Search Results: NaturallyCurly
Help to keep super-tight, curly hair under control for an overall improved appearance with zero effort required.
This dual purpose gentle cleansing and conditioning formula detangles and improves your hair’s manageability and texture with lipid-rich moisture.
This incredible no-flake formula is especially designed for easy coil definition, added softness, hydration and sheen.
Ring Around the Curlies Leave In Creme is the perfect styler to enhance, defrizz and define curly tendrils.
There’s big hair and then there’s big, defined hair. I prefer the second option.
Hi NaturallyCurly world, Style Feen here. My 3a to 3b textures tend to get looser as the day goes on. Especially when I wear collared shirts and jackets in the winter, those 3a curls closer to my neck like to straighten out.
To minimize or prevent this from happening, I do these things to get ultra defined curls:
My current hair routine consists of the DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence Cleanser, DevaCurl One Condition Decadence Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner, DevaCurl Coconut Super Cream Styler and the Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel.
After using the cleanser, I leave about 40% of the One Conditioner in my hair before getting out of the shower.
I make sure my hair is wet before styling and proceed to section my hair to apply the DevaCurl Coconut Super Cream in combination with the Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel.
I use about a quarter amount of each product and mix them together for each section of my hair.
The DevaCurl Coconut Super Cream moisturizes my curls and keeps them hydrated. The Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel defines my curls and holds them not only for first day hair, but day 2 and 3!
These 2 products are my go to for definition and frizz control. I have low porosity hair so my hair is always crying for moisture and it’s the perfect balance to have products that achieve all your hair needs.
Once I get to the top of my head and where my bangs are, I start to finger curl them to get the most definition. This also helps me make me sure I get products in the frizziest parts of my hair. I find finger curling to be important to individualize my curls and keep them from clumping together.
Once finished with styling, I use a cotton towel or a cotton T-shirt to take out the excess water to make diffusing time shorter.
After 15-20 minutes on temperature “warm to hot” using my diffuser, I shake up my curls at the root with my fingers and BOOM! Defined and shiny curls.
Have you entered my giveaway yet?
NaturallyCurly and I are giving away a Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel & the DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Styler to one lucky winner! Follow @naturallycurly and @stylefeen, repost your favorite @stylefeen selfie, with the hashtag #naturallycurlystylefeen. Tag your curly BFFs in the comments below! Winner will be announced April 30th! US only.
Curly girls can spend years searching for the perfect curl enhancing gel that gives the shine, bounce, and hold without crunch that they are looking for. For Product Junkies, the search for the perfect product is a fun one, and other curlies in the community prefer to take matters into their own hands with DIY.
Here is a 100% organic DIY gel that you can make at home that harnesses the benefits of Vitamin B5, and the reasons it is so nourishing for your hair. You can get the NOW Foods Vitamin B5 capsule brand at most drugstores, Whole Foods, or GNC.
DIY Vitamin B5 Curl Enhancer
Karine of the blog Water Roots uses this recipe of all organic ingredients as a curl enhancing gel.
- 1 Tbsp Aloe Vera gel to hydrate and nourish your hair
- 1 to 2 Drops Pro Vitamin B5/DL Panthenol to strengthen, repair weak curls, and boost shine.
- 1 to 2 Drop Silk Extract to retain moisture and protect the hair follicle
- 1 Drop Essential Oil–either lavender or rosemary to soothe your scalp
- Optional: Rice protein Liquid to hydrate and add volume and Argan Oil to nourish
Mix everything together in a bowl, and place in a glass jar to store away. Use this for 2 weeks maximum if used without preservatives.
We recommend applying this gel to wet or damp hair when styling freshly cleansed hair. When reviving 2nd or 3rd day hair, spray your hair with water to dampen it and then scrunch a small amount of gel from the ends up to the roots to reactivate your curls.
Why use Vitamin B5?
Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a nutrient that you will find in most of your hair and skin care products these days.
It supports the production of protein-rich tissues like collagen and keratin. This water-soluble vitamin cannot be stored by your body although you still need to acquire it from a well-balanced diet and lifestyle.The benefits for your hair
For hair, vitamin B5 benefits the natural keratin found in our hair. It helps prevent hair loss, keeps hair from going grey and helps to retain natural color and luster. Most salon products and treatments contain B5 as part of nourishing treatments to clients who want to straighten or color their hair.
