Search Results: Nina Sultan

By Nina Sultan · Published October 25, 2017

Deciding on a Halloween costume can be tricky.

Even more tricky? Finding one that will help maintain your curls. One of the easiest ways to maintain your curls is dressing like a character with curly hair! There are so many fun ideas and inspirational people — whether fictional or not — that have beautiful curly hair. Examples include Baby from Dirty Dancing, Napolean Dynamite, Eleven from the latest season of Stranger Things, Slash from the band Guns and Roses, Willy Wonka from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Claire from The Breakfast Club, Andie from Pretty in Pink, Buddy from The Elf, and many more.

Last year, I dressed up as Bob Ross on Halloween and had an absolute blast.

The costume was super low maintenance and let me embrace my shorter natural hair. Here, I provide a simple and fun Bob Ross Halloween tutorial.

What you’ll need

• Eyeliner or a fake goatee
• High waisted blue jeans
• button-up shirt or denim jacket
• belt (preferably thin and black”>
• large paintbrush
• painting palette
• paint
• hair pick (optional”>
• TWA to shoulder-length curly hair
• combat boots or loafers (optional”>

The outfit

Bob Ross always wears high waisted blue jeans and a nicely tucked in button-up shirt. He switches it up between pink, white, blue, striped, and sometimes, even denim. Really any nice button-up shirt will work if you stay within those colors. Once your shirt is on, make sure you have a few buttons undone. Once you have your pants and shirt, you will need a belt — ideally, one that is thin and black. Lastly, if you have loafers or combat boots, break out those bad boys! Otherwise, any shoe similar to that will do. And that is all you need for the outfit!

The hair

This costume works especially well if you have shorter curly hair. Take your hair pick or wide-tooth comb, and pick your hair out as much as you can. If you need to, you can also fluff it out to get the most volume. I would even go as far as brushing your hair out carefully with a wide-tooth comb to really achieve that Bob Ross ‘fro effect. If you have longer hair, you can always pin it up with some bobby pins.

For the beard, you can always take some liquid liner that matches your hair color and draw on your bread with short quick strokes! If you don’t want to bother, you can always buy a fake beard to stick on your face. Just make sure it’s short like Bob’s! Lastly, Don’t forget the chest hair! That’s super important.

The palette

For the palette, you can buy a cheap plastic or wooden one at any craft store. Otherwise, you can make your own out of duck tape and cardboard! Simply take the cardboard, cut out a palette shape, then wrap it up in any kind of duck tape. The last thing you’ll need is some cheap acrylic paint. Acrylic is ideal since it dries quickly. Grab your large paintbrush, and you’re ready to go paint some happy trees!

Who are you dressing up as this Halloween?

Here’s some inspiration for your next look.

By Nina Sultan · Published September 22, 2017

If you’re a minimalist like me, you aim to keep your curl care simple yet effective.

There are multiple methods to choose from when it comes to maintaining healthy hair while you sleep. Below, I provide 3 tips on how to care for fine curly hair at night.

Tip 1: Don’t treat or deep condition overnight.

While some choose to deep condition their curls while they sleep, for me, it’s too heavy for my curl texture. Furthermore, there is research arguing against deep conditioning while you sleep as it can actually cause more harm than good to your curls by over moisturizing them. Additionally, I find that I get the best results by keeping my regular treatments short, sweet, but effective. When I do a protein or deep conditioning treatment, I leave it in for 20 to 30 minutes, but no more than one hour. That is the key to ensuring that you maintain healthy hair, whether it is day or night.

Tip 2: Apply treatments or style in the late afternoon or early evenings.

As a general rule, I always treat and style my curls in the late afternoon to early evenings to allow my treatments to soak in and work their magic with time left over to wash it out. In addition, I find that the treatments and styling products work better when I don’t have to worry about being on the go and exposing my curls to the sun, wind, or the pollution of NYC. I can just relax after a long day, and let my curls treat themselves by spending the night in.

I feel that my curls are their healthiest when I go to bed with curls that have been dried, treated, styled, and are ready to go. They smell great, are moisturized, and look amazing and healthy! Furthermore, it makes for a quicker stress-free morning routine where I can simply do a quick refresh and be ready to go out the door!

For styling, as always, I have been loving Light crème gel by Bouncecurl and following up with a light finishing oil like Ouidad Mongongo Oil. For deep treatments, I have been using SheaMoisture Tahitian and Monoi Weekly Scalp Therapy. When I do my protein treatment, I use a ratio of 1 raw egg and 1 large spoonful of coconut oil.

Tip 3: Protect your curls while you sleep!

To ensure that your curls have lasting definition, doing either of these simple methods can make all the difference in regard to keeping your curls protected while you sleep, as well as help prevent them from giving you a crazy case of bedhead.

1. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase.

While the pineapple method can be a bit tricky for us shorter haired curly folks, lately, this is the method that I have been doing to protect my curls overnight and it couldn’t get any easier. I sleep with my hair down on my favorite satin pillowcase and that’s it. If you have curly hair, then you have probably heard that using cotton pillow cases aren’t the best as they can cause unnecessary friction, frizz, and damage. Satin pillowcases are easily affordable and can be purchased right off of amazon. They are so worth it, and your curls will thank you. I find that even though this method is simple, it defines and protects my hair enough to my satisfaction while I sleep.

2. Wear a silk scarf.

For even more protection and fuller coverage, you can also wrap your curls up in a silk scarf. If you don’t have a silk scarf, you can always flip your satin pillowcase inside out. With the satin side surrounding your hair, you can wrap it up in that and sleep with it that way.

