Search Results: Kiana Tipton
I’ve thought about writing this for a while now, and I know that by saying this I am leaving myself subject to criticism and even hate from Rih Rih’s Navy and Fenty Beauty lovers around the world. I know I may have my Black Card Revoked, Apple music might block me from listening to Work, and the Clurb may make me pay extra at the door – but as a graduate student and researcher, product junkie and skincare connoisseur committed to truth, I had to let it be known. Fenty foundation broke my co-worker, my roommate, and me out. Badly.
When Queen RiRi announced she would be dropping a makeup line, I, like many others who had trouble finding a perfectly fitting foundation shade were ecstatic. Fenty Beauty dropped 40 shades. FORTY!!? And sure enough, I found the perfect shade that made me look like a glowing, photoshopped, matte, Goddess, and I began wearing it any time I went out. Unfortunately, I quickly noticed that this new addition to my makeup routine didn’t only make me glow – it made me break into these little underground zits all over my cheeks and forehead.
I wore Fenty two nights in a row over a weekend and a bunch of undergound bumps appeared. It was worse than it looks.
What is Making Me Break Out?
I tried multiple times to see if it was something else I was using in my makeup routine, removing different products at a time to see what my skin was trying to purge out, but after a month of no Fenty and great skin, I’m positive it was the foundation. So I did some research. Turns out Fenty Foundation is a dimethicone-heavy product, and my skin HATES dimethicone. You may be familiar with dimethicone as a popular non-water-soluble silicone found in hair products, and an ingredient that Curly Girl Method devotees avoid.
Unfortunately for me, this ingredient also seems to be in EVERYTHING makeup based and even sneaks into many skincare products. So why was Fenty in particular breaking me out if this ingredient is everywhere? According to Allure, ingredients are listed in order of their concentrations, “except for ones that are less than 1 percent of the formula and colorants, fragrances, and preservatives.” So when you look at Fenty’s ingredient list, it begins with dimethicone, and then that ingredient repeats several times in different forms throughout the ingredient list. While most conventional foundations do contain dimethicone at least somewhere on the list, Fenty seems to have a high concentration of it compared to other brands I have used.
The ingredients listed in the Fenty Foundation are as follows:
Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Talc, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypropylene, Isododecane, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methicone, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum/Fragrance, Silica, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple”> Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya”> Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid. May Contain (+/-“>: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891″>, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI77499″>.
Note how early and frequently Dimethicone appears on the list.
What is Dimethicone?
According to CVSkinLabs, Dimethicone (also known as polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS”> is a silicone oil that is man-made in a laboratory, and used in personal care products as an anti-foaming agent, skin protectant, and skin and hair moisturizer.
It is used commonly in the beauty industry because it provides a smooth application, filling in uneven texture and fine lines, which helps create a smooth and flawless look in products like primers, foundations, and serums. It also provides a protective barrier, which is meant to keep moisture locked in, keeping your skin and hair hydrated for longer. However, this artificial coating on the skin can cause several skin issues.
Why is Dimethicone Bad?
Firstly, the protective barrier dimethicone is known for trapping everything underneath it, including bacteria, sebum, and dirt. Obviously, all of these things can lead to new zits and blackheads, which can continue to be trapped under skin if using makeup to cover up these impurities. Additionally, the coating can prevent skin from being able to breathe, meaning the normal gland functions work improperly. This affects your ability to sweat, to regulate its own temperature, and to rid itself of dead skin cells. And if this wasn’t enough to make you double-think what you are putting on your face; dimethicone is a non-biodegradable chemical that is terrible for the environment.
A small part of my weekly skincare routine that helps prevent and calm breakouts.
What are the Alternatives?
As stated earlier, most beauty brands do contain dimethicone at some level of concentration in their products. But there are a few ways to either avoid it, or at least limit its presence in your skincare routine. Since I found out that my skin reacts badly to dimethicone, I have been insistent on checking the ingredients before I buy anything. If I notice that a foundation’s first ingredient is dimethicone – Bye. If it lists dimethicone more than 2x, bye again. I also discovered a new favorite brand that stays away from dimethicone in its entire line: Drunk Elephant. Unfortunately, a majority of the products in this brand are out of my price range, but it’s still one of the few brands I have found that does not use dimethicone in any of its products. They also have a tinted moisturizer with SPF that I use daily and costs about the same as Fenty Foundation. Here is me wearing Drunk Elephant Umbra Tint:
Although this tinted moisturizer does not provide a lot of coverage, it’s become my ‘everyday makeup’ look, and my skin is SO much happier.
In order to keep my skin breakout free and my wallet happy, I use a mix of all natural products which often offer less coverage on the weekdays, and heavier products on weekends or when I have some kind of event where my face needs to look beat. I also NEVER go to sleep without taking off my makeup and double-cleansing. But in the end, skincare-similar to hair care, is all about what works for you. Test things out, ask for samples at Sephora (I do this A LOT”>, and slowly add new products into your skincare or makeup regimen so you know what may be affecting you. And as always, what works for me may not work for you – but it can never hurt to know what you are putting on your face.
*Some people have little to no reaction to products carrying dimethicone. This is based on my own personal experience. So if Fenty has been working for you, more power to ya.
What are some of y’all’s favorite non-silicone, paraben-free, not-tested on animals, and/or natural based beauty brands?
Please share so I can check them out!
This year I made a personal goal to be more mindful of my spending, and to support woman and POC owned business if I absolutely NEEDED to indulge in something. Thankfully, women creatives are everywhere and becoming powerhouses in every industry – and supporting them in the age of the internet is not difficult – so there are no excuses, sorry Zara. Here is a list of some of my favorite woman owned businesses from different industries that I urge you to support.
Happy Spending!
Hair Care
1. Camille Rose Naturals
This brand has been a staple on my natural hair journey for years. When I stopped using heat on my hair, I also started to look into what ingredients were in my products, which led me to Camille Rose. Founded in 2010 by Janell Stephens, Camille Rose Naturals was born out of a desire to embrace natural ingredients you can trust to maintain hair health in the present and future. There are several great options from the Camille Rose Naturals line, with ingredients like jojoba oil, biotin, raw honey, Moroccan pear, sweet ginger, and so much more, these products are like health food for your follicles. Right now I use Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment about once a week a as deep conditioning treatment when I’m too lazy to make my own. It smells so good and leaves my hair soft and super moisturized.
2. Briogeo
Briogeo founder, Nancy Twine, created this line as a refreshing deviation from a market saturated with products backed by big-name celebrity stylists and deep-pocketed corporations. Working at NaturallyCurly I have been able to sample several new and classic hair care lines, and Briogeo has recently become one of my favorites. The light scents, deep moisturizing properties, clean ingredients, and the many product options make it a must try for any curl pattern. They also have the cutest product packaging, so they keep my bathroom looking cute! Right now I’m loving their Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.
Skin Care
3. Foxie Bombs
Foxie Bombs is a vegan and handmade line by Kayla Phillips that encourages healing, self-care and aiding in chronic illness and pain. Created only a couple of years ago, Phillips has entered into the skincare industry with a focus on compassion and quality, offering customers with a chronic illness a way to receive some products if they do not have the means to afford it. My roommate Chloe has always been a skincare connoisseur, and first introduced me to the brand when we had a face mask night. We used the Imperial 24k Mask, and my skin felt unbelievably soft, clean, and moisturized after (also this mask has real flecks of gold so you know I felt royal with it on”>. Foxie Bombs also has an assortment of facial cleansers, oils, moisturizers, and kognac sponges-which if you haven’t tried you should, these are amazing exfoliators. Phillips also recently added some hair products which I can’t wait to try.
4. Glossier
Glossier is often called a millennial brand. With their soft pink packaging and cute stickers that come with every purchase, it’s hard to argue otherwise. However, that doesn’t mean their products are all fluff. I have been using their superpack serums for about a year now and my skin has never looked clearer. My favorite is the Super Pure Serum which has niacinamide and zinc which helps to visibly soothe redness and help calm blemishes, I use this every day and I live by it. I also have the priming moisturizer which I use under my Fenty foundation and over my rosehip oil, and is a bit lighter than their rich cream which my roommate Chloe uses. They also come in the cutest pink Ziploc baggies that I use for every trip to keep my makeup, skincare, and small hair items in.
You can get 10% off your first purchase using this link!
Fitness Apparrel
5. Outdoor Voices
Photo Courtesy of @williethewayfarer
Tyler Haney, 28 year-old Boulder, Colorado native founded Outdoor Voices five years ago with the goal to perfect the active wear essential to a healthy lifestyle. Starting with just five core elements: sweats, leggings, a sports bra, and a tank, the brand has now grown into major active wear line for men and women, backed by the same investors as companies like Warby Parker, Sweetgreen, and Blue Bottle Coffee. I found out about them from my friend Maureen, as pictured above, and absolutely love the set I have in blue. They have sets for more active use – Tech Kit, or leisurely use, Studio Kit and Rec Kit – so either way you are sure to find one that is right for you. On top of all their different options, the brand is just ridiculously cute. I get compliments every time I wear mine, which makes me actually want to go out and be active after work!
You can get $20 off your first purchase by using this link!
6. Girlfriend Collective
Photo of me in my Girlfriend Collective matching set!
What initially drew me to Girlfriend Collective was their uni-colored matching sets for affordable prices. Their fits are the perfect combination of modern and minimalist, and when I tell you about the comfort levels- I honestly feel like I’m walking around naked, but with nothing jiggling around. And it makes sense why their athletic gear is so comfortable when you look at their fully transparent process of making the clothing which they keep on their website here!
“We believe the best fashion is not about trends – it’s about quality. By focusing on humane manufacturing, meticulous design, and sustainable materials, we want to create a community of people who care about every step of the process.”
I walked nearly 20,000 steps on a hot day around Disney Land in my Girlfriend Collective set over the past weekend, and on top of the various compliments I got wearing them, they dried quickly after getting wet from splash mountain, and I was comfortable in them all day.
Makeup
7. Fenty Beauty
I have never been a big makeup person, wearing it mostly on the weekends or for an event and going barefaced during the weekdays-but Fenty Beauty foundation makes my skin look so flawless I have to stop myself from wearing it every day. I use Fenty 310, and I have honestly never used a foundation that matches me as well as this shade. It dries a bit quickly on your face, so I would recommend a damp beauty blender and blending it in quickly, although if I’m only using a little bit I generally just use my fingers and dab around my face until reaching the desired coverage. I also use rose hip oil on my skin beforehand because it is more of a matte coverage and I like to look more dewy. If applied lightly, you can still see my freckles underneath, but my complexion appears a lot smoother and even which is my ideal kind of coverage. I will warn you though, that if I use this foundation too often I tend to break out like crazy on my cheeks and forehead. However, this tends to happen with most foundations I use, which is why I try not to wear face makeup on weekdays. I’d recommend trying a sample first to see if your skin likes the ingredients.
8. Black Opal
I discovered this brand when I first started looking to support more Black owned businesses and was in search of makeup and skincare made to address the specific cosmetic issues Black women face. Black Opal markets themselves as ” The first technologically advanced skincare line for women of color.” Their line address issues of skin pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, razor bumps and ingrown hair, as well as their full line of makeup. I have their foundation stick and contour sticks for when I really want to beat my face and look photo shopped in pictures. I also use their translucent powder to ‘bake’ and keep my under eyes and cheek bones bright throughout the day or night. All of their products are affordably priced, and you can even buy a sampler shade finder kit for only $5. The lighter and darker shades you don’t use can be used to contour, so it’s a win win.
Graphic Tees
9. Adorned by Chi
I first found this brand on Etsy a couple years ago while looking for an original and Black pride themed laptop sticker from a woman owned business. Today, the brand does graphic tees, pillows, mugs, accessories (pins & patches, hats, and totes”>, as well as stickers. But I have to say the Tee’s really take the cake. Her assortment has a collection for everyone, from anime and comic book lovers, to Migos appreciation and Melanin pride, Adorned by Chi has a Tee for you. T-shirts average around $30, making them the perfect and unique holiday gift for a friend or family member too.
10. Green Box Shop
Yes, that’s Frank Ocean rocking their shirt.
Kayla, an 18 year-old Afro-latina bisexual woman, started this business in May 2016 out of an old 800 square foot apartment after she realized she couldn’t find any social justice tee shirts online for herself. The company really took off after celebs like Frank Ocean wore one publicly. The shirts are divided up by cause, race, lgbtq+, feminism, nature, and more. You can purchase one here! I’m planning to wear mine during the holiday seasons to make my relatives uncomfortable ;”>.
Which woman-owned brands are you loving right now? Give them a shout out in the comments!
