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Sunscreen protects skin from premature aging caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. With such unsightly issues as wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots caused by the sun, not to mention the threat of deadly skin cancer, it is no wonder sunscreen is an everyday essential. But what about sun protection for your hair? How does sunscreen help hair, and is it even worth the effort? While there is some debate over this question, there are certainly some strong arguments for using this kind of defense.
Why bother?
Sunscreen hair products that offer protection from the harmful rays of the sun have been a growing trend in the world of hair care. In the curly community, one particularly strong argument is that sunscreen can help your hair maintain your moisture and protect it from heat – two common hair concerns for us.
The sun and your hair color
Another one of the major ways sunscreen helps hairs is that it protects color-treated hair from losing its color. You’ve probably experienced natural lightening of your hair color during the summer months, this is because the sun essentially bleaches unprotected hair. This can be a problem especially for chemically colored hair. While some have argued that hair products with sunscreen formulas are only partially effective because it’s impossible to completely cover each strand enough to prevent all damage, having a little protection is still better than no protection at all.
The sun and your scalp
Another benefit of using sunscreen for hair is the way it protects your scalp. Most people never stop to think about how much sun exposure their scalps get every day. This sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, dry scalp, irritation, and premature hair loss. It is important to protect your scalp from sun damage because it is the bed of healthy hair.
The real issue with sunscreen for hair seems to be providing proper coverage. Make sure you apply enough product to your strands to make them slightly damp and pay attention to the roots as well as the scalp.
Sun damage to hair is often confused with other signs of unhealthy hair. When hair is damaged by the sun, it will show certain signs such as
- faded color
- dryness
- brittleness
- lack of volume
- frizz
Since any exposure to the sun leaves strands vulnerable to moisture loss, you should make sure your uses rich conditioners after exposure to the sun as part of your plan to protect hair.
When shopping for sunscreen products for your hair, check the ingredients for UVA-absorbing ingredients like
- Oxybenzone
- Avobenzone
- Dibenzoyl methanes
Coconut oil can also be used as a natural protectant, find out how here.
Having healthy natural hair is the result of plenty of hard work..
From moisturizing and detangling to special treatments to improve strength, you put a lot of time and energy into those beautiful strands! Do not ignore one of the most important parts by ignoring your edges. Here are a few tips to protect edges that every curly girl should know.
1. Create a bigger part
If you are wearing a protective style, your edges are naturally being tugged on. Even if you do looser protective styles, your edges still take on strain, so make wider parts around the hairline using a wide-tooth comb. That way your edges have less pull to deal with which will allow them to support your braids or extensions with less damage.
2. Limit your frequency
This might seem like a catch-22, but protective styles, while good for the rest of your strands, can be a little rough on your edges. Limit your protective styling when you can to give your edges a chance to hang free without being pulled back. Also, make sure that any protective style isn’t installed too tightly.
Your braids and twists protective styling can be left in for up to 8 weeks. Anything beyond two months will run you the risk of damaging your strands, especially your delicate edges!
3. Choose a gentler protective style
There are a ton of protective styles that are considered gentler on edges than others. For example, consider wearing your natural hair in a simple, sleek bun instead of twists. This will give your strands the benefit of protection.
4. Consider your styling options
A wig is much gentler on the hairline area than extensions. Sew-in weaves that attach to your natural hair will tug on the edges and weaken them over time. With wigs, you get a natural look without the added tension on your edges. When choosing the right wig for your head and style, you still wear a protective style — usually cornrows — but there is less tension on your edges than what they would experience with extensions. Here’s how to protect your real hair underneath a wig:
5. Don’t forget about your hairline!
Before washing, gently massage your hairline with an all-natural oil (coconut, tea tree, or almond oil are great for textured hair”> then apply your cleanser. Follow up with a hair and scalp moisturizer, paying attention to those edges! Another favorite tip is to massage your hairline with natural oils such as coconut oil or tea tree oil to help keep them moisturized and encourage the follicles to create new growth.6. Sleep on satin or silk
Again, you spend time and effort every day to take care of your hair. Don’t neglect it at night! Make sure you either wrap your hair in a satin or silk wrap or sleep on a pillowcase of one of these two materials. Satin and silk are softer than cotton pillowcases and won’t cause friction and tension that will tug on your strands or hairline.
When it comes to caring for your hair, it requires a care routine that addresses your entire scalp and strands. Care for your edges with these helpful tips to keep your hairline beautiful and full!
Top edge tamers
These are safe and made especially for natural hair:
- Lottabody Control Me Edge Gel
- Cantu Shea Butter Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel
- Mielle Organics Flexible Hold Edge Gel
NaturallyCurly world, protect those edges!
Sign up for the NaturallyCurly newsletter for more inspiration.
The DIY trend is nothing new. Women have been whipping up concoctions for their hair and skin since the beginning of time. Just because it is a common thing for most curlies doesn’t mean everyone is familiar with the pros and cons of DIY beauty products. Whether you are new to the DIY trend or you have never really thought about the possible negatives to your usual at-home concoctions, here is a brief list of the pros and cons of DIY beauty products.
The Pros of DIY
You can trust the ingredients
One of the best things about making a DIY beauty product is you know the ingredients are safe and non-toxic. When you purchase a hair or skin care product at the store, you have to study labels to find the ones that meet your standards. Sometimes, even products that claim to be all-natural have added ingredients such as fragrances which can be grating to your skin or other chemical compounds that are not necessarily great for you. With at-home blends, you know the ingredients are natural!
You can customize it
When you make your own beauty products at home, you can create exactly what you want, unlike store bought products. If your hair needs a boost of protein, but without added fragrance or added sulfates, you can whip up something that focuses on the protein element without all the unnecessary frills. Do you prefer a certain essential oil? Are you allergic to a particular type of oil? By taking a DIY approach to self-care, you can make something just right for you.
Natural ingredients are in your kitchen
Have you ever run out of your favorite shampoo, styler, or conditioner at the worst possible moment? Of course, you have! When you don’t have time to run to the store, you can find a ton of options using the ingredients you already have on hand. Thanks to the Internet and the fact that the DIY craze is so popular, you can find a recipe with just about any ingredients you have on hand.
Save money
There is no denying that beauty products can be costly, especially if you are aiming for the quality you rightfully deserve. With at-home treatments, from facials to hair masks, you can save a little bit of money. Why buy something expensive when you can whip up a concoction that gives the same results?
It is fast, fun, and easy
As if all those pros weren’t enough for you, let’s not forget that making a few DIY beauty products here and there is fast, fun, and easy. Most recipes take only a few minutes to create and you don’t need to be a chemist to create the perfect solution for your beauty needs. It is also fun to make something with your hands. You will get a sense of accomplishment, as well as beautiful skin and hair which sounds like a pretty fair return!
The Cons of DIY
Slower results
This is one of the bigger drawbacks to making at-home beauty products. You may see results faster if you use store-bought products than DIY blends. Obviously, it depends on the recipe, ingredients, and what you are trying to treat. For example, if you do a frizz fighter recipe for hair, you will get more instantaneous results than a dry skin recipe. It depends on many factors, but in general, store bought products tend to give faster results than DIY recipes.
