Search Results: NaturallyCurly
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Angela Delyani: My name is Angela Delyani. I live in southern New Hampshire. I am an independent CAbi (Carol Anderson by invitation”> Consultant and a CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad litem”>.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
AD: My hair was actually stick-straight until puberty. It went from curly to wavy and back to curly over the years. Then it finally settled and it has been curly for nineteen years!
NC: What is your current routine?
AD: No-poo wash every third day or so, co-wash or pineapple for second (and sometimes third”> day hair. I always air dry, even in the coldest weather. My curls only get heat in the dome-dryer at the salon.
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
AD: On a wash day, I wash (paying special attention to my scalp”>, rinse and then add conditioner. I leave the conditioner in until I finish my shower and then rinse most of it out. Once I’m out of the shower, I wrap my head in a microfiber towel. When I take the towel off, I flip my head over and run gel through my curls from roots to ends. Then I scrunch with more gel. Finally, I flip my head up, put my curls in place and let them air dry.
I try not to touch my hair much during the day, but sometimes I’ll flip it over and give it a shake and a little Mist-er Right if it needs a boost.
MORE: All About the No-Shampoo Method
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
AD: DevaCurl products, my microfiber towel and a soft scrunchie.NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
AD: I don’t deviate much from my “standard” style, but I’d like to learn/practice mixing it up sometimes.
NC: What about your hair stylists?
AD: I inspired my current stylist, Cathy Kimpton, owner of Merlin’s Ultimate Images to become a DevaCurl trained stylist! I love the way she cuts my hair.
MORE: Devachan Stylist Helps Children Love Their Curls
NC: Did you ever have any insecurities about your curly hair?
AD: I struggled when my hair was in its wavy phases — I was never quite sure what to do with it back then. I tried to go all-one-length curly at one point, but looked like Roseanne Rosannadanna! Layers are the only way to go for my curls
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
AD: Curls are so easy to care for and style! And I get lots of compliments. I’m so grateful that the curls are natural — I know how lucky I am!NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
AD: Give them a chance — if you’re just learning how to take care of them, it’s going to take some time for them to respond to the new routine. Don’t give up too quickly!
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
AD: CASA/GAL is the most important role in my life. I know I make a difference in the lives of the children I work with. I am also a fairly new CAbi consultant and I love sharing Carol’s designs with women — it’s a lot of fun! Finally, I consider myself a “professional aunt.” I love the time that I get to spend with my nieces and nephews.
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
LaShon James-Major: My name is LaShon and I am a curly girl from Long Beach, CA.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
LJM: After seeing what the perm chemical did to the soda can in the movie “Good Hair,” I decided that I was no longer going to perm my hair. I figured that if the chemical could eat metal, it probably wasn’t good for my hair.NC: What is your current routine?
LJM: My current regimen is to wash, detangle and deep condition my hair on a weekly basis. I suffer from dry scalp, so I also do weekly hot oil treatments and, because I have fine hair, I do frequent protein treatments.
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
LJM: I wet my hair and then apply DevaCurl One Condition. Then I apply As I Am Curling Jelly and let my hair dry.
MORE: Real Texture Talk: Jennifer Stewart
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
LJM: My must-have products are coconut oil and shea butter. My must-have tools are my tangle teezer and my terrycloth towel that I use to dry my hair.NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
LJM: I love wash-and-gos and buns.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
LJM: My nighttime routine depends on how I feel and on how I’ve styled my hair that day. Whatever I do involves either a satin bonnet or pillowcase.
NC: What about your hair stylists?
LJM: I see a stylist for trims and natural hairstyles that I can’t do myself.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
LJM: I didn’t really have any reactions to my decision. My husband just noticed that I was playing with my hair more than usual, but he’s pretty laid back, so he didn’t care either way.
NC: Did you big chop or transition and for how long? Did you ever have curly girl insecurities?
LJM: I transitioned for two years before I cut off the remaining two inches about a year ago.MORE: Hair Tools & Accessories at CurlMart
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
LJM: The best thing about being curly is the freedom! I previously had to rely on a stylist to feel like I looked good, but now I’m in charge!
NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your everyday life?
LJM: I feel super confident now because I appreciate my hair for how it grows out of my head. I’m not hiding behind wigs, weaves, or a perm.NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
LJM: Do it, but start slow. Do your research and be patient…don’t expect to master everything about curly life in one day.NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
LJM: I’m working on improving my blog, For the Love of Curls, which celebrates the right to be curly! I’m also working on a line of satin bonnets and scrunchies.
As the mom of a little curly girl, and a curly girl myself, I understand the “tug of war” with pre and post active little ones. Just hearing the words “but mommy, my hair is fine…” with a twinge of winey has often set the stage for some ugly scenes. However, I’ve learned a few strategies that have helped me to reduce the post-playground tears for our curly wee-ones.
Sporty Curly Kids
Detangle
Use a light mister of gentle conditioner and water or detangler on hair post shower/bath. This helps to keep little curls healthy and seems to assist in enlongating a shower or bath day, when possible.
