Search Results: NaturallyCurly
Image:marissa_lanae
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I didn’t even know I had curly hair growing up! My dad has really thick, coarse hair from his Puerto Rican roots and my mom’s hair was as straight as a board.
My mom was the one that always styled my hair, but it was mostly in braids or ponytails.
Once I was old enough to start doing my own hair I reached straight for a straightener because I had no idea how to tame the frizz.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy hair?
I started embracing my naturally wavy/curly hair in college. For some reason I really wanted to see what my hair would look like without straightening it. I was so surprised when my hair started having some shape and wave and from there I just wanted to see how curly it would get!
Image:marissa_lanae
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment was when I wore my hair curly to a formal event. I don’t remember what event it was, but it was a big deal for me because that was when I was like “okay, this is my hair and it’s good enough for any occasion”. After that I stopped straightening it for good.
How do you protect your curls at night?
My night time routine is fairly simple. I usually tie it up in a pineapple with a silk scrunchie and sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Who is your curl crush?
Kelly Shahbazian! She was the first curly girl I found on Youtube after I wanted to dive into wearing my hair curly. She has a slightly tighter curl pattern than I do but her hair was the closest to my own at the time.
Image:marissa_lanae
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Gel! My hair loves gel and I don’t know what I would do without it!
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I usually style with a cream, gel, and define my curls with a Denman brush.
My favorite products right now are the defining cream and gel from the Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk line.
I also love Ouidad’s Climate Control Heat + Humidity Gel and the Honey Whip Hydrating Mousse from TGIN.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Dealing with how much curly hair can change! Sometimes I find a product that my hair loves and then one random day my hair hates it.
Dealing with trial and error was super frustrating in the beginning but now I just go with the flow and try not to get worked up about bad hair days.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Once I stopped using a bath towel to dry my hair I could feel my hair thanking me!
There was a lot less frizz and split end once I started drying my hair with a cotton t-shirt.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t compare your hair journey to anyone else’s. We all have different patterns and textures and that’s what makes our curls extra special.
Image Source:@spstyled
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up, I wanted nothing to do with my natural hair. I did everything to try and permanently straighten it. From relaxers, to keratin smoothing treatments, I did it. Not only was it too hard and thick to manage, but I loved the look of bone straight hair.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I no longer had patience to sit through relaxers, so I decided to start rocking my damaged hair. Although I gave up chemicals, I still would occasionally flat iron my hair. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I decided to go fully natural. I had frequent haircuts to gradually get rid of all the damage. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I really started to experiment with different products to see what benefited my hair the most. Not only did rocking my natural hair become important to me, but having healthy hair became a main priority.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment of my natural hair journey has been being able to share it with others through my social media platforms like instagram and youtube. Being able to help others has changed my whole perspective of my natural hair. It has brought me to learn more than I ever knew about my hair and all different curl types.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I typically like to leave my hair down and wrap a satin scarf around it. This works best for me because I don’t wake up with a stiff ponytail or anything like that.
Who is your curl crush?
Joyjah’s hair is drool worthy! There are honestly so many of curl friends with beautiful textures, the list goes on!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I can’t live without these super thick giant size hair elastics (Goody ouchless hair elastics”> that I picked up from Target. Doesn’t rip my hair and keeps it all up without a problem
Image Source:@spstyled
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I’m currently loving the Naturalicious line, TreLuxe Gel, and I can never go wrong with My African Pride Moisture Miracle Curling Creme.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I think the most challenging part of my journey has been the beginning when transitioning, which I know a lot of people can relate to. I tried to embrace it as much as possible, you have to fight through the damage to get to the beautiful!
Image Source:@spstyled
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
One of the biggest things that have made a huge difference with my hair has been scalp massages! Not only are they so relaxing, but they help with growth. I typically like to use beneficial oils alone or with my deep conditioner. I use my fingers or scalp stimulating brushes.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Embrace who you are and love everything about you. Most importantly don’t let anyone tell you different. If you’re struggling with styles, try protective styling and let your hair grow while it’s being protected. Remember to not be too tight and harsh on your head and still apply oils and massage your scalp.
Image Source: @dr.karinab
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I got my first relaxer when I was in 3rd grade, so, I don’t have too many memories of my natural hair as a kid. I do remember getting my hair done in chiney bumps aka bantu knots for my passport picture and I was LIVID. Cute, but livid. I remember there was a boy in my class that used to call me medusa because of all the plaits I used to wear. I also remember all the adults in my life always commenting about how much hair I had and how it was a lot to manage.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair?
I had been playing with the idea for some time but when I finally decided to big chop in 2015, I was 2 years into my doctoral program and I was fed-up with trying to manage my hair on my own. I had a lot of support from my friend who had been natural for many years, she encouraged me everyday to go natural. In HS, I used to love how I looked when I did braid outs & Flexi-rod sets; I loved the volume, and the added texture made me feel more beautiful. It was also 2009, so Naptural85 and the other gurus were definitely influencing that decision as well.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image Source: @dr.karinab
Once I started my journey and realized the positive impact it had on my self-esteem, and how I viewed myself, I wanted to share that with everyone. Ever since I returned to natural I have been convincing everyone in my life to do the same. I have two younger sisters and I want them to love themselves fully. I want all of us to feel good about ourselves and for many of us it starts or ends with our hair. Knowing that just by wearing my hair naturally others may feel inspired and encouraged to do the same is what empowers me.
How do you protect your curls at night?
The standard: pineapple, bonnet and satin pillowcase.
Who is your curl crush?
There isn’t anyone who’s curls I crush on, but my favorite natural hair beauties are:
- @KandidKinks
- @Iamromnyakia
- @candicesabidura
- @paging.dr.dre
Image Source: @dr.karinab
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My deep conditioners and my Kazmaleje Kurls Plus Paddle comb. Both save me so much time and effort with detangling.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My current regimen includes weekly(ish lol”> deep conditioning, monthly clarifying, weekly cleansing and re-wetting my hair at least 2-3 times a week.The only product I ever really care about is deep conditioners; My favorite deep conditioner right now is from Omalicha Naturals.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging moment of my journey was the beginning. I had to get to know the new version of myself. I big chopped after 6 months of growing out my relaxer and it was the first time I ever had short hair. It took months for me to get used to my reflection and I felt very exposed and naked without my hair. Of course, learning how to manage my hair was a task in itself, but getting used to all the newness of it was the greatest challenge.
Image Source: @dr.karinab
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
The best thing I ever did for my hair was learn how to properly condition my hair and understand the importance of water in my regimen.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
I want everyone who is having trouble loving their hair to first spend some time trying to understand why. If you ask yourself “why” enough you’ll probably realize that the “why” has very little to do with how YOU personally feel about your hair, and instead that someone or some experience planted that weed in your head. Explore that.
Image Source: @curly_candace
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I was actually born with straight hair! My hair changed sometime between the 3rd and 5th grade and became frizzy, curly, and BIG! All of my friends had straight hair, and I had no idea how to care for mine. I wore it up every day for 3 years until high school when I got my first straightener. I straightened almost daily for over 10 years!
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?
I had just given birth to my second son, and had to adjust my time to get ready for work in the morning. I wanted to start working out regularly, and didn’t have time to spend blow drying and straightening. Most mornings I left the house with wet hair. I still straightened occasionally for the next two years before officially giving up the heat.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Starting the CG Method. Ditching the sulphates, silicones, and harsh alcohols was a big improvement for my hair. But above all, committing to getting rid of my straightener.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I wear my hair up in a pineapple and sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Image Source: @curly_candace
Who is your curl crush?
Ohh I have LOTS! But, I found Ayesha Malik on YouTube three years ago when I first started researching how to care for my hair. I watched her videos on how she cares for her hair and, slowly, started.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I can’t live without Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I like to try other things, but I always go back to this styler. I know it’ll give me consistent results even as the seasons change.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I stick to low-poo for every wash, then clarify every 3-4 washes. I always wash, apply conditioner, and let the conditioner sit on my hair while I do everything else I need to do. Before rinsing, I squish to condish and finger comb to detangle. Typically style with one styler: Kinky Curly Curling Custard or Ecoslay Orange Marmalade. I also avoid oils/butters as much as possible for my fine strands!
