Search Results: Devri Velazquez

Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member Godluvsme101 (3C”> posted this question:

Question:

“When I first heard about sealing your hair to prevent loss of moisture, it made a lot of sense to me. So I used grapeseed oil, but it left my 3c hair looking very flat and wet (even though it was dry”>. So are there any light sealants that might not give me the same problems? Or is that what my hair is supposed to look like? What sealants do you use?”

Answer:

It’s important to understand how a sealing oil works. Grapeseed oil doesn’t have penetrating powers strong enough to do anything other than sit on top of the hair, acting like an umbrella of protection from climate that would otherwise suck moisture from your curls. Grapeseed is also known as a carrier oil, which is something people used combined with an essential oil in order to moisturize.

Depending on what you’re using the grapeseed oil in conjunction with, I suggest testing out other combos of either products or carriers, as each one works differently.

It’s been chemically processed

Grapeseed oil has been through a rigorous process of having its oils extracted from the grape, going through machines, having the solvent hexane, which is actually toxic. Therefore, by the time it’s bottled up and sent to your local beauty supply store for you to purchase, it’s been refined, chemically altered, and then some. Look for the words “cold pressed” on your labels for the raw product in its truest form.

Slather on the shea butter

Next time you’re attempting to seal moisture, add a layer of shea over your hair after you apply oil. For many curlies like yourself with dry hair, this usually works wonders.

Olive oil + Coconut oil

Also, use coconut oil as either a pre-poo or moisturizer on freshly washed hair. It’s known to soften rough spots of hair and add definition to your spirals. I use extra virgin olive oil, and this is also great for penetrating the hair shaft and when used with a water-based leave-in, it’s amazing for high porosity hair.

Look for these

• H&B Oils Cold Pressed Unrefined Raw Coconut Oil
• Eden Body Works Coconut Shea Leave-In
• African Pride Olive Oil Miracle Growth Oil
• Nubian Heritage EVOO Pre-Poo Treatment

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

We want you to have your healthiest, happiest hair possible! If you have any questions, feel free to visit our Q&A Section for helpful advice from curlies like you!

Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member Tatiana5C recently posted this question:

Question:

“My hair strands are some what thick, but for a while they’ve been falling out which makes my hair thinner. My mom says it’s because I always wash my hair constantly pulling out hair. By the way I haven’t flat-ironed my hair in almost a year and my hair still doesn’t look healthy or long like I wanted to. But I’m just focused on getting it thick. Any suggestions? -P.S. this is coming from a 15 year old who depends on their mom to get all hair supplies.”

Answer:

Tatiana, if we explored in depth every single reason you’re experiencing excessive hair fall, this article would be dozens of pages long, which might defeat the purpose of a straightforward answer that I’m sure you are looking for. And for the purpose of getting straight to the point, I’ll pinpoint these general possibilities and how you may solve the issue:

First of all, know what is normal and what is not.

The average head of hair has 100,000 to 150,000 strands. Losing up to 50 strands is normal, however, anything over that is not. By nature, curly hair sheds more than straight hair.

Stop brushing your hair.

The Marcia Brady logic (the more times you brush, the softer your hair will be”> doesn’t work. Over brushing actually causes friction of the hair, promoting hair shed and breakage. For damaged, weakened, and brittle curls, stop brushing your hair and detangling with a comb. Try finger detangling instead. 

Add vitamins A, D, & E to your daily regimen.

While it’s important to note that there IS such thing as too much of these, it’s also just as important to not neglect them completely from your diet or beauty routine. They both help regulate your hair cycle focusing on length and strength. The antioxidants in vitamin A moisturize the sebum in your scalp. Taking your daily dose of Vitamin E will also promote healthy hair growth, as it increases blood circulation and stimulates the hair follicles. Ask your mom to buy you cantaloupe, carrots, and dark green vegetables. She can also get a multivitamin (containing all of these vitamins in 1 capsule”> that can be found at any grocery store in the wellness section. 

Don’t dye, relax, or straighten.

