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Today, we have a plethora of naturally curly hair products available to us. However, every curly is made differently–some of us cannot use certain popular products because of their ingredients.

There are several constituents in products–such as nuts, latex, or fragrances–that cause allergies, but thankfully, today there are easily accessible alternatives that will give you similar results.

Here are four substitutions to popular ingredients found in hair products that will still give your mane all the required TLC.

Swap out your shea butter for cupuacu butter

If you have a latex allergy, cupuacu butter is a great substitute for shea butter, and since it derives from the seeds of the cupuacu tree, it is also nut free. Cupuacu butter works similarly as shea butter, acting as a sealant, strengthener, and shine restorer. Cupuacu butter is recommended for those with weak and damaged hair in need of vitamins, minerals and proteins. Another great factor is its natural SPF content; if you are getting more than enough Vitamin D in your life, cupuacu butter is your go-to as a hair and skin sunscreen. I personally recommend trying Carol’s Daughter Cupuaçu Anti-Frizz Smoothing Shampoo that is particularly popular for aiding in frizz-free curls–even on colored hair.

Swap out your coconut oil for grapeseed oil

Grapeseed oil is an amazing alternative to many people’s favorite: coconut oil. You may even find that you prefer all of grapeseed oil’s benefits over coconut oil. Grapeseed oil has a high amount of omega-6 fatty acids, giving your hair and scalp more than enough moisture and shine. This oil is light enough to use on fine and brittle hair and will aid in the growth of your hair. Plus, it is less expensive than coconut oil!

Swap out your nut products with soap nuts

Soap nuts are the best replacement for naturals with nut allergies because they are basically dried fruit with the same antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you experience hair loss and dandruff, soap nuts act as a natural shampoo because it won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Shampooing a bit more often is not an issue! Trader Joe’s carries a nut and sulfate free conditioner with soy protein for added shine and strength to your strands. If you haven’t heard about the hype yet, try the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner with Peppermint and Eucalyptus.

Swap out your castor oil for avocado oil

Avocado oil is recommended for those allergic to castor oil, widely known as a natural hair thickener. Avocado works similarly but is lightweight enough for fine haired

curlies to use. It also contains a great amount of vitamin E, which restores natural luster in each strand. if you are ever in a hurry and need to skip that leave-in conditioner, go right ahead! Similar to the cupuacu butter, avocado oil is also an antioxidant that can protect your hair and skin from harmful UVA and UVB sunrays.  

Do you have an allergy to a common hair ingredient?

Share your product suggestions below and on the NaturallyCurly Facebook page.

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  Products are essential to attaining beautiful and healthy hair, but products alone will not service the overall health of your curls. There are other factors that play a major role in having healthy hair. I like to call them The 10 Commandments of Beautiful, Healthy Hair.

1. Thou shalt eat healthy.

It is important to take care of our insides just as much as the outsides. The right foods and water are fundamental to encouraging hair growth and maintaining naturally hydrated hair. These 10 power foods are rich in minerals, fiber and vitamins; adding them into my diet supported my hair growth.

2. Thou shalt sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.

In order to prevent your curls from matting at night, using a silk or satin pillowcase will aid in the reduction of frizz. This falls in line with not touching my hair as much as I can. The less disturbed curls are, the more time they stay in tact.

3. Thou shalt finger de-tangle to protect thy glorious mane.

Finger detangling has several advantages when taking care of curls. It helps me feel the tangles and avoid all the pulling that comes along when using a comb, thus avoiding hair loss and breakage. Plus, my curl pattern stays in tact. Although, it is definitely not the only way to detangle hair; wide-toothed combs are similarly effective.

4. Thou shall eliminate–or limit–heat usage on hair.

Excessive heat is more likely to damage your curl pattern and extract moisture from the hair. There are several ways to restore your curls to their natural state. Most of the time, however, it requires cutting off the damaged tresses (big chop“> to give room for new growth. Repairing curls from heat damage is a long journey, therefore the less heat possible, the better.

5. Thou shall style hair when wet.

In order to obtain all the benefits from hair products, applying them onto soaking wet hair is recommended. Wet hair deeply saturates products, which allows curls to form frizz-free into their natural pattern.

6. Thou shalt only use a microfiber towel to dry.

Similarly like a satin or silk pillowcase, a microfiber towel causes less friction and tangles meaning less breakage. They also absorb water much faster than the typical terry cloth towels. This reduces drying time and helps your curls retain moisture.

7. Thou shalt read the ingredient label.

It’s important to stay cautious of the elements that are being placed onto your curly hair; you should also pay attention to what goes into our body. Therefore, reading the ingredient labels on all of your products before purchasing and using them. I personally avoid using products with the following ingredients:

• sulfates

• parabens

• phthalates

• paraffin

• propylene glycol

• mineral oil

• synthetic fragrance

• synthetic color

• DEA

• animal ingredients (or animal testing”>

• petroleum

It is best to choose products that contain water as one of their top five ingredients as there really is no better moisturizer than good ol’ H2O.

8. Thou shalt shampoo less–and co-wash more.

Shampooing too frequently strips hair of its natural moisture and can lead to hair loss and breakage. It is better to clarify 1-2 times a month, and co-wash in between. That allows for curls to get conditioned much more, and reduce oil production on the scalp (similar to producing more oil when over-washing one’s face”>.

9. Thou shalt deep condition.

Besides shampooing less often, deep conditioning is an important step to obtaining full, manageable and properly moisturized hair. Daily conditioning is done with co-washing, but deep conditioning is needed once a month to add necessary strengthening protein to your curls. This helps hair to be less prone to breakage and retain length.

10. Thou shalt love thy hair no matter what.

Last but not least—self-love. There is a lot of pressure from the media to follow in the steps of what’s deemed as beautiful or acceptable, but not concerning yourself with the opinions of others has allowed me to reach an optimal point of self-love and acceptance. The natural hair journey is a lengthy one, but appreciating every moment from transitioning to restored allows for growth—both personal and hair wise.