Image Source: @curly_candace
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
At first, it was going to special events for the first time. Not having consistent results on wash day and wondering how my hair would look. Also, learning to do updos that work for wavy hair! I think this is why I held onto my straightener for so long.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Just basically starting the CG Method and avoiding heat. My hair is easily heat damaged, I can go longer between trims and my hair doesn’t break off at the ends.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Don’t COMPARE! Your journey will be different from others’. Take the time to experiment with styling techniques and application methods. Even if you’re just using one product to style with! Have patience and trust the process!
Image: @littlewithbigcurls_
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up in a Dominican household my thick curly hair was considered a “Pajon”, which means wild, untamed afro, and that was not a good thing to have. My grandmother would keep my hair in two braided pigtails at all times because she did not want to deal with my “Pajon”. Every other week I would go over my aunt’s house and she would blow dry my hair pin straight. In our culture straight hair meant beautiful hair, so when I turned 10 I was allowed to relax my hair and I was so excited because I was finally going to look pretty.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
To be honest I was tired of relaxing my hair every time. If my hair wasn’t straight I didn’t like how I looked, and I know that stemmed from always hearing that having a “Pajon isn’t pretty”. Also I grew up with women who also relaxed their hair religiously. So around the same time I was trying to figure out what to do with my hair, my cousin Yanil had transitioned from relaxed to natural and I fell in love with her curls. I remember her telling me “Steph you have beautiful curls underneath all those chemicals, you should really embrace them”. Her words resonated with me for several weeks and then I came across a picture of me at the beach (I believe I was 8/9 years old”> I saw how pretty my natural curls were and at that moment was when I said to myself “No more relaxers!”
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
When I received a message from a complete stranger saying “You inspired me to embrace my curls”, I literally burst into tears. Throughout my journey I’ve helped several family members and friends on their natural hair journey and I do it because I just want everyone to love their natural hair. But knowing that because I share my journey on my platform I’ve inspired people I’ve never met. It’s just an amazing feeling and I wish I can hug each and every one of them :”>
Image: @littlewithbigcurls_
How do you protect your curls at night?
Hair up in a high ponytail (pineapple”> wrapped up in a satin scarf. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase because I sleep pretty wild so if my scarf comes off (which it has”> my curls are protected.
Who is your curl crush?
OMG I have so many! But since I have to choose, my hair crush is @brandirell. She was one of the first naturals I followed to help me through my journey. Her curls are just amazing to me and I just love her.
Image: @littlewithbigcurls_
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
My hair pick! Volume to me is essential and I use my pick to achieve the perfect volume. I have a pick in every bag I own, there’s a pick in my bathroom, by my bed, on my vanity, pretty much everywhere around my house and car.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash my hair once a week, and I ALWAYS deep condition. I cannot stress enough the importance of deep conditioning. I style my curls with a cream or light butter styler, and sometimes I’ll add a gel. As of recently I’ve started using mousse after the cream/butter and I am loving my results.
I air dry my hair till about 70% dry then I diffuse. Once my hair is completely dry I pick at my roots and fluff with my hands for volume.
Image: @littlewithbigcurls_
A few of my favorite products are:
- Papaya Castor Scalp Cleanser by Eden Bodyworks
- Honey Miracle Mask by TGIN
- As I Am Leave-In Conditioner
- Natural Curl Defining Creme by Eden Bodyworks
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I would have to say staying consistent. I struggled with washing my hair weekly and going through my entire wash day routine. I use to be very impatient and wanted my hair to grow over night lol. But thankfully I overcame that when I saw what being consistent was doing to my hair.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Scalp massages!! They’re amazing and promote hair growth & thickness. Every night before bed I mix a few drops of my two favorite essential oils (Jojoba and Black Jamaican Castor Oil”> I warm them up in my hands and massage the oils into my scalp for about 4 minutes. I began doing this about 3 years ago because I suffer from itchy/flaky scalp and since then the health of my scalp has improved so much, and if your scalp is healthy your hair is healthy.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Be patient. Take your time with learning your hair, what it likes and doesn’t like. Consistency is very in achieving healthy hair, but most importantly love and embrace YOUR texture.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Image Source: @curliecolee
I had loose waves when I was a toddler, and mostly straight hair from K-5th grade. Then, in middle school: hello, puberty! My hair started getting curly and poofy and FRIZZY. I remember classmates constantly commenting on my frizz, so I started wearing a low bun every single day to hide my hair. I recall a specific day where I wore my hair down to go on a field trip: we were on the bus, and I overheard a boy say I looked like a poodle. I was mortified and immediately put my hair up. After that, I begged to get a straightener. I exclusively straightened my hair in high school. During the summers when it was too hot to sit with the heat of the straightener, I wore my hair crunchy (covered in mousse and hairspray”> to avoid the frizz, or just put it up.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/wavy hair?
I was tired of frying my hair. It was frustrating that with just a tiny bit of rain or sweat my straightened hair would start to poof and frizz up — so much work for nothing! I started researching curly hair and stumbled across some YouTube channels: Curly Susie, India Batson, real life+curly girl, and Jannelle O’Shaughnessy. I couldn’t believe I had never heard of the curly girl method before! Those Youtubers led me to the curly community on Instagram, and I was sold! It was uplifting to see so many people embracing their natural hair texture, and it made me feel less alone on the journey.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Image Source: @curliecolee
The whole experience of learning how to care for and love what naturally grows out of my head has been so empowering! I love being able to share that care and love with others to help them find their own way!
How do you protect your curls at night?
I use a buff! It holds my hair in place, so I usually don’t need to refresh it. My tip for keeping them on your head at night: pull it down over your eyes!
Who is your curl crush?
I have way too many! @mymanecurls,@hif3licia, @beccasindle, @1falnangl, and @sydnieslittleworld, to name a few!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
A hard hold gel! Or a custard and gel combo. I’m an air-dryer, so having a good cast is the key to keeping my curls intact while I go about my day.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
Image Source: @curliecolee
I usually cowash. Every 4 or so washes I low-poo, and every 4 weeks I clarify (followed by a deep condition”>. After the wash, I condition, squish to condish, rinse, then apply my leave-in and stylers with my #glazeflipglazescrunch method. It combines upright and upside-down styling and helps me evenly apply products to my thick hair. After that, I plop for 10-30 minutes, then take my hair out to air dry for the rest of my day, then scrunch out the crunch when it’s fully dry.
My favorite product combinations are #serumcustardgel and #moussecustardgel. For whatever reason, my hair loves it when I sandwich a custard!
Three of my favorite custards are made by Kinky Curly, Moptop, and Inahsi! Love them!! And I have to mention how much I love Jessicurl’s Spiralicious Gel! I’ve been using it to top off almost every wash lately.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Getting started was the hardest part! Learning about my hair, figuring out what my hair liked, and successfully refreshing. I ended up giving up on refreshing, and now I just make sure my curls are extra protected at night!
A more recent challenge was making the CGM work with my job. I’m a cook, so I have to have my hair up with a hat on my head. I used to stress about how to keep my hair looking nice, but realizing that it’s simply not a big deal was freeing. Now I keep it in a low ponytail for work, and it stretches out my curls a bit, but I don’t mind. That’s what headbands are for! I think it’s important to realize that it’s just hair! I save good washes for the weekend.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Image Source: @curliecolee
The curly girl method is the start of it all! Cutting out sulfates, silicones, and heat has really helped my curls come back to life!
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
- Do some research. Look into the Curly Girl Method. Find out your hair type and learn what that can mean for styling your hair.
- Try different application methods before buying 1,000 different products. Sometimes the problem is not the product — you just haven’t found your hair’s favorite technique yet.
- Don’t be afraid to switch up your routine. I get a lot of questions on whether this method or this product will work on different people’s hair. Everyone’s hair is different, so the only real way to find out if something works for you is to try it yourself!
- Don’t take your hair too seriously! If a wash doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped, roll with it! Embrace the frizz or the wonky curls. It’s what makes curly hair so interesting!
- Give it time! Time is the biggest factor that will help you regain hair health!
Image Source: @naturallyellae
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Well, there was always a feeling of wanting to fit in like the rest. Everyone in school had a perm or their hair straightened and so I know I wanted the same. My mom never shamed me for having textured hair, if anything it was becoming hard to manage and so when I entered 5th grade, I got my first perm.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coily/wavy hair?
My sister was my inspiration to go back to my natural coily hair when she embarked her natural hair journey. There’s nothing like having someone with you on your journey who can help you and cheer you on! She was the first one to do my very first big chop.
