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If your curls, coils or waves spent the last year up in a pineapple, you’re not alone. But this summer has us feeling inspired to give our curls the love and attention they deserve. There are new products to test, fun haircuts to try, and bold colors to experiment with! One of the new lines we’re most excited to share with the NaturallyCurly community is Beautiful Curls by Alaffia.
You may already be familiar with Alaffia through their face and body care products, all made from natural, plant-based and fair trade ingredients, and this year Alaffia released a new line specifically formulated for textured hair. There’s a wavy/curly range, a curly/kinky range, and products to bring definition to all curl patterns and porosities. If you’ve been taking a closer look at your ingredient lists, you’ll be happy to know that Beautiful Curls contains no silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial coloring or mineral oil—AND it’s cruelty-free! What’s more, many of the ingredients are sourced from Alaffia’s West African women’s cooperatives where they handcraft indigenous ingredients like unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, neem oil and African black soap. All for under $15 each.
Here to share how we can achieve our best definition this summer is Celebrity Hairstylist and Alaffia Brand Ambassador, Allyn Antoine. He’s been working with textured hair for over 20 years in New York City’s top-tier salons and you’ve seen his work on the big screen, TV shows, magazines and more. We brought Antoine some of your top curl concerns from making a twist-out last to the frizz-causing mistakes to avoid, here are the expert tips he had for us.
Do you have any tips for wavies or curlies with fine hair who need moisture but find that moisturizing products can weigh their hair down or make the roots look oily sooner?
Antoine: “Hydration is a curly girl’s best friend, but with thin curls it can easily become their enemy if they apply too much product. I get this question from my clients all the time—usually after a lot of trial and error. I always recommend that those with fine textures start applying product at the mid-shaft to the ends of the hair. This way, you are giving your curls the moisture they need without the risk of weighing them down. Make sure that you apply while the hair is still wet—this allows the product to soak into each strand properly and gives the best result. This is exactly how I like to apply the Beautiful Curls Curl Enhancing Leave-in Conditioner to ensure curls are enhanced and defined every time.”
Do you have any unique finger styling or curl defining techniques that you use on wavy or curly clients for applying the Beautiful Curls Curl Defining Gel?
Antoine: “Get it wet! Just like your leave-in, you definitely want to make sure you are applying the Beautiful Curls Curl Defining Gel to completely wet hair. Take small sections at a time and finger comb while applying the defining gel from roots to ends. This will help to shape and define your curls all over. From there, you can either let your hair air dry or you can use a diffuser for extra volume.”
How do you recommend curlies refresh their second- or third-day curls with Beautiful Curls?
Antoine: “You have to get your hands on the Beautiful Curls Curl Reviving Tonic—it’s a texturizing mist that rehydrates and re-shapes your curls without adding too much product that could weigh them down. I recommend it at the salon all the time because I find it to be an easy way to bring your curls back to life at home. After misting all over, use your fingers to re-curl small sections at a time. This will help to define while removing any excess frizz. I’ll let you in on another secret; on the days you need a little more moisture—mix just a small amount of the Curl Enhancing Leave-in with water in a spray bottle, shake it up and use it as a ‘moisture mist.’ It works well to smooth out frizz, and it’s something I have been doing forever—even when I’m on set for a photoshoot and curls have gotten unruly from all the hot lights, it works wonders every time.”
The Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave-In Conditioner can be used to moisturize and detangle, do you have any detangling tips for curlies to achieve curl definition with this product?
Antoine: “The Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave-in Conditioner is a fantastic product that can be used in a few different ways. Firstly, you can apply this as a pre-poo to detangle before you wash. Then, it can be used after shampooing—apply the product in sections and comb through to ensure even distribution of the product throughout your hair. Keep in mind that because this product is lightweight for tighter textures, your curl will start expanding shortly after the hair is dry.”
What advice would you give for making a twist-out or braid-out last longer when using the Curl Activating Cream?
Antoine: “My clients ask me this all the time. I always tell them for the best longevity, preparation is key. Make sure to use Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Cream after applying the Curl Activating Leave-in when your hair is wet. Together, these two products give your hair maximum hydration and definition while minimizing frizz. Then, plan to leave your style in for at least a full day before you take it down. The longer you leave the style in, the more defined your curls will be.”
The Curl Activating Cream can be used with a diffuser for volume, do you have tips for curlies who find that diffusing can create frizz?
Antoine: “Diffusing your curls seriously feels like taking a masterclass in patience, but I promise the payoff is worth the time. Time truly is the trick to frizz-free. You want to hold the diffuser in one position for at least 10-20 seconds before moving on to the next section. Moving the diffuser rapidly is what causes the frizz and frustration to happen. Getting into the habit of taking your time is all it takes to make a huge difference while diffusing.”
How often do you recommend people use the Beautiful Curls Shampoos so that they’re removing product buildup, sweat or oil, but retaining their moisture and not drying out their curls, coils or waves?
Antoine: “My rule of thumb is once-per-week or once-per-week-and-a-half, but where you fall in that timeframe is completely personal. Looser curl patterns and waves can be washed more frequently than tighter curls and coils. Beautiful Curls shampoos are sulfate-free, which means they will not strip your hair the way a traditional shampoo would, but you still should look to limit your wash days to every 7 to 10 days for best results.”
What coil defining techniques do you recommend when using the Curl Control Custard for a defined wash-and-go that lasts?
Antoine: “When you are looking to do a wash-and-go, you want to make sure you thoroughly detangle your hair all over before applying your styler. This will make applying the Curl Control Custard much easier and smoother. Always apply product from root to ends in small sections. Once the hair is dry, scrunch for added volume.”
Any other frizz fighting tips for the summer?
Antoine: “Cocktails were made for the summertime—and I’m not just talking about happy hour. Cocktailing stylers together can help to give your curls a surge of hydration to minimize frizz and keep them looking their best. I like to pair something super hydrating, like one of our Beautiful Curls Leave-Ins with a styler that helps to retain the moisture and give your curls enough hold, like the Curl Defining Gel or Curl Activating Cream (when you need extra hold”>. And, as always, make sure you are choosing products like Beautiful Curls that are clean—meaning no sulfates, silicones, parabens and phthalates. Your curls will thank you in the long run.”
