Search Results: Irma Garcia

Have you ever spent over $50 on a facial night cream or product with hopes in it solving all of your skin problems? I have and let me tell you, it hurt my bank account and my self-esteem!

When I was a college student, I went through a horrible skin breakout that lasted months and later resulted in scarring. To this very day, I am still self-conscious about the indentions on my cheeks and I am always on the lookout for a miracle-working product to repair the damage. Unfortunately, we all know that scarring is the hardest skin affliction to remedy. When I first started on my natural hair journey, I decided to include skin ingredients as well. I did research for what worked best for cystic, acne-prone, scar-damaged skin, and was overwhelmed with the results.

There are so many natural oils that aid in repairing damage and keeping skin moisturized and clean, but the question of what I could afford was still on the table. I found that coconut oil was a natural triple-threat oil that helped with hydration, anti-aging, environmental protection, acne, discoloration, scarring, hair growth, etc, and it was budget friendly. The list was endless. As soon as I finished using that high-end face cream from a previous purchase, I replaced it with coconut oil.

I haven’t broken out or experienced random rough skin patches (my skin is crazy”>. I no longer have skin discoloration, and there has been a reduction in the appearance of the skin indentions on my cheeks. There isn’t much to completely get rid of them (unless you do laser resurfacing, which costs thousands of dollars, and ya’ girl just doesn’t have that at the moment”>, but I definitely do see a much better improvement. 

Now, here is what coconut oil can do

The powerful moisturizing properties that it contains keeps skin deeply hydrated which reduces the risk of wrinkles, breakouts (for some, not all”>, and environmental damage. This natural oil penetrates deep into the skin and creates a protective barrier to block harmful UV rays and pollutants that cause skin damage that will later be difficult to tackle. It is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, that helps skin abrasions, redness, and puffiness. It is also loaded with vitamin E, which is a major key in fighting free radicals (sun rays and pollution”>, killing bacteria, and repairing damaged skin tissue (skin discoloration and scarring”>.

The three benefits of coconut oil that I use it for include acne, anti-aging prevention, and healthy hair growth promotion.

Acne

Coconut oil may not work for everyone who has acne, but it can work for anyone with extremely dry skin or very oily skin. I use astringent products (witch hazel and tea tree oil”> to wash and tone my face, so coconut oil balances my skin regimen to not strip it of all its necessary oils. And because it is an antimicrobial ingredient, it will aid in killing all the bacteria that gets clogged in the pores that later result into breakouts.

Anti-aging

Photoaging is caused by harmful sun rays and environmental pollutants, and while coconut oil helps in protecting from these harmful radicals, sunscreen should always be part of one’s skin routine in order to reap all of the benefits. It goes without saying that this natural oil is extremely moisturizing and when used at night when skin renews, the results will be obvious. My skin is at its best in the morning due to the promotion of college production, and skin renewal that it did overnight. If oily skin is an issue, I recommend to not wash your face in the morning with a harsh product, because it will strip your skin of all it’s hard work it did overnight. Instead, rinse your face with water, use a toner to cleanse it, and just watch it glow.

Hair growth

Beautifully shaped thick eyebrows are in, and believe it or not, coconut oil aids in promoting hair growth if you haven’t reached your “eyebrows on fleek” moment. The vitamin E in the oil is what’s essential for healthy hair growth, and when applied regularly, you are definitely on your path to achieving thicker brows.

I have been using coconut oil for my skin and eyebrows at night, and so far, I have no complaints.

Do you also swear by this natural oil? How do you feel about coconut oil in your skin regimen?

 Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

As the heat begins to crawl in, nights get longer, water gets warmer, our skin gets tanner, and our curls get frizzier. Depending on where you fall on the hair-type spectrum, and based on your personal preference, catering to summer curls would create an entirely different regimen than what you had in the winter. For example, 3c curls would perform better with gels during warmer temperatures, while 4c curls may feel their best with moisture-sealing products like butters or oils.

No curl is alike, therefore every curly crown will favor something different, but here are the five top products that have proven to stand the test against humidity for my 3c curls:

1. Shea Moisture Raw Shea & Cupuaçu Frizz Defense Hair Masque

Deep conditioning throughout the spring and summer is not usually needed as often as in the winter, but nevertheless, it is still required in order to have defined curls. I deep condition once a week on wash day with this frizz defense masque after shampooing. I leave it on for five minutes while in the shower (during this time I’ll shave, brush my teeth, and wash my face”>, and then rinse off with cold water. I’ll follow up with my daily conditioner, and rinse that one off immediately. The Shea butter and Cupuaçu deeply moisturizes and protects against humidity, which helps in taming the flyaways and frizz.

2. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse

I don’t like my hair to be flat and weighed down, but I also like curl definition, therefore this light-weight mousse designed specifically for curls is my go-to. It allows for volume without the frizz and no crunchy feeling, usually caused by generic mousse’s. Similar to the frizz defense masque, it contains Coconut oil and Shea butter—two key ingredients that act like shields against frizz. After I hop out of the shower, I dry my hair with a microfiber towel (another key accessory!”> and begin to rake in the mousse on my dripping wet hair until it’s fully distributed.

3. Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls Styling Lotion

This lightweight hair lotion allows curls to become voluminous and incredibly soft and lush. It does not weigh curls down with crunch and prevents frizz altogether. It’s truly a dream come true. After I evenly distribute my frizz-free mousse in my wet hair, I follow it up with this lotion by doing the “praying hands” method and then scrunch the curls at the end.

4. Dragon’s Blood & Coffee Cherry Volume + Lifting Spray 

While this spray does not necessarily aim to tame frizz, it is still a major product that helps reach my goal of voluminous, frizz-free curls full of sunshine. Once my hair has dried (air dry or by diffuser”>, I give my hair a scalp massage which aids in lifting my roots to plump out my hair. I then flip my hair down and use this spray on my scalp, flip back up, and spray lightly all around. The previous products help control the frizziness and definition, while this one helps give it life.

5. Twisted Sista Curl Activator Creme 

This creme is similar to the styling lotion mentioned before. It has top frizz-defense ingredients that help target the hot mess created by environmental stresses. The coconut, avocado, and almond oils add intense moisture, reduce frizz, and defines the curls just enough to give it a lively shape. I use this product on my second and third-day hair after my curls have come in contact with the weather and other environmental factors. It revives it while controlling any flyaways that were created.

Every summer has its own story, whether it has a vacation or a romantic fling, but whatever memories are made, keep the sand and saltwater in your toes, and the right products in your curls.

What products help you achieve frizz-free curls? We would love to know!

Share your thoughts with us on Facebook!

