Search Results: NaturallyCurly

How would you best describe your hair?

What is your hair type?

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?

How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?

How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?

What is your current hair regimen?

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?

Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

Fact: the scalp is the foundation of great hair.

If your scalp is unhealthy, your hair will most likely show signs as well, which is why your scalp should be treated with care! There are many reasons why scalps can become irritated. Here are five tips to calm scalp irritation.

Find the root cause

Sometimes your scalp may feel like it has become irritated out of nowhere, but there is always a root cause. Have you recently started using a new shampoo or styling product? Have you been spending more time in the sun without a hat? Have you made changes in your diet? Are you drinking less water than usual? Have you changed how often you wash and condition your hair?

There are a ton of factors that play into scalp health, and your scalp will let you know when something just isn’t right. You just need to pay attention and evaluate your recent habits. Of course, there will be times when scalp irritation is linked to an underlying medical condition such as psoriasis. If you are having severe irritation that occurs frequently without having made any major lifestyle changes, you should consult your doctor to rule out any health issues.

Do DIY treatments

When your scalp is irritated and sore, give it some quick relief by grabbing these simple ingredients from the kitchen and applying them straight to the scalp: olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Olive oil has healing hydration properties that will restore moisture and balance to the scalp in a gentle, soothing way. If your scalp is packing a one-two punch of being both irritated and itchy, apple cider vinegar helps calm down inflammation and dull the itch with its antibacterial properties. The best part is that these two solutions are so simple to use.

Rub 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil into scalp and rinse off after 10 minutes. For apple cider vinegar, simply make a mixture that is one part water and one part vinegar. Apply to scalp for ten minutes and rinse out, and never apply vinegar to a scalp with open cuts or blisters as this recipe would be too harsh. 

Massage the scalp regularly

The health of your scalp is based on a few factors, including the proper circulation of blood. Giving yourself a scalp massage is a great way to make sure this essential function stays healthy. It is also super relaxing and can help with balance by helping to distribute the natural scalp oils more evenly. You should do a weekly scalp massage to get the most benefit. Using natural oil bases such as olive oil or coconut oil, massage the scalp in circular motions for ten minutes. Make sure you do not use your fingernails to scratch the skin as this will only make it more irritated. Apply gentle pressure with your fingertips to massage the scalp, then rinse hair out. Repeat this every week for a healthier scalp.

Try Chocolate Kinks & Kurlz Lemon Rose Hair & Scalp Renewal Oil

Keep it clean

Sometimes your scalp will become dry and irritated because of buildup, so it is important to keep your scalp clean to keep it healthy with a clarifying shampoo. Regular washes are great at removing dirt and excess oil, but it is harder to take off the buildup of styling products, especially silicone buildup, that can make a scalp unhealthy. With a good clarifying shampoo, you get a thorough clean that will help restore balance to the scalp. You want to make sure you aren’t clarifying too often though or you run the risk of stripping the scalp of necessary natural oils. A good rule of thumb is to use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks, more or less depending on your buildup.

Try Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Moisturize

The scalp is just like the skin on the rest of our body in that it needs proper attention. You wouldn’t go a week without applying lotion to the rest of your skin, right? Your scalp needs the same moisture as the rest of your skin, so don’t forget to properly moisturize your scalp after every wash, and especially after clarifying with a shampoo. Make sure you choose options that are rich in natural emollients known to moisturize the scalp such as coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, and other vitamin-rich bases.

Try Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Pomade-To-Oil Treatment

Taking care of your curls means taking care of your scalp. Calm irritation fast with these great tips!

This article was originally published in 2017 and was updated in 2018 to reflect new product recommendations.

How would you best describe your hair?

What is your hair type?

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?

How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?

How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?

What is your current hair regimen?

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?

Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

Summer curls and waves can be a challenge – there’s heat, humidity, chlorine, sea water, more heat and more drastic temperature changes… Hair can take a summer beating, at times.

But, having curls and waves also come with benefits – like not having to wash them all too often. If you miss a day, it’s ok, your curls and waves can, literally, bounce back, without a lot of work. And for tough summer days, not washing, or conditioning only, can be a great benefit.

For those who prefer to shampoo and condition on a daily basis, as well as for those who don’t, this simple revitalizing process can be used for any type of curl or wave. It’s especially good for going from work to a dinner party or special event after a long day.

It’s also a wonderful process for styling curls before you go to bed, without having to wash them again.

The Revitalizing Process: Gel & H2O

That’s all you need to revitalize your natural curls or waves. It’s best to have a spray bottle for your water, one that mists or covers larger areas on your head. Select a gel that is kind to your curls. It doesn’t have to be costly, there are some good drug-store buys that are easy to find and won’t hurt your wallet. A few favorite gels for curlies and waves are: La Looks Gels, Biotera Gel (Biotera Glaze is great for finer hair or waves”>, Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, La Bella Sports Gel, Ecostyler gels. There are reviews of all of the products for your hair-type as well. You can find more gel recommendations here: Top 20 Curl-Friendly Gels.

