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I’ve said it before curlies, I’ll say it again: since it’s super obvious — I’m salty on an almost constant basis.
Artisanal salt though.
And although I can go out and do things that normal people unburdened with the 12-pack of Haterade I always have handy, I’m still a little miffed a lot of the time. Like when my straight haired peeps and I go out to “stimulate the economy”, there’ll be a few things I get irritated with. For instance:
They keep trying to put stuff ON me.
It’s a shame that this is only a platonic thing with women and girls here in the states, but us ladies get the benefit of brushing, adjusting, and dressing each other without a sexual stigma being attached to it. I’m a touchy feely person myself with people I’m close to, but what my less-textured friends haven’t all grasped is how to hold stuff up to me as a trial run properly. Earrings, necklaces, sunglasses, no one’s quiiiiiiiiite gotten the idea that putting them by my head or walking them forward towards my face doesn’t really work the same way.
Aim is a thing. Work on it.
Or better yet, just hand me the invariably small, easily snaggable thing. We can bond later in a way that won’t pull my hair out in public, I can do bad(ly”> all by myself. Like in this next part.
They’re Faster in the Fitting Room
Clothes shopping is my kryptonite no matter what. I fill my arms because I didn’t get a basket like a smart person, and it takes approximately forever. But with straight haired friends, even the ones as grabby as me, I’m always the last one out. Because they can slip in and out of things with ease and I…can’t.
While my girls are practically on their way to the food court and done, I’ve been stuck in this turtleneck for 15 minutes. The ‘jewelry attached to the shirt’ trend has physically bonded me with the last 5 tops I’ve tried on, possibly permanently, and my neck made a different sound for each one I tried to wrestle my hair out of. I can’t breathe, and I can’t open my mouth to yell for help, or my lipstick’s going to stain everything and I’ll have to buy it anyway. The fire department is no longer taking my calls.
Meanwhile Mittens here still gets white-glove service.
Necklines are just sizeist, that’s all. And speaking of sizism…
They Get To Buy HATS.
Okay, y’all have all seen my pictures
You know I have a big head, that’s fine. But my fat hair doesn’t make purchasing headgear an easy task. When AHS Coven aired and everyone decided they were a witch (that’s fine honestly, more black stuff for me too”> dark, wide brimmed floppy sunhats had A Moment™. And because I’m sometimes pleasantly surprised, I definitely did try on all the new one-size and “med/large” sizes in stores and I…well, I tried not to cry as my crew pocketed on-sale, goth chic sun protection while I couldn’t. Can there be a positivity movement for hair that means I can get hats at a specialty big girl store, Torrid/Lane Bryant style, like I do with my leggings and bralettes? Shoot. I have to go to business school now, don’t I.
They don’t even let you wear cute sweats like these in that major, I hate it already.
It’s stressful. Which brings me to the fact that…
…it’s hard to relax!
Maybe it’s the working class upbringing talking, but I’ve never been in a Brookstones. I do know that they carry those giant massage chairs though, and that they can’t technically tell you that you AREN’T there to buy one if you slip in to give it a test sit though.
I’m still judging her.
But the issue of 140 horsepower and fist-sized ball bearings beating the stress out of you is that it actually has to get in there. And since my hair’s in either the quintessential of the coily curlies, the twist out, or in go-to protective styles are crochet braids and unwieldy twists, the that’s a lot to try and go through before all my knots even surface. Could be that it’s time for me to take a pineapple into the outside world…but then I’d need someone else to drive me around…which warrants more stress and more massages, and the cycle starts all over again. Lastly…
They’re Always in my Stuff!
Do you know where we get the term ‘Holy Grail’ from?
It’s an ascended Arthurian myth that combined with the new (at the time”> Christian influence in Europe to give us the legend of a cup that would provide youth and abundance because it was the vessel that caught Christ’s blood at the crucifixion. In other words, they’re a one of a kind, BIG DEAL.
So why is it everyone that’s not coiled like me wants to stick their hands in my hair finds?
GET OUTTA THERE.
I take my friends past Sally Beauty stores fairly often as there’s one right by Dragon’s Lair, a comic book store here (muahahahahaha”>, and as we’re spreading out everything we all got it’s ‘Ooooooh, what’s this, lemme smell it, lemme touch it, lemme rub half the jar on my body’.
Can we not? I don’t grab the Tresemmé out of your bag, leave my Carol’s Daughter alone. From now on, I’m carrying a can of pennies to shake at them. I’d use a spray bottle, but I need that for myself.
Do I resent my straight haired friends?
Um…of course not. I can side-eye a few things without having a bad thing to say about my dork squad. Also, duh, I wouldn’t trade my hair for anything that wasn’t global financial literacy and legally mandated nap time. But sometimes you have to vent!
Is there anything that gets you a little jealous of or aggravated with your non-curly crew? Unburden yourself in the comments!
So you’re a college student now.
Which means you have a lot of well-meaning cliches coming your way. And a lot of horror stories.
And a lot of books….
But the best advice anyone will be able to give you is to SAVE. YOUR. MONEY.
Also the best advice anyone will be able to give you is TAKE. CARE OF. YOURSELF.
And those rules for school will appear to be at odds a lot of the time, but honestly, it doesn’t have to be. Your hair will still need your attention once you’ve left the nest and start pulling down those mid-term all-nighters, and you can very much still ‘treat yourself’ when you’re on your way to higher education on a budget. It doesn’t even have to get as drastic as recycling study-tears for a salt setting spray! Although you can. Experience says there’ll be a lot of those. But some more serious pointers include:
Getting a Wide Band Bonnet
College never saw me sleeping that well. Personally, I had to run out of my room to scream at people (playing the violin in the hallway at midnight, REALLY”>, or deal with snoring roommates, everyone and their snuck-in boyfriends’ alarms going off…mm. And the last thing you need to add to that headache is additional headaches. If you’ve got big brains in a big head, with big hair, and you’re too slippery of a sleeper for scarves, try bonnets with a wider elastic band, at least the width of two fingers, so that nothing’s pressing into your head at night.
Take Your Vitamins
As much as I very much DID stress eat and gain weight upon entering college, I’d like to sub out the Freshman 15 myth with the realities of the Freshman Food Desert. If you don’t have access to a kitchen, easy transport to and from groceries, full-size fridge, and so on, you’re going to be eating a lot of crap by necessity—and it’s not your fault!
Those dining hall dollars only go so far too…
But you DO still need the nutrients—your brain is not going to function without your body doing the same! And your hair is going to be one of the first places you start seeing any deficiencies. Stock up with a good multivitamin, talk to your doctor if you can, and make sure you’re supplementing all that free meet & greet pizza with what your curls need to thrive.
Soft Scrunchies
If you have enough hair to tie back, you already know what happens when you don’t have a hair tie on hand. Sure, the elegant flop your curls do across your forehead can be cute, but after pushing it back for the 15th time in a five-minute span, you’re not paying attention to your notes anymore, and you look more frustrated than fetching. And we’re not even getting INTO what happens when it is in your face as you’re booking it across campus.
Protip: Look at a MAP before scheduling your back-to-back classes.
