Search Results: gerilynhayes

By gerilynhayes · Published May 10, 2018

Do you remember sitting between your mom’s legs, getting your hair braided down into cornrows? What about that time you learned that you are tender headed? Or, the day your mom finally figured out that she needed more than a boar hair brush and grease to get your hair into Afro puffs?

Ahhh… those were the days!

Now that we’re all grown up, we don’t need anyone telling us what to do with our curls and how to rock them… or, do we?

Using Design Essentials, these teens show their moms what cute hair is all about!

According to 3 young ladies, featured on the NaturallyCurly YouTube page, we may need a little help with stylin’ and profilin’ in this modern world of Insta-glam-selfies and Snap-worthy stories.

To prove that they know best when it comes to hair care, life, and all things cute, these young ladies decided to take their moms back to school by styling their hair with the ultimate curl collection: Design Essentials Naturals.

Using some of our NaturallyCurly favorites, the girls turned their mom’s hair into something… well… different! Watch the video to see how quirky things got between these naturally curly (and one wannabe curly”> moms and their daughters.

Aren’t these mom and daughter teams just the BEST?!

All the products that the daughters used on their mother’s hair are from the Design Essentials Naturals family, with each one complementing the other when used in concert:

• Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse: As one the favorite mousses’ in many curly women’s Holy Grail collections, this airy and light formulation is perfect for those of us in need of a gentle, yet firm hold. Sorry, straight haired-sisters! You’re not going to get curly hair using this mousse.
• Almond Avocado Twist and Set Setting Lotion: Let’s talk about bomb twist outs and moisture-saturated curls for a second: if that’s what you want, you’ll need this setting lotion in your life.
• Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner: Every curly woman needs a reliable hydrating leave-in to get out the door and on with her day without having to worry about dry, frizzy hair. Grab this trusted leave-in and rock those curls with confidence.
• Coconut & Monoi Leave-In Nourisher: You’ve gotta love formulas that infused your hair strands with hydrating coconut and monoi oils. If you haven’t tried it, yet, get yourself a bottle now!
• Coconut & Monoi Moisturizing Edge Control Glaze: In the video above, you’ll see Nijah laying Nikki’s edges allll the way down with this glaze that you’ll want to add to your Holy Grail kit. The scent is delightful!

We absolutely adore that these moms and daughters got a chance to deepen their relationships with each other with the help of Design Essentials Naturals, one of the most beloved brands in our community. So, tell me:

How have you connected with your mom, guardian, aunts, dads, and family members through the power of curls?

Share your story in the comments below. And remember to sign up for our newsletters so that you can get exclusive Design Essentials Naturals information before anyone else!

As ever, love your mom (but leave the styling to her hairdresser”>!

By gerilynhayes · Published April 2, 2018

Some things in this life will never change. From your favorite childhood storybook down to the grooves worn in the sway of your hips when your jam starts playing, these deeply rooted attributes are locked into your personal history. However, there are some things that must move into a new time, a new season. This sentiment has not been lost on one of the most widely recognizable brands in the world: Luster Products, Inc.

Luster is fascinating for several reasons, one of which is its approach to reach the millennial curly and natural hair consumer. Another is its focus on innovative product development and brand management. Following its undeniable pulse in the community, I found what can only be called the heartbeat of the brand: Miss Resa B. Luster, Brand Manager at Large for Luster Products, Inc.

Photograph retrieved from @resabluster.

Chatting with Miss Luster, I discovered that there’s a plethora of information about the brand that all naturalistas need to know. The Chicago native had quite a lot to say to me about her family heritage and business, giving back to the community, and, of course, natural hair.

Luster-ous Roots and New Growth

NaturallyCurly: Please tell the NaturallyCurly community about your company history.

Resa B. Luster: Luster Products Inc. was founded in 1957 by my late grandfather Fred Luster, Sr. He was a barber based on the Southside of Chicago. His clients would frequently complain about not being able to find products in the marketplace to help keep their hair well-conditioned, moisturized, strong and healthy. He instantly knew he wanted to create products to satisfy his clients’ wants and needs. He began to mix ingredients in his barbershop and created the first product: Luster Crème. He gave this product to his clients, and they instantly fell in love. From there on, word of mouth spread around Chicago, and the demand grew immediately for the product. Demand was increasing so rapidly that he was forced to drive around the Chicagoland area to sell the product out of his car. Creating the goods and maintaining his clientele also became a bit cumbersome, so he hired his brothers & children to help him produce the products. From that point on Luster Products Inc. was born and became a family business.

NC: What makes Luster Products, Inc. unique?

Luster: Our collection is unique because from start to finish it allows you to have ease while detangling all the way to maintaining long lasting moisturized hairstyles. Our products are gentle yet effective. No flakes, no dryness, no residue. This Pink® Shea Butter Coconut Collection has something for everyone’s curls & coils. We do know that women with tight curls patterns are seeking products that help moisturize those beautiful coils and keep their desired hairstyle elongated. Our collection will do wonders for coily girls.

NC: Please tell me about new products.

Luster: We recently launched our Pink Shea Butter & Coconut Oil collection that contains certified organic ingredients. Each of the items was developed on-site at our headquarters by chemists of color that understand the importance of keeping curly hair moisturized, hydrated, defined & well-conditioned. Once our Research and Development team has created these formulations, we immediately start testing them in our in-house test salon. After our test salon approves the product, Luster Products employees and external consumers test the products on themselves. My coworkers and I find this collection to be the solution to every girl with curls needs, from wearing Bantu knots, wash ‘n’ go, twists and braided styles.

Photograph retrieved from @resabluster.

NC: What initiatives are you most excited about that Luster is doing?

Luster: Recently launched the SCurl Free Flow Line to help men rock their natural styles! We’ve also executed on the following listed initiatives:

• Rolled out a social media program that gives our coworkers the opportunity to actively engage in an online space. We want our co-workers to grow with us and know the importance of how social media can impact them personally.

• We are hosting our 2018 New Face of Pink contest. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for details @lusterpink.

• We are also hosting a SCurl Beard search.

• We are always in the testing phase looking for new items to develop.

5 Things Naturalistas Never Knew About Luster Products

NC: What are things about Luster we might not know?

Luster:

1. We are 61 years strong. We remain Black-owned, family owned and operated.
2. We value giving back to communities both domestically & internationally.
3. We develop and manufacture all of our formulations in-house, testing thousands of heads before releasing our products to the marketplace at our in-house test salon.
4. We have R&D, quality control and test salon on-site.
5. We have two locations in Chicago and an aerosol manufacturing facility in Blue Island, IL. We have another office in London and all of our products are sold in over 70 countries!

Luster is On Point and On Trend

NC: What are the most exciting trends in texture?

