Thinking of changing up your hair color subtly? Yearning for something newer and drastic? Find out how common hues are considered, first.
There’s no judging a book by it’s cover, but unfortunately there are those who make some big pre judgments on others simply by the way they dress and their hair color.
The Scandinavian Journal of Psychology found that men believe brunettes to be more approachable and blondes to be more needy. They also found that men considered redheads haughty and daring. Of course these ideas are unfair and without reason, but they remain prevalent.
[quote cite=”Men considered redheads haughty and daring. Of course these ideas are unfair and without reason, but they remain prevalent.” align=”aligncenter”][/quote]
Blonde
Blondes can be golden, platinum or add ombre… Whichever you choose blondes can live up to being fun, flirty and are often paired with outgoing personalities.
Fact: Only 10% of the world is naturally blonde. This color needs care and attention, and when we find things to be rare–like true blondes–they usually need more TLC. If you want to go more blonde, or try out being blonde (for a few weeks”>, ask your stylist which color blonde suits you best. At home colors are best for those with naturally blonde tones already set in.
Brunette
Brunettes are often viewed as great judges of character, strong and smart. While natural born brunettes are more common, tuning in their best hair tones and highlights can be a challenge. It’s easy to go too dark when playing with brunette’s color – ask your colorist or stylist which tones suit you and your hair color and type best. Try for something that is richer and more tonal.
Going richer and deeper may make you appear more mysterious and creative, but those are a few traits that we can probably live with.
Red
Natural redheads are tough to come by –only 2-6% of the US population can actually lay claim to being a true red head according to Divine Caroline. While red is rare, it’s also seen as adventurous, outgoing and risky.
If you’re looking to play up the natural red in your hair, do so with care. Reds can easily fade so it’s best to use a color that’s very close to your own true color. Cutting back on frequent shampoos is also a good idea when going red, or adding to your color. Red can also go to copper or orange, easily. If you’re looking for something lighter, then copper is your color, just be sure it works with your current hair color and tone.
This week the natural hair community was galvanized by the news that Carol’s Daughter was acquired by the largest cosmetics company in the world, L’Oreal. As a community who gets its information, support, inspiration and products online, it’s only natural that they turned to social media to react. As speculations about product formulas and concerns regarding the legacy of the company arose in comment sections and Twitter feeds, we thought it best to take your questions straight to the source.
Lisa Price is the founder and is in actual fact, Carol’s daughter. Price named the company after her mother when she began creating recipes that would go on to become the beloved Carol’s Daughter products as we know them in her kitchen over 20 years ago. With the encouragement of her mother Carol, Lisa began selling her homemade goods at flea markets and today you can find them on the shelves of Ulta, HSN and Target.
As devoted Hair Milk users and admirers of Price’s entrepreneurial achievements, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to speak one on one with the woman herself and relay the most asked questions from our community – first and foremost, will the products change? What does this acquisition mean for the future of Carol’s Daughter, and for its long-time customers? And out of curiosity, what have the past few days been like for Lisa?
NaturallyCurly’s Social Media Manager, Evelyn Ngugi, asked all of this and more in her exclusive interview with Lisa Price today. Lisa’s answers were heartfelt and candid, and some may surprise you. She described the road to this acquisition and the role her children and her legacy played in this decision, “it’s not something I did lightly, I mean the company is called Carol’s Daughter, my mother is Carol, and I’m never going to do anything to make her not be proud of me. Even though she isn’t physically here anymore I know she watches everything I do. So when I read that someone feels that I have lost my integrity it’s painful, because I would never do that to my mother, and I would never do that to her memory. So that’s what I think about when I move forward and make decisions, that’s the legacy for me.”
Watch the Interview
Watch the full interview and as always we want to hear from you in the comments below!
Here in the NaturallyCurly offices we’re big fans of the wash and go, but if you prefer to wear your hair in an updo for work then you could probably use some inspiration to spark your creativity. That bun can get, well, boring. In this video NaurallyCurly Editor Amanda whips up a quick updo appropriate for the office. Start off with your favorite stretched style, for Amanda that was a twist out. Follow along with Amanda to recreate the updo, and finish off with a tiny bit of ORS Olive Oil Edge Control to tame the frizzies around your hairline!
Instead of asking “Is alcohol bad for my hair?”, it’s probably better to ask “Are alcohols bad for my hair?” Alcohol is not one chemical but a whole family of chemicals with very different properties and very different effects on your hair. You might have heard that alcohol is bad for your hair. As with so many other things, it’s not so simple. It depends on what type of alcohol we are talking about. An alcohol that would be used in a holding spray is probably not going to be great for your hair. However, even these alcohols serve a purpose. Some alcohols are completely the opposite. They are actually “fatty” alcohols that add moisture to the hair by pulling in moisture from the air (they’re called hygroscopic”>. They also help to thicken products are are not harmful to your hair.
Short chain alcohols are generally the ones coily haired women are going to want to avoid. They are generally used in styling/finishing products. The reason they are used is, because of the way they are structured, they evaporate quickly. But, they also tend to wick moisture away from the hair which can leave it dry and frizzy – usually the very thing curly haired women are trying to avoid. Some examples are SD Alcohol 40, Ethanol or Ethyl Alchohol, Propyl Alocohol and Isopropyl. When many people think of alcohol, they think of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol”>, which we all know evaporates quickly. And, it’s true that using these types of alcohols on the hair over and over and not properly replacing the moisture is going to cause damage.
