Search Results: Erika Owens

Top 5 Brands for Butter Lovers

By Erika Owens · Published January 7, 2015

Hair and body butters are deeply moisturizing creams with a thick consistency that is made from a butter base such as shea, mango, or cocoa butter. These thick ingredients provide ample moisture to the skin and hair, especially during the winter months. As for curly hair, butters are good because they provide the much needed moisture that we lack. Often these butters are combined with other rich oils such as jojoba or rosemary for added benefit.

Good hair butter contains natural ingredients, is not overly processed, and is void of mineral oils. The more natural, the better. After all, you want all of the vitamins and nutrients you can get from these products without diluting their potency. That being said, here are the top five butter companies.

Belle Butters

Belle Butters is great because they use natural ingredients and appear to be vegan for the most part. They offer everything from hair butters to body butters, fragrance, and specialty items for those with dry or oily skin. They also have products for locs and everyday beauty items like lip balm.

Pictured: Belle Butters Whipped Shea Butter, Double Agent Butter, Mango Moisture Butter and Shea and Matcha Green Tea Butter

Whipped Goods

I like that Whipped Goods has thorough product descriptions. They fully explain all of the benefits and the ingredients, which are safe for wavy, curly, and coily hair. If you are looking for skin products you can shop for by skin type (i.e. oily, dry, normal, or combination”>, then this is fantastic. They offer hair butter as well as body and beauty products, like a natural make up remover! If you are looking to support small businesses and make the shift to natural ingredients, then check out Whipped Goods.

SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage

What I like about these products is that even though they are major brands, they do not contain mineral oil or any of those other icky ingredients we like to avoid. All of their products are formulated with shea butter. I recommend the SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Kids Curling Butter Cream and Nubian Heritage Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Repair and Extend Hair Butter. With SheaMoisture you can select from the Frankincense and Myrrh and Coconut and Hibiscus scents. If you want your skin to be as moisturized as your curls, there are also a variety of body butters available from Nubian Heritage.

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Carol’s Daughter

Carol’s Daughters hair butters have been good to me. My hair likes them and I hope yours does too. Like SheaMoisture, they are a major brand that excludes bad ingredients and their butters are ultra moisturizing. Their butters consistof Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter, Carol’s Daughter Loc Butter, and Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic as well as other creamy hair concoctions.

As I Am

I happen to love As I Am. I feel confident applying their ingredients in my hair and they work well for my hair type. They offer both the As I Am DoubleButter Cream, which is great for ultra dry hair, and the As I Am CocoShea Whip, which is ideal for everyday moisturizing needs.

Did I miss any of your favorite hair butter brands? Share them below!

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3 Ingredients I Avoid Like the Plague

By Erika Owens · Published January 6, 2015

Sometimes simple, plant-based ingredients are all we need to resolve many of the skin and hair issues we have. Not only that, but plant-based ingredients contain antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that make them a powerful, non-toxic way to achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful hair. When it comes to hair products, I try to keep it as natural and healthy as possible. There are of course non-natural products that my hair reacts well to, but there are some ingredients that under all circumstances I avoid like the plague. For all of my hair care products, including shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and styling products, I avoid the following:

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is derived from petroleum, a non-vegetable oil source, and used to make gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. The most expensive luxury hair care product could be praised by all YouTube gurus and given to me for free, but if it is formulated with mineral oil I still would not use it. I cannot wrap my head around putting such a harsh chemical in my hair when there are so many wonderful oils such as coconut oil and olive oil available to us.

Parabens

Parabens are used in cosmetics and beauty products in order to preserve them and increase their shelf life. They are insidious little compounds that have the ability to be absorbed into the body. Parabens are linked to the hormone estrogen, and estrogen is one of the main hormones associated with breast cancer. In fact, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, parabens have been found in the breast tissue of 99% of women who have breast cancer. There is so much cause for concern that cosmetic companies have now begun to formulate paraben-free products to placate consumers concerns.

Alcohol

Alcohol is an emulsifier that provides a creamy consistency for hair care and beauty products. Some alcohols (i.e. fatty alcohols“> are better than others but I try to avoid products that contain any alcohol as one of the first ingredients. Certain alcohols are out of the question altogether and those include these drying alcohols: propyl, isopropyl, and ethanol. Fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and mysristyl alcohol, which are great for keeping the hair lubricated and combatting dryness.

