Search Results: Diane Mary

By Diane Mary · Published March 14, 2017

I am forever trying to grow my hair super long.

PHOTO BY AkilinaWinner — GETTY IMAGES

After my breakage disaster of 2015, I have tried countless tricks, tips, and techniques to speed up growth and I will say this: there is no miracle. If you want longer hair, you are going to learn patience–and probably experience frustration–like never before. Even if you like the length you are at now, perhaps you want your curls to be as healthy as they can be! Here are some things I do now to ensure my hair grows as healthy and long as possible.

Take a hair vitamin

I have tried several different brands, but Viviscal Hair Supplements are my absolute favorites; I have been taking them religiously since fall 2014 now. They help hair grow in thicker and healthier, but not necessarily faster. While it isn’t a replacement, hair vitamins can be a good addition to a healthy diet. Do talk to your doctor before adding a supplement in to your routine.

Minimize your heat usage

Since all heat, including diffusing, is somewhat damaging, minimizing its usage will help significantly in maintaining the hair’s health and preventing damage. If you must diffuse, use a heat protectant spray. And for straightening? If you are growing out damaged hair and really want your curls to be as healthy as possible, just don’t do it.

Wash less often

Washing curly hair too frequently can really dry hair out. I usually wash two or three times a week–three times a week is rare–so that natural oils from my scalp can have a chance to make it through my hair. If you must wash more often, be sure to use a hydrating shampoo or co-wash. And in my opinion, the combo of a dry shampoo and a refresher spray on non-wash days may very well be the best pairing since peanut butter and jelly!

Take a break from hair coloring

It’s my personal choice, but I have not colored my hair in over two years now. (Side note: This has saved me a nice $1,000 a year!”> Obviously, hair that hasn’t been chemically treated is usually healthier hair. If you really want to permanently color your curls, make sure you go to a professional who knows what they are doing! Also, try to find someone who uses ammonia-free and/or oil-based dye. Last but not least, please do not let them overlap color on top of color–that’s just asking for breakage down the line.

Trim when you need it

I know, it sounds counter productive to trim often if you want to grow your hair long, but you don’t want your split ends to travel up your hair shaft. Severe breakage will mean that you need to cut more hair off when you finally do go in for a trim. While I do not believe in following an actual schedule for trims, I go when my hair tells me to; I usually wait until the splits look bad or if I notice more shedding. On average, I go for trims every 3 to 4 months and use the ‘search and destroy‘ method to get rid of bad splits in the meantime. Also, never let a hairdresser come near your curls with a razor–that is a disaster waiting to happen.

Deep condition regularly

I feel like I mention this in every single article I write, but deep condition with and without heat. Depending on the ingredients, it will help restore moisture, add hydration, give back protein, and strengthen your hair to make it much more manageable. Additionally, deep conditioning will lessen your frizz, mend damage, and the list goes on. Using certain conditioners heat can amplify the benefits. My favorites are Ouidad Deep Treatment Restoration Therapy (with heat and always sealed with moisture”>, DevaCurl Heaven In Hair, Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Masque, Inahsi Naturals Mango Hemp Restorative Hair Masque, and most of the SheaMoisture masques.

Oil your scalp

Almost every night before I wash the next day, I sleep with a hair growth-encouraging blend of essential oils applied to my scalp. I like to massage it in for a few minutes to really stimulate the follicle and attract blood flow to the scalp; and it feels great, too! My current favorites are Up North Naturals 8 Oil Blend and Mane Choice Growth Oil.

Detangle your curls

A wide tooth comb or our fingers are the best detangling tools. Remember when detangling: start from the bottom of the hair, working your way up the length. Trying to drag the comb through from scalp to the end will cause the comb to get stuck in the hair–the results won’t be pretty. It might take some extra time to detangle more carefully, but the reward of long, healthy hair is worth it.

Protect your hair at night

I sleep on satin pillowcases since they cause less frizz than regular pillowcases do. I also like to sleep with my hair in a pineapple. The combo helps prevent my hair from getting too knotty and tangly during the night, which can cause breakage and length loss. If my hair is feeling particularly dry, I will use a small amount of a moisturizing cream or spray before bed. Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Leave In has been a recent favorite of mine.

Moisturize frequently

Keeping the hair properly moisturized will help with breakage (which leads to length”>. The drier your hair feels and looks, the more moisture it needs. I deep condition in the shower when my hair is wet and leave it in as long as possible, and use a regular conditioner as a leave-in on days I don’t wash. A refresher spray with a water-based leave-in adds moisture daily to leave my hair soft, hydrated, and healthy. DevaCurl One Condition Decadence or Raw Curls Curly Hair Conditioner are both great.

Pay attention to ingredients

The more products I used that do not contain sulfates, non-water soluble silicones, parabens and heavy waxes, the healthier I have noticed my hair becoming. Start using products with natural moisturizers, healthy oils, butters, and vitamins. I also notice that when I do not use products with heavy silicones, my hair isn’t as frizzy and is more manageable.

Drink bamboo tea

I drink a cup of bamboo tea every single day. Bamboo is one of the strongest plants on earth and is high in silica, which is essential for healthy hair. Since what we put in our bodies reflects in our hair, drinking the tea helps hair stay stronger, and it is also great for skin.

Eat clean!

Your hair is essentially made up of what you put in your body. The better you eat, the better your hair. I recommend plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein! I can write a whole article alone just on this topic…no, really. Comment below to let me know if you want it!

To sum it up

Following healthy hair habits will pay off for longer, stronger, healthier hair. Remember that the average human hair grows about a half an inch in a month; you might experience more or less but there is not one miracle way for hair to sprout inches overnight. 

Subscribe to my blog, Diane Mary Beauty, and follow me on Instagram @DianeMary126

For more helpful articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

Read My DevaCurl Buildup Buster & Devachan Salon Treatment Review.

By Diane Mary · Published March 10, 2017

I was lucky enough to attend the product launch event for Buildup Buster by DevaCurl earlier in February, and in that article I promised you a thorough review of the Buildup Buster as well as the new Devachan Salon treatment, Bounce Back.

Buildup Buster: a few quick notes

Buildup Buster is a micellar water cleansing serum. You may have heard of this ingredient before as it is used in popular skincare products, but DevaCurl is the first to bring this technology to hair care. According to the brand, their product “gently removes buildup from products, hard water, or environmental stressors, while the rejuvenating cleansing serum will bring all curl types back to life!” This is a cleansing product meant to be used once weekly or as needed, replacing your regular shampoo or co-wash for a deeper clean.

Key ingredients

• Micellar water: gently removes buildup without harsh, stripping effects

• Abyssinian seed oil: boosts shine and provides added moisture

• Jojoba esters: moisturizes and soothes the scalp

Like all DevaCurl products, Buildup Buster is sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free.

Buildup Buster is made for all hair types; wavy, curly, super curly, coily, and even straight hair can benefit from it. Not only is the product designed to remove buildup from styling products, but also meant to remove it all and refresh the hair that has accumulated dirt from the environment and our water (gross, I know”>. It is almost like a “reset that allows the hair to regain moisture,” says Devachan stylist, LaToya. So even if you use all DevaCurl or Curly Girl Method ‘clean’ hair products, you may find that your hair benefits from a more thorough cleansing once in awhile. The Buildup Buster is essentially a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo that thoroughly cleanses without stripping the hair of much needed moisture. The bottle says to use it once a week, but based on your personal situation, products used, etc., you could us it less if you wanted.

