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What better way to celebrate 20 years of NaturallyCurly than with an epic display of textured hair on the runway at New York Fashion Week?
Once again, Texture on the Runway powered by Sally Beauty, proved itself as the most diverse show during New York Fashion Week (in my humble opinion”>. With models of all sizes, ages, curl types, ethnicities, and genders, NaturallyCurly’s biggest hair event of the year exemplified that beauty comes in every form.
The runway showcased iconic hair and fashion looks from seven of our favorite hair brands: Camille Rose Naturals, Cantu, Carol’s Daughter, Creme of Nature, Mielle, Shea Moisture, and The Mane Choice. Check out my top 20 looks from the show below!
1. Co-founder of NaturallyCurly Michelle Breyer and Afro-Latina rapper Amara La Negra MC’d the event together in bright monochrome outfits that absolutely stunned.
2. Amara La Negra’s second look of the night stole the show when she performed a brand new song on stage for the audience.
3. This opening look from Camille Rose Naturals set the precedent for a truly iconic around-the-world-themed show that prioritized diversity.
4. Camille Rose Naturals’ second runway look was another one of my favorites of the night. Brushed out pigtails!? So much yes. I’m never wearing basic pigtails again!
5. This was one of the fiercest looks of the night. From the face jewelry and heavy eyeshadow, to the long braided extensions, this whole look brought drama to the runway.
6. Cantu was the second runway show of the night and came through with a New Orleans-themed show including a full jazz band that surprised us all by popping up in the audience! When the bride came down the runway to the beat of the band, we were all shook.
7. Cantu also had a flower girl prance down the runway that sent my ovaries on fire. How cute is she!?
8. Speaking of ovaries aflame, Lisa Price came down the runway with her daughter after rapping her version of Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement.” Iconic.
9. Staying true to their brand identity, Carol’s Daughter themed their runway show “mother and child.” Last year supermodel Deandra Forrest walked down the runway pregnant; this year she strutted first solo, and then again with her baby on her hip. Mothers are incredible.
10. Creme of Nature stepped up their game with an Afro-Punk Queen Bee theme. This was one of my favorite looks from their show.
11. Blue lips and melanin are so hot right now, making this look from Creme of Nature right on trend — with a dash of Queen Bee drama in all the right ways.
12. Creme of Nature also brought some beautiful men down the runway. Praying that the men’s natural hair movement is moving to more long-haired curly men!
13. Not going to lie, Mielle really brought the house down with their show. Hair was truly the focus because the models barely wore any clothes! Instead, the models’ bodies were fully painted as they walked and danced down the runway.
14. This model was one of my favorites from the whole night. She walked to the beat of Nikki Minaj’s Chung Li and gave the audience a sensual dance and walk that I literally cannot stop thinking about. Iconic.
15. First fighting over crowns, the models then each found their own and placed them on their heads, showcasing Mielle’s theme of women empowerment. Yes, Queens!
16. Shea Moisture made big moves and presented their Jamaican Black Castor Oil collection with the help of Miss Jamaica (the first woman ever to wear an afro at the Miss Universe Pageant”>.
17. Bringing the Jamaican Queen on stage was only the icing. Shea Moisture also had a live performance with Jamaican music during the show while showcasing the versatility of natural hair. This was one of my top hairstyles from the entire night!
18. While hair may have been the focal point of the night, this model slayed in this yellow suit. Monochrome suits are one of my favorite trends right now and I hope they never go away.
19. The Mane Choice was the last show of the night and they did not come to play. They utilized lighting, music, and their models to represent their theme of empowerment for all women and all textures.
20. The last look I’m choosing is one of my favorites because it encompasses so much of what Texture on the Runway and NaturallyCurly are all about: diversity, inclusion, expertise, invention, and empowerment.
Those are my Top 20 favorite looks from the show! If you didn’t catch it, make sure to watch our re-cap video (coming soon”>, or go to our Facebook page to watch the live recording of the event!
1. How To Wash N Go: Simply Bianca Alexa
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6PXg0DiQHY2. How to Grow out Curly Hair: NaturallyCurly
Embedded content: https://www.beautycon.com/curlreading/products/growing-out-your-curly-hairg-follow-this-advice-for-healthy-strong-curls-hair-g#nc_video3. How to Bantu Knot: Michelle B
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRak29GGGs4. How to No-Heat Blowout: The Chic Natural
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztjcAiajD8Q5. How to Dutch Braid: Jasmine Brown
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5zCWArnwFI6. How to Find your Hair Porosity: NaturallyCurly
Embedded content: https://www.beautycon.com/article/quick-easy-hair-porosity-density-tests#nc_video7. How to Sleep with Curly Hair: Hair Romance
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0H23ZAztHY8. How to do the LOC Method: NaturallyCurly
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_jd5iEycGM9. How to Trim your Own Hair: Naptural85
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IPNYJpq7pU10. How to Cornrow for Beginners: Naptural85
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw4Gy0AkJRI11. How to Go Natural: Alyssa Forever
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJH0958275c12. How to Pineapple at Night: NaturallyCurly
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyAMazWCt-g&list=UUoPfeOE81-PqnYRriy9hHXA13. How to Moisturize Natural Hair: Naptural85
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwdRRoMHiJA14. How to Make Wavy Hair Curl Evenly: NaturallyCurly
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGuTqpuy2wA15. How to Flat Twist Crown: Actually Ashly
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QMrh483H0Y16. How to Box Braids “Rubber Band Method” on Kids Hair: She’kia Renea
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jYyLlriw0k17. How to 2 Strand Twist: Face Over Matter
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjobWaIRb8U18. How to 3 Strand Twist: Halfrican Beaute
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUPEnaHTvw019. How to Flat Twist Out: Cool Calm Curly
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYXgMR1Ouks20. How to Flexi-Rod Set: Janae Mason
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0ytHeVIn5M Who are your favorite hair vloggers? Let us know in the comments below!
After 20 years in both the media and natural hair industries, we hope our brand is strong enough that our audience recognizes our commitment to empowering and connecting women all over the world. Whether that commitment consists of encouraging women to wear their hair in natural styles, educating the public on the natural hair movement, representing women of all sizes, hair types, and gender identification within the natural hair movement, or empowering women to pursue their own companies and passions, it has always been our number one priority to support and uplift. In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we are sharing a little bit more about ourselves with the community that helped us stay around (YOU”>! Let us know in the comments which of these you didn’t know, and check out the video at the end of this article for more in-depth answers with Grace and Nikki!
1. We’re based in Austin, Texas
2. Only 20(ish”> people work here
3. We have endless products and are constantly receiving more weekly
4. We shoot and edit every video you see
5. Evelyn no longer works here SO STOP ASKING
6. We host Texture On the Runway every year during New York Fashion Week
7. We consult up-and-coming brands
8. We have a shop called [SHOPNaturallyCurly](http://shop.naturallycurly.com/”> where you can buy hundreds of curly hair essentials, our founders book, read reviews on products, and more!
9. We have a book! Our founder Michelle wrote the best curly girl book around, and it features all your fave influencers, stylists, and us!
10. We have a forum called [CurlTalk](https://curltalk.naturallycurly.com/”> where you can chat with other curly girls, getting and giving great advice
11. With a couple of delightful exceptions, our office is mostly female
12. We take tequila shots when we celebrate wins
13. We’re zen and have diffusers placed around the office for when we get stressed
14. Cool perks include working from home, meeting brand owners, traveling to events like Afropunk, our co-workers are all friends, so many free products, and more
15. When we take breaks we like to go on walks
16. We do our hair at work (and often our makeup”>
17. We donate unused products to women and children in need
18. Many team members have side hustles and community passion projects
19. Our logo has changed a few times
20. We were founded by two newspaper journalists
If that didn’t satiate your endless curiosity about NaturallyCurly, watch the video below and follow us on social, where we spill secrets all the time!
This list is for anyone who:
- Spent their childhood in pigtails finished with butterfly clips that flopped in the air as you skipped double dutch or attempted to bounce on a pogo stick;
- Spent their adolescence playing MASH at the lunch table and listening to the Spice Girls on a CD player;
- Watched Living Single on Thursdays nights and took trips to Blockbuster with their boo on the weekends;
- The sulphuric yet nostalgic smell of a relaxer now makes you want to vomit;
- Or, you just enjoy a good pre-1998 listicle.
From religiously watching Love and Basketball to AIM messaging your middle school crush on the low after school, a lot has happened since the late 90s. To celebrate NaturallyCurly’s 20th Anniversary, here is a list of some of the most memorable hair products from before NaturallyCurly arrived on the scene in 1998.
1. Blue Magic Conditioner
First up on the list is Blue Magic Conditioner. Anyone else share the experience of sitting in between your mom’s or aunties’ legs in the kitchen, getting your hair done, and having them finish it off with plenty of good ol’ Blue Magic? For whatever reason (let’s blame Eurocentric beauty standards”> a shiny, not a hair out of place look used to be everything I desired, but I am happy that I’ve moved on #freethefrizz
2. Motions Shampoo
This yellow and purple bottle brings back scents of fruity body spray that transport us right back to the hair salon. From their relaxer and wash to their conditioner and oil sheen spray, Motions is the brand we all remember using to make our hair moisturized, slicked back and shiny as my forehead in the Texas heat.
3. Butterfly hair clips
Potentially my favorite on this list. Who else used to match their clips to their outfits? From clipping my bangs to the side, twisting my hair back or just dangling the clips at the bottom of my pig tails, these clips were the perfect addition to my ringlet curls as a kid.
4. Mane ‘n Tail
The shampoo and conditioner made for horses, that for some reason took the hair care market by storm. Specifically made to promote growth and achieve longer, luxurious, fuller and thicker hair, it’s no surprise everyone had a bottle of Mane ‘n Tail in the shower.
5. Ampro Black Gel
I’ve never been a big fan of gel, but I do remember using this gel to slick back my baby hairs or smooth my hair back into a curly bun. I also remember those flaky leftovers the gel left in my hair though… gel formulas have come a long way since 1998!
6. L’Oreal Kids Swim Shampoo
Everyone I’ve spoken to while preparing this article let out the most nostalgic smile when I mentioned this fish-shaped no-sting shampoo. And the no-tears formula (as demonstrated by the kid in the commercial that literally smeared the soapy mixture all over their face”> wasn’t even the best part. It also smelled like a popsicle, meaning it was basically every kid’s dream shampoo.
7. Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer
Dry hair? Frizzy hair? Breakage? Pink Lotion was the fix-all for every hair problem growing up. It was the kind of product you knew would be at your auntie’s house, your grandma’s house, and your best friend’s house if you ever needed a little pick me up of moisture.
8. Sta Sof Fro Hair & Scalp Spray
This was the go-to wash-day product for coilies in the 90s. It didn’t matter how big or small the fro, this soft sheen promised to take dry hair to a moisture wonderland with a few sprays.
9. Liv Creme Hairdressing and Conditioner
You can still buy this old-school product at Sally’s, just be careful and make sure to rub this white creme all the way in because it has a habit of hanging around your hairline!
10. Just for Me Hair Relaxer
“I want style, body and shine. A look that’s totally all mine. Hair so soft, silky and free. I want something just for me. Just for meeee!”
Anyone else still know the beat of this song?? Glad we learned we can have style, body, and shine without harmful chemicals and by being all natural.
11. Isoplus Oil Sheen Spray
Is it just me or did every product before NaturallyCurly contain enough oil to fill an axel truck? It seemed like every brand had a version of an aerosol oil can.
12. Alternatives by SoftSheen Carson
A small rub of this stuff on the top of your head would send those frisky hairs right back where they belong. When we look back on it, I think these products were much less about actual moisture and more about that shiny look we all wanted.
13. Con Air Hot Sticks Flexible Hair Rollers
These squishy, slow-heating pink and blue tubes were all the rave to get the best waves. Who needs a perm??
14. Sun In Spray-In Hair Lightener
A beach bag was not complete without a bit of Sun In to “naturally” lighten your hair in the summer.
15. Barrettes
Who needs rubber bands? Barrettes, the more practical but less extra big sister to butterfly clips were a staple in every curly girl’s hair accessory drawer (you all know the madness of this drawer in the bathroom cabinets”>.
16. Dax Pomade
You know we couldn’t finish off this list without another pomade that slicked down your hair so tight that those edges couldn’t move even if you were in a hurricane. Dax was filled with nutrient-rich ingredients like vegetable oils, castor oil, bergamot, and lanolin, so even though it had those edges laid, it also kept them moisturized.
17. Crimping Iron
While crimped hair is apparently trying to make a comeback in some fashion circles, the trend was originally born in the 80s. Thankfully, the trend passed by the time I was old enough to use heat styling tools.
18. Fantasia Frizz buster serum
Our intern Selome reminded me of this product and as soon as she described it I knew exactly what she was talking about. This was the baby hair frizz extinguisher!
19. Suave
These sleek bottles and affordable prices made this brand a must in every curly home. Their conditioners and shampoos have stayed a curly girl drugstore favorite – and you seriously cannot beat the price.
20. S curl
This brand was created by Luster and mostly used by men to create the perfect waves and slicked back looks. Any man with this in his home definitely cared about his do.
What throwback products did we miss? Weigh in down below!
Our 20th Anniversary Campaign kicked off this week, and what better way to celebrate than to share our Top 20 viewed articles EVER?! So let’s take a trip down memory lane, and weave through the Curly Girl Method, co-washing, figuring out your curl pattern, and so much more!
1. How to Follow the Curly Girl Method
It’s no surprise here that our number one article ever is a how-to guide of the “Curly Girl Method” or CGM. For those of you who don’t know what this is, it’s basically a textured hair regimen guide that helps you achieve healthier hair, and you probably follow some of the rules already.
“The Curly Girl Method, from Lorraine Massey’s book “Curly Girl: The Handbook,” is a hair care method that trades in damaging habits (like shampooing and heat styling”> for a healthy curly hair regimen using just conditioner and gel. While this set of recommendations has been shown to have incredible results for many curlies in our community, you should always feel free to modify them to suit your hair!”
Some of the most basic guidelines for the CGM is to discontinue the use of shampoo, sulfates, alcohol, non-water soluble silicones, and fragrance in your hair products or regimen. This can be difficult when navigating your local hair retailer, but luckily for you NC has been giving reviews for CGM approved products for years!
2. I Tried Diffusing with a Strainer, Here’s What it Looked Like After
NC Managing Editor Cristina basically went viral with this article showing how she diffused her hair with a strainer.
“This may sound crazy to the the non-curl enthusiasts, but when I shared it with my NaturallyCurly teammates they mostly nodded and said, ‘yea, I can see that.’ It’s brilliant really.”
Benefits of using a strainer to diffuse your hair? Definition. Defintion. Definition. Check out the article to see how it worked on Cristina’s 2c hair!
3. The Dos & Don’ts of Deep Conditioning
If your deep conditioning sessions consist of a lot of trial and even more error, then you may need these no-fuss dos and don’ts of successful deep conditioning.
4. How to Do a Mayonnaise Hair Treatment
“We have published hundreds of curly hair recipes on NaturallyCurly, but to this day the most popular treatment of all time is: the mayonnaise hair treatment. This is probably because our grandmothers, our mothers, the magazine you browse at the grocery – everyone is telling you to use mayonnaise on your hair.”
5. What Olaplex Did to My Hair
We have gotten a lot of questions about Olaplex across the years, and I for one am their biggest advocate. As a bleached 3c curly, it has helped keep my hair healthy as possible while trying to keep my signature Beyoncé honey colored curls.“The more I use the treatment, the better and better my hair is becoming. My ends are less fuzzy, my hair overall is more manageable and I am starting to get some nice wavy curl definition back. My hair seems to be air drying a little quicker too. Also, it my hair just has this shine and brilliance to it that I didn’t think I would ever have.”
6. We Tried Biotin, And Here’s What Happened
Biotin has been a sought out curly hair growth treatment for years. But how well does it actually work? We asked the curly community and tried it ourselves to find out.
“I didn’t notice a positive difference in any category: hair, skin, or nails. My hair didn’t grow or become thicker. My skin didn’t become clearer or suppler. Actually, my skin broke out in cystic acne, which I’ve never had before. This terrible side effect is the number-one reason I stopped using it. I hear my results are not atypical. I have a few friends that experienced the same thing. On the other hand, my mother has been taking the same biotin tablets in the same dosage with completely different results (the results I was expecting to see”>.” -Nikki Johnson
7. This is Why Bleached Hair Turns Orange (And How to Stop It”>
As a chemically blonde curly, I know the dreaded feeling of looking in the mirror after a day out in the sun and realizing your hair looks brassy. This article explains why that happens, and most importanlty, how to prevent it from happeneing in the future.
“To remove an orange brassy tone from blonde hair, you should use a blue/purple shampoo. Hair absorbs a small amount of blue/purple pigment contained in the shampoo, that lead to cancel out orange undertones. Those shampoos deposit a light blueish tint that helps counteract brassiness and keep your blonde light and bright.”
8. 9 Ways to Sleep with Curls
This is one of our most asked questions on Instagram and most discussed forums in CurTalk!
“You had a glorious hair day, all of your products did what they were supposed to and frizz stayed away. Your curl definition could not be beat. But the big question for every curly girl is – how can you make this last until tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, without having to shampoo and style all over again?”
9. Is Baking Soda Really Worth the Hype for Your Hair?
“Many naturals have promoted baking soda because it cleanses the hair as a shampoo and softens the hair as a conditioner. Some have even promoted it as something to loosen the curl pattern.”
10. 25 Best Gentle Shampoos for Curly Hair
Every single one of the cleansers on this list has won an Editors’ Choice award, voted on by the NaturallyCurly editors, or a Best of the Best award, voted on by thousands of NaturallyCurly community members.
11. 6 Ways to Use Aloe Vera Gel
I use aloe vera in my skincare routine so I wasn’t surprised to see how people use it in their hair. My favorie tip from this article is using aloe vera juice as a part of your styling routine!“Many curly girls are extremely careful about the ingredients found in the products that they use on their curls…as they should be! With aloe vera gel, there’s no doubt that you’re using a natural product that’s great for your hair. It consists of water, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, and 200 phyotonutrients.”
12. The Clay Mask Recipe that Will Give You(r Hair”> Life
Every curly girl loves a good DIY hair mask, this was our most popular one!
“This DIY clay mask has forever changed my regimen. It hydrates, moisturizes, de-frizzes, softens, and banishes dryness, while encouraging curl clumping and shine. Any problems you’re having with your hair, this mask can probably solve.”
13. 12 Best Moisturizing Products for Type 4 Hair
“Maintaining proper moisture is important for all hair types, but coily hair is even more susceptible to damage if it lacks moisture. Because of the structure of coily hair follicles, moisture can escape from the shaft quite easily, so not only is it a must to restore and maintain precious moisture, it’s important to find a way to seal it in.”
14. Curly Hair Guide: What’s YOUR Curl Pattern?
“If you are new to the world of natural curls, getting to know your curl pattern can help you discover styling techniques and products that will work for you. You’ll also be able to more easily find the videos that’ll be most relevant to you.”
15. How to Plop Curly Hair: A Curly Girl’s Guide
Did you know that plopping is a technique that was born here on NaturallyCurly’s forums??
“You plop your wet hair after you’ve applied your styler and before you start to dry your hair. It will accordion your curls, helping them keep their defined, spiral shape, even after they dry.”
16. LOC Method: The Routine EVERY Curly Should Know
“LOC is an abbreviation for leave in conditioner, oil and cream. The name itself signifies the products a curly should apply, as well as the order in which to apply them, making it an easy-to-remember curly routine.”
17. Top 15 Products for Low Porosity Hair
It’s amazing how many people don’t know what their hair porostiy considering how much knowing this can help you achieve your best curls!
“Naturals with low porosity have a tightly bound cuticle layer that lays flat and can be hard for products to penetrate and get the good stuff in! Low porosity strands resist moisture and are protein-sensitive, so steering clear of protein or using it sparingly is ideal.”
18. The Truth About Propylene Glycol, According to a Chemist
“Propylene glycol should not be a feared ingredient. If product manufacturers are finding replacement ingredients to fulfill the same purposes in their formulas served by propylene glycol, I see no harm in that. However, I hesitate to support marketing materials that use this as a selling point.”