Those are some of the main ingredients I avoid at all costs but there are several ingredients that I love in my hair care products. I look for water as the first ingredient because that means that the product contains mostly that. The label of any consumer good that you apply or ingest will contain the list of ingredients that are ordered by the most to the least prominent ingredient. Another ingredient I like to see is glycerin, preferably from a vegetable source, because it is a humectant. If shea butter, cocoa butter, or anything of that nature follows those two ingredients than the product is pretty much a winner in my book, because at the very least this product is formulated with mostly good ingredients that my hair likes.

Which ingredients do you avoid?

5 Embarrassing Curly Hair Blunders… that Happen to Everyone

By Erika Owens · Published January 5, 2015

We have all had embarrassing hair moments. I say moments because you, like me, probably have more than one. Here are a few embarrassing natural hair moments that happen to everyone. Your first instinct may be to feel mortified, but you just have to laugh it off and take solace in the fact that you are not alone!

A magnet for leaves

Curly girls beware of large trees and falling leaves. Heck, even if they do not appear to be falling or it is not windy. I was out with co-workers and once we got back to the office and worked all afternoon, someone discovered that I have a few brown leaves just stuck in the back of my hair. Here I am, walking around the office most of the day with leaves stuck in my hair. What can I say, it is like a magnet.

It’s raining bobby pins

This is one of my favorites because it happens more often than I would like. You know how it is, you do your hair, may pin portions of it back at one point or another, and then you forget about it. That is, until you are talking to someone and it falls out of your head onto the floor or to a lower portion of your hair, joy.

There’s something in your hair…

Sometimes I can be a little overzealous when it comes to applying product to my hair and I do not have eyes on the back of my head so it is hard to see what I am doing. I am notorious for leaving globs of conditioner or styling product in the back of my hair. I shiver when I hear someone say, “Hey, you have some white stuff on the back of your head” as if it is some gross thing. Yes, it looks gross, but it is just hair product, thanks.

Straightened hair revolts

You are about to learn one of the reasons I do not wear my hair straight very often. My hair has a mind of its own. I truly believe it does not want to be straight, ever. As soon as I pull the flat iron or Instyler through, it reverts back to the curls/frizz right away. It is the situation I found myself in the last time I straightened my fine strands. It will look great the first half of the day and then crazy later on.

You forgot something

There’s nothing worse than having a great twist out, thinking you look cute, only to discover later in the day—probably after getting home—that you have one or more twists that have yet to be unraveled. The first thing that came to my mind when this happened was who saw it? What did they think? They are probably thinking, why does she have two random twists in her hair, strange. Oh well, c’est la vie!

Is something burning?

Another straight hair embarrassment? I have a lot of hair and it takes a lot of heat to get it straight. I did something wrong the last time because it smelled burnt! My hair is currently at tailbone length so that is a lot of hair to smell burnt. I smelled it the day I straightened it and I am sure the guy that fancies me did too. Yeah, that happened.

Did I miss any of your most embarrassing natural hair moments?

Should Your Hair Go Gluten Free?

By Erika Owens · Published December 4, 2014

When it comes to beauty and hair care products, ingredients matter. Everyone has different necessities when it comes to hair products but many forget that individual health concerns can have a big impact on what consumers can buy for their hair care. Gluten intolerance is one of those very health concerns.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein that is found in numerous grains, especially wheat. It acts as a sort of glue to holds foods together and is responsible for the elasticity of dough. Wheat is the main proponent of gluten and is quite prevalent in beauty products, especially hair care products.

Should I go gluten free?

According to Mayo Clinic, there is no scientific evidence to prove that gluten can negatively affect those who are gluten intolerant or sensitive (i.e. those with celiac disease”> when applied topically. Unless there is a high likelihood that you will ingest it by accident like lipstick or hand soap, then you should be fine using beauty products formulated with ingredients that have gluten. It would probably be a good idea to invest in gluten-free beauty products for your gluten intolerant children, as they would be more likely to accidentally ingest lotion, body wash, and shampoo via their hands. According to celiac disease and gluten free expert Jane Anderson, look for these ingredients in your hair products and if they contain any of the following, they contain gluten:

