Search Results: NaturallyCurly

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 27, 2015

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?

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 27, 2015

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.

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 27, 2015

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.

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 21, 2015

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:

• Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo
• Second Chance Curl Refresher
• Let It Flow Shine & Define Mousse
• No Restrictions Moisturizing Conditioner

How 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. 

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 21, 2015

PHOTO: MUCH MORE THAN BEAUTY 

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

By NaturallyCurly · Updated July 20, 2015

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

PHOTO: WATERLILY716

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

Fine curly hair holy grails

• Daily conditioner: Curl Junkie BeautiCurls Strengthening Conditioner, Design Essentials Natural Moisturizing Conditioner
• Cleanser: MopTop Bamboo Gentle Shampoo, AG Hair Cosmetics Light Protein-Enriched Conditioner
• Styling product: Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Butter, Ouidad Vitacurl Define & Shine Gel-Cream
• Leave-in: Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In, Yes to Carrots! Leave-In

Medium to Normal Hair

PHOTO: SUMMER KELLSEY

Medium to normal hair holy grails

• Daily conditioner:CURLS Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner, Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Revitalizing Conditioner
• Cleanser: ACV and baking soda, Kinky Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
• Deep conditioner: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep, Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
• Styling product: Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker, SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• Refresher: Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Blossom Moisture Mist

Coarse Hair

PHOTO: LINDAY BARRY

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.

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

Coarse hair holy grails

• Cleanser: SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Shampoo, Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo
• Moisturizer: curLUXE Naturals Buttercream, Darcy’s Botanicals Sweet Cocoa Bean Moisturizing Whip
• Deep conditioner: Camille Rose Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment
• Styling product: TreLuxe Curl Supreme Styling Cream, Jane Carter Solution Incredible Curls

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.

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 13, 2015

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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

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

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 13, 2015

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MHTA CLINIC

The patterns of hair loss in women are not as easily recognizable as those in men.

Unlike hair loss in men, female hair loss may commonly begin at any age through 50 or later, may not have any obvious hereditary association, and may not occur in a recognizable “female-pattern alopecia” of diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp.

A woman who notices the beginning of hair loss may not be sure if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent. For example, if there has been a recent event such as pregnancy or illness, this may be the reason for temporary hair thinning. Women tend to have less obvious patterns of hair loss than men, and non-pattern types of hair loss are more frequent in women than in men, according to Dr. Diep at Medical Hair Transplant And Aesthetics in San Francisco. Diagnosis of hair loss in a woman should be made by a trained and experienced physician. 

Androgenetic Alopecia

In women as in men, the most likely cause of scalp hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, an inherited sensitivity to the effects of androgens (male hormones”> on scalp hair follicles. However, women rarely develop the “cue-ball” appearance often seen in male-pattern androgenetic alopecia.

Patterns of female androgenetic alopecia can vary considerably in appearance and include:

• Diffuse thinning of hair over the entire scalp, often with more noticeable thinning toward the back of the scalp.
• Diffuse thinning over the entire scalp, with more noticeable thinning toward the front of the scalp but not involving the frontal hairline.
• Diffuse thinning over the entire scalp, with more noticeable thinning toward the front of the scalp, involving and sometimes breaching the frontal hairline.

Unlike the case for men, thinning scalp hair in women due to androgenetic alopecia does not uniformly grow smaller in diameter (miniaturize”>. Women with hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia tend to have miniaturizing hairs of variable diameter over all affected areas of the scalp.

While miniaturizing hairs are a feature of androgenetic alopecia, miniaturization may also be associated with other causes and is not in itself a diagnostic feature of androgenetic alopecia.

In postmenopausal women, hair may begin to miniaturize and become difficult to style. The precise diagnosis should be made by a physician hair restoration specialist. If left untreated, this hair loss associated with early puberty can progress to more advanced loss.

Non-Pattern Causes of Female Hair Loss

Trichotillomania is compulsive hair pulling. Hair loss due to trichotillomania is typically patchy, as compulsive hair pullers tend to concentrate the pulling in selected areas. Hair loss due to this cause cannot be treated effectively until the psychological or emotional reasons for trichotillomania are effectively addressed.