The collagen and keratin help to prevent hair breakage, makes hair stronger and keeps hair from getting too dry and brittle. Vitamin B5 is also used to treat hair loss and hair shedding too. Its natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it an ideal ingredient for deeply cleansing the scalp after taking down a protective style.
How else can you get Vitamin B5?
Luckily, there are a lot of common foods that we consume that provide us with the pantothenic acid we need.
- tuna
- chicken
- milk
- yogurt
- cooked broccoli
- avocado
- lentils
- sweet potatoes
- mushrooms
- whole wheat bread
If you feel as though you still need more vitamin B5 in your diet you can take vitamin supplements as well.
Have you made your own gel? What ingredients do you use?
Cantu is a household brand the natural hair community. A staple of many, the Cantu Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream arouses nostalgia of finally finding a Holy Grail product able to nourish my delicate, transitioning strands, relieving my worry of breakage. For years these products have delivered for women, relaxed and natural, with vastly different lifestyles, so it was no surprise that Cantu was inspired to celebrate their customers with their Expressions of You collection.
In 2016, most women wear many hats and NaturallyCurly followers are no different, so selecting community members Francesca Seelal, Nicollette Francis, Danielle Villafana, Yarisbeth Donaldson, and Jocabed Delossantos to strut the runway was a no-brainer. Each model represented different facets of life, including the boss, the socialite, the fit chic, the jet-setter, and the multitasker, basically every woman we adore on social media. To bring the looks to life, New York Fashion Week newbie, hairstylist, NaturallyCurly contributor, Maria Antoinette, was washing, twisting, and coifing curls solo without a sweat or misstep. For Antoinette, this was not just another gig, she was proud to represent a brand that she loves:
“I have been a fan of Cantu for years, so when the opportunity of being apart of the Cantu Crew came about I was honored and excited to work with them as a licensed cosmetologist!” The stunning models wore costumes beautifully designed by Owner and Creative Director of Suakoko Betty Charlene Dunbar.
Like most bosses, Seelal’s hair was sleek. Sectioned in two parts and molded into an intricate bun created with Marley hair that can be purchased at your nearest beauty supply store. Antoinette used the Cantu Comeback Curl Revitalizer to rejuvenate Saleel’s hair, the Cantu Coconut Curling Cream and Cantu Edge Stay Gel to smooth her hair taut, and the Cantu Twist and Lock Gel and Cantu Curl Activator Cream to morph the Marley hair.
And of course you cannot have a runway showcasing texture without a voluminous, gravity defying afro, so Antoinette blended the Big Chop Corkscrew hair (2 bundles to be exact”> into Francis’ naturally curly hair for height that could resists the 20 mph wind speed just outside City Winery. Similar to the product used on boss, Francis’ hair was detangled with the Cantu Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream and set with the Cantu Twist and Lock Gel and Cantu Coconut Curl Cream to effortlessly blend the clip-in extension with her natural texture.
When you are a jet-setter traveling hassle free is always the goal, and that includes your hair. For a chic style that requires little to no maintenance, Antoinette chose fingercoils installed with water, Twist & Lock Gel, and a small tooth comb for Yarisbeth Donaldson.
With more people living active lifestyles, Cantu had to include the fit chic, modeled by Danielle Villadana. Up and away is always best when breaking a sweat, so Antoinette created a chunky top knot with the Big Chop Kinky Curly clip-in extensions.
For the jack of all trades, there was the multitasker modeled by wavy-haired Jocabed Delossantos. Again, no one has time to keep tucking their hair behind the ears, which is why the side-swept ponytail with the accent flat twist along the edges is perfect for holding it all together, including the baby hairs. For looser textures it is not always a matter of different products as it is application. Lighter is always better so that you can build if necessary.
Equally in awe as I was? I’m sure, and you don’t have to break the bank to wear these runway looks. Cantu products are affordable and accessible just about anywhere ranging from grocery stores to drugstores. Now you have all the inspiration and products you need to exude the many expression of you.
Do you believe in magic? Hair legend Chuck Amos does. And I kind of do too now, having witnessed him perform a series of unbelievable hair tricks at the 2016 Texture on the Runway show.
When I first encountered Amos working at the Creme of Nature station, he had a cherry red wide tooth comb wedged into his locs, which were neatly gathered in a top knot. Model Taiwo Anjorin sat in the chair before him with half of her fierce fro styled in what appeared to be a double-strand twist out. But, as Amos quickly revealed, the upcoming runway rehearsal left little time to actually twist all of Taiwo’s hair, set it and then undo each twist.
