Search Results: Devri Velazquez
Finding an awesome stylist when you have curly hair can be — to put it mildly — a challenge. We’ve all walked out of the salon with hair shorter than we asked for (it’s called shrinkage, people”>, an uneven cut, or the dreaded pyramid head. It’s enough to make you swear off haircuts for good. But, you can’t avoid the salon forever.
So, we searched around the globe and listened to reviews from members of our community who vouch these stylists and their curl expertise. No matter where you’re based — or happen to be jet-setting to — and what your budget and needs are, we’ve compiled a list of the most reputable and sought-after salon experts in the industry. From New York City to Paris, they’re here just for you, curly girl.
Related: 7 Worst Curly Haircut Mistakes
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Shai Amiel (Capella Salon in Studio City, CA”>
For years, Amiel has owned and run one of the first Los Angeles-based curl-friendly salons; today, he is the go-to hair artist for popular YouTube personalities and celebrities who want to begin their healthy natural hair journeys. Just see Tamera Mowry-Housley’s lovely transition back to curls via DevaCut perfection.
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Anthony Dickey (Hair Rules in New York City”>
With clients like Solange Knowles and Rihanna, Dickey has earned his title of curly connoisseur. In 2009, he cofounded the Hair Rules salon, which caters to textures from loose waves to super-tight coils, and became the first and only multi-textural salon in the U.S. On top of that, he’s authored Hair Rules! The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair and launched his own successful line of hair-care products — all of which were created with the same message: to encourage people to embrace their natural beauty.
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Neel Morley (Neel Loves Curls in Melbourne, Australia”>
Neel Morley headed to the U.S. to learn the DevaCurl technique, and then returned to his hometown to open up the very first curly-hair salon in Melbourne after serving clients at Cherry Bomb in Collingwood. Morley has teamed up with Lou of Love Your Curls Australia, and participates in curly-hair education seminars in his area. Read more of Neel’s storyhere, and the next time you find yourself down under, don’t forget to make an appointment with this curly-hair genius.
,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-captioned=”” data-instgrm-version=”4″>Super awesome morning today with @devrivelazquez from @naturallycurly!!! We used @innersenseorganicbeauty for her deep conditioner and her styling. Her hair the Curl Control & Hold Gel! Call me if you want to schedule- 779-490-6485 or find me on Facebook @ Robin Sjoblom Curly Hair Specialist A photo posted by Robin Sjoblom (@robinsjoblom”> on
Robin Sjoblom (Capri Salon in Smyrna, GA”>
Robin’s passion for educating people on the uniqueness of textured hair and her dedication to bettering the salon industry have worked together to give her copious amounts of recognition.
Robin hosts curl-education seminars, is a member of the prestigious Curly Hair Artistry, and has been working as an independent curl stylist for over 16 years.
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Ouidad (Ouidad Flagship Salon in New York City”>
Known for her trademark Carving & Slicing curl-cutting method and the Rake & Shake defining technique, Ouidad has earned her way into the curly hall of fame. In 1984, she opened the first salon in the U.S. catering specifically to curly hair, and has a widely popular line of hair products sold in beauty stores like Ulta and CurlMart. Find a Ouidad-certified salon near you.
Camilla Tressvant (Black Hair Care of Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden”>
Owner and head stylist of Black Hair Care of Sweden salon in Stockholm, Camilla has been a trailblazer for the natural hair industry in Sweden for 20 years. In 1995, she opened her salon — which carries Curls, Redken, and Mixed Chicks brands — and soon after, started the Swedish Afro Hairdressing Society in an effort to educate and uplift other curl stylists in her country.
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A photo posted by The Doux™ Salon (@thedouxsalon”> on
Maya Smith (The Doux Salon in Macon, GA”>
With over 20 years of experience as a celebrity stylist in Los Angeles, Maya Smith relocated to Germany after feeling the urge to make a dent in the “neo-natural” hair movement and the noticeable shortage of professional, natural hair-care services. She opened The HoneyComb in 2008, but uprooted her salon and moved back to the U.S., where she now serves natural-haired clients at The Doux salon in Macon. Maya’s The Doux hair-care products can be found at retailers in Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.
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Omozo (O’Naturals Salon in Lagos, Nigeria”>
This visionary owns the youngest salon on our list: It has been on the type-4 natural hairradar since 2013, and is quickly gaining notice and praise. With her personal blog kickoff in 2009, “President” Omozo marked the start of a movement of pride for the naturals of Nigeria. Using only local ingredients in her homemade products and making a point to also specialize in protective styles, Omozo has made O’Naturals a one-stop shop for healthy manes.
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Scott Musgrave (Scott Musgrave Hair in Cary, NC”>
The “East Coast Curly Hair Specialist” is a pioneer in the natural hair movement. With a multitude of creations spanning across the textured hair educational platform — the CURLYS Method, the MagiCurl Application Process (MAP”>, the Curly Hair Artistry group — Musgrave’s many accomplishments in the salon industry have made him a Renaissance man when it comes to working with waves, curls, and coils.
Phil Gifford (Parlour Hair in Birmingham, England”>
People flock to Parlour in hopes of scheduling an appointment with “Filly Gift” for his precision, expertise in cutting and styling short hair, and soothing head massages. Serving wavy and curly clients in an area where there are over 146 salons and hair “parlours,” and still making a name for yourself, is truly a gift in its own right, and Phil possesses his talent with poise.
Fulvio Tirrico (I Love Riccio in Milan, Italy”>
Fulvio Tirrico, creator of the X-Curl cutting method and a lover and student of curly hair, opened the first — and, currently, only — salon in Milan that focuses on textured-hair needs and styles. With an education from London’s Vidal Sassoon Academy under his belt, Tirrico continues to innovate through his partnership with Hairmed, an Italian hair-product line. Related: NaturallyCurly’s Must-Read Interview With Fulvio Tirrico
Nicole Pembrook (Polished Hair Care in Paris”>
American-born Parisian mother and businesswoman Nicole has every aspect of the professional natural hair salon down to a science. With over 20 years of experience, Pembrook has made a name for herself catering to the local naturalistas and curly-haired women. The third-generation visagiste (“beauty specialist””> finds a way to channel her passion for the 1980s in California through her uniquely shaped haircuts.
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Janine Goossens (Jacques Janine in Sao Paulo, Brazil”>
Since 1958, Janine Goossens has been heavily involved in the hair and beauty spa industry, specializing in bridal and formal looks. Having curly hair herself, she constantly receives rave reviews from the many textured-hair clients she has transformed. In 2010, Janine received the You Brazil Featured Business Award for her efforts to shake up the salon industry. With over 60 salons all over the country, Janine has always believed that exceptional quality is the key to success.