We prayed on January to end and then Februray BLEW by. Wasn’t it just New Year’s? I know I skipped Presidents’ Day but what happened to the rest of the month? Why is Friday so close to Monday, but Monday is so far from Friday? Anyways, here are some articles you may have missed while getting your ish together last month. Issa Roundup.
Cardi B and the other kind of Natural Hair Movement
AP Images
Cardi B continues to slay the charts and win over American audiences with her irrefutable charm. With her dramatic facial expressions that have become perfect for gifs along with her hilarious declarations of “OKURRRRR” and the like, Cardi B is constantly on my news feed, but last month she was on there for more petty reasons. Read April’s Article here to find out more!
Barack Obama Is in His Element on David Letterman’s New Netflix Series
“This show is fantastic, especially the first episode with 44th President Barak Obama. Of course, Obama is his usual poignant self, while educating the viewer with his effortless cool delivery. It is a comforting and insightful episode, but watching David Letterman nearly lose his composure in the final segments of the episode brought me to tears. Remarkable! It is just a beautiful conversation between living legends that truly revel in each other’s accomplishments. The show is a desperately welcome breath of fresh air.”- Gerilyn
Here is the show link: My Guest Needs No Introduction
Black-Owned Brands You Can Support Year Round
One simple way to support the community is by buying from Black-owned brands. Whether that be hair care, skincare, clothing, food, books, art, blogs, podcasts, you name it – there is a Black person doing it that needs your support. Click here to read my Black-Owned Brands article and get to supportin’!
CoverGirl’s First Model With Vitiligo Stars In New Campaign: “We Have to Be More Inclusive”
“At the end of the day I am just like everyone else, I just happen to have spots. It’s a part of my identity, but it doesn’t define who I am … For there to be so many of us and so little representation, it’s truly disheartening. I work with CoverGirl; I’m a black woman; I have vitiligo. That is empowering.” model Amy Deanna told People.
Read the article here!
The 3 Best Black-Owned Beauty Lines
“If you have dreams of ? ? Beyoncé-level #F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S beat downs on your face, you need cruelty-free Beauty Bakerie, founded by the luminescent Cashmere Nicole,” writes NC Editor Gerilyn of April’s favorite Black-Owned makeup brand. Read her article here and watch our video for all the tea on the best Beauty Brands that cater to Black women.
Demetria Obilor Invites her "Mini Me" on Camera
Demtria Obilor made waves earlier last year for defending her body to a hating viewer. This month, she proved worthy of our praise again after inviting the cutest fan on air.
"Meet Karsyn, my 4-year-old mini me. She was watching the news and said, 'Mommy... look! My hair is like Demetria's from TV!' So, we brought this beautiful, confident girl and her family on the show to talk natural hair, representation & to just have fun!"- Demetria Obilor said on Twitter.
Nia the Light Big Chops!
There is a light that shines, special for this woman. Read my interview with Nia here, to learn about how she overcame the sometimes stifling and overbearing nature of Instagram, and learned to become more than her hair.
Black Panther Celebrates Natural Hair
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS
More than just a news story, this was a life event. Not only did Black Panther feature the most BlackityBlackBlack Marvel Cast Ever, but it catered to natural hair in ways I have never seen before on the big screen. The movie is already giving us hair goals to aspire to. Read more about how the cast embraced their natural hair on set, and why this representation matters, here!
What are some of your favorite stories from this month? Let us know with a link and comment below!
It’s a new year, and if you’re anything like me you’re probably on the lookout for a new hairstyle. Personally, I’m trying to grow my hair out for the first time in years, but for many others, 2018 is the year for a new trendy cut, bangs, protective style, or fun color. I scanned the Instagram curly hair valley for all the best curly hairstyles, and here’s what I came up with. So if you’re having trouble figuring out what style is for you, you came to the right place.
Hairstyles for Type 2 Wavy Hair
Side Braided Low Bun
Christina gives us a simple yet intricate side braid and low bun that is perfect for Sunday brunch or a night out. You can see how she created this look below!
Ballerina Bun
Jessica Strother gives us a classy and simple ballerina bun for the days you want your hair out of your face. Sleek buns will never go out of style, especially when you add flawless skin and big hoops.
Messy Bun with Bangs
This is one of my personal favorite looks. A simple messy bun with bangs down and statement earrings. Rae wins with this look.
Pinned Back Waves
Mr. Kate does pink waves perfectly with some simple bobby pins to keep her hair back.
Hairstyles for Type 3 Curly Hair
Twist Out with a Bantu Knot
Ashley’s twist out with a Bantu Knot on the side is fire. See how Ashley accomplished this cute look below!
Braids with Extensions
I had a stylist create this look with blonde extensions, but Kinsley Deborah can show you how to add extensions into your braids all by yourself in the video below. I can’t wait to attempt this look on my own and save some bills!
Three-Strand Twist Out
Bria uses a three strand twist out method and@taliahwaajidbrand for these soft and defined curls. See how she created this look below!
Curly Ombre
“Call Me T” Tweeted us this photo for our weekly #TextureTuesday on Twitter and we are loving the blue ombre. Fun colors are definitely a look to watch this year.
Hair Cuffs
Kharisa styles her curly hair with rubber bands and hair cuffs and a high bun. See how to achieve this cute look below!
Hairstyles for Type 4 Coily Hair
Half Up Twist Style
Isimeme Edeko really knows how to show off her texture. This half-up twist style with string is simple, fun, and so beautiful. To see 30 more natural and curly styles from Isimeme click on the video below!
Pulled Back Headband
Lania Theresa wears her hair up behind a headband giving us a full view of her flawless skin and bone structure.
3-Twist Style
Seven months post-big-chop, and Akilah’s TWA is shining in this 3-twist clipped back style.
Faux Locs
Faux Locs all 2018. Amarachi slays this protective style.
Wrap and Go
Sometimes you just wanna wrap and go. Brandy G got this beautiful wrap from Coilygirls Headwraps. If you want to learn more about how she styled this head wrap and how to do others, check out her video below!
If you’re looking to add headwraps into your style repertoire, here are 45 headwrap styles.
Halo Twist
Jasmine Winters shows off her texture with a middle part and twist back to each side. Loving this simple look, her tutorial is below!
Textured Space Buns
Genny Miliano wears fun and full space buns with some big ol’ hoops and the fuzziest pink top.
One of the most recognizeable leaders in the natural hair movement, 20-year-old Nia Petitt has amassed over 500,000 social-media followers and has been the star in advertisements for multiple name brand hair product lines as well as co-founding the @GoWiththFro tour with fellow curly Lauren Lewis. Nia built her entire career off of embracing her big hair, connecting women and encouraging them to embrace their natural hair too- but last month, she did a big chop. And not for the reasons we usually see big chops online.
“My relationship with my hair became less about self-love and more about validation. I couldn’t go out without my hair big, all my pictures had to have hair covering my face and ultimately I became my hair” – Nia The Light
Kiana: You did your first big chop at 11, how was this big chop different from your original at such a young age?
Nia: Well when I was 11 I didn’t cut it this short, I only cut it up to my ears. And it wasn’t intentional at all. My mom kept noticing I was washing my hair like three times a day; because I used to relax my hair and I wanted it to be curly, and my auntie told me that as soon as I got out of the shower I had to run and put product in it and then scrunch my hair. When my mom saw me doing that she told me that if I wanted my curls back I would have to cut them. So, I went to the hairdressers and said “I want my curls back” and the hairdresser just started cutting and cutting. At the time I was so young, that I didn’t really know that cutting your hair could have such a big impact on your life.
Whereas, this one it was more of me reclaiming myself. I feel like I was doing a lot for social media and I lost sight of who I was at some point and I didn’t really know who I was anymore, and all I knew was my hair. So this one was a lot more sentimental.
Kiana: Could you walk me through the process of feeling like you were embracing your curls to the point when you felt like your hair took over?
Nia: Well after I big chopped at 11, I still straightened my hair because I didn’t know how to cater to curly hair nor did I have the funds to do that. And The YouTube community was only just starting, so when I started the [natural hair] journey it wasn’t about self-love for me, it was more about finding how to wear my curly hair and wanting to have my curls back.
When I got to about 15, I big chopped again because my hair was so damaged. I had straight ends and then curls at the top, and so once I cut it I had this rounded fro, and people from the older generations started saying I resembled Angela Davis and Black women in the 60s and 70s. So I started googling and learning more about my American sisters and the civil rights movement and I just wanted to embody the strength of a woman in that era. So I began to start connecting back to my African culture more, and was always wearing tribal prints and then eventually I started documenting on Instagram. And when I started getting the attention of brands like shea moisture I would be excited for like a week if they liked a photo, and if a picture of me got reposted and I gained followers I would freak out, and I was only 16. And from there it happened so quickly, I took one picture that went viral, and so then I felt like I had to keep taking more of those same photos in my bedroom.
It started about me loving my hair and slowly it just became everyone loves my hair, and then it became all they love is my hair, and my beauty comes from my hair. And it didn’t happen in a way that I was aware it. It became a subconscious thing where I didn’t want to go anywhere without big hair, and I would always be late to things because my hair wasn’t big enough, or if it wasn’t shaped perfectly then I wouldn’t want to go. The obsession I had with looking like the girl portrayed on instagram all the time was so tiring, and it wasn’t me.
Kiana: How do you find time for yourself away from social media even though it’s such an essential part of your brand and job?
Nia: I made my room kind of peaceful place, I have sage and candles and loads of plants, I try not to make it a place I ‘work’. And I have the most amazing friends that I met in real life, and not through social media, so when we connect and are together in real life there’s no pressure to take photos, we just dance, and eat and escape from that world, which is really nice. I practice self-care a lot more now, last year I felt that I was never really in the moment.
Kiana: How did your family react?
Nia: I know my mom was a bit scared at first, because I built my career off my hair so she was worried about my future. And I saw my dad 3 days before my cut and I remember telling him, “yeah I’m cutting my hair on Sunday dad” and he was just like “no you’re not,” followed by “well don’t cut it too short.” So I told him “yeah I’m just getting a little trim.” But when I saw my parents in person they both told me I looked amazing and they were really supportive. Both of my parents say I looked more like them now.
Kiana: What is your hair routine looking like now?
Nia: I just wash my hair and my current favorites are Bumble & Bumble. But before I cut my hair I literally got rid of so many products I knew I would no longer need and gave them to charities.
So now I use Bumble & Bumble and their visible oil, their new line is great. And I use my favorite product in the world it’s called skimdo, and it’s the best curl creme you will ever try. NaturallyCurly hasn’t covered it yet, but you need too! And trust me I’ve tried every curl creme. I just use that and do a little shake and I’m good to go!
I feel like there is only one image of a woman within the natural hair world and there should be many. There should be darker skinned women, and women with short hair, and women with tighter curls and different textures, and room for white women with looser curls too.
Kiana: While the natural hair movement has definitely been a place for representation, community, and education, everything has room to grow. In what ways do you hope that it continues to grow and improve?
Nia: Well you said that there is representation, I don’t think there is. I feel like there is only one image of a woman within the natural hair world and there should be many. There should be darker skinned women, and women with short hair, and women with tighter curls and different textures, and room for white women with looser curls too. I want everyone to know that there’s a safe space for them and where they don’t have to have curls in the form that I had them to be accepted.
I’m on a one-way plane ticket to another island and to a different career path.
Kiana: Where do you see yourself career-wise in the next few years?
Nia: I’m on a one-way plane ticket to another island and to a different career path. I loved the natural hair community, but one of the reasons I cut my hair was to escape having to use my hair as a tool to get likes, or peoples’ attention or to get jobs. It was really annoying to get cast because of my hair, and then the whole shoot becomes “can you flick your hair, can you move your hair this way.” So now my passion has really been about getting rid of the stigma around stretch marks and bacne and things society doesn’t want us to think are beautiful. I really want to inspire girls and let them know that these things are normal and we should embrace rather than hide them. And my biggest purpose in life is to connect women and to help poverty-stricken communities, particularly in Zimbabwe because that’s where my moms from and I have such a connection there. I want to open schools one day and help young kids.
Kiana: What advice would you give to young girls and women just getting started in the natural hair community?
Nia: Be brave. It’s really hard to stand out now because there are so many of us, so you will have to go above and beyond to get people’s attention. But my advice is – Don’t do it for attention, do it because you love it. Do it because you enjoy connecting with women. Don’t do it for money, or products or likes. Do it out of love. I never even knew you could make money out of blogging, I began doing it for fun. Also, collaborate with friends and other young women around you and support them. If you have a friend that is a photographer work with them. Support your system so you can all be elevated together.
#NaturallyCurlyWorld How is your relationship with your hair? Have you ever thought about doing a big chop for similar reasons?
