Search Results: Sabrina Perkins

This is How Often Should You Be Deep Conditioning

By Sabrina Perkins · Published April 19, 2022

Deep conditioning is a necessary component of healthy hair care, and while it should be completed during every wash day, it is not the end of the world if skipped. There are several reasons why someone may occasionally skip this step just like there reasons why you need to do them, especially if using a clarifying shampoo. Conditioners close the hair’s cuticle layer that was opened by shampoo for optimal hydration, frizz free, and stronger hair.

For many curlies, it is best to deep condition after every wash day, but what if you wash your hair often? Jasmina wanted to know just that when she posted this question in Curly Q&A.

Question

Hello! Is it ok to deep condition anytime I wash my hair (2-3 times a week”>? Thanks 😀

Answer

Just like anything else in life, you can have too much of a good thing. Some need to deep condition more than others, for example you need the extra moisture if you

swim regularly
use heat tools
have color-treated hair
spend a lot of time in the sun
have damaged hair

The more damage you put on your hair requires deep conditioning but finding that sweet spot to the right amount depends on your lifestyle you lead and the needs of your hair. Here are some tips to help guide you.

What is a deep conditioner?

Deep conditioners are thicker conditioners with ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft. They are intended to temporarily repair and nourish between the hair cuticles with its higher viscosity. They are heavier and need to be left on the hair longer to fully penetrate the hair shaft. Applying with heat allows for it to penetrate easier and better and these conditioners have penetrating oils and other ingredients that fight frizz, dryness, and damaged strands.

How often should you deep condition?

You should deep condition after every wash but for some that is a huge time commitment and it may not be necessary. Washing your hair more than once or twice a week may be too often. Too much conditioning can create over-moisturized hair and disrupt the proper balance of moisture and protein that hair needs. Deep conditioning once or twice a week is more than enough, anything more than that may be overdoing it. Your hair will let you know.

What does over-conditioned hair look like?

Over-conditioned hair, also known as hygral fatigue, is limp, mushy, or lifeless. It may be over-conditioned or over-moisturized and the quickest fix is to use a protein treatment. If you find your hair appears mushy or limp and you are deep conditioning more than once a week, try reducing how often you deep condition to just once a week.

On the other hand, if your hair is responding well to 2-3 deep conditioning treatments, then there is no need to make a change. Many women with color-treated hair or those who use heat regularly probably need that extra moisture, so allow your hair to guide you on what it needs. Trial and error will be the best way to determine if deep conditioning several times a week is ideal or too much for your hair, so look for the signs of over-conditioned hair and remember to maintain the protein-moisture balance.

How often do you deep condition?

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Stimulate Hair Growth with this Scalp Masque

By Sabrina Perkins · Published April 15, 2022

GETTY IMAGES

Many curlies have heard of using henna, amla, or marshmallow root on their hair, but one that is becoming an Ayurvedic favorite is the Bhringaraj herb. It’s no surprise that once we transition to wearing our natural texture and avoiding certain ingredients, many of us become curious about natural alternatives for more of our hair routine – from coloring to hair care to hair growth.

One of the amazing benefits of this holistic healing system is the abundance of Ayurvedic powders that can be incorporated into our healthy hair care system that many curlies have embraced. Ayurvedic herbs or powders have a wealth of benefits and many are drawn to them for natural remedies to everyday ailments.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic medicine, also known as Ayurveda, is one of the oldest holistic healing systems that originated thousands of years ago in India. It believes that health and wellness are connected and dependent on the balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurveda is India’s primary healthcare system, even today, and more than 90% of the continent’s population uses some form of Ayurvedic therapy. In the United States it has more of a complementary healthcare option when many Americans employing Ayurvedic elements like meditation and cleansing therapies for the body as a whole. Ayurveda means “the knowledge of long life” and addresses the well-being of the entire body both spiritually and physically.

What is Bhringaraj Powder?

Bhringaraj, an Ayurvedic herb found throughout India, is also known as Eclipta alba. Bhringaraj is considered a rasayana or a substance that rejuvenates. It has anti-inflammatory properties, healing properties, and may help to enhance and improve vision and sense of hearing. Bhringaraj can be used in a powder form or as an oil; it is all dependent upon your preference and intended usage.

3 Benefits of Bhringaraj Powder for hair

1. Mask graying hair

For curlies looking to combat the gray naturally, this powder is a useful tool. It is traditionally added to indigo and hemp to make natural hair dyes.

2. Improve hair growth

Bhringaraj powder is considered the best Ayurvedic remedy for hair loss. This powder is great for stimulating growth if you have a medical condition, stress, or filling out a receding hairline. Most use it in this capacity as an oil to massage in the affected areas either as a pretreatment before a shampoo or a nightly ritual.

3. Relieve scalp infections

Bhringaraj powder can also be used as a scalp exfoliator and the anti-inflammatory properties make it great for soothing inflamed scalps and keeping scalp infections at bay. Great at reducing problematic dandruff.

How to Use Bhringaraj Powder on Your Hair

Bhringaraj Powder Scalp Exfoliator

Ingredients:

2 heaping tbsp. Bhringaraj powder
Water (just enough to mix into a thick paste”>
1 tsp. of sulfur powder

Directions:

Mix the powder and water into a thick paste. Use a little water at first and add drops as necessary. The desired consistency is a thick paste. Dissolve sulfur powder in a teaspoon of water (it should still be grainy”> and add to Bhringaraj paste. Apply to scalp using circular motions with fingertips after shampooing. Rinse thoroughly, apply moisturizer, and style as usual.

Bhringaraj Scalp Stimulator

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Bhringaraj powder
Enough yogurt to mix evenly with powder

Directions:

Mix powder and yogurt well and apply to affected areas and leave on for 15 min. Rinse off, shampoo, and style as usual. Can be used weekly.

Where to Buy Bhringaraj Powder

You can find Bhringaraj in either powder or oil form at Indian or Pakistani stores and grocers, and if you don’t have one in your area you can purchase them online:

Have you tried Bhringaraj powder or oil and if so what were your thoughts?

This article has been updated to include links to purchase Bhringaraj.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When Exercising Regularly?

By Sabrina Perkins · Published March 18, 2022

Exercise is important for everyone and naturals are no exception to that rule. Washing textured hair can be a time-consuming chore that is taxing. I love my coils, but I do roll my eyes when I think of wash day and put it off more than I should. So when you factor in exercising regularly (at least three times a week”>, the wash day may come more frequently and that can pose a problem for some.

