Search Results: NaturallyCurly
When it comes to beauty products, the market has exploded with options based more in botanicals over the years. With a move away from harmful chemicals and additives, the beauty industry continues to find new and exciting uses for naturally occurring ingredients. As a favorite for many reasons, the benefits of hemp oil make it an ideal choice for inclusion in your beauty routine. Hemp oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. While cannabis is known for marijuana, hemp oil is extracted from the seeds which are free from the agents that offer mind-altering states. Hemp oil is, in most cases, a safe and natural ingredient that can be used for many purposes.
1. Hemp Oil Restores Skin
One of the leading benefits of hemp oil is the way it nourishes skin. With a high content of essential nutrients, such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, this powerhouse is great for combating a range of skin concerns. It is a natural emollient and moisturizer ideal for a range of skin types and concerns. Use hemp oil for dry, tired skin to give it a boost. Skin dehydrated? Hemp oil can help increase water retention and elasticity for a younger, suppler appearance. It can even be an effective way to calm eczema and inflammation.
2. Hemp Oil Heals Hair
Another one of the top benefits of hemp oil is its ability to heal dry, damaged hair. The lipids found in this potent extract are rich in proteins and fatty acids. Many hair care products already use hemp oil in their formulas for the incredible moisturizing and healing it offers. A common use for hemp oil is the treatment of psoriasis. This condition of the scalp can be created by a lack of nutrients and hemp oil can help provide those nutrients. If hair is dry and brittle, hemp oil is a great conditioner to give hair the nutrients it needs.
A common use for hemp oil is the treatment of psoriasis.
3. Hemp Oil for Other Purposes
Hemp oil is an overall powerhouse for your health. Aside from the benefits to skin and hair when applied directly, hemp oil when worked into a diet has a variety of benefits. Fatty acids and lipids are the key to good health in several different ways. With hemp oil being packed with these elements, the benefits are numerous. Here are a few non-beauty benefits of hemp oil:
- Lowers cholesterol
- Maintain hormonal balances
- Helps moderate blood sugar
- Prevent varicose veins
- Prevent the growth of free radicals
Have you used hemp oil in your regimen? Share your thoughts below!
We don’t typically talk about straightening our hair, but we know that versatility is one of the top reasons curlies love their hair. Unfortunately, a common way of flattening our strands is by sticking them between a straightener or using hot air and brushing them out. Applying heat is our enemy… it’s easily one of the most damaging routines for hair. While heat may make hair straight and temporarily sleek, it also strips it of its natural moisture. Hair that is over-heated can become so dry and brittle, that it leads to loss of curl pattern, increased breakage and, in some cases, loss of entire strands.
While many believe that heat damage is caused by repeated use of heat tools, the truth is that just one use can cause permanent damage. But have no fear! We have compiled 4 methods for efficient no-heat straightening. Note that most of these methods work best for Type 2’s and 3’s. You may not get the stick straight results that you do with a flat iron, but at least your curls will bounce back damage-free afterwards!
The Wrap Method
When hair is still wet and freshly combed, split it into sections and pin them individually against your head, ensuring they are flat and tangle-free. When finished pinning, put a head wrap or scarf around your head to ensure the hair stays in place and secure it with bobby pins. To avoid frizz, use a silk scarf to eliminate any friction between the hair and material. As Natalie says in her tutorial, make sure you allow yourself at least 6 hours to let your hair fully dry before taking it down and revealing sleek, straight hair!
The Elastic Method
The toughest part about this method is finding your all your lost hair ties that you swore grew legs and ran off. When you do find them and your hair is wet, comb out any tangles and apply a frizz-free product. Put your hair in a ponytail low enough to avoid any pulling. Then, start sectioning the ponytail with additional hair ties in small increments of about an inch apart. Make sure you use soft hair elastic ties to avoid hair breakage. Note: this method is similar to “banding,” which is how you can stretch Type 4 hair to make it longer. This same “banding” method works to actually straighten Type 2 and 3 hair.