However, there is a completely different class of alcohols. These are large molecule, long chain alcohols that are as different from the short chain alcohols as night is from day. They tend to be “fatty”, clump together and do not evaporate quickly. They draw moisture into the hair, thicken products and are used in some of the best products available for your hair. Examples include Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol and Myristyl alcohol.
So, the next time you see the word alcohol on the label of a product you’re checking out, do some research on the type of alcohol it is. The type of product will give you a good clue. If it’s a product designed to be used on dry hair as a finishing product, it’s probably a short chain alcohol and will be drying to your hair. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the product. Just understand what it’s doing. If you find alcohols in your conditioner, they are most likely long chain alcohols and they’re being used to benefit your hair. Feel comfortable knowing you’re doing something good for your hair by using it. If you prefer to avoid alcohols altogether by using stylers and conditioners that are alcohol-free, try the Treasured Locks Pomade & Gel and the Awaken Emu Oil Conditioner. Both are packed with natural ingredients that you can feel fully confident applying to your curls, such as aloe vera, shea butter, kosher vegetable glycerin and lemongrass.
The ingredients that your hair thrives under will be unique to your individual curls, but no matter what hair type you have it pays to get well acquainted with your product labels.
Sometimes it can feel as if it takes an army of curl products to get our hair looking just right. But Jamie has found a way to wash and style her Type 3b curls with just two products. That’s right, we said two. By using a moisturizing co-wash Jamie can cleanse and condition her hair in one step, she doesn’t even use a rinse out conditioner. Then to moisturize and define her curls she applies a leave-in defining cream to wet, freshly washed hair, combing it through her curls starting at the ends. No scrunching required!
You can let your hair air dry at this point, or if you prefer to wear it pulled back Jamie likes to braid her hair and leave a few face-framing curls loose. Watch the video to see how you can do both styles at home.
The oregano herb has been used for thousands of years not only to cook with, but as an all-natural medicinal healer. It has been found to work wonders for those with GI and urinary tract disorders, and its anti-inflammatory properties is effective in helping those suffering from osteoporosis, common cold, bloating, muscle pain, allergies and common ear and toothaches.
Oregano’s antibacterial properties also help in ridding of fungus from the scalp and nail bed areas. It works wonders on dandruff and nail fungus.
Nail fungus remover
Mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and 1/4 cup of borax in a basin with tepid water.
Soak hands or feet for 20-30 minutes. Dry off with towel.
Rub oregano oil into the infected nail and onto every cuticle.
The oil should be applied three times per day until you notice the fungus going away. Keep your feet dry and allow them to breathe by wearing sandals or open toed shoes.
If you instead, suffer from skin infections or irritated gums, dry skin, you can mix olive oil or coconut oil with 1-2 drops of oregano oil and apply to your infected/itchy area.
Dandruff & dry scalp treatment
Mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with any other hair oil of your choice and rub into your scalp, delicately.
Add a few drops of almond, coconut or olive oil.
Leave on your scalp for 45 minutes and use a clarifying shampoo to completely rinse it out.
You may also add 2-3 drops of oregano oil to your shampoo and apply it to your hair in the shower. Let it stay on your hair for 3-4 minutes then rinse. Repeat one more time then condition if desired.
Knot detangler
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of dried oregano with one tablespoon vanilla extract and one cup of water.
Warm the mixture for 45 seconds on low heat or microwave for 30 seconds then allow to cool.
Pour the mixtures into a container or spray bottle and keep it in the fridge.
Use the mixture on your hair after your shower and comb it through evenly.
Danielle Gray, also known to us as The Style and Beauty Doctor, is an inspiring resource for fashion and beauty. But that’s not all she’s passionate about. This month Danielle is joining us in the fight against breast cancer by spreading the word about Curls for a Cure.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time of year that is very near and dear to the heart of all of us and especially for curly hair expert hair brand Ouidad. Brand founder Ouidad herself is a survivor and lost her mother to the disease. She started the Ouidad Curls For A Cure program that benefits The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF”>, matching dollar for dollar donations customers make via the brand’s website (via a direct donation or purchase”>*. This year the brand has a really fun way to bring about awareness and to raise funds with a cool Ouidad Pink Curl Extension and tapped yours truly to help get the word out.
The Ouidad Pink Curl Extension ($10″> is such a great way to raise money and awareness for breast cancer and it’s super simple to use, too. Literally all you have to do is clip it in wherever you want it. If you’re hair isn’t very thick, I suggest teasing or back-combing the area where you want to clip the curl so it has something to hold onto.
The Pink Curl Extension is synthetic hair so you want to make sure you don’t put any heat tools on it, BUT it’s super versatile. Though it’s a looser curl you can still manipulate the texture to your liking. I remembered a cool hair trick I saw backstage at Tracy Reese where Ouidad stylists created kinkier hair textures on models using a trick with a hair pin and a flat iron so I wanted to duplicate but of course without the flat iron. I wrapped one Ouidad Pink Curl Extension around a large hair pin (starting from the bottom of the pin, I wrapped the hair around in a figure 8 motion and then secured it with a hair pin and left it overnight”> to create a kinkier texture. I probably should have put it in boiling water to really hold the texture, but the texture held up well. I sprayed a little Ouidad Curl LastTM Flexible-Hold Hairspray on it for hold.
