Search Results: NaturallyCurly
Hi, NaturallyCurly world!
My name is Alyssa and I’m a video editor here at NaturallyCurly. I have 4B curls with low porosity. I did the big chop in 2015 and it’s been a wild ride figuring out what my hair likes or wants. After all these years, it’s been a journey in itself figuring out what routine, products, and tools to use to get there. Even before the big chop, I only washed my chemically relaxed hair once a week. It works even better for me now. If anything, now I’ll try to go two weeks without washing. It all depends on if my curls are still when I refresh and my scalp issues aren’t flaring up. In order to do that, I have to tackle build up, detangling, and retaining moisture. I test out a lot of products for my hair’s happiness but these were the best ones I used this past year!
Washing Routine
Step 1: Clarify with Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo
An important first step, I use this shampoo to get rid of the build up on my scalp. I don’t think my hair had truly known “clean” until my first scalp massage with this. The shampoo is designed to make a little amount of product go along way which is really nice. My scalp feels truly refreshed whenever I us this. It gets every bit of dirt out of my hair and all without drying it out.
Step 2: Condition with The Doux’s Fresh Rinse Moisturizing Conditioner
My new trusty conditioner! Not only is it organic and free of any harsh parabens but it leaves my hair feeling silky smooth every time!
Step 3: Deep Condition with SASHAPURE Restorative Conditioning Masque
All week, as I wait for wash day, I’m really dreaming about the moment I get to use this amazing concoction to bring back all of the curls I lost to frizz and manipulation. The second I slather this stuff on, my curls pop back into place so fast and tight that I think this stuff might be magic. The way it saturates my low porosity hair gives it the best slip I’ve ever encountered. It also feels like its nourishing my hair in the long term. I can actually see and feel this mask repairing my hair with every use.
Step 4: Leave In Condition with Dark & Lovely’s Au Naturale Anti Shrinkage Slick Slip Leave In
Now because I’m both lazy and want maximum hydration, I slather this in my hair while I’m still in the shower and let the steam do its thing. The steam helps the product penetrate my strands easier while also locking in hydration. From here, I toss my hair up in an AQUIIS hair towel until all the water is squeezed out and I let my curls air dry. I use this as my daily leave in when styling as well. I love that it helps elongate my curls and fight off tangles!
Styling Routine
Step 5: Refresh with Curly Hair Solutions H20 Water Bottle
Between washes, I keep my curls going by refreshing them daily. That entails lightly spritzing my hair to make it easier for it to absorb product. When I first big chopped, I would dunk my head in the shower every morning. It was a massive mistake to soak it like that and I’m very glad I know better know. Finding the perfect spray bottle is a surprisingly hard task. My personal favorite and the hardest to find is the mister. Misting spray bottles cover more ground than any other type and with the perfect amount of water. This water bottle is probably the Queen of all misting spray bottles. It is the most advanced spray bottle I’ve ever come across and it is a hydration beast.
Step 6: Oil with Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Lavender Oil
I use the LOC Method so, after I use the Dark & Lovely’s Au Naturale Anti Shrinkage Slick Slip Leave In, I use a quarter sized amount of this castor oil. It is pretty heavy so a little goes a long way. I focus on mid shaft to the ends of my hair with this oil since that’s where I need the most TLC. Most times when I try out a lighter oil, it basically evaporates off of my head. The thickness of this oil has a longer moisturizing effect that I thoroughly appreciate. Not to mention it comes in a variety of scents with different beneficial properties!
Step 7: Condition with Eden Body Works Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme
After my leave in and oil, I use this curl defining creme to lock in moisture and make my afro more malleable. Its humidity-resistant which means nothing can rain on this parade! It also refines and separates curls pretty well. I love the definition it gives me and the price point isn’t too bad either.
Step 8: Texturize with the Denman Brush
If you’re having a particularly fluffy hair day with no curl definition, this brush is the tool you need. Using the H20 Water Bottle a bit more, I make sure the undefined parts of my hair are wet just enough for malleability. I then take the Denman brush to my ends and gently comb up to my mid shafts. It redefines the curls that have a harder time forming with just product alone. I have to create my bangs everyday and it wouldn’t be possible without this baby.
Twist Routine
Step 9: Twist Out with Shea Moisture’s Raw Shea Butter Heatless Curl Stretch Gel
I have always been terrible at twist outs. My family has been trying to get me to do them consistently for years but I always turned out looking like Shirley Temple “gone wrong”. The first time I tried this cream gel, I fell deeply in love. This was the missing key to my twist outs! Paired with a Denman brush, my curls felt unstoppable! For once I didn’t have dry and rigid curls from my twist out. My hair also didn’t come out in a funny shape and shrink up into oblivion. This cream gel hydrated, stretched, and nurtured my curls. Now I do twist outs between washes, the day before important events, and I am a huge fan!
Do you have 4b coily hair? Let me know your favorites in the comments below. Check out the full list to see the winners from this years Best of the Best.
This month, Naturally Curly and The Curl Talk Project are partnering to explore the link between natural hair and the notions of identity, femininity, diversity, race and representation.
Six ladies will share their experiences, from Puerto Rico to the UK these women reveal what it means to be a curly-haired woman in a society where beauty standards are otherwise. Discover their stories below.
Image: @locken_lieben_lernen
You are from Germany, tell us how curls are perceived over there?
Curls aren’t perceived negatively at all but there is no such thing as a natural hair movement here in Germany. This makes it very difficult for us to have access to curly girl approved products! Most of the time you see women with curls in the streets you can tell that they don’t know how to take care of it or don’t use the right products.
What was it like growing up with curly hair?
Being a curly kid was fine to me because I had a hair type that was very similar to my mother’s. I felt represented in my own house, which really helped.However, I started struggling in my teenage years. I was the only girl with natural curls in school, and looking different when you actually want to fit in isn’t ideal. Looking like my mother wasn’t something I was enthusiastic about anymore.
