death this year with amazing products ahd even better curls that enhance our curls regime. Our 2021 Best of the Best awards recognized some of our favorite products and brands voted on by you and there isn’t a category more beloved than mousses. Mousses have made a big comeback with more brands putting their own classic twist on this airy, hydrating pillow of water and moisture. A great mousse can help to define and smooth curls between wash days or be used to create pillowy soft curls right out the shower. Today we’re going to be reviewing The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam which won Best Musse for All Curl Types and for Coily, Type 4 Hair.
The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
This is a mousse meant for dual-usage since it can be used to detangle, conditioner, define, and add shine to your curls with just a few pumps. It contains natural humectants and silk protein to help aid your curls against humidity and strengthen the hair follicles whether you have thin, wavy, curly, or coily hair. It can be used for a wash and go or to refresh your midweek curls between washes.
The Problem
Me and mousses have a long-term relationship of love and hate. I often remember using mousse’s growing up, smelling the alcohol, feeling the crunch of my curls and cringing as it flaked throughout the day. I’ve probably had two mousses in rotation that I love, but am always wary of trying something new for fear of the dreaded crunch. Thankfully I’ve already used a few of The Doux products and love their brand so I was optimistic going into this review that I would get the results I wanted.
My The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam Review
I’m at the end of my week and between gym days, cold weather, and too many topknots, my hair needed a refresh so I used the The Doux One Love Co-wash to cleanse my hair. I didn’t want to do a full wash day since their co-wash featured ingredients like jojoba and grapeseed oil which I knew would help condition my hair. After rinsing out the co-wash I detangled all of my damp curls in order to prep it for optimal moussing.
The mousse had a light and airy texture, but was thick enough that it wasn’t running right through my hands. If you’re a type three curls with thick curls like me, having a mousse that’s going to coat your curls versus running right through them is a lifesaver. I started sectioning my hair and applied the mousse as directed from root to tip.The smell was amazing, minimal, and crisp which is appreciated for people sensitive to fragrance. It didn’t stick or clump in my hands and applied smoothly to my curls.
Read more: The Top 10 Mousses for Curly Hair
This is a before and after of my hair when the mousse was immediately applied and then an hour after drying. You can see in the before that my hair is coated in the product and the curls are starting to define. When I have extra time I can diffuse it but my usual go-to method is air-drying so I was excited to see what the final results would be. My curls were defined, soft, had a good hold, and were not crunchy. There were some spots that were a little firmer than others but I attributed this to the air drying which could have caused uneven absorption of product into the curls. I was very happy with the final results and surprised at how versatile my curls felt so if I did want to style them I was still able to.
Have you added a mousse to your curly routine this year?
Read next: Mousse vs. Gel: How to Choose the Best Styler for Your Fine Curly Hair
Let us know if you’ve tried The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam below!
Sparkle and shine remains at the heart of the Little Gems brand that is packed with big fun and even bigger accessories. This array of sparkly goodies was a family affair co-founded by Emmy award-winning celebrity stylist Grace Spann and her daughter Olivia who wanted to bring vibrant energy and originality back into accessories. These glitzy and fun accessories can be adorned by tiny tots and adults looking to add a little pizzazz into their styling with a variety of options like headbands, jewelry, sunshades, and satin-lined beanies. All items are thoughtfully intended to style however a naturalista prefers because Little gems remains steadfast in their support of love & the beauty of individuality.
What inspired the creation of Little Gems?
My daughter, Olivia. Her love for all things sparkly! She’s been wearing my jewelry since she was 3 years old, she especially loved all my colorful rhinestone or crystal costume pieces. Once Liv turned 5 I set out to create a fun and affordable jewelry & hair accessories line that really showcased her creativity and love for “dress up”.
If you could describe your brand in three words, what would it be?
Playful, vibrant, sparkle.
Little Gems is co-created between you and your daughter Olivia, what was the ideation process regarding the type of accessories you wanted to showcase?
Well we knew we wanted to showcase Liv’s personal style which is funky, vibrant and girly. Originally, we had only talked about designing jewelry but Liv spent so much time curating the line with me and expressed how much she wanted to see other girls with curly hair rocking Little Gems pins and hats.
How do accessories empower or inspire confidence in younger naturalistas?
I love every time we get pictures or videos from our customers with big smiles on their little ones faces while rocking their Little Gems headbands or hair pins. Liv has beautiful curly hair so we made sure to create hair accessories that went on smoothly and wouldn’t hurt or break her hair when slipping them on but still gave that WOW factor that every little one loves. We also created bright and cheerful beanies with satin lining that help protect your hair by retaining its moisture while keeping you warm and cozy! ( they are oversized- perfect for mommy and me”>
Did you encounter any learning curves or challenges in the development process of the accessories? (colors, market, size of headbands, etc.”>
Yes, we had a few challenges while creating some of the pieces. One of the biggest was adding rhinestones and crystals to our Royal Gem Headbands and figuring out how to make sure they didn’t get caught in their hair. We tried several different styles on Olivia and had our design team switch stone sizes various times to make sure they would go on as smoothly as possible. So glad we have Olivia as our fit model!
How does this collection reflect you and your daughter’s personal style?
It shows Liv’s playful and bright personality. She loves lots of color and shine. I gravitate towards statement pieces with lots of sparkle!
What can we look forward to from Little Gems in 2022?
We are launching so many new exciting pieces! New fun necklaces, cocktail rings and of course, hair accessories- think tiaras and bows ;”>
We asked the NaturallyCurly Instagram community what you wanted to know about using and maintaining curly extensions, and then we sat down to get your top questions answered with celebrity stylist LeAna McKnight.
The beauty of natural hair is all about the science for LeAna McKnight. As one of the top celebrity hairstylists, she has been the genius behind some of your favorite celeb styles. She’s taking her love and passion for hair to a new level with her latest business venture, SL Raw Virgin Hair. Founded in 2009 SL Raw Virgin Hair is one of the first luxury hair extension brands backed by a licensed hairstylist, which boasts high quality human hair extensions in a variety of styles including award-winning I-Tips for bonding and microlinks, wefted hair, wigs and closures. As a beauty expert and educator she is inspired to teach women practical ways to care for their hair with practical and useful tips that can be done in the comforts in their home.
Tell us about your personal and professional background
I am LeAna McKnight and am considered a beauty expert, entrepreneur, an inventor (I currently hold 2 patents within the beauty industry”> and have been styling hair for over 12 years. I’ve worked with celebrities like Ari Lennox, Deborah Cox, and Zuri Hall to name a few in addition to working with popular television shows like The Bold and The Beautiful and American Idol. I love educating customers and clients on scalp care, achieving trendy red carpet looks, and providing tips for achieving healthy hair from the comforts of their home.
How do you achieve more volume when using hair extensions?
Volume depends on if you have fine hair you’re wanting to achieve a thicker look or if you have long hair and want to enhance what you already have. Before you begin I’d recommend evaluating what state your hair is in before proceeding with a purchase.
For example, if you have fine hair then you’ll want to buy extensions to create more texture and density then I would suggest buying extensions with the maximum amount of texture which would be kinky/straight hair or kinky/curly hair. Those textures can give the maximum amount of volume and be curled seamlessly whether you’re going heat free or decide to a rod set.
If you’re someone who has shoulder length hair or longer then I would recommend buying clip-in extensions or tape-in extensions which can be lighter and placed throughout the hair to extend the hair or volume.
Please provide tips for styling my hair and organically blending in the extensions?
Natural hair extensions can be blended in with twist-out or braid out which can be achieved with wet hair. Pre-wet or pre co-washed curls can be more profound, defined, and textured which ensures your hair will naturally blend with the extensions. If you want a more spiral/cylinder/springy look then I recommend doing a perm rod set with a custard or lotion.
This should never be done on dry hair regardless of the type of style you are seeking because your curls won’t be defined. When we’re talking about products that are ideal for blending then you want to keep your product use consistent with your routine. If you have looser curls then you can blend the curls by using a heat wand or crimper and you should always use a heat protectant.
Read more: The Trick to Blending Your Extensions like a Boss
Should you wash your hair with hair extensions installed?
You should always have a consistent wash day routine but if you are using extensions then you should wash them with your real hair. If you are using clip-in extensions or wigs then they should be cleansed separately from your real hair.
What is the appropriate amount of time to keep hair extensions in?
Each extension application is going to be different:
- Sew-in extensions would be about 6-7 weeks because you want to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and give your hair a break.