The consistency of Buildup Buster feels like a thin gel, with a nice, clean scent to it. It is a bit slippery and easy to distribute. The nozzle made it convenient to target the product on my scalp. I massage it into my scalp and down the lengths of my hair, and I actually noticed I was able to detangle a bit with it, which was surprising. Buildup Buster is meant to be used in place of, not in addition to, your usual shampoo or co-wash. I left it in during the duration of my shower, then rinsed. My hair felt slippery, soft and clean. Once rinsed I applied my conditioner, left it in for a half-hour, rinsed, and styled as usual. After I got out of the shower–and prior to applying my styling products–my hair actually had a nice shine to it! Even after applying styling products and drying my hair, my hair felt so light with great bounce; overall, my waves looked healthier and more manageable. Days later, my hair felt super soft, too. I am excited to see how using this product on a regular basis affects my hair down the road.

I was fortunate enough to go to the Devachan Salon in SoHo (NYC”> to experience the Buildup Buster Bounce Back In Salon Treatment!

Not only was I taught exactly how and why to use this product (which I mentioned above”> to ensure achieving my best results at home, my wonderful stylist, LaToya, styled my hair the signature DevaCurl way and was very patient and kind in explaining everything to me, including what she was doing and why. I made sure to let LaToya know during styling I personally do not like too much volume in my curls, and she gave me the perfect amount!

I loved the way my hair turned out after the In-Salon Treatment and Deva Styling. My hair felt super silky, there was absolutely minimal frizz and my curls were really defined! I also noticed my hair color (which has not been dyed in 2 years”> looked a bit more vibrant. My style lasted for days after, without me needing to do a whole lot to refresh it!

Aside from Buildup Buster, the following DevaCurl products were used in my hair at the salon: One Condition Decadence (this is the best choice if you have really dry hair, like me”>, Supercream, ArcAngel and Flexible Hold Hair Spray.

Latoya’s styling tips

• When applying conditioner, start at the ends and work your way up since the ends get drier faster than the roots. Leave in more of the conditioner for maximum hydration, rinsing it just a bit.
• Use lukewarm water when applying conditioner. The warmth of the water–don’t use scorching hot–will help open the hair cuticle so the conditioner penetrates deeper into the hair shaft. Rake the conditioner through, and when it feels silky, scrunch to encourage curl formation.
• Use cold water when rinsing. This helps add shine to the hair.
• It is best to apply styling products in the shower to soaking wet hair. She applied all the products on my hair with my head flipped over and then I sat under the hooded dryer for a while, followed by diffusing.
• Use a microfiber towel to help remove excess water from the hair. Not a terrycloth.
• After applying styling products, once your hair is dry, gently rub your scalp to release the gel cast. Don’t run your hands through the length, as this will disrupt the curl pattern. Instead, scrunch at the bottom to loosen the cast.

To sum it up

I really have been enjoying the Buildup Buster by DevaCurl. If you are looking for something to refresh your hair, leaving it clean and silky and help bring out definition in your curls you may not even have known you had, I definitely suggest giving it a try!

Have you tried the DevaCurl Buildup Buster yet?

Tell us your review below or on Facebook.

Read I Went to the DevaCurl Buildup Buster Launch Event!

Subscribe to my blog, Diane Mary Beauty, and follow me on Instagram @DianeMary126

For more helpful articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

By Diane Mary · Published February 24, 2017

Be Kekoa is a line of products for all textures of hair created by salon owner and healthy hair artist, Brandie Kekoa. Not only do they have some lovely products, but they are unique in how they source and produce one of their key ingredients, tamanu oil.

Per the brand’s website, “Brandie is very passionate about her company’s mission to empower women to exude pride and confidence in their natural curly hair. They inspired her to develop her Be Kekoa product line. Believing that the health of your hair is the foundation to any amazing style, Be Kekoa’s Healthy Curl product line was created with that being her core focus. The Be Kekoa product line promotes the restoration and maintenance of your hair, while bringing out your individual, natural beauty.”

One of the star products of the Be Kekoa line is the pure tamanu oil essential oil blends. This mix is sustainably sourced and ethically produced while containing absolutely no fillers, additives, or silicones. It is 100% organic with the addition of selecting two out of several 100% certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils based on your specific hair repair and concerns. Not only that, the Be Kekoa tamanu oil is the only hand-pressed, sun-dried tamanu oil on the market! By extracting and sourcing the oil this way, none of the nutrients inside get lost.

What is pure tamanu oil used for?

In addition to being high in antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and vitamins A and E for the skin, it also promotes the following benefits for hair:

• stimulates the scalp and encourage growth
• strengthens and regrows thinning edges
• adds natural luster to dry, dull hair
• prevents breakage on natural and chemically treated hair
• heals split ends
• calms an itchy, flaky scalp
• protects hair from damaging UV rays
• locks in moisture on chronically dry hair
• reduces the signs of aging hair and skin

As mentioned earlier, Be Kekoa allows you to select one or two from several essential oils to add into their tamanu oil. I selected Geranium for my blend to encourage hair growth and lavender to fight hair loss and soften brittle hair. Other essential oils to choose from include juniper berry, rosemary, Hawaiian sandalwood, ginger, grapefruit and lemon.

My first impression

The oil comes in a convenient pump bottle. Since there are no added or artificial fragrances, the scent is quite a strong, natural, earthy, and nutty, which is not my favorite. However, the performance and results far outweigh the scent. So far, I have used this oil to seal my wet hair and also on dry, days old hair. I have also used some a few times as a pre shampoo treatment.

My review

Any way I use it, the results have been wonderful. The oil is lightweight and absorbs into my hair and skin almost instantly. Whenever I pump too much, I like rubbing the rest into my cuticles. Not only did this oil leave my hair with a nice dose of shine, but my frizz was significantly cut down and overall, I felt like my hair was more manageable. I also like how this oil blend protects my hair from harmful UV rays, which I will be taking full advantage when the summer arrives.

The brand’s stance on giving back…

“Be Kekoa is the first and only brand to ink an exclusive contract for the sustainable sourcing and production of Tamanu Oil in French Polynesia. This Fair Trade agreement empowers families economically while compensating them for their knowledge, time, and work in handcrafting Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil. To this point, Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil is the only Tamanu Oil on the market made with the Mana and blessing of the people of Huahine. The nut from this rare Tamanu tree is highly sought after for its unparalleled healing powers, but none have been able to capture its pure maximum potency until now. Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil is produced in small batches, following the ancient custom of hand-pressed crafting by a small network of families on the French Polynesian island of Huahine. The sacred, indigenous process takes nearly a year to complete–and the end result is the rich, powerful, deep brown healing oil.”

By sourcing and importing their tamanu oil directly, Be Kekoa is providing fair-paying jobs and better lives to the people of French Polynesia.

You can find Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil, along with a whole line of products on www.bekekoa.com and @bekeoa on Instagram.

Special thank you to Christina from Mane Objective @maneobjective for allowing me to source additional information from her awesome blog. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check her blog out!

For more, please check out my blog, Diane Mary Beauty and follow me on Instagram and Twitter @dianemary126.

Read I Tried a DevaCurl Dupe (So You Don’t Have To”>

By Diane Mary · Published February 20, 2017

For those of us with loose curly and wavy hair, gel is an important product in our post-shower styling routine.