What other habits have worked in achieving your beautiful curls?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a device that could dry your curls without disturbing the pattern? What if this tool could give you more volume? Well, now there is one.

Memphis native and entrepreneur Ayshia Collier was inspired by her own struggles of obtaining volume in her curls to create a device that could air dry and prop curls at the roots without plugging a cord into an outlet.

“I struggled with my hair for years, like a lot of curly haired women and there was this one problem that didn’t have a real solution,” Collier says. “Curly hair tends to have a good amount of volume but for some, it is flat on top and bigger on the bottom. I stood in my bathroom, frustrated and wishing that I had a device that could lift my roots away from my scalp while they dried. So I thought this definitely doesn’t exist so why don’t I make it so.”

Collier’s device gives individuals the freedom to focus on other activities while air drying and getting volume, and simultaneously depleting the time spent diffusing in front of a mirror.

Did Ayshia always plan on pursuing her curly hair invention as a business endeavor? Not quite.

“I had no plans of becoming an entrepreneur until I moved to Austin four years ago. All the people around me who had the entrepreneurship spirit inspired me. I thought, well if they can do it, then so can I. I started brainstorming on different business ideas and originally planned on starting a scooter rental company. I went back to this hair tool idea that I came up with, when the rental company didn’t pan out.”

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A photo posted by CurlyCrown (@abbproducts”> on Jul 1, 2016 at 1:31pm PDT

And behold, the curly crown.

This gives every curly girl the convenience of not having to flip one’s hair down, tease and diffuse, and minimizing the hair routine. There is only one roadblock, however: the curly crown isn’t in stock yet due to low funds for manufacturing.

The prototype was actually made out of craft pipe cleaners. It wasn’t functional, but it was enough to get the idea across to the community. Later, Collier was able to afford CAD files and 3-D prints, until an unexpected turn of events happened. A drunk driver hit her when she was riding her moped, but thankfully, Collier walked away with only staples and a neck injury, plus a settlement that helped develop the CurlyCrown.

After the prototype, Collier went through many other drafts and had conversations with designers to make sure it worked properly. Now that the CurlyCrown has been perfected, it needs to be manufactured in order to get it into people’s hands or hair.

In order to raise the necessary funds to get this new invention into production, Collier needs to raise $32,000; each CurlyCrown costs from $300 to $600 to build. The money raised from her Indiegogo campaign will go towards the tooling mold, manufacturing, packaging, shipping, advertising and other miscellaneous costs.

Collier never intended to be a businesswoman in the world of curly hair. She only desires to help every curly girl out there who yearns for big curls full of volume. “I have definitely grown into the entrepreneur state of mind. I know from all of the great feedback and reactions that I’ve gotten that this is something people want just as much as I do. I plan on producing several other hair tools as well; CurlyCrown is merely the beginning.”

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We’ve all experienced the disastrous at-home hair dye job once or twice.

Believe it or not, these all-natural hacks have been proven to do the trick in stripping your unwanted hair color.

While some methods work faster than others, none of these will break the bank or further damage your real hair. It is important to remember that your first trial will not return a natural hair color immediately, therefore patience is just as much of an essential ingredient when creating a homemade remedy.

Baking soda + anti-dandruff shampoo

1. Mix equal amounts of baking soda with anti-dandruff shampoo and wash your hair with the mixture.
2. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes then thoroughly rinse out.
3. Repeat washing your hair, but this time only with the anti-dandruff shampoo. Leave it in your hair for another 5 to 10 minutes and thoroughly rinse out. The pH level in the anti-dandruff shampoo is what works in your favor to reverse the bad dye job.
4. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner–stripping your hair of its color will also strip it from moisture. Seal with your favorite carrier oil.

This process can be repeated as needed; this method delivers one of the fastest results, therefore the more its done, the faster the dye will come out.

Raw lemons + toning conditioner

1. Wash your hair normally as you would but let the shampoo sit in your hair for 5 minutes.
2. Once that time is up, squeeze the lemon juice onto your hair strands and leave it for another 5 minutes before rinsing.
3. Apply some toning conditioner–in the desirable pigment–that will add some of the preferred color to your hair. Repeat for a week.

This method will give the illusion of a gradual change rather than the obvious overnight transformation.

Coconut oil + dish soap

1. Blend the coconut oil with dish soap and use the mixture to wash your hair.
2. Lather it up as much as you can and allow it to sit in your hair for several minutes. The suds that the dish soap creates are the main factor to how the dye comes out; the coconut oil is responsible for preventing your strands from experiencing damage from the dish soap.
3. After several minutes, rinse it out and follow-up with your favorite moisturizing deep conditioning treatment.

This process is not an overnight treatment, but if the dye is not highly pigmented, it will likely come out much faster. Most red dyes will take a bit longer to completely strip. Repeat this process several times, remembering to deep condition after every hair dye and color removal attempt.

Have you had a bad dye job? Do tell!

Like us on Facebook for more curly girl tips and hair dying hacks.

As a product junkie and timeless fan of coconut oil, I have come across some holy grails that never seem to disappoint. 

 

Some curly girls have made a reputation for being product junkies although some of us might plead the fifth. We are always experimenting, trying out different products to get our curls to look like our favorite YouTube Curl gurus. After my fair share of trial and error, I have finally found some trusty holy grails with a common ingredient that never disappoints. Hey, some of us still cannot go wrong with coconut oil.

The following products have aided my type 3 curls in reaching great volume also defining and moisturizing.

DevaCurl Coconut Curl Styler

DevaCurl continues to slay the curly girl market, and aids in the transition of many to go natural. Many of their products are acclaimed winners and have been featured in countless venues.

