We have over 8,000 hair products in our Product Review section, all thoughtfully reviewed by our curly community (that’s you!”>. We wanted to hear from our top reviewer, Laurabeth!
She is a NaturallyCurly veteran and her valuable feedback has helped many of us make smarter, more informed purchase decisions. We asked Laurabeth how she got started reviewing products on NaturallyCurly, and she said she’d always had “a no stone left unturned method of analyzing data.” Her search for the best hair gel and later conditioner led her to create thorough lists on CurlTalk with her reviews, which have been a go-to resource for many curlies ever since!
She has also given us a guide to the types of frizz (spider weby frizz is very different to surface frizz”> and how to adjust your curl routine based on the season. She loves that NaturallyCurly’s “a network of like-minded and conversely-minded curlies with whom I can batter around ideas.”
With all of that knowledge, we were dying to know what Laurabeth’s all-time favorite curly hair products are.
A pre-styler primer before primers were cool. It preps every styler to have the potential to be curl-friendly, despite what hair type it was intended for.
A thick, luxurious conditioner that seams to give my curls support to hold their shape in its thick texture rather than stretching my curls to waves from its weight.
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 2013’s list of holy grail, must have items that every curly girl should try out.
How old were you in 1998? Were you wearing your hair curly back then? Still relaxing? These are the questions that came up here at NaturallyCurly headquarters when we reflected on our launch 15 years ago.
Here’s a look at the NaturallyCurly team back in 1998, school photos, boy scouts, glamour shots and all! There’s even a classic banister pose.
These curly girl co-founders are the reason the site exists. Back in 1998 they were rocking their curls and running the site as a hobby. Today, Michelle spreads the curly love wherever she can—working with stylists and major curly hair brands to make sure your needs are heard.
Lori is our Vice President of Integrated Media. She is committed to creating great partnerships with the curly brands you love! When she’s not talking to brands, she’s on Pinterest pinning DIY projects. Back in 1998, she was rocking some amazing big curls and jeans. Those are totally back in style now!
Priscilla is one of our beloved graphic designers who creates beautiful graphics for the site. She is the brilliant illustrator responsible for our “Draw My Life” video, the Story of NaturallyCurly. Today she’s proud to be natural, but back in 1998 Priscilla was 11 and still a closet curly who relaxed her hair.
Crista is our CEO who came to NaturallyCurly through the Angel Network back in 2007. She has straight hair, but she is a strong proponent of the curly hair revolution and has a curly heart. Back in 1998 when NaturallyCurly.com was born, she was rocking her naturally straight hair in California.
Joel is known around here as “the numbers guy,” but more officially he is our Business Analyst tasked with reporting our day-to-day wins. When he’s not knee deep in Google Analytics, he’s sharing interesting facts with the team and making sure we all get paid! Back in 1998, he was an itty-bitty cub scout with blonde shaggy hair.
Nicole is our savvy Senior Account Manager. She works with the Integrated Media team to build creative campaigns that engage and reward our readers. Today, she has silky waves, but back in 1998 Nicole was straightening and dying her hair red. Look at those layers!
Jeff is our Vice President of Technology here at NaturallyCurly, tasked with keeping our site up and running smoothly. He works with marketers, editors, designers and account managers to make sure we’re building the best site for our readers. Back in 1998 he was a model for a Chinese department store—yes, we have a male model in our midst!
Alli is our fun-loving Vice President of Marketing. She manages the daily tasks of keeping the site fresh, fun and valuable for our readers. If there’s a new project happening throughout our network, chances are Alli has her hands in it. Back in 1998, she was rocking a wavy pixie cut—very Meg Ryan-esque!
Susonnah is our SEO Strategist who works with developers and editors to make sure our content is found on Google. When she’s not optimizing the site, she’s experimenting and trying different products on her wavy hair. Back in 1998, she was in third grade with “spaghetti hair that was too thin for even a hair tie to hold.”
Julissa was the famous baby-sitter who went on to be the very first CurlMart employee. Back in 1998, she was a cheerleader/baby sitter for Gretchen, and she’s always had curl pride. See her rocking her that Afro-wig? Today she works in CurlMart, making sure all of you get the products you ordered.
Clare is one of our savvy designers who work to make our site look sexy and fun. When she’s not designing email templates or site skins, she’s creating outstanding infographics that are sure to be seen on Pinterest. Back in 1998 she was really into headbands to hold back her short, wavy hair.
You may recognize her from various wavy hair tutorials, or her incredible video “Long to Short Pixie Haircut.” Cristina is our Content Editor, and she works with writers, designers and marketers to make sure our content meets your curly education needs. Back in 1998, Cristina was only 12 years old and battling her curls with a blow dryer and Sun-In.
Nikki is a new addition to the NaturallyCurly family, and we’re so glad to have her! By day, Nikki acts as our Email Marketing Manager–sending you the latest happenings on our site right to your inbox. By night, she’s an avid blogger and fashionista. In 1998, Nikki wore her hair straight and was in 6th grade.
Jamie is one of our dedicated Account Managers. She handles the day-to-day task of communicating with brands to ensure their campaigns go smoothly. When she’s not working, there’s a 99% chance you’ll find her at the nearest Fro-Yo spot. Back in 1998, Jamie was still learning how to care for her curls, so she often braided it and rolled it into a bun.