I know I definitely hide behind my curls sometimes. Let us know in the comments below!
What do an axe murderer, a satire, and Love Actually have in common? Romance and comedy.
Now if this isn’t your favorite genre, I can understand. Rom coms generally reek of third-wave feminism; meaning they often lack intersectionality, center on cisgendered thin white women, and reinforce the common American myth that we need romantic love to achieve happiness – BUT if you turn down your woke Twitter brain for a short hour and a half or so and embrace the complexities of love written in the story lines, rom coms and you will get on just fine. I mean, I’m woke as hell and it’s one of my favorite genres (don’t drag me”>.
In our latest episode of The Best Ever, editor Gerilyn talks about “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” graphic designer Cara discusses her one exception to the rom com genre – The Princess Bride (hater”> – while I talk about one of the best movies of all time, regardless of genre, Love Actually.
While Cara calls out the “sappy stuff” in most romantic comedies, and Gerilyn talks about her love of true crime and goofy people, I fully embrace the genre… because I love myself (side eye”>, and because Hugh Grant was an essential part of aiding in my unrealistic expectations of love – think “About a Boy,” “Notting Hill,” “Bridget Jones Diary,” the list goes on.
Me calling out Gerilyn and Cara for not respecting my favorite genre.
So whether you’re going through a breakup, a make-up, having a girls’ night in, or a bottle-of-wine-to-yourself kinda night and just want a little break from the world, a romantic comedy is often my choice to let my mind rest and just enjoy something that makes me feel warm and mushy. Watching a rom com probably will not solve your problems, but it will give you about 2 hours of worry-free laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole lot of unrealistic expectations of love. And in this economy, in this 2018, who couldn’t use a little extra love – unless your Cara.
What are some of your favorite Rom Coms films? Let us know in the comments below!
It may be Black History Month, but I’m Black every.single.day. And while it remains an important tradition to remind the country of our accomplishments, sacrifices, and to shine a light on the injustices this country often tries to overlook.. real change, progress, education, and awareness, cannot be achieved in a single month. One simple way to support the community is by buying from Black owned brands. Whether that be hair care, skincare, clothing, food, books, art, blogs, podcasts, you name it – there is a Black person doing it that needs your support. Since you clicked on this article, I’m assuming that’s exactly what you plan to do more of this year, so I’ve made it a little easier for you by listing some of my favorite Black owned brands and organizations to support not just this month, but year round.
HAIR
Eden Body Works
When the founder, Jasmine Lawrence, was only 11 years old, she started her own line of beauty and hair care products(Can you say Black Excellence!”>. She had experienced hair damage that resulted in hair loss at an age when appearances can make or break a young girl’s confidence. However, she bounced back by creating her own hair care concoctions from her kitchen. With a strong following of curlies who have faced similar hair care concerns, EDEN BodyWorks is now celebrating a decade of creating high-quality hair care solutions for the curly hair community. NaturallyCurly editor Gerilyn is always raving about this brand, so I had to try it for myself. I absolutely love the “Butter” which is for hair and body. It’s creamy, thick, and SO moisturizing, which my dyed blonde hair needs. I also love the coconut shea leave-in conditioner.
OYIN
I only recently tried this brand while doing the NaturallyCurly 100 products in a month challenge, and now I don’t want to try any others! The hair dew is amazing, and the co-wash smells divine. Founded in 2001 by lifelong naturalista Jamyla Bennu, Oyin hair products use natural ingredients of the highest grade. Oyin expertly blends them together to give you care that embraces the beauty of your natural texture!
Mielle Organics
Mielle Organics founder, Monique Rodriguez, who holds a degree in registered nursing, has tested and proven the effectiveness of the Mielle Organics product line. And my co-workers and I can tell. After hearing Alex rave about their styling gel, I decided to give it a try. Usually my hair doesn’t like gels because they leave my hair sticky or crunchy, but this gel had a soft hold and a lovely scent. I’ve added it to my rotation after wash day. And since Mielle Organics’ products are paraben-free, and no harsh chemicals or harmful preservatives are ever used, I can feel good about using the line in my hair.
Soultanicals
With their attitude of empowerment through high-quality hair care formulas, Soultanicals products bring a new, soulistic concept to the marketplace. A fresh, new approach with a distinct earthy flavor. They do not just plan to deliver just another hair cream to the marketplace; they strive to produce goodies that awaken the spirit in the process. My favorite from the line is the Soultanicals Aqua Mane Instant Moisture Potion Leave-In Conditioner. The spray bottle evenly distributes moisture throughout my hair, which is perfect for mornings I don’t wash my hair and need some added definition.
Check out our Support Black Business Shop for more!
SKIN
Cara, my poreless friend
Foxie Cosmetics
I bring this brand up every time I can because it is truly my Holy Grail skincare brand. Foxie Cosmetics is a vegan and handmade line by Kayla Phillips that encourages healing, self-care and aiding in chronic illness and pain. One of my favorites is the Imperial 24k Mask, which leaves my skin unbelievably soft, clean, and moisturized after. The mask has real specks of gold in it, so I always use it when I need a little confidence boost. I also have the Green Tea Body Butter, which exfoliates then melts into my skin, leaving my legs so soft and smooth. Kayla is currently taking a break from taking orders, but follow her on Instagram because she should be opening up again soon!
Brown & Coconut
I found out about this brand through MelanGlow, a blog that explores the skin care concerns of the brown beauty novice & enthusiast. The brand is not only Black owned, but prides itself in using plant-powered ingredients to help you maintain a natural and healthy glow. The line carries powder masks, facial oils, cleansers, and super cute mask mixing ceramic bowls for all your face care needs.
Nyakio
We received this brand for our Editors Choice Awards this year, and have since been raving about several different products. My favorite is the eye/lip moisturizer. I use it at night and wake up with de-puffed, bright eyes and soft supple lips. I also really like the cleansing oil for taking off makeup easily and quickly. It leaves some residue, but nothing a light cleanser can’t fix.
True Moringa
With more vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more protein than eggs, and more iron than spinach per serving, Moringa leaves may just be the healthiest superfood under the sun. Moringa oil comes from the seeds of Moringa Oleifera Tree, and is getting more and more popular in the beauty industry due to its excellent anti-aging, dark-spot reducing, acne fighting, and moisturizing benefits.
MAKEUP
Beauty Bakerie
Beauty Bakerie caters to us makeup lovers who don’t have hundreds of dollars to drop on our product junkie habits. Their bakery-inspired line includes best-selling products that range from liquid lipsticks, setting powder, and illuminators to eyebrow gel, eyeshadows, and eyeliners. For color that pops on every skin color, head to Beauty Bakerie right now. Just do it.
Black Opal
Black Opal offers some of the most affordable and easy to use foundation sticks for all your coverage and contour needs. The shade range is great for women of color, and even fits my hard to blend reddish tan-hued skin. The finish somewhere between matte and dewy and looks great year round, regardless of the weather. At less than $10 a pop, it really can’t hurt to try.
Magnolia Makeup
For super bright eyeshadows and lipstick that STICKS on all skintones, try Magnolia Makeup.
“Magnolia Makeup, based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a company devoted to color. We are trying to fill a void in the cosmetic industry and our tool is the spectrum.”
Fenty Beauty
We LOVE Fenty in the NaturallyCurly offices, with shades for everyone, highlight that pops, gloss that shines bright like a diamond (sorry I’m so corny”>, and coverage to hide even the most annoying zits, Rihanna really lived up to the hype. I usually only wear this foundation on weekends, as it can cause me to breakout if I wear it too much like many heavier foundations, but honestly its worth it for glowy, smooth, and natural looking skin. My faves from the line are the matte lipstick and foundation. Have you tried Fenty yet?
ENTERTAINMENT
Nneka the Uber Driver
A HI-larious webseries created by Nickclette and Fum Fum Ko, and the first season is out now. The show stars Nneka: who is described as “the oldest, and a Harvard graduate, (who”> was on track to follow her mother’s dreams and attend medical school and become a doctor. Now, she’s an Uber driver. And mom’s found out. And so have her twin siblings. As she comes to terms with not being the “perfect” Nigerian-American, she is forced to look for what her true purpose in life may be. Nneka is on a journey of discovering her truth and is taking steps towards loving herself. Part of her growth is learning that she has to follow her heart and let go of trying to appease others.”
You can watch here: and if you like it, make sure and donate to support the show make a second season.
Black Card Revoked
The card game of all card games. You may lose a friend or two while playing but it will be worth the fun. You can watch Grace, Evelyn, and Nikki play on the NC YouTube channel here!
Black Panther
Imma keep this short because you should know this already. Go see it. Go support Black actors, writers, directors, producers, etc. There is natural hair, strong women kicking butt, Michael B. Jordan, Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, and also MICHAEL B JORDAN. Sorry but have you seen him? Anyways go watch it. I already have three tickets for different days.
CLOTHING
Me in my Adorned by Chi Tee :”>
Adorned By Chi
I found this brand in Highschool back in my Tumblr days and ordered a laptop decal with the same print I’m wearing above. Today, the brand has expanded and creates graphic tees, pillows, mugs, accessories (pins & patches, hats, and totes”>, as well as stickers. The site truly has a collection for everyone, from anime and comic book lovers, to Migos appreciation and Melanin pride, Adorned by Chi has a Tee for you. T-shirts average around $30, making them the perfect and unique holiday gift for a friend or family, or yourself!
Philidelphia Print Works
Philadelphia Printworks was founded in 2010 by Maryam Pugh and Ruth Perez. It was born out of a love for DIY culture and social justice. The site features several collections of tees, patches, zines and has developed into a space for creative collaboration around activism. My picks from the site are the Cats Against Catcalling collections, which is a collection of 3 designs illustrated by Alaina Ewins that addresses street harassment (10% of the profits are donated to Pussy Division, a group of feminist activists based in Philadelphia”> and the “Embodied” Collection. The latter was created by Black Yogi and collection co-designer, Jean-Jacques Gabriel, to honor and inspire and represent POC engaged in self-care practices. The line is rooted in the words of Audre Lorde, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” 10% of the profits will be donated to the Black Yoga Teacher’s Alliance Scholarship Fund.
As You Are Intimates
Created by Skylar Marshai, As You Are Intimates is a New York-based intimates brand, providing handmade lingerie that hugs your body in all the right places. “We strive to produce lingerie that not only allows for intimate comfort, but that allows women to embrace who they are, as they are, from any shape, shade, or size. Through detailed lace and design, our goal is to regenerate the usual perspective of lingerie, providing pieces for women seeking lingerie that can be bought as a reminder to themselves.” You deserve to feel sexy, cute, pretty, and beautiful! Indulge in some self-care and body-positivity, and buy yourself some lingerie.
CANDLES
Eden’s Glow
I found her on Twitter after she posted a photo for our #TextureTuesday, and saw that she made incredible candles. They come inside coconuts, how cute!
LitBklyn
Their motto is “It’s lit” a proverb for millennials (drag me”>. Each candle is hand poured, packaged, and shipped from Brooklyn with the highest quality ingredients. The line is made with 100% natural soy wax and scented with the finest of fragrance oils.
Southern Elegance Candles
“One of our goals is to support other small southern businesses. With that in mind, we searched high & low for the best suppliers in the south.Our fragrances, so incredibly lush & luxurious, come from South Carolina and Georgia. Our wax, wicks, and containers come from (almost”> right down the road here in North Carolina. We know that our customers appreciate our doing our best to help keep business local.”
ART
Harper Iman Dolls
Instead of your buying the standard Barbie or American Girl dolls, support a doll maker that caters their designs to black and brown kids. Shoot, I’m 25 and I want one. Harper Iman dolls can be custom-made from the hair, skin complexion, and clothing, or you can buy a pre-made doll. Click Harper Iman Dolls above to find the site!
Loveis Wise
A Freelance Illustrator based in Philadelphia from Washington,DC., Loveis Wise has a collection of art that is unique, beautiful, and affordable. You can buy her work and support her on Etsy or Philadelphia Printworks.
Debra Cartwright
Known for her watercolor art, Cartwright creates to represent Black women in all of their beauty. What I love most about her work is how she depicts not only the female form as soft and delicate, but their hair as well. You can purchase her work at her store.
Now get to shoppin’ and supportin’! What are some of your favorite Black owned brands? Share in the comments below!
Photo by: Rondo Starr for Vulture
If “Baduizm” means empathy for Hitler, sexual assault, and staying silent on issues of injustice, then I want no part of it. Sorry Ms. Badu. In an interview with David Marchese for Vulture, Erykah Badu, 46, said, “I saw something good in Hitler… Hitler was a wonderful painter.”
