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Are gray hairs getting in the way of feeling your most confident? YouTuber and blogger DailyCurlz says a healthy head of curls is her best accessory, and when her hair is free of grays she feels her most beautiful, confident self. In this video she shares her routine for covering up grays at home, while maintaining the health of her hair. Because she prioritizes hair health, she makes sure to avoid damaging ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. In this video she is using Bigen’s Permanent Hair Color in Light Chestnut. If you’re interested in trying an at-home hair color for your grays or to try a new hair color, here is what you’ll need:
What you’ll need
- container
- brush
- water
- hair clip
- Bigen Hair Color
Simply place the powdered hair dye in your container and add water, then use your brush to apply the dye evenly where you like it. She applied hers to dry hair and left it on for 30 minutes. To see DailyCurlz color her hair, watch the video. She speaks in Spanish and includes English subtitles.
[prodmod]Want more of DailyCurlz? You can follow her YouTube, blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
This article is sponsored by Bigen.
Ayurveda is a natural system of healing from within was created by the Vedic culture in India more than 5000 years ago. There are roots of this natural healing medicine practice in Tibetan and Chinese medicines. After many years of being suppressed, the Ayurveda lifestyle has once again found its way into modern-day cultures around the world, says Chopra.com.
If Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and nurturing.
Ayurveda is well explained by Deepak Chopra, a doctor and author of Vedanta Philosophy and tradition: “Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. Known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind”>, Pitta (Fire”>, and Kapha (Earth”>, these primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature. If Vata is dominant in our system, we tend to be thin, light, enthusiastic, energetic, and changeable. If Pitta predominates in our nature, we tend to be intense, intelligent, and goal-oriented and we have a strong appetite for life. When Kapha prevails, we tend to be easy-going, methodical, and nurturing. Although each of us has all three forces, most people have one or two elements that predominate.”
Therefore, in order for your hair and skin to benefit from Ayurvedic treatments, your body must be treated just as kindly.
A wholesome mix of natural foods, water, nutrients, quality sleep, and physical activity will benefit you both internally and externally. Once your diet becomes a healthier and more wholesome, your hair and skin will begin to reap the benefits incredibly. From a beauty perspective, this healing art can help us understand more about the products we currently use compared to those we should be using on our skin (as they also affect us internally and externally”>.
Here’s your quick go-to list of easy DIY remedies for better looking skin.
- Soft, wrinkle-free skin: Smooth castor oil on the face nightly.
- Unclogged pores: Rub unpasteurized milk on cotton wool.
- Natural Moisturizer: Make your own moisturizer for normal skin. Mix eight ounces of yogurt with a tablespoon of both lemon juice and orange juice to use on the face as a masque. Remove with damp cloth in about fifteen minutes.
- Skin Conditioner: Make a paste of two tablespoonfuls of face cream stirred with one tablespoon of honey. Leave the mixture on skin for five minutes and remove with a wet facial cloth.
- Even Skin Tone (pigmentation/sun spots”>: Rub a raw potato on the skin.
- Smoother Complexion: Apply freshly squeezed orange juice to the face.
Here are a few ideas and tips to include in your healthy ayurvedic habits for softer, stronger hair:
- Blend together 1/3 cup yogurt, 1 cup water, 3-4 rosehips and raw sugar or honey to taste. If you choose honey, add it after pouring strained cheese into a glass, and stir it in with a spoon—heat created during blending can destroy the healing qualities of honey.
- A warm oil scalp massage two times a week will help stimulate and moisturize the scalp. Use quality coconut, almond or olive oil. Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or two, then , shampoo your hair. The scalp massage helps you relax and aids in a sound sleep as well.
Your Go-To Ayurvedic Hair Pack
- 1 teaspoon henna powder
- 1 teaspoon amla powder
- 1 tsp aritha powder
- 1 tsp shikakai powder
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel
Mix the ingredients together thoroughly and apply to dry hair for 30 minutes–up to 4 hours, depending on the needs of your hair. Wash off in the shower and shampoo as usual. Do this regularly (once or twice a week”> to experience amazing results.
What are the other health benefits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle? Recognizing how ayurveda can teach us about our own health, our health problems as well as how to relieve them, is, of course, one of the biggest benefits of this ancient healing art, according to Live Science. Chopra explains that: “The guiding principle of Ayurveda and the other Eastern healing arts is the interconnection of all things. We aren’t simply an isolated collection of atoms and molecules, but are an inseparable part of the infinite field of intelligence. From this holistic perspective, health isn’t merely the absence of illness or symptoms ― it is a higher state of consciousness that allows vitality, well-being, creativity, and joy to flow into our experience.”