Cotton headbands
During active sports and play time, I usually make headbands a must. You can find great, bright colored, cotton bands at any drugstore which are perfect for little girls and sports.
Have your kids select different colors for different days and outfits or combine one or two headbands (one thick and one thin”> to “dress up” their look a little more.
Mini braids
At almost any length you can find enough hair to braid, keeping the form of the curl and avoiding extra bathes. Braids are great for highly active sports and games and are a great way to keep your child’s hair out of their faces as well. Tie cute clips, ties or ribbons to the end of each braid to make it more fun too!
Lavender mist
On warm weather days I bring a water mister with some lavender drops (oil essence”> mixed in (use distilled water”> and mist my child’s hair during breaks. I’ve even taught her to do it herself.
The lavender is cleansing and the combo is refreshing for curls and the scalp. (Note: with colder weather you can still do this, just make sure it’s once you’re in the car or at home and in a warmer place.”>
Curly Styles for Cycles
Cycling with Curls
If there’s one sport that is not conducive to bouncy, beautiful curls, it’s bicycling.
While the idea of trapping your curls beneath a helmet and exposing it to wind and sweat may sound harrowing, we believe that hair should NEVER deter a curly girl from getting fit, healthy and happy.
Here are my tried and true techniques for maintaining my pile of curls under a bike helmet!
Up and out of the way!
Use a simple thick, cotton head band and gently pull your hair back, to keep hair off of your face, then put your helmet on over the head band.
The best thing for shorter hair is to just get your curls and waves away from your face and tucked back. For longer hair you’ll need to secure the rest of the hair too (more on that later”>.
There are also wider, cotton head bands which can work under helmets well. Be sure to use cotton as you may sweat and don’t want to risk clogging pores.
Work hair
Riding your bike to work is a great way to keep your footprint green! And yes, you STILL need a helmet on local streets.
Try a quick braid to keep curls at their best, or tuck your hair back and under the helmet so little is left to “fly” as you steer and peddle. The wind and the elements can make for frizzy ends by time you arrive.
Once your peddling is over, remove your helmet as well as any accessories (headbands, etc”> that you placed on your hair. Use a small spritz bottle of water and lavender oil essence (just a few drops”> to refresh your curls and waves.
Braids
Some helmets don’t allow for braids to fit comfortably. However, if you can make a thinner braid or , if you have a lot of hair and can make multiple braids and pull them down or to the side, your helmet will fit without a problem.
The best part about braids is that your curls will maintain their shape and spring once you’re done with your ride!
Bun it!
For short to longer curls, a low bun is also a great option. Use a simple hair tie or “friendly” elastic band to tie curls low, down the back of your neck. If you have longer pieces, you can also use a few bobby pins to keep them at bay.
Exercise indisputably does wonders for our bodies and brains. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for our curls and waves. Contrary to what most would like to believe, all women sweat when our heart rate is elevated, so it’s necessary to shower following just about any cardio-infused work out.
I love a good Zumba class and kickboxing has also become a new favorite. In fact, once a week, I attend an amazing cardio kickbox class — a little Zumba, live music and boot-camp style moves — it’s great! It’s also hands down the sweatiest workout I have ever done, EVER, but I love the way I feel afterwards. My hair however…not so great. Here’s my curly cardio routine.
Curly Cardio
Clean Curls
When I get home I co-wash and give it a good, but gentle, scrub, combing through with my fingers. I find that co washing keeps it clean and detangled. I usually allow my curls to air dry after applying my favorite leave-in and gel.
Treat yourself
On weeks where my work outs are a bit more frequent or intense (or both!”>, I treat my curls to a leave in masque which I usually make from an avocado and olive oil. I allow my curls to absorb the mixture for 20-30 minutes then I rinse and clean my curls and style as normal.
Accessorize
With cardio infused classes, you move a lot and you move quickly too. The last thing you need to distract you is curls bouncing into your face as you go! Time for the accessories.
I love cotton headbands that are thick — the ones from Goody are perfect. I have a set of black ones (about 1 1/2” wide”> as well as three or four colors to mix and match into. I also have thick cotton headbands (1/4-1/2” each”> which I sometimes layer over thicker headbands and can also use to tie my hair up into a ponytail at the end of the class.
Wrap it up
Lastly, I like to wrap a thick cotton headscarf wrap around my curls when I work out. When I’m done, I unwrap my hair, tie it up (if needed”> and use the scarf around my neck to keep my body temperature from getting too hot or too cold when I leave the studio.
Hair envy is a costly concern that takes time, tools and products no matter what your hair type is! We asked a straight-haired woman and a curly-coily woman what it takes to transform into their alter egos.
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It’s time for NaturallyCurly’s annual Best of the Best survey. Your opinion is important to us and we’d like to know what you think about the products you use every day. What is the best curly conditioner out there? What’s your favorite gel? Tell us!
And of course, we’d like your suggestions and comments! What can we do in 2013 to make your curly world better?