Evelyn is one of our own mini-celebrities here at NaturallyCurly. As Social Media Manager, she shares content, engages with our community and of course moderates our awesome social events. When she’s not on social media, she’s editing videos for our channel. Back in 1998, Evelyn was 8 years old and rocking hats over her relaxed hair.
Our NaturallyCurly community tries hundreds of products a year (for some of our Product Junkies, they achieve that on their own!”>.
Your thorough and thoughtful reviews help thousands of curlies make smart purchase decisions in their search for their Holy Grail products. We know wearing your hair naturally curly is a learning process of what works, what doesn’t, which ingredients are good or bad and how to use properly use them. It’s a big undertaking! So if you don’t have time to comb through the tens of thousands of product reviews we have on hand, we totally get you.
These are the most popular, thoroughly tested, loved, and reviewed products in NaturallyCurly’s 15 years, and here is what our curly community (you!”> has to say about them.
I’m more in love with my hair than I ever have been before. Kinky Curly makes my hair incredibly soft and fluffy yet somehow still manages to hold and define my curls. My curls are defined, clumpy, soft, and touchable. I see absolutely no reason to try any other product. I am completely sold on Kinky Curly. – amberlaine, Type 3b
Simply amazing. Detangling with this is like a hot knife going through butter. Incredible slip and moisture throughout the day. I also use this as a rinse out conditioner on the top part of my hair because I don’t like synthetic products on my scalp. Works wonders. Every curly should give this a try. – JessiiLeighh, Type 3a
This just might be my HG product. As a wavy 2a/b with fine and porous hair, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the results are amazing and unlike any other product that I’ve tried .The resulting waves are soft and natural with loose definition. Zero crunch, zero ‘wet look’. Totally touchable tousled waves. I was surprised by how little I need in my long hair. THANK YOU! – Swordfern, Type 2a
I wish I could give this 10 stars! I have never in my life been so happy with a hair product as I am with Curl Keeper and I have definitely found my holy grail. It gives me really nice definition, softness, and bounce with no frizz. I am so in love with this miracle product, and to me it’s worth every penny. – bellachix, Type 2c
I LOVE this product! It provides great slip for my hair. By the way my hair is VERY THICK with tiny coils. At first the smell was over powering but I got use to its orange cream pop scent. I’ve started to finger detangle more with this product. The DevaCare One Condition provides great hydration and makes my coily curls pop! – CoilyCece, Type 4b
OMG y’all go get some of this product!! Like right now! Lol but this conditioner works great on my 3b/3c hair. It’s lightweight and moisturizing on my chronically dry hair and it smells nice too. I love it for wash n’ go’s and braid outs, all I do is use some coconut oil and shea butter underneath the Cantu and I’m set. Try It! – carmel_queen, Type 3c
Why did I wait so long to try this? Re:coil has a pleasant, discreet scent, a creamy texture, and it really does tame frizz, define curl, and maintain non-crunchy softness. Re:coil is rocking it for me. – MirCurls, Type 3b
I absolutely LOVE this product. I’m almost done with the transitioning stage, and this co-wash really feels good for my hair. My hair becomes soft, and it smells really good. I don’t have any problems with tangling or knots, either. – CheiBay, Type 4a
I live in India and have had a tough time finding a conditioner that works for my hair. This is simply amazing. I can see the difference in my locks and I don’t even apply styling gel now. My hair is moisturized and soft- and more than anything, extremely hydrated! – KATZGONS, Type 2c
This stuff is the bees knees…I am a product junkie and have tried several products that say they will moisturize my cottony hair but don’t. This product is AMAZING AS A CO-WASH!! I would recommend to 4C’s who start off with this mix in a little oil, finger comb and rinse out! – sarahs71985, Type 4c
All I could say is “Oh wow!” as I combed my hair with this conditioner. You only need a small amount and the slip is amazing. I think I found my HG! – Juanitans, Type 3c
Well I am certainly impressed. I overdid it on a protein treatment and it did a really good job in restoring my moisture back the first time I used it. It goes on so smoothly and really infuses moisture to your hair leaving your hair soft and kinda silky. Soft curls are in full effect. Love it! – SweetHoneyDip, Type 4a
Where has this stuff been all my life? Seriously. Where? It cleaned my 2bish curls without stripping, smells freekin’ wonderful, is protein free annnnnnd didn’t make my hair squeak. Love Love Love it. More pleassssse. – Hookilau Type 2b
Love this stuff! It is moisturizing, adds some shine to my hair, has great slip, and smells good. I can’t ask for anything more, other than a bigger bottle. After trying many conditioners I have finally found one that does for my hair what it claims to do. Love It! – Marsheilah, Type 4b
I am absolutely SMITTEN with this stuff! I love everything about! The smell, how it lathers a little, how clean it makes my scalp feel, yet ends don’t feel stripped. I will be buying this again and again. Just try it!!!! – chloe92us, Type 2c
What’s the difference between “going natural” and “returning to your natural hair state” and what perspective does a man have on this women’s issue? We covered all of that and more in a live video stream on YouTube. We spoke to the director Rhadames Julian about his upcoming natural hair documentary Follicle. His hybrid documentary film is tackling the issues of hair and imagery and how they create barriers that limit people of the African Diaspora from reaching their true identity.