“You’re so pretty mom, I wish I looked like you,” I told her once, but then she responded with, “You’re pretty too baby girl, I wish I had your hair.” This wasn’t the last time she made that comment, yet every time she says it, it hits me in an odd way. Her hair was her glory as a young woman, so I know it hurts her to not have what she once loved. Who doesn’t want their beautiful mother to feel gorgeous, but unfortunately, self-esteem isn’t a pill that can be swallowed and then magically erase all of one’s insecurities overnight. It’s a process, and for some, that process may never reach the final stage.

My mother had beautiful curly hair growing up, but as she got older, it began to thin and fall out—a biological normality for people reaching midlife ages. Nevertheless, this hindered her self-esteem and to this day she continues to look for remedies and hair restoration solutions to give the appearance of fuller hair. Fine hair is a genetic trait passed on from her mother’s parents. I was born though with a fair mixture of both my mother and father’s type of hair—medium-coarse. My father’s genes are of full and thick hair, therefore my head is full of it all.

According to several studies, women feel attractive and confident when their hair is in tip-top shape, versus if they were having a “bad hair day.” Those results allows us to safely conclude that looks indeed matter, whether for personal self-esteem reasons or societal standards. It impacts how we feel about ourselves, and how we are viewed in our personal and professional life.

New York psychologist, Vivian Diller, states that hair has several aspects to it—historically, developmentally, and aesthetically.

Hair has played a role all the way back with ancient royalty to colonial times with elaborate wigs to prove status, wisdom, and wealth. The “founding fathers” did not have “big hair, don’t care” just for the heck of it. The next perspective is the biological role. As toddlers, hair is strong and bold, but as time passes by, hair becomes fragile and fine, as a sign of aging and loss of health.

Lastly, hair is one of the top three features mentioned when describing another person aesthetically. It creates a first impression, similar to one’s smile, eyes, and skin.

Good hair days matter, and in our digital age, the internet has given us access to an endless stream of information, thus the ability to follow YouTube tutorial instructions to the “T.” Although, the fine print says that not everything out there is going to work.

We are as unique as snowflakes, therefore, from personal experience, being moody throughout the day is wanted when the curls don’t come out like in the watched tutorial. 

Opinion Matters surveyed 1,024 women regarding their appearance and 68% of women stated that a “bad hair day” caused a decrease in confidence and impeded their work performance. 

Women, we have to remember our self-worth isn’t determined by our aesthetic.

I refuse to be objectified by anyone, or be reduced to a few tresses. My confidence will be built on what I deem beautiful, which is deeper than the visible surface.

How do you practice confidence in your daily life? Share your comments with us on Facebook!

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and beyond this month more and more people are realizing that the mind can become ill as easily as catching a cold. There should be no stigma about it—specifically in households of color that believe mental illnesses are not a “thing.”

I grew up in a traditional Latin household, where depression was fixed with cleaning and staying busy. Mental illnesses were an “excuse” people used, and possibly a consequence of thy sins, but what isn’t understood is that genetics, biological disorders, and stress are the root of the matter. I dealt with mental illness as a teen, and still, it occasionally creeps up into my life as a young adult. As a developing teenager and curly girl, I was, of course, fixated on my aesthetic appearance, and I began to notice that my hair was thinning and falling out due to stress. Family issues and the pressures of school (in and out of the classroom”> were beginning to take its toll.

Studies have shown that stress—emotional and physical—is a massive power of destruction, and can affect something so small as the hair follicles on our head to our overall health.

Keeping our cool isn’t the only savior of our tresses. There are many other factors that can affect hair, such as personality disorders and genetics. The most common diseases are depression, anxiety, OCD, trichotillomania (impulse control disorder”>, and unhealthy eating behaviors.

Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety is the result of long-term stress, and can cause large clumps of hair to weaken and fall out suddenly or later on. These large bunches can add up overtime and make some people go bald, if the issue is not treated.

Besides taking a nap, exercising, or taking time to oneself to recharge, drinking tea can serve as a great home treatment due to its tranquilizing ingredients. Although, this doesn’t replace seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis, if the problem persists. This test can help in determining if anxiety and stress is becoming a problem.

Biological disorders

OCD (obsessive compulsion disorder”>, bipolar disorder, and trichotillomania (impulse control disorder”> are some of the diseases that can cause hair loss, directly or indirectly.

Hair-pulling is a behavior usually associated with OCD, and can ultimately damage hair follicles that will block the restoration of new hair growth.

The other disorders indirectly cause hair damage and hair loss due to the medications—antidepressants, beta-blockers, mood stabilizers, etc—needed to address the symptoms.

According to a study done at Ohio State University College of Medicine, omega-3 supplements can naturally aid in the case of anxiety and depression, when taken on a regular basis or added to one’s daily diet.

Hair growth and health restoration does not happen overnight, but addressing life’s stressors and disorders can aid the timeframe in which it goes back to normal or close to it.

All of these issues can really affect one’s health and hair, which in turn can lessen our confidence and self-esteem. It is important to tackle any and all illnesses as soon as possible, that way the areas we love and care for don’t suffer.

Always remember, you are loved.

Does your disorder affect your hair? Share your story with us on Facebook.

For more stories on how we are raising awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month, sign up for the Naturally Curly Newsletter!

It is no surprise that in this digital age, our children are as connected to technology as we are. There are consequences to inhaling media daily, whether it be surfing the internet, watching television, playing video games, or having our headphones glued in. Media has its pros and cons, and it is our individual responsibility to assess its benefits and pitfalls according to our separate lifestyles.

In order to know how to become good digital parents, we have to know the benefits and disadvantages of all media—YouTube, social media, messaging apps, television, music, podcasts, news platforms, etc.—to construct a positive foundation in ourselves, as well as our children. Promoting media awareness is vital in order to implement learned behaviors that can positively impact the physiological and psychological systems of children and teens. This concern is a very important one because what we allow our children to consume and how we influence them will determine who they become as adults and how they contribute to society.

The children are unequivocally our future.

Several studies support the aforementioned statement of media having its good and bad side, so let’s begin to differentiate the sides of this division. 

According to a study by by Wright JC, Huston A and Lawrence on the effects of educational television viewing of lower income preschoolers on academic skills, school readiness and school adjustment one to three years later, there is a relationship between learning and watching YouTube or television shows. For example, studies show that Sesame Street improves the reading and learning skills of toddlers, just as many other television programs or YouTube channels. They concluded that shows that are dedicated to relay educational messages serve as an influential teaching device given the fact that every child has a unique learning style, and not many can stay focused on just reading or listening to someone talk. 

Although, if show-watching goes unguided, the risks of addiction and consuming unfiltered information presents itself. Based on academic journal, Cyberpsychology and Behavior, excessive watching of any show, especially non-educational ones, can contribute to childhood obesity, unfavorable academic performance, negative behaviors, and detrimental consuming habits of media. Ultimately, it boils down to balance. The yin and yang of media viewing habits. According to a research study by Pediatrician Strasburger, one to two hours of daily unregulated show watching has a significant adverse effect on a child’s development.