The Curler Method
While using curlers for straightening hair may seem counterintuitive, it can actually help flatten hair while you sleep. For this to work, make sure you use large, wide curlers and roll them very tightly so no curl is allowed in the hair. Start by spraying hair with straightening spray and make sure hair stays wet throughout the process for the best results. We love Beauty With MJ’s tutorial on this!
Cool Blow Dry
Avoiding heat doesn’t mean you have to give up on your blow dryer altogether. You can use it on the cool setting while sectioning and continuously brushing hair with a vented brush to get a straight look. Start by using a product such as Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Blow Dry Cream, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum or Twisted Sista Frizz Control Straightening Blow Dry Cream. This method may take a little longer than using heat, but it’s much safer for achieving straight hair.
What’s next?
Our next question is, “Can You Straighten Curly Hair with a Steamer?“
Our friends at Cantu have helped wavies go straight and back to wavy again!
For more inspirational articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!
Some women feel their most feminine with a cropped pixie, while others love the feeling of long hair flowing down their back. If length is your hair goal right now, then there are a few tried and true methods and suggestions to keep in mind. It is important to keep in mind that there are no guaranteed quick fixes to stimulate hair growth. The key to hair growth is maintaining a healthy head of hair, as well as a healthy scalp. Long hair is a long-term commitment, but the good news is all of these habits are as good for your body as they are for your hair.
Tip 1. Eat Right!
When it comes to how to stimulate hair growth, there is no denying the impact of nutrition. Many people think hair care is only about what is on the outside. The truth is the inside matters much more. If you are eating a diet void of the necessary nutrient your hair needs, you will have unhealthy hair. Unhealthy hair struggles to increase length.
- It is recommended to eat foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients stimulate hair growth by providing strands the protein and keratin they need to stay healthy and strong.
- Avoid excessive amounts of sugar, salt, and alcohol. They can leave hair unhealthy and impede growth.
- Stay away from fad diets. The sudden change in eating habits can impact strands for the worst.
Tip 2. Stay Hydrated!
Water is your friend. People who do not drink water daily are at risk for dehydration. This can impact your hair and scalp. When you are dehydrated, cell growth stops meaning hair simply won’t grow.
- Make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- If you are performing activities that make you sweat, up your intake of H2O.
- Avoid carbonated beverages, coffee, sugary drinks, and sports drinks. They can actually dehydrate you further.
Tip 3. Get Your Beauty Rest!
We all know sleep is essential to our health and beauty rest has a huge impact on our skin in particular. Did you know lack of beauty sleep also affects your strands? Sleep helps our bodies regulate stress and hormones. Without proper sleep, our stress levels rise and hormones go haywire. These factors can disrupt hair growth by affecting the growth cycle.
- Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
- Avoid sleeping in on weekends. This can disrupt your natural sleep cycle the rest of the week.
Tip 4. Proper Hair Care
Caring for your hair on the inside doesn’t mean you can avoid proper care on the outside. Hair still needs to washed and conditioned regularly to keep the scalp clean and moisturized. Here are a few other tips to keep in mind to stimulate hair growth.
Regularly treat your scalp with a scalp treatment. Make sure you massage the scalp while applying to aid in cell turnover.
Get regular haircuts. Trimmed hair tends to be healthier than hair with split ends.
Never brush hair when it is wet without using a conditioner. This keeps hair fortified against breakage and damage that may impede growth.
Avoid hairstyles that are very tight as they can weaken strands and make it harder for them to grow.
Embracing your natural hair can be a beautiful and eye-opening journey. Through the process of going natural, many women develop the confidence to take on the world on their own terms. Women who choose to wear their hair natural will have that decision challenged by family, friends, strangers, and colleagues. The natural hair movement has made great progress in recent years, but unfortunately we still experience push back in every stage of our academic and professional careers.