Working out is important and no one is disputing that fact. The next question is how to properly maintain or cleanse your hair while exercising regularly? Is there a one size fits all kind of routine and does that go for all hair types? NaturallyCurly member Ivory.conley from our Curly Q&A section needed some advice on whether her wash routine was sufficient.

Question

I have type 4a hair. I workout moderately – intense at least 3-4 days a week. I hear a lot of women saying they co-wash every time they workout but I don’t feel the need to. My scalp is not irritated or itching by the end of the week if I only co-wash once between workouts. Is this a bad thing? Should I wash more frequently?

Answer

You can find multiple ways to preserve your style, but as Ivory.conley has found out, no one is giving advice on how often to wash your hair when working out regularly. Every curly does not want to be glamorous. Many curly girls just want to know the basics on caring for their tresses while they exercise and worry less about keeping a style. Neither concern is less important than the other, but both issues need to be addressed.

To answer the question, you do not have to wash your hair after every workout. For one, too much washing can compromise the health of your hair causing hygral fatigue, which causes elasticity problems that lead to breakage. Since excessively washing your hair can strip the hair of the natural oils, no one should be washing daily. A perfect alternative to washing your hair after every workout is just rinsing or leaving it alone. Also, there are some amazing products on the market that were created just for that sort of problem. It is important to knowing your own hair and whether or not you feel your hair needs to be washed after every workout. Ivory.conley has assessed her hair’s needs and realized it is not necessary for her to wash her hair but once a week with regular workouts.

What are the needs of your hair?

Some women wash their hair weekly, biweekly, or even monthly, so that must be determined prior to factoring in working out. If licensed cosmetologists advise weekly or biweekly cleansing, then you may have to increase it in order to remove the sweat from the scalp to avoid potential scalp buildup. Using witch hazel with a cotton ball to absorb the oil is great for in between wash days.

Preserving your style

Save Your Do Full Triangle Gymwrap was created by the lovely Nicole Ari Parker. It is a stylish headband with an edge control technology that minimizes sweat absorption into your hair. Moisture is whisked away from your tresses and not only does it preserve. Also consider using protective styles that expose the scalp (e.g. Havana twists, cornrows, braids”> that make for easier access and cleansing.

Conclusion

Washing daily or after every workout is not necessary and may actually be detrimental to your hair’s health, but how you style your hair will determine how often to wash your hair when you workout regularly. The frequency will be determined by your own workout, hair, and needs. Listen to your hair and know that once a week is not a problem if your hair has no problem with it. Ariella from MsAriella89 shares her experience with working out (and being a Zumba instructor”> with natural hair. It is a very informative video and she discusses how just wetting her hair is working just fine for her.

Why Oil Doesn’t Work as a Heat Protectant

By Sabrina Perkins · Published March 16, 2022

oil heat protectant

Photo by Kadarius Seegars on Unsplash

Most curlies know about heat protectants that lessen the damage from heat styling. Whether you blow-dry, flat iron, or use a curling iron, you need a heat protectant. No one told me this back when I used relaxers, so I must have fried my hair to death back then, but now, most of us know better. Currently, an interest for purer products is growing, and more women are turning to natural oils in their hair care regimens. But where heat damage is concerned, oil might not be your best bet. Let’s consider the benefits and disadvantages.

What are carrier oils?

Most carrier oils are vegetable oils derived from the fatty portion of a plant in the seeds, kernels, or even the nuts. However, not all of them come from vegetables, such as emu and fish oil. Carrier oils, also known as fixed oils because they are less volatile in nature than essential oils, can be cold-pressed (mechanical”>, expelled (mechanical”>, or extracted with a solvent (chemical”>. Cold-pressed oils are preferable as they retain the highest nutritional value.

Most carrier oils are chock-full of organic acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, which make them excellent emollients that nourish your skin and hair. We use them in cosmetics, cooking, and to dilute highly concentrated essential oils. Here are some of the oils most commonly used as heat protectant.

Argan oil circulates among natural hair blogs as a suggestion for protecting hair from heat
Grapeseed oil is said to have a high smoke point and adds shine to flat ironed curls.
Coconut oil is a popular solution known for helping to repair hair damage.
Shea Butter is considered a great heat protectant because its thermal conductivity is almost as good as popular silicones used in most heat protectants, namely dimethicone and cyclomethicone.

But the natural hair community might be missing some important information about the properties of the oils they’re using as heat protectants.

What are smoke points?

Now, it is time to put the lab coat on and see whether these oils can actually protect you from dryness and heat damage. Chemist Yolanda Anderson explains that the smoke point, called the burning point in chemistry, refers to the temperature at which an oil begins to smoke, discolor, and decompose.

Oil smoke points

via Cooking for Engineers

Fat	Smoke Point °F	Smoke Point °C

Unrefined sunflower oil	225°F	107°C
Unrefined high-oleic sunflower oil	320°F	160°C
Extra virgin olive oil	320°F	160°C
Coconut oil	350°F	177°C
Macadamia nut oil	390°F	199°C
High quality (low acidity”> extra virgin olive oil	405°F	207°C
Grapeseed oil	420°F	216°C
Virgin olive oil	420°F	216°C
Sunflower oil	440°F	227°C
Refined high-oleic sunflower oil	450°F	232°C
Semi refined sunflower oil	450°F	232°C
Olive pomace oil	460°F	238°C
Extra light olive oil	468°F	242°C
Avocado oil	520°F	271°C

Oils should never be heated to their smoke points. Scientists believe that fats heated past their smoke points contain a large quantities of free radicals and a substance called acrolein, which contributes to a higher risk of cancer, according to Anderson. As a fat degrades, it also gets closer to its flash point, where it will begin producing ignitable gases. This means that using hot tools on oiled hair may risk some toxic outcomes.

Using oils as heat protectants

According to the cosmetic scientists and writers at The Beauty Brains, “Heat tolerance (in this case measured by smoke point of the oil”> is only one factor to consider. You also need to look at how the product lubricates hair. You can experiment with oils if you want DIY heat protection but be careful: oils alone can create drag which could slow down the flat iron as it passes through your hair, so it could end up doing more damage. Good heat protectants should also help offset the drying effects of heat. Ideally you want a combination of glycerin or other moisturizers to lock in water and a low molecular weight polymer that can penetrate and help prevent heat from cracking the cuticles.”