This product has a great slip, and moisturizes immensely, although, the amount of product needed for the necessary hold varies per person. If you use too much, you run the risk of weighing your hair down because it’s not a lightweight product. If you use a small amount, you might need to reapply throughout the day. The styler creates amazing definition, but the price is pretty high, so although I keep it around, I don’t use it everyday.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo

My absolutely, ultimate favorite brand is SheaMoisture, and their award-winning Coconut & Hibiscus line for curls is to die for.  The moisture gained from this entire line is amazing. The shampoo has coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil therefore your hair will receive ultimate moisture and aid in frizz. It is important to rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water to not weigh it down once you get to the conditioner.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner

This conditioner is a holy grail for millions of curly girls. It’s a heavy product with a good slip that restores the shine and definition to damaged curly hair and keeps your hair moisturized until your next washday.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk

For those with high-porosity and coarse curls, this product is for you. The coconut oil and added ingredients create a heavy slip to lock in extra moisture and avoid breakage.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Moisture Mist

My hair likes to get a bit frizzy in-between washdays, so I lightly spritz this mist all over in order to reduce stray-aways and keep it looking fresh.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse

This product is my personal holy grail. My hair is a mixture of thick and fine 3c curls, therefore the less weight I can put on my hair, the better. I love volume, so I mix all of my heavy products with water to lighten the consistency, except this mousse. It’s perfect for fine curls, and its extreme slip and moisture creates beautiful and lasting definition.

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter

Camille Rose released a line specifically with coconut water and coconut oil to deeply moisturize curls without weighing them down as most products do. The coconut water allows your curls to expand to their maximum potential while the natural oils keep them defined and tangle-free.

This style setter is a game-changer. Unlike many products, your scalp won’t start itching or getting irritated because you’ve gone several days without washing it. I wash my hair once a week, and this product helps my hair stay moisturized and frizz-free while soothing my scalp until washday.

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Leave-In Treatment

For those with fine hair, this leave-in treatment is a must. Your hair will be protected and conditioned while not being weighed down like other conditioners do. It has a nice slip, but it’s a bit of struggle to get the product out of the bottle, therefore I suggest unscrewing the top when using the product.

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Penetrating Hair Treatment

This conditioner is an obsession for many, including myself. It has a great slip, and defines and moisturizes curls so that your hair stays tangle-free and shiny. It’s light enough for fine hair, yet can penetrate deeply for those with high-porosity 4a or 4b curls. The only con would be the amount of conditioner to price ratio. Curly girls tend to use a bucket load of conditioner therefore it wouldn’t hurt for CR Naturals to give us a bit more bang for our buck.

As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

Co-Wash cleansing conditioners tend to be a hit or miss with many, but when I tried the one from As I Am, I definitely made it my personal co-wash product. The conditioner is light enough to make its way to your scalp and strip away all the dirt and product residue, although, I have to use a lot of it in order to get all of my hair clean, therefore expect to finish it pretty quickly.

The As I Am Co-Wash is light enough for even the finest of hair, but can clean thoroughly without breaking your hair and stripping away natural oils. The coconut oil in the co-wash adds needed moisture to hair, and will keep it defined without flattening your curls.

What are your holy grails?

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As curly girls, most of us desire to have textured but frizz-free strands that are shaped perfectly–preferably by a knowledgeable hair stylist who can ensure they will not get destroyed. Sometimes, we even resort to doing our own trimming and chopping because of the fear that a person who claims to be a ‘professional’ will not perform our desired look. A skilled curly hair specialist can make or break a curly girl’s journey to natural.

I spoke with Melbourne’s top curly hair specialist and salon owner, Neel Morley, about how to succeed in the hair industry when focusing on curly hair. Luckily for us at NaturallyCurly, he was more than willing to share a few insider secrets! Here are four things a stylist needs to succeed as a curly hair specialist.

1. A curly education

The owner of Australia’s only curly hair salon, Neel Loves Curls, Neel knows a thing or two about entrepreneurship. Morley started training in England. Next, he attended DevaCurl Academy in New York to focus on mastering the craft of curly hair. There, Neel learned how to shape curls for the most natural appearance. For further training on Afro-textured hair, he relocated to Detroit, then took his skills to a salon in Australia.

It didn’t take long for Neel’s phone to keep ringing off the hook.

Soon enough, he opened his own salon with a schedule booked out three months in advance. 

2.  A booking system

Neel highly recommends every aspiring stylist to looking into using a booking system. It will allow you to focus on your current clients while not worrying about missing potential ones if you cannot make it to the phone.

3. Social media

Another recommendation Neel had to use social media. All of your handles are a big factor when starting your own business as it is the place you need to show off your skills and gain more traction. In order for potential clients to trust your expertise, they need to see real photos.

4. The right tools

The tools Neel suggests for aspiring stylists with a focus on curly hair:

• Regular hair shears. Insider tip: long blades work better on curly hair.

• Hair dryers. Don’t forget your diffuser attachment!

• Hair clips. Neel’s fave? DevaCurl metal clips.

• Curly hair products. No brainer, but Neel suggests none with ingredients that harm the curls.

Regular hair shears

As you shop around for your hair shears, it is important to buy the ones that are six inches in length and with the sharpest blade you can find. Regular bulky scissors damage hair, so the sharper, the better. Remember: when cutting curly hair, you are layering and lightly cutting off the damaged pieces and shaping it. Therefore, six-inch shears will allow you to reach every end without disturbing its natural state.

Check out the handles of the scissors before you buy them is vital. Besides comfort, you do not want them to freeze up on you in the middle of your haircut. In terms of comfort, you want to be as comfortable as possible while doing your job, and not all scissors eyes are made equally.

Hair dryer and diffuser attachment

Regular blow dryers tend to mess with natural hair patterns, thus leaving curls a frizzy mess. Diffusers, on the contrary, do not disturb curl patterns and adds ultimate volume to flat hair. Remember that when cutting curly hair, it must be done dry, but you never know when a client will ask for shampooing or co-wash, and being able to dry their hair rapidly is important.