One major benefit of Beautiful Curls that goes far beyond curl definition, is that by purchasing these products you’re supporting Alaffia’s Empowerment Projects to help fund safe births worldwide. Five percent of Beautiful Curls sales goes towards Alaffia’s Beautiful Arrival project to improve maternal care in the U.S. through a partnership with SisterSong’s Birth Justice Fund. You can learn more about how Alaffia is redefining what social impact can look like in the hair care industry here [will insert link to Article #1].
This post is sponsored by Alaffia.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up I found myself, at such a young age, wondering why my hair was different than the girls around me, than the girls in movies, magazines, etc. I grew up desperately wanting my hair to be straight, to be able to just run my fingers through, and to simply just love my hair. In most of my schools (I went to quite a few”>, there weren’t many girls with my kind of hair, if not any at all. I remember wanting straight hair so bad, after I’d wash my hair, I would wear it in a sleek, tight bun before bed so that in the morning my hair would be dry and my curls all stretched out to the point of being straight. Once I hit High School, I started just embracing my curls the way they were, still lacking proper knowledge on how to care for them.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
After I started High School, the desire for straight hair quickly faded. I was more focused on just wearing my hair to where it looked good in my eyes. I would feel uncomfortable in straight hair, feeling like it was frizzy or not straight enough. I didn’t want to deal with that on a daily basis. Although I wore my hair curly throughout my life, I didn’t quite have the proper knowledge on how to care for it. After years of using the wrong ingredients, then pregnancy hormones, and bleaching it at home, I decided no more! I went deep into research on how to restore the health of my curls and I’ve never looked back.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment in my hair journey had to be when I came across the Curly Girl Method. While, I didn’t/don’t 100% follow the method (I tweaked it to work for me”>, it opened my eyes to so much more, to products I had never even thought to try, to a community I had no idea existed, and to a love for my curls I should have had from the start.
What is your curl pattern?
How do you protect your curls at night?
To protect my curls at night (most nights “>, I have my beloved silk pillow case from LilySilk, as well as a silk bonnet that surprisingly stays on the whole night. I also pineapple my hair whether I wear the bonnet or not.
Who is your curl crush?
To name a few, I’d say Hortencia @stylefeen, Michelle Ana @lovemichelleana, Mel @manesbymel, Rocio @larocioisabel, Merian @herbalmmo and I could go on and on.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My curly girl essential that I can’t live without would have to be Righteous Roots Oils. I use this every single day for scalp massages, to scrunch out the crunch, and to pre poo. This holy grail oil has been a part of my routine since March 2017.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My current routine is quite simple. My wash days consist of a good clarifying shampoo, conditioner/deep conditioner, a leave in or light weight cream, a gel with good hold, the CurlyCo Diffuser and Righteous Roots Oils to scrunch out the cast. I also love a good one and done product for styling. Some of my absolute favorite brands right now are LUS Brands, Rizos Curls, Curlsmith, Flora and Curl, Breahni, Ouidad, TreLuxe, Not Your Mother’s Natural, My Soigne, Aunt Jackie’s, RealSelf Works, to name a few.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging moment in my journey has been probably achieving volume while also keeping my length. Wanting a specific type of volume and not accepting my own. Some days I want long hair, other days I want it short. Another frustration I hardly mention is parting my hair. Parting my hair can be such a struggle because my hair tends to part however it wants and it’s usually not how I want.
Read more: I Have Fine, High Porosity, Type 3b Curly Hair
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
I would have to say I had no clue what scrunching out the cast was. It was mind blowing what was hiding underneath my gel cast. All my life, walking around with crunchy hair, who knew right? Another thing was, deep conditioning and scalp massages have made such a huge impact in the health of my hair. And another thing I had no knowledge of was diffusing. Diffusing for me, helps me achieve that volume I strive to achieve.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice to those who still struggle to love and accept their natural texture is to never stop finding ways, finding reasons to embrace it. To really sit back and embrace the very beauty of what makes you, YOU. Every texture is unique and learning to see the beauty in it, accepting what you have will not only allow you to feel beautiful inside but will radiate on the outside for others to see.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I never could figure out my hair! It was always a struggle! It was never straight or curly. Just always fluffy! I’m so happy I finally figured out my hair just a few years ago! What a game changer!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
Once I figured out what my hair wanted it was easy to just embrace the curls and the silver for that matter! I love it!
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Just seeing my hair become so healthy and happy! It’s amazing!
How do you protect your curls at night?
I usually sleep in a buff it’s long enough to hold all my curls and stay on my head all night!
Who is your curl crush?
@mymanecurls (Jackie Johnson-Smith”>
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
So many things, but if I have to pick one…. I’d say my buff, sleep protection is everything! Without that I would have to wash more often!
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash about once a week! I love testing out new products! My hair seems to handle a lot and stay happy! It’s so fun, but two of my must have products are Hairdance dry shampoo and Righteous Roots hair oil!! I can not live without these two!! Use them weekly!
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I would say just figuring out everything that my hair wants at the beginning! It was a small challenge but it was well worth it now! I love my natural curls and silver streaks!
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Yes! Brush styling for me changed everything! I’m so happy I figured it out! Now my curls last so much longer! Also scalp scrubs made a big difference for me!
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Keep trying! Follow people that inspire you! It’s a little difficult at first but once you get it all figured out it’s so worth it!
What country do you live in?
India
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
In a country where poker straight hair is considered the standard of beauty, I was often mocked for my hair, which was different from the rest. And I hated my hair then!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
After a point in my life, I realized that I should not try to fit into someone else’s shoes. People knew me by my curly hair, so why not embrace it? Why not be myself?
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The very first day I started following CGM [Curly Girl Method]. It was so liberating.
How do you protect your curls at night?
A silk bonnet or a silk scarf wrapped around my pineappled hair.
Who is your curl crush?