You mentioned that you no longer flat iron your hair, so we know heat isn’t the culprit in this case. I’m not sure if you have experimented with harmful box dyes or relaxers. Right now your hair is in a super fragile state, so I’d suggest staying away from things like ammonia, lye, bleach and chlorine. Here’s an easy, natural recipe to color and thicken your hair at the same time if you absolutely must color your hair.

Use a scalp stimulator.

Every few days, add a few drops directly to your scalp (per the product’s instructions”> to promote faster hair growth and strength. Castor, tea tree, almond , and jojoba oil will be your best friends for the next few months. We like:

• Eden Body Works All Natural Tea Tree Hair Oil
• Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil
• Nubian Heritage Strengthen & Grow Serum
• Karen’s Body Beautiful Heavenly Jojoba Hair Oil

Go see your doc.

Hair shed at a young age can be due to an underlying health situation, like thyroid issues, anemia, alopecia, poor diet, or even genetics. Discuss with your mom if anyone in the family experienced hair loss at a young age, and that may help you understand where yours is coming from. Schedule an appointment to see your doctor.

Have a wavy, curly, or coily Q?

We want you to have your healthiest, happiest hair possible! If you have any questions, feel free to visit our Q&A Section for helpful advice from curlies like you!

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NaturallyCoily James show us his simple way of achieving a defined wash-and-go using styling gel. In this video, he uses Ecoco Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel to make his type 4 coils pop, shine, and manageability.

Watch the video

1. Condition & Cleanse

Prepare your hair by deep conditioning and cleaning your scalp to remove any old product build-up before restyling.

2. LOC Method

Use the LOC Method to retain moisture in your coils. James applied coconut oil, a strengthening leave-in with shea butter, and sealed with olive oil. 

3. Section

Divide hair into sections hair using plastic or metal clips. This allows for a neater and faster styling process and encourages clumping.

4. Rake to Apply

Use your fingers in a clawing motion, apply Krystal Styling Gel to each section from root to tip. Make sure the sections are saturated. Don’t forget to smooth your edges!

5. Massage it In

Massage the gel into your hair by run your fingers again from root to tip. This helps to lift the hair and add volume.

6. Shake and Dry

Make your wash-and-go appear more natural by shaking your head a few times while it is drying; that way the coils can ‘fall’ into place naturally. Allow your hair to air dry.

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WATCH: Stretched Afro on Short Natural Hair

Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Be sure to stop by to engage with others like you and earn points while doing so! Member TaylorAmor posted this question recently:

Question:

My hair is extremely POOFY & DRY! What can I do to reduce poofiness & add definition & hydration?

Answer:

Well Taylor, let me start off by saying that we all here at NaturallyCurly think “poofy” hair is pretty awesome. Sometimes, bigger is better! Rock that hair with confidence, girl.

Regardless, I understand you may not want the “big hair” effect. Reading your question, I’m making the assumption you do not… therefore I will suggest to you these tips in helping you reduce your chances for frizz and poofy 3B/3C curls. There are two techniques for applying your hair products that can help decrease the “poof:” the shingling method, and the LCO method.

Method #1: Shingling Method

Shingling is a way of applying your products to your hair, smoothing the product over your hair from root to tip in sections:

1. Section your freshly washed and conditioned hair into about 4 large sections.
2. Seal in moisture with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO”>, found at your local drugstore or grocery.
3. Grab your favorite styler (a curl definer like the ones below”> and literally rake the product through your strands from root to tip.
4. Elongate and smooth your strands, starting from the middle of the length of your hair and working your way up. Focus on the tips at the end of the section. 
5. Do not touch your hair during the drying process.

Best products for shingling:

• Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter
• Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Pudding
• Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding
• Ossat Naturals Curling Custard
• African Pride Shea Butter Creme
• Obia Naturals Curl Enhancing Custard

Watch the Video

Curly hair guru MoKnowsHair demonstrates the Shingling Method on type 3 hair below.

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Method #2 LCO Method

The LCO Method is an acronym for the order in which you apply your products. LCO stands for liquid, cream, oil.