The technological method by which a child consumes media can be a destructor, because it is still a channel through which advertising and popular culture embeds itself into a child’s life. Marshall McLuhan, professor and author of The Medium is the Message, stated that technology has the power to shape us, especially children who are still developing and molding their voice, habits, and personality.

However, if we keep things in perspective, we can conclude that technology is growing and becoming a part of our life, therefore parents do not have the same amount of influence as what is channeled through technology.

Dr. Jim Taylor, adjunct faculty at the University of San Francisco, suggests four questions in his  Raising Generation Tech: Preparing Your Children for a Media-fueled World parenting book, to determine the influence of media in your child’s life:

• How often are your children immersed in technology?
• What is the quality of content to which they are exposed?
• To what degree do you provide limits and guidance in your children’s interactions with technology?
• How much counterbalancing exposure do your children get from positive influences and experiences?

This outline can serve as a rubric to evaluate the influence of media your child is consuming daily, and to determine if their favorite shows are raising them, or you.

Has a YouTuber or show become more powerful in your home?

Let us know how you ensure what your child is consuming through technology in the comments.

Follow us on our Facebook page to see what we’re talking about right now.

Have you ever felt restless or angry due to social media? Or maybe felt that you were able to become more outgoing because of it?

The idea of using this platform to connect to like-minded people still rings true, although it can come at the expense of involuntarily feeling the full spectrum of human emotions. It can cause us to become addicted, compare ourselves to others, and possibly unhappy. We never really think about how our brain is processing the endless stream of information it’s taking in.

There are many pros and cons to this method of communicating, but here are three of the top results that surveys and studies prove common.

Self-comparison

Social media often portrays distorted images of users, and chances are they are not posting about their shortcomings. Seeing posts about people’s accomplishments, trips, awards, etc., under certain circumstances, has proven to be linked with mental health problems. Social media as a whole is not the culprit, rather it’s the type of browsing that can develop feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. According to researchers, Nesi and Prinstein, depression is linked to using social media for comparison and feedback. Self-comparison can trigger a sense of envy and loneliness, which in turn causes social media use to be maladaptive, which leads us to restlessness. 

Restlessness

Monitoring someone excessively on social media (or spending too much time on it”> can cause anxiety, which either leads to depression or what researchers call, “FOMO,” fear of missing out. This also results in unexplained mood swings, particularly towards the bad end of the spectrum, and inadvertently leads to being less productive. Have you ever not accomplished your to-do list because you spent too much on your favorite social media site?

It’s not all cons though, when social media is used in moderation and with right intentions, there is also a bright side of things. 

Connectivity and socialization

Being able to connect and stay connected with family and friends promotes positive emotions of relevancy. Knowing that someone cares for you and being able to express yourself freely preserves one’s self-worth. According to The British Psychological Society, people with low self-esteem have found that they rise from a mood slump when connecting with like-minded individuals online, which in turn creates a feeling of self-affirmation. Who doesn’t like being thought of by family and friends? Or knowing many out there care about the same things you do? It’s a great feeling indeed.

Social media can definitely promote positive results and a general well-being when there are instances of positive feedback and displays of inclusion. Heavy social media users aren’t necessarily all low self-esteem people or addicted. Research conclusions from the Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication state that there are many who are naturally outgoing and satisfied with their lives.

This phenomenon of communication definitely presents positives and negatives. It is not the system as a whole, rather the particular unhealthy behaviors that can result in self-comparison and feedback seeking. When used with the right mindset, social media can offer multiple physical benefits, as well as boost our psychological health.

How do you feel when you use social media?

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As of this past Tuesday, United States District Court judge for the Western District of Texas, Sam Sparks announced in his 42-page ruling that the state was not able to prove (in a span of three days”> their accusations of Planned Parenthood selling fetal body parts, therefore Texas will not be able to block the organization from receiving Medicaid funds (although, there were some centers that have stopped receiving Medicaid funding since December”>.

[quote cite=”Yvonne Gutierrez, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes”]Attempting to shut down Planned Parenthood health centers in Texas is part of an extreme agenda to ban abortion, and politicians are willing to strip away access to birth control, cancer screenings, and other vital health care in the process. [/quote]

Three forensic teams analyzed the 8-hour video that was brought forward by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP”> that accused Planned Parenthood of selling fetal tissue for profit, but did not find any wrongdoing. They concluded that there were several inconsistencies made by the CMP. 

Glenn Simpson, who was on the team investigating the videography stated, “The manipulation of the videos does mean they have no evidentiary value in a legal context and cannot be relied upon for any official inquiries unless supplemented by CMP’s original material and forensic authentication that this material is supplied in unaltered form.”

Judge Sparks criticized the state for the blocking attempt and video manipulations. He remarked, “A secretly recorded video, fake names, a grand jury indictment, congressional investigations — these are the building blocks of a best-selling novel rather than a case concerning the interplay of federal and state authority through the Medicaid program,” Sparks wrote.” Yet, rather than a villain plotting to take over the world, the subject of this case is the state of Texas’ efforts to expel a group of healthcare providers from a social health care program for families and individuals with limited resources.”

Planned Parenthood is an affordable option for 12,500 Texas Medicaid patients who choose to go this organization due to having very limited resources and needing preventative healthcare such as cancer screenings, STD/STI testing, birth control, and pregnancy tests. The federal funding received from Medicaid is used to cover only these programs, and per the Hyde Amendment, they cannot use any of those funds for abortions.

Many do not have many affordable healthcare options in their area, or simply are not informed of other organizations that offer the services they need which is why so many choose Planned Parenthood.

[quote cite=”Merced nursing student, Nancy Jurado”]I was 17, pregnant, and scared out of my mind. Planned Parenthood was the only place I knew of, and they told me my options and helped me get what I needed[/quote]

“They help you in pointing you to the right direction as far as helping you afford birth control pills and anything else you need,” says Roxan Treviño, mommy of two.

The organization has helped many like Treviño and Jurado, yet Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was not pleased with Sparks’ decision whatsoever, stating that it “is disappointing and flies in the face of basic human decency.”

Although there are 141,000 Texas Medicaid providers, Planned Parenthood is the only organization that is labeled as “family planning,” which is also responsible for the influx of patients seeking healthcare there. 

This is a temporary ban, and Attorney General Paxton stated that he will be challenging the court’s decision, therefore the fight against Texas people’s reproductive healthcare is not over.

Want to discuss this more? Join our CurlTalk community where you can weigh in about the fight for reproductive rights in your area!

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The first month of President Trump’s presidency has caused quite a roller coaster of emotions for many Americans.

With the Universal Women’s March and the #MuslimBan, this series of events is only a fraction of what started happening in America merely hours after Donald Trump being sworn in as president. The attack towards women was head-on.

Back in November, the Trump administration hinted that the dismantling of Obamacare was a priority on their list. This jeopardizes access to free birth control.

