Search Results: NaturallyCurly
If you’re new to the natural hair community, pre-pooing isn’t only a funny word, but a bizarre concept as well. But regular pre-pooing will help to strengthen your hair against sulfates and make the entire detangling process faster and easier. And anything that will help to make detangling less of an hour plus long practice is always well-worth the time!
How and Why to Pre-Poo
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
Like all textured hair, wavy hair is greatly affected by the way in which you apply products. No specific method is the cure-all for everyone, but some general tips and methods are good to keep in your wavy hair arsenal, especially when you are just beginning the textured hair journey. In house product expert Curly Suzy takes you through the process of how to apply creme and mousse for perfect, frizz-free waves.
Scrunch It In
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
Like all textured hair, curly hair is greatly affected by how you apply products, which products you use and your entire routine. If you are just beginning to take the steps towards embracing your curls, you might not have all of these aspects completely under control. Not to worry! Every curly girl uses her own method, but here are some tips and tricks for the entire spectrum from 3A to 3C.
Secrets to Pretty Curls
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
Learning how to seal your ends is perfect for the newly natural transitioner wanting to protect dry and brittle ends. The process is easy and the results are AMAZING. Welcome to the world of hair health, newly natural! We’ve been waiting on you. Sincerely, #teamnatural.
Keeping Coily Ends Healthy
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
We looked all over the internet for wavy women who are offering advice to other wavies. In an odd twist of sorts, we’re realizing that there isn’t all that much info for wavies out there! Don’t you worry though; this month, we are changing that! If you are new to embracing your waves and are setting down heat stylers in preference for curly girl products, you’ve come to the right place. We bet that you’re still wondering how to get the perfect beachy waves that wavy girls are known for, every single time. Well, once you know the routine, its a cinch!
Loose Beachy Waves
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
Giving Aevin Dugas, the record holder for the world’s largest afro, a run for her money, SNL comedians Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig premiered what is destined to be the world’s creepiest “Save the Date” video. The two comedians portray a couple who each, at one point in time, had their own afro. However, after meeting, their “hearts and souls and hair connected.” Now, they must get hitched, considering that the only way to separate would be by cutting the manes of which they are so proud.
Kenan Thompson also makes an appearance, with straight blonde hair and a reference to wanting the natural afro that Samberg and Wigg sport.
This video aside, wigs are seriously becoming the hottest trend around, and you know it’s gone viral when SNL is mocking it (subliminally”>.
Samberg and Wiig’s Wig
Rowe during her allergic reaction.Spring is right around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes lighter hair colors, and this year even, pastel hair colors. And while there’s nothing wrong with dying your hair nor with being thrift about doing so, there’s nothing better than a horror story to make sure you follow the instructions in the at-home dying kit, all the way down to the skin allergy test.
Meet Carmen Rowe, 25, who was hospitalized for three days after using the Clairol “Nice n’ Easy” natural black coloring kit when her head swelled up, leaving her temporarily blind and causing an avalanche of doctor’s appointments over the following months.
“I looked in the mirror and half of my face was swollen,” said Rowe, according to The Mirror. “It looked like half of my head had been pumped up like a football. I went straight to the hospital, and by the time I got there, my head was swollen everywhere, even my ears were huge. The doctors admitted me immediately.”
Rowe was initially released from the hospital after dosages of steroids and antibiotics, but was required to return four times throughout the next month due to further swelling and open sores.
“The most disgusting thing is my head started to leak pus,” said Rowe. “I had to wrap my head in a towel. It was horrible and it smelled like a wet dog.”
Rowe, who has been coloring her hair since she was 13-years-old, claims that she did in fact follow the skin test instructions, which require that you test the product out on a patch of skin for 48 hours. In addition, she made sure to buy the non-ammonia dye.
“I know children that have their hair dyed at 13 or 14, and it could be ever worse for them,” said Rowe. “I just want to warn parents about what could happen. It is an allergy that could develop at any time.”
For Rowe, the situation worsened when she lost her job due to the amount of time she had to take off to address the allergy.
“The whole situation was very stressful and made me a bit depressed. Christmas was ruined and I lost my job, all for the sake of a glamorous hair style.”
Clairol’s Response
Rowe before the allergic reaction.Clairol did reach out to Rowe and issued a public apology.
“We are sorry to hear about Carmen’s situation. Our customers’ safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority and we are keen to help Carmen however we can. Reactions to hair colorants can occur for a very small number of people, in the same way that some individual can react to a variety of foods and natural substances.
They are, in fact, far rarer than food allergies. Millions of people all over the world use hair colorants without experiencing any adverse effects.
