Search Results: Jascmeen Bush
The naturally curly hair community has no shortage of trends, tips, and tricks. Sure, they’re meant to be helpful — but am I the only one who feels like a new catchy curl term pops up almost daily? Well “squish to condish” isn’t just another trend. This somewhat-new method is getting plenty of well-deserved buzz, because it works for so many people.
What is Squish to Condish?
In an effort to hydrate our curls, most of us rely heavily on conditioner. We slather it on, working our way through an entire bottle of conditioner in only a few washes. In much the same way that oil on dry legs gives you oily but still dry legs, conditioner without the right amount of water does nothing for real hydration. Here’s where squish to Condish comes in.
Embedded content: https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/Yz_squish-to-condish-650×400-.gifHow to Squish to Condish
1. Thoroughly wet your hair
After washing your hair normally, start with your head upside down. Make sure your hair is soaking wet (not a quick dip under the showerhead”>.
2. Condition
Apply enough conditioner so that your hair feels like seaweed. Work it through your hair so that the product is evenly distributed. In the market for a good conditioner? Here’s a few to try!
3. Squish!
As you begin to rinse, gather the pools of the water and conditioner that is coming out of your hair into your hands. Plop your curls into the water and conditioner mix, and squish those curls. Tighter curl patterns may need to add more conditioner, just be sure to add more water and keep on squishing. Keep doing this until your hair is no longer dripping. If you’re concerned about messing up your curl pattern or causing frizz, just be sure you are scrunching gently, and that your hair is wet enough.
This conditioning and curl-enhancing technique is the brainchild of Melissa Stites, a NaturallyCurly veteran who’s been active on our site since 2009! We caught up with her to get more deets on this technique.
JB: How did you come up with “Squish to Condish?”
“Well, it happened in the shower, really. I had been trying to teach women in the salon how to do their curls, and they seemed to get it, but when they got home they weren’t getting the same results.
We’ve been told to coat our hair with tons and tons of conditioner, we must control, contain, even use half the bottle for goodness sake. We’ve been doing it for years. I had to change their habits in the morning, make them understand that the water is the hydrator, water is moisture, the conditioner is just the conduit.”
JB: We all know how important moisture is to our curls. Before you came up with Squish to Condish, what mistakes were your clients making?
“Every woman’s first instinct is to slap on more and more conditioner. I’m telling them to add more and more water. It’s the opposite of what we’ve been taught and have been doing for years. In the salon I can show them, let them see, let them feel, let them hear. It truly takes all of that to actually change our habits every morning. So it worked, curlies have been messaging me and writing about it and doing videos because it finally makes sense to them.”
JB: You’ve been involved with Naturally Curly since 2009 and have been a stylist since you were 16! What advice do you have for naturals looking for a great stylist?
“My answer would be for them to search for a Deva certified stylist first and foremost. They started all of this and continue to do so. Look for someone who has been to their academy multiple times and is hungry for more. The second place to look is Curly Hair Artistry. I’ve been so proud and honored to be one of the first in a part of the most amazing passionate stylists globally. We are on a mission to spread the curly word!! You will not find a stylist in this group that doesn’t care.”
Want to see how it’s done? Check out blogger WhirlsandCurls’ video. She makes it look pretty easy!
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/embed/oDi0OvYSgSADo you squish to condish? Tell us how it works for you, or if you’re interested in trying this technique in the comments section below!
This article was originally published in 2013 and has been updated to incorporate reader feedback.
Don’t be fooled by the silver screen, there’s a healthy natural hair scene in Los Angeles that is only getting stronger.
The natural hair scene in LA
The City of Angels tends to get a pretty bad rap across the board because of its partially undeserved reputation for being the epicenter of shallowness and a place where attractiveness doubles as currency. But is there a place among the cookie cutter models of the moment and aspirational ‘It Girls’ for the natural-haired woman?
Although I may be a six-year Angeleno with only six years under my belt, I feel qualified to say that the city is a safe place for ‘fros. Pardon me while I get all weather girl in front of an aerial map of LA. You will have no problem finding your curl creams, oils, and deep conditioners in beauty supply’s all over our fair city; we’re also home to a fair amount of natural hair salons that are actually good. Now that’s something, right?
There are meetups, expos, and an array of events dedicated to natural hair. Step into a fancy shmancy restaurant ad chances are you will not be the only natural there. Walk down the street and you will notice fellow naturals giving you the I-see-you-queen head nod. I live for that head nod, BTW.
Is there a ‘safe zone’ for natural hair in The City of Angels?
Anyone who lives in LA will tell you it is made up of numerous communities and subcultures, with a stoplight or two sometimes showing a gaping cultural divide. That being said, there are many safe zones for you and your hair. I have chatted with strangers about carrier oils versus essential oils and had healthy debates over LCO versus LOC. Don’t be fooled by the silver screen, there’s a healthy natural hair scene in Los Angeles that is only getting stronger.