You can also braid it or twist it—the choice is yours :”>
I LOVE Cruella De Vil’s streak of grey so I figured I’d emulate her with a much smaller and pink streak…lol. I placed it on my hair on an area near my ear so it would show on the underside and would blend in with the rest of my hair. Such a fun and easy fashion accessory AND it goes toward a great cause.
Details:
Jacket: ASOS | Pants: ASOS | Pumps: Zara | Belt: ASOS
You can buy your Ouidad Pink Curl Extension for $10 at Ouidad.com. 100% of the proceeds will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and you’ll have a really cool accessory that goes beyond making fashion statements.
P.S. If you post your Pink Curl Selfie with #CurlsforaCure, Ouidad will donate an additional $1 to BCRF up to a maximum of $10,000!
When you have a hair question you probably ask a curlfriend, maybe your mom or sister, or you ask on Curly Q&A. But when you’re a man with long, natural hair it may not be quite as straightforward. For Tje Austin, like for many of us curlies, his fro has been a process of trial and error. As an adopted child his parents didn’t know how to care for curly hair, so Tje gathered information from friends and figured out what worked for him. He now uses the Mixed Chicks His Mix products to wash and style his hair. If you’d like to see his wash and go routine from beginning to end, watch this video we filmed!
Hair health is obviously important to us, but curly girls don’t like to feel trapped by their hair care regimen. It is possible to have healthy curls even if you’re coloring them if you prepare your hair beforehand, choose the right dye, and maintain your moisture afterwards. Here’s how you can do that at home.
Deep condition before
Before you alter the natural state of your hair, it’s always a good idea to do a deep conditioning treatment. This gives you the best chance of maintaining your hair health and length. Do your deep conditioning treatment 3 or more days prior to coloring so that the hair is a tad dry and better absorbs the color.
Use your own oil
Try not washing your hair for a couple of days before you dye your hair. The natural oils on your hair and scalp will help to protect it through the coloring process. Note, do not use a lot of hair product during this time. Product buildup will alter the way the dye effects your hair so avoid applying your typical curl creams and leave-ins on those days.
Clarify less
Before and after you dye your hair you will want to decrease the frequency with which you clarify your hair. This will help keep your natural oils in tact before you dye, and maintain your new color after you dye.
Are you going lighter?
If you are going for a lighter or vibrant hair color, this will require lightening your hair. This is a trickier process than going darker so if you are preparing for an at-home coloring session do your research on the lightening process.
Double up
Curly hair can be thicker and oftentimes deceivingly long. If this sounds like you then go ahead and purchase two boxes of hair color. One at-home dye kit may not be enough to fully saturate your hair and it’s safest to have more than enough on hand when coloring at home.
What is on your hair?
If you have previous colored or chemically treated your hair this may affect your at-home hair color results. Please be aware that if you have previously used henna it is best to advise a cosmetologist to ask about duration between color treatments and how your current color might respond.
Check your label
Curlies are experts at reading their labels, and at-home hair color should be no different. Instead of sulfates and silicones, this time you should be watching out for ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in your hair dye. Check out Bigen’s ammonia and hydrogen peroxide-free semi-permanent hair color. It contains natural moisturizers like honey, beeswax and sunflower.
Avoid damage
Try not to heat style, go swimming or expose your hair to the elements during the days before and after your hair color. You want your hair to be its healthiest. You probably have a good idea of what your hair can handle, so just be sensitive to it during this time.
Consider semipermanent color
Semi permanent color can be a less damaging to your hair because it “utilizes no developer, thus preserving the condition of the hair” says curly stylist and NaturallyCurly contributor Janelle Sands. Nikki achieved her ruby red tips in the photo above using Bigen’s Semi-Permanent hair color, if you’d like to see how she did that watch here.
We are thrilled that Grace Atwood, the voice behind fashion blog Stripes and Sequins is joining us in the fight against breast cancer. Here is how she’s showing her support for Curls for a Cure, our special initiative with Ouidad. Read more to find out how you can too.
As you know if you are a regular reader [of Stripes and Sequins], I’m a huge fan of playing around with my hair color… it’s been blonde for a while but it was red and then brown before that. This time around, I’ve gone pink! But not for good… in today’s post I’m actually wearing Ouidad’s new Pink Curl Extension, launched this month to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® through its Curls for a Cure®program, dedicated to supporting the organization in its fight to find a cure.
Ouidad is donating 100% of the $10 purchase price of the extension to BCRF – offering women a fun + fashionable way to wear pink + show support for the cause. Of course the extension is a curl (alas, a soft wave which is perfect for my hair”> as Ouidad’s heritage is in products for curly haired gals… but you might not know that Ouidad herself is actually a breast cancer survivor. It clips in easily… even those of us who aren’t the best at doing their hair (hand raised”> can easily handle it.