Triticum vulgare (wheat”>
Hordeum vulgare (barley”>
Secale cereale (rye”>
Avena sativa (oats”>
Wheat germ oil
Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Stearyl dimonium hydroxypropy (hydrolyzed wheat protein”>
Laurdimonium hydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein”>
Colloidal oatmeal
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (may contain wheat”>
Dextrin palmitate (starch, possibly gluten-based”>
Vitamin E (frequently derived from wheat”>
Malt extract (usually barley”>
Beta glucan (frequently derived from wheat”>
Vegetable protein (may contain wheat, barley, rye and/or oats”>

You may or may not recognize some of these ingredients so the safest fastest way to identify gluten free products that you can use in your hair regimen, it is best to seek out products that are advertised and clearly labeled as so. In the meantime, here are a few hair products that are gluten free:

Gluten free products

Even if you do not have gluten intolerance, you can still benefit from gluten free hair products as they are known to reduce dandruff and a dry scalp. If you do happen to be sensitive to gluten, then gluten free hair products may be just what you need.

Do you use gluten free products?

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The Questions I Get Most About My Tailbone Length Hair

By Erika Owens · Published December 2, 2014

When you have natural hair you will undoubtedly get numerous, repetitive questions about your hair. Upon answering, some seem obvious, others very cliché, but no question is a bad question and even when they seem irrelevant, they will probably help inquiring minds. Here are some of the most common questions people ask me about my hair and my responses.

What are you mixed with?

Regardless of the amount of white or Native American I have in my family I am African-American. Most of us our mixed to some degree, some more than others.

How do you get your hair like that?

This is my natural hair. I use various conditioners and different styling products at any given time. Aussie moist is my favorite at the moment.

What products do you use?

I use Aussie Moist Conditioner that is my most consistent staple. I also like As I Am and SheaMoisture products.

Can you tell me everything you do?

Because I’m usually in a store line, the quick answer is I wash and deep condition once per week. I also co-wash in between when needed and I also clarify with apple cider vinegar at least twice per month. For styling, I mainly stick with wash and go’s but I also love twists, twist outs, and flexi-rod sets. I take a minimalist approach to hair care and that is how I retain length.

What conditioner do you use?

Aussie Moist Conditioner and Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner. I also like the Tresemme Nourishing Moisture Conditioner (silicone free”>.

How did you get said curls?

My answer is usually a”> wash and go, b”> flexi rod set, or c”> twist out. Then, I briefly explain how I achieve those particular manipulated curl patterns.

How long is your hair when you straighten it?

Tailbone length.

How often do you straighten it?

I straighten once per year but I have gone as long as two years.

How do you deep condition?

With ½ cup of conditioner mixed with about one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of olive oil. I sit condition under a hooded dryer for 15-20 min because my hair is low porosity.

Where did you get your weave/tracks? It looks so real!

This is my natural hair, I’m sorry.

Your hair always looks so cute, how did you do this type today?

This is the same hairdo I wore yesterday; it is just in a ponytail (or whatever style it is in”>. I refresh my hair every Sunday and usually one other time during the week I do not re-style everyday.

How do you straighten your hair when you do without damaging it?

I am not paranoid about damaging my hair because I do not heat style very often. When straightening I deep condition, air-dry, stretch, blow-dry, and then flat iron with a heat protectant and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.

So there you have it, the most common questions people ask me about my hair and my response. All good questions I am more than happy to answer if it will help someone else out in their hair journey.

What are some of the most common hair questions you get and how do you answer?

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4-Step Transitioning for Heat Addicts

By Erika Owens · Published December 2, 2014

This is for the heat addicts. The women who so desperately want to wear their hair in its natural state but cannot drop the flat iron. Their hair is so heat damaged that they are afraid of the disaster that waits if they retire their beloved heat tool. But, I am here to tell you that if there is a will, there is a way. You can look great while you transition and slowly cut off your lifeless, heat damaged ends. Here is a four-step process for how to do it.

Step one

The first step to transitioning your natural hair or heat damage is to immediately cease the use of direct heat. There is no other way, just stop. I know it is hard, but all addictions are, including the one you have for the flat iron. Some may disagree and say reducing your use of heat will suffice, but the quickest way to get rid of heat damage is to reduce the risk of creating more.

Step two

Find new styles that you can wear without the use of direct heat. The beauty of natural hair is that there are endless styles. You can wear twists and if you do not like them you can wear a twist out instead. You can wear braids, Bantu-knot outs, braid outs, and twist outs until the relaxed hair or heat damage grows out. If you stop using heat, it should not take long. Here are some common styles for transitioners that even a beginner can master.