PHOTO BY @EVANJOSEPHSALON, USING DEVACURL B'LEAVE IN & ARC ANGEL

Using a styling gel comes with multiple benefits, including helping with curl definition, fighting frizz, and providing hold. It’s safe to say that most of us like our gels to hold our texture without feeling stiff or crunchy. However, you may be wondering why using a gel that is specifically alcohol-free is beneficial.

Why you need an alcohol-free styling gel

Certain alcohols can cause extra frizz and dryness to already dry curls since they will steal moisture our hair so desperately needs.  These offenders include short-chained alcohols such as ethanol, SD alcohol, SD alcohol 40, and alcohol denat as well as fast drying alcohols such as Ethanol alcohol, Ethyl alcohol, 1-Propanol alcohol, Isopropyl alcohol, Isopropyl alcohol, and Benzyl alcohol.

Since many curlies do not wash their hair every single day, gels are one of the hair products that can live in our hair for days at a time; it is damaging for the bad alcohols to be constantly stripping the hair of its moisture. The following gels don’t contain the bad stuff:

DevaCurl Arc Angel Gel

All of the gels from the DevaCurl line are actually alcohol-free! This is my personal favorite because it provides the firmest hold for most control without the crunch. The unique formula is made with chamomile, lemongrass, and orange peel extract. It keeps my curls smooth and soft for the long haul with a delicious, fresh orange citrus scent.

Raw Curls Medium Hold Gel

Ouidad Tress Effects Styling Gel

This gel helps loose curls and waves achieve and maintain just the right internal moisture balance while acting as a primer for their hair, providing hold any textured style, in any weather condition. This memory lock gel with pro-vitamin b5 and clove oil smoothes the uplifted cuticle to set in style and preserve a defined, frizz-free curl formation.

SheaMoisture High Porosity Moisture-Seal Styling Gel

This gel is specially formulated with mongongo and hemp seed oils to tame frizzy curls by sealing the hair cuticle, blocking humidity and frizz and giving you shiny, smooth, perfect curls. Baobab proteins and apple cider vinegar also enhances the natural shine of your texture while keeping frizz in check by smoothening rough hair cuticles.

Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Coiling All Curls Elongation Gel

Enriched with nettle leaf extract, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, this gel is a great to define loose curls and waves while reducing shrinkage. Additionally, it leaves them shiny, soft and frizz-free.

Innersense Beauty iCreate Hold Gel

I Create Hold provides style and manageability from roots to ends. Certified Organic Honey acts as a natural resin to create style sustainability; antioxidants add protection while plant extracts combine to add incredible shine.

It is important to note that not all alcohols are bad.

Some of them are commonly used as emollients in skin and hair products to help soften and condition our hair. Popular fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.

Do you use alcohol free gels? What are your favorites? 

By Diane Mary · Published February 13, 2017

Many wavy haired people fear that sealing with an oil won’t benefit their texture, or it may weigh it down. That’s not necessarily true.

When styling my wavy-curly hair, I have been sealing my wet, wavy hair with an oil now for years. For me, the L.C.O. method (which stands for leave-in, cream, oil”> works quite well. Sealing your hair with an oil can be very beneficial, even for wavies! 

Some sealing oils themselves do not moisturize hair. Sealing is the act of “locking in” moisture from water or products you apply to your hair. As opposed to moisturizing oils, which penetrates the hair shaft and adds moisture to the hair, sealing oils mostly do not penetrate but instead sit on top of the hair and hold in the moisture from other products.

Why use a sealing oil

• shine
• lock in moisture
• softer hair
• improve manageability for styling

Do you need to seal your wavy hair with an oil? Ask yourself this:

Are my waves dry and dull-looking?

If you are styling your hair and find that you crave more shine, less frizz or if your hair is ‘puffier’ than you would like, using a sealing oil may be just what your routine needs.

Do I style my hair while it is wet?

You can seal as a last step in your wet hair styling routine. Personally, I use a leave-in conditioner followed by a gel or cream and then I will go in with an oil. Since a lot of wavy types can get weighed down easily, it is best to start with very little and add more if needed if you feel you require more. Once you figure out the perfect amount of oil for your own hair, it will become like second nature.

Popular sealing oils for textured hair

• argan oil
• shea oil
• grapeseed oil
• safflower oil
• jojoba oil
• castor oil
• olive oil
• avocado oil

Here are some of my favorite oil blends to seal with since I like the idea of getting the benefits of several oils at once: 

Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil

Okay this is my only favorite that is not an actual blend. What is unique about pure argan oil is it actually does moisturize the hair while sealing! Lightweight on my wavy hair, it is rich high in Vitamin E to help with elasticity, as well.

Ouidad MongongoOil

I like that this blend of Mongongo nut, coconut, broccoli seed and American palm seed oil comes in a spray to easily control and is very lightweight. This oil not only seals my hair, but it doubles as a heat protector. An added bonus: it fights off environmental damage! Another plus: the unique scent is incredible.

SheaMoisture High Porosity Finishing Elixir 

Another oil in a spray that features Mongongo oil! This one really adds in shine and promotes manageability for my hair. It also includes Baobab proteins and Apple Cider Vinegar for added smoothness. 

Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil Blend

I like that this sustainably sourced and ethically produced oil is as pure as it can get, without any additional fillers or ingredients aside from selected essential oils, which only benefit the hair more. It is lightweight and helps with frizz as well, repairing damage to the hair.

Obviously, everyone’s hair is different. If you have tried oil sealing before and it didn’t work out, that’s okay! Finding your perfect hair care regimen is all about trial and error.

Have you tried sealing your hair with an oil before?

Next: Here is the difference between a moisturizer and a sealer 

For more follow my blog Diane Mary Beauty and @dianemary126 on Instagram and Twitter.

[prodmod]

By Diane Mary · Published February 9, 2017

As a wavy-curly girl, one of the biggest struggles is getting my curl pattern to look defined and enhanced, especially since there are quite a few things that can disrupt it.

1. Touching your hair while it’s still drying

I find this to be especially true if you like to air dry. Aside from creating frizz, touching your hair at a time that it is the weakest can ruin your curl pattern and make it prone to manipulation when wet. I know, it’s hard, but try keeping your hands off your hair until it is completely dry.

2. Using products that are too heavy

Some finer-haired curlies may find that heavier products weigh their hair down easily. Using these products can cause hair is not look at bouncy and defined, and instead look too stringy, limp or product-y (yes, we just made that a word”>. If you think this may happen to you, lightweight products may be more ideal.

3. Using too much product and being heavy-handed

This is one I am super guilty of doing too often and ruining what would have otherwise been excellent hair days. Even if a product is lightweight and marketed to your hair type, more is not necessarily better. It takes some experimentation to find the perfect amount, but using too much of any product can make hair look weighed down and undefined.

4. Brushing your hair

I mean, do I even have to go into details with this one? Brushing your curls–especially when dry–will absolutely disrupt the curl pattern.

5. Certain ingredients

Our hair reacts differently to different ingredients inside products. Many type 2 wavy girls’ hair don’t play nice with sulfates, non water-soluble silicones and polyquats. I have also read that some curlies do not react well to too much protein, waxes or specific butters. This is another individual situation where with experimentation you can see what ingredients your hair may or may not like. Several factors that may help determine this include curl pattern, porosity and density.