Alopecia areata is a possibly autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss that can range from diffuse thinning to extensive areas of baldness with “islands” of retained hair. Medical examination is necessary to establish a diagnosis.

Triangular alopecia loss of hair in the temporal areas sometimes begins in childhood. Hair loss may be complete, or a few fine, thin-diameter hairs may remain. The cause of triangular alopecia is not known, but the condition can be treated medically or surgically.

Scarring alopecia hair loss due to scarring of the scalp area. Scarring alopecia typically involves the top of the scalp and occurs predominantly in women. The condition frequently occurs in African-American women and is believed to be associated with persistent tight braiding or “corn-rowing” of scalp hair. A form of scarring alopecia also may occur in postmenopausal women, associated with inflammation of hair follicles and subsequent scarring.

Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss caused when a large percentage of scalp hairs are shifted into “shedding” phase. The causes of telogen effluvium may be hormonal, nutritional, drug-associated, or stress-associated. Loose-anagen syndrome—a condition occurring primarily in fair-haired persons in which scalp hair sits loosely in hair follicles and is easily extracted by combing or pulling. The condition may appear in childhood, and may improve as the person ages.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are a woman with thinning or lost scalp hair, your first necessary step is to have the condition correctly diagnosed by a physician hair restoration specialist. After a diagnosis is made, the physician will recommend an approach to effective medical or surgical treatment.

This has been updated for clarity and timeliness. Reprinted with permission from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. For more information, please visit www.ISHRS.org

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 6, 2015

While citrus fruits and their oils may not fall into the “superfood” category like kale, chia, and algae, citruses are simple fruits that can be easily found in grocery stores, almost any time of year. They contain great benefits for the kidneys, reducing cellulite, retaining skin elasticity, and provide antiseptic goodness for your scalp. From the grapefruit, to the clementine, to the orange, citrus oils will equally do your hair, body, and skin good. Here are just 6 reasons for trying citrus fruit extract oils topically.

1. Fight off your infections.

Grapefruit seed extract can be used to fight infections and can rid the body of unhealthy bacteria, according to holistic nutritionist Sally Pansing Kravich. Citrus-derived oils in general will promote kidney health, adds dermatologist Michael Lin, “they are packed with folic acid, a type of vitamin B that can aid in preventing kidney disease and birth defects among pregnant women,” he explains. “Good kidney health helps the body filter blood, remove waste and regulate the balance of electrolytes. Maintaining balanced levels of electrolytes helps prevent dehydration and dry, dull skin.”

2. Diffuse your cellulite situation.

Hey, this expert says so. Certified aromatherapist Gina Kamburowski, founder of GoodLivingIsGlam.com, says that grapefruit especially, which has a very high concentration of vitamin C, stimulates collagen production and helps skin retain elasticity. Try cutting off the ends of a grapefruit (so a round “end” is exposed”> and rubbing it in tight circular motions using pressure over your cellulite pre-shower—this will drive in natural vitamin C and help to improve the appearance of your skin. “If you sleep in pajamas, you can rub a grapefruit in tight circular motions across cellulite post-shower, too,” says Gina. “Wipe the area(s”> with a damp cloth in the morning and apply a natural vitamin C body cream.”

3. Detox your immune system.

Skincare expert Adrienne Shostak recommends starting your day with hot lemon water rather than coffee or tea. “Lemons are rich in vitamin C and potassium,” she says. “Vitamin C is an excellent fighter against colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve functions, while regulating the blood pressure. Lemons also aid in digestion and clean toxins from the blood, which keeps the skin clean.” This also promotes regular, healthy hair growth. She suggests drinking the juice of half a lemon with hot water, adding a bit of honey first thing when you wake up. Wait 30 minutes before eating–if you can–to maximize the benefits.

4. Give you brighter skin.

“If you are looking to achieve clear, glowing and blemish-free skin, make sure citrus fruits such as lemons, limes or grapefruits are part of your daily diet and beauty routine,” says Dr. Roshini Raj, gastroenterologist and founder of TULA skincare. “Citrus fruits are a rich natural source of vitamin C, which helps destroy free radicals in your body while providing a radiant glow to your skin and rejuvenating skin from the inside.”

