Search Results: NaturallyCurly

Sneak Peek Giveaway: Win New Products Before They Even Hit Stores
Sneak Peek Giveaway: Win New Products Before They Even Hit Stores
By NaturallyCurly ·

If you’re a true Product Junkie then you probably find excuses to make a quick trip to your Target several times a week. Minimum. Especially when a new product launch is on your radar. But what would you say if we told you you could have the latest curl product to hit Target shelves before it even hits the shelves, and it would be free. You might be thinking “where can I sign up?”

Down below, in our comments section.

How to enter

Tell us which product you’re most excited to try in the comments below.

When

August 25-27

Prize

There are 10 prize packages including:

The new Carol’s Daughter Combing Crèmes are made to use as your detangler, leave-in conditioner, and styling product. A few of us have tried them in the office and we’re excited to see what you all think! They aren’t available for purchase yet, but they will be exclusive to Target in September. 

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.

*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that we can notify you if you’ve won.

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This post is sponsored by Carol’s Daughter.

3 Makeovers with SheaMoisture Professional
By NaturallyCurly ·

When SheaMoisture came out with a Professional line we were excited to try it – all three lines of it. So we asked our curlfriend Tiffany Nicole, a natural hair care stylist and pro extensionist, to show us how the new lines are used. She gave makeovers to Uma, Nikki and Amanda at her salon, catering to each of their hair concerns.

If you’re curious about trying the SheaMoisture Professional line yourself, you can find it at Sally Beauty Supply.

Uma’s Color-Safe Wash & Go

Ever since coloring her curls Uma’s been worried about dryness and damage, especially at the ends, so Tiffany used the Color Care Collection on Uma. We don’t want fear to keep you from trying new colors or curl enhancing highlights, so here are some tips for moisturizing colored curls.

  • Step 1 – Tiffany used the Vibrant Color Shampoo and Conditioner because of its fade-resistant protection and pH balancing properties to seal Uma’s cuticles and protect the color from washing out.
  • Step 2 – Then Tiffany took a few drops of the Vibrant Color Clear Shine Glaze and scrunched it through Uma’s ends 
  • Step 3 – Uma air dried her hair and had a defined wash and go without sacrificing any of her color or moisture

Nikki’s Damage-Free Straightening

Nikki wears her hair in a fabulous curly wash and go most days of the year, but once or twice a year she likes to change it up and wear it straight, just for fun. Of course the fun is never worth it if it’s followed by damage of any sort, so she asked Tiffany to keep her curls safe with the Keratin Care Collection.

  • Step 1 – Nikki wanted to know if it’s best to co-wash or shampoo before straightening, and Tiffany said that shampooing is definitely the way to go. It is important to remove all product buildup from the hair before running the heat of the straightening iron over it.
  • Step 2 – The KeraVega Monoi Oil Complex Conditioner helped to moisturize Nikki’s hair and provide heat protection to prevent heat damage.
  • Step 3 – On freshly cleansed and conditioned hair, Tiffany applied a small amount of the Smooth Finish Blow Dry Cream throughout Nikki’s hair, followed by the Smooth Finish Thermal Protection.
  • Step 4 – Blow dry the hair straight and if you’re going for a super straight look, finish off with a flat iron.

When Nikki blow dries her hair she usually and skips the flat iron for lots of volume and body, so it was a total surprise when Nikki  walked into the office with completely straight hair – and we were all relieved when her curls came back afterwards, damage-free.

Amanda’s Stretched Twist Out

Amanda has mastered the wash and go, but she wanted to get a few twist out tips because she experiences a lot of shrinkage during the week when she does a twist out herself. Tiffany whipped up a personalized curl cocktail to keep Amanda’s twist out elongated.

Step 1 – Tiffany shampooed Amanda’s hair twice, first with the Clear Start Shampoo and then the Moisture Infusion Shampoo. Read our article here about the importance of the double shampoo method.

Step 2 – Then Tiffany mixed a personalized cocktail using the Natural Pro Curl Care Rehydrating Cocktail Mix with a moisturizing masque and intensive oils to seal in Amanda’s moisture.

Step 3 – Amanda sat under the dryer with her conditioning treatment and a shower cap so that the conditioner and intense oils could penetrate her hair with the help of heat.

Step 4 – Tiffany applied the Blow Dry Cream (because it’s ok to mix products from different lines”> throughout Amanda’s hair and blow dried it in small sections to stretch it.

Step 5 – When Amanda’s hair was blown out, Tiffany applied the Curl Memory Leave-In Conditioner and a few drops of the Vibrant Color Clear Shine Glaze for shine and manageability in the twist out.

Step 6 – Tiffany twisted Amanda’s hair and she sat under the dryer for 30 minutes allowing it to dry. Then Tiffany untwisted the style, except for a small section on the right side for a sideswept look.

Have you tried any of the SheaMoisture Professional products? Let us know what you thought in the comments!

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This article is sponsored by SheaMoisture.

3 Ways to Smooth Your Frizzy Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·
PICTURED: DIANE MARY

Wavy natural hair can be exciting but also frustrating. Frizz, limpness, and random stragglers that won’t curl like the rest of your hair–us wavies our own bout of hair problems. A user recently asked the community this question in our Curly Q&A section:

I have 2b type hair. And I want to know how to get my curly/wavy look but not have frizz.

-Fabilxzo

Answer

First, it is important to understand how frizz can happen. These top causes may contribute to why your hair won’t stay smooth:

  • You use the wrong hair products for your hair type.