When wearing natural hair at work, there is a fine line between looking like yourself and meeting the sometimes stifling appearance standards of your company. In some companies these standards are explicitly stated in workplace policies, but in many they are made clear through disparaging or ignorant comments from coworkers or managers.Too many stories in the news today highlight the struggles of natural hair in the workplace. While you may think this type of discrimination only happens in the corporate world, we continue to see it happen again and again in workplaces of all industries. In fact, an employee at the hip clothing store, Zara, was harassed for her natural hairstyles. When Cree Ballah showed up for her shift with her natural hair in neatly styled braids pulled back into a ponytail she was told by managers that her hair did not meet the appearance standards of their company. According to reports from Yahoo.com, “They took me outside of the store and they said, ‘We’re not trying to offend you, but we’re going for a clean professional look with Zara and the hairstyle you have now is not the look for Zara,’” Ballah said. While the company admits they have no official policy in place about work appropriate hair, they decided her hair was somehow offensive and inappropriate.
We’re not trying to offend you, but we’re going for a clean professional look with Zara and the hairstyle you have now is not the look for Zara
Sadly, this experience is one shared by many women in the workplace. When it comes to natural hair at work, many bosses are setting standards of appearance that are not included in any handbook or employee policy guidelines given when hired. They are making it up as they go along and natural hair curlies are the ones paying the price.
This experience is one that begins at an early age for many women with natural hair. Recently making headlines was the story of Kemirah Jn-Marie, a 15-year-old cheerleader in Texas. She was told by her coach that her hair was a distraction. Yahoo.com reported that the only requirements for hair was that is it pulled back in a ponytail. Jn-Marie had her hair in braids and pulled back into a ponytail. She was told she would not be allowed to cheer with her team with her hair in braids. This story is a prime example of young women being taught that their natural hair is a no-win situation. Once they leave school, the workplace becomes the next battlefield over natural hair.
Much like Jn-Marie and Ballah, another young lady with natural hair was made to feel like her natural hair is inappropriate and a distraction. According to BBC News, one woman was told explicitly by her boss to wear a weave to work because her natural hair was unprofessional. This woman, who preferred to stay anonymous, represents a growing trend in the culture surrounding natural hair. She was deeply offended but followed the requests of her boss to make things easier.
Another young lady named Madison, an intern just entering the workforce, was told by her boss, Angela Green, that her hair was too distracting for the workplace. An article in theroot.com reports that Green, an on-air news anchor, told Madison to “straighten it out just to please everybody.” The comment has created an online debate on whether or not Greene should have encouraged Madison to change her hair. While some people claim it is important to fit in at work and since Madison would be on camera her appearance was fair game, others are appalled by the idea that Green would suggest such a thing. Green admits to having naturally curly hair that she treats to keep it straight in an attempt to look more professional.
At NaturallyCurly, we’ve been working for 18 years to improve the naturally curly experience for the 60% of the population who have textured hair. Yes, there are many more products on the market than when we first started, but we know this is an area that still needs more progress. While most workplaces require women to keep hair “neat and professional,” that definition is subjective and means different things to different individuals. For a woman with straight, fine hair, that may mean tied back in a ponytail. For women embracing their natural hair, it could be braids or twists hanging above their shoulders. The issue is that the people deciding what is acceptable are usually not a part of the natural hair community and are measuring what is “professional” based on their own hair type. The bottom line is that if you work in a company without a clear appearance policy, it might be best to test the waters and see what hairstyles are acceptable. On the flip side, if you ever feel like there are two different sets of rules regarding appearance or like you are being discriminated against, you need to reach out to your HR department immediately. Your hair is beautiful the way it grows out of your head so don’t ever let any boss or co-worker convince you otherwise!
Share your experiences in the comments below.
What’s next?
Read why this court says natural hair discrimination at work is not a form of racial discrimination.
Why are so many schools discriminating against natural hair?
If you’re on the job hunt, here are 5 professional hairstyles to nail that job interview.
Next time someone insults your hair, do this.
Like what you see? For more articles like this, sign up for our newsletter!
Curlies are picky about what we put in our hair, so it’s only natural to be even more careful about products when it comes to our curly kiddos! Luckily, today’s market offers a large selection of products for little ones that are natural and kind to their locks.
Here are a few natural hair products for kids that are easy to find and even easier to use. You may need to experiment with different products at first to find what works best for your child, so here’s our secret: buy the travel-sized product to test these out before you commit!
Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk
This isn’t specifically a children’s line, but the Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk products are easy to apply, comb through and wash out. The Leave-In Moisturizer doesn’t leave residue or buildup, so curly kids will have frizz-free, nourished curls with lots of shine. Plus, you could always steal some of theirs when you run out.
Pros: sulfate free, paraben free, protein free, alcohol free, petroleum free, mineral oil free, artificial color free
Curly Q’s
If you like CURLS for your hair, then you might want to try Curly Q’s, their natural hair line for kids. They contain the same natural oils as your favorite CURLS products but are specially formulated for sensitive young scalps. Start with the Curly Q’s Cleansing Cream and Conditioner, then detangle with the Curl Moisturizer/Detangler. You and your child will also love how these products smell!
Pros: sulfate free, paraben free, petroleum free, mineral oil free, artificial color free
Honey Baby Naturals
Honey Baby Naturals is one of our absolute favorites for kids. This line includes a gentle Shampoo, Softening Conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and Shea butter styling cream. The not-so-secret ingredient in these products is honey, which not only moisturizes hair, but your baby’s sensitive scalp as well. You will feel so great about using these products during bath time!
Pros: sulfate free, paraben free, mineral oil free, artificial color free, cruelty free
Blended Cutie
Sound familiar? That’s because it is. Blended Cutie is created by the same botanical-loving minds behind Blended Beauty. All of their products are formulated with naturally derived ingredients to nourish and protect those precious little locks. They even break down their kids products into corkscrew curls, spiral curls, afro curls, cupid curls, and big curls and waves.
Pros: paraben free, silicone free, sulfate free
Tiny Twirls
If you’re a fan of the Kinky-Curly line, then take a look at their Tiny Twirls products for kids. Some stores even carry these with the adult products as well. Their Daily Moisturizer is great for kids on the go who need some extra moisture, but it’s lightweight and won’t leave an oily film on hair. Their Detangling Conditioner is also safe, natural and great for kids with tangles, knots, and dry hair.
Pros: organic, fragrance free, cruelty free
Original Sprout
Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner is all-natural and helps strengthen your kiddo’s delicate strands while keeping them tangle-free. You’ll love how soft it leaves your child’s hair that you may even try it on your own (It’s okay, we won’t tell anyone”>! After conditioning, use the Natural Styling Balm for all your child’s cute hairdos.
Pros: organic, formaldehyde free, paraben free, silicone free, sulfate free, artificial color free, mineral oil free, cruelty free
…or DIY!
Lastly, try making a refreshing spray for your child with some distilled water and drops of lavender oil from your local health food store. This spray can be used to refresh curls and even keep frizz down. Plus, the pleasant fragrance is natural, light and calming for your child. When looking for natural hair products for kids, making your own can be a fun and easy option!
I’m sure at some point, you’ve visited your parents at their house and they’ve pulled out the old, dusty childhood photo albums that you’ve been hoping would stay neatly tucked away for centuries. When you start going through them, have you ever noticed the difference in your kid curls verses the curls you have now? If you spend a little more time and look a little closer, you’ll notice that your curls have actually had an evolution of their own over the years. Your baby, too, will have this crazy rollercoaster of a curl experience.
What causes hair to curl?
Naturally curly hair is determined genetically. The gene for curly hair is said to have incomplete dominance over that for straight, so an individual inheriting one straight and one curly gene may have a mix of the two, resulting in wavy hair.
As a child grows, the size of the hair, by diameter, changes and grows as well. Therefore, babies may start off with fine, straight hair, or even thick, lush locks, and after just a few months or a year, their “inherited” curls may begin to pop up! Just like adults, changes in growth cause changes in our baby’s skin and hair as well. However, babies grow at such an extremely rapid rate, physical changes happen daily. By the time kids grow to be adolescents, major growth changes slow down, resulting in an “evening out” of physical attributes. The hair’s curl pattern will continue to change as we age, along with the changes in hormones that all men and women undergo.
Can you tell if a baby’s hair will be curly?