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
A conditioner, I keep experimenting, my current favourite is Love Beauty and Planet.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
- Prepoo: Jojoba oil
- Shampoo: Petal Fresh Tea Tree
- Conditioner: Love Beauty and Planet
- Leave in: Love Beauty and Planet
- Curl cream: Cantu Curl Activator
- Gel: Ashba
- Plop for 10 min, then air dry
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I haven’t faced any issues so far.
What is your hair type?
Type 3b
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Using the praying hands method and STC [Squish to Condish].
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice will be not to compare your hair with that of someone else. What works for me might not work for somebody else. You have to carefully find out what suits you best. Find out which products suit you and be patient!
Read more: What it’s like to have curly hair in India
NaturallyCurly is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year. To show you how far we’ve come, we’re highlighting a few of your favorite articles from the NaturallyCurly archives!
We think American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke looks gorgeous — with both straight and curly hair. But we take issue with Simon’s comment Tuesday night that Kimberley has really improved since she got rid of her ‘weird hair.’ That’s especially disturbing coming from a man with a fiancee who has beautiful curly hair. We hope she gave him a talking to!
Telegraph.com columnist Judith Woods reveals extreme anti-curl bias March 2004
This is just a taste of the column:
‘The actress Kate Beckinsale couldn’t have caused a greater frisson of horror if she had appeared at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles this week wearing Dynasty-style shoulder pads and dangly earrings. For once, it wasn’t a daring decolletage that helped her to hog the limelight, but something much more seditious: her hair.
The Pearl Harbor star, you see, has gone curly. Not just half-an-hour-with-heated-tongs kinky, or can’t-be-bothered-blow-drying wavy; no, she has a magnificent mane of fully fledged Crystal Tipps curls. Worse, tongues are wagging that she might even have had a perm.
In fashion, where flat is chic and everyone uses hair straighteners, going curly is tantamount to anarchy. From Avril Lavigne to Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie to Jennifer Lopez, poker-straight has long been considered the height of glamour.
Being born with curls is considered a relatively harmless affliction, but actually going to a stylist and asking for a perm is one step from shaving one’s hair off and joining the Hari Krishnas.’
Appearing on AOL July 2001
:
Apparently, AOL recently bashed Jennifer Lopez’s curly locks, merely for being curly. We’re not AOL members, so we couldn’t see the page, but thanks to all of you who alerted us!
by Mahisha Dellinger
Caring for your angel’s tresses can be a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Armed with the proper education, the right technique, and, most importantly, the right products – you can master the art of caring for ethnic hair.
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with hair. Because my hair was easy to manage, I began styling my own hair at an early age. Using my long locks, I taught myself how to French braid and soon became a styling expert (or so I thought”>. As I matured, my interest in healthy black hair peaked. I learned which hair care ingredients were good for my hair type and which ingredients were not. I learned how to shampoo, condition, and properly handle my hair. Most importantly, I learned to love my hair. With the proper care, your child will love his/her hair too!
Over the years I’ve read, seen, and experienced unbelievable acts of ignorance regarding ethnic hair care. It is my attempt to provide a few basic tips and tricks so you will avoid common pitfalls
A Few Things You Should Know…
- Black hair is extremely fragile. A gentle touch is required to avoid unnecessary breakage and hair loss. Therefore, always use a wide tooth comb or pick when combing the hair. Avoid fine tooth combs as they snag and pull out curly/kinky hair. Invest in a quality brush; natural boar brushes are the best.
- Curly/kinky hair needs moisture, moisture and more moisture! Consider this when purchasing hair care products. Avoid drying products such as hair spray, mousse, holding gels, etc. Opt for moisturizers, leave-in conditioners and styling lotions.
- All products are not created equal. Just because a product claims to be created for “curly hair” doesn’t guarantee that it will be suitable for ethnic curly hair. Products created for Nicole Kidman’s curly hair may not work for Angela Bassett’s. Caucasian hair tends to produce more sebum (oily secretion created by the sebaceous gland”> than black, textured hair; therefore, black hair requires more oil. Read — no — scrutinize the ingredient list. Look for natural oils and quality ingredients. Remember, the ingredients are listed in order of volume.
Common Mistakes Made When Caring for Ethnic Hair
Error #1 – Over shampooing – Black hair should not be shampooed every day, or every other day for that matter. Instead, shampoo your child’s hair every 7 days, max! We recommend shampooing 2x a month. I know this may confuse those who shampoo daily; however, you must remember that black hair needs oil, and because it distributes less sebum, frequent shampooing can dry out the hair and scalp. Try our Curly Q’s Hydrating shampoo. It gently cleanses the hair without stripping away essential oils and nutrients.
Tip for getting through ‘shampoo-less’ days: Rinse hair with warm water, apply Quenched conditioner, and rinse well. This will give you a clean start and provide added conditioning and moisture without stripping away protective oils.
Error #2: Under-conditioning – Proper conditioning is one of the most important steps for healthy hair. Unfortunately, most do not take the time to adequately do so. I recommend giving your daughter a deep conditioning (with heat”> once a month, especially during the winter season. Our Quenched conditioner works great…with or without heat.
Error #3: Using the wrong products – We’ve discussed the need for natural oils for black hair. However, you must know that not all oil is good oil.One misconception that plagues African Americans concerning hair care is the use of grease. Grease (thick pomade-like product that usually contains mineral oil and/or petrolatum”> is commonly used to moisturize dry hair and scalp. Do not use products that contain mineral oil or petrolatum. Both of these cheap oils clog pores, rob the hair’s moisture and can retard hair growth. Natural oils are the best bet. Jojoba and coconut oil are great conditioning oils. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E; potassium, and scalp soothing sulfur. Curls and Curly Q’s products contain all of these!
Error #4: Combing, detangling, and styling faux pas — To avoid pain, tears, and massive hair loss when combing out kinky hair, part the hair into four sections. Get a tight grip on the hair (not to hurt your child”> and start combing at the bottom and work your way up to the top, section by section. If her hair is extremely thick and coarse, secure the combed out section with a pony tail holder to avoid further tangling. You should always use a moisturizer when combing her out hair, doing so will help to soften the hair and ease comb-ability. NEVER USE WATER TO “WET” THE HAIR! Our Moist Curls moisturizer is a great choice!