The Ayurvedic principles for restoring and maintaining mind-body balance are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
There are a few ways in which you can introduce Ayurveda into your own lifestyle:
-
Take time each day to quiet your mind (find a quiet place and learn how to meditate”>.
-
Eat a colorful, flavorful diet.
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Engage in daily exercise that enhances flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
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Sleep soundly at night for 8 to ten hours.
-
Eliminate what is not serving you (foods, unhealthy relationships, etc.”>
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Cultivate loving, nurturing relationships.
-
Perform work that awakens your passion.
Have you incorporated Ayurvedic principles into own daily hair and health regimen?
Considering trying out the newest “blue black” hair trend in color? You must have good taste. This color combo has been turning lots of heads recently and looks great on long, short, wavy, straight and curly hair and locs. Here are a few blue-black at home coloring kits to try out. The great things about these coloring kits is that they are available at your local drugstore or beauty store–Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Sally’s Beauty Supply. They’re all inexpensive and promise lasting, vivid results.
L’Oreal Paris Excellence in 2B Blue Black, $7.97
This line of L’Oreal colors are known for their “reflective” colors. The blue black in this line is rich, good for conditioning hair as it adds color and promises 100% gray coverage as well. This color is keratin-infused and comes with a protective treatment for post washes to prevent fading.
Dark and Lovely Rich Conditioning Color 382 Midnight Blue, $4.95
For those with premature graying curls, this fade resistant color promises 100% gray coverage and locks in color and shine once applied. Dark and Lovely’s exclusive Moisture Seal technology, which includes panthenol and aloe gel, helps in doubling up on the conditioning power behind this color.
Revlon Luxurious Colorsilk Buttercream 12BB, $5
This color contains mango butter complex of shea and coconut butter for extra conditioning and shine. It’s ammonia-free, too–so you’re not exposing your hair to the harsh coloring agent found in most store hair color kits. Color deposits smoothly without harming or weakening the hair.
Manic Panic NYC High Voltage After Midnight, $13.99
This ready-to-use color cream is actually a vegan product. It is best for highlighting darker hair, and the list of ingredients is short and simple. Among them are hops and flower extracts.
Garnier Nutrisse Blue Black, $6.99
This color kit contains grapeseed oil to help nourish hair from the start of the coloring process. It’s also infused with avocado, olive and shea oils to keep hair shiny and well conditioned.
Vidal Sassoon Pro Series 1BB Midnight Muse Blue, $9.99
Part of the vibrant shades collection, this kit contains Hydrablock color, a preserving conditioning agent to help prevent fading after your first process.
Just remember…
If you are considering using a blue black color, you may want to consult your hairstylist or a professional hair colorist. Pin some photos and see if it truly is the color craze for you before committing with these permanent hair dyes. And of course, be sure to read all of the directions thoroughly as you should with any hair coloring product.
If you have read even one curly hair article then you’ve probably heard that fuzzy, terrycloth towels are bad for us. But in the absence of a towel, how else are you supposed to dry your soaking wet curls?
You could use a t-shirt, but some people find it difficult to fit all of their hair into them. You could use a microfiber towel, but you might need to use a clip or band to secure it. NaturallyCurly Editor Amanda has been using the best of both worlds: a Curly Tee Towel. This is how Amanda feels about it:
“The Curly Tee Towel is now a staple. Absolutely brilliant. Can’t live without it. This is my favorite product we have ever received! This is a simple yet brilliant innovation! Now when I am getting dressed I can applying my beauty products without water dripping down my face, neck, and clothes! This is perfect to wear while getting ready for a formal event and you want to wear the perfect wash and go!”
The Curly Tee Towel looks a little bit like a baby onesie – like a t-shirt that has the bottom and sleeves sealed. The sleeves are longer than a t-shirt and easy to tie in a knot, and the bottom is closed off so that wet hair doesn’t drip all over your back. Plus, using this to dry your hair has many benefits:
- Protecting your hair with this microfiber fabric can reduce breakage to help you retain length
- When you take your hair down, your wash and go will have less frizz
- Tie the drawstring around your head for a snug fit that will stay put while you sleep
- The 100% cotton jersey fabric is safe for all hair types, even wigs and extensions.
Giveaway
We are giving away 5 Curly Tee Towels!
Simply comment below telling us why you would like to try this.
This giveaway ends June 1st and 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.