Majeeda Al-Amin (Heads Up Salon in Pearl City, Hawaii”>
Through a paramedical partnership and an education at the National Trichology Training Institute in Stockbridge, GA, Jeeda ended up in Hawaii where she honed her craft from an all-natural perspective. Ten years later, the licensed cosmetologist has gained a vast clientele with expertise in healthy hair care. Now, she’s bridging the gap between hair extensions andnatural hair, retailing for a virgin-hair company that caters to her transitioning curly clients.
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Lorraine Massey (Devachan Salon, New York”>
No roster of curly stylists would be complete without Lorraine Massey, creator of the #NoPoo movement in the curly-hair community. With three flagship salons in New York and one in Culver City, CA, Devachan is the go-to salon for true curl transformations from none other than the creator of Curly Girl: The Handbook. Massey’s line of DevaCurl products shows curly, coily, and wavy clients the true beauty of their natural texture.
If you haven’t found a curly hair stylist close to you, you can search our Salons section and read reviews from other curlies.
According to Vogue, North West is inspiring a Natural Hair Movement.
North West is arguably one of the cutest little curlies to grace the overexposed stage that is called Celebrity. While we will not deny that, claiming that North is the sole trendsetter in a movement that has been decades, centuries in the making, is an offensive, dismissive stretch. Yesterday Kim and Kanye’s daughter turned 2 years old, an age at which most children do not receive relaxers or other chemical straighteners anyway. So the likelihood of a mixed race toddler rocking ‘natural curls’ is high and it’s the norm, really–celebrity kid or not. Marjon Carlos of Vogue says “North’s pint-sized hair styles… [have] established little Nori as a kind of hair icon for a nascent and diverse generation of tots rocking their natural curls with unprecedented flair…” What do you think, NaturallyCurly world?
Men don’t think curly hair is sexy, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
From Olivia Palermo’s “long & straight” hair to Gigi Hadid’s “slick high ponytail”, we can’t help but notice the absence of curly, textured hair representation in Harper’s Bazaar’s slideshow of 12 hairstyles that every man fawns over. What does your significant other think of your natural hair?
This writer wanted to be pre-meltdown Britney Spears for a day.
From Baby One More Time pigtails to I’m A Slave 4 U, Britney Spears had some pretty hot hairstyles in her videos before the dreaded Kevin Federline-barefoot-headshaving era. Bustle contributor Phoebe wanted to highlight Spears’ glory days through her iconic hairstyles. Ah, pop culture nostalgia–everything was better in the ’90s. We are here for this.
Lebron’s barber defends “Bigen hair dye” claims.
The playoffs are over and the nation has been crying Lebron tears ever since. Amidst all the game talk, everyone has also been focusing on one specific thing during the season that had nothing to do with basketball at all–Lebron James’ hairline. According to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star player, barber Nick Castemanos stands by his claims on the head of his “toughest client”. “There is no dye. No additives. No preservatives,” Castemanos told Yahoo Sports. “Everyone thinks he’s dying his hair using [temporary hair colorings] Bigen or Black Ice. It’s all his hair. They still don’t believe me. I get Bigen comments all the time.
Finally, a hair care system that focuses solely on the needs of the consumer.
QVC founder Joseph Segel is funding ProfilePRO, which may just be the miracle hair care system we’ve all been waiting on. For $15, you can formulate your own conditioner and shampoo based on your hair type and needs, create a customizable label for your line, and choose either full size or travel-size products. Seriously, how cool does that sound?
This Cuban performance artist reopened the racial beauty discussion with a natural hair competition.
Discrimination among the Cuban population has been prevalent for quite some time, and while it is often a discussion that gets swept under the rug, Havana performance artist Susana Delahante invited 70 women to participate in a friendly hair competition. Two of the competition’s three categories were fulfilled–natural and braided. According to US News, “Sociologists say black Cubans’ reluctance to identify themselves as such is a powerful indication of lingering prejudice.”
Don’t ask a girl if her natural hair is “an add-on”–then touch it without asking.
Last week Mad Men actress Teyonah Parris had to shut down a blissfully ignorant man while lunching with friends. An “old man” approached her, proceeded to let her know that her hair was “stimulating” and asked “Is that yours or an add-on?” in the next breath. Parris shared a series of tweets to support her rant that, basically… “#ignorance, #privilege” and being unabashedly “dumbfounded” ain’t a good look. This week, Selma director Ava DuVernay had a dishearteningly similar experience with a perpetrator.
An 8th grader gave his principal a Lebron cut.
It was an effective incentive, that’s for sure. 8th graders at Bennett in Chatham County, North Carolina, got to watch their principal, Dan Barnwell, get his head shaved to a buzz cut for passing the End of Grade (EOG”> testing with a 90 percent proficiency in the Science category.
Introduce yourself!
I’m Sara Armstrong. I am a fashion designer, currently working out of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
How would you describe your personal style?
I love menswear. I think of my own personal style as minimalist. I do not often wear pattern or color. I love textures so I am more likely to mix up different pieces but stick to a monochromatic palette! I keep my beauty routine pretty basic and natural.
Where I have a bit of fun is in lipstick and hair! My hair has always been wild and curly, I usually let it do its thing. A lifelong journey of accepting its ebb and flow! There are a lot of “Hat Days”. But I think It will always be my strongest feature so why not color it blue, grey, whatever.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
In terms of my work, inspiration comes from art, music, architecture, history, a crush.
My hair has always been wild and curly, I usually let it do its thing.
What is your favorite trend right now?
I am really into flares and flouncing right now! Bell sleeves, flared hems, full circle skirts and tops–drama, drama, drama.
What is your favorite quote right now (or motto”> and why?
I am always capturing little quotes and mottos to remind myself of what’s important. I think right now it’s “eventually, everything connects”.
What exciting projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on the launch of my online store, launching this summer. sararmstrong.com.
How can we keep up with you online?
My website is www.sararmstrong.com, Instagram @Sararmstrong, Twitter @Sararmstrong_
After years of color and element damage, my bangs have had their share of wear and tear. I noticed the most breakage on my head was with my bangs. I recently got my biannual DevaCut, which was much needed. Before my trim, these were my 6 go-to styles for helping my bangs blend in to the best of my ability.
Day 1: Wash-and-go on partially twisted hair.