1. Apply a water-based leave-in. Regular ol’ water usually does the trick for curly hair!
2. Seal in the moisture onto your hair with a cream. 
3. Use an oil for a healthy sheen. 

Best products for LCO:

• SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• Miss Jessie’s Leave-In Condish
• Camille Rose Naturals Curl Moisture Milk
• Yes to Carrots! Leave-In Conditioner
• Karen’s Body Beautiful Heavenly Jojoba Oil
• Eden Body Works All Natural Jojoba Oil

Watch the Video

NaturallyGG sisters show how to use the LCO Method for dry, natural hair.

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Do you have a question about your wavy, curly, and coily natural hair? Visit NaturallyCurly’s Q&A Section (where it says ASK”> here and post it now!

Things are heating up this year as The FIFA World Cup grabs the attention of millions of viewers across the globe and the ultimate football (soccer”> battle begins. While some of us admit to not knowing a lick of what a soccer game entails, let alone who is in the lead right now, one thing we’re all taking notice of is the beautifully sculpted ‘dos the players are sporting this year. Here’s our 2014 list of faves.

Top 20 Deep Conditioners

For transitioners, the natural hair journey can sometimes be a challenge.

For many, it’s the awkward in-between stage of growing pains filled with self-confidence lessons, constant trial and error, and excessive product and technique junkyism. And although it seems like going natural can be more of a battle than a celebration these days, as long as you remember these basic tips for maintaining your transitioning hair, we guarantee you’ll experience a smoother journey.

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Look for products that moisturize and enhance.

For natural hair that has experienced heat and chemical damage, moisture is the key to bouncing back. Encouraging the natural curl in your hair is important, too. For newbies, it can be overwhelming understanding what works for your particular hair type while you are still trying to learn what it is–below are products that many naturals in the community recommend. These popular curly hair products are packed with both moisturizing agents as well as curl-defining ingredients.

• Beautiful Textures Curl Defining Pudding
• Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Conditioning Styling Pudding
• Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream
• Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme
• SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Transitioning Milk

Read: Knowing Your Curl Pattern Helps, Here’s Why

You will learn to love bobby pins, headbands, and headwraps. 

As your transition phase progresses, the different texture in your roots and relaxed hair will likely stand out like a sore thumb. Turn the attention away from your hairline by dazzling it up with a thick headband or headwrap that will conceal the new growth. With bobby pins, you can create updos to tuck away your straight hair and let everyone focus on your natural texture. If there’s ever a visible relaxed piece of hair, pin it up and out of sight.

Watch: 3 Ways to Tie a Head Scarf

Stash up on styling tools.

I’m talking perm rods, flexi rods, and Curlformers…NO HEAT! Especially while you’re transitioning. You need tools that will help retexturize and blend your relaxed ends with your natural hair without causing any long-term damage.

More: Curly Girl Rehab for Damaged Hair

Play with protective styles.

If you’ve ever considered wearing a sew-in weave or wig, now is the perfect time. Braided styles like Marley twists, box braids, and Havana twists are popular mainly because they are intended to blend well with natural hair while covering your relaxed ends.

Read: How Weave Can Help (Or Harm”> Your Natural Hair

Understand that your relaxed hair will never “return” natural.

At the end of the day, if you want to keep your relaxed hair for length purposes, you must know that it is simply impossible to allow time to let it get back to its natural state. If you want your entire head of hair to be natural, you’ll have to eventually chop the relaxed hair off. Get regular trims to maximize your hair’s healthy potential. Avoiding this step will only hurt you in the long run, as split ends travel up the strand and cause you to have more than just damaged ends.

Next: How to Big Chop With Confidence

My name is Crystal Colon and I live in San Antonio, Texas. I am an auditor by day, and blogger/owner of Flor Bella Boutique by night. I am also a mommy to two beautiful girls and a wife to naturally curly guy!

I started Flor Bella Boutique in October 2012 after my daughters asked me to purchase bonnets for them.