Girls and ponytails seem to go hand-in-hand. Here are a few tips to avoid pig-tail disaster. Do not use rubber bands to secure her ponytails, instead use elastics and covered bands. Rubber bands can cause undue breakage and damage. Remember to ALWAYS remove the pony tail holders before bed time. Make sure you braid (or twist”> the hair completely…all the way to the ends. Exposing the ends to environmental elements will guarantee split ends. I recommend adding a coat of leave in conditioner to the ends before braiding for extra protection. Remember, the ends are the oldest and most fragile part of the hair. They require extra attention.
What you need
- Wide-toothed comb or pick…the wider the better (Goody has a variety of combs available at most grocery stores”>
- Natural bristle brush (The Body Shop has a nice selection of brushes”>
- Hydrating shampoo (try Curly Q Hydrating Shampoo”>
- Moisturizing Conditioner (try Curly Qs Quenched Conditioner”>
- A daily moisturizer – this will add needed moisture, and ease comb-ability (Moist Curls is a great daily moisturizer”>
- Natural oils to apply to the hair (I recommend Pure avocado oil also available on our website”>
- Cream hair dressing for light control of frizzes (Curly Q Styling lotion is a great choice”>
- Elastics for securing ponytails
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I always liked how my hair looked when it was wet, but it would dry puffy and frizzy. I tried using gel but that made my hair stiff and crispy looking. I was never taught how to style my hair naturally. At one point I got a chemical straightening treatment, but I hated the results because it was still wavy after the treatment, just a little less so. I hated it so much that I actually got a perm to try to get my waves back. For most of middle school I straightened my hair daily. I rocked the wavy hair with straight bangs look too.
At one point in high school I played around with wearing my hair wavy, but a botched hair cut my freshman year of college led me to start straightening it again.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I stumbled into the subreddit r/curlyhair and it inspired me to really to to learn how to care for my hair and learn how to style it well.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Learning how to care for my hair so that it is actually healthy and looks good naturally. It’s so nice being able to wear my wavy hair confidently. I have loved connecting with the wavy curly community on Instagram as well. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in this journey.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I sleep with my hair in a loose pineapple on top of my head.
Who is your curl crush?
I’ve loved Megan/ @wavycurlychronicles from the beginning of my hair journey. She’s so kind and uplifting and I love her hair. My hair loves a lot of the same products as hers too.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Gel. If I had to pick one hair product it would be a good hair gel. If I could pick two I would pick a good hair towel.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
- Shampoo: Bounce Curl clarifying shampoo
- Conditioner: Bounce Curl conditioner
- Stylers: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel, Xmondo Wavetech foam, Innersense I Create Volume lotion
- Hairspray: Innersense I Create Finish
- Tools: Hairrepear towel, Curl Keeper spray bottle and Flexy Brush
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Having the patience to see results. It takes a long time to undo all the damage you’ve done to your hair. I didn’t do a big chop, so I had to wait while I grew out my hair and slowly cut off the damage. It also takes a lot of trial and error to find the products and techniques that give you the results you want.
What is your hair type?
Type 2c
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
The MAP Method by Scott Musgrave. I took his online course and it was a turning point for me. His course helped me find the right application techniques for my hair specifically.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t worry, you will get there! There is a lot of trial and error to find the products and techniques that work for you, but you’ll find them eventually. Keep experimenting.
Text faces or Lenny faces describe emotions just like emojis. Browse these unicode character strings in the gallery.
Ashley, @acragga
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up I didn’t know I had curly hair. My hair stylist always called it “impossible wave.” People didn’t know the things we know now about curly hair. I brushed it out every day. It was dry and frizzy. Kids would throw things in my hair and see how long it would take for me to notice. I hated everything about my hair. When I was 17 I got my first hair straightener and I didn’t look back. I straightened it daily. I accepted the fact that I just had ugly hair and I thought it would never look good unless I flat ironed it.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
A few years ago after a year of gradual lightening it was time for the last bleaching to get to the platinum blonde I had been working towards. I was working with my long-time hair stylist and I trusted him. Unfortunately it did not end well and my hair was fried. I couldn’t brush it without it coming out in clumps. It felt like straw. I didn’t leave the house for months. People laugh but I always say hair depression is real. It’s such a part of who we are. Finally I decided I had to get it fixed. And I had my first appointment with a Devacurl stylist. I’ve been wearing my hair curly ever since and it changed my life. It took a long time and a lot of patience to get it healthy again. But I’m so happy I did.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most powerful part of embracing my natural hair was accepting myself for who I am. I realized I had been literally burning and damaging my hair every day just to look like someone else, when the natural way it grew out of my head was beautiful just the way it was. It changed my life. It changed who I was. It gave me a newfound confidence that I had gone my entire life without. At 30 years old I finally loved the way I looked and was comfortable just being me.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I protect my curls at night with a loose and high ponytail covered with a silk lined cap or buff. I also use a silk pillowcase. It’s great because in the morning I just have to take it out and fluff it and go. Instead of spending two hours straightening it. People always think my curly hair takes me more time and effort than just flat ironing it but a wash lasts me five days and I just wake up and go.
Who is your curl crush?
I have so many curl crushes! My very first was HiFelicia. I found her on Instagram and was so inspired. Toni_macaroni is another one with stunning curls. Outside of Instagram I’ve always loved Shakira’s hair and of course Sarah Jessica Parker.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I absolutely cannot live without my Denman brush. Brushing my hair when styling it was a huge game changer for me. Second place would have to be Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave in. It is hands down my favourite product. Nothing else compares to it.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash my hair with a low poo every 3-5 days. I deep condition once a week and do a protein treatment every six weeks. For styling I always use a leave-in and cream or activator. My favourite combination is Kinky-Curly Knot Today and Devacurl B’leave In mixed with a little Devacurl Styling Cream. But I also like As I Am Leave In and AG Re:Coil. Then I section and brush with my Denman and scrunch in a gel. Devacurl Ultra Defining, Bounce Curl, or Jessicurl Spiralicious are my top gels. Then I diffuse with my Orchid diffuser.