Julian is hoping to incite action with his film, “you’ve heard this all before so it feels mundane, right? The next step is finding out a way to tell the story that changes lives. It’s time to ACT on what we know” says Julian. Follicle is currently in pre-production now, and although their Indiegogo campaign has now ended you can still donate by emailing info@folliclefilm.com.
Watch the Video
Stay Tuned
If you’d like to be in the loop about our upcoming Live YouTube Hangouts, then follow us on Facebook and Twitter! (Hint: Our next one is Monday, September 23rd at 3pm CST“>.
Have you ever expressed your frustration to a straight-haired friend, only to have them say they know how you feel? We’ve all been there. But we feel that to truly understand the life of a curly haired woman you should walk a day in her shoes. Here’s a Tall N Curly comic look at life if the tables were turned. In a world, where curls are mainstream (blockbuster movie trailer voice”>…
You may recognize this Brit model Annaliese Dayes from America’s Next Top Model: British Invasion or her cover of Blackhair Magazine. In this tutorial she’s showing us how to create this easy updo! First she talks you through how to useCurlformers and then shows you how to create a simple up-do, followed by a natural afro look. If you were wondering how the Softhood Inflatable dryer works, she’s got that covered too. It’s really kind of three tutorials in one, lucky us!
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by Curlformers (the stick with the hook, all the bright colors”> you probably won’t be after watching this how-to. And Annaliese is a low-maintenance hair girl so she breaks it down for all of the beginners!
If you’ve ever wondered where NaturallyCurly got its start, you’ll want to watch this video.
In 1998, an idea blossomed out of a (frustrated”> curly conversation between co-workers Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber. From there the idea grew with the help of a neighbor, a babysitter, Michelle’s mom, and what would eventually be our big happy curly family.
You’re a part of this story too!
Fifteen years later our curly community has grown more than Michelle and Gretchen ever could have imagined.
Draw My Life: The NaturallyCurly Story
Narrated by NaturallyCurly co-founder Michelle Breyer and illustrated by Priscilla Sodeke.
The girl behind the Curls and Cocktails meetups that has every curly on Instagram praying she comes to her city is Kenya aka HalfieTruths. Her #sizecheck made us all grab an afro pick and fro it out for a big hair selfie.
This subscription based monthly box of goodies has an Instagram filled with what’s in the box, inspiration, community curlies, and a behind the scenes look at the lives of the girls behind the brand.
Our Favorite Girlfriend! We love the little glimpses into the life of this curly celebrity. Now you’ll never have to guess what Traci is up to. (Shout out to Chescaleigh, who made our 15 YouTubers to Watch list”>.
Talk about a curated Instagram dedicated to fun and colorful hair accessories. We love the bold colors, and various prints and patterns on these cool doux rags. Our own Social Media Manager Evelyn, owns the Bam-Doux.
Model Blogger, Nada Adelle is not just a pretty face with curls. Somehow, she is balancing her travels, modeling, and pursuing a law degree. Get ready for tons of selfies on her Instagram
De Lune style blogger, Claire shares beautifully composed photos that look like they were taken with an old school Polaroid. We love this vibe as much we love her curly red hair.
Tamara just seems like so much fun. Her big bright smile adds a little sunshine in your feed. Hairstyle variety is what you can expect from her feed. Get to know about Tamara’s natural hair journey on her blog NaturalHairRules.
We want to live in a world that is as beautiful, creative, and colorful as the photos on Bri’s Instagram feed. Fill your life with her shots of flowers, interiors, and prints. Then dine on all things design on her blog Design. Love. Fest.
You may know Summer from her YouTube channel. Summer actually started her YouTube channel after looking for advice on Curly Hair. Now on Instagram, we love checking out the photos of her fiery red and golden hair.
HeyFranHey will help you maintain beautiful healthy hair and stay fit. We love the mix of fitness challenges, smoothie recipes, and curly hair care. You can check on more of HeyFranHey on her blog and YouTube.
We just can get enough of their coolness. Two awesome friends who started a blog, UrbanBushBabes, where they talk, art, culture, style, beauty, and of course hair. Also we hear, Nikisha is thinking of moving to our hometown, Austin, TX.
Between Gina and her curly baby girl there is an abundance of cuteness to go around. We also thoroughly enjoy her blog NaturalBelle, where she talks baby, hair, and product reviews.
Alexandra Román: My name is Alexandra Román. I’m 26 years old and from Santiago de Chile. I studied to be a beautician and cosmetologist.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
AR: I started to love my curls when I finally understood how unique they were! All the girls my age wanted straight hair, so I stood out with my curls. I loved it!
NC: What’s your current routine?
AR: I wash my hair every day—I know that most curly girls don’t, but my curly hair is rebellious and I need to sort it!
NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
AR: I love leaving my hair down and parted to the side.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
AR: Moisturizing shampoos, conditioners and cream treatments, oils, and a heat tamer (Tresemmé”> and my diffuser.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
AR: At night, I just put my curls up in a ponytail.
NC: Did you big chop or transition and for how long? If you’ve always been natural, did you ever have any curly girl insecurities?
AR: I never had a “big chop,” but I did get an undercut once! I’ve never really had curly girl insecurities…I’m pretty comfortable with my curls.
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
AR: My hair never really looks out of place! Even when it’s messy, it can look put together.
NC: How do you think having curly hair has impacted your everyday life?