  • You use too much or too little hair product–you should always work the product into your hair gently, using what is needed for your type and length.

  • You dry your hair with a terry cloth towel

  • You sleep on a cotton pillowcase

  • You color your hair often without deep conditioning

  • You heat process your hair often is a sure way to make more frizz.

First we should realize that we may not be ridding of ALL the frizz and embracing some of it as a “halo” is actually pretty. Nonetheless, let’s talk about 3 techniques to help you battle your frizz.

The Praying Hands Method

Cocktail your favorite styling products into your palms and work a generous amount into your hair. Apply an alcohol-free definer liberally at the roots of your wet hair by placing your hands over your crown like a sandwich–or praying hands–over the section and smoothing the product. By doing so, you distribute product to every part of your hair that needs it. Watch how to do it.

Rake & Shake Method

Developed by the stylists at Ouidad, this technique has been used by lots of curly and wavy curls for soft, touchable curls. The key to this method is maintaining good moisture in the hair. As you style wet hair, you may need to keep a water mister bottle close by in case your hair starts to dry quickly. Start by applying a leave in conditioner to small sections throughout your hair and pin each section. Pour your favorite styler between your fingers, unpin the section, apply it using only your fingertips–like a rake–then gently hold the ends of the section with your fingers. Shake them back and forth, allowing your strands to air dry and releasing your waves to their natural pattern. Watch how to do it.

The Plopping Method

This is a popular method with curly girls too. Again, start with clean, wet hair. Next, apply your favorite styler and moisturizer cocktail evenly throughout your hair. Lay an old cotton T-shirt on your counter space, bed, or a chair nearby. Keep the sleeves closer to you and carefully flip your hair forward so all of it lies on the center of the T-shirt. Place the bottom end of the T-shirt at your neck and tie the sleeves of the shirt in the back into a knot then tuck in any loose ends and allow hair to “plop” for 10-20 minutes. If you can, air dry–if you don’t have much time, attach a diffuser to your dryer on your roots to prevent frizz. Here’s how to do it.

If you color your hair regularly, make sure to ask your stylist about color protectants like Olaplex. Educate yourself on making the most of your heat styling tools without overdoing it on the damage. Also, make sure you deep condition your hair with a nourishing hair masque every two weeks.

Do Kardashian Products Work on Curls? (The Answer Might Surprise You)
By NaturallyCurly ·

The naturally curly-haired community is a tough one to break into–and be accepted into with open arms. And with the new wave of curly ‘popularity,’ most of us are skeptical when a new brand name pops up out of nowhere. This is especially true when the brand is attached to a celebrity name, say for example Kardashian, who styles their hair to be sleek and straight. So if you saw this photo and thought “but they have straight hair…” you’re not alone.

You may be thinking, but they have straight hair…

Contrary to what your assumptions may be of the Kardashian line, the products have been garnering positive reviews among curlies. Here’s what wavies, curlies and coilies have to say. 

Kardashian Curl Defining Cream-Gel, $13.99

The product claims

This cream-gel is infused with black seed oil, which makes hair both nourished and flexible. It also style more uniform coils and curls without making them crunchy or dry.

The review

Chanel Parks, a Huffington Post writer with natural kinky-coily textured hair said this about the product: “I noticed that the cream-gel had a silky consistency at first, allowing my fingers to gracefully grip the hair into place. The product gets stickier as it dries thanks to the gel component. White residue stayed behind in the twists initially but thankfully it absorbed by the next morning…My hair is pretty hard to please. It usually shrinks more than I want it to during the first three days after a twist-out, but the cream-gel definitely held up. Every morning thereafter, I just pulled at the curls with my fingers and was ready to go. ” 

  • Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18-Methicone Glycerin Propanediol Nigella Sative ( Black Seed “> Oil Hydrolyzed Silk Panthenol Polyquaternium-69 VP/VA Copolymer Amodimethicone Cetrimonium Chloride Trideceth-8 VP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer Phenoxyethanol Methylisothiazolinone Citric Acid Fragrance (parfum”> Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Citronellol Geraniol Benzyl Alcohol Citral Linalool Mica titanium dioxide
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Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Shampoo, $14.99

The product claims

This dry shampoo is meant to accompany the conditioner and revives limp, lifeless hair by instantly absorbing excess oil and impurities that tend to weigh fine hair down. It is a fast drying, waterless spray that extends the life of your style by refreshing the roots and providing a pure foundation for layered styling, creating the ultimate finish.

The review

The Take 2 Dry Shampoo had the lowest rating out of all of the other products in this article, with 3.3 out of 5 stars. There were a couple bad reviews for this product that said it left their hair feeling crunchy and felt like a hairspray, but this Ulta reviewer addresses that issue when she said: “This product is absolutely amazing for any girl who wants to stretch washing their hair out to prevent damage. As some of the reviews stated, the product might make your hair have a crunchy or hard touch as if it acts as a hairspray. If you read the instructions carefully, you are supposed to spray several inches from your head in order to prevent this from happening. When used correctly, this product is definitely something I would recommend, and I am always getting compliments on how good my hair smells any time that I use it.”

  • Ingredients: Hydrofluorocarbon 152a Alcohol Denat. Oryza Sativa (Rice”> Starch Cyclopentasiloxane Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Nigella Sative( Black Seed”> Oil Hydrolyzed Silk Tocopheryl ( Vitamin E”>Acetate Retinyl ( Vitamin A”> Palmitate Panthenol Cetrimonium Chloride Acrylates Copolymer Magnesium Carbonate Dicetyldimonium Chloride Polysilicone-19 VP/VA Copolymer Fragrance (parfum”> Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Citronellol Geraniol Benzyl Alcohol

Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Conditioner, $14.99

The product claims

This is a lightweight conditioning spray that helps to revive dull hair and enhances shine and moisture. It, too, is formulated with black seed oil and has a strong scent that lasts all day long and smoothes a rough, coarse cuticle down for a smooth, sleek appearance–even on curly hair.