Get 10% off
If you’d like to try a Curly Tee Towel, they are also offering a discount code for 10% off all orders from May 29, 2015 to June 1, 2015 when you use the code TRIEDIT2015. You can find it at CurlyTee.com.
This article is sponsored by Curly Tee Towel.
If you are a coffee lover, this may be a great spray to try at home for your hair. It’s simple and healthy, and brings lots of shine to curls and waves.
So why use coffee in our hair? The antioxidants of the coffee bean are nutrient-rich and can help prevent breakage and damage to the hair. Caffeine from coffee can also aide in promoting hair growth. As a spray and rinse, coffee provides clarifying and natural shine and softer, bouncier curls. Try this recipe from Indian Beauty Spot.
Directions
1. Brew a few cups of black coffee and let it cool down.
2. Pour the coffee into a spray bottle
3. After completely cleansing your scalp, spray the coffee onto your roots.
4. With the tips of your fingers, gently massage the spray into your hair and scalp to stimulate the follicles and promote hair growth.
5. Allow the spray to sit in your hair and scalp for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
6. After a few uses, you may also notice less hair shedding and more vibrant, stronger curls.
Those with darker brunette shades of curls benefit from coffee as it helps add vibrancy and dimension to the hair, according to LA Healthy Living.
1. Use a strong brew of dark coffee–even espresso works–to rinse through your hair after co-washing and before applying a leave-in.
2. You may also pour the coffee mix into your hair and cover your hair with a shower cap, allow the mixture to sit on your hair for up to 30 minutes.
Be careful and protect your clothing while applying the coffee spray. If you want even more depth and dimension, mix 2 tablespoons of ground up coffee with your favorite conditioner and let it sit in your hair as a masque for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Your hair will be left super shiny with a more rich, even tone.
It’s estimated that 28% of us have allergic reactions to our hair care products, according to Honest. You may notice a small rash, pimples or a dry scalp when using a new product. Other symptoms can be worse–troubled breathing and hives. These reactions are usually caused by the harsh alcohol, dyes and fragrance used to make products more appealing. Wisegeek says these ingredients in hair care products that can cause allergic reactions and sensitivities include: ulfa, sodium lauryl, sodium laureth, ammonium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. These ingredients are what gives the hair a super clean feeling after shampooing.
It is recommended that you contact your doctor or dermatologist if you are experiencing any type of reactions to your hair care products. Thankfully for those of us with sensitive skin, a number of companies have been working on and producing hypoallergenic shampoos and hair care products. Have you tried any of these?
Naturelle Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo
This product treats sensitive skin and scalp as it doesn’t contain any synthetic dyes or perfumes and it’s been clinically tested by dermatologists. Plus, it’s gentle cleansing agents and botanical extracts (Geranium, Yarrow and Quillaja”> wash away impurities and replenish moisture.
Neutrogena T/Sal Shampoo
It prevents and cleans flaking on scalp and is recommended for anyone who suffers from any itchy scalp. It’s recommended that you leave the product to sit in your hair a few minutes prior to washing it out then repeat the process.
Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Shampoo
With avocado oil and aloe vera extract to help mend broken and damaged hair. There are no dyes or silicones used in this product and it’s safe on color treated hair too. The product promises stronger hair in just one use.
SheaMoisture Baby Shampoo
This shampoo has an extra mild formula which is pediatrician tested, great for little ones and adults with sensitive skin. Ingredients include aloe vera, cocoa butter and vitamin E.
Cleure Volumizing Shampoo
This product does not lather much but your hair will still come out clean and shiny! Cleure does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, it’s vegan, gluten free and adds moisture and volume too.
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo
Alcohol-Free, Pediatrician Tested, Hypoallergenic, Tear-Free, Paraben-Free, Contains Aloe, Petroleum-Free, Fragrance-Free. A great wash for kids and sensitive adults too. Keeps hair and skin soft and well moisturized, without the harmful chemicals.
Honest Shampoo & Body Wash
This is made with Jojoba and quinoa proteins strengthen and fortify (with all 8 essential amino acids”>, Organic coconut oil moisturizes and protects, Chamomile, calendula, and aloe gently soothe and nourish.
Clearly Natural Essentials Shampoo
Gives hair a clean, fresh wash without the dyes and fragrances and contains a unique formula made of glycerin and vitamin E to help clean and care for hair. It’s biodegradable and vegetarian.
Klorane Shampoo With Papyrus Milk
This unique formula of papyrus milk helps to build and repair damaged hair while leaving hair softer and smoother.
What is your favorite hypoallergenic shampoo?