Image Source: @naturallyellae
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment of my journey was back on February 17, 2017 when I needed to embark on a different journey, self-love. It may seem so cliche but I felt hair care is self care. I never took the time to take care of myself for myself, big chopping my hair for ME. Granted I wondered what others would think but I was in a place of contentment and learned to love myself in the deepest way ever.
How do you protect your curls at night?
Two words: Satin Bonnet. Everyone that knows me, knows I live in my satin bonnet. Using that has been a big game changer in retaining moisture and length while also preserving my styles. Also using satin scrunchies to stretch my hair throughout the week.
Image Source: @naturallyellae
Who is your curl crush?
Hmm, that’s a hard one. I have two: Mini Marley and Naptural85. Those two helped me so much in my natural hair journey.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I would have to say my bonnet. That is a must wherever I go. I feel its essential to preserve your hair.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I wash my hair every week, deep condition every week and add some herbs to it to enhance my conditioning session, I dust my vends every week and trim every 6 weeks and also make sure to incorporate a clay mask reset for my curls using Moroccan Rhassoul Clay. My favorite hair care brands are Natures Little Secret, Taura Amore, Curls Dynasty, Uniqurl, Earthborn Organics, Moisture Love. (I can go on lol”>
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
When I saw how damaged it was back in 2016. I’ve been natural for 8 years and big chopped 3x but not until the third time did I really take it seriously. I had to let go and start new. It was a challenge at first but liberating in the end.
Image Source: @naturallyellae
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
I would say stretching my hair has helped to decrease the amount of tangles I have. For my thicker texture and low porosity hair, doing twists really help to maintain my hair throughout the week. Also incorporating steam in my DC sessions during wash week.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice would be to search behind your coils and texture and see the woman you TRULY are. When you’ve discovered the real you, you will be able to invest in yourself and your journey and it’ll reflect on how your hair will flourish. Invite opinions but don’t let them define you!
Natural hair expert and celebrity hair stylist Felicia Leatherwood shares her top tips for healthy hair and how to properly detangle curly and coily hair using her signature Brush With The Best Brush that was named the BEST detangling tool for natural hair in the 2020 Best of the Best Awards . Plus, she shared her experience styling Issa Rae for the past 6 years and what inspires all the amazing hairstyles we see on Insecure.
NC: Can you share how you got started and any career highlights?
Felicia: Some people know from me doing educational talks around the world, others may know me from doing “Love Your Hair” from natural care workshops internationally or I’m recognized for being a celebrity hair stylist. I’ve gotten to work with Jill Scott, Will Smith, Ava Duvernay, and Anthony Anderson just to name a few. Now I work with two clients, Issa Rae from Insecure and I’ve been styling her hair for six years in addition to Lenny Kravtiz who has the most amazing dreadlocks.
Image Source: @lovingyourhair
NC: How do you come up with the hairstyles we see on Insecure? Can you describe what that process is like?
Felicia: To be honest, my influence comes from the natural hair community. When I’m creating a hairstyle, I want it to represent women that have curly, coily, or kinky hair. I want them to feel like they are beautiful, inspired, empowered, and confident. Everything that is created on Issa is meant to shed a light on the beauty of who we are naturally. Most of the hairstyles I’ve made organically and others have been taken from influencers and then I put my own spin on it. I’ll also go look at old school hairstyles from back in the day or from Africa and add to it. I will also talk to Issa and consult with her on what her opinion is of my vision. What most people don’t know is that at times I may have to create five hairstyles a day and I have fifteen minutes to execute and that is the challenge.
NC: What’s your top technique for a quick turnaround between styles?
Felicia: A Lot of what we do in the natural hair community is doing our hair overnight, but that’s not possible for me because I have to execute on the spot. Issa has to have her hair shampooed every few days to prevent product buildup. Some people have too much product on the scalp and that creates product buildup which makes it difficult for your hair to grow. You know when you have buildup from scratching your hair and residue appears under your nails or even when you develop white bumps under the skin and it’s tender. All of that creates blockage which prevents the hair from growing. With Issa I have to start fresh with her and that’s how I’m able to manipulate her hair throughout the day.
NC: Has Issa always been natural? When you introduced these hairstyles to her was she in the process of transitioning or was she already familiar with the styles?
Felicia: Issa is so amazing in the way she’s no fuss. She’s honestly the best out of everyone that I’ve worked with because she doesn’t trip, her hair is her hair. She’s truly no nonsense and doesn’t care about shrinkage, length, none of it. I don’t have to convince her to love her hair. It’s a different experience from me as a hairstylist to not have to coach her to like a certain style.
Image Source: @lovingyourhair
NC: Let’s talk about your detangling brush that won the 2020 BOB Awards here at NaturallyCurly, how did you come up with that tool and what made you choose that type of tool in particular?
Felicia: Growing up I had 4c hair and it always looked like “nappy” though nowadays I prefer to call it kinky or coily and it was torture having to style our hair with a pick or the toothbrush comb. I used to notice that some women had “webbing” which prevented me from detangling the hair properly and releasing the hair to open the scalp and get air for exfoliation. I wanted to create a tool that would help go into the hair, define it, detangle it, and really just make women with kinky/coily hair feel comfortable as they are styling. I had found a tool that was similar but I was inspired to create a tool that could easily be used on wash days.
What’s great about the brush is that it opens up and moves with the hair and flexes. When a brush is stationary it can snap if you haven’t had your hair trimmed. This brush pauses to let you know that you need a trim and then it releases it into your natural texture. Most of us as kids dreaded having our parents comb our hair, I wanted kids to be motivated to brush their own hair and enjoy that process. I’ve even had men using the brush to detangle their beards. It’s just been an amazing process and I’ve been in business with the brush since 2013.
NC: What is one of your biggest accomplishments in creating this brush?
Felicia: It’s helping people realize what their texture is because it helps with clumping and definition. When your hair is wet you begin to see what your hair texture is which can help determine the best products for your hair. When I’m teaching women I always emphasize that texture 3 hair uses gels/creams and texture 4 hair uses creams, butters, and oils. I want women to feel the ease of natural hair.
NC: We noticed you had a travel-sized version of the brush, what inspired the smaller version?
Felicia: The travel size mini is perfect for being on-the-go. Sometimes you’re at the gym and you need to detangle or do your hair. Our travel size is made for easy styling on-the-go in addition to working well with a blowdryer. You can also take out protective styles with the brush! There is versatility with this brush that is specially formulated to help you achieve your desired look. If you brush your hair vertically you get ringlets, if you want big hair you brush horizontally.
NC: How can I maintain moisture in my hair? Should I take the hair porosity test?
Felicia: When it comes to porosity and dry hair there are few things to consider and knowing your hair texture is the first step. A Lot of women have worn braids for years which means the synthetic hair that is used in their weave cuts into the cuticle and opens up the hair if their stylist wasn’t coating the synthetic hair with a butter or cream. When it’s open, it’s hard to close which then prevents you from maintaining moisture. There are so many factors that come into play as it pertains to moisture and one big method is L.O.C.(Liquid Oil Cream”> which is better in a spray bottle. I recommend half a teaspoon of jojoba or argan oil, two tablespoons of your favorite conditioner or leave-in, the rest is water. You can spray it on at night, cover it with a plastic cap which will allow it to steam inside the bag and get moisture on the scalp.
NC: You mentioned jojoba and argan oils earlier, there is an ongoing myth about what types of oils are good for your scalp. Can you recommend your favorite types of oils?
Felicia: Jojoba, Argan, Almond, and Black castor oil for the scalp. Oil is not for everybody. If you sweat a lot or if your diet consists of foods with alot of oil, it’s an overload on your scalp. It can start to go rancid and your hair will smell. You have to test oil out and it’s okay if it doesn’t work in your hair.
Everything starts with your digestive system. Your scalp and skin are the first alarms that something isn’t right in your body. You have to be able to exfoliate the scalp so your hair can grow. For those of you who have super thick hair, we often forget to work our shampoo into the scalp. Massage your shampoo into your scalp and that can cleanse your hair and scalp simultaneously.
NC: How do you moisturize cornrows?
Felicia: I recommend doing the L.O.C. method and then tie it back to make the frizzy hair laydown. What I notice is that when people get braids or cornrows they always negate their scalp when in reality that’s the most important time to give your scalp some love.