Image: @locken_lieben_lernen
Do you feel there is a connection between femininity and how you feel about your hair?
I used to wear my hair very short for a while and still considered myself feminine, my husband has much longer hair than I do and I still find him masculine. I don’t believe there is a link between femininity and hair. Femininity is more than just having long, straight hair, it’s about who you are and how you see yourself as a person. That’s all that matters.
Why is natural hair so strongly linked to identity?
I am aware that as a white woman my hair might not be as strongly linked to identity than for women from other ethnicities. However, it’s clear that this hair is part of me, I inherited it from my mother so it’s essential for me to worship it and be as proud as I can of it.
What has your experience been like wearing your natural hair to work?
I never received negative comments, but heard a lot of questions about my hair. People tend to question the fact that this is my hair in its natural state.
What has been the most challenging moments of your hair journey?
Giving up heat and control. Before my transition, I used to put a lot of heat on my hair until it could look as perfectly straight and sleek as I desired. Letting this go and learning to embrace the natural version of myself was the difficult part, but I am glad I took this decision. It helped me to feel more relaxed about the way I look.
What are your holy grails?
Image: @locken_lieben_lernen
My holy grail is the Bouncecurl light Creme Gel. I love it because it works as a single styler as well as together with most of my other favorite products. It gives me the best results on washdays and is also perfect for refresh. Plus the smell is amazing. It is really hyped on instagram, but for me it is definitely worth the hype and I will always rebuy.
What advice would you give to women struggling to embrace their curls?
Keep on going. It’s worth the struggle. Make sure to add some fun to the process as well. Transitioning is tough but you have to learn to appreciate the journey, and have fun while you experiment and try new ways of styling your natural curls.
What does your natural hair represent?
Self-love and acceptance.
Read more stories of The Curl Talk Project here.
Hey curlfriends! I’m Bianca; I lead the NaturallyCurly social media team. My hair is mostly 3a curls with some 2b waves that like to terrorize me around my hairline (mostly at the nape and around my ears”>. It’s medium porosity, medium density and about as average as curls can get, and I’ve always loved them! Last year I thought it’d be fun to dye my hair fantasy colors, a deep purple and blue. But, I realized very quickly how much I missed my natural color (and how badly damaged my hair could get after dyeing it a single time”>. So, I chopped off the majority of my length and opted for a fun little bob.
Now, I’m growing my hair back out and am happy to see how healthy it is with a fairly minimal regimen. I’ve learned minimalism is key when it comes to my hair and my lifestyle. I wash my hair about three times a week, sometimes only twice (especially during the winter”>. Here’s my full regimen featuring the 2019 Best of the Best picks to get my defined springy curls.
Wash Routine
Step 1: Shampoo with Sashapure Healing Shampoo
This is such a nice moisturizing shampoo. It’s gentle on the scalp, cleanses really well and doesn’t strip the hair. That said, I typically do rinse and repeat because of the sheer volume of hair that I have.
Step 2: Condition with Sashapure Healing Conditioner
This is my favorite conditioner. It’s silky smooth and allows me to easily detangle my hair with my fingers. Once I’ve finished detangling, I rinse out most of the conditioner by cupping my hands into a bowl shape and squeezing the water into my hair from my hands (with my head upside down”>. This technique helps keep my curls clumped.
Step 3: Apply a few drops of Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
This is the perfect scalp treatment to keep your scalp hydrated and feeling refreshed. I use a few drops on my scalp and take some nice deep breaths in while it gently cools. Sooo good!
Styling Routine
Step 4: Squish to Condish Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
While my hair is still soaking wet, I add my leave-in conditioner. It’s pretty luxurious and adds to that fresh from the spa feeling. I use a nickel-size amount to cover all of my hair. The squish to condish technique helps me begin to get rid of the excess water in my hair without creating frizz.
Step 5: Combine the Kevin Murphy Killer Curls & DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel
These products are both great on their own, but they make a killer combo… at least, for my hair. I use about a quarter size of each product and swirl them together in my hands. They blend together like they were made to do just that. The scent from the Kevin Murphy Killer Curls takes over a bit, but I actually love it. I scrunch the product from the ends up keeping it away from my roots. I can use this combo any time of the year, and whether it’s dry or humid out I know my hair is going to be moisturized and frizz-free.
Step 6: Plop with AQUIS Hair Turban Chevron Weave
If wet hair on the back of my neck didn’t bother me so much, I’d probably air dry completely. But, it’s one of those things that drives me crazy. So, I use this towel to plop my hair in and leave it on anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. I let my hair air dry the rest of the way and this takes the longest. Once I know it’s completely dry I give my head a shake side to side (doing my best not to get dizzy”> to break up any crunch from the gel and give it the volume I want.
Refresh
Step 8: Flora & Curl Jasmine Oasis Hydrating Hair Mist
This mist is great for lazy naturals. And, when I say lazy, I really mean it. I keep a travel size bottle of this in my car because sometimes I forget to refresh my curls in the morning. Give my hair a few spritzes and a little tousle and I’m good to go!
Do you have Type 3a? Let me know what your regimen must-haves are, or if you like to keep your regimen as minimal as mine!
To see the rest of the Best of the Best winners of 2019, check out the full list here.
Whether you’re a new natural or natural hair veteran, you’ve probably come across Whitney White’s (also known as @Naptural85“> youtube videos. Since 2009 Whitney has been sharing her natural hair journey with the world to share the importance of natural ingredients, DIY recipes and styling methods to educate and inspire women to live a holistic lifestyle through simple hair care. 10 years and 1 million subscribers later, the naturalista has helped empower women to embrace their natural hair with confidence and pride. No wonder she’s been voted the Best Natural Hair Blogger for this years Best of the Best. Here’s more on her natural hair journey, what’s made the biggest impact on her hair health and what you can expect from her latest hair care brand, Melanin Haircare.
Image: @naptural85
Tell us about your hair journey . . .