- Micro hair extensions can be 11-15 weeks because there is direct access to the scalp and can be maintained longer.
- Clip-in or a wig installation should be removed daily.
Are there 4c hair extensions available?
Yes there are 4c hair extensions and and at SL Raw Virgin Hair we offer three different sizes in the I-tip hair.
What are the best types of extensions to use for hair loss?
When we’re discussing the intricacies of hair loss it can vary which is why I recommend visiting a dermatologist or doctor so they can analyze your scalp. If we are discussing stress related or hormonal hair loss then I recommend visiting a dermatologist and researching PRP options where they can insert your own hair in problem areas. PRP is not an implant where they put hairs in your problem area. PRP is an effective way to help with hair loss that uses concentrated plasma rich nutrients that come from your own blood. It’s not surgical. They then take your plasma and insert it in the problem areas of your scalp to help with healthy hair growth. A few of my clients have used cortisone shots given by the doctor to help their hair regrow in the crown area.
If you’re experiencing shedding due to lack of moisture, dryness, etc. then I would recommend reducing braids, bobbing pins, manipulating the hair, tugging the hair, or styling with ponytails to reduce tension on your scalp.If you have a bad chemical job and would like to feel more confident and would like to camouflage those problem areas then there’s a solution for that “I-Tips”.
Why is the bottom layer of my hair straight/wavy and the top layer is curly?
Now that more people are natural I’ve noticed a pattern showcasing the difference between the head and curls. Many African American women genetically have different hair textures in our head around the nape/temple where the hair is softer loose and in the crown area is where hair is the tightest, driest, and more resistant.
Naturally our bodies produce sebum and it doesn’t always go down the hair shaft evenly which is why we use artificial things, deep conditioner treatments, moisturizers, or leave-in to compensate for the deficit. I would recommend for people to focus on the areas that are tighter in curl which means you may have to apply more product because the areas that are looser tend to be more softer and manageable. This often happens because of heat damage that damages the elasticity of the hair so it doesn’t bounce back or genetics.
My hair won’t grow evenly, do you have any recommendations?
When we’re talking about hair growth being even it can vary based on texture/hair type, the science of hair gets its nutrients from our blood flow. When we’re sleeping you are cutting off the blood flow and so you’ll notice your hair may be shorter in those areas because there is a lack of blood flow. I recommend massaging your hair before going to sleep or brushing your hair to help stimulate blood flow, or alternating your hair wraps and the direction to train your curls and enhance the blood flow.
Do box braids/twists damage your natural hair?
It depends whether you’re installing your own box braids or you’re getting them professionally done. If you’re getting them professionally done make sure that the hair is treated and conditioned ahead of time and it will make an ideal protective style. I advise that box braids or twists are not longer than 4 weeks, once they start to grow out the hair gets heavier due to oil and dirt and can tug at the root. Taking them out at the proper time can make this the ideal service install.
As we’re seeing the natural hair care aisle flooded with more products ranging from sulfate-free to eco-friendly, we continue to be on the pursuit of pristine curls. Leave-in conditioner is the mainstay of most naturalistas’ hair routine because they help to detangle, add moisture and shine to our curls. In our recent “Best of the Best” awards we scoured the aisles for the best leave-in conditioners to bring a little extra ooomf to our curls and our winners came out victorious. Tracee Ellis Ross’s Pattern Beauty leave-in conditioner has quickly become a fan favorite for its light-weight feel and clean scent. I put it to the test in my review below.
Problem: Needing Hydration in My Hair
As a Type 3 naturalista with colored curls, to say that my hair is thirsty for moisture and hydration is an understatement. I have blended type three hair so it’s thick, naturally voluminous, dry, and my textures are all different. In addition to that, I have been dying my hair bright blonde for the past few years so I need a leave-in to help provide moisture and definition to my curls. Using a leave-in conditioner is a quintessential part of my haircare routine, but finding the right leave-in can be a truly trying ordeal. I particularly don’t care for a thick leave-in conditioner that is extremely fragrant. The less fragrant, the better for me because I have allergies so I’m sensitive to smell.
Solution: Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner
Pattern first caught my eye when it debuted a few years ago for it’s eye-catching designs, hallmark branding, and of course the founder, Tracee Ellis Ross. What I loved about this from the beginning was that she offered travel/trial and full size options so I could try it without committing to a full-sized product.
This leave-in is designed for all textures, patterns, and hair types with the bonus of helping restore hair. It’s formulated with natural oils and honey to provide moisture and a soft curl pattern definition and can be used for preparation before creating a protective style or a wash & go. The scent notes are supposed to include rose, patchouli, and neroli as Tracee wanted a clean and not an “overpowering” scent. I bought the 3 fl. oz and the shampoo in order to get the full “Pattern” effect for my wash day.
My Review of the Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner
I started my wash day with the Pattern Beauty shampoo which was very creamy and had a good lather. The coconut oil, honey, and aloe vera leaf juice gave it a warm and rich scent that wasn’t too overpowering and massed well into my curls.
This is probably one of the few times I was very impressed with my hair directly after shampooing. Normally I can’t wait to immediately start putting in my leave-in conditioner but I was really happy that my hair was already starting to look defined and moisturized once I dried it. The scent was lingering and my curls weren’t feeling dry, stringy, or straw-like which can sometimes happen with certain shampoos because of my color.
The consistency was a good balance between creamy, thick, and a good slip. I could immediately see the water and aloe vera which let me know it was going to moisturize my hair. It has a very light scent and wasn’t sticky or oil.
These are my curls as I began applying the leave-in conditioner and they immediately started looking defined, shiny, and hydrated. I didn’t have to continuously apply the product and was able to detangle and comb it through my hair without any problems. I focused on the dry parts of my hair and sectioned it so I could reach those alternate textures closer to my scalp.
The final results were great! My hair was extremely soft but frizz-free, defined, and you could see the texture of my curls. I normally do the LCO method so I eventually applied other products to complete my wash day, but if this was the only product I could apply then I’m happy with the results.
This is a great leave-in conditioner that I would invest in for long term use with a bigger size. It was lightly scented, easy to apply, and left my curls with soft and defined hair that would make it easy to style or leave as is.
As robust and eclectic as the natural haircare space has become, finding styling solutions and products to help alleviate the maintenance process has been minimal, until now. Monique Little is the CEO and founder of You Go Natural (YGN”> which is a Dallas,Tx based headwrap brand with a focus on introducing new innovations in the natural hair space. YGN was born out of Monique’s desire to create a functional and practical way for people to style their hair on the go and keep it protected. As a working mom that wears many hats on a day to day basis she wanted to create a solution for a relatable problem that could be beautiful, stylish, and versatile for the spectrum of natural hair customers looking for a product tailored for them.
YGN features luxurious satin lined headwraps and headbands crafted by local artisans in the Dallas area with a variety of patterns, design, textures, and wrap options that will have any naturalista clicking “Add to Cart” immediately. Her most recent collection gives customers a much needed travel accessory with the Swim Turban made for enhanced protection in the water. We had the opportunity to chat with Monique and discuss her natural hair experience, the inception of YGN, and wearing headwraps as a protective styling solution.
Tell us about what your experience was like growing up with natural hair
“I attribute my knowledge to my mother who was a hairdresser and she instilled in us at a very young age how to take care of our hair. I received my first relaxer around age 11 or 12 years old which at that time was a right of passage for Black women. When I was in high school I started studying Black hair and Eurocentric beauty standards and decided on my own that I wanted to go natural. When I made this choice, it was before the natural hair movement grew to the volume it is now, so there weren’t a lot of products on the shelves for women like myself. As I got older, I found myself in a constant state of transition between embracing my natural hair pattern and wearing it straight.”
The natural hair care business has continued to expand and grow, what made you choose headwraps as your product?
“I’ve always felt that the natural hair care industry has gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to support and it’s really beautiful to see how it’s grown organically in the past decade. For me personally when I had my daughter after having worn my hair naturally for years and knowing my regimen I realized that when I had less time and energy to care for my hair it began to suffer. I didn’t think it made sense that wearing my hair naturally should be difficult. YGN grew out of my desire to bring innovation to the natural hair landscape and to make it easier to care for natural hair. I really loved the look and style of traditional headwraps but I needed something that was not going to damage my already sensitive hair and I had no time to study tutorials to learn how to tie them. I decided to create headwraps that were pre-tied, satin lined and easy to style and use on the go.”
What was the formulation process like for your headwraps when you first got started?