Satin Addison
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Satin Addison: My name is Satin Addison. I am 26 and from the Bronx. I have been natural going on three years (in February”>. My hair is a kinky/curly kind of mesh.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
SA: I must admit that I did not embrace my curls at first because the transitioning process was so hard…it kind of makes you regret your decision to go natural at first. But one year and several broken combs later, I understood my hair a bit more.
NC: What is your current routine?
SA: I must wash my hair every week, usually on Sunday, and I only brush or comb my hair when it is wet because that is when it is the strongest. I wash, deep condition for at least an hour, and just let it air dry or twist my hair with Jane Carter products.
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
SA: I want my hair to be moisturized, particularly in the winter. My hair has the tendency to dry up and then dandruff starts to pop up. I obviously don’t want that, so I put water and oils in my hair on a regular basis to keep moisture on my ends and on my scalp.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
SA: I must have my oils (grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, carrot oil, vitamin e oil, etc”>.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
SA: I wear my hair in a big, curly poof. It looks so huge that people don’t think it’s mine! It’s hilarious.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?SA: I grease it, twist it, and then put on my satin bonnet to keep my hair protected.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
SA: My hair is extremely thick, so my friends looked at me like I was crazy — they knew it was a challenge to handle when I was getting relaxers! They knew I was in for a challenge.
NC: Did you big chop or transition and for how long? Did you ever have curly girl insecurities?
SA: No big chop here — I don’t have the head for it! I finished transitioning about a year ago. It was a looooong process.
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
SA: My hair has personality now. I looked like a regular girl when I used to get relaxers. I never got as many compliments on a daily basis as I do now, just being free and being me!
NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your everyday life?
SA: Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that my hair should be as big was it is. I have had some drama at work because my boss felt that I should “tame” it a bit. I ignored the comment. I won’t change who I am because you are not used to my hair or do not understand it. Just respect it (and me”>!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
SA: Never be scared to be yourself! Let your curls do their own thing…they are in charge.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
SA: I’m actually thinking about starting a natural vlog/blog, or maybe starting my own accessory line for naturalistas! I’m still thinking it through.
We take a look at the day by day trials and tribulations of a product junkie as she chronicles her addiction. Sound like anyone you know?
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Hot Tools for Curls
“You’ll never have problems with your hair,” these were the words my great-grandmother would tell me in her broken English for so many of my younger years. And every time she’d say them, I’d roll my eyes and not believe a word — until I finally embraced my curls.
When I understood just how “great” they were, I finally understood what my great-grandmother had been telling me. I thanked her too, hoping she could hear me, since by that time she had passed on.
Once I embraced my curls, I also seemed to do a bit more experimenting — with the amount of products out there it almost seemed a shame not to at least test them out a bit! I have thick curls (3a/b type”>, but I keep them shorter, about chin length.
I loved the effects and finished looks people got from hot rollers and curling irons — but why would I buy those? I have curls! Well, I did, and I do and it was fun to play with some tools and find out just what they could do to curls.
Hot rollers
My first play date was with hot rollers, and I went through a few types before I finally found one I liked a lot. I used a set which came with about three or four sized curlers and clips that heated as well. I staggered them throughout my hair. Rolling dry, pre-parted hair (which I sprayed with a light protective product first”>, I angled hair from bottom to scalp as I placed the roller in my hair. I left them in for about 15 minutes.
When I took them out, I did have some curls with less frizz, and I had to work the parts at the crown of my head so they would get a little more volume. I “played” a bit more later on with the larger sized curlers only and they made for some nice, big, loopy curls as well.
Final result? I still have a set of hot curlers and I do use them from time to time. It doesn’t take too long to set and it’s fun to give my curls a bit of a different look.
Curling Iron
My next play date was with a curling iron. My husband almost laughed me out of the house when I came home with five of these, but I wanted to experiment with different sizes and types of curling irons.
The first two were not for me. They were “wands,” and my hair is too short for these. I burned my fingers even with the gloves. The others, with a clamp, were pretty interesting. I used a large barrel, two inches or so, and got some great volume, almost like a blown-out look, just not “so” straight.
The one inch was a keeper. It gives me a great “quick fix” for curls that are a little frizzy or out of place. It heats up fast, so I touch up a few curls before I leave for work and my hair is good to go! The smallest barrel also got returned. At about 1/2 inch, it was just bit too small. It didn’t fit my curl type at all.
Flat Iron
My last hot tool was the flat iron. I admit, I don’t like to blow out my hair at all. I feel like Arnold Schwarzenegger afterwards — it’s tough work! I do embrace my natural curls (that, or my great-grandmother is still speaking to me somehow”>, but I did want to see what a good flat iron could do.
I didn’t like the way my hair looked SO pin straight, but when I wrapped my hair around the iron, I got a really great ribbon effect. With my hair a bit longer, it did look pretty nice. Apparently, some stylists use this technique to get that ribbon effect with their clients’ hair too. I wouldn’t do it a lot, though. In fact, I don’t have an iron any more. But it was a pretty fun experiment, and I did like the “ribbon” effect.