The interview continued to move in an odd direction when Marchese asked “what would his skill as a painter have to do with any ‘good’ in him?”
“Okay, he was a terrible painter. Poor thing. He had a terrible childhood. That means that when I’m looking at my daughter, Mars… I could imagine her being in someone else’s home and being treated so poorly, and what that could spawn,” she continued. “I see things like that. I guess it’s just the Pisces in me.”
After that statement, it was hard to continue reading the article and remain impartial. Before I go further into any analysis of her bizarre comments in the interview, let me make it very clear that I am (was”> a Badu fan. From her musical genius and lyricism, to her style on the red carpet, including show-stopping hairstyles that often push the boundaries of what it is to be beautiful or fashionable in Hollywood, I generally ship Badu. Even after she said some controversial things in the past, I continued to root for her, I mean how many times have some of my favorite rappers said some problematic things? However, over the years Erykah Badu seems to be moving farther and farther away from the realities of being a Black woman in America. Just like skin color is a privilege, so is wealth. And wealth seems to have made Badu a bit oblivious to the issues surrounding the country and world today.
Earlier in the interview, the Neo-Soul legend refused to condemn Bill Cosby, who as you probably know, admitted to drugging and sleeping with multiple women. “Because I love Bill Cosby, and I love what he’s done for the world. But if he’s sick, why would I be angry with him?” she questioned. “The people who got hurt, I feel so bad for them. I want them to feel better, too. But sick people do evil things; hurt people hurt people.”
My issue with her comments, which have been mirrored by some NC colleagues and around the interwebs, is that by showing empathy for these obviously vile people, she is choosing the side of the indifferent.
Erykah Badu, when you say you can see good in Hitler, just remember something… in your mind, that might seem like a real smart and nuanced point. To Holocaust survivors and their ancestors, it’s a kick in the teeth and an unnecessarily offensive thing to say.
— Joshua Zitser (@mrjoshz”> January 24, 2018
Erykah Badu-“I see some good in a lot of people”
— Rashad (@BRashadBeal”> January 24, 2018
Me reading the interview: “Yes, I can see her point”
Erykah-“Even Hitler, He was a beautiful painter”
Jewish Interviewer-“No he wasn’t!”
Erykah-“Ok he wasnt”
Me thinking: “Then why would you use him as an example?” pic.twitter.com/lWfC9VI5V5
The Erykah Badu interview in Vulture is problematic to say the least. If you're going to operate without professional PR, you need to have enough discipline to resist volunteering any opinion on Hitler.
— Clayton Rainey (@runningfool75″> January 24, 2018
Badu admitted that her opinions often go against mainstream beliefs, but she remained adamant throughout the interview that she was an “empath” and that her views simply reflect how she sees things.
“I’m not trying to rebel against what everybody’s saying, but maybe I want to measure it,” she said. “Somebody will call me and ask me to come to a march because such and such got shot. In that situation, I want to know what really happened. I’m not going to jump up and go march just because I’m green and the person who got shot is green. The rush to get mad doesn’t make sense to me.”
It’s as if she’s saying, “nothing offends me, because I have this superior ability to rise above conflict,” instead of understanding that her wealth and status has afforded her some evasion of the oppressions that Black men and women face at the hands of the oppressor. It is disconcerting that Badu, a woman that so many have considered an icon and someone to look up to, would proudly dismiss the wrongdoings of these men, and other injustices, and claim it as empathy. I think her Baduizm (the way she sees things”>, could use some direction from one of the greatest minds of all time, James Baldwin:
“To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.”
You can read her full interview with Vulture here.
Is Badu operating on a higher moral plane than us all, or has she reached the ranks of celebs like Kanye that are way too far removed from society? What are your thoughts?
Black hairstyles have been at the forefront of pivotal social justice movements, the star accessory of red carpet looks, an ever-changing representation of personal style and growth, and unfortunately, co-opted for consumption and revenue by those who do not understand the culture it belongs to. I often focus my energy onto the latter, cultural appropriation, because I see it so often; Miley, what’s good? However, exhausting my energy on calling out those who steal our ideas, traditions, and then profit off them without credit is tiring, and I been there done that many times. So instead, I’m taking a quick break from the Jenner Sister ignorance, and I am shifting the focus to celebrating Black women who have inspired and continue to inspire us today.
Black culture has not always been celebrated by mainstream society, but it has always been at the forefront of trends that go mainstream. This goes for hairstyles too. In fact it’s hard to think of a currently “trendy” hairstyle or fashion statement that wasn’t inspired by Black culture or tradition. Here’s a list of some of my favorite women across generations that give me all the courage and hairspiration I need to start out 2018 with confidence and style.
The 60’s and 70’s
Black women like Angela Davis and Nina Simone wore their hair natural long before big hair and volume was trendy, and brought the picked out afro into the mainstream in the 60’s-70’s, paving the way for Pam Grier to rock her afro in Foxy Brown, 1974. The Afro has always been more than just a hairstyle; these two queens wore their hair natural in a time where the afro was seen as an act of resistance and symbol of the civil rights movement. Left fists up!
The 80’s
Diana Ross’ hair evolution goes unmatched throughout her career, but the 80’s added length and volume to her hair resume as well as an iconic sparkly fishnet headwrap.
This list would not be complete without Grace Jones. She made waves in the industry with her bold and iconic high-top fade, which people to this day still trace back to her.
The 90’s
The 90’s were a big year for Black hair (potential slight bias because I was born in 1992″>, as artists and performers started to gain more recognition and celebrity, everything from how they wore their hair to how they spoke became enviable.
Janet Jackson popularized box braids in the film “Poetic Justice”, Brandy sported her signature micro braids, Halle Berry and Nia Long’s cropped cuts had women everywhere thinking about a big chop, and while Bob Marley brought dreadlocks into the mainstream in the 70’s, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu became well-known for their own take on locs and were seen throughout the 90’s experimenting with different lengths and styles.
The 2000’s
The 2000’s got a lot of inspiration from how music artists were wearing their hair. This decade incorporated a lot of color, soft waves, and twist outs that turned into signature looks for some icons. Beyoncé became the queen of blonde, a color that has followed her for over a decade now, Missy Elliott chose a deeper red color with textured short hair, Lil’ Kim had a wig in every color of the rainbow and outfits to match, and Alicia Keys took a lesson from her predecessors and became the new face of braids, while Corinne Bailey Rae was known for her natural hair and twist out signature look.
The 2010’s
The latest decade has brought the natural hair movement to a whole new level with celebrities, politicians, athletes, bloggers, and everyday people joining in on the natural and expressive movement.
Taking the lead have been newer hair icons like Issa Rae, Lupita Nyong’o, Solange, Yara Shahidi, and Janelle Monae, who have each experimented with several colors, headwraps, accessories, and hairstyles. Janelle Monae has become well-known for her natural pompadour style on the red carpet and Lupita was named People’s most beautiful person, wearing a fade on the cover of the magazine. Solange has become known for her hair accessories, clapbacks at the beauty industry, and aesthetically pleasing Instagram, music videos, hair, outifts, and essentially entire life. You can find Issa Rae wearing intricate and fun hairstyles on the red carpet and on her show Insecure, and Yara is out there leading the youth on and off air with stunning hair styles.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, so who are some of your favorite hair icons? Share below in the comments!
Graphics by the talented NC Designer: Cara Logue
Each year as the orbit makes its way around the sun for literally the bajillionth time, many of us go into January with a new goal or mantra. “New Year New Me” is our new morning alarm as we attempt to wake up at 6am to start the day off with exercise and a meal of more than coffee before heading to work, and “New Year, Who Dis” is posted as instagram captions everywhere as people begin to meal prep or improve their self-care routines in some kind of way. The past couple of years, I have kept to simple and attainable goals like to say no more often, go to sleep earlier, and to stop saying “sorry.” This past year as I was entering my mid-twenties, I added a more structured goal of keeping to a daily skincare routine, and with all of the upcoming trendy and classic brands coming out with more and more products promising results in some area of beauty, it has been something of an adventure actually figuring out what trends ring true to their promises.
After trying out multiple brands and trends, serums and oils, natural cleansers and chemical exfoliaters, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite skincare products along with new beauty trends everyone is raving about. This past year I have tried out many beauty and skincare trends (and with my best skin ever”> here’s a list of some trends I think should be carried into the New Year, as well as some new products I plan on trying and adding to my regimen.
Trend: Acids
While facial acids may sound like some kind of Mean Girl revenge ploy, like when Katy gave Regina George those bars that made her gain weight, rather than a pathway to glowing perfect skin, I promise they’re the latter.
“Acids can dissolve skin cells, and when you [use them] in a small dose, [they] will take off the dead skin layer to give you brighter, smoother skin,” explains Manhattan dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, of Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center of New York.
Acids can be made for a variety of uses and skin types, ranging from fruit acids that are found in one if my favorite scrubs from Trader Joe’s: Blueberry Acaí Facial Scrub which is made with AHA’s, to pure acids that you can buy from one of my new favorite skincare lines The Ordinary, which has an assortment of acids, retonoids, and much more to fit your specific skin care needs. Currently I am using their Hylauronic Acid, an HA molecule that can attract 1000 times its own weight in water, the AHA + BHA Peeling Solution once a week for a brighter and more even complexion, and the Niamicide + Zinc daily to help reduce blemishes.
Important tip: No matter your skin type or the product, always do a patch test somewhere discreet, like on your neck near your ear, to see how your skin reacts first. Also, keep in mind that no acid used for anti-aging will be able to work unless you’re also using sunscreen to protect the progress the acid makes.
Trend: Lip Scrubs
We are going to start simple with a cult fave, lip scrubs. Most of you already exfoliate your face and body (hopefully, if not here’s your sign to start”>, but the lips are a forgotten area when it comes to removing dead skin. If you find that your lips are always chapped no matter how much chapstick you use or that matte lipsticks never stay smooth on your lips, a lip scrub could be the perfect fix to this. A lip scrub treatment before any matte lipstick is absolutely necessary as it removes all of the dead skin and primes your lips perfectly for the more drying matte lipsticks, so unless you plan on looking crusty later in the evening I highly recommend a scrub. Mine is from Lush, and I use it throughout the day before applying chapstick. It has been especially useful in these cold winter months, and with natural ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and honey, your lips are sure to stay moisturized and crust free longer. This may not be the newest trend, but with more and more brands adding a lip scrub or lip exfoliant into their product lines, it is definitely a trend that is here to stay.
Trend: Facial Rollers
A bit more trendy than the lip scrubs, facial rollers are meant to eliminate toxins, reduce puffiness, and improve blood circulation to even out skin tone. I first saw these on Amazon but was innately weary of the concept as much of Amazon’s recommendations are items I don’t exactly “need.” These rollers however, are starting to become a part of beauty recommendations by many reputable beauty sites and bloggers. Herbivore botanicals, an independent wife and husband owned natural skincare company based out of Seattle offers two kinds of rollers. The one shown above is made of Rose Quartz which they say is one of the most beautifying healing stones. It helps to ease tension and stress in the body, soothes anxiety, and increases self-love, which is essential when it comes to clear, smooth skin. They sell for $45, however they also offer a Jade roller with similar benefits for just $25.
Trend: Bespoke Skincare (Customized”>
A trend that picked up a lot of steam this year, bespoke skincare — meaning it’s customized to a specific person’s skin — will gain even more traction in 2018. Brands like Skin Inc., Natural Mixoligist, Cover FX, Astrida Naturals, and many others have opted to create quizzes and questionnaires in order to find the perfect regimen for your skins needs. I have yet to invest in bespoke skincare, but I think 2018 might be the year. Click on any of the links on the brands listed above to try out a customized skincare questionnaire or product!
** To take the Astrida Naturals quiz the link is on the upper right side.
Trend: Glowing Skin
Mosturized, dewy, shimmering, lit, and supple skin is more than just a trend this year, it’s a glow-up. 2018 is calling for skin that glistens 24/7, and not just on your cheekbones, dewy skin all over is what the best brands are creating products for. Glossier for instance, Queen brand of clean and simple beauty products has three shades of a product called Haloscope that gives any shade of skin the perfect glow. I have two shades, Moonstone, which I use under makeup for a dewy look on my brow bones, nose, and anywhere else I want to look dewy, and Topaz which I mostly apply on my cheekbones. Glossier also shows how their illuminators look on different skin tones so you can make sure you purchase the right one. If you plan on purchasing, use my code if you want monies off!
Another brand capitalizing on the glowy skin trend is Make Beauty. Make has a “Dew Pot” product in three colors that reflects the light, moisturizes, highlights, and illuminates skin.