5. Purify your scalp.

Citrus essential oils provide exceptional cleansing benefits to the skin as well as some anti-inflammatory ones, which make them extremely beneficial for healing blemishes or even razor cuts, says Julia Teren of Thesis Beauty. These oils clean and deodorize. “Oils like lime and lemon enjoy popularity in deodorants as they also help inhibit odor-producing bacteria,” she explains. “They do a great job deodorizing armpits, feet and hands and controlling sebum production on an over-reactive scalp.”

6. Encourage you to be happy!

Try citrus as a mood booster.  “Citrus oils such as bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit are incredibly aromatic and uplifting when used in mists, diffusers, and natural candles,” says Teren. “They help relieve signs of stress and fatigue, promote relaxation and elevated mood.”

Try one of these citrus oil-infused hair goodies

• Grapefruit Citrus Premium Shampoo restores shine and body to hair with it’s bright citrus scent. It’s paraben and SLS free and makes the perfect start to anyone’s day with it’s scent of lemon and grapefruit. Leaves hair easy to manage and feeling happy!
• John Masters Bourbon Vanilla & Tangerine Hair is designed to shape curls and define ringlets. The Texturizer is formulated with antioxidant vitamins, tangerine oils and shea butter to boost shine, health and vitality of hair while vanilla and tangerine essential oils create a sweet aroma.
• Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Nourishing Conditioner is formulated for dehydrated, under-nourished hair, this lightweight conditioner deeply moisturizes and restores a healthy look to hair. Enriching avocado oil is blended with lemon extract and olive fruit oil for a formula inspired by traditional home recipes to help rebuild strength and elasticity and lock in moisture.
• The Honest Shampoo and Body Wash in Sweet Orange Vanilla is gentle enough for babies and safe for moms with color-treated hair. The sweet scent of orange vanilla leaves a fresh feeling. Tear-free, plant-based formula Essential amino acids, as well as jojoba and quinoa, help to strengthen  

Make Your Own

Make your own citrus body/pillow spray with this easy formula:

• 8 oz distilled water
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 25 drops of your favorite essential citrus oil
• Spray bottle

Mix the ingredients into the spray bottle and use a body spray, favorite scent or linen spray. The aromatherapy powers of citrus oils will help you sleep better and naturally ease your stress hormone levels.

Do you use citrus essential oils? Let us know your favorite DIY or product that contains them!

By NaturallyCurly · Published July 2, 2015

If your hair is feeling dry or losing its bounce this summer, try incorporating these ingredients into your regimen.

Avocado

Avocados are full of natural fatty acids that provide the vitamins needed for hair growth and the prevention of hair loss. They have humectant and emollient properties making them an ideal ingredient for curly hair products. Avocados are used for hair in many forms from avocado oil to avocado butter and even mashed and applied directly to the hair as a deep conditioner. You can also find avocado infused to many hair products (no mashing required”> like the Dominican Magic Moisture Lock Conditioner.

MORE: The Benefits of Avocado, a Luscious Hair Care Treatment

Coconut

Coconuts may not look like much from the outside, but what lies within can perform myriad benefits on dry, thirsty hair. They can shield hair protein, seal in moisture, provide nutrients as well as antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to protect against dandruff and lice. Coconut oil may be trending right now, but it has been used as a hair treatment for thousands of years by people native to the tropical areas. There are many ways to use coconut oil, but some women who find it does not agree with their hair have found benefits in using coconut milk instead. Coconut milk iron, fatty acids, and proteins to help reduce breakage and strengthen hair, and can be used as a pre-poo in a curly girl’s regimen. Coconut oil (or Cocos Nucifera”> is a key ingredient in the Dominican Magic Deep Fortifying Conditioner, formulated for limp, dry or oily hair. 