Directions

1.  Start by sectioning your hair into smaller sections (depending on your length you may have up to 4 or 5 sections”>.
2. Clip each section and apply water with your water spray bottle to the first section, enough to dampen it.
3. Then, use a quarter to half-dollar size of gel on your section, applying it evenly throughout the section.
4. Sometimes it’s easiest to coat your hands with the gel for each section. Be sure not to rub your scalp or pull on any parts of your hair as you apply. Gently repeat on each section of hair then blot each section with a damp towel.

In addition, you may want to finger-curl some sections as you work the gel through.

How to Finger-Curl

Simply take a part of the section of hair you’ve worked the gel and water into and twist it around one or two fingers, depending on how wide you want the curl to form.

This process is perfect for the evening or the morning, just allow amply drying time. It’s best to allow revitalized curls and waves to air-dry.

Sleep On It

Use a satin or silk pillow case to sleep on, or wrap your hair in a silk scarf at bed time. If you have limited time, use a diffuser and gently allow the curls to dry.

Photo courtesy of @Flaviaesantiago

Styling It

Going from work to a dinner party? The above process may take a bit more time than you have to get from your office to an evening party. Therefore, you can try a simpler and quicker process by having your water on hand and a small bottle of gel. It’s always a great idea to keep some gel at work, or in your bag. Instead of creating sections, mist your hair lightly with some water. If you don’t have a water bottle handy simply use your hands. It’s not necessary to make your hair too wet.

Coat your hands with the gel and work it into your hair. Going from ends to roots may “plump” up your curls and waves a bit more and help style your hair at the same time.

Apply more gel as needed until you have finished. Use your hands to twist and coax any curls or waves back into place.

If you are headed to a special evening out be sure to have a few glitzy hairpins with you too. Add them to your revitalized curls and waves for a more elegant or “party-going” look.

MORE: Top 20 Curl-Friendly Gels

### How would you best describe your hair? Naturally Coily ### What is your hair type? 4a Not sure what your hair type is? [Take our quiz!](https://www.beautycon.com/quiz”> ### What was it like for you growing up with textured hair? Growing up, my hair confused me. I remember seeing girls in the bathroom of my elementary school sprinkling water on their heads to calm their post-recess frizz, to make their hair look straight again. At home, in secret, I tried to copy them. I stood in front of the mirror and raked wet hands through the baby hairs that escaped the braids my mother re-did each morning. I found myself with curls and coils springing up in every direction, and it just didn’t make sense. I was only 5 then, but the frustration lasted for 10 more years. By middle school, I outgrew my braided pigtails and went straight. Thankfully, my mother never let me chemically relax my hair, as many times as I asked her to. But I did manage to get her to help me blow dry and flat-iron after every single wash day. ### What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair? After four years of heat styling, I could no longer deny how fried, dry, and damaged my hair had gotten. So when school let out after my freshman year of high school, I promised myself I’d stay natural all summer to combat the damage before returning to my beloved hot tools. It was incredibly uncomfortable at first; I felt like I was taking up way much more space than used to. But by accident, I started developing a little crush on my curls. My original intention had never been to go natural, but each week I got a little happier with the coils in the mirror. I was bashful about my excitement– and then I realized how silly that was. I wouldn’t have been born with curly hair if I wasn’t supposed to have curly hair, so I gave myself permission to be in love with it. ### How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them? Honestly, most of my friends and family were more excited about my texture than I was. It felt strange accepting compliments that I didn’t truly believe yet. I also had to answer a lot of questions about curly hair that I didn’t feel qualified enough to answer yet, but I had to pretend I felt sure of myself in order to respond to everyone. Eventually, all that faking taught me how to speak more kindly to myself and develop a healthier self-image. ### How did you transition to wearing your natural texture? Since I never used any chemicals on my hair, I didn’t have to big chop to go natural. I stopped using heat tools, started trimming my ends super often to get rid of the damage, and added a ton of moisture to my routine. Over time, I grew out the damage and got back to my natural texture. Now, after 4 years natural, I have healthy mix of 3c, 4a, and 4b curls and coils. ### What is your current hair regimen? I wash my hair about every 10 days. I always use a cleansing conditioner, and I shampoo every other wash to avoid drying out my hair. I use a ton of leave-in conditioner plus a bit of styling cream and/or gel, and since I usually wash my hair at night I gravitate towards braid outs, sleeping in the damp braids and then letting my hair air dry in the morning. I always play an empowering album, podcast, or audiobook over a speaker throughout my entire wash day process. After a childhood of covering up my coils, I do everything I can to associate hair with love! ### Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks? Even after going natural, I still straightened my hair 2-3 times a year whenever I needed a trim. But I just got my hair cut by a stylist who specializes in curly hair for the very first time, and it’s completely changed how healthy and happy my coils look. Shout out to[ April](https://www.instagram.com/_thehalfrican/”> at [Honeycomb Hair Boutique](https://www.instagram.com/Honeycombatx/”> in Austin! ### Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey? Transitioning is awkward. I felt like I didn’t have enough time to get used to my own face before all of the comments started rolling in. But you don’t have to explain what you were born with! Forgive yourself for looking bold; or rather; revel in it. Allow yourself to take up space. I know that that’s hard. It took a couple of years to fully understand that I had become a walking statement. My hair does not let me hide. But would I want to anyway?