But pineappling, sloppy bun-ing, and just plain tossing that hair back into a ponytail is going to take a toll on your strands if you’re not using the right bands. You want elastic safely tucked into some plush satin-y fabric so that your hair’s not being pulled by woven fabric, rubbed dry by cotton, or snagged on metal bits. For style purposes of course, you’ve got free rein over your mane! But if you’re looking to keep your hair healthy, you want to make sure your everyday hair tie is a soft and silky one.
A Water Filter
Although hydration is super-duper, extra, mega, ultra important, I don’t actually mean one for your fridge and internal purposes.
Still though, I can’t stress the importance of proper hydration enough.
Because you don’t know the hardness, PH, etc of the water you’ll be moving to (unless you’re majoring in that particular field”>, you want to make sure you’re filling your spray bottle with the best you can get. I’ve already gone on record as having 0% of an issue buying SmartWater and other such fancy nonsense H2O to put in my misters, HOWEVER, your Auntie April is grown and already getting a dent in her student debts. If you’re just starting out, it’s much smarter to make the one-time investment towards a filter (+ the replacement charcoal dealies”> for the water you’ll be putting on your hair and in your body.
Actually, now that I say it, maybe I should get one too….
Does all this seem like you’re eating into your textbook budget?
Sure it might—on the surface. But remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Also, a stitch in time saves nine. Basically what I’m saying here is that if you DON’T do the things that’ll make your hair fall out in clumps (besides attending college in the first place, ba-dum-tssh”>, you won’t need to spend time stressing about it, or money trying to fix it after the fact.
College is a tumultuous period in anyone’s life—it’s a whole new world, and you’re almost there! Study up, make sure to listen to your body, and keep up your faith in yourself. If no one else is rooting for you, we are.
High school is a transition period for most of us.
Not just for your hair either.
Generally, classes get more challenging, social interactions are more self-directed, puberty does its… various horrifying painful things, and so on. All the preparations you’ve been making to keep moving up in class start to share focus with a real ramping up in preparations to be an independent adult.
And nothing says “being an adult” like fussing over money!
Good kitty.
Yeah, ideally you want to make sure you know how to keep as much as possible on hand in case of emergency. Whether you have a job, an allowance, several scholarships that you’re applying for, or all three, you’ll still want to cut corners wherever you can in case of things like FAFSA clerical errors or a surprise networking gala. Yes, really.
So as you’re learning to manage money and the rest of your life for the rest of your life, what are a few essentials you need to make sure you have? Start with:
Bobby Pin Boxes
First off, maybe get one with a lid…
We all lose our pins and scrunchies. I as a fully grown adult have bought extra packs, only to do a quarterly deep clean and find all the extras I was missing. Sometimes even whole, unopened packs of both. It’s um…kind of embarrassing. I’m sure I had a good reason for keeping some in my formal shoes, but for the life of me I don’t remember it. In any case, you’ll want to get a hold of multiple little jars or boxes to put your most easily lost accessories in every room that you can. Keep a box in the bedroom by your nightstand or mirror, put one in your backpack for PE, and stash another in a bathroom drawer if you don’t have the counter space. The important thing here is that you keep the box in the same place every time and that that place is right next to where you take your pins off and put them back on again. Keep putting them away as you go, and make your collection rounds regularly if you tend to take your hair down right when you flop on the couch. It’s well worth the money you’ll save buying them up and the time you’ll save hunting them down.!
A Metal Water Bottle
Hair. Needs. Hydration. That means inside AND out. If you aren’t keeping up with your water intake, you’re missing out on staying healthy, your skin will suffer, and hey you know what your scalp is? Skin. No, technically not ALL of your problems can be solved with upping your water consumption (sometimes you need tea”>, but unless you’re doing some idiot young person silly YouTube chug challenge, it never hurts. But it doesn’t have to hurt you financially. Take the time to find a bottle with a wide mouth for easy filling and adding ice. And rather than get one with a rubber spill-proof lining or leaky sports top, opt for one that has a screw top that goes into the bottle rather than outside. It’ll be one less thing to have to remove, sanitize, and replace if you get a bit forgetful and things get stale in there. Happens to all of us. You can find these guys for a decent price in the ‘impulse buy’ section of any Ross or Ross type store, but if your school has a clear-containers only policy, get a good hard plastic that doesn’t “squish” when you squeeze it. The books you’ll have right next to it aren’t cheap, and they aren’t light either…I found out the hard way.
A Mini Blender
Fancy glass not included…or necessary.
Drinking your fruits and veggies is a great way to get your nutrients in FAST. Compare trying to eat a salad during passing period to taking a quick swig of some homemade goodness on your way across school. Depending on where you live in proximity to a grocery store, making your own blends is actually incredibly quick, cheap, and easy. Handful of leafy greens + cup of pre-cut frozen fruit = nourishment that will keep your hair, skin, nails, and expanding brain in their best working condition for less cash than ready-made bottles and a lot less sugar. You can get a decent one for $20 these days, but for those on an even tighter budget, I can guarantee your local second hand shops will have at least one at all times from people that give their fad diets up.
Protips on these guys: Clean out the rubber liner every time. Your pulp is going to get under there and start decomposing/drying out in layers, and you’ll ruin the spill-proofness with all the buildup.
Mini Spatulas
“Part of being an adult is “We got food at the house”-ing yourself” – Jackie Brown
It’s funny because it’s true. And it’s the same for hair products. Once you find your holy grail stuff, it’s going to be worth its weight in gold—almost literally when you consider the cost of growth products to get back any hair you might have lost with some missteps on your journey. So you need to get in those jars and get every last drop before you move on to the next. The same silicone spatulas that get all the cake batter out of the bowl come in easily purchased mini-sizes that can get into every corner of your jar and make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. To be fair, the few cents you save each time might not seem like much, but even pennies add up. It’s a solid investment, and from what I’ve found, they’re often sold in packs of two…which means one extra one for getting the very last of the peanut butter (or your smoothies”>!
So. Ready to start saving?
It’s never too early to learn the best habits you can for holding on to some of your income. Go forth, curl, and conquer with Auntie April’s blessing.
Got any extra hair-care saving hacks to pass down to the youth of today? You know where the comment section is—and contributing is 100% free!
So things are shifting around in the Essence Magazine camp.
Time Inc, full shareholder of the company for some twelve years, has announced that although Essence remains one of its “core publications”, they’re looking to grow the brand name by selling a majority of the shares. For those of us that aren’t as business savvy (so…me, basically”>, being a shareholder essentially means that while one is not fully legally liable for a company’s failures, your own fortunes are tied to the company’s success. And as you’d have put money into the purchase of those portions of semi-ownership, you’d have some say in the general direction of that company’s movements.
Because of that level of control, naturally, people are calling for a group of black investors to take over those shares in order to keep the magazine true to its roots of prioritizing the needs of black American women in all of our multitudes. Or at least many of our multitudes. I wouldn’t pick up an Essence issue expecting to find the same things I would in AfroPunk, but that’s neither here nor there.