Hair colorants are one of the most thoroughly studied consumer products on the market and their safety is supported by a wealth of scientific research.
Our Consumer Relations Department is able to give expert advice and support on the use of hair colorants and also provide access to dermatologists who can help customers to understand their own skin types and how they can best use hair coloring products.”
The Diagnoses
Doctors eventually diagnosed Rowe with an allergic reaction to the paraphenylenediamine in the dye. Paraphenylenediamine is a chemical substance that is used in a wide array of permanent hair dyes. The use of the chemical in permanent hair dye aids in the ability to shampoo hair without losing color. In addition, the chemical is used when perming hair to wave or curl.
Permanent hair dyes containing paraphenylenediamine come packaged as two bottles, one containing the chemical preparation and another containing the developer or oxidizer. According to DermNet, it is the intermediate state in which the chemical is partially oxidized that may cause an allergic reaction. Patch tests such as the one that hair dyes recommend usually reveal the hypersensitivity to the chemical.
If there is any takeaway from Rowe’s terrible experience, however, it is that safety should come first. If you choose to color your hair, be sure that you follow through with a skin test before you apply the product. In addition, using all-natural hair colorants is preferable as you are less likely to have an allergic reaction. The price may be higher, but the pay off in the long run is worth it.
Despite any rumors that may say otherwise, protective styles are definitely NOT a put in and forget about it hairstyle. No, protective styles still need love and care. Even with synthetic hair, you should be treating it very similarly to how you would treat your natural hair. Just beginning the transition process with a protective style? Not to worry, we’ve got some basic wash tips to make sure that you and your protective style stay happy, healthy and beautiful!
Protect Your Protective Style
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
For all of your newly wavy babes out there, Curlformers are something that you will NEED in your wavy hair arsenal. And since they can be used on either straightened or wavy hair, they are perfect for helping you become more comfortable with wearing your natural hair. Plus, they do their thing without heat, which is essential for the wavy girl looking to go on the natural hair journey. Watch the video, see the results and get your hands on some Curlformers, ASAP!
Curlformers & Compromise
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See hundreds of product reviews, tips and hairstyling how-tos by hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel.
Having type 3 hair literally sets you up for the best of both worlds as far as the textured hair community is concerned. You can get rockin’ ringlets easily without much product, and you can also stretch out those ringlets for a wavier alternative. If you’re new to the curly lifestyle, it’s probably quite easy for you to flaunt the ringlets, but getting looser waves without heat can be tricky. Luckily, type 3 gals have a few tricks up their sleeves to make the process easy!
Looser Curls Without The Heat
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Watch tons of product reviews, hairstyling how-tos and general tips about your hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube Channel!
You don’t host a NYFW event and not ask the designers, or in our case the stylists, to give you the down low on how they worked their magic behind the scenes. Seriously, it just wouldn’t be right and we would be denying you content that you have a RIGHT to.
So here it is. Matrix breaks down our favorite textured hairstyle from their “Texture on the Runway” presentation. We expect to be seeing you rocking this look on the streets with your, “I got this look look from the runway” swag.
Go on with your bad self.
Pompadour + Braid + Texture
Daniel Roldan, Artistic Director for Matrix, explains how he got the textured braid look at “Texture on the Runway.”
- Start by applying Biolage mousse to dry hair to create a texture bass.
- Micro-crimp the entire head from scalp to ends to expand the hair.
- Once hair is completely micro-crimped, create a horseshoe shape on top of the head. Sub-section the front hairline and clip it away.
- In the back of the horse shoe shape, section off hair to start the top of a French braid. Then, French braid the hair down the center of the head leaving the sides out, like a mohawk braid.
- Return to the top of the head, backcomb and create a square cushion and pin into shape. With front hairline, gently backcomb and lay on or overlap the square cushion.
- To complete the style, on the sides of the head, start to backcomb sections starting externally and working towards the hairline. Create your base and shape, then overlap the hair on to the cushion and anchor it to the braid. Continue to crisscross, side to side and down the back of the head, and braid.
Post your pictures of the style on our Facebook page and you could be featured!
Women with all types of curly hair are experts at the out of the shower and ready-to-go routine officially known as a wash-and-go. Of course, with different hair textures come different products, different product applications and a different finished look. This video is for all you wavies out there who are just starting to experiment with putting the flat iron down and rocking your natural hair. Watch a fellow wavy go through her morning routine, then start wearing your wash-and-go daily.
Wavy Wash-and-Go
Heat is the ultimate enemy.
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See hundreds of product reviews, tips and hairstyling how-tos by hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel.