To see a curl sleep method in action refer to my video tutorial here.

Watch another great video from Gabriella Gatehouse here

Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment and find the sleeping method that works best for your fine curls.

What do you do to keep your curls healthy at night? Let me know in the comment section below.

By Nina Sultan · Published August 23, 2017

While I keep my curl routine generally pretty minimal, the products that I do use, I cannot live without. This goes for beach days, too.

Here’s how I beach prep my curly hair

Before spending a day on the sand I like to add a little coconut oil to my hair because of its natural SPF. I do so by gently scrunching a quarter size amount of oil all around my curls. it Even though the SPF level in coconut oil is very low — close to 1 — it is better than nothing. Sometimes I like to alternate between that or using my Ouidad Mongongo Oil, which can also be used as a heat protectant. Additionally, the product is super light on my curls.

On the beach

Once I am on the beach I will often wear hairbands, bobby pins, or wear my hair up in a protective style like a bun or pineapple to get the hair out of my face. This is especially helpful when I am swimming in the ocean or just feeling like being a total beach bum.

Usually, I am on and off the beach periodically throughout the day. This is an important step because the middle of the day is when the sun is at its hottest.

Post swim

After going swimming and while taking a break from the sun, I will rinse the saltwater out of my hair by using my DIY refreshing hair spray. My mix contains filtered water infused with lavender, peppermint, or rosemary essential oil — it depends on what oil I’m in the mood for since I usually don’t wash my hair until the end of the day when I am done swimming.

Finally, as the day goes on, I will reapply coconut or Mongongo Oil as I see fit throughout the rest of the day especially since I am out in the sun for long periods of time.

With regard to my overall curly hair care routine post-swim, I absolutely cannot live without my co-wash, which I will use every day. I am typically only at the beach for a week or so at a time, so my Renpure Solutions Vanilla Mint Co-Wash works fine for this instance.

If I’m itching to style my hair

I typically like to use my Bounce Curl Crème Gel for styling and that’s it! I will add one of my oils as a finisher if my curls feel too dry. To dry my curls I usually alternate between a using a diffuser or letting them air dry (since they dry pretty quickly in that kind of heat and sunny weather”>. However, whenever I do air dry my hair, I do not get that big volume that I love, so I will either use my trusty hair pick, shake my curls with my fingers, or follow up briefly with my diffuser to give it some more life.

A week later

Finally, at the end of the week, I will follow up with my weekly deep conditioner, SheaMoisture Tahitian Noni Monoi Oil Smooth & Repair Hair Scalp Therapy to restore moisture back into my hair.

How do you prep your curly hair for a day at the beach?

Let us know your routine in the comments section!

And follow us on Facebook to see what we’re talking about right now.

By Nina Sultan · Published August 1, 2017

Hey NaturallyCurly Community! It’s Nina Sultan here.

After years of experimenting with all kinds of different products, I can officially say that I have found my ultimate set of holy grail products. I have been using them religiously for the past 6 months and my curls have never looked so moisturized and defined.

Leave-in

The first product I use is my DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler as a leave-in. I use about two pumps and rub the product between my palms before gently finger combing the product all throughout my curls for a nice even distribution. I love this leave-in because it doesn’t weigh down my curls at all, is easy to distribute, and has a lovely coconut scent. It’s 100% free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones which I love, and it gives my hair incredible moisture. I have found this leave-in to work really well with fine curly hair, which is perfect for me.

Styler

The next product I apply is my Bounce Curl Light Crème Gel with Aloe Vera and nigella sativa.

I use slightly over a quarter amount and rub the gel between my hands, and again, gently finger comb throughout. I love this gel because it doesn’t leave my hair feeling crunchy or sticky, rather, it soaks into my curls and leaves them with incredible definition. The combination of the DevaCurl with this product, never fail to make my curls look amazing each and every time I use both of these products. This product also has a light fruity scent to it which I find to be quite pleasant.

Finisher

The final product I add to my hair is my Ouidad Mongongo Oil as a finishing product. I use two pumps of this and again, rub it between my hands, and then lightly scrunch the ends of my curls with this all the way around my head. I love this oil because you can use it for many different reasons such as a leave-in, heat protectant, or a finishing oil. This product really provides my curls with the enhanced shine and softness that I desire. It smells like a light mixture of essential oils and is a lovely oil to try if you are looking for something that will leave your hair feeling soft and looking naturally shiny.

Dry

After my products have been applied, I give my curls a gentle shake or two to allow them to fall naturally before I begin to dry them. Before, I used to let my curls air dry for about an hour before diffusing, but lately, I have started diffusing my hair almost immediately after all of my products have been applied.  While there is some controversy that doing that isn’t good for you hair, I have been doing that for months and so far and haven’t noticed any damage to my hair. I love the enhanced volume I get from diffusing that I wouldn’t get otherwise from air-drying alone. Once I’ve finished diffusing my curls, I shake them gently to fluff and even them out.

Hack for even more volume

While diffusing and shaking gives my curls incredible volume, I have been into really big curly hair lately so I have been using my little hair pick to add even more volume to my hair.  This is optional because sometimes shaking and diffusing can be enough, but for my purposes, I take the pick and slide it gently near my roots and fluff upwards to get that desired extra height.

What products are you loving right now?

Do you prefer diffusing or letting your curls air-dry? Let me know in the comment section below!