The review

We’ve all heard of dry shampoos before, but dry conditioner is not so common. For curly girls this may come in handy if you are wearing a style in which you’ve manipulated your curl pattern, for example with curlers or a twist out, and you want to add some moisture to your hair without reverting back to your natural curl pattern. According to Ulta reviewer Jen, who has wavy hair, “If your hair’s dirty, you really need to use dry shampoo, then use the dry conditioner to get rid of that super dry grimy feel. This will add some moisture and shine.” Another reviewer who describes her hair as “very curly” says “I use after dry shampoo to add shine and cover chalky residue. I use Big Sexy Dry Shampoo. They were sold out of Kardashians dry shampoo but I want to try it.”

  • Ingredients: Hydrofluorobarbon 152A, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone PEG 8 Meadowfoamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E”>, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A”>, Panthenol, Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol
,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-version=”4″>

Kardashian Beauty Hair Dryer, $89.99

The product claims

Of course you can’t have a Kardashian product that doesn’t promote blow outs. So yes, the hair dryer  does promise max power and a “designer finish.” The Kardashian Beauty Hair Dryer has 1875 watts of pure power for incredibly fast drying time and optimal performance. This hairdryer promotes heightened air circulation to significantly reduce drying time and lock in desired styles. It also has 6 speed and heat settings that allow a more customizable control and styling versatility. It also has a ceramic heater with a powerful ion generator to dramatically reduce frizz and increase shine.

The review

Now most of our community rocks their natural curls (hence our name”> but if you do on occasion like to wear your hair straight, it’s important that you minimize the exposure to heat. This Ulta reviewer found that when she used this blow dryer on her curly hair, her hair was shiny and straight without resorting to following up with a flat iron – which is a great benefit for the health of your hair. Here’s what she had to say “I was a little skeptical but figured let me try this for myself. Not only does it have a gorgeous design, which is what drew me to this product, but it actually locks in the moisture. I barely have to iron after. My hair is frizzy/ curly let me add so I usually iron after a blow dry. My hair was shiny and healthy looking after I used this dryer.” 

Kardashian Beauty Black Seed Dry Oil, $16.49

The product claims

This oil blend is a nutrient rich treatment and styling aid that rejuvenates and nourishes hair so it appears strong, thick, smooth and shiny. This ultra light formula is easily absorbed, instantly nourishing and smoothing to the hair with no residue left behind.

The review

Racked writer Tynan Sinks reviewed the entire line, and found that “The Kardashian Black Seed Oil felt pretty synthetic in my hands, thick and slippery, so when I put the pads of my fingers together, I felt more of the oil than I did my own skin. I didn’t have high hopes. But when I ran it through my dry hair, I found that it didn’t weigh my hair down or make the strands cling together. Applied on damp hair and blow dried, it made my damaged hair very soft and cooperative. I actually can’t stop tousling my hair around, just because it finally has some movement to it.

I love how my hair feels when blow-dried with the black seed oil, so much so that it’s currently competing with my favorite leave-in conditioner. I’m a fan. Is it the best hair oil on the market? No, but it’s quality and it’s affordable, and I’m going to keep using it.”

The Black Seed Oil is said to be one of the best selling products in the line and many Ulta fans give it a 5 out of 5 star rating.

  • Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane Cyclotetrasiloxane Caprylyl Methicone Cyclohexasiloxane Nigella Sativa (Black Seed”> Oil Hydrolyzed Silk Phenoxyethanol C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Fragrance (parfum”> Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Benzyl Salicylate Benzyl Benzoate Eugenol Hexyl Cinnamal Limonene Yellow 11 (CI47000″> RED 17 (CI26100″>

Maybe you love the Kardashians, maybe you hate them, but we wouldn’t want the name to get in the way of finding a product that works for your curls. Armed with these reviews and the ingredients lists you should have what you need to make an informed decision. If you’d like to try these out for yourself the products are available at Sally’s Beauty Supply, Ulta and Drugstore.com.

Have you tried any of the new Kardashian hair products? We want to know what you think.

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My Ends are Straight, My Roots are Curly | Shai Amiel Q&A
By NaturallyCurly ·

We have a special guest answering your curly questions in our Curly Q&A this week, some of you may have heard of him, hint: he goes by “The Curl Doctor.”

For years, Shai Amiel has owned and run one of the first Los Angeles-based curl-friendly salons; today, he is the go-to hair artist for popular YouTube personalities and celebrities who want to begin their healthy natural hair journeys.

Please read Shai’s blog to learn about proper home haircare, choosing curl friendly products & everything else that has to do with curly hair.

Here’s a question that we got from our reader Ambular18, and it is actually a question we have gotten from many, many readers and have also dealt with ourselves.

Question

I have damaged type 3b hair, curly at the shaft and & the ends straight! How can I start over?

Answer

This is very common! I recommend trimming healthy hair every 3 months and damaged hair every 2 months in order for you to remove as much of the dead hair as possible. Don’t let anyone trim your ends when hair is straight because straightening hair will only add more damage. There’s no need to damage it before you trim it. You have curly hair and you should only wear it curly so it should be trimmed curly. you can look at my Instagram for inspiring looks you should always use curl friendly products and you can read my blog to explain how to choose those products.