Short shelf life
Another thing about at-home beauty products is that they have a shorter shelf life than store bought products. At-home products using natural ingredients are more prone to bacteria and mold. While most recipes will tell you how long a recipe will last safely, it depends on the environment you store it in as well, but it is based on the ingredients. For example, if you make a recipe with perishables such as milk or eggs, you need to use it right away or within a day or two to avoid it spoiling. While this may seem like a con, and for some curlies it is a hassle, the good news is that the reason your at-home beauty products spoil is because they are free of the chemicals found in store bought products! Store-bought beauty products contain preservatives to keep the ingredients from having a short life span.
DIY beauty products can be a great way to treat yourself or used as part of your regular routine. No matter when you use them, they have more pros than cons which is beauty you can feel good about!
1. Wash accordingly
Deciding when to wash your beard or facial hair can be a tricky subject. If you have short facial hair, you may feel comfortable washing it once a day but if it is longer, washing it every day may feel like a chore. There can be some downsides to washing your facial hair everyday as well, like loss of moisture and natural oils being stripped away. This is especially important if you are hoping to keep growing your facial hair out. For best results, a good rule of thumb for most men is to wash it every other day.
2. Trim your beard
A lot of men believe that when gaining their desired growth and length, trimming or grooming facial hair is a no-no. However, this is a total myth. You do need to trim it! Aside from the previously mentioned issues, not keeping up with regular trims will only end up giving you split ends. Make sure to trim your facial hair every few weeks, depending on how much growth you are getting and what your goals are in terms of length.
3. Prune the unruly
Again, along the same lines of trimming, there is nothing wrong with doing some extra hair landscaping. If you have a few unruly hairs that are going against the shape you are looking for, pluck them out using tweezers or trimming scissors. A little selective pruning allows you more control over the shape of your facial hair overall.
4. Avoid picking
When it comes to matters of grooming, many men will eventually face ingrown hairs — these can be painful and unsightly to deal with. While you may want to pluck the hair, let it run its course or you will run the risk of an even worse infection forming. Are you experiencing bad razor burn or ingrown hairs on a regular basis? If so, see your dermatologist to determine if there is a problem at the follicle level or to find ways to prevent it from happening.
5. Don’t forget about your skin!
The worst thing you can do is care for the hair and skip out on the skin. Make sure you’re moisturizing the skin underneath your beard and your chin to avoid any dryness or chafing that can be downright uncomfortable. A few good tips for this area is to avoid any product with harsh chemicals, added fragrance, or artificial dyes. You should also apply sunscreen to avoid sun damage to your skin. Don’t think because there is hair there, that your skin underneath is protected.
When it comes to caring for your facial hair, it can be as easy as you make it. With these tips find your routine and your beard will thank you.
What are your top facial hair questions? Let us know so we can answer them in the next article!
Read I Tried Cantu Shea Butter Men’s Collection, This is What I Thought
Guys! Want more hair tips? Sign up for our Naturally Curly Newsletter for more product reviews!
Aside from being a nice morning pick me up in a cup, coffee is loaded with antioxidants, caffeine, and other mood-boosting properties. While all these elements combine to make coffee the powerhouse it is, the caffeine is where it’s at in terms of skin benefits. Aside from the exfoliation of dead skin cells, the caffeine in the coffee exfoliator can also help with inflammation, skin smoothness, cellulite, eye bags, and overall circulation for younger, healthier skin. Sounds like a winner, right? Before you go grab this morning’s coffee grounds and accidentally irritate your skin, there are a few things you should know about this exfoliating powerhouse.
First, if you are looking for a quick buy for this as opposed to making your own, there are some products on the market that are using coffee in their recipes. A few great examples are Art Naturals Organic Arabica Coffee Scrub, Coffee and Grapefruit Scrub, and others. The thing with buying a coffee based product is that it is formulated to be able to last for a while without taking on mold, fungus, and other bacterial growth which would make it unsafe, so make sure you check the labels for any ingredients or additives you are trying to avoid. If you are looking for a quick DIY approach to this beauty trend, it is really easy and you can rest assured the ingredients are safe and natural.
Coffee ground PSA
You should never take coffee grounds, either fresh ones or used, and directly rub them on your skin, especially your delicate face. They are too abrasive when used directly. The way to get the best results is to follow a recipe calling for coffee combined with other ingredients to soften the abrasiveness.
Here is a good, basic recipe to try out this skincare trend for yourself.
Coffee Exfoliator Recipe
- 3 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee grounds
- 1 tablespoon natural oil such as olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
You should begin by mixing the dry parts of the coffee grounds and sugar before adding the oil. Add your chosen oil. Stir until all ingredients are combined. If it feels too grainy, add more oil to your liking and continue stirring. You can also adjust the brown sugar to make it thicker, but be careful not to add too much that it becomes overly abrasive. Using circular motions, massage the mixture on your face and then rinse with warm water. You should see and feel noticeably smoother and softer skin. You can make this a weekly routine or every week if your skin experiences sensitivity from it.
Coffee for your scalp
Coffee can be used for all sorts of beauty trends. When looking for a way to add this powerhouse to your hair, a scalp treatment is a great idea! Coffee has antioxidants in it that can block a harmful hormone known as DHT. This hormone contributes to baldness and hair thinning. With a coffee hair treatment, you can protect your hair against this pesky problem. The best way to use coffee for this purpose is to focus on the scalp. The scalp is where growth starts so you will be encouraging new growth while combatting hair loss. Coffee also helps with circulation which is key in overall scalp and hair health. It also exfoliates the scalp so if you are dealing with dryness and dandruff, this would be a big help.
The best way to use coffee for your scalp is by adding brewed coffee grounds to your favorite oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Simply add your desired amount of grounds to the oil and massage into scalp using circular motions. Rinse out of hair with warm water.
What’s next?
Try this coffee rinse for extra shine.
Learn more about how coffee can be used to fight excessive shedding.
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Frizz.
If a shiver rippled down your spine at the mention of it, you are not alone.
Although their independent nature is why we love them ever so much, our curls can become overwhelming when we’ve styled them perfectly only to watch them frizz up right before our eyes. Our curls will decide to do their own thing especially where humidity and frizz are concerned.
You don’t have to be held back by frizz thanks to a new line of products from Ouidad called Advanced Climate Control®, featuring Anti-Frizz Nano Technology! This frizz-fighting four-step regimen is the first of its kind and will keep your hair frizz free for days on end. Whether you’re zipping around town on a bike, out on the town with friends, or relaxing poolside, you won’t have to worry about how your curls behave because of these amazing formulations.
How Anti-Frizz Nano Technology works: Curls frizz because their cuticle is naturally lifted, which lets in humidity. Anti-Frizz Nano Technology uses Sericin, a natural protein derived from silk, to cement the curl’s cuticle closed. The technology’s small molecular size allows the silk protein to fill the tiny gaps in the cuticle, creating a seal against humidity.
Are you ready to redefine frizz?