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

### How would you best describe your hair? Naturally Coily ### What is your hair type? 4c ### What was it like for you growing up with textured hair? Growing up, I was always told “girl, your hair is too thick” and for the all of my childhood I considered that a bad thing. In my mind, if hair salons charged extra and nobody ever wanted to deal with my hair, it must mean its a problem. I had length, but it was never neat because for the most part I was the one who dealt with my thick head of hair. I received my first “Just For Kids” texturizer at eight-years-old because my mom thought it was just easier to manage that way. By high school I was relaxing my hair every 6 weeks. I remember wanting to embrace my natural hair during my senior year of high school and quickly reverting back to relaxers after being discouraged by family and friends and the fear of the unknown that I saw within my new growth. ### What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair? Funny, but true story. I was in college and came home for my usual 6 week relaxer. I went to my then favorite Dominican owned hair salon and sat in the chair. The hair technician greeted me and started the usual process, but this time my hair was just not having it. I literally jumped out the chair when she applied the first comb through to my roots of the relaxer. It was so embarrassing. I looked like a child but I had her wash it out immediately and I never looked back. ### How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them? My mom was so very nervous about natural hair for me as a professional in corporate America. (I won’t lie, I was too.”> Thankfully, I have a good mentor that ensured me that how I choose to wear my hair, so long as it’s neatly kept, shouldn’t ever be an issue in my workplace. My coworkers had the typical questions like “how do you get it like that?” and “how long does that take?” but those subsided pretty quickly. Shockingly, it was friends, acquaintances, and even strangers that gave me the most confidence about my natural hair from the very beginning. It was the random compliments on the streets of NYC that did it for me. It’s like they saw my afro’s potential way before I even did. ### How did you transition to wearing your natural texture? After my horrific relaxer experience, I wore my hair in Bantu knots (twisting almost every night”> as a transitioning hairstyle. Then, when I was tired of that, I wore braids and weaves for about a year before I got tired of the messy tangles and just cut it all off. Big chop. Just me and my favorite pair of scissors. ### What is your current hair regimen? Currently, I mainly do twist outs; they’re fast, easy, and I can bet on the results. I also do wash and gos but mainly in the summer months because I need less drying time. ### Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks? Yes! I’ve found that using moisturizers and oils before application of gel, whether this be for wash and gos or updos, make for so much more control over the updos and far less crunchy curls for wash and gos. Also, always deep condition; no matter what and if you can do so with oils, conditioners, and honey. ### Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey? Just do it! Don’t be afraid of what people will think or say. You never know, they may just surprise you and feed you nothing but positivity and compliments. Plus, it will get easier as your hair begins to grow. Have faith in your journey and take tons of pictures along the way. I have a whole album that I look back and am amazed at my own growth.

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

PHYTO SPECIFIC recently debuted their Curl Legend collection to a salon full of some of our favorite curly girls in New York City. Coral, also known as @curlswithcoral on Instagram, was in attendance to cover the event and share what she thinks of the line with all of the guests. Here’s what she had to say about Curls & Cocktails.

Curltalk, amazing products and a glass of wine is how we were all greeted for “Curls and Cocktails”. This event was presented by NaturallyCurly this past Thursday at the Mark Garrison Salon in New York City. Myself, Cristina Cleveland of NaturallyCurly, and over 30 of my favorite influencers attended to celebrate PHYTO SPECIFIC’s own Curl Legend line. This PHYTO SPECIFIC Curl Legend line is 98% botanical and completely geared towards natural, curly hair!

There are 4 products in this line:

1. Cleansing Care Cream: Can be used as a co-wash and is perfect for summertime, when you want to clean your hair after being in the sun all day but don’t want to apply any harsh shampoo. This product really does an amazing job at cleansing the scalp and not making it feel stripped from any natural oils. Finally, there’s a nozzle tip for an easy application (100 extra points for PHYTO!”>.
2. Curl Energizing Spray: This is not your regular clear spray that sort of “holds” everything in place with a hard cast. This spray comes out with a really creamy consistency that works just like the perfect leave in. It’s super lightweight and you can also use it for days 2 and 3 to refresh your curls and keep them looking flawless.
3. Gel-Creme: The perfect amount of hold to keep your curls soft and defined. You will have a slight cast after it’s dried but once you scrunch it out you will be left with really soft and bouncy curls. One of the main ingredients PHYTO uses for this product is Quinoa, which can be super moisturizing for curly hair.
4. Baobab oil: A blend of oils made with baobab, shea, castor, roucou, and karanja oils. It can be used for your hair and body, so guess who’s gonna be glowing this summer! You can also use this oil as a pre-shampoo treatment or a leave-in treatment after your hair has dried. This blend also smells absolutely amazing!