Head over to Curly Q&A and post your questions this week if you’d like Shai to answer yours personally!

100% Natural DIY Strengthening Curl-Definer
By NaturallyCurly ·

diy hair gel with lemon and gelatin

If you are looking for a refreshing, natural way to style and define your curly hair, this simple DIY hair gel by GI 365 is for you. It’s not only easy to make but it’s great for the frizzies and it keeps in your fridge for more than a week. Plus, it also costs about .60-$1.00 to make a batch and it’s good for your curls!

You will need

  • 1 tablespoon plain gelatin (from any grocery/market store”>
  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1-2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel

The last 2 ingredients are “optional” and can be added for additional conditioning treatment to the hair.

diy hair gel with lemon and gelatin

Directions

Over medium heat, mix the water and gelatin in a saucepan until the gelatin is dissolved.

  • Remove the mixture from the heat and add the lemon juice and allow to cool. You will notice the mixture will soon look like a gel.

diy hair gel

To add the conditioning element

  • Add the coconut oil and aloe after the gel is cooled and place the mixture in a blender. Blend until creamy. You can also use a whisk but will need to melt the coconut oil first if you decide to blend by hand. If you decide to make the conditioning version, you will not need to add an extra leave-in conditioner to your hair–it’s already in the gel! The gel works great for extra hold on any curl type.
Win ALL the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus
By NaturallyCurly ·

Everyone is always talking about the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. And if you’ve been watching longingly as yet another natural hair YouTuber mentioned a SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo or souffle in their monthly favorites, then this one’s for you. It’s your turn! We’re giving away 5 whole sets of the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus line, yes all of the products, valued at $88. Here’s how you can win…

Prize

5 lucky winners will win sets of the following:

Price Value: 88

When

August 4 – 6

How to enter

Comment below telling us your which Coconut & Hibiscus product you’re most excited to try!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.

*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that when we can notify you if you’ve won.

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Do You Need Hair Plugs?
By NaturallyCurly ·
hair transplant
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAIR TRANSPLANT NETWORK

Over time and with age, your hair will undergo a number of changes.

You may notice that there is more gray appearing, or perhaps the texture of your hair has started to get curlier. Maybe your hair feels and looks thinner. Have you experienced actual hair loss? It’s normal, and there is a cosmetic solution that requires going under the knife. For those who want to cover baldness with a very natural result, hair plugs can be an an effective option. A hair transplant, also referred to as hair plugs, is a surgical procedure that involves taking hair from a healthy area of your scalp and moving it to another area that is balding.

A hair transplant, also referred to as hair plugs, is a surgical procedure that involves taking hair from a healthy area of your scalp and moving it to another area that is balding.

Depending on the case, you may need to have more than one session planned for the procedure. First, a licensed doctor will review what needs to happen and how large of an area on your scalp should be covered.

There are different types of transplants which are based on the size of the area to be covered. For example, a mini graft will transplant just 2 to 4 hairs at a time. There are also grafts known as micro, slit, punch and strip. Each type of transplant moves and literally plants a certain number of hairs to the designated area(s”>.

hair plugs
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZIERING

Pre Op

Before your procedure, your physician will consult with you. He or she will show you real images of before and afters on previous clients. They will also go over the length of the surgery, requirements for preparation (should you fast the day of?, etc.”>, and if there is a need for multiple sessions. For the most part, the surgeries are performed at the doctor’s office, or an outpatient surgery center, so you will most likely be sent home the same day.

Procedure day

During the surgery, patients are given a local anesthesia  and the site is numbed. The doctor will trim the donor site area on the head to make it easier to remove the grafts, inject saline into the graft to keep it’s strength, create small holes in the balding area to insert the transplants then stitch the grafted area(s”>.

Post Op

Once the surgery is complete, the doctor will cover the area with gauze, administer medications, and discuss the recovery period process. During this time, for approximately 10 days, clients are restricted in their daily activities and told to avoid strenuous physical activity and sports while they heal.

After the recovery period, the stitches will be removed and the area can be gently washed. The hair can also be gently washed and tended to. Doctors remind patients that their new hair will growth will take several months to occur.

With this surgery there are risks of infection, scars and excessive bleeding. However, these types of procedures are considered low risk and usually have great results for both men and women.

Find a hair transplant specialist near you with this database provided by Hair Site.

Have you gotten a hair transplant before? What was your experience like?

Win $100 in Curl Products
By NaturallyCurly ·

If you are a curly who has ever searched for a solution to frizz, then your search would have likely lead you to Curl Keeper, by Curly Hair Solutions. Its lightweight formula has long been used and discussed in the curly community for its ability to give hold and definition without drying out your curls, the way other frizz fighting products can. Unlike many frizz serums, the Curl Keeper (also known as CK among curly girls”> is silicone-free and can be reactivated with water, for second, third and fourth day curls that are defined and free of buildup. Curly Hair Solutions also has a Curl Keeper Gel and a Styling Cream, and if you haven’t yet had a chance to try all three then today is your chance to win them all, and more.

Six lucky winners will receive everything a curly girl could ever want for defined, soft, frizz-free curls in this prize valued at $100. This includes: Curl Keeper Original, Gel and Styling Cream along with the Curl Keeper Slip for detangling, and their new Leave-In Conditioner and Beach Mist.