“Our designs were meant to mimic what it would look and feel like if you were wearing a traditional headwrap on your head. When we started out, I used remnant fabric I had around the house to develop a prototype. I played around with different styles and eventually landed on the product line we have today. There was a lot of trial and error and extremely valuable feedback from our engaged customer base. Of course the satin-lining has been the differentiating factor that set us apart from the day we launched. It was never a question for me.”
What inspired you to name your brand You Go Natural (YGN”>?
“My vision for this brand was to make women feel comfortable and confident wearing their natural hair. ‘You Go Natural’ was a fun play on the popular phrase “You Go Girl!” and I just ran with it.”
It can be intimidating to invest in new natural hair resources if you don’t know how to use them. What would you say to women who are interested in headwraps but unsure of how to wear them?
“YGN offers so many options to get you started and you can work your way up to being comfortable. Our satin lined headbands are comfy and provide enough coverage to still protect your edges whether you are rocking an afro or a ponytail. We also have a knotted t-shirt bun which can be slipped on just like a hat. We’ve made our products easy to manage and style in addition to featuring videos that show how our customers interact with the products.”
What are your recommendations for people who still have lingering questions about incorporating headwraps vs. bonnets into their hair routine?
“I view the headwrap as a completely different styling solution to the bonnet. As I mentioned before the product was birthed with the intention to mimic the fashionable headwraps that have been worn by women of all cultures for generations. That being said, our wrap is flexible and comfortable to wear to bed and many of our customers prefer it to a traditional bonnet because it allows them to remain stylish even as they sleep.”
We’re headed into the summer months, what are your tips for maintaining healthy hair?
“I always say that protective styling is essential in the summertime which is key for preventing your ends from getting damaged and keeping moisture in the hair. I personally love to rock braids! I always recommend sleeping with a satin bonnet or satin lined headwrap to protect your hair from damage.”
Curlies have a love/hate relationship with swimming, tell us about your swim turban collection?
“As we know, naturalistas tend to avoid the water. We spend hundreds of dollars on our hair for vacations and it’s not an option to mess it up. Our swim turbans are made to change the way that women with natural hair interact with the water. The swim turbans are silicon lined and are better quality than your average swim cap because it has a double lining of swim material on the outside, silicone on the inside, and then a sturdy elastic band around the edge to help keep the water out. It gives us more freedom in the water without feeling like our hair is holding us back.”
How would you describe your journey as an entrepreneur navigating the natural hair space?
“When I was first starting out I didn’t have a lot of money to start a business, so my initial struggles dealt with finding solutions to the obstacles I was up against while on a very tight budget. For example, when you start a business that is apparel or one that requires a manufacturer, typically you need upfront costs in order to get samples and that can be capital intensive. My mother taught me how to sew when I was younger so I relied on those skills to create my products by hand. I began selling them made to order instead of buying a bunch of inventory upfront which gave me the ability to adapt the products/design/colors according to customer feedback instead of being left with a bunch of orders that weren’t selling. Although it was a struggle that I didn’t have the financial support to build the business the traditional way, it forced me to think outside of the box and find our “secret sauce” at YGN.”
One of the signature slogans of YGN is “protective styling made easy,” can you tell us more about how your products embody this?
“It’s been a beautiful journey to see how the natural movement has evolved and we see that in the dozens of tutorial videos, products, and regimens that have been built on the foundation of loving our hair. I wanted to go in the opposite direction because as much as we love to learn how to care for our hair, there are days when we do not have the time to spend learning how to style it flawlessly. My brand is about reiterating that caring for your natural hair does not have to be hard all the time.”
What is your vision for YGN?
“We are looking to expand the brand to be the go-to source for innovation in natural care. Our plan is to create solutions that have not been introduced before!”
New month, new me…or better yet new curls. We’re ushering in the second month of 2022 with some much needed TLC for our curls by celebrating the winners of our Best of the Best awards with reviews. These products were voted on by you and have stood out from the competition for their ability to provide the results we care about most. Our 2021 Leave-In Conditioner winners were full of new and timeless brands looking to give us all the hydration and moisture we needed with amazing ingredients our curls would love. The hallmark of a good leave-on conditioner is the ability to smooth, soften, detangle, and leave our curls frizz-free in one foul swoop. These are typically applied after a wash day, but can also be applied to damp curls throughout the week to revive dry or damaged curls. Leave-in conditioners can be used as a styling product or as a crucial component of your hair regime to prep the curls for protective styles.
The Product: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner focuses on bringing healthy hair to the forefront of your daily routine and is especially formulated for thick, curly, and coily hair. It’s a lightweight leave-in conditioner that can be used for detangling and helping add moisture and hydration to each and every strand you have. The ingredients include babassu oil and citrus extracts for shiny, frizz-free results that protect the hair.
The Problem with Leave-Ins
Finding a good leave-in conditioner can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. For most naturalistas it’s about finding a product with the perfect blend of ingredients and formula to give us the results we desire without breaking the bank or needing to layer a bunch of additional products for results. I’ve recently discussed how my journey with blonde curls requires me to give additional TLC to my damaged curls so finding a leave-in conditioner that can help aid and protect them is very important. There were a few of my staple products I had to set aside once I started bleaching my hair because they weren’t formulated to help color-treated curls, so there has definitely been trial and error to finding a good arsenal of products to use.
My Review of Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
The Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner has been a staple of my beauty regimen in the past so I was very excited to review this product with my current curls. What I have always loved about this product is its smell, texture, and ability to give me excellent results for my wash day. It’s rich, creamy, and has a balanced fragrance despite being a sweeter smelling product which is better for people like me who prefer a fragrance-less hair care regime.
How I used it
I decided to use this product as part of my wash day so I started by using the Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Sulfate-Free Shampoo to start the process. Once I get done washing, I lightly detangle my hair with a denman brush before applying the product to work through any tough spots for easier application. I toggle between finger detangling or using a brush depending on the amount of time I have, but try to start some of the work before applying the product. I then work the leave-in conditioner through my hair section by section starting from the bottom and working my way up to the root of my hair.
How it worked on my curls
This product easily glides through my hair and I can instantly see my curls starting to define while I’m working through other sections of my hair. It’s lightweight, rich, and just creamy enough that it coats my strands without too much additional product. Typically I do the LCO method but for this review I wanted to show the results of the product solo, so I let it air dry for optimal results! Frizz free and defined curls that I could easily manipulate into another style or wear as they are.
Let us know your favorite leave-in conditioners in the comments!
We’re walking into 2022 ready to conquer our hair routines, explore new trends, and maintain our hair health. We recently announced our Best of the Best winners which were exclusively chosen by you and that means it’s time to put your favorite products to the test. As we’re still developing our hair regimes and testing out new hair products, it’s only fair that we start with a dynamite winner that has captured the attention of stylists and naturalistas everywhere for it’s superb repairing and strengthening properties that can truly bring balance to even the most damaged curls. Keep scrolling as we review the coveted and celebrated Olaplex No.3 which won the “Best Treatment” for Curly Type 3 hair!
Problem: Color is Hard On The Hair
I’m an agent of color. For the past few yeåars I’ve been aiming for “Golden Barbie” blonde courtesy of Jasmine Saunders. Yes, I have been stripping, dyeing, and coloring my curls to the brightest shade of blonde I can get. I know, the hair Gods are not happy with me. Most recently I’ve placed a semi-permanent red dye on my hair since I plan to transition into darker colors for 2022. Color is hard on any hair type, but especially on curls because it can change your texture, create breakage, and increase the number of dry strands in your curls. While I’ve been lucky to get my hair professionally colored to minimize the damage, it doesn’t mean I don’t have to do my part at home to keep my hair healthy. I’ve had two different stylists (Rae and Georgia“> and work on my curls over the past three years and they both have recommend the same at home treatment to maintain my hair pigment and prevent my curls from looking busted from the bleach…Olaplex No.3.
Solution: Olaplex No.3
Olaplex No.3 is a tiny little bottle that can produce big results for visibly damaged and compromised hair. If you’ve ever gotten your hair colored at the salon, you’ll often hear your stylist recommend an Olaplex treatment in house as they are creating your color. Olaplex #3 can help to restore the appearance of damaged hair and improve the overall texture because it works on a molecular level to repair broken bonds in your hair. For people like me who bleach their curls, we’re indirectly ruining our hair bonds because of the intense effect stripping our hair color can have on our cuticles. Unlike a deep conditioner or masque treatment, Olaplex #3 is scientifically designed to improve the look and feel of your hair which can be caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage.