19. Top 10 Curl-Defining Hair Products
20. The 15 Best Moisturizing Products for Coarse, Dry Natural Hair
Last, we have one of my favorites articles on this list (because my hair is always SO dry”>! Check out some of our top products for all of your moisture needs!
“SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner has multiple uses as a conditioner, leave in conditioner, and styling prep base. It’s a combination of Shea Butter, essential oils, and avocado oil to moisturize deep in the shaft and smoothing the cuticle on the outside for flawless styling. For Coarse hair, this product is great for enhancing elasticity.”
Do you have a favorite NaturallyCurly Article? Share in the comments below!
Long before YouTube tutorials, Instagram influencers, and vloggers, NaturallyCurly lead the revolution of texutured hair communities online. While the conversations and activism surrounding natural and curly hair has existed for generations, it wasn’t until the emergence of the internet that individual women were able to connect and build a widespread community that existed outisde of the confines of their local friends and family.
In 1998, two curly-haired women, co-founders Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber, partnered to publicly address their personal frustrations with the lack of attention, representation, products, salon services, and national dialogue surrounding textured hair in the beauty industy. In their initial frustration, the friends and co-founders created a simple online discussion board (which has been revamped to our new CurlTalk“>. Their collective passion and vision fueled something much greater — the biggest online platform offering qualified user-generated product and stylist reviews, expert editorials and advice, and direct digital access to known products as well as emerging brands.
Did you know that people with textured hair make up 60 percent of the overall population!? NaturallyCurly has worked to ensure us curlies are not left ignored by the beauty and hair industries for 20 years now! That’s something to celebrate.
– Giveaways! Want to a win a chance to attend one of the biggest Textured Hair events of the year during New York Fashion week? Make sure you are following us on all social media.
– Texture Tales. Have you seen any of our Texture Tales stories yet? This series showcases community stories about hair and self-growth. You can submit your story here!
– Tickets to Texture On the Runway. Our biggest event of the year held in New York City!
– Pop the Cork: Champagne and Questions with NC Editors. A series on Instagram starting this week!
– Live Questions from you to us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube !
– Top 20 content; including the top 20 conditioners, cleansers, stylists on Instagram, hairstyles for different hair types, and more!
-Texture Tuesday. A series on Twitter where we retweet textured hair photos from our followers all day long.
– More, More, More! Make sure to follow us on all social channels to be a part of this celebration!
Want to know more about our co-founders? Watch Gerilyn ask them some questions in the video below!
Today, NaturallyCurly continues to champion ideas, entrepreneurs, brands, stylists, influencers, quality original content, invaluable insights and most of all, the curly community: YOU!
Traveling with curly hair can be difficult. The last thing you want to worry about while on vacation is spending an hour or more detangling and styling your hair. I know, and you know, and Champagne Papi Drake knows that we wanna “Vacay to a, place where you could, take pictures, post on insta..” but that can be difficult when your hair is acting a fool. In order to minimize non-photo ready hair days, I laid out some of my best tips for traveling with curly hair.
Last month I traveled to England, Italy, Greece, and Tanzania and lived out of a backpack, a carry on and a checked bag for a month (okay so clearly I’m not a minimalist, but I tried”>. I did however, try to keep my beauty and hair items to a minimum and kept most of them in my carry on just in case my checked bag was ever lost. It can be overwheliming to know what is essential and what is excessive while traveling internationally and to multiple countries, but don’t worry we got your (hair”> and back.
10. Look at Airport Security Restictions Ahead of Time
TSA is no joke. And depending on the country you are traveling to, the size requirements for liquids and baggage size changes. I found out this the hard way the first time I traveled to Europe.
A moment of silence for the sample beauty and hair items I lost in January 2018.
Okay back to regularly scheduled programming. CHECK THE AIRPORT WEBSITE. Just do it. Your countries airport rules will not necesarily apply everywhere, even if they are similar. In Europe you are only allowed ONE clear, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger. I like using the pink clear bags from Glossier (as shown above”>. “These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each.” For me this meant bringing my travel size face wash, facial serum and moisturizer and my 3 of my most esseintial hair products all 3oz and less. My clear plasitc bag fit about 7 travel size products, with a little room. Most airports have plastic bags available for free at the security checkpoint.
9. Pack your holy grails in your carry on
If you’re like me and the idea of living out of a back pack or carry-on luggage for an entire month is simply not happening, make sure you pack wisely. Meaning, your holy grail leave-in creme, conditioner, and comb or whatever detangling instrument you prefer to use are never far from sight. This is something I didn’t think about the first time I ever traveled, but I made certain to do this time around. Long flights, Jet Lag, Delayed flights, long layovers, or any of the other various complications of traveling often lead to a change in your routine that can affect both your skin, hair and mood.
Keeping all of your favorite items with you while at the airport can save you from one hell of a weird hair day and unfortunate breakouts.
I always kept a wide tooth comb in my back pack along with a curl refreshing spray, my purple toning shampoo, a leave-in conditioner, bobby pins, and my olaplex that I switched into a travel size container.
8. This is not the time for experimenting.
Did your friend just offer up some of their old travel-size hair items to you for your trip? While that is super sweet of them, unless you have tried that product before and liked your results, you better leave that gift at home. Same goes for any random travel size products you may have laying around your bathroom. I love saving money as much as the next person, espeically while traveling, but this is not the time for experiementing. Either try the product prior to your trip or better yet, stick to what you know. If your favorite products don’t come in travel size options, you can run by your local drugstore and grab empty travel size bottles or order them on Amazon. There are plenty of affordable options and they can be re-used for your next trip!
7. Dust your ends/touch up color before your trip
While I wouldn’t reccommend getting a full trim before going on vacation, dusting your ends and in my case bangs is a great way to prep before traveling. If your ends are healthy detangling, styling, washing, basically all hair maitenanace will be easier on your trip. For everyone that colors their hair, a root touch up a few weeks before your trip is also a pro-tip, but not absolutely neccessary.
6. Bring a Deep Conditioning or Protein Treatment
Depending on the climate you are entering into your hair may require extra moisture or protein. *Don’t know if your hair needs protein? Check out this article. My hair generally needs both after a coulple weeks of traveling, which is why I always bring olaplex with me when I travel. I also brought 2 bottles of Oiudad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner in the travel sizes. This is my favorite deep condioner, and I tried to use it weekly whenever I had some down time at my hotel so I could leave it in for at least an hour. My hair always detangles so easily after using it and feels healthy and moisturized.
5. Travel Scarf/Pillow
I had one flight that was 14 hours long. On flights as long as these I always try to sleep as long as possible, but that can cause problems for natural hair. While you could put your hair up in a bun, that is often uncomfortable on flights, especially when you want to sleep as much as possibe. I like to use my Aquis hair towel as shown in the photo or my silk hair wrap from Ruby Sampson that you can purchase from the NC shop as a pillow. The best thing about bringing this wrap in my carry-on is it can be used for beautiful wrap styles as well.
4. Test Products that Maximize time until your next Wash Day
My holy grail product as a bleached blonde is olaplex, however it is not the kind of product that can help my wash-n-go last all week. Skimdo on the other hand can. While traveling you hair needs change, and if you are changing hotels or air-bnbs often, it can be difficult to make time for a full wash day. Due to this I made sure to test out some of my favorite products to see which held my curls the longest number of days. My winner was Skimdo curl creme.
3. Ask Locals about their Favorite Products
By the time I got to Greece I had already ran through half my supply of hair products, so while I was walking through the local markets I began to keep my eye out for hair care. Multiple stores had a brand called “Venus’ Secrets” that was made with argan oil and donkey milk! My curiosity outweighed my apprehension and after talking to the sales associate I bought a deep conditioner and a regular conditioner to take home with me. Turns out my curls love donkey milk. Who woulda thought!
2. In-Flight Hair Treatment
Sometimes you dont have time to finish your hair before your flight, especially if you stay on cpt like me. Twist-outs, braids, and bantu knots are great styles to wear in your hair while flying. Just make sure to wrap your hair tight while on the plane so you dont wake up with any funky imprints after sleeping. I prefer two french-braids, because I can do that quickly in the airport bathroom with just a comb and a curl creme, and since they are on the sides of my head they don’t get messed up when I fall asleep. In-flight treatments will have you walking off the plane looking brand new and not like you’ve only eaten pretzels, peanuts and chewing gum in the last 12 hours.
1. Let Your Frizz Thrive
Frizz is inevitbale, especially if you plan to travel in the summer or to hot and humid places. Instead of trying to prevent it, lean into it. Solange, Yara, and Zendaya have all rocked “frizzy hair” to events and even on covers of magizines. There will be days where your hair is just not cooperating, but as the now dead Mr. West once wisely stated “how you gon be mad on vacation?” Rock your best outfit to give yourself a boost of confidence if needed and enjoy the city regardless of how your hair looks. I promise you are probably the only one thinking about it.
Conditioner is to natural hair what Romeo is to Juliet, and by that I mean we would literally die without it (maybe not but you get my point”>. As curly girls, our hair loses moisture at a faster rate than our straight haired sisters – leaving our tresses more prone to frizz, breakage, and split ends. A good conditioner (or two or three”> is a must in our hair care arsenal, but since there are so many to choose from, we made a curated guide to the best conditioners for each hair type and hair need. While some relish the process of trial and error that comes with testing out new products, you can skip all that with our Editors Choice List of Best Conditioners!
The conditioners that made it on our coveted 2018 Annual Editors’ Choice List were handpicked by us for you. Scroll down to see what products won, and what you may want to add to your shopping cart!
What we look for
Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:
- Does the product give my hair the moisture and slip it needs?
- Would the product replace your Holy Grail product in that category?
- Ingredients
- Does the product do what the packaging claims it will do?
- Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?
- Ease of use and product distribution
- Packaging and product functionality
- Innovation
- Scent
If you’re on the search for a conditioner that will work for your curl pattern, check out our 2018 Editors’ Choice award winners – and what we loved about them.
Daily Conditioners
Type 2
BOUNCE CURL SUPER SMOOTH CREAM CONDITIONER
Hair snarls and tangles? Gone! The slip from this smooth cream conditioner instantly detangles your hair and prevents breakage leaving all hair types extremely moisturized. Your hair will fall IN LOVE with this Conditioner, created from 23 plant extracts and oils, it’s formulated to leave your waves bouncy and hydrated all day long.