This doesn’t mean you have to run and get some heat tools today — in fact, this took some time to work through. But if you do have some curiosities as to what hot rollers will do for your curls or waves, try them out! I am quite grateful for the wise words of my great-grandmother, and I embrace my natural curls even more so now; however, making them look a little different for a day or so can be a lot of fun too!
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Kara Barcelo: My name is Kara Barcelo and I am a 3C curly girl. I enjoy sunbathing (when the weather is good, of course”>, singing and dancing, eating healthy and kicking butt in the gym.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
KB: I hated my hair as a child because my mom, who has a different hair type, didn’t really know how to style my hair. I would always end up with a ponytail braid or big, bushy hair. I hated it! It wasn’t until my early twenties that I started to truly embrace my curls. I found that with the right products for my hair type and a good haircut, I actually liked wearing my hair curly! I looked better just being me.NC: What is your current routine?
KB: Shampoo, condition/detangle, apply product, and go!
NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
KB: After shampooing, I rinse and apply conditioner. While the conditioner is still in my hair, I detangle with a wide tooth comb or use my fingers. I braid my hair back and tuck the braid into a ball as I finish showering, allowing the conditioner to do its work for a few minutes. After I rinse out the conditioner, I bend over and wrap my hair in a t-shirt to soak up excess water. From this point on, I NEVER run my fingers through my hair — I don’t want to mess up the curl pattern or cause frizziness. I like my curls to fall naturally.After a few minutes, I apply product. I smooth it over my hair starting at the top. Then I work on the sides, the back, and finally flip my head over to apply product near the nape of my neck and at the ends. I may scrunch the ends a little, then flip back over and allow the curls to fall naturally.
MORE: Real Texture Talk: Brianna DeBoise
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
KB: Conditioner is my best friend. Right now, my favorite products is Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion, which I usually apply as a leave-in before my styling product. I find that this product gives me awesome curl definition, and it leaves my curls soft and shiny. I also use another awesome product called Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard.NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
KB: I love to wear my hair down. In the summer months, I often stick a flower on the side.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?KB: At night, I pull all my hair to the top of my head, and I use a satin scarf to wrap around the sides most of the time.
NC: What about your hair stylists?
KB: My stylist is a Deva Curl certified stylist. I see her for maintenance about every six months or until the curls on top of my head start getting heavy and I need a cut.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
KB: I fell in love. I couldn’t believe that my natural hair could look so good on me!
NC: Did you big chop or transition and for how long? Did you ever have curly girl insecurities?
KB: I did a big chop the first time then just let it grow. It took about four years to get my hair the way that I wanted, but I learned so much about my hair during that process. I used to be majorly insecure about my natural hair because I didn’t know what I was doing. I learned by trial and error.MORE: Real Texture Talk: Char Sillimon
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
KB: It’s being you. I have come to believe that it’s not about looking like someone else — it’s about looking our best as individuals. Learn to work whatever you have been born with! It’s about being and looking YOUR best not someone else’s best. I also found that going natural was freeing. I can sweat all I want at the gym, get in the water and sleep how I want, just being free!
NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your everyday life?
KB: Not only do my curls look good, but I feel good about looking my best. It gives me confidence and people see that and give compliments. I’m secure in who I am, and that always looks good. NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?KB: It’s a freeing experience, AND it’s cheaper! With the right products, cut and color, your hair can look great! Others can and have done it — so can you. It’s a leap of faith for many, but I say try it! It’s just hair.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
KB: Right now I am involved with my church’s play production for Christmas. It’s about the importance of family and about how love is the center of the family and Christ is the center of love. The Christmas season can be tough on families. Sometimes we can lose sight on what is really important because of all the parties and desire for presents but what really matters is family and being there with and for them. MORE: Real Texture Talk: Rhonda Lee
Food & Vitamins for Healthy Winter Curls
Take your vitamins!
- B Vitamins (such as B6 and B12, Folate”> help with energy levels and can boost depression too, keeping you happy and healthy. Don’t forget that keeping active is just as important in the winter months as it is in the warm weather months. B Vitamins can help keep you going! Where to find them: Red meat, whole grain cereals, eggs, leafy greens and berries.
- Zinc works to boost your immune system and keeps hair and nails from getting frail or brittle. Where to find it: wheat germ, hummus, dark chocolate, peanuts, lamb and ginger root.
- Vitamin D. A dose from the warm sun is also helfpul, but not always found in the dark, winter months. Therefore, take your daily dose in order to keep bones healthy and hair folicles strong. Where to find it: Tuna, eggs, salmon and milk.
- Vitamin C helps build collagen which is important for structural fiber that helps hair follicles to stay healthy. Where to find it: Kidney beans, bell peppers, chili peppers, snow peas, squash, kiwi, citrus fruits, strawberries.
Eat for you and your hair
The following is a good list of foods to eat during the cold and dry winter months; these also contain some of the above vitamins to assist in building strong hair and keeping hair healthy:
- Salmon
- Walnuts
- Wweet potatoes
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Lentils
- Greek yogurt
- Blueberries
- Poultry
Be gentle to your curls and waves
It’s important to make a haircare regime that’s gentle to your curls. Use less shampoo than you would in the warmer months to avoid stripping natural oils in your hair. Keep shampooing and washing to an every 2-3 day routine. Use a leave-in conditioner and a mask once a week.