We all received goodie bags filled with all of these amazing products. Even though I have been using the products for some time, just talking about all the product benefits had me super excited for my next wash and go. Also, these products are mainly plant derived, so you know what you’re applying to your hair is nature’s best! Throughout the salon there were a few stations: a cocktail area, product display and discussion area, a scalp analysis station, and a dry styling station. In the scalp analysis area, a camera would be placed on your head to see the amount of buildup you have. Based on your analysis you would get suggestions on how to remove it and make your scalp healthier. In the dry styling sessions, the stylists created some really beautiful hairstyles, anything from braids to up’dos using the products from the PHYTO SPECIFIC Curl Legend line. ###### Before ###### After I absolutely enjoyed this event. I really loved seeing curls from all types. From Type 2’s to 4’s and everything in between. Being in the same room with all these gorgeous women really makes me feel lucky to be part of this beautiful community. Thank you so much to both PHYTO SPECIFIC and the NaturallyCurly team for this amazing opportunity, to come together for such a special occasion. Everyone had the best time and went home happy with a bag filled up with goodies! Can’t wait for the next time :”> *This post is sponsored by PHYTO SPECIFIC.*

### How would you best describe your hair? Naturally Curly ### What is your hair type? 3a Not sure what your hair type is? [Take our quiz!](https://www.beautycon.com/quiz”> ### What was it like for you growing up with textured hair? Growing up with curly hair felt like a curse. My siblings had straight hair and since my parents didn’t know about caring for curly hair, they would brush my hair out leaving me with frizzy short hair. It was so dry that up until middle school, boys followed me on my walk home yelling out hurtful names like, “afro puff, Cotton candy, and curly headed F@%!”. The hair shaming didn’t end there, from ex boyfriends wanting me to wear my hair other girls (straight haired women”>, and employers telling me my curls were unprofessional and distracting, I eventually committed to flat irons until my late 20’s. ### What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair? I flat ironed my hair from middle school to just about 2 years ago. While running late to work one day, I didn’t have time to flat iron my hair and I wore my hair in a pony tale displaying my frazzled damaged hair with a hint of curl. My team mate was in awe with my hair and insisted I stop flat ironing. She described healthy beautiful curls that I could have, and explained the relief of wearing your hair in a way that only I could wear it. I thought she was crazy because my curls have never been beautiful. I thought my curls were frizzy, distracting , unattractive, and could never be beautiful. I agreed to try allowing my hair to return to its natural state. I had no idea that the transition would require so much patience, self acceptance, and release of old emotional baggage. ### How has your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them? When I stopped straightening my hair, my friends and family thought I was having a mental break down. My hair wasn’t sleek and shiny and I no longer spent hours trying to keep every hair in place. In the beginning of my curl journey, I struggled with the opinions about how I let my appearance go and couldn’t believe that the world thought I was depressed because I threw out the flat irons and hot tools. Over time my skin thickened and how I felt about myself began to originate from how I felt about myself, not from how others made me feel about myself. The confidence boost bled into many other areas of my life. I felt silly thinking that my hair started my self improvement movement, but shortly after changing my hair, I dropped my unfulfilling job, dropped many toxic people, and began embracing myself holistically. ### How did you transition to wearing your natural texture? I had no clue what to do at first. So I did what many people do and pulled up Pinterest. I tried DIY hair masks made from eggs, mayo, oils, butters, ACV, but nothing helped. After a while I knew I needed to chop off a bunch of my hair. I cried a little during the big chop process, remembering the names bullies harassed me with made me question why the hell am I doing this. The final cut from a Deva Curl Specialist came out beautiful. We didn’t take off as much as needed the first time, but the stylist spent 3 hours talking and teaching me about washing, styling, and sleeping in my curls. There was so much I never even thought about. I was educated on products and ingredients to stay away from, it was a lot to digest at first. ### What is your current hair regimen? Currently I use the [Deva Curl Decadence No Poo](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/devacurl-no-poo-original-12-oz/”> and [Conditioner](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/devacurl-no-poo-original-12-oz/”>, along with the [Super cream](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/devacurl-supercream-coconut-curl-styler-5-1-oz/”> and [Ultra gel](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/devacurl-ultra-defining-gel-12-oz/”>. Once a week I apply castor oil to my scalp (which has really helped my psoriasis”> and coconut oil to the ends, and wash out the oil with [Tropic Isle Living Red Pimento Oil Shampoo](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/tropic-isle-living-imported-jamaican-strong-roots-shampoo-with-red-pimento-8-oz/”>. After I finish, I use the SheaMoisture leave in, I’m heading over to try the new Deva Curl Decadence leave in. I sleep with a satin pillow case with my hair in a loose pineapple. I live in Phoenix, everything is dry here, so a leave in conditioner is important. ### Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks? My biggest struggles are styling and caring for my hair and keeping my hands off of it. With years of flat ironing, I grew use to running combs, brushes, and my fingers through my hair all the time. If I leave my curls alone when they air dry and through out the day then I don’t unravel the curls so much. Also I found it very important to stop comparing my curls with other people. Our patterns are different, out textures are different, and I allowed myself early on to become discouraged by comparing my curls to other women. Big no-no, their beauty does not mean there is an absence of my own. ### Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey? Have patience and compassion for yourself. I am very hard on myself (as I am sure we all are”> and it is easy for me to zone in on the destination and hate the journey, but that is where the education is. When we go through the trial and errors of products, styles, methods, and salons for our hair, this is when we learn what works for us.

