Search Results: NaturallyCurly
Hair Rules’ inspiration for “Texture on the Runway” comes from our love for the late 70s and early 80s, where elegance and decadence were the only prerequisites. As such, our goal is to showcase texture in the most opulent, decadent and sophisticated way.
For Hair Rules’ founders, this time has a special meaning, as it was an inclusive era that celebrated our unique differences. This was a period that embraced opulence and style, with big color to flair, from hair and makeup to fashion.
The hair colors we have chosen are complimentary to skin tone, with an overall theme of fiery reds, platinum blondes, rich dark brunettes and heavy block highlights. We have taken our cues from late 70s icons such as Halston, Bianca Jagger, Studio 54, Diana Ross mahogany, eyes of Faye Dunaway, Laura Mars and Casino. This period is representative of our brand, Hair Rules, which celebrates a multi-textural world.
Check out these styles plus so much more at TextureOnTheRunway.com.
Using the new Arrojo American Wave System, we are creating a dynamic, versatile variety of modern, multi-textured styles tailored to the individual. We will illustrate our commitment to contemporary and creative, wearable and trend-conscious hairstyles with texture and movement.
Our muse is the multi-cultural, multi-textured styles found on the fashionistas of the New York City streets. Helping to define the character, tastes and styles of some of the Big Apple’s coolest cats, we find the mélange of textures a dynamic addition to the city’s kaleidoscope. The unique shapes inspire us to think of new ways to cut, color, style hair — we are using New York City street inspiration to create a trailblazing, texture-inspired runway-ready show.
It is hard to know what colors will be used until we chose the models, but color is being incorporated into our show, and it will focus on fashion-forward techniques that marry color and texture together.
Using innovative, technical foil patterns and freestyle hair painting to create harmonized, admix colors, dyes will be used to blend ARROJO’s new wave of curl with rich saturation, smoldering heat, colorful billowing motion with volume, shape, shine.
For cutting, the exact techniques will be determined by the needs of the models, however, you can expect: scissor and razor cut asymmetry, disconnection, undercutting, aggressive, spiral-shaped layering, and short to long cutting applied to visionary dark to light, ombre colors, and cascading, free-falling, tumbling waves and curls.
Check out these styles plus so much more at TextureOnTheRunway.com.
Reese Witherspoon is a wavy hair idol for type 2 women! Her style at the Golden Globes, or on the red carpet at all, was amazing and gave a shout out to her natural wave with a little enhancement from a curling iron. Amika experts walk us through exactly how to steal her style.
Red Carpet Waves
- Pour a dime-sized amount of Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment into your palms and rub them together. Work the oil into your hair starting at the ends for shine and heat protection.
- Using a round soft bristle brush, blow dry your hair using the NRG Professional Drying System.
- Take a section of hair and loosely wrap it around the largest barrel, the Amika Triple Barrel Curler (32 mm”>. This will create big, loose waves. Curl all your hair in this manner.
- Tease the hair at your crown slightly to give it some height. For a glossy finish, lightly smooth a second application of Obliphica Oil Treatment over the look.
More celebrity looks: Get AnnaLynne McCord’s Curly Hairstyle!
For Curls Unleashed by Organic Root Stimulator, the theme is “Curls, Coils, Kinks…Unleashed” inspired by the mantra, “Nature got it right the first time.” Textured hair has a uniqueness that is an inspiration in itself. The curls and coils do some amazing things when manipulated in the right way, using the right products. We plan to use the hair as a tool for self-setting, adding shape and definition to the locks. We’ll use a Tousled Twist technique at “Texture on the Runway” to achieve an array of looks with an assortment of hair types to show the naturlista that versatility is obtainable no matter how tight her curl. Stylistically, we’ll be “going back to nature” and natural trends in hair as the core influence.
Director of Education Dr. Reginald Mitchell sees the new natural movement as a part of a retro fashion and lifestyle trend. The classic, quality fashions with a multi-cultural flavor are what we see this spring. Fashion usually drives hairstyle. The return of Halston, the emergence of Tribal Influence, the genius of organic and sustainable fabrics are similar, classic, multi-cultural and environmental-friendly trends. In hair, we showcase texture trends — from wavy to curly, coily to kinky — that adorn the retro trends in a way that is sublime. The biggest hair trend now amongst women of color is the “naturalista movement.” The hair-obsessed realize that, just as classics had it right, in hair, “nature got it right the first time!” Naturalistas are sporting attainable, but highly artistic and self-expressive styles and fashions of the past. Of course, to be current, there is a neo-natural twist, making what’s old new again.”
Sr. Educator Willie Malone describes this hybrid, classic and naturalista style inspiration as “Neo-Bohemian.” Malone expresses that the time period is 60s-revisited, but different. As Dr. Reggie put it, “the hair and fashion-obsessed are our market, except, it’s not a politically-charged power thing, but an inner-beauty unleashed, power thing. The moment these beauties embrace their natural curls and kinks is a redefining moment in their self-acceptance.”