Hair clips

Curly prong clips are another essential that work well on curly hair that is wet and needs to dry and gain volume. Clipping hair while diffusing will give the illusion of big hair once it’s dry, thus making a happy customer!

Hair products

It is important to stay cautious of chemicals that can damage hair since curly hair is more prone to frizz than straight hair. Sticking with products that focus on delivering natural ingredients will allow you to provide clean service while aiding your client in having beautiful, healthy hair.

Are you an aspiring curly hair entrepreneur?

Stylists: Here Are 4 Deal-Breakers For Losing Your Curly Client

Are you in Melbourne or traveling there soon? Schedule an appointment with Neel now!

Follow us on Instagram for curly haircut inspiration @NaturallyCurly  

Bentonite clay is a natural detoxifying remedy that has been around for centuries due to its multipurpose healing properties for the hair, skin and digestive system.

Bentonite is a natural ingredient formed after volcanic ash has weathered away; once it is activated by water, the effects are magical. This clay has a strong negative electromagnetic charge that when activated by water it acts like a magnet in or on our bodies by pulling impurities, chemicals, metals and toxins out. Once toxins are absorbed, minerals are released—sodium, potassium, calcium, silica, magnesium and iron—thus, cleansing and healing the body both internally and externally. 

The two types of bentonite clay are:

• sodium bentonite
• calcium bentonite

For your skin

Sodium bentonite aids in the healing and detoxifying of the skin, and hair. Skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis and chickenpox are continuously treated with this clay because it is hypoallergenic and acts as an antibiotic on the skin. It is especially useful for sufferers of acne. If your skin needs an extra kick during a bad a breakout, use apple cider vinegar instead of water. The mixture can be left on the skin for as long as you desire, although it is best to use before bed because your skin will be a bit red once it’s washed off and your skin will renew overnight.

For your hair

Bentonite clay is recommended as a treatment for those who suffer from:

• damaged ends
• itchy scalp
• breakage
• dandruff
• hair loss

It is known to remove excess build-up and impurities from the strands and scalp, replenishing hair by adding the necessary minerals to rebuild each strand’s strength. Combine bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera juice with your favorite essential oil for a deep conditioner treat like no other. 

For the body

Calcium bentonite works the same way in acting as a magnet when mixed with water by detoxifying your gut. By drinking the food grade clay, you pull the toxins while making its way through the digestive system and attaches to the clay to release it later. It aids in:

• acid reflux
• acidosis
• arthritis
• bacterial infections
• candida
• constipation
• diarrhea
• food poisoning
• heartburn
• nausea
• parasites
• irritable bowel syndrome

Similarly to the sodium bentonite, the food grade calcium clay releases the same minerals–sodium, potassium, calcium, silica, magnesium, and iron–into your body making it more alkaline. Therefore, you are able to take the clay in the form of a multivitamin supplement. Your food grade clay must be taken on an empty stomach an hour or two before your next meal in order to gain all of its effects. Before you begin trying this ancient remedy as a body detox, first check with your medical physician for clearance.

There are a few things you need to make sure your clay possesses before adding to your Vitamin Shoppe cart.

1. Not all clays are created equal, so check to make sure it is not a cream or white in color.
2. The clay should be odorless, soft and smooth.
3. Before using the clay, do not let it come in contact with any metal as that can take away from its electromagnetic effects.
4. Use a plastic or glass container when pouring the clay out (you can even use your finger to stir it with water”>.

Have you used Bentonite clay before? Would you try it as a facial cleanser, a body detox, or a hair masque?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Although there are so many that have stimulated me in different ways, these Latinx icons are the top ones on my list.

Latin women are usually typecast to be the maids, nannies, cooks, mothers or the fiery, objectified role in movies.

But they are women–intellectuals, artists, scholars and activists. They are the ones who pave the way for their children and grandchildren to have a better life. They are the ones who inspire. Although there are so many that have stimulated me in different ways, these are the top ones on my list.

Frida Kahlo

Kahlo is not seen as a traditional feminist icon to many due to her controversial individuality as an artist, but if you pay close attention to her work, she embodies the key pillar of the movement—being herself. From a young age, she was always against the grain and didn’t follow societal rules. Her viewpoints were in opposition to patriarchal rules of fashion, manners, morals, and gender roles, therefore what about that doesn’t scream feminist? Kahlo did indeed marry a misogynist, but we all saw the pain she went through through her surrealist art expression. For that reason, we should take it as a lesson to only allow those who treat us with the highest respect, love and kindness into our lives.

Jovita Idar

Idar started off her career as a schoolteacher. After leaving that position, she became a journalist at her father’s newspaper, La Cronica, where she wrote about the Mexican Revolution and the poverty of Mexican-American workers. Later on, she formed the Mexican Feminist League, in which she was president as well. Idar is credited for forming the first feminist part in Mexican history–G.O.A.T! Her organization exposed issues regarding civil rights, bilingual education, the lynchings of Mexicans, labor organizing and women’s rights. She was an advocate for Mexicans as a whole but she held the wellbeing of women and children near to her heart. Jovita yearned for the betterment of education in order for Mexican men and Americans to not take advantage of them; she went on to create a free kindergarten center as well as work as a translator at a hospital.

Rosario Castellanos

“Women [should] see all of [our] possibilities in life, to know that we don’t have to live in ominous spinsterhood, a pressured marriage, or mortal solitude.” Castellanos was a poet and a writer; her focus was on politics and the difficulties of being a Mexican woman. She even wrote her thesis for her master’s on Sobre Cultura Femenina, the women’s movement, and is now a literary figure for many feminist scholars. Rosario incorporated women’s images, bodies, voices and texts to feminize her dialogue and create a variety of new messages about the women of Mexico. She describes this process in The Eternal Feminine: “…it’s not good enough to imitate the models proposed for us that are answers to circumstances other than our own. It isn’t even enough to discover who we are. We have to invent ourselves.” Rosario enlightened us all with her literature which helped pave the way for many Latina feminist writers.