Prize

When

July 28 – 30

How to enter

Comment below telling us your biggest summer hair challenge!
Is it the common frizz halo? Or are you a curly girl who works out regularly and wants a way to refresh your curls? Or, like many curlies, is it moisture? Let us know in the comments below!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.

*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that when we can notify you if you’ve won.

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This giveaway is sponsored by Curly Hair Solutions.

Top 5 Gel Creams For Naturally Wavy Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·
PHOTOS COURTESY OF

Gel creams come are true two-for-one stylers that serve multiple purposes for your waves. They give you the hold and definition of a gel, but the moisturizing softness of a curl cream. They allow you to get the look of defined waves without piling the product on and risking losing the little volume you have.

Thirsty, frizzy curls can be a year round challenge and curl gel creams are a great solution for dry or damaged curl care as they help to nourish hair, condition curls, define and will not weigh your fine, loose curls down.

If you have naturally wavy hair and have yet to find a Holy Grail styling product, try one of these five gel creams in your styling regimen.

Ouidad Vitacurl Define & Shine Styling Gel Cream, $24

This styler feeds your hair the necessary vitamins and proteins it may be lacking in order to keep bounce and a more uniformed texture and pattern. You can also achieve beachy waves and tousled textures with this product, too.

Garnier Fructis Curl Sculpt, $4.29

This cream-gel will help your curls to go from unruly to under control. It has a light but pleasant fragrance, as well. This won’t leave your waves crunchy, either.

L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sculpt and Hold Cream Gel, $6.99

Notice this product appears with “stripes” of gel and cream layered one onto another. The perfect blend of cream and gel will ensure you evenly distributed, smoothly defined waves that will not weigh them down.

Mizani True Textures Curl Recharge Moisturizing Refresher, $18

This cream gel is made specifically for loose curlies and wavies. The lightweight texture brings shine back to dull day-old hair. It enhances your texture’s natural spiral while offering a boost of manageability.

Matrix Biolage Leave-In Defining Gel Cream, $17

This color-safe styling gel cream enhances your natural wavy texture. It provides a soft look and feel to hair and allows waves to remain bouncy and defined.

Or, make your own cream gel!

It isn’t hard to do. Simply combine equal parts of your favorite lightweight leave-in conditioner and gel. You could also combine your daily conditioner with gel but be aware that this method could potentially cause build-up on your scalp depending on which products you cocktail. Once you have found a mix that agrees with your waves, apply the mixture gently to your wet hair and scrunch. Use a light defining cream on top to seal and smooth out your wave. If you are refreshing second or third day waves, use a spray bottle to spritz your waves with water and scrunch your DIY cream gel through the hair using your fingers.

What’s your styling product of choice? Creams, gels, mousse, salt spray, or cream gels? 

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5 Quick Tips for Caring for Colored or Keratin Treated Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

If you have recently colored your hair or done a keratin treatment, you may be wondering what this means for your hair care routine. What needs to change, if anything? And what is the difference between your hair before the treatment and after? One marked difference is that the cuticles of color processed hair tend to be open, therefore colors are able to penetrate and color the hair faster. Virgin hair on the other hand, because it’s in its natural state, takes longer to process. With keratin treated hair, it varies greatly depending on the brand of treatment you received, the strength of your treatment and the length of time the treatment was on your hair. 

  1. Avoid sodium chloride – If you have keratin-treated hair, you need to stay away from products that contain sodium chloride. Opt for a moisturizing cleanser like the Dominican Magic Nourishing Shampoo. 
  2. Low pH balanced products – For hair that has been colored, we recommend using a gentle shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner with low pH balances, around 4. 
  3. Clarify once a month – When hair has been processed, it’s very important that you use a clarifying shampoo once a month. Clarifying shampoos work to remove silicone and metal build up that occurs in the hair over the course of the week. Once a week it’s important to use nourishing shampoo to provide your hair with extra moisture like the Ultra Straight Clarifying Shampoo.
  4. Use leave-in conditioner between washes – The best tip for conditioning processed hair is to use leave in conditioner during the week. This will help maintain your moisture level in between wash days. 
  5. Avoid peroxide – When dying or lightening hair, make sure to stay away from color with peroxide. This will aggravate any damage your processed hair has already undergone.
  6. Use heat protectant – Always use hair serum or protective straightening products when drying hair. 

This article is sponsored by Dominican Magic.

Hair Perfume Is a Thing — 6 You Need To Try
By NaturallyCurly ·

Is hair perfume the new dry shampoo? It might be. But what exactly is it?

Hair perfumes are made to have beautiful scents and leave your hair with some added shine and softer hair, with light hold for texture-manipulated styles. Hair is a natural diffuser, this is why your shampoo and conditioner scents linger long after you have washed your hair. The hair shaft and follicle naturally absorb odors, and as your hair moves it helps generate diffusion.

Hair fragrances work in a very similar way to skin fragrances and body wash scents, which are meant to evoke positive emotions and leave skin feeling refreshed and clean. Hair perfumes do the same, as well as sometimes including additional ingredients targeted to add softness and shine to your locks. Some hair fragrance works like a dry shampoo in that it absorbs oils and build-up, while adding a fresh scent to your curls between washes.

Some hair fragrance works like a dry shampoo in that it absorbs oils and build-up, while adding a fresh scent to your curls between washes.

Are hair perfumes drying?

Many hair perfumes are formulated with drying alcohols, and too much use throughout the day could be damaging and drying to your hair. While most alcohols in perfumes evaporate before they reach your skin, your hair can be far more delicate and easily prone to breakage or other damaging factors. We suggest taking a look at a hair perfume ingredients list and weighing up how important hair health is to you.