6. Terrycloth towels

Using a microfiber towel or cotton towel is significantly better for curl patterns. Terrycloth towels have rougher fibers which can affect your hair’s cuticle, leading to frizz, disrupted curls, and even breakage.

7. The weather

The time of year and weather makes such a difference in those with wavy-curly patterns. During winter when the air is colder and very dry, curls often droop and do not look as bouncy and defined as they do in warmer months with higher humidity. I find going in with the Q-Redew Hair Steamer can help enhance the curl in this situation.

8. Certain chemicals

Know that a relaxer will disrupt your curl pattern because that is its purpose. However, if not done properly and taken care of, permanent hair color can also have a negative effect on curl patterns. Even when applied correctly, hair color does damage the cuticle layer to an extent, which leads to dry, frizzy curls that are stretched out. Lightening your natural hair with bleach will absolutely affect the integrity and strength of your curls. If you still want color, it is important to take care of them with delicacy.

Have you noticed anything specific that disrupts your curl pattern?

What do you do to fix it? Leave a comment below.

Read I Went to the DevaCurl Buildup Buster Launch Event!

For more of Diane Mary, follow her personal blog, Diane Mary Beauty. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dianemary126. 

[prodmod]

By Diane Mary · Published February 8, 2017

You may have noticed a new and unique hair color taking over social media lately, and it isn’t rose gold anymore.

PICTURED: @nyanelebajoa

Enter: “blorange” hair

A bit less girly though, “blorange” can mean two different things to hair color professionals and clients. The color is what you get when you combine classic ‘blonde’ with a more fun ‘orange’. This warm hue cannot be missed. Second, according to Teen Vogue, “it also refers to blood orange, ‘a citrus fruit that combines shades of orange, ruby, and crimson.'” No matter how you want to refer to it, this warm and sunny shade is quickly gaining more popularity, especially across the pond in the UK.

We first saw the “blorange” rage kick off when Georgia Jagger, daughter of Mick, showcased the color late last year. However, it has also been debated that the color may have been inspired by the peach emoji or sunsets.

,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-version=”7″>

A photo posted by @cherrycherrybeauty on Feb 4, 2017 at 12:57am PST

With over 2,000 results searching #blorange on Instagram right now, the possibilities with the unique color are endless.

There are so many ways you can rock the “blorange” trend from full head color, to highlights to ombre to even only applying it in the “peek-a-boo” underneath layer. If you want “blorange” without maintenance, wearing it with darker roots also looks great. Aside from the different ways to wear it, there is also the option of intensity for your color; it can be light and purposely faded looking for a softer look, or you may choose to go the vibrant route. The sky’s the limit when it comes to “blorange” variations.

,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-version=”7″>

A photo posted by Lia Weiz (@liaweizmakeup”> on Feb 3, 2017 at 3:35pm PST

This warm toned shade is quite universal and looks flattering on all skin tones.

Those with lighter hair can achieve the color easily without bleach. Darker hair colors will have to bleach first, so first asset the current damage situation of your hair and proceed with caution. Then, if you decide go forth on your “blorange” quest, it is absolute critical to deep condition regularly and take extremely good care of your hair to keep the damage to a minimum.

Aside from damage, one other concern with “blorange” hair can be that if not properly taken care of, it could wind up becoming very brassy–after all, the color does have orange in it. But don’t fret, a good sulfate-free color protecting shampoo will help with this.

While “blorange” is already quite popular, as the weather begins to get warmer and summer approaches, it is only going to get bigger as the months go on and temperatures rise.

,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-version=”7″>

A photo posted by Georgia May Jagger (@georgiamayjagger”> on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:05am PDT

Would you rock the “blorange” hair color trend?

Let us know on Facebook.

For more of Diane Mary, follow her personal blog, Diane Mary Beauty. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dianemary126. 

[prodmod]

By Diane Mary · Published February 7, 2017

Buildup Buster is a Micellar Water Cleansing Serum meant to be used once weekly or as needed, replacing your regular shampoo or co-wash for a deeper clean.

DevaCurl just launched a new product called Buildup Buster in their brand new treatment category!

To celebrate, they had a launch party in Manhattan and by some incredible awesome miracle, I was lucky enough to get an invite to attend! This is part one of a two-part article series where I will tell you about Buildup Buster and recap my fun experience at the party.

Buildup Buster is a Micellar Water Cleansing Serum.

You may have heard of this ingredient before as it is used in some skincare products, but DevaCurl is the first to bring this technology to hair care. According to the brand, their product “gently removes buildup from products, hard water, or environmental stressors, while the rejuvenating cleansing serum will bring all curl types back to life!” This is a cleansing product meant to be used once weekly or as needed, replacing your regular shampoo or co-wash for a deeper clean.

You may have heard of this ingredient before as it is used in some skincare products, but DevaCurl is the first to bring Micellar Water technology to hair care.

The key ingredients

• Micellar water: gently removes buildup without harsh, stripping effects
• Abyssinian seed oil: boosts shine and provides added moisture
• Jojoba esters: moisturizes and soothes the scalp

Like all DevaCurl products, Buildup Buster is sulfate-free, silicone-free and paraben-free.

I actually don’t have a review of the product; I received one in my gift bag from the event last night and have not used it yet since I only wash my hair twice a week and yesterday was wash day.

On Thursday as part of the launch I went to a workout class at 305 Fitness. This was a high intensity cardio work out with a live DJ-inspired by dancing at clubs. I am not a good dancer at all, and felt awkward more often than not, but I still had fun and left dripping in sweat! The workout was challenging, yet doable. There It was let by an instructor who even had gorgeous curls herself.

Friday was the party and I was nervous and so excited.

Admittedly, I am actually pretty shy and incredibly awkward in real life. There were tons of gorgeous beauty influencers I recognized from YouTube and Instagram from all over the USA with all different kinds of curls there. I have never saw so many gorgeous heads of curls in one room before. Being shy, sadly, I did not take as many pictures or go up to as many people as I wanted to, but everyone I did talk to was so nice.

We exchanged hair care tips and talking about our favorite DevaCurl products.

It really was incredible to be in a room with so many other who understand and can relate to curly hair experiences. The girls who flew in from out of town went to the Devachan Salon for the Bounce Back Treatment earlier in the day. When I asked a few of them how they liked it, everyone had a similar response, saying that their hair felt very soft, clean, but not dry or lightweight. Everyone’s curls looked beautiful, so I am super excited to go to the salon and get the treatment for myself.

The Buildup Buster display was a beauty influencer’s dream.

There were so many different and fun picture and video stations to stop at. There was even a video station where we danced on a green screen, a slow-motion camera where we flipped our hair around, a ring light with a gorgeous silver background while awesome professional photographer @skinnywashere took our shots. I am excited to see how mine turned out. I saw a couple on a screen and they looked good. Some of the girls were such pros at posing. The event was also catered by Shake Shack, one of my favorite burger places ever. Delicious!

The DevaCurl team did a wonderful job putting the event together.

I would like to thank Dana, Sam and the team so much for inviting me to the event! I had such a great experience, met some friends who I’ve talked to online before and also made some new curly friends!

Part two with the product review and in salon treatment review will be coming soon. 

For more of Diane Mary, follow her personal blog, Diane Mary Beauty. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dianemary126. 