Editor’s Note: The Xtava Orchid diffuser is popular in the curly community but it was recalled back in 2018
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think the most challenging part of curly hair is the moisture protein balance. I recently over-moisturized my hair and it actually took a few months to correct it. I had no idea that too much protein or moisture could have such an effect and take so long to reverse. Even after all of these years I often have a hard time figuring out which one my hair needs.
What is your hair type?
3a
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Definitely using a brush to define my curls. When I started the Curly Girl Method I wasn’t using a brush at all. And it was not going well. I was not happy with how it looked. Brushing it after applying my leave-in dramatically changed my results. But also following the basics of Curly Girl Method when it comes to ingredients. I know what I’m putting in my hair now and giving it what it needs. Healthy hair is beautiful and the goal should always be for the hair to be healthy and the rest will fall into place.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Just do it. Why spend all that time and money trying to be someone you’re not? Your hair is beautiful just the way it is. Curly hair is unique and amazing and is a part of what makes you special.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up with textured hair was a bit challenging for me. It was easy as a young child when my mom would do my hair. But difficult for me once I began to explore my hair on my own. At the elementary/middle school I attended, there were only 5 African-American students, and I was one of them. I was surrounded by long strands of wavy and straight hair. And it was a bit upsetting because no one had the same hair texture as me. I felt pressured to straighten my hair because I didn’t like how curly and frizzy my hair was. I didn’t like how “poofy” my edges were and the fact that they would not lay down. I decided to straighten my hair and keep it straightened all the time. I was not accepting of my natural curly hair.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
In 2015, I was a freshman in high school. I was in a completely different area with a major shift in demographics and I was surrounded by people who actually had similar textures as me. For me that was a big wake up call. But by then, my hair was fried. My natural curl pattern was non-existent. So I decided to educate myself about my natural hair. I would stay up all night watching YouTube videos from different naturalistas and researching terminology and products that would benefit my hair on Google. Seeing how these women wore their natural hair in different beautiful styles no matter the texture or length encouraged me to take care of my hair better so I would be able to achieve long and healthy hair as well.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment for me in my natural journey was when I finally did the big chop. It was liberating for me. Not only letting go of inches of my hair, but releasing all of the past internal struggles I dealt with along the way that held me back from loving my natural self. I remember that day like it was yesterday. December of 2016 I was a sophomore in high school. I remember telling myself in school “I’m going to do the big chop when I get home”. And that’s exactly what I did. I went home, took my dad’s scissors, stared in the mirror and smiled. I went straight for it. As soon as I was done, I had a huge smile on my face. I was so happy that my then bra strap length hair was now a short bob.
How do you protect your curls at night?
To be honest, I’ve become a bit of a lazy natural. I usually just put a bandana around my edges and a regular bonnet over whatever style my hair is in. But if I truly want to protect my curls. I either do the pineapple method or the banding method and cover with a satin bonnet which was life changing for me and my curls.
Who is your curl crush?
I have so many, but my favorite curly girl is definitely Bianca Renee. Her curls are perfect and her tips are so helpful. She was also a major help for me while I was transitioning as well as after my big chop.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I absolutely cannot live without my pick. My motto is, “The bigger the hair, the harder they stare”. It is a must that I fluff my hair out 24/7 and I can’t do that without a pick!
Read more: How to Use An Afro Pick For Big Curly Hair
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My current hair regimen varies based on what style I want to achieve. Different styles require different kinds of maintenance. However, it is a must that I moisturize daily (LCO method when I’m doing a wash and go”>, massage my scalp daily, and oil my scalp every 2-3 days.
My favorite products are:
- Curls Leave In Conditioner
- NeoCurly Curls Poppin Moisturizing Leave- In Cream
- HoneyCurlz Daily Moisturizer
- Xtreme Wetline Gel
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging moment was the transitioning period. Since my hair was 2 different textures because of the new growth and the damaged hair, it was hard to do styles that would hide that. I tried to do braidouts and twistouts but they would not be successful. Ultimately, I ended up keeping my hair in buns.
What is your hair type?
3c
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
As far as styling wise, the praying hands method has really helped to elongate my curls so I won’t have as much shrinkage when I’m doing a wash n go. Health wise, I’m still learning. But I would say doing ACV rinses every now and then and hot oil treatments have really helped to revive my hair when it’s a bit dry and dull.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice to anyone struggling is to not give up. It may be a bit cliche, but natural hair journeys are not meant to be perfect. We are all different, with different textures and no one’s hair journey will be the same. Know that sometimes the product that works for the other girl won’t work for you. Know that sometimes it can take 20 tries before you get the perfect wash n go. Know that even though your curls may not curl up like the girl in the YouTube videos you are watching, your curls are still beautiful and unique. Know that there is no such thing as “good hair” when referring to textures. Don’t compare your curls or yourself to anyone else. Accept your natural curls for what they are and embrace them. No matter if it’s naturally wavy, curly, coily, or kinky. We each were given a unique crown on our heads, and you gotta make sure you rock it.
@jamiefrombklyn
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
It was different since I was the only one in my family with big kinky hair. I almost always had a protective style before getting relaxers. My hair has always been big.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair?
I was on Tumblr one time and this girl had big beautiful curls, and I wanted my hair just like hers. My mom told me I could have hair like the picture if I chose to start taking care of my hair. So I took the next step.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Being able to love my hair and all the tests and trials it comes with. I also love the fact that I’m able to help so many people with tips and tricks on how to handle thicker hair.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I do a loose pineapple and sleep with a bonnet.
Who is your curl crush?
@Jasmeannn, she and her curls are so beautiful! And she’s a cancer like me :”>
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
A leave-in cream!! I can be a lazy natural so whenever I don’t want to spend hours doing my hair a leave-in cream comes in handy.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Kaleidoscope hair products, Garnier Curl Cream and Carol’s Daughter have been a huge part of my hair regimen. I wash my hair every two weeks:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deep Condition
- Leave-In
- Styling products
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Now that my hair is the longest it’s been I find myself having to learn it all over again. It’s a little frustrating but also exciting because I get to try new products and methods.