This health care regulation was put in place by the Obama administration, who believed that contraceptives are a part of preventative care. Preventative care for women is comprised of, but not limited to, well-woman exams, mammograms, pap-smears, maternity care, and contraceptives including birth control pills, IUDs, injectables, the ring, implants, cervical caps, and even sterilization. This mandate gave many women access to health care since it required insurances to fully cover birth-control without any co-pays or other cost sharing requirements. This changed the face of reproductive health care because prior to ACA, many weren’t able to get these benefits through their insurance, or at all.

“If or when the Affordable Care Act is repealed or replaced—and we lose coverage for contraceptives —I definitely feel that this will significantly impact women,” states Kailey Voellinger, Funding Coordinator at Austin Women’s Health Center. “Many of our patients are low-income. I imagine we will see a significant drop in patients choosing LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception”> devices, and maybe losing birth control all together. Women will choose between feeding their children, and their birth control.”

According to the National Business Group on Health, birth control coverage does not make insurance premiums increase, on the contrary–it actually saves money for employers in the long run. The cost of covering maternity and infant care is, in fact, higher than family planning services; therefore, this mandate does not place employers in such a horrible predicament that requires protest. This seems to be an issue of old, white, privileged men refusing to relinquish their unearned power and control women’s bodies in the name of religion.

Contraceptives such as the pill are not only used to family plan…

They are also used for many medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. The pill is usually prescribed for individuals who suffer from this disease, and many other conditions such as irregular periods. It is a hormone-imbalanced disease that comes with even more severe symptoms and does not have a cure. A high level of estrogen in birth control is prescribed to help cope with symptoms such as menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne, obesity, and infertility.

“I have been using birth control pills since I was 12 years old,” Bianca Diaz tells us. “When I didn’t take birth control, I’d have severe cramps, fatigue, migraines, and nausea. Without the pill I couldn’t menstruate. I’d go up to 6 months without a period. The pill has always been a positive and necessary part of my life. Especially since I was recently diagnosed two years ago with PCOS.”

“I am quite sure without my parents’ coverage I wouldn’t be able to access my prescribed birth control by my OBGYN,” continues Bianca, “and the thought of that is just terrifying. I mean, not having access to something that provides my body with what it needs hormonally to function not only has a physical impact, but a mental one as well. I would not be able to work the 10-hour day shifts I have, exercise, and live my daily life that includes having emotional strength to handle what happens when I sometimes go without my medication. I know in about a year down the line I’ll be in this frustrating predicament of worrying about the pill being covered by whatever insurance I obtain with my work organization, due to these arguments threatening birth control coverage.”

If family planning coverage is expunged, the effects will not be felt for insurance holders until 2018.

There would still be birth-control coverage, but with co-pays or co-insurance, and unfortunately, many will not be able to afford it. This is why organizations like Planned Parenthood exist, although the future’s not looking too bright for them, either. Also under threat of losing their contraceptive funding, women who were never able to afford insurance, even with Obamacare, will have no choice but to turn to unsafe medical care.

“I am terrified of what will happen to vulnerable, desperate women with no where else to turn if they are deprived of access to contraceptives or safe, legal abortion care,” says Kailey. “When abortion is illegal and not medically supervised, women die. I fear for our safety and autonomy–we know that desperate people will go to any length to end a pregnancy when they can’t see another way out.”

Free birth control, and that includes LARC devices, is vital.

There are many different options when it comes to family planning, so researching and relaying experiences with members of one’s community are important when in making this decision. Women’s health should be held to the utmost importance in order for them to prosper and lead full lives that are not narrowed in value to just reproducing. In a way, it is also a method of self-care knowing that the control of one’s body is solely within the individual, and no one else.

What is your take?

Let us know in the comments.

Have you ever left a hair salon unsatisfied and looking worse than how you went in? Or have you ever had to travel long-distances to get your cut right or laid by someone. That’s been most of us at least once, but hey, the struggle is no longer real according to two business-savvy entrepreneurs that had women of color in mind. Jihan Thompson, former magazine editor, and Jennifer Lambert, former corporate lawyer, noticed that there were countless beauty apps, but none that catered to Black and Hispanic women’s needs. This was the genesis moment that led the game-changing duo to take the entrepreneurial lead, and create something that was desperately needed: Swivel.

This booking app is designed to assist women of color in New York City find the right hairstylist for their specific needs, whether it be for natural or relaxed hair.

Swivel is meant to streamline the searching process and cut down the time it takes to find what you’re looking for. The app opens with three options to narrow down your search: desired service, hair type, and city. You can select anything from an in-home styling, a twist out, or a wash & go; the options are limitless. The hair type drop down menu ranges from naturally curly to relaxed to transitioning, which allows for as much inclusivity as possible.

Hair is an integrated part of Black and Hispanic culture, yet the beauty and hair industry is built around the Caucasian experience. “Women of color can’t just walk into any salon and get their hair done,” says Jennifer, therefore it makes sense to create something that connects women of color with their own. “Black woman beauty needs matter!” states Jihan.

Jennifer and Jihan personally go to the salons that want to partner with Swivel before they add it to their database. There are currently 35 vetted salons and around 100 stylists, with over 100 user-generated reviews that are based on the stylist, wait time, type of hair, type of style, and experience.

Market research firm, Mintel, projects the black haircare industry to grow up to $761 million this year, and mainly due to social media. “Social networking is one avenue that has helped to garner trust, empowerment, individuality, and pride as it relates to haircare. Brands have been born and re-born using social networks,” states Mintel analyst, Tonya Roberts.

This beauty app is already seeing a dramatic increase every month. “The conversion rates were slower in the beginning but there is more and more growth every month,” says Jennifer.

We wanted to be a main resource for women and make it easier for women of color to have great hair days everyday 

The app is currently servicing Black and Hispanic women in the New York City area, but Swivel founders are in the works of taking this beauty experience nationwide (so not to fear, it well get to everyone soon!”> by the end of this year!

If you don’t live in the New York City area, you can search our Salons page for salons that have been reviewed by NaturallyCurly community members.

Is finding a stylist still a challenge for you?

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The natural hair and beauty movements have come with a force–and it’s looking like it is here to stay.

There is a plethora of ingredients in nature that aid our inner and outer health. Many of nature’s finest beauty ingredients hail from Central America. With the abundance of information regarding ingredients, we decided to encapsulate the hair and skincare beauty ingredients from Central America that offer the most benefits.

1. Acai

This is a grape-like fruit from the acai palm, originally found in Brazil. It can also be found in select countries in Central America. The beauty of this plant is its high antioxidant quantity, thereby making it a popular ingredient for anti-aging cosmetic products. Although, you can receive the same results by just adding the fruit to your diet, and not just as a topical product. Acai berry oil is 100% pure, natural, and cold-pressed, so you can receive the sum total of benefits from the fruit in this form.