I’ve been natural, including the transition, for over ten years now! It’s wild to think how fast that time has flown by. I decided to transition to natural during my last semester of college, back in 2008. I was really busy with my studies and hated the salon process of spending the whole day waiting, and coming home with straight, chemical-scented hair. I would literally just wash it as soon as I got home and wear it in its curly state, as curly as my hair could get while relaxed. So I just decided to stop the madness since I wasn’t enjoying it, and try to go natural!
At first I was using whatever products I already owned for my relaxed hair, as well as a few homemade concoctions. Then once I became more comfortable, I started branching out into buying new products in stores and online that were popular in the natural hair community at the time, to see how they worked on my own hair. At this time I was starting to post about my natural hair journey on Youtube, and began reading material about the FDA and living a natural lifestyle. I became really focused on ingredient labels and living a more natural lifestyle to support good health. I began mixing more of my own hair products to save money and to control what I put on my body, and decided to also share those recipes online!
My hair was thriving and I was having a ball styling it, and sharing my journey online! I became complacent with my routine and wanted a change around 2014. I decided to go to a stylist that was recommended to me, to get my hair colored and shaped. At first I loved my results, but as the style aged, my hair became extremely weak and it became a chore to do my hair. I think it was a mix of my stylist going way too light with my color – too much bleach – and also not setting me up for success at home after the visit. She never told me what to use on my hair now that it was chemically-altered, and I just went home and continued to use my all-natural hair products as if my hair had the same properties. Now that I’ve learned more about hair in general, hair products, and the different processes, I know that as your hair changes, so should your hair products. I really should have been using products that would help support and fill those new weak spots created within my hair shaft from the chemicals, to help strengthen and stabilize my new hair structure. But at the time, I didn’t know that. And my hair just started to fall apart.
I became really depressed about how my new hair looked and couldn’t take it anymore, so I decided to color my hair black to hide that old hair color that I now hated… so I wouldn’t be reminded of it very time I looked in the mirror. I also started to trim the damage off, little by little. I trim my own hair at home, so as it came time for my scraggly ends to be removed, I took that opportunity to cut off large amounts of the color damage. I could see and feel exactly where my healthy hair from the root ended and my color-damage began. It was a long process to remove all the damage, it took about 3 or more years to completely see all the color-damage gone, but once it was gone, I was ecstatic! My hair was definitely super short after all the damage was finally removed, but if you’ve ever experienced color or heat damage, you know that the desire to have happy healthy hair again outweighs any sadness regarding lack of length. Having unhealthy hair really helps you to evaluate what it most important in your hair journey, and hair health is definitely it!
So fast forward to 2019, my hair is now the healthiest it has ever been! I am so blessed to have gone through the experiences of damaged hair because it helped me learn more about the hair structure, why my hair was behaving in certain ways, as well as methods to help improve and strengthen my hair. I am currently dealing with some internal issues that required me to take medication that, of course, affected my hair again *sigh* but that’s why they call it a “hair journey” not a “hair destination,” it doesn’t end! There’s always going to be triumphs and setbacks because that is life. Your hair is one of the least important organs on your body, as far as functionality is concerned, and it requires a lot of nutrients in order to grow to it’s peak. That means that if you are going through any situation when your health is compromised in any way, expect your hair to be affected. The body will immediately redirect nutrients away from the least important organ – your hair – to support the other more important organs needed to survive. And that is why you can always expect to continue having to learn about your hair, because it is always changing – fluctuating back and forth with the health of your body.
Image: @naptural85
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Yes! Pre-pooing and weekly deep conditioning were game changers for me! I pre-poo with aloe vera and vitamin E, and that is like a powerhouse SNACK for my hair and scalp. It helps to heal any scalp issues and rejuvenate my hair follicles to help repair damage and allow new hair to grow in healthy and strong. Deep conditioning has really helped my hair retain more moisture. It’s a clear difference between my photos from before 2014 and the photos of my hair now, in 2019. My hair just looks shinier and more moisturized overall.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice is to give it some time. It’s easy to dislike something that is new. Why? Because the learning curve it takes to master your natural hair might give you the impression that natural hair is too hard, or that your hair texture is not ideal. But that’s not the case. It takes time to master anything in life, your natural hair is no different. Once you figure out the best methods to styling and caring for your own natural hair texture, you will begin to feel more comfortable and move more towards loving your texture. I have been natural for ten years and I still have more to learn. Like I said before, your hair is ever-evolving, you cannot have a one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to caring for your hair. You have to take the time, the months, the years – however long it takes, to figure out what your hair needs in order to thrive. If you are someone who loves playing in hair, this is going to be a fun time for you. If you’re someone who hates playing in hair, you’re going to have some challenges here, but there are plenty of patient, skilled natural hair stylists who can help walk you through the process. Utilize their expertise if you think you can’t go the journey alone. It’s always helpful to have mentors along the way who can make your process easier.
What are your top curly girl tips?
My top tips for curly, coily, kinky girls and guys is to try to be diligent in maintaining a moisture balance for your hair. If that means moisturizing two times per week, instead of one, do that. Take the time to baby your hair and give it what it needs in order to thrive and to get the most out of your texture. I’ve found that my moisturized hair behaves much better than when I let it dry out and weaken. So even if it adds an extra thirty minutes to your styling routine during the week, over time you’ll notice your hair will become more elastic, healthier and stronger, making your overall hair care and styling routine easier and more enjoyable in the long-run.
Share your career journey. What led you to create a career in hair care?
I really fell into this organically. I’ve always loved talking about hair with my family and friends, and when I went natural in 2008, I found myself completely alone in my real world. I came across the small natural hair community on the web, and loved sharing my knowledge and new experiences online, with those who were new to this too. It became my hobby and a way to destress after work as a freelance and contract graphic designer. I decided to start monetizing my videos in 2010, under the recommendation of a fellow vlogger-friend, and I am so happy that I did, because as life became unpredictable career-wise, Youtube was always something I had to fall back on. I’m really lucky to have fallen into this. I obviously didn’t know what would become of my then, awkward hobby of posting my haircare trials online, but that’s really the beauty of following your heart in certain circumstances.