If your skin can handle it and is not prone to producing excess oil (see next section”>, coconut oil is also a beauty insider secret to dewy skin that lasts without looking greasy. Coconut oil solidifies when it’s room temperature, so dabbing a little on your cheekbones, brow bone, and across the bridge of your nose adds a dewy, hydrated finish that’s not runny or overly oily. I sometimes apply it before putting on foundation or tinted moisturizer, especially if they’re matte.
If you want to try out the newest glossy lid trend but don’t want to commit to buying new eye shadow, try good old-fashioned petroleum jelly, aka Vaseline. With a light hand, apply on lids before applying eye shadow.
Trend: Pure Oils and Natural Ingredients
This is definitely not a new trend, especially for those of us that have always opted to buy natural products, but it has been increasingly gaining traction in the beauty industry with brands pushing the purity of their skincare and beauty lines. I have used pure rosehip, jojoba, and almond oil as a daily moisturizer in the past and have found that rosehip works best for my skin type throughout the year. Recently I have read about the benefits of moringa oil, and reached out to True Moringa to try some of their products. Unlike comparable facial oils (argan, jojoba”> the moringa oil is naturally rich in the cytokinin zeatin, known for stimulating cell division, growth, and delaying aging of cells, and also higher in Oleic acid oils, also called emollient or conditioning oils that are used commonly for dry, mature, and aging skin. I absolutely love the Moringa facial oil, especially in winter when my skin tends to feel dry.
Bonus: True Moringa works directly with a network of 1600 small holder farmers throughout Ghana providing sustainable livelihoods through access to credit, agricultural training, nutrition programs, and fair wages.
For those of us who prefer more dry oils, or switch to less emollient oils in warmer months like me, I recommend brands with astringent/non-comedogenic oils in their serums or face oils rather than conditioning oils like the Moringa or Jojoba named above. The best oils for skin that is already oily are Maracuja, Mongogo, Prickly Pear Seed, Hemp Seed, Sunflower, Rosehip Seed, and oils that have linoleic acid levels that are high.
Brands with great astringent oils include Foxie Cosmetics, Rosie Serum, The Ordinary’s Rose Hip Seed Oil, Nyakio’s Maracuja Soothing Oil, and any high linelolic acid oil that is pure and organic from your local drugstore (the cheapest option and still works!”>.
Trend: All-In-One Brands (All Black Owned btw”>
Many of our favorite hair care lines also have great skincare, so for the sake of this article I will keep this next section to just a few faves.
Mielle has recently come out with a skincare line that is made with natural ingredients and is incredibly affordable and effective. My favorite from the line so far is the Pomegranite and Honey Moisturizing Face Mask which saved my skin while traveling to Seattle for Christmas (pictured above”>.
Another one of my favorite all in one brands is Foxie Cosmetics, an organic and handcrafted beauty line which has an assortment of body butters, face serums and masks, kognac sponges, and more. The Green Tea Body Butter I have is easily one of my favorite body moisturizers I have ever purchased, and I don’t see myself ever buying a new one to be honest. Hands down best ever. I have yet to try the hair products, mostly because I have so much I still need to try sitting at the NaturallyCurly offices, but if they work half as well as the face mask and body butter I use, I’m sure they are nothing less than brilliant and conditioning.
“Grant is the real deal; her small and sassy hair care start-up is based in the UK and is completely natural with a big emphasis on fresh, and she doesn’t include those nasty synthetic preservatives or ingredients in her products. ” –Jen Hill
And now Anita Grant has skincare too. All natural and for ALL different types of skin. She literally has a section for everyone and the prices are much more affordable than lines with similar ingredients, a win-win.
SDot Beauty is another handcrafted natural and organic brand with both skincare and hair products. The line is branded as both simple and pure, offering two face serums, one for day and one for night, cleansing bars (more eco-friendly than using bottles”>, dry clay masks that are packaged so you can get the most for your money, and everything you need to keep your curls healthy and moisturized. SDot Beauty also has a line for babies, which I don’t currently need, but cute and important to note nevertheless.
Trend: All the Masks
I’ve been really into masks this year, or masques if you wanna be fancy. I usually do them while reading for school or preparing dinner, but I think this year I’m going to try to incorporate them in a more self-care “me-time” type of regimen. Either way, masks are here to stay and the beauty industry is getting creative with the ingredients as well as how they look.
I’ll start with my absolute favorite mask. It’s from a brand I mention all the time (because it’s incredible”> Foxie Cosmetics. Foxie opened in 2015 by Kayla, who hand makes each product and runs the brand by herself. Everything is vegan, made with natural ingredients, and is packaged beautifully. My favorite mask is the Imperial 24k mask (with real specks of gold because I am a Queen obviously”>, and it leaves my skin so soft and moisturized. I also really love the coffee exfoliating mask which I bought for my mom for Christmas.
I recently tried Dr. Jarts Rubber Masks for the first time, and although they look super creepy, I stand by the results. The rubber mask worked better for me than some of the also trendy and affordable sheet masks that many brands are beginning to make, but both are fun either way.
As stated above, The Mielle Pomegranite and Honey Mask is amazing for moisture and clearing pores and a new fave of mine, and from the acid section above, I use The Ordinary’s AHA + BHA Peeling Solution once a week, as well as Glam Glows Tingling Mask whenever I have a breakout from all the bad holiday food I’m still in the habit of eating.
Glossier has a two-step mask regimen that is a staple and can be used separately or together. One is for moisturizing and the other detoxifies, perfect combo.
Eye masks are also pushing their way into the masking scene. This Korean brand has a pack of 60 you can get on Amazon for only $10 and I love wearing them the morning after a night out or any night I’m behind on sleep. Eye masks claim to depuff, brighten, moisturize, and energize the look and feel of the skin. The difference is slight in my experience, but the cold pads do feel good on your skin.
Sephora has some higher end options also with age reversing ingredients like retinol and aloe leaf juice in their version of eye patches/masks, but I like my cheap Amazon ones enough to continue buying.
I’ve found that if there’s a skincare company I love, there is always a mask I will probably love too. Good for my face, bad for the wallet, face masks are here to stay all 2018.
Trend: Inclusiveness
After the success of beauty lines like Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, this year the industry will finally be forced to be more inclusive of women of all skin shades if they want to stay relevant. Additionally, issues across the political, economic and social spectrum – from Trump in America, to Brexit in Europe, and the legalization of marriage equality in Australia – have pushed important issues to the front of the agendas of brands across all industries and made them begin to address diversity and inclusivity in 2017. In 2018, inclusivity is sure to be a focal point in brands’ campaigns, with increased shade ranges and model representation.
“For many years the beauty and hair space has treated women of color and our specific beauty needs as an afterthought and a special case to be handled when it suits the needs for sales,” said Patrice Grell Yursik, creator of Afrobella.com, a natural beauty activism blog. “But Rihanna, Issa Rae, Kerry Washington and Lupita Nyong’o have ushered in new awareness and possibilities. This is a really inspiring time for creators of color promoting inclusion and a diverse spectrum of beauty.”
Yursik posits that the recent surge of beauty brands that target women of color underscores that there’s always been more demand than supply, and hopefully that need is finally being addressed and met.
What trends are you looking forward to trying this year? Let me know in the comments!
First of all, I think it’s safe to say that the Internet won in ClapBacks this year. There is just something safely entertaining about hiding behind a screen and watching someone else go ALL OUT SAVAGE on another person, especially when they deserve it. If there was one thing you could count on during the tornado disaster that was 2017, it’s that when someone claps, there is always a clapback. Here are some of my favorite celeb and fan petty behaviors of the year. Let me know if I missed yours!
1. Halle Berry vs. The Wig
Earlier this year there was some controversy surrounding the beautiful and ageless Halle Berry. The Twitter world dragged her curly-do as she posed for cameras on the Oscars red carpet, but as always, Halle clapped back in her usual graceful fashion, with a subtle but intent tweet poking fun at the haters:
After a long award show a girl can’t wait to take it off!@brunomars #24kmagic pic.twitter.com/3TfwsV4kZ0
— Halle Berry (@halleberry”> February 27, 2017
I’ve got to say though, as wrong as they were, the Twitter trolls did have some funny moments (all in good fun though, we love you Halle”>:
Me, looking at Halle Berry and this shake-and-go wig: pic.twitter.com/ENZyicpOTi
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity”> February 27, 2017
Halle Berry rocking a Versace dress with an Outre wig. It’s a movement. It’s a vibe. #Oscars
— OFF HERE UNTIL THE NEW YEAR (@FreedomReeves”> February 27, 2017
2. RiRi vs. Banks
RiRi, this year’s Queen of inclusivity and beauty, started the year 2017 off right by clapping back to the allegedly talented and crusty rapper Azaelia Banks.
Drama between the two ladies arose when Banks questioned Rihanna’s immigration status and threw shade over RiRi’s tweets slamming Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning Muslim immigrants.
Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna”> January 29, 2017
In a string of four now-deleted comments, Banks dissed Rihanna, and others that disagreed with the ban. She wrote, “No. this all stupid and wrong. Is she even American ???? Can she even vote?”
Rihanna clapped back, not once, not twice, but SEVERAL times. Rihanna posted an Instagram picture of herself serving with a caption taunting Banks’ alleged involvement in sacrificing chickens. “The face you make when you a immigrant ?? #stayawayfromthechickens #iheartnuggets #saveourhens,” she quipped. Rihanna also posted this photo, insinuating that nobody even listen to Banks:
3. Maxine Waters vs. Bill O’ Reilly
After Waters gave a powerful speech on the House floor saying that protest and criticims of the president is patriotic, O’Reilly was asked for his thoughts, but instead chose to discuss her appearance.
“I didn’t hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig,” he said, referencing the late soul singer.
Waters gracefully responded on Twitter.
I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated, and I’m not going anywhere. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters”> March 29, 2017
4. Lesego “Lee” Legobane vs. Body Shamer
This is one of my favorites of the year. Lee responded to a ‘man’ that used her photo to critique women
5. Solange vs. ES Magazine
The world should really know by now that Solange does.not.play. Solange responded to ES Magazine’s photoshopping of her hair with this Instagram post. I dare anyone to try her in 2018.
6. Chrissy Teigen vs. Haters
I wish I coud give Ms. Teigen all the spots, but this one is one of my favorites. After Chrissy Teigen posted a photo of the current president blocking her, she clapped back at a user that said
“that’s probably the best thing you’ll ever have happen to you” with a picture of herself and her husband on a lake in Italy, as well as commenting:
“I have a best-selling book, great boobs, a family I love, am literally eating pasta on a lake in Italy, and I married rich,” she retorted, referring to her acclaimed cookbook, Cravings.
7. Maxine Waters Reclaims Her Time
At this point, Auntie Maxine isn’t even challenging anyone, she’s just eloquently owning them. The Internet REJOICED after she shut down a rambling Secretary Mnuchin with her now infamous phrase “Reclaiming my time,” a stone-faced invocation of House procedural rules.
8. Cher vs. Twitter Troll
Imagine trying to go up against the mega star and troll slayer that is Cher… After Cher promised to take in Dreamers that might be affected by Trump’s proposed rolling back of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act, Cher had to embarrass a hater, and she did it in Cher style.
9. Lupita Nyong’o vs Grazia
How many times do we have to say DTMH before publishers and magazines begin to listen? Thankfully, Lupita took the high road and clapped back with her usual elegance. Despite her full right to go all out Savage on the magazine, this is how she responded:
As I have made clear so often in the past with every fiber of my being, I embrace my natural heritage and despite having grown up thinking light skin and straight, silky hair were the standards of beauty, I now know that my dark skin and kinky, coily hair are beautiful too.
Being featured on the cover of a magazine fulfills me as it is an opportunity to show other dark, kinky-haired people, and particularly our children, that they are beautiful just the way they are.
I am disappointed that @graziauk invited me to be on their cover and then edited out and smoothed my hair to fit their notion of what beautiful hair looks like. Had I been consulted, I would have explained that I cannot support or condone the omission of what is my native heritage with the intention that they appreciate that there is still a very long way to go to combat the unconscious prejudice against black women’s complexion, hair style and texture.
Grazia later apologized, and I doubt they will ever touch another Black woman’s hair again.
10. Rich Black Man vs Airport Lady
Emmit Walker hilariously clapped back to a racist woman at the airport after she didn’t think he could possibly belong in the first class boarding line. Shoutout to him for making light of the situation when she should have been told all the way off.
12. Sharon Reed vs Viewer
Any time Black anchors get to go in on the kind of incessant racism they face from viewers, I’m all here for it. Atlanta news Anchor Sharon Reed went in on a viewer that had some nasty words for her amidst a close mayoral race between a Black democrat and a white republican.