Alas, Rome was not built in a day.
For every “You go, girl” I’ve gotten a “Can I touch your hair?” I have had my ‘fro fluffed at Bar Santa Monica, asked if I was my hair “with soap” in Hollywood, and even had my hair grabbed from behind in Beverly Hills. The dating scene is overflowing with fetishizers and points and stares are just part of the package. In this way LA is a microcosm of the world we live in. Progress has been made, visibility has increased, but more education and inclusivity is oh-so-necessary, and less traffic on the 405 wouldn’t hurt.
What’s the natural hair scene like in your city?
Follow Jascmeen on Instagram @Jacsmeen and YouTube at jascmeen
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As much as I am enjoying my natural hair journey, it does seem like each phase comes with its own set of struggles.
When I had a TWA I complained of my lack of versatility, and now in the awkward phase I am dealing with the, well–awkwardness. *Maybe I am just like my mother, she is never satisfied.*
I would define the awkward phase as when your curls have started falling somewhere between your ears and shoulders. Of course, I cherish every itty bitty hair on my head but come on, I miss my updos.
As luck would have it, I came across a pretty cool bun video on Facebook. A mom was showing how she got her daughter’s curls into a high bun and her hair was almost reaching her shoulders.
If this could work for a little girl, maybe it could work for me, too, I thought.
My styling secret
The trick is to make two ponytails close to one another. That way, the shorter hair near the nape of your neck do not fall out of your top knot:
I started by creating the ponytail in the front of my hair so I could make sure the placement was just right–all my girls with big foreheads know that it is all about the placement.
Next I made the back ponytail, bringing it as close to the first ponytail as possible.
I used a little bit of edge control and my fingers to sort of blend the sides to make sure there was no part line showing. For this to work, it really has to look like one huge ponytail all around the perimeter.
Now, to make an even bigger bun…
I added some Marley hair around my ponytails–this is a totally optional step.
A few precautions:
This style involves a lot of tension. It is something I reserve for special occasions as I am trying to keep my hair free from over-manipulation. I also try not to use edge control products daily and this style calls for a lot of product to keep my hair in place.
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The possibilities are pretty endless, so I guess we’d better stop calling this the ‘awkward’ phase, right? Watch my tutorial below and subscribe to my YouTube channel now!
There is no denying that we are in the middle of a big 90’s resurgence.
Muted makeup is back, slip dresses are everywhere, and if I’m not mistaken, I saw plenty of platform sneakers stomping down the fashion week runways. The overwhelming nostalgia prompted me to play in some of my favorite hair products from back in the day.
Spoiler: it didn’t go so well.
My expectations were reasonable–after all, these are not curly hair products. I had no idea how terribly my hair would react to sulfates and how what once was a nourishing conditioner of mine doesn’t do much of anything for my hair anymore.
I started by washing my hair with Alberto V05 Normal Balancing Shampoo and conditioning with Suave Essentials Tropical Coconut Conditioner. The V05 was so harsh on my hair, I literally panicked and almost abandoned my experiment altogether. I am so used to sulfate-free formulas, my poor hair felt dry and stripped after only a few drops. The Suave conditioner had my back though. I had to use a lot to add moisture but it only cost a dollar so, NBD. Suave, if you’re reading this can we get a remixed version without the cones, because this stuff is still pretty good!
Needless to say, my hair was frizzy and curl-less.
Thanks to the V05 it was most definitely clean but not at all bouncy, hydrated, or healthy. For my leave-in conditioner I used the Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion.
In yet another epic fail, I bought the ‘light’ version so I was pretty sure it would do nothing for me and my hair which is most definitely on the thick side. I was pleasantly surprised that it actually did a great job of softening my hair.
At this point my hair was squeaky clean and soft but pretty curl-less. Would I be able to make a puff happen? I started with Johnson Products Ultra Sheen (aka “grease”> and finished with Ampro Pro Styl on my baby hairs. After all, It’s a 90’s ‘do.
All in all, it was a fun experiment.
It was nice to have a throwback moment but uhh… by the looks of things, I have a long night of deep conditioning ahead of me.
Watch the full experiment here:
One tale that just doesn’t seem to go away is that eating your bread crusts will turn your hair curly–huh?
Not all old wives’ tales are false.
It’s been proven that cheese actually can give you weird dreams and researchers at Johns Hopkins found that pregnant women who experience heartburn actually are more likely to have a hairy baby. Guess Granny was right, huh?
One tale that just doesn’t seem to go away is that eating your bread crusts will give you curly hair. Huh? Where and when did this start and why would anyone believe this? Let’s get into it.
About 300 years ago, Europe was devastated by The Great Famine.
Millions died and starvation and malnutrition were rampant. We all know that the health of our hair is connected to proper nourishment. So, as can be expected, many Europeans suffered hair loss as a result.