What is your hair type?
4a
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Working in sections!!!! It helps to prevent breakage which natural hair is prone to.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
YOU are beautiful. Your hair doesn’t define you. It’s very easy to compare your hair to other hair textures but you were blessed with your own crown for a reason. Learn it, love it and embrace it.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up with textured hair was a struggle. I did not know how to properly care for my hair or which products to use. As a result, whenever I did rock my curls my hair was crunchy and had no volume. I always felt prettier with my hair straightened, so my mom took me to the hair salon monthly. This went on all through my high school years.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
Crazy enough, This pandemic! Back in May when the hair salons were closed I started to watch YouTube videos on how to care for curly hair. I kept seeing all the girls with beautiful curls and remembered that I once too had pretty curls. At that point it just became my mission to recuperate my curls.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
My most empowering moment was when a total stranger on one of my Facebook groups told me how much more confident I looked in my pictures with my curly hair. It was amazing to me how she was able to notice just by looking at my pictures.
How do you protect your curls at night?
To protect my curls at night, I put my hair in a pineapple and use both a satin bonnet and a satin pillowcase.
Who is your curl crush?
Tracee Ellis Ross is my hair queen.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
That would be my diffuser. The volume I get with it gives me life.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I’m still in the middle of transitioning so deep conditioning weekly is a must. I also like to do oil treatments twice a month. My favorite styling products right now are LUS and Ecoslay Orange Marmalade.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Not dying my hair! I’m trying really hard to stay away from hair dye since I’m still transitioning so I have to let my little grey hairs live their best life.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Avoiding heating tools all together. My hair has changed so much in just a few months sometimes I can’t believe it myself. I also used Olaplex 3 for the first 2 months weekly and I know that made a big difference for me as well.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice will be to take time to educate themselves in their hair texture. When I decided to transition I watched many videos, followed girls with similar hair to me and took their advice on how to take care of my hair. Some of the things worked some didn’t and that’s how there is going to be trial and error. The important thing is to be patient and embrace the journey.
Image:@jenny_thecurlymom
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I am one of two siblings. My elder sister has straight hair, while I inherited curls from my maternal uncles. My mother (straight-haired”> always took care of our hair ever since I could remember. From DIY homemade masks to oil blends, she did it all. Hence why we grew up loving and taking care of our hair. Unfortunately, she had no clue how to manage my frizz and define my curls. So I grew up confused! I knew how to take care of my hair health, but didn’t know how to make those curls hold together for days! And like others, I was also subjected to mean jokes and taunts on my mane. And finally the moment I touched 21 years, I started getting my yearly straightening done— almost 6 times in 12 years!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
It happened one fine day when a fellow curly recommended me to join this Facebook group “Indian Curl Pride”, a group dedicated to curlies all across the nation. It was then I learned about the Curly Girl method. And the rest is history. While researching and studying, I also came across NaturallyCurly and since then there is no looking back. It has been a life changer!
Image:@jenny_thecurlymom
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The confidence it gave me to love myself the way I am. Today people recognize me for my CURLS !
How do you protect your curls at night?
My night routine starts with 4-5 mins of scalp massage with my finger tips. On alternate days I incorporate oil during scalp massage. Post massage, I make a loose bun with a satin scrunchie, wear a satin bonnet and sleep on a satin pillow cover. The pillow helps protect my skin as well. Also the reason I use both the bonnet and pillow cover is that I don’t want the oil to transfer on the pillow as I have acne prone skin. This helps in keeping my pillow clean.
Who is your curl crush?
Since the first person I interacted with was Asha Barrak, Admin of “Indian curl pride” Facebook group and Owner of the Brand Ashba Botanics that makes curly hair approved products, she will always be my first crush.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
There are many! My satin scarf, my satin robe (current favourite”>, my heat cap, my silk mittens for SOTC, and my microfibre cap and gloves. In short, anything satin is my curly girl essential ❤️
Image:@jenny_thecurlymom
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
So I will share my routine and write my favourite products next to it.
- Co-wash: 2 times a week. MySoigne Hair cleanser
- Shampoo: Once a week. Earth Rhythm Murumuru Shampoo Bar & Only Curls hair cleanser
- Conditioner: Not Your Mother’s Tahittian Gardenia & Mango Butter, Reequil Murumuru conditioner (Indian Brand”>
- Leave In Conditioner: Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler
- Curl Cream: Cantu Curl Activator and BounceCurl Clump and Define Cream
- Gel: As I Am Curling Jelly, Giovanni La Strong Hold gel
- Oil: Righteous Roots Oil
- Deep conditioner: Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Mask and Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Mask.
Ps: I am a big PRODUCT JUNKIE. I hoard products like crazy. I love experimenting with different product combinations and comparison. Luckily we as a family of 5 members have shifted to 100% CG approved products hence none of my products go waste. My straight haired husband and 2 boys also co-wash their hair, use conditioner and leave-in.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I struggled with products. It was difficult to understand what will work for my hair type . Balancing protein & moisture was another challenge. Second challenging part was the transition stage. Being conditioned to shampooing my hair daily, shifting to co-washing and extending my wash days was hard.So yes, coming out of age old deep rooted conditioning was very stressful at some point .
Image:@jenny_thecurlymom
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
My to-go method to ensure ultimate hydration is Squish to Condish using the Bowl Method. I never ever skip this step.
It works so amazingly well on my hair that on days when I don’t use any stylers, I still get well defined curls which last for a good 24 hours.
Another favourite technique while applying gel is the modified shingling method. Here I pick the thick clumps and smoothen it with my fingers . It takes less time as compared to shingling.
AND PLEASE DO NOT SKIP YOUR DAILY SCALP MASSAGE.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice would be to start with focusing on hair and scalp health first, and then curl definition. I believe that a healthy scalp is the key to healthy hair.
Secondly, more than the products, it’s the technique that matters. Once you get a hold of the technique, you will definitely get good curls with minimum products.