Curly type 3 hair diverges a bit when you start to hit the type 3C range, but that doesn’t mean that all tips about type 3 hair don’t apply to all type 3s. In fact, the opposite is true. Because type 3 hair is thicker, especially for 3As and 3Bs, the twisting, sectioning off and everything else that 3Cs have perfected work amazingly well for all type 3s. If you are beginner, then you’re in luck! Follow along with Kira as she explains how to get the perfect wash-and-go using a diffuser.
Wash-and-Go, Quick
Air drying takes time, diffusing takes diligence.
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See hundreds of product reviews, tips and hairstyling how-tos by hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel.
Every natural’s go-to style is a wash-and-go. It’s simple, it’s quick (minus the drying time”> and it looks great! But for newbies, a lot of questions still remain. Which products do I use? How much product do I use? Do I section hair off? Will touching it cause frizz? The questions can go on forever. So to solve your newly natural woes, check out how one of our vloggers perfects her type 4 wash-and-go from beginning to end.
The Wash-and-Go Tutorial
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See hundreds of product reviews, tips and hairstyling how-tos by hair type on NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel.
While having curly hair can certainly create confidence, it can also put us on a never-ending hunt for a miracle product that doesn’t exist and never will. Standing in aisles of drugstores, reading through lists of ingredients with words longer than anything we learned about in Biology 101, we invest serious amounts of time into finding products that will do absolutely everything for our hair, from defining texture to seriously eliminating all frizz.
For us textured tressed ladies, often the last place we look to find this Holy Grail product is to the products marketed for “straighties.” But maybe we should reconsider.
AG Smooth
Well-known textured hair brand AG Hair Cosmetics has released a new lineup of hair smoothing products. But despite the marketing aimed at re-texturizing curls, kinks and waves, the Smooth line actually has a high impact on textured hair, reducing dry, frizzy hair and protecting it from going haywire in humidity.
The secret behind the multi-use functionality of these hair smoothing products is found in argan oil. Argan oil is the de-frizzer and protector of all hair types. Not only do they provide moisture for your curls, helping to define and reduce frizz, they also provide protection from heat — whether that heat comes from the weather or your appliances.
Beginning the process with the Smoooth Sulfate-Free Argan Shampoo, the line continues with the Sleeek Argan Conditioner, Set it Straight Argan Straightening Lotion, Firewall Argan Flat Iron Spray, The Oil Smoothing Oil and the Hydr8 Argan Hand Moisturizer. And while the Argan Straightening Lotion is a great hair smoothing product for straight hair, it can easily be used to stretch out and define your curls too.
Giving Back
Of course, if you remain to be convinced that these products are something you should try on your way to discovering your Holy Grail product, consider this. Purchasing the Smooth lineup will not only help you and your hair, but also women of the Berber tribe in one of the poorest regions in Morocco. The argan oil in AG’s Smooth products is sourced using sustainable and organic farming methods, and the income these women earn goes directly back to their community to provide food, shelter and education for their children and families.
“These products truly are miracle workers,” said Lotte Davis, Co-founder and CEO of AG Hair. “Not only do they produce unreal results, they give back to the community where one of the key ingredients is from. Helping women lead change through our products and our promotions is something we’re very proud of at AG. We know that if we give women access to education and employment, they’ll be able to make a noticeable difference in their communities for years to come.”
Try it Today!
Starting today, March 1, you can head over to Shop.NaturallyCurly.com and pick up one of AG’s new hair smoothing products. They might just become your new perfect products, and you’ll also be giving women the world over the chance to also read ingredient lists, or anything else for that matter. Here in the textured community, we know how important education truly is. Most of us wouldn’t be where we are on our natural journeys without it. So in our quest for perfect curls, kinks and waves, let’s join in their quest for equality, education and basic human rights.
Try AG Hair’s smooth solution today, for FREE!
On the heels of Viola Davis’ TWA exposé on the runway (okay, it was the Red Carpet, but it was runway worthy!”>, Thandie Newton has stepped away from her straightened tresses and is coming out about her natural hair, her daughters’ natural hair and being a role model for them and all other naturals.
According to Daily Mail, Newton told a friend earlier this month, “I didn’t want my daughters to judge their beautiful curls.”
This determination to be a role model for her girls led to her appearance at Sadler Wells Theatre in London donning a beautiful head of curls.
“The stigma with some black women seems to be that ‘nappy hair’ (natural afro hair”> is almost as bad as loo roll trailing from your shoe,” said Newton. “[But] I’ve always let my daughters’ hair be wild and scruffy. When they were papped in the States, I had remarks about how I didn’t take care of their hair. The truth is, I choose to keep it that way.”
Newton herself grew up feeling embarrassed and ashamed of her natural hair when, at a convent school she attended, the nuns refused to let a cornrowed Newton in the school picture.