To save on time, he would stretch out thick sections of hair and swiftly wrap them around a thin barrel curling iron—an ingenious sleight of hand that no one would even think to guess. That’s how authentic this faux twist out looked!
As for the products used to style this stunning ‘do, Amos opted for Creme of Nature’s Butterlicious Curls. Taiwo’s thicker, coilly hair texture called for a product with oils, butters and gels to hold the curl, he explained.
“It has a lot of that butter feeling, and nutrients and slippage, which is nice,” said Amos. “When you take your hair out of the twists, it doesn’t have a sticky feel. It’s not tacky and it’s not crusty.”
Additional Creme of Nature products from the Argan Oil Morocco line were also on deck, including Pudding Perfection, Twirling Custard, Perfect Edges and 100% Pure Argan Oil.
Textured hair comes in many shapes, sizes and feels much like the fabric and designs of this collection
When showtime eventually came around, Taiwo and the four other gorgeous Creme of Nature models were all outfitted with a head full of huge, voluminous curls in all shapes and colors. The hair styling was directly inspired by design stylist David De La Cruz’s “Lady in Red” capsule, a collection of 70’s and 80’s-inspired looks that showcased authentic, elevated street style.
“Using tweed in a sporty, less traditional way, and creating an abstract camouflage print in delicate silk chiffon, I wanted to show the many sides of a woman,” De La Cruz told Naturally Curly. He also noted how textured hair brought his theme to life.
“Textured hair comes in many shapes, sizes and feels much like the fabric and designs of this collection,” De La Cruz said.
Ultimately, the crowd went wild for the bold marriage of bright red looks and larger-than-life hair. Little did they know that a supernatural stylist was in their midst.
“That’s the magic of being a session artist,” said Amos.
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Written by Patrice Peck of Fussy.
Armed with an arsenal of super hydrating products and a team of pro-texture stylists, Design Essentials arrived at this year’s Texture on the Runway event with one mission in mind: to declare war on dryness.
“Since dryness is a huge concern with this audience, we will show women how to Declare War on Dryness, not their hair,” said Design Essentials stylist ambassador Marco Vogt. “Making peace with your texture is our ultimate goal.”
Hours before their models took to the stage, Vogt and his fellow Design Essentials stylists crafted several vibrant military-inspired looks, making sure that each style had its fair share of movement. The diverse line-up featured everything from an edgy braided up-do to a head of glossy curls, and even metallic purple tresses. As Vogt noted, the key to creating such fierce fighter looks was adding “loads of texture.”
Not only had the talented Design Essentials stylists successfully demonstrated the endless possibilities of high-fashion textured hair, but they also used curl-friendly products like the Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Shampoo and the matching Detangling Leave-In Conditioner.
“The almond and avocado complex really hydrates and gives the hair the protein that it really needs,” said Vogt.
Other curl-friendly products included in the pre-show line-up were the Coconut & Monoi Coconut Water Curl Refresher, the Honey CurlForming Custard, the Coconut & Monoi Intense Shine Oil Mist and the Honey & Shea Edge Tamer.
In addition to ensuring major hydration for each and every strand, the stylists also wielded a wide variety of tools. But there was one tool in particular that caught our attention. Both Vogt and other Design Essential stylists were spotted using crimping irons to pump up the volume and construct intricate updos. Fun fact: crimped hair makes for a very sturdy foundation when it comes to pinning everything up.
“We had the 90’s, when everyone’s hair was sleek and flat and down. It’s time to do new things or things that came before this 90’s sleek chic look,” said Vogt about the importance of texture the runway. “We have to do more movement, more locks, more curls, more texture overall. And that’s what it’s all about.”
Covering the excitement backstage at Texture on the Runway, surrounded by curly, coily and wavy models and stylists who are educated and passionate about working with texture and not against it, it is easy to forget that the rest of the fashion and beauty industry still has yet to catch up with us. “There is still very little representation of curly women on the fashion runways, so this is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty in all that is curly at Texture on the Runway 2016” says Anika Robertson, Design Essentials Natural Marketing Coordinator. “We are hoping to continue to showcase the beauty in the diversity of women with naturally curly hair, and to showcase that there is more than one kind of curly or one kind of natural. Whether you are wavy, curly, coily, loc’ed or a combination of the three, we want to inspire women to wear their naturally curly hair with pride.”