Have you been noticing these bright yellow bottles on your Instagram and YouTube feeds lately? If you’re wondering what they’re all about this is the ApHogee Curlific! line, which has been formulated for damaged or delicate textured hair. If you are color-treated, protein deficient, or have a tendency towards frizz, then you might want to try these out. According to ApHogee their products “restore elasticity and life to damaged, textured hair” and help “eliminate hair loss due to breaks and splits.”
Here is what our community has to say:
browniesgirl73 (3c”> on the Texture Treatment: I’ve been using this for about a year now and I love it! It smells great and it’s really thick. I put on a cap for 20 minutes with no heat. My curls are softer and they DEFINITELY have more definition. I’ve been natural for 4 years and I wish that I knew about this in the beginning! My hair is strong and I have no problems with breakage. I agree with the other reviews that stated it needs to come in a larger size. Great product. Great price.
cclark68 on the Textured Hair Wash – I found this product at Sally’s when I was looking around. I have tried, over the years, to find a product line for my daughter’s curly hair. I knew that sulfate free is better, so I thought I would give this a try (like many other products, I wasn’t expecting to be wowed”>. I am AMAZED! Finally her hair looka healthy, shiny and as a 13 yr old it’s a very easy regimen for her to do. The leave-in spray and curly cream are awesome too! For us this works the best, give it a try.
Giveaway
You can enter to win both of these products plus more and try them out for yourself if you enter the giveaway below!
When
May 26-29
Prize
5 lucky winners will win full sets of the following:
- ApHogee Curlific Curl Definer
- ApHogee Curlific Texture Treatment
- ApHogee Curlific Textured Hair Wash
- ApHogee Curlific Moisture Rich Leave-In
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.
[prodmod]This post is sponsored by ApHogee. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
We try new products in the NaturallyCurly offices daily. Some we love, some we don’t, some we trade, some we repurchase. When Nikki walked into the office last week with a wide grin on her face we could tell she’d found a keeper. Nikki had just tried the Duosity Double Whipped Repairing Treatment for the first time and there was a visible difference in her Type 3C curls. She then proceeded to put a sachet of the product on each of the editors’ desks to try too. Nikki said that when she used it her “super dry hair was soaking in the moisture like never before.”
This repair treatment is unlike others we have tried because it comes with two separate conditioners, and when you combine the two a chemical reaction occurs, creating a whipped, foamy consistency. You apply it to your wet hair in the shower and leave it on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing completely.
If this unique product is new to you, this is your chance to give it a try because we’re giving it away to 5 lucky readers.
When
May 14-17
Prize
5 lucky winners will receive the DUOSITY Double Whipped Repairing Treatment
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 article is sponsored by DUOSITY.
[prodmod]
MOMent, noun. A point in time with mom; an experience or thought that is reminiscent to one you had with mom.
One moment with your mother can be cherished for a lifetime. In this #MOMents video series five inspirational women, from Angie Martinez to Lisa Price herself, sit down with their daughters and sons to share some of their most life-changing memories. From the first MOMent a Mother sees her child to the rawest conversation you’ve ever had together, each one is special and unique. Each one is what makes you—you.
These MOMents will remind you of those Saturday hair wash mornings or those perfect moments that feed your soul every single time you think about them.
Watch the Videos
Giveaway
Enter here for a chance to pamper you and your mom with a full year supply of Carol’s Daughter products!
The giveaway ends Sunday, 5/17.
If you avoid hair color because you are afraid to let your hair come in contact with ammonia, you have sound reasoning. Ammonia opens up the cuticles to allow pigments to enter the hair. It also generates oxygen radicals which works with hydrogen peroxide to bleach melanin in the cortex.
However, there are ammonia-free options on the market that allow you to have fun with your hair color without that risk. Bigen’s Powder formula does not contain ammonia, and one way you can tell is that ammonia has a strong, distinct odor, which you won’t find here.
Instead of ammonia, Bigen uses water to open up cuticles. Water only opens up the cuticles slightly, and therefore the process is less damaging. Another option is Bigen’s Semi-Permanent dye, a direct dye which attaches to only the cuticle surface and the very outer layer of the cortex. The direct dye is incapable of penetrating the hair due to its large bulky chemical structure even if the cuticles were open with the use of ammonia.