Using silicones as heat protectants

Cosmetic scientist and NaturallyCurly contributor, Erica Douglas aka Sister Scientist, told us that “Oils behave very similarly to silicones by creating protective barriers from bad things like heat…Some oils can remain intact at extremely high temperatures, but they are often the heavier oils that can weigh the hair down. This is why formulating chemists will combine synthetic ingredients like silicones with the natural goodness of oils to provide an improved customer experience when using the product.” Therefore, silicone-based heat protectants are more likely to give you the benefits you originally wanted out of oils. If you follow the Curly Girl Method then silicone-based products are off limits, but so is heat styling.

If you follow the Curly Girl Method then silicone-based products are off limits, but so is heat styling.

Conclusion

Just because an ingredient is natural does not always make it the most effective candidate for the job. Avoiding smoke points is incredibly important for your safety, and your hair definitely needs ingredients that combat moisture depletion. Many heat protectant products contain silicones like cyclomethicone and dimethicone, which work extremely well at coating the hair and creating a thin, water repelling, heat-resistant coating. Yes, there are natural oils that act like silicones and will protect the hair from heat, but as Sister Scientist suggests, there are many great products created using natural and synthetic ingredients to give you a healthier and safer heat protectant.

If you are going to use an oil, be careful and make sure to apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or a moisturizer as well; a pure oil alone will likely leave you with dry, fragile strands.

Ultimately, if you are going to heat style your hair then we recommend using a product that has been formulated specifically for the purpose of protecting your hair from heat damage because once you have inflicted heat damage on your hair it is practically impossible to reverse.

What are your favorite heat protectants?

This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated to incorporate reader feedback.

5 Ingredients that My Type 4 Hair Loves

By Sabrina Perkins · Published March 5, 2022

Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

I have been doing this natural hair thing for a long time but it has only been the last three or so years that I have discover what works for my hair. I look beyond the front of the product bottles and like to delve into the ingredient list to determine what will give me shiny, defined curls. With so many products and ingredients with long and complicated names, it may feel impossible to narrow down which ones your hair likes and does not like. But anyone can do it when you start making looking at the ingredient list a priority. If you are new to the language of labels, here is a guide for what to look for.

Here are the five ingredients that I have found my hair loves.

1. Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis or jojoba plant. I love this oil and make no bones about how much of it I use. It has replaced my coconut oil as my favorite oil to use for just about everything including for my oil cleansing method to cleanse my face. Jojoba oil has a similar chemical makeup as sebum, a very long shelf life, and is a great asset to any hair recipe. I add this to my deep conditioner before warming under my heat thermal cap or use as a pre-poo whenever my hair is tangled. Many claim this oil to be pricy but I always buy mine at Amazon.com and pay no more for it than any other oil. When low on body oil I use it as my body oil too.

2. Cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol

I learned a long time ago that not all alcohols are bad. Cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol work as emollients, emulsifiers, and carrying agents for other ingredients in the products without the drying effects of ethyl alcohol. They work to condition and soften the skin, scalp, and hair and quite often used in moisturizers, conditioners, and anti-aging treatments. My hair loves this and when I see either of these in a product I know I will have no problems with that product.

3. Coconut oil

This fatty oil obtained from the coconut has a unique combination of fatty acids. It is a star in the kitchen and the bathroom. Most curly, wavy, and coily girls love coconut oil but as jojoba oil has taken its place in my favorite oil for hydrating and conditioning. I use it for the oil cleansing method and for moisturizing and conditioning my hair and scalp. Coconut oil stays on my list of Holy Grail products. I keep it around and sometimes use on my body I know that with my favorite products and what I gravitate to, I will always have coconut oil in my hair in one form or another. I still have several products that have coconut oil in the top five ingredients.

As I Am Coconut CoWash (cleanser”>
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner (rinse-out conditioner”>
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque (deep conditioner”>

4. Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine

This replacement for silicones is water soluble and derived from vegetable oil. It is often used in hair conditioners and shampoos as a conditioner and anti-static agent, but it also binds to the surface of hair and gives excellent slip without causing excessive buildup. I love the slip this ingredient gives me whenever I use it in the TRESemme Naturals Aloe Vera and Avocado Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. Whenever I want silky movement, I grab this conditioner with no worry about buildup.

5. Marshmallow root

Marshmallow root or Althea officinalis is a polycrest herb that has been around for centuries and is used for medicine as well as being a wicked slip ingredient in several hair care products. It is the main reason I have had Kinky-Curly Curling Custard as my staple gel for years and why I will forever keep a jar of their Knot Today in my shower for those massive tangles I sometimes get.

Take away from my list

My hair thrives on natural ingredients. I align my arsenal with products and lines that use natural ingredients like natural oils, herbs, or derivatives of natural ingredients. No, I am not Mother Nature nor do I only use rainwater to wash my hair but once I reviewed the ingredient lists, I began noticing certain ingredients my hair responded well to.

Which ingredients does your hair love?

This article has been updated.

How to Use Fish Oil for Hair Growth

By Sabrina Perkins · Published November 28, 2021

fish oil 700

First off, what is fish oil? This is not a silly question! Drugs.com says, “Fish oil capsules contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in oils from certain types of fish, vegetables, and other plant sources. These fatty acids are not made by the body and must be consumed in the diet.” Fish oil comes from the tissues of fatty fish like herring, mackerel, swordfish, salmon, anchovies, and trout.

A 2009 article in Dermatoendocrinology claims that the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil can greatly improve your hair’s health and density, along with decreasing hair loss and restoring overall hair cycle balance. If you’re looking for a new oil to try in your quest for hair growth and long, strong hair, fish oil may be your match. Fish oil is a type of Omega-3, which Livestrong says can act to make your hair shinier, stronger, and reduces skin dryness that can often lead to an itchy scalp or dandruff.

If you’re looking for a new oil to try in your quest for hair growth and long, strong hair, fish oil may be your match

You may not have been seeking out Omega-3 in your hair before, but the good news is they are not hard to find and you may already have some in your current product lineup. Hair product manufacturers are listening to the consumer demand for healthy oils and creating products that bring the Omega-3 to your hair and scalp, like Ouidad Omega-3 Replenishing Hair Treatment and Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie.

The obvious way to get a healthy dose of fish oil is to eat fish a couple of times per week, but if you are looking for new ways to work this oil into your regimen then here are two simple recipes.