2. Jackfruit

This small powerhouse contains endless nutritious benefits for your health due to it being rich in vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, fibers, fat, protein, and carbs. This Central American native is a triple-threat because not only does it aid in healthy living, but the seeds benefit the hair and skin, too. Its antioxidant properties fight wrinkles, prevents acne, lowers oil production, soothes sunburned skin, depletes blemishes and hyper-pigmentation to give a bright and glowing complexion. Hair growth and frizz prevention are also boosted with the consumption of jackfruit seeds.

3. Cashew fruit

This isn’t only one of the best beauty ingredients from Central America; it is also one of the healthiest to add to your diet. A Brazil native also found in Costa Rica, this fruit is known to be high in fiber and lowers high cholesterol. It also has skin benefits because it contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and minerals which aid in preventing premature aging and skin cancer.

4. Red Mangrove Extract

This little powerhouse is said to have stronger potency than vitamin C in terms of dealing with the effects of aging. Dr. Hevia, founder of Hevia Cosmetic Dermatology states, “The skin can be safeguarded and cellular health can be promoted the same way the mangrove plant protects itself from harsh elements.” Red mangrove is an antioxidant that soothes and heals the skin while protecting it from aging, as well.

5. Cocoa butter

This is probably the most famous on the list. This multipurpose beauty powerhouse is derived from cocoa beans, which are native to Latin America, specifically Central and South America.

It is mainly known for skin moisturizing and avoiding stretch marks. It contains two top antioxidant ingredients that your skin can never get enough of—polyphenol and flavonoid. Flavonoids are in charge of gathering cell-damaging free radicals, and polyphenol is in charge of fighting against ultraviolet radiation, so with these two compounds, you will definitely have a great defense team. P.S. Cocoa butter can also be used on your hair and scalp as a pre-poo treatment or simply to tame fly-aways.

6. Chikoo

Mainly found in Mexico or Belize, just like all of the above ingredients, it contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals with some nifty hacks. One, for example, uses the chikoo plant to produce a milky sap that can be used to remove fungal growths on the skin, such as warts. It also has advantages for the hair, such as promoting growth, removing dandruff, and moisturizing curly hair.

There are a ton of great beauty ingredients from Central America that are known to provide beautiful skin, healthy hair, and overall health benefits. With these powerhouses available, there is no reason not to look your best!

Self-love and self-care are not limited to accepting body image. They also include tending to your mental and internal body’s state of health.

The condition of those systems is what we end up seeing in the mirror, which in turn dictates the emotions we feel. Your self-esteem will either rise or fall based on that reflection, and teenagers tend to grapple with this the most.

“I listen to women’s everyday struggles, their psychological, physical and emotional battles in regards to abortion access or reproductive health care and it, too, drains me,” says Lisset Betancourt, Austin Women’s Health Center Counselor.

“Teens battle with different psychological diseases, specifically depression and anxiety which are the most common, but I believe that teaching this group about self-care, reproductive health care and their bodies has the ability to improve their mental health,” states Betancourt. “They are often limited in their ability to go places, explore the world, or make their own decisions simply based on societal expectations about age. While sex is a delicate conversation, it is an extremely important one to have, because it can give them control of something grand during a pivotal time in their life when they’re exploring their sexuality and body.”

What “love yourself” really means to a woman

Loving oneself begins with taking care of one’s body, mind and soul. As a woman, some might consider that an oxymoron. There is usually a dark, mysterious cloud over the subject of women’s reproductive health within the education system and the media, thus leaving a woman uneducated and uninformed about her body. While there are various programs that have been formed in allegiance to educate young women on their bodies, here in Texas, that education is both limited and scarce due to the state’s heavy anti-choice political ground. This situation leads to unintended pregnancies, increasing rates of STI’s, and in some cases, abortions. However, I do not personally recall in the history of womanhood learning about wanting any of these ramifications.

Why your inner feminist will appreciate your attention to reproductive health

In Communion: The Female Search for Love, Bell Hooks states that “the most feminist action any female can take on her behalf is doing the work of creating positive self-esteem, the foundation of self-love.” Reproductive health is undoubtedly a vital part of your whole health because you are essentially taking care of a system so powerful it can bring new life into the world. This requires a great quantity of attention and self-love, which encompasses these  things:

• Eating healthier: consuming cleaner foods will cause one to have a cleaner complexion, happier mood, and higher levels of energy.
• Exercising regularly: working out results in a healthier and stronger body begetting natural energy to take over the world.
• Using non-toxic hygiene products: toxins can mess with your internal body, specifically the reproductive system. Therefore, choosing to use organic tampons and pads are just as necessary as eating organic food.
• Being attentive to your menstrual cycle: keeping track of your period is powerful. Knowing what is going on with your body and when to expect changes is a powerful trait since this is usually the time when amping your self-love ritual is more than required. Think of it like preparing for battle instead of facing a surprise attack.
• Using birth control: there are several types of birth control, so choosing a method that works best with your lifestyle is paramount in terms of self-empowerment since that choice is linked to sexual-liberation and personal empowerment.

How have you loved yourself today?

As a young woman who self identifies as black Borinquen, much of my assessment of physical beauty and self-love has always involved hair in one way or another.

The natural hair movement is not a new one, but it has gained momentum over the last few years for curly-haired women making a sociopolitical and self-affirming statement.

The expectation to straighten natural curly hair because it looks ‘prettier’ or ‘more manageable’ stems from colonialism, when lighter skin counterparts were favored due to their Eurocentric features. This included silkier and straighter hair. This dogma is asserted to this day by the media and family members, specifically those of African and Latin descent.

We spoke with Paula Ramirez, an Afro-Borinquen literary artist, poet, and educator from The Bronx about her experience with the Pelo Bueno phenomenon, as she interprets it in this video. Here is what she said.

As a young woman who self identifies as black Borinquen, much of my assessment of physical beauty and self-love has always involved hair in one way or another. I constantly challenged ideals that would make me feel stigmatized or not valued due to having natural hair. I would cringe when my grandmother would thank God for not giving me kinky curls that she had no time or patience to manage.

During holidays my mother would insist that I get my hair done because I had ‘pelo bueno’ and she didn’t want me to ‘neglect’ it, [and I would] end up looking like my darker skinned family members and friends. I would hear them say things like, ‘Oye nena gracias a dios que usted tiene lo que se llamen good hair,’ ‘Baby girl don’t cry! Mami, you have good hair. I promise the dryer won’t burn,’ or, ‘Mira ese tipo con el cabello fino. Que lindo! Good hair, wow!’

I grew up projecting a lot of these insecurities onto myself–it stemmed mostly from my community of family and friends.

As I grew older I started to make more of a conscious effort to truly love all of the physical attributes which identify with my culture. Early on in my adolescence, I decided that I would not learn how to straighten my hair like my friends and my cousins. If my mom wanted me to have straight hair, she would have to pay for it. It then became many battles about being lazy and sloppy and not going to the hair salon on Sunday mornings with her. When I did accompany her, she would tell our hair stylist and anyone who would listen how crazy I was for wanting to wear my curls every day.