You may have friends or acquaintances who complained of damage to their hair as a result of color processing, but did they lift their hair color? Lifting or lightening hair color can indeed lead to damage, but there is a big difference between lifting hair color and staying the same level or going darker. If you use a semi-permanent color or a dye with no bleaching effect then you can avoid the ingredients that are often associated with damaging color jobs, like hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
It is important to note, hair color does raise the cuticle so some damage does occur as a result, but you can minimize that damage by choosing formulas that contain nourishing and moisturizing ingredients. Natural extracts like honey, sunflower, beeswax and shea butter can work as a built-in conditioner to soften and moisturize the hair. These are just a few of the ingredients found in Bigen’s Semi-Permanent formula.
[prodmod]This article is sponsored by Bigen.
It is near impossible to walk into Target and walk out with what you came for, especially now that they have bolstered their curly hair product offering. As their curly hair product aisle keeps expanding, deciding which products you should try can be overwhelming, especially as a newly natural. Well, no need to stress and watch a thousand YouTube videos, we’re giving you a head start.
Here are Target’s top selling curly hair care products, along with customer reviews explaining why you love them.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Intensive Hydration Shampoo
Naturalgirl714: “This shampoo is heaven sent. It has a great lather with just a amount of product, so a little goes a long way. It leaves your hair clean and moisturized. My hair just feels better since I made the switch. Great for low porosity hair.”
Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Mango Shampoo
Larchitech: “I have an autistic sister with very sensitive skin and hair. For years she had really frizzy hair and a lot dandruff issues. One day I took a risk and bought the super shiny mango shampoo for her and within days her hair was sleek and shiny. Not a trace of dandruff. She loves her shampoo and now I use it too.”
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Shennie: “I believe I have found the one. Finally! I have tried many shampoos on my frizzy, curly hair over the years and nothing has brought me great results such as this one. After a recommendation from a beauty blogger about how natural this line is and after reading the reviews, I thought I would give it a shot. What do I have to lose, right? Well, I made a great decision. This shampoo combined with the conditioner leaves my hair frizz-free and super smooth. It also give my hair a glossy shine. I have natural curls and this shampoo and conditioner enhances them. I will not switch to anything else. Thank you for making this product!”
Mane ‘N Tail Shampoo
Maricruz: “Hair is thicker than ever! Love this product! Made my hair feel and look so much thicker.”
Kinky-Curly Knot Today Conditioner
Doms817: “Hair life saver for 4C girls. I love the way it makes my hair feels right after applying it.”
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk
Jenn: “I love this product. I use this on my bi-racial (black/white”> children as part of their hair routine. We use the LOC method. I have tried to get away with not using this product because of the price, but I honestly value my time more than my money. If I use this product a little everyday, I can literally go a full week between washes and still run my fingers through my 3 yr. old daughter’s mid-back length 3C hair. (With very little frizz!”> If I don’t use it, I end up spending literally an hour plus worth of time every 2 days with a wide tooth comb detangling.”
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls
CeCe McGee: “I have very curly 3A/3B hair which is fine and very frizzy/coarse at the same time. It sounds very contradictory, but there is no other way to explain my hair. Products with too much oils and creams are too heavy for my hair while typically others are too light. My hair craves moisture. In addition to my typical Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner and Aveeno Dry Oil, I use Jelly Soft Curls ( in that order”>. I then let my hair air-dry, typically on a pile on top of my head. Once my hair is completely dry on its own, I shake it out a bit and my curls are beautiful and defined frizz, free ringlets. I get a ton of compliments!…After reading the other reviews I had to leave my 2 cents because I think people should at least give it a try. I use two palm sized dollops of this after I wash my hair. On touch-up days I add water and maybe some more leave-in and/or a quarter sized amount of this. If you use too much your hair will be dry, crunchy, and possibly flaky.”
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls
Kakee87: “Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls has been a complete game changer for my hair! I love the texture of my hair (not crunchy”> when I use this product. I am a busy mom, so I usually don’t have time to style my hair. I can put this in my hair at night and wake up the next morning with amazing curls. The fabric softener smell is a little strong at first. However, I don’t mind the smell and the hubby loves it. I usually don’t splurge on hair products but I’m glad I did. This stuff has proven to be worth every penny!”
Renpure Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
Duncan Polk (Amazon review”>: “I bought this at Target for $4.99 and I am in love! My hair is already thick but I lost a good amount after having a baby. It has slowly grown back but between hormones and age, it’s never been the same. Until I found this product. I love Renpure products, but this is my all time favorite now. I am currently pairing this with the argan oil conditioner and I love my hair again. I will start purchasing the larger bottle from Amazon.”