Luster: I will always say the best trends that I’ve seen in the beauty realm is healthy hair. I believe that it is very important for women to keep their hair well-conditioned, moisturized and hydrated at all times. I meet naturalistas all of the time who complain about breakage, but don’t understand the importance of a simple “dusting” of their ends (hair trims”>. By having this foundation in place it allows women to achieve long-lasting styles and maintain their length retention. To this day I love braided styles with added colorful braiding hair (blue, pink, purple, green and yellow”>, and I’m also in love with over the top Bantu Knots styles.

NC: What have you seen consumers looking for right now, and how is Luster addressing those concerns?

Luster: Moisturizers and conditioners (leave-in, co-wash, rinse out and deep conditioners”> are the frequent requests of naturalistas. We are often asked what products we offer that contain a great deal of hydration & conditioning benefits. We know moisture better than anyone else in the market. We started this thing 50 years ago with our Pink Oil Moisturizer lotion which was originally developed for natural hair. We have over 60 years of R&D experience in meeting our consumers’ needs.

What’s Next For Resa B. Luster?

As you have read, this Brand Manager at Large is making waves in the beauty and hair care industry. With her extensive product knowledge and passion for natural hair, Resa B. Luster is the one to watch. We’re excited to see what she will do next! You can keep up with her next move by following her on Instagram @resabluster. Also stay in the know by reading her NaturallyCurly guest features every month!

Read more from Resa B. Luster: How to Care for Bleached Natural Hair

This post is sponsored by Luster Products, Inc.

By gerilynhayes · Published March 14, 2018

I have a problem. I am a Product Junkie.

What can I say? I love products!!! (#helpme”> | Photo by Gerilyn M. Hayes

For those of us living with this intense addiction of walking into beauty supply stores, a product junkie’s heaven on Earth, with the sole purpose of feeding the compulsion to peruse their aisles of brightly colored labeled curly hair creams, coconut oil-infused gels, and nourishing shampoo and conditioner combos, it is a struggle to leave the premises with less than $20 worth of items that will end up in our beauty caboodles.

Understanding that product junkie compulsions are real, I had to take a step back and let go, and let prioritization guru Jennifer Slaski, Founder of Prune and Bloom, help me get my life together in a matter of hours. During this time, she helped me compartmentalize my physical products and my emotional attachments to all the items I’ve collected over the past two years of working for NaturallyCurly.

Eight full bags of product later, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with all the excess. Slaski and my coworkers encouraged me to not only give it all away but to consider donating them to charities in my community. And that’s just what I am going to do.

So, if you’re like me, wanting to free your home and mental space of accumulated product clutter, you need this article.

Together, we will learn the best ways to give back to the community by uplifting others with our partially (and in most cases unused”> beauty and curly hair products.

Simply gather your new and gently used beauty and curly hair products in bags or bins, and make a date to donate. Hop in the car, and get to business.

Let’s go!

3 Best Places to Donate Your Beauty and Curly Hair Products

WomensShelters.org

The NaturallyCurly CurlTalk is a fantastic resource for all things curly, but also a great place to connect with curlies in your area to start a donation circle. Women’s Shelters: A Nationwide Directory of Shelters for Women is mentioned in a CurlTalk forum, and continues to be one of the best resources to reach out and donate to organizations that uplift women in need of safe spaces, new lifestyle opportunities, and much more. Beginning your donation cycle here is a great first step to your product junkie recovery. You’ll also help those in need!

Dress For Success

You may have heard this term throughout your life, but did you know there is an organization that lives by this popular motto? That’s right, friend. Dress For Success brings out the very best in women that need an extra boost of je ne s’ais quoi and elevated confidence levels for their professional lives. In addition to accepting donated, new beauty and hair care products, the organization will offer professional attire and footwear to women.

Beauty Bus

Empowering those in the community with terminal illnesses and disabilities takes a committed effort from all of us, from all communities. That’s why you need to consider donating your new and gently used beauty and hair care products to the Beauty Bus. This organization specializes in beauty and grooming for women, children, and men with terminal illnesses. For those of us able to volunteer time, the organization is accepting volunteers to help with in-home services and deliveries of “Beauty Bags” for their clients.

More Donation Services that accept beauty and hair care products (check each for details”>:

• Family-to-Family Share Your Beauty
• Project Beauty Share
• Local shelter directory by state (USA only”>
• Back to M-A-C
• Return to Origins

There is a myriad of options for us to collect and give away our products. Which, if not all, will you choose to donate to? Let us know in the comments. You could not only help those in your community, but you could win some serious prizing because of your efforts. Details are as follows:

Join Our Pound for Pound Challenge

Put your product junkie-ism to the test in our Pound for Pound Challenge! Simply snap a photo of your product stash, @ us on Instagram and use the hashtag #NCpound4pound. Whoever has the biggest stash wins a $100 gift card to the Container Store.

As ever, keep giving!

By gerilynhayes · Published March 2, 2018

Spring Break is more than a vacation from academia; it’s an adventure! And with every adventure, a curly girl must be prepared to look cute on her fantastic voyage to rest, relaxation, and good vibe-times with her friends.

NaturallyCurly x Coconut Restore Partnership for Curly Hair Spring Break 2018 Travelers | InnerVisionPRO — iStock

There are six travel basics you must remember to pack before you hit the road:

1. Don’t leave behind the one thing your scalp and curls will need: hair oil. Pack this lifesaver in your beauty bundle to prevent dryness and breakage! Containing ultra-moisturizing beeswax, the Coconut Restore Revitalizing Whipped Coconut Oil is your best bet for a pH-balanced scalp and thoroughly moisturized curls.
2. Going to warm, sandy beaches this Spring Break 2018? The salty air and water can wreak havoc on your curls! This means that you’ll need a powerful, moisturizing shampoo that contains Sodium C14-16 Olefin to keep your scalp and curls squeaky clean. This coconut derivative is the antidote for salty curls and can be easily applied via Coconut Restore Moisture Replenishing Shampoo. Just lather it up and wash out for clean, refreshed hair!
3. A conditioner is always a must, especially for curlies that enjoy pool parties and ocean swimming and snorkeling. Why? Because after you wash the salt and sea out of your curls, they need to be replenished with a conditioner that closes the hair strand’s delicate cuticle layers. The answer to this is Coconut Restore Daily Strengthening Conditioner. Simply coat your hair strands with a generous amount, leave on for 3-5 minutes, and then rinse out for soft, strong curls.
4. Your curls are one of a kind. But of course, you’re not going to skimp on pampering yourself just because you’re in travel mode! During your Spring Break week, take a moment to deep treatment your curls with a hair masque formulated to combat and treat environmental heat damage. For its breakage-combating and sheen-giving properties, you’ll want to apply Coconut Restore Keratin Intensive Repair Masque to your hair, cover with a shower cap, and sit under a dryer for at least 5 minutes. No dryer? No problem! Leave the masque on a bit longer, roughly 10 minutes for deep treated, soft and healthy curly hair.
5. Daily leave-in conditioner is another way to keep your curls looking luscious during Spring Break. Simply palm a small amount of the Coconut Restore Curl Control Leave-In Conditioner onto your crown of curls, making sure to coat your wet or damp curls with it to combat frizz. Do not rinse this leave-in conditioner out of your curls; simply style as normal!
6. Last, but not least, you will want to double check your bags to ensure you’ve packed away styling gel, the 6^th essential curly hair travel basic you need to have and maintain stunning Spring Break hair. Because of its ability to absorb moisture from the air and put it into every hair, you will want honey to be a major ingredient in your styling gel, much like it is in the Coconut Restore Styling & Setting Gelee. Healthy, cute styles are just a slicked down edge away this Spring Break!