Food like bread was reserved for the upper class, and because of their accessibility to various food and beauty items their hair was healthier. Over time, mothers started encouraging their children to eat their bread down to the crusts to get healthy, natural hair that resembled the rich.
While bread crust is the most nutritious part of bread, there is actually no scientific evidence that it will give you curly hair–your hair type is determined solely on genetics. No need to burst Granny’s bubble, though.
Bread is awesome–right O?
What about the grey hair one?
Has anyone ever scolded you for plucking a grey hair? Didn’t Samantha on Sex and the City say that if you pluck one gray hair, three will come to its funeral? That is not necessarily true, either.
Over-plucking can ruin your hair follicle and if you start graying in one concentrated area, you are at risk for creating a thin area (a bald spot”>. Sounds a bit worse than a few more greys, doesn’t it?
Just don’t pluck.
Dye it, hide it, or leave it alone, you silver fox, you.
Before you call Granny and accuse her of lying to you all these years, take note of a few age old adages that have been proven to be true: carrots really do help with vision, chicken soup actually does fight colds, and since apples have been linked to fighting off cancer and strokes, an apple a day might actually keep the doctor away.
You might even want to tell her that even when making the silliest of silly faces, you’re in no danger of it actually getting stuck that way. If Granny knows how to FaceTime, you may want to take that route to prove your point.
Which old wives’ tale have you heard about hair?
Do tell. Drop us a note on the NaturallyCurly Facebook.
This one may be based on truth, but here are 4 naturally curly myths to stop believing now.
Follow me on Instagram @jascmeen or @NaturallyCurly for more inspiration.
Every morning usually starts with me humming a little Erykah Badu to myself in the mirror. “Pick yo Afro, Daddy, because it’s flat on one side.”
Oh Erykah, my hair’s not just flat. It is dry, dull and lifeless.
My morning curl routine actually starts the night before. Without the proper bedtime routine, there’s just no saving my hair in the morning.
Before bedtime
- I oil my scalp with JBCO and mist my hair with a mixture of equal parts Cantu and a little water. Then I put my hair into a pineapple with a silk bonnet on top.
- What happens next all depends on my style and how quickly I need to get out the door.
The next morning
On a normal day where my objective is to preserve a twistout or a wash and go, I do an abbreviated version of the LOC Method:- I mist with water.
- I apply the Eden BodyWorks Curl Defining Creme.
- I seal with a bit of Cantu Gel Oil.
When I’m in a hurry
I’m a night owl and a serial snooze button abuser so most mornings I have to do my hair in a hurry. This is when I reach for my arsenal of sprays.
- I start with a little Dark and Lovely Moisture LOC Super Quench Leave-In Spray.
- I try to give that a minute to dry before I spray the Cantu Comeback Curl Next Day Revitalizer.
When I’m protective styling
Recently, I have been relying on wigs as my go-to protective style and braiding my hair into chunky braids. That doesn’t mean I can neglect my hair in the morning, though. I don’t use my water mixture on my braids because it gives me some bad knots on the ends of my hair.
- I simply slather a leave-in cream over my braids and then seal it with an oil. My combo of the moment is the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream paired with coconut oil or Marula Oil Rare Oil Treatment. Bonus: This treatment works well on the skin, too!
To sum it up
No regimen will give you results if you don’t stick to it. No matter what you do for your hair, make sure it is gentle and works consistently. In my experience, this has given me my healthiest, bounciest curls.
What does your day-to-day routine look like?
Comment below with your favorite go-to products.
Follow me on Instagram @Jascmeen for more 4b/4c natural hair inspiration and @NaturallyCurly for tips and inspiration.
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If you’re just looking to the ladies for your hair inspo you better broaden your horizons, girl! Meet ten natural hair men who are sure to bring plenty of inspo, how-to’s and let’s face it— eye candy, to your feed.
@pedro_smithh
Pedro deserves a follow from this time lapse video alone. Aside from that, he’s serving up plenty of ‘fro envy. Keep an eye out for his high puff, which is, as can be expected, absolute #GOALS.
danndre_
Danilo André’s page is dedicated to his photography but his gorgeous locs tend to steal the show. His gorgeous wife is a fellow natural as well, so watch out for her cute cameos.
@mickymunday
Rapper Micky Munday’s page is all about his music, but who can take their eyes off those curls? Check out his freestyles, videos, and enviable messy bun over on his page.
@s.o.f.l.i.g.h
Artist @s.o.f.l.i.g.h’s page is all about inspiration and knowledge. His thoughtful posts are worth reposting as are his full, fluffy locks.
@ShamoyPersad
Model Shamoy Persad is #HairGoals, #SkinGoals, #Fitspo and a few other hashtags we will keep to ourselves. Head over to his page to check out his modeling pics and cute candids.