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

### How would you best describe your hair? Naturally Coily ### What is your hair type? 4c Not sure what your hair type is? [Take our quiz!](https://www.beautycon.com/quiz”> ### What was it like for you growing up with textured hair? At times a nightmare lol. From getting my hair pressed monthly and the fear of that hot comb either burning my scalp or edges…OMG! But those were the good old days straightening out the kinks. My mother embraced every strand of my hair until I started managing my own hair from middle school into high school. Perms and colors that I did on my own damaged my hair pretty bad. ### What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair? My cousin….growing up I always had beautiful hair, but took advantage by perming it because of certain styles I wasn’t able to do if my hair was kinky. So I remember when my cousin did her big chop and how she walked around with her twa to a big fro with confidence. That is what inspired me to go natural. And I mean her fro and walk was flawless. Now look at me loving my natural hair journey. ### How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them? So, funny story. One of my coworkers, Hispanic, said to me one day….after getting my hair straightened to get my ends clipped, “Shatera….no way…is that your hair, I didn’t know black people could have good hair like that?” Now I could have went off, but instead I chose not too. It was my job to educate her on how “Black Women” or of any ethnic can have bomb hair. So I took that moment to teach her and she was thankful. Everyone else….please….they was like about time lol. ### How did you transition to wearing your natural texture? Big Chop 9/15/12 and would NEVER go back to relaxing my hair. Queen Pulchritude (which is what I call my hair”> does not like to be covered up or tamed. ### What is your current hair regimen? No heat just two strand twists….updos from a Permrod set or braids with my natural hair. ### Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks? If I want a defined twistout wih the cutest curl tip I am now able to execute that look. For a defined twistout is to be done on wet hair and unraveled once opposite direction of how you twist it. For a curly tip…..after finishing my two strand I would then spray my end with water and add Black Jamaican Castor Oil. And BOOM! ### Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey? Embrace your journey….love every moment of it. BE YOUR OWN HAIR CRUSH! Everyone can’t have the same strand of hair, so the moment you start to love her….she will return the love with some FLAWLESS hairstyles. In fact, give your hair a name, build a rapport, become bff’s and don’t give up.

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

### How would you best describe your hair? Naturally Curly ### What is your hair type? Not sure. (Btw, Sylvina is a 3c”> Not sure what your hair type is? [Take our quiz!](https://www.beautycon.com/quiz”> ### What was it like for you growing up with textured hair? Difficult! I didn’t know anyone with hair like mine, as my hair has like 3 different textures. I tried to hide it it as a teen, so I constantly straightened out my hair. Even for my job interview, I straightened out my hair because I knew they wouldn’t hire me if they saw my naturally huge hair. My boss later confessed she wouldn’t have hired me if she would have known my hair was naturally curly. ### What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair? It happened after a breakup. My ex-boyfriend always said he liked my hair straight better. When we broke up, I knew I needed to break bondages, including the “straight hair bondage.” So I decided to just try it out and go natural. It’s been 5 years now! ### How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them? They were quite surprised, but very supportive. Everyone but me loved my natural hair. So their sweet comments help me to embrace who I was during my journey. ### How did you transition to wearing your natural texture? I just let my hair do whatever it needed to do. But I found myself braiding my bangs constantly because they were so straight. ### What is your current hair regimen? I do not shampoo my hair whatsoever. I use an ultra moisturizing cleansing conditioner from Devacurl once a week, and then I use the associated conditioner, but I do not rinse it out. Next, I use the Devacurl coconut cream, followed by the Arcangel gel. Finally, I let it air-dry completely. ### Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks? Massaging my roots really helps. Also, I curl random strands of hair when it’s still wet to add definition. Every now and then I braid my hair when it’s wet and release them in the morning when my hair is dry. Also, I never use heat! I only ever air dry my hair. ### Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey? Patience and time will heal your hair. Avoid heat as much as possible. Be sure to find a curly hair certified stylist to help you find the right products for your hair! And make sure they never cut your hair when it’s wet! Only get your hair cut when it’s dry!