There are some curlies who like to master a go-to look that they can reliably return to each morning. Then there are the curlies who love to transform their look with versatile styles and techniques. NaturallyCurly Editor Devri Velazquez is one of the latter. Every week she is wowing the office with a gorgeous new style and this week was no different.
When we received Faux Locs by Khinky.com Devri was excited to try temporary dreadlock extensions that could look realistic. A representative from Khinky instructed Devri’s stylist on the best installation technique for her hair (she used the crochet method”>.
The synthetic fibers of the hair are extra light weight, making them perfect for protective styling.
What did Devri think of the faux locs?
“Even though it was synthetic hair, it still looked like human hair to me. I loved the hair, I loved that they customized it to look like my hairtype. The faux locs are inexpensive even though they look expensive, so I’d say they’re high quality, which is a big deal to me. That alone would be enough to sell me on trying these.
I’m going to reuse these faux locs over and over.”
If you’d like to try these Temporary Faux Locs for yourself, you can purchase them at Khinky.com.
Update to post: The giveaway associated with this post ended on February 27, 2016.
This post is sponsored by Khinky.
Written by Cozy Friedman, founder of SoCozy
After 20 plus years in the kids’ hair salon business, I get asked a lot of questions, but one that always seems to pop up is “what are some quick AND easy hair styles for getting my kids out the door in the morning?” Clearly, hair can be quite an issue for parents. Tack on teeth brushed, backpack ready, breakfast made – turning bed head into something presentable can easily become the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I believe that every mother deserves to have that one quick, super cute, but super easy, go-to hairstyle for her daughter. Easy for you and she can hold her head up high at school drop off in the morning. Here’s the style I wish my mom knew when I was a kid, because that basic pony was basically boring.
One of the things I love so much about the SoCozy Side Twist is that it’s good for every hair type and length, plus it’s so easy that anyone can do it. What will you do with all the extra time in the morning that you now have?
What you’ll need
- Comb
- Bobby pins
- Boing Curl Gel-Cream
Directions
- Apply a curl cream to the hair to keep it defined and moisturized throughout the day. This can be done on freshly washed wet hair, or to 2nd or 3rd day hair with a curl refresher or water in a spray bottle.
- Part the hair on whichever side you prefer and grab a small section from the front.
- Take that small section and start twisting it away from the face, twisting it all the way to the end. Secure the end with a bobby pin or clip.
This post is sponsored by SoCozy.
Whenever I would straighten my hair, my dad would ask me why I was wasting my time and making the house smell. No matter how much I cranked open the bathroom window or sprayed Febreeze, the scent of burning plastic coming from my flat iron would ultimately spread throughout the house. But I still did it anyways. After all, it was worth the extra compliments. Right?!
For much of middle school and high school, sleek, straight hair was the style of choice.
I would spend countless Sunday afternoons standing in front of a bathroom mirror straightening my hair, which was no easy task; it took me two hours to complete. At the time, I didn’t know how to properly take care of my naturally curly hair or what products to use or even what heat damage was. My curls were subpar and I was clueless as to why.
By the time I hit senior year in high school, straightening my hair became a draining task that I dreaded. I got tired of waking up extra early just to go over my hair with a flat iron before heading to school.I was simply over it. There was no ah-ha, eureka moment.
I could not bother with the extra effort and upkeep. I had lost patience with the process. Having straight hair truly did not make me any happier, so why continue doing it? Plus, I was about to begin university and knew I could be doing better things with my time. Unlike makeup, straightening my hair did not enhance my natural features–all it did was make me look like a different person and stink up my house!
Fast-forward to today.
I have graduated from university and have not straightened my hair for over four years. My curls are in their best condition ever. I love them and I embrace them. Funnily enough, these days I get just as many, or maybe more compliments on my curly hair than I did when it was straight. There definitely seems to be a shift of acceptance, thanks Instagram and Tumblr!
Though I never, EVER think about straightening, I am not against it. I’m sure some day I may want to straighten my hair, in fact, now that my curls are completely restored I actually feel more comfortable doing so. I just won’t make it a Sunday afternoon chore.
Watch my video
How long have you gone without straightening your naturally curly hair? Let me know in the comments!