Fish oil & olive oil mix for hair

If you’re game to try applying fish oil straight to your hair, the easiest way is to create a fish oil and olive oil mix. Mix fish oil in its liquid form, such as Nature’s Answer Liquid Omega-3 Deep Sea Fish Oil, and mix it with olive oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp for nourishment and to reduce your rate of hair loss.

Sabrina’s daily smoothie

If you are on the green smoothie kick like me then you may enjoy adding your fish oil or Omega-3 to your smoothie. I am not one for measuring so I just throw the following ingredients into my small blender and blend away!

Coconut water
Frozen kale
Frozen spinach
Frozen fruit (some berry mix some citrus mix)
Flax seeds or fish oil capsules (pierced and squeezed into blender)
Uncooked oatmeal
Honey to sweeten (and cover the kale bitterness)

The great thing about creating a smoothie is you can add what you want. I alternate between the flax seeds and fish oil because they both have an abundance of Omega-3.

What about the smell?

Health Resource Report says that the trick to eliminating the odor is to keep everything cold, including the fish oil, because cold tends to decrease the flavor profile of foods. Now, most are turned off by the smell of fish oil (believe me, it does not smell nice) but there are brands that do not have the offensive odor like Nature’s Bounty Odorless Fish Oil 1200mg, which is just a softgel.

How do you incorporate fish oil in your hair regimen? Softgel, topical, or in a smoothie?

The Benefits of Hazelnut Oil for Moisture Retention

By Sabrina Perkins · Published November 16, 2021

Photo Courtesy of ChamilleWhite — Getty Images

Hazelnut is more than just a popular flavoring in your overpriced coffee. Hazelnuts come from the hazel tree and its botanical name is Corylus avellana. The nuts are also called cobnuts or filbert nuts and the trees are native to several parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They grow in clusters and are the size of acorns with protective husks that cover just about the entire nut. When developing, the nuts are green but upon maturity they turn into a beautiful chocolate brown. It takes around 7 to 8 months after pollination before they are ripe and fall out of the tree. The nuts are hugely popular from making pralines to flavorings to being used in the popular Nutella. It continues to gain popularity and while it can be used in several arenas from a cooking oil to making a candy, the hazelnut oil even serves a purpose for beauty.

What is hazelnut oil?

Hazelnut oil can be cold-pressed so to not harm the flavor or the nutrition of the oil. It can also be refined, which means the roasted hazelnuts are pressed twice with the second extraction being completed through a chemical refining along with filtering. Refined hazelnut oil has less flavor along with less nutrients. Hazelnut oil contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, sugars, organic acids, and vitamins. It has palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, gadoleic, and behenic fatty acids with oleic acid being a remarkably large amount.

Hazelnut oil is an excellent moisturizer because of the presence of linoleic acid, which help prevent water evaporation.

What are the benefits of hazelnut oil?

Nuts in general are considered very healthy but hazelnuts rank near the top because of its massive overload of proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids. Hazelnut oil is an excellent moisturizer because of the presence of linoleic acid, which help prevent water evaporation. It is great to add a few drops to your bath and is a natural lubricant for chapped lips, shaving, and calming the skin after the shaving. It protects against UV rays, contributes to the elasticity of the skin, and great contains vitamin E.

Hazelnut oil for hair

Hazelnut oil is a powerhouse of fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins, which can nourish your hair along with the scalp. It is a great oil for maintaining good hair growth and ideal for scalp massages to not only stimulate the hair follicles and nourish them but to also alleviate a dry scalp and protect it from the sun. Believe it or not but you can get sunburn on your scalp. Because of high composition of nutrients, minerals, flavonoids and antioxidants, this is a rejuvenating oil that has positive effects on our skin cells, combatting aging in the scalp.

Women color their hair year-round but in summer this behavior spikes. All of that coloring can cause dryness to the strands and hazelnut’s ability to soften the hair along with helping hair to retain the color makes it an ideal oil for color-treated strands. Applying this oil to your hair before shampooing is a great way to keep hair softer and keep color lasting longer but many color-treated hair products use hazelnut oil in their formulas too. Hazelnut oil also keeps dark hair shiny and beautiful by restoring your hair’s natural sheen. It will tame frizzy hair even in humid climates and will help in locking in hair’s moisture.

5 Signs It’s Time to Clarify Your Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published September 21, 2021

Photo by Ilyuza Mingazova on Unsplash

Most curlies have a love-hate relationship with shampoo so many are leery of even considering the notion of using a clarifying shampoo despite its wonderful uses. Clarifying shampoos work harder than regular shampoos and are necessary when you have severe build-up of products, dirt, pollutants, or minerals from hard water. They are necessary even if not for regular clarifying and sometimes we need to be reminded of that.

Curly hair is fragile and prone to tangles so many of us have forsaken sulfate shampoos, due to how our hair behaves after using it, in exchange for botanical shampoos that tend to be gentler to our tresses. Despite our need to keep some oils and moisture in our strands, we still may need a clarifying shampoo from time to time, especially if you have been using heavier product. With the warmer weather approaching, it’s essential to use them after swimming in the pool and the ocean.

There are telltale signs when a clarifying shampoo, mud wash, or ACV rinse is necessary and by not listening to them you will be doing more harm than good.

1. Dull film

Whether wet or dry there should never be a film (dull or not”> on your hair. That’s a residue of some kind and it means your hair is not clean. Curly hair does not have the same shine as straight hair because it’s harder for light to reflect off of it and sparkle. However, it can have sheen and it does not have to look dull. So, if you notice dullness, especially accompanied by a film, you need something a little stronger to get rid of it.

Read what Michelle has to say on The Lowdown of Buildup

2. Build up post wash

Co-washing has saved many curlies from frequent tangles and dry tresses. It’s no fun having dry hair and co-washing can minimize that with the botanical conditioners and water in the ingredients. Sometimes there is a need for a clarifying shampoo when co-washing is not getting the job done and you still feel the product, dirt, or residue in your tresses.

3. Nothing is working

Often we feel when a product is no longer giving us that same quality, we have been accustomed to that it is no longer working for us. That’s not always the case and merely changing up with a clarifying wash will fix the problem. Sometimes a simple task like washing with a shampoo will fix the problem and before you go out and buy a ton of new products that may or may not work better, make sure it’s not just time to clarify.

If you are against all things shampoo, read more on The Scoop on Vinegar.

If you are convinced that your hair has become accustomed to certain products, read Does Hair Build Tolerance to Products?