Great! You need to know about 4 sulfate-free, curl nourishing products designed to help us redefine frizz. Each of these powerhouses strengthens your curls with emollients like shea and murumuru butter and reconstructive ceramides that repair jagged hair cuticles, allowing for soft, visibly frizz-free curls.
Redefine what Frizz means to you with your new secret weapons.
The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control® 4-step regimen lets you take control of your curls without frizz slowing you down. By starting your frizz control routine in the shower, you’re creating the perfect foundation for long-lasting anti-frizz benefits. The collection will keep curls defined and frizz-free as you live your active lifestyle.
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Step 1: Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Shampoo – Gently cleanse with sulfate-free Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Shampoo. Create the perfect frizz-free foundation without stripping moisture to enhance curls’ shape and shine.
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Step 2: Step 2: Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Conditioner – Lock in moisture with Advanced Climate Control® Defrizzing Conditioner. Stop frizz before it starts by infusing your curls with an advanced blend of rich emollients.
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Step 3: Advanced Climate Control® Detangling Heat Spray – Shield against damage with Advanced Climate Control® Detangling Heat Spray. With a protective UV filter, it locks in moisture and defends against everyday damage caused by heat, styling, and humidity.
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Step 4: Advanced Climate Control® Heat and Humidity Gel – Lock out humidity with Advanced Climate Control® Heat & Humidity Gel. This weightless gel has a flexible hold that won’t leave hair crunchy, sticky, or weighed down.
The reality is that frizz can be managed with the right regimen of emollients, stylers, and maintenance tools. Say Frizz, Bye! with this new collection. So, curlfriends – let’s shout it from the mountaintops, rivers and valleys low: Let curls be curls!
How will you redefine your concept of frizz?
Share your goals with NaturallyCurly and Ouidad in the comments below!
If you’d like to share how you have conquered frizz with Advanced Climate Control®, post your selfie tagging @Ouidad and #NotTodayFrizz on StyleNook today!
This post is sponsored by Ouidad.
When it comes to prepping your hair for the seasons, we seem to place more emphasis on the harsher seasons of winter and summer. These two extremes aren’t the only times to adjust your regimen. Spring is a much milder time in the hair life of a curly, but it still needs to be addressed. Here are 5 tips to prepare your hair for spring!
1. Evaluate Winter Care
Part of getting ready for spring is to evaluate the overall health of your hair and scalp. During the winter, most curlies are concerned with getting the right moisture for their strands. You should take the time to make sure your strands are properly moisturized and if not, get some moisture ASAP before the heat of summer comes to wreck your hair. Winter is also a time when most curlies choose to wear their hair in protective styles. Spring is a good time to take things out and let those curls breathe!
2. Prepare for Rain/Humidity
You know what they say about April showers bring May flowers? No, those showers bring a bad hair day for curlies. Rain and curls are not really the best of friends because rain can wreck your hair by flattening out curls and leaving them a frizzy mess when they dry. Another factor to be concerned with as a curly in warmer climates is that after the rain, the air will be moist and humid which really brings out the frizzy foe. Since bringing an umbrella doesn’t always work out, make sure you combat this with a step of curly prep like a humidity-fighting product. Seek out anti-humectant products to block moisture’s frizz-inducing properties. A few good ones for this are options like Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel and Alex Anthony Curl System Curl Aid Humidity Fighting Gel, among others.
3. Spring Trim
Much like spring cleaning, spring trims are a great way to start off fresh. If you have been wearing your hair in a protective style all winter, it is nice to let it out and see how much length you really have. Whether looking to trim some dead ends or looking to take off a lot for a fresh start, spring is the perfect time for a trip to the hair salon.
4. Boost the Scalp
The scalp is the foundation for hair health. If your scalp is dry, irritated, inflamed, or loaded with buildup, you need to address that ASAP. With winter being packed with heavy moisturizers, dry air, and protective style galore, spring is the perfect time to evaluate your scalp health and tend to any issues. The best way to boost your scalp health at the beginning of spring is to give your scalp a deep, fortifying clean with a clarifying shampoo like CurlFriends Purify Clarifying Shampoo or Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo. After you have cleansed the scalp of any buildup, it is time to give it the gentle, moisturizing TLC it deserves. Consider the use of a scalp treatment such as ORS HAIRepair Vital Oils for Hair & Scalp or HPO Happy Scalp to really lock in the hydration and refresh your scalp.
5. Bring in the New
Spring is the best time to try something new! It’s a season all about new beginnings so why not include your hair in that fresh start? Spring is a great time to try out a new style or color. Here are a few great suggestions for spring style to help you make a fresh style start. Remember that permanent hair color, especially when lightening your color, can be a damaging process to curls so it’s important to protect your hair before you color.
Spring is just around the corner. Make sure your curls are ready for another season with these tips!
My natural hair journey started in 2009; for me I honestly wanted to stop relaxing my hair so I did. Fast forward to 2014 when we found out we were expecting our second child, a little girl. We were elated and I was overwhelmed by the fact that I would inevitably have hair to comb. If her hair was anything like mine she would have a lot of hair and it would be very thick. My husband and I had several conversations about what we weren’t going to do to our daughter’s hair. At a very young age my mom started manipulating our hair (my sister and I”> from the time I can remember. I look back at pictures and as a baby, possibly one year old, I have rubber bands and things in my hair. We decided that wasn’t something we wanted to do. When I gave birth to my daughter Ariah on August 13, 2014 it was one of the best days of my life. She came into the world with a head full of hair (the heartburn told me that she would”> and she was perfect.
As she got older her straight hair started to curl up. My son’s hair was totally different, he had straight hair until he was 11 months old. Ariah’s hair on the other hand started curling up at two to three months.
I didn’t have to put much into her hair, fast forward to 6 months I noticed her hair was getting thicker and longer. We would go places and people would say “oh my God her hair.” I have been natural since 2009 but I never wanted to wear my hair curly, I would always straighten it. After having Ariah I wanted to wear my hair curly; I wanted us to match. She inspired me to love myself the way that God made me; she was authentically herself. The way I typically style her hair is free flowing and with a bow. Wild and free just like Ariah.
One day my husband picked my daughter up from daycare like he always does. I walked in the door and immediately said what is going on with her hair? Her hair was styled with a very straight part down the middle (had to have been done with a comb, mind you I don’t have styling products for her hair anywhere but our home”> and two fluff balls. Upon further examination it was determined that [her teacher] had placed two black rubber bands in my child’s hair. You know which ones I’m talking about. They were in so tight her edges were being pulled. I immediately took them down but it took around 15-20 minutes because her hair was being tangled in the rubber bands. My thought was complete shock and anger; who does another person’s child’s hair and doesn’t ask for permission?