All of these six essentials every curly hair traveler will need this Spring Break can be found in our exclusive Coconut Restore Spring Break Travel Kit, the perfect take-me-with-you Spring Break 2018 curly hair survival caboodle assembled just for you and your curly hair needs!

NaturallyCurly x Coconut Restore Partnership for Curly Hair Spring Break 2018 Travelers | monkeybusiness — iStock

Get Ready for Fun, Sun, and Beautiful Curls with the Coconut Restore Spring Break Travel Kit – available ONLY at SHOP NaturallyCurly!

Get Your Kit Right Now!

So, we want to know: Are you going to get your Coconut Restore Spring Break Travel Kit to take care of your curly hair? Tag us @naturallycurly and @coconutrestore when you do!

As ever, stay curly!

This post is sponsored by Coconut Restore.

By gerilynhayes · Published March 1, 2018

“What is my porosity?“

This is a question I have received in my Instagram DMs, via email, and even in person. It is only second to, “What’s my curl pattern?”

Well, friend I cannot tell you what your curly hair porosity is simply by looking. Furthermore, I cannot diagnosis porosity, even if you describe your hair strands’ characteristics. At best, I can guesstimate what is truly going on with your curls.

That being said, I want to give you the gift of porosity detection in the form of this video featuring me and my fellow NaturallyCurly Editors (and favorite people IRL”> Cristina Cleveland and Alexandra Wilson.

Together we explain precisely how curly hair people can best determine their porosity level, and show you how to use Aunt Jackie’s brand new Coconut Crème Collection! It is a sulfate-, petrolatum-, mineral oil-, and paraben-free collection that any curly can use, no matter your porosity.

How to Determine Hair Porosity in Less Than 5 Minutes with NaturallyCurly and Aunt Jackie’s

In the video, each of us explains the steps necessary to determine our porosity. Each test took us less than 5 minutes to conduct. You can do this, too! All you will need is water, product, and patience.

The Float Test

This test seems straightforward, but in reality, it is the one that tends to cause us curlies to go a little cray cray. Fortunately for low porosity curlies like me, we can tell straight away that our hair is low porosity because our hair strands will float.

Well, what about our medium and high porosity friends?

NaturallyCurly.com says:

Take a couple of strands of hair from your comb or brush and drop them into a bowl of water. Let them sit for 2-4 minutes. If your hair floats, you have low porosity. If it sinks, you have high porosity.

If your hair is in liquid limbo, aka literally floating in the middle of the glass, you more than likely have medium porosity hair. However, we want you to be 100% certain. So move on to the next less-than-5-minute test to determine your porosity.

The Product Application Test

This test is self-explanatory and you have probably done it without even knowing it. Simply apply a small amount of a water-based styling product, like Aunt Jackie's Coconut Crème Intensive Moisture Sealant we used in the video, to a section of hair. Gently work the product into your curls.

If the product sits on top of the hair and needs to be squished into the strands, you have low porosity hair. If the product absorbs instantaneously into the strands, you have high porosity hair. If the product does neither of these things and only needs a few finger strokes to get the product in easily, you're definitely medium porosity.

What I love the most about this test is that Alexandra was able to easily and quickly determine her porosity level, and then move on to styling her hair with the Aunt Jackie's Curl Boss Coconut Curling Gèlee. Although she did not use them together, she got the cutest style because she knew what product to use based on her porosity type.

Still need further confirmation? Move right along to the next test!

The Slip and Slide Test

Admittedly, I think that this is one of the most challenging tests (which is why I asked Cristina to do it – LOL!">. This can be especially true if you are a new natural or transitioning. However, I just ran my fingers up and down my hair strands and Cristina is right: you can definitely tell your porosity type with this 30-seconds or less test.

NaturallyCurly says:

Take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the shaft (toward the scalp">. If you feel little bumps along the way, this means that your cuticle is lifted and that you have high porosity. If your fingers slip smoothly, then you have low porosity hair.

Pretty cool, right?

So, what do you think, NaturallyCurly World? Are you ready to proclaim your porosity?

You know that we absolutely love hearing from you, so tell my girls and me in the comments if we helped you figure out your porosity! If you still have questions about porosity and how to determine what yours is, let me know in the comments.

Learn more about porosity, texture types, curl patterns, and Aunt Jackie's incredible collections for curly hair with these NaturallyCurly articles:

• 3 Curly Hair Products Every Naturalista Should Own
• It's All About That Hair Length!
• Texture Type Hype: Does Hair Density Matter?

As ever, stay curly!

This post is sponsored by Aunt Jackie's.

By gerilynhayes · Published March 1, 2018

It’s that time again: Date Night! Moreover, you do not want to wear the same old tired style on this special night. You want to shake things up, but there’s a problem: ;”>You don’t have much time!

That is why you can get your cute on with a get-ready-for-date-night look that will help you pick the ‘fit, beat the face, and spritz the smell goods without breaking a sweat in seven easy steps.

With the scoop on all things cute and curly, Smooth ‘n Shine gave us the lowdown on how to get Date Night curls that are luscious, cute, and right on time:

What You Need to Achieve Date Night Hair:

As instructed, you are going to need several items to achieve this look. Smooth ‘n Shine recommends the following for all hair types, including those of us with dense, coily hair that usually takes hours to style:

• Smooth ‘ Shine Camellia Oil & Shea Butter Quenching Co-wash
• Smooth ‘ Shine Camellia Oil & Shea Butter Deep Treatment Recovery
• Smooth ‘ Shine Camellia Oil & Shea Butter Curl Defining Cream

You do not want to skimp on the steps, and we have at least four reasons why. Take a look:

Why does curly hair need a co-wash instead of regular shampoo and conditioner?

Although your regular shampoo and conditioner are great for wash day maintenance, you will want to invest in a daily curl cleanser if you are prone to product build-up or are used to washing your hair frequently. Also, and more importantly, co-washes repair dry, damaged hair via hydration and adding in specific emollients like Shea butter and camellia oil.

Why deep treat curls after using a co-wash formula?

Although co-washes cleanse the curls while simultaneously adding moisture, the outer layer of your hair strands needs to be smoothed down before getting sealed. A deep treatment will do this while also adding moisture to your scalp. The camellia oil in the Deep Treatment Recovery acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent for your scalp as well as a powerful natural conditioner.