We can’t get enough of how versatile curly hair can be. One day you can embrace your frizz and wear it big and voluminous, and the next day you can create shiny, defined curls with a few easy steps. No matter how you wear your hair, this tutorial featuring the latest from Carol’s Daughter will give you some easy-to-follow tips on getting the curly look you’re going for. Whether it’s super defined, big and voluminous, or pinned back for a more professional look.
What you’ll need
- Bobby pins
- Gentle cleanser
- Detangling product such as Carol’s Daughter 4-In-1 Combing Crème
- Your favorite detangling tool
Directions
Step 1
Wash your hair with a gentle cleanser or co-wash like Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner.
Step 2
To detangle, apply a detangler like Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk 4-In-1 Combing Creme throughout freshly co-washed, wet hair. Then take your favorite detangling tool, whether it’s a wide tooth comb, a brush or your fingers, and run it through your hair
Step 3
Separate your hair into 2-4 sections to make it easier to work with. Then starting with the bottom section, take a 1-inch section and twirl it around your fingers to create a tight twist. Continue this step until all of your hair is coiled. Depending on how much hair you have, you may have 10-15 twists when you are done.
Step 4
To unravel the coils, rub a small amount of Carol’s Daughter 4-In-1 Combing Creme between your palms and fingers and begin unraveling and untwisting the coils, separating them into individual curls. Doing this with a light coating of smoothing product on your hands will help prevent frizz. The more you unravel, the more volume you will have. This step is really up to your personal preference.
Optional Step 5
You could stop here and wear your hair down, but if you’d like to style your hair (or change things up on day 2 or 3″> you can take a small section above one of your ears and twist it towards the back of your head. Then use bobby pins to secure it in place and add an accessory if you like.
Watch the video
This post is sponsored by Carol’s Daughter.
You want to grow your natural hair long, but constantly having to cut all of your split ends isn’t helping your retain any length. This is a common scenario that, believe it or not, is it possible to “fix” using a candlestick. The Velaterapia (“candle method””> treatment literally uses a candle to burn off split ends.
Feel like playing with fire? Leave it to the pros.
“Of course, playing with fire certainly comes with a risk, and shouldn’t be a DIY move,” says celebrity hairstylist Anh Co Tran. “It takes major control, which can be hard. I like to see exactly what to cut and what not to cut, so with the burning method, if you don’t stop it on time, you may take off more [hair] than you wanted.” Like most specialized hair techniques, this one requires a well-trained stylist to get the job done right. Trying this at home isn’t like opening a box of dye, or color–leave it to the pros.
Ricardo Gomes, NYC Maria Bonita Salon stylist who has used the candle method for three years now says that “a lot of people get confused about the treatment because they think it has to do with the wax of the candle, but it actually involves just controlling the flame.”
Like most specialized hair techniques, this one requires a well-trained stylist to get the job done right. Trying this at home isn’t like opening a box of dye, or color–leave it to the pros.
Other than playing with fire, clients, and stylists, also have to understand that the smell involved in this method isn’t always pleasant. Our hair contains keratin and sulfur. The burned hair smell can not only be extremely strong, but lingers for some time, too.
“It’s not so far-fetched that we’re playing with heat with the hair,” says celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa, who explains that sometimes hairstylists use heat in other ways, like by heating their scissors before giving a haircut. She also adds that women put intense heat on their hair regularly at home with hot tools, anyway.
How the candle method is done
For best results, the candle method requires dry, straight to loose wavy hair, which is then sectioned into smaller pieces, which are twisted. Then, the stylist runs the flame over the frayed pieces which stick out of the twist and burns them off. By twisting each section, stylists can ensure that only damaged hairs are removed. After this part is done, the stylist washes the hair and adds a deep conditioning treatment. With the heat having opened the hair cuticle, it’s an opportunity for nourishing vitamins to be added to the scalp and sealed in for restoration and reparation. The treatment and cold wash and rinse ensure that the cuticle is closed and aids in the growth of new hair. Lastly, the hair is usually blown out and a last “spot check” for any leftover split ends is done.
And while the idea of having your split ends be gone may be a nice one, the method isn’t for everyone. “It’s recommended for people who have pre-treated hair, highlights or use lots of hot tools. This is ideal for those people with lots of split ends who don’t want to cut the length,” says Gomes, who advises that only people with shoulder length hair or below consider the treatment.