It is impossible to tell which genes your baby will inherit. You’ve probably heard the old wives’ tale that says that heartburn during pregnancy signifies a thick head of potentially curly hair. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions actually surveyed a group of mothers and found that 82 percent of those who had moderate to severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to a baby with an average or above-average crop of hair, while most of the women who didn’t have heartburn had a baby with little to no hair.
This heartburn theory may explain whether or not your baby will be born with thick curls, but this will not necessarily be his or her hair in their teen years and adulthood.
If you have a little kiddo with curls, it’s hard to step away from the cute clips and headbands. After all, they’re just so adorable and your very best friends gave them to you at your baby shower! However, it’s best to wait until your little prince or princess is a bit older, with stronger hair. Pulling hair into braids and ponytails can result in major damage to your baby’s strands, as well as irritated skin and scalp.
Your little one may have lots of little cowlicks or funky natural mohawks. This is usually due to the fact that the chemical bonds, creating the hair texture, are still being formed. Therefore, let your wild child – aka, baby – wear their hair au natural. Try to avoid putting products or clips into your baby’s hair to guide it into submission. But don’t worry; by year one, your child’s hair will mostly likely be more self-contained.
Enjoy the many stages of baby and toddler hair. Just remember that as your child grows and changes, so does his or her hair. Embrace these moments and remember to take lots of photos! After all, you know it will be fun to pull out the albums in 30 years just as your parents did for you.
As a conscience community, many of us curlies and naturals strive to find products that are better for us and our families. Understanding just how the organic certification process works may help us better comprehend why it may be worth going out of our way to find and even spend more on our beauty products.
What does “organic” mean?
Organic, in a nutshell, is a product made using all-natural ingredients and free from pesticides or harmful chemicals. However, the issue is much more complicated than that simple definition.
Organic agriculture produces various products that help to preserve the natural environment while avoiding synthetic materials such as pesticides. Organic farms also support animal health and welfare and do not use genetically modified ingredients. In 1990 the US created the Organic Foods Production Act, setting up standards for the production and handling of organic agricultural products.
So, who can be certified?
According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, any farm or handling facility can be certified organic by any entity–or certifying agent–that is accredited by the USDA. The USDA certifying agents work throughout the US, and around the world, ensuring products and meet the organic standards. By being certified as an organic farm or handling facility, it means these places have met the qualifications to sell, label and represent organic products.
Farms and handling facilities that receive less than $5,000.00 in gross annual organic sales do not have to be certified and are considered “exempt” by the USDA. Note that these businesses may not use the USDA organic seal on any of their products.
What is considered before a brand becomes certified organic?
-
A history of the substances applied to the land and products for the past 3 years
-
A detailed description of the operation and products
-
A written organic system plan
-
In-depth inspection of the facility or farm and operation
-
Certifying agent reviews the inspection, paperwork and plan to see if they meet the credentials then issues the certificate.
Once a farm or facility receives certification they may use the organic USDA seal for their products. There is an annual recertification process as well. Also, farms and facilities applying for certification can typically spend anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars on fees for for the certification process. The fees vary depending on the size of the facility and types of products. Currently there are over 25,000 farmers and businesses that have been certified organic, and of course more who annually apply for organic certification.
What about beauty products?
It is important to note that just because a product uses natural ingredients does not necessarily make it organic. Many products, especially beauty, body, and hair care products, use natural ingredients, such as honey or shea butter, and combine it with chemical compounds. Unlike food that is strictly regulated by the USDA for organic standards of conduct, the beauty industry has no official body governing the truth of a company claiming their product is organic.
Unlike food that is strictly regulated by the USDA for organic standards of conduct, the beauty industry has no official body governing the truth of a company claiming their product is organic.