“I read earlier this year a piece in The Independent about a student who appealed against not being able to wear his hair in (what the school felt was a hoodlum style”> braids, and he won,” said Newton. “It has been 30 years since the nuns dissed me. This sh*t keeps going ’round!”
The “Mission Impossible” star admits that she began to go natural after watching Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair,” which explores the affects of the harsh chemicals that women use to achieve straight hair.
What do you think of Thandie’s new look? Plus how adorable are her daughters?!
Thandie Newton with straight hair.
Thandie Newton and daughters.
Thandie Newton’s curls!
For all of our complaining about the lack of curls on the runway during New York Fashion Week, which led to us creating our own event featuring only textured hair, Amika did a pretty good job on creating texture too. So much so, that we feel like this style is worthy of highlighting.
Keep in mind, this model’s hair was straight when she went in, so for all of your straighties and wavies out there, this style is perfect for you!
As always, when using heat to style your hair, be sure that you use a good sealer or heat protectant before you apply the heat to your hair. A good style is nice, but good hair health is better!
Amika’s Textured Runway
Show: Cynthia Rowley Fall/Winter 2012 Show
Lead Stylist: Duffy
Hair Look: Autumnal Texture
This season’s hair look was all about texture for Amika. While three different textures were used on each model, the final look varied.
“Cynthia and I wanted the hair to play with texture for the hair look.” said Duffy. “The clothes this season are so structured, we wanted to contrast that with the hair. The idea of this look was for it to be free flowing; there is no beginning and no end. This season there isn’t one Cynthia Rowley girl; the casting is diverse and each hair look is unique to the girl.”
Since each girl’s hair was different, Duffy selected the final style based on each individual girl, her personality and the clothes she was modeling.
Major Curls
- Mouse was applied to the hair and it was rough dryed with the Amika NRG Professional Hair Dryer.
- A figure-eight technique was used (around the crown of the head”> which was created by pinning the hair around bobby pins.
- The figure-eight shape was sealed in with heat from the Amika x Cynthia Rowley styler.
- Tight curls were created using an Amika 13 mm Curler.
- The hair was then dragged out and brushed to create volume.
Heidi SchmidTired of dry, undefined, winter curls? Can’t seem to attain the second-day hair that all other curlies seem to be bragging about? Hate wearing hats because it ruins your style?
Well, curlies, you have a friend in Heidi Schmid, the inventor of Q-Redew, a hand-held hairstyling vapor wand created specifically to revive curls. Like many of you, she spent winters huddled indoors wishing for the humid summer months. At least then, she could use products to ward off frizz and control humidity. But in the winter, or on those days we need a little better curl shape or rejuvenating in the middle of the day or to help boost second-day curls, the product market was more than lacking in useful tools to get moisture back in to deflated curls. So she created one. Read on to hear about how she came up with the idea, how to use the product and even where you can get your hands on one!
Just to start off, tell me a little bit about Q-Redew. Where did you get the idea?
For 10 years I have followed the ladies who started the curly hair revolution, everyone from the NaturallyCurly site to Lorraine Massey. So I was doing those things myself — the low-pooing and learning to love my curls.
I have curly hair that is thick and fine. In the winter months, my problem would be that my curls were not formed enough and that they weren’t curly enough. My hair just wasn’t curly enough in the dry, winter months. In the summer, we can find lots of things for controlling high humidity and the challenges of that side of the humidity spectrum, but it was the other side of the spectrum – the low moisture, low humidity days and the dry static air – that I always had an issue with. For example, what do I do if my hair isn’t curly enough? Or, how do I promote second day hair? Or, if I’m not using heat tools, what do I do in between styling my hair? Those were always my issues. I live in Wisconsin and we have very cold and dry winters, so every year it’s a big part of the year for me.
I literally had a eureka moment one day. I was having some curtains hung. It was a very cold, dreary day and the installer was using a floor standing commercial steamer to hang my curtains, and I just had this thought. I had long curly hair at the time and I thought, “Oh my gosh, I would have liked to stand safely under that thing for just a minute!” And I knew my hair would look great if I did. It would look like it was April!
“It’s good for the majority
of people who have curly hair
and have those days where
they are like, ‘Ugh, I just want
to start over!'”
I kept going back to that thought. What is available to me that could address teh dry, static air and “not enough curl” or “second day” curl problem? I did searches online and couldn’t find anything available. But, I did not lose track of that thought. I would come back to it in moments of need. So I decided to try and develop my own, which led to talking to a patent attorney and working on development on it. I was able to make a prototype for myself to see if it could solve my problem. And it did! So I had some curly hair friends and I decided to share it with them. They said, “Yea, this is so cool!”
