Search Results: Lauren Levinson

Movember Madness: All-Time Hottest Guys with Facial Hair

By Lauren Levinson · Published November 20, 2013

In honor of Movember, RealBeauty compiled their list (let us know who we’re missing”> of the dreamiest guys with mustaches, beards, goatees, or just that perfect 5 o’clock stubble. Drool on, ladies, drool on.

12 Celebrity Undercuts

By Lauren Levinson · Published August 16, 2013

RealBeauty rounded up the 12 hottest celebrity undercuts for your inspiration. Considering an undercut? NaturallyCurly Content Editor Cristina went from long to a short undercut, watch the video.

For a faux undercut, check out our hair tutorial for a French sidebraid that will create the same shape without the commitment!

12 Celebrity Undercuts

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Best Hairstyles

By Lauren Levinson · Published January 17, 2013

Sarah Jessica Parker (or SJP as we affectionately call her”> will forever be remembered as curly girl Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City.” To celebrate the series premiere of the prequel, “The Carrie Diaries,” we’ve rounded up her best ‘dos of all time. AnnaSophia Robb definitely has some big shoes (and hair”> to fill!

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Best Hairstyles

Nourish Your Hair Naturally with Shea Moisture

By Lauren Levinson · Published September 18, 2012

SheaMoisture Yucca and Baobab Collection

Yucca & Baobab Collection

We know you love your naturally curly hair, but how do you show it that you care? By giving it the special moisturizing attention it needs to stay healthy and grow strong. The most nourishing treatments for your natural curls are gentle natural products without harsh, drying or potentially irritating ingredients.

SheaMoisture, a family brand, understands what a curl wants and what a curl needs! SheaMoisture makes it easy to care for your natural hair with four lines of products for different hair textures and needs, full of naturally nourishing ingredients. They left out all of the bad stuff but added in lots of good stuff to provide the best solutions to your hair care needs.

Why Avoid These Ingredients?

What should I avoid?

Sulfates: The most commonly used harsh sulfates found in most shampoos include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS”>, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES”> and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS”>. They can irritate the scalp and strip hair of much needed natural oils, leaving you with dry, frizzy curls.
Phthalates: The main phthalates used in cosmetic products are dibutylphthalate (DBP”>, dimethylphthalate (DMP”> and diethylphthalate (DEP”>. They might also be listed as “butyl ester” or “plasticizer.” Studies reveal phthalates as reproductive and developmental toxins. Why take such a high health risk for cheap, dangerous products?
Paraffins: These are usually listed as “liquid paraffin.” Paraffins are petroleum distillates, which means that they are derived from petroleum or crude oil. Did you know that the European Union restricts or prohibits these and other petroleum distillates as possible human carcinogens?
Gluten: If you have any wheat or other grain allergies, you need to stay away from products containing gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale to avoid having skin irritations or reactions.
Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol is a clear liquid used in antifreeze and cosmetic products. Frequent skin exposure to propylene glycol can irritate the skin.
Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is another byproduct of the refinement process of crude oil into its refined forms such as gasoline. It is used in hair products as a moisturizer, but it’s actually a lubricant that sits on top of the hair. There is strong evidence that mineral oil is toxic to the human immune and respiratory systems, and is a possible carcinogen.

see more on the next page…

With the exception of a few specific ingredients, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration”> does not approve cosmetic ingredients. Cosmetic companies are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients. As a result, the cosmetics industry is the least regulated industry under the jurisdiction of the FDA. While we all want safe ingredients in our products, the standard for what’s safe isn’t always agreed upon, which is why you should be knowledgeable about what’s in your hair products and determine for yourself what ingredients you are comfortable with. Some ingredients may be safe but can irritate people with sensitivities and generally don’t work well over time. Your best defense is to read every ingredient label!

Once you know what should not be in nourishing natural hair products, what should you be looking for? SheaMoisture products are infused with the following ingredients for healthy natural hair

Yucca & Baobab Collection

The Yucca & Baobab Collection from SheaMoisture is infused with three highly beneficial ingredients. The collection includes Thickening Shampoo, Volumizing Conditioner and Thickening Moisture Mist. If you have thin or fine hair, you can start by cleansing your curls with the Thickening Shampoo that softens, strengthens and thickens hair, while preventing breakage. If you have naturally coily hair, you know it can be very fragile. Use the Volumizing Conditioner to detangle, strengthen and condition hair while pumping volume. You’ll love the fullness and added volume. Continue to reinforce the thickening and strengthening process by moisturizing with the Thickening Moisture Mist.