Using these simple rules you can help your hair find it’s natural shine and bounce in the cold and dry winter months. Your skin and nails may even notice a few differences too!
Rhonda Lee, the meteorologist whose response to a Facebook comment about her natural hair and subsequent termination is the subject of much debate has kindly shared with us her thoughts on her natural hair journey.
NaturallyCurly: How and when did you start embracing your natural hair?
Rhonda Lee: In 2000 after I cut it I fell in love with the FREEDOM being natural allows. It started with a simple cut of my long hair for my birthday. It was relaxed at the time and was still just long enough to put a few curls in it. But as the summer went on that year, I kept asking my beautician to cut it shorter than the last time, until one day she said I was going to need a barber because she wasn’t licenced to cut hair. That was the last time I sat in a beauty salon. It was completely accidental.
NC:. What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
RL: My husband at the time was less than thrilled with my relaxed hair cut, and eventually got used to the natural. He was under the impression that women were supposed to have long straight hair. My mom has been natural since a bad jehri curl in the 1980’s. So for me it wasn’t the world biggest deal to have short natural hair. I really owe my comfort level to her example.
NC:. What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
RL: You are FREE! No more 6-7 hours in a salon. No more running for cover in the rain. You can workout and have a healthy body underneath that healthy scalp. The money you save is worth every curl. I hear women say they don’t have the head for their hair. God gave you your head and your hair too they were made for each other.
NC: How do you think having natural hair impacts your everyday life?
RL: It doesn’t. That’s the beauty of my natural hair. See #3!
NC: Thank you for your time Rhonda, we wish you the best!
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Raquel Ford: My name is Raquel Ford. I’m 25 and a mother to two beautiful children and I live in Brooklyn, NY. I enjoy reading, writing, eating and enjoying time with my family.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
RF: I was on a different social networking site, babycenter.com. I would log on and see threads about haircare, routines, and naturalists. I was curious as to what this “natural haircare” topic was all about. After reading many posts and watching YouTube videos, I realized it was a journey that I wanted to embark on, but I didn’t know how. I was so accustomed to relaxers — I’d had them since age six or seven — so if I went four months without a relaxer, my roots were very difficult to work with. I always went back to using a relaxer, but I felt the urge to stop.
NC: What is your current routine?
RF: I twist my hair at least once a week. I also co-wash the majority of the time, when I allow my hair to be worked out. I love wash-n-gos.
NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
RF: On a wash-n-go day, I co-wash with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner. I leave the conditioner in my hair until right before I get out of the shower, when I rinse with cool water. Then I immediately add a leave-in conditioner (I’m currently using Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream“>. I follow that with Tropic Isle Jamaican Coconut Black Castor Oil or, on occasion, Ampro Pro Styl Olive Oil Gel.
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NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
RF: My must-have products are SheaMoisture Retention Shampoo, SheaMoisture Restorative Conditioner, Tropic Isle Jamaican Coconut Black Castor Oil, Ampro Pro Styl Olive Oil Gel, and SheaMoisture Curl and Style Milk. My favorite tools are my Denman brush and my Conair wide tooth comb.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
RF: I love wash-n-gos, twists, braid extensions, and twist outs.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
RF: I spray my hair with water until it is damp, apply a leave-in conditioner and some oil, and then put my hair bonnet on. Other nights, I either apply a deep conditioner or conditioner, the Tropic Isle Jamaican Coconut Black Castor Oil, and a plastic cap. Then I wrap a scarf around my head.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
RF: My family thought I was joking. My boyfriend said, “No.” People I associated with thought that I was crazy!
NC: Did you big chop or transition, and for how long?
RF: I transitioned for about 3.5 months. I applied a relaxer in September 2011 and I big chopped in March 2012.
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NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
RF: The best thing about being curly is the freedom to express myself however I want AND I can jump in and out of the shower and wet my hair. I love this!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
RF: Being curly has impacted the decisions I make about hair products and how I’ve changed my lifestyle as a whole. I am not vegan or anything, but I do make thoughtful decisions before I try a new product.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
RF: I tell people that it feels better to know your hair than it does to have chemicals taking over your hair and your body. I explain my choice and my reasons for wanting my hair in its natural state. Natural hair is a blessing and if you take the time to get to know your natural hair, you can improve the health of your hair and you will have newfound freedom!
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
RF: I am currently taking classes online at The University of Phoenix for a Bachelor in Human Services. I thought the classes would be easy, but I found that they are much more extensive than I expected! I am also keeping a blog and using YouTube to document my hair journey.
MORE:
Raquel’s Favorite Products
Founder of Q-Redew · www.qredew.com
Water and hair have a complicated relationship, and curlies are forever trying to figure it out.