Why add curl cream instead of gel?

You may think that the only way to get super defined curls for date night is to use a firm-holding gel, but you don’t want that if your goal is super soft-to-the-touch hair. A curl defining cream is the way to go because you are not only sealing your hair strands with moisture; you are priming them for the next step, which is diffusing your curls.

Why diffuse?

You will also need to diffuse your hair, depending on your curl length. For naturals with short curls, there’s no need to fret! You will need a hood attachment to dry your curls for this style. You will also be pleased to know that the hair cuffs you will find are perfectly adjustable and ridiculously fly – get it, curl friend!

Moreover, remember, for this Valentine’s Day and all the days that follow, you can love your hair every day, every way with Smooth ‘n Shine!

As ever, stay curly!

This post is sponsored by Smooth ‘n Shine.

Infographic photography by Brio Photography.

By gerilynhayes · Published February 15, 2018

Irrespective of curl pattern and texture type, all curls need hydration. To achieve this, we reach for “hydrating products designed to increase the moisture content in our hair strands.”¹ While this intuitive call-to-action makes sense, many curlistas are diving deeper into the internal health aspects of hydrating their hair, from the inside out.

Learn more in the CURLS 101 Series. Photo cred: PeopleImages for iStock

We all have heard the anecdote time and again: If you are dehydrated, your skin and hair are dehydrated, too.

So, we answer this problem with a solution: drink more water.

However, there is fancy-schmancy, newfangled water out there called “alkaline water.” Merchants of this water tout it as a kind of miracle liquid for people with various ailments, from problem skin to kidney disease. Some people even believe that it is a reliable treatment for dry, breaking curls.

Finding this hard to believe, I did a little research to answer the question once and for all: Is alkaline water better for hair? My findings are listed below.

3 Surprising Truths about Alkaline Water for Curly Hair

1 – #NoFilter: Alkaline water is one step above tap water, and it is not a big deal.

That’s right, my friend. Alkaline water merely has an 8.0 pH to 14.0 pH rating which is one tick higher than regular, ol’ tap water which has a neutral 7.0 pH rating. What this means for you and hair is that depending on where the water comes from and its treatment before you consume and use it, the water may be more or less acidic.

Some people will tell you, especially those in wellness and homeopathic circles, that because of its alkalizing compounds such as calcium, silica, potassium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, alkaline water is better for you to consume and use. Well, my friends, the jury is still out on this claim. For now, you can get your slight daily traces of those elements mentioned earlier in your homegrown tap water.

• Still curious about pH levels and what it means for your curly hair? Read this NaturallyCurly article.

2 – The Proof (or disproof”> is in the pH: Drinking, bathing in, and washing your curls with alkaline water will not hydrate your hair strands more than regular tap water.

If you have asked yourself, “Should I drink alkaline water? Isn’t it better for my hair?”

I am here to tell you “Nah.“

Well, at least, alkaline water has not proven to be a better alternative to drinking tap water. #NoShade to those of you drinking bottled and filtered water. I’m just saying that alkaline water gimmicks are just that: gimmicks. The more scientific evidence, the better for our natural hair community on this matter! If you want to debate me, let me take a sip of this ice-cold tap water real quick before we catch verbal and proverbial hands.

3 – Wash. Rinse. Risk it all?: Alkaline water might dry your curly hair, which will result in breakage.

None of us in the NaturallyCurly community are here for breakage so why would we risk the health of our curls by dousing them in alkaline water that may or may not benefit us? I know that I’m not alone on this. Read what Writer Tonya McKay says about alkaline products in this CurlyNikki.com article²:

Alkaline products cause the hair to swell, the cuticle to lift and remove oils from the air. This results in frizzy, dull, brittle hair that is prone to breakage and tangling. Extremely alkaline solutions cause the disulfide bonds between keratin protein molecules to break down and can eventually dissolve the protein completely. –Tonya McKay

Clearly, there is risk involved with alkaline water, and I don’t know about you, but I am staying clear of it touching my hair. The day Neil deGrasse Tyson tells me it’s okay, I will consider bringing it into my life. Until then, no thank you, boo!

Tell me in the comments because I think it’s alllll talk. Photo by Max-Kegfire — iStock

Got more water-based questions? Read more about water and regimens for your naturally curly hair:

• How Much Water Should You Drink
• How to Build a Hard Water Regimen for Your Hair
• This is the Best Water Temperature to Wash Your Hair
• Dealing with Damage Done to Your Hair by… Water?

As ever, stay curly!

By gerilynhayes · Published February 1, 2018

Yes, you read that correctly!

There are three curly hair products that you absolutely must have in your naturalista curl vault: a moisturizing detangler, nutrients-packed curl cream, and an elongating gel.

Each of these curly hair products makes styling waves, curls, and coils quick and painless, boosts your texture’s natural sheen, and highlights the definition of your unique curl pattern.

3 Curly Hair Products Every Naturalista Should Own

1. DETANGLER – In addition to having plenty of patience and a gentle touch, your curls will always need a reliable detangler. My recommendation is Aunt Jackie’s Knot on my Watch Instant Detangling Therapy, which you can buy at Walmart for about $9. Because it has a blend of shea butter and olive oil, two hair strengthening ingredients, this one is great for curls that tend to get knots easily or if you’re looking to protect your ends and edges.
2. CURL CREAM – As a curly haired woman who is intimidated by products drying and turning white in my hair, I can attest to the fact that Curl La La Defining Curl Custard Cream will absorb into low, medium, and high porosity hair with ease without leaving a gnarly residue! The scent is delightful, very light yet crisp, without overwhelming the senses. It is especially effective for Type 4a – 4c hair that needs moisture and definition.
3. GEL FOR CURLY HAIR – Every curl in the world should be smooth, frizz-free, shiny, and bouncy. That is just what you will get when you use Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel on your curls and coils. The star of this gel is the flaxseed, which is known for its ability to improve scalp health and reduce hair fall.

How will I know which one will work for my hair, G*?

Ahhhh, yes! I am so happy you asked, friend. I know that you want to choose the best products for your texture type and curl pattern. That’s why I took the guesswork out of the equation and partnered with Aunt Jackie’s to show you just how effective all three of their products are!

Let me show you how perfectly Aunt Jackie’s works on low porosity, Type 4 curls!

What I liked most about applying Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard Cream to my hair was the slip it gave my curls. It was clear to me that it would give me the perfect style.

As you will see in the video below, my dense curls are defined and fluffy, which makes me beyond thrilled with the detangler and curl cream. Both left my hair feeling like a million bucks, and my second and third day Afro was a sight to behold. I will definitely use these for my braid- and twist-outs.

Now, take a look at how Alexandra’s medium porosity 3C curls get that extra burst of Ahhhhh-mazing!