Image: @photosbyrome
You’ve been working on Melanin Haircare for 6 years. What are some obstacles you’ve overcome as an entrepreneur and businesswoman?
As an entrepreneur, I’ve definitely learned to be more scrappy and not give in. I think a lot of people think that because I’m a youtuber, this process was probably easy or handed to me. It was not. In fact, being on social media lent me no advantages in this circumstance of starting completely from the bottom-up. Melanin Haircare is a completely self-funded venture, and so funding this project alone was a huge obstacle we had to overcome. Trying to secure loans with organizations that don’t understand what you do, or how you make money was a huge roadblock we had to overcome. So it was an uphill battle every step of the way.
What are the key ingredients found in Melanin Haircare?
At Melanin Haircare, we work with all-natural and safe-synthetic ingredients which all work equally together to create a balanced, healthy and effective hair product. We use simple, yet luxurious natural butters such as kokum, cocoa, cupuacu, shea, and mango butter, along with vitamin E, aloe vera, and essential extracts of sage and geranium. We’re obsessed with rich avocado, jojoba and sweet almond oils to soften and penetrate the hair shaft, providing it with the necessary nutrients needed to maintain strong, healthy, thriving hair.
One thing that I personally learned after coloring my hair is how wonderful synthetic ingredients can be. I probably could have avoided a lot of heartache if I had known to support my hair using the correct hair products needed to repair and strengthen my damaged hair shaft. But through that process I learned so much about the safe-synthetics on the market, and I definitely wanted my hair product line to be enhanced with them so that our customers could have the best of both worlds as well. So we made a point of including safe synthetics, such as the fatty, conditioning stearyl, cetearyl and cetyl alcohols, along with stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, which is a little hard to pronounce but is an amazing hair conditioning, detangling and smoothing agent derived from vegetable oils. I used to be someone who was afraid of synthetic ingredients, but I’ve learned through my years that all synthetic ingredients are not created equally. It took me a long time to learn that, but having gone through all my trials, I feel that I now have a beneficial and healthy balance between my desire for natural ingredients and naturally-derived synthetics, which I definitely wanted represented in my own hair product line.
Image: @melaninhaircare
How is Melanin Haircare different from other natural hair care lines and products?
Melanin Haircare is an extension of me and my commitment to the natural hair community. The products we sell come directly from my own personal homemade hair product recipes that I’ve shared over the years, and that have been proven to support my natural hair health, growth, and length retention. We provide rich, high-quality ingredients that you would expect from an exclusive, expensive boutique, at affordable, drugstore prices.
What legacy do you strive to leave?
I just want to leave this world having helped in some way. When I graduated high school, I wrote in my scrapbook that I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but as long as I was happy and was helping others, than I would have been successful. So I’ve followed my heart and it turns out that helping women and men find their confidence through their hair is what makes me happy! I would love to leave my mark on the natural hair world as someone who helped to make a difference, because this community means so much to me. I didn’t grow up with many significant cultural traditions. My mother has obscure American slavery roots and my father is second-generation from Jamaican immigrants, but he wasn’t taught all of the customs, seeing that he was the youngest boy out of five children. So it has always been a struggle for me to find my roots and where I belong as an American black woman. My confidence wasn’t always there. My love of natural hair became my biggest root connecting me back to my culture, and I think that it is one of the reasons why it is so important to me today.
I also want my kids to remember me with pride, and to be able to master the lessons that I’ve struggled to learn over the years. My parents gave me so much knowledge to get me to where I am now, and it is my responsibility to take the next steps and build upon that knowledge to pass down to my children so that they can then do the same for theirs.
What can we expect from Melanin Haircare in the future?
You can definitely expect more product launches, so look out for that soon!
Thanks Whitney for sharing your journey of natural hair and entrepreneurship with us. You’re an inspiration to us all! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you, we know it will be nothing short of amazing.
You can stay connected with Whitney on Instagram, plus she will be speaking at the ultimate celebration of black beauty in NY at Beauty Carnival April 27-28th. Grab your tickets, you don’t want to miss out!
Hi y’all! It’s Fran and I’m the Senior Graphic Designer at NaturallyCurly. I have fine, high-porosity 3b curls. I like to keep things simple in most aspects of my life and that same mantra applies definitely with my hair. I find something that works and I stick with that, but don’t get me wrong I love trying new products… but I love products that I know – without a doubt work – for me and my hair. Here are my holy grails from this years Best of the Best, that never let me down.
Image: Brio Photography
Wash & Condition
Step 1: Cleanse with DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence.
I’m a DevaCurl loyalist, their products never fail me! Because I have high porosity hair, I use the DevaCurl Decadence line. It provides that extra moisture, strength, and nourishment my hair needs. I use cleansing conditioners most wash days, but on the days I chose to shampoo (about once a week”> I use Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse and follow with DevaCurl One Condition Decadence.
Style
Step 2: Apply Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask.
This leave-in creates the perfect balance that’s moisturizing, but not heavy on my curls.
Image: Brio Photography
Step 3: Apply TwistedSista Amazing Dream Curls Cream Gel.
This cream gel gives me perfect definition without the crunch. I’ll take a small drop of that and distribute through my fingers and apply evenly using a combined prayer hands + raking method then gently scrunch.
Step 4: Air dry!
I’m one of the few that can go to sleep with her hair wet and wake up to perfectly dry and defined curls. So on the nights that I do wash my hair, I place a towel on my pillow and plop my hair on top of that while I sleep. Thankfully I’m a pretty contained sleeper so I’m always aware of making sure that I’m not sleeping “on” my hair so that I can get the best results.
Refresh
Step 5: Water + Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask.
I’m pretty simple with this. Water and a little bit of a leave-in will always get the job done for a day 2 or 3 refresher.