AR: It can be very difficult to care for and maintain healthy curls!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
AR: Don’t straighten your hair! Embrace being natural and different from others —it’s a gift from nature.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
AR: I have been engaged for five years and I currently work as a secretary in a hospital. I live in Santiago and I am a singer, but it’s difficult to pursue a career in singing in my country.
How does your naturally curly hair influence your sense of style? Do you select your outfits according to your hair?
Tarin Boone created Fro Fashion Week to highlight the natural hair community in the fashion industry.
This season, Fro Fashion Week was in New York City and we had the honor of attending! In an industry that is just now featuring textured hair on the runway, it was an honor to be part of the Fro Fashion Week – the first people to do it.
Edgy curls, coils, and waves were the theme of Fro Fashion Week’s Gothix runway hair, said Latoya Brown, director of Education at Basic Hair Care. “And that’s what Basic stands for – enhance and define curls.”
Latoya and the team of 4 Basic Hair Care stylists used the Boost system of products. The key ingredient quinoa rebuilds and strengthens the hair from the inside out. For looks that used extensions, the Boost spray leave in was used to maintain vibrancy of color and fight dullness.
Stock up on deeper fall hues! Motives For Lala dazzled on the runway with an intense but wearable black lipstick called “Naughty” topped with their Modern Romance Lip Shine. With the Modern Romance Palette, you can take the Gothix look from runway to your everyday life.
From the classic, edgy neoprene of a Renee Fredrique two-piece suit to the urban yet regal hand-stitched lace bodice of a Shannon Shenone dress (pictured”>, we couldn’t wait for autumn.
Antoinette Middleton, creator of I AM Designs fashioned her curvy models in form-fitting designs inspired by vampires and Aaliyah a la Queen of the Damned.
Most out of the box design influence? Valeri Reaves and her Teutonic Period-inspired apparel.
Fro Fashion Week gave us all hair and fashion inspiration we need to be ready for fall!
Since the company launched its Mist-er Right herbal cleansing tonic in 2001, DevaCurl has been known as an innovator in the curly haircare world. With the launch of No-Poo a year later – a product that transformed how people cleanse their hair – it established itself as a company willing to think out of the box.
With DevaCurl’s Shine Spray, which launches exclusively on CurlMart today, the company adds another tool to its arsenal to help wavies, curlies and coilies keep their curls looking their best. We talked with company spokeswoman Kimberly Heathman about the development of the Shine Spray.
NC: Why did Deva decide to develop the new Shine Spray?
Kimberly: DevaCurl was missing this key product in the finishing category. It obviously needed to be one that would be water-soluble, as with all of our products, as well as provide optimum, weightless shine and curl protection (both in UV and to strengthen curls”> WITHOUT the use of silicones.
NC: Was it difficult to develop, and if so why?
Kimberly: We had been working on a formulation for quite some time- as well as testing it at our four Devachan Salons on curly clients. The development of DevaCurl shine spray was inspired by a growing demand from Deva Inspired stylists and individuals with curly hair for DevaCurl to introduce a water soluble, silicone free shine spray suitable for all curl types.
NC: What makes it unique from other shine sprays?
Kimberly: DevaCurl Shine Spray is a water-soluble, weightless shine enhancer that produces radiant, frizz free curls without the use of silicones. It moisturizes, strengthens and protects without weighing down or drying out curls. It contains four natural UVA/UVB antioxidants and UV absorbers to help protect against oxidative damage. It is humidity- resistant to control and reduce frizz. It delivers shine in a fine-mist, aerosol spray to allow for application to the entire head of hair or to just targeting specific curls
Like all DevaCurl products, Shine Spray contains the exclusive DevaCurl Botanical Blend to maintain curls natural moisture balance. This includes Balm Mint Extract, Chamomile Extract, Hops Extract, Lemongrass Extract, Rosemary Extract and Yarrow Extract
NC: What makes a product like this especially beneficial for curly hair?
How to Use It
Target dry areas
Spray evenly about 6 inches from your scalp
OR Lift your curls up and spray (for shine without disturbing curl definition”>
Kimberly: Curly hair is typically dry and fragile–and curly cuticles (the hairs’ outer layer”> need more moisture and hydration. Functioning as a barrier, silicones temporarily seal cuticles, preventing dehydrated curls from absorbing beneficial moisture and conditioning oils. Silicones provide the false appearance of a healed cuticle. Over time, curls become brittle, less defined and further prone to frizz–creating a damaging and dehydrating cycle. DevaCurl Shine spray is not only moisturizing and conditioning, it gives radiant shine without the use of Silicones.
NC: With the addition of the shine spray, how many products are in the Deva lineup?
Kimberly: DevaCurl now has 26 products specifically designed for curly hair.
3 Ways to Use It
1. Cocktail
Combine the Shine Spray with DevaCurl No-Comb Detangling Spray natural, lightweight, frizz free curls
2. 2nd Day Hair
Refresh scalp with No-Poo™ Quick Cleanser
Revitalize and reform curls with Mist-er Right on mid-shaft and ends, allowing curls to dry completely.
Apply DevaCurl Shine Spray for polished, no-frizz curls
3. Polished Updo
Apply DevaCurl Shine Spray throughout curls before creating your curly upstyle, offering remarkable shine and a light, non-greasy texture
NaturallyCurly is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this month, and we’re definitely feeling the love. This birthday message from Jess McGuinty of Jessicurl just about brought a tear to our eye!The curly world would look completely different without passionate curly business women like Jess and Michelle (pictured”>. Happy Curl Day to you. Happy Curl Day TOOOO YOUUUU!!! Happy CUUURRRLL day, NaturallyCurly.coooo-oooomm. Happy Currrrrl Day tooooo yoouuu.