At night before going to sleep, I do sort of a multi-pineapple, separating the back and front half of my hair. For my bangs in particular, I do a few two-strand twists. The next morning, I untwist, take my two sections down, fluff, and add Zenzele Leave-In Conditioner (and some water if the back half is flat from my pillow”>.
Day 2: Messy pompadour and bun.
While I’m in between trims, I try to avoid bobby pins at all costs–the harsh metal can further promote breakage. But sometimes my bangs work in my favor by letting me twirl and tuck them into another curl. This helps hide the breakage/split ends.
Day 3: Ninja bun.
Again, for this style, no bobby pins were used. I twirled my bangs in the form of a large bantu knot and tucked the ends in. The back half just needed a little finger fluffing and some SheaMoisture Yucca Styling Milk, and I was good to go.
Day 4: Wash-and-go with brushed bangs.
Yes, brushed. The night before, I co-washed my hair and this time, I used a detangling brush to smooth my bangs. Of course, my hair was smothered in Yes to Carrots Daily Conditioner–brushing it in also helped the product penetrate where it needed to–and my curls were defined, naturally.
Day 5: Messy high ponytail.
Messy is a necessity when I am in between trims. If everything was so sleek and put together, it might be easier for others to notice where the split ends and breakage is happening throughout my head–just no. So for this, I am sure to leave a few random curls out, and I don’t tie my ponytail too tightly.
Day 6: 2nd day flexi rod.
I like to retexturize my 3C curls every now and then. But while my hair is in a state of weakness and breakage, I stay away from Curlformers or rollers– so flexi rods are my best bet. They safely alter my pattern while allowing my hair to sit comfortably around the tool rather than being super manipulated. I used SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Styling Lotion for the hold and smoothness.
Hi, I’m Daina Lyn Walls, New Jersey from North Jersey, but now live in South Jersey–there’s a difference, I swear! And I am a Copywriter for the Creative Team at Destination Maternity Corporation.
I have always worn my hair curly. I have never mastered straightening my hair myself.
However, in high school one year my friends was becoming cosmetologists and between Sun In and bad box dye jobs, my hair was not only orange, but it went completely & string-ishly straight! Then again in college, I was bored with the curls (I know, what a travesty!”> and between always coloring, the Brazilian Straightening before they got rid of the formaldehyde and my inability to not use gel with alcohol, my hair was ruined.
I had been with my boyfriend for years and said that once we got married I wanted to do my own hair and showcase my own completely grown out curls. So, in 2010 I vowed to have healthy, untouched, truly natural hair and that is when I discovered Lorraine Massey’s Curly Girl Book. I got married in 2013, did my own hair and have been CG for 5 years.
My curly hair must-haves
Obviously conditioner, since I co-wash. I look for a thick, creamy conditioner because I like to feel the slip and the moisture in my really dry 3b hair. I currently am using AG Re:coil. I really want to try Briogeo Curl Charisma Conditioner because I have heard pretty good things about it. I am not 100% faithful to conditioner, as long as it allows my hair to be finger-combed, I will try it!
As for styling products, I am a one product at a time girl. I only wash my hair twice a week (3 if I must”> and I don’t like to mix or layer products. I hate build-up and the one thing I noticed right away when I went CG was that I never get dry scalp anymore. I used to have dandruff every single day, so I don’t want to be over product-y, even though I always use too much anyway. I swear by Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator.
I know that one of the original owners broke off and created the same product under the name Sweet Soul Magic. I will use either, as long as it contains the original formula! I also make my own hair gel with just flaxseeds and water. At this point, I think most people have seen the how-to videos on this gem. I have also used AG Re:coil Curl Activator Cream, but I always just use too much of it. I like SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisturizing Transitioning Milk when I want one of those super soft hair days or when it’s day 3 and I need to do a braid in order to not scare people.
[prodmod]
I am my biggest hair issue.
Every other year, like clockwork, I cut bangs. And immediately, I cry and swear I won’t ever cut bangs again. Then, I look at pictures of Keri Russel in Felicity (before she cut her hair”> and envy how long her front layers were. But other than that, I would say it is dry. I cannot seem to keep it moisturized. Oils and butters are too heavy, so they make it look waxy. Sometimes products with protein make my hair turn into hay. I think the less is more strategy works for me, but unfortunately I have a heavy hand with everything I do, so that quarter size amount companies recommend I take as silver dollar pancake size. I have gotten really good with leaving it alone and just letting it live its life. If it wants to get big, then so be it. I am from New Jersey and I am Italian… my hair just wants to show that.
Wind is not a friend. I hate getting caught in the back seat of someone’s car and they have their windows open. I have an unrealistic fear that once the wind gets a hold of my head, the spirals will unfurl. It doesn’t help with the creepy little bangs I keep cutting and regretting either. I also think the usual suspects like rain and humidity, but I have accepted frizz, so it is what it is. This is not a challenge, but it’s wild… people always want to touch my hair. I allow it.
So, in 2015 I am way behind or a complete radical… or just lazy? I am like a nonexistent person in the social media world. I do write social posts for the company I work for, which is ironic. I have Facebook, because well, I am not 100% off the grid, ya know? I know once upon a time I signed up for Instagram and my goal for 2015 is to utilize it, so you can follow me on there. My username is @Daigala! Once I start, people tell me I won’t stop. The one thing you will be sure to see? Curls.
Rose Oil
Made up of 300 different compounds, rose oil is complex–just to extract 34 ounces of it takes over 8,800 flowers. It contains antimicrobial properties that soothe an inflamed, dry scalp. If tea tree oil is too harsh for you, rose oil might be a gentler alternative with the same benefits for hair and skin. Dehydrated hair will become super moisturized after using rose oil; it’s also great for regulating an oily scalp or skin thanks to the natural production of antioxidant farnesol.
Try this: Karen’s Body Beautiful Secret Weapon Restorative Hair Treatment, $25
Broccoli Seed Oil
We already know how consuming broccoli benefits the body. But did you know this seed-derived oil is rich in hair-nourishing vitamins like C and B6, which are known to create a smooth, silky hair shaft? This veggie oil also contains erucic fatty acid, an omega-9 that creates a natural sheen without adding much build-up to the follicle. It is known to the textured community as the natural version of silicone.
Try this: Kai House Broccoli Shampoo For Curly Hair, $14
Grapefruit Seed Oil
Those who are transitioning from chemically altered hair can find comfort in the power of this citrus. It is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals necessary for healthy scalp care to promote growth. It also acts as a natural clarifier; grapefruit used directly as a rinse will rid the scalp of the paraben and wax build-up. Grapefruit extract is also a safer, completely natural alternative to adding highlights to the curl. Grapefruit can be added to a homemade concoction of aloe vera gel, glycerin, grapeseed oil, and half a liter of water to detangle the most matted knots.