NC: What are your thoughts on trimming our own hair?
Felicia: Askfelicia.com features webinars that show you how to trim your own hair at home and my recommended products. I advise trimming the hair 2-3 times a year and if you are gonna trim it yourself then twist it up and you only want to take the hair off the bottom, don’t go crazy. For texture 3 you can spray it and stretch it out to see what needs to be cut. Texture 4 hair requires a blowout because of the shrinkage that occurs for you to see the ends in full form.
Image Source: @lovingyourhair
NC: What are your tips for prepping for a protective style?
Felicia: The best thing to do is deep condition your hair for about 20-30 minutes. Get your flaxseed or TGIN honey miracle mask and always use a cream or butter when you are styling your protective style. You never want to use a gel because the alcohol content can dry out your hair.
NC: What is the best way to detangle 4c hair? Soaking wet, detangled or dry?
Felicia: This truly depends on how much work you wanna do. To me you have less work with the conditioner on your hair. Section your hairs into fours after you shampoo it, put the conditioner on, split that first piece in half, get your brush (brush from the bottom and not the top”> and then twist it up. Keep moving to the other sections, wash the product out while your hair is twisted then insulate with a t-shirt.
NC: What’s the difference between moisturized and hydrated hair?
Felicia: Moisturized hair is temporary. As a stylist I want to hydrate your hair because it gets into the body of the hair. Hydration means you give it water, when you moisturize the water sits on top.
NC: Does color-treated hair need more moisture or protein?
Moisture because some people are protein sensitive. If you feel that dry, brittly feeling that means your hair is protein sensitive. Color-treated hair is already dry so you want to add as much moisture as possible.
Thank you so much for speaking with us Felicia! We look forward to seeing all the new tools and products that will continue to inspire amazing styles from the natural hair community.
No matter if you’re a wavy, curly or coily — finding the right products to care for your hair can be overwhelming, especially when you’re still learning how to properly care for your natural texture. We know the struggle all too well and want to help narrow down the list so we asked our NaturallyCurly community to vote on their holy grails that never fail.
From the best conditioners, curl creams, gels, and tools, these are worth giving a try according to thousands of women with curly, coily and wavy hair. Keep reading to find out this year’s Best of the Best products for all hair types.
Shampoo
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo: A clarifying, sulfate-free shampoo that removes product build-up, while infusing hair with moisture. Formulated with Jamaican Black Castor Oil , Shea Butter and Apple Cider Vinegar to regulate and balance pH levels on the scalp and strengthen your hair.
“Love this product and have been using it for over 3 years. I have 2c type curls, frizz and colored hair. This shampoo helps keep moisture and cleans the hair very well.” -Lisa
Co Wash
As I Am Coconut Co Wash: This cleansing conditioner is a holy grail for all hair types and for good reason! It gently removes product buildup, adds moisture to your hair to maintain your curls until your next wash day.
“I love this cowash because it gets my hair super clean and I can even detangle my hair while I have the cowash in still. It also has a nice clean scent to it. By far the best cowash I have come across!” -Savannah
Conditioner
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner:This lightweight, daily conditioner restores moisture and smoothes dry hair cuticles. No more knots, snarls and tangles. Formulated with Coconut Oil that hydrates and protects hair while reducing breakage and silk protein that smoothes hair for a soft, silky feel and neem oil to add a brilliant shine.
“I picked this up and FELL IN LOVE. I got the cleanser to match – I love how it feels as I work it through my hair, it leaves my hair feeling clean and SOOO SOFT, and my husband loves the scent just as much as I do!” – Sarah
Deep Conditioner
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque: This intense conditioning deep treatment infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients. Certified organic Shea Butter, Honey, Mafura and Baobab Oils are blended with antioxidant-rich African Rock Fig to restore and lock in moisture.
“My 2c thick, medium to coarse hair with some 2A/B and 3A curls LOVES this deep conditioner. Keeps my hair moisturized for days. After years of trying all kinds of deep conditioners and adding oils to them, this one is the very best!” -Marta
Leave-in Conditioner
Kinky-Curly Knot Today: A leave-in conditioner and detangler designed to smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls and tangles from wavy, curly and coils hair, not to mention the slip is out of this world!
“If I could only recommend one hair product to everyone – this would be it. I’ve been using it on my daughters hair for 8 years! We never, and I mean never, let our supply run out!” – Rebecca
Mousse
Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse : This unique formula infused with Almond and Avocado oil has a soft-pliable hold, dries quickly, and reduces frizz while giving off a gorgeous, natural sheen.
“I use this as a second day curl booster on wet hair and I love it. It does not make my hair crunchy at all like some mousses. It’s bouncy and light on my 3a/b curls. No frizz at all. This will be a staple in my curl care! Love it!” -Lisa
Curl Cream
Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream: The Define Cream is a multi-purpose luxurious leave-in cream that will leave your curls soft, bouncy and defined. It includes 10 exotic oils such as Organic Black Seed Oil, Avocado, Egyptian Abyssinian oil, Moroccan Rose, Argan oil & more!
” I have tried dozens and dozens of curl enhancers. Nothing compares to how soft this leaves my hair with curl definition and frizz control. UNBELIEVABLE!!” -Ericka
Hair Gel
Ecoco Eco Styler Professional Styling Gel with Argan Oil: This gel is formulated with Argan oil to define and revitalize your hair while adding brilliant shine. It has superior hold for a great wash and go, plus cam be used for keeping your edges laid for your sleek ponytail and bun.
“I love this gel so much it’s a must have. I love how the smell isn’t that overpowering and it doesn’t dry my hair out. I use this gel for my braid outs and my curls become so defined I’m in love!” -YinYang
Hair Butter & Best Product for Braids + Twists
Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter: This botanical blend of oils and butters will aid in managing thick hair, leaving a soft and smoother feel. Softens and moisturizes hair while nourishing the scalp and stimulating growth.
“This is my all time favorite and I NEVER have less than 2 jars in my possession at a time. This product is the standard by which I rate all other products! It feels good to my fingers and to my hair. My hair never cops an attitude with me and never misbehaves with this. My hair does exactly what I want it to do when this product is used. Whether a wavy ponytail, curly ponytail, or loose curl my hair shines. It is moisturized, soft and light feeing. No flakes and no build up.”
Edge Control
Ecoco Ecostyler Professional Styling Gel with Olive Oil: Made with 100% pure olive oil which helps attract moisture to your scalp and holds it in. This weightless gel will leave your hair with a healthy shine and a superior hold.
“This has been a “go to” product for me since I went natural in 2012. This gel is good for wash n gos, ponytails and speaking the edges of my 4a natural hair type!” -Tabitha
Refresher
Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Daily Curl Refresher: Why not make your second day hair style better than the first? This lovely mango scented combination will define and refresh your curls in one simple step. A special blend of natural ingredients reduces frizz, enhances natural shine and locks in moisture all day.
“I’ve tried many curl refreshers on the market and this is the BEST!!!! First of all, it has great ingredients with aloe Vera listed second on the list. I find this product to be moisturizing and definitely not drying at all! Best of all, this curl refresh isn’t watery like the “others” and hence it doesn’t frizz my hair. For best results on second day wash and go’s, twist outs, etc, I lightly spray product into my hands and then distribute into my hair, fluff and go!!! for reference, I’ve been transitioning for 11 months and have a combo of hair texture, but mainly coily, and kinky at crown.. I love this stuff!” -Pastel
Voluminizer
Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam: Create beautiful hair from roots to ends with this lightweight styler. Use to add texture, boost volume, define curls, shape and sculpt wet or dry hair or enjoy as a root refresher between washes.
“I would recommend this product to everyone! The way it makes my curls look and feel is amazing. I’ve always used mousse and hairspray until I was introduced to the Innersense product. I will never go back! My curls have never looked so good. I am truly in love with my hair again.” -Linda
New Collection
Melanin Haircare: Officially founded in 2015 by two sisters, Whitney and Taffeta White, Melanin Haircare is rooted in passion for natural hair care, healthy scalp care, natural and safe ingredients as well as high quality products and unique merchandise that benefits the community it serves.