“I don’t usually use gels and was very impressed with the Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel. It left my hair moisturized, defined and extremely soft. I think most gels have a bad rep for making textured hair flaky, sticky and dry, but that was most certainly not the case for this gel.”

Nourished, defined, beautiful curls are just a click away!

Two-strand twists, finger coils, mega-fros, and bouncy wash and go styles are so much easier to achieve when you have a detangler, curl cream, and curly hair gel that actually work.

Watch these curly hair products in action!

At NaturallyCurly, we put all products to the test. But this time around, we wanted to test our knowledge of Black History Month!

That’s why we partnered with Aunt Jackie’s to see if we could not only get great hairstyles with their products, but also multitask while styling. Watch NaturallyCurly Editor Alexandra Wilson and me style our hair while answering Black History Month trivia questions!

Which Aunt Jackie's product are you using? Share your experience and your trivia answers in the comments below!

Thanks to Aunt Jackie's, you really can have it all!

Get all 3 Curly Hair Products Every Naturalista Should Own right now from select Walmart stores:

1. Aunt Jackie's Knot on my Watch Instant Detangling Therapy
2. Aunt Jackie's Curl La La Defining Curl Custard Cream
3. Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel

Then, tell Alexandra and me what you think! Show off! Tag us @naturallycurly and @auntjackiescurlsandcoils in your IG selfies so we can double-tap on your amazing hairstyles.

As ever, stay curly!

This post is sponsored by Aunt Jackie's.

By gerilynhayes · Published January 29, 2018

Hi, NaturallyCurly World! Quick question for you:

Have you heard about “Oil Washing”?

As natural hair and curl enthusiasts, you most likely have heard the term in recent months from vloggers like Fanta Diop (pictured above”> and Brittany Kyss.

Well, have you tried oil washing only to have your entire head and face look like an oil slick?

Yeah, well… maybe you’ve been going about oil washing all wrong, my friend.

And that is a-okay because you know what I’m about: trial and error. So, kudos to you for smiling through the greasy forehead mishaps and shining nose snafus ??

In any event, we are going to take about 2 minutes to examine this trending natural hair hack to learn what the oil-washing-on-a-curl-and-a-prayer technique is all about.

What exactly is Oil Washing?

You are literally using oil, instead of shampoo, to wash your hair.

Sounds counterintuitive, right? Photo: andresr | istock

Well, you want to use the oil in place of your shampoo because, theoretically, the oil will loosen and lift product build up and scalp debris. Its weight and slip helps the gross stuff in your curls to glide down your curls, smooth the hair strand, and (*gasps*”> reduce frizz??

What is even better about oil washing is that it is one of the easiest ways to detangle your hair. This means that this technique is a lifesaver for those of us with super tight, kinky coils and zig-zag curls that can get knotted up so easily.

Is Oil Washing the same as Pre-Poo?

Nope!

A “pre-poo” is usually an oil treatment applied to hair [before] shampooing or conditioning. While most of these treatments can be oils of your choice, some women create other treatments from household pantry items. -NaturallyCurly

A critical difference between oil washing and pre-pooing: wash time. Pre-poo takes between 1 to 2 hours, or longer, to efficiently coat and nourish hair strands. The oil washing method takes significantly shorter time, equalling a typical shampooing session.

To learn more about pre-poo methods, bookmark these handy NaturallyCurly resources:

• 5-Reasons You Should Pre-Poo
• DIY Conditioning Pre-Poo for Hair Growth
• 4 Signs Your Need to Pre-Poo

Is Conditioner necessary?

While the curl jury is still out on this one, some of you are nixing conditioner altogether because oil washing works so well for your hair.

Others of you are still into conditioner and co-washes.

IMO, sticking with conditioner won’t hurt your curls. In fact, it may save them from environmental factors such as heat damage (yep, from the sun”>, breakage from arid climates, and even humidity. You want to keep your hair hydrated, and hair cuticle smoothed down at all times, so that is why I will say that a fantastic conditioner is totally worth applying post-oil washing.

Ready to try it? Here are a few Oils to use when Oil Washing:

• Black Seed
• Coconut
• Flaxseed
• Grapeseed
• Jojoba
• Lavendar
• Melted Shea butter
• Olive
• Orange
• Sunflower

There are several oil washing techniques – what is the right one?

Maybe it’s because my bull-headed nature takes over, but I think there’s only one way to execute oil washing: Your Way.

Seriously, friend. Whatever works best for your hair texture, porosity level, hair density, and curl pattern is the best route to take when oil washing your hair. That being said, I do think that the following 2 approaches will help you get luscious, shining, poppin’ curls for days and days.

Press Play ▶️

For Oil Washers Only.

DIY | SHINY GLOSSY NATURAL HAIR (Oil Wash”> by Fanta Diop

Got Build Up? Shampoo + Oil Washing Curls Works!

Oil Rinsing for Natural Hair by Brittany Kyss

Try a few of my all-time favorite shampoos for low porosity, dense coily, kinky curls:

• Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Shampoo
• DevaCurl Low-Poo Delight
• Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo

Pretty slick, right?

Well, if you’re wondering whether this will work for you, I think that you know your hair and scalp better than anyone. Those in the community that have scalp issues, such as psoriasis, dandruff, or eczema, may want to avoid this oil washing since it may clog your pores or irritate your scalp. If you already have an overabundance of sebum, you may want to skip this method since it will only make you feel oilier.

Got questions about Oil Washing? Ask them in the comments.

We love hearing from you! Photo: PeopleIamges | iStock

If you like this article, let me know on Facebook. You can also follow me on the ‘gram @gerilynhayes ✌? ☮️ ??

As ever, stay curly!

By gerilynhayes · Published January 12, 2018

Have you been looking for new hair color #inspo for fall and winter?

From silver-tipped blonde to shining sea blue, standing out from the crowd has been your usual hair coloring modus operandi. No color is off limits! You rock your lit tresses with a stylish confidence that never goes unnoticed.

Well, what if you could give onlookers in more to talk about when you saunter into the room?

Get a head turning Va Va Voom! effect with this season’s to dye for Vivid Shades from Bigen, a NaturallyCurly community curly hair dying favorite. Why? It is because Bigen formulated the at-home color to keep your curls primed for moisture and hydration post-dying. How? With coconut oil and shea butter!

Excited to try, but you do not want to re-dye?

That is not a problem, colorful curl friend! We recommend wearing a protective style that allows you to keep your curl color while trying something new.

Watch our video to learn how to keep your already stunning curls intact while giving your best Instagram-selfie face to the world!

Ooooh! We just love these beautiful, vivid shades. We also love the new scent it has – very floral and bright! Do you? Tell us in the comments below.

Pro Tip: Make sure that you follow the mixing instructions with precision for best results!

Ready to rock these vivid shades yourself?