Taking the mission even further, if you wear your Pink Curl Extension and post a selfie using #CurlsforACure, Ouidad will donate $1 to BCRF. I’ll be wearing mine this month (and showing it off on the ‘GRAM… and encourage you to do the same!”> Fun fact: Since the program’s inception, Ouidad has donated over $475,000 to BCRF, matching customer donations 100%.. dollar for dollar. Learn more about the campaign HERE, and purchase your own pink curl extension HERE!
This week one of our NaturallyCurly contributors, Janelle Sands, is our special guest answering your curly questions on Curly Q&A. Janelle is an artist, teacher, writer, lover of women, and image consultant. She has 12 years experience in hair and beauty, and she shares that with women on her blog Secret Curl Society.
Question:
I have been transitioning for one year and 9 months, and recently my hair has gotten super dry! I have bad dandruff so I have to wash my hair every four/five days. Lately that has been making my hair dry so I decided to try cowashing in between washes and my hair still feels really dry after I wash it. It feels like I’ve used shampoo, my hair gets that stripped feeling. I don’t know what to do. I deep co dition, use a leave in, oil but it doesn’t help much. This has just started happening, when I would wash my hair frequently before it wouldn’t make my hair so dry. The only thing that has changed in my regimen is I have been using flax seed gel as my styler but I doubt that would make my hair feel dry. The products I’m using are vo5, Apple cider vinegar, Eden body works DC/leave in, olive oil and flaxseed gel. What should I do? – Breg123
Answer:
When going natural a lot of changes happen. There is something called the “line of demarcation.” That is the line between your natural hair and your relaxed hair. That line marks a distinctive difference based on the condition of your hair. What might be happening is that your natural hair has different needs than your relaxed hair. So think back to how you cared or your relaxed hair. That is how you will continue to care for it. The relaxed hair needs more protein and the natural hair needs more moisture so be sure to give it what it craves. And now is the to adjust your trim schedule. Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks from here on out. This will keep your hair in better condition and speed up your transition process. Use a sulfate free shampoo or switch to a cleansing conditioner. If you’d like to know more about the difference between cleansing conditioner and regular conditioner you can read here.
Finally after you cleanse and condition, use a leave in conditioner spray and seal with oil ( LOC METHOD”> this should help you along the way. Hope this helps!
If you have a question for Janelle, you can post it on Curly Q&A here.
Before you try a hair balm (pomade”> for the first time, understand what it is and why it will be useful to your own hair. Balms can be a great addition to your regimen if your hair is heat damaged or in need of repair or more moisture from the parching effects of the summer sun. They contain many powerful ingredients which are especially for brittle hair, like Vitamins D & E–for health, growth, and shine. For styling purposes, it is sometimes best to use this paired with some oil or a light moisturizer.
Hair balm can be used in the dead of winter or in the heat of the hot summer sun. As you use it, your hair will show you noticeable sheen, better definition and overall healthier hair.
Use just a bit (dime to nickel sized, depending on hair length”> to rub through your hair.
A good, natural balm, can be used on wet or dry hair. A little goes a long way, so test small amounts as you go to see what works best for your hair.
What you’ll need
You can find most of these ingredients in the natural/organic section of your neighborhood grocery store:
1 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp glycerin
2 tbsp sweet almond oil
1 tbsp argan oil
Directions
Melt coconut oil in a double boiler (sorry, microwaves won’t work for this”>
Allow some coconut oil to cool for 1/2 hr
Add a few drops of almond and argan oil (substitute with jojoba if you are allergic”>
Whisk oils together and put in the fridge for 30 minutes
Add glycerin once you take it out the fridge
Add 1/2 cup cool water (from the double boiler”>
Whip mixture until it becomes fluffy
Pour into large jar
To make the most of this product, store it at room temperature.
If you’d rather BUY than DIY, try one of these great hair balms found in CurlMart:
Thousands of NaturallyCurly community members have taken the time to share their favorite products, tools and necessities for curly, coily and wavy hair. We have compiled the votes and are excited to announce 2014’s list of holy grail, must have items that every curly girl should try out.
They deliver video tutorials, testimonials, test curly products and report on trends. They’re curl authorities the curly community looks to for insight and ideas. Following and learning from some of their tactics could help in your quest to master your curl pattern.
Most of us spend too much time on the internet, whether it’s scrolling through Pinterest, sharing work on Instagram or keeping our followers up-to-date with our everyday life on Facebook. But for the top texture influencers on social media, spending time on the computer is more than a pastime; it’s a way of life. These curlistas started creating YouTube videos and blogs as hobbies but have spun them into successful careers. With a loyal following in the hundreds of thousands, beauty vloggers and bloggers are winning big on the web. Just look at the numbers: Beauty content on YouTube accounts for more than 700 million videos each month and continues to grow rapidly year after year, reports Pixability’s “Beauty on YouTube” study. As a result, bloggers and vloggers are changing how many curlies discover, use and purchase beauty products. But why?
Texture! went straight to the source to get the answer. These are the social mavens you’re going to want to get to know: Nora of Shalimarcat; Francheska of Hey Fran Hey; Jenell Stewart of Kinky Curly Coily Me; and Alison of Modern Mrs. Huxtable. Here they share their thoughts on how the blogosphere is transforming the texture industry and the importance of authentic, personal connections on the web.
Why do viewers respond so positively to you?