Shutting racists down should not be a job requirement for anyone in 2017(or ever really”>, but thank god for Black women who do it anyways.
This is far from a comprehensive list, however it definitely includes some great and deserved P.E.T.T.Y. moments. Did I miss one of yours? Let me know in the comments!
Watching YouTube curly bloggers regimens and makeup tutorials has become a bit of a pastime for me as I’m sure it has for many naturals. I wouldn’t call myself a total product junkie (I try to only buy new products when I’m almost out of another one”>, but I do LOVE trying out new products after I’ve finished one. My YouTube and new product obsession has become a sort of symbiotic relationship, with each addiction reinforcing the other, and although I may spend a bit too much time trying out and researching products my favorite bloggers love, it has made me a self-proclaimed expert on products for my hair type and texture. Here are a few of my favorite bloggers favorite hair products. Make sure to follow them on their social channels by clicking their names!
Cecilia Gorgon: 3a
I initially started following Cecilia because of her incredible skin and all of the skin care tips she offers on her Instagram and YouTube channel, but quickly became obsessed with everything she was using. Similar to her skin, Cecilia’s hair always appears healthy, soft, and flawless. Honestly, show.me.one.flaw.I’ll.wait.
Hair Type & Needs:
I have low porosity type 3a hair. It needs a lot of moisture though, and I like to use a combination of oils (sweet almond or argan oil throughout, and castor oil on the ends”> to keep it silky and happy.
Wash Day:
On a regular wash day I wash and condition my hair with the Hairstory New Wash (a co wash that I think is probably suitable for all, or at least most, hair types”>. I wet my hair and then add the New Wash right when I get in the shower, and give my head a good scrub. I let the New Wash sit in my hair until right before I get out of the shower, and then I thoroughly rinse it out. I love the New Wash because it really moisturizes my hair, but also gets it feeling really clean. After I get out of the shower I wrap my hair up in a t shirt (to fight frizz”>, and then take it down after a few minutes and style my hair. I add argan or sweet almond oil all through my hair (but not in the roots ever or it will look greasy”>, and then I put castor oil on the ends to really moisturize them. Then I use the Hairstory Hair Balm. I usually divide my hair into 3 sections and add one pump per section and that’s pretty much it! I always air dry.
How Often:
I wash my hair every 3-5 days depending on how my hair is looking and how lazy I am.
Holy Grail:
My Holy Grail product is definitely castor oil. It really really moisturizes and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a little extra moisture.
Makayla Taylor: 3b
Makayla Taylor (aka MakaylaMclovin“> is always serving looks, and if you’ve been following NaturallyCurly for a while you’ve probably seen her pop up in a few photo shoots. Her short curly bob is simply iconic, and totally makes me want to do a chop. Here’s how she achieves her everyday look.
Hair Type & Needs:
My hair type is 3b. I used to dye, bleach and add heat to my hair ALOT, but I cut it super short to start fresh! My hair is short but very thick.
Wash Day:
I usually wash my hair 2x a week. Usually on Wednesday’s I’ll wash with shampoo and Sunday’s I’ll do a co-wash. When cowashing, all I do is apply DevaCurl One Decadence Conditioner, leave it in my hair while I shower. Then rinse, after rinsing I apply the one decadence again, this time focusing on the ends.
I love DevaCurls products because after using the No Poo my scalp feels fresh and clean even without the super soapy texture (it’s consistency is similar to a conditioner consistency”> and the One Decadence isn’t too heavy on my curls but still keeps them fresh and moisturized. Also, if I’m not washing my hair, (second day Curls”> I get a spray bottle, mix the One Decadence (2/3 pumps”> with water and use this as a Curl refresher.
How Often:
I only use shampoo 1x a week. (If I will be shampooing”> Before getting in the shower I mix two products. I get my hair damp and since I have a dry scalp I apply tea tree oil all over my scalp and mix it with Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner, and let it sit for about 20 minutes before getting in the shower and rinsing the mixture out. I start with the DevaCurl No Poo Shampoo and massage my scalp for throughout with it for about 2-3 minutes and then I let it sit while I go about my shower. After about 10 minutes I wash it out and apply conditioner to the ends of my hair and then wash it out. I use either a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber hair towel to towel-dry my hair, then I apply Curls Creme Brûlée Whipped Curl Cream.
Holy Grail:
My “holy grail” would be: DevaCurl No Poo, &; DevaCurl one decadence, Curls Goddess Curls Gel, Cantu’s Edge control Stay gel.
Rhylie Wilson: 3c
Photo by: AJ Ragasa
Rhylie is my best friend, but also my hair inspo. She rotates between straight and curly styles and makes every.single. look.work. It’s almost infuriating how she is able to keep her hair so healthy, soft, and cute while constantly switching up the style. Here’s how she does it.
Hair Type & Needs:
I have 3c hair that needs a lot of moisture (mainly because of heat damage”>, and care. However, I try to avoid products that are too heavy because my hair is also very fine.
Wash Day:
My hair washing routine is simple. I rotate using OGX Argan Oil shampoo+conditioner and Morocan Oil’s Curl Cleansing shampoo +conditioner, and my routine is the same regardless of which products I’m using. I wet my hair as soon and I get into the shower and begin working my shampoo through my hair, focusing mostly on my scalp. Then I move to conditioner, and I use A LOT of it. I let the conditioner sit while I’m doing everything else (shave, exfoliate, wash my face, etc”>. Rinsing out the conditioner is the last step in my shower routine and my hair always feels super clean and soft when I’m done! Once out of the shower I dry my hair with a t-shirt to avoid frizz and then immediately apply my curl cream. Sometimes I apply Olaplex if my hair is really thirsty.
I always apply leave-in conditioner while my hair is still wet, right now I’m loving Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning cream and Argan oil as a cocktail. CREAM BEFORE OIL FOR THE MOST PERFECT COIL. Sometimes I leave it down to air dry and sometimes I pull it back into a low bun. Either way, my edges NEED to be laid. For my edges I use Creme of Nature with Argan Oil, “Perfect Edges.” That product changed everything for me, my edges are always shiny and moisturized-never crusty.
How Often:
I wash my hair every 3-5 days depending on how my hair is looking and whether or not I have straightened it. The important thing is just to pay attention to how it feels. Regardless, most days I add a little bit of conditioner.
Holy Grail:
My holy grail is my edge cream for sure. I can do without product throughout my entire head if need be but my edges have got to be laid. Gotta be.
I love how different everyone’s regimens are from each other, and from my own. This year I have learned so much about my hair and have saved SO MUCH money from listening to the recommendations of fellow curly friends, youtubers, bloggers, and reading articles on NaturallyCurly rather than just blindly hoping a product in cute packaging will work. Who are some of your favorite curly bloggers and holy grail products? Share with me below!
If you’ve ever landed on a curly hair article or forum then you will have quickly realized that this community speaks its own language, some of which was started here in our CurlTalk forum. If you’re new to caring for your curls then the terms can feel overwhelming, so we created this comprehensive curly hair glossary as a tool you can use to look up commonly used ingredients, techniques, and abbreviations. You can find part one of the hair glossary here!
Nappyversary/Nattyversary
The anniversary of the day one decided to “go natural” and to refrain from applying chemical straighteners (relaxers”> to the hair. 
No-Poo Method
No-poo method includes removing shampoo, products formulated with water-insoluble silicones, and products that require sulfates for proper cleansing from your regimen.
Learn more
- 4 Ways To Wash Your Hair Without Shampoo
- All About the No Poo Method
- How to do the Curly Girl Method on a Budget (With 4 Products”>
No-poo products
Oil Rinsing
To rinse your hair with an oil after cleansing and before conditioning. To oil rinse you add your favorite oil to wet strands and leave on for about 5 minutes. This step helps to detangle and seal in extra moisture for the hair.
Learn more
- Oil Rinsing vs. Hot Oil Treatments: No They’re Not the Same
- Oil Rinsing for Beginners (It’s Easier Than You Think”>
Paraben
Parabens are preservatives commonly used in cosmetic products. They have been associated with cancer, but researched linking them to causing cancer has been inconclusive.
Learn more
- 15 Paraben-Free Products For Type 4 Hair
- Top 15 Paraben-Free Products
- Why Do People Avoid Parabens? The Answer, According to a Scientist
Paraben-free products
- Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment
- Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
Phthalate
Phthalates are plasticizer (dispersant”> ingredients in products that reduce brittleness/cracking/stiffness in hair and skin products like hair spray, soaps, and shampoos, allowing them to form a flexible film. The most common phthalates used are dibutylphthalate (DBP”>, dimethylphthalate (DMP”>, and diethylphthalate (DEP”>. 
Pineapple
To gently gathering the hair atop the crown with a hair tie to preserve curls for second day hair.
Learn more
Plop
This method includes wrapping wet hair in t-shirt or microfiber towel in order to quickly to gently absorb excessive water that would drip otherwise.
Learn more
- The Curly Girl’s Guide to Plopping Your Hair
- 3 Curl Defining Techniques for Curls & Waves
- The New Plopping Towel I’m Loving Right Now
Polyquat
Polyquaternium polymers are ingredients commonly found in styling products. Polyquats (polyquaternium”> are polymers frequently used in hair care products to provide conditioning benefits to the hair.
Learn more
- This Polyquat is Like a Shield Against Frizz – Even When it’s Humid
- How Polyquats Work as Conditioning Agents
Porosity
Porosity is how easily your hair is able to absorb and hold moisture and chemicals. There are varying degrees of porosity that we commonly use: high porosity, medium porosity, and low porosity.
Learn more
- Know Your Hair Porosity for Healthier, Stronger Curls
- Everything You Need to Know About Hair Porosity
Pre-Poo
This includes applying an oil or conditioner prior to shampooing to help the hair maintain necessary moisture during the drying shampoo process.
Learn more
- Use This Jamaican Oil as a Hair Growth Pre-Poo
- Should I Use a Hair Mask or Pre-poo?
- DIY Conditioning Pre-Poo for Hair Growth
Propylene Glycol
This is a humectant found in many personal care products including shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in conditioners, and styling products. It is known to be a very effective humectant.
Learn more
- The Truth About Propylene Glycol, According to a Chemist
- The Signs You Have a Propylene Glycol Allergy
Protective Style
This is a type of style that does not expose the ends of the hair and is typically left un-manipulated for 2-4 weeks. Protective styling is primarily used to retain length.
Learn more
- 7 Protective Styles Perfect for the Beach
- The Best Way to Care For Your Protective Style While on Vacation
- How to Maintain Your Braids this Summer
Protein Treatment
A protein treatment deposits protein structures on the hair’s cuticle in order to replace the protein that was lost through manipulation, chemical processing, and aging. Everyone’s protein sensitivity is different, but usually it is advised to incorporate this into your regimen only once a month. Some proteins include hydrolyzed wheat, hydrolyzed keratin, and hydrolyzed quinoa.
Learn more
- The Must-See Guide to the Best Protein Treatment for Your Hair
- 3 Telltale Signs It’s Time for a Protein Treatment
- Repairing Hair Damage: Olaplex vs. Protein Treatments
Protein treatment products
- HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Conditioner
- ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment & Balanced Moisturizer
- Curly Hair Solutions Pure Silk Protein Deep Moisturizing Treatment
PVP
PVP is a water-soluble polymer found in most gels. It is an excellent film-former and relatively inexpensive. The water solubility is extremely attractive to companies who wish to sell products to consumers who do not use shampoo or who use very mild shampoos, as it makes the gel easy to rinse.
Scrunching
To scrunch is to gently squeeze the hair upward from ends toward roots to encourage curl definition and remove gel crunch (aka “scrunch the crunch””>.
Learn more
- Squish to Condish: The Curl-Enhancing Technique You Need to Try Today
- How to Scrunch With Gel For Frizz-Free Waves
- 6 Ways to Make Your Curls Look Way Better
Sealing
Sealing is applying an oil or cream following a water-based moisturizer or leave-in conditioner. Essentially it is sealing moisture in the hair, with most of the focus being on the ends. The molecules in most butters/oils are too large to pass into the hair, so they stick to the outside of the shaft, trapping in the rich goodness of the moisturizer.
Learn more
- New Curly Girl Morning Hair Routine Creates Moisture-Sealed Curls that Last All Day Long
- 15 Products Perfect for Protective Styling
- What’s the Real Difference Between Moisturizing & Sealing Your Hair?
Shea Butter
Shea butter is derived from the nut of the shea tree and is rich in vitamins A and E. It restores moisture and prevents weather damage on the hair. It prevents dry scalp and does not clog pores. It is also great for sealing the ends of the hair.