Read next: How I Trim My Own Curly Hair

By Nina Sultan · Published July 25, 2017

 

While traveling this summer, I ran out of leave in conditioner and wanted to switch it up once again.

Before, I had been using DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler as a leave-in for the past couple of months and was loving it. While I loved this product, it was a bit expensive. Therefore I wanted to switch to something new and a bit cheaper. For cleansing, I have been using Carol’s Daughter Sacred Tiare duo products and have been wanting to try one of their leave in products for awhile, so I decided to try out their Hair Milk Leave-In Moisturizer ($12″>. You can buy this product pretty much anywhere. This is what I thought of the product.

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Original Leave-in Moisturizer

Application

• Once I got out of the shower, I used a little over a quarter size amount of product.
• Then, like always, I gently finger-combed the product thoroughly through my sopping wet curls. The product itself is white and truly milky in consistency. I liked how easy it was to distribute and apply.
• After applying a leave-in, I paired it with my all time favorite crème gel by Bounce Curl, and applied it the same way. With both products lightly and evenly distributed, I then plopped my curls for about 10 minutes.
• After plopping, I let down my curls and gently scrunched them before diffusing them dry.

The results

Once my curls were voluminous and dry, the first thing I noticed was how soft my curls were. Surprisingly, they felt even softer than when I just use the Bounce Curl Gel by itself. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it paired with the styling gel, in that, my curls neither felt weighed down, heavy, nor crunchy. My curls were defined beyond my satisfaction as well as made my curls smell amazing. While the scent present, it is light and lovely. Furthermore, while this product is not a 2 and 1, like I typically go for in the warmer seasons, if I feel like my curls are drying out this summer, I know what leave-in to use to support and give my curls that desired moisture this summer.

My review

While this product is a bit pricy, it is way cheaper than Devacurl and it does last since you only need to use a little. Regarding sizes, there are two options: 2 ounces or 8 ounces. Depending on your hair length, if you have short curls like me, the 8-ounce will last you for several months.

I would definitely recommend this product to curlies with my hair type.

The pros

• it lasts a long time for 8 ounces
• it has a lovely scent
• it is easy to distribute and apply
• it doesn’t leave your curls feeling heavy, weighed down, or crunchy
• it deeply moisturizes, adds softness, prevents frizz, and gives great definition to your curls
• it is for all curl types
• it is paraben, petroleum, and mineral-oil free

The cons

• it is pricey

Have you tried Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Leave-in? 

What was your experience with this product like? Do you like Carol’s Daughter products in general? Let me know in the comment section below.

Read the reviews and visit SHOP NaturallyCurly to purchase this product.

Read 18 Photos of 3a Hair For All the Curl #Inspo 

By Nina Sultan · Published July 4, 2017

Now that summer has arrived, I have cut down the products I use for styling in half by using products that act as 2-in-1s. I have been using Bounce Curl Light Crème Gel with aloe, $18.00, since November and can honestly say that the product revolutionized my styling routine. Why do I love it? Because I can use this gel all year round and gives my curls the same great definition I am seeking each time.

Pros: 

• the 8-oz. bottle lasts a long time
• it has a lightweight, enjoyable fruity scent
• it’s easy to distribute
• it doesn’t leave curls feeling heavy, weighed down, or crunchy
• it deeply moisturizes and gives great definition to your curls
• it is silicone, sulfate, and paraben-free!

Cons: 

• it’s on the expensive side ($18″>

My Bounce Curl Light Crème Gel product review

• First impression: The product itself is milky-white in appearance and is incredibly light to the touch. It smells slightly fruity without the artificial scent to it, which I enjoy. I always apply this product right out of the shower. I have used this product with and without plopping and got similar levels of definition but have found that I get the best definition results when I plop with this creme-gel.
• Styling application: I use a little over a quarter size amount and gently finger comb the product through my hair when it is sopping wet. I then scrunch with my hands gently before wrapping my curls up in a t-shirt for approximately 10 minutes. Once I have let my curls hang out in the t-shirt for as long as I desire, I let it down and gently scrunch some more and typically diffuse blow-dry it to get the desired volume I love as I do not typically get that when I let my curls air dry.

My results

Once my curls were dry, I could immediately see the results regarding how soft and defined my curls appeared and felt. I really love this product because it is a crème and a gel it acts as moisturizer and as a styler. Additionally, the aloe vera and nigella sativa work to make your curls feel moisturized and super soft. My curls have never looked so defined and felt so hydrated before.

I have found that this product is also great to pair with other products too without making my curls feel weighed down, crunchy, or heavy. My favorite products to pair this with are the DevaCurl Coconut Supercream Coconut Curl Styler and my Ouidad Mongongo Finishing Oil.

To sum it up

While this product is a bit pricy ($18″>, it does last a for awhile. There are two sizes available: 8 or 12-ounces. I was pleasantly surprised that even though the size I got was 8oz, it lasted for months! Out of all the products I have tried over the years, this product by far is my holy grail styling product. I would definitely recommend this product to curlies with my hair type.

What products are you into right now? Have you tried this gel? Did you get the same results? Let me know in the comment section below.

Do you have type 3 hair? Take the hair type quiz here.

By Nina Sultan · Published July 3, 2017

Hello, NaturallyCurly Community! It’s Nina Sultan here. Today I am going to share with you my travel curly routine.

So typically whenever I travel I like to attempt to do so as lightly as possible. If I brought all the products I use normally my bag would weigh 100 pounds as to why I usually cut my normal routine in half. The only substantial thing I like to bring with is my hair dryer and diffuser but transfer all of my relevant products into their respective travel size containers. The following is my standard travel routine when I am on the road.