4. Scalp issues

Dandruff, flaky scalp, or more serious ailments need more than just moisture from your weekly co-washing. Many clarifying shampoos use tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil for their cleansing anti-bacterial properties that fight scalp problems. They also have surfactants that will remove all the dirt and oil that may be harboring the environment for your scalp issues. Try a botanical clarifying shampoo before trying a medicated one to see if they can fix your problems without the use of harsher ingredients.

Tip: To help lift the dead skin and residue from the wash to avoid using shampoo twice, try a DIY scalp scrub.

5. Loss of springiness

Listening to your hair is essential in keeping it healthy, but knowing what your curls look like when they are healthy and happy is just as important. Believe it or not but the look of your curls will let you know if something is amiss. Limp, weak, or wiry curls aren’t always due to damage. Sometimes they just need a pick me up with a clarifying shampoo to bring them back to life. Allowing your tresses to reenergize from the essential oils and nutrients will revive your strands and the curls will bounce back.

This article has been updated.

Try the Baggy Method for Longer Natural Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published September 8, 2021

Try the Baggy Method for Longer Natural Hair

Photo: @honestlizhere

Read any curly forum, group, or blog, and you will quickly be faced with questions like: Where can I get the most moisture? What products will yield the most moisture? What’s the secret ingredient for moisture?

Having curly hair is a never-ending quest for hydration, and many naturals suffer from dry hair or brittle ends, which then lead to fragile hair and breakage. If you want to give your hair the best possible chance of retaining length and feeling its softest, then you need to keep your hair moisturized, with an emphasis on your ends.

What is the Baggy Method?

The baggy method is a highly popular technique and a creative solution for locking in your moisture using a Ziploc bag. Many curlies swear by this method on their journeys to longer hair. First, you apply a moisturizer to the hair and then wrap with a Ziploc baggy, plastic shower cap, or saran wrap for an extended period of time.

Is the Baggy Method the same as the Greenhouse Effect?

Many get this method confused with the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is designed to stimulate your scalp’s natural sebum using your own body heat. You simply add a natural oil and/or butter to dry or damp hair and cover with a plastic cap. I’d like to clarify that the baggy method and the greenhouse effect are not the same.

Is the Baggy Method the same as Pre-Pooing?

The Baggy Method is also different from a pre-poo because you do not follow up with washing your hair and this is done on clean hair. A pre-poo is combatting the effects of the cleansing with shampoo, which can be harsh on your strands. It doesn’t seem to matter if you use a moisturizer or a conditioner as long as it’s something your hair responds to very well.

Photo: The Gloved Natural

How to do the Baggy Method

There are two ways to do the baggy method to retain moisture:

Ends – You can choose to only apply product to your ends. If you are noticing split or dry, brittle ends then try baggying on your ends.
All Over – Apply product all over your hair. The all-over method is usually done on freshly washed hair. You apply your favorite moisturizer or a dab of conditioner to all of your hair.

What You’ll Need:

Your favorite moisturizer or conditioner
Ziploc sandwich bag, Saran wrap, a plastic bag, or a plastic shower cap
Hair tie

Step 1. Moisturize – Apply a moisturizer or a dab of conditioner to your hair (either the ends or all over”>

Step 2. Cover – Cover your moisturized hair with saran wrap, a plastic shower cap, or a Ziploc sandwich bag secured with a ouchless hair tie on your bag.

Step 3. Wait – Whether you’re treating your ends or all of your hair, leave the moisturizer on for three or four hours or overnight but not any longer as our hair needs to breathe.

You can watch The Gloved Natural using the Baggy Method on her ends here.

How often should you use the Baggy Method?

The baggy method is great for softer, moisturized hair but it doesn’t need to be done every day. Your hair must have time to dry out completely. It’s not healthy for hair to be constantly wet or damp over long periods of time. Most curlies and coilies will wear this overnight for maximum benefit.

Do you baggy your hair? Which method do you prefer?

How to Make Your Deep Conditioner Work Better

By Sabrina Perkins · Published March 14, 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOKNOWSHAIR

Deep conditioning is a vital component of healthy hair. Straight-haired women may be able to get away with omitting this step, but we curlies know it is equally as important as cleansing. Curly hair is fragile because it is susceptible to being dry, so imparting moisture is essential. Conditioner is only half the story when it comes to properly conditioning our hair. Don’t forget about the products. They are essential, but how they are used can affect how you moisturize your curls.

What is deep conditioning?

Deep conditioning is the act of conditioning one’s hair on a deeper level with longer-lasting effects than just using a daily conditioner that conditions the hair on a superficial level. Deep conditioning actually penetrates the hair, nourishing the cuticle layer and penetrating to the cortex. However, as curly girls we know how important conditioning is, so most of us deep condition after every wash.

Deep conditioning usually involves a product called a deep conditioner or a masque. This conditioner has the ingredients penetrate into the hair shaft, because of their low molecular weight. Many contain natural penetrating oils, proteins, amino acids, and other ingredients that temporarily repair damaged strands. They can be used on the hair in varying time lengths as one factor and with the application of heat. According to JC from The Natural Haven, both help in increasing the absorption rate of the conditioner from 5% up to 10%. That is double the absorption rate! The length of time for letting a deep conditioner sit varies from 15 minutes to overnight, depending on the product instructions and personal preference. The heat application can be as simple as covering your hair with a plastic processing cap and wrapping a hot towel around your head to trap the heat.

Applying heat and leaving the products in for a period of time help in increasing the absorption rate of the conditioner from 5% up to 10%.

Read more: Top 20 Deep Conditioners

What happens if you don’t?

The foundation of all fabulous hairstyles is healthy hair, technique and products follow. If you are struggling to achieve polished styles, it may be because your hair needs more or better moisture reinforcements from regular deep conditioning treatments. This will help your hair to restore moisture and remedy a myriad of problems like maintaining (not creating”> curl definition, unruly ends, split ends, and lackluster strands. When struggling to achieve certain styles, it is most beneficial to first address your hair care regimen.

6 tools to make deep conditioning work better

If you are ready to take the next step in deep conditioning, here are popular tools that women love for at-home salon quality treatment.

Hot Head Deep Conditioning Thermal Heat Cap, $24

This microwavable deep conditioning cap was created by a professional hairstylist. Handmade and created to enhance deep conditioners, it is filled with flaxseeds, which generate heat when warmed in for a minute in the microwave. This cap will produce up to 30-45 min. of gentle steam. Place over your hair covered in a plastic cap. I have one and love it as an easy way to get optimal deep conditioning benefits without cords and bulky equipment.