Read: Is the DevaCurl DevaFuser Just as Safe as Air Drying?

By Diane Mary · Published January 31, 2017

No one likes the thought of heat damage, but sometimes a time restraint or cold weather calls for blow drying and diffusing. Is the DevaFuser a safer route?

Confession: I hate blow drying my hair.

Oftentimes when I blow dry my hair, I’m left with unwanted frizz and volume, and it just does not look as nice as when I air dry. Since air drying takes a long time, blow drying usually reduces the time to no more than 1 hour. Although I do not like the thought of heat damage, sometimes a time restraint or cold weather might mean a girl has got to blow dry.

Recently, I received the DevaCurl DevaDryer and DevaFuser. I actually had the original DevaFuser and when blow drying, I liked it better than any other diffuser, but sadly I had difficulty keeping it attached to my old blow dryer. Now that I have the updated model of the DevaFuser as well as Deva’s dryer, I was excited to see if this would change my mind on blow drying.

What DevaCurl says about the dryer

“If you want a quick way to give your waves and curls more shape and bounce while reducing frizz, than this is the tool for you! The innovative, hand-shaped DevaFuser delivers 360-degree airflow to completely surround curls – even at the root which speeds up the drying process. The patented ergonomic design enhances your natural curls or waves, while creating body and lift due to easy positioning at the crown. Curls look beautifully defined and frizz-free due the gentle drying of the DevaDryer & DevaFuser combination.”

• Professional 1600 Watt / AC Motor

• Ionic Technology

• Patented DevaFuser

• Concentrator Nozzle

• 3 Temperature Settings

• Cool Shot Button

• 2 Speed Settings

• Protective Cord Strain Relief

• Easy Storage Cord Wrap

• Balanced Lightweight Design

First impression

The diffuser is certainly a unique shape. It is shaped like a hand, to help scrunch as it dries and there are air holes all around to help make hair dry faster. It didn’t significantly cut down my blow drying time, maybe by a few minutes, but nothing too life-altering as far as the length of blow drying time. However, the other effects I notice when using this dryer and diffuser make it so worth it for me.

How I safely blow dry my wavy hair

• When diffusing, I alternate my head straight up and to each side. I do not flip my head when diffusing as I do not want to add volume.

• Before diffusing I plop first so that my waves can air dry as much as possible; this will minimize the amount of time my hair is hit with heat.

• I avoid hitting the ends of my hair with the blow dryer as much as possible since this section is the oldest–and most fragile.

• Most of the time I use the highest heat setting so that my hair dries as fast as possible. However, I always finish by pressing the cool shot button to help close the cuticle of the air. This helps hair remain smoother, with less frizz.

• I apply a heat protectant before I begin blow drying, layering it on top of my regular styling products. Then I apply a drop or two of an oil or serum (DevaCurl MirrorCurls is a favorite”> to give back a little shine the dryer may have taken away.

• Use extra deep conditioner! I keep stressing my fear of heat damage. My hair is so easily damage prone and very dry so since heat does rob moisture from hair, and since I diffuse my hair most in Winter when the air also robs my hair of moisture, using deep conditioning treatments is ESPECIALLY critical. The SheaMoisture High Porosity Moisture Seal Masque is a favorite of mine.

Final review

This dryer and diffuser combo really helps to nicely define my curl pattern without leaving behind unwanted volume or frizz! Some curlies do love their volume, and I think the with right technique you can probably achieve it, but I personally do not like when my hair expands too much. The dryer and diffuser prevented this while drying my curls. My hair felt soft and touchable after blow drying. When used properly and with a heat protectant, this dryer does not seem to cause a ton of heat damage that other dryers might. (If you are in search of a good one, two of my favorites are Briogeo Rosarco Blow Dry Perfecting Crème and Original Moxie Heat Wave Reparative Blow Dry Crème–both contain ingredients that treat my hair as well as protect it.”>

To conclude, I really like that the DevaDryer and DevaFuser can give me great, defined, frizz free hair when I need to blow dry and I like that it doesn’t seem to damage my hair the way other dryers have in the past.

Note: This post was not sponsored or endorsed by DevaCurl.

By Diane Mary · Published January 26, 2017

It is often said that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but is that also the case with hair products? I recently tried and compared DevaCurl to a dupe brand, Lovely Curls, which I found while shopping at Harmon’s Face Values in New York.

Every curly girl knows about DevaCurl–it is one of the first curly hair brands of its kind to be released. I recently noticed when shopping Harmon’s Face Values, sitting next to DevaCurl was the store’s own brand of similar products, Lovely Curls. Below, I share my thoughts on whether or not you’re better off splurging on the original.

“We’ve been developing our proprietary DevaCurl product formulations for over a decade based on superior ingredients that deliver exactly what the curly girl needs. We’re flattered that other companies are trying to create similar formulations but there’s absolutely no substitute for the original. Harmon’s Face Values Deva “dupes” are not DevaCurl formulas nor packaging and we categorically do not support this type of infringement nor the performance of any of these formulations.” 

Quick side-by-side first impression

Lovely Curls Non-Lathering Shampoo vs. DevaCurl No Poo Original

Scent wise, Lovely Curls is a lot more minty than DevaCurl No-Poo, which has more of a floral-mint tone to the scent. Consistency wise, the original No-Poo is a bit thicker. Both products cleansed my hair well, while leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. Out of all four products I am comparing, this one was the one I had most difficult telling the difference between performance wise.

Lovely Curls Super-Creamy Conditioner VS. DevaCurl One Condition

• Fragrance: Even my sensitive nose cannot detect a difference in the lemongrass scent of both product lines.
• Consistency: As far as consistency is concerned, the DevaCurl One Condition is a bit thicker than Lovely Curls.
• Performance: Even though both products moisturized my hair, One Condition was more moisturizing and had better slip for detangling. DevaCurl also played nicer with my styling product when used as a leave-in.

Lovely Curls Firm-Hold Defining Gel vs. DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel

• Fragrance: Both products have a unique, clean, fruit scent but DevaCurl’s is slightly stronger, but I don’t personally mind since I love that fragrance.
• Consistency: The Lovely Curls gel is a bit goopier, even sticky. What I like about DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel–actually, all of their gels–is that they are not sticky at all.
• Performance: There is no comparison. I noticed immediately that when layering the Lovely Curls gel over their conditioner as a leave-in, it formed little white clumps that original DevaCurl products never do for me. Both gels gave me defined curls with hold but when drying, the Lovely Curls gel left my hair feeling stiff and a bit hard which is something else DevaCurl gels never did to my waves.

Lovely Curls Styling Cream vs. DevaCurl Styling Cream

• Fragrance: These products had the most different scents of all of the four others. DevaCurl Styling Cream has that delightfully fruity Skittles candy-like fragrance. The Lovely Curls styler has more herbal notes, which isn’t a bad thing–but it’s definitely not the same.
• Application: I enjoy using DevaCurl Styling Cream as a way to replenish moisture and fight frizz on days-old hair, so that is how I used both products to compare. On second day hair, DevaCurl Styling Cream leaves my hair soft, shiny, and bouncy while fighting frizz throughout the day. The Lovely Curls Styling Cream did not leave my hair as soft, there was a bit of stiffness to it; it also did not fight frizz or add shine.

Final thoughts

DevaCurl may as well print on their bottles that they are “Often imitated, never duplicated!” as the saying goes. While my results with Lovely Curls were okay, they truly just did not compare to the award-winning originals for my hair.