Twists are a great style because you can make them as small or big as you want. Not only that, they transition easily into another style, a twist out. If you are worried about your ends thinning, add a cold perm rod rollers or flexi rod rollers to help them blend.
Twist outs and braid outs give you various manipulated curl patterns that last at least a week with proper maintenance and great weather.
Roller sets are fun but take a little more work and may require sitting under a hooded dryer if you do not want to sleep with them. Depending on the roller size, you can also create different curl patterns. I would also put flexi rods in this category another fun way to create curls and one of my personal favorites. You can use magnetic rulers, cold perm rod rollers, flexi rods, and even Curlformers. Determining which rollers to use depend on the style you want to achieve.

Step three

Commit, commit, commit! This is a learning process. I have spoken to many people who are transitioning and one of their main concerns is that these styles will not look “as good” on them. Like everything, it takes practice to figure out what styles work for you, so do not become hopeless. Your twist out did not hold? Maybe you need to try another product or find out the 8 Reasons Your Twist Outs Are a Hot Mess. Want more definition? Try creating smaller twists. There are so many factors as to why you did not achieve the desired results with a style (e.g. product, technique, weather”>. Doing the same thing will only produce the same results so it is important to take the initiative to practice and observe what you are doing right and what could use improvement. YouTube is a great source with tutorials full of knowledge and experience.

Step four

How often you trim is determined by the amount of damage or personal preference. The rule of thumb is the trim at the same rate your hair grows, so that does mean that your hair will not appear as long in comparison to straight hair due to shrinkage. If you are really trying to preserve length, you can determine the rate at which you trim but it is suggested that you consult a hairstylist to assure the damage is not traveling up the hair shaft to the virgin hair.

In conclusion, to get slowly rid of your heat damaged hair and maintain the health of your unprocessed hair you must stop using direct heat, select your styles, practice, commit, and trim along the way! The moment I did all of the above my hair grew I was able to retain so much length.

How did you wean yourself off of heat styling during your transition?

How to Make a Wash & Go Survive Your Sweatiest Workout

By Erika Owens · Published November 12, 2014

Wash and go’s do not typically last very long, so when it is time to get active, it can be a troubling decision. Do I workout or wait until it is time to redo my hair? We all want to keep our hair looking good for as long as possible, but we still have to exercise so, what’s a girl to do when she wants to preserve her wash and go while maintaining her fitness. To answer that question here are a few tips to keep your hair in tact while you maintain your figure when working out.

Pineapple

This tried and true technique will keep your style in tact for the most part, but it definitely does not work for every hairstyle or length. For instance if you run, your hair will get bigger and frizzy due to the movement. However, if you are working out on machines at the gym then the pineapple will suffice just fine.

Loose buns or puffs

This technique involves constructing a loose but secure bun all the way at the top or rear of your head. Not only does it keep your hair out of your face, it protects it from being blown around too much. Of course, you cannot do this will all curly and coily hairstyles and lengths but for a dry, set wash and go, you should have no problems as long as it is not too tight. For medium length hair, consider two side puffs or side buns.

Headband

For those that sweat a lot, wearing a workout headband along with the former two styling options (i.e. the pineapple and loose buns”> is a great option to keep the moisture under control and keep your wash and go intact. Plus, no one wants products to run down their faces! Wearing a headband could help prevent acne.

Wake up and go

Well, maybe not wake up and walk out of the house exactly how you slept, but something similar. This technique involves wearing a scarf much like you would when you sleep. If you can make a cute head wrap or have a cute hair scarf tying technique that works very well for preserving your hair longer, then do that!

The combination

Sometimes different types of exercise require different protection techniques. You may have to tie your hair back differently when you are running versus doing club Pilates or yoga. Whatever the case any one of these techniques can help you when you want a good workout and still maintain your desired look.

The pineapple works well for me while exercising. My main objective when working out is to keep my hair contained and out of the way. If I do that is does not get messed up. Another option that works for me is a carefully and loosely constructed bun. This technique is used when my style is set well and the short time that it is in a bun will not affect it. The pineapple comes in handy when I am on those Pilates machines.

How do you preserve your wash and go while exercising?