Jenell Stewart, KinkyCurlyCoilyMe: It’s the phenomenon of, “This girl has hair just like me.” I was able to appeal to an audience of women with a kinkier texture and shorter hair. Additionally, I’m very down-to-earth. I created a platform based not on pretending to be an expert but on promoting my learning experience and explaining myself in a way that people could relate to. I wasn’t authoritative or pompous. I was just me.
One thing that keeps me successful is that I do everything because I’m passionate about it. I communicate with my audience. I call all of my fans my “loves,” and reply to them on social media. As challenging as that can be sometimes, I reply. I think people can really feel that connection with me, and I make myself available so I can meet the women who support me.
Alison, Modern Mrs. Huxtable: It probably sounds cliché, but I just try to genuinely be myself. I also view my subscribers as equally important in the YouTube process—this doesn’t mean that I am “number-crazy” about how many followers I have, but rather that I value my viewers’ comments and messages. I feel that the viewers are a part of every video I create—their input and feedback contribute to the creative process and finished product.
I believe my new purpose in life is to inspire and uplift. I want people to feel elevated, to feel motivated after they have spent time watching my videos. This is as simple as starting every video with a huge smile and warm greeting. People need messages of empowerment, happiness, hope, sunshine and love, so that is the energy that I strive to embody and put out into the universe.
Nora, Shalimarcat: I think it’s because I am an eclectic vlogger: I like to play with styles a lot! I am not a curly-hair-obsessed person, so I occasionally use heat or silicones, and I have nothing against coloring your curls. My motto is do what makes you happy!
Francheska, HeyFranHey: My readers know I’m not in this for any kind of financial gain or any personal fame. I think they understand that everything I put on YouTube is to solve a problem and be helpful. Word-of-mouth has been the most influential tool for me to become so big. I’ve actually never done a sponsored video. I think the key to the growth of my brand is in the integrity. I’m going on three years of being on this social media wave, and that’s been my biggest thing: to keep the integrity of it all.
How do you believe YouTube is changing the beauty industry and the texture community?
Alison: When I went natural in 2009 there were only a handful of brands that I could find in stores. Now, there are whole aisles dedicated to natural haircare. People don’t really understand how huge that is!
There are thousands more natural hair bloggers and vloggers. There are tons of natural hair companies sprouting up every day. Technology and social media are such a huge part of our generation, so it means a lot to see blogs and Instagram and YouTube accounts dedicated to studying, capturing and celebrating natural hair. Natural hair is not necessarily new, but I think the YouTube world allows people to identify and relate to vloggers in a way that makes natural hair seem fresh and trendy. It means a lot for girls to see people on the computer screen who look like them.
Francheska: In reality, we are the people who are closest to the consumers. We have an emotional thread with the clients. We aren’t celebrities or actors who are completely detached from reality. We go to meet-and-greets and connect with our subscribers. We email with them and respond back and forth on Twitter. We have relationships with our viewers, and we’re all on the same playing field.
How are beauty brands embracing the beauty explosion in shaping the blogosphere?
Francheska: They’re definitely responding. Many of the trends in hair are based on what’s popular on YouTube. Now every brand has a natural hair category. They’re paying attention and seeing our influence and rebuilding their brands based on what’s working for us.
Remember when models got mad at celebrities for taking over the cover of magazines and ad campaigns? I almost feel like YouTubers are going to be the new celebrities and start pushing out traditional celebrities.
Jenell: Beauty brands are realizing that women with multi-ethnic hair are paying attention to ingredients and what products promise and deliver. Consumers take very seriously what a product label says, and if the product’s performance doesn’t match that, then we are vocal. We’ve made our mark by saying we want products that are more moisturizing and conditioning. So you are seeing an influx of co-washes and moisturizing conditioners in the category.
Alison: I think beauty brands know there is now a greater level of power and exposure in the hands of vloggers when it comes to product reviews. A good review plug from a popular YouTuber can mean a huge boom in business, while poor reviews can stifle business or prevent people from trying a product.
Viewers can also start to change the level of trust or credibility that they give a vlogger based on the vlogger’s decision to be sponsored or partner with a beauty brand. There are a lot of politics and layers that go into the relationship between blogging and beauty brands.
How are YouTubers helping to bridge the gap between beauty brands and clients?
Jenell: By watching a YouTube video, you see the step-by-steps and experience live. On my YouTube channel, I have so many videos showing me applying the product from start to finish. Consumers get to see what it looks like, get to hear what it smells like and learn how it works. So even if content is branded, bloggers and vloggers can still offer that same value to a video. Vloggers offer incredible opportunities for companies. It’s phenomenal how many people they will be able to reach and grasp by the engagement vloggers offer in their videos. To the watchers and readers, if the vlogger is genuine and authentic all the time, then there’s definitely a way for the person to do branded content and make it work. There’s also a way to do branded content without talking up something that you don’t really believe in.
Alison: YouTube vloggers bring a more personal and relatable angle to products than national marketing campaigns do. Consumers feel like they are getting advice from a friend or coworker—someone they trust and know—and that type of positive coverage is huge for a beauty brand. It is also really amazing to see YouTube vloggers branch out and become entrepreneurs making their own products—essentially the client becoming the beauty brand. It creates a connection or closeness to the brand when it is a YouTuber the consumer has been watching and supporting for years.