In my early adulthood, I researched practical ways of caring for my curls. Coconut oils, shea butters, curl cremes, and satin bonnets are my vices. I would go to the beauty supply and blow my measly checks on hair care products. Literally tending to my hair and braiding it allowed me to form a bond with myself that superseded feelings of wanting to look any way but my own. To this day, I try to practice self-care as much as possible.

As an advocate for curly hair I am also clear that part of the beauty of being a black woman is to have the option of versatility when it comes to my texture–curls, afros, twists, locs, braids, cornrows, knots, sew ins, extensions, wigs, weaves, perms, tubis, and blow outs are all part of my Black Girl Magic.

I encourage my young students every day to wear their hair as a symbol of pride and love. I need people to understand that loving yourself takes many forms. You don’t have to be #teamnatural or #teamsalon in order to feel fabulous or look magical. We did that once we decided to wake up that morning.

Read: 4 Reasons Why I think the Naturally Curly Movement Is NOT Just Another Trend

Have you ever looked at the throwbacks of yourself that Facebook Memories shows you and thought, “Oh my gosh, I was weird,” or “what the hell was I thinking?” Well, that tends to be me…a lot. Trust that the “glo up” has been very real.

Being a teenager is an awkward stage in life, and I undoubtedly was knee deep in that stage. I was clueless about everything. My anatomy was morphing into an “adult” body, but not really at the same time. I had a crush on someone new every month. I had my own circle of friends but was still an affable person in general. I cared way too much about what others thought of me. I never wanted anyone to dislike me (even though it happened regardless”>. All of these traits are specific to the idiosyncrasy of teenage-hood, however, I believe that I would have been able to navigate through this period of life had a safe space been available to me at that time.

Three lessons that shaped me

The universe did not spare me; my naiveté was corrupted a month and a half into my freshman year in college, and I learned three important lessons that molded me into the woman I am today.

1. I stopped caring what others thought of me.

I grew up in a traditional religious latin household, which meant that reputation was everything. If anybody saw me doing anything as trivial as talking to a boy, that piece of information would automatically find its way to my parents (plus the universe”>, thus getting me in trouble because the daughter of God-fearing parents should in no way be fraternizing with the opposite sex. Unless of course she was a million years old and ready to get married.

This mindset stifled my upbringing and carried over to my college years, until I had enough. Extreme life situations had to slap me in the face in order to wake up and realize that I do not live my life for anybody. I am the only one who has the autonomy, agency, and authority over my life—the autonomy over my body, the agency over my actions, and the authority over my decisions.

2. I ceased pleasing everybody.

I hated having anybody mad at me. The mere thought of getting anyone upset was so nerve-racking that it did not allow me to speak my mind or express my emotions, even if I was the one getting hurt. I was always the “good and obedient” daughter or student, mainly because I did not want to get in trouble, not because I believed in what I was being taught. I did not want to cause any stress or anger on my parents, therefore I did everything that was asked of me.

I eventually stepped out of that box in which I was involuntarily placed in, and learned to say no. I was not put on this earth to be constrained to a fixed path. Following your heart and being a good daughter are not mutually exclusive. I am allowed to venture out and unlearn the socializations that do not sit well with my soul, nevertheless, that doesn’t mean I’m not a good daughter. It simply means I am my own and that I have a voice.

3. I said “screw you society standards.”

Once I became aware of everything that was previously stated, I realized that I was different. I was not the type of woman who cared about fitting in or following the rules. Girls learn from a young age that masculinity comes with freedom, and femininity comes with restrictions, and that was an ideal that was not going to get lived out by me. My clothing does not have to abide by any guidelines. I dress to feel like a goddess when I see my reflection in a mirror. My virginity does not equate to my worth or affirm my entire life’s work. Night is not a woman’s enemy. It was created equally as daylight and it will be taken in and revered as such. My body is not immoral. I should not have to live my life under the fear of men acting like animals, instead they should know to not consume a girl’s body as piece of meat.

As I traveled through this journey of transition, I became my true self because I learned that authenticity begins when one lets go of the fear of how others perceive you. If I would’ve known all of this at 15, one hundred and one desolate nights would be nonexistent.

Now I always keep in mind: “If any female feels she need anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency.” – bell hooks.

What lessons shaped you in your teenage years? Share yours in the comments!

What’s next?

These are the 7 Latina icons that paved the way for feminists like me.

Ever been bullied for your hair? Here are the curly girl clapbacks you can use when being bullied. 

Self love takes work. This is how affirmations helped me love myself. 

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I was in my junior year in college when the big turnaround happened and I began to slowly transition into becoming who I am now: a radical adventurous free-spirit, independent, non-conformist, eccentric wanderer, wild nature-lover, artistic, free-thinker, lover of life, and lover of beauty.

I can never take full credit for learning to obsessively love myself the way I do now.

It all came about when I met one of my best friends, who I would later consider a soulmate. Because of that individual, I received motivation and affirmation of my inner dopeness and outer beauty. I started internalizing so much positivity that I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I am pretty cool.’ Still, it was obvious that I had to put in some work.

I began to dare myself to be fearless. It is impossible to reach self-discovery without bravery and getting out of your comfort zone. This took a lot of time of standing in front of the mirror and self-affirming everything that I could possibly find good within me, both intellectually and spiritually.

I knew I wanted to be a helper, nurturer, fixer, lover, and an inspiration. I wanted to be who I needed when I was younger, so I set out to be her.

I wrote out what I wanted to do with my life along with what I loved the most, so the next step was to actually do it. I learned about the power of affirmation not only to myself, but to others. Being able to not need anyone else’s acceptance or approval is powerful, but it’s a journey, and just like my best friend helped me get there, I wanted my radical self-acceptance make a heart stir and inspire. I googled, I emailed, I texted, and I took charge. My soul was into being an advocate for women, my people, and my community. I also had a yearning to experience life in everything that caught my eye: art, literature, the moon, nature, going on adventures, eating vegan ganache cupcakes from Quacks, getting a taste of new places through restaurants, and a plethora of other activities. The more I dedicated my time to what I truly wanted to do with my life, the self-love began to increase. I was happy with myself. I followed my heart, and I still follow it every day.

The journey to self-love and self-discovery is messy, stressful, ugly, and painful, but the end product is pure beauty—an unapologetic, inspirational, provocative, and heart-stirring phoenix.

It may not be at the pace everyone expects, but I learned that it is okay to be incomprehensible. I am a bird, and birds are not meant to be caged.