At the time, my family and I were recovering from my husband’s layoff earlier that year. He had regained employment but of course you know how it is when you are trying to be conservative with your money after going through a crunch. During that time, I had taken up sewing and I decided to make my girls some bonnets as a way of practicing my sewing. I really didn’t know what I was doing. When I finished the bonnets, my husband told me he loved them and told me I should sell them. The rest is history.

I am inspired by my girls, Martina and Carrington.

Everything I do is for them. I try to consider all my choices and how they will impact them and if they will encourage and inspire them. Some of my designs are inspired by what they like. For example, they are into all things Disney princesses and Hello Kitty. That is why I have those designs are child bonnets. Also, I am inspired by prints that are in their favorite colors. They inspire me so much that I named the business in homage to them. I named the business Flor Bella (beautiful flower”> in Spanish in homage to their Latina heritage.Of course,

I also am inspired by fierce naturalistas I see on social media.

I am inspired so many ladies but my favorites by far are Mo Knows Hair, Jenell Stewart, PrincessLinzz, HalfieTruths and MamaNaturalista. They constantly remain positive and are doing big things and they are just genuinely nice people (and of course, beautiful”>.

If you want to become a successful entrepreneur in any industry, read, read, read.

I love to read to learn what other successful business owners have done and are doing. Research and find what resources are available to you such as SBA, etc. Network, network, network. Be polite. I always say, “Please” and “Thank You”. I also would encourage other young entrepreneurs to never give up. Sometimes people don’t’ reply when you contact them. That is okay. Keep contacting other people and eventually you will get a response.

Last but certainly not least, pray without ceasing. Listen for the voice of God (or whomever you worship”> to speak to you and guide you along the right path. I think that is the most important tip I can give anyone.

I am so excited about the future! I have a new ‘Curl Power’ T-shirt line that I just launched with the help of a wonderful graphic designer. I also have another T-Shirt that will be coming soon. I am attending some major conferences this year to help me expand and improve. I will be at the New Orleans Natural Hair Expo which I am excited about because New Orleans is where I began my adulthood and I have lots of family, friends and ties there, so I am excited to be going ‘home’. I am also sponsoring giveaways frequently on IG and FB.

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You can follow my blog here at crystalcurls.blogspot.com, my Instagram is @CrystalsCurls. My online shop can be found here- Florbella.storenvy.com

I’m Neel, owner of Neel Loves Curls Hair Salon in Melbourne, Australia.

When I was in Sydney in 2005, I went to a hair seminar which taught me about cutting curly hair dry. Sadly, there aren’t many places in Australia that teach curly hair so I went to America to learn the DevaCurl technique. I’ve only just opened up my curly/wavy hair salon so I have much to learn about running a business.

In the next 5 years I would like to train someone up and give my passion for curls to the next generation of hairdressers.

I am always inspired to learn more…

I never want to think I know everything. But the thing that inspires me the most is when a client says “WOW!” after their haircut. If you have passion in your job that helps you stand out. I find most hair salons soulless experiences so I had hand crafted gowns made and my salon is a theatre and the washing area is a jungle with jungle music whilst I wash/deep treatment your curls.

In Melbourne, everyone wants volume and big hair.

I can only speak for Melbourne in Australia but red and coppers are hugely popular on the north side of the city. As I only cut curly hair, I have definitely noticed more clients asking for more voluminous curls.. to show them off more!

I want my clients to go home knowing that…

You can check out my blog and keep up with me here.

And visit my Facebook page for salon details, hours, and photos!

Hate to break it to you fellow product junkies, but constantly trying new products without looking at their respective ingredient labels sometimes can bite you in the face–literally.

Wondering why you are causing acne after trying all these new products? If you’re noticing sudden acne flare-ups and oily, red skin, check to see if your latest Holy Grail product contains one of these 3 harsh ingredients.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS”>

This foamy surfactant is a detergent ingredient which is commonly known to cause skin breakouts, especially when used it high quantities. It also causes rashes on sensitive skin. If you need to clarify, stay away from super sudsy shampoos containing sulfates. If you absolutely must use a shampoo with sulfates, keep your hair off of your neck and out of your face in the shower while applying the product.