Hair Cocktails
Hair texture is as individual and diverse as the women of color are around the globe.
A major concern for those with wavy hair (2s and some 3s”> is eliminating frizz without weighting down the hair. No Boundaries Leave In Conditioner should be a staple product for those with this problem. Apply to wet hair and follow by scrunching in a moderate amount of Let it Flow Mousse and dry using a diffuser. Avoid using fingers to manipulate wavy hair as this commonly causes frizzing. Instead use the tail of a comb to position hair into place while drying.
Those with very dense curly hair (3Cs”> look to add definition and control to eliminate some volume. Cocktailing Take Command Curl Crème along with Set it Off Curl Boosting Jelly will give the right amount of shine and a “crunchless” curl to die for.
Our beautiful ladies with type 4 hair desire to maintain the proper moisture level, soften and add definitions and shine to their tresses. Take Command Curl Crème is perfect for coiling and twisting hair. Revitalize these looks the next day and the day after with Second Chance Curl Refresher for a fresh look without having to start all over each day.
Check out these styles plus so much more at TextureOnTheRunway.com.
Curly girls had a reason to smile at Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show as the Queen of Pop performed classic hits including “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer” alongside new releases. Fans say that the Material Girl never ages, and she looks better in 2012 than she did in 1982! She’s fit, fabulous…and CURLY! No straight strand would dare strike a pose on that face last night. Morgan Willhite, Creative Director at Ouidad shares styling tips for achieving curls that are vogue worthy.
“Alongside her gold shadow, apricot lip and embellished gold manicure, Madonna’s jet set curls were all the rage,” says Willhite. “Her blonde waves were flawless and perfectly in place.”
This look capitalized on the natural texture of her hair. A look similar to this can easily be achieved with the Ouidad Rake and Shake method. The trick to this method is to create the curl pattern while hair is damp and let locks dry naturally (or with a diffuser set to low heat”>.
Vogue Worthy Curls
- Use a frizz fighting shampoo and conditioner such as the Ouidad Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo and Conditioner to combat frizz from the start.
- Gently squeeze excess water out of wet hair and blot with a towel (a micro-fiber one is best”> to pull out additional moisture.
- Using outstretched fingers or a comb, add the PlayCurl Volumizing Foam which will give you a long lasting dose of high impact volume.
- Divide hair into 4 to 6 sections and dispense a nickel sized dollop of styling product to palms and rub hands together. Working one section at a time, separate fingers on one hand like a “rake” and rake the section from scalp to ends, spreading the styling gel throughout the section.
- When you reach the end of the hair, gently “shake” hair back and forth to create curl in the hair. Let go of the section and allow hair to fall. Repeat the above steps for all sections using a dollop of styling product for each section. Diffuse hair or let it dry naturally.
The stylist team from Minardi Luxury Color Care is coming together to create what they are calling “The Freedom Collection” for “Texture on the Runway.” Beth Minardi, Mark Mileti and Steven will each be putting their own interpretation and spin on the overall theme for the brand. Here, we bring you a sneak peak inside their stylist mind – only days before the big event!
Steven on Style
Mary Kate Olsen is the muse for my downtown Soho chic girl. Kim Kardashian inspires my Upper East Side girl, glamorous with a twist. Also a source of inspiration: Sofia Loren — reborn! I’ll add a classic chocolate brown for every girl from any generation. I see big hair for sashaying on the runway; big hair and small, tight curls.
The past is a major inspiration. Reinventing the diva is a theme throughout this collection. The 60s, 70s and 80s have been combined. The curling style mirrors the clothing of the 60s, 70s and 80s, it is very colorful, youthful. I like the juxtaposition of Downtown meets Uptown and this is a common thread in all of my work.
We will use Minardi styling products: Abundance volumizing Foam for volume up, Subdue Frizz Restraining Crème for smoothing the hair. We will use Minardi Pieces Pomade and Joico Dry Wax Spray to create texture. I will use a straight razor to slice into the hair, pulling it toward my body horizontally to create movement and reduce choppy layers. After that, I will use scissors to cut vertically to clean up the ends with a slight point cut to make sure the ends are not too wispy. This prevents frizziness.
Beth and Mark on Color
This is a bold approach to cut and color that favors any shade a woman chooses, yet the shades are sophisticated and refined. Super shine is an important part of hair color. Great inspiration from classic film and from woman who dared to make a statement: Wallis Simpson, Marilyn, Jackie O, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Christina Hendricks, Jean Shrimpton, Sharon Tate, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce.
- We will hydrate the hair deeply with Wash 3 and After Wash 3.
- A lot of Vero KPak Chrome color in deeper jewel tones and a velvety, dramatic brown. I will focus a lot on rich color.
- I want to infuse the hair with color: color in, rather than color out.
- Minardi Pre Wash Therapy will be applied to the mid-shaft to the ends of each model’s hair during their color service.
Check out these styles plus so much more at TextureOnTheRunway.com.
Naturally curly hair is in a league of its own. It requires special attention to keep it healthy from the inside out. The proper styling tools and products are a must.