We thought so! Here are a few things you need to know about the NEW oil-rich, ultra-moisturizing Bigen Vivid Shades before getting into the color wheel rotation:

• The color is semi-permanent and easy to apply to hair
• It is ideal for all curl patterns that need pops of color
• Anti-breakage formula that's free of lead acetate, ethanol/alcohol, PPD, Resorcinol
• Colors various texture types, from low to high porosity
• Conditions with coconut oil and shea butter
• New and improved fragrance
• NO ammonia (WIN!"> and NO peroxide (WIN!"> so that color deposits into the hair without damaging it for darker shades

Protect those Gorgeous Colorful Curls!

Semi-permanent hair dye is great for us curlies that want to dye our hair at home, but what happens after we've got the color we desired for so long? How do we maintain that camera-ready color and magnificent unfiltered glow?

We have to choose and apply the right color-protecting products for our treated hair!

Keep your color in the Bigen family by visiting us on SHOP NaturallyCurly to get the best color maintenance options for your curls. This full-range color treatment system will help you keep that new coral, shining emerald, and electrifying indigo as vivid as their namesake!

The following recommended maintenance products will work wonders on your colored curls and protective wigs:

• Bigen Protect & Repair Shampoo
• Bigen Protect & Repair Deep Conditioner
• Bigen Sheen Spray

We know that you are not one to shy away from the perfect Instagram opportunity, so tag @naturallycurly and our friends @bigenofficial in your ultra-glammed out selfies! We are so here for your vibrant #colormebigen transformations and stellar #curlyhairstyle.

As ever, stay vivacious!

By gerilynhayes · Published January 5, 2018

Women everywhere are clamoring for the latest innovations in hair color care, oftentimes at the cost of damaging and drying their strands. There’s no way you’re going to follow suit because you know that your curls crave moisture.

istock / AleksandarNakic

You also know that it’s difficult for any curl, no matter its pattern or texture, to bounce back from breakage. What you need is Bigen: hair color that replenishes lost moisture while deepening the lively hues into your curls.

Isn’t it time you got this and more?

Keep reading to learn how!

Take a Break from Breakage with these 3 Oils and 1 Butter

Pexels / Mareefe

Healthy, undamaged curls and rich color are on deck for you thanks to three powerful, nourishing oils and one amazing butter. Finding their way into new semi-permanent hair color formulations by NaturallyCurly reader’s favorite Bigen, these individual oils on their own pack a punch:

• Argan – Best known for its ability to eliminate frizzy, dry hair strands, this powerful oil brings shine to color treated curls. What’s even better is that argan oil repairs damaged hair.
• Coconut – Arguably the most popular the hair oils, this fruit derivative is truly one of a kind, especially when it comes to sealing the hair shaft with moisture.
• Maracujã – Also known as ‘passion fruit’, this oil is a power-packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that strengthen hair strands. Yes, that means curls will be fortified against damage during the color treatment process.
• Shea Butter – Who doesn’t love shea butter? When you put this conditioner-by-nature’s-design butter into a hair formula for color that wears long and curls that stay strong, you’ve got a new “I love this so much” product on your hands.
• With the introduction of coconut oil and shea butter to its Vivid Shades collection and coconut, argan, and maracujã oils in the regular semi-permanent collection, Bigen is making it easier for you to color your curls with confidence.

Color your Curls with Care

istock / alexey_ds

Why worry about breakage when you have a new formula, designed specifically to keep every color treated curl intact? Whether you choose a natural shade of brown or a stunning ruby red, you can rest assured that this semi-permanent color puts your curls first thanks to it being ammonia- and peroxide-free. The formula deposits color into hair strands; can withstand shampooing over several weeks; and will maintain your chosen hue’s vibrancy.

Show Up! Show Out!

Already using Bigen and feeling good about your color? Then, go off! We at NaturallyCurly love seeing your selfies on Insta so tag @naturallycurly and @bigenoffical with #ColorMeBigen so we can see how lovely you look and feel!

Be mindful of your time and kind to your pocketbook by picking up the new Bigen Semi-Permanent hair color from your favorite retailer! Not sure where to get it? Simply hop over to SHOP NaturallyCurly – it’s virtually effortless!

As ever, #ColorMeBigen!

This post is sponsored by Bigen.

By gerilynhayes · Published December 8, 2017

When the opportunity to be transformed into our most admired, most beloved natural hair icons, Nikki and April and I leapt into action. Within seconds, all 3 of us knew whom we wanted to be.

In the video below, you will see us get transformed, thanks to Design Essentials Natural and the magical hands of stylist Shandrall Duncan aka @shanmaire_visions, into some of the most iconic women in contemporary entertainment and the natural hair community.

Can you guess which natural hair icons we are emulating?

Share your guesses in the comments section at the bottom of this article or on our Facebook post!

With a crown of long, dense curls, @nchanel gets her hair moisturized and set with the following:

• Almond & Avocado Twist & Set Setting Lotion, one of the best smelling hair lotions on the market, hands down. It is lightweight in texture, gliding onto the hair with ease, and penetrating the hair strands for thorough hydration.
• Almond & Avocado Curling Creme, a definer for all curl patterns. Use this creme on any porosity type, adjusting the amount used based on your hair’s needs.
• Nikki’s roller set was blown out to get the iconic look, that is undeniably powerful thanks to the addition of hair clips with colored ends!

Although @gerilynhayes has low porosity hair, her strands immediately soak up almond and avocado oil:

• Almond & Avocado Daily Moisturizing Lotion, my favorite hair lotion for blowouts! Its scent is a hybrid of floral bouquets and almond oil. Its consistency is lightweight but offers enough slip to give coily hair malleability for styling. I love it!
• The iconic Afro pick helped me get a look that I’ve always wanted! Never has my ‘fro been so voluminous, soft, and fluffy. For the finalized look, gently sculpt your Afro with cupped hands.

With her dense, high porosity curls, @firstchurchofapril needs lightweight, all-day hydration:

• Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner for all-day hydration that won’t evaporate from your hair strands.
• Almond & Avocado Daily Moisturizing Lotion contains nutrients that help keep April’s ends sealed with moisture, which is especially important since a natural bristle brush was used on her fragile hair.
• Large hair tie and bobby pins were used to secure the updo.
• To achieve April’s finished look, stylist Shandrall used a dramatic scarf to drape over her hair to add iconic flair!

No matter the reason, or the season, you can use Design Essentials Natural to style your hair like your favorite natural hair icon just like we did! Remember to follow our friends @designessentials to get unforgettable style #inspo on a daily basis.

As ever, stay iconic!

This post is sponsored by Design Essentials Natural.

By gerilynhayes · Published December 7, 2017

We all want beautiful, healthy hair, and that starts with a healthy scalp. While the use of natural oils is a long-standing tradition in the natural hair community, there are those hesitant to fully embrace this trend because they feel itchy. A lot of curlies may wonder, do certain oils make your scalp itch? Let’s take a look at reasons why oils may cause that itchy feeling that makes some wary of choosing oils.