Of course, the prototype was really ugly, so we wanted to get past that. And we did by hiring talented and professional design engineers and a quality manufacturer. That brings us to today.
My initial thought in enhancing and reshaping my curl changed when I realized that I could also straighten my curl by using rollers and misting it. Take the rollers out and that is my version of straight hair. So those other uses just followed my initial thoughts.
That’s great, no heat styling and multiple uses! So can you tell me a little bit about your own hair?
My hair is a type 3a. Over the years, I have straightened it, had spirals, even really short hair. The great news is that you can use the Q-Redew on any length of hair!
So would you say that the Q-Redew works best on your hair type or all hair types?
You can definitely use it on all hair types. Anyone with texture of any sort will enjoy the Q-Redew. If someone struggles with drier days or feels like their hair is flat and lifeless, they’re going to enjoy the Q-Redew.
If somebody has very curly hair and is looking for ways to run away from that and flatten their hair, this tool probably wouldn’t suit them. But it’s good for the majority of people who have curly hair and have those days where they say, “Ugh, I just want to start over!”
You don’t want to wash it and then wait for it to dry for hours, you just want to perk it up and refresh it. I even think that some curly women will err on the side of a little frizz to have volume, versus the curly flat hair.
Let’s get in to how this works. It is a vapor wand, you put the water in, it heats up and then you use it like a diffuser?
Correct.
OK, so I know that it is just a warm mist, but a lot of the products curly women use are easily water-soluble so that we can continue co-washing. If you use this, will you have to reapply?
No, because it is a very, very fine vapor-like mist. You are applying it to your hair, and whether you apply it for 20 seconds or five minutes, you are starting your initial use with dry hair, dry to the touch, as in not wet, and the mist is so fine and warm that it leaves your hair completely dry. What I find is that it re-activates with water-soluble products. It doesn’t rinse them out; the product isn’t dripping because your hair is never wet. It will reactivate the product because you are putting the moisture back in the product as well as back into the hair.
So water-soluble products are good to go. Are there any specific products that you have found work well with it?
I follow curly girl methods and always stick with the water-soluble products. Because it is not something that you use when your hair is wet, you can continue using the products that you typically use. I may use a holding spray of some sort or a pomade after I use the Q-Redew, but I’m not applying anything pre-Q-Redew use. I think you would typically stick with the product that is a holy grail for you, that you like, then use the Q-Redew in conjunction with that.
Does this product tend to work better in the winter, or does the weather play a part at all?
It definitely plays a part. In the summer months so many people are trying to control the humidity, and this is more mist. I use the Q-Redew year round because I don’t have tons of kinky curly hair. Even in the summer months, if I spend a lot of time in the air conditioning, wear a helmet when I bike to work, or if I want to change the shape when I go out at night, I will use the Q-Redew. Then I just use my fingers to reshape my curls.And the Q-Redew is really helpful in boosting and re-activiating second-day hair, regardless of the season.
Often I’ll say “humidity” and people will run the opposite direction because we spend so much time and money trying to avoid humidity. So I approach it as warm mist for when you need it, definitely in the wintertime.
When I explain it to some people they will make the connection that it’s like your skin. In the winter, your skin is drier and needs more moisture, and your hair is the same. It takes away the dryness and static. It is great for hats, or when you take out your ponytail and you have a ponytail ridge.
So to answer your question, I think it will be pulled out of the drawer more often in the wintertime, in the dry climate, but I do see a use for it year round.
With it being a warm mist, is there any damage that occurs?
No, it is not hot like a curling iron or a blow dryer. You would get no more damage than if the air had more moisture in it. You are just using tap water. You aren’t putting any heat directly on your hair like you would with a straightening iron. So, no, there is no damage to your hair. And once you own the product, there is nothing else that you need to buy.
Great! How long does it generally take? I see that it takes 30 seconds to heat up, so how long will it take someone to use it on their hair. Obviously, it will differ for different hair types and length, but is there a general rule of thumb?
It varies according to all the things you mentioned. The idea is that you are just kind of spot treating. If there are certain parts of your hair that you would like to avoid, such as the crown that might have more frizz for some people, you can.
It’s really a tool for minutes. I’m thinking like three or four minutes. I would never typically use it for longer than that, because once you cross that line, you are going to feel like you are in August. It will create frizz.
You are going to applying it slowly to your hair where you need it. You don’t have to apply it to your whole head, you can just put it where you would like it to be for just a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
To buy the product, head on over to the Q-Redew website. And, don’t forget to follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook for updates!
Watch the video below to hear more from Heidi herself!