Learn more
- 4 Reasons to Use Shea Butter This Week
- Got Dry, Dull Curls? Let Cantu Butter You Up with Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Almond Oil!
- 3 Reasons Why We Heart Shea Butter
Shoulder Length (SL”>
Shoulder length is hair that reaches your shoulders. 
Shingling
A styling technique used for Wash n’ Gos whereby a styling curl cream or curl gel is liberally applied section-by section to clean, very wet hair. Each section is smoothed between the thumb and forefinger, in a downward motion from root to tip. Hair is then either air-dried or dried with the use of a hood dryer, then gently fluffed for style. 
Shrinkage
Shrinkage is when the hair retracts after washing or being exposed to moisture. During this state, the hair’s true length is not visible. To avoid this, many curlies will stretch their hair through twisting, braiding, and other styling methods. Hair experiences the most shrinkage in a wash and go style.
Learn more
- How to Prevent Shrinkage as Your Hair Grows Longer
- How to Moisturize Your Hair When You Have High Shrinkage
- Hair Shrinkage Tips You Can’t Live Without
Silicate
Silicates are water-soluble inorganic minerals that are used as viscosity modifiers, or thickening ingredients in hair products.
Silicone
Silicones are conditioning agents that have been found to deposit at high rates onto the surface of the hair, especially if combined in the product with a cationic (positively-charged”> polymer (referred to on labels as polyquaterniums”>. They are used in rinse-off conditioners, intensive treatment conditioners, and leave-in conditioners where they reduce combing friction and static charge between hair strands, and provide an emollient effects and gloss.
Learn more
- Beware of These 5 Ingredients
- What Is Stearyl Dimethicone?
- Are Silicones Good (Or Bad”> for Color-Treated Hair?
Slip
Slip refers to how smooth and lubricious the product makes your hair feel. The nickname is derived from the feeling of being “slippery” in your hand. If your fingers, comb, or brush can slip through your strands with ease, then you have found a winner!
Learn more
- 4 Reasons Slip is EVERYTHING for a Curly Girl
- The Slip Awards: 6 Products with the Best Slip
- Ingredients for the Slip-Addicted Naturalista
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a sulfate found in most shampoos that creates a great lather for cleansing, but is extremely harsh and drying. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS”> and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES”> are known to be some of the harshest surfactants due to their potential to be drying to the skin and hair.
Learn more
Sulfate
Sulfates are the most commonly used anionic surfactant in the personal-care business. They tend to be extremely harsh on curly hair, so many curlies have decided to forgo products with this ingredient and brands are formulating products without it.
Learn more
- Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate a Sulfate?
- This Is What You Need to Know About Magnesium Sulfate
- 6 Curly Girl Friendly Shampoos You Can Use All the Time
Surfactant
A surfactant is a detergent molecule that has one distinct portion of the molecule that is polar and hydrophilic (water-loving”>, and one portion that is non-polar and hydrophobic (water-fearing”>, which are used in cleansing and conditioning products to remove buildup.
Learn more
Tailbone Length (TL”>
Tailbone length refers to hair that reaches your tailbone.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is powerhouse oil that has anitbacterial, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. In the curly world, it is primarily used for scalp conditions such as sebborheic dermatitis, fungal conditions, and dandruff. Learn more
- Does the Tingle Mean It’s Working? Or Irritating Your Skin
- Tea Tree Oil: The Cure-All for Your Problem Hair & Skin
Products with tea tree oil
- EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Oil
- Difeel 100% Pure Tea Tree Hair Oil
- EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Conditioner
Teeny Weeny Afro
A teeny weeny afro is when hair is not long enough to create a ponytail. 
Transitioning
Transitioning is growing out chemically straightened hair by not cutting the relaxed ends or cutting them slowly over time.
Learn more
- These Products Make Transitioning SO Much Easier
- 4 Reasons Why Transitioners Fail (And How to Avoid Them”>
- 4 Signs it’s Time to Cut Your Transitioning Hair
Twist Out
A twist out is when you intertwine two clusters of hair like a rope, allow it to set or dry, and then release the twists. People wear this style loose and coif it into updos.
Learn more
- Cannot Miss this Twist-Out: A Creamy Coily Tutorial
- You need these 3 moisturizing ingredients for long-lasting protective styles
- 3 Steps to Get the Perfect Twist Out
Underlayer
The underlayer is the hair under the top exposed layer.
Wash and Go
A wash and go is when you wash your hair, apply moisturizer and/or styling products, and allow the hair to dry naturally or shrink without stretching.
Learn more
- For Everyone Who Thinks They Can’t Wear a Wash N’ Go
- What’s The Hype Behind Wash & Go’s?
- 5 Reasons Your Curls Fail On Wash Day
Width
Width is the thickness of individual hair strands that range from fine to coarse. Knowing your hair width can help you maintain the length and health of your hair through reducing manipulation and chemical processing like color treating. 
Type 2A
Slightly “s” waved hair that sticks close to the head. It won’t bounce up, even when it is layered. 2a hair tends to be fine, low density, easy to manipulate, and has a slight sheen. It is best to use lighter products such as mousses, lotions, or gels that enhance the curls, but don’t weigh them down.
Type 2B
A wave pattern that has the characteristics to 2a but wavier. This hair type is a little resistant to styling and it has a tendency to frizz. People with this texture should use lighter products such as mousses or gels that enhance the curls, but don’t weigh them down.
Type 2C
A curl pattern that is thicker, coarser wavy hair that is composed of a few more actual curls, as opposed to just waves. Type 2c hair tends to be more resistant to styling and will frizz easily. Many with 2c hair have an underlayer of straight hair, while others have an underlayer that’s more ringlet-y and curly.
Type 3A
A curl pattern that has a definite loopy “S” pattern and are well-defined and springy. Curls are naturally big, loose and often very shiny. Due to being easily affected by the climate, Type 3 curlies can use a variety of styling products to achieve curl definition.
Type 3B
A curl pattern with have well-defined, springy, copious curls that range from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews. Type 3b hair generally isn’t particularly shiny and its texture can be quite coarse. Gels and creams work best to reduce frizz and add definition.
Type 3C
>A curl pattern that has voluminous, tight curls in corkscrews, approximately the circumference of a pencil or straw. The curls can be either kinky or very tightly curled, with lots of fine strands that are densely packed together.
Type 4A
Tightly, coiled hair that has a definite “S” pattern and tends to retain more moisture than 4b. The circumference of the spirals is close to that of a crochet needle. The hair can be very fragile and wiry or fine-textured. Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types, which means it has less natural protection from damage.
Type 4B
A curl pattern “Z” pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. It has a cotton-like feel and is very tightly coiled and fragile; you must take great care when washing and styling. It shrinks to about 75% of its actual length and can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots of strands that are densely packed together.
Type 4C
A curl pattern that is composed of curl patterns that will almost never clump without doing a specific hairstyle. 4c hair has been described as a more “challenging” version of 4b hair except there is seemingly no definition and lots of densely packed fine/thin/super soft to wiry/coarse strands. 4c hair can shrink more than 75%. If you’re unsure which of these terms fits your curls, try taking our quiz. Do be aware that most people have several different curl patterns on their head.
Is there a curly hair term that you still want to know about? Or is there one you use that you want to share? Let us know in the comments!
You know what they say about a glass of red wine a day keeping the late night munchies away? Well, fortunately for us, there is another reason to start stocking up on wine.
In recent years, studies have shown the health benefits of moderate wine drinking specifically attibuted to red wine. Of course, I took this concept and ran with it, although adjusting to red over my white wine preference took awhile. But what if I told you there are also studies claiming that a wine rinse applied topically could give the same benfits, but even more pronounced? People in the beauty industry have been writing about using wine for skin and haircare purposes and contemplating if it’s worth it. So, can a wine rinse good be good for your hair?
The Science Behind The Rinse
Most studies suggest that wine applied directly to the hair as a rinse can have some unique benefits that are hard to find elsewhere. It is important to note you want to use red wine over white wine since red is higher in antioxidants than white. Rinsing hair with red wine can help with UV protection, hair loss, dandruff, and irritated scalp. Red wine contains an ingredient called resveratrol, that helps stop hair loss while also stimulating the scalp with improved circulation. Resveratrol gets rid of inflammation while encouraging new cell turnover for a healthy scalp capable of producing new growth. According to Allure, “Wine does contain resveratrol, which has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant and useful for treating sun damage and the effects of aging,” reports dermatologist Jason Emer. “And other polypheols (like tannins”> that are common in wine may be useful for aging and inflammation, as they have been thought to fight free radicals and decrease the risk of cancer when drunk. To have any long-term benefit, however, they would likely need to be constantly applied topically.”
Will It Color My Hair?
Many women with blonde or lighter hair shades may worry about the red wine dying their hair. While red wine can be used to create a temporary dye, it is usually combined with henna to achieve that effect. Red wine alone won’t change your hair color. If it does give it a slight red hue, it can be washed out with a few washes. If you are worried about this, you can always do a strand test to make sure it won’t be a problem for you.
Olivia Pope in Scandal. via GIPHY
Can’t I Just Drink It?
You can drink red wine and reap these same benefits for the most part. However, if you apply the red wine directly to the source, you will see results faster and in a more pronounced way. Hair will also get a luster to it when the wine is applied topically.
How Do I Do a Wine Rinse?
It is best to do a wine rinse after you shampoo and condition. While some rinses are best when completely rinsed from the hair, such as eggs, mayonnaises, or anything that can take on a spoiled smell, red wine is acceptable to not wash out fully from your hair. Simply apply wine to hair and scalp until saturated. Rinse it out, but don’t shampoo it out. If you leave a little red wine behind, it is not going to hurt your hair at all. You can choose to do this treatment once a week or every couple of weeks, depending on your preference. If you don’t enjoy the smell of wine, you can also dilute it with water prior to applying it to hair, but the results may be less noticeable than using undiluted wine.
The wine craze has reached full peak when it becomes a staple of your beauty routine. With such great benefits, who can blame you?
As a curly that has been through the ringer when it comes to finding the right hair products, I LOVE sharing when I find a new brand that works for me. So, meet Hairstory.
Since working at NaturallyCurly, I have changed up my hair care regimen a lot. And I don’t just mean trying out new products, which I CERTAINLY have enjoyed, but more along the lines of my wash day routine. For instance, I used to wash my hair every day, not shampoo or cleanse it, but wet, condition, and detangle my hair daily before I left the house. If this sounds like a lot of extra work, it was. Now I have learned how to go a few days between washing with the help of a silk scarf and satin pillowcase, refreshing curl sprays and waterbottles, and new cleansing products that don’t leave me hair stripped of moisture. I’m sure none of these things are ground breaking to you if you have curly hair, but sometimes it’s easy to fall in the trap of a routine that works, even if there are better ways to alter your routine.
After several other editors shared with me that conditioning my hair daily was not necessary, and I could just use a scarf to preserve my curls overnight (which I knew, just never took the time to try on my hair”>, I began only washing my hair two or three times a week.
Since I had previously been washing out my leave in products each morning, I wasn’t used to the product buildup that occurred after a few days of refreshing my curls in the morning, and so, I then began to shampoo on my washdays. Generally, I only shampoo with my purple conditioner when my hair starts to look brassy, because shampoo has always dried out my hair. However, more brands have begun to acknowledge this problem by creating innovative products that work to both cleanse and condition, often referred to as no-poos, or cleansing conditioners. Hairstory is calling theirs the “New Wash“.
Michael Gordon, founder of Bumble and bumble and the brain behind the innovative Hairstory project, which has been called not only a hair product company but “a creative space dedicated to experimentation and refining craft“, where top of the line hairdressers were brought on to create, sought to challenge the shampoo industry. Gordon beleives that Sulfate-free, cleansing conditioner, and even baby shampoo all fall under the detergent umbrella. This ‘detergent’, is the reason conditioner is neccessary, because it strips all of the natural oils from your scalp.
To go along with what he calls a goundbreaking formula, Gordon also developed a line of styling products, a leave in balm, a blow-dry cream, and a texturizing spray. Each of which were designed to “Encourage hair to do what it wants, not force it.”
This look was created on wash day, using the new wash, hair balm, and my Devafuser until my hair was 50% dry, then letting the rest air dry.
I tried both their “New Wash” and their “Hair Balm” products, and my curls stayed ringlet(y”>, frizz-free, and my scalp oil free for three days. I could’ve gone another day without a wash, but I’m still learning how to properly sleep with a scarf on my head at night, so on that fourth day I woke up strugglin’. The ‘New Wash’ was created to simplify your wash day routine, and the claim is that it can wash, condition, detangle and repair your hair in one. As someone with type 3b curly bleached hair, I used to have medium porosity hair, however coloring my hair has changed my hair into high porosity, so I need A LOT of moisture. For me, the ‘New Wash’ did a great job of removing product buildup in my hair without drying out my hair, but in order to easily detangle, I still opted for a light daily conditioner after. However, maybe after my hair gets more used to conditioning less I’ll be able to use it as an all in one.