@JohnathanCelestin
If Johnathan Celestin’s sweet vocals don’t deserve a follow, his curls definitely do. Trust us, you will not regret seeing his infectious smile and inspirational captions in your feed.
@GrahamsNaturalCurls
Graham is a natural hair and beauty YouTuber you will wish was your BFF. Follow and subscribe to this German export—it’s the next best thing.
@BennyHarlem
Chances are you’ve probably seen Benny Harlem and his daughter’s incredible hair around the internet. If not, be prepared to rapidly screenshot and save to your camera roll. Follow Benny to get info on his upcoming hair care line set to launch this November.
@_idemii_
Youtuber Demetri has universal hair care tips you’ll want to add to your arsenal. Check out his YouTube channel, especially his man bun tutorial which is a perfect lazy day go-to.
@ericjunior
Art enthusiasts and 4C curlies should give @ericjunior a follow. Bonus: his adorable labradoodle, @labradoodlejefferey, makes the occasional cameo (and his curls are pretty cute, too”>.
Did we leave out any of your favorite #MenWithCurls? Comment below and tag your fave accounts.
[Gabby has] had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn’t smiling enough, she’s unpatriotic… You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?
Haters have tried time and time again to criticize groundbreaking Olympian Gabby Douglas in regards to her appearance. This is getting old. Even after a heartfelt plea from Gabby’s mother, Natalie, the negativity continued to flood via social media.
Gabby’s mom told Reuters that the young olympian has “had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn’t smiling enough, she’s unpatriotic… You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?”
The Best Twitter Clapbacks to Gabby Douglas’ Hair
Much love to the Twitter users who snapped back at trolls with hilarious clap back and memes. Here are some of our faves so far:
If you think internet trolling has gotten the best of Gabby, think again. While she admits that the pressure gets heavy on her, she addressed the haters in a recent statement to Yahoo!:
“For me, it’s been a lot. I still love them, still love the people who love me and the people who hate me.”
When it comes to the ingredients we will (and will not”> allow into our hair for the sake of health, we have a laundry list of -cones and sulfates to avoid. But what about protecting the environment?
Whenever possible, we should all opt for biodegradable products.
Aside from the fact that they don’t pollute our planet, water supply, or add to landfills, they are also often made with gentler, more natural ingredients. Here are 10 biodegradable conditioners to consider before your next co-wash.
Klorane Conditioner with Camomile
This one is for the blondes. Formulated with chamomile extract to naturally lighten the hair, this conditioner is not only biodegradable, but also free of silicone, sulfates and parabens. Available at Sephora.
Not Your Mother’s Clean Refreshing Conditioner
NYM’s conditioner has a laundry list of yummy ingredients including wild water mint to revitalize, raspberry to moisturize and quinoa proteins to protect. Available at Ulta.
EO French Lavender Botanical Conditioner
With coconut, olive and jojoba oils, this conditioner gently works to soften coarse hair so that detangling is easier. If you love the EO hair products, expand your shower experience to include their bath products as well.
Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner (available at Target”>
Garnier’s Pure Clean range is 92% biodegradable and contains 50% recycled material. The entire Pure Clean line is free of silicones, dyes and parabens.
The Honest Company Deeply Nourishing Conditioner
This lightweight conditioner is formulated with Shea butter, murumuru seed butter, argan oil, jojoba protein and quinoa extract. Like all Honest Company products, this one is not tested on animals.
Faith in Nature Coconut & Frangipani Moisture Boost Conditioner
Kiwi and lime extract mixed with jojoba oil are only a few of the ingredients in this 99% naturally derived shampoo. Added bonus—it is vegan and cruelty-free, too. Available at Ethical Superstore.
Avalon Organics Strengthening Peppermint Conditioner
Avalon Organics has nine vegan, paraben-free conditioners that specialize in all natural hair necessities, from scalp care to clarifying. The brand has left no stone unturned and has a gluten-free conditioner as well.
Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner (available at most drugstores”>
In addition to bath products, oils, dental care, and baby products, Desert Essence has a full line of 10 biodegradable conditioners.
Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera Moisturizing Conditioner
Aloe vera is an incredibly moisturizing ingredient for natural hair. This product combines aloe vera with other powerful ingredients like avocado, sesame seed oil, jojoba seed oil and vitamin E.
Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Conditioner
Made with 98% plant-based ingredients, the Live Clean brand goes above and beyond. All of their products are sulfate, SLS and DEA free, using recycled materials whenever possible. Most of them are vegan, as well.
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If you are not properly caring for your hair while protective styling with wigs, I hate to break it to you–but you’re not protecting much of anything.
It is easy to forget about our natural hair when we’re enjoying all the convenience of wearing a wig over it.
However, neglecting our fragile texture will only result in breakage and stunted growth. I use three methods to care for my hair underneath my wigs.