Cleansing

On the go I co-wash my hair much more often than using a sulfate-free cleanser. If I end up using a shampoo at all I bring a couple of sulfate-free sample packets — I have accumulated a bunch of these over the past couple months as they have become a convenient traveling accessory! They are also a great excuse for me to try out different products without them adding weight to my bag.

Styling

For my styling routine I typically use a 2-in-1 styling product like Bounce Curl Light Crème Gel. This is a product I will squeeze into a smaller bottle to take along with me on my trips. I love this product because it is good for keeping my curls moisturized and defined at the same time. The only other product that I like to bring is my Ouidad Mongongo Oil. I like this oil because it acts as a heat protectant, finishing oil, and makes my curls appear shinier and feel softer. Additionally, this oil is great for the beach or trips that cause me to get a ton of sun exposure.

Other items:

In addition to my products, there are a couple of other essential items that I bring with me on my traveling excursions. First, is my satin pillowcase. I like to bring it along because often hotels or other places usually just have cotton pillowcases and therefore, if I were to just use those would make my hair crazy in the morning. The satin pillowcase I have fits over almost any pillow and keeps my curls manageable while I travel.

Another item I like to bring along is my Cricket Ultra Smooth Hair Pick Comb. It is a light and helps me easily be able to achieve the big volume I’ve been desiring lately. I also bring my standard t-shirt to be able to plop and gently dry my curls so I don’t have to use a plain towel and worry about damaging or frizzing up my hair.

Last but not least, I bring my hair dryer and diffuser. I love having big hair and knowing that I can diffuse the heat without giving myself substantial heat damage through using a hair dryer without one.

To sum it up: travel light but effective.

I do this to avoid having to carry heavy bags.

What does your travel routine look like?

Do you like to bring a bunch of products or do you like to cut down your routine like I do? Let me know in the comment section below!

Subscribe to Nina’s YouTube channel for more curly hair care tips.

By Nina Sultan · Updated May 28, 2024

Look 1: Bobbies and a flower

Styling your hair with a couple bobby pins and a flower can be a really elegant look for a summer wedding that you could put together in just a few minutes. All you need is 5 bobby pins and a flower that goes with the wedding’s theme. For this tutorial I went with the traditional summer wedding sunflower.

Creating the look

2″>. Take the side that you are going to pin back (I chose the right side”> and put in 5 bobbies side by side. You can pin as high or as low as you please depending on what you feel looks best on you.

3″>. Lastly, pick a flower and pin it/rest it behind your ear and voila!

If you aren’t a fan of the flower, you can opt for something more creative like an oversized pin or a fancy clip with crystals or stones attached. Those would work just as well!

Look 2: Double Braids and Bobbys 

This next look is a little more fancy, but still a stress-free look you can easily accomplish. I love this style because it keeps hair out of your face and still gives you some options to get fancy with clips, flowers, or pins in the back!

Create the look:

1″>. Start with your hair parted down the middle and fluff it up a bit

2″>. Pick a side and take a small section of curls towards the top, reverse French braid that section and pin it in the back.

 

3″>. Repeat step 2 to the other side

4″>. Then pick a side and take another small section of hair and braid underneath the first braid you made and repeat on the other side (should end with 4 braids total”>

5″>. Pick a fancy clip, flower, or pin (I am using my favorite sun bobby pins”> and clip your braids together in the back! That’s all there is to it!

Look 3: Up and bobby

This final look stays in the “simple but pretty” realm and is another great way to keep hair out of your face. I like it because its an easy way to create a delicate and pretty look perfect for a wedding. While it looks like I’ve just let my hair go natural, I’ve really just secretly pinned it back. 

Create the look: 

1″>. Pick a side and take 4-5 bobbys and pin them up side by side in a row against your head. I like to pin them up higher but if you prefer to pin them lower you can do whatever you think looks best on you.

2″>. Repeat with the other side and voila!

If you think this look is too understated you can always change it up with some big earrings and a bold lip. I feel like that balances it out sometimes.

My hairstyles tend to be more on the simple side, however I have found that they really do work as appropriate and beautiful styles for weddings. While I find beauty in minimalism, what kinds of styles do you like for your curly hair? Do you like simple and elegant or more complex? Let me know in the comment section below!

By Nina Sultan · Published June 28, 2017

Hello curly folks, Nina Sultan here! Today I am going to show you a very easy method in managing your curls.

It’s important to do curl maintenance every couple of months to ensure your curls always look on point. I like to trim my hair about every 6 weeks. Trimming your hair is pretty easy to do yourself and if you aren’t afraid of clippers, can end up saving you money in the long run! Here is how I trim my curls.

Some tips before snipping…

• Make sure you have a good pair of hair clippers. Using just regular scissors or the wrong kind of scissors — especially if the blade is dull — can often do more harm to your curls than good. Having a pair of scissors that are sharp and are specifically made for cutting hair will ensure you get a clean smooth cut when you are trimming your hair.
• Keep in mind is to trim your hair while it’s dry. It makes your life a whole lot easier in that, it’s easier to see and manage the frayed ends. It’s hard to tell what your curls will do when it’s wet because it could look quite different when your hair is dry.

The way I trim my hair is simple

The first thing I do is take each curl and look at the end. If the end is frayed, I snip it off. It’s very much like trimming split ends except you are snipping off more hair. You only need to cut the ends that are frayed and when you cut it, make sure you are cutting the end straight across.