My Olaplex No.3 Review
I always use Olaplex No.3 as part of my wash day routine because it is applied prior to shampooing and requires a minimum of 10 minutes to absorb into your curls, so you need some time to incorporate this into your weekly hair regimen. It’s not a styling product and does not need to be combined with other products so allotting time to wash it out is important even if you don’t want to do your treatments on wash day.
I recommend using a plastic cap or heat cap (similar to deep conditioning”> to help prevent it from running down your face or onto your clothes. If you want to clip and pile your curls on top of your head or braid it, those are good alternatives as well when you don’t have a cap handy.
A little goes a long way with this product because it has a runnier texture and a lot of slip, so it’s easier to massage and comb into your strands. It has a neutral smell that reminds me of a product applied in a salon but it’s not overwhelming or overpowering if you’re sensitive to fragrances.
I usually start with applying it in the shower and use a wide tooth comb to completely cover my head. I like to use my hands to individually coat every strand and give extra attention to my ends since those tend to frizz up faster and have the most damage.
Once you’re done coating your hair, place your cap or bonnet on top and start a timer. I hate waiting in the shower 10+ minutes so I usually throw on a robe and will do a quick chore like putting away clothes or washing the dishes while I wait.
After your 10+ minutes are up, it’s time to remove the cap or bonnet and prepare to wash it out and then shampoo. You will instantly see the transformation in your curls and see definition and hydration. My hair feels softer, my roots often look healthier versus dry, and overall helps to maintain my hair health while I have color. While I know my curls aren’t as naturally healthy as they would be sans color, this has helped prevent extreme damage and breakage over the past three years. I always check with my stylists before we reapply any new color and I am always relieved they are happy with my hair texture and pattern. I know the Olaplex treatments are a big factor in this because prior to using them, I saw a big difference in my hair after I colored it.
If you have colored curls or deeply damaged hair, this is a must-have treatment to include in your routine. It retails around $30-$35 a bottle and can be purchased online or in beauty stores like Sephora and Ulta. It recommends doing treatments 1-3x a week based on your individual preference. I personally do 1x a week and can make 1 bottle last a month.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever used Olaplex and how you like it so far!
As a first-generation American, Bri Hall has been determined to carve out her space in the cultural zeitgeist as long as she could remember. Her position as an artist, social media creator, and motivational speaker has garnered her a loyal following of peers who gravitate to her commanding voice, personality, and unbridled passion for activism. In 2022 she’s adding podcast host to her growing empire with the “Count to Ten” podcast which is set to debut on January 18, 2022. In her podcast (available on all major streaming platforms”> she features an array of guests who will be discussing everything from natural hair, race, politics, and fashion. The podcasts feature intimate discussions on marginalized topics that sheds light on the struggles of everyday people across various identities and communities.
We were delighted to chat with Bri ahead of the podcast launch regarding her natural hair journey, social media presence, and the inception of her “Count to Ten” podcast.
Tell our readers a few facts about you
- Being first generation on my mom’s side. I was born in New York to a Jamaican family and was the first American born child which has shaped a lot of my identity growing up.
- I’m a self-taught artist and have been creative since the age of 2.
- Finally, I’m a big nerd and hair enthusiast and love the science behind things. I enjoy studying patterns and experimentation which made an organic interest into natural hair.
How would you describe your natural hair journey?
My natural journey was an emotional roller coaster in the beginning. I didn’t have many people to reference when I went natural so I used social media and NaturallyCurly.com as a source for information. The interesting aspect about my journey was that it took 3 attempts for me to fully go natural before I committed to the process. I describe it in 3 phases:
- The 3 month hurdle when you start to see the first inch of growth but it’s not that visible yet.
- The 6 month hurdle where you have a few inches of growth which in my opinion is the hardest cause you’re challenged with having to blend your hair and find styles that work.
- The 9 month hurdle is like the ultimate stress point where you’re seeing breakage and having to decide if you want to chop off your hair or leave it as is.
If you could give three characteristics to your relationship with your hair, what would they be?
I would say personality, resilience, and fun. I have a lot of fun doing my hair and find it very therapeutic.
Your YouTube debut occurred in 2013 with your “Curly Hair Routine”, you’ve since created hundreds of tutorials, clips, and behind-the scenes content of your hair, how did the storytelling component of your hair change?
My hair journey has changed massively because in that first YouTube video I was still silk pressing my hair and just graduating highschool. My texture was a lot looser back then and people got to see how transitioning different hair colors changed my hair pattern. I now prioritize my hair health but back then I viewed my hair as an accessory. I now view my hair as an extension of who I am and it’s a spiritual experience.
What were common misconceptions you experienced with your hair when you began building your social presence on other platforms?
I misconstrued how much people would care about my hair on social media. My first foray into social was on YouTube and it was a fluke because I planned for it to be one video and that was it. I didn’t plan to make myself an influencer or to continue with the process until my video started gaining traction and views. When people began requesting certain topics or asking questions it became this massive platform.
What inspired you to create your “Count to Ten” podcast?
During the beginning of the pandemic I was having real time to have honest conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and people in my network that was enlightening and made me wish these topics could be had in a public forum. I decided that creating a podcast was the perfect platform to give marginalized people the space to speak their authentic truth. Coming up with the name was pretty tricky and it came from a moment of stress when I reminded myself to “Count to Ten”.
In your first podcast episode you explore the politics of natural hair with The CROWN Act, in your opinion, how has hair been politicized in the United States?
Hair has been politicized since the inception of the United States. If you look into slavery and the Trans Atlantic slave trade, women were required to cover their hair because it was deemed to seductive or enticing. Our hair impacts the way we make money, relationships, how people relate to us, and our safety. For example, I had a friend who was working at iHop who was instructed to cut their hair or they would be fired because their locs weren’t viewed as clean to the customers. The type of hair we have can be viewed as acceptable or unacceptable.
Your podcast episode also features an interview with Keziah Dhamma of Swirly Curly, what did you learn about the business of natural hair?
I learned that startup and funding in your concept can be really challenging, the prototyping and idea are the easier parts for entrepreneurs but funding is an uphill battle.
In episode 104 with Darian Harvan, you discuss the intersectionality of beauty/pop culture/ and politics, what impact has the natural hair movement had on pop culture at large?
The natural hair movement has a positive and negative impact on pop culture because we’ve seen these epidemics of Blackfishing and people trying to aspire to racial ambiguity. When Black women championed the natural hair movement it wasn’t exclusive to us, but for all curly hair, but what we’re seeing is an infiltration where people see this celebration is up for consumption. When Black women started celebrating our hair and texture we started seeing appropriation of box braids and protective styles. In my opinion maintaining our space and taking up space without it being overshadowed or challenged is the hardest.
What can we look forward to from Bri Hall in 2022?
More of my voice because I feel like I have a lot to say. I’m Black, a woman, have a disability, first generation, part of the LGBTQ community which gives me multiple perspectives based on my experience. Activism and philanthropy are major parts of my life and people will see more of what I have to offer as do the amazing guests I will be featuring on my podcast.
It will be available to listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, iHeartRadio, Overcast, PocketCasts, and more.
Elizabeth Davis is the genius behind the transformational hair growth system, Shedavi which is all about promoting healthy hair and length. Back in 2016, this Chicagoan decided to transform the haircare industry by creating a hair, beauty, and wellness brand that emphasized a holistic approach to taking care of yourself. By incorporating Ayurvedic healing properties into each product, Elizabeth inspired her customers to look at wellness as a lifestyle versus an arduous task to incorporate into their day. Each product focuses on internal and external nourishment for maximum hair health which benefits the scalp, elasticity, immune system, and skin. The Shedavi hair growth vitamins and hair elixir were even given the blessing by the big “O” herself and listed as a top product in Oprah Magazine.
We sat down and chatted with CEO Elizabeth Davis about her own natural hair journey, repairing damaged hair, and what it was like to be in Oprah’s Magazine.
What was your natural hair care journey like growing up?
From my early childhood years I loved hair. I remember growing up and having my mom and older sister take turns doing trendy hairstyles based on what I was interested in at the time. By being invested in the latest trends, it developed my creativity in braiding and enhanced my confidence in experimenting with all types of hairstyles and products. In middle school everyone had a relaxer and even though I really wanted one, my mom advised that she had waited until her adult years to try it out. She finally caved, and I remember feeling disappointed with the results.