1. Create large, chunky braids.
As a starting point, I braid my hair in chunky braids when I know I’m about to get nice and cozy with a wig that week. I prefer large braids that are easy to remove over a typical beehive pattern. Since I usually wear some sort of large kinky ‘fro, I don’t have to worry about them lying flat.
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner over the braids.
The easiest way to condition your braids is with your go-to leave-in conditioner. Mine happens to be the Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream. I slather it over my braids, put a little extra on the ends and that’s about it.
Another easy way to moisturize braids is with a leave-in conditioning spray like Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Moisture L.O.C. Super Quench Leave-In Spray. It works well to condition and revitalize your scalp. Bonus: the mist is just a refreshing feeling after wearing a hot wig all day. This product is on the lightweight side so it works best on normal to fine density hair.
3. Oil your scalp every night.
I like to use a color applicator bottle so that I can apply the oil directly to my scalp. I massage it for a bit, then apply my conditioner to my braids and ends every night before bed. Oiling your scalp and moisturizing your ends is a fool-proof recipe to get well-conditioned hair. In addition, it will let your hair grow and thrive while in any protective style.
Watch how I do it
I walk you through my wig routine with a few other tips and tidbits. Have you worn a wig as a protective style before? Give me a thumbs up and let me know!
Want more?
Here’s how I create a soft Bantu knot-out (that only LOOKS like it could be a wig”>.
Here’s a quick tutorial on How to Avoid a Bantu Knot Fail.
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I have been protective styling consistently and plan to continue doing so until my hair is at my shoulders in an unstretched state. When I am tired of my braids and wigs, I revisit Bantu knots.
I’m really on the fence about Bantu knots.
True: they’re a regal, striking style, but I can’t help but remember the time Denis Dasilva, co-founder of Devachan, warned me about the breakage Bantu knots can cause. To make matters worse, according to Denis, the twisting technique causes a diagonal pattern of breakage up and down your strands, making it very difficult to correct with a trim.
Why would he scare me like that?
Soft Bantu Knot-Out
I have been protective styling consistently and plan to continue doing so until my hair is at my shoulders in an unstretched state. When I am tired of my braids and wigs, I revisit Bantu knots, making a few changes to reduce tension and the possibility of breakage.
My favorite way to do my knots is on dry hair because I get a bit more elongation this way. I also like them to look like big soft curls as opposed to defined ringlets. For this I only use products with a moderate level of hold. I used the ORS Smooth n’ Hold Pudding with the Cantu Dry Deny Gel Oil. For more definition you can use a foam or a gel with more hold like ECO styler.
I start by misting my hair with water to make it easier to part and to add moisture. You can make your knots as big or as small as you’d like. I made mine semi chunky to get a fluffy end result.
I applied the pudding then the gel before starting the knots. Be sure to leave some slack at the root before you start coiling the bun. The more you coil, the more the Bantu knot starts to twist at the root on it’s own. This means that there’s no need to twist this area. Trust me, twisting at the root will result in a very tight set of Bantu knots that will be difficult to sleep in.
Next, I secured my knots with colorful Ouchless rubber bands.
I sleep really wild and simply tucking the ends in just doesn’t work for me. Bobby pins are another alternative, but for some reason I can’t make those work either. I stick to my colorful Ouchless rubberbands secured on the tip of the knot only.
In the morning, they’re easy to spot and cut out. (Black rubber bands? Not so much. I’ve definitely cut my own hair trying to cut those babies out!”>
The next morning, I carefully removed the knots and used my DevaDryer to ensure the curls were 100% dry before reaching for my Afro pick. Check out this video on the entire process from start to finish.
Want more?
If you’re a short curly girl who wants Bantu Knots, learn how to make it happen by visiting Do A Bantu Knot-Out (Even On Short Curly Hair”>.
Here’s a quick tutorial on How to Avoid a Bantu Knot Fail.
Get more natural hairstyle inspiration by following us on Instagram.
Like what you see? For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!
For the most part, my super thick Type 4b hair pretty much laughs in the face of a little mist.
I’m usually skeptical of curl refreshers in general. For the most part, my super thick, Type 4b hair pretty much laughs in the face of a little mist. Or even worse, frizzes up to remind me who’s boss.
As a repeat protective styler, I have very little patience for my curls and coils. If they don’t want to behave, that’s fine by me! Braids, cap, and a wig and I’m set for the next seven days. I’ve recently started a new workout routine (Zumba, y’all–try it!”> and my first experience working out with my wig was ummm, less than pleasant. I was sweating, had the Whitney Houston sweaty upper lip thing going on, and the back of my neck was dripping. Any wig wearer knows the nape of the neck is already a treacherous point, it’s the first spot where matting and tangling start to brew. Can you imagine what happens when you throw in pools of Latin dance-induced sweat? Yeah, it ain’t pretty.
My hair and I had to get on the same page.