What does the future look like for you and your brand?
Alison: I hope I can continue to grow my fan base and reach more people globally. I would love to have more meet-and-greets in the states as well as overseas. YouTube is a great platform to reach people outside of your immediate geographic location.
I hope that I can continue to build an entrepreneurial base for myself built on my YouTube success. Most importantly I hope that young women and men leave my channel feeling inspired and motivated. If each video I post leaves a viewer with a pocketful of hope, then I have fulfilled my purpose.
Nora: YouTube is becoming more and more important, so I hope to keep my viewers interested in what I do and in what I have to say.
Francheska: I’m such a little hippie. I’m very in the moment. For me, it’s all about the momentum. I try not to limit myself by saying what I’m going to do in the next five years. I don’t know; I could be doing things that I never would have imagined. I never really thought I’d be on YouTube. That was never in my plans, and it turned out. I’m just riding the wave. Every opportunity that comes and feels good, that’s where I’ll be.
Jenell: I’m growing my website. I’m looking to do more speaking engagements and talk with women about healthy hair growth, natural hair and wellness. I look forward to those opportunities.
5 Things To Learn From Texture Influencers
1. Engage Your Audience
Audience engagement is like superior customer service. A successful blogger knows the importance of connecting with followers and always letting them know when they’re appreciated. Although time consuming, replying to emails, comments and messages is essential to building a relationship with your clients, and encourages them to turn to you for texture advice and product recommendations.
2. Solve Problems
Clients want content that delivers a benefit like how to use a product, demonstrates how to create a celebrity-inspired look, or executes a new industry trend. You don’t need a professional studio to deliver powerful imagery and share valuable information. You can create and post your own professional beauty advice without worrying about professional lighting! Make it personal and be sure to always mention your salon name, location and how to book a texture consultation.
3. Stay Relevant
It’s important that you not only produce tips and how-tos to share on your or your salon’s social media outlets or during a consultation, but that you stay relevant to your followers by providing current information. They’ll look to you as being “in the know” and will think of you for special occasion styles, visit your site or pages for what’s trending, and listen when you recommend a new style, an updated finish and product recommendations to help them get the look.
4. Collaborate
Collaborating with popular YouTube personalities, celebrities and brands is a way to instantly introduce yourself to an entirely new network of people. Simply commenting and introducing yourself and your salon-based solutions is a great way to start. Maintaining an authentic voice is crucial and will allow you to increase your own following organically. Keep the emphasis on what you know and experience as a salon professional. Share more about the techniques you use, less about specific brand preferences. Promote yourself as an authority.
5. Promote Yourself
As you increase your texture expertise, be sure you are telling the world about it! If you decide to post YouTube videos or texture tips on a blog, use other forms of social media to get your content out there. Share teasers of your latest YouTube video on Instagram or a sneak peak of a new texture product on Facebook. Even sharing your favorite tips from other texture sources can help position you as a resource for your clients. Just remember to add your professional voice to explain why you are sharing it, and to include a call to action to come for an appointment, consultation, or personal product demo and recommendation.
Francheska of HeyFranHey started her Tumblr after being diagnosed with a health condition. It was her journey to become a healthier person inside and out that propelled her to speak about beauty from a holistic approach. After healing her body through nutrition, fitness and natural/organic products, she wanted to share her knowledge with those willing to listen.
In addition to making her posts relatable and easy to incorporate in everyday life, Francheska attributes her success to speaking from an honest place and solving a problem. Her advice for people interested in YouTubing is to find out what’s missing in the marketplace and determining: how you can contribute to that open space.
After a big chopping in March 2010, Jenell Stewart of KinkyCurlyCoilyMe decided to embrace her natural hair. With no friends or family members who were natural, Stewart found joy in blogging about her journey and created KinkyCurlyCoilyMe as a way to track her progress and share it with others.
The actual name of the website is a derivative of the textures that appear in her own hair. Within the first two years of blogging, Jenell transitioned her blog into a natural haircare site for women in need of hair education and support. Stewart has been featured in Essence and on BlackEnterprise.com, VibeVixen.com, SoloDovePR, CurvyMagazine.com, Essence.com, BlackHairMedia.com, RollingOut.com, JuicyMagOnline.com, NewsDay.com, Examiner.com, TribeCalledCurl.com and CurlyNikki.com. Stewart has also contributed to NaturallyCurly.com.
Whitney, known as Naptural85 on YouTube, is a graphic designer, vlogger and blogger. Whitney started her YouTube channel in August 2009 with an upload of her “Natural Hair Journey”—her transition from relaxed to natural hair—which was intended to thank the YouTubers who’d given her the inspiration to go natural. But people told her that they were inspired by her story and encouraged her to upload more. The rest is history! Five years later, Whitney is still sharing her journey and has expanded her channel with daily vlogging videos that chronicle her life as a wife and new mom.
In 2013, Alison got her start on YouTube with her channel Modern Mrs. Huxtable, aimed at advocating for positive female role models as well as educating women on the secrets to healthy, long hair. She is dedicated to sharing her results with others and using her background as a university instructor to inform and educate other women on how to reach their personal hair goals. Alison spearheads an initiative to share female empowerment messages and encourage positive, well-rounded depictions of women like that of the iconic Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show. Alison focuses on uplifting women in areas such as self-esteem development, finding purpose and creating sound value systems.