Try this: Elucence Moisture Acidifying Shampoo, $12
Abyssinian Oil
Curly girls love the viscosity and nourishing qualities of vegetable oils. This leafy one comes from Central Africa and is virtually fragrance free. It can withstand high temperatures, which makes it extremely effective as a hot treatment for promoting hair growth. Abyssinian oil is 100 percent biodegradable and GMO-free, too. With 11 acids in which most are lipids–behenic, lignoceric, oleic, stearic–this oil works well as a sealant for coarser textures but is still lightweight enough for fine-haired or wavy naturals to use in a natural shine boosting serum blend.
Try this: U R Curly Abyssinian Oil, $6
Carrot Seed Oil
This essential oil works wonders on thinning edges and premature graying hair. Carrots naturally contain beta-carotenes and biotin, highly sought-after attributes for growing strong, healthy hair. The oil can be used as a protective sealant to provide natural sheen while also shielding curls from the sun–it has natural SPF. In conditioners, carrot seed oil will smoothen the hair shaft to minimize frizziness in even the most humid climate conditions. It is also rich in carotene and vitamin A, responsible for slowing the hair’s natural aging (whitening”> process.
Try this: SheaMoisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Conditioner, $9.99
Which oil are you using this summer on your hair?
Generation Y is executing a full-fledged plan of action to restore the decade that made them: the ’90s. Nostalgia-prone tastemakers have influenced big-name designers and celebrity hairstylists to leverage that time when Nintendo ruled our TV sets, Clarissa explained it all, and you couldn’t go ANYWHERE without an extra scrunchie in your mini-backpack.
And then, there were the ‘dos. From crimping to grunge-inspired wispiness, it was a decade of wild experimentation. Ahead, the ’90s hair trends we’d like to take into the future with us.
Kiss Curls
Think the perfectly plastered baby hair of Chilli from TLC. With the ever-growing popularity of the selfie, people are seeking out up-close-and-personal facial-feature enhancements. Need inspiration? FKA twigs (seen here”> and Zoe Kravitz get the kiss curl right — every single time.
Wispy Bangs
Every teen-thriller actress had stringy bangs that just so happened to fall over her eyes while she was being chased through the neighborhood by a masked serial killer. One of our biggest inspirations is Courteney Cox, who had crush-worthy bedhead bangs that charmed us every time we watched (and continue to watch”> Friends — move over, Jen Aniston. It Girl Alexa Chung takes the trend into 2015.
Bantu Knots
Rihanna has played a major role in the revival of this craze. She wore bantu knots to the iHeartRadio Music Awards and in an editorial for i-D magazine. But, lest we forget our ’90s crushes who made bantu knots edgy enough for the runway, yet still sufficiently mainstream for an MTV music video — back when MTV only played videos.
Crimped Hair
Recently, Beyoncé debuted a crimped version of her signature, pin-straight honey-blonde tresses and as usual, we fell in love with the crimping iron all over again. Weave and wig companies took note, as we are now seeing tons of crimped human-hair extensions online and in beauty-supply stores around the world.
Freeform Locs
Remember Kriss Kross’ hit single “Jump”? Of course you do, and that means you also remember those parted-down-the-middle baby locs. Rapper duo Rae Sremmurd and others have been bringing back this too-cool-for-school look.
Protective-Style Lobs
Brandy’s self-titled 1994 album showed the starlet’s natural hair in choppy, protective-style braids, and Maxine from Living Singlerocked hers with exuberant confidence. Today,we’re seeing a slightly revamped version of the long bob in the form of chin-length box braids. That icy-blue hue adds a fun little something-something, doesn’t it?
Who would have thought foods that taste so good would also make the best deep conditioning treatments? The key to these great recipes is remembering that they are for your curls and not your stomach (at least until you have finished the recipe”>! You’ll notice that these recipes have a lot of similar ingredients because these are what have worked the best for so many curlies thus far. Try them out and see which base product makes your hair feel the softest.
Sweet avocado
- 1 avocado
- Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO”>
- Honey
Avocado is great for deep conditioning. It can also be used for a quick softening, conditioning, and moisturizing mask. The use of honey on hair is talked about everywhere. Honey by itself is not sufficient enough to provide the conditioning necessary, but when combined with other ingredients it can make your hair feel softer and smoother. Substitute this recipe for Darcy’s Botanicals Avocado & Honey Twisting Cream or Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue.
Baby banana
- Organic banana flavored baby food
- EVOO
- Honey
Banana is another great kitchen item that can help give you that soft hair you have been wanting. The key to this recipe is using banana baby food instead of using an actual banana. If you do not blend well enough or use a rice strainer to sift the chunks, then it can leave pieces of banana throughout your hair. You would then have to shampoo and condition your hair several times to get them out and that would defeat the purpose! When you use the baby food it is already strained and liquefied so it can mix easily as well as still provide you with a great conditioner. Substitute this recipe for MYHoneyChild Banana Crème Conditioner or Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner.
Cucumber and egg
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 egg
- 1/2 an eggshell’s worth of extra-virgin olive oil
Cucumber is a natural refresher so it is no wonder that a great treatment would include it. It is a great finishing touch to a deep conditioning treatment. Eggs are also great to give your hair a great smooth finish. An important thing to remember when using this treatment is no heat (including hot water”>! The heat can literally cook the egg into your hair which can lead to a disaster. Your hair will also smell like cooked eggs, which is unpleasant. Substitute this recipe for Wen Lavender Cleansing Conditioner or Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn Leave-In Conditioner.
Fruit salad
- 1/2 banana
- 1/4 avocado
- 1/4 cantaloupe
- 1 tbsp. yogurt
- Any oil
You might be hungriest after making this one so leave some fruit aside for you to enjoy while the treatment goes to work! The fruits in this treatment all work great together to give you soft hair that also will smell just as great. If you are worried about using the banana, substitute the banana baby food so you can be sure to avoid the chunks. If you have no fear of the actual banana, be sure to blend it well and strain it before mixing it with the other items. This recipe will make your hair smell fantastic and it will provide you with a great, healthy snack. Substitute this recipe for MYHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner.
This article was originally published July 2010 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.
@Shantrinas
Elisa’s natural hair tutorial videos and photos give us life in an array of blue hues. Watch her stunning braid-out technique on cornflower blue hair.
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Teyana Taylor
Once upon a time, the young singer-model sported turquoise tips in an ombre fashion, and although the actual coloring trend may be passe, we enjoyed her cyan moment.