Image:@comegetyacurl
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Like many other now proud curlies, I did not feel comfortable with my hair texture. I used a lot of water & products to weigh down my hair because the volume made me self conscious. My mom, who I got my curls from, taught me valuable tips to maintain healthy curls, but I still felt self conscious by the comments made by others, strangers or classmates. By 9th grade, after begging her and my dad for my years, she allowed me to chemically straighten my hair. I still needed to spend hours smoothing out my hair, but had lost all curl definition. It took about 2 hours to straighten my hair and I did this a couple times a week. I remember my dad seeing me pass the flat iron over and over a section and saying “Enough, it’s straight already” lol.
Image:@comegetyacurl
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
A few things triggered the transition to embracing my naturally curly hair. One, I was starting to notice thinning due to over processing (straightening & dyeing”>. Two, I saw my brother grow out his hair (rock band vibes”>; it was stunning. I had a new appreciation for my hair texture when I saw my brother flaunting it proudly. Lastly, I started to experiment with natural skincare products and a holistic view at health which made me question the ingredients in my hair care. I started to repair my hair using tips my mom showed me and of course the natural hair community on YouTube. @SpankieValentine was the first influencer whose routine I followed to regain my hair health. I found a DevaCut specialist in Los Angeles who coached me on CGM.
What has been the most empowering moment of your hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment thus far would be seeing my influence on curly girls across the globe. I love receiving DM’s and sharing success stories or photos; girls of all ages expressing their appreciation for being curly and proud. In addition to my overall confidence; there is something about being naturally YOU that makes you feel powerful in all other aspects of your life. I have been rocking my curly hair for about 8 years now.
How do you protect your curls at night?
Most times I will throw on a silk bonnet. I get mine from an IG seller @raynestorm2017. Or I will use a silk scarf with the knot tied on the top. Whatever I use, it needs to be comfortable because I am a fussy sleeper :”>
Image:@comegetyacurl
Who is your curl crush?
I have a few! But if I had to pick one, I would say @Joyjah. She is so stunning inside and out. I love watching her stories, especially those from her hometown in Belize. I also have an obsession with red curls!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Leave-In Conditioner! This was always a staple for me, even as a kid. My mom always said, “make sure you use lots of leave-in!”. On a relaxing Sunday I will ditch my gel or mousse stylers and give my hair a break with just a leave-in conditioner.
Image:@comegetyacurl
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My current regimen is washing 1-2x a week and DeepConditioning. I usually deep conditioner out of the shower for an hour and rinse in the sink! It’s easier… My favorite products right now are Rizos Defining Cream, EcoSlay Flaxseed Gel, Oway Organics Curly Potion, Bouncecurl CremeGel & Shampoo, SheaMoisture Deep Conditioner, Mielle Organics Deep Conditioner, OGX Beauty Combing Creme, Garnier Fructis 1min Hair Mask, Aussie Moist 3 Minute Treatment, Not Your Mother’s Shampoo & Conditioner.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging part has been finding quick, easy and hairstyles for work. I can’t wear my hair down in my current job & I wasn’t always comfortable in my last job. My 3rd day hair turns heads in meetings lol. I found some elegant updos on YouTube that are simple for quick morning routines and do not put too much tension on my curls.
Image:@comegetyacurl
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Water, conditioner and gel with good ingredients are the most essential pieces. Everything after that is extra in my opinion. I did not deep condition for most of my hair journey in the beginning… shh… don’t tell on me hehe. The Denman brush was also impactful! There are different methods to using it, but it helps with detanging and getting defined curls!
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Curly hair is gorgeous and being different is cool, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise ;”> I still get negative or odd comments about my hair in 2020, but they are outweighed by positive ones now. My favorite response to someone’s negative comment is “Good thing the hair is on my head & not yours…” hehe.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
When I was really young my mother did my hair. Thank god I wasn’t tender headed because it sure did gangle often. As soon as flat irons came out I started straightening my hair every chance I could. I grew up in a white neighborhood so I felt “better” with it straightened.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?
I’m an actress and I was going out for a lot of commercial auditions in 2015. A friend of mine told me I should consider wearing my hair curly because most commercials he had seen with black women had them with their natural hair. Now before he said this I had booked 3 nationals commercials, one of which my scene didn’t make the cut. After I started wearing my hair naturally, I booked 22 national commercials over the next few years. I’m sure I had gotten better over time, but my natural hair surely helped.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think the best think about wearing my hair natural is not having to cover it up in the shower, or working out (and sex”> and not worrying about sweating out my edges.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I like to put in a natural leave in conditioner, seal the moisture in with Jamaican black castor oil, make about 6 two strands twists and wear and silk bonnet to sleep.
Who is your curl crush?
Nobody makes me feel more in love with my curly hair than Tracee Ellis Ross!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Jamaican black castor oil!
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I adore the Hydrating Avocado Deep Conditioner from naturallclub.com. This product is so natural you have to put it in the fridge or freezer lol. It makes your hair so soft immediately, making for the easiest combing ever (always with a wide tooth comb”>.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I first tried to wear my hair curly in 2013 as a suggestion from a boyfriend, but I couldn’t keep it moisturized for the life of me. It was constantly breaking and I noticed instead of my hair growing longer it was breaking off
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Putting a leave in conditioner to moisturize and an oil like Jamaican black castor oil to seal in the moisture has been a life saver.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Most of us were taught to hate our hair, so we have to learn to love it and when you do, it’ll show.
Image:@curlipedia
If you’re currently transitioning and newly embracing your curls, you may have come across the popular technique, The Curly Girl Method. When you’re first starting your journey it can feel daunting not knowing where to start or which products to use, so many curlies have found this technique to be helpful to better understand how to create a healthy hair regimen that fits their unique hair needs.
What is the Curly Girl Method?
The Curly Girl Method, from Lorraine Massey’s book “Curly Girl: The Handbook,” is a hair care method that trades in damaging habits (like shampooing and heat styling”> for a healthy curly hair regimen using quality ingredients free of silicones, parabens and sulfates. While this set of recommendations has been shown to have incredible results for many curlies in our community, you should always feel free to modify them to suit your hair!