Naturally curly hair has its own beauty which cannot be ignored, so here are a couple celebrity hairstyles to model for spring 2012. ONE stylists explain how to take you from average to “A” list with these step -by-step celebrity curly hair style instructions.
Alicia Keys
Deep-condition hair at least once a week and stick to minimal shampooing.
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair while still in the shower.
Cocktail some leave-in conditioner and anti-frizz and run through wet hair to prevent damage. Allow it to air-dry so you get smooth, well-behaved curls. For faster drying towel dry and use a ONE diffuser and EPIC blow dryer to speed the drying process.
A deep side part gives this style extra sexiness – it’s a great way to give curly hair red carpet edge.
Use a VERGE Bubble Wand and wrap 1-2 inch pieces around the barrel, holding the iron parallel to your head. Apply heat to the roots then Start wrapping from just above the middle of each section so your roots lie flat.
Follow this step until entire head is curled. Apply a dime-size bit of shine serum to your hands. And run your fingers through the hair to separate curls so they look softer to finish.
Meg Ryan
Model your hairstyle after Meg by using a combo of leave-in conditioner and curl-enhancing products to maintain your curly mane.
To style, blow-dry hair with EPIC blow dryer and round brush to shape layers and brush the hair smooth. Then use a 1 inch Legacy Flat Iron section hair from ear to ear. Take 2 inch sections and wrap the hair around the iron. Overdirect your wrist and slide the iron from root to end to craft big, loose waves. Finish the back section first.
Then part jaggedly down the middle and really work the front sections curling away from the face to create volume. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray for an all-day (and night!”> hold.
A combination of blow-drying and air-drying creates a great, balanced style. Curls are in, and a rounder curl is what the celebs want! And we can give it to them! You need the right styling tools to create any celebrity look. I never leave home without my ONE styling tools! Voila!
Guest posting by Dickey of Hair Rules:
Some of my favorite runway styles are the kind that allow me unlimited styling options, particularly when collaborating with a designer and makeup artist. I believe in using a cohesive approach that utilizes the designer’s vision to think outside of the box and transcend ethnicity and texture.
The most creative approach to do this is using hair extensions, wigs and pieces, which come in an endless array of color and texture. Synthetic hair can be molded into any shape or form.
Kanekalon, shown here is an easy way to take any texture and enhance it in minutes. Take either long or short, slick it and crown it into a ponytail. Then you attach the center of the kanekalon hair with bobby pins. The hair already comes with a band tied off in the center, so you can add as many packs as you like. I like to add six so you can cut off the excess into any length or shape.
In the natural hair world, the blogosphere is essential whether you have waves, curls or kinks. Were it not for all of the brave and die-hard naturals out there who took to their video cameras and computers to blast out to the word that natural was a way of life and everyone should hop on board, we wouldn’t be here (heck, NaturallyCurly was one of those!”>.
All of us have watched at least ONE, if not hundreds, of styling videos and read through even more styling tips looking for the perfect wavy, curly or kinky hairstyle, regimen, prep technique, on and on and on. So in celebration of our curly celebrity month of love, we bring you curly vloggers who are celebrities in their own right, and to us!
Meet KinkyKurlyQueen
Vlogger KinkyKurlyQueen gives natural hair updo ideas, how tos and tips.
See more Videos
Check out NaturallyCurly’s YouTube channel for hundreds of styling videos, plus reviews and curly hair tips!
It’s countdown time! As of today, there are only eight days left until the first ever textured hair as fashion runway show in New York City. Hosted by TextureMedia, the parent company of NaturallyCurly.com. The event was inspired by the fact that we hardly saw any texture on the runway last fall, and it left us wondering where the heck it was!
So we decided that if designers weren’t going to put textured hair on their models, then we would! Fast forward to present day and we are here in Austin, TX in a flurry of a hectic mess making sure that this fashion show goes off without a hitch so that it can truly change the conversation about textured hair.
This is the Texture Revolution, and if you thought that the movement wasn’t moving fast enough, girl, take a look around. CurlyNikki is heading off as an invitee to Grammy after-parties (yea, we’ll be bringing y’all that content, too – don’t worry!”>, we’re hosting a hair fashion show in the middle of New York City’s spring fashion week and we have an immense amount of surprises, updates and all around joy to spread with everyone in the coming months! We may not be burning our bras to prove a point, and thank heavens we aren’t burning our hair anymore, but we are getting noticed – and it’s about time!
In the meantime, we caught up with some of our favorite stylists to get their take on the event, the conversation and what is going on in the fashion world, and how we are about to change it!
Academy Director of Training & Development for Deva, Shari Harbinger, weighs in on what we should expect to see on the runway this year.
What natural hair texture trends have you seen on the runways, heck, if any?
Well, I call them “manufactured curl.” The look is anything but straight, but it seems artificially forced, such as braided hair that has been released and then teased, or teased tresses after a curling iron has made its mark. Trends are exactly what they say, they are only here for a short time until the next one comes along. Therefore, I haven’t seen any natural hair textures hit the runway authentically, just trend.