I immediately become furious; every time I looked at my child and saw the indent of the ponytails I became angry. I kept trying to understand why she would do that. Granted I don’t style Ariah’s hair every day but to me I still felt like it was inappropriate and not her place to make that decision. In the two years since I’ve had Ariah I’ve heard so many questions about what “we’re” doing with her hair or what my plans are for her hair. I don’t know why that’s any of anyone’s business but what I do with my daughter’s hair is my business. I don’t have to answer to anyone. In fact, my husband knows I’m the one that deals with hair and picking out her clothes. I feel like she’s 2 and if I want to have her wear a fro until she’s ten that’s my prerogative. My husband’s family members were the first to ask me what we’re doing to Ariah’s hair, I kept trying to figure out what was wrong with it. I also had someone I knew that asked me “what, you don’t do protective styling on your hair? Well what about Ariah’s?” No. “Well are you planning on letting her wear a fro for the rest of her life?” If I so choose to.
My husband felt the teacher was out of line but also felt like it wasn’t that big a deal. I however, felt like it’s most definitely a big deal. Here are a few reasons why:
- She didn’t ask for permission
- She assumed it was ok to comb/brush her hair
- She put rubber bands in her hair
- She pulled her hair too tight
- She used a comb and brush that did not belong to us which brings about sanitation issues
What my husband, his family and countless others do not get is the story behind everyone’s natural journey. When I became natural it had nothing to do with anyone but my own preference. After having Ariah she made me want to love myself just the way God made me. I cut off half my hair due to heat damage in order for us to embark on this journey together. My hair was to the middle of my back! I take this very seriously. I don’t want Ariah to not love herself or allow other people to dictate how she feels about herself and her hair. My husband did feel that this was something that should be addressed to the teacher herself. I’m not saying she didn’t have good intentions but that will forever be ingrained in my mind. It’s frustrating when you feel a certain way about something and people tell you it’s not that serious; it is to me.
Has this ever happened to anyone else? If so how did you handle it?
Thank you so much to our reader, Joy Tucker, for submitting this story to us!
Want to pitch your story to NaturallyCurly.com? Shoot us your idea here!
Popular natural hair brand Shea Moisture issued an apology Monday following social media backlash over its latest Facebook ad spot. The ad focuses on personal experiences with hair hate, a concept our community is very familiar with, and notably features a mix of textures and races. The ad opens with a light skinned woman with 3c curls sharing her journey to embracing her natural hair, then cuts to a woman with straight blonde hair, “lots of days spent staring in the mirror like, I don’t know what to do with it,” followed by a woman with red hair sharing that she spent years dying her red hair platinum blonde. The omission of tighter textures and dark skinned women, the brand’s core customer and a group which experiences hair hate in uniquely acute ways, caused a social media maelstrom with accusations of whitewashing and threats to boycott the brand reminiscent of Pepsi’s recent fiasco.
Shea Moisture is getting dragged on their FB page for that new commercial. Yikes pic.twitter.com/8wPFVy83wz
— DarkSkintDostoyevsky (@daniecal”> April 24, 2017
To be clear, no one is mad Shea Moisture is opening their product up. Ppl mad b/c they no longer cater to the the audience that made them — Our Portsmouth (@PTownDenizen”> April 24, 2017
Black women out here getting fired for having 4c hair and shea moisture has the audacity….. pic.twitter.com/CsLCq5vtEA — SeaSea (@CeceTMach”> April 24, 2017
Shea Moisture tell me how you’re gonna run a “stop hair hate” ad, but not feature the type of hair that gets the most hate ?According to PR Newswire, Sundial’s VP of Communications Latraviette Smith-Wilson said her team “flagged the complaints at 11 a.m. EST on Monday. Its in-house comms team responded to the situation to ensure Shea Moisture was part of the conversation. It has not been supported by an outside PR agency.” She explained that “We want our community to understand that in no way did we ever intend to make anyone feel disrespected or [minimize their experience]” and went on to say that “As importantly, we want them to know that we fully acknowledge that our execution on this piece was flawed.” The brand issued a full apology Monday afternoon on all of its social media.— Yadii In My Blood (@BlessedZvy”> April 25, 2017
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The controversy continues in the comments section of the apology and the brand is responding directly. Smith-Wilson says “We welcome that level of dialogue, understanding, and engagement, and we’re constantly listening to our consumer community, which means we don’t shy away.”
We spoke on Tuesday with the company’s Founder and CEO Richelieu Dennis, who was inspired by his grandmother Sofi Tucker to co-found Sundial Brands with his college roommate and his mother, about whether the brand was surprised by the reaction to the ad, “if this were reaction were to the overall campaign I would have been surprised, because I think the overall campaign articulates our message of inclusion in which we have dozens of different people talking about their need states. In this particular edit there was no representation of 4c or 4b hair types, it didn’t include the diversity that the others did. That was an error on our part, and that’s what lead to this response that we’re seeing.”
When asked what they will take from this outpouring from the community, Dennis said “The important thing is that we understand how precious our community is to us. What we need to do differently is have more conversation and engagement with our community as we’re building and growing the business so they understand where we’re headed and are not feeling disenfranchised. We built this business with the community, for the community, and we’re going to continue doing that. We’re not going to forget this core community.” He hopes that “twenty five years of work won’t be wiped away by one errant Facebook post, which is not at all reflective of who we are as a company. The support of our community is what has enabled us to support women around the globe. There are fifteen thousand women in West Africa who rely on this brand to live above poverty, we wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. In no way are we trying to say that we are going to shift our focus from serving women of color when that’s what we’ve championed for 25 years.”
NaturallyCurly at first glance, is a space dedicated to women. Nevertheless, it is a space that men with curly hair can learn a great deal from. After all, men have enough space in this world as it is. So, what’s my take here? Well, maybe that’s why it’s taken me so long to write this article.
This is a huge THANK YOU to everyone at NaturallyCurly for doing what you’re doing.I have learned more about my hair from the writers and community at this website than any other. I know I’m not the only guy out there who uses this site on a regular basis. The point of this article is to share a few reminders with guys who are new to the site. Last year I was told that curly hair “makes men look weak” by a potential employer at a job interview. To which I responded: It makes me strong. After all, my 17 month old son, Cullen has the exact same curl type. What kind of example would I be setting for him if I had accepted the employer’s comment? My hair looked particularly awesome that day so I also had extra confidence. That wouldn’t have been possible without NaturallyCurly. Your website has helped me to become a more confident man as well as more skilled at managing my curly hair and my son’s curly hair.
I know that there is a decent sized population of curly haired men out there who, having nowhere else to go, get their tips from NaturallyCurly. I am one of them. So here are 3 tips for the male readers out there on embracing your curly hair and how to use this website as a resource.
1. It’s all hair, man.
Hair is hair. Both women and men have it. All that changes are the textures and styles. Texture was given at birth and style is something we choose within the limits of our texture. Methods used to care for curly hair like LOC or Curly Girl Method apply just as much to men’s hair as it does to women. Use it! Do not think for one minute that the Curly Girl Method makes you girly (unless that’s your thing – which it’s cool if it is”>. It’s an excellent way to take care of your locks and keep them healthy. The same applies to most of the information on this site. You can learn a lot here if you keep an open mind.