“I wanted to share my love for natural, homemade and safe hair products on a larger scale so that everyone, regardless of time or budget, could benefit from real nutrient-rich products for healthy hair, thriving hair and scalp.” – Whitney White, Co-founder
Hair Oil + Hair Growth Product + Scalp Treatment
Righteous Roots Rx: Righteous Roots Rx is a hair rejuvenating growth serum packed with 11 essential oils featuring both anti-frizz and detangling properties like olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil and peppermint oil. It can be used for hot oil treatments, deep conditioning, pre-poo pre wash detangling, scalp massages, anti itch scalp oil, and to scrunch out the crunch.
“This product is my holy Grail! It has helped me grow my hair back not once but TWICE. The first time was due to weight loss surgery and I had very thin edges and the second time which you see in the photos are from my recent post partum hair loss. My hair is growing back SO incredibly fast and it is definitely thickening up again! The key is to use only 2-3 drops Of oil, a little goes a LONG way trust me. You can scalp massage nightly or pick your days but definitely do so at least 2-3 times a week! Also, give the product at least 3-4 months of consistent use and you will see results….it’s an amazing product.” -Amanda
Hair Treatment
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector : Whether you have color treated curls or in need of a professional at home treatment to repair your hair, this treatment will revive your hair. No.3 is a bond builder that strengthens, repairs and restores damaged hair back to healthy bouncy curls in no time.
“I bleach my hair periodically, and had noticeable damage that was present about 6 months ago. After using this 2x a week for the first probably 2 months, then moving to 1x a week, I can say with all honesty that my hair is in the BEST spot it has ever been as far as hair health is concerned. Don’t even contemplate, just hit Add to Cart. You’ll thank yourself later.”- Heather
Hairspray
Bounce Curl Alcohol-Free HairSpray: This is a medium-to-strong hold hairspray. It is infused with Organic Black Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sage Extract & Boswellia Carterii Oil. The ultra-fine mister distributes hair spray evenly to provide you with maximum hod and combats frizz in the humid seasons.
“I love this hairspray! I use this as the last step in my styling routine. Once my hair is about 50% dry, instead of using gel, I spray this in sections (2-3 sprays on the back and 2-3 on the top”>. I can see my curls tighten up as soon as I spray this on my hair! It pairs so well with the light creme gel and clump and defining cream. I also use it when I want to slick my hair back in a pony/updo. Amazing stuff!”-Jess
Heat Protectant
Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Protectant: Professional, affordable salon-quality heat protectant hair spray without the salon price tag. Thermal Creations heat protection spray for hair is heat-activated to help guard against harsh styling damage and hold your hair shape.
“I love this product. It smells fantastic! And the scent is long lasting. It is lightweight and it is certainly not sticky. My hair is soft and fine and this product did not weigh my hair down in any way whatsoever. I love the lock/unlock feature on the handle of the nozzle. That is a great selling point for moms that have little ones with them while getting ready.” -Sage
Kids Line
Cantu Care for Kids: Cantu Care for Kids is the perfect blend of 100% pure shea butter, coconut oil and honey. Nurture and nourish fragile coils, curls and waves with Cantu’s gentle care for textured hair.
Hair Tool
Denman Classic Styling Brush – D3 : The Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush is a great brush for detangling knots and snarls. The D3 is a medium styling brush with 7 rows of nylon pins to clump your curls, coils and waves to achieve maximum definition.
Value brand
SheaMoisture: For all the shea butter lovers–you’ll find your new treasured hair or skin product with SheaMoisture. Inspired by natural recipes from his Sierra Leonean grandmother, SheaMoisture, founder Richelieu Dennis and his family are sustaining her legacy through their immensely popular hair and skin care brand that was created four generations ago to empower generations to come.
Holy Grail
Curl Keeper Original: Curl Keeper contains the highest quality ingredients, provides frizz control and curl definition.The water-based formula is key which means you can use it every day without product buildup. Not to mention your curly hairstyle will last for days as its unique formula re-activates with water making Curl Keeper Original 100% effective in all weather conditions, especially humidity to combat frizz.
“This stuff is amazing! I use it in conjunction with kinky curly curling custard. I love how it makes my hair shiny and smooths frizz. For some reason it also helps my hair dry faster. So I need to work quickly when styling my hair once I put this in, but I suggest to use caution because a little goes a long way!”
Have you tried any of these products? Let us know which one is your favorite in the comment.
Curls are prone to breakage and they thrive off a healthy balance of protein and moisture. Whether your hair is dry, damaged or even thinning, it’s nothing the right at home treatment can’t fix. Each year we poll our NC community on the products they love and thousands of our community members vote! Keep reading to find out the most recommended hair treatments to bring your curls back to life, from nourishing hair oils to repairative overnight treatments these are the best hair treatments of 2020!
Righteous Roots Rx Oil
Best Hair & Scalp Oil + Hair Growth Product + Best Scalp Treatment for ALL Hair Types
Righteous Roots Rx is a hair rejuvenating growth serum packed with 12 essential oils featuring both anti-frizz and detangling properties like olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil and peppermint oil. It can be used for hot oil treatments, deep conditioning, pre-poo pre wash detangling, scalp massages, anti itch scalp oil, and to scrunch out the crunch.
Curlsmith Full Lengths Density Elixir
Best Hair Growth Product for Wavy Hair
Full Lengths Density Elixir is great as an overnight treatment for those with fine, thinning, or damaged hair. Formulated with follicle stimulating ingredients like Castor Oil, Green Tea, Cedar Wood, Soybean, Thyme, Clover and Pea Sprout, as well as scalp soothing remedies such as Lavender and Witch Hazel.
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Best Treatment for ALL Hair Types
Whether you have color treated curls or in need of a professional at home treatment to repair your hair, this treatment will revive your hair. No.3 is a bond builder that strengthens, repairs and restores damaged hair back to healthy bouncy curls in no time.
Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
Best Hair Growth Product for Coily Hair
An oil blend of 17 of the best natural ingredients including Emu oil, Rosemary oil, Olive oil and Sweet Almond oil. This oil blend stimulates, nourishes and strengthens the hair follicles and reduces dandruff, while helping to reduce scalp infections and inflammation.
ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment
Best Treatment for Coily Hair
This unique treatment is formulated with magnesium and modified proteins which fuse into the hair with the application of heat. The result is that breakage is drastically reduced. During the process, ApHogee treatment hardens into the hair, dramatic evidence that something special is occurring.
EDEN BodyWorks Papaya Castor Scalp Cleanser
Best Scalp Treatment for Coily Hair
Specially crafted to remove build-up and restore the pH level of your scalp, this cleanser is great for those needing a bit of love for their scalp. Formulated with papaya extract, castor seed oil and apple cider vinegar, it’s sure to get your scalp clean, and leave it smelling great as well!
See your favorite on the list? Let us know which one you love and any other hair treatments you always reach for.
Are you looking for a product to bring out your natural curl pattern that provides moisture, long lasting hold and definition? Look no further, thousands of our community members voted on their favorite products to style their curls, coils and waves. From styling creams to gels, these are the best styling products that you should keep in your curl cabinet.
Best Gel for Wavy Hair:
Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel
While it can dry crunchy, that initial crunch scrunches out really easily, leaving the hair very soft to the touch, but the curls hold up all day. No ramen-noodle curls here! One of the best parts about it is the frizz control.
“I’ve never loved gels b4 this one. I always found they weighed my fine-med, high-porosity, thick, 3A/2C, 10-15% iced (graying”> hair down. I was always a mousse lover due to that fact, but even those were tricky. I’ve been embracing my curls (used to think they were just mild waves”> for almost 2 decades now. This is my topper/cocktailer for extra humid days. Doesn’t wreck my curl definition or bounce factor. Just scrunch after it’s dry, if needed. I’d say wavy & curly peeps give it a try.” -Ella
Best Cream for Wavy Hair:
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Smoothes and enhances natural curl pattern revealing frizz-free volume. Made with pure shea butter to define your waves without weighing them down, a little goes a long way.
“Love, love, love! After applying the product to freshly washed and conditioned hair my curls began to form and pop. They felt really moisturized and maintained decent hold. This is the first curl cream that I have used without having to use a gel over it to get curls. I will definitely keep rotating this in my regimen.”- Jazzy
Best Mousse for Wavy Hair:
Giovanni Mousse Air-Turbo Charged Hair Styling Foam
Your style just got better, easier, and more voluminous. Help your hair spring into action by adding a few pumps to your wavy hair for an effortless yet defined look.