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

How would you best describe your hair?

Naturally Wavy

What is your hair type?

2c

Editor’s note: If you’re not sure what your hair type is, you can take our quiz!

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

I had curls as a toddler, but I lost them when I was about four. Then, they started coming back right as puberty hit, and I had no idea what to do with them. I had a bad haircut when I was eleven that left me with a poof ball that brought much teasing: “Hey Laura, would you consider your hair a bush or a tree?”

Then flat irons came on the scene and were EVERYWHERE. I became a popular target for friends with straighteners. I couldn’t straighten my hair at home because it took forever, so I mostly pulled my hair back. I was even told that guys would never want to date me because guys liked straight hair best. The 2000s stunk for this curly girl. Did I mention that I even got my hair chemically relaxed? I don’t recommend it. At all. Ever.

What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?

I always wanted to embrace my waves, but no one seemed to know how to help and there were hardly any products that helped. The only solution anyone had was straightening my hair, and that’s not what I wanted. A hairdresser named Scott Childress was who helped me embrace my waves. My mom started going to him and raved about him. I was skeptical, but I saw him whenever I was home from college. He was a super sweet, friendly guy and he was not at all intimidated by curls. He had curly hair himself. He also did dry cuts.

How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?

Pretty much everyone loves my curls. I finally felt more comfortable in my skin, knowing that my hair wasn’t this not-curly-not-straight frizz puff. The first time my hairdresser cut away most of the damage (after many months of trimming it away”> and I saw CURLS, I was simply shocked. I didn’t know my hair could ever look liked that! When I went back to college after that break, my friends were in disbelief too! In a good way :”>

How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?

I got the damage trimmed regularly–it was a slow process, but well worth it. While I started embracing my curls around 2007, I didn’t really get into the Curly Girl Method until 2016.

What is your current hair regimen?

I wash my hair every 2-3 days and try to deep condition every week. After washing my hair, I apply styling products to soaking wet hair. I have scalp psoriasis and to treat it, I use a sulfate-free dandruff shampoo after applying a thin conditioner to my ends. The conditioner on my ends prevents the dandruff shampoo from drying my hair out.

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?

There’s a lot!

–

The LCEG method (Leave-in, Cream, Curl Enhancer, Gel”> is a must for my waves.

–

Using a t-shirt instead of a terrycloth towel.

–

Applying styling products to super wet hair.

Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?

–

Condition condition condition! Seriously, conditioner (preferably silicone-free”> is your best friend. –

Start out with a sulfate-free shampoo, silicone-free conditioner, and a good hard-hold gel to get your feet wet in the Curly Girl Method.

–

Get a diffuser

–

DITCH THE FLAT IRON

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

Image: @ownbyfemme

Like most of us, your phone is probably with you at all times. There is no denying we love our phones in this digital day and age. Part of the reason we love our phones so much is that there are so many great apps that make life a little easier in one way or another. Did you know there are lots of natural hair apps you could be using? Whether you’re looking for product reviews, natural stylists or inspiration for your next style, we got you covered! Here are the top 5 natural hair apps you should know about and download asap.

1.TressNoire

The days of sitting at a salon for 5+ hours are over. This app delivers willing-to-travel hairstylist at your doorstep without you having to leave the convenience of your own home. TresseNoire stylists have over 40 years experience in the industry, with specialties including natural hair, precision cuts, children’s hair and custom healthy hair care regimens.

2.Myavana

Founded by a team of hair care professionals, this app lets you discover styles, products, regimens, and stylists to meet your hair goals. This app is basically like a having a team of stylists at your fingertips to help you find the right look or product for your curls without the hassle of trying products that don’t work.

3. Hair Journal

Did you just big chop? This is the perfect app to track your growth and goals. You can do everything from upload pictures with tags of what products you used to check out the latest YouTube tutorials from your favorite naturalistas. It’s great for bookmarking your best hair days to strategizing your worst to make it a memorable one.

4. Hair Decoded

This app is all about finding the latest styles for all textures and hair types. You can save styles, follow other naturals to see their latest style creations, and even track your own hair care routine to stay on track.

5.Bantu Knot

Are you on the hunt for a stylist that specializes in kinky and coily hair? Look no further this app specializes in braids, twists, locs and so much more. Browse photos, check ratings and get inspired for your next style.

How do you find hair inspo or natural hair stylists in your area? Let us know in the comments below.

Image: istock

If you are considering starting your natural hair journey, you may have some questions about the costs compared to relaxed hair. While there is no denying that both routes will cost some money overall for care, just like anything else in life, there is a debate that going natural can save you money in the long run. So, what is the truth of the matter? Does going natural save money? Let’s take a closer look at the matter.