2. Don’t be afraid.
Have no fear. Yes, this site is feminine. It was built by some very amazing, forward-thinking women primarily for other women with curly hair. If you have a problem with that, I don’t know what else to tell you other than “Deal with it.” Just because you’re here browsing the articles for usable tips to apply to your hair doesn’t necessarily make you feminine, and if you are an effeminate man, you’re probably not worried what other people think anyways. No one here is going to judge you. You’re learning how to take care of what grows out of your head rather than resort to shearing it off. Alexander the Great had curls, why can’t you? Unless we’re talking about an incredibly ornate princess updo (and if you have that, please rock it!”> you can make anything on this site (styles, protective styles, products, DIY recipes, hair care methods, regimens etc.”> work for you (ie. more masculine…because you want your hair the way it’s supposed to be”>. For instance, when making a DIY product, instead of using lavender scented essential oil, try cedar if you want to. It’s all about perspective.
3. You are learning from the masters of curly hair.
Have you just started growing your business cut, buzz cut, or undercut out to realize that you have curly hair? I started growing my curls about 17 years ago when I was in high school and I can tell you I had no idea what I was doing. It did not look cool and I could not make L.A. Looks work for me no matter how hard I tried. Through trial and error, and after many years of blow drying it straight, I found this site. Not only have I learned how to take better care of my hair, but I’ve learned how to make my own hair products. There is a big possibility that the women who run this site have been managing their curls a lot longer than you have. You are learning from the masters.
Overall, this website has made me a more confident man. I feel incredibly welcome here and really enjoy the wealth of information I’ve been taught through reading NaturallyCurly articles. So, I encourage men to not be put off by the fact that this site has been originally geared towards women. There a ton of helpful articles here, so stop on over and build confidence in building your mane.
Thank you so much to our reader, Ryan Gilbert, for submitting this story to us!
Ryan is an activist and singer/songwriter, English teacher, and former museum curator in Seoul. He is also first and foremost, the curly haired dad of a curly haired son.
Want to pitch your story to NaturallyCurly.com? Shoot us your idea here!
This trailblazer of natural, curly, coily hair broke ground for and ushered in the acceptance, practice and proliferation of natural hair care, natural hair care techniques, natural hair care products and the first and largest natural hair care event in the world.
The Queen of Natural Hair Shares Her Story
Taliah Waajid, America’s natural hair care visionary, has been described as the modern Madam C.J. Walker. Like that great and renowned hair care entrepreneur of the late 1800s and early 1900s, Taliah began her journey simply by addressing a personal need. And in doing so, like Madam Walker, Taliah ended up revolutionizing the hair care industry.
As a girl, all the kids Taliah knew had relaxers but her mother refused to let her do the same. Because her mother couldn’t do hair at all, the future natural hair professional was forced to teach herself how to do her own hair which was always up for discussion among other children.
“Why is your hair like that?” they asked. “Why won’t your mom let you have a perm?”
Young Taliah spent hours in her room working on her hair. She whipped up mixtures of Jergens lotion, Vaseline, water and anything that would allow her to comb through her thick, coily mane. She braided her hair and figured out styles that worked for her. A lot of times she received compliments and hairstyling became her passion. By age 14, Taliah was earning money doing hair for her family and friends and dreamed of working in a salon doing natural hair. That dream was revolutionary in and of itself because salons declined to offer such services.
Taliah was 16, riding a bus in New York with her cousin when she saw a window sign on 125th Street that said “Hair Braiding.” She got off the bus, went into a room in that building and saw several women braiding hair as a throng of customers waited their turn. She approached the owner, Barbara Terry, and told her that she wanted to braid hair. Ms. Terry replied, “Okay, do that lady right there.” The lady at which Ms. Terry pointed actually let the fledgling stylist do her hair!
Taliah impressed Ms. Terry with her skills and braided customers there for the rest of that day and the next several years. The young stylist hustled hard working at home and in Ms. Terry’s salon. While at Ms. Terry’s, she learned the foundations of healthy natural hair care and maintenance. She also picked up how to run a professional salon business and practice good customer service—lessons she still uses today to formulate products and respond to her customers’ needs.
Indelible Entrepreneurial Spirit
The natural hair entrepreneur wanted to strike out independently with her own business in a high-end salon, but braiding and natural hair care wasn’t popular then as many salons looked down on and refused to offer such services in their establishments. Taliah finally found a booth space in a salon next to a corner bar which wasn’t high end at all. Still, she produced such great work that she enjoyed a loyal clientele of upscale customers who continued to travel from as far as New Jersey and Connecticut just to have her style their hair. The go-getter stylist simultaneously attended beauty school and earned her license in cosmetology. From the moment she began earning money in natural hair care, she knew she would eventually open her own natural hair salon. Taliah did so at a 1500 square foot space in Harlem in which she rented out five other booth spaces and hired a receptionist.
Sure, Taliah experienced setbacks. As she built her business, she got married, had a daughter, got divorced. She didn’t want to raise her child in New York and opted to move to Atlanta where she had to start all over by renting a booth in a salon. She borrowed $900 from her father to participate in the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, a show that had amazed her on previous visits. Taliah was so excited to have her own booth. In preparation, she provided ten hair models with outfits on loan from the mall and styled their hair. She had them walk through the show passing out cards and drawing attendees to her booth.
It was difficult growing a natural hair business in Atlanta. Taliah gave people cards promoting natural hair care services and they’d return the cards as if she were trying to convert them to a new religion. Folks acted as if she was offering something that was going to kill them. They’d say, “Oh no, natural hair? I can’t do that but it looks nice on you.” Yes, many complimented her hair but had a hard time accepting that it wasn’t styled specifically to attend some grand event. She often had to explain that the style was simply how she wore her hair.
Taliah often commuted between New York and Atlanta to make ends meet. This satisfied customers she’d left behind in New York even as she built her business in Atlanta. After a while, however, she had to make a clean break from New York. When she was able to reestablish her own salon, she named it Braids, Weaves and Things because she literally had to do braids, weaves and other services to make sure she kept herself and her daughter fed.
Natural Hair: More than an Inspiration, It’s a Profession
In time, Taliah was able to educate customers on the benefits of natural hair. As she consulted with them, she didn’t talk about the negative aspects of relaxers but rather shared all the benefits of chemical-free hair. With each new visit to her shop, seeing her natural hair grow and their natural hair thrive helped change their minds. Also, Janet Jackson’s braids in the 1993 movie Poetic Justice influenced many. Braiding, conditioning and going natural became more accepted.
She knew natural hair would grow in popularity because it freed people from applying potentially dangerous, scalp-penetrating chemicals to their bodies. Taliah began to see other stylists respond to the demand for braiding as well as the hair loss and receding hairlines resulting from poor application. Recognizing the need to properly train stylists, she designed and administered workshops and seminars to teach stylists the benefits and techniques of natural hair care. These workshops which initially taught braiding and twisting grew into three-day, quarterly seminars offering 30 different techniques. The seminars also incorporated newer styles, marketing tips and tutorials on how to build and promote professional natural hair care businesses. These symposiums now take place once a year and have trained thousands of stylists worldwide.