To get to the heart of the issue, I wonder—does not having a personal stake in the troubles/triumphs of your audience necessarily equal complete tone-deafness? After all, despite being a publication for black American women from the jump, Essence was founded by four men in the 70s that noticed black women weren’t being catered to. However, though it’d be nice to say with complete certainty that anyone can found anything as long as they’re getting the right information out, Essence had experienced some representation hiccups with heavily featuring only lighter complexioned, slender models in the early 2000’s, as documented by this study by Vanessa Hazell and Juanne Clarke, after having 49% of its shares taken over by Time Inc. When Time took full ownership of all shares in 2005, it marked the first time a black magazine had been under white ownership and what I can imagine were a lot of concerned readers. In 2011, Michael Bullerdick was named managing editor of the publication amidst controversy about his being a white male, then shifted from that position the next year after racially incendiary remarks were found on his personal social media. So considering Essence’s history, surely that’s all the more reason to hope it gets pushed in the direction of a black and majority womanly board of investors?
So in sync they even coordinated their outifts. I’m into it.
Well, I love seeing sisters succeed, so I do have my own reasons for wanting that. But in the more broad sense of ‘Is this the only way the publication can be any good?’ I don’t actually have an answer…yet.
Trust me, I’m surprised too.
It wasn’t until my 20s that I learned different brands I consumed were often owned by parent companies. The day I found out my fun “quirky” little Odwalla drinks were owned by Minute Maid, which itself is a division of The Coca-Cola Company, I practically went into conniptions.
And that was before I looked at the sugar content.
Certainly in the scheme of being alive and cognizant, that’s not a lot of years, or in fact atypical of most consumers. But that’s the reason I don’t have a straight answer—I can’t always say for certain that I know who owns what I buy or click. With regards to media consumption, most of the publications I read at least have an author byline letting me know who people are, and I can follow the outlet itself on social media and at least have some clue of their sense of ethics even if I rarely delve into whose name is stamped on everything. I just share what I share, read what I read without doing much research into the name on all the checks. It’s really only when I notice a trend of unsavory stuff that I start following any trails. Were I to find out today that Wear Your Voice was owned by Pfizer some-crazy-how, it’d only be after they’d published something about how medical markups help everyone by weeding out “the poors”, and not while they’re giving me hot intersectional takes, and feel-good gems like these. Similarly, while I’d like to think I’d still do my utmost at research and representation, if I were to be hired into a ‘President-King of all Media’ type position by an organization like ADAPT, an advocacy group for the physically disabled, I could more than understand why audience suspicion would be tossed my way.
We’ll have to see what the future holds for Essence. But hopefully, whatever happens will bring out the best in the publication.
I have a reputation in my circle of friends as a “fun vampire”.
I swoop in on wings of realism and just suck the magic out of everything. Go on, give me a topic, any topic. I’ll leach everything you’ve ever loved from it, and bake salted caramel brownies with a reduction of your tears.
Resistance is futile, and I can present 11 paragraphs +a works cited page why.
One subject I usually always have a bone to pick with is self-help, especially where advice on how to follow your professional dreams is concerned. And sure, I sound like the Grinch, but there are aspects of this expectation of being able to “follow your bliss” that I really can’t stomach.
I’ve seen the volumes and volumes of articles and books and inspirational macro-images about how ‘if you don’t work on your dreams, you’ll work building someone else’s’. Speaking as someone that doesn’t exactly own the means of production at her own job, that’s a really narrow minded and hurtful sentiment. What would that even be as a writer…stock in WordPress? I digress.
Check out this cute comic from one of my favorite nerds, Kevin Bolk:
See the point being made there?
We all know full and completely well that no one wakes up with dreams of unclogging sewage, but not only do several thousand someones the world over have to, it’s more than a little demeaning to imply that they’ve failed somehow.
We NEED people in unglamorous jobs, believe it or not. Our world as we know it would literally stop, and stop violently without this work.
Great smile, right?
She’s laughing, thinking of how everyone pointing her out to their kids as a bad example would literally drown in dead plants and litter after one week of her taking off. Y’all ever slipped on a pile of uncleared leaves on the sidewalk? That’s how you land yourself in urgent care, let me tell you.
And speaking of care? There’s no better feeling than knowing you can pay your bills. Massage therapists notwithstanding, there’s only so much a scented candle and a deep rub will do if you’re going back home to ‘Final Notice’ letters on the coffee table because you’re holding out for something you don’t actually need. Lara Witt and Cameron explore that a little more in this great interview that’s been helping me whenever I sacrifice my Sunday nail-doing in order to re-organize yet another box of April B essentials.
So honestly, if you’re working an admin, manual labor, food services, or other unsexy gig, and you’re feeling like you’re not living up to your potential just due to the nature of your profession? Take solace in the fact that not only are you and your job necessary and 100% valid, but also that there are people with a vested interest in making sure that you feel perpetually miserable about not being something you aren’t.
DISCLAIMER: If you’re unhappy in your work because it’s actually draining you, hurting you, underpaying you or otherwise making your life worse despite the check, none of this applies to you, and I’m so sorry that you’re going through it! Also, you deserve better, and I love you.
I personally take comfort in knowing that although I don’t OWN the publication I work for, I’m not personally suited to the the realities of of running a business, nor my other childhood dreams of dancing professionally and being a marine biologist—just like I’m not suited to meditation that requires you to stay still. And forcing myself into thinking that I NEEDED to work in a top-tier family-dinner-humblebrag worthy position or I’ve let myself down lead to a lot of unnecessary wasted time feeling negatively about how I was doing in life. Mostly while I was trying to meditate.
And just like I’m not suited to certain things, maybe you aren’t either! If you’ve been reading this and getting irritated at how I seem to be suggesting complacency, take a deep breath and then shoot for your dreams! I’m the last person that’s going to tell you not to go after what you want. This is more about making sure that you’re not uncomfortable just for the sake of not being somewhere that’s going to elicit ‘Ooohs and ahhhs’ from anyone you give your business card to. Even NASA needs office managers. And that’s 100% okay.
It’s all good.
So where do you fall, curlfriends? Are you feeling better about where you are? Or are you dissatisfied with mere satisfaction?
Sound off in the comments!
Who ever said Buzzfeed was just a repository for time-wasting listicles, demographic info-gathering quizzes, and the ramblings of people with too many hours in their day?
Oh right, that was me. While I was on Buzzfeed. With something like 15 other tabs open that were also all Buzzfeed.
I was reading the comments too, shoot…
But what most people, Past-April included, that pooh-pooh the site out of hand don’t understand is that it’s not all just fun and games to be read out in 5ish minute intervals. There are also well-researched long form pieces and some pretty cracking original series to be found!
Also my future husband a guy I’d love to get a good cup of tea with.
Love seeing dudes that aren’t afraid to take themselves a little less seriously.
Most relevant to everyone’s interests here though, is that amongst these more in-depth pieces are loads of positivity laden content centered on natural black hair!
Although Buzzfeed has posts for about every topic you could think of (and several that you didn’t need to”>, in May 2017 I noticed that more and more content was being created for black women’s hair, and I couldn’t have been more excited! I mean, now when I say I’m doing research instead of just admitting I wanted a brain break, I REALLY mean it!
…er…I mean, I’m super thrilled that such a large far-reaching platform is giving attention to such a wonderful demographic. Yeah, that.