By day three of my braid-out, (two of which had been Zumba-fied”> my hair was cotton ball level crazy. I wasn’t looking for the most insane curl definition but I did need a little help! Luckily I found the Kim Kimble’s Kimble Beauty Liquid Curl Enhancer (available in Sally Beauty”> in my beauty drawer. I think I got it after attending a soiree at her salon here in Los Angeles but never got around to trying it out. Curl refreshing mist with shea butter, coconut, jojoba, and wheat germ oil? It was worth a shot.
My major issue was that when I braided my hair I left out a healthy amount of leave-out for my wig.
When I removed the braids, I had a halfway decent braid out–and a perimeter of straight-up frizz. I sprayed the Curl Refresher on, put on a headband to try to train the front to stand up and blend, then got dressed. I sprayed on so much with my first trial that my hair was still frizzy, poofy, and wet when I left for the gym.
By the time I got there my hair was dry and dare I say, there was a curl happening! It blended with my braid-out (that I picked out a bit to add fluffiness”> and it was all good! Unless your hair is in the 3’s I wouldn’t expect a defined curl or wave, but it is a really convenient way to get some texture and cooperation out of a ‘fro that’s on it’s last leg. (Now if I could get a refresher for my actual legs, I’d be in business”>.
Check out the curl enhancing results:
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For more from Jascmeen, subscribe to her YouTube channel here.
If you haven’t yet found a refresher that your hair likes, check out 10 Curl Refreshers For Type 4 Natural Hair.
In a hair rut? Follow us on Instagram for inspiration.
Like what you see? For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!
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Before I went natural, I didn’t really take my hair health seriously. I would sleep with no scarf, wear tight ponytails for days on end, and completely disregard any shedding without a second glance. Now that I’ve invested so much time, energy, and money into my curls and coils it’s a whole different ball game. If I have any shedding or breakage, I need to get to the bottom of it immediately–I even photograph my shedding to compare it to previous wash days and keep a log of what products I used on each occasion. No surprises, it’s not a game out here!
Our Curly Q&A forum gets a lot of questions about shedding and hair fall so I decided to answer a few that come up pretty frequently in one post. Here we go!
Why does more hair fall out each time I wash and detangle?
A reader asks, “I moisturize my hair almost everyday; I do wash n go’s, twist-outs, and braid-outs often. Every time I wash my hair I condition it, comb it, and style it, and I see hair come out?! It’s not a handful of hair or anything but this happens every time I do my hair. Is this breakage? I started finger detangling only recently; I was using a Denman brush previously and a wide tooth comb. If it’s breakage, what can I do? Thanks!”Well, it seems like you’re treating your hair pretty well. Daily moisture is essential and finger detangling is best when it comes to preventing shedding and breakage. I prefer to start with finger detangling, first. Then, I’ll reach for a wide tooth comb–but I save my Denman Brush for distributing product, not for detangling.
How can I tell the difference between a shed hair and breakage?
You’ll notice that shed hairs tend to be longer–about the full length of your hair–and show a white bulb. Breakage on the other hand, is a portion of a strand of hair, so the hairs are short and wispy.
It is said that the average person sheds from 50 to 100 hairs per day, so if you wait to detangle after a week or so, that’s a lot of hair! Like I said, I photograph my shedding to get an idea of what is ‘normal’ for my coils. I also like to treat myself to a professional salon experience a few times a year to see how much shedding my hair is doing when an expert is doing the detangling to be sure I’m staying on the right track with maintenance.
If you’re experiencing breakage it’s not the end of the world; you may just need a trim to even things out and then start a regimen that includes special attention to your ends, moisturizing and sealing them daily.
Why do I see more shed hairs after taking down a protective style?
One reader asks, “I have crazy shedding. Protective style take-downs make me shed more, why is that?” A lot of shedding after protective styling is totally normal. The 50 to 100 hairs you shed daily haven’t been shedding because your hair has been braided, under a wig, etc. Instead of naturally falling, the shed hairs have just been nesting under your protective style.
If you still think the hair fall is extreme, moisturize your hair while it’s in protective style mode. Spray leave-in conditioners are great for this.
I gave myself a trim and now I’m shedding more than normal. What happened?
Another reader asks, “My hair has been shedding a lot in the past two months. What can I do to stop it or control it? I gave myself a trim to try to stop breakage but my hair sheds a lot. I finger detangle and at the end of it my bathroom is covered in my hair. My roommates get irritated because when I detangle my curly hair goes everywhere. Is this normal?”
Shedding is totally normal and breakage can easily be repaired with a trim and a regimen that includes nightly moisturizing and sealing your ends. As far as this increase in shedding, this is something that you’re going to have to put more research into. I went through a phase like this and it corrected itself: I was using all-natural products but I have a feeling it was because of a new diet I was trying.