Soul searching wasn’t the only self-discovery journey that I was on; I was also learning to love what I saw reflected back at me in the mirror. That was my honey skin, my scars, my crazy curly hair, my round nose. I wanted to look like the other girls who had straight hair, fair perfect skin, and a small nose, due to internalizing what I observed in public and in the media. I had to be brave and literally start telling myself that I was beautiful. I remember crying and yelling in my car because of my imperfect skin and comparing myself to what the others girls had, it did not mean I was not pretty. It meant I was different, and that I was special. I was not put on this earth to be pretty, I was put on this earth to move mountains. I am meant to be a stepping stone to inspire self-liberation and move others to embark on a journey to challenge themselves as I did.

There is no secret recipe to self-love. You literally do you, fearlessly.

After generations of internalized oppression and colorism reinforced by slavery and colonialism, we were told that all things associated with our blackness was synonymous with ugliness, which certainly includes kinky, curly hair. 

There is no such thing as good or bad hair.

Whether you rock it curly, straight, in a bun, in cornrows, in braids, or in twists, a hairstyle should not be used to define you. Hair is what we make of it, even if we cannot neglect real-life discrimination and hate against the natural hair community.

Deciding to go natural is making a life-transforming decision–it tends to revolutionize your train of thought, your political views about the world, and most importantly, how you view yourself.

The root of  the ‘good hair’ vs. ‘bad hair’ debate

In order to understand natural hair from a sociological standpoint, we have to take it back to how ‘good hair’ vs. bad hair’ happened. During the times of colonization, slavery not only involved enslaving Africans against their will, but also decades of raping women. This created a caste of mixed race slaves, also known as mulattoes. The favor they received due to their Europeanized aesthetic features inherently caused the darker slaves to grow envious and angry toward their lighter-skinned brothers and sisters. Essentially, this led to a deep-seeded internalized hatred of their ‘bad’ African features such as having dark skin, a wide nose, round lips, wide hips, a round butt, and coarse, kinky-textured hair.

We spoke to Christy Martinez, founder and visionary of C. Divinity Productions. The proud AfroLatina does not allow her self-esteem or hair to be victimized by anyone else’s views and here, she explains how ‘good hair’ to the Black community is what ‘pelo bueno’ is to the Latino community.

What Pelo Bueno means to the Latino community in the U.S.

Pelo bueno is a term used among many Latinos of African descent to describe having hair that is perceived as manageable, long, silky, and straight. There are many Latinos who have the stereotypical ‘pelo bueno’ while the others who do not have concocted various ways of attaining it, many of them dangerous and unhealthy.

For centuries, people with any sort of kink in the texture of their hair relied on chemical relaxers, texturizers, hot combs, irons, and blow dryers to achieve straighter hair. This long history of labeling hair as good or bad is part of the systemic denial and alienation of our African lineage. After generations of internalized oppression and colorism reinforced by slavery and colonialism, we were told that all things associated with our blackness was synonymous with ugliness, which certainly includes kinky, curly hair.

I remember how good it felt to be real to myself, to have made the choice to not only stand up to my family, but to everyone who had ever thought nappy was not happy. I felt like a woman–a black woman–when I once felt like a nobody who faded into the background. Going natural rewarded me with my womanhood: I looked in the mirror and saw who I really was and for once in my life, I felt genuine.

Perming my hair for so long felt like a self-inflicted act of hatred.

It was as if I was paying a stylist to turn my hair into an open-ended apology letter to racism and internalized oppression, when in reality I was never sorry for being black, I was proud. In a society that has systematically denied me access to my African roots, I have found an open window by going natural. Releasing my attachment to the chemical process that made me look more convenient, likable and, in essence, white, helped me release the preconceived notions society had set for me–the same notions that have trapped my people for centuries.

My ‘fro is a historical act of resistance due to its popularity during the Civil Rights Era and the Black Panther movement.

That’s why I feel so much judgment when I unapologetically walk down the street in my active ‘fight the power’ vibes because people do not like to be reminded of the darkness of our past and an afro stands tall and proud, no shame at all.

Finding the goddess in me

Once I made the decision to cut off my chemically processed hair and allow my natural hair to grow, I felt a weight of shame, guilt, self-hatred and resistance shed. I’ve found the goddess within by killing the demons that once ruled my self-image. It has made me appreciate life and nature. In re-growing my hair I’ve realized how much I am like plants and animals, in need of love, light, and water for sustenance.

Ultimately, my curly, kinky, in-your-face ‘fro has made me see myself for who I really am: a beautiful, wise, gifted soul looking for adventure and freedom. I may never be able to control the ignorance of others, but I can control my own. In doing so, I have decided to affirm every day that I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul that lives within.

Follow Christy on Instagram @afrolatinadivina

Mom is known for always giving her all to everybody around her. And yet, she tends to forget to care for the most important person—herself.

DailyCurlz is an amazing curly-haired Afro-Latina mom residing in LA who currently has a 12.5k following on social media and tons of engagement on her bilingual lifestyle blog, dailycurlz.

This curly mom lives in the fast lane promoting healthy, curly hair but most importantly, self-care for all moms. We had the privilege in getting an inside scoop on how this popular mom keeps her curls on fleek, even when running on 5 cups of coffee.

I am fortunate because my job revolves around my hair–so for the most part, when I’m playing with my curls, I am working.

I also like to take some me time either to play with my hair or to watch my favorite TV show, and for moms, this is essential for our mental health. When we feel good and happy, everything around the house will run smoothly. “A happy wife is a happy life.”

I wish I could tell a fancy story about how my hair is perfectly done every day.

But as mom and an entrepreneur, I don’t always have the time to do my hair. So, my daily routine is actually very simple:

My hair is always up in a pineapple, which keeps it away from my face. If I have to run out of the house in a rush, I can take it down easily, spritz some water, shaky, shaky–and I am ready to go! I moisturize every day with a water-based leave-in conditioner; when wash-day is approaching, I use oils.

I discovered this routine works best for my curls through trial and error.

Like everything in life, we learn from our mistakes and experience. In my particular case, I used to have an ‘agenda‘ album–before Pinterest–in which I wrote everything I did on my hair along with the results. I also saved pictures from magazines that showed hairstyles I wanted to try. I jotted down everything from how my hair reacted, to certain ingredients and [the] climate. 

As moms, we have a lot on our plate, but I think the best way to find the right products and the right routine for your hair is by paying attention, documenting everything, and learning from it (with hair and life”>.

Luckily for busy moms on a tight budget, the market has evolved.

There are many amazing products for our hair under $7. Although, if your budget is really tight, try getting in the kitchen and make some DIY hair products. It is amazing, the great conditioners you can make with the ingredients that you probably already have. Get creative–mix and match! Listen to your hair and once you know what products work for you, stick to it.

Be creative. Our hair is amazing and it can handle almost any hairstyle.

Always protect your hair. If it was a wash-and-go, put it in a pineapple at night, sleep on a satin pillowcase and refresh your curls with a water mist (water, leave-in and a mix of oils”>. If you are rocking a braid or twist-out, re-braid or re-twist at night, sleep on a satin pillowcase and refresh your hair with oil-based products. Again, once you know what works for your hair and you have a routine, your styling time gets cut in half.