Celia Cruz

As an Afro-Latina, it was a given that the Queen of Salsa would be on this list! Cruz broke many racial boundaries and rose to be the La Reina de la Salsa, but she also contributed to the intersectional feminist movement by celebrating Afro-Latina beauty in Latin America, where you see light, fair skin, thin bodies, and straight hair (pelo bueno”> as the epitome of beauty. You can see her praising all Afro-Latinas in her smashing hit, “La Negra Tiene Tumbao,” and making it a body-positivity moment.

Dolores Huerta

Huerta is the true MVP. Known because of her title as co-founder and leader of the United Farm Workers, Huerta’s success is also thanks to getting the Immigration Act of 1985 ratified, and most recently, movement in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Huerta has been given 73 honorary doctorates and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for her activist work. But it wasn’t easy; Huerta has been arrested 27 times lobbying for immigrants and farm workers. She is now president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, and was recognized by Hollywood in the film Cesar Chavez, where Rosario Dawson plays the amazing Latin woman.

Selena Quintanilla

Oh, but of course, Selena, La Reina de La Cumbia. She’s the iconic performer who had every young Latinx girl singing her songs in the mirror. Selena helped other Mexican women believe anything is possible; she broke barriers from the Tejano music industry to crossover stardom in the pop industry. To this day there hasn’t been another Latin female performing artist that has touched the lives of so many the way she did in such a short amount of time. #SelenaVive

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe is another Afro-Latina that inspires me and so many others because of her truly unapologetic personality and feminism. Her husband even took her last name (ugh, goals”>. She has addressed gender roles publicly and continues to speak on discriminations in the film industry, body image and society’s gender gap.

Proud Latinas, who has inspired you?

Wrinkles, dehydration, and sagging–residual effects of aging that most women try to avoid; with a plethora of cosmetic products and prescriptions, our choices are countless. Incorporating natural chemicals produced by our own bodies to our hair and skin regimen could be just the extra kick we need.

Dermatologists have long recommended products with hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, to patients due to its moisturizing benefits. It is the lubricating agent for our skin, hair, eyes, and joints. Also, note that by the time we reach our 40s, our bodies produce half the amount of hyaluronic acid that is required to maintain the plumpness and fullness of our skin and hair.

Collagen and HA are the main components that keep our skin healthy and glowing.

Collagen keeps skin firm, while HA keeps it nourished and hydrated. This incredible duo is what aids in slowing down the aging process. Regardless of your skin type, HA is gentle enough for sensitive skin, and amazingly lightweight for acne-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid included in a skincare routine creates a natural barrier that time and radical damage has caused, and will prevent further loss of moisture thus allow you to age gracefully.

It can help you hair, too.

Besides firmer skin, HA will prevent a dry scalp and hair from thinning and eventually falling out. It is recommended for children who suffer from progeria, which causes premature aging, and hair loss, therefore dermatologists believe that it can assist in cosmetic purposes as well.

According to dermatologist Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, hyaluronic acid is similar to a fertilizer because it can increase hair growth and the strand diameter–thicker hair.

According to dermatologist Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, hyaluronic acid is similar to a fertilizer because it can increase hair growth and the strand diameter–thicker hair. It is not only found in topical beauty products, but it can be taken orally as supplements. Some women choose to get it injected in depressed areas. Note that the injections are not permanent and will require more regular maintenance. Dermatologists have not determined whether taking HA orally or applying it topically works better, but adding both methods in our daily routines could create a desirable effect on our skin, hair, and bodies.

Where to find hyaluronic acid

Supplements

You can find supplements on Amazon or VitaminShoppe which offers Hydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid that will not break the bank.

Injectable fillers

If you are in the market for injectable fillers that will achieve the coveted plump look rapidly, do your research into brands like Restylane and Juvederm.

Topical products

If you prefer to avoid needles, consider topical products instead. Peter Thomas Roth VIZ-1000™ 75% Hyaluronic Acid Complex has the highest concentration of HA, therefore getting the quickest results, although it is far from the most affordable option. For a product at a more accessible price point, Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Night Moisturizer is over-the-counter and available at any major drugstore.

Hair products

If you’re looking for a product to add moisture to your scalp and hair, try John Masters Organic Bare Shampoo. It is inexpensive and active ingredients include both HA and jojoba oil.

For an even better deal, L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Moisture Shampoo contains the magic ingredient and will leave your hair feeling hydrated and weightless.

If you’re looking for a quick hair plumper, Davines Replumping Hair Filler Superactive spray will liven up those thinning and limp hair strands to give your curls a more voluminous appearance.

My goals for this program are to encourage the collaborative efforts of Black female entrepreneurs and inspire people of color to no longer have a ‘minority’ mentality…”

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Analise Harris, a middle and high school special education teacher in Denver, Colorado, and founder of the Curls On The Block curriculum, will be coordinating The Evolution of Natural Hair for International Natural Hair Meetup Day.

This annual holiday will consist of a variety of important historical figures highlighted such as Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Angela Davis, Madame CJ Walker, the Haitian Rebellion, Robert Smalls, Black Panther Party for Self Defense standing at the capitol, Janelle Monae, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Black Lives Matter and many more.

For the first time, Harris is partnering with Colorado Urban Naturals to include a competition of local black owned fashion boutiques and salons to focus on the needs of a naturalista. It will be comprised of five scenes to depict how people of color have overcome obstacles from rebellions, at the workplace and amongst friends. Models will rock their braids, locs, wash and go, wraps and accessories to display the styles during various eras in history.

The beginning

Harris, who identifies as a Black Puerto Rican naturalista, has grown to embrace her big curly hair from an early age. After a horrible perm experience, she was led to an impactful haircut and eventually, a journey of self-acceptance and purpose. Now, she has Curls On The Block to share her journey with other naturals.