OK, so for us not so up to speed on the runway stuff, what exactly is considered a “runway” style, and how does texture play into that?
My personal mantra is that a runway style is a moment of fantasy, which inspires for a moment to capture a current feeling and lifestyle. Forced texture plays into this fantasy because the notion that natural texture can exist has not yet been fully realized.
So what do you think about Jourdan Dunn’s tweet this past fall during Paris’ Fashion Week about how stylists backstage don’t know how to deal with natural hair?
I LOVE JOURDAN DUNN! She is right! I am thrilled that someone is FINALLY speaking up! Now it is up to our industry to stop pretending that natural texture does not exist.
As far as runway hair, are these looks really something that women at home can pull off?
Runway, in my opinion, was never intended to translate to reality. It is fantasy and inspiration – art in motion. It can certainly have a positive and inspirational effect on how we present ourselves, but at the end of the day, a curly girl needs a start-to-finish realistic approach to caring for her curls. At Devachan salon, curly hair is not a trend – it is a lifestyle!
So live it up curlies! We may be bringing waves, curls and kinks to the runway, but it is YOU who rocks them everyday. Change the tide and let’s us inspire the runway!
For NaturallyCurly’s month of celebrity curly love, we caught up with natural hair AMPRO spokesperson Toya Carter to find out what is behind her self-proclaimed weave addiction, her favorite products and what she is up to next.
What’s your hair story?
Well, years ago I thought I needed a relaxer because my hair was naturally curly. You know, every time I would wear it straight it would curl up. So I tried relaxing it thinking that that would, you know, straighten it out, but it ended up breaking my hair off because the chemical was too strong. I was getting bumps around my face and started getting like an allergic reaction to the product. So, I stopped relaxing my hair about 8 years ago. I used to use those little kiddie perms, but it made my hair really weak. So, I thought, “You know what? I’m going to stop relaxing my hair and just start pressing it.”
So I started pressing it for a while and let the relaxer grow out. But it was just so hard to maintain! It would constantly curl up and the parts that were relaxed would be brittle from the relaxer, so I was like, “I’m going to cut my hair off!” So I cut my hair really, really short in this Mohawk style back in 2005. I tried the short hair thing, but that didn’t work for me AT ALL because I was so used to having long hair, so I immediately put a weave in. At the time, my hair wasn’t long enough for braids, so I had to try the quick weave technique, which actually grew my hair out. It made it grow really, really fast.
After it got long enough to do a sew-in, I started wearing sew-ins to kind of let it grow. I would try to wear my natural hair, but it just wasn’t trained and I couldn’t go even a day without it curling up, so I would just put the weave back in, and I became addicted. I’m like, “My weave, my weave! I can’t go without my weave!” But my natural hair does grow really good with the weave.
How long is your hair now?
My hair is really, really long. My friends always ask me why I wear weave if my hair is so long. Some people don’t even believe that my hair is that long. I recently tweeted a picture of it and got a lot of backlash that I was lying that it was my natural hair. That’s crazy! It is really long — like at the middle of my back! My weave is only about two inches longer than my natural hair.
Wow! Were there any products that you used along the way to help maintain that length?
Yes! I use the Ovation Cell Therapy and I LOVE that product. I used it first on my daughter’s hair when it broke off really, really bad. A friend of mine recommended that I try it for her. So I brought it, and it is real expensive, like three bottles for $100! So I said, “This stuff better be good!”
I used it on Reginae’s hair and her hair was just so soft and pretty that I started using it, too. I’ll use it as a deep conditioner and leave it on for a while and my hair would just continue to grow.
So what about Reginae, is she natural?
Yes, she is natural too. She had a bad experience with a relaxer and her hair broke off really, really bad. So I had to cut her hair, too and since then, she has been natural. It’s been a couple years now.
That’s great! Tell me a little about your current routine. How do you maintain your hair?
Right now, like I said, I use the Ovation Cell Therapy and for my edges I use the AMPRO Silk Edges, but before that I used to use this wax stick. I only use a little bit. I’m not really a product junkie. I don’t really use a lot of products on my hair. I don’t use oils or creams or hairspray, unless I’m at a photo shoot. I just don’t like product because to me it weighs the hair down and makes it oily and dirty very fast. I do the same with my daughter. She only uses products when her hair is old and to put it in a ponytail.
Oh, hairspray is the worst! What do you think about the way that professionals treat natural hair?
Really, a lot of stylists in the industry don’t really specialize in hair care. It is very hard to find a stylist that specializes in “hair care,” and that can take care of your hair when it is natural. You know, a lot of stylists these days just get to putting in a sew-in and styling the hair and never really caring for it too much, and that is what causes their client’s hair to break. They just aren’t treating it properly before applying the weave.