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@forsakensilencesweetvengeance
Nefertiti experiments with color on her natural hair, that is what she does–just watch her Youtube for tips and tutorials on maintaining sky blue with care.
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Annisa knows how to help make her tapered haircut on coily hair really burst–using Garnier’s Color Styler in Blue Burst, to be exact.
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Hilary Duff
We don’t mean to encourage an uncoupling in a positive light, such as Hilary Duff’s divorce–but it’s so hard to ignore just how radiant the former Disney star has been looking in her selfies with charming turquoise wavy hair.
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Kelis
Her milkshake days may be behind her, but this eclectic singer-songwriter never fails to wow us with her hair color and style choices. We love her denim-hued curls the most.
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@muchmorethanbeauty
As if her long, luscious curls weren’t perfect enough–Estefani pulls off these temporary oxford blue highlights as if her color flawlessly.
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@cometakeapuff
A pretty-faced cosmetologist turned Youtube sensation with an knack for pulling off vibrant rainbow colors, this baby blue looks just as jazzy on Ahzani’s curls.
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@feralcreature
From pale purple and silver to teal, this fierce chick sure knows what hues compliment her striking facial features.
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@Fizzglam
When it comes to all things beauty and lifestyle changes, Ify is the expert at hand–and her beautiful midnight blue crochet braids show just how confidence conveys through a photo.
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Wavy hair tends to lose its curl and fall flat sometimes. A root lifter can help with the dreaded “hat head” look. If you have long wavy hair it can get weighed down when it is wet, and if you’re not careful it will dry that way. Similarly, women with fine hair often struggle to create lift and volume at their roots. You can get creative by using jawclips at the roots of your waves and curls, but if you’re looking for a quick way to fake bed head hair then try one of these root lifting products. We promise you, your waves will fall back in love with you.
1. Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer
If you’re going for a piecey look on say, a wavy pixie cut or an edgier bob today, use this texturizer. Not only is it non-drying, but this creme is free of petroleum but still manages to create hold like a true pomade, fortified with shea butters and fruit oil extracts.
2. Oyin Handmade Boing!
Wavy and loose curly girls can benefit from this lightweight holding cream– it avoids the crunchy after-effect, leaving hair soft. When used to create a volumizing hairstyle like a ‘bumped’ bang or textured ponytail, Boing delivers with natural vegetable glycerin to provide shine and keep frizzies away, coconut and jojoba oils to penetrate heat-styled hair and provide moisture from the roots to the shaft.
3. Herbal Essences Naked Volumizing Souffle
A water-based styler fortified with grapefruit extract and peppermint oil that leaves weightless, fluffy definition on type 2 and 3 hair. It is also silicone and colorant free, leaving hair with minimal build-up and hair that fingers can easily run through for the tousled effect.
4. Ouidad Playcurl Volumizing Spray
This spray-gel is lightweight enough for daily use as a wave or curl refresher. It is made with a polymer blend to prevent sticky, stiff hair while promoting definition and volume on fine hair. The glycerin in this spray adds moisture to condition the hair for styling manageability and seamless wash-n-gos.
5. Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray
Sometimes with wavy hair, only pieces of the hair need volume. This spray is great for targeting those specific areas. Made with a blend of resins that give a strong, flexible hold to fine and loose curl textures, this styler is ideal for long-lasting styles and will effectively add volume to your roots.
6. Tigi Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Root Powder
For those with color-treated hair in need of a quick root-lifting pick-me-up, reach for this dusty treat. An invisible micro-texture root powder like this creates volume in the roots and absorbs excess oil in between wash days, too.
7. Bumble and bumble Surf Spray
Type 2 and 3 curls can benefit from the fullness and hold this saltwater, seaweed, and kelp combination provides. Instantly add ruffled, natural texture with this spray wave refresher.
8. So Gorgeous Volumizing Root Mousse
9. Jessicurl Celebration Spray
Another spray-gel that won’t weight your waves or curls down, this root lifter provides lasting hold and definition on dry hair. It contains nourishing flaxseed oil and aloe vera juice to seal the cuticle for more shine.
10. AG Hair Cosmetics Beach Bomb
An alcohol-free cream infused with keratin and silk amino acids to smooth the cuticle, lift the roots, and add natural-looking texture to hair. Get the sun-kissed, beachy waves effect without the actual beach–and no yucky second day hair, either.
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It’s hard getting out of the old habits that we were so accustomed to years ago. This list will help you revamp your regimen to reflect your hair in the state it is in now–natural.
1. You brush your hair dry.
Unless it’s made especially for detangling sessions on soaking wet curls, this is a huge no-no. Brushing dry hair can weaken the shaft, causing friction and promoting breakage and split ends. Use these ONLY when detangling a matted knot:
2. You use drying gel on your edges.
Relaxed hair can usually withstand the drying effects of short-chain alcohols like Ethanol, Ethyl, Isopropyl, or Benzyl. However, these cause natural and curly hair to lose moisture. Look for an edge tamer made with one of these good alcohols, instead. We get that some hairstyles call for smoother edges, so go next time for a water-based tamer made with moisturizing carrier oils to penetrate moisture but still maintain a healthy hold along the hairline.
3. You use products with mineral oil.
This ingredient is found in many products. It clogs pores, preventing hair growth and inducing a dirty, oily scalp–sometimes promoting the chance for bacterial infections, too. When our hair was relaxed, we used this (hair grease”> to protect our scalp from the harmful side effects of a possible chemical burn on our scalp, forehead, and neck. This product is now unnecessary for natural hair. Use a hair cream or moisturizer rich in nut derived oils and butters so you can feel the same effects of what hair grease used to give you on relaxed hair.
- MyHoneyChild Type 4 Hair Cream
- Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Parfait
- Darcy’s Botanicals Eucalyptus Mint Herbal Scalp Conditioning Butter
4. You use bobby pins and rubber bands.
When our hair was chemically straightened, it might have been ok to create intricate updos with metal bobby pins and rubber bands. Naturally textured hair in its unaltered state shouldn’t be subject to the breakage factor when it comes to these styling items, however. When using a bobby pin, face the curved side downward to go with the flow of your curl pattern, and never use it on the very end of your hair. Leave about a half-inch, if possible, unexposed to the pin-down. Rubber bands should be tossed out completely–that long-term friction is damaging to the hair shaft.