Ohhhh, curlies, let me tell you how glad you are you didn’t have to hear me actually sing that. I don’t sing, m’kay? I dance, sure. I laugh a LOT. I can whip up a mean batch of conditioner. But singing? No.
I just wasn’t sure how else to open this big-giant-happy-birthday piece for our beloved NaturallyCurly.com.
NaturallyCurly.com is 15 y’all. Fifteen!! If it was a kid, we’d be all “Wow, they grow up so fast.”
When I found NaturallyCurly.com in 2001, I was struggling to accept my curls after a lifetime of hating them and had decided there had to be a better way. Fed up with hating my hair, and myself as an extension of it, I typed “curly hair” into Google hoping to find a magic bullet to make my hair behave and my confidence improve.
Um. Yeah. I found much more than that, didn’t I? I was so stoked to find a whole community of other curlies that had gone through the same struggles I had with their hair that I don’t think I looked up from my computer for a week. Seriously. I went out and bought every product recommended but still wasn’t loving what my hair was doing. One day I came across a recipe for hair gel made out of flax seeds and thought, “Well, hell, that’d be awesome!” I didn’t love the results but had become inspired. After more tweaking, adding a bit of this and a bit of that, one day I did my hair and LOVED what I saw. Perfect ringlets. With much exuberance, I went back to the NaturallyCurly.com message boards and excitedly shared the recipe with my newfound friends. (The thought of going into business hadn’t crossed my mind”>. After posting my recipe I was flooded with emails from curly headed members asking if they could just buy some of the magic potion from me, as they really didn’t feel like making it. The rest, as they say, is history! Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion was born.
So you see, if it weren’t for NaturallyCurly.com and the curlies on the discussion forums, there would be no Jessicurl. I can say that with complete honesty. Since then, we have remained friends, with Michelle and I joyfully meeting up at various curly gatherings over the years, sharing glasses of champagne and stories of how our businesses have grown. CurlMart carries Jessicurl and the CurlTalk members still rave about our products. I don’t participate in the forums anymore, but my roots are still there.
Truly, what would have happened if I my fingers hadn’t have stumbled upon NaturallyCurly.com that day in 2001? What would I be doing today? How would YOUR hair look today? These are questions I’m happy not to know the answer to.
And let’s not kid ourselves, NaturallyCurly.com has REALLY grown up in the last 15 years! Through the magic of the internet, I was able to find a screen shot of their website from January 1999, just a mere 4 months after their launch. Let’s have a look.
Then
Now
Let’s compare that to a screen shot of their current home page, just for fun.
What a difference 15 years makes, eh?
Happy 15th Anniversary, NaturallyCurly.com. My life, and the lives of so many curlies, are so much better because we have you in it. Our CURLS thank you too!!!
Ekta Bhardwaj: Hi! My name is Ekta. I am twenty-six and newly married. I am not currently working, but I hope to join a media firm soon.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
EB: I sported a crew cut until high school. Eleventh grade was my moment with my hair—I decided to grow out my curls. Everyone was surprised by my beautiful, tight, springy curls.
I was taken by surprise one day when my school principal slapped me for wearing my hair curly. Indian schools are very strict about uniforms and they prohibit the use of makeup and any kind of hair accessories…I guess the slap came as naturally to her as my curly hair came to me. At that point, I was not embarrassed. I prayed that my curls grow out sooner so she would realize her mistake. And she did!
NC: What’s your current routine?
EB: There is no specific routine that I follow, but I do make sure that I treat my hair to a warm olive oil mask, once a week. Sadly, there is a dearth of curly hair shampoos in India, and because I keep experimenting with products in the hope of finding one that will perfectly suit my curls, oiling my curls is a necessity.
NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
EB: I start by detangling my dripping wet hair and follow with shampoo. After lathering it and massaging my ends, I rinse the shampoo out and apply conditioner. My most recent purchase, L’Oreal Smoothing Shampoo and Smoothing Conditioner has done a good job, thanks to the Argan Oil in it. I leave the conditioner in for a couple of minutes and then rinse it out. One last sweep of a wide tooth comb and I am done. I usually scrunch my hair up in a bun using a clutcher and let my curls air dry. After a few hours, I let my hair fall in perfect, springy curls and let any remaining moisture dry out, au natural!
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?
EB: I call my hair my biggest accessory. A t-shirt-jeans look turns stylish and glamorous once I let down my hair. They look so beautiful all the time! Of course, given Indian weather, it is mostly hot, so I tend to pull them up in a high pony during the hot day and leave them down in the evenings. On special occasions? Free-fall or a side-pony. I also recently tried a low side bun with lots of texture, it looks amazing.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
EB: Olive oil, olive oil, olive oil! I can’t think of any product that can replace olive oil. Of course, a wide-toothed comb is also a necessity.
NC: What about your hair stylist?
EB: I do not have many options when it comes to hair stylists. I have been to the best of salons and to the average ones. Mostly, hair stylist do not know what to do with my kind of hair, so they end up just giving me a cut with layers. When it comes to styling my hair, I rely on NaturallyCurly and YouTube for tips and videos.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
EB: I usually leave my curls down or tie them up in a high bun.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
EB: A slap! It took some time for people to appreciate my curls. Some would make fun of me by calling names that meant a bird’s nest, a bee-hive, a thick dense-forest, etc. My mother always said that I am unique with my curly hair and not just another face in the crowd. Her words were and shall always be my savior.