Hair Therapy Wrap, $29

A popular deep treatment enhancer, this fast and easy system uses gel packs to help it stay warm for up to 20 min. after heating up for 45 sec. in the microwave. Placed over hair and a shower cap, this portable heat cap does not use wires or require electricity. I have had one of these as well and it has worked well. It was my first introduction to non-electric heating.

Hooded Dryer

Hooded dryer, bonnet dryer, and soft bonnet are all terms for diffusing hairdryers that encase the head, with the hooded dryer often used at salons to deep condition and set the hair by expediting drying time. They are popular for relaxed women and many naturals and curlies are also using them for rollers sets and deep conditioning treatments. They are still quite effective for increasing the absorption for deep conditioning treatments, so if you already have one no need to find a new way to deep treat your tresses. I honestly do not know one woman who has never owned one. They are popular and inexpensive, and since we have learned that intensive heat is not necessary there is no need to purchase an expensive one.

Huetiful Steamer, $117

Naturals and curlies love hair steamers and there has been one on the market that has been on everyone’s wish list for years! The Huetiful steamer (which looks like a traditional hooded dryer”> boasts of restoring moisture to hair 5x better than a deep conditioning product. It was designed specifically for coily, curly, and wavy hair and will amp your deep conditioner to give optimal results. It also couples as a facial steamer so this product has dual benefits.

Q-Redew, $70

As I said above, curlies and naturals loves steamers because they are natural ways to revive our curls, waves and coils without products and harm. If portability is your game, then you will love the Q-Redew. This hand-held hair steamer uses steam as a mist to enhance your hair’s moisture and revives it but it is also great for adding heat to your deep conditioner. You can easily just apply to sections of your hair allowing the steam to naturally warm your conditioner before either rinsing or adding a plastic cap to trap the heat even longer.

Thermal Spa Professional Conditioning Heat Cap

The heat cap is a great alternative to the hooded dryer. It is soft, portable, and provides a solid dosage of heat without worry of losing the heat like ones that require warming in a microwave. The cap preheats in less than 2 min. and it has three heat settings and reasonably priced.

Do you use tools to intensify your deep conditioning treatment?

Best Hairstyles & Products for Type 4 Coily Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published April 3, 2019

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATASHA LEEDS

Porosity & Width

You may know your curl pattern, but there are other elements that are important to length retention and health. Knowing your curl pattern can help you select styling product and review styling tutorials, but hair width will determine how fragile your strands are, which is critical factor in addressing breakage. Hair porosity lets you know how well your hair retains moisture. Whether you have low, medium or high porosity; knowing this is vital to stave off dryness, which leads to breakage.

Not sure what your hair type is? Take our quiz!

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAYNA BOLDEN

How to Style Type 4 Hair

Easy Flat Twist Protective Style

Lania Theresa shares this ultra-quick, ultra-fab protective style she put together within minutes. If you can flat twist and detangle you’ve got this style mastered. She also includes a favorite technique for type 4 naturals by laying down her edges with a toothbrush to add some sleekness to the look. Bonus, when you’ve got your ends tucked away like this and make sure to sleep with your hair protected by a silk or satin scarf, you can make a protective style last all week.

Easy 20 Minute Wash-and-Go

If I hear one more Type 4 lovely say does not have “wash and go” hair, I am going to scream! Why? Because every hair type can rock a badass wash and go. Don’t believe me? Then watch Gloria Ann show you how it’s done. A wash and go does not have to yield perfectly defined curls, so once you understand that, you can achieve and lovea wash and go with ease. With a hair mask, thick moisturizer, and nourishing gel, she gets her coils ready for a healthy and voluminous look that lasts for three days. She blow dries her hair and uses a pick to shape it in order to speed up the process, but take some time to figure out exactly what drying and styling techniques work best for you!

Trendy Roll, Tuck, & Pin Natural Hair Tutorial

Here’s Jenell, a favorite on YouTube and writer for NaturallyCurly! She shows us another protective style, a simple updo that type 4 coilies can rock with ease. If you can roll, tuck, and pin, then you will have no problems with this look either. This is a great look for refreshing an old wash and go, twist out, or Bantu knot out.

How To: Natural Puff Tutorial

The high puff is a fave among naturals and a great look to rock after your hair has gotten old from another style or even right after wash day. Watch Taylor Anise easily pull her stretched 4c coils into what she calls a “pony puff.” With this style, you can show off your coily texture without too much work.

Finger Coils

Finger coils are another simple favorite among Type 4s and for good reason. This style can be a little time-consuming, but it can last for over a week. After that, you can transition into a “coil out,” unraveling your finger coils to stretch the style more.

Love those coils and learn how to achieve amazing styles with a little prepping, patience, and video guidance.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @STYLECARMEN

Best Products for Type 4 Hair

Your porosity will have the most impact on the products that work best for your hair, but curl pattern can also play a role. Every year the NaturallyCurly editors vote on their favorite hair products for their curl pattern, and these are the Editors’ Choice award winners for Type 4 hair.

Pre-Poo: The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-Poo

Shampoo: Bounce Curl Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo

Clarifying Shampoo: Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse

Dry Shampoo: Cantu Refresh Apple Cider Vinegar Dry Co-Wash

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAIRE MOST

Cleansing Conditioner: The Mane Choice Pink Lemonade & Coconut Conditioner

Daily Conditioner: Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Extra Dark Conditioner

Leave-In Conditioner: SheaMoisure Coconut Hibiscus Hold & Shine Daily Moisture Mist

Deep Conditioner: Ouidad Curl Immersion™ Triple Threat Deep Conditioner

Treatment: Groganics DHT Blocker On The Spot Itch Relief Scalp Medicine Drops

Hair Oil: Chocolate Kinks & Kurls Lemon Rose Hair & Scalp Renewal Oil

Hair Mask: Sashapure Restorative Conditioning Masque

Styling Cream: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

Styling Gel: Alikay Naturals Aloe Berry Style Gel

Share your favorite styles and products for Type 4 coils below!

Read next:

Photos of Type 4a Hair

Photos of Type 4b Hair

20 Photos of Type 4c Hair

This is How Often Should You Be Deep Conditioning

By Sabrina Perkins · Published January 21, 2019

For many curlies, it is best to deep condition after every wash day, but what if you wash your hair often? Jasmina wanted to know just that when she posted this question in Curly Q&A.