Petroleum/Mineral Oils

A lot of moisturizers contain this product, which is something you should stay away from if your skin is acne prone or reddens easily. These occlusive moisturizers are oil-based, so they do not wash out of hair easily and clog pores easily. Many people who use products with petroleum byproducts typically break out on their scalp, which can lead to prevention of hair growth. Be sure to especially avoid the product in the hotter months or while exercising, as it will likely travel down onto your forehead and back, causing breakouts.

Carrier Oils

Whenever applied directly onto the scalp, carrier oils cause extremely clogged pores, especially when used over time as moisturizers. Look for products that are high linoleic acid. Those who use products containing high concentrations of this don’t experience as much skin breakout issues as those whose are depleted of linoleic acid. However, don’t knock carrier oils out your regimen altogether–some of us need it. Here are some that won’t be as harmful on sensitive, acne-prone skin:

Oils High in Linoleic Acid

• Safflower Oil
• Grape Seed Oil
• Wheat Germ Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
• Black Seed Oil
• Rosehip Seed Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Pumpkin Seed Oil

Try a styler without sulfates, parabens, and mineral or petroleum oils like CURLS Goddess Curls. See what people think here. And Sevi Pumpkin Seed is a line that is made especially for sensitive skin, as it contains a shampoo that not only contains pumpkin seed, but 5 essential oils AND is sulfate-free. Curls Unleashed ORS has a great curl definer that is completely free of petroleum, mineral oil, and alcohol (which is drying for the skin, too”>.

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Rosmarinus officinalis, familiarly called Rosemary, is an aromatic herb originating from the Mediterranean region. It was known as the “herb of remembrance.” Rosemary is the most written-about herb ever, and is even indirectly mentioned in the Holy Bible as the bush Mary covered her son, Jesus, with when they fled to Egypt. Perhaps where the name “Rosemary” came from. Aside from this, the herb is packed with tons of benefits that benefit your hair, skin, and overall health.

More: Top 20 Carrier Oils for Hair

Reduces Dandruff

Rosemary works well for skin conditions. That includes your scalp, which is why there are many clarifying shampoos with Rosemary oil. It helps balance natural oils in your scalp.

Fights Wrinkles

Steep Rosemary into hot water to get the antioxidant benefits. The vitamin, iron, and calcium support collagen levels. It also contains manganese which minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.

Kills Bacteria

Used topically, Rosemary oil kills bacteria, fungi, and skin viruses on minor wounds.

Restores Lackluster Hair

Just a few drops applied directly to your scalp repairs lost moisture.

Calms Achy Joints

Rosemary oil is often used directly onto problem joint areas. If your wrists are hurting after a long work day, dab a few drops on for almost instant comfort from the pain.

Heals Scars

Rosemary oil promotes healthy skin healing through stimulating the cells and circulation. This makes it a great topical oil for acne, eczema, and psoriasis, too.

Prevents Baldness

Studies have shown that 2mg of Rosemary leaf extract on a daily basis acts as a formula towards rapid hair growth and re-growth.

Speeds up Digestion

When used medicinally, Rosemary has been proven to speed up fat digestion.

Improves Vision

A few leaves of Rosemary contains Vitamin A, which is needed for optimal eyesight.

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Important note

Like other essential oils, note that Rosemary must be diluted with a carrier oil before being used topically. Check with your physician before consider taking this as a supplement or putting it on your body. For topical use, it is suggested that you don’t exceed using 6 to 10 percent of an essential oil on the given area per day.

Read more: 5 Ways to Use Lavender Oil

As much as we love our hair, it’s hot outside and our necks need some cool-down time! So what else to turn to than braids? Not only are they super cute and versatile, but they also allow you to easier manage your summertime extra-curricular activities like swimming and exercising. Look on for 9 photos of braided inspiration.

Let’s admit, a man with a charming personality, chic style, and a striking mane of hair makes us weak in the knees. For your (and our”> viewing pleasure, we gathered up a batch of some curly cuties worth following. Ehm, online only, of course. Check out our picks for 23 curly men to follow and subscribe to right now!