5. You tie your hair up into a tight ponytail.
The ends of your hair aren’t the only part to focus our care on. Your edges need love, too–tight ponytails put an unnecessary amount of tension on the root. Doing this too frequently may result in extra hair fall, a thinning hairline, and a compromised curl pattern, over time. Use a Goody Ouchless ponytail holder not only to secure your style, but to blend in with your hair color, too.
6. You use silicones everyday.
If you’ve straightened your hair, using a silicone product is OK for acting as a heat protectant. But everyday use is not good for natural hair. Water-insoluble ingredients in your product can keep water from entering the cortex, causing it to become dehydrated, and over time, completely disrupting our natural curl pattern. If you notice your curl losing elasticity, try one of these to rebuild the strength–free of silicones:
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner
- Bee Mine Bee Lovely Moisturizing Daily Conditioner
- MopTop Bamboo Daily Conditioner
7. You apply heat on dry, unconditioned hair.
There’s nothing wrong with us desiring a straight style for a few days. Just keep in mind that hair needs to be well conditioned first. In addition, do a hot oil treatment a day beforehand to re-introduce moisture and oils your hair might lose once it gets straightened with a heat styling tool. Do quick passes–don’t hold the flat iron on one part of your hair for a long time–and don’t let your flat iron exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Try one of these heat protectants with protective silk protein next time you have an itch for straightening or blow drying your hair:
- CHI Silk Infusion
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shine & Moisture Mist
- Jane Carter Solution Restore Moisture Mist
Do you have any bad hair habits that you would add to this list?
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Today is National Hairstylists Appreciation Day, and what better way to celebrate than interviewing one of our favorite curl stylists, Shai Amiel of Capella Salon in Los Angeles. We live for his before and after curly hair transformations, and for this reason we consider him to be a true #CURLboss.
1. Introduce yourself!
My name is Shai Amiel and I am the proud co owner (with my wife Nicole”> of Capella Salon in Studio City. I got my cosmetology license in 1994 and have been doing hair since.
2. How did you get started in the curly hair salon industry?
Curly hair was never on my radar. Since day 1 of doing hair I really wanted to specialize in color. But there was always a special place in my heart for curly hair. Both my sisters have curly hair. One of them always wore her hair straight and had me blow dry it straight for her during beauty school. One day she came in to the salon to have her hair trimmed and I was running behind so I just left her with conditioner in her hair. By the time I came around to rinse it out and style it, her hair has dried and looked really pretty. She had great curls.
3. Everyone calls you the Curl Doctor. How did this nickname come about?
My client Nathalie Emmanuel found me a few years back on instagram and eventually made it to my salon for a little trim. After it was cut and styled she had a whole new appreciation for her natural curls. She posted a picture and said hair by the Curl Doctor. We all thought it was cute and didn’t realize the name would stick. Her followers started asking questions about this so called “Curl Doctor” and before I knew it, the name kinda made sense and stuck with me. It started as a little joke and became really popular on social medias.
4. What is the biggest mistake you notice your clients making?
We are in such a DIY society. It’s ironic that if we have a toothache, we call the dentist. If our car breaks down, we call the mechanic. If we have issues with plumbing we call the plumber. BUT, it’s 2015 and if we have hair issues, we turn to YouTube. This is such a bad move for so many new naturals. Most of these bloggers are not educated hairdressers. They did not study cosmetology and only practice on their own hair. What works for them might not work for others. I always tell my clients that bloggers are great for styling tips and/or trying new looks. When we are sick and go to the doctor, he/she will give us a prescription. We do not go to the pharmacist for a prescription. Bloggers are usually not experienced enough to tell women what to do with their hair.
We are in such a DIY society. It’s ironic that if we have a toothache, we call the dentist. If our car breaks down, we call the mechanic. If we have issues with plumbing we call the plumber. BUT, it’s 2015 and if we have hair issues, we turn to YouTube. This is such a bad move
Also, many product companies will use these bloggers to market their brand. So women watch the videos and assume that they can get the same results if they bought those products not taking in consideration their curl pattern, density, porosity, spring factor, dryness level, etc and they get annoyed because their hair doesn’t look like the girl in the video.
Many naturals are also afraid of frizz. They do not like it and avoid it all costs. Oils are really popular but unfortunately most curly girls don’t know how to use them properly and end up looking like a greasy mess. I always explain to them how oil and water don’t mix. Applying oils to wet hair will only make hair feel heavier and slimy. Wet hair can’t absorb the oil so it just coats the hair weighing it down and suffocating it. I teach my clients that oils can be applied to dry hair as a pre wash. Let the oils soak in and penetrate the dry hair. The next step is really important because I explain to them how oils are not supposed to be styling products so they need to be removed by a proper cleanse. The dry hair will absorb whatever nutrients are in the oil and the rest will be washed off.
It’s also challenging for women to spend money on quality products. I tell them that one good car is better than 20 bad cars. Those 20 bad cars will cost more in the long run and still won’t be as reliable as a really good car. You don’t need to have your shower look like a beauty supply. Every person needs 1 or 2 shampoos and same with conditioners and it’s best to keep it simple.
5. What is the one pivotal moment in your career?
When my sister came in to have her hair trimmed and I didn’t have time to style it so I left the conditioner in her hair. This opened my eyes to a whole new world. Hydrated hair meant pretty hair. What a concept. Ever since that day I’ve been doing everything I can to make sure my clients have really healthy hair. No matter how pretty you try to make the hair, but if it is not healthy it will never look right.
Healthy hair = pretty hair! this is my mantra that I preach all day long.
6. How did you meet Lorraine Massey, and how has she influenced you in this industry?
We were experimenting with a variety of curly products. I saw something on NaturallyCurly.com about DevaCurl so I decided to order it and play with it. At first I hated it. I thought their shampoo called No Poo was not good. I didn’t like how it didn’t lather. I bought the product directly from Devachan so it didn’t come with instructions. I tried the shampoo a couple of times and eventually was fed up so I stashed it away. One of my clients came in and asked me if I know of a good brand that isn’t pricey. At the time we were a Kerastase salon so it was the only line of curly products i used. I told her how I bought this product for curly hair but it didn’t work for me. She came back 2 months later and I asked her how the product worked for her hair. She said she tried it once and realized that it didn’t lather so she decided to call Devachan salon and ask them why it’s not lathering. They explained to her about the product. She learned how to use it properly and ended up loving it.