MORE: The Science Behind Coconut Oil for Hair

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera conditions the scalp which reduces oiliness and further balding. It can also act to balance the pH of the scalp to stimulate hair growth. The contents of the aloe vera leaf have a gel-like consistency, and some curly haired women have even found success in using aloe vera gel as a stand-alone styler. Aloe vera gel’s lightweight hold may not be strong enough for many curl patterns, but you can reap the benefits of aloe vera and achieve a stronger hold by using a gel with aloe vera gel in it. The Dominican Magic Defining Hair Gel contains aloe leaf juice and provides hold without crunchiness or flaking. 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is great for greasy hair, hair loss, and dry and damaged hair. This oil works by regulating the sebum at the scalp to reduce the greasiness. Interestingly, it’s also is a miracle worker when it comes to dry scalp because it provides non-water based moisture, working to balance the pH of the scalp and seal in moisture. Hair loss in many cases is caused by the blockage of pores. Jojoba oil has properties that make it able to break through these pore cloggers, such as sebum. It can also stimulate hair growth with the production of new cells and the improvement of the micro-circulation in the scalp. Dominican Magic’s Deep Fortifying Conditioner contains jojoba seed oil in addition to coconut oil and our next moisturizing ingredient, Vitamin E.

Vitamin E

You may have seen Vitamin E recommended as a home remedy to skin conditions from stretch marks to scars to wrinkles, but do you know why? Vitamin E contains valuable antioxidants that help to keep the immune system up and improves circulation to all parts of the body. When it comes to your hair, this can be particularly beneficial for the scalp. Dominican Magic’s Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner contain Vitamin E in their formula. 

This post is sponsored by Dominican Magic. 

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 29, 2015

How do you wear your curls to a summer party? Is it the same way you wear your curls to work? If you want to spice things up for your next night out, we have three fun hairstyles for three different curl patterns.

Susonnah has Type 2B waves and most days she wears them in a wash and go, but for this look she gave her natural waves more definition with a wand, Pure Hair Oil for shine and an adorable flower crown. Fran has a mix of Type 3A and 3B curls, and she used Smoothing Serum and flexi rods to achieve big barrel curls – without heat! And Amanda has Type 4A coils, and she created large ringlets with Styling Foam and teased them out for bombshell volume.

Get the Look: Loose Waves with Flower Crown

1. Apply Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie. Leave in while creating flower crown
2. Rinse the Hair Smoothie out
3. Spray Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner & blow dry
4. Seal moisture with Black Vanilla Pure Hair Oil
5. Wrap 1 inch pieces around wand in different directions
6. Rake fingers through to give fullness

Get the Look: Flawless Corkscrew Curls

1. Cleanse and condition hair with Sacred Tiare Sulfate Free-Shampoo and Conditioner
2. Spray the lightweight Sacred Tiare Leave-In for tangle free tresses
3. Blow dry each section with spiral brush & nozzle on end of blow-dryer
4. Massage onto hair the Sacred Tiare Smoothing Serum
5. Put flexi rods into your hair, leaving on for 3 hours or overnight
6. Remove flexi reds and lightly tease to get a full retro look.

Get the Look: Teased-Out Curls

1. Cleanse and condition with Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner
2. Separate hair into mid-sized areas and generously massage Hair Milk Original Leave-In Conditioner into sections
3. Comb out each section, and then apply Hair Milk Styling Foam to each section
4. Roll each section to the side with flexi rods, rolling inward towards the scalp. Twist flexi rods to hold shape.
5. Sit under dryer for a couple of hours.
6. Once dry, remove the flexi-rods and tease out from the root, as you prefer.
7. Separate the curls and create a side part.
8. Take a small section near the part and

This article is sponsored by Carol’s Daughter.

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 28, 2015

When I started my health journey, I realized that the equation is very simple, you are what you eat–so you’d better eat well.

After feeling sick for years, eating unhealthy food for so long and looking like someone sucked the life out of me, I have decided that it is time for a long term change in my lifestyle. I wanted the whole package–not only look good, healthy, and vibrant, but also feel amazing and spiritually connected. The first step I took towards living healthier was by eating more raw fruits and vegetables. I stopped eating meat, less animal products, and processed foods. For me, it was much easier to transition by eating one full raw meal a day so I picked breakfast time.

I wanted the whole package–not only look good, healthy, and vibrant, but also feel amazing and spiritually connected.

As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. These are my 3 favorite healthy raw vegan breakfasts to get my day started for healthy hair, skin, and feeling better overall.

1. Green smoothie

• 3 ripe bananas

• 3 dates

• 1 green apple

• 1 kiwi

• a handful of fresh spinach

• 2 Kale leaves (optional”>

• 2 glasses of water

Blend the ingredients in the blender for at least 30 seconds, put it in the fridge, then drink chilled. According to Healthy Smoothie HQ, consuming leafy greens daily will improve your health because of their fiber, vitamins, and minerals content. They also are known to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Drinking greens boosts these effects even more, because you are also hydrating your body.