Image: Brio Photography
How do you style your 3b curls? Let me know your holy grails in the comments below.
This month, Naturally Curly and The Curl Talk Project are partnering to explore the link between natural hair and the notions of identity, femininity, diversity, race and representation.
Six ladies will share their experiences, from France to the UK these women reveal what it means to be a curly-haired woman in a society where beauty standards are otherwise. Discover their stories below.
Image: @chel.bythe.sea
You love surfing and practice regularly, tell us how curls are perceived in the surf world?
I don’t think people actually have a perception of curls simply because there aren’t many women with textured hair in the surf industry. It is just not on their radar. The images that dominate mainstream surf media continue to be women with straight, blonde long hair. I think sometimes people think I can’t surf because I don’t fit that stereotype. There is a strong lack of representation in the surf world, of curls, but also of women of colour in general. When I am in the water I still hear questions such as: “Does your hair get wet?”
What was it like growing up with curly hair?
I am mixed-race, black and Asian and grew up in a predominantly white area where people were incredibly curious about what my hair was doing! I would change my hair often which generated a lot of comments and looks which made me feel uncomfortable. Growing up, getting in the water was something that wasn’t really encouraged, mainly because of the impact it would have on my hair. I ended up internalizing these ideas, but I am glad this didn’t stop me from eventually discovering surfing. I always wanted to surf, but I had this fear of the ocean and was often thinking about what it would mean for my hair.
Do you feel there is a connection between femininity and how you feel about your hair?
For sure. However growing up in a place where you don’t see people with natural hair portrayed as beautiful is what led me and many other girls to think that we weren’t good enough! This is why the natural hair movement is so important, as it showcases diversity and beauty in all its forms!
Image: @chel.bythe.sea
Why is natural hair so strongly linked to identity?
Hair has always been part of our culture as black women. Like many parts of black culture, we took something perceived as negative by society and created beautiful and versatile styles. It represents hours in the beauty shop forming community and for me a bond I share with my mother in the kitchen as she did my hair. Learning to care for my hair is something my mother passed down to me and that I will pass down to my daughters.
What has your experience been like wearing your natural hair to work?
People are very curious about it. I’ve been mistaken for co-workers I don’t look like at all sometimes, simply because of the hair type we have.I would say that in general people accept my hair but I am aware that I will most of the time hear comments about the way it looks, whether I want it or not. I am learning to get used to it.
What has been the most challenging moments of your hair journey?
Finding a hairdresser who was able to understand my hair texture, my curl pattern and not chastise me for surfing everyday. Living in a small coastal beach town makes it hard because there aren’t many stylist that truly understand textured hair. Finding someone who listened to my needs and wasn’t a two hour drive away was very important. I can’t count the number of bad haircuts I’ve had!
Image: @chel.bythe.sea
What advice would you give to women struggling to embrace their curls?
Have patience and try not to compare yourself to other women you see on the internet. Your journey is different from anyone else’s. You will create your own routine and your hair will thank you for that.
What does your natural hair represent?
Freedom, peace of mind, and self-acceptance.
What are your holy grails?
Surfing has really forced me to simplify my hair routine I also found a hairstylist @kiafaystyles that helped me do that and recommends great products. Traveling with a board bag and one backpack limits what you can bring on a trip and I wanted to fuss less over my hair and have more time in the ocean!
In the shower I use Wash Day Wonder by DevaCurl to get those salty tangles out. Deep Sea Repair by DevaCurl, it’s really a mask but since I have daily exposure to salt water which tends to be dehydrating this helps keep my hair moisturized. If I wash my hair I use AG Balance Shampoo and lastly I use a leave in to style and my ultimate holy grail Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic.
Read more stories of The Curl Talk Project here.
This month, Naturally Curly and The Curl Talk Project are partnering to explore the link between natural hair and the notions of identity, femininity, diversity, race and representation.
Six ladies will share their experiences, from France to the UK these women reveal what it means to be a curly-haired woman in a society where beauty standards are otherwise. Discover their stories below.
Image:@_iamlenn
You are from the US, but lived in Puerto Rico for a while, tell us how curls are perceived over there?
In the US my hair is perceived as untamed, unprofessional, and unpresentable, especially within the black community. As soon as I arrived in Puerto Rico I noticed a massive difference: they loved my hair! I received so many compliments from men and women alike and witnessed so much enthusiasm and positive curiosity from them.
It’s very odd for me to see that back home by hair is seen like a rare commodity that doesn’t match people’s expectations, something people are still confused about and not really appreciative of.
What was it like growing up with curly hair?
My hair was always styled in braids. There was this idea that my hair always needed to be done to prevent it from looking unkept.
As a child I can’t remember any moments when I heard positive comments about my texture. It’s never been defined as good hair.
In the meantime I would actually hear positive comments addressed to girls with the long loose curls.
I simply internalized all these negative ideas and struggled to appreciate my hair for what it is.
Image:@_iamlenn
Do you feel there is a connection between femininity and how you feel about your hair?
Definitely! Sometimes it can be difficult to feel feminine with your natural hair especially because some men only like this long, sleek, exotic look.
It was frustrating to know that even after dressing up and putting some makeup on I would look at my hair and think that I wasn’t beautiful because of it.
Why is natural hair so strongly linked to identity?
It took me a long time to realize that, but our natural hair is who we are. This is how we are meant to be. There is nothing wrong with straightening your hair or wearing weaves or sew ins, but we all need to make sure to know ourselves naturally first, before starting any alteration process. Our hair is us, it’s our cultural heritage.
What has your experience been like wearing your natural hair to work?
I work in public relations and speak on behalf of an agency, in front of a camera most of the time, and some people believe that I shouldn’t represent it with my natural hair.
It’s not fair! If a straight haired woman goes to work with a sleek ponytail it will be perceived positively. However, the sleek ponytail I will do won’t be, simply because the texture of my hair isn’t seen as a professional option.