Well, let’s not worry about the reasoning behind my excitement, let’s look at some of my favorites here!
Nappy Is Simply A Hair Texture, Not An Insult
Because I’m a word nerd (hello, employed as a writer here”> I believe heavily in the power of context. Any word or phrase can be used to hurt someone when you put that intent behind it. See “princess” or “pretty boy” or even your own name if it’s said insultingly enough.
That said, I appreciate the push to de-contextualize the term “nappy” from its default insulting status and re-contextualize it as something to be proud of calling yourself. Of course, we here at NaturallyCurly will probably keep ‘Coily’ as our phrase for Type 4 textures. A nappy’s still a diaper across the Atlantic, and “kinky”…well that’s a whole other potentially NSFW thing to unpack. Probably gonna pick up a “Happy to be Nappy” shirt soon, though.
17 Photos of Shrinkage That Prove the Power of Black Hair
We’ve been over shrinkage actually being a GOOD thing, inasmuch as it indicates springy, healthy hair. And even though obsessing over growth and apparent length is bad for us, sometimes it can’t be helped! Unlearning is just as much a process as learning is, and we’ll all get there when we get there. Nevertheless, this collection of shrinkage photos is just TOO extraordinary.
Caution, magical coils ahead!
20 Twist Out Fails That’ll Make Every Natural Go “Me”
It’s not always shea butter and champagne when it comes to an afro-textured hair journey.
Sometimes it isn’t even Vaseline and Ocean Spray juice-drink, to be quite honest. And from time to time in coily folk’s lives, there’ll be a twist out that doesn’t quite do as we intended it to. The hair wants what it wants. It’s just that occasionally it wants to put us somewhere between a natural all over ‘fro and the defined style we were meant to have, and it’s…less than ideal.
Days like these, you just gotta toss a flower clip on things and keep it moving, but if you can laugh at yourself like these ladies did, you’re already a step ahead!
19 Photos That Prove Natural Hair Doesn’t Need Twist-Outs To Look Beautiful
Now THIS. This was a revelation.
Mind = Blown
You know that phrase “Be the person you needed when you were younger.”? Wise words from Ayesha A. Siddiqi. And this is the article I needed when I was starting out.
I stopped feeling the chemical burn in high school, and because conventional wisdom at the time was that you HAD to big chop or lose every last strand (I forgive you, mommy”>, I was feeling très insecure with my much shorter, much rounder ‘do. I wanted defined curls all day and with my level of expertise from then until fairly recently, had no recourse but to hate humid days, hate my look, hate myself for not having the resources to have extensions in constantly, and just make myself absolutely miserable on several fronts. This gorgeous index of afros in different shapes and sizes would have been a godsend at that time, and is even now!
It may seem hypocritical to juxtapose this photo-listicle with the twistout fails, but there’s a huge difference between a halfway style misstep and a look that’s meant to be perfectly untouched (so to speak”> just as it comes.
How’s that for some quality curl-reading?
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out the authors of these great pieces. If you think you can handle the fabulosity, check out more trend-worthy natural hair clickables by Buzzfeed staffers Patrice Peck and Essence Grant! It’ll be the best break you’ve ever taken, guaranteed.
Did y’all have any favorites among these fine ladies’ work?
Shout out the ones you’ve bookmarked in the comments!
When I was younger I would mentally sneer at women age 40 and up not “dressing their age”.
I know, I know. Not great behavior. Mommy always did and still does maintain that I was an awesome kid; but, like all teenagers, I still had some ways to go as far as wringing out all the idiocy of childhood before I could become a decent adult. And as I learned and grew, I saw how willing society was to tear down women past age 25 for any little imagined infraction, especially as far style choices were concerned, and resolved to mentally police other women much much less (still side-eyeing socks with sandals, not sorry”>.
Then I turned 25, and got style-shamed for the first time related to my age, and not my texture.
The picture’s a little blurry, but I’m the one in the middle.
I happened to be able to roll my birthday party into a French Revolution themed event, and although I like to have fun with my outfits, the French flag colored bows were clearly part of my costume. But during the ‘How old are you now’ portion of everyone singing me the birthday song, an acquaintance chimed in with ‘And way too old to be wearing bows in your hair!’.
Yeah, what she said.
I was incensed, naturally—firstly because how DARE anyone tell me I can’t do ANYTHING in this life, and secondly, because it embodied that same policing that I’ve been trying so hard to shed. But it did get me thinking.
Is there such thing as ‘too old’ when it comes to adorning your curls? If one can be too old for ribbons, can one be too old for fro-hawks? Cornrows? Elaborate Pintrest worthy fishtail combos? Funky colors? If there’s a cutoff date, is there some sort of grace period? And who enforces this stuff anyway?
You always hear about the concept of ‘Aging with grace/dignity’, but honestly…I feel like that’s code for ‘Aging in a way that I find acceptable’. And what’s deemed acceptable somehow seems to tie back to not standing out, or not taking up too much space—not too big, not too loud, not too visible…basically the easier you make it not to notice you, the more approval you get.
Don’t get me wrong! Understated style is still style. I certainly wouldn’t tell Oprah that she had to look like Grace Jones lest she give in to her own oppression. I just wouldn’t accept a vice-versa. Also I’m 100% sure that trying to tell either of these great women anything would get me thrown out of the nearest building à la Uncle Phil and Jazz.
Furthermore, we here in the states spend a lot of time putting ourselves in a constantly preparatory stage. I feel like I’ve heard ‘You can’t wear your hair out NOW, what will happen when you have to go to debate championships/get into college/get a job/get promoted/become president-pope’ for years! And then once you’re retirement age, the line becomes ‘Well, you’re far too old for THIS’. Leaving the bounds of professionalism aside, when exactly am I supposed to be able to do what I want?
Side note, if anyone knows that what’s considered professional is heavily biased against naturally curly hair to begin with, it’s everyone here. But that’s another article…
Bottom line, my take is that even if I don’t LIKE something on someone, due to usually seeing it on younger people, no one makes it to X age to not do what they want. Having your curls get their own cool look is a triumph in and of itself, I say bring on the purple pigtails and hair bubbles no matter where you fall generationally. As long as it’s coming from the heart, and you look good to you, the naysayers can go pout elsewhere.
Also, two years later, and beyond, I’m not going to stop with the bows until I’m good and ready. So there.
Any thoughts, Curl Community?
Are certain hairstyles and accessories not acceptable past a certain age? Tell us your take!
Have you ever been so spoiled for choice it made you mad?
It’s a good problem to have…kinda. After all, it means that you have the ability to grab something awesome no matter which way you put your hand out. And sometimes you get the opportunity for multiple choice, like when I buy mango, rum raisin AND green tea Häagen-Dazs. But the “more is more” mentality that I get to apply with frozen treats, multiple plant butters, and infinitesimally different shades of lipstick doesn’t usually fly with more weighty beauty/maintenance items like blowdryers. It’s not like we’re talking about shoes here—heat styling tools tend to be a ‘one of each’ kind of deal.
If you don’t understand how each of these pairs in the background is fundamentally different, it’s okay, we just have different priorities.