2. Fruit Salad

This is perfect solution for those who do not have a lot of time in the morning. You can either make a fruit salad with a lot of fruits or just two kinds of fruits. If you are really in a hurry you can simply grab some whole fruits, put it in a bag and go. It’s not enough to eat just 2 bananas or a hand full of grapes for breakfast because fruits contain fiber in it and digests quickly, says Mind Body Green–so you will feel hungry again after an hour or two. Try one of these healthy, quick fruit salad combos:

• 1-2 bananas, 3 dates, 1 apple, 8 cherries, 1 orange

• 1 quarter of a watermelon & half medium melon

• 1 pineapple, 1 mango , 2 Kiwis

• 6-10 bananas (“mono meal”: contains only one kind of fruit”>

The more fruit you will eat the better your digestion system will work–they help vitamins absorb in the body and also clean or “detox” your body from toxins.

3. Nicecream

• 3 frozen bananas

• 2 dates

• 8 cashews

• 5 pecans

• 2 spoons of tahini

• A few ice cubes

• 1 glass of water

Blend all of the ingredients in the blender (one that can shred ice”>. Pour into a glass and drink.

To sum it up

When I started consuming more raw fruits and vegetables I had a few physical changes that I’ve noticed – my pimples on my forehead disappeared, my lips changed color from pale purple to pink red, my stomach looked less bloated and I had less hair loss. Eating live plant food will help your body feel and look more vibrant and alive. I am truly grateful for all the positive changes in my body and soul and I wish to share it with the world so more people will adopt this lifestyle.

Follow Ayana on Instagram- @Ayanule for more tips, and read my World Of Curls interview here.

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 23, 2015

Do you need a new shampoo, conditioner, styler, oil and frizz fighter? Or are you fully stocked and just want all of those things (in which case, you should probably check out this helpful guide on Product Junkie-ism“>? Either way, this could be a very lucky day for you.

The curly community loves oils, but if you have tried oils and found that your hair was left feeling greasy, give macadamia oil a try. Macadamia oil contains palmitoleic acid which closely mimics the oil that your scalp naturally produces, making this an easy oil for your skin and hair to naturally absorb.

Macadamia Professional uses macadamia oil as a key ingredient in many of its products, and today we’re giving away Macadamia Professional prize packs to five lucky winners. Here’s how you can enter to win.

When

June 23-25

Prize

5 winners will receive the this Macadamia Professional prize pack valued at $133.95:

• Nourishing Moisture Shampoo
• Nourishing Moisture Conditioner
• Activating Curl Cream
• Nourishing Moisture Oil Treatment
• Anti-Humidity Finishing Spray

How 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.

This post is sponsored by Macadamia Professionals. Find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 22, 2015

It’s no secret that our community loves the ever-growing curly hair section at Target, and so do we! Whether it’s trying new products or re-stocking on Holy Grails, every time we need to pick up paper towels we can’t help but wind up in the hair aisle – we’ve all been there. Or do you ever find yourself sitting at your work desk but mentally, you are shopping for hair products? Some call it Product Junkie-ism, but we like to think of it as research at the NaturallyCurly offices. Here are the curl products that Evelyn, Jamie and Cristina got in the New Naturals Section on their most recent Target haul.

Watch our Target Haul

Evelyn has fine 4c that has been color-treated. Her go-to style is a twist-out so she likes products that will help her achieve that:

• Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave-in
• TGIN Sulfate-Free Shampoo
• As I Am Coil Defining Jelly
• Curls Blueberry Control Paste 

Jamie has 3b hair and her biggest issue is frizz, so she is always looking for products to help give her more curl definition:

• Kinky-Curly Knot Today
• ECO Curl ‘N Styling Cocktail Styling Gel 

Cristina has 2c, high porosity waves and curls. She wanted to try products that could help moisturize her color-treated hair and dry scalp:

• Oyin Greg Juice
• Mop Top Bamboo Daily Conditioner

What’s the latest product you got at Target?

READ: 12 Things Everyone’s Buying at Target

This post is sponsored by Target.