Gina of Hairspiration has been blogging since 2008. She blogs about natural hair, beauty and lifestyle. She is an advocate of green brands and small business and is currently in the process of “cleaning up” her makeup bag. Gina has been featured on numerous websites, including Essence.com, Ebony.com, Fashion Bomb Daily, Style Pantry, BGLH and Ebony Glam, as well as in Pride, Marie Claire, Grazia, Jones and Blackhair. Based in the UK, Gina has a background in fine arts and has spent the past nine years working at Aveda and other high-end hair salons, where she has gained useful knowledge in hair care, beauty and trends. By day, Gina is currently working as a freelance PR consultant and sometimes columnist.
Sarah started her channel to provide education about curly hair basics and to help others learn how to care for and love their natural curls. A-soon-to-be teacher and self-proclaimed hair junkie, Sarah realized several years ago that there weren’t a lot of girls with her looser-curl hair type making videos or sharing advice. From that concept, her channel evolved into what it is today.
Jessica started vlogging on YouTube in March 2009, sharing her natural hair journey with women around the world in hopes of inspiring them to love and embrace their hair. Jessica has been featured on LA Talk Live radio, CurlyNikki.com, NaturallyCurly.com and many other social media platforms and is currently a natural hair blogger for Essence.com. Over the years, Jessica has drawn the attention of many women worldwide.
Shanti and Atoinette are the best-friend duo behind Around the Way Curls. The two created a community for women to connect, encourage and inspire one another. Around the Way Curls is an online publication that infuses pop culture and issues of women’s interest with an emphasis on the beauty, originality and spirit of naturally kinky, curly hair. With hair as the catalyst, Shanti and Antoinette work to redefine beauty and to recondition women not only to embrace their natural state of being but to value their individual uniqueness and overall worth.
A medical student and model with a passion for beauty, fitness and health, Nora of Shalimarcat made the decision to embrace her natural texture six years ago after two years of relaxing, blow drying and straightening. Nora was inspired to create her first video when she entered a giveaway on Naptural85’s channel, at the time her favorite YouTuber. Filming was so much fun that she thought, why not create her own channel for wavy hair? At the time, the majority of the channels were geared toward women with tighter texture patterns.
This article was written by Chandler Rollins for Texture!
In the salon industry, there are two types of people— those who say they can do textured hair and the select group of stylists that specialize in texture hair. Cesar Ramirez, the newest Mizani celebrity stylist and our cover artist, is definitely a member of the latter. Having grown up amidst hairspray and rollers in his family’s small hair salon, the Puerto Rican curl guru knows his way around a diverse clientele base.
Ramirez has trained with some of the beauty industry’s top stylists, and his a-list looks have been featured on shows including Celebrity Apprentice, All about Aubrey and Lala’s Full Court Life. He also offers his magic to a long list of celebrities (Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato, Ciara, Adrienne Bailon and Rita Ora”>. But beyond Ramirez’s celebrity work, his unique, artistic approach has graced the runways at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and have adorned the pages of everything from Vogue and Harper’s Bazar to GQ and Latina Magazine.
Textured hair can be a challenge, but it can also be exciting when you realize the beautiful fabric that you are working with.
With a following of more than 30,000 on Instagram alone (@cesar4styles”>, it comes as no surprise that the inspiration for this shoot came from social media. While researching, Ramirez found that the super-photoshopped hair images on Pinterest weren’t receiving a lot of attention. Instead, it was the shots of everyday clients and selfies of girls with beautiful hair that were trending. “We wanted to create a ‘real’ feel to the collection; that attracted consumers to see what Mizani can do,” Ramirez says.
Mizani products were used on set at the shoot—including the recently released Fiberfyl treatment. “Fiberyfyl is a new strengthening treatment with breakthrough Filloxane technol-ogy; a strand-by-strand restorer that fills in weak areas of the hair,” Ramirez says. “Traditionally, protein treatments are used for strength, which can result in the hair feeling hard or brittle. Fiberfyl maintains the hair’s pliability and softness.” Since models are constantly on set, the hair takes a beating, so using the Fiberfyl system set us up for success.”
With New York City as his backdrop, Ramirez was able to successfully capture the understated cool that every curly girl craves. “Textured hair can be a challenge, but it can also be exciting when you realize the beautiful fabric that you are working with,” he says. “When you successfully achieve the perfect shape and style, it’s so fulfilling.”
This post was written by Chandler Rollins for Texture!
You Have to See This Trick for Fixing Split Ends with a Chopstick
Split ends are pesky little things which lead to breakage, terminal length, and lackluster hair. Here is a quick remedy for trimming yours at home with the eating utensil you probably have from your Chinese takeout the other day.
What you will need:
1 chopstick or your finger
haircutting shears
clean hair (free of styling product”>
…and patience!
Directions
Begin by combing your hair down, and ridding it of snarls. Take a one-inch section and wrap it around your finger or chopstick and look for the split ends. Then, with your scissors, cut 1/2 inch of the split ends that are sticking up. Unwrap and begin another section. If done correctly, you should feel an immediate smoothness in your hair once you are done.