I like to trim my hair in sections. I will trim each and every curl on the right side of my hair, then move to the left side and do the same thing, and finally, trim the back of my hair. I shake my hair throughout the process to make sure there are no curls that I am missing. After trimming your hair when it’s dry, you can always shower and do a touch up while your curls are wet. Trimming the back can be tricky since you can’t really see back there unless you have a mirror. An easy way to trim the back of your hair is to take each curl and lift it up above your head so you can see it clearly. Like the other curls, trim it the same way by snipping straight across.

One thing to know before you trim

Trimming your hair can be time consuming since you are going through each and every curl.

However, it is nice to not have to spend money for someone else to do it. It is also perfectly okay to see a professional stylist to trim your hair if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself. I think something to keep in mind is that you aren’t cutting that much of your hair off. It’s only the ends of your curls that are getting snipped. I love trimming my own hair, and I never go to the stylist unless I want to do something drastically different. This method of trimming may not be for everyone but it certainly works for me and I love it! I honestly can’t tell the difference between when I trim vs. when a stylist does it. That’s all there is to my method of trimming!

Have you tried to cut your own hair?

Did it go well, or was it a disaster? Let me know in the comment section below!

Read 4 Signs It’s time to Cut Your Transitioning Hair

By Nina Sultan · Updated May 28, 2024

@arrteezutshii

Growing out your bangs can be an exciting and frustrating experience. It’s so fun to play around with new hairstyles as your bangs grow out, but it’s frustrating when they misbehave. When this occurs, it is oh-so-tempting to reach for the scissors… but back away, woman! Here are tips that will help you resist the urge to chop it all off.

Stay in line

As your bangs grow, some parts of your bangs will grow faster than others. This is where the temptation to cut begins. Unless you are comfortable with trimming your own hair (which is awesome”>, you can visit a stylist every few weeks who is specialized in cutting and styling curly hair. They will help you trim your bangs the right way, which will keep your mind off of cutting them shorter and shorter. For stylists in your area, visit our salons page.

Lay down flat

If you have curls or waves or just hair in general, this will always be an issue. If your bangs keep flipping up, you have a few options. You can flat iron them to keep them in their place or use a large round brush and blow dry them down straight (we like this method because you can avoid creases from flat irons”>. Headbands placed at the top of the crown where bangs begin can also help keep them in place.

@madewin

Get out of my face

Another annoying phase of growing out your bangs is when they get to that length where they are constantly getting in your face and mouth. An easy way to keep your bangs from doing this is to use bobby pins and head bands to actually push them out of your face. Added bonus: you’ll see what you’ll look like without bangs altogether. One of our favorite ways to tame long bangs is to sweep them to the side. If you have an oval-shaped face, this style will look especially beautiful. It will also draw the eye towards your best facial features.

The greatest feature of bangs? The ability to look sleek and styled or messy and sexy, depending on your mood. Whether you want to chop them at a certain length or let them grow out, they don’t have to be as frustrating as you think!

Have you had an awkward growing out phase? How did you tackle it? Comment and let us know!

By Nina Sultan · Published November 10, 2016

As I have mentioned before, my curly hair routine is quite minimal as of late.

Recently, I have been trying products that act as a 2-in-1. About a year ago, I gave Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner a try and liked it a lot for that very quality. I decided to buy it again.

This conditioner can be used as a regular cleansing conditioner, a daily conditioner, and it can be applied to the hair as a leave-in as well.

If you are also trying to cut down on your product stash this fall by using multi-taskers, trying the Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner is a must. In addition to this product being able to be used for many purposes, here are some of my other favorite qualities about this conditioner.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Moisturizing
• Organic
• Dual purpose

Cons

• Scent

It is affordable

This conditioner only costs $9 dollars on NaturallyCurly, providing me with 10 lovely ounces of product to enjoy. Formulated especially to moisturize curls and derived from olives, this formula contains a magical nourishing ingredient called squalane. Curly girls can benefit from the reviving, replenishing, and restoring moisture for especially dry curls.

Its light consistency makes for easy distribution

This product is incredibly light–it almost feels like a milk and is easy to distribute. The conditioner does not weigh down my curls at all. When using it as a leave-in, I like to apply it to sopping wet hair, working it from the ends towards my roots. I have also found that it enhances my styling product that I use after apply it as well.

Moisture, moisture–and more moisture

This moisturizing conditioner encases and coats every hair follicle and as a result, I notice a huge difference. For days at a time, my curls feel soft and hydrated after using this product–I never have to worry about brittle or dry curls.

The ingredients are beneficial

In addition to the ingredients being formulated especially to provide my curls with intense moisture, the ingredients are organic. That way, your curls can enjoy the full natural benefits of this product without having to worry about the harsh chemicals or other stripping ingredients most conditioners contain.

My one complaint:

I am still not crazy about this product’s scent. It smells like a sweet chemical mixture. While it is faint, I still notice it. However, as I have mentioned before, because the scent is faint, makes it all the more easy to cover up with the scent of whatever styling product I layer it with.

Have you tried this conditioner?

Do you use this as a co-wash, daily conditioner, or leave-in? What do you think of the scent?

Thumbs up my video and let me know in the comment section!

[prodmod]

By Nina Sultan · Published October 4, 2016

While I embrace my naturally curly hair, it can be difficult to ignore the new straight hair trends constantly getting attention on social media.