As my hair gets longer, the amount of time I spend doing my hair is actually less than when it was shorter and that is because I have a relationship with my hair and know what it likes and its needs.

Don’t wait until your hair gets damaged to give it some TLC.

Take the time to pre-poo, wash, and deep condition your hair at least twice a month. You will actually be saving time and money, and your hair will be healthy. It will respond better and faster thus saving you time when styling.

Work around your family schedule. If it’s your wash-day and you want to do a pre-poo, wake up a couple of minutes earlier to apply. Wear a scarf and move on with your day until you find the time to get back to your hair.

To sum it up

Our natural hair is amazing.

Have fun with it and don’t stress out—stress is bad for hair growth! Remember that our hair grows from the inside out, so a healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise will benefit your hair tremendously. Drink a lot of water and include a lot of greens into your day, and most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself some TLC.

Is it safe to use coconut oil for my baby’s hair?

From your kitchen to your skin to your hair, coconut oil has an array of different uses (if only it worked on bills, too”>. But is it safe to use on the little ones?

Yes, it is!

Coconut oil is derived from the fruit of the coconut tree. If left unrefined and unprocessed, its health benefits are endless, even for the minis.

The universal ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, coconut oil is baby and toddler-friendly although they do not require much of it. Understand that your child’s skin, hair, and body are still fragile in the early growth stages and cannot take the same amount of ingredient dosage as we can. Watch out for excessive dryness and irritation on your baby’s scalp and skin before application on a regular basis. Do keep an eye out for how your child reacts as some curlies, including Naptural85, have had negative reactions to coconut oil. If this is true for your child, try using grapeseed oil as an alternative. 

These are some of the top uses for coconut oil on young children: 

Diaper rash salve

Unrefined coconut oil will soothe your irritated skin without the harsh chemicals in most over-the-counter products.

Teething pain reliever

Simply rub a bit of oil onto the aggravated gums to ease teething pain. Coconut oil makes for a safe all-natural toothpaste alternative, safe enough for your little one to use until it’s time for an over-the-counter option.

Ear infection 

Due to its natural healing properties, coconut oil does wonders when it comes to infections, bruises, burns, cuts and sores. Put a few drops into the ear twice a day to fight the infection to relieve pain.

Cradle cap treatment

A teaspoon of oil gently rubbed on your baby’s scalp will moisturize the scalp and gradually reduce the inflammation.

Skin moisturizer

Apply a bit of the oil on the skin for deeply moisturized skin and to prevent baby acne and dryness. It can also be used as a body wash for preserving moisture.

Products with coconut oil

While pure coconut oil gets all the hype, there are also several products that contain coconut oil in their infant and toddler lines.

California Baby Calendula Cream is a non-greasy, therapeutic lotion that soothes and heals all skin types with any skin condition.

SheaMoisture carries SheaMoisture for Kids, which offer products catering to your child’s unique hair and skin type while delivering simple, safe, and natural ingredients.

Cara B Naturally is specifically formulated to nourish your child’s needs organically and maintaining their natural beauty without harsh chemicals that are found in regular adult products or non-organic baby lines.

Keep in mind, your infant does not require too much work–a simple, soft cleanse with a tad bit of coconut oil will be enough for now.

Do you have any baby-safe product suggestions with coconut oil? Let us know below.

What’s next?

Wondering whether “kids’ products” are really necessary? This is what you need to know. 

If you can’t get enough of cute curly kid Farouk James (pictured above”>, here are 10 curly kiddos to follow on Instagram. 

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Help–I cannot find the right products for my 3b high density and coarse hair.

For many of us curlies, tending to our tresses can be tricky. There are characteristics that should be taken into consideration in addition curl pattern (and you understand that”>. Hunting for products that will effectively maintain and style your hair can quickly become a full-time job due to the amount of time and effort it takes. NaturallyCurly community member Maya.Pik is in the midst of her search, so she posted this question in our Q&A section:

We recently received this question from NaturallyCurly community member Maya.Pik:

I have 3b hair, with medium porosity: high density, coarse width. I cannot seem to find products to my hair. I tried a lot of products, although most I cannot find in my country. Most times I do LOC, which is great, but I need to find the right products (oils, leave-in conditioner, cream”> and also shampoo and conditioner. I use Garnier Fructis right now.

What works for your hair type?

The first step to finding products that work for your Type 3b, coarse, highly dense, medium porosity curls is to understand what types of products work best for those characteristics.

High density

Hair density refers to the amount of strands that are on your head. Having high density curls requires products with heavy oils, milks and butters in order to keep moisture, hydration and definition. 

Coarse width

Hair width signifies the thickness of each strands. If your hair is coarse, then you have the widest type of hair which makes it strong and resistant to breakage and damage. You may want to reach for strong hold styling products like gels to keep your curls clumped and defined throughout the day. 

Porosity

Hair porosity refers to the ability of your hair to lock in moisture. This is the main indicator when choosing products that are a right fit for your type of curls. Medium porosity curls mean that your hair is normal when it comes to moisture absorption. It looks like you added color to it, which causes hair to be high porosity (unless that was a temporary color like hair chalk”>. If this is the case, then you will want to deep condition to give your hair a moisture boost, and the LOC method is a good routine to be using. Type 3b curls range from tight ‘s‘ shaped ringlets to tighter corkscrews, so to maintain frizz-free, perfectly formed curls, products that have a heavy consistency and a high amount of slip will work highly in your favor. 

Products to try

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Made with nutrient-rich vegetable butters that condition and soften the hair without adding weight, this product controls the frizz of coarse, thick strands. It also contains neem oil to smooth down your halo.

Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream

This ultra-moisturizing co-wash will assist in keeping down the frizz but won’t weigh the natural volume of your curls down.

Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment

A conditioning formula with a thick consistency, this treatment is made out of cocoa and shea butters to add some serious moisture and penetration to dry, porous curls.

DIY

If curl products are difficult to find where you live, you can always make your own cleanser, conditioner and deep conditioner. Here are some quick and easy recipes that you can make with common household ingredients.

Aloe vera gel

This is a product that you can find at health food stores, and while it is not a hair product, it works exceptionally well on curly hair. Check the ingredients label to ensure that it is pure aloe vera gel with few additives (most products will have some additives to keep the product shelf stable”>. Aloe vera gel can be used in every step of your regimen from cleansing to conditioning to styling, check out all of the ways you can use aloe vera gel on your hair here.

NaturallyCurly world, what would you suggest for this community member?

What’s next?

Not sure what “LOC” refers to? Read LOC Method: The Routine Every Curly Should Know.

If you’re on the search for products, check out the Best of the Best curly hair products, as voted by the NaturallyCurly community.

Not sure what your hair type is? Find out here. 

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