And due to the nature of the candle method, it’s intense heat and shock to the hair, it is recommended that this method is only done every three to four months. In a salon such as Maria Bonita in NYC prices start at $150 and go to $250 depending on the type and length of the hair.
What exactly are plant stem cells?
A plant stem cell is a non-specialized cell capable of self-renewal. Meristem cells are stem cells found in plants.
What do plant stem cells do?
Stem cells are the most important cells in the skin. They are the source for continuous regeneration of the epidermis, the formation of new hair and hair pigments. Active plant cell technology works to increase the lifespan of hair follicles so that the hair can stay longer in the anagen phase of the hair. We recommend éprouvage Restorative Scalp Serum which is formulated with plant stem cells to help reduce thinning hair and produce stronger and healthier hair.
Can you find plant stem cells for individual purchase? Or are they only available in formulated products?
Companies manufacturing formulated goods use plant stem cells, as they are intended to be formulated into a finished product. They are not available for purchase directly by a consumer.
What is a powerful plant stem cell used in haircare?
The Egyptian blue lily in the éprouvage regimen is a plant stem cell cultivated for its anti-aging and skin balancing properties, leading to healthier hair and scalp. This smart cell therapy better anticipates and helps slow down the aging process. The éprouvage Reparative Treatment Masque contains this ingredient in a deeply penetrating, intensely conditioning treatment that strengthens hair from within to restore strength and elasticity.
What are the benefits of the other ingredients used in éprouvage?
Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil promotes scalp health benefits, and is known to regulate blood circulation in the body, including the scalp. This awakens the hair follicle for ultimate growth.
Vegetable, soy & Rice Keratins
By using vegetable proteins and wheat and soy keratin, hair can repair faster, leaving it shiny and supple. When hair is damaged, then the hair structure is opened up and vegetable keratins penetrate into the fiber and bind to the internal structure, rebuilding the damaged proteins to restore strength and condition to the hair. Through multiple uses, it will increase hair strength and elasticity to prevent breakage. It can protect the hair when it goes through harsh processes such as coloring and bleaching and will reduce damage from the excess force of styling. éprouvage Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner utilize these powerful proteins to repair damage and prevent breakage.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus improves overall health of the hair, as well as promotes blood flow to the skin around hair follicles.
Where are éprouvage products available for purchase, and are they for professional hairstylists only?
No they are available to both professionals and consumers. You can currently find éprouvage products in Ulta stores and online at Ulta.com or eprouvage.com. Stylists can purchase the products through professional haircare distributors once partnerships have been finalized.
[prodmod]This post is sponsored by éprouvage.
Genetics are usually what determine the graying of your hair, and we tend to be in favor of rocking what your genes gave you. But we understand that some women are determined to get rid of these natural changes in color, so let’s take a closer look at what’s going on here.
As we age, we build up hydrogen peroxide in our follicles… we lose some of this enzyme which results in buildup that appears white.
While genetics do play a role in going gray, scientific researchers are also looking at stress and the buildup of hydrogen peroxide in our hair as another cause of going gray. According to the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB”>, as hair ages, it accumulates hydrogen peroxide which causes it to go white.
Hydrogen peroxide is produced by our hair cells all throughout our lives. When we are younger, the enzyme catalase simply breaks the hydrogen peroxide down into water and oxygen. As we age, though, we lose some of this enzyme and the buildup of hydrogen peroxide results. In a sense, this building up of hydrogen peroxide bleaches our hair from inside.
Fact or fiction: If you pluck and pull your gray hairs, they will come back with a vengeance.
According to dermatologist Dr. Martie Gidon, plucking grays is harmless. They simply grow back like any other hair would. “Gray hair already has a coarser texture than naturally pigmented hair, and it will grow back as coarse as before it was pulled,” says Gidon. However, if you happen to pluck a gray hair with a red tip on it, you may have pulled too deep–up to the root–and in that case, the hair may not grow back.
If you absolutely have to pluck those grays…
Here’s how to do it safely and effectively, according to LiveStrong.
- Find the hairs you’re looking to remove. Be careful not to remove too many from one area so you don’t find yourself with a balding spot or excessive breakage and damage to your hair and scalp.
- Carefully trace the hairs to their roots and use your tweezers to remove them.
- Place your index and middle fingers an inch or two away from the root of the hair being removed. Pull back gently, making the skin around the hair root taut.