Image:@_iamlenn
What has been the most challenging moments of your hair journey?
Me wearing my hair out for the first time! I was so nervous and paranoid about what people thought about it.
What advice would you give to women struggling to embrace their curls?
Focus on the health of your hair instead of its length and stop comparing yourself to others. Remind yourself that this is you, you should accept it and nurture it. It’s not easy but it’s a beautiful journey to undertake.
What does your natural hair represent?
My growth, my confidence, my strength and the love that I have for myself as a black woman in America.
What are your holy grails?
“Shampoo- The Mane Choice Do It Fro The Culture Volume Powerful Shampoo
Conditioner- Etae Carmelux Silk Protein Conditioner
Deep conditioner- Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint
Gel- Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Curl Sculpting Custard
Edge control- Curls Control paste
Read more stories of The Curl Talk Project here
Image:@hif3licia
If you’ve been a part of the curly community for some time now, it’s likely you’ve come across one of our favorite curly girls, Felicia Dickerson aka @hif3licia. She is a ray of light that shares a wealth of knowledge on how to care for curly hair, top styling tips for definition and volume and the best methods for creating a healthy hair regimen. Keep reading as she shares more about her hair journey in our exclusive series, Texture Tales.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
When I was in elementary school my mom had no idea what to do with my hair because her hair is more thin and wavy so she kept it in a ponytail with one long HEAVY braid. I used to get headaches and my classmates didn’t like getting smacked in line!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I was lucky to have an older sister with a very similar hair texture to inspire me to embrace my curls. My sisters passion for curls was contagious and made me realize my curls were a blessing not a burden.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment for me was being invited to the Devachan salon for a Devacut and to have a meet and greet to meet some of the curlies I’ve been able to help through my content. Before she passed away my sister discovered Devacurl and the Devacut and we made plans to go to a Devachan salon one day. We never made it together, so to not only be able to go, but to have an event was really a dream and I could feel my sisters happiness.
Image:@hif3licia
How do you maintain your color? Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
To maintain my color I deep condition regularly, avoid heat, avoid drying ingredients, and I use Olaplex! I also love incorporating DIY recipes into my routine! I have a really helpful video on my YouTube.
Top tips for volume?
My best tips for volume are to rinse with your head flipped over, avoid applying products close to your roots, use light-weight products, scrunch your products in, flip your head from side to side while styling and drying, and pick your roots!
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My routine tends to switch due to the weather, what look I’m going for, or how my hair is feeling, but some of my current faves are Innersense Organics I Create Volume Lotion & their Quiet Calm Curl Control, Bounce Curl Gel after using DevaCurl’s Super stretch, and I’m loving the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk line!
Image:@hif3licia
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t be so critical of yourself. Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to others. Take pics of the process so you can look back and see how far you’ve come. If you’ve been trying something and it’s not working for you don’t be afraid to experiment with ways to make a routine or product work for you!
How did switching your diet play a role in your natural hair journey?
I feel like switching my diet has helped with the overall health of my hair and has helped play a role in my fast growth!
How do you practice self-care?
I make sure to take time for myself. I make sure to look back at accomplishments I’ve made to keep me positive and I love using essential oils to relax and meditate.
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
Image:@samanthapollack
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I had a good experience with my hair growing up. I was born in Suriname and lived with my grandparents. Everyone loved my hair. It was thick, long and was a mixture of brown and gold. Everyone thought it was unique. So I grew up really loving my hair. It was always a challenge for others to braid my hair because of the thickness and length. The only people who could do my hair were my grandmother, mother and sister. When I moved to the Netherlands I begged my mother to relax my hair, because my sister had relaxed hair. At the age of 15 years-old, my mother finally relaxed my hair. I relaxed my hair for two years and continued to straighten my hair with the flat iron. I expierenced heat damage a few times, but at one point I decided to embrace my textured hair.
What made you decide to embrace your silver curly hair?
At the age of 15 years-old, I already had a few silver hairs. I hated my silver when I started to mature. At the age of 22, I got to a point where I didn’t dye my hair for the color, but for the coverage. I colored my hair every two months. If it wasn’t for my curly hair, that helped to camouflage my silver, I would have dyed my hair every two weeks. People asking about my silver hair didn’t help either and made me feel insecure. I felt obliged to tell them that my grandfather (on my mom’s side”> was completely gray at the age of 30 and my grandmother (on my dad’s side”> was an early gray as well. One day I was looking at my mother and she is in her 50’s and was still dying her hair. I pictured myself dying my hair at that age and I immediately decided that my story will be different. I was tired of fighting my silver. So I decided to stop fighting my silver. I refused to follow some rules about what beauty is supposed to look like.
Image:@samanthapollack
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment of my hair journey was my big chop last year (October 2018″>. My way to stop fighting my natural silver hair. I embraced my hair and my natural self immediatly. I never felt freedom like the moment I cut my hair in front of 3000+ followers on Instagram live.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My regimen repeats on a weekly basis. Every week I use a shampoo or a co-wash. A cleanser is a must for me! After my scalp is build-up free, I use the LCO method. Depending on the hairstyle, I use water, leave-in conditioner and oil. My favorite Wash and go products are Curls Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk, Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly and KeraCare Essential oils. I might replace the leave-in for a butter/gel if I do a twistout or finger coils. For butters I go with As I am Double Butter cream or my favorite at the moment KeraCare Curl Essence Moisturizing Curling Cream – it’s amazing for my finger coils! At night I put my hair in a satin bonnet. The next day, I use a hair pick to fluff. My hairstyle normally stays for 5-7 days. In the morning, depending on the frizz, I twist or coil the ends with a little bit of product. On wash day; every other week I use a shampoo. On the weeks I don’t use a shampoo, I use a Co-wash (I rotate each week”>. My favorite Co-wash is the Eden Bodyworks Natural Cleansing CoWash. I try to deep condition every other week— I swear I try.