“This works really nice for fine, wavy hair. It fluffs up my hair and adds a lot of body and movement. It has a light scent that doesn’t compete with my perfume.”
Best Cream for Curly Hair and BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES:
Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream
The Define Cream is a multi-purpose luxurious leave-in cream that will leave your curls soft, bouncy and defined. It includes 10 exotic oils such as Organic Black Seed Oil, Avocado, Egyptian Abyssinian oil, Moroccan Rose, Argan oil & more!
” I have tried dozens and dozens of curl enhancers. Nothing compares to how soft this leaves my hair with curl definition and frizz control. UNBELIEVABLE!!” -Ericka
Best Mousse for Curly Hair:
Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
Create beautiful hair from roots to ends with this lightweight styler. Use to add texture, boost volume, define curls, shape and sculpt wet or dry hair or enjoy as a root refresher between washes.
“I would recommend this product to everyone! The way it makes my curls look and feel is amazing. I’ve always used mousse and hairspray until I was introduced to the Innersense product. I will never go back! My curls have never looked so good. I am truly in love with my hair again.” -Linda
Best Gel for Curly Hair and BEST for ALL Hair Types:
Ecoco Eco Styler Professional Styling Gel with Argan Oil
This gel is formulated with Argan oil to define and revitalize your hair while adding brilliant shine. It has superior hold for a great wash and go, plus cam be used for keeping your edges laid for your sleek ponytail and bun.
“I love this gel so much it’s a must have. I love how the smell isn’t that overpowering and it doesn’t dry my hair out. I use this gel for my braid outs and my curls become so defined I’m in love!”
Best Gel for Coily Hair
Ecoco Ecostyler Professional Styling Gel with Olive Oil
Made with 100% pure olive oil which helps attract moisture to your scalp and holds it in. This weightless gel will leave your hair with a healthy shine and a superior hold.
“This has been a “go to” product for me since I went natural in 2012. This gel is good for wash n gos, ponytails and speaking the edges of my 4a natural hair type!” -Tabitha
Best Cream for Coily Hair:
Melanin Twist Elongating Style Cream
This lightweight, elongating style cream is designed to instantly hydrate and seal the moisture into your hair, making it more manageable, while also helping to detangle and reduce knots! This generous, nutrient-rich formula, contains five of the most nourishing, all-natural hair butters on the market: shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, kokum butter and cupuacu butter.
“This is the first styling cream that has truly transformed my heat damaged hair. Things I used to use that worked well did not after I gave myself heat damage, but this works. It was so hard to get my hair to retain moisture but my hair comes out moisturized, shiny and bouncy everytime. I recommend this to every natural I know.” -Natalia
Best Mousse for Coily Hair:
Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
Coconut and shea oils deeply hydrate hair from the inside out, leaving hair soft and nourished with brilliant shine. Fast drying foaming mousse leaves wraps soft and full of body. Can be used for wash and wear styles, twists outs and rod sets.
“The first mousse that I’ve used that wasn’t drying! To set my perm rods I used two large pumps with a little pump of the devacurl supercream. My curls came out smooth and silky as if I had put heat on it. As I was applying the products to my hair my curls looked AMAZING. Super defined and shiny!” -Philana
BEST Mousse for ALL Hair Types:
Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse
This unique formula infused with Almond and Avocado oil has a soft-pliable hold, dries quickly, and reduces frizz while giving off a gorgeous, natural sheen.
“I use this as a second day curl booster on wet hair and I love it. It does not make my hair crunchy at all like some mousses. It’s bouncy and light on my 3a/b curls. No frizz at all. This will be a staple in my curl care! Love it!” -Lisa
Best Hair Butter for Braids and Twists for ALL Hair Types:
Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter
This botanical blend of oils and butters will aid in managing thick hair, leaving a soft and smoother feel. Softens and moisturizes hair while nourishing the scalp and stimulating growth.
“This is my all time favorite and I NEVER have less than 2 jars in my possession at a time. This product is the standard by which I rate all other products! It feels good to my fingers and to my hair. My hair never cops an attitude with me and never misbehaves with this. My hair does exactly what I want it to do when this product is used. Whether a wavy ponytail, curly ponytail, or loose curl my hair shines. It leaves my hair moisturized, soft and lightweight. No flakes and no build up.”
Best for Twists and Locs for Curly Hair:
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Soufflé
Bring home this styling twisting souffle for your next twist-out, braidout, or bantu knots, and enjoy intense hydration and natural shine! Made with organic ingredients including pomegranate extract, honey, and essential oils, this formula provides the nourishment, definition, and hold that you need for beautiful, healthy styling.
“This product is SUPER moisturizing. It also defines my curls when I put it on & comb it in. I used it for my mini twists & it makes my twists look so neat. It has a perfect, LIGHT, hold for them.”
What are your favorite styling products? Let us know in the comments below. See the full list of Best of the Best winners here.
Whether you sleep with a silk pillowcase or scarf to protect curls overnight, chances are you have to refresh your hair in the morning to bring your curls back to life. Achieving great day 2 hair and beyond, doesn’t have to be difficult. To help take out the guesswork, we asked and you voted on your absolute favorite refreshers for wavy, curly and coily hair. Keep reading to find out the NC Best of the Best award winning refreshers that we always reach for to revive our hair in between washes.
TYPE 2
Raw Curls Anti-Frizz Spray
This anti-frizz spray helps to detangle your hair, plus refreshes your waves in between washes without weighing it down.
“LOVE this spray! I use it on wet hair before leave in for added frizz control and also as a refresher spray on day 2 or 3 hair. It makes SUCH a difference with my stubborn frizz and smells so good!” -Diane
TYPE 3
Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
The ultimate go-to for curlies, the Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle spray is formulated with key ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter to renew and hydrate curls in between washes.
“Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle spray is my new holy grail. I actually never even had one so it’s my first holy grail. I use it as a leave-in conditioner and to help refresh curls on non wash days. It works amazing for me. It’s light, so as a leave in for my curls and it’s excellent!” -Amy
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Daily Curl Refresher
This lovely mango scented combination will define and refresh your curls in one simple step. Helps revive your flattened, bed head hair and dried out curls to help them look fabulous again. A special blend of natural ingredients reduces frizz, enhances natural shine and locks in moisture all day. It works by clumping your curls together to help them pop.
“I’ve tried many curl refreshers on the market and this is the BEST! First of all, it has great ingredients with aloe vera listed second on the list. I find this product to be moisturizing and definitely not drying at all! Best of all, this curl refresh isn’t watery like the “others” and hence it doesn’t frizz my hair. For best results on second day wash and go’s, twist outs, etc, I lightly spray product into my hands and then distribute into my hair, fluff and go!” -Pastel
What is your go-to curl refreshing product you love? Share with us in the comments below.
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I had curls when I was a toddler, then my hair turned straight as a kid (with a few ringlets at the ends”> and then my hair turned kind of wavy-curly when I became a teenager. I often hear this from other girls with loose curls. I didn’t fight my natural texture, but I had no idea how to manage it because no one else in the family has curly hair.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally wavy/curly hair?
Actually, I was quite happy with my curls despite the fact that I had no idea how to handle them. However, I hated my natural hair color, I kept bleaching it. I totally ruined my hair by dyeing it at home, using horrible, cheap products with sulfates, silicones and alcohol. I diffused with hot air. My ends were breaking off constantly, I could not achieve literally any hair growth for years. I had a thin, dry ball of frizz and it was shedding a lot. I realized I couldn’t go on doing this to my hair, so I decided to learn how to take care of my curls and found the curly girl method. I have been following it for 2 and a half years now and it works wonders!
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
As I mentioned earlier, my hair wouldn’t grow for years and I was incredibly frustrated over that. As my hair was getting healthier and healthier (it took a long time and I was impatient”> my hair started to transform. I wasn’t only retaining length, but my curl pattern has also changed a lot since then: my spirals and ringlets started to appear in place of the frizzy waves. I realized that ditching the hair dye and embracing my natural color was a great decision: as it was growing out, I learned to like it because of all the benefits I was experiencing.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I don’t make any fuss about it. :”> I use a satin pillowcase and put my hair in a pineapple with a satin scrunchie.
Who is your curl crush?
I have so many, it’s so hard to choose!