Do certain oils make your scalp itch?

Photo Courtesy of @Unsplash

The answer is yes, but there is more to it than just that simple answer. Before you swear off all oils, as well as the many benefits oils can offer to your scalp and strands, there are a few things you need to know. The oil source isn’t usually the problem unless you are putting something crazy on your hair which truly doesn’t belong there. The issue is usually because of three main reasons for that itchy feeling.

1. Reaction

While rare, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to natural oils. If you experience an itchy feeling with a burning sensation accompanied by bumps raised on the skin, it may be an allergic reaction. Of course, the best way to make sure you avoid this fate is to spot test any time you use a new oil. When you use an oil for the first time, you should test it on one small spot on your scalp, as opposed to applying it all over.

2. Circulation Booster

Another reason you may experience an itchy feeling could be because the oil naturally stimulates circulation. While this itch is less intense than an allergic reaction, it is still a common feeling. However, this type of itching doesn’t usually burn the same way and is more of a tingly itch sensation. For instance, castor oil is often reported as feeling a little itchy for some naturals, but that is usually the fact that circulation is being boosted. Peppermint oil is another oil sometimes described as feeling itchy, but this one usually comes with a cool sensation to balance things out. The itch is usually the oil working as an antibacterial agent on the scalp.

3. Previous Itch

It is also possible that the itchy feeling is because you have an underlying issue on your scalp that the oil isn’t designed to help remedy. For instance, if your scalp is already inflamed or irritated, you may feel that itchiness regardless of what oil you use at first because of how severe the scalp issue has become without treatment.

Have you ever experienced one of these symptoms?

We want to know! Share your story with us on Facebook!

By gerilynhayes · Published December 5, 2017

Steal the show, and hearts, this winter with stunning ringlets when you use the NaturallyCurly community’s favorite styling kit by Curlformers! You’re going to love this beautiful look that you can wear to every winter-themed gathering this year and beyond. Below is a check list of what you will need to do to get these stunning ringlets for Type 4 hair!

How to get The Festive Holiday Ringlets Look:

1. Using the Hair Flair Large Paddle Brush, detangle and smooth your curls, making sure to get rid of the smallest of tangles and fairy knots. You will want to dampen your curls to add slip by using Flairosol, the micro-mist applicator that quickly covers your curls for easy styling.

2. Make between four and six sections of curls, starting by parting your hair in the middle from the front of your hairline.

3. Use alligator clips to keep sections in place as you begin installing your Spiral Super Long Curlformers.

4. Gently glide your hair through the Curlformer using the styling hook. You may need to use two hooks to speed up the process.

5. Repeat step 4 on each section of your hair.

6. Set your curls by covering them with the Hair Flair Deluxe Softhood and attaching your hairdryer to it. Set the hairdryer on low heat; dry your curls for 30 – 45 minutes. Add on more time depending on your porosity and hair length.

7. Once dry, gently slide the Curlformers off your hair.

8. Accessorize with darling tassel earrings, dramatic eyes, and two fresh red roses!

Watch us style Type 4 hair into Festive Holiday Ringlets with Curlformers!

See how easy it is to style your Type 4 hair into the smoothest, most dramatic ringlets of the year by watching the how-to video below:

Remarkably simple. Remarkably YOU.

Will you wear these lovely ringlets to your winter and end of year parties? We hope so! Share your amazing look with us@NaturallyCurly and @CurlformersOfficial on Instagram today. We can’t wait to see your beautiful hair.

As ever, stay curly!

This post and video are sponsored by Curlformers.

By gerilynhayes · Published November 14, 2017

Steve Debenport / iStock

Although the green beauty trend isn’t new, women in the natural hair community are expressing concern about the ingredients in their curly hair products. This focus on all – or mostly – natural ingredients is also transferring over to skin and body care, with more than 31% of women refusing to buy products with sulfates. The “no chemicals, please” bullhorn effect within the marketplace has propelled brands owners to concoct all natural and greener formulations for hair and skin products.

To help you along your all-natural ingredients journey, I have listed my favorite items from 4 brands heeding the call of consumers around the world, each of which providing health-conscious curlies nasty chemicals-free alternatives to our hair and skin care regimens. Each item is in my bathroom cabinet, used either daily or weekly and comes highly recommended. Take note, friend!

Curly Hair Brands That Offer All-Natural Hair and Skin Products

Sunny Isle

Naturalistas focused on hair growth have long lauded Sunny Isle for bringing Jamaican Black Castor oil-based products to the marketplace. Understanding the need to stay hydrated from head to toe, Sunny Isle has a host of hair and skin products available for those focused on purchasing all-natural products. One hero item from the line is the Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil, a 100% natural emollient for hair and skin that acts as a miracle for people with low porosity natural hair and dry, flaking skin. Put these JBCO-infused products on your Hydration Wish List to keep curls and skin moisturized every day:

• Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Knot Free Forever Leave-In Detangler
• Sunny Isle Extra Dark Jamaican Black Castor Oil Moisturizing Shampoo
• Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Beard Oil (excellent year-round grooming gift for the men in your life”>

Everyday Shea

Focused on fueling the growth of underserved global economies? Then, you will want to invest your dollars in Everyday Shea, the brand that creates hair and skin products with the intention of building educational spaces while propelling burgeoning entrepreneurs forward in Africa. After reading the brand’s fascinating history, I purchased the Everyday Shea Body Wash – Lavender which gently cleanses skin while creating moisture balance. This body wash is my daily go-to, and I love that it comes in a huge pump bottle so that I do not overuse it and that its scent is not overpowering. Other items in the Everyday Shea line include unscented lotions and washes, and children’s hair and skin products:

• Everyday Shea Fair Trade Shea Butter – Unscented
• Everyday Shea Body Lotion – Unscented
• Everyday Shea Babies & Up Shampoo & Body Wash – Lemon Lavender

Honey Baby Naturals

“Like every other mother, I also wanted products that were natural and free from ingredients that weren’t good for their hair and skin, but I needed them to work and make my life easier.” -Aisha Crump, Founder of Honey Baby Naturals

By following the natural ingredients-only path, Aisha Crump formulated hair and skin products with honey as the “secret ingredient” for her entire family. For those of us outside the family that need hydration and consistent moisture, Crump brought her collection to the masses. Her Honey Baby Naturals Honey Nectar Body Jelly is a petroleum-free lifesaver for dry skin. This jelly is excellent for those in arid, dry climates. Listed are additional natural ingredients-friendly items you’ll want to try include:

• Honey Baby Naturals Knot My Honey Instant Detangler
• Honey Baby Naturals Honeychild Moisture & Scalp Balance Gentle Shampoo (You will LOVE this shampoo for its lightweight application and scent”>
• Honey Baby Naturals Honey Shea Butter Hair Smoothie

HPO

Happy People Only, or HPO, prides itself on using cruelty-free ingredients to produce hair and skin products for everyone to enjoy. Its sulfate-free products feature all-natural ingredients that nourish curls of every pattern and provide daily reinvigoration to all skin types. To strengthen limp curls with wheat protein and refresh skin while cutting your wash day routine down, reach for refresh Hair & Body Shampoo with Avocado and Orange zest. For all textures that need spa-level TLC, try the following curly hair products from HPO:

• Butter Drops – Jojoba and Citrus Heat Protectant
• Happy Scalp – Olive Oil & Rejuvenating Mint Extracts
• HPO Spa Hair Conditioner – Avocado & Wheat Protein

These are just a few of my healthy and happy ingredients-product favorites!