Ingredients

Baobab Oil: Our hair and scalp needs to be nourished just like the rest of our body and needs a daily dose of vitamins and nutrients. Baobab oil is pressed from the mineral rich seeds of the baobab fruit, which contains vitamins A, C, D, E and F to fortify and strengthen your hair.
Yucca: Are you struggling with thinning hair or hair loss? Yucca can help prevent hair loss and aids in thickening hair.
Biotin: Biotin is a B-vitamin that can help to strengthen the hair follicle. It is often linked with faster, thicker, healthy hair growth because healthy, growing hair requires biotin.

Read More: Top 3 Tips for Transitioning

African Black Soap Collection

The African Black Soap Collection from SheaMoisture strategically includes these three ingredients in their Deep Cleansing Shampoo, Balancing Conditioner and Dandruff & Dry Scalp Elixir. Use the Deep Cleansing Shampoo to sooth your scalp while helping to regulate the production of the natural oils in your hair and scalp. It removes unwanted buildup, while relieving dry, itchy, flaky scalp creating a fresh start. The Balancing Conditioner also soothes dry itchy scalp. It conditions and moisturizes your hair, while restoring your hair’s natural pH balance. Lastly, soothe your scalp and relieve the itching and flaking with Dandruff and Dry Scalp Elixir.

What should I avoid?

PABA: PABA is an abbreviation for para-aminobenzoic acid. It’s use as an active ingredient in sun-screens has been discontinued due to the allergic reactions it tends to cause when applied to the skin. International research also indicates that it is a potential carcinogen.
Synthetic Color: The most common synthetic colors used in cosmetics are derived from coal tar, which is another by-product of petroleum. Some coal tar dyes are known to cause cancer and so are strictly regulated by the FDA. Other synthetic colors like chromium oxide and aluminum powder can be irritating. Chromium oxide is specifically described as a “cancer hazard” in its Material Safety Data Sheet.

see more on the next page…

Ingredients

Plantain Enzyme: You may have eaten this banana-like fruit before, but did you know that plantain enzyme provides a great natural way to alleviate scalp itchiness and irritation?
Tea Tree: Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be used as a treatment for scalp infections and problems like dandruff. In hair products it removes buildup while enhancing volume and shine.
Willow Bark Extract: Does your dry scalp cause you discomfort? Willow Bark soothes the scalp as it gently exfoliates while removing flakes.

SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Collection

Coconut & Hibiscus Collection

The Coconut & Hibiscus Collection from SheaMoisture is the go-to assortment for thick and curly, frizz-free and shiny hair utilizing all three natural ingredients. Get curl definition while trading in brittle curls for bouncy, healthy looking curls. Got coils or wish you did? This is the collection that helps add definition, complete with the Curl & Shine Shampoo to cleanse and start defining your curls; the Curl & Style Milk to detangle and condition hair; the Hold & Shine Moisture Mist for glossy shiny curls and the Curl Enhancing Smoothie to hydrate and define for soft, vibrant, bouncy curls.

What should I avoid?

DEA: DEA, or diethanolamine, among other things is used to provide a heavy lather in shampoos. It can react with other ingredients in products to form a highly potent cancer causing chemical.
Parabens: Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetic products. They have arguably been linked with breast cancer because parabens can act similarly to estrogen and the activity of estrogen in the body has been associated with certain types of breast cancer.
Synthetic Fragrance: Unfortunately, when “fragrance” is listed in the ingredients of a product, it is considered a trade secret, meaning that the make up of that fragrance can remain undisclosed. There could legally be any of the above or other harmful chemicals included in what is simply listed as “fragrance” in a hair product.

Ingredients

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil provides a host of wonderful natural benefits for the hair and scalp. The antimicrobial action of lauric and caprice acid in coconut oil help to prevent hair loss. It also contains Vitamin E, which keeps the scalp conditioned, healthy and renewed. Coconut oil helps to restore moisture to dry hair because of its capacity to retain hydration keeping hair soft and moistened.
Silk Protein: Silk Protein strengthens hair making it smooth and silky to the touch without weighing it down.
Neem Oil: Neem Oil adds strength, fullness and overall vibrance to hair.