I’m blessed because my hair stylist specializes in natural hair and she also specializes in hair care. It is all about treating the hair before applying the weave, trimming the hair, and taking breaks. I think it is very important that if you wear weaves and if you are addicted to weave, like I am, that you take a break because you have to let your hair rest. You can’t just continue braiding it up all the time. You have to find different techniques. My stylist will do the links. What she does is she takes these clips and out them in your hair and then sews the hair in on top of the links so that way it’s not pulling your hair. It is flexible and you can put it in a ponytail. It is great because it gives your scalp and your hair a break and allows them to breathe. I think that is very important.
A lot of people don’t take care of natural hair. They just want to apply heat all the time and don’t let it rest. Me, I’ll get roller sets to let my hair breathe when it is resting and when I don’t have the weave in. I try really hard not to ever apply heat to it. You have to learn how to take breaks from the heat because it can really damage your hair.
Right! Heat is one of the worst things for natural hair. So for women like you who are in the spotlight, has having natural hair affected your career at all?
No, not really. I wouldn’t say that it has affected my career. But sometimes, if I do wear a puffy ponytail, they will search through it at airports – never when I wear it straight though. I don’t know I just find it very strange and a little disrespectful. I mean, what am I going to hide in my hair? Really?!
Yea, definitely weird. So what’s next for you? What do you have going on?
Right now I’m in the process of making my own hair product line. I’ve been having meetings and things like that and that is going great. So hopefully that will be coming in the next few months.
I’m also working with AMPRO and working on a new show. I’m writing another book – this time it is fiction. My daughter is writing one, too. I’m just trying to stay busy. I just opened a new shoe and accessory store. I’m just trying to stay busy!
Guest post by Arrojo:
If you’ve got naturally curly or wavy hair and would love some lush, healthy curls without the frizz natural curls can create, here’s your answer, step-by-step, from the professionals at Arrojo themselves!
- Product, product, product! Use enough of the right product at the right time with the right technique and I guarantee you’ll create beautiful curls and eliminate frizz. The product locks your curls together and helps you create what we call a “wet set.”
- If your hair is fine, use a Arrojo volume foam first, and then a curl crème or leave-in conditioner.
- If your hair is medium to thick, use hair gel or styling crème first, followed by defrizz serum.
- Apply your first product, working in from the underneath up, from roots to ends. Again a dime-sized dollop should do; just make sure to start at the roots and work through to the tip, distributing evenly as you go.
- Apply your second product in exactly the same way as the first, from roots to ends, distributing evenly as you go.
- Now comb evenly and gently with a wide-tooth comb. This will undo any knots in your hair and further aid the even distribution of the products, ensuring your curls get their maximum performance benefits.
- Once you have evenly distributed the two products, use your fingers to squeeze each and every section of your hair. This will encourage a natural curl formation. It’s best to lean over, letting your hair fall 90 degrees to the ground while squeezing gently with the fingers. This isn’t done as if you were squeezing a stress ball. Rather cup the curl in your hand and gently squeeze and push the curl back into itself with no pressure at the root. Don’t be temped to freely run your fingers through your hair — this only disturbs the curls you’ve created and induces frizz. Just remember, cup and squeeze, cup and squeeze, cup and squeeze.
- Once done, leave alone for 15 minutes and then squeeze again using exactly the same technique. Repeat this process until dry. If you have to run out the door, not to worry, it’s a myth that you shouldn’t leave the house with wet hair. You can still squeeze hair in the car, on the train, or anywhere else for that matter — the results will still be the same, although it might be better to do it with your head upright, instead of facing downwards as recommended in step 7!
- Once dry you will most likely find your curls set in a slightly crisp curl formation. This is normal and nothing to worry about. You can now use your fingers to tussle out and ruffle your roots to develop the softer, looser curls you’re after. To do this, place fingertips gently into your roots and massage, using just the very tips of your fingertips in short strokes. Just don’t disturb the ends by raking your fingers all over your hair. Again this will disturb the curl formation you’ve worked to create, inducing frizz in the process. Remember, there are about 500 hairs to every curl and the idea is to keep those 500 hairs locked together for brilliant curly definition – carelessly running your fingers through your hair is guaranteed to pull those beautiful curls apart.
- Don’t worry about your curls being even, they’re not supposed to be; curls are as individual as you or I, and are meant to fall imperfectly. Learn to enjoy this newfound freedom and uniqueness. For added definition and hold, you can lightly spritz with a holding spray. This will help to lock in your curls throughout the day.
It’s a new year, and the style spotlight is on textured hair. Top texture experts share their predictions on what will be this year’s hottest curly hair trends.
Brian and Sandra Smith
Matrix Artistic Directors
This year is defined by minimalism and natural beauty. We see easy elegance for spring in polished ponytails, graceful braids and bouncy blowouts. Still, nothing is too perfect or impeccable — deconstructed waves and undone knots and twists prove having a bit of an edge is as chic as ever.
You can see it in TV ads and most facets of popular culture: Natural hair is becoming the must-have style for many women. More and more women with texture are turning away from relaxers and extensions to prevent damage and breakage. Now there’s a different kind of shift underway: keeping your hair in its natural state and manipulating and refining texture with product, tools and techniques.