Sure, DevaCurl has a higher price point, but I believe the quality and performance are worth our hard-earned pennies. Rather than buying subpar dupe products to save a few bucks, I suggest becoming more sale savvy by doing things like signing up for e-mails from DevaCurl.com, shop.naturallycurly.com, and other retailers you like where you can find DevaCurl. That way, you are alerted of their sales and can get the real deal and still save a bit of money.

Note: This post was not sponsored by DevaCurl.

Please visit my personal blog at dianemarybeauty.blogspot.com and follow me on Instagram @dianemary126.

By Diane Mary · Published January 16, 2017

If a horse saw my hair with no products, he might try to eat it–you know, because it looks like hay! When I first heard about wearing ‘naked hair’ I thought to myself, oh, no way! And although there are days that I don’t put any product in, it is usually no more than Day Three hair so, technically, my hair will still have Day One hair products in it. and it also results in a messy bun is. So is it worth it to wear your hair naked and give it a break once in awhile? Read on to learn about the benefits of giving yourself a naked hair detox for a week and how I feel about this matter.

The pros

1. You will get a break. Giving your hair and scalp some time off from constant product application may allow your hair to reset itself; once you return to your regular regimen, you may find your hair is more manageable and or agreeable with products it was not prior to your naked week.

2. It will be easier to pinpoint the annoying reactions of specific products. If you use several styling at a time on a regular basis, resetting your hair will help you find out which one of them has been aggravating your hair or scalp lately or giving you an allergic reaction.

3. You might like your unaltered hair more! If you have not worn your hair completely natural in as long as you can remember, you might actually like the result. Especially if you have been taking care of hair with the use of regular deep treatments and beneficial products, the results of a break from them may surprise you.

4. You might eliminate some styling product steps. After wearing your hair naked for a bit and then add products back to your regimen gradually, you might find some of them were not really doing much. If you can eliminate some products, you can save some time and money.

The cons

1. You will have puffy, frizzy hair. If your hair is not the healthiest, wearing your it naked may result in it puffy, frizzy curls. Sure, you can always tie it back to tame it for the duration of Naked Hair Week, but I personally wouldn’t want to go outside into the humidity with no products in my hair.

2. You will be lacking moisture. As someone with extremely dry wavy curls, going without a leave-in conditioner might make your natural wavy or curly hair feel terribly dry. Since my hair is constantly thirsty–as most curls are since it takes so long for the natural oils from the scalps to reach the ends–I rely on them for moisturization. 

3. You may put yourself at risk for split ends. Sealing my hair with an oil, and using a heat protectant in the winter helps protect my delicate, weak ends from splitting. Going naked to me would be just that- going naked, being completely exposed. I feel like this would make my ends even more susceptible to splitting.

4. You will need a clarifying shampoo and The Curly Girl Method. Some may argue that wearing naked hair more often can help with product build-up, and I understand that viewpoint. But if I use a clarifying shampoo regularly–my favorite is Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Shampoo–and if I also follow the Curly Girl Method, using styling products without silicones or other ingredients known to cause build-up, I think my hair is just fine.

Naked hair: is it worth it?

Wearing your hair naked has its benefits, and some curlies enjoy their completely unaltered pattern–which is wonderful! But personally, the only way this will happen is if I do not have to leave my house for an entire week.

Have you ever worn your hair naked? Would you consider it now? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Please visit my personal blog at dianemarybeauty.blogspot.com and follow me on Instagram @dianemary126.

By Diane Mary · Published January 16, 2017

Briogeo has been around for quite some time now and as a fan of theirs since the beginning, I have watched the brand expand in both their popularity and product offerings. As someone who has been loving their signature Don’t Despair, Repair Mask, I was ecstatic to see them expand the line with an Overnight Repair Treatment from the franchise!

Why I love the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair line

What makes Briogeo special is the ingredients it includes, and the ones it chooses to exclude. Each item in their brand is infused with their exclusive NOVA complex which is a “professionally cocktailed blend of potent natural oils, vitamins and antioxidants,” according to the company’s website. They never contains sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA, or artificial dyes. Ingredients matter, and these formulations not only provides styling benefits, but also keeps hair healthier in the long run. Not to mention, it is cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Gel-To-Oil Overnight Repair Treatment Key Ingredients

• Rosehip Oil: Maintains hydration and controls frizz.
• Argan Oil: Provides extensive conditioning, helps combat dryness and damage, and diminishes frizz.
• Coconut Alkanes: Acts as a natural humectant to deliver intense hydration to the hair, seal in moisture, and protect from breakage.
• Algae Extract: Nourishes and strengthens the hair, protecting the scalp from free radical damage.

What the brand claims

“This nutrient-rich hair treatment gel melts into an oil to release Briogeo’s signature NOVA complex in its purest, most potent state. This complex encapsulates a reparative blend of natural oils, vitamins, and antioxidants which prevents oxidation, thereby exposing hair to fresh nutrients as the formula melts down upon use. A unique blend of biotin, argan oil, rosehip oil, algae extract, and coconut alkanes strengthens hair, replenishes moisture, and increases elasticity to make hair more resistant to breakage, while enhancing shine and luster as your sleep.”

Why I love it

It comes with a pump.

It doubles as an overnight treatment.

My hair absorbs this formula so well.

Finally, the results!

This treatment helps my hair become more manageable with nice curl definition. 

How I use it

I use it once every other week, or every week depending on how my hair is behaving. I also use it based on my hair’s mood, and determine if I should follow it up with a regular conditioner. I might go for the Double Duo Treatment and use the mask afterwards. I suggest the duo if you have an event or something special to go to because you will have such an incredible hair day after using both of them, but you get benefits from either alone. I apply before bedtime using one pump per section of my hair, for a total of seven sections. Based on how damaged or healthy your hair is, you may need to adjust the amount of pumps needed.

To sum it up

Read How to Stop Your Second-Day Hair from Looking Like Stringy Noodles

For more of Diane Mary, follow her personal blog, Diane Mary Beauty. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dianemary126. 

By Diane Mary · Published January 13, 2017

So, you’re dating a curly girl? Consider yourself lucky!

PHOTO COURTESY OF OUR VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER @NCHANEL

We’re unique and special in so many ways, and not just our hair. How do you know you’re dating one of us? Here are some signs…

1. You find strands of curls here, there, and everywhere.

It’s because we shed–a lot. Don’t freak out though, curly girls; it is completely normal to lose about 100 strands of hair a day.

2. You are familiar with terms your boys don’t know.

These words include co-wash, deep treatment, LCO Method, and have somewhat of an understanding on why sulfates are bad and coconut oil is good.

3. You assist in her extreme measures when it is raining outside.

Why yes, that is a plastic grocery bag over her head because she does not need her hair to frizz and pouf out horizontally. Thanks.

4. You ‘pet’ her head as opposed to running your fingers through her length.

Fine, she’s letting you pet your hair today, but if your fingers go in between the strands it will disrupt her curl pattern, leading to frizz and one cranky girlfriend to deal with.

5. You know what a hair steamer is.

You’ve also had conversations about the which micro-fiber towel and Curly Girl-friendly products would make wonderful gifts for her.

6. You have learned to love her satin bonnet at bedtime look.

Since you love her and want her hair to look good the next day, and also, you realize that it’s better than the alternative of possibly getting smothered to death by all her hair all night long.