Oil Rinsing for Beginners (It’s Easier Than You Think)

By Erika Owens · Published November 7, 2014

Oil rinsing is a technique used to lock moisture in ones hair while in the process of washing and conditioning. It is very similar to the LOC method, except it is only done in the shower. It is usually done with one of three oils—olive, coconut or avocado—because they penetrate the hair shaft. Here is a Guide to Oil Rinsing for Hair.

Benefits

You increase moisture retention because you are rinsing your hair with ample oil that penetrates the hair shaft to lock in water, leaving your hair more moisturized.
Oil rinsing is a great way to add more shine to your hair. Some do it, just to get rid of lackluster hair and increase shine.
You will have less single strand knots because oil rinsing combats dry ends, which prohibits single strand knots from forming.

There are many different ways that you can oil rinse your hair, but don’t be intimidated by this technique. The method that works for me is an easy introduction into the world of oil rinsing. And it’s easier than you might think.

Do you have dry hair?

Being that natural hair can be extremely dry, I like to do an oil rinse more often than not. For me, the best technique for doing this is after shampooing and during my conditioning process, instead of before my conditioning process like many do. In other words, I like to mix my oil of choice (i.e. olive oil”> in with my conditioner. I have tried the latter technique, shampoo, oil, and then conditioner. I have also tried shampoo, conditioner, and then rinse, but my hair often feels too heavy. By mixing my conditioner and the oil, I get extra moisture without the heaviness.

Conditioner oil mix

After shampooing, I condition as I regularly would, rinse, and then condition with the oil and conditioner mixture. To do an oil rinse, I take a bowl in the shower, add a half-cup of oil and three tablespoons of conditioner, and mix. I like to let this sit in my hair for a little while if I can, so that it penetrates the hair shaft.

In other words, I like to mix my oil of choice (i.e. olive oil”> in with my conditioner.

Why it works

My hair is low porosity, meaning the hair shaft is tightly bound, which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. That being said, a regular oil rinse adds moisture, but not as much as I would like on its own. It does not feel as moisturized as it would if I added the oil to some conditioner. Also, with a regular oil rinse the remnants sit on top of my hair, which leaves it feeling coated. Mixing oil and conditioner for my oil rinse allows me to get deeply moisturized result.

Oil rinsing not only adds moisture, it also adds shine and makes detangling much easier for you. I have seen some rave about it and others who were not so impressed, but remember there is always a way to modify almost any hair maintenance technique to make it work for you.

Have you tried oil rinsing? Do you have something similar to oil rinsing that you like to do?

What Your Split Ends Say About You

By Erika Owens · Published November 3, 2014

Split ends are the bane of…let’s say everyone’s existence. Constant manipulation, especially heat styling, can be cause for concern, as many of these practices cause split ends. And not just one type of split, but many types. I cringe when I look down at my strands to see double split ends or even worse, single strand knots. But instead of getting angry, let’s get proactive. Here are some of the causes for three main types of split ends and what your hair is telling you so you can try to prevent them.

Single strand knots

Single strand knots are literally tiny knots on the ends or along the length of individual strands. If you look closely at what appears to be a ball at the ends of your hair, you will probably see that it is tied into what is alternatively called a fairy knot, (because only a fairy can tie a knot that small”>. There have been whispers of women who can untie the knot with a safety pin, but it is likely that the tension from the knot has already caused damage. The best way to get rid of these is to cut them off unless you have the time, patience, phenomenal eyesight, and skill to unravel them.

What your hair is trying to tell you

You may be wearing your hair in its shrunken state a little too much. When your hair is in its shrunken state (e.g. wash and go”> it is much easier for the hair to get tangled into itself, causing single strand knots.
Be more efficient with detangling. If your hair is not thoroughly detangled, then it is much easier for your hair to tangle and create single strand knots.
Your hair may be on the longer side so it needs more TLC. You should be extra vigilant of all of the above to decrease the single strand knot issue. Unfortunately, your hair creates more single strand knots the longer it grows. That is just the way the cookie crumbles.

Solutions

Stretch your hair.
Wear more protective styles.
Detangle thoroughly and reduce manipulation, especially on wet hair.

Incomplete split ends

Ugh, these are one of the worst split ends. Imagine looking at a perfectly healthy hair strand, and then smack in the middle is a hole that appears to be shredded! This is an incomplete split end. With incomplete split ends, the hair splits mid shaft, causing this mid shaft loop split ends because the hair structure starts to break down. This does not happen due to one cause, it is usually several hair maintenance techniques used over time that start to break down the hair cortex. Brushing, chemical processing, excessive shampooing, and heat are all said to cause these hideous split ends.