Water is at the core of healthy hair. A healthy strand of hair can maintain an appropriate amount of water, presenting a smooth, bouncy curl pattern — neither flat nor frizzy — as the environment around the hair changes. But who has hair like that? Unfortunately, not most of us!
water and curly hair
Porosity
Different hair types respond to water differently based on their porosity. Smooth, low porosity hair with a flat, sealed cuticle is the least affected by relative humidity or dew point. The cuticle maintains an appropriate amount of water in the cortex not allowing moisture to flow in or out and resulting in healthy, shiny hair.
On the other end of the spectrum is high porosity hair. Whether naturally porous by genetics or damage from chemicals, heat, or manipulation, high porosity hair has difficulty maintaining proper moisture.
The cuticle is open allowing water to freely move in and out of the hair, creating dry, brittle hair when the air is dry and puffy, frizzy hair when the air is humid. Unable to self -regulate its moisture needs, high porosity hair needs your help! This may include adding water and sealant when the air is dryer, or water repelling products when the air is humid.
Many of us fall somewhere in the middle between low and high porosity, making our response to moisture a little less predictable.
Water as a Refresher
Water as steam can be a great refresher and styler. You can get the benefits of steam by jumping in the shower with a shower cap, or applying steam from the handheld Q-Redew. The steam softens the hair allowing it to bend and change shape. This is a great way to refresh and reshape curls flattened by a good night’s sleep or a ponytail.
Steam also works particularly well as a styler for curlies who have strands that are less porous since their hair won’t absorb too much moisture.
If your hair is more porous, you can use steam to refresh and reshape it. The trick, however, is to add the moisture slowly. Be careful not to overdo it in your styling routine and avoid areas of the hair that tend to frizz. You don’t want your hair to absorb too much moisture. When used properly, steam can be a great tool for those who flaunt “the bigger, the better” soft, full head of moisturized hair — a look we love!
Water as a Treatment
The “moisture” in every moisturizing product is water! The additional ingredients are added to these products as a means to deliver the water, or add scent, color and texture to products. But what they are really trying to deliver is water!
Avoid additional ingredients by delivering water to your hair via steam. Follow up your steam treatment with a sealant to lock in the restored moisture.
Another easy way to treat yourself to more moisture is by placing a humidifier in your bedroom which will add moisture back into the air and your hair while you sleep.
When to Avoid Water
Avoid stripping hair of its natural oils with too much rewetting and shampooing. The natural oils that your scalp produces are necessary to keep moisture levels in the hair balanced and healthy particularly if your hair is porous.
Don’t strip away nature’s protective barrier with water and detergent. Cleansing your hair with water every other day at most will keep your hair clean and moisturized.
Be careful about rewetting and walking out into cold winter air with wet hair. Frozen hair is prone to breakage!
Water and the Weather
Water in the environment is always fluctuating. This is the challenge. If the dew point stayed consistent day-to-day and throughout the year, we would have the chance to figure out what our hair needs and then simply repeat, repeat, repeat. No daily hair challenges! How easy life would be!
The reality is that each season is different, so we need to adjust instead. Cold, dry seasons may require the introduction of more water delivered with the use of emollients and moisturizers to avoid brittle hair. Warm, humid months may require more gel stylers to define your curls and limit the frizz.
The goal is to get it right most of the time, make good predictions and react to the need’s of your hair’s moisture levels.
NaturallyCurly: Introduce yourself and your company!
Kelly Foreman: My name is Kelly Foreman. I believe we are all created beautifully, and my company is MopTop Hair. My mission is inspiring millions to discover confidence and natural beauty one frizzy head at a time!
NC: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how you got started in the hair care business?
KF: I grew up with some LOVELY nick-names like Fuzzy, Brillo, MopTop and Poodle. When my middle daughter turned two, I realized she was going to have my hair, and I was devastated! It was fine for me to “deal with my hair,” but I could NOT allow my daughter to go through what I did growing up!
I have been scarred by REALLY BAD haircuts. I ask, why would ANY STYLIST think “that” hair cut looks good? REALLY?! I set out trying to find the “Holy Grail” and simplify my life. At the time, I used 12 different products a day and was constantly buying anything else that looked promising. One day, I spilled one of the products on my counter-top and had a terrible time getting it off. It scared me to think about how it must be staying in my hair and on my scalp! I also had realized that my hair was not really “working right “ anymore. I was having some hair loss and breakage too.
I dove in, researching everything under the sun — books, internet, chemistry 101, etc. After interviewing about 200 stylists, I realized that the problem was sulfates, traditional silicones, alcohol & waxes. Then I went straight to my kitchen and started mixing things up myself. They were curl defining and moisturizing, but smelled awful, so I got some help. Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s important to take care of it, which is why we use natural ingredients. I wanted my hair to feel soft to the touch, the way hair SHOULD feel. I also wanted movement, like in those hair commercials where the woman runs her hand behind her long luscious hair and it’s like a flowing curtain! I WANTED that, and I now have that. My hair is soft to the touch, and yet it has curl definition, hold and a nice natural sheen. Aloe is the oldest best moisturizer, then sea botanicals [for coating] and honey [for moisture again] The best part, and what makes it all work, is that all of these ingredients are water soluble!