If your hair is in a damaged or chemically processed state, then you might want to avoid anything that could potentially exacerbate the situation. If your hair is healthy and has low porosity, then you may find that a small amount of fragrance won’t have any effect on the state of your hair. 

It’s important to know that not all alcohols are drying or damaging to your hair, some can provide moisture or act as emulsifiers, so before you rule out any product that has the word alcohol on its label, check this list of good and bad alcohols.

5 hair perfumes

If you’re curious and want to try a hair fragrance for yourself, these fragrances smell divine:

  1. Frederic Fekkai L’Air de St. Barths, $21.99, contains a lavish mix of citrus and sugary notes. It helps with frizz and adds shine to dull hair.
  2. L’Occitane en Provence Roses et Reines Hair Mist $16, uses extracts of roses from Grasse, Bulgaria, Morocco, and Turkey to saturate hair with richness while providing light curl definition.  
  3. Miss Dior Hair Mist, $48, is like a little black dress in a bottle–it is intense, sensual, and sophisticated with Indonesian amber patchouli essence.
  4. Byredo Hair Perfume, $62, in Blanche (a clean floral”>, Bal d’Afrique (a zesty citrus”>, and Gypsy Water (a woody vanilla scent”>. The formulas use a single silicone with polymer to add shine and leave your texture soft and manageable.
  5. Paul & Joe Beaute’ Hair and Body Mist $20, sends off light bitter orange fragrance combined with rose water extract. A super fine mist that cools and moisturizes hair in the summertime.

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Make your own DIY hair perfume

If you prefer to be in control of what you are placing in your hair, you can DIY your own with this recipe from Beautiful Secrets Hair:

  • 1 cup rose water, or 1 cup distilled water
  • a few drops of your favorite leave-in conditioner
  • 5-8 drops of essential oil (try lemon verbena, sweet orange, patchouli, or lavender”>

1. Combine the above items into a spray bottle and mix them well by shaking. Use a few sprays to mist your hair or make it part of your daily regime.

2. Mix 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel and 1 teaspoon of a light non-scented oil like grapeseed and stir until a white cream forms.

3. Add about 5 drops of essential oil. Remember, just a few drops of some oils will go a long way. Mix well and allow it to sit overnight.

4. Rub a quarter-sized amount of the blend onto your hands then into run through your hair with your fingers. Use the mixture to refresh a day-old style or even on your wrists and behind your ears.

Do you use hair perfume?

12 Best Volumizing Mousses for Fine Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·
Gaining curl definition on fine wavy or curly hair can be difficult. So can sorting through the hundreds of curl potions that exist on the market today. Remember, not one head of hair is the same– so do some experimenting. In mine and the curly community’s experience, these are some of the best mousses for volume on fine, limp wavy and curly hair.

Mousse products vary in their make up, and may not always contain all natural ingredients. However, they can add to curls and waves by helping define hair more and better the texture as well.

What’s the Difference Between Jamaican & Haitian Black Castor Oil?
By NaturallyCurly ·

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO”> is a staple among hair health enthusiasts. From summer growth challenges to sealing in moisture during the harsh winter months, JBCO is potent, prevalent and multipurpose. Recently, Haitian black castor oil (HBCO”> has made its way onto the natural hair scene thanks to companies like Kreyol Essence and Okay. Because HBCO promises the same benefits as JBCO, many naturals have wondered what the difference is between the two.

In order to properly answer that, we have to delve into the history of castor oil.

The history of castor oil

Castor oil is derived from the Ricinus communis plant. Cold-pressed, solvent-extracted, or heat-extracted, castor oil has over 700 uses and has been an international commodity since the antiquities. Ancient Egyptians adored the castor bean, placing them alongside mummies in sarcophagi. Although called by many names (eg. ricino, castor, tártago, higuerilla, mamoneira, mamona, palma christi, higuereta”> derivatives of Ricinus communis have been used, and are still used today, to treat every malady from hair shedding to angina. Castor oil is also used as a renewable biodiesel, rodent repellent, and polish!

Originating in Abyssinia, castor beans did not arrive in the Americas until the Portuguese brought slaves to Brazil.  Castor oil then traveled to Haiti in 1625 where it became the universal cure-all known as lwil maskriti. Although castor eventually made it to Jamaica, the British did not catch on to palma christi oil until 1764. Therefore, the tradition of using black castor oil is at least 100 years older in Haiti than it is in Jamaica.

JBCO vs HBCO

The history of castor suggests that at a biological level all castor beans are the same, however, some are grown with pesticides and others are grown organically. Additionally, what differentiates castor oil products is the way the oil is extracted. Black castor oil as we know it, comes from beans that have been roasted, ground, boiled and heat extracted. The rich amber color comes from the roasting process. JBCO usually contains a greater amount of ash than HBCO does. Kreyol Essence in particular, strains their HBCO through a micromesh to remove any sediment or ash as they have not found evidence that the ash adds value.

Independent laboratory tests of one batch of castor oil from two leading brands showed that JBCO has .014% lower water content than HBCO and 10.27 higher saponification value, suggesting that JBCO is suited to soap-making. HBCO on the other hand, has 2.04% more ricinoleic acid and 3.27 more cenitgrams of Iodine per gram (an indicator of fatty acid saturation”> suggesting it is ideal for hair and skin.