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
EB: You are not a regular girl. My curls are a part of my personality and I am glad that I am known by my curls. They’re part of my identity.
NC: How do you think having curly hair has impacted your everyday life?
EB: My husband also has curly hair and my curly hair is what first attracted him to me. He said that he would love to play with my springy curls all his life. We are now hoping that our babies would also have curly hair like us, but there’s time for that. And of course, curls are so easy! You love them, and they’ll make you look like a million bucks.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
EB: Dear Curly Women,
You are unique and you are blessed with the opportunity to stay so for your life. You have curly hair and that is the best part of you…embrace them and care for them. There are many with straight silky hair, but it’s you who will always be remembered for your curls.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
EB: I am currently writing a book and looking for a freelance writing job. Before my marriage, I worked as a Beauty Features Writer with a fashion magazine.
When NaturallyCurly started fifteen years ago, YouTube didn’t even exist yet! Since then we’ve grown to love many YouTubers as if they were are own best friends.
When TV takes a backburner it is most likely due to watching one of these leading curly hair ladies on YouTube. We’ve picked out 15 YouTubers we currently love. Some you may know; some will be a great new discovery. We watch a ton of channels on YouTube and love a great number of vloggers. If your favorite didn’t make this list of curly YouTubers, let us know in the comments.
It could be due in minor part to her adorable English her accent, but we really love her video tutorials. She’s got the usual Favorites, Tags, Hauls, Makeup Tutorials, and Lookbooks. However, if you’re like us then you love her natural curly hair videos the most (naturally”>.
Get ready for a major case of curl envy. SunkissAlba will take you on a journey to healthy curls. She started off by talking about her transition from heat damage, hair cutting, and restoring healthy hair. You can literally see the change in her curl pattern video by video.
Although, all the curls have been chopped, we still find ourselves hooked on her curly hair videos. There is a shamelessly large dose of confidence, inspiration, and “Do You Boo” coming from Maya’s videos. You’ll fall in love with her energetic and fun personality about 30 seconds after hitting play.
Twist outs, Flat Twist, Bantu Knots, Chary has amazing tutorials for them all. She has all the info you need to get shiny and healthy hair with protective styles and product reviews.
Need help understanding dew points, protein, or the Curly Girl Method? Sarah is one of the best at explaining curly hair tips and techniques in a way that even beginners can grasp. Oh and Sarah’s curl definition is always amazing.
Ok so we might be biased, but we could literally watch her videos all day, everyday, over and over again, and still be completely engaged. She is so real and so funny. She has tons of DIY, Product Reviews, and How-Tos and will keep you entertained through every second. You need to subscribe to her now.
You will never run out of creative hairstyles again, thanks to Mimi and Leyla of LuxyHair. And did you know they’re actually curlies? We love their numerous tutorials on how to style your hair for different occasions. With over 1 millions subscribers, I think we are in good company.
Mallory’s bubbly personality makes her so fun to watch. Her videos include favorites, skin care, makeup, and of course curly hair. When we saw Mallory we knew we had to share!
Veronica is actually a Canadian Latina pop singer and a part time curly hair YouTuber. While you’re learning all about her curly hair care routine you can also enjoy her amazing music. I recommend her Taylor Swift “I Almost Do” cover and her original song “Secretly.”
Super animated personality, honest reviews and timely hairstyle how-tos makes Jouelzy one of our favorites. Watch how she embraces and transforms her 4c natural hair into so many versatile styles.
Behind her fun and bubbly videos, is such a great story about her journey to making curly hair videos. Check out her Draw My Life video. We love Layan’s defined curls and confidence.
You may know her from her famed viral video Ish White Girls Say, but Chesca’s is all about natural hair. Chesca’s locs are so versatile, and the quality and creativity of her videos will make you hit the subscribe button right away.
How awesome is it to make YouTube videos with your siblings? They all have different styles and textures, so there is something for everyone here. All of their videos are great but if you are new to their channel, you have to check out “Cutest Twist Out Ever.”
You can’t mention curly hair YouTubers without mentioning Naptural85. She is a staple for over 250K subscribers. She has tons of curly hair how-tos and DIYs to keep you hooked to your screen for hours.
If you are a new natural or transitioning, you must see “Mae’s One Year Natural Hair Journey.” Her videos are so encouraging, especially when you first start out. She has really easy and simple hairstyle how-tos, and DIYs.
We’re celebrating our 15th Anniversary here at NaturallyCurly and not to state the obvious, but fifteen years is a long time. For some (ahem, Willow Smith”> it’s a lifetime! So we found it particularly entertaining to look back fifteen years since the launch of NaturallyCurly.com at a few things, people, and technological developments that hadn’t yet been born in 1998.
1. Wikipedia, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
These highly addictive websites that seem second nature to us now were all non-existent in the early months of 1998. What did you use before them? You may have frequented an encyclopedia, a library, the telephone, and AIM.
2. Sour Skittles
These tart and tangy delicious cousins of the original flavor may have caused us to deny a few friends the delight of getting a handful. They came out in 2000.
3. The iPod
While you are on the treadmill grooving out to your favorite tunes, remember this fun device was released in 2001.