“Curls on the Block blossomed from my Master’s capstone project,” Analise says. “Creating a curriculum to empower young girls, I also realized that I had to specifically target girls who identified as Black or Latina. As a special education teacher of color, I witnessed the way young Black students were often targeted or misunderstood in the education system. I saw the detrimental impact that bias, low self-esteem, and lack of resources have on young Black kids. I had an opportunity to create after school events, after my third year of teaching, where parents and community members could participate in the discussions with young girls. Curls On The Block is now a curriculum available for elementary, middle, and high school girls.”

The mission

“The mission of Curls on the Block is to attract young women of all curls and color to embrace, explore, and empower their curls,” says Analsie. The first step toward truly accepting everything you are is by embracing what you were born with. Then you can begin to identify and explore your own needs and find others with similar journeys. This creates pride–you’ll share your story when you find out that you are not alone in order to empower others to continue their journey of embracing themselves.”

The impact

“My goals for this program are to encourage the collaborative efforts of Black female entrepreneurs, inspire people of color to no longer have a ‘minority’ mentality, to embrace their physical features at an earlier age, be a resource of information, access and support for the natural hair movement.”

Curls On The Block has had a great impact on many students the program has reached. Apart from the program, Harris makes it point to ask her students two vital questions: “What is the impact of social media on your definition of beauty and what can you do to alter the definition?”

There is a controversy behind why some people choose to wear dreadlocks; here’s why these three defensive statements are just wrong.

Remember when Zendaya appeared at last year’s Oscars with faux dreadlocks?

E! Fashion Police co-host Giuliana Rancic stated that she looked “as if she smelled like patchouli oil and weed”? A viral video from San Francisco State University showed two students in a debate regarding the dreadlocks on the Caucasian individual, Cory Goldstein. The other student, Bonita Tindle, stated that she was simply trying to “collegially provoke thought within the man to critically think about his dreads and the racial implications it has as a non-Black person.” These are just two recent examples of how white supremacy has stepped in to regulate the beauty standards in mainstream media and our society.

There are several reasons why dreadlocks are controversial on a non-black individual but there are three points I believe are most important to reverse when defending dreadlocks.

1. “Dreadlocks are cross-cultural.”

Although dreadlocks have appeared in history since B.C. times to other several cultures in A.D. times around the world—Vikings, Irish, Celts, Greek, Romans—there is a difference in its connotations in the U.S. and why it’s seen disrespectful on those who are not Black. The Civil Rights Movement is exclusive to America, therefore African-Americans have used dreadlocks as a way to resist white supremacy, similarly to how white feminists ‘stick it to the patriarchy’ by not shaving or grooming in order to protest mainstream beauty standards.

2. “It’s not cultural appropriation, it’s cultural appreciation.”

Eh, not really. The difference between the two phrases has been explained enough times, but for the sake of the ones who live under a rock: cultural appropriation is when a dominant culture takes a part of the oppressed culture and instead of receiving negative connotations, there are no negative assumptions or consequences because the individual is part of the dominant culture (a.k.a., the oppressor”>. For example, Caucasians with dreadlocks do not experience discrimination because of their appearance, whereas an African-American with dreadlocks runs the risk of being singled out.

On the other end of the spectrum is cultural appreciation, which is simply when you value an aspect of the culture–or its entirety–without altering or taking it away from the originator. For example, when you see a beautiful bed of exotic flowers, you do not uproot them–you simply take pleasure in their beauty by watering and admiring them.

Ultimately, it is about respecting a method that was formed by a group in order to create a movement within that group. There was no need for white people to create a resistance movement against white supremacy, thus making it unnecessary and disrespectful for them to wear dreadlocks.

3. “Black women appropriate white culture when they dye their hair blonde or wear it straight.”

The Eurocentric beauty standard has controlled the media and society for thousands of years; in order to be accepted, your appearance has to align with what is considered mainstream. This means having straight hair, a narrow nose, a light skin tone, etc. African-American women have to assimilate to not be discriminated against, and be competitive job candidates or high-holding individuals of power in their career. It is not appropriation, it is survival.

You are able to liberate yourself from mainstream beauty standards, but not at the cost of oppressing others, therefore it is important to understand the history of the aspects of different cultures, as well as knowing how to empower yourself without taking what belongs to someone else.

What do you think?

As curlies, we understand straightening curly hair can be exasperating at best–but every once in awhile, we still want the option of spicing things up a bit with a different hairstyle?

Although there is a stigma within the curly community placed on straightening curly hair, for many of us, an inexperienced hairstylist is the reason. According to Studio Redd Salon owner and hairstylist, Tina Redd, “The only con to straightening natural curly hair is doing it incorrectly.”

Here is how it’s done correctly.

1. Pre-treatment

Over the years, Redd has created her signature technique from trial and error when it came to straightening curly manes and alas, the secret weapon was finally discovered—protein. “Moroccan Oil Repair or K-Pak by Joico are my preferred protein pre-treatments,” says Redd. This strengthens the hair and preps it before the heat is applied, and aids in the prevention of heat damage.

2. Apply product

Redd suggests against applying styling products on dry hair. The products are best absorbed on damp hair and allow them to go under the cuticle. You will notice hair is much shinier, silkier, and weightless and your results will last longer. Application on dried hair will make product just sit on top of the cuticle, weighing it down significantly and heating up (in a sense, cooking on the hair strand”>.

3. Air dry

Allow your hair to soak up all the products by air drying it. Stretch out your curls as much as you can before straightening–roller sets are the best for this (hence why it takes forever and a year”>. However, if you prefer to blow dry, keep your settings as low as possible.

4. Flat iron

Once you reach this point in the process, divide your hair into small sections and detangle with a closed-tooth comb as you flat-iron. Remember to keep the settings low as well; nothing over 400 degrees. This is easier if your hair is stretched out completely before you flat-iron.