NC: How do you wear your hair? Natural? Curly?
KF: Naturally curly, just the way I was created!
NC: Can you tell me about your curly hair story?
KF: My motivation is the girls out there with frizzy hair. We do Frizz Interventions where we do an event, usually in a salon, that carries our products. We invite clients to come in and learn how to manage their gorgeous texture! We teach them how to properly cleanse, condition and style. There are so many wonderful stories of people with all textures, all ages and all ethnicities…hair is hair! My favorite part is guiding people. There was a sweet teen girl, who was told by other kids when se was 13 that her hair was “Blank ugly” and that she had a hawk nose. When we finished teaching her, she looked in the mirror for the first time and said, “Oh, I look beautiful!” She had never felt beautiful before. She walked out the door two feet taller, and it was NOT because her hair was two feet taller. It was because her spirit was!
I could do this every day and NEVER get tired of it. I wish I could draw, so I could show everyone what picture I see in my head before we create it. Every head is different and so beautiful! I am the luckiest woman in the WORLD!
NC: Let’s talk a bit about the line/products. Can you tell me about it, it’s ingredients etc.?
KF: I’m an ingredient geek! We are sulfate free and we use a surfactant from cocoa nut. Our shampoo is a low sudsing shampoo, and almost our entire line is paraben free. I am in the process of removing it from the last product. We do not use alcohols in any styling products because they are too drying! We use two water soluble silicones in our Leave-it in Conditioner, and it took me almost two years to get to the chemist that makes these ingredients! The Leave-it-in totally ROCKs for detangling ALL hair types! The bases of everything are aloe, sea botanicals and honey.
NC: Who was your product line developed for?
KF: Our products were developed for all hair types, all ages and all ethnicities! We have one shampoo, three levels of conditioners and four different stylers. We have an oil, a cream and a few others in development!
NC: How do your products work for curlies? What results can they expect?
KF: If you use the right amount of product for your hair type, you will have hair that is SOFT to the touch with MOVEMENT. If you are looking for stiff and a “producty” feel, that’s NOT us.
NC: Do you have any tips for women who are considering going natural or new curlies?
KF:
- Growth: I have been growing my hair for 13 years! I have the Rapunzel complex until my emotional hair cut scars are healed! I have found that eating healthy, exercising (I run five days a week for 30 minutes”>, taking vitamins and using NATURAL products all help with hair growth. NOTE: traditional silicones can build-up and clog the follicle, leaving you with thinning hair that breaks more easily!
- Frizz: Traditional silicones work like a moisture block. Remember when we used to wax floors and would get that yellow gross build-up? Well, that happens with traditional silicones too. Get a good clarifier (I’m working on one!”> and occasionally clean that off your scalp and hair. Silicones work like laminates and prevent your hair from getting the necessary moisture you need to reduce frizz!
- Styling: Apply gel to wet hair, by sections, scrunch, then do NOT touch it until it is 80% dry. Release the “set” the first time after it is 80% dry, then let it dry completely and scrunch and touch all you want. If you do NOT apply enough product and/or if you touch it before it has had enough time to set, it will frizz out on you. Voila! You are left with hair that is soft to the touch!
- Moisture: Leave in a good amount of conditioner. Your hair should feel slick, but you shouldn’t have so much in your hair that it looks “milky” in your hand. Slick or slimy and clear on your hands. Once you balance the moisture in your hair, you will actually use less product. Lay off the heat! Sometimes this one is hard for me when I’m rushing to get out the door and don’t want to leave with wet hair, so I will turn up the heat on my diffuser.
- Length: Do get the necessary trims to keep your ends looking and performing well! Silicone build-up is a huge issue for breakage. It took me a while to figure this one out. Heat stressed hair will also break more easily. Your hair is most fragile when its wet, so be gentle!
NC: Do you have a “suggested style” or a “featured style” to use wear with these products? What’s one of your favorite looks to do with your products? Can you tell us how to get this look with your products?
KF: My favorite is second and third day hair! Because of the time saver (I’ve got three kids and millions more to reach!”> I take an empty spray bottle and put one part gel or leave-in and three parts water. I do my version of the pineapple at night and sleep on a satin pillow case. then I go do my work-out in the morning (not the hard workout”> and take a quick shower without wetting my hair. I then use the spray bottle to saturate the frizzy areas, use the Herbal Detangler & Refresher spray scrunch and go!
NC: Tell us where we can connect with your brand.
KF: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/MopTopHaircare
Twitter: @MopTopHair
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/moptophair
www.moptophair.com
NC: Where are your products available?
KF: MopTopHair.com and Shop.NaturallyCurly.com. You can also check out our site for local salons that carry our products.
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Brianna DeBoise: My name is Brianna DeBoise and I am from Western Massachusetts, now living in Los Angeles. I work as an Educational Recruiter for MKC Beauty Academy, a Makeup and Hairstyling school.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
BD: I started truly embracing my curls after I did the last relaxing treatment I would ever do in my hair, a Brazilian Blowout. I loved the outcome at first because it was new to me. However, after about a year of it not coming out, I missed my curls and cut my length from the middle of my back to the middle of my ears! I also shaved one side off all together.