Read More: 3 Natural Ingredients for Great Curls

Raw Shea & Argan Oil Collection

The Raw Shea & Argan Oil Collection from SheaMoisture combines these three natural treasures in a collection that aids in healing, strengthening and growing dry, damaged hair. You can gently cleanse your curls with the award-winning, Moisture Retention Shampoo. If you want to encourage healthy natural waves, moisturize and repair damaged, over-processed hair with the Restorative Conditioner. Add shine, while repairing dull, lifeless strands with the Reconstructive Elixir. For ultra-moisturization, pamper your hair to a weekly treatment with the Deep Treatment Masque.

Ingredients

Sea Kelp: Trace minerals in sea kelp help to detoxify hair and scalp of impurities and build-up.
Argan Oil: For incredible shine and frizz control, Argan oil is the answer. It also helps rebuild the elasticity of hair, fending off breakage resulting from dry, brittle curls.
Shea Butter: Shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids making it effective in shielding and restoring the hair and scalp from damage. It keeps hair hydrated by sealing in much needed moisture.

With four collections full of all-natural goodness SheaMoisture makes it easy to find the right nourishing products to suit your curls, coils or waves!

Styling Wavy Hair with Pantene Pro-V

By Lauren Levinson · Published August 14, 2012

Even when you care for them properly, your wavy hair can sometimes get dried out in response to the elements and just your everyday activity or styling choices. When your waves need a dose of hydration, start out with the right products for cleansing and conditioning that will add moisture back into your strands instead of stripping it out. If there is one shampoo and conditioner duo that does this well its Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo and Moisture Balance Conditioner.

Watch how celebrity stylist, Tippi Shorter demonstrates how to use curl-friendly Pantene Pro-V products to cleanse, condition, detangle and style wavy hair while restoring its moisture. You can get the same fabulous, moisture-revived look too! After using the Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo to cleanse your hair and scalp:

Detangle while your hair is wet with Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner and a wide tooth comb, detangling brush or your fingers.
Smooth your strands over with a cocktail of Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Style Curl Shaping Gel and Pantene Pro-V Normal-Thick Style Flowing Body Mousse for excellent body and curl definition.
Blow dry your waves with a diffuser. While you diffuse, take sections of hair from around the crown area of your head and twist or twirl them to boost your wavy definition.
Wrap a few sections of your hair around a 1-inch curling iron at your front hairline to create face framing waves.
Use an anti-frizz product such as DevaCurl Flexible-Hold Hair Spray to finish the style by sealing out frizz with a flexible but lasting hold.
Tousle or scrunch your hair up towards the scalp with your head down and hair flipped over to encourage more volume. Make sure hair is completely dry before taking this last step so that you do not cause your waves to frizz up in the process.

For more great curly, coily and wavy hairstyle how-tos with Tippi Shorter and curl-friendly Pantene Pro-V products, visit the Pantene Facebook page. Look out for more videos with tips this week on how to get these looks yourself!

Pantene Pro-V How To: Type 2 Hair

Restoring Moisture to dry strands

Products in this video:

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Get more tips and tricks for your curls, coils and waves on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel.

Dirty Hair Styles for Waves and Curls

By Lauren Levinson · Published May 3, 2012

A long-haired model at the Richard Chai spring runway show.

We curlies and wavies don’t always wash our hair everyday, but we still want to get fabulous second, third-day hair. What’s the trick to getting your hair to look great even when it’s not freshly washed? Styling it right! Here are some hairstyles that you can adapt for your curly or wavy, long, medium or short hair to wear over a three-day weekend.

Day 1: Long Hair

When heading into a stretch where your normal shower routine will be disrupted (hello, camping trip!”>, don’t weigh your hair down with lots of heavy styling products. Instead, enhance its natural movement by air-drying your strands and wearing them down and wavy, like the models at the Richard Chai spring runway show.

Tip: To avoid next-day tangles, and infuse a little extra body, Jill Guzzo, a hairstylist at Manhattan’s Butterfly Studio Salon, suggests sleeping with your hair in a loose bun at the top of your head to give your waves extra staying-power.

Works best for: Wavy Type 2

Read More: 15 City-Girl Necessities

Day 2: Long Hair

A glammed up ponytail will work wonders on greasy hair, whether it’s game night or date night. Pre-style and use dry shampoo on the roots near your hairline to soak up any oil and give your hair some volume.

Tip: To get a full, bouncy ‘do, like Michelle’s, hide your elastic with a small section of hair from the underside of your ponytail and use a curling iron to add oomph to the length of your hair.