Type 3
EDEN BODYWORKS CITRUS FUSION CONDITIONER
This nutrient rich conditioner works to fortify and strengthen the hair. Our editors love using this as a rinse out or leave in for optimal moistuizing throughout the day. Emmolient rich oils like Avocado and Castor Oil leave your hair soft and smooth for frizz-free curls that last!
Type 3c
THE MANE CHOICE HEAVENLY HALO HERBAL HAIR TONIC & SOY MILK DEEP HYDRATION SOFTENING MILK
A Hydration sensation! Blends of Umutanga Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Yashtimadhu Root, Yucca Root, Burdock Root Oil and Soy work together to deeply hydrate, soothe, and nourish your hair. This conditioner is gentle enough for daily use and potent enough to drastically improve your tresses. Editors love it’s restorative moisture properties and mix of essential oils that deeply penetrate hair and smell incredible.
Type 4
SUNNY ISLE JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL EXTRA DARK CONDITIONER
This ultra hydrating formula is infused with rosehip and sesame seed oils essential to the overall health of the scalp and hair. Wheat proteins work to penetrate the hair shaft protecting against breakage and shedding while the essential oils promote growth and provide intense nourishment to dry hair. It’s like Castor Oil, but better!
Leave-In Conditioners
Type 2
TRÉLUXE UNTIE THE KNOT NOURISHING LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
This lightweight conditioner blends high quality botanical ingredients that gently sink into textured tresses allowing hair to absorb the included nutrients and providing the right foundation for your best curls. Not only does this leave-in condition, it’s known for it’s detangling properties too!
Type 3
MIELLE POMEGRANATE & HONEY LEAVE IN CONDITIONER
On the look for a leave-in that leaves your curls frizz-free but not weighted down? Mielle’s formual was created for thick and curly hair with tighter curl patterns, and primes curls by moisture sealing and cuticle smoothing to create soft to deep definition. Our editors love using this as a part of their wash-n-go routines!
Type 3c
SHEAMOISTURE 100% VIRGIN OIL LEAVE-IN
Detangle, protect & control frizz with this lightweight milky leave-in treatment that softens hair and improves styling manageability without leaving behind product buildup. 100% Extra Virgin Coconut and Shea Oils, Coconut Milk and Acacia Senegal combine in this restorative formula that rehydrates hair, detangles and acts as a barrier against heat while reducing frizz. And if you love coconut like me, you will love how this product smells too!
Type 4
SHEAMOISTURE COCONUT HIBISCUS HOLD & SHINE DAILY MOISTURE MIST
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist is a special blend of nourishing silk protein, hydrating coconut and neem oils that restore moisture and body while providing curl control for bouncy, healthy curls. Ingredients like coconut oil hydrates and protects hair while reducing breakage, silk protein smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel, and neem oil controls frizz while adding brilliant shine. WIN WIN WIN!
Deep Conditioners
Type 2
CARMELLA MARIE DEEP CONDITIONER WITH HONEY HIBISCUS
This deep conditioners unique mix of honey and essential oils will naturally soften and smooth your hair while improving the over all health of your hair follicles over time. It also smells incredible. If you are looking for moisture that lasts, you are in the right place!
Type 3
DEVACURL MELT INTO MOISTURE MATCHA BUTTER CONDITIONING MASK
If you have wavy, curly or super curly hair and your texture is prone to extreme dryness, then this mask is for you!
This nourishing treatment mask is like a magical elixir for dehydrated waves or curls. This nutrient-rich, buttery formula effortlessly melts into hair without feeling heavy. All curl types are left feeling shiny, silky-soft and completely transformed.
Key Ingredients:
- Matcha Butter retains moisture and seals the cuticle
- Beet Root Extract improves elasticity and protects color
- Sweet Almond Oil is rich in vitamins and Omega Fatty Acids that help moisturize and nourish the hair
Type 3c
CARMELLA MARIE DEEP CONDITIONER WITH HONEY HIBISCUS
So good it won twice!
Type 4
OUIDAD CURL IMMERSION™ TRIPLE TREAT DEEP CONDITIONER
Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner is a rich, super moisturizing formula that hydrates, de-frizzes, and softens hair while banishing dryness and encouraging curl definition and shine – all in 2 minutes.
This luxe conditioner penetrates to the cuticle to restore natural ceramides and maintain moisture and shine while restoring hair strength, elasticity, moisture retention, porosity, smoothness, and strength. Coconut and Avocado oils infuse curls with maximum moisture without weighing curls down while Grapeseed oil acts as a sealant to lock in moisture and hydrate curls.
What’s your favorite styling tool? Let us know in the comments below if yours was chosen and what you love most about it!
Check out the rest of our Editors’ Choice winners here.
Cristina is the NaturallyCurly Managing Editor and rocks a mix of Type 2c and 3a waves and curls. Cristina prefers not to pineapple or scarf most nights because honestly who has the time! So often when she wakes up her curls are flat and in need of some TLC. These are the Editors’ Choice products she uses in her routine to refresh and amplify her waves! Make sure to watch the video at the end to see her full routine in action!
Wash Routine
Step 1. Shampoo with Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo – Cristina typically washes her hair twice a week. In between, she regularly does hot yoga, so her refresh routine is critical to her hair and scalp looking and feeling its best all week long. To really cleanse her scalp – without drying out her hair – she loves using Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo with a scalp brush to stimulate the scalp and leave it feeling extra clean.
Step 2. Condition with Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner – Cristina saturates her hair with a creamy conditioner like this one by Bounce Curl and then detangles with a wide tooth comb to remove shed hair, get rid of knots, and help her curls to clump.
Styling Routine
Step 3. Wring and blot Before Cristina gets out of the shower, she wrings the water out of her hair, doing her best not to disturb the curl pattern. She likes to divide her hair into 2 sections and gently wring out each section to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Then she blots her hair with a T-shirt or microfiber to further dry her hair.
Step 4. Virtue One For All 6-in-1 Styler – If she needs very light hold or feels like layering her products, Cristina starts out with a multi-use product like this 6-in-1 by Virtue. She applies this by scrunching a quarter-sized amount into her hair.
Step 5. Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel – This is one of Cristina’s go-to stylers because it consistently gives her just the right amount of curl definition without weighing down her waves or allowing them to frizz. Again, her go-to method for applying this is by flipping her head upside down and scrunching. If she has accidentally applied too much styler to her hair, she blots and scrunches with the microfiber towel to remove extra product.
Step 6. Deva DevaCurl Frizz-free Volumizing Foam – When Cristina wants big volume and doesn’t care as much about definition, she reaches for this lighter hold volumizing foam.
Step 7. Diffuse – When Cristina really wants her hair to be curly and voluminous, she dries her hair by diffusing upside down to get as much lift at the roots as possible. Air drying works too, but her curls simply don’t get as big or springy when she skips diffusing.
Refresh
Bonus: To Refresh (not shown in the video”> Cristina uses the Curly Hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle, an NC Editor fave!
Treatment Routine:
Once a week or as needed, Cristina uses Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal & Coconut Oil Exfoliating Shampoo for extra cleansing and scalp care, and Innersense Hydrating Hair Mask for moisture.
And that’s it for styling Cristina’s wavy hair!
Watch Cristina’s full routine
Do you have Type 2c hair? Let us know what your regimen must-haves are in the comments so other 2c’s can learn from you!
To see the rest of the Editors’ Choice winners of 2018, check out the full list here.
For a lot of curlies, wash day can be anything but relaxing. It can take hours, your arms get sore from detangling, twisting, and finger combing, even more hours pass before your hair is dry, and then half the time it doesn’t even turn out the way you expected. But it doesn’t have to be this hard! If you have trouble finding a cleanser that can clean your hair without removing all of your natural oils, thus making the detangling process a struggle, we have a gift for you. Our annual Editors’ Choice list has 12 products that have been voted as the best cleansers for various hair types and needs. The cleansing categories include: Shampoo, Cleansing Conditioners, and Scalp Treatments, with Type 2 wavy, Type 3 curly, Type 3c curly-coily, and Type 4 coily picks within each category. So no matter what your wash day need is, we have you covered!
What we look for:
Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:
Does the product provide the cleansing, moisture balancing, and detangling needed for your hair type?
Does the product do what it claims it will do?
Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?
Ease of use and product distribution
Packaging and product functionality
Innovation
Scent
Ingredients
The NaturallyCurly Editors have diligently tested hundreds of products, deliberated and the votes are in for the 2018 Editors’ Choice Best Cleansers! Scroll down to see who won and what products you need to add to your curly girl collection.
Shampoos
Type 2: Vitabrid C12 Hair Scalp Shampoo
Vitamin C is the most powerful substance for scalp rejuvenation. Vitabrid CG, the main component of Vitabrid C 12, is a transdermal Vitamin C delivered between mineral layers that survives for 12 hours in any condition, stimulates collagen synthesis and scavenges free radicals in the scalp, preventing hair loss. This scalp shampoo delivers healthy nutrients to your hair and rids your scalp of any unwated residue so you can enjoy stronger, cleaner hair and less hair loss!
Type 3: Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo
Triumph in the fight against frizz with this secret weapon, amika Velveteen Dream Conditioner. Formulated with smoothing Phenyl Trimethicone, it offers protection against humidity, breakage, and split ends while strengthening each and every strand. Perfect for the upcoming hot summer months, this shampoo also replenishes moisture and strength while promoting resilience and long-lasting hydration.
Type 3c: Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse
Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse is a unique blend of asian ginger, nourishing essential oils, and castor seeds specially infused for moisture retention and slip. Your hair will be transformed in to soft, silky, and bouncy strands, and with continued use, you will notice shinier hair and improved texture.
Type 4: Bounce Curl Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo
Need to cleanse and moisturize at the same time? This level 3 formula is the highest moisturizing cleanser in the Bounce Curl line. This creamy formula is blended to perfection with coconut oil, aloe, and horsetail extract to nourish, cleanse and moisturize your hair all-in-one.