NC: What is your current routine?
BD: I use either DevaCurl Low-Poo or No-Poo to wash my hair, then condition with DevaCurl One Condition. After the shower, dabbing my hair dry with a paper towel, I comb through my hair with my fingers and apply DevaCurl Light Defining Gel. I spritz my hair with a little Aussie Sprunch Hair Spray and blow dry with the DevaFuser.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
BD: DevaCurl DevaFuser and Moroccanoil Treatment. I have to have the Moroccanoil with me to “touch up” my curls through out the day.
MORE: Real Texture Talk: Char Sillimon
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
BD: Most of the time I wear it down. I have one side shaved off, so it’s hard to have a different style, but sometimes I will wear it up in a small bun.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
BD: I have gotten compliments on my curls since I was a little girl, but I didn’t get it until they were gone. People that I met in the time that my hair had the Brazilian in it are shocked at my curls now. They can’t believe I would try to get rid of them in the first place!
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?
BD: I am a bi-racial child and my mother tried everything to relax my hair or find the right product and since their wasn’t a large selection of curly products out then like there are now, we just didn’t know what to do! I have some crazy hair school pictures.
MORE: Real Texture Talk: Bita Pourtavoosi
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
BD: I like being unique and most of my friends either have straight hair or have curly hair and like to straighten it, so I am always, “the one with the curly hair.”
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
BD: Most people think curly hair looks good on other people and not on themselves. I think it is really about finding the right product for your hair. All curls are different. After to talking to lots of other curly girls, I found that they just hadn’t found the right combination of products and were never educated on how to manage their hair. Since I have made the drastic change, about a year ago, I have only straightened my hair once and I didn’t feel like myself.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
BD: I love the beauty industry and to be able to help people following their dreams to become a Makeup Artist is a rewarding job. I am enjoying the California lifestyle and I love to help fellow curly girls to embrace their curls, especially the young girls who are just like I was!
Founder of Q-Redew · www.qredew.com
Winter Hair Care
Cleansing
Wavy (Type 2″>
You may feel the need to shampoo daily but now that the temperatures and dew points have dropped try to keep it to a minimum. Stay away from shampoos and cleansers that contain detergents. Go for second day hair by using dry shampoo to stretch another day before cleansing.
Curly (Type 3″>
Co-wash every few days with conditioner avoiding shampoos. If you must shampoo, avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate which strip your hair of its necessary natural oils leaving it dry and frizzy. This may take some getting use to, but it will pay off! Concentrate on cleansing the scalp with a firm but gentle scalp massage. This is what gets you clean, not the bubbles!
Coily (Type 4″>
You may only need to cleanse weekly. Lucky! Consider a pre-poo, applying oil such as coconut or virgin olive oil for ten minutes prior to cleansing, if your hair is extra dry and brittle. With a firm, but gentle massage, co-wash concentrating on the scalp. Use plenty of water to rinse.
Conditioning
Wavy (Type 2″>
Condition each time you cleanse, avoiding the root and concentrating on the ends if your hair is flat and lifeless. Avoid heavy products since they will sit on the surface of your hair and weigh it down.
Curly (Type 3″>
Condition with a rich, creamy product and rinse briefly leaving some conditioning product in hair. If your hair is feeling extra dry during these colder months, try a deep conditioning treatment using jojoba or coconut oil every couple of weeks.
Coily (Type 4″>
Follow up with a high quality leave-in conditioner. Start your detangling process in the shower with well-conditioned hair either with fingers or a wide tooth comb. Your hair is fragile, so be gentle and patient. Deep condition weekly with a penetrating shea butter.
MORE: 10 Best Conditioners
Go-to Styles
Wavy (Type 2″>
Use water-soluble styling products that are light and won’t weigh the hair down. Winter is a good time to experiment with second day hairstyles. Braids are the rage right now — messy, neat, on the side, over the top. Take advantage of a braid for second day hair.
Curly (Type 3″>
Need to refresh and reshape second day hair? Add warm mist where you need it to reshape and refresh your curls using the Q-Redew. Not only do you get the boost of volume and texture but also the added benefits of moisturizing your hair while you style it!
Coily (Type 4″>
Put away your summer stylers and reach for products with emollients. Protect your hair from the dry air and rough collars with protective styles that keep your ends and length tucked in safely. Nothing beats the ease and look of a topknot bun.
Bedtime Routine
Wavy (Type 2″>
Braids again! Loose braids at night will preserve your waves. Make sure you use a satin pillowcase to decrease frizz. Sleep a few extra minutes waking to release those braids into soft waves.
Curly (Type 3″>
Pineapple your hair on top of your head at night to preserve your curls for the next day. A satin pillowcase will not pull moisture out of your hair like cotton. And you’ll feel like a princess!
Coily (Type 4″>
Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or sleep in a satin cap to prevent hair from drying out and frizzing. Consider a humidifier in your room at night to add needed moisture to the air and your hair.