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A video posted by Ulta Beauty (@ultabeauty”> on Oct 2, 2016 at 7:21am PDT

The latest hair trend that I have come into contact with is bun dropping: People all over the world are posting slow-motion videos of themselves dropping down their buns, to reveal their long, silky and gorgeous straight hair.

Before I grew to love my curly hair, I always felt the societal pressure to straighten it.

In fact, I did wear my hair straight for many years due to a constant sense of insecurity and a fear of daring to be different than everybody else. Back then, bun dropping would have only added to the oppression that I felt that the world was telling me: straight hair is beautiful, and curly hair is ugly. All of my favorite actors back then had long, straight hair as well, which played a big role in driving me to style my hair that way.

Now when I look back old pictures of myself, I know how absolutely ridiculous that was.

When I finally began to learn to love my hair, I stopped caring what everyone else’s hair looked like. I ignored the media and those around me. I came to realize that having straight hair wasn’t me– now when I see viral fads like bun dropping, they no longer have an effect on me. Now I have an immense sense of pride because I embrace my hair, whether it is straight or not.

For those who do have naturally long and straight hair, everyone has a right to embrace it. I cannot argue with what makes someone else feel beautiful and I think it is nice that this trend exists to encourage confidence and self-love. However, I have to admit that I am proud of the insane amount of love–and maybe pride–for my unique texture that I have developed over the years. 

While I am happy that people are embracing their hair on social media, I do wish that there were more viral trends that catered to short, curly folks like myself.

Even though it is getting better today, I do feel that are still too many instances that glamorize straight hair. Whether it is the intention of these trends or not, bun dropping could potentially have some negative effects on the short and curly folks like myself who might not have fully embraced their true selves. Whether it is straight or not, everyone should love their own uniqueness. Whatever makes someone feel confident and beautiful is all that matters.

Bun dropping is great way to show off that self-love for straight hair. If more trends for curly hair were to emerge, I think that people who hate their curly hair would learn to love it instead.

By Nina Sultan · Published September 29, 2016

If you had a fulfilled summer like I did, your hair has likely gone through a whole lot. Whether you curls got a lot of sun and chlorine exposure, or has withstood more washing than usual, now is the time to give them a little TLC.

photo courtesy of Casarsa – Getty Images

These 8 nourishing products will fight breakage, getting your curls back where you want them to be in time for fall.

Conditioner: SheaMoisture Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Conditioner 

This certified organic and cruelty-free conditioner has a revivifying formula of shea butter, yucca, and plantain extract to provide your hair with everything it needs when it comes to getting back to a healthy state. Not only does this conditioner help fight against breakage, it also helps to strengthen, smooth out and detangle your curls in the process. This conditioner leaves your hair feeling bouncy and shiny with new healthy energy.

Conditioner: Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Natural Creamy Conditioner

If you are looking for a product on the inexpensive side, this moisturizing conditioner is great for nourishing weak or damaged curly hair. Coconut oil is a key ingredient as well as aloe vera and shea butter to keep your hair strong, moisturized and restored back to health.

Shampoo: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil: Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo 

While this shampoo is great for unaltered natural hairstyles, this shampoo is especially great for those who use heat styling tools, chemicals, and color-treated hair. While this shampoo is formulated to clarify, it is also extremely gentle and leaves curls feeling refreshed and soft. Infused with jamaican black castor oil, certified organic shea butter and apple cider vinegar aids, this shampoo promotes growth and achieves the best level of softness, silkiness, cleanliness and protection against breakage.

Styling milk: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk

This light organic styling milk is just the moisturizer your curls need to stay soft, shiny and protected against damage. Infused with a nourishing blend of coconut oil, shea butter, neem oil, algae and carrot extract, this formula gives breaking curls a perfect balance of strength and moisture.

Oil: Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil

This nourishing oil is another product that is simply a must try this fall season. Infused with soybean, sweet almond, and peppermint oil, this oil combo is the perfect formula for helping your hair to grow as well as getting it back to health. A main key ingredient is peppermint oil, which stimulates growth and prevents shaft damage.

Cream: Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer

While this protein rich cream might be on the expensive side, it is light and lasts a long time. It does absolute wonders for restoring curly hair’s health with an infusion of avocado, mango seed butter, coconut oil, and shea butter. Your curls will smell like a tropical cornucopia of deliciousness, feel stronger, bouncier, lighter and softer.

Moisturizer: MYHoneyChild Twist Out Hair Creme 

If you like to experiment with twist-out or braid-out styles, this styling cream is just what you need. The gentle product moisturizes, restores and protects weakened hair against breakage. The Japanese green tea leaf extract, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter insure softness that lasts all day long.

Leave-in: CURLS Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner

This organic repairing leave-in conditioner has a nourishing infusion of healing ingredients. Coconut oil, grape seed oil, mango butter and blueberries, leaves coarse, brittle curls detangled and your scalp stimulated. It moisturizes, softens and prevents further damage from happening.

Which products are helping you fight your breakage in time for fall?

By Nina Sultan · Published September 5, 2016

Hello curly community, Nina here! Today, I am going to share with you my summer curly hair routine and why I have made the decision to keep my routine as minimal as possible this summer.

Since I work out five days a week and have a job where I am constantly outside gardening and sweating, washing my hair every day is a must. This is what I have been doing to keep my hair healthy and happy this summer season.

With my schedule, I find co-washing super important.

My favorite of all time is the EO All Natural Rosemary and Mint Volumizing Conditioner ($20″>, but if I get tired of it, I switch to SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hydration Intensive Conditioner ($9″>.