Happy Birthday Gemini! What does your hair horoscope have in store for you? You can expect the unexpected, so read on for tips to navigate your birthday month.

Consistency may not be Gemini’s strong suit, but you can use your impulsivity to your advantage.

Qualities You Possess

• Lack of consistency. Your unpredictable hair would rather not stick to the same routine or product. 
• Impulsiveness. When it comes to hair products, your hair color, and trying daring, new things — you are totally up for the challenge and are not afraid to commit. 
• Versatility. You’re definitely not afraid to go with the flow and remain unaltered by unexpected obstacles, especially for your fashion and hair.

What does this mean?

During your birthday week, change it up. If you’re used to wearing your hair up all the time, embrace a chance to bask in all your b-day glory by literally letting your hair down. For wavies, go for a different defining mousse or cream to amp up the volume. For curlies and coilies with medium-length hair, aim for a “fake pixie” similar to this one. This is when your impulsive behavior plays a positive factor into your personal wardrobe, makeup, and hair.

Geminis love trying new things, and we love that about them. If there’s a new buzzed about hair oil, you’ve tried it. You won’t find a Gemini sporting last year’s ombre trend, you’re on to the next trend before it even begins! Be aware that these qualities can put your hair – and your wallet – at risk. Your hair may be suffering from the constant changes you inflict upon it, hair color can be damaging especially to the ends, and over-manipulating your hair to try new styles will definitely lead to breakage.

If you’re jonesing for a new color this spring, try henna to brighten up your natural hues safely. If the exact color doesn’t come out as planned or your new ‘do doesn’t work, no worries — you’re dope enough to pull off whatever comes out of a failed hair experiment. Just remember to give your hair a break from the manipulation every now and then, and a good weekly deep treatment!

Based on your traits, you may find inspiration in these:

• Lush Henna Hair Dye Tutorial

• 10 Hottest Festival Hairstyles in 2014
• Watch this video on 3 ways to rock a hair bow on curls 

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The lovely illustration is by Keturah Ariel. You can follow her on Instagram- @KeturahAriel. And go view her online store here.

Keturah Ariel Artist Spotlight

Instagrammers to Follow NOW

On Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 we published an article titled U.S. Army’s Controversial New Grooming Standards. This post outlined the new regulations the U.S. Army’s AR 670-1 created on natural hair. Here’s an update of how the mandate is affecting and offending many women in the workforce, including Dr. Kristie Mitchell.

 

There are over 350,000 women serving in the U.S. armed forces. 1/3 of those women are African American. As imagined, the controversy of the new Army hair grooming standards hasn’t rubbed many the right way, and former U.S. Army Major and psychiatrist Kristie Mitchell tells Think Progress that she is “dismayed” by the ordeal.

“When I read the regulation and endured words like ‘unkempt’ and ‘matted’ used to define my natural hair, I was reminded of the pain and humiliation I, too, endured five years ago before I voluntarily departed the Army.” Mitchell further explains the scrutiny she received for attempting to keep her hair in a natural state and how the negativity pushed her to maintain her curls in a straight style for most of her time in the Army. That is, until she found her voice and started her loc journey.

Though Mitchell felt dignified for showing off her natural hair while still trying her best to stay within the Army’s then regulations, she still experienced daily changes while in combat overseas. “…I made one futile attempt to hide my locs by covering them with a wig (an authorized option”>. So I conceded…I cut off my locs…”

Upon returning home from war, Mitchell decided to take official action. “I filed oficial requests to change the regulation…but my efforts fell on deaf ears,” she says. “It was not until I beseeched my congressman, Ciro Rodriguez, that I finally got a response from the Army.”

What happened next? Kristie had already left the Army before she received a response from the Deputy of Human Resources Policy Directorate. The letter addressed to Kristie spelled out how locs were in fact not a violation of the natural hair regulations of the U.S. Army. By this time, however, it was too late for Mitchell.