Image:@samanthapollack
Finger coiling is one of your favorite styling techniques, what’s your top tip for perfecting finger coils?
Patience and also the right products. Patience is important because you can have the tendency to stop halfway. Your arms become tired and you want to give up. Second tip; Find the right products for your hair. My ultimate favorite combination for finger coils is Cantu Coconut Curling Cream, Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel and an oil to seal.
What does your natural hair represent?
What natural hair represents to me the most is identity. My natural hair is me, a part of my identity. If you don’t accept my hair, you don’t accept me.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural silver hair?
I know the struggle. Following a rule about what beauty should look like. I know the feeling of not being the beauty ‘norm’. But freedom feels so good! Not worrying about the next hair dye. Just being yourself and embrace all of you! My advice is don’t rush it. You will know when your ready, but don’t be afraid to be yourself. Accept yourself, love yourself, sometimes with babysteps.
Image:@thetennillelife_
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image:@thetennillelife_
How do you protect your curls at night?
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Image:@thetennillelife_
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
Image:@wavyengle
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?
Who is your curl crush?
Image:@wavyengle
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image:@wavyengle
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image:@goodgravyitswavy
How do you protect your curls at night?
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image:@curlicue_lu
How do you protect your curls at night?
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
Image:@jaynellenicole
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
How do you protect your curls at night?
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
How do you protect your curls at night?
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
My mum and Aunt both had very curly hair which I always loved. Mine had been curly as a small child and my mum used to finger coil it into ringlets, but as it grew the weight of it seemed to pull the curls out and I was left with lots of frizzy long waves. It was neither curly nor straight. Once I hit my teens I had it cut to below my shoulders with layers and started blowing it out with a round brush (desperately trying to re-create ‘The Rachel’”> hairstyles, but it was always frizzy. Straighteners helped for a while, but I didn’t ever suit straight hair although that became the most fashionable look, and as every curly girl knows, any hint of moisture in the air and the painstakingly straightened locks would turn to a mass of frizz.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly wavy hair?
One day when I was about 17 I randomly decided to see what would happen if I scrunched in some mousse and diffused my hair and I was shocked to find I had some curls and proper waves! I started adding some barrel curls with a curling iron to the top layers and I received so many compliments on my ‘curly’ hair that it became my preferred style. From then on I only straightened occasionally.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
It wasn’t until I was in a bit of curl funk after having my second baby that I decided to do a bit of online research into curly hair. I literally had no idea there was so much information out there about curls and I discovered the Curly Girl Method and was very intrigued by the idea of co-washing. But there is so much conflicting information on the internet about The CG method and approved products etc that I inadvertently spent almost a year co-washing and styling with silicone-laden products. I had still seen some progress in my curls but once I joined the Facebook Group ‘Curly Girls! (Conditioner-Washing Group for Women”>’ I realized I had made a false start. Thanks to the goldmine of knowledge and information and all the stunning curl inspo in that group I started the method for real in December ‘16.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I swear by my Puff Cuff or Invisibobble to pineapple my curls right at my hairline, fondly referred to as a Unicorn Pineapple. Then I use a buff over for most nights. I also sleep on a silk pillowcase so if I don’t wear my buff or if any curls escape, they are still protected. I love the added bonus of the silk being good for my skin too!
Who is your curl crush?
Oh, I have so many!! But one standout is Kelsey @lovelifecurls. She has the most gorgeous volume and shape to her hair #volumegoals. Also, I must mention Renee @brunettewithbounce for her beautiful ringlets, I’m a sucker for ringlets!!!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
It’s really hard to keep it to just one, but probably my invisibobble because it can be used to protect my curls just by popping them up in a pineapple either for working out or for overnight and then when I take it back down again my curls look exactly how they did when I put them up.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My routine varies but my current favorite co-wash is the pocket-friendly Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Crush Conditioner. It’s an amazingly moisturizing, protein-free little gem of a conditioner! I try to deep condition twice a month and my 2 favorite masks are at either end of the price spectrum, Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Crush Yoghurt Mask is inexpensive, but a great little protein free mask. My other favorite is the Mahogany Naturals Coconut Water Restorative Hair Mask which does have protein and is absolutely stunning in smell, texture, and results. It deeply moisturizes and strengthens without weighing down my fine curls. My favorite styling products at the moment are Aussie Instant Freeze Gel and CurlSmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm, both are absolutely brilliant products! I can use the Balm, which is a curl cream, without any hard hold gel or mousse over it, which is amazing to me! Finally, Olew Original which is my favorite oil blend to SOTC (scrunch out the crunch”>.
Image:@marisascurls
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think being a CG beginner was extremely challenging. All the sciencey sounding ingredient names and the lists of good ones and bad ones are really overwhelming, to begin with, and it felt like I would never understand them or be able to know if a product was CG friendly without comparing every ingredient to a list. It takes time and effort, but learning to read ingredients is probably the most important thing you can do for your hair, and you’ll be amazed how quickly you learn what all the ingredient names mean.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Squish to Condish really has made a huge difference, taking the time to really work that conditioner and water into my hair and achieve that seaweed feel. I do find though that Squish to Condish can actually give me frizz because of all of the scrunching. But I realized that if I run a very wide tooth comb through my hair after I finish STC and then gently shake my head, it smooths away all the frizz and awesome clumps appear as if by magic.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Loving yourself in your natural state, whether that be your natural curls, makeup-free face or something else is one of the most liberating experiences. The transition period while your hair recovers and gets used to being looked after, can be just awful. But it is 100% worth it. Try and have bucket loads of patience, be consistent with your products rather than chopping and changing every week and try out some curly updo’s to get you through the transition period. Then be prepared for glorious waves and curls.
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up with textured hair was so exhausting and discouraging. I had to get a perm routinely every 3 months or so and never really got a chance to wear my natural hair free of any chemicals since like….middle school (I believe”>. Exhausting because of the routine perm, having to heal scabs after the perm, keeping my hair as “healthy” looking as possible, and endlessly searching for a way to prevent the everlasting breakage I experienced for years. Discouraging because my hair never grew past a certain length no matter what I did. I started to believe that “black hair” just didn’t grow.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair?