When my hair gets especially dirty, I have been cleansing with the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo ($9″> which has a heavenly scent that I’ve mentioned before. I shampoo my hair about once to twice a week, depending on how much buildup or dirt I have. They also leave my curls feeling incredibly soft, shiny and healthy.

This combination has always been perfect for my wavy-curly hair. However, despite these two being a hair favorite of mine, I do notice that my skin is not loving the line’s oils. Unfortunately, I may have to discontinue using this line due to dealing with acne and other skin problems.

Since the winter, I have been having skin issues. Although I have some idea about what could be causing them, I am not 100% sure. I have slowly been cutting out products one by one haven’t seemed to have solved the mystery yet. I’m so sad that I’ll have to give it up because it really has been doing wonders for my curls all summer long.

As for my styling products, I have cut down to just using my Oasis Moisture Gel ($12″>. I have cut back because using too many products on my hair makes the curls feel greasy and heavy. This gel is lightweight, smells good and comes from all-natural sources. As a result, my skin has been improving as well.

Are you a hair product minimalist?

Why or why not? Let us know on Facebook @NaturallyCurly

What oil-free shampoos and conditioners would you recommend? Let me know in the comment section of my video!

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By Nina Sultan · Published August 25, 2016

Hi curly friends! Today I would like to share with you my 3 favorite simple short curly hairstyles that I love to wear all summer long. Usually I don’t really do much with my hair and prefer to leave it wild and crazy, mostly because I am lazy. However, when I do get sick of not doing anything with my hair, these three simple hairstyles are my ultimate go to. They are super easy, look great, and they don’t take a lot of time to do. Just because you have short hair doesn’t exclude you from being able to have cute summer hairstyles! Here is how I’ve been styling my hair this summer.

Look 1: Head Band

This is one of the easiest hairstyles that I like to do, especially if I am in a hurry and need to look polished. I like this style because it keeps the hair out of my face, looks adorable, and also looks really great with jewelry, especially big earrings. This look is perfect for going out for a day of fun summer festivities as well as is a nice balance for either a causal or dressy occasion.

You will need:

• A headband of your choice

Directions:

All you need to do is slide the headband on and adjust your curls around it as you see fit!

Look 2: Fancy bobby pins

This look is my ultimate go to if I’m going out for the evening or if I am dressing up for something. This look always makes me feel effortlessly elegant and beautiful. I like how one side is wild and the other side is pulled back. It is also great if you are running late for a date and need to look fancy fast!

You will need:

• Regular bobby pins
• A fancy bobby pin or hairclip

Directions:

Pick a side of your head and gently take your hand and pull your hair back to your chosen side.  Then simply slip in 4-5 regular bobby pins slightly behind your ear one by one until there is a nice little vertical row along the side of your head. Then take your hairclip or fancier bobby pin and slip that over the regular bobby pins. The last step is fluffing up the other that isn’t pinned back and presto! With this look, you are ready to paint the town in style! 

Look 3: Casual Updo

This look is perfect if you are spending the day at the beach or any long period of time outside. The look is really fun to style up with some jewelry as well as keeps the hair out of your face and helps to keep you cooler on those hot summer days. I love this style because since my hair is too short to achieve a full on ponytail or bun, I can still have a cute halfway updo.

You will need:

• Hair tie
• Bobby pins

Directions:

Take the top section of your hair and put it either in a bun or ponytail. If you have stray hairs that won’t fit into the ponytail or bun this is where the bobby pins come in handy. You can use the bobby pins to pin any stray hairs that are awkwardly sticking out back into place.

What are your favorite short curly hairstyles that you are sporting this summer? Let me know in the comment section below!

By Nina Sultan · Published June 21, 2016

Hello curly friends! Nina here and I am super excited to review Oasis Moisture Gel for you.

This product has become one of my new favorite styling products for summer. I have been using this gel for a couple of months now and absolutely love it. As always, I was on the hunt for new products when I found this one.

Now that it’s summer, I am getting away from the heavier ingredients like shea butter. While I like using them in the wintertime, it’s hot out and I am turning more towards gels and styling milks. I came across a gel by Oasis and read the reviews before trying it out. While there were few of them, all of them had good things to say, so of course, I wanted to try it out.

Scent

This product while not having a distinctive smell is very light and pleasant. It’s not overpowering yet, it gives your curls just enough scent to smell fresh and clean for a while.

Price

This product is more on the pricy side, in my opinion. It’s $12 dollars on Curlmart However, on the plus side, it does last a long time. You do not need much–a little goes a long way.

Key Ingredients

The ingredients from this product are not 100% certified organic from a natural source, but it has things like aloe leaf juice, jojoba and essential oils that give your curls the moisture they need without the aid of harmful chemicals.

Texture & Application

This product is a gel so it is very slippery. It is milky and slimy in appearance but is very easy to apply. Depending on the thickness and texture of your hair, how much you may need to use may vary. I have fine 3A short curly hair so all I need is a dime size amount to get the moisture I need. I apply it from root to tip and gently finger comb the product through to wet hair for a nice even distribution.

Moisture & Definition

Compared to other gels that can often leave hair feeling crunchy, this gel instead leaves your curls feeling moisturized and incredibly soft. It also provides your curls with great definition. What is nice about this product is that depending on your texture, this product can be used as a 2 in 1. I use this both as my leave in and as my styler. It gives me a great balance of both moisture and the curl definition that I always crave. It also is so light and doesn’t weigh down my hair at all. I can confidently say that after using this, I have always left the house with soft, light, and wonderfully defined curly hair!