That led me to start going to different salons in Chicago where Egyptian stylists would do blow-outs and as I transitioned out of highschool, I went to school in Florida where the humidity almost forced me to start going natural. It wasn’t realistic to maintain a blow-out or straight hair in Florida. I then progressively started expanding my natural hair to include protective styles like weaves and sew-ins and just committed to the process.
Your background is in engineering and project management, how did you transition into natural hair care?
Once I was natural and had trimmed off all my relaxer, I did try keratin treatments and experienced severe hair damage from the extreme heat. My hair was constantly breaking off and I was having to regrow it out. I was working in the construction and general contracting field and in my past time would be researching hair information because I wanted to understand how our hair worked. I began giving advice to different friends and family members who wanted to know how my hair was becoming so long and healthy. This sparked the idea to create a business that was not only going to make me money but provide a real service to the world.
How did you choose your brand name?
I chose the name “Shedavi” from a combination of my middle name and last name which is my mother’s maiden and father’s last name. People think it sounds exotic, but it’s just syllables out of my name. It’s very meaningful to me because it represents the interconnectivity of people coming together.
When you decided to start formulating your products, what were some key ingredients you wanted to include and why?
I was really focused on getting the right quantities of ingredients in order to achieve the right scent and effectiveness. What I love about botanicals is that they are bio-active and can be applied to your hair to create length and health. We aim to focus on not only the ingredients but the technique. I wanted ingredients that would keep the hair and scalp healthy.
What inspired you to take a holistic approach to your beauty brand?
The reason I made the products holistic is because I know our environment affects our bodies and the beauty products we put on our bodies like lotion are absorbed into the skin. I have family members who are nurses which made me health conscious and I wanted to make sure my products would respect our bodies.
What are your tips for retaining moisture in the winter?
My tips for maintaining moisture in cooler weather is to use a water-based moisture such as our leave-in conditioner. It has detangling properties with a lot of slip and hydrating oils so it’s a perfect styling product for this season. I also like to include a dime-sized amount of the elixir which will help it hold for a few days.
Restoration and repair are two staples of your brand and are reflected in products like the elixir oil and vitamins, what are some misconceptions around repairing damaged hair?
First, everything is a chemical and people should understand that, but not everything is going to create a chemical reaction. For a product to change your hair requires a chemical reaction and that’s how relaxers or keratin treatments transform your hair cuticles. Any topical product you put on your hair is temporary (ex: protein treatment or repairing masque“> and requires a regime to be effective. You can’t apply these treatments once and expect results. Creating a regime for yourself is important for hair health and preventing damage.
If you could give newbie naturalistas any tips about starting their hair journey, what would it be and which product would you recommend them trying?
You have to get used to your hair being natural and being open to experimentation whether that’s products or styles. You have to find what is optimal hair and makes your hair thrive. My hair thrives with protective styles, but that’s not the case for everyone. The products I recommend as your going natural are our shampoo, conditioner, protein masque, and the leave-in conditioner for detangling. I would also recommend the vitamins and elixir to help promote hair growth.
Self care has become a larger conversation in the Black community whether it’s mental, emotional, or spiritual, how do you incorporate self care into your lifestyle while running a company?
For me, self-care includes a day and night time regime that I’m committed to keeping. I have certain rituals that I practice such as thanking the lord first thing in the morning, meditating, and reading an inspiring business quote to get my mind ready for the day. During the night time I read my bible and prepare myself for the next day like writing a to-do list.
Your brand was rated #1 by Oprah Magazine, what was that experience like and how did it impact your business?
When we did get rated number #1 for the elixir it was a genuine surprise. I was discovered by the writer of the article on Amazon and it’s a testament to manifestation because I never believed it would happen…and it did.
Let’s give a big drumroll to the beauties who served, slayed, and brought the heat to our phone screens this year! Blogging is no easy feat and in our bustling age of hair tutorials, social media, and #sponsoredads, finding naturalistas who bring authenticity to their content is key to moving the needle in our community. We’ve seen a big evolution of how bloggers are sharing and creating content as the world of natural hair has grown in products, brands, and visibility. Long gone are the days of simply writing a post and promoting your website, the modern blogger has content on the most popular social channels, a website, brand deals, videos, and more. It’s a career and lifestyle that isn’t for the faint of heart, but these ladies make it look easy and keep us clicking with enviable content that is consistent, engaging, fun, and educational.
We asked the NaturallyCurly community to vote on their favorite bloggers of 2021 and here are YOUR winners! Get to know this year’s best bloggers and show some love to them in our comments.
Best Blogger for All Curl Types
Manes by Mell
This “stylist by trade” is all about entertaining, educating, and providing fun content that curlies of all curl types can enjoy. Mell Guido’s content is all about sharing her “big hair” tips that take viewers on her career in the beauty industry and the portfolio of maintaining her “big hair”. Her videos and tutorials are more than just your standard “how-to” pieces, she brings charisma, personality, and energy to each video from diffusing her hair to removing buildup. Most of her content features bold captions and titles that reflect her self-love and genuine love she has for her hair. Most recently she’s debunked and shared her impressions of viral natural hair trends and given her followers a peak at her life behind the camera.
Best Blogger for Voted by Wavy Type 2
Manes By Mell
Mell’s content is popping so much, she’s made our “Best of the Best” list twice for her expertise in wavy, type 2 curls. We’ve previously discussed her content and what makes it so memorable, but let’s dive further into her professional background and who she has worked with. Her content library features reviews of popular natural hair products such as Innersense, Olaplex, AG hair, and Curlsmith. If you’re in the market for a deal, her website features a ton of promo codes for your favorite brands like Bounce Curl, Verb, Twist, and additional beauty products. She’s very precise and detailed at walking her users through various products, ingredients, before/after transformations, and eco-friendly methods to reuse or upcycle products. Her sister Amanda also makes regular appearances to share her curl routine, as well as other guests with different curl patterns. Run, don’t walk and start subscribing to her channel today!
Best Blogger for Voted by Curly Type 3
BiancaRenee
Bianca is the curly hair enthusiast bringing all the gems and curl tastic content that will keep your hair poppin and happy. Her lovable and infectious personality makes watching her content entertaining, enjoyable, and like hanging with your best curlfriend. One of the most engaging aspects of her content style is that it’s trendy and reflects some of our most burning hair questions from deep conditioning to heat damage. Her hair product arsenal is one to rival your favorite drugstore because she has literally worked with everyone. She’s here to empower, encourage, and promote all curlies to be their best and love the skin there which makes all her content extremely uplifting and admirable. For all my type 3 curlies, she’s got all the deets on avoiding shrinkage, curly hairstyles for the holiday season, and how to maintain those coveted protective styles.
Best Blogger for Voted by Coily Type 4
IamBlackGirlCurls
Coming in hot from Chicago are two experts who are conquering the curl game one kink, coil, and twist at a time. Meet Aeleise and Aishia, a natural hair care duo who is bringing education to the forefront of conversation in the Black community. As “Black Girls Curls” they have been shaping how we teach, talk, and experience natural hair moments as professional stylists and dermatologists to give us all the facts we need to make styling easy and fun. Their content is witty, real, honest, and familiar because it feels like we’re chatting with our girlfriends, not just an educator or expert. Their brand spans several educational resources to help naturalistas embrace and love their hair from using their Eguide, listening to their podcast, or subscribing to their YouTube channel. As dedicated bloggers of the movement you can count on them to be encouraging, share their expertise on technique, and teach the basics of natural hair maintenance.
Who’s your favorite blogger right now? Let us know in the comments!
It’s that time of year again where we’re at the end of November and ready to transition into the last month of the year with one of the last big shopping sales…Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is a 24-hour online shopping event that encourages people to do their shopping online in lieu of the typical Black Friday pandemonium. In a post-pandemic era, we’ve seen more customers gravitate towards shopping online and Cyber Monday is no exception.This is the time to finish stocking up on your favorites that you might have missed over the weekend. Make sure to shop around and consider what you need going into the winter holiday. Perhaps you have the downtime to try out a new collection you’ve been eyeing or maybe you want to invest in new accessories for the holiday.
May the odds be ever in your favor as you start stocking your online cart! Check out these amazing deals now!
Aunt Jackie’s
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If you’re looking to build and customize your own bundle of hair products, Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils has you covered.Get any 3 for $20, 4 for $25, or 5 for $30.
Alikay Naturals
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Are you ready to stock up on your favorite Caribbean products? Shop the cyber monday deal with 50% off sitewide! Exclusions apply. No kits, collections, gallons or lifestyle. Cannot be combined with any other offers.