How to shop organic
As a broad, general rule most natural ingredients found in nature will sound familiar and any ingredients ending in “cone” are most likely chemical compounds created in a laboratory. For more a more precise of understanding of what is in your products, it’s best to research the specific products you have or want to purchase to ensure that the products are free from harmful ingredients. You should also keep in mind that while organic is often deemed as healthier and better, there are many additives that may get a bad rap, but do not put you or your hair at risk. For example, sulfates, like most chemical elements in beauty products, are not inherently evil, and some serve a great purpose, like retinol in the fight against wrinkles. Using shampoos with sulfates can dry out your hair, but only in shampoos with high concentrations of them. Another chemical that causes concern is silicone. Silicones, much like sulfates, serve a purpose. They coat hair to make it appear shiny and for slip. While this is nice to look at and makes your detangling job easier, it may not be ideal for everyday use because of buildup.
When it comes to choosing organic beauty products, it is a personal choice of what works best for your individual body and preference, but this is a general guideline for hair care ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens
- Added Fragrance
- Sulfates
- Silicones
- Chloride
“It’s so moisturizing and makes detangling my 4c hair a breeze.”
-Jada
“I love this gel. It provides great hold to my 3c hair without any crunchiness or flaking.”
-Antoinette B.
“The conditioner works nicely … I was also happy with the defining gel, it’s great!”
-Britny P.
“I really love the product. It’s a great conditioner that has improved the elasticity of my hair tremendously.”
-Toree D.
“This lightweight cleansing conditioner is the best one I’ve tried so far … It also smells very nice.”
-Michelle P.
“It smells wonderful, it is lightweight, doesn’t leave my hair crunchy.”
“Really impressed with how well this held my coarse/thick curls.”
Why does scalp health matter?
Healthy hair is the product of a healthy scalp. If your scalp is irritated, itchy, or dry, your strands will pay the price. According to leading hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Robert Dorin, “Hair follicles need natural oils from the glands that surround them to function. If you have a dry, irritated, or unhealthy scalp, the hair your follicles produced will likely be drier and less manageable, too.”
An easy way to remedy the situation is a DIY scalp mask. While there are a ton of products on the market aimed at treating hair and scalp issues, sometimes it is just easier to whip it up yourself at home. You can also make adjustments to your recipe to suit your specific scalp’s needs.
So how do you make your own DIY scalp mask? Well, that depends on what results you are looking to achieve. A DIY scalp mask can be really simple. Sometimes it can even be just one key ingredient! While you could add other ingredients, a DIY scalp mask is actually better the simpler it is. A scalp with issues doesn’t need a lot of added topical ingredients. It just takes the main ingredients mentioned below to truly benefit from a mask.
For dry scalp
Olive oil helps restore moisture to the scalp while also loosening the dry flakes caused by psoriasis, dandruff, and dryness in general. With this ingredient, apply liberally to hair and massage scalp for 10 minutes, comb through strands to remove any flakes, and then wash hair with a gentle shampoo.
For an itchy scalp
Apple cider vinegar is a great for solving an array of ailments, such as itchiness. You can make this mask by making a mixture that is 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar to start with. If you don’t get the relief or results you want, then you can try a mixture of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar. If you have been scratching and broken the skin of the scalp, do not use this mixture because it might lead to more discomfort. Apply the mixture to your scalp and massage gently without using your fingernails. Aside from treating itching, this concoction is also great for removing product buildup. Wash hair and apply a soothing moisturizer to hair to avoid drying out your strands.
For an irritated scalp
Oatmeal offers natural soothing properties perfect for treating skin irritation. While this one can be a little messier to apply than the other two remedies, it can certainly help soothe an irritated and inflamed scalp. Mix uncooked oatmeal flakes with water to meet the consistency you desire. Some prefer the mixture with less water for an easier to apply sort of paste while others prefer more water. It won’t affect the way the mask works so find the consistency that is easiest for you to apply to your hair. Apply to your scalp and chill for 10-15 minutes. Wash out of hair with a gentle shampoo.
We combine multiple certified organic ingredients to deliver a unique formulation that’s simple and effective in enhancing the natural curl pattern of your little one while depositing moisture. Sacha Inchi, the South American superfood, delivers natural oils that will keep curls well maintained.
TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray stands up to flat irons and curling irons by guarding against heat and friction, leaving hair shiny and enviably soft.
DevaCurl Mist-er Right is a curl refresher and scalp rejuvenator infused with lavender that deodorizes and revitalizes all curl types.