What your hair is trying to tell you

You may be using excessive heat.
Rough manipulation is wearing on your hair over time.
Your products are too harsh.

Solutions

Eliminate heat.
Be gentle.

Tree split ends

Tree split ends are caused when a regular split end goes awry. When you fail to trim your split ends over time, they grow and the splits start to split hence the term tree split ends.

What your hair is trying to tell you

You failed to catch the standard split end at the start and now it is escalating to epic proportions, so stop procrastinating.
Your hair could be overly dry.
You may be processing or manipulating and using heat a little too much.

Solution

Trim your hair more often.
Keep your hair moisturized so you do not get split ends in the first place.

Have you ever spotted one of these nasty splits in your hair? What did you do about it?

The Flexi Rod Set That Lasts ALL Week

By Erika Owens · Published October 30, 2014

Find the Most Flattering Part for Your Face Shape

By Erika Owens · Published October 23, 2014

Round, square, long, oval, heart—these are all different face shapes, which one are you? If you are looking for a new style there are certain haircuts and parts that compliment different face shapes. Not to say that if you have a longer face you cannot ever wear a side part, there are just certain parts and haircut shapes that will help to bring out your beauty even more. If you enjoy wearing your hair loose, then switching up your part could make all the difference. Not sure how you want to shape your curls, coils, and waves? Consider these suggestions as a guide when you head to your next DevaCut appointment. Ready to start? Let’s begin!

Round

As far as haircuts go, the best ones according to your face shape are cuts that will help to elongate the look of your face. That being said, longer layers around the face rather than a short cut will look best. If your hair is short and curly, a flattering look would be to allow your hair to fall below the chin and try to avoid cutting too short. Middle parts and deep side parts work great because they elongate your face.

Square

Curly hair tends to soften this angular face shape, so your curls, coils, and waves are only enhancing your beauty! With this shape side parts work well, especially soft side swept bangs.

Long

Short hair works well with long faces because well, your face is long. If you have long hair then I suggest giving your hair more volume and keeping it off of your face and more to the sides. I have a longer face shape and this works great for me. Middle parts or no part at all looks are great on this face shape.

Oval

Any haircut or part will work for your face shape. Middle part, side part, long, short, asymmetrical, or layered, anything goes with this face shape. This face shape is often coveted, so make sure you experiment with different parts, haircuts, and styles.

Heart

Because your face is a heart shape, you should play up the upper parts of your face, namely your eyes and cheekbones. To do this, layers work well. A side part looks good on heart shaped faces because it is a good juxtaposition to your pointy chin.

So there you have it! Those are the best haircuts and parts for your face shape, but do remember, these are not the be-all end-all. They are just suggestions you can use to enhance your beauty. If you want to go against the grain, then by all means do it! You may already abide by some of these suggestions and not even know it—I know I did. If you ever noticed certain hairstyles you do look better than others, it is probably because you are subconsciously following these very simple guidelines.

How do you part your hair?

4 Ways to Fight Your Product Fatigue

By Erika Owens · Published October 21, 2014

Many of us curly girls happen to also be product junkies. Not because we want to be, but because we are excited about all of the new products accessible to us! With so many products out there to try, it feels like an inevitable truth that there must be something out there that works miracles on your hair. And when we find that Holy Grail product, we always use it until the perceived benefits of that product have diminished, and then we are back on the hunt for another. I have several different products that I use in rotation to combat product fatigue—aka getting tired of frequently used products. Here are some things I do when I am tired of using a particular product.

Change Your Style

Different products have different benefits, and I like all of the products I use for different reasons. That being said, when I get tired of a particular product, it usually means I am also tired of my current look. For instance, you can do a wash and go in many different styles—fluffy and loose, defined, semi defined—you name it. I have products I like to use for each of those scenarios, so when it is time for something new, I figure out what product I am going to need to achieve my next go-to look.

Change Your Lineup

Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the product I am using and I want to continue with my current styling regimen, but somehow the product just is not working for me. In those situations, I will also figure out what I do and do not like about said product and then try to find a product that is comparable to its qualities.