We’ve already been past some fairly cool dryer features lately, and that list covers some of the larger criteria for a good dryer I think everyone should consider. However, if you’ve covered those and you’re still wondering about the little things that could make you take a more definitive side—this one is for you!
Removable intake grilles
Proper cleaning and grooming tools go together like staying hydrated and music festivals—they’re essential to one another. With hair dryers, cleaning attachments is usually easy enough, but there’s also the ventilation system to look at. Your dryer is only going to blow as effectively as its filter is clean. And your curls are going to be feeling the pain if you try to compensate for a thick layer of dust by cranking the temperature to more extremes, or leaving it on your hair for longer periods. It’s not always easy to get into the grille with a q-tip or canned air, which for those of us ‘smarter, not harder’ types is going to mean it’s not getting cleaned. Be honest with yourself, you’re among friends here, and you know who you are.
Try finding a dryer with a removable filter that allows for a quick and painless wipe on the regular, and you’ll be back at maximum efficiency with minimum hair shaft disruption!
Multiple temperature settings
I like control. The more options one tool can give me to bend it to my will, the more I’ll like it! Settings beyond ‘hot and less hot’ on your hair dryer will give you more of a hand in how your style comes out, and take the guess work out of how high of a temperature is TOO high for what you’re trying to get done. Just remember your heat protectant!
Travel capabilities
Who doesn’t love jetsetting around without the ability to do your hair as you prefer? If you’re a curlista on the go often, it’s not an option. Getting a hair dryer made to fold up and deliver the same power you need without the bulk can be a great suitcase bonus—especially if you’re living that ‘Everything in the carry on’ life. Retractable cords are also a great travel-friendly feature, since tighter and more frequent cord winding to compensate for space means faster wire insulation breakdown. And more electrical fires…which no one needs.
Travel hair dryers are the only exception to my ‘You should only need one’ standard about electric styling tools—but if you’re a minimalist type, or have limited space, the ability to fold down and reel in is a huge plus, and one of these might be your one and only! Don’t forget your power adapter if you’re going abroad!
Mounting Options
I’ve said this before: I need to have everything out in the open for me to remember that I have it. If there were a good way for me to keep my socks, stationary, and other personals on open-air shelves, I’d be doing it. Still waiting on the good folks at Pyrex and Whirlpool to collab on a clear refrigerator for me….
Fortunately some hair dryers come with options like built in loops and wall mount units for visible storage! That’ll keep them in sight, in mind, and neatly out of the way! For frequent heatstylers, it also means extra simple access. No need to keep that light under a bushel!
Color
“But April,” you’re saying. “That’s not really something you should be concerned about, right?”
Um…no? I cannot have form AND function? How could you suggest something so awful!
Melodramatic reactions aside, remember, these are little extras that might push something off your wishlist and into your shopping cart. And if I’ve narrowed my choice between a great gold and wine damask patterned dryer and a great neon coral one with pyramid stud details, I’m going with the former! Of course, dryers that elaborate only exist in my own head or the parts of the internet I’m not rich enough to know about, but the point still stands! Once all things are considered, if you’re down to the least essential criteria, follow your heart and/or your bathroom color scheme.
What do you think, Curl Community?
Is there anything I missed in this little three-part series? And what’s your most essential dryer feature?
Let me know!
I can’t do sitting still if I don’t have anything to focus on.
No, my breath DOESN’T count.
If I’m not in my jammies and unconscious, this brain has to stay activated. Point of fact, blanking my mind is actually very difficult for me. And considering the waves of articles and conversations touting the importance of stilling your thoughts, and being present, and serenity now, et cetera, it took me a long time to realize that my level of required thought processing is 100% okay! I’m a babbling brook, not a still pond. As long as you can relax in your own way, neither metaphorical body of water is better than the other.
Although one has fewer mosquitoes, just saying.
When it’s time for me to find my happy place, I have a few physical practices that are keeping me from becoming a serial arsonist; and one of the most meditative in my relaxation repertoire is making my own hair and body butters.
That’s my kit!
At least, it’s what all I could fit in this shot. Kind of a ‘Little Mermaid’ scenario, except less waterlogged. But it’s not a static collection by any means!
The only thing more exciting than researching the effects of different oils, waxes, and butters is getting to try and buy them all! I have simple pleasures…or at least you could say that if my collection weren’t as extensive as it is. I proudly live out the woman-targeted stereotypes of loving to heal and loving to shop, and the sheer breadth of different types of raw materials you can purchase for just as many purposes makes my head spin in the best way!
I take my skin health seriously—never forget that it’s literally a bodily organ, and the largest one you have!! Caring for it isn’t some shallow pursuit—dryness, cracking, infection, movement inhibiting scars, and more can be ameliorated with the right kind of pampering. And when that skin is your scalp specifically, that translates to better hair health as well. The seriousness factor doesn’t keep me from having fun with unboxing and butter hauls, but it’s there!
Protip: If you’re acquiring raw materials in the summer, do it in person, or face the melty consequences.
Once I’ve got everything in place and a “recipe” in mind, getting down to work is fulfilling as well. Watching and smelling everything melt and meld together over my tea light trivet is refreshing! It’s a lot like cooking:
- Gather ingredients
- Blend until harmonious
- Slather all over your hair and body
…in fact, the way I eat sometimes, it’s exactly like cooking. But unlike all of my unfortunate alfredo sauce incidents, I get to get in a little auto-massage therapy afterward, and even during the creation process. The ‘I just made whipped hair butter’ all-over glow is REAL y’all.
As far as getting results go, I’m okay with leaving things to the professionals sometimes. I’ll admit that nothing I’ve made so far works as a hair lotion or style holder, and I’m too busy getting melted hemp butter everywhere to remember writing down any silly things like ‘measurements’ or ‘jar labels’. But where my spirit’s health is concerned, making my own emollient blends can’t be beat. I feel more in touch with my inventive nature and my ancestors through my craft, and I love having a tangible reward to go with my relaxation! It’s like a swag bag from a refreshing party for one.
Are you as into your cocoa butter cooking as I am? Shout out your favorite blends in the comments!
Nothing messes up a good story like an incomplete ending.
I mean, people are still making ‘Sopranos’ jokes, and it’s been a minute. As of writing, just shy of ten years’ worth of minutes actually. And any hairstyle is much the same way—if the roots are set, the curls are popping, but those ends are struggling? The whole thing is gonna fall flat. And if you prefer to keep things spiraled and sharp, that’ll be a pretty sour note.
Fortunately, as far as twist-outs go, getting those freshly released curls to a happy ending is easy! And things are especially simple with an instructor like the incredible Okwe. NaturallyCurly partnered with ORS Olive Oil for Naturals and this Houston, TX stylist’s expertise to put together a how-to to wow you—watch and learn!
Those are some sweet spirals right there.
Okwe used ORS Butter Creme Styling Smoothie to help with hold and moisture after her first round of sectioning. A good brushing through is what’s going to distribute the product evenly through each strand before she flat twists her hair down. The extra rollers there at her ends were the part of the equation that kept her ends so perfectly coiled!
Post dryer time, a little Hydrating Hair Butter on her fingertips kept flyaways from forming as she fluffed out her twists, while adding some extra moisture and shine at the same time!