Renpure Nourishing Coconut Cream Conditioner
Ann (Amazon review”>: “This is best conditioner. Coconut is my favorite smell, so this works great for me. Makes my hair so soft!”Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner
Susonthebeach: “I have tried literally every anti-frizz, anti-humidity product on the market. I am Caucasian with shoulder-length, naturally wavy, fine hair that always frizzes. This product has completely transformed my hair. I use about a quarter size amount and comb it throughout paying particular attention to the ends. I let it dry naturally and voila, I have amazingly soft, luxurious waves with zero frizz. Everyone is different. Over the years I have spent thousands of dollars on hair care products and had pretty much resorted to wearing my hair in braids or just wearing a hat to deal with the frizz issue until I discovered this product. So, if you have the type of hair I do I can unequivocally say do yourself a favor and stock up on Mixed Chick’s Leave-in Conditioner. It’s awesome!”SoapBox Hydrate & Heal Argan Oil Shampoo
Kathryn2527: “My favorite thing about this shampoo is the social mission of Soapbox. For every product you buy from them they donate money towards providing clean water in areas of need (nationally and worldwide”>! The shampoo did a great job – I was very happy to see that it was paraben and sulfate free, this is always important to me! At first I was a little put off by the smell (note that I am very sensitive to smells”> but once I rinsed my hair the smell fades and was very faint. By the time my hair was dry I couldn’t smell it at all anymore. I received this product for free so that I could review it for the company. I would recommend it. It’s not as fancy as a salon quality shampoo but my hair feels soft and clean and I love supporting a good cause.”
Have you tried any of these Target best sellers?
With summer just around the corner, we are all a little excited to spend more time out in the sun. It’s time to get our hair and skin ready– preventing sun damage to our skin with SPF products.
But did you know, hair is just as vulnerable to UVA and UVB damage?
Expert hairstylist Jeffrey Lyle describes “the harsh aggressions of sun, wind, and chlorinated or salt water produce free radicals which attack the hair fiber, leaving it dry, dull, and weakened. Using products that have UVA and UVB filters will help protect hair from the sun’s harmful rays.”
The next time you plan on spending a long time outside at the beach, pool, a family outing, or a stroll in the park, it’s always a smart idea to protect your hair from sun damage first. Use one of these hair products to provide protection without drying out your tresses.
Beauty Protector & Detangle
This leave-in mist is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and acts as a detangler that seals the cuticles of each strand for smoothing frizzy hair. It also moisturizes after a dip in the pool. Beauty Protector provides protection against UV rays and heat, safeguards hair color, and adds shine. Plus, it’s a vegan product too!
Aveda Sun Care Protective Veil
A lightweight, water-resistant UV-defense mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours. It minimizes color fading, damage and dryness. The veil also contains a three-part defense and recovery system and UVA/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils help protect hair from sun damage. This product is an anti-oxidizing blend of green tea extract, certified-organic sunflower seed oil and vitamin E.
Clarins Sun Care Oil Spray
This refresher is a lightweight, dry oil spray formulated with organic Indonesian Nyamplung Oil, which protects skin and hair from the drying effects of sun, saltwater, and chlorine. Defends from damaging UVA/UVB rays with Senna extract. Soothes and softens with Aloe Vera. Water-resistant, non-greasy formula promotes a healthy-looking tan and beautiful hair.
Ouidad Sun Shield Sun & Sport Leave-In Spray
This leave-in conditioner spray has UV ray blockers that form an invisible shield over the hair shaft to protect hair from sun, wind, salt and chlorine.
Sunflower Suncoat SPF
Although this product is recommended for horses, some curlies use it for their hair before of its effectiveness. It contains maximum UV-A and UV-B protection for shiny manes, protecting from sun bleaching and burning. Sunflower Suncoat SPF maintains the natural true color of hair with a formula that contains a quality blend of conditioners that make hair more manageable and easier to detangle and comb, too.
[prodmod]
po·ros·i·ty
- The state or property of being porous, or permeable to fluids and outside influences.
- A structure or part that is porous and capable of being penetrated.
- The ratio of the volume of all the pores in a material to the volume of the whole.
In essence, your hair’s porosity is the measure of its ability to absorb and hold onto moisture. This factor will help you determine the most effective way of moisturizing your textured tresses.
More: Why Hair Porosity & Density Matter
What is My Porosity?
Ready to discover your hair’s porosity? Take a strand of your hair (after gently brushing or finger combing your hair”> and place it in a glass of water. Observe how your hair responds to being immersed in water.
- High porosity hair will sink quickly to the bottom, therefore it readily absorbs water.
- Low porosity hair will take a long time to sink to the bottom of the glass of water, if at all. In this case, the hair is unable to absorb the water.