Relaxers

Obviously, going natural will save you a ton of money in this area. The average cost for relaxers or chemical treatments is between $30 and $60, depending on where you go for the treatment. You end up paying anywhere from $180 to $360 a year since you need to repeat the process every eight weeks to keep the effects. When you go natural, this cost is automatically eliminated from your budget, so you’re already winning.

Hairstylist

Finding a stylist that is an expert at cutting, coloring and styling curly hair will be your biggest expense, but once you find them hold on tight. When you go natural, your relationship with your stylist is going to change, as will the frequency of the trips to the salon. While you were going every eight weeks for relaxer treatments, your need for the hairstylist will be greatly reduced since all you will mostly need are trims, protective styles or special occasion hairstyles. Alos, some naturals choose to trim their hair at home on their own and only see their stylist for bigger changes as needed which saves even more money in the long run.

Color

Though, you can color your hair at home, it’s recommended to find a hairstylist in your are that can color and care for curly hair. The matter of color is also an area where you could save some money as a natural. Many naturals are pretty picky about coloring their natural hair, especially early on in the transitioning period, since coloring hair can leave it fragile and vulnerable to further damage. If you are going natural, you will probably save some money in the beginning on hair dye as you take on a more natural approach.

Products

This is the one area where the debate continues to go unsettled one way or the other. On the one hand, you will always need to buy shampoos, conditioner, and stylers, but when you go natural, you need to pay closer attention to the quality of the products you use. You will want to opt for natural products with quality ingredients for the best results. Remember, you don’t have to purchase every new product that hits the shelves, try samples first before you splurge. A lot of naturals are shocked at how much moisture their natural curls need which can get costly, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are plenty of affordable natural hair products and as any new natural quickly learns, there are plenty of natural ingredients in your kitchen such as coconut oil, olive oil, and peppermint oil. Utilize your resources such as Youtube, blogs and tutorials to learn how to cocktail the perfect combo of natural ingredients which are readily available without going broke.

What are your tips or advice to saving while being natural?

How would you best describe your hair?

Naturally Curly

What is your hair type?

3b

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

I was a curly girl growing up in a straight-haired world. I always wanted a ponytail that swished. The boys in my middle school class called me Bozo. I was ashamed of my curly hair and did everything possible to try to straighten it.

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?

When I moved to Texas, the humidity made it impossible to straighten my hair any longer and I decided it was time to make peace with my curls. Best decision I ever made!

How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?

People LOVED it! Almost universally, they wondered why I hadn’t worn it curly before. At my high school reunion, people told me I looked like Andie McDowell.

How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?

I started off by blowing out my bangs and letting the back go curly. Then I wore the front back with a headband. Finally, I just let it all go curly.

What is your current hair regimen?

Shampoo, conditioner, Apply styling product (usually a styling cream”> when it’s soaking wet and scrunch with a microfiber towel. Then diffuse.

Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?

Applying styling product when it was soaking wet and diffusing were game changers for me.

Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?

Find a good stylist who has experience working with curls. Experiment with a lot of styling products in all kinds of combinations. Don’t be afraid to go up to people with curls you like and ask them where they get their hair cut and what products/techniques they use. And of course, check out NaturallyCurly on a daily basis for the latest tips and products!

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

Tell us about your natural hair journey

Chemical hair straighteners were a way of life from my childhood to the age of 19.It wasn’t until I was 20 when I first cut my hair (or ‘big chopped'”> that I realized that shaving my head was something that I wanted to do. So, I rocked a shaved head for about a decade, with the last couple of years teetering between my natural hair and skin. About three years ago, I wanted to see what my hair looked like if I were to stop shaving it. Much to my surprise, there was a world of curl growth, enviably density, and springy coils that I never knew were there. As I continue on my natural hair journey, I am fascinated by its dynamism and seeming perpetuity, consistently offering up new challenges and revelations.

What was your transitioning hair regimen?

SHAVE IT OFF – Ha! Serious notes, only? Okay, well, I did not have one. A hair regimen that aided my transition from shaved head to natural hair/Afro queen dreams consisted of Sauve shampoo and conditioner, with the occasional Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil applied to my scalp and ends. That was it, because I didn’t know what I was doing. Fortunately, I found Napturally85, CurlyNikki, and NaturallyCurly and was able to understand that wrapping my hair with a satin scarf at night would prevent my ends from breaking, that I had fine-to-medium curls, and that my curl pattern needed particular types of maintenance.

Brio Photography

What does your hair say about you?

Being the wearer of 4C, tightly coiled, hair is empowering for me; I would like to believe that it shows. Would I be as confident, as bold, as outspoken without it? Maybe. But having it makes me feel emboldened to stand tall because of what the Afro and dense coils and “nappy” hair means on the world stage. It is an invocation of strength, resilience, and beauty; I am hopeful that my hair, no matter how I choose to wear it, communicates that.

What hairstyle makes you feel most confident?

Since getting box braids for the very first time this year, I have been having a full-on love affair with them. My favorite thing to do with them is the hair flip and headbang when listening to music – rock on! When they’re not in, my go-to “I’m gonna look so cute”-hairstyle is Bantu Knots because they protect my ends, are neat looking and make me feel connected to my African heritage.