It’s exciting that hair care brands are taking the lead in natural-ingredients formulation bath and body products. The addition to the marketplace is welcome! Have you tried the hair and skin products I listed? If so, feel free to share your thoughts about them in the comments section below.

As ever, stay curly!

By gerilynhayes · Published October 19, 2017

GAP, Inc. and I have been in a long-term relationship for roughly twenty-five years. That’s right. We’ve been going together because I needed understanding during my grungy jeans-to-solid colors only development phases. GAP understood me on such a deep level that, yes, I fell into it. My young heart belonged to the parade of high cheekbones, sinewy arms, white tank tops, terry cloth crew necks, dewy skin, sans-jewelry throats and fingers, and devil-may-care mussed hair.

And, because I was an adolescent without a dime to my name, I couldn’t afford anything on offer to me, but my oh my how I wanted their clothes and accessories in my life.

We were perfect for each other! We liked the same things: well-worn denim, black and white photography and videography, minimal aesthetics, and LL Cool J.

Oh, GAP! I felt an unflinching desperation for something I could not have; for the first time, I felt desire! But why? Why did I feel this pull? Why did I want to wear nothing but the GAP brand every day of my teenage life? Because I never felt shut out or misunderstood by GAP, this constant force that I was always invited to fall into. And from those years of singing and rapping and dazzling me with ad campaigns that lit up the ‘gimme more’ lobe of my brain, I have been under the spell of GAP’s siren song ever since.

Even though our relationship bordered on unhealthy obsession, I still love GAP. And even though my boo has been in hot water for past ad campaigns, responsibility has been taken by its #squad.

There’s nothing I can do about my affection for GAP. We’re in a committed relationship and I’m happy.

Wow, G. You really love The GAP, huh?

Yep, and you must think I’m crazy, but why?

Think about it: What brand or car or Netflix series can you not live without? Even if you don’t want to admit it, you do have a favorite and you’ll do anything to get and keep it in your life.

And, I am here to tell you that it’s perfectly fine.

We’re consumers. It’s how we respond to the things which we consume.

Advertisers know this so, why are they getting the messaging so wrong?

Yikes!, image capture from @NayTheMua

Well, I have a theory about this…

Advertisers and brands have forgotten how to “woo” us. They don’t know what we want, anymore. Which is odd to me, but I theorize that it’s because they are following our social media focus, and not trying to win our hearts. There are some that are getting it right like Hamburger Helper and Cheerios, but there are some that are disinterested in tapping into our desires and values, forsaking us for a viral hit.

While trying to enter into conversations about race and gender and body image and all the things that have the potential to go viral, ad campaigns are going haywire by trying to cater to every single nuance of the human experience.

Newsflash, advertisers: You cannot be the representative of every narrative. What you can do is be real. And, yes, advertiser – this next part is for you :”>

NC Editor Cristina Cleveland told me, “I appreciate when brands align themselves with the kinds of real women I aspire to be. For me personally, that means women who are following their own path when it comes to career, doing interesting, meaningful work, and women who have unique and creative ways of expressing their personal style. It goes beyond just picking a model that has my skin tone or looks like me.”

Yassss, Covergirl! (Read the story on PopSugar“>

“I think Covergirl’s been doing a good job of this in their recent rebranding. Their new tagline “I am what I make up” speaks to this idea of using makeup as a creative tool in a way that’s personal to you. I haven’t started using Covergirl products, but I still appreciate it!”

Nowadays, Honesty is King.

Consumers like honesty because we want to trust brands that improve and enhance our quality of life. When consumers choose a product or service that fits their needs, they are entering into a relationship with the brand, potentially committing themselves for life. Hence my devotion to GAP.

When brands decide to cast a “1M fish in the sea” net to catch us all, just to see who will stick around, it is disingenuous, and, baby, we know it.

We know that you’ve reached the “selective hearing” stage of the relationship. We can tell that you have a wandering eye. We’ve been there. We’ve done that. We’ve broken up with so many brands, you’d probably think this post is about you.

So, where do we go from here?

Consumers Like Building Relationships with Brands.

As with any relationship, no one wants to be told who or what to be. This, I believe, is the most obvious failing of so many ad campaigns: dictating to the consumer who and what she needs to be in order for this product/service/relationship to work.

Representation matters, but assuming you understand me because a pixelated spec in a demographic slice on a digital pie chart is the supposed encapsulation of my human experience will cause an unanticipated backlash. You don’t own me.

So, why don’t you just talk to me? Get to know me, maybe? Ask me some questions because I have soooo many for you:

Do you know what my experience is? Let me answer that for you: You do not… so, why don’t you tell me a little something about yourself so I can see if I want to hang around a little longer? What makes you tick? Oh, you like that, too?! You’ve been doing this for how long? Where can I get what you’re selling, because I’m totes into it?

Loving this conversation between Cher and Future!

Consumers are actual humans; your advertising should be “human,” too.

“I love a great story,” entrepreneur and NC Editor Alexandra Wilson told me, “We are bombarded with so much information on a daily basis so for something to grab my attention and resonate it has to be relatable, heartfelt and entertaining. Most importantly, it should accurately represent the people portrayed in the commercial.”

We are not black vs. red lines. We are remarkable human beings; so, acknowledge it by showing us how you see us. We want to hear our voices and see ourselves through your eyes. If you continue to do this, showing us that you understand and you know us, don’t you know we won’t leave? That’s how this relationship works.

We’re giving you loyalty and feedback (even when you don’t want to hear it”>. Great products and confidence in our choice to stick with you is all we want in return.

We’re giving you loyalty and feedback (even when you don’t want hear it”>. Great products and confidence in our choice to stick with you is all we want in return.

So why do we get upset when you overlook or outright ignore the aforementioned simple demands?

Because No One Wants to Experience Buyer’s Remorse.

That’s right. We don’t want to break up with you because down line, we’re just not a good fit.

So, please remember, that when a consumer purchases your goods and services, you are entering into a relationship with her, so you’d better treat her right.

GAP, you know I love you, boo – thank you for keeping me entertained, intrigued, and wrapped in the softest cotton hard earned dollars can buy for a reasonable price.

As ever, consume (and advertise”> responsibly!