- Normal porosity hair will sink at a medium pace, not too fast or too slow.
So now that you know your hair’s porosity, what steps do you need to take to ensure maximum moisture based on your level?
More: How to Find Your Hair Porosity & Density
High Porosity
High porosity hair has a difficult time holding onto moisture as it easily escapes the raised cuticles. It is important to avoid drying detergents and silicones that will further exacerbate the issue.
Tip: Shop for rich creams and butters for your hair. I suggest sealing the hair in layers…start with a moisture rich leave in, follow up with a cream, and finish with a heavy butter.
I also suggest that high porosity curlies try a ACV (apple cider vinegar”> rinse. This is a great way to temporarily close your cuticle, and enable the hair to retain moisture.
More: Do a Hair Rinse With Apple Cider & Vinegar
Low Porosity
Low porosity hair is typically much harder to moisturize since it is more difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft. Prep time is paramount for low porosity curlies. Every step in your daily routine is important and will determine how healthy your hair is. Avoid moisture sapping products, including alcohol based gels, hairspray and mousse.
Tip: Shop for water based, liquid leave in moisturizers that will moisturize without heaviness. Also, make sure to add a natural oil to your regime. Opt for a light to seal your hair after moisturizing. I prefer jojoba oil since it most resembles the sebum produced in our scalp. Heavy oils will be harder to absorb and will simply sit on top of it and weigh it down.
More: 3 Hair Oils for Healthy Hair
Medium Porosity
If you fall in this category, you are only lucky curly! Medium porosity hair is easily moisturized and retains its moisture level well. My hair has normal (medium”> porosity. One of my favorite ways to keep my curls hydrated is to do a conditioning rinse, then reapply a thin layer of conditioner (add more on the ends”> and finally seal with pure monoi oil.
Tip: Shop for moisturizing conditioners, silicone free preferably, that can double as a leave in. Avoid protein heavy conditioners for this purpose, as the residual protein can lead to straw like curls. Add a few natural oils to the mix for sealing your hair. I prefer oils that also offer amazing benefits. Monoi de Tahiti and pomegranate seed oil are my favorites.
More: Monoi Tiare: The Tropical Elixir for Fabulous Hair and Skin
This article was written by CURLS Founder Mahisha Dellinger. It was originally written in November 2012 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.
We are so excited to welcome a new member to the NaturallyCurly team, our new Graphic Designer, Frances! In addition to her talent and portfolio, we’re also crushing on her curls (no surprise”>. So we had to ask her about her Holy Grails of course, and it turns out there’s just one product that has her heart, and this is why it’s better than all the rest.
What is your Holy Grail product?
What is your hairtype?
Do you stick to this favorite or are you constantly trying new products?*
What do you look for in a product?
How do you apply this to your hair?
Benefits
The fractioned coconut oil will give you that silicone feeling, like most esterified oils do (of course without the inconvenient of cones”>. Coconut oil is a very light oil that will penetrate the hair shaft. Sunflower oil is full with ceramides that will help bond the cuticles and will improve light reflection. Avocado oil is a powerful anti-aging oil, full with vitamin E, and phytosterols. Finally, lemongrass and ylang ylang essential oils are great for dry, thirsty hair. If you don’t have fractioned coconut oil, you can add any other light oil like grapefruit oil.What You Need
- 25 ml coconut oil
- 25 ml sunflower oil
- 25 ml avocado oil
- 25 ml fractioned coconut oil
- 20 drops lemongrass
- 10 drops ylang ylang
Blend all of the ingredients together and apply as a finisher when installing or unraveling your twists. You can also use it to scrunch out the crunch on your wash and go’s.
Read more: DIY Okra Gel Detangling Pre-poo
How do you add shine?
It is estimated that 65% of women have natural curls and waves, yet they are not 100% knowledgeable as to how to actually take care of their texture. While this is true, there has been a recent spike in curly haired people inquiring about a specialized cut performed only by Deva Certified stylists at Devachan salons throughout the US. This cut was developed by Curly Girl Handbook author, curly hair guru, and Devachan Salon owner Lorraine Massey.
What is the DevaCut?