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 15, 2015

NaturallyCurly Editor Amanda does not normally DIY. So when Lisa Price came to visit the NaturallyCurly offices she got to ask the Queen of DIY herself for her easiest recipe.

Lisa’s Recipe

Lisa recommends a simple ratio of 4 oz of oil to 12 drops of essential oil.

The essential oils are simply for fragrance, so if you do not like fragrance in your oils you can leave the optional essential oils out. You can also customize your oil using essential fragrance oils that you prefer, Lisa chose a few of her personal favorites for this blend.

Lisa recommends a ratio of 4 oz of oil to 12 drops of essential oil.

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz grapeseed oil
• ½ oz liquid jojoba (jojoba oil”>
• 1½ oz apricot kernel oil

The molecular structure of these oils are small, so when you rub them into your skin or hair they can soak in. They also don’t have a strong odor.

Optional essential oils for fragrance

• 3 drops lemongrass
• 3 drops jasmine 
• 6 drops vanilla

Simply combine all of the ingredients into a container that is large enough to pour and stir, and when the oils have been well-blended use a funnel to pour it into the bottle where you will be storing this. We were able to find containers, droppers and funnels at a hobby or craft supplies store.

Lisa says there are so many base oils and essential oils that you can work with, the possibilities are endless it’s just about finding what your hair and skin respond well to, and the textures and scents that you like. This recipe is a great starting point for you to begin your exploration with DIY, feel free to play and create your own signature oil!

Watch the video

And when you do, make sure you share your creation with us on Instagram and Facebook!

This article is sponsored by Carol’s Daughter.

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 12, 2015

ILLUSTRATION BY

The BIG Day is almost here! A time for the bride and groom to start dressing up and preparing for the big day. Family, friends, and so many memories. Too many brides begin to add hairstyles to their worry list. But embracing curls and waves can be a first step in not worrying about a hairstyle.

Don’t forget–your curls are a part of who you truly are.

Don’t forget–your curls are a part of who you truly are. So why not play up another beautiful part of you on the biggest day of your life?

1. Choose your dress before you select your hairstyle.

While you think you have the perfect style bookmarked on your Pinterest for your wedding hairstyle, it might not match the dress that you actually end up choosing. Having a basic idea of what you want is always a good idea, but don’t set your mind to a specific ‘do until you have THE dress in hand.

2. Visualize it.

It is important that you create a unified vision well before the day, as your hairstyle will need to fit into that look and feel. Create a vision board with photos of hairstyles you would like to try using Pinterest, Google, Tumblr, or bridal magazines. This will give your hairstylist a clear idea of what your expectations are.

3. Find someone who specializes in wedding hairstyles.

Just because your hairstylist can cut your hair well on a regular basis does not mean they are experienced in updos or formal styling for special events such as weddings. If you have a unique hairstyle in mind, do research and find out who has established a reputation for skills in wedding hairstyles in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your new stylist during your consultation to feel them out and get clarity. Our curly salon database is a good place to start your search as it is filled with reviews from other curly haired women.

4. Try out new products at least two weeks in advance.

If you are using new products before the big day, give yourself plenty of time to test them out. Two weeks prior to the wedding day, you should have a good idea of how your hair will respond to the products. You will also know if you need to change things up within your current regimen to get the hair you want.

5. Avoid washing your hair on the day of.

We have all been told that day-old hair works better than clean. While you might be tempted to wash your hair because having perfectly clean hair makes you feel better, do not! Stylists agree that day-old hair works better for a reason–the natural oils in your curls will help the stylists shape more naturally, unaltered.

ILLUSTRATION BY

6. Using hair accessories? Keep extras on hand.

Your hair accessories can break, get lost in the travel to your stylist, or left at the hotel. With that being said, buy 2 of the exact same accessory.

7. Be realistic AND flexible in your hairstyling options.

Be realistic and flexible: The weather can change in instant. If you have a summer wedding, high humidity may be at play.  Just as you need a backup plan for your venue, you also need a backup plan for your hair. Ask for options from your stylist  and find 2 or 3 that work for you.

8. Include your hairstyle in the dress rehearsal.

You might have an idea of what your hair is going to look like but you cannot be sure until you have done it. This could be the most photographed day of your life and you need to know that your hair is going to be exactly the way you imagined.