Condense your routine to using fewer products and giving your hair the absolute best treatment you can. If you’re still experiencing more shedding or breakage than usual, see a professional trichologist who can assess your hair and scalp. With gentle care and quality products, your hair should thrive and be more gorgeous than ever!
Do you have an area of concern regarding your naturally curly hair? We’re here to help–feel free to post it in our Curly Q&A section for the community to respond.
For a 3c/4a curl…
I start with the “Creta Girl” wig by Freetress. I finger comb it for volume and a less defined curl. Be careful during this step, you don’t want to over fluff. Once it’s combed out, that’s it! It’s synthetic hair so it doesn’t bounce back like human hair will.I don’t worry about parting and simply push it over to one side. Since these are on the cheap side, I don’t worry about washing it or trying to bring it back to life after too many wears. I simply replace it and use the older wig for creating buns or other styles. You can watch me style this wig from beginning to end below:
To get more of a wave…
I start with a wig that has a bigger Shirley Temple curl, this time I used the “Alexis” wig by Sensationnel. Whenever I play with color I like to find a wig with dark roots. It’s just so much easier when it comes to blending and it’s a much more realistic look.Finger combing doesn’t work really well for these types of wigs. (You’ll get more of a noodle shape than a texturized, voluminous wave.”> I use a paddle brush to comb out the curls in sections to get the most fluffiness I can. If you’re worried about having too much volume, brush out the bottom and middle sections, leaving the top section of curls intact. I left out a tiny bit of my hairline out to blend but kept the rest of my hair braided and protected. Here’s how I styled the “Alexis” wig from start to finish.
I prefer wigs over sew-ins or braids because I like to be able to take them off at night to moisturize my ends and oil my scalp. By using these wigs as protective styles, I can keep my hair from being over manipulated and it’s been growing extremely fast just by being left alone. I highly recommend everyone add a wig or two to their arsenal. Warning— they can be VERY addicting.
When is the last time you properly cleaned your hair brush? Not just scraping the hair out, when is the last time you sterilized it, getting rid of all the buildup and bacteria? Well, it’s okay. It’s not something we always remember to do. There’s certainly no point in giving your hair a deep cleaning only to style it with unclean combs and brushes. Here’s a simple way to sterilize your tools with stuff you have laying around the house.
1. Remove all hair
Use another brush, comb, or your fingers to remove all hair before starting the cleansing process. This will make everything much easier and more effective. (The last thing you want to deal with is a semi-clean brush with a clump of matted hair that won’t budge.”>
2. Scrub
Use a little warm water, dish soap or shampoo, and an old toothbrush to clean between the bristles. Lather, rinse and repeat until the brush is clean.
3. Disinfect
Soak your brush in a bowl with one part water and one part white vinegar. Vinegar is great at killing bacteria but you can also use ammonia if you prefer. Try to keep the handle out of the bowl while soaking. You only need to soak your combs or brushes for about 20 minutes but if you think your brush could use a bit more care, soak it overnight.
4. Lay out to dry
Let your comb or brush dry on a towel, depending on the type of brush you have it could take a full day to dry completely. (Annoying, right?”>
5. Repeat!
If you can wash your brush weekly to coincide with your wash day, that is ideal. If you do this you may only need to do a little cleaning with a toothbrush with no soaking. If you can’t do it that often, try to do it at least as often as you clarify, which should be every few weeks or so. Find a schedule that works for you, just be sure to make time to keep your instruments as clean and cared for as your hair.
If you’re not on the co-washing bandwagon, you should be.
Washing your hair with conditioner is gentler than shampoo and doesn’t strip curls of precious hydration. If the idea of giving up shampoo completely scares you, try limiting it to every other wash day. There’s no need to use harsh, drying shampoos frequently. Dry hair means broken hair, stagnant length, and limp curls. Give it a try, you’ll never turn back.
Co-washers may wonder, what is there to do with all our unused shampoo? Here are a few ideas:
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Shave Your Legs
Shampoo can double as shaving cream in a pinch, some people actually prefer it. Be sure to follow up with an oil and lotion, the same way you would with any shaving product.
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Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Most brush cleaners and shampoos have similar ingredients. Shampoo is great at cleaning dirty, oily brushes and it’s a lot cheaper than brush cleaners.
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Clean Your Hairbrush
Nothing cleans a brush better than shampoo. Simply soak your comb or brush in water and shampoo for a few minutes before giving them a little scrub.
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Disinfect Your Kitchen & Bathroom
Did you know you can use a tiny bit of shampoo to fix a stuck zipper, lubricate a squeaky hinge, and clean your toilet? You can even use it as a degreaser on your stove or fridge.
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Playtime
My niece loves using my leftover shampoos on her dolls; she has gotten pretty good at giving them the salon treatment!
Don’t use up all your shampoo on shaving your legs just yet–after an extended protective style or an extended sweaty yoga session, it might be a good idea to reach for your it to ensure that you properly cleanse your scalp. Just be sure to follow up with a deep conditioner or masque and your usual LOC or LCO Method.