Conversely, refined (hydrogenated or saturated”> castor oil, easily identifiable by its clear color, is inexpensive and frequently added to beauty products. Unfortunately, the castor oil is extracted with a chemical called hexane and decolorized using bleaching clay to remove the natural color and characteristic nutty scent. As a result, refined castor oil contains 85% less ricinoleic acid. Without the ricinoleic acid, the castor oil loses the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that decrease hair loss and kill harmful scalp bacteria. For the greatest amount of hair-growth stimulating ricinoleic acid, globulins, and Vitamin E, choose an unrefined, undiluted, black castor oil.

How to choose

Finally, consider what brand you trust and the overall impact on the country of origin. Some brands have coopted “Jamaican Black Castor Oil” or “Haitian Black Castor Oil” when the oil is neither from the island nor extracted using traditional methods. Also, choosing HBCO or JBCO has the potential to positively impact the economy. For example, the United States imports all of its castor oil, so choosing authentic JBCO or HBCO promotes trade with that country. Kreyol Essence, for example, uses the demand for HBCO to employ farmers and women and plant trees in Haiti. 

Regardless of your preference, castor oil is a history-rich staple for a reason and will continue to be so for thousands of years to come.

Have you tried HBCO?

This article was written by Chelsea Atkins.

References

Silvia L. Falasca, Ana C. Ulberich and Eliana Ulberich, “Developing an Agro-climatic Zoning Model to Determine Potential Production Areas for Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.”>,” Industrial Crops and Products 40 (2012″>: 186.

Antonio Scarpa and Antonio Guerci, “Various Uses of Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus comunis L.”> a Review,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 5 (1982″>: 117.

Falasca, Industrial Crops, 185.

Scarpa, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118.

http://www.wildly-natural-skin-care.com/jamaican-black-castor-oil.html

David N. Campbell et. al, “Developing a castor (Ricinus communis L.”> production system in Florida, U.S.: Evaluating crop phenology and response to management,” Industrial Crops and Products 53(2014″>: 217.

Cleanse, Condition, Style & Refresh Your Curls – for Free
By NaturallyCurly ·

Did you just run out of your Holy Grail? Or maybe you’re a Product Junkie and have plenty left but want to try new products anyway. Either way, this is your chance to win a set of products to get you cleansed, conditioned, styled, and refreshed. We’re giving away ORS Curls Unleashed prize packs to 6 lucky winners. Here’s what our curly community members who’ve tried these products have to say:

“I really like how my hair feels after using this shampoo, the moisturizing conditioner and the leave in conditioner. I also like the way the products smell. My 2b curls are bouncy and shiny!!” – mariag1, Type 2c

“Used this as a standard deep conditioner – wash hair in sections, apply deep conditioner in sections, do all my other beauty routines, rinse out the DC and party on. It was thick, made my hair all soft & shiny, and left me feeling like I could legitimately go about my day without adding any other product – that‘s how good this was for me.” – Franki

“Despite being called a refresher, I used this as a gel and LOVED it. With the change from 80s to 90s (yes, far earlier this year”> and t-storms many afternoons, this gel has been my go-to product when I wanted to *know* my curls were going to be springy and bouncy. Good shine. Low frizz. Some curl boosting with solid curl encouragement. Good definition. I used a little less than I would as a gel which was also cost-efficient. If I awake with any areas of frizz roughed up from sleep, it also was good to smooth the roughed up areas into a curl clump.” – laurabeth33, Type 2b

“So I don’t use mousse ever but this has me changing up my routine. It has great hold for my type 4 hair and it didn’t leave my hair flakey.” – enigmaticnik, Type 4

Today (through Thursday”> is your chance to win this set!

When

July 21 – 23

Prize

6 lucky winners will receive:

How to win

Comment below telling us why you’d like to win!

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, as per our Terms and Conditions.

*Please make sure you have liked us on Facebook, so that when we can notify you if you’ve won.

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This post is sponsored by ORS Curls Unleashed. 

4 Date Night Natural Hairstyles You’ll Feel Sexy In
By NaturallyCurly ·
PHOTO: MUCH MORE THAN BEAUTY 
Confidence is of course your best asset, so next time you’re prepping for date night make sure to choose a look that you will feel your best in. Rather than worrying about what anyone thinks of you (because you don’t need someone else’s approval”> have fun with your look, because date nights are great moments to flaunt your best features! [prodmod]

1. Vampy: Big heatless curls

In the shower, wash your hair and rinse upside down with cold water. As you apply your styling product, scrunch close to your head to promote natural volume. For big heatless curls, you can use flexi rods or Curlformers for big hair, no heat necessary. Use the Praying Hands Method to separate curls and encourage clumping without adding more frizz. Pin some hair to the side behind your ear to show some neck–he’ll be tempted to kiss you at the end of the night. Remember to allow yourself a few hours before your date to prepare this hairstyle.

Tutorials to help you

2. Sultry: half-up, halfdown ponytail

Not sure about letting all of your hair down for the night–figuratively and literally? Try the half-up, half-down hairstyle on your curls. Take the top half and create two-strand twists with hair from both ears. Use bobby pins to pin them in the back, middle area of your head where they meet. Create a cute design with the twists. For the rest of your hair, tousle your natural texture and allow the bottom half to flow effortlessly in the wind. Scrunch DevaCurl Spray Gel into damp hair with your Curly Tee Towel to enhance the natural curl pattern and give the style long lasting hold.