In 1996, Taliah developed Black Earth Products, the very first complete line of hair care products ever to address natural hair, braids and locs style and maintenance needs. This line arose from her clients wanting to know what products to use at home to recreate and maintain their natural looks when such choices didn’t exist in the marketplace. As time went on, she developed four more lines answering the need for options for women’s styles, children’s hair, men’s hair, curly hair and those who want to maintain the health of their natural hair as they wear protective styles.
The World Natural Hair Show
The World Natural Hair Show was born out of the desire to create an all-natural show free of relaxers and chemicals. Having attended so many other shows, Taliah noticed a lack of natural hair solutions. She also wanted a platform where stylists and consumers could learn about natural hair, products, and techniques. She’s since updated the show’s name to World Natural Hair and Healthy Lifestyle Event to reflect her customers’ tendency to go natural with their hair as well as their overall wellness. The 20th annual event is this April 22-23.
Throughout the past 25 years, Taliah has always been inspired by choice: the choice to proudly wear her hair natural, the choice of styling options, and the choice of techniques and products to fulfill natural hair care needs. Because of her many contributions to changing the way women love themselves, their beauty and their ability to celebrate their natural look, no woman is restrained to chemically-treated styles or those requiring heat application.
Taliah is thrilled by how the industry has adjusted to this awakening in natural beauty. She is excited to see so many female manufacturers follow her lead to give naturalistas options which never existed before. She is motivated to uplift and support women in whatever way she can and is pumped to amplify the message her parents taught her of appreciating her own beauty and worth. She continues to respond to customer needs and innovate within the natural hair movement. Again, like Madame C.J. Walker she sees what a blessing her personal journey has been and how many lives have been improved. She is still working hard today to do more.
Have questions to ask this leader of the natural hair industry?
Great! Share your thoughts and ask questions below.
Remember to subscribe to the NaturallyCurly newsletter today for more curl-centric content!
We can’t wait to see you at The World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta, Georgia!
When it comes to keeping hair up and out of the way, two popular options have always been the bun and the ponytail.There are different types of hair ties that all serve the same basic function of keeping hair pulled back and away from your face. When choosing a hair tie, make sure that whatever ties you choose will not tug at or pull your hair, which causes hair breakage. Among the different types of hair ties, there are two main designs of hair ties: either elastic based or non-elastic based. From your oversized scrunchies for sleeping to your thin headbands for working out, the following are some options to choose from when attempting your next low-maintenance protective style.
Telephone wire ties
These ties are typically made without elastic and can create tension by being wrapped repeatedly around a section of hair. While they offer less hold than elastic bands, these hair ties won’t tug at your roots while wearing and are easier to remove. Use a twist tie at night to pineapple and preserve your curl pattern. Here’s how:
Cotton-wrapped elastics
The most commonly used type of hair ties, these are elastic bands wrapped in cotton. Offering great hold without tugging at hair when you remove them, a cotton hair tie is available in a wide variety of colors and affordable, found in most drugstores.
Scrunchies
Oversized and a bit of a throwback to previous decades, scrunchies are large fabric hair ties with elastic cores. They are great for a loose hold that won’t damage hair, especially while sleeping or exercising. The scrunchie of today has evolved their bands to include fashionable braided and thinner options that the standard scrunchies of the past did not.
Bungee bands
While the appearance of these hair ties may seem scary at first, bungee bands are a popular choice because these elastic bands open up with hooks at each end. While you might think they are potentially more damaging for hair and harder to use, they are actually safer than traditional elastics. This type of hair tie is also reliable for tucking away your ends for a longer time frame than the options above. Here’s how to make a bungee band at home:
What type of hair tie do you use?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Austin’s annual SXSW festival is quickly approaching, and we’re thrilled to be the media sponsor for the Quintessential Naturals Tour hosted by Natural Partners in Crime. The NaturallyCurly team will be at the event with a fun social experience, along with an interactive panel and activations from some amazing brands and influencers. I spoke to Sabrina Boissiere, founder of Natural Partners in Crime and the event’s producer about what attendees can expect at the first stop of the tour.
I wanted to put together a well-rounded tour that encompassed hair care brands, influencers, and local businesses. As an event producer for over 5 years in the natural community, I’ve been to a lot of events and tours and I’ve seen the excitement. Being a New Yorker you always have amazing events, and Atlanta and Dallas, but living in other cities you often get missed.
The thought process behind Quintessential Naturals was encompassing what the word “quintessential” means, and that is representing the most perfect or typical example of quality or class. So top of the line brands, top of the line influencers, amazing businesses and brands that are local that you can showcase at your event.
I picked the 5 locations because realistically I wanted to make sure I hit some top markets: Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Philly, and Miami. SXSW is a machine in itself but it had never had an official natural hair event. I started working with mvmt50 which is a black tech organization, and they said they want to partner with you and do something at SXSW because there are so many amazing naturalistas that come to this event. They said NaturallyCurly has been someone they’ve worked with for the last few years, and that you come out support the community, you’re a digital media house and it’d be great for me to align myself with you as well, so that became a perfect marriage.
The first stop, SXSW, is a very unique event in that it’s at a historical museum the George Washington Carver, we will have an amazing panel, the theater space, and we have different types of activations where people get to experience these brands on a different level instead of just going to a table and buying things.
I’ve never been to SXSW before, I know it’s a machine and we already have 1200 RSVPs so we’re gonna have a lot of bodies there. When I reached out to brands I wanted to make sure that whoever came on board had a lot to offer, so when I reached out to SheaMoisture I was really fingers crossed that they would come on board. They understood the vision that I had and they’re about exclusive inclusivity. So basically they have something for everyone. They’re always on the cutting edge of having great products, and this is their 25th anniversary so I’ve been working with Rich and the team to showcase some of the things they’re going to be dropping this year.
Throughout the tour we have a charity component, which I’m really big on. I really wanted to focus on something really tangible, so we’re working with food banks at each stop. That’s important because it’s something they can physically bring and hand over to give to people in their community. There are people who are struggling to feed their families and pay their bills, it’s unfortunate but it’s the reality of this country. We’re truly honored to be working with the Central Texas Food Bank as the charity selected for the SXSW stop. As a leader in the fight against hunger for nearly 35 years, CTFB’s mission is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. SheaMoisture upped the ante by saying that whoever brings two or more cans will get product from SheaMoisture. That’s an amazing thing that they’re willing to do.
There are so many amazing businesses and brands that I haven’t even tapped into for some of these cities so I’m excited to see what the vendors have to offer – from beauty to skincare to makeup and of course hair brands, jewelry, accessories, just really showing the communities their own businesses. I think a lot of times we tend to shop outside of our communities because we don’t know any better, but this will give attendees a chance to support their community and hopefully, if things work out they will become consumers of these brands.
That’s my goal when creating these events.
When
Saturday, March 11, 1-5pm
Where
George Washington Carver Museum
1165 Angelina St.
Austin TX 78702
Tickets
You can register for free here
We can’t wait to see the natural hair community in person! Our Co-Founder Michelle Breyer will be speaking on a panel with influencer Rene Danielle, Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics Monique Rodriguez, Founder of KinkyCurlyCoilyMe Janelle B. Stweart, and moderated by Tonya Rapley, Founder of My Fab Finance.