The DevaCut is a unique haircut which focuses on either sculpting each curl cutting in at an angle so the curl pattern is not disrupted or utilizing the Deva Signature Waterfall cutting technique, a structured method of cut as well as intuitive skills ( curl by curl”> to cut the hair. Either way, each cut is a customized cut, for each curl pattern and it requires strict and extensive training by each stylist. The client’s hair is cut dry, due to the fact that curly hair is quite different once it is 100% dry. The spring factor that is found in naturally curly hair changes and falls differently when it is cut dry. However, for those who wish to create volume, the Deva clipping technique is an added bonus, Stylists apply gel, or other Deva styling products to the curls and use Deva clips (or pin curl clips”> to give body to the sections of hair at the crown.
Stylists normally educate first-time clients by walking them through the process as they work with clients hair. They will educate clients about how they cleanse and style hair as they work so that clients can return home and repeat the style process themselves.
When making an appointment at a Devachan salon, most clients are asked to wear their curls as natural and unaltered as possible–this means little to no product, and no ponytails, braids or buns. Stylists ask to see clients with detangled, defined, and hair without added extensions.
DevaCuts are dimensional and intricate and made for wash-and-gos.
One of the best benefits of DevaCuts is that they are built for a wash and go hairstyle, meaning after your cut and wash, the styling is simple and most naturally curly hair is allowed to air dry. Stylists apply gel, or other styling products to the curls and use bill-styled clips to give body to sections of hair. Using this technique, hair is allowed to dry and look it’s most natural and is free frizz. Stylists will use a Devafuser to speed up the process a bit. Once the hair is dry, the clips are removed and the natural pattern and definition of the curls is revealed.
Upkeep and cost
Stylists will help educate clients about their unique and beautiful ringlets, one at a time. Stylists vary in years of experience and education. Therefore, when calling you can inquire about pricing for cuts and color. The cost of a regular DevaCut at the NYC flagship salon varies depending on stylist and hair length and needs, but most cuts at the NYC salon begin at $85, cap at $250 depending on expertise and experience. In addition to the DevaCurl stylists, stylists from around the country have attended a 1- or 2-day program and have become either a Deva Inspired or Advanced Stylist. More recently, stylists who have attended the newest Deva Certification program at a DevaCurl academy are evaluated based on a written and practical assessment. A passing performance results in the highest endorsement and they can call themselves a Deva Certified Curl Specialist. This elevates them to premiere status on the DevaCurl Stylist finder.
To find a Deva Salon by zip code, visit www.devacurl.com/salon-stylist-search.html and our very own database of curl salons here.
Watch an example of how a DevaCut is performed on Rock Yo Rizos:
Have you had a DevaCut before? What was your experience?
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We all look for different qualities when it comes to shopping for product: fragrance, slip, ingredients, etc. These are just some of the things the NaturallyCurly editors discussed in their Live Google+ Hangout when they tackled the question: What makes a product a Holy Grail? We learned a lot about each others’ Holy Grails, fails, and a few unexpected fun facts that we didn’t know about each other! Like Evelyn conditions twice, Devri uses dry shampoo on her 3c curls, slip isn’t a dealbreaker for Jamie, and Nikki and Cristina both love Kinky-Curly Knot Today even though they have completely different hair.
Watch the VideoEven if you didn’t make it to the live Google Hangout, don’t worry! The video will live on our YouTube channel and you can watch it at any time that’s convenient for you.
Have you ever had a product fail even though it was someone else’s Holy Grail?
NaturallyCurly user Curly-Kinky has been making her homemade herbal hair shampoo for years. A tried and true brew free of harmful additives and full of benefits.
What you’ll need
- 4 oz of castile soap in any scent
- 1/2 oz of rosemary – stimulates the hair follicles
- 1/2 oz of sage – antioxidants and antibacterial
- 3 drops of plumeria essential oil
- 1/2 oz of nettles – acts as a stimulator, a large source of nutrients for hair growth
- 1/2 oz of lavender – controls the production of sebaceous gland oil and reduces itchy and flaky scalp conditions
- 2000 mg of MSM – provides organic sulfur to your scalp, which improves the health and strength of your hair. It also helps to drive herbal nutrient into the skin and follicles where they can do the most good
- 1 empty bottle, or any other empty shampoo or soap bottle
- 2 cups distilled water
Directions
- Mix the herbs in a mason jar, which has a lid
- Boil 2 cups of distilled water
- Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water
- Let the herb mixture cool for 30 – 40 minutes
- Add the MSM into the herb mixture after 30 minutes of cooling, allow to melt
- Strain the herbal mixture into a bowl
- Pour 2 oz of strained herbal tea into the plastic bottle
- Add 4 oz of castile soap
- Cap the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients
- Shampoo as normal
Do you use store-bought shampoo or prefer a DIY? Share your favorite below!
This article was originally published in March 2013 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.