What did you use before it? An old school Sony Walkman CD player.
4. Crocs
Brightly colored, super comfy shoes that both made you feel like you were walking on air and like a fashion target came out in 2002.
5. The Republic of South Sudan
South Sudan became an independent state July 9, 2011.
6. Bratz Dolls
Yasmine, Cloe, Sasha, and Jade are never afraid to style up any outfit and change up their hairstyle. We think maybe they visited NaturallyCurly.com few times for inspiration. The dolls were introduced to girls everywhere in 2001.
7. The Euro
The second largest economy in the world replaced the ECU on January 1, 1999.
8. Snuggies
Our best friend on cold lazy days came into our homes in 2008.They kept you warm while not limiting your ability to reach for the remote and popcorn. What did you use before it? A blanket.
9. The USB Flash Drive
This handy little device that saved your life when your computer crashed the night before a big paper was due was actually unavailable to you in 1998. What did you use before it? The floppy disk. Remember those?
10. The Segway
Before it’s famous debut with celebrities, city tours, and mall cops, Segways were just an idea in the mind of inventor Dean Kamen. What did you use before it? Your legs, or maybe a scooter.
11. Sequenced Human Genome
Determining the sequence of chemical base pairs (GATC”>, which make up human DNA, and mapping the total genes of the human genome was not declared complete until 2003.
12. The Matrix
This epic movie came out in the year 1999 just, when NaturallyCurly was starting to walk.
13. Game Boy Color
This childhood obsession was made even better in late 1998 with the introduction of color. What did you use before it? A regular old Game Boy.
14. Elmo’s World
The 5 year old you probably didn’t realize this, but our cuddly, talking puppet friend, Elmo, didn’t break out on his own until 1999. Elmo proved that if you can make on Sesame Street, you can make it anywhere.
15. Willow Smith
The talent daughter of Will and Jada wasn’t whipping her hair back and forth until 2000. You were most likely jamming her father’s hit single “Getting Jiggy Wit It”, which was released in 1998.
Brittney Key: Hello! My name is Brittney and I’m fourteen years old (turning fifteen in October”>. I’m African American and Cuban and I have Type 3C curls.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
BK: I have always had curly hair but I didn’t start embracing it until recently.
NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
BK: In the morning, I undo my braids or whatever I had going on the night before, spritz my curls with water, add some leave-in and style with whatever I feel like that day. If I’m lazy, I’ll just add some leave-in and throw my hair up into a high bun.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?
BK: I love my high buns. They are so easy and depending on how you style a high bun it, it can be a pretty updo or a great hairstyle for the gym. My high bun fakes more hair when you have short or medium length hair. I also like slicking back half of my hair and rocking a one-sided look. It’s funky, fun, and different.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
BK: I can’t live without my Eco-Style Gel (my fave of the moment is the olive oil”>, bobby pins, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, a comb, and leave-in conditioner. My hair would look like a bird’s nest without these products!
NC: What about your hair stylist?
BK: I only go to the hair salon when I get my hair straightened—I go to Dominican Doobie Salons. Lately, I’ve just been rocking my curls.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
BK: Lately I’ve been braiding my hair and pinning it up, then covering it with a scarf. If I’m too tired, I put it in a ponytail. If I don’t do anything at all, I look pretty scary in the morning!
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
BK: My family wasn’t really into it and my friends weren’t so supportive either. Everyone said that they liked my hair straight better. But now that I know what I’m doing, everyone loves my hair!
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
BK: I love being different and being the girl with the big, curly hair! I have something about me that others don’t expect. People always ask, “Is that your natural hair?” I love seeing their reactions when I say that it’s all-natural!
NC: How do you think having curly hair has impacted your everyday life?
BK: Everything is easy and fuss-free. When my hair is straight, it requires a lot of maintenance that is tiresome and annoying.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
BK: Be yourself…don’t be like everyone else with pin-straight hair! Love your curls because they make you, YOU.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
BK: I am focusing on my YouTube videos. I plan to make more natural hair videos.
Sometimes at work we get a little distracted by our favorite curly bloggers. After a few hours minutes of indulgent reading, we knew we had to share with you our current favorites. Keeping in mind your work-life balance and in honor of NaturallyCurly’s 15th Anniversary, we have complied a short list of 15 bloggers we absolutely love! They all have a little bit of waves, curls, and coils. We love tons of bloggers and wanted to share with you some of the well known and lesser know bloggers we love at the moment. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.
Every girl needs that one blogger that keeps it real from big chop to waist length curls. Nikki is that blogger for Type 3 and 4 hair. We could spend hours going through her How-To’s and guest posts, but what we love most about Curly Nikki are the posts about her life.
Aside from Malena’s impeccable style and smarts, we love how she flaunts her soft wavy curls. Her style is casual and chic, with a touch of femininity. It will keep you clicking “older post” over and over again. We are guilty.
Gabi isn’t afraid to break a few rules, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Her style is hip, fun, and of course, fresh. Gabi will help you learn to how to shop and how not worry about the fashion parameters. Get ready for bodycons, bold prints, and curls to swoon over for hours.
Get out your glue gun, sewing machine, scissors, and buttons because Mr. Kate is about to make your whole life a little bit more fabulous. We absolutely love her fun and vibrant personality. Also, who can resist that super cute wavy hair?