Both of these products, and in fact the whole Olive Oil for Naturals line has the power of clarified butter, AKA ghee, behind the the rest of the expertly formulated ingredients! And because Okwe’s really been churning her super-smooth style sessions out, we have a whole playlist for you to look through on the NaturallyCurly YouTube channel. Not to milk a good tutorial series, but you’re going to want to watch cholester-ALL of them.
As always Curlies, if you take a page out of Okwe’s amazing tutorial book…show your work! Tag us @NaturallyCurly on any channel and show us what you got!
This post brought to you in partnership with ORS.
Being in a niche within a niche can get difficult.
A cocktail connoisseur with a gin allergy? Hard. A pro-gator wrestler that’s a single mom? Challenging! And if you’re a curly-coiffed super-styling individual with color-treated hair? Sometimes things get really hairy. How do you fight frizz, enhance curl, reduce breakage and keep your color vibrant for as long as possible?
Unless she’s a colored curlista herself, alligator-mom might have it easier…
But the best thing about fitting into a smaller space is that you don’t need much to help you fill it! That’s why ColorProof partnered with us to showcase their expanded product repertoire that includes the TruCurl system—bottles in blue powered by their exclusive IllumaCurl Complex!
IllumaCurl’s ingredients include sugar cane, seaweed, and abyssinian, camellia, and grapeseed oil infusions to help curls keep clean, conditioned, and structured with the smooth spring they deserve without stripping color!Let’s bring a few of these products to light…
Let’s get a closer look at these guys…
Cleanse & condition!
The TruCurl Curl Perfecting Shampoo and Curl Perfecting Condition work together to slip off everything your hair doesn’t need that is weighing it down, without sending your color down the drain!
Shape things up!
Grab some TruCurl Curl Perfecting Crème to shape and smooth curls, fight frizz through any weather, and protect your hair from any style-induced heat damage. You’ll love the way you shine!
Set your style!
The CurlyLocks Color Protect Curl Mousse isn’t your classic crunchy formula. This is going to be the ultimate in bold hold that will enhance your curl memory, keep your style in place, and let your colored curls gleam—literally and…literally!
You could say the ColorProof is in the color pudding.
Ready to keep your new hue, dyed in the wool curlistas? Buy the brand in blue here at colorproof.com!Stay tuned for more product spotlights by subscribing to our newsletter!
And if you’re loving how TruCurl’s IllumaCurl Complex is lighting up your locks, share pics and tag @naturallycurly with #colorproofhair, we can’t get enough!
Your entrepreneurial spirit is indelible. That is why your curls should always reflect a can-do attitude at all times!
The NaturallyCurly Video Team partnered with Design Essentials to highlight a remarkable woman whose daily wake up and slay routine is one you will want to incorporate into your life. Take a look at the inspiring Kimberly Finley, co-owner of The Listening Tree Booktique!
Get the maintenance and styling tools Kimberly uses to get luscious finger coils and that boss lady style:
- Kimberly uses the nourishing Design Essentials Coconut & Monoi Coconut Water Curl Refresher for her second-day styles.
- She follows up with Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curling Crème, which features a blend of avocado and almond oil, to define her curls.
- There are more Holy Grails in Kimberly’s collection, including the Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner, Almond & Avocado Nourishing Co-Wash, and Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse (which is sensational for style-setting finger coils and other super cute styles”>.
Learn more about Kimberly Finley by visiting The Listening Tree Booktique today!
What are your favorite women-owned businesses?
Comment! Like! Share! Subscribe to the NaturallyCurly YouTube Channel for more amazing, inspired content like this!
This video and post are both sponsored by Design Essentials!
There’s something to be said for minimalism.
We can pretty much guarantee that I won’t be saying it, I’m too busy dusting all my stuff. But my personal “Tia Dalma meets Marie Antoinette” aesthetics/approach to haircare/life in general aside, having just one good no-frills tool for one good job can be a great thing.
However, in terms of styling your hair with heat, for those of us that do, paring down your options isn’t always the best choice. Once you have your heat protectant and the best dryer for your hair type and needs in hand, you might see that the usefulness of these blow dryer accessories well outweighs the extra cost and/or cabinet space when it comes to keeping your curls at their best!
Perfection doesn’t just happen after all.
Unfortunately.
So what can you use on your blowdryer to make all that hot air more than just sound and fury? Try these on for size:
A Coolshot Button
Know why dryers can cause more frizz and roughness? It’s not just from the comb breaking your fragile curls off directly, it’s because the heat literally opens the shaft of your hair!
Swivel Cords
This was a particular pain point for me once I moved out and started doing my own hair. Apparently it’s a lot easier to ‘Bend your head’ (love you, Mommy!”> when you’re not also the one handling it, especially because your very hot tool will not always want to bob and weave the way you want it to. Swivel cords allow for much easier maneuvering when you’re styling yourself, and they really help out your wrists, neck, and elbows not have to take on flexibility beyond their natural range.
Extended Cords
Much like a swivel cord, an extended cord is going to help with your flexibility, but will have the added bonus of letting you move your body around as well. Have you ever had to move a couch to get to the only outlet in the room you could dry your hair from? Redecorate entirely? Stay uncomfortably close to the communal bathroom sink that someone left their food in for some reason (dormitory flashbacks, eww”>? That’s where a cord that lets you roam comes in handy.
Lower Volume
This one’s for our cufrlfriends that blowdry often. Your hair’s probably very well protected if you’re using dryers every week or more, so kudos there. But what about your ears? Hair dryers tend to average out around 100 decibels, or if you’re not into sound science, about the level of an incoming subway. Not the sandwich, either. And unlike the trains, hopefully, your blow dryer is coming right at your head from every side! Finding a lower volume dryer for your higher volume hairstyles is going to help save your hearing, and maybe even let you early-morning style with a little less griping from anyone else in the house.
So what do we think, Curlies?
Can you see yourself styling and profiling with any of these bits in pieces? Shout out in the comments if you didn’t know what you needed, or if you have brand recommendations with features you love!
As always, keep up on the editors’ latest by signing up for the newsletter, and stay tuned for dryer design part deux!
Because I’m my parents’ child (Caribbean skeptics, go fig”>, I definitely have mixed feelings on the term “superfood”.
On one hand, it definitely can’t hurt to incorporate a higher concentration of healthful ingredients into your everyday when you can—on the other hand, since there are exactly 0 established parameters for what makes a superfood so super, you could literally put the term on the label of some caramel-covered shortening without worrying about the FDA stopping by. Given the sugar content of some of these “antioxidant-packed” drinks out here, I’m not certain I’m too far off. But I am certain that your diet is going to be one of the keys to better overall health, which is going to show itself via your hair in a major way, and I am very certain that living off of canned soup and my multivitamin is going to catch up with me at some point.
With that in mind, I set out to make myself a good, hair-healthy, super filling meal with some of the foods we know to be actually loaded with the nutrition we need.
Shoutout to the NaturallyCurly design team for letting me take home the professional camera, and shoutout in advance to y’all for appreciating the fact that I am, hmmm, not skilled in photography. Or possessed of a dining room table. I’m just living too fast for being either…honest.