Watching natural hair YouTubers is what helped me to embrace my natural hair. Back in 2010, there weren’t many to look up to but the few who were out there helped me to keep fighting. I haven’t desired a perm since and now that I am a natural hair influencer myself my supporters help me to embrace it even more.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think sharing my hair journey with my social media and YouTube channel is very empowering. I can’t say that I have had one moment, in particular, that was the most empowering, but I can definitely say that when another woman who looks like me expresses how much she appreciates what I am doing as an influencer I am so very encouraged.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I don’t really have a regimen per se. As a creative, I am always doing different things to my hair, but I think my night routine is the one consistent regimen that I have. It’s not only my night routine but something that I do when my hair is dry or when I feel that I can use some moisture.
How do you protect your curls at night?
To protect my curls at night I add water, a leave-in conditioner, moisturizer, and oil into my spray bottle, spray my hair (not too wet, but not too dry either”> and go to bed with a bonnet or silk head wrap.
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Haitian Castor Oil and Elasta QP Mango Butter Leave-In and Moisturizer.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
SHRINKAGE has got to be the most challenging AND annoying aspect of being natural, at least for me. My type 4 curls will shrivel up at the slightest hint of humidity and living in a humid state such as Florida makes the journey even more exhausting. I have refrained from straightening my hair for over 4 years because it would be an absolute waste. The minute I step outside my straight hair would revert right back to kinks and curls.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Deep conditioning and consistent moisturizing have impacted the health of my hair so much! When hair is dry and brittle it is prone to breakable, split ends and discourages growth. When I began to understand that I took deep conditioning and moisturizing more seriously and have honestly seen the fruit of my labor.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Although we, black and natural haired women, do not fit society’s standard of beauty, please be assured that their failure to realize the diverse beauty of hair does not and should not affect the way that you view your hair. Love yourself and if anyone cannot accept and embrace you at your most natural state then maybe they don’t deserve you, sis. Their loss.
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
Image:2liv4curls
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Looking back, I never realized I had curly hair. I’d wash, blow dry and heat-style curls into my hair or try with all my might to blow dry it straight as it was just so unruly and unpredictable. When the ceramic “ghd” straighteners came out, my prayers were answered. Finally, I could fix the frizz. I straightened my hair religiously for 20 years!
More recently, on lazy days I would leave my hair wet add some type of texture spray and let it air dry. This would leave me with some stringy, loose waves but even then I would get compliments on how nice it looked. I would always shrug it off and think nothing of it. On one occasion, after I spent hours styling it, a work colleague asked me why I went to so much effort when I had naturally curly hair anyway. I responded saying this looks better!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?
It started as an experiment after a mishap. I left a ton of conditioner in my hair to protect it from the chlorine-filled swimming pool but didn’t end up not going swimming and it ended up air drying and when it did and my waves looked amazing. I was really confused as to what had happened and how it could look so good with so much product in it and after some internet research came across the Curly Girl Method and since then, I have been hooked on getting the best I can from my natural hair rather than trying to force it to do something else.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Embracing my natural texture has given me the healthiest, most gorgeous curls I’ve ever had. I spent so much time and effort trying to create “fake” curls that didn’t even look half as good as my natural ones and I never got half the compliments that I get now. I also love learning from other curly girls on social media. The curly community is such a supportive group who are all wanting to help everyone get their best hair! There’s no egos or nastiness — just love, support, and knowledge. I love how the curly movement is changing society’s mind that curly hair is untidy and should be hidden away. I inherited my curls from my nan who has hidden her natural curls for most of her life and I’d love for her to know that she is a natural beauty and doesn’t need to hide those beautiful, white curls anymore!
How do you protect your curls at night?
I have a satin scarf tied around my pillow and I also wear my hair up in a pineapple secured with an invisibobble. On days when I need a little extra protection, I will also slip on a Guff but I’m a bit too vain to do it every night! It doesn’t always stay on either so sometimes it’s more hassle than it’s worth. I do have a silk pillowcase and sleep cap on my wish list though!
Who is your curl crush?
All from Instagram top 10 in no particular order
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My Denman brush! When I first started CG my hair always looked tangled and frizzy no matter how much smoothing and detangling I did with my hands. When I discovered the Denman brush to distribute the product, encourage clumping, and smooth out the curls, I was skeptical first go, but loved my results and have been using it and raving about it ever since.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Currently, I’m enjoying testing out products and techniques, but if I need a good curl day I’ll do the following budget routine:
When products are applied to each section I use my Denman brush. I start at the ends and smooth through the section then add a twist of the brush to encourage even more curl. I do this all over and when finished I then do lots of scrunching. I start with my hands then use the microfiber towel to remove moisture Before finishing with diffusing and root clipping. When 100% dry I SOTC with Argan oil and fluff the roots.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I’ve been really lucky and not really faced any challenges so far. I have a wonderfully supportive hairdresser who has been keen to learn about CG method and try it on her own wavy hair. I was worried about bleaching my hair for the first time since transitioning but with plenty of DC, support from social media groups and a hairdresser who listened to everything and it went really well.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
The Curly Girl Method, in general, has been a revelation and learning about the protein needs and tolerance of my hair. Using a Denman brush and not using silicone that coats and weighs down the hair has really helped the natural texture thrive.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Be patient, CG isn’t a quick fix. Don’t compare yourself to others – we are our own worst critics – whether you’re 2a, 4c or everything in between you and your hair is beautiful. Keep a journal to document your hair journey, take pictures and make notes about what you used and your results at least every washday. So you can see patterns and learn what is or isn’t working for your hair. Talk to other curlies – we are all individuals but there is so much information and knowledge out there, and everyone is so willing to help. There’s no such thing as a stupid question!
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