“Your favorite blogger’s favorite blog” is their tagline, but it might actually be true for us. They are a staple for curly girls. Give yourself a few minutes to read up on their regimens, DIYs, and transitioning tips. After a few moments, you’ll feel like you’ve known these girls from around the way for quite a long time.
Redheaded or not, Adrienne and Stephanie will make you feel empowered and in love with who you are right now. Their content features redheaded friendly product reviews, videos, and how- tos. For a boost of confidence and all the knowledge you need on redheads, visit these two awesome undercover curlies daily.
Be prepared to be obsessed with Folake’s style. Though her style is eclectic, she is likely the queen of maxi dresses and maxi skirts. If you ever need a few hundred ideas on what to wear with that wash and go… bookmark her blog right now!
Pure hair envy will keep you hooked on Christina’s blog. Between her style, her travel, and her hair, we were overwhelmed with reasons why she is one of our top bloggers. Her style and hair are effortless and cool; the kind of cool you are just born with.
For those of us that literally wing it, Afrobella is our blog of choice. She openly admits she doesn’t have a “hair regimen”, which means a well maintained wash and go is her preferred style of choice. When we feel like we need a little love for our wash and go’s, she’s a go to.
Karla will likely inspire you to chop off your hair. While she admits she is horrible at maintaining her hair, she pulls this timeless curly bob off so well we can’t tell. Plus, her style is so hip and crave worthy you’ll want Karla’s closet to be your closet by the end of the post. Ps, doesn’t our content editor, Cristina, remind you of her?
Black Girl Long Hair is another great staple for Type 3 and 4 curlies. Check out the Style Icons section and the BHLH Style section for tons of inspiration and photos.
The cuteness that is coming from this blog is just insane. We love their creativity, home design, family friendly tips, and of course their videos! Let these two fashionable undercover curlies into your life. Watch them inspire you for days.
Alexandra knows that good hair is healthy hair. After going natural 3 times, she is practically an expert on the trials and triumphs of transitioning. We love her DIY and Protective Styling section. Go to her blog, grab some ingredients, and set them aside for later because you know you have to check out the rest of our favorite bloggers!
Are you ready to laugh until it hurts? The Tall N Curly comics are so hilarious and relatable you will feel like you told her this stuff in confidence once. Grab your best curl friends and check out my personal favorite “The Pros and Cons of Having Curl Hair.” Let the hilarity ensue.
Curly girl Tanesha brings fresh style, beauty tips, and shopping guides to your screen. Her pretty professional style and long curly hair keeps us coming back
This one is for the guys out there, or at least, for the girlfriend of the guy. Mane Man is the go to spot for dudes with dos. He has great product reviews, style, and lifestyle content. Check him out.
We have over 8,000 hair products in our Product Review section, all thoughtfully reviewed by our curly community (that’s you!”>. We wanted to hear from our top reviewer, Laurabeth!
Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner
Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
Brocato Peppermint Scrub Purifying Shampoo
Aussie Aussome Volume Texturizing Gel
Terax Original Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
Curl Junkie Beauticurls Leave-in Conditioner
Mop Top Lemon Sage Daily Conditioner
Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious Holding Foam Mousse
Hair Rules Blow Out Your Kinks
L’Oreal EverCurl Hydracharge Leave-In Cream or EverSleek Humidity Defying Leave-In Creme
Soma Hot Body Volumizing Root Boost Gel
Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber
1. Kinky-Curly Curling Custard 
2. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in/Detangler 
3. SheaMoisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie 
5. DevaCurl One Condition
6. Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
7. AG Hair Cosmetics Re:Coil Curl Activator 
8. As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner 
9. Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
10. Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner 
11. Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner 
12. Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment 
13. SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo 
14. Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Moisturizing Conditioner
15. Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner 
Interview with Follicle Film Director
If you’ve ever wondered where NaturallyCurly got its start, you’ll want to watch this video.
1. HalfieTruths
3. CurlBox
4. TarenGuy
6. Charmsie
7. IlovetheDoux
8. Viedenadax
9. Clairegeist
10. Naturalhairrule
11. Designlovefest
12. Summerkellsey
13. Heyfranhey
14. UrbanBushBabes
Since the company launched its Mist-er Right herbal cleansing tonic in 2001, DevaCurl has been known as an innovator in the curly haircare world. With the launch of No-Poo a year later – a product that transformed how people cleanse their hair – it established itself as a company willing to think out of the box.
NaturallyCurly is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this month, and we’re definitely feeling the love. This birthday message from Jess McGuinty of Jessicurl just about brought a tear to our eye!The curly world would look completely different without passionate curly business women like Jess and Michelle (pictured”>. Happy Curl Day to you. Happy Curl Day TOOOO YOUUUU!!! Happy CUUURRRLL day, NaturallyCurly.coooo-oooomm. Happy Currrrrl Day tooooo yoouuu.
1. BeautyCrush
2. SunKissAlba / SunKissAlba Para Ti
4. CharyJay
5. Waterlily716
7. Luxyhair
10. Jouelzy 
11. NaturallyBubbly 
12. Chescalocs
13. MyNaturalSistas
14. Naptural85
15. NikkiMae2003
1. CurlyNikki
3. GabiFresh
4. Mr. Kate
7. Style Pantry
8. Trop Rouge
9. AfroBella
10. Karla’s Closet
14. Tall N Curly
15. Girl With Curves