5. Post treat

Once your hair is laid to your desire, do not touch it up with more heat. Instead, use roller sets or create chunky braids to keep it stretched out or wavy overnight. Less heat cannot be stressed enough! Also, sleeping in a satin cap or bonnet will help increase the time your hair stays straight.

If you exceed straightening your hair more than 2 to 3 times a month, you run the risk of having permanently loosened curls.

“I always suggest rinsing hair with apple cider vinegar if you feel your curls loosened,” says Redd. “Let it sit about five minutes, then scrunch and rinse. Beer rinses are great too for curls that have been compromised, and always use products that protect from heat—Moroccan Oil and Rucker Roots. These products not only provide great protection from heat, but they hydrate the hair without weight and add incredible shine.” To combat this, stick with a cleansing, deep conditioning, followed by a restoring hair masque regimen to take steps to repair the damage.

Are you straightening your hair this summer?

For me, having curly hair is a personal statement of rebellion.

The history of peoples from the Caribbean, Latin, Central, and South America is pretty extensive and this gives anyone from there a unique personal experience.

We vary from white European Latinxs to indigenous Latinxs to Afro-Latinxs but there is a factor that stays constant: the dominance of European influence within each of our cultures. That includes the patriarchal authority in the family structure, the beauty standards, and the respectability politics within our community.

Much of what the average Latinx individual considers attractive is based on European influence—a light and fair complexion, small and narrow nose, slim physique and straight hair. I grew up in a family in which straight hair was more common, but my hair texture was not similar to theirs. Unfortunately, this was before natural hair became a trend so no one really knew (or explained”> how to maintain it.

What led me to embrace my natural hair journey was rebellion and the desire for beautiful, healthy hair. I’ll explain.

There has been a stigma placed on what’s acceptable in the workplace. For example, not having what is called “wild hair,” and making it appear “professional” (whatever that means”>. In high school I remember a teacher telling the class that if we had hair that is curly, we should put it in a bun to make sure it’s tame.

At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. Thinking of that statement irks my soul now. Then, I went to college. I majored in Broadcast Journalism and learned that image is just as important as skills are (if not more”>. Before the 2000s, reporters had strict rules on how their hair was to be presented and that made me cringe. There are loads of articles recounting experiences of people who have been criticized for wearing their naturally textured curly hair to the workplace, and as I read these stories, a red mist of irritation fell upon me. I didn’t undergo the natural hair journey just yet, but this was a building block.

After I graduated and went off to my first big internship, I realized I was the only one with curly hair in the office.

I felt uneasy but the experience did encourage me to be comfortable in standing out–rebelling, if you will. One night, I ran across one of the biggest curly hair gurus on YouTube; from then on, it was game over and my journey to natural, beautiful curls began.

Take a look at a Mexican novela–or famous celebrities–and you’ll see how tamed hair and perfect makeup dominate the industry. That, in turn, translates to our community and now stick straight or Kim Kardashian-esque ‘curls’ are in.

I do not believe that a hairstyle makes someone more conscious about the psychological and sociological perspectives that are mainstream; regardless if someone straightens their curls or leaves them as is, it’s just a hairstyle. For me, however, my curly hair is a personal statement. It’s also my way of combating a beauty standard that was imposed by white imperialists. It’s my way of embracing my roots.

Are you trying to spice up your look this season with some highlights or lowlights by a professional stylist?

You’ve seen your stylist pull out foil for this before, but perhaps you’re stuck on the difference between full foils, partial foils when you look at the service list.

When it comes to full or partial foils, it always depends on the look you are trying to achieve. They are the same as highlights, the only difference is if you want your whole hair highlighted or just a few sections. For example, if you’re trying to change an entire hair color, a full foil is the best decision.

What are foil highlights?

Foil highlights are simply a more precise application, and the processing time is a bit less. Aluminum is a heat conductor–as all metals are–so the foils slightly warm up on their own. This contributes to a color mixture highlighting your hair faster than if there were no type of covering used.

What is a full foil?

A full foil is the highlighting service of your entire hair. All of your hair will be parted into sections in order to place foils all around, especially underneath your hair; usually this consists of 45 to 100 foils. For example, if a brunette is trying to get that beach blonde look, a full foiling service (possibly several services”> would be required.

What is a partial foil?

Unlike the full foiling service, partial foils are only focused on certain sections of your hair. The most common areas that get highlighted are the top half and side sections of your hair. A partial foil will give you a subtle effect, similar to how the sun lightens your hair.

What’s the difference?

If you are trying to attempt a bold look then a full foil would be your best choice, but if a subtler, natural look is the goal, then a partial foil would work best.

Although, full foils is not the only way that you achieve a dramatic look. If you heavily highlight one section of your hair with partial foils, you will be able to save some money and give yourself a bold new look.

Do foils damage the hair?

Any highlighting service can be damaging to your hair if your stylist is not educated and experienced with your type of hair texture. Therefore, it is always important to only make an appointment with a well-researched stylist that you trust and has experience with naturally curly hair.

Over the last few years, it seems that every celebrity and fashionista has sported either ombré or balayage at some point. Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Jessica Biel, the Kardashian sisters, and even Amy from next door–the two hair trends have been highly requested by both the celebrity world and our own. And in some cases, clients request a mixture of both techniques, referred to as “color melt”. Do you truly know the difference between ombré and balayage hair color? Here, I’ll help you figure out the distinction.

What is Balayage?

According to West Coast Hair Design, Balayage (pronounced Bah-Lee-Ahj”> made its debut in the 1970s at the famous Carita Salon in Paris, France. Meaning “to sweep,” this technique was originally called Balayage à Coton due to cotton strips being used to separate the sections of lightened hair while processing.