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I have fine hair, so my hair loves protein treatments! And I can’t live without my Wet Detangler Tangle Teezer brush, it cuts down my detangling time literally into half and spares me an awful lot of breakage, too.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I follow the condition-wash-condition method: I pre-poo with an oil the previous night, I detangle with a conditioner, I shampoo and deep condition. My holy grail hair mask is the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Mask by Shea Moisture, it always gives me insane definition whenever I use it! I style with the Maui Moisture curl milk and I layer a gel on top of it. I air dry until my hair is 80% dry and after that I diffuse for volume and more bounce. I clarify on a regular basis with Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap and Charcoal Shampoo.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
In the first year I was really impatient because it took a lot of time before I started seeing noticeable progress. I was comparing myself constantly to my favorite influencers at the time who were either years ahead of me or had totally different hair types. It also took me a lot of effort to find out where to buy the hair products I was constantly hearing about because a few years ago I couldn’t find these in Hungary. (Now I shop online and also have a couple of drugstore options like Cantu and Maui Moisture.”>
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Figuring out the right balance between protein and moisture was one of the biggest favors I could do for myself. Styling with my Tangle Teezer or Denman Brush and finger coiling helped to bring back and encourage my curl formation and clumping. It also creates an even curl pattern if there are sections that need help.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Your curls give you so much personality and uniqueness! Your hair is special and makes you stand out. The most beautiful thing about this journey is that the more you invest in it, the more you will appreciate your results. We cherish what we earn. I promise that you will be proud of yourself and you will feel that it’s worth the hard work you have put into it!
Whether you’re currently transitioning, an OG curly girl or natural hair enthusiast there’s no greater joy than finding a product that works like magic for your curls, coils, and waves! With the overwhelming amount of natural hair products on the shelves it can be tough to decide which products to choose.
Luckily, we’re here to help take the guesswork out of finding the perfect product for you and also help you determine what your hair type is to help you better understand your curls.
Every year we poll the NaturallyCurly community and ask their favorite hair care products that are really ahhhhmazing and simply do what they say they’re going to do.
What makes the NC BOB Leaders in Curl seal unique and valuable is- it’s the unfiltered opinions of thousands of curlies around the world with various hair textures, plus our editors share their products that they deem worthy of a Best of the Best Leaders in Curl Award.
We created the Best of the Best Leaders in Curl awards to recognize those products deemed the best natural hair products of all time that we without a doubt love, selected by both our community and our editors.
This year, we had over 5,000 NaturallyCurly community members and team members have taken the time to share their favorite products, tools and necessities for curly, coily and wavy hair.
The Results
Ready to see who won this year? You’ll be surprised a few products actually won for ALL hair types and work well for various hair textures. Okay enough talking, we have compiled the votes and are excited to announce the full products list of must have items that every curly girl should try out.
Each winner is organized by the following categories with a special notation of recommendations for each hair type and overall highly recommended for all hair types.
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
Bounce Curl Enzyme Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 2
Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
TYPE 4
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hydration Intensive Conditioner
Deep Conditioner:
TYPE 2
Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque
TYPE 4
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 4
Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner
TYPE 2
Giovanni Mousse Air-Turbo Charged Hair Styling Foam
TYPE 3
Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
TYPE 4
Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse
TYPE 2
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
TYPE 4
Melanin Twist Elongating Style Cream
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream
TYPE 2
Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Ecoco Eco Styler Professional Styling Gel with Argan Oil
TYPE 4
Ecoco Ecostyler Professional Styling Gel with Olive Oil
TYPE 4
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Soufflé
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter
TYPE 3
CURLS Blueberry CURL Control Paste
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Ecoco Ecostyler Professional Styling Gel with Olive Oil
TYPE 2
Bounce Curl Avocado and Rose Oil
TYPE 3
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 4
Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 4
EDEN BodyWorks Papaya Castor Scalp Cleanser
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 2
Curlsmith Full Lengths Density Elixir
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Righteous Roots Rx TYPE 3 & OVERALL BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 4
Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
TYPE 4
ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 2
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Bounce Curl Alcohol-Free HairSpray
TYPE 2
Living Proof Restore Instant Protection
TYPE 3
Cantu Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Protectant
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
TYPE 4 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Daily Curl Refresher
TYPE 2
Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
TYPE 2
Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser
TYPE 3 & BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
Denman Classic Styling Brush – D3
TYPE 4
Felicia Leatherwood Brush With The Best
TYPE 2
BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
TYPE 4
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
TYPE 4
Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk
Which of these are your favorite(s”> ? Let us know in the comments below.
Image: @thecurlybella
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up in Puerto Rico, long straight hair was the norm. I don’t have any memory of me wearing my natural hair out as a kid; I absolutely hated my hair. It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to transition into being natural.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
My mom always wanted me to embrace my curly hair, but I wanted to fit in. It wasn’t until one day, I really missed her and needed to feel connected to her, that I heard her voice telling me to leave it curly and I finally listened. My mom passed when I was young so this is definitely for her.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
My first “because of you” DM. I don’t see myself as an “influencer” . My goal was to always show girls that they are beautiful and they didn’t have to go through what I went through as a kid. When I read that DM saying “you inspired me to start my curly hair journey”… it all clicked.
Image: @thecurlybella
How do you protect your curls at night?
I have a silk pillowcase and I sleep with my hair in a pineapple. I tried scarves and bonnets, but I take them off while I sleep… I guess they bother me at night.
Who is your curl crush?
So many I can’t pick! I do love a tighter curl. It’s so much easier to achieve volume, and it looks amazing.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Deep conditioners, my diffuser and my Felicia Leatherwood brush.
Image: @thecurlybella
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
During quarantine my hair is extra dry because I’m inside with radiator heat 24/7. So definitely doing a lot of Olaplex No.3 and deep conditioning treatments. Rizos Curls refresh spray has become my go to to keep my hair moisturized.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
Growing my damaged hair out. I didn’t do a big chop, and I had parts of my hair that were so damaged that my hair wasn’t proportioned at all.
Image: @thecurlybella
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Consistency and patience! Consistently using deep conditioners and cutting my hair every 3-5 months. And being patient, not going back to heat until my hair was healthy enough to take it, patiently detangling my hair to avoid more breakage. I think also listening to my hair, knowing what it likes and doesn’t like because everyone’s hair is different.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
Going natural isn’t a trend. If you’re not ready to make the commitment, don’t do it. It’s a long process that requires a lot of love and patience. Now, if this is something that you want to do because in your soul you wants to, do it. You will learn so much about yourself, not only will your hair grow healthy, but so will you.
Image:@naturally_madisen
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Growing up with textured hair was difficult at times, especially since my mom didn’t know how to manage it properly. Most of the time my hair would get thrown in a high puff or it would get straightened with the hot comb (yes, the one you heat up on the stove, and it used to burn the mess out of my ears and neck”>.
When I went to school I was constantly picked on by other girls and told that I need to get a relaxer and how my hair was too nappy. That’s when I decided to beg my mom for a perm.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
I decided to embrace my natural hair because my relaxed hair started to thin out and it was damaged. Although I had the length I’ve always wanted, I wasn’t happy with how it looked. I had always thought about returning natural, however, I was scared to cut all of my hair off. After doing research, I found out about transitioning and felt more comfortable taking that journey so I could keep my length and have time to learn how to manage my own hair.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment of my journey so far is when I inspired my mom to embrace her natural hair after 40+ years of getting relaxers. I never thought I’d be able to go on this journey with her and teach her how to take care of a new texture. It has been beautiful watching her growth and I’m glad my journey gave her the courage to try something new.
Another empowering moment is when I finally decided to big chop. When I looked in the mirror after getting rid of my relaxed ends, I felt liberated. I actually ended up crying on my way home, but it was happy tears. This is something I told myself I could never do, but I gathered the courage and did it. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made!
How do you protect your curls at night?
Before putting on my satin bonnet, I put my hair in mini pineapples to stretch it a little and it helps my styles to last longer. I also use a satin pillowcase sometimes for double protection.
Image:@naturally_madisen
Who is your curl crush?
My curl crush would have to be Khadijah aka Khadisiac on YouTube. She was the first person on Youtube that I found during my transitioning journey that helped me choose the right products and manage my hair. I have high porosity hair and she does too, and thanks to her, I found out about porosity early on which helped me a lot once I big chopped.