Bounce Curl
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These vegan and middle eastern inspired ingredients are the perfect way to kickstart your healthy hair journey, shop 25% off your purchase.
Carol’s Daughter
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Carol’s Daughter is bringing the heat with their CYBER MONDAY SALE where you can enjoy up to 60% Off + Free Black Vanilla Mini Set GWP on Orders $55+. Use code CYBERMONDAY2021
Creme of Nature
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If you love to shop at Sally Beauty, you can grab Creme of Nature hair care products, on sale now at your local Sally Beauty, mix and match your favorites, buy 4 for $20.
Design Essentials
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Forget a Cyber Monday, Design Essentials is holding a Cyber Week! Don’t miss out on stocking up on your favorites and save 30%.
Eden Bodyworks
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Eden Bodyworks is selling their vegan friendly formulas for $6 sale in honor of Cyber Monday which excludes travel sizes and bundles.
KISS Colors
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Hair accessory and tools makers KISS Colors have a buy 1, get 1 Cyber Monday sale with code: BOGOCOLOR on hair care & accessories.
Miss Jessie’s
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We love them for their “pillow soft curls’ product, head over to their website to buy one full-size product, get one 50% off with promo code: CYBERMONDAY.
Mielle Organics
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Mielle Organics is the gift that keeps on giving with the amazing $6 sitewide sale that will have your cabinet stocked with deep conditioners, shampoos, and gels for the year!
Mixed Chicks
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Whether it’s your favorite Deep Conditioner or the cult classic Leave-In, don’t miss out on their Cyber Monday sale with 30% OFF sitewide.
Olaplex
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The holiday’s are here which means you want to stock up on all the hair repair you can get. Shop Olaplex’s Cyber Monday sale where you get a FREE NO.6 with the purchase of two full-sized products.
Ouidad
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The curl experts are here to serve and deliver with 30% OFF your favorite curly products for Cyber Monday!
Pattern Beauty
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Who is ready to unlock the savings and start stocking up on Pattern Beauty? Tracee Ellis Ross is giving us 25% OFF sitewide to shop our must-have conditioners, shampoos, and accessories.
Rizos Curls
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This Latina founded company is giving us 20-60% OFF all her products SITEWIDE. Run, don’t walk with Rizos Curls Cyber Monday sale!
Soultanicals
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Grab you favorites from this earthy, soul-infused collection with 35% off + $5 shipping using the Code: CM35.
Swirly Curly
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If you’re looking for protective accessories to enhance your hair, look no further than the SwirlyCurly where you can shop your favorite accessories for 25% OFF sitewide.
TGIN
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Whether you’re looking for curl repair, edge control, or hair growth vitamins, shop your favorite’s from tgin for 35% OFF everything during Cyber Monday.
Uncle Funky’s Daughter
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The gift of happy curls just got better with Uncle Funky’s Daughter 30% OFF sitewide sale! Get their purifying cleanser, bye-bye buildup conditioner, or the shine booster now!
Small Business Saturday is back and better than ever as we have more entrepreneurs who have emerged post-pandemic. If you’re not familiar with Small Business Saturday this holiday was designed to provide visibility and awareness to brands that typically don’t get it throughout the majority of the year. In a busy time of holiday shopping and frenzy, these can be some of the richest and most unique businesses to spend your dollar on. Communities gather together all over the United States after the turkey holiday to support local organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs in their communities online and in person. Whether that’s a local market, vendor fair, or online, there are many avenues you can take to discover the best new business near you. For the curl community, we often get familiar with our favorite brands at our local drugstores, big retailers, or online. We wanted to show to all of our natural hair businesses who are working hard and continuing the conversation around healthy hair through their products, tools, and accessories. Discover your new favorite brand below and show some love with a like or follow on their social media.
1. 2 Girls With Curls
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If you’re a naturalista looking for products that appeal to your vegan lifestyle, this is the brand for you. 2 Girls with Curls is a plant-based natural hair care line made with natural ingredients like olive oil, aloe vera, and avocado oil. This cruelty-free business is proud of their vegan products and features essential curly products like a shampoo, leave-in, hair lotion, and styling cream. Discover your favorite products with their current holiday deals.
2. Bella Curls
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Bella Curls prides itself on providing affordable products to the everyday consumer regardless of your curl type. The foundation of their products is coconut oil and honey which helps with moisture and hydration. Their collection features a refreshing mist, deep conditioning mask, and Jamaican black castor oil hair butter that will have your curls shining. Keep it calm and cool with their coconut infused products.
3. Curl Junkie
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Curl Junkie was created to make the naturalistas life a little easier with signature products that can help multiple textures. With over 15 products in their lineup, Curl Junkie features styling gels, reconstructive hair treatments, curl rehab, styling gel, shampoo, and leave-in conditioner. A few of the essential ingredients are fruit and oil based to provide much needed hydration and moisture to our dry tresses.
4. CurlMix
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If this curly brand sounds familiar, you might have caught their segment when they pitched on Shark Tank. Curl Mix has continued to expand and grow their product offerings and now features a unique ingredient blend of hemp seed, flaxseed, and avocado oil. Their hair growth line features an array of serums, gels, shampoo, and conditioners to help promote healthy hair maintenance for naturalistas.
5. Curl Rehab
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Curl Rehab is simplifying the product experience for curly consumers by providing a solution to common curly problems. Whether it’s dry hair, scalp care, or length retention their forumated products feature a dual packaging to help the consumer use (2″> products multiple ways. As a vegan brand they feature biodegradable packaging and feature natural ingredients like rice water, green tea, tea tree, and coconut milk.
6. Dominican Magic
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Founded by Gregorio A. Luciano, these products feature natural ingredients that are indigenous to the Dominican Republic. Dominican Magic’s curly hair collection features product pairings that will nourish, condition, and add moisture to your curls. Since these are formulated by a professional stylist you can count on ingredients that your curls will love like flax seed, aloe vera, and coconut milk.
7. Jessicurl
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Jessicurl was created out of a love to restore confidence and power to naturalistas through their hair. The Jessicurl products focus on curl enhancing and moisturizing ingredients that are vegan and cruelty-free. Their cleanse, condition, style, and essentials line span a range of products that are fragrance free, sulfate free, and can be used on multiple curl patterns.
8. Kaleidoscope
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Jesseca Dupart is the CEO behind the rising brand Kaleidoscope hair products who started her business as a salon before branching out into hair care. Their infamous miracle drops for helping to promote healthy scalp care from combating dryness to aiding in hair growth. In addition to variations of the miracle drops, Kaleidoscope just released a soul food inspired collection called “Soul Fed” inspired by your favorite holiday foods.
9. Many Ethnicities
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Many Ethnicities was founded in 2014 by Dr. Ena Hennegan to help with multi-textured hair. This scientifically based formula uses natural ingredients to help hydrate, cleanse, and fortify the hair with a regimen designed to restore balance to your hair. The natural ingredients are sulfate-free, color sage, and includes argan oil, avocado oil, moringa oil, and pea protein. They feature an adult and kids line so you can share with your littlest curlistas.
10. Moptop
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MopTop was designed to promote self-confidence and inspire women of all textures to love themselves despite their curl type. Their key ingredients include aloe, sea botanicals, and honey which are also color safe, cruelty free, and long lasting.They line features an array of products such as shampoos, deep conditioner, anti-frizz gel, and co-wash. You can shop their products for 20% off on Cyber Monday.
11. Oyin Handmade
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Moisture rich, clean, refreshing, and hydrating are just a few ways to describe Oyin Handmade. The clean, natural formulas were designed with the skin and hair in mind to provide maximum hydration that comes from rich food-grade ingredients. Founded by Jamyla Bennu, Oyin supports curly consumers through every phase of their curly journey which means there is a product for everyone.
12. Pink Root Products
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If your hair is in need of some TLC because you’ve had a little bit too much heat on it, these are the products for you. Pink Root Products were created to help with the transition from chemically damaged or heat damaged hair back to healthy curls. This nutrient rich brand focuses on a unique blend of health oils like rose, vanilla essential, and vitamin e to give consumers the much needed rejuvenation their hair is thirsting for.
13. SwirlyCurly
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The brand that brought you the Snapee hair ties and afro puff scrunchies has just added to their products with their “Moisture Max” 4 step system. Keziah Dhamma founded Swirly Curly to simplify everyday hair protection for curly users with tools, accessories, and education to help naturalistas feel confident taking care of their tresses. If you’re in need of essential accessories to help tame frizz and enhance your curly routine, shop here.