Tutorials to help you

3. Elegant: high bun

This hairstyle is always an option if you are in between trims, or if it’s too hot and humid outside to wear your curls down on your back. Simply run a light blended oil like Blended Beauty Natural Hair Oil through freshly washed hair, wrap up in a high pony (not too tight”>, twist around into a large bantu knot and bobby pin the end down. Play with your options for bedazzling your bun to be date night appropriate; add a cute headband and let pieces fall down for more appeal. Use an edge tame like CURLS Blueberry Bliss to slick your baby hair down and a hair donut for a more uniformed look.

Tutorials to help you

4.  Flirty: Fishtail Bun

Who doesn’t love a chic, easygoing bohemian look? Especially if you are on the beach or are having an outside picnic date, the elements will play your curls up even more. Try a Dutch side braid or a fishtail braid-out so your hair stays out of your face but still is sweet enough to make him want a taste. On freshly washed hair, braid into two low ponytails and leave them in overnight. Saturate with a defining leave-in like L’Oreal Evercurl Hydrating Leave-In for hold and volume. The next day, either leave the braids in and tuck them up, or unravel and wear your hair down.

Tutorials to help you

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Holy Grail Products for Fine, Medium & Coarse Hair
By NaturallyCurly ·

Learning your hair texture is an important part of your naturally curly hair journey. Women typically identify their hair as fine or coarse. But caring for your hair and keeping it healthy means understanding more about it. Once you understand your texture, you will know which styling routines and product combination work best together to enhance your curl pattern to its full potential.

Fine Hair

fine curly hair

PHOTO: WATERLILY716
These strands of hair are small and narrow which makes hair more fragile and is often a victim of damage and breakage. If you hold your hair to a light and can almost see through it, you have fine hair. Fine hair lacks proteins (hence why there is little to no volume with fine hair”>, therefore it’s beneficial to apply a protein treatment (every 3-5 weeks”> to rebuild and strengthen hair. [prodmod]

Vlogger KreativeAllure has fine 3C curls. Watch her video tutorial for an easy DIY strengthening protein treatment:

Fine curly hair holy grails

PHOTO: SUMMER KELLSEY
The most common type of hair. It possesses a lot of bounce and body. Since it is not as fragile as fine hair, ‘medium’ hair can be styled many different ways and usually holds styles well too. Apply hot oil treatments and deep condition regularly–once a week. [prodmod] Vlogger Summer Kellsey has medium, low porosity 3C curls. Watch her beginning to end wash-and-go routine for definition and bounce:

Medium to normal hair holy grails

The hair strands are wider. They look and feel thicker. This type of hair is more difficult to break and almost always appears full and voluminous. Coarse hair can take more time to dry and can also be resistant to permanent coloring treatments. Use products that seal in moisture. Coarse curly hair possesses a lot of protein, so using protein-enriched product is unnecessary.

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Vlogger Linda Barry has coarse 4C hair. Watch her routine for definition and moisture:

Coarse hair holy grails

For more help on understanding your hair type ask your stylist. S/he may try a simple “trick” – wrap your hair in a ponytail with an average elastic hair tie. If the elastic only goes around once, you have coarse hair; wrapping 2-3 times gives you medium hair and more than 3 times means you have fine hair.

Question of the Day: What Is An Emollient?
By NaturallyCurly ·
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

You hear the word Emollient often but are not sure what it means.

As it pertains to hair care, emollients for hair “are usually hydrophobic oils that form films on the surface of the hair, where they often act as anti-humectants or sealers,” according to Curl Chemist Tonya McKay. “They are lubricants and provide increased slip (decreased drag”> between adjacent hair strands, which makes detangling much easier. They also reduce tangling in general by smoothing and flattening the cuticle surface, which can also add shine and gloss to the hair. The best ones impart a soft, silky feel to tresses, while lesser ones may weigh it down or make it feel greasy. Some emollients can penetrate the interior structures of the hair and act as plasticizers, improving elasticity, toughness, and suppleness.” Need to know the difference between a skin emollient, hair emollient, and a hair conditioner? Check out the full article here.

The emollient esters for hair

  • Butyl myristate
  • Butyl stearate
  • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
  • Caprylic/capric triglyceride
  • Cetyl octanoate
  • Cetyl stearate
  • Cetearyl stearate
  • Decyl oleate
  • Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate
  • Glyceryl Stearate
  • Glyceryl adipate
  • Glyceryl arachidate
  • Glyceryl arachidonate
  • Glyceryl behenate
  • Glyceryl caprate
  • Glyceryl caprylate
  • Glyceryl caprylate / caprate
  • Glyceryl citrate / lactate / linoleate / oleate
  • Glyceryl cocoate
  • Glyceryl Di-Arachidate
  • Glyceryl Dibehenate
  • Glyceryl Di-Erucate
  • Glyceryl Di-Hydroxystearate
  • Glyceryl Di-Iso Palmitate
  • Glyceryl Diisostearate
  • Glyceryl Dilaurate
  • Glyceryl Dilinoleate
  • Glyceryl Dimyristate
  • Glyceryl Dioleate
  • Glyceryl Dipalmitate
  • Glyceryl Di-Palmitoleate
  • Glyceryl Di-Ricinoleate
  • Glyceryl Distearate
  • Glyceryl Erucate
  • Glycol stearate
  • Isocetyl stearate
  • Isopropyl Myristate
  • Isopropyl palmitate
  • Isopropyl stearate
  • Isostearyl stearate
  • Octyl palmitate
  • Octyl stearate
  • Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
  • Sorbitan benzoate
  • Sorbitan caprylate
  • Sorbitan isostearate
  • Sorbitan laurate
  • Sorbitan Tristearate
  • Stearyl stearate
  • Tocopheryl linoleate