Pros

• It can be used both as a leave-in and as a styler
• it’s lightweight
• it has a pleasant scent
• it lasts a long time
• it is easy to distribute
• it gives curls an overall balance of moisture and great curl definition

Con

• it’s a little pricy at $12

Final Review

I have really fallen in love with this product. If you are on the hunt for a light product that gives you an equal balance of moisture and definition, I would highly recommend curlies who share my curl texture to try this out! I would rate this product 4.5 out of 5 stars. This, along with the occasional addition of coconut oil, are the only products that I have been using to style my curls this summer.

Have you tried this product before?

If so, what are your thoughts? Which products do you tend to go for during the hot summer season? Let me know in the comment section below.

By Nina Sultan · Published April 28, 2016

 While it seems that many curlies right now are trying to achieve length goals, I have almost always kept my curls relatively short on purpose.

Why?

It keeps me cooler

I have found having long hair makes me feel really hot and weighed down, especially in the summertime. My 3a hair is quite thick. I have found that wearing shorter hair keeps me cooler and literally keeps the extra weight off of my shoulders and back.

I use less products

Having short hair means using less product! I only need a tiny amount when applying which makes my products last longer and therefore helps me to save a more money in the long run.

Styling is a breeze

While one might think that short hair is limiting with ways to style it, it actually gives me options. Bobby pins are my best friend. Headbands, too, can be an awesome accessory that I enjoy wearing from time to time. I am much more of a minimalist and I have to say, it is incredibly nice to let my hair do whatever. I get great satisfaction knowing that I almost don’t have to do anything to my hair when I get up in the morning. All I do is let my hair down from a pineapple, fluff it a bit, spritz if needed, and then I start my day.

Washing is easy

The amount of time that it would take you to wash your hair if it’s long is literally cut in half if you have short hair. Again, all you need is a little shampoo or conditioner, rinse it out, and boom you’re done. Another plus to my wash time is that I don’t shed as nearly as much as I do with longer hair; it is much easier to finger detangle and typically dries quicker.

It gives me confidence

I feel incredibly liberated and confident having short hair. It makes me feel empowered and beautiful. I love that I can wear my big earrings and other accessories to emphasize my facial features. Everyone should experience having short hair at least once in their lifetime. It really makes life much easier. However, short hair may not be for everyone, and that is OK. Having long hair can have its perks as well; we all have to find that length that makes us feel the most confident and empowered.

Short hair may not be able to give you that messy bun look, or that fancy braided style, but I think the fact that having short hair is so lively and fierce makes up for it. What is your favorite length? 

By Nina Sultan · Published April 11, 2016

Hello curly community! This is Nina Sultan. It has been about a year since my last video on my morning routine. Since then, it has changed so I thought it was time to make an updated video. Not only will I show you my current morning routine, but also my nighttime routine.

As you may know, I am trying to transition to using all-natural products for my skin and hair. The products that I mention below are likely to change in the future–right now, I have really gotten attached to using these. Almost all of the products that I use for my skin are organic or almost 100% natural and I have found these products to really help restore it back to health. I hope you enjoy this routine series and find it helpful.

Morning

Face

1. When I get up in the morning, the first thing I like to do is brush my teeth and cleanse my face with my Neutrogena Naturals: Purifying Facial Cleanser ($7 at Target”>.
2. Then, I rinse it off and apply my oil-free moisturizer. The one that I am into right now is the Alba Botanica: Hawaiian Oil Free Moisturizer ($11.19 at Target”>. I apply it with a finger dab amount to both sides of my cheeks, forehead, t-zone, and neck.
3. Next, wash my hands and apply my makeup. I will have a separate series on that coming soon to my channel!

Hair

1. Once I’ve finished applying my makeup, I wash my hands thoroughly and then begin to refresh my curls. My curl routine has not really changed all that much.
2. First, I make my curl refreshing spray and put it in a spritz bottle. This consists of water that has been diluted with a few drops of an essential oil. Lately, I have really been into using grapefruit essential oil. Once I’ve made my spray, I shake it well so that my spray is mixed thoroughly.
3. I then gently take off my hair tie and let my hair down from the pineapple hairstyle.
4. Then, I massage my scalp, gently shaking my curls all around my head. Once I’ve shaken up my curls a little bit, I lightly spritz the roots and ends of my hair and continue to shake them to allow the spray to evenly distribute. Once I’ve finished applying my spray, I wash my hands once again, have some coffee, and I am ready to begin my day!

Night

Face

After my day is over, I start off by using my Neutrogena: Makeup remover cleansing towelettes *Night calming* ($7″> to remove my makeup.

Hair

Once my makeup is off, I wash my hands and gather my curls to the top of my head where I put my curls back into the pineapple hairstyle.

Face continued…

1. I then brush my teeth and cleanse my face with my exfoliating Neutrogena Naturals: Acne Foaming Scrub ($8.61 at Walmart”>.
2. Once I’ve finished gently exfoliating my face, I then rinse that off and apply my organic toner.
3. I take a few cotton rounds and gently apply the toner all around my face and neck. The toner that I have been using lately is the one by Thayers: Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ($11.96 at Walmart”>. Finally, I apply my Alba Botanica: Hawaiian Oil Free Moisturizer once again.

Once that is complete, I am ready for bed. That’s all there is to it!

What are your morning and night routines like? How do you like refresh your curls for the day? What skin care products are you into right now? Let me know in the comment section below.