Cleansing Conditioners
Type 2: Noughty 1 Hit Wonder Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner
If you want seep cleansing, intense hydration, and detangling without stripping and working to improve your hair’s condition; discover the magic of 1 Hit Wonder Cleansing Conditioner. Sweet almond oil nourishes overworked hair, improving suppleness and condition while fatty acids and castor oil nourish and strenghen your hair.
Type 3: Amika Nice Cream Cleansing Conditioner
Tired of cleansing and conditioning, well Amika has a product for you. A one-step, no-lather co-wash that gently cleanses and weightlessly hydrates curls, coils and waves. With specialized ingredients like Grape Seed Oil which nourishes hair and delivers shine, softness and silkiness while preventing frizz, Oat Peptide which repairs hair from the inside out and creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and Soybean Protein that gives hair strength and delivers moisture, you will feel the difference in just one wash.
Type 3c: Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
Innersense is a luxurious hydrating conditioner for hair in need of intense moisturizing. This emollient-rich conditioner filled with organic monoi oil and aloe strengthen the hair follicle, smooth cuticles and control frizz while orange flower oil delivers beautiful shine. We reccommend this conditioner for bleached, thick, coarse, or dry hair.
Type 4: The Mane Choice Pink Lemonade and Coconut Conditioner
Formulated to define and shape your curls, this cleansing conditioner adds the perfect blended balance of clarification, hydration and moisture to give your hair the ability to showcase its most optimal texture. Infused with biotin, vitamins and nutrients to aid in hair growth and retention, this collection is a must have for naturals. Benefits include an improvement in elasticity and curl definiton, long-lasting shine, balanced hydration for frizz-free curls, and most importantly ingredients that promote strong and healthy hair.
Scalp Treatments
Type 2: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
A creamy, exfoliating shampoo that removes dead skin and impurities from the scalp and hair, while also soothing itchiness & irritation and restoring balance and moisture. Editors noted an improvement in hydration, reduction in ithciness, irratiation, and flakiness, and an overall improvement in their scalp health!
Type 3: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
A pH-balancing scalp treatment that soothes itchiness & irritation, restores balance & hydration, and draws out deep rooted impurities from the scalp and hair follicle. The Binchotan Charcoal detoxifies the hair and scalp by absorbing impurities such as oil, dirt, sebum, and product build up, Biotin strengthens the hair follicle to reduce hair loss, Witch Hazel normalizes oil production to control oily scalp and extend time between washes, Tea Tree Oil reduces flakiness and itchiness, while supporting healthy hair growth and Peppermint & Spearmint Oils work to maintain healthy scalp pH levels. If you are jumpoing into the trendy world of scalp care, this mulit-functional treatment is a great place to start.
Type 3c: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
This Scalp Treatment is so good it won for both curly and curly-coily!
Type 4: Chocolate Kinks and Curls Lemon Rose Hair and Scalp Renew Oil
The blend of oils in this treatment penetrates your hair follicles to soothe and invigorate your scalp. The Comfrey Root aids in skin cell renewal to heal and renew your scalp while essential oils like lavendar, peppermint and rosemary nourish and promote healthy cell regeneration. This treatment can be used weekly to improve circulation and relieve any itchyness you may have, but I also reccommend using it as a hot oil treatment, it feels so good!
What’s your favorite cleansins product? Let us know in the comments below if yours was chosen and what you love most about it!
Check out the rest of our Editors’ Choice winners here.
It seems like there’s a new TV commercial every day for some styling tool that claims to fix all of your hair problems. Lucky for you, we have tried and tested them all, and curated a list of the ones that actually live up to their claims! We understand the struggle, and want to help take the guesswork out of finding amazing styling tools so you can work your natural hair with confidnece.
As a curly myself, I like switching up my look from time to time. Sometimes I opt for defined, frizz-free curls achieved through finger coiling, a comb, and styling products, or a more effortless voluminous look created with a spray bottle and brush. A couple times a year, I even straighten my hair to really confuse people at work, it all depends on the day and occasion! NaturallyCurly Editors tried out styling tools that will help you acheive whatever your desired look is, be it smooth and straight, or big and curly.
The styling tools that made it on our coveted 2018 Annual Editors’ Choice List were handpicked by us for you. Scroll down to see what products won, and what you may want to add to your shopping cart!
What we look for:
Here are a few (but not all”> of the criteria we used to make our decision:
Does the styling tool provide the detangling, ease of use, and final style desired?
Does the product do what it claims it will do?
Does the product have added benefits not listed? What are they?
Ease of use and product distribution
Packaging and product functionality
Innovation
If you’re on the search for a comb, brush, spray bottle, or hair towel that will work for your curl pattern, check out our 2018 Editors’ Choice award winners below!
Type 2
Curly Hair Solutions H2O Water Bottle
This water bottle is so good at refreshing curls that it has already won several Editors’ Choice awards in previous years! Its continuous spray formula is a must-have for naturals in need of a quick refresher in the morning. This refillable, ultra-fine and continual spray bottle covers large areas of hair to be covered quickly and easily. Styling has never been this easy. The mist will rehydrate dull curls, re-shape, moisturize and stretch your hair without soaking or re-wetting the entire head. While this won the award for type 2 waves, I know curlies all across the spectrum who use and love this water bottle.
Type 3
Hair Remedie Frizz-Eliminating Towel
Using a patent pending multi-layer design, the Hair Remedie Towel dries hair quickly while naturally eliminating frizz. The outer cotton t-shirt fabric protects your hair while the inner layer of ultra-absorbent cloth soaks up all the excess water. It’s the perfect tool to get you out of the house quickly without soaking wet curls! Its generous 39 inches across and 25 inches wide, meaning even the curlies with Rapuzel-esque hair will be able to wrap everything inside, unlike an oversized T-shirt. Benefits of this towel include:
- Fighting Frizz
- Since your hair only touches the super soft and smooth outer fabric, its not roughed up by terrycloth or microfiber materials which can lead to frizz. The outer layer of fabric completely covers an absorbent inner layer.
- Decreasing Dry Time
- The multi-layer, patent-pending design plus the large size allows more water to be absorbed, so your hair comes out of the towel with curls intact!
- Multi-use capabilities
- This towel is also a great item to take to the gym, swimming, or on vacation! It fits effortlessly into a gym bag, suitcase or beach bag, and dries so quickly you can pack it up an go on a dime.
Type 3c
Curly Hair Solutions Flexy Brush
We have deemed this THE best detangling brush on the market for 3c curly/coily hair. It’s great for kids and adults, and won’t leave you devastated by breakage from pursuing a stubborn tangle.
Benefits:
- Best detangling on wet or dry curl textures
- Great for kids
- Strong durable, lightweight and easy to clean
- Open cushion concept maximizing airflow when blow-drying; eliminates bacteria or product build up in the shower
- Soft flexible multi dimensional silicone bristles for sensitive scalps & stubborn knots
- Exfoliates scalp while detangling, minimizes hair loss, increase blood circulation
Type 4
The Spriggle
Unlike brushes or traditional hair picks, the spriggle allows for use on dry curls without creating frizz. The prongs are widely spaced which allows detangling without disruption to the curl pattern. We have deemed this innovative version of a comb as holy grail worthy for type 4 hair. It’s also perfect for creating parts and seperating your hair for a diverse nuber of styles!
What’s your favorite styling tool? Let us know in the comments below if yours was chosen and what you love most about it!
Check out the rest of our Editors’ Choice winners here.
The testing is over, the votes are in, and the winners of Editors’ Choice are finally here.
At the NaturallyCurly offices, we talk to industry experts about haircare products and regimens all the time. Stylists and hair specialists tell us the right cuts for different hairtypes and face shapes. Brands share the right products for our specific needs. We spend hours discussing the newest trends and whether we should buy into them or not. But that’s only part of it. Throughout the year, we are also trying out thousands of products from all over the world on our own hair and testing them on a range of curl patterns (our job is so hard, right?”>.
That’s why every spring, we share our favorite hair (and for the first time ever, skincare”> products as part of our annual Editors’ Choice Awards, where our team of editors vote it out over our favorite products, new and old.
After several months of product testing, clarifying hair strands and scalps, deep conditioning, and trying out what seemed like 100 types of clay facial masks, the NaturallyCurly editors divide into four groups, based on curl pattern: Type 2s, Type 3s, Type 3cs, and Type 4s. Then we have (sometimes heated”> debates over which products best addressed our individual hair and skin concerns. From 2-in-1 skin and hair butters to curl cremes that keep definition for an entire week, we have deemed our favorites as Holy Grail worthy.
Process of Elimination: How We Choose The Winners
Brands all over the world sent us their newest and best products over the last few months, and we tried all of them! It was not easy, but the process allowed us to try brands and products we use all the time, and also some we hadn’t come across before. Only the brands that we loved made our coveted Editors’ Choice 2018 list!
For the NaturallyCurly Editors’ Choice Awards selection process, we considered the following criteria when making our selections:
Product efficacy: Does the product work for my hair/skin type?
Miracle claims: Does the product packaging deliver false hope or stay true to its claims?
Added bonus: Does the product exceed my hair/skin goal expectations by providing unlisted benefits?
Innovation: Does the product contain ingredients that I have not used before? Is the product new to the curly community?
Industry expertise: Are ingredients suggested for use by hair/skin care experts?
The Main Categories in our list consisted of:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair Treatments
Styling
Finishers and Refreshers
Facial Care
Body Care
Each category has a winner for each curl type, and we will be publishing articles throughought the next 30 days that show how our editors use these products in our own hair and beauty routines. Make sure you follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay updated!
The process of choosing which products make it onto our annual list is thorough because we want to ensure that we choose the best of the best for every curl and skin type. When you decide to try or buy one of our award winners, you are getting what our NaturallyCurly editors keep in our curl cabinets, our Holy Grails, and the collections of our most coveted brands.
Without further ado, it is our pleasure to share the winners of the 2018 NaturallyCurly Editor’s Choice Awards with you, dearest curlfriend!
Check out the full list here!
Grace is a NaturallyCurly Video editor with Type 2a hair. Her hair struggle consists of keeping her waves defined and full, but with a little help from these Editors’ Choice Products, she is a Wavy Queen. Make sure to watch the video at the end to see her full routine in action!