Appetizer: Savory Quinoa “Shakshuka”
Eggs and quinoa are going to be the curl-friendly stars of this dish considering the loads of growth enhancing protein and biotin that they both provide. I fell in love with the original North African dish (jury’s still out on which country exactly, and I’m not taking sides”> of eggs poached in spiced tomatoes, sometimes served over starches like butterbeans, chickpeas, or in this case, the starch-esque quinoa.
I cheated with pre-made tomato spread and a separately cooked sunny-side-up egg, but you can’t argue with the results, or the taste! Quinoa cooks with exactly the same rules as rice, so it’s simple as boil, season, bon appétit!.
Main Course: Smoked Salmon and Mini Carbs
While I’ll eat pretty much anything, I’m actually not the biggest fan of most fish, especially the powerfully flavored salmon. The hair/skin hydrating (hint, your scalp IS skin”> omega 3 and vitamin E content of its meat did make me stop to reconsider though. Millions of bears can’t all be wrong, and they’ve got great hair. After a bit of taste testing, I settled on smoked salmon, topped it with a few spices and with lemon, some crunchy carbohydrates, and a double duty garnish/light salad it was game on.
Check out the dressing dots I added for extra fanciness!
Dessert: Candied Almonds, Cottage Cheese, and Fresh Fruit
Almonds and cottage cheese are the last stop on our hair-health meal train, but that doesn’t mean they’re just desserts. Like salmon, almonds are chock-full of proteins, vitamin E, and omega 3s, but they’re also packing a good load of zinc, which aids cellular response to stimuli like our other nutrients here. Keeping things simple with a handful of candied almonds suits me fine, although I will keep in mind that marzipan is made of almond meal for next time.
Cottage cheese doesn’t have much in the way of vitamins, but it is abundant in the way of whey! Whey protein is easily absorbable, keeps our tummies full, and including it in the diet rather than supplementing with shakes is (unless you’re an actual athlete, which I am 300% not”> a much better method to getting healthy growth! The casein protein in it also contains glutamine, which is shown to stimulate hair follicles. It’s like a Russian nesting doll of growth ingredients, and it paired great with this peach.
Dinner for two—me, and my hair!
Do you have any favorites in the way of these ingredients?
Let us know what hair-healthy meals you like to make!
Want more healthy living and lifestyle tips like this? Sign up for the NaturallyCurly Newsletter!
Do you ever feel like only a few natural ingredients get the spotlight?
There’s good reason for that—earth-friendly components like peppermint oil, shea butter, and the almighty coconut oil work really well for a lot of people. But that’s not the case with everyone. And for those of y’all whose skin and hair don’t really pick up what coconut oil’s putting down, the constant fascination with its effects can seem a little…off-putting.
Same, Chief. Same.
However, unless you have an honest-to-medical-science allergy to everyone’s favorite palm tree byproduct, you might find that it’s not necessarily the coconut oil itself that’s getting you and your curls all bothered, it’s the concentration of it.
“All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison.” — Paracelsus
Maybe straight-up coconut oil just isn’t your thing, but you can still take advantage of the way the oil penetrates if you partner it up with some other ingredients. So whether you’re DIYing it up with the double boiler, or reading the backs of bottles like a good curly, these are a few issues that you can solve by pairing coconut oil with a few other select ingredients, buddy-cop movie style.
Problem: It just GETS everywhere.
Okay, once coconut oil melts, like most oils, it tends to get pretty slippery. As in, you could comb a half melted chunk through your hair, flick it all the way across the room and not notice until the missing piece has melted all over your stuff, not that I’m still mad. But if you need it to STAY on your hair or scalp long enough to actually do what it’s meant to, you’ll want to combine it with beeswax. A little of the stuff melted goes a long way, and has shining properties that go along with its natural sealant nature.
Problem: I need something more strengthening
There’s a myth floating around that says coconut oil imparts proteins into your hair with each use. Unfortunately, that’s just…not the case. If you’re looking for something to strengthen your hair, you’ll need to find something with added keratin or milk proteins to firm things up. Otherwise, you’re welcome to introduce other contaminants, but remember, not every gross find is going to turn out to be a diamond in the rough like penicillin. I’ll be leaving this one to the scientists, personally.
Problem: It’s not keeping my moisture in.
Bees are the MVP. Seriously. They go around pollinating our world, and giving us this next ingredient—honey. Honey, and its byproducts like honeyquat or honey extract, all serve to moisturize your hair with some pretty bomb humectant action. The same properties that make honey edible for literally thousands of years are going to keep your hair adequately hydrated and soft in a way that coconut oil alone might not be able to handle.
Thanks, ladies.
Problem: It’s TOO HEAVY.
Okay, so you need the cortex penetration of coconut oil…but it’s either weighing down your fine curls, clogging your pores, or both, and you’re about done with it all. Cystic acne hurts, I get it. Blending coconut oil with a much lighter oil however, your jojobas, your almonds, etc can give you and your hair gets the best of both worlds! If you’re worried about runoff, see above for beeswax, or check out some wide cloth headbands to keep things isolated while you’re applying your hair treatments.
Protip for acne: Make sure you’re WASHING those headbands on a regular basis. Snag a variety pack and some garment bags so you can keep things hygienic.
Problem: I need softness!
Luxury is relative. My brief stint living in the woods of Alabama as a little April saw the development of my having a bathroom with a skylight, and me just losing all of my nine-year-old beans about it because of how fancy it was. And of course it was great for birdwatching. Because we lived. In the woods. But no one of any class background can make an argument about silk not being super luxe. The amino acids, also called sericin, are water-soluble proteins that help impart moisture, serve as a protective barrier to hair, AND give products a super silky feel.
Special shout out to the Yangshao Chinese people that got started on this all those centuries ago!
So now that you know everything you can about cutting your coconut oil (so to speak”> with other great ingredients, do you feel any more confident about using it in your routine?
Weigh in about how you’ve been weighed down, and how you might like to proceed with the Curl Queen of Oils!
You know what we’re all about here? Samples.
As in racks upon racks of sweet trial products, throwing little test baggies up in the air and making sample-angels, muling pounds of stuff to our loved ones and breaking the handles on our reusable bags kind of all about.
But you know what ELSE we’re into?
Embracing all kinds of textured hair, and getting you the inspiration bump you need.
Our curlfriend Caroline here is rocking some fine-width type 3 curls, and with some heat protection and some of the Coconut Restore line on hand, we’re going to blow her up and out with a style that’s perfect for her slender strands, and simple too!
Check out this Tropical Faux-Hawk Pictorial we created using the entire Coconut Restore line!
Isn’t she gorgeous?
Kind of a Joan Jett/ Tina Turner mashup there, what’s not to love? And speaking of love, let’s talk products!
First step was a cleanse and condition with the Moisture Replenishing Shampoo and Daily Strengthening Conditioner.
This sulfate-free duo features a combo of coconut oil, shea butter, and milk proteins between them that guarantees the goodness gets through the cortex of your hair, but rinses clean without leaving any heaviness behind.
We then moved on to the Curl Control Leave-In Conditioner!
Much like our last step by step star, Julissa, Caroline’s hair only needed a light touch of this leave-in while her hair was still damp. The formula’s not going to be the one to give shape to Caroline’s Type 3 curls though—this is 100% for moisture retention and extra conditioning without the weight of something like a pudding or custard. For shape, we’re turning to this last guy.