Want to undertsand your hair type? Take our hair type quiz.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
One thing I can’t live without is my Bunzee Bands, a hair tie that I use to get the perfect high puff. A high puff is my go-to style once my hair gets old, and this accessory makes the process of putting my hair up easier and faster.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
The first week of every month I use a clay wash to remove product build-up and give my curls a fresh start. My favorite clay wash is from Chocolate Kinks & Kurls, the Red Clay & Hibiscus.
On the other weeks, I pre-poo before wash day and use shampoo. Then I follow up with a rinse-out conditioner and I always use a deep conditioner for at least 30-45 min. I like double conditioning my high porosity hair, it’s something that has always worked for me. Once I finish that, I do a scalp massage and follow the LOC method to style my hair.
Throughout the week, I refresh with water if needed and fluff my hair out with an oil and a hair pick. I wear a satin bonnet every night to protect my hair and massage my scalp twice per week.
I have many favorite products, but two of my top brands I use consistently are Melanin Haircare and Nature’s Little Secret.
Image:@naturally_madisen
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging moment of my journey has been embracing my texture and loving my hair regardless of what other people think. When I first big chopped I had a vision of what I wanted my curls to look like, however, I knew that wouldn’t be the case. It took time and patience for me to figure out what worked best for my curls and over time I started to fall in love with them.
I had to realize that my curls are unique and beautiful. It’s good that it doesn’t look exactly like someone else’s! This is the texture I was born with and I’m proud to rock it every day with confidence now.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
One thing that has made a huge impact on the health of my hair is incorporating Ayurvedic Herbs in my regimen. Using different herbs has helped strengthen my curls, stimulate hair growth, and combat scalp issues I’ve struggled with for years such as itchiness and dandruff.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice is to continue to find what works best for you and be patient. This journey is all about trial & error and you can’t give up when things don’t turn out the way you expect. You will always learn something new about your hair and it’ll change over time. Once you find products and techniques that work wonders for your hair, you’ll start to feel more confident with it and see what your texture can truly do. Even without adding products to your hair, just know you’re beautiful and your texture is unique and helps you stand out from the crowd.
Image: @itsshowkneez
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I get my curly hair from my mother who always straightened her hair growing up. My mother’s hair is even curlier than mine. She would often get called “bush baby” when she wore her hair curly to school. The cycle of straightening her hair to fit in passed on to me. I would always feel like I looked untidy and unkept if I left my hair curly. I would get blow-outs since the young age of 7 years old so I could look “neat” for school. I would spend hours trying to get my hair straight only for it to curl back up and get frizzy in humid conditions. I also remember having a few childhood peers (all with straight hair”> who made fun of curly hair in pre-school and primary school. This forced me to try any method just to get my hair straight.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?
Besides straightening my hair everyday, I also used to dye my hair very often when I entered university. Although I loved the different hair colors, my hair was extremely dry and brittle. I started to hate my hair even more when it was straight. During 2017 I started seeing a lot of women on Instagram who were embracing their curly hair. I saw many women with the same curl pattern as me and realized that my hair could also potentially look as good. At the end of 2017, I decided to do a big chop and to stop straightening my hair.
Image: @itsshowkneez
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering moment so far been using my platform to help other women to embrace their curls. My hair is finally in a healthy state and I have learned how to care for my hair. I’m now trying to share my tips and tricks. Second to this, my most empowering moment was doing a big chop. I thought my hair wouldn’t grow back at first!
How do you protect your curls at night?
I usually apply a little bit of almond oil to my hair and protect it with a satin scarf. The almond oil helps my hair retain moisture. I use the pineapple method.
Who is your curl crush?
My curl crush is definitely Jayme Jo. Her hair is so healthy and beautiful. I’ve been following her for a while and she’s definitely #goals.
Image: @itsshowkneez
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
Definitely my satin scarf and my diffuser. Wash day for me takes a few hours so I always sleep with my satin scarf to make sure my hair lasts for a few days. My diffuser helps me achieve volume and also shortens my drying time. I definitely wouldn’t be able to wait to air dry every wash day.
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
I try to follow the curly girl method in terms of products. I shampoo with Sheamoisture JBCO and I deep condition with the JBCO Masque right after shampooing. I only shampoo and deep condition once a week. If I need to wash my hair more than once a week, I use the As I Am Coconut Co-wash which prevents my hair from drying out. When styling, I apply a leave in for moisture and a gel for definition and hold. My favorite leave-ins are: Sheamoisture Raw Shea Detangler, Kinky Curly Knot Today and Jane Carter Solutions. My favorite gels are: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Souffle, Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel and the Mane Choice Crystal Orchid gel.
Image: @itsshowkneez
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most challenging moment was figuring out how to sleep with curls and also which products to buy. The market is flooded with so many different products but it’s difficult figuring out which one will work for which hair texture. Certain products can also contain harsh chemicals so I had to do a lot of research into the different ingredients that go into hair products. Curly hair is naturally quite dry so it’s important to make sure the products we use are nourishing for our hair.
Image: @itsshowkneez
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Deep conditioning really changed my hair. Deep conditioning once a week reduced so much off my frizz. My hair also started growing so much faster once I started deep conditioning. I also find that sectioning my hair when applying products gives me much better results. My hair also became a lot more defined once I started using a gel to style. Of course, with all of this I figured out how to balance moisture and protein in my hair.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
I think that society has certain standards of beauty that have prevented and still prevent women (mostly those with kinkier hair types”> from even being able to wear their natural hair. So firstly, I believe that society needs to change the beauty standards placed on certain hair types. Learning to love one’s hair in its natural form takes time and there’s a lot that goes with it given the standards of beauty that certain hair types face. What helped me start loving my curly hair was definitely learning how to style it and take care of it. Once I started getting good styling results, I started loving my hair more and more. Most importantly, trust the process!
Image: @tiffofalltrades_
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
Honestly, it was a headache. My hair was very thick and long. I cried and screamed the whole wash day. It took my mom and my aunt to wash and style my hair. My mom would hold me down and my aunt would do the rest. It was pretty traumatizing and I needed a Tylenol by the end of wash day. I was so happy when my mom put Just For Me in my hair.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly/coilyhair?
What made me embrace my natural hair was proving to my two daughters that their natural hair is beautiful the way it is. I couldn’t show them without being an example. So I went natural and never turned back.
What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?
The most empowering part was me starting my Instagram to help inspire others to embrace their natural hair. I’ve helped thousands of women, including my mother, my aunt, my cousins embrace their beautiful texture.
How do you protect your curls at night?
I use a bonnet and satin pillowcase. I typically put two puffs in my hair to help stretch the style and then a bonnet.
Who is your curl crush?
Honestly, I love looking at other textures and admiring the healthy and beauty of their hair. But I honestly love my curls and I’m my own hair goals. Once you love your hair it will start to flourish beyond your wildest dreams. But to answer your question if I had to choose when I first started I loved Naptural85 Whitney’s hair I also learned a lot from her.
What’s your curly girl essential you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my deep conditioners, not a specific one either. My natural hair regimen requires deep conditioning every wash day, that was a game changer for me. I also love products with Ayurvedic ingredients.
Image: @tiffofalltrades_
What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share?
My favorite products are Bask And Bloom Brahmi Root Masque, Mango Twisting Cream, and Silky Aloe Pudding. I’ve been loving Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight for my cleansing shampoo that doesn’t strip my hair , I also been using Eden BodyWorks Jojoba deep conditioner a lot these days.
What has been the most challenging moment of your natural hair journey so far?
I would say staying on top of my trims especially with quarantine. I’m due for one soon and I always go to Celsete_Steele when I need one in the DFW. When I don’t stay on top of it , I end up having to cut more off. That stunts my length retention goals.
Image: @tiffofalltrades_
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a huge impact on your hair health?
Yes I actually started using the method, where I use a leave in cream and oil or leave in and gel if I do a wash and go. I no longer use oil in the middle of adding ingredients because it then acts as a barrier to the cream that I would apply next. I noticed the difference by trial and error.
What’s your advice to women who are still struggling with loving their natural texture?
My advice would be to stop comparing your hair to other people. Instead admire their hair health and come up with a routine that works for you. Try different techniques, that’s the only way you will find out what works. Also make sure to take the time and listen to see how your hair responds to a technique or product. I also suggest starting a hair journal with the date of your wash day and products and techniques you used. So you have a resource to go back to. Also mark what didn’t work, what caused build up, what didn’t have great definition. This helps you to narrow down your options.