Wash Routine
Step 1. Shampoo with Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo
Step 2. Condition with DevaCurl One Condition Weightless Waves Conditioner
Step 3. Dry Hair with Remedie Frizz Eliminating Towel
Step 4. Apply Eden Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk
Styling Routine
Step 5. Apply Salon Pro Twin Olive Maximum Hold Hair Gel with the “cupping” technique.
This is done by coating the hair and hands in gel and then cupping the hair in water so that the gel gets evenly distributed/the hair clumps. Grace does this while her hair is soaking wet. She then scrunches her hair with her hands and then with a microfiber towel. When her hair is beginning to dry after the towel scrunching, she takes a little more gel and scrunches that through again.
Step 6. Grace then diffuses with the Xtava diffuser, either upside down or by clipping her roots up.
Step 7. Finally, for extra hold Grace finishes with Devacurl Hairspray
Refresh
Extra Step: To Refresh (not shown in the video”> Grace uses the Curly Hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle, an NC Editor fave!
And that’s it for styling Grace’s wavy hair! Make sure to check out our full Annual Editors’ Choice list here and watch her full regimen below!
See the full list of Editors’ Choice Winners for every curl type.
Over the past 6 months or so I have been obsessed with skincare and finding the products that work for my individual skin needs. After sampling all of the prestige brands that I can’t afford full sizes of, trying out all of our Editors’ Choice Award picks (which will be announced next month”>, and trying out brands recommended by my favorite beauty bloggers and closest friends – I have finally found something that works. This mixture of products helps to even out my skin tone, keeps my skin clear and moisturized, prevents fine lines, and leaves me with a healthy dewy glow – with or without makeup. But just like entering into any new field with literally millions of options and limited funds, finding the right routine and products was a process. Here are some of the brands that have become staples in my spring skincare routine.
Let’s start with the more affordable products I use:
Natural Mixologist
My absolute favorite line of skincare right now comes from Natural Mixologist. I reached out to them early this year to try out their customized skincare set, and have been using it in my skincare routine ever since. Natural Mixologist products are all simply made from plants, seed, oils and infused botanicals to create nourishing + nutrient-rich skin and body care. And major bonus, it’s an indie Black-owned brand! You can choose specific products to try out, but I recommend taking the customized skincare quiz here, and buying from their recommended list or buying the entire customized skincare kit. I cleanse night and morning with the No.44 Moroccan Facial Cleanser, tone with the No. 26 Toner, moisturize with the No.31 Facial Serum with rosehip + papaya which targets hyperpigmentation and blemishes, and use the detox clay mask 1x a week or when my face is feeling extra oily. The products smell amazing, and the best part is that I’m using all natural products on my skin and supporting a woman and Black-owned independent company.
The Ordinary
I have been experimenting with several of the Ordinary’s products to see what truly is a dupe for my favorite prestige brands, and what is not. So far my favorite is the AHA/BHA Peeling Solution and their Serum Foundation. The Peeling solution is priced at $7.20, making it the cheapest form of AHA/BHA that I have found on the market, and to my surprise – it really works! Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA”> exfoliate the skin’s topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance, and Beta hydroxy acids (BHA”> exfoliate the skin’s deepest places to help clear pore congestion. The combined 32% AHA/BHA solution offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and makes my skin brighter and more radiant with each use. I also love their serum foundation. It evens out my skin tone while still looking and feeling natural on, and it’s also priced amazingly well at $6.70 a bottle. They are so cheap I bought two just to make sure I had the right color!
Avene Body Oil
I have no trouble finding time to take care of my skin, but whenever it comes to moisturizing my body on a daily basis, sometimes I have a hard time leaving enough time to moisturize before throwing pants on and running out of the house. Well now I have no excuse because Avene Body oil absorbs into the skin quickly, so you aren’t left with any greasy residue like many body oils, but still nourishes my skin with all the moisture and vitamins it needs to be as glowy as the skin on my face. Its rich in natural plant-based oils and Vitamins A and E, making my skin feel soft as ever all day long. The nourishing body oil hydrates parched skin and Avocado Oil and Vitamins A and E nourish and restore the skin while Calendula Oil soothes, and their key ingredient Avène Thermal Spring Water softens and calms the skin. I’ve been using it regularly for three months and I still have half of the bottle left. It also smells divine and has become my holy grail body moisturizer ever since I received it. Summer is upon us, make sure you aren’t out here looking ashy!
These products are more expensive, but worth the splurge.
Pai
Pai is also an independent skin care brand, and is woman-owned! While more of a prestige brand, this blemish serum has SAVED my skin. Since using this serum daily, I rarely break out and my skin tone has been more even than ever. I use this as the second step in my skincare routine, right after cleansing and before other serums and moisturizers. Pai products are free from Parabens, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Petrochemicals, Detergents (SLS/SLES”> and artificial fragrance. They also avoid anything that has the potential to upset or imbalance sensitive skin. This is one of the few products I will pay a big sticker amount for- because it simply works.
Schique
I’m in my mid-twenties now, so I’ve started to worry about things like fine-lines and anti-aging ingredients. I received the Brilliantly Firm Firming Serum, the Lumistone Hydration Face Moisturizer, and the Intuitive Restoration Renewal Mask and my skin has been GLOWING ever since I added these products into my skincare regimen. Although clay masks are all the rave right now, my skin often needs moisture too, and these three products were the perfect addition to what I had already accumulated in my skincare journey. Schique skincare Increases collagen activity, leading to firmer and tighter skin for a more youthful appearance, assists in cellular turnover, aiding the skin in showing its true radiance, and soothes, calms, and reduces age-inducing inflammation. Their key ingredient, the Dandelion, is known for its diverse therapeutic properties and its ability to give women a radiant glow. All of the products are vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free. I use the firming serum at night after the Pai Zinc serum, and the hydration moisturizer after (I like using these products for my nighttime routine, or under makeup for a dewy look”>. I use the mask about 1x a week or as needed.
What are some of your holy grail skin care products? Share in the comments below!
In February NaturallyCurly Editors took on the daunting task of trying 100 products in a month. Yes 100. Now this could be hair, skincare, body, etc., but let me tell you my bathroom and room were full of curly products and skincare goodies (ask my roommates, sorry guys”>. Although I don’t think I fully accomplished the challenge, I did try more new brands and products this month than I probably have in the last few years. I have to admit, some days my hair looked real crazy. Since we had to try so many products I was washing my hair more than usual, and some days I would try a product without hold, or one that weighed my curls down, or one with absolutely no slip so I couldn’t even get my brush through my hair, but luckily these days were minimal, and I actually found a lot of products that my hair responded to.
I used the AG Cleansing conditioner, AG hydrating conditioner, and Skimdo curl creme to achive this wash-n-go.
Generally, when I find a product that works, I stay loyal to that product for months or until it runs out before trying a new one, and even then, I often go back to my holy grails. This challenge definitely pushed me (and my hair”> out of my comfort zone, but I found some really innovative products and brands that took my hair to a new level. Here are a few of them:
Skimdo
This was curl creme came recommended to me by the lovely Nia the Light. Still a relatively new kid on the block, SKIMDO has gained cult status amongst natural hair stylists and influencers who use it, including FKA Twigs, Aluna Francis, Ella Eyre, Lianne La Havas, EVE, and Nia the Light. Kim Cowans created the product in response to her own curly hair struggle, “I made SKIMDO so that I could keep the ringlety, voluminous complexity of my natural hair, but also have the swish, the shine, the effortlessness I always admired in straight hair.” Skimdo is free of parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates, or any of those trendy ‘buzz’ ingredients often found in new products, and it was one of my favorite finds of the month. It left my curls soft, ringlety, and voluminous for 5 days, which is the longest I have ever gone without a wash day. You can purchase the product here.
RedDavid Orchid Oil
This was one of the first products I tried in February, and I continued using it for a week – even though I had a shelf full of products I was supposed to try – because I loved it that much. One side is an oil, and one side is a curl creme, and since I often cocktail my products this 2-in-1 was perfect. You can choose how much oil to mix with your creme, I found that a 2-1 ratio of curl creme to oil worked best for me, and later in the day you can easily add more of whatever your hair is needing. I found that for refreshing my curls I only need the creme portion, but when my hair needed added moisture I could just add a few pumps of oil. The mixture left my hair SO soft and the slip was one of the best out of all the products I tried this month. I’m definitely adding this product to my Holy Grail list. You can buy it here.
AG RE:COIL
For over 25 years, AG has been creating hair care products designed to treat common hair problems with a gentle approach. And their new line for curls is no different. This line is SUPER moisturizing, and even on wash day I had volume and was able to detangle my hair easily. I was able to try out the entire line which consisted of the cleanser, conditioner, treatment masque, and curl creme, and each one worked well for me. I also used them alongside some of my other favorite products, and they worked just as well. This brand has definitely been added to my list of holy grails! I hope they never change the formula. You can purchase AG products from our NaturallyCurly Shop here.
Macadamia Professional
Macadamia Professional is another brand whose full line I was able to try. Since my hair is chemically dyed blonde, it requires A LOT of moisture in order to stay healthy and soft. In addition, I also have fine hair – I have a lot of it, but it’s fine enough that it’s prone to being weighed down by many curly targeted products. Finding a balance between sufficient moisture and being able to go a few days without washing my hair before my curls start to look weighed down has always been difficult for me, but this Ultra Rich Moisture Line gives me the perfect hold and curl for multiple days. My favorite from the line is definitely the curl creme; I don’t usually have a hard time finding a cleanser or conditioner that works well for me, but curl cremes can be hit or miss. The Soothing Curl Creme had great slip, great hold, and left my curls super defined and soft. Basically everything I look for in a curl creme, plus it smells incredible. You can purchase the line here.
Urban Hydration
I initially tried Urban Hydration’s cult favorite body wash and body scrub and fell in love. Your girl was soft as hell. So when I found out they had hair products too, I couldn’t wait to try them out. This all-natural, moisturizing, ingredient-packed hair line, which can be used on wet or dry hair, is formulated with coconut, argan, and avocado oils to deliver unbelievable moisture without weighing down your curls. Not only is the scent of this line incredible, but the shampoo-conditioner duo and styling cream have worked wonders for my hair. The shampoo is said to promote growth and shine, and the conditioner is lightweight and non-greasy, while still bringing out the texture in my curls and hydrating my hair from root to end. It’s also safe for color treated hair, major plus, and it’s WOC owned, major major plus. You can find the line here.