Now more than ever, it’s important to be conscious of your health and what you put in and on your body. Choosing the best products for your hair depends on a few things such as hair needs, ingredients and overall hair goals.
Image:@pumphaircare
To help simplify your hair regimen, Pump Hair Care created a vegan curly hair collection that is Curly Girl Method Approved and nourishes your strands from the inside out. Not to mention, this innovative and eco-friendly hair care brand is packaged in sugar cane tubes, with a zero carbon footprint to create a safe and clean environment for us all.
Image:@pumphaircare
What makes this brand so unique is the entire collection is plant based, vegan and cruelty-free. Their hero product that is key for strengthening and hydrating your hair is The Curl & Grow Mask , a deep conditioner packed with Biotin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract to strengthen and nourish your curls to enrocurha ehealth hair growth. This mask is designed specifically for co-washing so no shampoo is needed before using this mask.
Want to see how to use this hair mask to bring your curls back to life?
Watch this video below to see how @alyssarxs used the The Curl & Grow Mask and the Pump Soft Curl Gel to stregthen and define her curls with only two easy steps.
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For the conscious curlies, let’s take a deeper look at the ingredients to understand the amazing benefits:
Biotin: contains high levels of Vitamin B which forms proteins to thicken hair and encourage hair growth.
Rosemary Leaf Oil: A powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, the extract in this plant is known to increase circulation and stimulate hair growth! Better yet, rosemary has been shown to even fight alopecia and restore hair loss.
Nettle Leaf Extract: Rich in vitamins and minerals that aid as antioxidants (iron, magnesium zinc”>, which protects your hair from signs of aging, and stimulates growth.
Jojoba Oil: Made of 97% monounsaturated fats and it is similar to sebum, the natural oil that the scalp secretes, which is what makes it the perfect hair moisturizer! You can moisturize your hair without disrupting your scalp’s PH balance, and this helps you fight dandruff and promotes hair growth
Have you tried Pump Haircare? If so, what product is your holy grail? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image of @naturalfrecklesandcurls
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Extremely challenging! Growing up I knew my hair was very different, but I just didn’t understand how or why. I had seen others with curly hair, but always just thought I was born with a textured tangled mess, and that my hair had missed the actual curl memo.
We kept my hair very short most of my life because of how tangled it always stayed and how I reacted to brushing it. I was even given a perm at some point while I was younger to try and help control it. Then as soon as I was old enough, I began bleaching and flat ironing it…every single day. Growing up, it was the main thing I wished I could change about myself on a daily basis.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?
I have to give most of the credit to my husband. From day 1, he has always been partial to my curls. He encourages me to embrace my natural beauty and self daily and it finally rubbed off.
I began to research about caring for curls online and came across a few Facebook groups where I read about the Curly Girl Method. I had no idea something like this existed until this point. The transformations were so inspiring to me that I wanted to give the curly Journey a try for myself. I never dreamed the one thing I despised the most would transition over to something I love and now cannot imagine changing about myself.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image of @naturalfrecklesandcurls
Hands down it would be meeting my Curly stylist. I had never met anyone more knowledgeable about curls in my life and the moment I sat down in her chair I took on a whole new love and appreciation For my curls! For as long as I can remember I have held onto this attachment to length for my hair And the moment I finally let her shorten It , I have never looked back. That was like the biggest pivotal moment of my curl journey and a sense of relief for the unrealistic expectations I held onto so very tightly. She helped me understand more about my hair in that 2 hour span than I had in my 30 plus years of life.
How do you protect your curls at night?
My sleep routine is pretty simple! I don’t love having things on my head at night when it comes to fabric of any kind so I pineapple my hair with a PuffCuff and sleep on a silk pillowcase. I also try to do a scalp massage every night with a few drops of oil. A silk pillowcase alone was a major step towards improving my morning curls.
Who is your curl crush?
This is so tough because there are so many unique and beautiful curlies in the world that it’s hard to pick! But the curls that I have been mega inspired by since the first time I saw them are rocked by toni_macaroni ! The volume she can achieve will always be a major goal for me, and she is a huge promoter of loving yourself as you are, which I have always admired about her.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My brushes !! I have such a tangled texture that brushing multiple times during a wash day is imperative for me. This is one of those curly girl rules that I absolutely cannot follow.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Image of @naturalfrecklesandcurls
I detangle often each and every wash day. I like to dry brush before washing, then shampoo and detangle while I condition. To style I like to detangle again, rake in a cream, scrunch in mousse and a gel, and then I go straight to diffusing. I have a handful of products that I use consistently which include:
- Lusbrands steps 1, 2 and 3
- Innersense Enliven Curls Collection
- Pump Haircare Curl and Grow Mask
- Uncle Funkys Daughter Squeaky Shampoo
- Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Mousse
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The constant trial and error. When I first started the Curly Girl Method I thought the only way to success was sticking to the rules exactly as they were spelled out in the book.
It took me some time to understand that these are just guidelines and that the Curly Girl Method isn’t a one-size-fits-all outline. Having very fine, mixed porosity, multi-textured hair, I had to learn to bend and break a few rules, and let go of the fact that my curl journey might look a little different than others.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
When I finally gave up on soaking wet styling and discovered damp styling, I began to have mega success in my wash days.
Other techniques that have got me to this point are upright side to side styling, brush styling to break up curl clumps, and micro-plopping. Styling upside down always spelled disaster for me, and I would get so frustrated thinking I was doing something wrong. Learning that there were other techniques to try out changed everything. You have to learn that it’s okay to try something new when you aren’t pleased with the results you are getting.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Image of @naturalfrecklesandcurls
My biggest piece of advice would be to learn to love your hair in all of its moments and stages. Curls are like people, amazingly unique. No two curlies are exactly alike, so each journey will look a little different. I always tell people to think of it like a road trip. We all have the same destination programmed, but the routes and distances will all be different depending on where we’ve started. The key is to learn to love and embrace your texture where it’s at in this moment,
then the journey will come across a little more smoothly and become life-changing as you learn and grow. Letting go of perfection is a must, because it truly doesn’t exist; instead we must embrace and believe that all waves, curls and coils are equally exquisite.