Kevin Murphy
Editorial Stylist and Founder of Kevin.Murphy products
The 1970s wave — think Janis Joplin/mermaid waves. The undone look is a simple idea, but not as easy to achieve as one would think. Texture is one thing and frizz is another and they should not be confused. Frizz is a hard pill to swallow for most women, but to make hair modern, clients need to let go a bit.
The Afro set will be another trend. This is a method of using a large pin and wrapping the hair around in a figure-eight pattern. This look is great for achieving lots of volume — it’s about embracing texture and going wild. It has a lot to do with freedom and rounder shapes in hair cuts, lots of layers and a shorter length to make a sort of mini fro.
Cyntelia Abrams
Marketing Coordinator for Design Essentials
Big, messy curls, waves, twist sets and braid outs — I love hair that is purposely messy with some frizz and wildness to it. Even if you’re natural, I’m an advocate for trims and texture with shape.
Anthony Dickey
Founder of Hair Rules
Growing it out and chopping it off! Once women have embraced their natural waves, curls and kinks, many are opting for dynamic, short styles that showcase their unique textures. Protective styling is on the upswing, with clients looking for styles that last longer. Many clients with kinkier textures are requesting more braids and twists; and curlier clients are getting more blow outs and looking for more enduring styles they can maintain effortlessly at home.
Christo
Owner of Christo Fifth Avenue
Long curls — fringe is outdated for long hair this season. The curly hair trend will be long, diagonal layers that give lift and a lot of movement for a sexy, airy look. It’s very versatile and can be carried off by all hair textures.
For medium curls, the trend will be one length with very few layers in the front (preferably done with a single-plate sharp shears for more texture”>. Fringe is welcome with medium lengths to create a sexier look; however, make sure the curls are not tight. This is one of my favorite styles because it can be worn either curly or straight.
For short curls I suggest the crop. It is super short with long, full bangs and diagonal layers toward the face. This style is for women with loose curls.
Roni Griffin
Director of Marketing and Business Development for Universal Beauty Products
Some of the biggest trends will be natural hair colors using non-ammonia based color and bigger styles. says Griffin. People with textured hair will be more comfortable rocking bolder styles due to natural hair becoming more accepted worldwide.
Jonathan Torch
Founder of Toronto’s Curly Hair Solutions and the Curly Hair Institute
Texture is now trending in 2012. It has been a while coming, but now it’s here in full swing. Clients and stylists have embraced what they have, and they have learned how to manage, manipulate and get their curls under control and how to show them at their optimum.
Veronique Morrison
Director of Education at Mizani
Curly and textured-hair clients, both male and female, are embracing their natural beauty and finding new options for their curls, twists, and locs. They are rocking both trendy and conservative looks with confidence and ease of maintenance. Male clients are moving into the professional forefront with locs and braids.
Alanna York
President of Use Me Products
Bigger is better and frizz is fine too, even for everyday wear. With color I really love the ombre technique of lightening the ends. To get a similar effect on textured hair, lighten six to eight (depending on hair thickness”> large, vertical panels at the nape of the neck with varying color placement. This creates an edgy look for a youthful, rocker feel, while staying in the realm of age-appropriate trends.
Morgan Willhite
Stylist Ouidad Santa Monica
Usually we are fighting the pyramid effect in a curly bob, but a curly, chin-length bob, all one length with no layering is now hot. A full, curly blunt fringe is also hot. Bangs look great with a bob as well as with a layered, long hair cut. Don’t be skimpy with the density. I’m talking blunt, thick, chunky bangs! Short hair can be feminine—finally—and this works for curly hair as well. But there is no in between — it’s all or nothing. When going short with curly hair, you must go short enough in order for it to not look like a Q-tip.
Diane Cole
Stevens Nioxin Design Team member, Owner of Cole Stevens Salon in Washington, DC
For trend-loving clients who aren’t afraid to go with the style flow, the bright colors and look-at-me shapes this season will be a nice change from long locks and ombre color. Many women Level 6 and below have inspired spring’s trend of depth, shine, texture and movement. Bold, deep rich color — almost liquid lacquered black and dramatic, dark brown with violet undertones will be beautiful. Rounded geometric shapes for shorter lengths with shattered ends will be worn by the women who don’t mind a lot of attention. Finishing for these geometric shapes will have lots of natural-looking wavy textures.
Efrain Leiva
Farouk Creative Artist/Texture Specialist
This year, I expect to see evolution of the styles from 2011; luxurious revivals that will bring re-enforcement to last year’s styles. We will go from long and bouncy homemade curl styles to the quickie hair style, the perfect combination of homemade and not-finished look. It will be stylish and careless at the same time. These styles will range from long to medium and, of course, short pixies will be fashionable as well. Side parting will continue and some side bangs; however, center part and very short fringe could be a great option. I see a lot of texture coming back with braids, side ponytails and softer looks with a little traditional French twist.
Heath Grout
Creative Director for TIGI Academy of Advanced Hairstyling
There is a fusion of new technology in products with a return to traditional hair styling techniques. Setting and styling meet to transform retro waves and texture in new directions.