Finishing moves were executed with the Styling & Setting Gelee.
This is an alcohol-free moisturizing gel we used to shape our model’s sweet spirals, and help lay her hair flat outside of the banana clips. It’s light, yet strong, and easily re-workable, so Caroline’s hair isn’t going to harden in place, or buckle under pressure.
We’ve got two ladies of different subsets within our main hair types down!
What’s next after long waves and shoulder length curls? You’ll have to follow along four (Get it? Get it?”> the next Coconut Restore Tutorial Installment to see how the line works for coil queens.
The best way to keep up with us is by getting into the NC Newsletter by the way.
And hey, if you do this ‘do? Don’t hesitate for a moment to let us know! We love the mentions on all channels, so please please please show us what you got!
Austin is pushing out all of its artists.
More accurately, NaturallyCurly’s hometown has been pushing out its more vulnerable residents, especially in older established neighborhoods of color. The loss of artists that still depend on at least a part-time, stable “straight job” to not starve while they sell and perfect their craft (see also: 95% of artists”> is being profoundly and exponentially felt with every new development. Not only are rising neighborhood costs and living costs a threat, the new neighbors don’t always play nicely.
Seriously, who builds a hotel next to a live music bar only to get litigious about the music?
The media savvy among us will note the date on that article, but if y’all don’t know how enduring my irritation can be just keep following me here and you’ll get it.
Of course there are still strong pockets of colorful, even subversive spaces in the city, but Austinites and firmly rooted Austin transplants all discuss the city’s art, art space, and artist hemorrhages like the weather.
“Heard a cold front’s coming in, gonna wrap up all my outdoor succulents, and by the way, did you hear the Sekrit Theater is being sold?”
With each shuttered door, Austin is losing its luster faster than badly maintained blonde. Beau Reichert of said Sekrit Theater choosing to keep his sanity and re-set up shop in New Mexico was understandable, but knowing the theater wasn’t going to be the same was a surprisingly deep personal loss. I spent hours over years in the city listening to poetry readings, dodging children in Halloween costumes, and even watching vintage cinema blown up on Beau’s outdoor screen there.
To say nothing of all the time I spent climbing into whatever was sturdy enough for photo ops…
And although the realtors involved are Beau’s friends that are doing their best to only entertain offers from people that would maintain the space as an art hub, or educational plot, I still teared up discussing the end of an era with them. To hear more native Austinites speak, this ball has been rolling since about the time I was born, so although I’m old enough to vote and financially support the art here, turning this tide is going to take quite a bit of effort and time. Until then, I’ve decided that in order to see the change I want in the world, I’m going to be the change. Literally.
Because I’m a cis-woman, it’s expected that I be into decorating—both myself, my home, and any unwilling eligible men that I’m supposed to charm into holding still enough to let me. So being purposeful in my adornment isn’t a revolutionary act in and of itself. But how I do so is my choice, and I believe that the ways I follow through ARE art. Figuring out how light and colors play off my spice-brown skin in summer vs winter, night vs day, from outfit to outfit took time. Altering jewelry to fit better and be spaced more flatteringly was work. I mix and match scents to suit my ensembles and surroundings. Coordinating the proportions of whatever my hair’s doing to what I’m wearing? Same story.
I don’t feel complete if I’m not as dressed as I could be, not just because I feel like I need to be anything for anybody, but because I want my own brand to stand out and say “APRIL” before I do. And pushing the boundaries of what I can wear that actually reflects my ‘piles of beads, bones, and afro-nuwave’ aesthetic while still maintaining office decorum (corsets UNDER the clothes, for instance”> is a challenge I’ve really been enjoying. Learning to tailor and embroider things for myself are going to be my next projects. It’s all about being an ongoing installation, even if I expect these latest expansions to take me into “Band-Aid ® chic”.
I don’t have to wait for the weird of yesteryear to come back to me. I can do bad all by myself.
What do you think, curlies?
Am I giving myself too much credit here?
Or do you think it’s possible to make yourself an artistic respite when what’s around you isn’t enough?
Deep-clean washdays are a lot of rinse work.
Depending on how intense your own heightened routines get, you may be rinsing your hair off double the amount of your usual regimen, or more! Fortunately for water conservation, we space the deep cleans out out of necessity. But if you have a natural color on your hair that you actually came by supernaturally (hey, don’t tell us great color isn’t from the gods themselves”>, all of the hard work that went into changing it may be going down the drain when it comes to your regularly scheduled maintenance.
So basically, if you’re planning on heading out for a romantic spring fling, you have to choose between meeting your sweetie looking either washed out or dried up…
Hard pass on both of those.
Cantu stepped in to halt the pigmentation vs. moisturization dichotomy in its tracks with a one-two punch from their Color Protecting and Natural Hair Care lines. The quinoa protein derivatives in the anti-fading products utilize one of our favorite ancient grains to keep your pigment where it belongs, and the moisturizing power of coconut oil, shea butter, and more fight frizz and dryness on afro-textured and coarser curls. Our Content Editor extraordinaire Devri demonstrates!
Since you’re already planning ahead for the deep-maintenance extras (snacks, podcasts, fainting couch, etc.”>, add stopping by a Walgreens to your list and check out their Cantu product selection.
First step, as always, is cleansing. You’ll be suds’ing it up with the Color Protecting Shampoo followed by the Color Protecting Conditioner.
Where things start getting intense is with the Color Protecting Moisture Masque. Your color treated hair is going to be moisturized for softness and strength, without that H2O lifting your color up and off the strands to do it.
By now you may already be noticing that the Quinoa ProTech™ Technology is having you look a little more vibrant than you’re used to! But the proof is in the plopping (or however you prefer to dry”>.
After you’re all primed and ready for the final phase, you’ll want to get set to style! Devri’s using the the Natural Hair line’s Coconut Curling Cream—which long-time readers will recognize as NaturallyCurly’s Best of the Best winner in 2013—to add a final layer of moisture, cancel out any potential frizz, and help keep her coils defined. Warm in your hands, pull through your strands, then go!
Helpful Hint: If that last step seems a little too heavy, the Natural Hair collection is still in your corner with the Coconut Oil Shine & Hold Mist, and the Wave Whip Curling Mousse!
All set!
You’re giving us color and style to DYE for, without the formerly necessary touchups. Your stylist (or kitchen sink”> will just have to get used to seeing you a little less. Meanwhile the folks at your nearest Walgreens will start getting to know you, and what better way to kick off the introduction than with a sale!
All of this color-trapping Cantu goodness will be available at a BUY 2, GET 1 FREE price through the remainder of April, so you’re extra good to go!**
Prep like a boss and feel the love from your lucky date, from us, and from your own fine self!
Let’s follow Devri through the whole process via the almighty ‘Gram…
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We can’t wait to see and share the amazing end results of your date ‘do! If you feel like showing off, tag @NaturallyCurly and @CantuBeauty on Instagram and tell us #HowYouCantu!
**Offer valid online and in store. Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale (Cantu”> and inventory may vary across local retailers. Sale ends April 30, 2017.