Question

Hello! Is it ok to deep condition anytime I wash my hair (2-3 times a week”>? Thanks 😀

Answer

Just like anything else in life, you can have too much of a good thing. Some need to deep condition more than others, for example you need the extra moisture if you

swim regularly
use heat tools
have color-treated hair
spend a lot of time in the sun
have damaged hair

What is a deep conditioner?

How often should you deep condition?

What does over-conditioned hair look like?

How often do you deep condition?

Quiz Maker

The Benefits of Walnut Oil for Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published January 4, 2019

Photo by tashka2000 — Getty Images

Walnuts are a part of the tree nut family, and have been revered since ancient times as a symbol of intellectuality, because the surface inside the shell resembles the human brain. The walnut kernel consists of two bumpy lobes that are off-white in color and covered by a thin, light brown skin.

The most popular walnuts are the English walnut, the black walnut, and the white walnut. The English walnut originated in India and regions surrounding the Caspian Sea, and is the most popular in the United States. Black walnuts are native to North America, specifically Central Mississippi Valley and the Appalachian area. These walnuts have thicker shells that are harder to crack. The white walnut is not as widely available as the other two, but is native to the New England states. Walnut oil is extracted by cold pressing, and has a rich, nutty taste.

Benefits of walnut oil

Walnut oil is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and it has several therapeutic properties, making it perfect for medicinal and beautification purposes. Walnut oil improves blood circulation, is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-aging, skin regenerative, and a skin toning miracle that has been slept on for too long. Several studies have shown the consumption of walnuts have amazing cardiovascular benefits including a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a significantly greater decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Their vitamins, phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids contribute to heart health, help fight diabetes, and improve cognitive functions.

What does it do for your hair?

From eliminating dandruff to highlighting and adding shine to hair color, this oil has been touted as a great oil for hair and scalp. With its anti-fungal properties, walnut oil is a viable option for scalp health and relieving an irritated or infected scalp. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis are often hard to manage, but walnut oil can help relieve the discomfort. Since Omega-3s help with preventing cell damage, some use walnut oil either alone or in concoction to fight hair loss. The potassium in walnut oil helps in regeneration of those cells and may accelerate hair growth.

Walnut oil is great for both skin and hair. It helps with eliminating wrinkles over time and with anti-aging properties that assists your skin, hair, and scalp. Walnut oil is amazing alone, or in conjunction with other oils for a healthier hair and scalp. You can buy walnut oil, or you can make it yourself–if you have the right tools. We have a great recipe just in time for the cooler and dryer temperatures, outlined below.

How to use walnut oil

Pre-poo oil blend

Try this simple pre-poo oil blend before you wash your hair next for shiny and healthier hair.

10 Tbsp. walnut oil
5 Tbsp. jojoba oil
5 drops of tea tree oil

Mix the oils together, and apply mixture to scalp until the entire head is covered. Massage in circles with firm pressure until head feels warmed, and then cover with shower cap and towel for at least one hour. Wash out with mild shampoo, condition, and style as usual.

Homemade walnut oil

If you prefer to make your own walnut oil, it will take a few more steps but it is definitely achievable.

6 lbs. of English walnuts
Nutcracker
Meat grinder
Oil press
Cheesecloth
2 large bowls

Make sure walnuts are dry and fresh. Use the nutcracker to open the shells and extract the meat into a clean bowl. Begin grinding the walnuts using small portions, and grind down until they are fine. Place the ground walnuts into a cup with a little water, just enough to heat the mixture for 30 min. stirring constantly. Once done heating, place the hot walnut meat into an oil press, and squeeze the oil, making sure you have a bowl below the press. Filter the oil by pouring the oil through a cheesecloth into a clean bowl. It is best to keep the oil in dark bottles for storage initially, and then in the fridge for up to two months to make it last longer. The oil may thicken in the fridge. For an easier application, bring the oil to room temperature for an hour or two before using.

Have you used walnut oil on your hair? How did it work? Share with us in the comments below. This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.

How to Make Your Twists Dry Faster

By Sabrina Perkins · Published December 28, 2018

Photo via Getty Images

Curlies are busy women. Who has time to sit around waiting for their twists to dry? No one. A question we see again and again is how to get hair to dry faster overnight in twists.

One reader writes:” I usually style my hair nightly with conditioners and Eco Styler Gel. Unfortunately, no matter how early I start, my hair is never dry by the time I have to get ready, and I usually take down the twists or braids and find that all of my hard work resulted in nothing. Not even my drying bonnet can help me. Any suggestions?”

We totally get it. The dreaded overnight hair drying situation can be disheartening. There are actual memes poking fun at one’s twists or braids not drying properly and bringing the natural to tears. We understand the struggle is far too real for many, especially if you have thick hair. What to do? There are a few ways to fix the problem by adjusting either your method of installing your braids and twists or your processes afterward.

Don’t make hair too wet

I know you may feel you must have hair wet for a proper style, but you are probably making hair too wet or using too much conditioner or gel. Try making hair half as wet as normal on each twist or braid and using half the conditioner and gel. You will definitely cut down on your drying time and you may find out you do not need it as wet as you think. Make sure to have some oil on your hands (not a lot”> to decrease the amount of frizz as you take down your twists.

Dry hair with a blow-dryer

If your bonnet dryer is not cutting it than a blow-dryer may be the one to work. Some swear by it for drying hair quicker in twists or braids.

Don’t cover your twists at night

This simple solution may allow more air to your hair, so they dry quicker than being covered with a satin bonnet or scarf. Just make sure you are sleeping on a satin pillowcase and you should be fine.

Rock them twisted

Rock them twisted for a few days or at least for that first day. We get into this ideal of what is acceptable or pretty. Who says you have to unravel them? Try wearing your twists the next morning. Twists are such a beautiful style, and if you part them evenly, you can rock them ‘as is’ or place them in buns, under a turban in a few braids peeking out from the front, or a host of styles that are available for your twists. This can give you a day or two in-between having to do them at night and afford you some free time along with not having to struggle getting your twists dried by morning.

Check out SimplyYounique’s hugely popular video on several ways to style your twists. She’s got five gorgeous styles for you to try.