7. You know not washing her hair daily does not mean she is dirty in any way, shape or form.

8. You are wise enough to compliment her after she finally gets a blowout.

However, you are even wiser to know not to tell her you prefer this look over her natural curls.

9. You know that she possibly has more hair products in her house currently then you may have used in your whole lifetime.

10. You know far better than to ever compare her hair to a cheap brand of soup noodles.

11. You love the mystery of how her hair turns out each day.

Better yet, you know why her hair may never look the same twice, even if she uses all the same products applied the exact same way.

12. You are no longer astounded with how much faster conditioner gets used up before shampoo.

13. You understand how long and tedious Wash Day can be.

Still, you also know she knows what she is doing so you no longer question her process.

14. You aren’t going to bug her about leaving the house with half wet hair in warmer weather.

It no longer phases you since you know it takes her hair hours to air dry and air drying is healthy for her hair.

15. She loves trying new products constantly, and as a result, you enjoy the variety of pretty fragrance in her hair.

16. If you also happen to have textured hair, you will probably never have to buy hair products for yourself ever again.

On the flip side, if you have straight, oily, and really fine hair, it can be a bit sad to see all of these hair products that she has and know every single one will only weigh your hair down and not work for you.

Do you have more signs to add to this list?

Share them in the comments below!

Visit my personal blog, Diane Mary Beauty, and follow me here on Instagram and Twitter

By Diane Mary · Published January 9, 2017

After over a decade of research, world famous drugstore brand, Pantene, just reformulated most of their shampoos.

The brand’s reformulation includes a proprietary blend of pro vitamins, antioxidants, and tiny lipids infused into the shampoo formulas and designed to improve smoothness, softness, and add shine to the hair without weighing it down.

Many shampoos strip away essential hair moisture and fat, along with the dirt and oil they remove while cleansing. Pantene set out to fix this problem with a focus on a groundbreaking, unique ingredient reformulation.

“The lipid-based ingredient is the standout here—I’ve never seen it in hair care before,” says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. “Chemically, it should offer the best of both worlds—cleansing well while keeping hair’s moisture.”

The lipids slip under the hair cuticle as you rinse to replace essential fatty acids that are usually lost to suds. Allure’s testers, who had the chance to try the newly reformulated shampoos, reported that “even our most highlighted testers noticed that their hair felt softer and less snarled (before conditioner”> after a single wash.”

The formula does still contain sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and dimethicone, which will rule it out for sulfate-free and silicone-free curly customers, but we know there are plenty of curlies who use these ingredients without issue or use them sparingly.

What do you think?

We know that curly and coily hair are most vulnerable to the damage and dryness that harsh cleansers can inflict on fragile strands, so we are most interested in hearing from you, our community, on what you think of the formula. Products formulated specifically for curly hair tend to be found at higher price points than those for straight, and drugstore products are still a mainstay in many of the bathroom cabinets of our editors and readers.

We want to know, does the new Pantene Pro-V formula dry out your hair, or does it leave your strands softer and smoother without weighing you down?

Share your first impressions and reviews in the comments!

Read next: 25 Best Gentle Shampoos for Curly Hair

Sources: Allure, MSN Wellness, LA Times

By Diane Mary · Published December 28, 2016

One of the biggest challenges of having loose curls and wavy hair is that our fantastic definition on Day One Hair can turn into stringy looking noodles by Day Three. Still, as naturally curly girls, we certainly do not want to wash our hair daily, so we have to figure out another way to add that bounce back to our definition.

Enter: the foamy mousse

I usually wash my hair twice a week, but I want it to look good as many days as I possibly can. While I enjoy refreshing my curls with a refreshing mist and my beloved Q-Redew, I randomly stumbled upon the benefits of using a mousse on days-old dry hair.

If, like me, hearing the word ‘mousse’ automatically takes your mind to the ‘80s and the decade of hair metal bands, I can affirm that this styling product has come such a long way since then. The mousse of today is foamier, does not leave the hair crunchy or stiff, and contains some great treatment ingredients inside.

Keep in mind the complexity of wavy hair

My wavy hair tends to be more on the dry, high porosity side and does not get weighed down as easily as other wavies’ hair might–keep this in mind when deciding the amount of product you need to apply in your hair. Trial and error, and adjust accordingly since no two heads of hair are exactly the same, even if the pattern may look similar. To give a quick example, some of my wavy friends like to use mousse on wet hair as their only styler and their hair turns out great, but mousse alone on wet hair is not enough hold for me. Occasionally I like mousse on wet hair to add in more definition, but I ALWAYS have to follow it with a gel.

Why it works

What I find when using a mousse on old hair on a day is that I only need that and a dry shampoo for my scalp, especially if I worked out that day. If I used a refreshing mist, more than likely I will need to layer over a moisturizing cream so that my hair does not re-pouf out. I may also switch out a cream for an oil blend to further combat the frizz and add shine.

Application

I apply the mousse on wet hair similarly to how I like to apply my styling products on wet hair. For seven total sections I take two pumps of mousse each section, raking them through and then scrunch them up. Once I did this to all my sections, I let the product dry and my waves have more bounce again, frizz is gone and with some of them I have a lot of added shine.

My current favorite mousses for wavy hair:

DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam

This alcohol-free foam smells like candy while leaving waves defined, shiny and frizz free thanks to sunflower and lemongrass extracts.

Raw Curls Mousse

SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Styling Mousse

There is so much goodness in this mousse including Shea Butter, Coconut Water, a Fruit Fusion blend of Dragon Fruit, Lychee Berry and Green Apple Extracts, Imbe Oil and Aloe! This lightweight smoothie for your hair will add shine, fight frizz and re-encourage definition in waves without weighing them down.

Do you use mousse?

If you would revisit this old curly hair styler, let me know your results on the NC Facebook!

For more follow my blog, Diane Mary Beauty, and on Instagram and Twitter, @dianemary126

[prodmod]

By Diane Mary · Published December 21, 2016

An all-in-one product that protects hair while your sleep, in the shower, and during deep treatments?

Yes, this is a product that actually exists–meet the All Caps Hair Protector. Not just your average hair bonnet, because it is so much better than that! Not to mention, the line is made in the USA and is environmentally friendly too.

What the brand says about their cap

“All Caps is a soft, flexible cap that easily adjusts to the size of your head and length of your hair for a more comfortable, customized fit. It features innovative fabric technology to protect hair in the shower, at the spa, and even in bed. The reversible design also keeps clothes, furniture, pillowcases, and other surfaces mess-free while doing hair masks and other restorative treatments, like Keratin. And unlike your past shower caps, All Caps is fungus-resistant and machine washable.”

The brand describes the interior as a “silky, low-friction fabric [that] helps prevent breakage, reduces static, and protects hair from creasing or falling flat. And the exterior is soft, whisper-quiet, and environmentally friendly PolyUrethane is waterproof, hypoallergenic, and fungus-resistant.”

My initial thoughts

• The size: Not only is this cap big enough to fit all of my hair inside, but the best part is the fact that it has stretchy cords so that it can rest comfortably on my head without digging into my skin and causing a bad tension headache (I cannot tell you how many shower caps and sleep bonnets had a tight elastic band inside that just plain hurt”>. This feature alone truly makes the cap purchase worth it for me.
• The band: It is surrounded by a microfiber terry cloth material that can absorb up to 8 times its weight in 2 seconds.
• The material: Inside and outside, the reversible cap is unique due to its loops and buttons, which will help you keep the cap off your neck without ruining your hairstyle or disrupting your curl pattern.
• The traveling perk: For your convenience, the brand includes a nice travel friendly bag for the cap to travel in with you.