14. Rucker Roots
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Where do your roots lie? Rucker Roots is a family and women-owned brand whose ingredients date back to the ‘80s with local ingredients and garden vegetables. The foundation of family and history are all integral to how the brand approaches natural hair care. Their natural ingredients focus on cleansing the hair and providing nourishment to the scalp with ginger root, coffee bean extract, carrot root oil.Their collections span men’s grooming, serums, creams, shampoos, and conditioners.
15. Wonder Curl
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Scarlett Rocourt is the founder of Wonder Curl, a brand that was formulated in the kitchen and streamlined to help naturalistas with moisturizing and styling. Their signature product is the Get Set Hair Jelly that is designed to help combat frizz and humidity unlike typical gels. As an organic curly brand, Scarlett prides herself on clean and safe products that consumers will love.
Black Friday is here and it’s time to dust off our credit cards and start scouting for the best deals. However as we’re paying more attention to self-care and investing in quality hair products, tools, and accessories that can truly elevate our beauty game, your shopping may not be based on quantity but quality. While it can be tempting to stock a cart full of 50 products during this annual season of discounts and sales, it may be time to put those hard earned dollars towards some much needed splurges with beauty brands who offer a higher price point than your standard natural hair care at a drugstore. There is no better time to treat yourself this season and you can start with these 10 natural hair splurges that you won’t feel guilty about. Trust us, your curls will thank you.
1. MONAT Scalp Purifying Scrub
If you’ve never used a scalp scrub before…this is the product to invest in. As naturalistas we know too well about product build up and it can be tough to truly get your scalp clean between washes. This scrub works to deeply cleanse, purify and soothe your hair and scalp, leaving your strands cleansed and refreshed. It doubles as a 2-in-1 scrub and shampoo is that is powered with natural and essential ingredients like Apple Cider Vinegar, Pink Clay, Superfruit AHAs, Vitamin B6 and more to help dissolve dead skin cells, stubborn product buildup and environmental pollutants that leave hair looking lackluster.
2. Sunday ll Sunday Moisture Balance Kit
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If you have ever experienced post-workout hair sweat that usually ends with products running down your face, this is the kit for you. Sunday ll Sunday has created a line specifically created to put moisture and hydration back into your tresses whether you do yoga or HIIT workouts. This collection is an introduction to the brand that gives the staple essentials to revive your roots, nourish your edges, soothe your scalp, and moisturize your hair. A definite must-have to accompany your fitness goals and give you an easy set of products to compliment your pre/post workout sessions.
3. Briogeo Detox + Repair Scalp Shampoo + Hair Repair Mask
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TLC has taken on a new meaning with this delightful duo that gives your scalp and hair love in one bundle. This limited edition bundle is the ultimate combination to soothe your scalp and provide a boost to dry strands which is much needed during this chilly season. This award-winning combination features ingredients like charcoal, coconut oil, and tea tree oil to help repair hair breakage and detoxify your scalp. There’s no better way to treat your scalp and curls with a bundle that will tackle multiple curly problems at once.
4. Olaplex Daily Cleanse & Condition Duo
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Oh Olaplex, how we love you so. We’ve previously broken down the different Olaplex products and how they can help improve damaged hair. These two products are the perfect basics to help you cleanse and condition your hair that will start you on the path to hair repair. This features full size options so you are definitely getting the most bang for your buck because a little goes a long way with this fan favorite brand that stylists love just as much as customers. If you’ve never used Olaplex before this is a great introduction to the brand that allows your hair to strengthen and flourish.
5. Innersense Renew Texture Hair Ceremony
This organic beauty staple is shelling out the best of the best to help awaken, revive, and renew your curls from drab to fab. This bundle features a masque, conditioner, curl control, and shampoo to help address every naturalistas need. Key ingredients include coconut, shea butter, tamanu oil and a rich array of vitamins that will restore natural oils in the scalp instead of stripping them away.
6. High Definition Curl Brush
What’s better than one curl brush? How about a 2 in 1 combination that allows you to detangle and style your curls with ease. This patent-pending, dual-sided styling tool is specially designed to transform the look of curls, while enhancing the beauty of all hair types. The High Definition Curl Brush™ brings out the best in your texture by detangling, defining, and smoothing to perfection. Clear out those old bristled brushes and purchase a new and innovative way to style and define your curls with just one product.
7. Pattern Beauty Hair Tools Kit
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This powerhouse toolkit is a must-have to tame those curls, coils, and textured curls from all angles. Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross brings your tools that will help your dentagle, lift, and volumize your hair in a snap. Each of these combs are designed to help you expertly section, part, and detangle your curls from root to tip. They can be easily cleaned and used with wet or dry hair.
8. You Go Natural (YGN”> Sleep Collection
YGN is rolling out a new way to treat your curls during bedtime with their sleep collection. This upgrade to the traditional sleep bonnet incorporates mulberry silk to help retain moisture and protect hair from damage. Each option features an adjustable strap that compliments any texture or curl type regardless of how wet or dry your hair is. They’re also sexy, sleek and functional, complementing any night-time, loungewear or WFH look!
9. Grace Eleyae Dark Gray Slouchy Warm Slap w/ Pom
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The cold weather is here, but that doesn’t mean your curls have to suffer. Grace Eleyae is rolling out her newest edition of her popular “Slap” hair accessory with a beanie that offers more room, protection, and effortless style to compliment your outfit. This product is designed to help your curls, locs, and coils hydrated, healthy, and frizz-free in the cold weather. The time of sporting caps or hats that flatten your curls are gone with this satin-lined beanie that stretches with your curls.
10. Rezo Silk-lined Hoodie
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You can toss out your boyfriend’s hoodies because Rezo is upgrading this winter staple to complement your curls. This silk-lined hoodie is stylish, sleek, and features enlarged hoodies designed to work with your curls instead of flattening them. The terry-cloth design makes for a comfortable yet functional clothing option that can be worn during workouts, brunching, lounging, or on-the-go.
It’s that time of year where we’re getting ready to splurge and save all in the same sentence in honor of the holiday savings known as Black Friday. Black Friday is a time honored tradition that allows us to shop our favorite brands in person and online with the tiniest hope that we save a few dollars. Whether you’ve been looking to stock up on your favorites or try out the new brand that you’ve been eyeing for some time, Black Friday is coming in bigger and better with deals that can’t be topped. While Cyber Monday is right on the heels of Black Friday, you don’t want to miss out on any of your favorites being out of stock. Here’s our roundup of the best Black Friday deals on natural hair products to start shopping, a few had early releases before Black Friday so make sure to RUN…don’t walk for these sales.
1. Alikay Naturals
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Get up to 50% off your favorite Alikay Naturals products starting from November 21-30.
2. Carol’s Daughter
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#BlackFriday is happening now for Carol’s Daughter which is featuring a major sale with up to 50% OFF sitewide! Stock up on your faves while supplies last and mix and match your favorites.
3. Curls
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Curls is serving up a sale with a $30 bundle box that features their blissful lengths liquid hair growth vitamin, blueberry bliss reparative leave in conditioner, so so fresh vitamin v + mint scalp treatment, lavish curls moisturizer, a curls full sized mystery product and a custom “It’s the CURLS for Me” t-shirt.
4. Curl Keeper
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Curl Keeper is celebrating Black Friday all week long until November 27th with amazing sales that range from 20%-25% off based on your total order amount.
5. Design Essentials
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Hurry and stock up on your favorite Design Essentials products, their sale runs from 11/22-11/30 with 30% OFF while supplies last! Their Almond and Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse was our 2020 Best of the Best award winner.
6. Flawless By GU
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With the recent relaunch of her haircare line, Gabrielle Union will be featuring 20% off the entire Flawless by Gabrielle Union collection between 11/26 – 11/29 on Amazon.
7. Girl + Hair
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Your favorite scalp treatment products just got better with 35% OFF all items of $25 or more from 11/24-11/30. Get rid of the itch and give your scalp the much needed TLC it has been craving during these colder months.
8. It’s a 10 Haircare
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There is an incredible sale happening with 30% off sitewide from November 26th to November 29th. The leave-in remains a holy grail of naturalistas everywhere and should be added to your daily hair routine.
9. Mielle Organics
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Every single product is $6 sitewide with free shipping on orders over $100. This is a classic sale that never fails to please the masses. We recommend Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Scalp Treatment which was one of our 2020 Best of the Best award winners.
10. Mixed Chicks
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Get stocked up on your favorite products ranging from their infamous leave-in conditioner to classic accessories you can’t live without! Their newest line “Hair Four Days” helps to revive and revitalize curls during non-wash days.