CJK Photo

What has been the most memorable moment of your hair journey?

Since my journey is not over, the most poignant moment is getting braids for the first time. A whole world of possibilities has opened up regarding styles that I never, ever thought I would be able to try. In fact, I’ve been eyeballing a few wigs to rock in between box braids and my ‘fro and Bantu Knots. The experience was revelatory for me, and I’m just getting started!

What has been your biggest hair challenge growing up?

Uggggh – length!!! What I did not understand when I was growing up was that my chemically straightened hair would NEVER grow long because it was chemically fried on a regular basis. My hair didn’t stand a chance. However, when I began growing my natural hair out, I realized that it would do just that: grow OUT, not down. When this became clear, coupled with the fact that shrinkage is a magical function of Type 4 curls, the desire for length left my mind. It hasn’t worried me ever again.

What is your current hair regimen?

Being able to product test on a regular basis gives me the opportunity to switch up my hair regimen during any given wash day session. Although this is a reality for me, I tend to do the same three things every time I need to regiment my wash days:

1. Apply oil to my scalp before shampooing/cleansing.

2. Clarify my scalp and curls.

3. Apply more oil to my scalp and seal my hair strands with a light leave-in conditioner.

The steps in between can vary, but for the most part, I never skip these three pivotal steps in my routine, including those times I have protective styles.

Read More About Gerilyn’s Favorite Products:

The Detangler and Shampoo Combo that Saved My Heat Damaged Hair

My Deep Treatment Routine for Coily Hair, Protective Styles

What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.

Image: @naptural85

When spring rolls around, it is a time of new beginnings. With these new beginnings all around, your curls need a sparkling new style for the season. Since flowers are a popular sign of the times, here are a few floral styles for spring to give your hair a fresh start.

1. Sleek Floral Bun

Consider this sleek bun style that’s attractively accented with a flower, a not so basic bun. It’s perfect for any curl type and if you want to add more length or volume you can add extensions to your bun. Best of all, it is super easy to do in a matter of minutes. It offers a look that is perfect for a spring picnic with the family or date night.

2. Hair Flower

When looking for a unique and pretty Spring look, consider this floral style that will garner lots of compliments. Since the flower is created by using your hair, it is sure to get attention. This is great for when you want a touch of spring without using any accessories.

3. French Twist With Flowers

When you want something relatively easy to pull off that adds pops of brightly colored flowers, this is the look for you. Suited for long or short hair, this style is great for a fun, playful look that’s perfect for springtime festivities.

4. Flower Headband Styles

Of course, one of the most popular floral styles for spring is the flower headband. This is a popular look for everything from music festivals to weddings for the bride with a bohemian side. Of course, knowing how to wear it with your natural hair can take some practice.

5. Make Your Own Flower Headband

Following on our last video, this one shows you artistic curlies how to make your own floral headband with just a few pretty pieces from a craft store. This look is so fun and versatile — she also shows several styles to achieve with incorporating the flower crown. 

Will you be accessorizing your waves, curls or coils with florals this season? Let us know in the comments below.

Image: @trinitialysse via @hennasooq

If you are unfamiliar with the use of henna for natural hair color, you might have a few questions. While the use of henna is nothing new, it has become more popular over the years. Let’s take a closer look at this topic to help you decide if it’s worth the hype. 

What does henna do to hair?

Henna is used for a few reasons. It is used primarily as a natural dyeing agent to achieve red tones. It can also be used to darken hair without chemicals. In addition to being used to color hair, henna is used as a mask to leave hair softer, smoother, and stronger than before.

Can henna color hair?

There are few things to keep in mind when using henna to color hair. While the use of henna as a natural hair dye is better than using one rife with chemicals, it can really only give you a red shade. If you want to lighten hair, it won’t work for that effect. In fact, the more henna you use, the darker the shade of red will become — even to where the red becomes more of an undertone. But it won’t lighten your strands at all. It is also worth noting that many users report that henna shades can be a bit inconsistent depending on the light. For example, your hair may look to be a burgundy shade in one type of lighting and more of a copper red under other lighting.

Can henna soften hair?

Henna can be used to soften or smooth hair, but you should keep in mind that henna only provides a temporary effect. Henna doesn’t penetrate the shaft or add any moisture. It does bridge gaps in the hair shaft to make it appear smoother, which also helps strands to pick up more light which gives it more sheen.

It should also be noted that not only is henna not moisturizing by way of its natural properties, in fact it can actually be quite drying for your strands. If you choose to use henna, you need to follow up with your leave-in conditioner to combat any added dryness it might create.

To learn more about using henna to color your hair, check out this article with ingredients and step-by-step directions to do a henna treatment at home. And if you’d like to learn more about another natural hair colorant, read about indigo here.

Have you used henna before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.