Prevent split ends after you tend to them by using a good conditioner frequently and avoiding over-shampooing. Use a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask weekly (or more frequently, depending on the porosity of your hair”>.
Try this DIY mask after cutting your split ends
Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and warm them slightly and add one, ripe avocado.
Apply the mixture to your hair, but not the roots; concentrate on the ends and middle of your hair.
Twist your hair up into a bun once the mixture is applied and cover your head with a warm towel or shower cap for 30-45 mins.
Condition your hair afterwards.
Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoons honey and one egg yolk and apply to middle and ends of hair.
Allow the mixture to sit on your hair for an hour then wash and condition as usual.
Use these masks 1-2 times a week to lessen your split ends as well as maintain and promote overall healthier hair.
Is a Diffuser Worth Your Money? Find Out Once and For All
If you have not been properly introduced to a diffuser yet and you have curls and waves, now is the time to find out what you have been missing out on.
A diffuser is typically an attachment that fits on the end of a hair dryer. It literally diffuses –spreads– the air around the curl instead of directly on to the hair.
What does a diffuser do?
Prevents heat damage and help maintain curls in great shape, and free of frizz.
Allows for more shine to the curl.
Encourages natural curl shape and body, as well as texture.
How it works
Diffusers like the Spilo Styling Diffuser usually have prong-like fingers that work into the hair and help separate each curl. They also allow drying without a ton of heat damage. Some diffusers like the Hot Sock are also shaped like socks and are soft and are made simply to allow air to again, move and spread around the head rather than directly onto the hair shaft.
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Who it works best for
Because curly hair has the opposite properties of straight hair, diffusers work better for by not allowing as much moisture to be absorbed in such a fast amount of time. Yes, using a diffuser will take more time than simply blow drying your hair with a blow dryer. However, your hair will love you for it since it will be in better shape–and, it is quicker than air drying! Hair blown with a diffuser is usually softer and less frizzy. You can also add some volume to your hair by using the diffuser as you flip your hair over.
How to use a diffuser
Apply your usual or favorite moisturizing, curl defining product like Ossat’s Moisture Mist to lightly towel-dried or air dried hair.
Use a low or cooler setting when you diffuse for best results–the cooler the air=the less frizz and more shine.
Start at your scalp and work in a circular motion to help spread the air.
Gently place pieces of your hair on the diffuser as you move about. Dry hair only about 60 to 80 percent unless you are in a rush.
Finish by spraying your hair with a setting styler like the Design Essentials Setting Lotion. And remember, DO NOT touch your curls! The more your fingers work themselves into your curls, the more frizz you will see.
I recently had an interesting conversation with a female entrepreneur who has a line for natural hair. She was frustrated at the difficulty she was having getting her products into the beauty stores that cater to the ethnic haircare audience – stores that traditionally have been Korean owned. In some cases, the store owners seemed totally oblivious to the natural hair movement. And if they were aware – largely due to plummeting sales of relaxers – they viewed this as a passing trend.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard this complaint. In fact, as the natural hair industry has exploded, there has been a greater divide between the traditional distribution network for black haircare products and the consumers who are buying these products. So I read with much interest an article this week in the New York Times about the small but growing number of black women who have opened beauty supply stores in an industry dominated by Korean owners. The article points out that these Korean Americans were pioneers who saw a void in the market, and provided haircare products in areas where they weren’t previously available.
“A lot of people think these people were taking it away from black owners, but that’s not the case,” said Lori Tharps, a co-author of the book “Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America.”
But it’s encouraging to see a surge in new stores owned by women with a true passion for the industry fueled by their own natural hair journeys.
During NaturallyCurly’s 16-year history, one of the things that has excited me most has been working among a group of creative entrepreneurs with passion and guts who have created innovative brands, become natural hair stylists and opened beauty stores to cater to other women with hair like them. Many of our CurlTalkers have gone on to start their own blogs and YouTube channels, amplifying this conversation to the extent that what some dismissed as a trend has become an unstoppable force.
Barriers exist for these entrepreneurs. The Times article points out that black business owners may not be able to cut the same types of deals with wholesalers as Korean retailers. But if you look at the success of the homegrown haircare companies that are now giving some of the largest brands a run for their money, it is not an insurmountable obstacle.
“Younger, natural-haired black consumers – ‘naturalistas’ as some call them – are more aware than ever of where their dollars go and what goes in their hair.” Says the Times.
The oregano herb has been used for thousands of years not only to cook with, but as an all-natural medicinal healer. It has been found to work wonders for those with GI and urinary tract disorders, and its anti-inflammatory properties is effective in helping those suffering from osteoporosis, common cold, bloating, muscle pain, allergies and common ear and toothaches.
Hair health is obviously important to us, but curly girls don’t like to feel trapped by their hair care regimen. It is possible to have healthy curls even if you’re coloring them if you prepare your hair beforehand, choose the right dye, and maintain your moisture afterwards. Here’s how you can do that at home.
Split ends are pesky little things which lead to breakage, terminal length, and lackluster hair. Here is a quick remedy for trimming yours at home with the eating utensil you probably have from your Chinese takeout the other day.
If you have not been properly introduced to a diffuser yet and you have curls and waves, now is the time to find out what you have been missing out on.