11. The Mane Choice
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Starting 11/24- 11/29 you can buy One Get One Free (of equal or lesser value”> with your favorite Mane Choice products. Shipping will be free within the US.
12. Rizos Curls
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Rizos Curls will be having a sale on RizosCurls.com from 11/25 through Cyber Monday where products will be up to 60% off sitewide. Keep an eye out for their announcement of 3 new products to their lineup!
13. Sunday ll Sunday
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Looking to improve your hair care during your gym sessions? Take 40% off when you shop any 4+ products with this Black Friday sale.
- 1 item = 20% off
- 2 items = 25% off
- 3 items = 30% off
- 4+ items = 40% off
14. TPH by Taraji Henson
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Shop the newest line that naturalistas are embracing from Taraji P. Henson which features a scalp-focused approach to helping improve your haircare. Save 20% for every 3 products you purchase!
Let us know in the comments what brands you plan to shop this season!
Puzzles have always been a fun pastime to help unwind from a long day or to enjoy time with family. In lieu of the pandemic, virtual learning, and remote work, more people have found themselves gravitating to puzzles because they can be a healthy distraction that help reduce stress at any age. This resurgence in your favorite childhood pastime led to many new puzzle businesses emerging and creating puzzles specifically designed for adults. These elaborate puzzles are far from the character or animated cartoons of yesteryears- they have now become living works of art that people can do solo or collectively and hang when completed. With the holiday season coming up we compiled a puzzle gift guide from Black and AAPI-owned businesses to help you decompress. Check out our interviews with 5 different artists and entrepreneurs who share their artistic process.
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Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I was born in Juazeiro, in Bahia, Brazil, in 1985. I moved to Salvador in 2001, and in 2003 I attended The College of Design and in 2004 attended the Fine Arts School at the Federal University of Bahia. During this period, I became interested in studying photography, Fine Arts Paintings and engravings, inspired by studies and research of lithography, Serigraphs, metal engraving, and consequently a deeper study of posters, the main references for my engraving techniques.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
I love study and integrating differents cultures and peoples, cultural references from ancient times to the present day, harmoniously working and interacting together in the same composition, where all elements of different aspects come together for a single purpose : the creation of Works of Art, where the plurality of shapes, colors, styles, cultures and peoples, are peacefully integrated into a single composition, united with characters that transmit messages of strength, beauty and positivity that reflects all of the beautiful and divine nature of the human being.
What was your creative process like when creating “Mae Africa“
To honor the Black Consciousness Day, which is celebrated in Brazil on November 20th, the Zumbi of Palmares day, the United Nations created, in 2013, a special project “Encontro das Africas” to raise international awareness against racism. I was invited to participate in the project along with three other artists, each of them had to select a theme from African history to represent. I chose to work on the theme ‘African Empires’. The artwork is an acrylic painting on canvas, (210 x 160 cm”>, that represents an imaginary mother of Africa giving birth to a new society full of splendor and wealth, in harmony with nature and rich in traditions and culture.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>?
I love to experiment with different materials, but my favorite is acrylic painting.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
It’s amazing because we can have fun and see art at the same time!
Kaitlin June
Tell our reader about your background as an artist
My name is Kaitlin June and I graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati with a BFA in illustration. I currently work as a freelance illustrator and tattoo artist in Jacksonville Florida.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Much of what inspired me as a child is what inspires me now (sailor moon, astrology, ethereal daydreamy backgrounds, fashion, tattoos, color”>.
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What was your creative process like when creating “Strength“
The process for creating “Strength” was quite chaotic. It started out as an oil painting I was really unhappy with. I was starting to feel more depressed in my life and it was affecting my work. I decided to approach the piece digitally so I took a pic of the work and reworked it in photoshop.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>
My favorite means of making art is through Procreate on my iPad. I have been in love with digital art for over ten years, I love the control digital art gives you. I enjoy working in traditional mediums as a hobby and a fun break to digital art.
There is a comfort to working digitally as I can make infinite changes and versions of a piece. I leaned into a lot of negative feelings to get the original version of “Strength” and when I was asked about making it into a puzzle I wanted to make a few tonal changes to read a bit more like hope and optimism.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
I’ve loved seeing my work as a puzzle. I do love the idea of people putting this work together because it adds another element to the meaning of this work.
Putrice Thomas
Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I started through the love of puzzles and raising my 3yrs old daughter. A search for diverse toys and educational products led to me using my hobby in digital art to capture the details found in the compositions. I have over 15years in business and managing people in organizations in the Caribbean and North America.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Too many to mention. I typically like fantasy art which brings out the playful narratives seen on the puzzles mixed with realism in modern digital art that helps portray the realities of the scenes.
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What was your creative process like when creating “All Better Now“
With art being my hobby, I knew I needed to find someone with a skill set to master the sketches. I collaborated with Jefferson Jacome, a character designer and illustrator from Queens, NY. Jeff sketched the design for “All Better Now” which was inspired by imagination, play, and pretend while being at home during the pandemic. The story shows a little girl dressed as a veterinarian trying to help her puppy feel better. “As a mom, I would always tell my daughter, you’re all better now, whenever she gets a boo-boo so, the title for the puzzle came naturally”. In the picture, you can see how the little girl wraps her puppy’s paw with a bandage and soothes him with a hug. This puzzle was so much fun to design, and it provides a great teachable moment for parents as it shows emotions such as compassion and kindness.
How has the experience been seeing your work go from the artboard to a puzzle?
From doodling in an art journal at 2 am to never letting go of my dream to own my own business , I enjoy every minute of being an entrepreneur. “Having people walk to me and admire the work solidifies the mission but when a child smiles after receiving one of our puzzles it makes my heart warm”.
Marianne Rodriguez
Tell our readers about your background as an artist/animator
I am an Filipino-American artist and abstract contemporary painter based in Covington, Louisiana. Due to my parents’ work with the United Nations, I spent 15 years living abroad in West Africa, Central America, Europe & Asia before landing in the US. Marianne went on to study in New York where she obtained a B.A. in media studies & anthropology from the City University of New York at Hunter College, and a degree in fashion design from FIT.
Who are your artistic inspirations?
Matisse, Klimt, Yayoi Kusama
What was your creative process like when creating “Island Hopping“
It was joyful, upbeat and free. Island Hopping was a part of a collection titled Islands which was inspired by my Filipino heritage, infused with tropical, sunshine flavors.
What types of artistic tools do you use (pencils, paint, etc.”>
Island Hopping is a mixed media piece, composed of acrylic paint and fabrics. In hindsight, the process of creating a mixed media artwork is very much like improv puzzle-making, except on a canvas. Moving pieces around constantly until something clicks.
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How has the experience been seeing your work go from the canvas to a puzzle?
It’s been so exciting to have this totally new way of being able to allow people to interact with my art, and to be a part of a shared process in creating something together while being apart – if that makes sense? Haha. When someone is honed in on the process of puzzle assembly, and analyzing each piece with careful thought, the feedback I’ve gotten from people is that the nuances of the art are brought to light, the process of the painting is dissected, details are noticed, and the artwork as a whole becomes better appreciated. The icing on top is when puzzle-lovers end up framing the piece once completed. It’s a massive compliment.
Jackie Ogidan
Tell our readers about your experience working with different artists
As Founder of Little Likes Kids, I enjoy working with a team of talented artists, channeling my passions into creating an inclusive line of products that represent a diverse array of cultures and contemporary themes. I have worked with a number of different artists and each person has brought unique perspectives to creating art for the company. However, all of them incorporate our core values of diversity, fun, and relatability. I am proud to have kept my original vision as I grow the company.
What was the inspiration behind creating your business?
I founded this company as a mom who wanted to see quality screen-free toys that were inclusive of children like my son and his wonderful and varied gaggle of friends. And I did so not just for children, but also — and maybe primarily — in service to other moms. The quality, diversity, and broad availability of our toys make it easy for mothers to stock their children’s toy boxes with items that show them they are seen and loved.
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What can we look forward to in the future?
I am excited about our future. Currently, we are available at Target, Nordstroms, World Market, Uncommon Goods, and Amazon in addition to wonderful independent retailers like Kido in Chicago and Mahogany Books in Washington, DC. In 2022, we are “movin’ on up” as Upbounders® by Little Likes Kids. Please stay tuned as Upbounders® by Little Likes Kids brings even more joyful diversity to toy shelves at your local retailer.”