After washing and conditioning my hair I used some of the ‘Hair Balm‘ on my still wet hair. I then diffuse until about 50% dry, and let the rest air dry. And let me tell you my curls were POPPIN. I’m not sure if it was a direct reult of the ‘Hair Balm’ or the mixture of the ‘New Wash’ and the balm, but my curls really never looked better or felt softer. Since the ‘Hair Balm’ is made with natural oils and is very conditioning, I only need one or two pumps of it, so although the price us on the upper end, I can tell it will last me a long time.
It’s always fun to switch up products and brands when you get too comfortable with something that you know works, but it’s even more fun when you find a new holy grail. Have you tried any new products or brands that you are loving recently? Let me know in the comments below!
Hair loss is something no one wants to face. While the cause can sometimes be simply a fact of aging, most often it can be combatted by making certain changes in your diet. It has long been reported that certain herbs have the potential to stimulate hair growth. With that in mind, can they also aid in preventing hair loss?
While there are studies showing that herbs can help hair to generate new growth, it depends on which ones are being used since some are better for this purpose than others. For example, while oregano is great for flavor, you are better off using rosemary to stop hair loss. Herbs can help stimulate the blood flow, increase circulation, support the follicle, and create a healthy environment that encourages growth. Certain herbs can also balance out irregularities with DHT, the hormone that causes hair loss, to help with this area of hair health. Herbs can also help with premature graying for an added bonus! Here are the top 8 herbs that are great for combatting hair loss.
1. Gingko Biloba
This herb helps improve circulation, block DHT levels, and helps with nutritional deficiencies that affect the follicle. It can be used topically but is more commonly used as a tea. It can also be taken as a supplement in pill form.
2. Stinging Nettle
A powerhouse herb for hair loss, this herb helps block the overproduction of DHT. As anyone suffering from hair loss knows, an overabundance of DHT is what leads to hair loss. Stinging nettle helps to restore the hormonal balance to stop hair loss by regulating DHT levels. This versatile herb can be taken as a supplement or as a tea, but can also be applied directly to the scalp as an oil.
3. Green Tea
Used either topically or as a drink, green tea is rich in polyphenol and antioxidant properties. It can help with circulation, as well as block DHT from overproducing. It also contains high levels of carotenoids, tocopherol, Vitamin C, zinc, selenium, manganese and chromium. All of these can aid in hair growth and preventing hair loss. There are also plenty of hairlines that use green tea in their ingredients, like Briogio Be Gentle Be Kind Green Tea Shampoo.
4. Bhringraj
A lesser known herb, this herb has been touted as a hair loss remedy. It has unique properties that help stimulate hair follicles for new growth, as well as helping to retain the active state of hair. It can be added to food as a spice.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint helps to heal the scalp to generate new growth, but it is also helpful for preventing hair loss. This herb not only stimulates the hair follicle while soothing an irritated scalp, but it is also super moisturizing. As a powerhouse that keeps the scalp healthy, it can help prevent hair loss due to follicle damage or scalp irritation. Remember, a healthy scalp is the key to not only hair growth but also preventing hair loss. Peppermint can be taken as a tea or applied directly to the scalp in the form of an oil and is used in hair products as well, like EDEN Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree conditioner.
6. Chamomile
This herb features a hard to find compound called blue chamazulene. This little-known compound can help with tissue regeneration which helps stop hair loss. It can be used as a drink, a supplement, or a rinse. There are also hair products that incorporate this into their formula, such as hair loss shampoos. The best results for this herb will occur when applied topically instead of ingested.
7. Horsetail
This is an herb often seen in hair products, but it can also be taken alone. It has high levels of a compound called silica which is proven to help strengthen hair and bones. More importantly for those suffering from hair loss, horsetail can also make the follicle less brittle so more hair is retained instead of lost. While you can find tons of shampoos with horsetail in the ingredients, you can also take it as a supplement.
8. Burdock
Perfect for healing an irritated scalp to help retain hair, this herb is loaded with necessary components such as essential fatty acids and phytosterol compounds. Since it is great for restoring scalp health, which is a key element of reversing the effects of hair loss, this herb can be found in a range of hair care products. It can also be taken as a supplement and is found in the many scalp products like the Alikay Naturals Blended Therapy Hot Oil Treatment.
It is also important to note that you get the most results from ingesting them as opposed to applying herbs directly to the hair or scalp. Not to say you won’t get results from applying them topically, but since it is easier for the body to get nutrients through the use of natural digestion, adding them to your diet may be your best bet.
If you plan on applying herbs directly to your hair and scalp, and there is nothing saying you can’t, it is best to opt for herbs in their oil form such as essential oils. If you are adding herbs to your hair in oil form, make sure it is pure since some oils may be mixed with other additives that may irritate your skin.
If you are looking to add any type of herbs to your diet as a regular supplement, you should first check with your doctor to make sure there won’t be any interactions with any medications you may be taking. Adding herbs into your weekly cooking regimen is a pretty easy edition to your diet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas”>, glycerites (glycerine extracts”>, or tinctures (alcohol extracts”>. Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5-10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10-20 minutes for roots. Drink 2-4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.”
When looking for a way to stimulate the scalp to promote the retention of hair, while encouraging new growth, herbs are a great solution. Add some to your routine and see for yourself!
Photo Courtesy of of Jalisa’s Instagram: imadamejay
To be honest, I always feel a type of way when brands come out with products marketed towards bi-racial or multi-racial people specifically. I think this discomfort comes from being “othered” from either race that I am a part of. Additionally, the idea of mixed raced people not being able to find hair products that work for them in the beauty aisle is difficult to confront, even though that is sometimes the case. There is the majority of the aisle, stocked full of products made for women with straight-wavy hair looking for volume and texture, and then there is the “ethnic aisle,” with moisturizing creams and oils for natural or relaxed hair to lay down edges and keep coils defined. Throughout the years of walking down these aisles, I have been able to find products from either area, when cocktailed or used in a certain way that works well for me. But as far as using one product consistently or one brand for all of my needs, this hasn’t been easy.
Over the last decade, brands have started to capitalize on this need, creating products to address the needs of several hair types, and recognizing that not all coily hair is high porosity, nor is all wavy hair has a fine texture. Black, white, and multi-racial women all have curls that require particular attention to their individual hair types. This universal struggle to find the right products has led many naturalistas, including myself, to try dozens of products before finding one that works, as well as leading brands finally addressing the needs of severalhair types.
Many Ehtnicities
Many Ethnicities was created in 2014 by Dr. Ena Hennegan, a mother, a board-certified, practicing family physician in suburban Chicago. Her brand was created in response to her own personal journey to find hair products that worked both for her individual curls, and her three daughters who all have various hair types and needs. Many Ethnicities products are designed to be safe, healthy, easy to use while delivering optimal curl definition and performance.
While the struggles mixed-race people have had to find the “right” product are not struggles only we encounter, there are specific differences between what a white woman will need to style her hair, a Black woman will need, and what I will need. And that’s okay. It’s okay that what works for my cousin’s hair or my mom’s hair will generally not work for mine and vice versa. Dr. Ena Hennegan recognized this after having three multi-racial children all with different hair needs. She had already scrambled to find the right products for herself, and now she was forced into searching for products for four curly girls, talk about a struggle!
My Results
I tried the Many Ethnicities Invigorating Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner and really loved the results. I usually condition my hair every couple of days and shampoo once a week because shampoo often leaves my hair too dry and frizzy. With Many Ethnicities shampoo, my hair still felt soft after because it did not take away all of my natural oils but still left my scalp feeling clean and rid of product buildup. Usually, I have to pre-poo on wash days because the shampoo will leave my hair super dry and I will then have to condition my hair multiple times before it feels back to normal. This shampoo and conditioner mix moisturized my curls without weighing them down and saved me from having to do another condition every day after. I’m currently on day three of not washing my hair, and it’s still not greasy, and my curls are still poppin’.
Best of all, this line is completely free from sulfates, parabens, gluten, dyes, harsh salts, phthalates, and petroleum!
Our Video Producer Grace and Graphic Designer Fran have also been testing the Many Ethnicities products, so I asked them how they worked for them.
Grace’s Results
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Many Ethnicities as I had never heard of or tried the brand before. I had high hopes because it claims to be research-based but I was also worried that it would be too heavy for my hair as many brands who claim to be “multi-ethnic” are really geared toward thicker, curlier hair.
I tried the shampoo and conditioner. I love the shampoo because it feels like a clarifying shampoo but isn’t as harsh or stripping as most clarifiers. It washed away the product buildup I had and didn’t leave any residue or weigh my hair down.
The product I was most impressed with was the conditioner. Immediately upon putting it on my hair, it softened and detangled. I barely needed to put any work in to get the tangles and knots out of my hair, and I didn’t need as much conditioner as I usually do. I think this could be a holy grail product for someone with even coarser or thicker hair because of how well it works. The icing on the cake of this brand is that Many Ethnicities is female and minority-owned and doesn’t test on animals.
Fran’s Results
“I definitely felt skeptical about the brand being called Many Ethnicities, very skeptical. The idea that a brand would market themselves toward such a specific group of people weird to me. Personally, I don’t really feel it’s been difficult to find products either in the “mainstream” aisle or the “ethnic” aisle, I went to all the aisles that had “curly” hair products period. So I’d be in both the mainstream and ethnic aisles all of the time. I’m bi-racial, Filipino and African American, and I have very fine, low density, 3b hair. The last brand I tried that wanted to market towards “mixed” people, I hated. I figured that hair texture and the products designed for them can be independent of ethnic background; that being said, I was really surprised that I ended up loving how the Many Ethnicities products worked on my hair.
I tried the Many Ethnicities Moisturizing Conditioner and what stood out to me was the consistency. I loved that it was so thick it almost felt like a deep conditioner. Of course, I liked it even more when I rinsed my hair, and my hair felt great. I also tried the Many Ethnicities Leave-In Conditioning Cream, and this leave-in left my hair feeling moisturized with the perfect amount of definition, which is important to me.”
Many Ethnicities is now available in SHOP NaturallyCurly. Start addressing your hair needs today!
There are all sorts of crazy trends out there that supposedly help give you healthy hair. One of the more unusual sounding remedies is adding onion (yes, the vegetable that we allow to make us cry in exchange for its sweet and flavorful addition to a meal”> to your hair care regimen.
It’s no surprise that the onion is not exactly the first superfood that comes to mind for most people. They make your eyes water, they smell unpleasant for the most part, and they don’t really exude moisturizing elements like an avocado for example. However, studies show it may be good for your hair, especially in the area of growth. How does onion help hair growth? Well, let’s take a look at this sometimes stinky little vegetable.
The main way onions help with hair growth is that the juice from onions can aid in circulation improvement when applied directly to the scalp. Onions are rich in antibacterial properties, as well as Sulphur, which can help remove scalp infections, parasites, and other issues that are standing in the way of a healthy scalp.
A healthy scalp is the beginning of hair growth. Your hair will not growth at a normal or accelerated rate if the scalp is unhealthy. Onions are also loaded with a natural antioxidant called catalase. While this antioxidant doesn’t play a role in hair growth, it can prevent premature graying which is a nice benefit of onions for hair. When it comes to hair growth, the unique properties found in onion juice may just be the answer you have been looking for.
This isn’t a matter of hearsay either. There is actual science to back up the healing powers of this unlikely hair friend. According to a study completed in 2002, The Journal of Dermatology found there is a direct correlation between applying topical onion juice for patients suffering from alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease which causes patchy hair loss in both men and women, when applied twice a day. The study showed that 86% of the participant group showed increases in hair growth when used within the six weeks of the study.
While eating onions may add flavor to your meal, the best way to use them for your hair is as a topical treatment. You can simply cut up an onion and either grate the juice into a bowl using a hand grater or you can use your blender. Once you have enough juice for your needs, apply it to your scalp and massage it in circular motions. The smell will be strong and your eyes will water doing this treatment. There are a few ways to cut the smell. You can dilute the juice with a little bit of water or you can add a little bit of honey to your juice. The honey will not only help with the smell, but it will make it a thicker consistency that will be easier to apply. Make sure you wash your hair after any onion treatment to avoid funny looks from the people around you!
Onions are a food that most people either love or despise. When you use them to help with hair growth, it is hard not to love these little stinkers!
We know curlies will go to great lengths for their hair… is onion juice a step too far for you? Let us know in the comments.