The Balayage coloring process

According to certified master cutting and coloring specialist Tina Redd, the lightener is applied free hand and then foil, cotton strips, mesh sheets, and sometimes plastic wrap is used between each section to prevent bleeding. FYI: Properly applied balayage highlights should not bleed through. There is no foiling involved as there is in other hair coloring processes. The ultimate sun-kissed look is achieved by applying the lightener to the of each thin section with a sweeping motion towards the base.

Who should get Balayage?

Balayage is more noticeable on hair that has been smoothed with a thermal styling tool, whereas with ombré, the dramatic result of it is noticeable on both natural and thermally styled hair.

Alexis, hairstylist at Posh Salon, personally prefers doing balayage on her clients over ombré due to its natural look and low maintenance upkeep. “Balayage can be used to create many different looks, whether it’s a soft natural look–or if you are aiming for dimension.” This allows the client to go much longer in between retouch visits. This is a good option for those looking to change their look for a special event but not on a frequent basis.

What is Ombré?

Ombré has been used for hundreds of years in painting and in fabrics. However, as a hair coloring technique, it is fairly new. According to Scott J Salon, ombré derives from the French word “two-toned,” creating a darker root and an extremely lighter end. The end result gives you a “grown-out” look. 

Who should get ombré?

If you want a more dramatic look where your roots and your ends are two different shades then ombré is for you. This style looks great with the movement of curls and waves so it works well for women who do not straighten their hair.

Do you really want a color melt?

Some stylists say that although many clients request ombré, they are really asking for “color melt”–a mixture of both of these coloring techniques, in which the balayage highlights appear as though they are melting into the lighter ends, creating a seamless ombré effect. If you want lighter ends but do not want a drastic difference between your ends and your roots, ask for a color melt. 

What if I don’t know what I want (yet”>?

Tina, who works with all hair textures, recommends a client and their stylist doing a strand test in the consultation to ensure the hair can even withstand one of these services. These coloring techniques work well on all hair types and textures if done properly. However, note that the same chemical is used in both techniques–therefore, there is no way around the damage. You can only replenish your hair by following up the coloring appointment with moisture and protein treatments.

Thinking of getting either color process? As with any product or technique, do thorough research. Make sure your potential colorist is familiar with working with your natural hair type, length, shade, and texture. These all play a factor in the end result.

Recently, I have noticed more and more women taking the decision to embrace their natural mane.

While I view this movement as a feministic decision to do whatever the heck I want, many women have different reasons as to why they decided to go natural. Many women have different reasons as to why they decided to go natural. However, I’ve narrowed it down to these main goals:

• we want to have healthy hair
• we want to be in tune with ourselves
• it’s easier to maintain
• it can be somewhat cheaper to maintain than relaxed hair

Although I do not believe that choosing to rock a weave or relaxed hair is negative, unhealthy, nor a hit to your feminism. It is possible to maintain healthy relaxed hair just as much as the natural hair community goes in about maintaining natural curls. Let me share some of my curly girl wisdom.

We want to have healthy hair

Many women who decide to join the natural and curly hair community consider natural, organic ingredients to be the healthier option. The intense process of perms/relaxers and their effects on our hair are definitely damaging when the proper care steps aren’t taken. Nevertheless, it’s possible to maintain a healthy mane either way. On the opposite end of the spectrum, going natural just means we choose to not alter the natural state of our hair with chemicals, only use natural products, hence being dubbed the “natural” community.

We want to be in tune with ourselves

For the natural hair community, we embrace our natural state of being. If you were born with curly hair, then acceptance and not being ashamed to rock it is the first step. It means being able to accept our natural beauty with minimal alteration, more enhancement. It means to not let fascist, Eurocentric, patriarchal standards of beauty define the way we see ourselves in the mirror. Straight hair has, until recently, been seen as the prettier preference. But naturally curly hair is making a comeback!

It’s easier to maintain

Natural hair may not always cooperate but it definitely is easier to maintain than having to visit the salon for a relaxer touch-up every month. In the beginning of the journey, it’s pretty much trial and error. Once you start noticing what your hair likes and dislikes, the maintenance becomes a routine. That part of the journey may not always come as swiftly as we desire, but patience is key.

It can be somewhat cheaper, too

Cheaper? Did I just type that? Yep, sure did! I obviously know that products aren’t cheap; with the demand being higher, prices have risen. Nonetheless, like I stated in bullet number three, once you begin to notice what your hair likes, you stick to that routine and those products. Thus, your bank account doesn’t suffer as much. Although everyone in the natural hair community knows that trying new products is always a temptation so going to Walgreens or Target is never a good experience for our wallets. Now I think we just need an article on how to gain willpower when we go to Target.

Bottom line: If natural hair is the in thing right now, at the end of the day, it is a personal choice and nobody can take away or look down upon anybody for that. Rock those natural curls, or that weave, girl!

A University College London study has identified a gene that is responsible for your head full of curls and the type of curl pattern it possesses.

 

Dr. Kaustubh Adhikari of University College London’s cell and developmental biology department has found that the gene PRSS53–also known as trichohyalin–influences hair curliness, and a completely different gene, EDAR, is in charge of its thickness and shape.

They found this by analyzing 6,357 people whose backgrounds varied across Latin America, such as Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. From among that group, 48% were of varied European descent, 46% of Native American descent, and 6% of African descent.

Like people, curls come in all shapes & sizes

Just like the uniqueness in humans, human hair comes in all shapes, textures, and colors, and if your head is crowned with curls, you are part of the 15% of mixed European descendants who possess this autosomal dominant trait.

Among those with African descent, straight here is merely absent from sub-Saharan Africa, therefore, you were more than bound to get gifted with curls.

Besides giving us more background on our genetics, these findings are useful in forensics and allowing scientists to identify the genetic makeup of all individuals, including those from Latin America and East Asia. It could also assist with hair altering treatment developments for those who wish to change their hair texture.

Pictured: NaturallyCurly contributor and blogger, Just Curly