Forget true love – we all know the best part of Valentine’s Day is the candy. Cover it in chocolate, and we’re about it! But before you get swept up in all the lovey dovey advertising this month, don’t forget the most important relationship you have – the one with yourself! Here is a great way to treat yourself with a Valentine’s Day Treat for your curls, and two recipes for your sweet tooth!
Valentines Treats For Curls
While we may say the best part of this special day is the open celebration of love, it is really about the chocolate for most of us. Did you know chocolate is actually beneficial for you? It’s true! Eating chocolate in moderation, particularly dark chocolate which is higher in antioxidants, has been proven to offer health benefits such as lower blood pressure, lower risk for heart disease, protection for skin against premature aging caused by the sun, and more. The reason for this sweet treat packing such a punch is because of the high amounts of cocoa used in dark chocolate mixtures. While eating dark chocolate might be a great way to get health benefits while satisfying your sweet tooth, using chocolate in your hair will also give your strands a boost.
Chocolate hair masks are great for restoring moisture to dry hair and can be used by nearly all hair types. If you have normal to dry hair, applying a chocolate mask can be a sweet treat to give your curls a boost. For those with oily hair, you can still enjoy some of the same perks by only applying the treatment to the ends up to about midway without applying it to the scalp.
To create a sweet treat for your strands to show yourself some Valentine’s Day love, you will need a few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Dark Chocolate
- About 3 squares of dark chocolate, preferably with a high cocoa concentration for better results. Do not use milk or white chocolate because it lacks the cocoa powerhouse and won’t offer much if any results.
- ½ a cup of plain, unflavored yogurt. This will help keep the mask smooth and easy to apply. For a thicker option, you can use Greek yogurt.
- 5 tablespoons of honey. Honey will help the concoction stick to your strands without sliding off.
- Melt the chocolate in a bowl in the microwave or a small pan on the stovetop on low heat. Make sure you completely melt the chocolate without making it too hot to safely apply to your hair.
- Once the chocolate is melted, remove from heat and add your yogurt and honey.
- Stir until well blended.
- Apply to hair while mask is still warm. Be careful to make sure it is not too hot!
- One you have coated your hair, wrap it in saran wrap. This keeps it from being messy and ensures your strands get all the nutrients of the cocoa.
- After 30 minutes to an hour, remove the saran wrap.
- Wash and condition as usual.
A Little Something Sweet to Eat
Why should your curls get all the love? We invited Chef Evelyn to whip up two delicious ways to treat yourself: one for the no-bake crew and another for those who don’t mind a little whisking.
The Strawberry Balsamic Ice Cream Sundae is a grown and sexy take on a classic dessert. Up your flavor palate with two surprising additions: balsamic vinegar and black pepper. Trust us.
The Chocolate Almond Cake with Fresh Berries is one of those desserts that looks impressive without any of the fuss. Bonus: since the recipe calls for almond flour, it’s gluten free!
Watch our collaboration with Chef Evelyn and follow along. Below are the recipes – pin ‘em! Print ‘em! You could share with your Valentine if you wanted to, but…zero judgment if you keep these sweets all to yourself.
Directions
- Thirty minutes to an hour beforehand, combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, coconut sugar, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside at room temperature.
- Place a serving of the strawberries in a bowl with a scoop of ice cream on top and dust lightly with orange zest.
- Optional: garnish with a cookie or two. Or three.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 310 F and line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Slowly melt the chocolate and butter over a double-boiler.
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, or by hand, whisk together the melted chocolate mixture, the cocoa powder, almond and vanilla extract, espresso powder, and sugar until combined.
- Add the almond flour and whisk until combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, adding each egg after the first has been incorporated into the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the spring form pan. Make sure the mixture is level and smooth on top.
- Bake for about 50 minutes.
- The cake will rise a bit and then fall back on itself once it cools. The baking time varies slightly depending on your oven, but the cake should be very moist in the center and dense once it cools. Cool before serving.
- Top with the berries. Make it cute!
- Dust with powdered sugar.
Follow @ChefEvelyn on Instagram and Snapchat to see what she’s cooking up next!
To see more videos from us, follow NaturallyCurly on YouTube.
Satin is made by weaving together fibers of many different materials from silk to polyester. It has a shiny, silky side on the front and a “dull” side on the back because the silk is laid on top of the other materials. Silk, on the other hand, is not a mixture of fabrics. Silk is made from what is produced from silk worms and takes an incredibly large amount of the animal proteins to make a small amount of silk fabric. This is why real silk pillowcases can range from $70 to a few thousand while satin pillowcases can start around $10. Satin pillowcases are just as great because the part of them that actually touches your hair is mostly silk, so it offers the same benefits for a much lower price.
1. Reduce Wrinkles
With pillowcases of cotton or other materials, there is always friction when moving. This friction causes wrinkles while you sleep! With satin pillowcases, the skin is able to move without friction and you wake up without lines on your face from your pillow in the short term and without fine lines and wrinkles in the long term.
2. Shiny Hair
While you are sleeping, your hair goes through a lot. From the tossing and turning that can tug on strands to the way cotton pillowcases rob hair of moisture, satin pillowcases allow hair to move easily without damage. Looking to fight the morning case of the frizzies? A satin pillowcase may be the answer!
3. Reduce Hair Breakage
The same way cotton pillowcases rob hair of moisture, they may also cause breakage. The friction of cotton pillowcases weakens strands over time and leads to hair that is more prone to breakage.
4. Prevent Hair Loss
When hair is dry and brittle, it is prone to breakage. This breakage can lead to eventual hair loss. With a satin pillowcase, you can keep hair healthy and avoid the loss of precious strands.
5. Protect Brows & Lashes
When you are sleeping, you can lose hairs from your eyebrows and eyelashes from the harshness of the fabrics your face encounters while sleeping. With a satin pillowcase, there will be easier movement and less friction so you can wake up as beautiful as you were when you went to bed.
6. Get Your Glow On
Skin needs to breathe. With pillowcases made of rougher fabrics such as cotton, wool, or flannel, skin has a harder time breathing and staying cool. The warm, stagnant element of these materials can’t compare to satin. With satin pillowcases, skin can breathe more which helps with minimizing pores, reducing irritation and redness, and increasing firmness.
We know that for some, nothing compares to natural, 100% silk pillowcases. For others, however, a cheaper option that offers the same benefits is a great way to go. What do you think? Have you ever used a silk or satin pillowcase? What advice do you have when using it? Comment below, we’d love to hear it!
Want more?
If you have problems with your hair matting overnight, check out these tips & tricks.
Don’t know what to do once you wake up? Here’s how to sleep & refresh 2nd day hair.
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Hair loss is a sad fact of life for many people. When that hair loss is caused by a life-threatening illness such as cancer or a chronic medical condition, it can make the hair loss feel like a devastating blow. When most of us cut our hair, we don’t think about how that hair could change someone else’s life for the better.