- Squeeze the tweezers together around the hair to get a firm grip.
- Pull the hair out. Make sure to pull straight out. If you pull in one direction or the other, you could cause the hair to break before the root is out, causing an ingrown hair or hair that is too short to tweeze until it grows longer.
Better yet, love your natural gray
Marc Anthony, who has a famed line of hair care products, says “It is better to leave it be. There are so many options for gray hair these days—including just leaving it gray.” And we agree. Allowing your hair to simply grow its natural gray and silver has become an easier option for many men and women, since going in for very regular color treatments can be both costly and timely. Plus we just love the way it looks on women like Instagrammer Chubahkah (pictured above”> and NaturalSilvaSista . We just recommend using a purple toning cleanser like Clairol Shimmer Lights to keep your gray fresh and prevent yellowing. But for those who want to continue to cover up their silver streaks, there are a number of options including professional and over the counter color treatments that can be done at home too.
In conclusion, plucking will not lead to more gray hairs or coarser gray hairs, but you do risk damaging the hair follicle.
Related: Scared to Gray Naturally? This Might Change Your Mind
We like Curlformers because they’re a heatless way to change your curl pattern for a few days. And when you wash your hair you know your curls will return right back to your natural curls without any risk of heat damage. We know learning a new tool can be intimidating, but these are so simple to use – on any curl pattern. Watch for the hacks Nikki, Evelyn and Cristina have figured out for getting your best Curlformers results.
1. Make sure your hair is completely detangled first
In order to have your quickest and easiest Curlformers experience, it is extremely important that you detangle your hair first. This will make the Curlformer glide over your curls much more smoothly, and can also help elongate your curls for your best results. Detangle how you normally would, whether it’s before or during your shower with a slippery conditioner in your hair. If your hair is already dry, then spritz it with water in a spray bottle to dampen it and detangle with your fingers, a wide tooth comb, or a brush. Nikki used the Curlformers Delux Brush to remove her tangles.
2. Spot treat heat damaged hair with Curlformers
You may have seen tutorials where Curlformers are used on all of the hair, but that does not have to be the case. Cristina has hair around her face that refuses to curl, which is likely due to heat damage or the manipulation of pulling her hair back frequently. She uses a couple of Spiral Curlformers on her dry hair to spot treat those curls without using any heat (which can further damage her hair”>. To do this, simply spray with water or apply a light styler to the sections you want to curl, then put one or two Curlformers just in the spots that need help curling. You can leave them in while you put on makeup and get dressed for the day, then remove them and you have curls that match the rest of your head. You can also use this trick when you wake up in the morning and have a few curls that look misshapen or frizzy.
3. What to do if your Curlformer gets stuck
If the wand gets stuck as you’re pulling your hair through the Curlformer, do not pull and force it through. Simply push the wand back up so that you can start over with that curl. It only takes a second, and is so simple to do.
4. Make sure your hair is completely dry before removing
This is one of the most important tips, do not skip this one! If you remove Curlformers (or any roller set”> before your hair is 100% dry, your hair will likely frizz and lose the curl definition that you have worked so hard to achieve. If you do not have the patience to wait until it is dry, or if you have highly porous hair that takes a long time to dry, use a hood attachment for your blowdryer that will speed up the process. Set your blowdryer to the cool setting to avoid heat.
5. How to remove a Curlformer
You detangled your hair, put in your Curlformers, and waited until they were completely dry. Now what? Removing them is actually pretty simple, especially if you know this trick. The easiest way is to stretch the Curlformer out using your fingers, then pinch the end near your roots and the one at your ends to open it up, then pull. Your hair will easily slide out without any pressure on your hair or scalp. You can see Nikki removing an Extra Wide Curlformers from her hair to create large barrel curls.
6. How to preserve your curls for 2nd day hair
If you want to make your style last for 2nd, 3rd and 4th day hair, the best way to preserve it is by sleeping with your hair in a pineapple. This will prevent you from messing up your curls as you lay on them to sleep. To pineapple, simply pull all of your hair on top of your head and secure it very loosely with a scrunchy or hair tie. This will not only keep your hair from rubbing on your pillow, it will also prevent you from creating a dent in your hair where the hair tie was. If your hair is too short to reach up into a pineapple, try the multi-pineapple by pulling your hair into several loose hair ties instead of just one.
[prodmod]This post is sponsored by Curlformers.