Allen Ruiz
Owner of Jackson Ruiz SalonSpa
Women with straight hair want to jump on the texture trend, too. Sometimes, the challenge in texture comes not from working with curly hair, but creating it. Ruiz demonstrates how to get bombshell texture from perfectly straight hair.
Stylist Rocky Vitellia, platform artist for Farouk, gives us the deets on how to get “General Hospital” and TV’s “Charlie’s Angels” star Annie Ilonzeh’s look.
- Using Farouk Royal Treatment, prep hair by cleansing with Pure Hydration Shampoo and Farouk Royal Treatment Aqua Charge Conditioner. Add Pearl Complex to wet hair, then blow dry using CHI Ceramic dryer.
- Once hair is prepped, take small sections at the nape, horizontally. Spray the hair with Ultimate Control prior to curling for maximum hold. Using the ¾-inch CHI Digital Orbit Iron, curl the hair section by section, working your way to the top of the head.
- Once curled, pin sections up at the crown to give height and form. To ensure lasting hold, spray hair with Ultimate Control spray and Rapid Shine for silky, shiny, healthy results.
More celebrity looks: Waves & Curls at the Golden Globes
Ever wonder what all those award winning celebrities are doing right? Not just in their career, or in the gym, but DANG — that hair is H.A.M! Yea, us too! So here are what your favorite R&B artists are using on their hair right now to get the no frizz, “I win Grammys” look.
Chilli
Chilli has fine, Type 3a, color treated curls. She is 100 percent natural, no perm or texturizer. However, curl definition and hold are important to her given her hair type and humid climate (reppin’ Georgia!”>. CURLS Gel-les’c is her fav.
Other products of choice: Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream, Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner and Quenched Curls Moisturizer.
Alicia Keys
One of Tippi Shorter’s, Alicia’s hair stylist, clients’ biggest concerns is prolonging the life of her look and eliminating frequent hair washing. She often has to get Alicia Keys’ second day curls ready in a jiff for photo shoots. Her solution? CURLS Quenched Curls Moisturizer! She spritzes this light serum all over Alicia’s curls and runs it through her hair to revitalize her ringlets, fight frizz and restore shine. It’s a convenient, all-in-one solution when a wash is simply not possible. It is a perfect curl refresher and deodorizer for day old curls!
Keep in mind, curlies, that how often you wash your curls depends on your curl type and pattern. Type 2 wavies should wash about once a week, Type 3 curlies about once a month and type 4 kinkies about once every other month. Between shampoos, co-wash your curls as needed. Trust us on this, the frizz will disappear and definition will take its place!
Other products of choice: Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream, Curls Coconut Sublime Conditioner and Curls Souffle.
Ashanti
Ashanti likes to rock protective styles when she isn’t on the red carpet. Protective styles are great for ensuring that your curls stay healthy, and they encourage growth (plus length retention!”>.
One of her favorite protective styles is French braids. To get her look, use Curls Whipped Cream to add moisture after braiding your hair. For extra protection, especially in the winter months, tuck your hair inside a hat to keep your head warm, or use a decorative scarf to protect your curls from the harsh winter wind.
Other products of choice: Pure Curls Clarifying Conditioner, Curls Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner and Curls Milkshake.
Chilli
Alicia Keys
Ashanti
As of January 30, 2012, a settlement between California and the company that manufactures the Brazilian Blowout has been reached. The state filled a lawsuit against the company in 2010 claiming that the “formaldehyde free” labeling on the product was misleading for clients and stylists using the product. According to California state law, companies are required to disclose the content of cancer-causing chemicals in their products and cosmetics.
The settlement marks the first enforcement of action under the 2005 cosmetics law and requires that the Brazilian Blowout state the level of formaldehyde included in the product, and requires that the company pay a $600,000 fine.
“We commend the California Attorney General’s office for accomplishing what no other government agency in the U.S. has been able to do: force Brazilian Blowout to be honest with salons about the risk of their products. We are also proud that this lawsuit was the first legal action taken by the state under the authority of the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005, which forces companies to publicly disclose the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics sold in the state,” said Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Where is the FDA?
Unfortunately, the warning requirements are the maximum penalty that the California state law can enforce. For the product to be taken off the shelves, the FDA would need to intervene.
“The legal settlement, while helpful, is not enough to protect the public.” said Malkan. “The FDA must now follow through on its threat to seize these dangerous hair-straightening products,”
Back in August of 2011, the FDA did release a letter accusing the Brazilian Blowout of selling misbranded products that contained cancerous, harmful products that were in violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938. According to the letter, “Failure to correct the violations may result in enforcement action without further notice, including, but not limited to, seizure and/or injunction.”
Since then, no action has been taken by either party to address the misbranded information or remove the product from the shelves.
“Obviously, these violations have not been addressed sufficiently,” said Anuja Mendiratta of the National Healthy Nail and Beauty Salon Alliance. “The California Attorney General’s settlement makes it clear that Brazilian Blowout has been selling products containing hazardous substances and marketing them as safe. The FDA must take action today to protect salon workers who are being exposed to dangerous levels of formaldehyde every day.”