Change Your Strategy

There are those products you buy that work just fine for something else, meaning they do not work that well for their intended use, but they work great for some other style. For instance, a curling cream may not work that great for me, but in an effort to not deliberately pour money down the drain, I may use it as a twisting cream. If I purchase a product for a wash and go and I do not like it, I may use it in a curly ponytail because I am less finicky about how the curls in my ponytail look or I may be going for a messier look.

If All Else Fails, Gift It

Other times a product just did not live up to what it was cracked up to be, and at those times I take a new route and find something that will work better for my hair. Those products tend to sit until I find someone to give them to, because if a product does not work as well for me as it might work for someone else.

So, there you have it! When you get tired of a product do you repurpose it or give it away?

3 Not-Boring Buns to Wear This Season

By Erika Owens · Published October 17, 2014

Fall is when the temperatures drop and the wind kicks up. Where I live, this is also the time when the rain starts, so it is a good time to start wearing updos because going out in wet hair in cold weather is a natural hair no-no. These styles are also great for when you want to look cute, but do not have the energy for intricate styling. When it is cool and gloomy outside, you do not always feel very motivated to do a lot to your hair but these styles have you covered. Here are three easy updo styles that I like to do in the fall season.

Modified low side bun

This updo is a twist on a low ponytail. To achieve this look, start by parting your hair on the side. Next, leave a large amount of bang out and start flat twisting your hair all the way down starting from the opposite side of the part. Secure this flat twist with the remainder of your hair to form a low side ponytail, leaving out the bang. Lastly, loop your ponytail into a folded bun. This style works well with old wash and go’s or other styles you are not ready to refresh without looking like you just threw it together, even though you did.

Twisted bun

This is the most time-consuming of the three updos, but it lasts the longest and is the most versatile. Place your hair in multiple twists that are able to be positioned into a ponytail later on; I like to twist in more of a backwards direction so they look good when I place them up in a bun. The size is up to you but smaller works better for me with this style. Also, I like to do these twists with a firm hold since they will be handled more than normal twists, being put up into a bun and all. Doing these twists with a firm hold ensures that they stay frizz-free for as long as possible. Next, air-dry. Once completely dry and set, fashion your twists up into a high bun. This protective style will last at least a week and is perfect for when the weather is not so good and you want your hair fully protected.

Braided side bun

This is one of my favorite updo styles. I also like to start this style on freshly conditioned hair that is not dripping wet. This allows it to set smoothly without leaving my clothes wet for the next few hours. The first step is to do a side part and sleek down your hair with the gel of your choice. Next, braid the front section down until you get to your ear. Then, take the remainder of the hair and place it in a low side bun on the opposite side of your part, smoothing down as you do so. You can also wear this style for more than a day. For overnight care, you probably want to take the bun out so you can sleep comfortably and then re-bun the next morning.

9 Genius Natural Hair Hacks

By Erika Owens · Published October 15, 2014

I do not know anyone who does not enjoy a good shortcut or trick, especially if it can help your hair regimen. You may be familiar with some of these and not so familiar with others, but here are some natural hair hacks to help when you are in a bind or want to make managing your hair easier.

1. Stocking hair ties

Have an old pair of stockings? Well, slice a piece of those puppies off to make your own very stretchy hair ties. These hair ties are perfect for coarse, dense hair and tighten really nicely.

2. Plastic bag caps

When you are out of a plastic cap and need to deep condition, just grab a plastic grocery bag and tie it around your head. Not only is this a good solution for deep conditioning, you can throw the bag out once your are done without having to clean it.

3. T-shirt drying

Most of us know that towel drying causes frizz, but not t-shirt drying. Use a t-shirt instead if you need to get your hair dried without causing frizz and breakage.

4. Headband as a hair tie

As you hair grows longer it gets harder to use small hair ties and that is where elastic headbands come in. Depending on your preference and your hair, you can choose a headband material that suits you and it will be easier to tightly secure around your hair without slipping and loosing the shape of the ponytail that you want.

5. Wet bun to stretch your hair

I saw this trick from a naturally hair mommy blogger. She did a wash and go on her daughter’s hair and let it air dry for 20 min to an hour. Then, she twisted her hair into a bun so that the curls stretch for at least an hour. Once released, the hair is still wet but the curls are more stretched and dry that way without causing frizz.

6. Rinse in cold water for more shiny hair

Sometimes the simplest tricks are easy to forget. For shinier hair, simply rinse in very cold water. Cold water closes the cuticle and thus leaves you with shinier hair.