We were the first salon that retailed and used DevaCurl besides their salons. We would call the front desk and place orders. This went on for a while until the Long Beach hair show. I went to the event with my assistant who has curly hair. We were walking thru the isles until this “crazy” lady walked up to us and started touching her hair. She was telling us how much she loved her hair and wanted to know what the product she uses. I am very passionate about hair, curls, products, etc so I started giving Lorraine the sales pitch about Deva not knowing who she was. As soon as I finished explaining the product to her, she looks at me and says “you must be Shai” I asked her how she knew, and she said she was hoping to run into me at the show. I still did not know who she was but quickly realized she was the Lorraine Massey. She invited me over to the Deva booth and we spent the rest of the show together. She had me talk about my Deva story and I helped out spreading the good word about Deva. The rest is history.
7. What are some useful resources for those trying to newly embrace their textured hair?
Patience is the best resource. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Athletes don’t achieve the results they want in one workout session. It takes time to heal hair and perfect healthy lifestyle. My blog has great advice and inspirational stories that will help those who feel lost. NaturallyCurly.com is another resource that has been really helpful for both clients and stylists. It is such a great community.
8. You help a lot of transitioners with embracing their curls. What is your biggest piece of advice on caring for their curls?
Moisture! It’s difficult styling hair that has healthy curls at the roots and very damaged ends. It’s best to cut off all the dead hair, but not ideal for some people.
9. What makes the DevaCurl cut worth the investment for curlies?
The reason I love the DevaCut because I still use the original method that is cut curl by curl. The new method is taking large sections so it’s very similar to cutting traditional wet hair. I like the curl by curl method because it allows me to snip each curl where it needs it and gives the ends a happier finished look. it takes me longer to do but the results last a lot longer.
Unlike traditional cuts that are recommended every 6-8 weeks, my curly girls can go 3-4 months without needing a trim. Some can even go 6-7 months. The price per cut is a bit higher because it’s time consuming but if you average it out over 1 year, you will be saving money from the traditional haircuts.It’s also the only real method that has no gimmick. many other stylists have tried to create similar cuts and renaming them but they are essentially based on the DevaCut method. Deva created this method so i am giving them credit for inventing such an amazing look. I learned it from Lorraine Massey about 15 years ago. we flew her out to L.A. and we spent almost a week in our salon training and practicing this method. So many other curly cuts are done wet and when the hair dries you never know what to expect. this haircut looks amazing as soon as it is completed and sometimes even better before hair is washed and styled. It creates a really fun volume that many of my regulars enjoy and skip the washing process.
It also requires you to use a really blunt shear. I use my BMAC sword blade that cost about $1200. I don’t mess around when it comes to quality. This gives each ringlet a really defined end that prevents split ends from returning for a while. So many stylists prefer to cut curly hair after it is blown out straight. we don’t wear our curly hair straight, then why are we cutting it straight? It also doesn’t make sense to damage hair before you trim dead ends. The blowout just creates more split ends.
Other methods call for carving and slicing creating shorter pieces throughout the hair leaving hair lifeless and limp. When you remove bulk from a ringlet you create frizz and weak hair. the Devacut keeps each ringlet as healthy as possible by trimming just the dead ends.
10. You are seemingly all over the place! Is there any event or panel coming up that you plan on participating in?
I will be on a panel with other hairdressers this Saturday April 25th in downtown L.A. at the Naturals In Hollywood event at the LA Convention Center.
11. You are also a family man. How do you juggle business with family life (and make it look so easy”>?
Yes. I’ve been happily married for over 13 years to a wonderful woman. We have a 12 year old boy and a 10 year old girl. Nicole and I work very well together. Every morning she gets the kids ready for school while I get ready and I am in charge of the drop off. I volunteer at my daughter’s school at the drop off lane. I open car doors to help those who don’t have time or their kids don’t want them to walk in to school. I love being a part of my kids’ school whenever I can. I served as the PTA president for 2 years. Luckily our type of work doesn’t have homework. Once our work day is complete we can go home and enjoy our quality family time. I try to be home everyday before the kids go to bed. I have Saturdays off and it’s a complete family day. We spend the entire day together and we don’t deal with work related stuff. I try to stay off social media that day and give my wife and kids my undivided attention. It’s the day that I recharge my battery and get as much family time as I can. Monday is my day off with Nicole so we have the entire morning together until kids get off school. It’s a great day to have for just the 2 of us.
I don’t take my family for granted. If my kids call me at the salon, I never ignore their calls no matter what their call is about. I always said I won’t be “that dad” that is too busy to listen to his family.
We are in Los Angeles so we are surrounded by celebrities and musicians. It’s pretty cool when you ask your client to record a personal message for my daughter and she does. I asked Zendaya last week if she could send my daughter Maya a message and she did. I posted it on my personal Facebook page (it’s a public post so everyone can see it”>. I also receive tickets to events and TV shows so my kids love when that happens.
12. How can we follow you online (social media links”>?
Instagram @ShaiAmiel, YouTube- ShaiAmielDR, Facebook – Capella Salon, Tumblr- ShaiAmiel.tumblr.com
Who would you like to see do our #CURLboss tag next?
Now the dark comedy is being reproduced and recast around the world and Chimo’s Daphna is being reinterpretted by other actresses with familiarly frizzy, poofy manes. All of these women have hair that plays a major role in their lives, and it begs the question — How do they get their hair in character for the show? The New York Times shared these responses from the on-stage Daphna adaptations.
NATALIA COEGO at Coral Gables’ GableStage: “At home I would wash my hair and shampoo and condition it and then blow dry it with a diffuser to get it nice and curly, but enough that it would still be smooth. At the theater, I would spray a bunch of leave-in conditioner. Sometimes I’d add water so it would curl. I’d also put bobby pins into my hair to keep it out of my face.”
JENNA AUGEN in London at Arts Theater: ““I love Sundays because it’s my day off, and it’s the only day I can actually brush through my entire head and get it nice and smooth. To get it to that very ethnic state, I always have to put my hair up in pin curls at night and then wet it. I let them down and tease them out right before the show, and that makes it frizzy.”
NATASHA GOREL at Stages Repertory Theater and Black Lab Theater in Jewish Community Center of Houston: “I don’t shampoo my hair ever. I only use conditioner. I have to leave it in for at least 10 minutes for it to be brushable, because it gets really matty. As soon as I get out of the show I brush my hair, and that takes about 15 minutes. Then I put in three different oils and a leave-in conditioner and clip it up.”
LAURA STRACKO FRANKS at The Circuit Playhouse at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis: “My hair is naturally wavy, not kinky-curly. After I got out of the shower, I put it in pin curls and sprayed it and let it dry. Then I took it out at half-hour and ran my hands through it. The more I did that the bigger it got. [I personally use] Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner and Aussie Instant Freeze hair spray.”