For many stylists, the slow movement by the FDA is an example of the poor quality of administration on a governmental level.
Stylists Respond
“The Brazilian Blowout scandal is the perfect case study to showcase our broken regulatory system,” said Jennifer Goeres-Arce, a hair stylist in the San Diego area who contributed evidence for the state’s lawsuit against the company. “A year after other countries banned Brazilian Blowout, countless salon workers in the U.S. have been unnecessarily exposed to formaldehyde, and we are just now getting around to requiring the company to be honest about the risks of their products. It’s time to give the FDA the power and resources to protect the American public from toxic chemicals in cosmetics.”
The company behind the Brazilian Blowout has released a statement through their PR firm saying that the label changes have already been in place for months and that the settlement is “fair and equitable.”
“We are pleased to have this matter behind us and are confident these new practices will provide certified stylists who use our products each day and their loyal customers clarity and confidence,” the statement read.
Katherine Heigl, in her newly released movie, “One for the Money” plays the unemployed and newly-divorced brunette Stephanie Plum, who lands a job at her cousin’s bail-bond business. Of course, her first assignment puts her on the trail of a wanted local cop from her romantic past.
At the premiere, on January 24 in New York, celebrity hairstylist David Babaii created her red carpet look using Grace Kelly as his inspiration. To transform your tresses from brown to a “Hollywood Blonde,” David recommends using the professional hair color Aquarly 20/20 by IT&LY Hairfashion to achieve a long-lasting, natural and healthy looking shade.
Channel Grace Kelly
- To create this Grace Kelly inspired look, David started with IT&LY’S Advanced Color Protection Shampoo and Advanced Color Protection Conditioner.
- After gently towel drying, he applied a small amount of Miracle Oil Hair Elixir by David Babaii for its intense conditioning benefits, superior color preservation and thermal protection.
- After blow drying, he used a medium sized curling iron creating curls and directing them off the face and under.
- To style, David lightly back brushed the fringe area for some height and smoothed this lightly with a medium paddle brush. He continued the style by using his fingers to loosen the curls into soft waves and drawing all the hair into a loose chignon toward the back of the head and securing with silver coated bobby pins. David finished the style with IT&LY’s Pure Definition Hair Spray.
Do you use curling irons or rods (also known as clipless curling irons”> on your waves or curls? It seems sort of ironic, but these simple heat tools can be a great addition to your hair care routine. They can be helpful for dressy and casual looks, or simply just something a little different every so often. Curling irons and rods can help in enhancing natural curl patterns as well.
Which Tool is Right for You?Both curling rods and irons are available in a variety of options including titanium and tourmaline. Titanium is a favorite with stylists as they prove to be very durable, corrosion resistant and perform extremely well for all hair types. Tourmaline, sometimes blended with ceramic, allows a larger flow of negative ions, which results in extra shine and protection to the hair. Both are excellent technologies as they evenly distribute heat each time it is applied to the hair.
In deciding what is right for you, first make up your mind about what you want from your tool? Do you need to just “fix” a few curls or ends here and there, or do you want a head full of tighter or looser curls?
For the most part, if you have medium to longer curls or waves, you can easily use a curling rod. These tools have become more popular over just the past few years since they help make longer locks curlier, wavier or simply add more volume. Almost all curling rods and irons these days heat up quickly and have a variety of heat settings.
Keep these heat settings in mind when using the tools:
- Type 2 (Waves”>: Low to medium heat. The shorter your hair the more control over the tool you will need.
- Type 3 (Curls”>: Medium to high heat.
- Type 4 (Kinks”>: High heat.
Curling Rod Benefits
Using a curling rod can take some getting used to, but is easily learned. Simply start with dry hair and wrap it around the rod/barrel. The ends of your hair will wrap around last so there is less damage and fewer split ends with the rod.
If you have thinner hair, the rod is also beneficial in that there is never any creasing or marks left behind as there is no “clamp.” If you’re looking for volume, the rods tend to be better at getting closer to the roots.
Rods are available in a variety of sizes and usually are sold with heat proof gloves (to protect fingertips as you wrap”>.
Curling Iron Benefits
Curling irons offer excellent precision control and are great for beginners. The clamp maintains a firm hold on hair for easy styling. They are generally available in a great variety of sizes (usually from 3/8” to 2+””> and heat up quickly and easily.
Want More?
Join the CurlTalk convo: How do you use a curling iron?
Final Thoughts
Lastly, here’s a quick chart on how to decide which tool may be best for your locks:
Curl type Barrel Size Suggested Hair Lengthpencil thin 3/8” (iron”> short to medium
shirley temple-like 1/2-5/8” (iron”> short to medium
classy coils 1” (iron”> medium
loopy curls 1 1/4” (iron/rod”> medium to long
big curls 1 1/2” (rod”> medium to long
loose “s” waves 2”+ (rod”> long