7. Detangle with less mess & easy clean up

Cover your sink with saran wrap so that you can easily and quickly clean up when you are done styling your hair. If you ever detangle and wash in the sink it can become a big mess. To avoid this try detangling while in the shower so that the flying conditioner is not all over your bathroom but in your tub to make for easy clean up.

8. Don’t feel sexy in your satin bonnet?

That’s okay you can still wear it, just wrap a more fashionable head wrap around it like you would if you were going out. This hides the hair bonnet but your hair is still protected and you look cute.

9. Rehydrate dry, frizzy hair overnight

I had a wash and go earlier this week but had no time to deep condition, so I doused my dry hair in a conditioner and olive oil mixture, placed it in a high bun, and wrapped it up. I went to sleep (hair did not wet my pillow”> and when I awoke my hair was deeply moisturized. To avoid oil dripping on your pillow you can tie a t-shirt around your head and lay a t-shirt over your pillow for additional protection.

What are some of your curly hair hacks?

How to Protect Your TBL Curls in the Winter

By Erika Owens · Published October 9, 2014

I will be honest, as a resident in sunny southern California we do not get much of a winter. We do not experience snow blizzards or below zero temperatures, but our winters do consist of cooler weather and rain and I modify my hair care routine accordingly. Here are some techniques I use to weather our storms and chilly weather so that my tailbone-length (TBL”> hair is not a mess.

No wet hair outdoors

First and foremost, I avoid going out with wet hair. When it is already wet outside, there is no need for me to go out with wet hair. More importantly, I like to seal the moisture that I have into my hair before leaving the house, and if I go out with wet hair, my curls are frizzy and dry hair at the end of the day. Therefore, dry hair is a must.

Since I do love a good wash and go year-round, I will often do it the day before when I know I will not being going anywhere. This allows me to wear it out the next day, if it is going to be cold rather than rainy.

Avoid loose styles, wear protective styles

Loose styles and ponytails do not last for me in the winter. Even on dry, cold days, they tend to get frizzy and puffy—and not in a good way— so I like to reserve certain styles, such as these for other seasons in the year. I love protective styles in the winter. They are perfect for that time of the year. My favorite protective styles for the winter are side braids, buns (all kinds”>, and twists.

Wear hats

I love a good hat and I wear more hats in the wintertime. I usually pull my hair back into a low bun or ponytail and wear a hat when the weather would otherwise mess up any decent hairstyle or it is just too wet. It is the perfect accessory to wear if you still want to look good without having to do much to your hair.

Use butters

I use hair butters more often to keep my hair moisturized in the winter. I love Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Style Pudding! It is thick in consistency and packs supreme moisture. I use butters for my twists outs and other updos in the winter because it keeps my hair moisturized for longer periods of time.

Increase co-washing

I co-wash more in the winter. Some would say, “just put it in a protective style and leave it alone” but my hair still gets soaked from the rain even when in a protective style. Here is the bottom line: the air is drier in the wintertime and my hair needs more moisture, so I give it that. My hair is happier being moisturized and refreshed, so I would much rather co-wash more than to leave my hair in a stale protective style for too long.

How do you protect your hair in the colder months?

How to Get Second Day Volume On Your First Day Wash & Go

By Erika Owens · Published October 8, 2014

I have gotten so many compliments when wearing my curls in this style with little product in it. Normally, a wash and go involves some sort of curling pudding, cream, or gel in order to achieve defined curls. What I have found is, even though this is great and looks fantastic; many curly girls tend to like their second or third day hair a lot better. This is generally because second and third day hair often has more volume because it has time to fall and loosen up, leaving you with voluptuous, soft, fluffy curls with just a touch of frizz. This is especially true for those with tighter curl patterns.

Women fine, low density curls, coils, and waves have a harder time getting the volume they desire. Their hair is really defined with styling products that weighed down the hair and leave little room for that fluffy goodness unless of course, it is second and third day hair—but who wants to wait that long when you can get this hair on the first day.

I accidentally discovered this hairstyle while in the process of doing another style and letting my hair air-dry. I noticed that with no product in my hair it was really light, fluffy, and curly with more of a fro-like texture that was ultra soft and not weighed down, it was almost magical. With some very specific techniques I was able to turn that accidental style into a fast wash and go.