What are your holy grail curly products? Mine change seasonally, but I swear I add new ones each year. Let me know in the comments!
I don’t know about ya’ll, but every spring I put my beauty spending on hold until all of the “Best Of” lists come out. It’s impossible to try all of the new and innovative products on the market right now, so sifting through these lists is a helpful tool in determining what I’ll end up buying at Sephora’s VIB sale (this usually happens in April”>. Right now, I have a few things in my cart that I’ve had my eye on for months, but after CEW released their Beauty Award Finalists, I may have to add a few more goodies to my cart!
The experts of the Cosmetic Executive Women organization gather each year for the CEW Beauty Insider Product Demonstration, where they sift through the year’s best products (over 1,000 entries from more than 500 brands”> and vote for their favorites. Following the convention, the experts narrow down their entries to finalists, and give the very top honorees their “seal of approval” by adding them to this list.
“For more than two decades, the CEW Beauty Awards continue to be a primary resource for consumers to help navigate the crowded beauty aisles. There are countless products that launch each year across all categories. The products that become finalists are voted on by the industry – those who know the best in beauty,” says Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW.
Among the products that received their prestigious “seal of approval” are some of 2018’s newly launched and innovative beauty items (we’re looking at you Briogeo Hair Care Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo“> along with acne treatments, affordable anti-aging products, no-photoshop necessary foundation, indie brands, and of course – the top-rated new hair care launches. So save your pennies and clear out some cabinet space because the 2018 Beauty Industry is not playin!
Acne Treatments
1. Differin Gel
Differin Gel is an acne treatment that all of my favorite beauty bloggers keep raving about, so it’s no surprise it landed itself on CEW’s list of best acne treatments. This acne gel is non-comodegenic and fragrance-free, making it a great alternative for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It’s what you and your skin have been waiting for.
2. Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Sleeping Mask
Yes To Tomatoes has been my favorite drugstore skincare brand for years. Their new product uses detoxifying charcoal and salicylic acid to clear up skin so you can honestly say #iwokeuplikethis. Just put on the mask before you go to bed, and wake up with smaller blemishes and smoother skin overnight.
Moisturizer
3. Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharge Concentrate
A bit more expensive and made for all skin types is the beautifully designed Clinique Moisture Surge – A supercharged water-gel hydrator that instantly quenches dehydrated skin with a 179% moisture boost. This moisturizer keeps skin hydrated for a full 24 hours, and as an owner of this brand, I can attest to this claim. Activated aloe-water and hyaluronic acid plump skin with moisture that lasts and helps to prevent premature aging and dull skin.
4. Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream
Cetaphil is known for their simple ingredients and fast-acting results at affordable prices. This product stays true to their promise and re-hydrates dry skin in need of nourishment so you can wake up with a glow. Infused with hyaluronic acid, this product works best for extra dry to dry skin. So get your smooth and pick up this night creme on your next trip to your local grocery or convenience store.
Cleanser & Scrub
5. boscia Charcoal Jelly Ball Cleanser
This one-of-a-kind, jelly-textured face cleanser deep cleans pores with purifying activated black bamboo charcoal, leaving skin refreshed and balanced. Ingredients like tamarindus indica seed gum and hinoki oil calm, soothe, and hydrate for a stronger, more youthful-looking complexion, and the unique, innovative jelly consistency creates an indulgent cleansing experience. It also comes in an innovative travel case, so you can take it with you anywhere you go!
6. Olay Luminous Micellar Water
Micellar water is one of the best ways to take off makeup or simply cleanse at the end of the day. Olay’s version makes the task of makeup removal easy and does it without drying out your skin in the process. The CEW finalist combines rice bran and aloe extract to gently sweep away impurities to leave skin looking brightened, evenly toned and feeling refreshed
Iconic Consumers Choice Beauty Award
7. Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
I used to sneak these out of my mom’s bathroom when I was in high school; I was addicted to seeing all of the gunk that the strips took out of my nose! Biore Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips work to clean and invigorate your skin, clearing out all of the bad stuff that builds up. With the help of natural purifying charcoal, each of the six nose strips will pull out even more dirt that can cause blackheads, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean.
8. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
A best-seller and fan favorite, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a mild, non-irritating formulation that soothes skin as it cleans. In fact, it’s gentle enough for a baby’s delicate skin. Designed specifically to work for all skin types, it is a simple, yet highly effective way to care for your skin.
Hair: Shampoo/Conditioner
9. Joico Blonde Life Shampoo
As a proud, chemically dyed blonde, Joico is one of my favorite color-safe brands. Joico Blonde Life knows how to treat your fragile hair and cleanse without stripping its natural moisture. Their extraordinary sulfate-free Brightening Shampoo, a highly targeted formula that lifts away dirt and oil, banishes brass, and produces a luscious lather that most sulfate-free shampoos simply can’t muster, is perfect for wash-day.
10. Bumble and bumble Prêt-à-Powder Très Invisible (Nourishing”> Dry Shampoo
Shampooing just got so much easier. We have all had those days where we just do not want to shower, even if our hair is begging for it. This dry shampoo instantly creates volume, adds texture, absorbs oil, and refreshes your style. Simply shake or squeeze bottle and massage the mixture into your roots for a quick fix to greasy or oily hair. You can also add a pinch to your brush and work through. Viola, clean, grease-free hair.
Hair: Color (At Home”>
11. Joico Color Butter
A must for curlies who love switching up their color. Joico’s Color Intensity Color Butter is an ultra moisturizing hybrid to amp up the richness of high-beam hair color or add a pop of color to blondes who want to shake things up. Color doesn’t have to damage, and with Joico’s state-of-the-art technology, including restorative Arginine, and powerful Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex to strengthen and repair hair, you can have fun colors year round.
12. Clairol Color Crave Hair Makeup
Want to color your hair, but only for a day? Clairol has the perfect product for you. “Shake. Shimmer. Dry. Go.” Clairol Color Crave temporary hair makeup gives you just the colorful boost you’ve been looking for. Their shimmering hair makeup instantly adds a 1-day wow-factor that’s visible on any hair color, even the darkest brunettes. With color like this, you can change your hair color every few days to suit your mood. The color lasts until you shampooo it out – making it perfect for a fun night out on the town, festival season, or just to switch it up. With no ammonia, no peroxide, no parabens, and no commitment, there’s no reason not to try it out!
Indie Hair: Shampoo
13. Briogeo Hair Care Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
Scalp products have been all of the rave recently, and Briogeo has stepped up to the challenge of creating the perfect scalp care shampoo. This unique charcoal and coconut oil-infused scalp shampoo detoxifies, exfoliates, soothes and balances the scalp for optimal health.
14. The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-poo
Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration helps to restore moisture-depleted hair with intense and lasting hydration. With a hybrid blend Umutanga oil, palmarosa oil, Yashtimadhu root, yucca root, burdock root oil and soy, the pre-poo claims to promote hair growth, combat your dry, flaky scalp, strengthen and nourish hair, and create a shine that lasts for days. I’m a huge advocate for pre-pooing on wash days, so if you haven’t started this practice – here’s a sign to add this pre-poo to your healthy hair regimen.
Face Products (Mass”> #NoFilter
15. NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
Available in 10 blendable shades, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint applies flawlessly while instantly quenching skin, leaving skin hydrated and smooth all day. This foundation moisturizes and plumps skin for 24 hours with the help of skin hydrating essentials like hyaluronic acid, it creates a natural, moisturized and fresh look.
16. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation
I am all for finding new drugstore foundations that won’t break my skin out, and when I tried this one I knew I had found a new love. This is the kind of foundation you put on if you know you are going to be out and about all day, and won’t have time to reapply. It’s a lightweight and full-coverage foundation that lasts up to 24 hours because of their unique formulation of Alliagel and illuminating pigments, meaning you can enjoy your day looking flawless.
Face Products (Prestige”> #NoFilter
17. Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30
Another 24-hour staying power foundation, Estee Lauder Double-Wear is a holy grail for beauty gurus around the globe. It’s lightweight, fluid, and long-wear and feels like you have nothing on. Additionally, with SPF 30 and anti-oxidants, it’s your invisible defense against environmental damage from UV rays and pollution. With ingredients like red fruit extracts, including watermelon, lychee seed, and apple, your skin will stay hydrated and healthy underneath the foundation, so no need to worry about breaking out.
18. BECCA Cosmetics Sunlit Bronzer
Inspired by sun-drenched destinations, Sunlit Bronzer makes it look like you just came back from a vacation every day. With a shade for every skin tone, this neutral bronzer creates a healthy, natural warmth so skin looks sun-kissed and never orange. Each beach-inspired bronzer features an iconic creamy powder in a dimensional matte finish that allows you to customize your glow – go from a hint of light to just-stepped-off-the-beach bronze.
Iconic Consumers Choice (Prestige”>
19. The Original Beautyblender
Everyone’s favorite pink sponge, The Original Beauty Blender, is a cult favorite for applying makeup.The unique shape and exclusive material ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product waste. You can use it with foundations, powders, and any other complexion product. When wet, it expands to about twice its size and becomes super soft to create an even, smooth blend and bounce, returning to its original size when it air dries.
20. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
A cult-favorite, and award-winning, this silky powder has a touch of sheer coverage to set makeup for lasting wear. The Translucent Loose Setting Powder locks in makeup for long-lasting wear, without adding weight or texture. This bestseller creates a modern, matte finish with a touch of sheer coverage, while it absorbs oil and reduces shine all day. Additionally, their no-flashback formula means you’ll look great in photos, and it creates a soft-focus effect to subtly blur the look of fine lines and imperfections. It will not settle into fine lines or pores and never looks cakey.
Hair Styler
21. Pantene Gold Series Hydrating Butter Creme
Pantene has taken the moisture game to a new level with their Gold Series line, and this hydrating butter creme deserves all the buzz it’s receiving. Infused with argan oil, the product melts into wet or dry hair to soften hair and tame frizz. This crème will give you up to 72 hours of rich moisture that every curly or straight style craves.