Kristie still maintains her strong decision to leave and what emotional impact it left on the psychiatrist. She applauds the high standards the United States Army holds for grooming and hygiene, but “it must recognize that the Caucasian hairstyles these regulations are based upon are not the only ways to achieve this professional, hygienic appearance…This is a toll no other group in the Army must pay.”

MORE: Congress Demands U.S. Army Grooming Standards to Change

Do you sometimes (secretly”> wish your tight curls & coils could just fall down over your shoulders as smooth, flowy loose curls for a day or two? Erm, of course not, right?

Come on… I love my hair in its absolute MOST natural state–tight, curly-coily spirals and corkscrews pointing in every which direction on top of my head–but I will be the first to admit that sometimes, I just want elongated, well-defined curls. Shrinkage, please have a seat.

Here are my 3 cocktails for elongating your curls. These have been tested and approved by my unpredictable mane and have been proven to minimize natural hair shrinkage.

2nd Day Cocktail

This works best on dry, second or third-day wash-and-go hair.

You’ll Need

• A silicone-free frizz fighter – like Curl Keeper from Curly Hair Solutions
• An aloe-based moisturizer – like Blended Beauty Curl Styling Butter
• A detangler with honey and glycerin – like Fuzzy Duck Detangler & Refresher

Directions

1. Spritz a few pumps of Fuzzy Duck Detangler into damp or dry hair that has been detangled. Focus spraying the ends of your hair.
2. Pour a dime-sized amount of Curl Keeper into your palm and use your other hand to dab it with two fingers. Take your curls and gently work the serum through your strands from beginning to end. Do this for each curl.
3. Scoop out the Styling Butter and twirl each curl and coil to seal in moisture on your ends. Also be sure to pat some on your temples and edges.

PHOTO WELOVECURLS

Twist Out Cocktail

This works best on curly or oily hair that has been stretched overnight via twists or braids after washing.

You’ll Need

• A moisturizing leave-in – like Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-In
• A curly pudding – like Texture My Way Keep it Curly Ultra Defining Curl Pudding
• An alcohol-free cream – like Curls Unleashed Take Command Curl Creme

Directions

The night before styling:

1. Apply your leave-in generously to allow moisture to be retained in your freshly washed hair.
2. Use a dime-sized amount of curl pudding for each twist or braid, and distribute evenly from root to tip.

The next morning:

1. Untwist/unbraid.
2. Apply a dime-sized amount of your Curls Unleashed Curl Creme and run it through each section.

PHOTO LUV YOUR MANE

Freshly Washed Cocktail

This works best on freshly washed hair that is air dried.

You’ll Need

• A sulfate-free cleanser – like Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo
• A wide-tooth shower comb – like the NaturallyCurly.com Shower Comb
• A frizz-fighting mist – like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
• A curl activator with shea butter – like Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

Directions

1. Thoroughly remove build-up in your scalp using Creme of Nature Shampoo.
2. Detangle with your shower comb while hair is still soaking wet.
3. Apply Cantu Curl Activator throughout wet hair and gently scrunch hair.
4. Let hair air dry. Once it’s about 70% dry, spritz SheaMoisture Hold & Shine Mist onto hair, focusing on the roots and ends.

PHOTO TORRID TRESSES

At NaturallyCurly.com, we’re all about versatility, authenticity, and uniqueness. It drives us, and it certainly drives everyone around us. We have a few curly illustrators we work with who help bring our curly content to life. But who exactly are these illustrators, you ask? In this mini-series, we will individually spotlight our artists because they all have a genuine and fun story to tell about what drives them to do what they love.

 

Briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Niki Kobi, and I am based in Paris France. I was always into art, so I studied 3 years Art History and then Stylism in school.

What is your “signature” artistic style? What does everyone know you for?

I don’t think I really have one… Maybe drawing ethnic women with curly or natural hair.

What are some things you have learned creating art for a living?

Work hard, be patient and NEVER give up because there are so many great artists but only a few can make a nice living off of creating artwork.

What is one thing you wish people knew about you as a person?

When people don’t know me they often think that i am cold or a snob but I am a sensitive and tolerant person. I really love human beings! Don’t judge a book by its cover.