While donating your hair after a haircut is a great way to make a lasting difference, it can seem confusing to know where to start. They all have different requirements for the length and condition of your hair, so while you may not be eligible for one organization that does not rule you out for hair donation entirely. With our list of five places to donate hair, you can easily share your unwanted locks with someone in need!
Before you donate your hair, there are a few things you should know.
- Make sure hair is healthy and in good shape.
- Hair must be clean and dry when donated.
- There are length requirements. Hair cannot be used for wigs if they do not meet these requirements. No clippings.
- Hair should be recently cut. Hair that was cut years ago is harder to make into wigs.
- Just because your hair is chemically treated doesn’t mean you can’t donate! Check with each organization to make sure.
- Make sure you follow all guidelines set forth by the organization you have chosen.
- When mailing the donation, make sure you place hair in a Ziploc bag inside of an envelope instead of simply putting hair in the envelope. This helps keep the hair intact and safe.
- Some organizations offer free wigs while others charge recipients on a sliding scale. If this matters to you, make sure you read the company website for further information prior to donating.
5 Places to Donate Hair
1. Locks of Love
Minimum length: 10 inches or more.
- Colored/chemically treated/permed hair acceptable? Yes. No bleached hair or dreadlocks.
- Gray hair friendly? Yes.
- Address: Locks of Love 234 Southern Blvd West Palm Beach FL 33405-2701
2. Pantene Beautiful Lengths
- Minimum length: 8 inches or more.
- Colored/chemically treated/permed hair acceptable? No.
- Gray hair friendly? Less than 5% gray is allowed.
- Address: Pantene Beautiful Lengths Attn: 192-123 806 SE 18th Ave Grand Rapids MN 55744
3. Children with Hair Loss
- Minimum length: 8 inches or more.
- Colored/chemically treated/permed acceptable? If in good condition, they will accept the donation.
- Gray hair friendly? Yes.
- Address: Children With Hair Loss 12776 Dixie Hwy S. Rockwood MI 48179
4. Wigs for Kids
- Minimum length: 12 inches or more.
- Colored/chemically treated/permed acceptable? No.
- Gray friendly? No.
- Address: Wigs for Kids Hair Donation 24231 Center Ridge Rd. Westlake OH 44145
5. Wigs 4 Kids
- Minimum length: 10 inches or more.
- Colored/chemically treated/permed acceptable? No.
- Gray friendly? No.
- Address: Wigs 4 Kids 30126 Harper Ave St. Clair Shores MI 48082
If you know of an organization that we left off the list, please share it below!
First, what does “type 3” hair mean?
Knowing your curl pattern can be helpful for determining styles that work well on your hair type. Type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly, and type 4 is coily. If your curl pattern is in the type 3 category, there are three subcategories. Type 3A has springy curls that are large in circumference and can be easily straightened or retexturized. Type 3B has smaller, more dense curls and can be coarse. Type 3C tends to be smaller and tighter curls, often called corkscrew curls, and is typically denser than other types. Check out our guide to see which curl pattern closely resembles yours. And remember, most women have at least 2-3 different curl patterns on their head.
How to rock a curly updo
Don’t Hide!
The point of an updo is not to hide your beautiful curls or make them look straight. Embrace your natural texture with every updo style you try out. In fact, for women with especially dense curls, a full updo may not be the best choice for your hair. A nice side part keeping hair off to one side but still hanging loose may be an ideal updo for you. Not comfortable with a full updo? You don’t have to be! Experiment with how much of an updo you want by leaving tendrils for a loose laid-back updo.
Don’t Force It!
Not every hair type can pull off an updo and it doesn’t make your hair any less beautiful. A great option for hair that isn’t long enough to create an updo is to use braiding hair. You can incorporate a classy side wrapped braid or a professional braided bun.
Don’t Conform!
In the workplace, you should try to meet your company’s appearance standards for obvious reasons. However, if your naturally curly hair is under attack simply because it may be different than other hair types in the office, you should consult your HR department. Workplace discrimination based on hair type is a sadly common thing and should not go unreported. Wear your curls in a way that makes you feel confident and take on the workday with grace!
8 everyday updos
Here are a few of our favorite updos for type 3 hair. The styles don’t stop here though, as we know that curls are so versatile that the styling options are endless.
1. Add a Scarf
What you’ll need:
- scarf or headwrap
2. Bantu Knot Out Mohawk
What you’ll need:
- gel — Nia Knows Hair loves IC Hair Polisher Styling Gel and Eco Styler Gel
- 3 hair bands
- bobby pins
- soft bristle brush
- afro pick
- one crocodile clip
3. Loose Low Bun
What you’ll need:
- hair band
- bobby pins
4. Donut Bun
What you’ll need:
- hair tie
- bun donut
5. Twist Out
What you’ll need:
- moisturizer — Mini Marley loves SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Jane Carter Solution Nourish and Shine
- light hold gel — Mini Marley recommends DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel
- water in spray bottle
- Denman Brush
- scarf
- Ecostyler Gel
- optional: shine serum — Mini Marley uses Design Essentials Natural Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Oil Treatment
6. High Bun with Twist
What you’ll need:- gel
- 1 satin strip
- bobby pins
- hair band
7. French Braid Bun
- bobby pins
- hair tie
8. Corporate Puff
What you’ll need:
- elastic head band
- water in spray bottle
- moisturizer
- hard brush
- Ecostyler Gel
- scarf
- optional: toothbrush
Want more?
Learn 10 tips on how to “winterize” your hair.
Here are some of the best styles and products for your Type 3 hair.
For more informative articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!
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From miracle products to old wives tales, there is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to hair growth. Let’s debunk the top 3 myths we always hear about hair growth.
Myth 1: Haircuts Help Hair Grow
One of the biggest myths about hair growth is the notion that cutting hair will make it grow faster. The truth is that hair growth is dependent on the follicle at the scalp rather than the hair at the bottom of strands. Cutting your hair will not make it grow faster. However, hair that is trimmed regularly will look fuller and healthier without nagging split ends and dead hair at the bottom.
Myth 2: Hair Loss Only Happens to Men
Another one of the common myths about hair growth is that hair loss only happens to older men. Hair loss can happen to both sexes at any age. Women can experience hair loss in a more gradual way with hair becoming thinner over time, especially during menopause. To combat this concern, there are a few steps you can take.
- Make sure you care for the hair you have, not the hair you want. Hair care needs to be tailored to your hair in its current state.
- Watch out for breakage. Breakage can happen from wearing hair too tight, brushing tangles without a conditioner and the right brush, and excessive heat being applied to hair.
- Consult your doctor or a certified alopecia specialist at the first sign of thinning hair or hair loss.
Myth 3: Washing Hair Too Much Leads to Hair Loss
When most people wash their hair, a few strands will end up lost down the drain. However, this doesn’t mean washing your hair is a bad idea. A little bit of hair loss is normal with each wash since you are thoroughly scrubbing your scalp. If you do not properly clean your scalp in an attempt to keep all of your strands intact, you run the risk of accumulating oil, grime, and dead skin cells. When these elements combine to create buildup from improper cleansing, you end with less hair growth because your scalp is the bed of growth. Hair can’t grow with an unhealthy scalp.