CONNIE MANFREDI at Winnipeg’s Jewish Theater: I’m going to wash it on my day off and then ride it out for at least three days. Then maybe do a condition and not shampoo, which sometimes takes away the good oil that keeps my hair in check.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NY TIMES
This technique is popular among the natural and transitioning communities because it is the perfect way to master curl definition literally from root to tip. These 3 YouTube tutorials will help you master it this weekend if you have a little time on your hands and need a cute hairstyle in time for Sunday.
In this tutorial, Honestly Erica shows you how to do the braid and curl AND the twist and curl, both effective in achieving uniformly defined curls. She does the LOC Method (liquid, oil, cream”> to seal moisture and add definition first. She twists/braids her hair into about 10 sections after applying her coconut and grape seed oil mix and layering with shea butter, then adds a flexi rod lastly to help curl the ends.
Elenore notes how important it is to detangle the hair and keep a spray bottle of water nearby to keep each section moisturized throughout the styling process. She uses Eden Bodyworks All-Natural Curl Defining Creme to moisturize and seal. She starts out like doing a twist-out, then wraps the ends of each twist up with a perm rod and secures it.
I Am So Not My Hair says she puts oil on her fingers during the takedown in order to minimize the frizz for each twist. For maximum hold that lasts throughout the week, she uses a loc & twist gel. The process takes her about 3 hours–separating and fluffing is important–detangle with a Denman Brush, and use an afro pick to fluff. This is great for those who enjoy big hair and do not want to style after styling (second and third day hair greatness will ensue”>.
How do you achieve next level curl definition?
My natural hair journey is very complex.
I wore my hair curly until 15 years old. Then I started relaxing my hair one year later. From that point, my hair was always relaxed and I had almost forgotten what was my real natural hair.
One day, one of my teacher said something that moved me deeply.She explained that the society made people straighten their hair to fit in. I realized that the society made me think that I would be prettier with straight hair. I decided to cut my very long hair up to my shoulders in 2011. During one year, I tried to love my curly hair.
The struggle was real and I did not feel confident enough. So I decided to relax my hair… Again. At the same time, running became a huge part of my life and I was trying to have a healthier lifestyle.
I looked up at natural hair products and then the decision was clear: I will not relax my hair anymore. I stopped relaxing my hair in 2012 and I have used a hair dryer since May 2014.
I absolutely love to discover new products and brands.
However, I always make a lot of research before buying anything. To be honest, I couldn’t live without Shea Moisture. (If somehow one of SheaMoisture’s staff reads this: please come to France. Your products are always sold out everywhere in Paris!”> I love the way my hair looks when I apply the coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing. I cannot live without my aloe vera and jojoba oil too.
My “secret” for waking up with gorgeous curls
I go to sleep with my hair wet and the magic happens. I woke up with bouncing curls… That’s my secret shh!
A healthy lifestyle matters
I have been practising fitness and running since 2012. I ran my first 10k in Paris that year. It was a huge step for the asthmatic girl I am. Sports give me the strength to believe in myself. As I became more confident, I wanted to embrace myself at the fullest and then I started to eat healthier. You don’t know how much food play a big role on your hair health !
I discovered hot yoga last fall. It helps me to be powerful and calm all at once. Now, I am more confident and I have enough self control to embrace my natural curly hair forever.
The curly community in Paris
I am currently based in Paris where the ideal canon of beauty is for women to be tall, thin, and to have long silk hair. What about being natural ? Lately, one hairstylist said on a TV show that curly hair is sick hair! A few years ago, I would never have been to a job interview without a perfect blow-dry. And I think so many textured hair women are still trapped.
My wish for other curlies
I would love to see all my hair fellows embrace themselves. I want to be a role model for the next generation. My fiancé’s family comes from West Africa, I don’t want my child to envy my hair as I envied my mum’s one. I want to be the change I want to see in the society! Being natural means being unique, what could be more beautiful?
We have a lot to do. We need first to help women and young girls to embrace themselves and then to educate society about textured hair. I have so many projects for the upcoming months. I am excited to be part of that wave.
Keep an eye on my journey!
Instagram– Facebook–Twitter
Your friend who has been on the fence about getting the big chop finally took the plunge, and she is turning to you for constant reassurance that it looks good on her. But now her curls are in that awkward stage that nobody–you nor her–can quite put your finger on. Remember when your mother used to say, “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all!” ? Now is the time to put that into motion. She’s going to need all the support she can get, and since you were the one who talked her into doing it, you are obligated to be her shoulder during this transition.
1. You look like a school boy.
Comparing your thirty-something-year-old friend to a member of the opposite sex who likely hasn’t hit puberty yet? That’s a no no.
2. When are you going to style it?
We all know how challenging it can be to style a new big chop. Instead of bashing your newly natural friend, encourage her by sending her a few links to websites like naturallycurly.com (duh!”> that will walk her through different hairstyle options for her hair type and length.
3. Girl, who did that to your head?
If you would like to inquire about your friend’s stylist who she trusted so much as chop her hair off, do so politely.
4. You’ll grow into it eventually.
Grow into it? She is already grown. And unless she succombs to the pressure of covering up her big chop with wigs and extensions, she will be rocking this new cut for a while. So get used to it, and help her to do the same.
The naturally curly hair community is always on the hunt for the “next big thing,” a little known ingredient we can use in our at-home hair recipes– and black pepper is definitely having a moment right now. This natural ingredient is found in many ayurvedic medicines and foods not just because of its taste, but for its herbal benefits, too. According to DNA India, black pepper is rich in Vitamins A and C, flavonoids, carotenoids and other anti-oxidants that help remove harmful free radicals and protect the body from cancers and diseases. For us, this means it has exceptional growth stimulating and dandruff fighting abilities. Black pepper is also effective for relieving cold symptoms, acts as a natural antidepressant, and natural exfoliator–it brightens skin complexions. If apple cider vinegar (ACV”> is not your thing, this black pepper recipe might be an equally beneficial option, as it works as a natural astringent to your scalp, opening the pores and allowing healthy hair growth.
What You’ll Need
- 1/4 cup ground peppercorns or pepper
- 1/2 cup coconut olive or jojoba oil
Directions
- Blend all ingredients well into a bowl until it turns into a smooth, pureed consistency.
- Store this into a jar with a seal-tight lid and let it marinate for two weeks or longer.
- Drain the oil from the pepper (dispose pepper residue”>.
- Apply oil on the roots of the hair covering with a warm towel. Leave on for 30 minutes then wash out completely.
Thanks to InspirationMyCreation for the recipe.