My final review

Do you have a cap that you love? Share below!

What’s next?

Read my latest review on the Ouidad Deep Treatment Curl Restoration Therapy

By Diane Mary · Published December 8, 2016

Unless your hair is extremely protein sensitive, I truly believe this is a product any curl type and texture can benefit from, so I want to tell you more about it!

The Ouidad Curl Restoration Therapy Deep Treatment has been a Holy Grail of mine for nearly a decade now.

No matter what other products I try and test, I always go back to this. I have been using the deep treatment through several label and name changes, but thankfully the magical formula inside always remained the same. Unless your hair is extremely protein sensitive, I truly believe this is a product any curl type and texture can benefit from, so I want to tell you more about it!

Key Product Benefits

• Rebuilds and fortifies the inner structure of curls

• Nourishes to help reduce frizz and unwanted volume

• Helps to regain curls’ internal weight and strength for improved shape and definition

The Ouidad Curl Restoration Therapy Deep Treatment is full of amino acids and proteins that help rebuild the hair and make it strong while improving its elasticity and definition. It also works to fight frizz and increase shine. You only need to add heat to the treatment for 12 minutes, although I do leave it on for up to 30 minutes sometimes.

It’s full of proteins

Another important note regarding this treatment: since it is protein heavy to repair the hair, you must seal it with a moisturizing, nourishing conditioner. You can really use any brand for this step, but I fell in love with using the Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner on top for maximum moisture and replenishment. Not using something moisturizing on top of the Restoration Deep Treatment may result in your hair feeling a bit stiff due to protein overload.

A few times a year I visit Jason Hallman, a renowned hairstylist at the Ouidad Flagship Salon in NYC for a trim. Jason says “the reason why deep treatment is crucial because curly hair lacks sebum. The sebum gets trapped at the curvature of the curl at the root, so usually the mid shaft and ends are susceptible to extreme dryness and the cuticle being raised. Deep Treatment Curl Restoration Therapy is made of the same protein and amino acids that hair is made of–it’s basically food for the hair, giving the curl internal weight which would make it bouncier less dry and control the frizz.”

How I use the treatment

1. I cleanse my hair using a clarifying shampoo to remove any product or build-up so the treatment can really penetrate in my cleanest, purest hair possible. I usually go with Ouidad Superfruit Clarifying Cream Shampoo because although it clarifies, it is still sulfate-free and does not dry out my hair. Plus, it smells like berries!

2. I generously apply the Curl Restoration Therapy Deep Treatment section by section for seven sections total, making sure to fully saturate my strands. I twist each section up into mini buns before sitting under my tabletop hood dryer for somewhere between 12 and 20 minutes. Sometimes, if parts of my hair do not feel warm, when I take out my mini buns I will hit the length of my hair with my regular dryer to ensure all my hair did get heat for the treatment.

3. With the Curl Restoration Therapy Deep Treatment still in my hair, I apply the moisturizing conditioner, mostly Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner, on top and let the combo sit anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on how much time I have.

4. I get back in the shower and rinse most of it out with cool water, leaving some in especially on my ends.

How often I use this treatment depends on two things

It depends on how my hair is behaving and time of year. On average I use it about twice a month regularly, but I generally listen to what my hair is telling me it needs. Some signs that tell me it may be time to use the treatment include extra frizz that cannot be tamed, brittle ‘hay-like’ ends even if I am not due for a trim, my hair feeling dry despite conditioning, and my wave pattern just overall being unmanageable.

Remember this when using any treatment with heat

It is also important to mention that with this treatment, or any treatment using heat, you do not want to use it three days prior or ten days after getting color put into your hair. I have not colored my hair in 1 year and 9 months so now I do not have to worry about that. If you use the heat too close to your protein treatment it may affect your color since it opens up the cuticle for the treatment.

Note: This post is not sponsored or endorsed by Ouidad in any way, shape or form. Ouidad just makes some of my favorite curly products!

Have you tried the Ouidad Deep Treatment Curl Restoration Therapy yet? Share your thoughts below!

Visit my personal hair and beauty blog, Diane Mary Beauty and Instagram.

Read Diane Mary’s updated hair vitamin ritual. 

Still on the search for wavy products? Here are a few of our favorites. 

Like what you see? For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!

By Diane Mary · Published November 4, 2016

” src=”https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/6O_pjimage-77.jpg”>

• Chia-flaxseed extract blend to enhance waves, add shine, and control frizz.
• Rice protein to add body and fullness.
• Lotus flower: to give waves bounce and vibrancy.

Like all DevaCurl products, these are sulfate, silicone, gluten, paraben and cruelty-free as well as vegan-friendly.

Delight Low-Poo

Product claims

“The balanced, lightweight formula cleanses the scalp and hair while fighting frizz and oiliness. Great for a thorough yet gentle cleanse, it’s made with rice protein for body and fullness, lotus flower for bounce, and a chia-flaxseed extract blend for defined waves that last.”

What I say

One Condition Delight

Product Claims

“Give strands the perfect amount of hydration. The light, moisturizing formula—made with rice protein, lotus flower, and a chia-flaxseed blend—fights frizz, detangles, and sets you up for a defined, wavy look that lasts. Hair is left nourished, vibrant, and smooth.”

What I Say

This has the same scent as the shampoo. I was concerned this conditioner would not be moisturizing enough for me since my waves are notoriously dry. However, the product actually made detangling easy–I massaged it into my hair with my fingers in the shower to help make sure my hair really absorbed it all.

Speaking on consistency, One Condition Delight was not runny, but also not thick. It did a great job at leaving my hair feeling hydrated but I did need quite a bit of product–my wavy hair drank it up.

I did not rinse this conditioner out all out. Instead, I quickly splashed some water onto the roots and left at least 80% of the product in my hair as a leave-in for added moisture. I like this conditioner even though I do still rotate it out with something heavier–usually a masque–since my hair craves so much moisture. After rinsing the masque out completely, I apply the Delight Conditioner as a leave-in.

Wave Maker

Product Claims

“A lightweight, whipped formula for touchable, wavy texture that lasts all day. This light and airy whip, made with moringa seed and passion flower extracts, gives consistent waves and frizz control every time you use it. Hair is left smooth, healthy-looking, and delicately scented. Provides touchable texture that lasts.”

What I Say

When I use the DevaCurl Delight Low-Poo, One Condition and Wave Maker, I noticed some of the best wave definition my hair has ever achieved on day one. Day two and three hair had nice definition–even after sleeping and working out. I also needed to do less to my hair to refresh it than I normally would.

” src=”https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/sa_pjimage-78.jpg”>

To sum it up

Overall, I love the incredible definition, texture, shine and lack of frizz in my hair using DevaCurl Delight & Wave Maker. If you have wavy hair that is prone to frizz and crave more definition, definitely give these a try.

Have you tried these new DevaCurl wavy products yet?

Let other wavies know by leaving a comment below or a review in our product database.  

Visit my personal hair and beauty blog, Diane Mary Beauty and Instagram