9. Change hairstyles between the ceremony and reception.

This might seem bothersome, but updos can feel tight or heavy the longer you wear them, so more and more brides are turning to this solution. You will feel more relaxed and potentially avoid pain at the reception. It will also give your wedding photos more versatility. Teach one of your bridesmaids beforehand on how to assist the quick hairstyle change.

10. Don’t forget the veil (if you have one”>.

Inspiration wedding photos can provide plenty of ideas, but they do not always include the veil. If you have chosen to wear a veil, keep this in mind as you search for hairstyle inspiration because this will have an impact on your hairstyle.

More helpful resources for brides

• Brides
• The Knot
• Project Wedding

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 12, 2015

Being a part of the US Armed Forces for women is a lifetime of dedication and hard work.

Are you starting basic training soon and have natural/curly hair? With the limited time, military naturals need to use every hair care minute wisely. Showers for basic training are limited to 3 minutes (times vary by branch and service”> so you may want to have a good 2-1 shampoo conditioner or a good co-wash in your arsenal. Remember to keep it simple. Have the tools you need near by and on hand so your hair care routine does not consume the time you are allotted.

Showers for basic training are limited to 3 minutes

According to The Army Study Guide women can wear braids and cornrows as long as they are “conservative” and “lie snugly on the head.” They also state that: “Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited. Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang freely”>, widely-spaced, individual hanging locks (like Marley twists or box braids”>, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited.” Visit the US Air Force basic training manual on their specific grooming regulations.

Making the most of your precious pampering time while serving can be a duty in itself. But being prepared and organized before entering basic training will help you adapt to the process. Start playing around now with simple, fast hairstyles that will work in line with military guidelines and your hair length.

For women with mid to long hair who refuse to go short despite the regulations–hair can not touch the collar of your shirts–there are options for you. Consider wearing a military sock bun that is low maintenance, clean, and doesn’t take a lot of time to create. Use these steps and suggestions for a simple bun. You will need a spray leave-in, hair spray (if you have a loose and fine texture”>, bobby pins and elastics that match your hair color, and a hair donut that you can find at your local grocery store in the beauty aisle.

Easy military sock bun

1. Refresh with a conditioning leave-in spray like Briogeo Rosarco Milk on dry hair.

2. Part hair into two sections of your hair with a comb and spray each lightly with DevaCurl Flexible Hold Hairspray (if you have fine and loose waves or curls”>.

3. Twist the 2 sections of your hair to the nape of your neck (or a bit higher if your hair is shorter”>.

4. Use an elastic (that matches your hair color”> and make a low ponytail. Secure any shorter pieces like bangs with bobby pins that are close to your hair color.

5. Use a hair donut (the same color as your hair”>, pull your ponytail through it, flip your hair over the donut and cover the donut with your hair, and secure with a hair tie.

Watch this tutorial

Twisted puff

1. 1. After thoroughly detangling, create about 6 sections in your hair.
2. Make a diagonal part in the front and flat twist that section.
3. Keep doing this for each section, flat twisting close to your scalp and letting the twist hang down.
4. Bobby pin each twist in the middle of your head, bringing the ends uniformly to the back. 
5. Use a stretched out headband around your head and pull it back where the bobby pins sit. 

Watch the tutorial

By NaturallyCurly · Published June 10, 2015

PICTURED: @JULIEOLSSON_

Perhaps you are on vacation from school. You have already been spending too much time in the sun at the pool, driving around with your Jeep top down everyday, or you have been having more outdoor runs lately. As fun and good as these things sound, they have been secretly wreaking havoc on your hair and skin. It’s time to look at a few simple, healthy steps to bring back healthy glowing skin and soft, shiny hair.

1. Make your own argan and peppermint oil element hair protectant.

2. Soothe your scalp with a coconut oil green tea rinse. 

3. Create glowing skin with a reviving avocado skin paste.

4. Refresh your chest with a papaya olive oil sunscreen.

5. Use sea salt and cacao powder to exfoliate rough patches of skin.

6. Brush your skin to ease muscle aches.

7. Repair your cracked cuticles with coconut and shea butter.

What are your summer beauty secrets? Do tell!