Do you have any other tips for using leftover shampoo?
If you have any other tips on making good use out of unused shampoo, leave them in the comments below!
“Don’t let anyone play in your hair.”
“No small braids, your hair will fall out.”
“Don’t wear a ponytail every single day, you’ll get a bald patch.”
“You don’t need to put all that heat on your hair.”
While she may have had my hair’s best interest at heart, my younger self was absolutely not interested in my mother’s sage advice. Why couldn’t she just let me get the 24” micro Yaky braids of my dreams? Quit hating, Mom! All I wanted to do was have a head full of microscopic braids so I could tie a rhinestone bandana around them, what’s the harm in that?
My signature reply, “It’s the style, Mom!” did very little to persuade her. Every creative hair idea I ever had was met with opposition. I was just trying to keep up with Moesha and my mom just wasn’t having it.
I missed out on interlocks, micro braids, and my most desired style, Poetic Justic braids. All were strictly forbidden. The only time I was allowed to get braids of any sort was the time I convinced her that it was part of my school’s Black History celebration. After about a week, they were a mere memory.
High school was met with a few compromises. My dreams of Beyoncé blonde was reduced to a compromise of three chunky face-framing highlights and I was given red extensions to appease my Avril Lavigne dreams.
Mom was all about healthy hair. Only my cousin, a licensed cosmetologist, could apply heat or a relaxer to my hair. I was given a lot of freedom when it came to clothes and wearing makeup, but absolutely no wiggle room on hair. I played by the rules until the day I moved out, otherwise known as “the beginning of the end.”
“Don’t let anyone play in your hair.”
Sorry, Mom. I definitely got a relaxer by a stylist I didn’t even bother to research. Oh, and instead of a touch-up he put it on the length of my strands. My hair looked like straw and I lost about 4 inches. Guess you were right.
“No small braids, your hair will fall out.”
Sorry, Mom. I got micro Sengalese twists and thought it was a bright idea to take them out the night before a huge midterm. It took all night and one twist at my hairline knotted up. I panicked and cut it out at the root. The result? A lovely bald patch in my hairline until I discovered Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Guess you were right.
“Don’t wear a ponytail every single day, you’ll get a bald patch.”
Sorry, Mom. When you’re a lazy college student you do things like that. Between the patch and my destroyed hairline, I was starting to get the picture. Guess you were right.
“You don’t need to put all that heat on your hair.”
My first heat break was when I started considering going natural. The way my hair responded to just being left alone made me seriously consider giving up relaxers and straight styles in favor of healthy hair. At first my mom was a bit skeptical about the big chop, but now looking at my growth and progress, I’m happy to say she gets it. Guess I was right, right?
When I first heard that a Madam CJ Walker hair care line was set to be released, I just had to get my hands on it.
I can’t count how many times I profiled Madam CJ Walker for Black History Month performances and projects–she’s sort of my imaginary ancestor and I was excited to support.
The Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture line was created with the help of A’Lelia Bundles, Madam CJ Walker’s great-great granddaughter and historian. It’s being produced by Sundial, who also produces popular hair brands SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage. In a press release about the line, A’Lelia said,
“Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture is taking what Madam Walker envisioned more than 100 years ago to a fresh, new level with products and formulas I believe she might have imagined for the 21st century. In one of her last speeches, Madam Walker emphasized the importance of healthy hair–whether curly-kinky, straight, wavy, or in-between–each style beautiful in its own uniqueness. With this line, every woman can have healthier hair while also confidently expressing her beauty in the best way possible–hers.”
Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture is divided into three subsections for straight hair, loose waves, and kinks. I reviewed the Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Pure Clarifying Shampoo with ACV, Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Ultra-Moisturizing Conditioner, and Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Defining Butter Crème which are all designed for tight curl patterns. Let’s get into it!
My review
The shampoo was a success. Compared to my usual clarifying shampoo, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure Castile Liquid Soap, this was gentler. The oils in the shampoo were very hydrating. My hair and scalp felt clean but not stripped of moisture.
The conditioner would probably work best for type 3 curls. I prefer to do the majority of my detangling at this step and it didn’t give my 4b coils enough slip to do it. I’m also partial to a really thick, creamy conditioner; I might have better luck with their Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Ultra-Moisturizing Co-Wash next time.
The styling creme gave me a moderate amount of definition. I was satisfied with the overall look, but I’m also more into frothiness over super defined curls. After using the complete line my hair was soft, hydrated, and had a healthy shine. If you can only buy one product, I’d suggest the shampoo. Gentle clarifiers are hard to come by and this one has apple cider vinegar, JBCO, and murumuru oils.
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Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture is available at Sephora.com and in select Sephora stores. If you’ve tried the line, leave me a comment with your review and check out my YouTube review below.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube and follow my blog!
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