22. OUAI Haircare Memory Mist
Protect and perfect your hair with Memory Mist, the high octane heat protectant that primes hair and locks in any style, shape or texture you create until your next shampoo. Simply spray in sections on damp or dry hair before styling to shield strands from heat up to 450 degrees (although we wouldn’t recommend turning your heat tools up that high“> and lock in your look until you wash it next.
Anti-Aging
23. Pixi Beauty Rose Caviar Essence
A weightless anti-aging serum, this Pixi essence melts onto skin for a dewy smooth finish. Infused with botanical oils to nourish and hydrate, this anti-aging product works to restore skins brightness for immediate and long-term radiance. Bonus: the packaging will look great no matter where you keep your beauty items!
24. Olay Regenerist Whip
Olay Regenerist Whip delivers powerful wrinkle results without the heaviness of many anti-aging cremes. This breakthrough facial moisturizer transforms from cream to liquid on contact for fast absorption and a breathable feel. Formulated with advanced Amino-Peptide Complex II, this anti-aging moisturizer hydrates to improve elasticity and firm skin for a lifted look while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin is left with a smooth, matte and shine-free finish- perfect as a primer before applying makeup.
Hair Tools (DIY”>
25. Amika The Antidote Silk Wrap Styler
This one-inch styler featuring nano silk plate technology – a combination of silk, teflon, mineral, and ceramic nanoparticles embedded into the plates – delivers healthier-looking hair. At NaturallyCurly we are all for individual choice when it comes to straightening your hair – as long as you keep it healthy. A good-quality heat tool is an essential part of this.
26. Aveda Pramsana Exfoliating Scalp Brush
In preparation for optimal cleansing, dry brushing begins the cleansing process by exfoliating the scalp to help loosen build-up and impurities. This brushing technique also helps increase microcirculation, creating an optimal foundation for beautiful hair. Aveda Pramasa Exfoliating Scalp Brush exfoliates the scalp to help loosen build-up and impurities in preparation for optimal cleansing. I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds like it could give you a really nice scalp massage!
Indie Skincare Beauty Award
27. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
I’ve written about this brand before, and it’s no surprise it found itself on the CEW best Indie skincare list. This is a holy-grail product to every skincare junkie I know, and the results are simply incredible. And they better be, for how much this little guy costs! This mask is a pro-quality AHA/BHA-based mask that works as a “facial” to reveal greater clarity, improved skin texture and tone, and a more youthful-looking radiance.
28. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
This lightweight sleeping mask hydrates, smoothes and perfects skin overnight, and their non-transferable technology makes it so you won’t have to worry about a messy pillowcase! “The oil-free, breathable, glow-boosting hybrid is formulated with ultra-soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that work while you sleep to tone and clarify roughened, dull complexions. AHAs smooth the surface of the skin by banishing dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective, lasting hydration, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for an incredibly nourished complexion.” Bonus: This mask smells INCREDIBLE.
Lip Treatment
29. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
I was so excited to see that this mask was on this year’s list. I was hesitant about the idea of a lip mask at first – especially for $20 (isn’t that what chapstick is for”> – but after seeing my favorite beauty Instagrammers rave about the product, I picked up a sample and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Their exclusive technology that features a mineral network of moisture-rich beta-glucan to form an 8-hour time-release moisturizing layer over skin leaves my lips soft, plump, and moisturized all through the night and preps my lips for the next day. Game Changer.
30. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Scrub
Bite Beauty takes lip scrubs to the next level with their gentle ingredients that cleanse, exfoliate, and condition lips with raw brown sugar, pineapple enzymes and exotic oils, leaving them beautifully smooth and soft. You can lick your lips after too! I use my lip scrub before my lip mask, but it can be used any time of day as long as it has its own moisturizing ingredients.
What’s waiting in your cart for a sale to drop so you can splurge on some new goodies? More than a few of these are on my list! Share in the comments below!
My mom was always meticulous about how my hair looked growing up. I couldn’t leave the house with a single hair out of place, and every morning was spent in our little bathroom with her detangling, slicking back, braiding, pigtailing, or twisting my hair into perfect curls until it looked perfect, adding beads or bows to match with my outfits or school uniform.
Looking back, I can sympathize with my mom, and I can better understand the pressures and insecurities of being a white mom with a mixed raced child. She has since told me she was always afraid how I/we would be judged if my hair looked ‘a mess.’ Due to this, whenever I used to spend weekends with my dad growing up, I was always worried about how my hair looked when I went back to my mom. Usually she would braid it back for me so I wouldn’t have to do much to it, but after a few days those pesky little frizzes would start to appear. Soooo, one day when I realized I had a bunch of “frizzies” at the top of my head after being at my dad’s for a few days (mind you like many kids, I was a little scared of my mom”>, I made the rash decision to cut off all of my frizzes. Of course this only made it worse, and my mom noticed right away. All this is basically to preface why I started getting cornrows in the summer.
Missin some teeth, still cute tho.
The First Time I Wore Cornrows
Since my mom no longer trusted my dad, or me to take care of my hair… I started getting cornrows before any summer camp, sports camp, or extended period of time that I would be away from her. I distinctly remember the first time I had my hair braided back for a camp, and how freeing it felt to not have to worry about my hair. But I also remember feeling nervous about how others would perceive my new hair, even though I was proud of it at the same time.
Najae and I at Summer camp with our fresh braids.
One of my favorite kid hair stories besides cutting off my frizzes (I know we all have some”>, was when I told my best friend Rachel in the 4th grade who was complaining about taking care of her hair, that she should just go to Kitaka (my hairstylist and swim teacher”> to get her hair braided. I continued with “after she braids your hair, just go cut some of your mom’s stockings to make a durag to wear at night! Then you can keep the braids in for weeks.” Rachel, who is still one of my best friends today, is also mixed, but she is Korean and white. So today, when Rachel and I look back on this time, we can’t help but hysterically laugh about the innocence of such a conversation.
A drawing Rachel made for me in the 4th grade that I kept all these years #realfriendshowmanyofem
While I didn’t know much about cornrows at the time, I was beginning to understand the cultural and racial signifiers of the hairstyle. Since I went to a predominantly white school, many of my friends were curious about the style, “Is that your real hair?” “Can you make your hair into an Afro?” “How do you wash your hair?” “You look like a mini Alicia Keys!” Honestly, thank God for Alicia Keys and Destiny’s Child, because they were popularizing cornrows to my generation around the same time my mom decided that would be a part of my summer hair routine – therefore making it “cool” and not othering me more than I already was.
But it wasn’t until I was much older that I learned more about the roots of cornrows, the political and social impacts that come with wearing them as a Black woman, and about cultural appropriation more broadly.
Cultural Appropriation of Cornrows
In high school, I started to notice that every time one of the more wealthy non-Black girls traveled to the Caribbean, they would post about 183 photos of themselves on Facebook with their hair braided back. At the time it bothered me, but I didn’t have the language or education yet to articulate why.
The common argument against what I would later know as “appropriation,” is that they were merely appreciating a culture. That America is a melting pot, and this is simply a symbol of inclusion, an homage to Black culture. However, these girls never made me feel included. I grew up very insecure about appearing “too ghetto” or too “Black” in white spaces. This followed me for much of my adolescence, and this is just one of many reasons why I find it problematic when white people wear this style. When I wore the style, I had to worry about being followed around in a store, but when they wore it- it signified wealth, that they were well traveled and ‘trendy’.
Those who appropriate cornrows often ignore the roots of the hairstyle, yet are credited with conjuring up a ‘new’ ‘trendy’ or ‘fashionable’ style, whereas Black men and women that have been wearing the style for years, have been suspended from school, told they look unprofessional, been banned from wearing the style in several organizations across the world, including the US military, and have been looked down on by mainstream society when they wear it.
Those who appropriate cornrows often ignore the roots of the hairstyle, yet are credited with conjuring up a ‘new,’ ‘trendy’ or ‘fashionable’ style, whereas Black men and women that have been wearing the style for years, have been suspended from school, told they look unprofessional, been banned from wearing the style in several organizations across the world, including the US military, and have been looked down on by mainstream society when they wear it. One of the most stark examples of how national discourse positions cornrows as more acceptable when worn by white women, is when The LA Times posted an article about the new trends in hair, and stated “Cornrows are moving away from urban, hip-hop to more chic and edgy,” alongside photos of Cara Delvigne and Rita Ora. Hmmm…
Kareem Abdul Jabbar explains in an essay for TIME that one strong point proving the legitimacy of appropriation, is economic; “In general, when blacks create something that is later adopted by white culture, white people tend to make a lot more money from it. Certainly, one can see why that’s both annoying and disheartening. Through everything from access to loans to education, systemic racism has created a smoother path to economic success for whites who exploit what blacks have created. It feels an awful lot like slavery to have others profit from your efforts.”
Another point I often use to explain the issues with appropriation is through the term “columbusing.” Urban Dictionary defines this term as “When white people claim they have invented/discovered something that has been around for years, decades, even centuries.” But the word was coined by College Humor in a funny skit you can watch here.
These are Goddess(Ghana”> Braids. I haven’t worn traditional cornrows since I was about 13.
Can non-Black People Wear Cornrows?
Contrary to widely circulated and unfounded myths, racism is not just based on skin color. It often manifests in microaggressions pertaining to hair, specifically textures and styles. So when it comes to who is ‘allowed’ or not allowed to wear cornrows, the deciding factor is not just about melanin – it’s about power structures and equality. And until Black people receive credit – both economically and aesthetically for styles on and off the runway, be it hair, fashion, beauty, etc. – in my opinion, the style is FUBU (For Us By Us”>.
As stated in a previous article about the History of Bantu Knots, I don’t have the power to determine whether or not you should wear them if you are not Black. And I certainly don’t possess the power to make people listen. But, I can advise that before trying on other peoples’ culture and traditions, that you understand and appreciate the importance of what you are trying on, acknowledge its history, recognize the social implications that belong to the tradition, and vocally and physically support the people affected by those social implications. If that doesn’t make sense to you and you are not Black, then I would skip the hairstyle on your next trip to Jamaica or during New York Fashion Week as an attempt to look ‘cool’, and try complimenting the women who do wear it.
Do you have any funny kid hair stories, or do you remember the first time you got cornrows? Share in the comments below because I know I am not alone!