This Tea is Not Just Good for Menopause; It Could Help with Alopecia Too

By Sabrina Perkins · Published December 14, 2018

A clinical study by Obstetrics and Gynecology International found that red clover extract may increase hair growth for those experiencing hair loss due to alopecia. During the study on postmenopausal women, there were reports of subjective improvements of scalp hair after using red clover extract.

Science has discovered that estrogens appear to prolong the anagen (growth”> cycle of the hair follicle. And red clover extract can act like estrogen, science has found. Couple that with red clover extract’s naturally protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and you can see why this extract may be an asset in your hair care arsenal.

What is red clover?

Red clover (Trifolium pratense“> is a perennial herb that commonly grows in meadows throughout Asia and Europe. It is broadly distributed throughout the United States, where it is also known as a cow clover meadow clover, purple clover, and trefoil. The flower tops of this plant are used to make medicine and those red and purple fragrant blossoms are dried and used for other purposes.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, red clover has been used medicinally for whooping cough, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations. This herb is widely used by some women for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, breast tenderness, or pain.

Photo by AllNikArt/iStock

This herb is a source of several nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Despite that impressive list of nutrients, the real favorite from this plant would be the rich source of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens. This is the main reason some women have been encouraged and use it in hormone replacement therapy.

How to use red clover leaf extract

Some use it directly as a hair rinse from the tea to stimulate growth while others just steep the flowers or brew a tea to drink and gain all the benefits internally. However one chooses to harvest the richness of this amazing plant is up to the individual. If you prefer to find hair products that already contain this product, try these:

Have you tried red clover for your hair or for menopause? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated.

How to Treat Lice on Curly Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published December 11, 2018

Sometimes we have to discuss the not-so friendly problems curly girls may have to deal with from time to time. Not every curly will have to deal with it but if you do, you want to know what to do. I’m talking about head lice.

“Head lice, called pediculus capitis by scientists, are small parasitic insects. They live only in human hair, grasping the shaft and feeding once a day by sucking tiny amounts of blood from the scalp. The female louse, about the size of a sesame seed, lays approximately ten eggs, called nits, a day and glues them to the hair shaft. They hatch in 10 to 14 days, grow for nine to 12 days, then mate and the cycle begins again. Lice can live for three to four weeks.” –USA Today

In my experience there is a widespread belief held in the black community that we cannot get lice. While lice do prefer fine, straight hair strands over coarse, curly hair, so it is indeed less likely, lice can nevertheless still affect every person regardless of race or hair type. One reason is the variety of ways lice can spread from sharing hair brushes and accessories to touching other people’s hair.

Unfortunately most popular methods for removing lice are conducive to dealing with straight hair with tools like nit ridding combs. Those combs have very tight, small teeth that can wreak havoc on a curly so the following methods are a better option.

Lice removal

Chemicals

If you feel you must use a lice shampoo and remove the nits with that special comb, then do so while the hair is wet. Wet hair is much easier to comb through. Keep a water bottle handy in order to re-wet the hair as it may dry during this lengthy process.

Blow-dryer

A blow dryer using direct heat can get rid of nearly 98% of nits and 55% of lice but you should not combine the shampoo method with this one since many of the lice shampoos have flammable ingredients. High heat is not necessary but it needs to be warm. A bonnet dryer is less effective, so use a hand-held blow dryer.

Sources:

“Treatment of Head Lice.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

“Head Lice Can Be Prevented with Household Remedies.” USA Today. GANNETT, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

DeGrandpre, Zora, and George Krucik, MD. “Home Remedies for Head Lice: What Works?” HealthLine.com. HealthLine.com, 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

How to Painlessly Detangle Your Toddler’s Hair

By Sabrina Perkins · Published December 4, 2018

Detangling curly, coily, and wavy hair can be a chore, and sometimes even a pain. Well, just imagine trying to detangle a child’s hair, or better yet, a toddler’s hair! Toddlers are temperamental by nature, and most of them do not care for getting their hair washed, let alone styled. I remember whenever I had to wash my daughter’s hair, I had to sing “Jingle Bells” in between her tears to keep her mind off the task, and quite often, it worked!

$$AD$$

Toddlers are fickle, and they tend to not like many daily activities, such as getting dressed, or getting their hair combed. One reader, Jose.Ramos from our Curly Q&A, is going through this now and inquired about how to fix the problem.

How to Painlessly Detangle Your Toddlers Hair

Question

What can I use in my 3-year-old’s hair to detangle it, without the pain it causes her? She hates the comb.

Answer

There are a few tools and tricks that can make the detangling session with your toddler easier, and even quicker. They are young and impatient, and of course we do not want to hurt them, so combing their hair can be problematic if you are not using the right tools and tricks to make the process smoother. Here are some tips, tricks, and products that should help and keep them in smiles, and their curls fabulous.

$$AD$$

Keep them preoccupied

Keeping them preoccupied truly helps. Let them watch a movie, listen to music, or play with a toy when you are doing their hair. It helps distract them, and will allow you time unbothered to work through those tangles.

Try detangling products specifically created for kids

There are several detangling sprays, shampoos, and conditioners just for kids now that have extra slip to help those tangles unravel. Many have tear-free formulas that will not irritate their eyes and skin. Their ingredients list is pumped up with moisturizers to ensure their hair is soft, easy to manage, and tangle-free. This is a must-have investment.

Use conditioners with tons of slip

This is a must, as slip allows the comb or brush to just glide through those tangles. Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a favorite, as it harnesses the slip magic of marshmallow root and slippery elm. Never skip the conditioning step on wash day, as that will help keep the hairs friction-free.

Sleep on a satin pillowcase or wear a satin bonnet

Start introducing them to satin. First off, they will love it; and secondly, it will cut down on dryness and breakage. This is also helpful with deterring tangles, so try a satin pillowcase or a satin bonnet for your toddler.

Enlist the help of wide-toothed combs and detangling brushes

They are a must to help remove those tangles, without yanking or breaking the hair. Many have cute styles and colors that will make the kids themselves want to use them, and that can also help if she or he wants to aid in their hair care. The SH&SH Detangling Hair Brush is a favorite among moms and dads because it works well with brushing the hair, and it appeals to children’s love for all things bright and colorful.

Don’t let it get too tangled

Do not put off removing those tangles, as they will only get worse. If you see she has had a hard day of play, and her hair is making its move to tangle, take a few minutes with a kid’s detangling spray, and work the tangles out with a wide-toothed comb, or detangling brush.

Here are a few favorite detangling sprays and conditioners for kids that will alleviate those tangles, and tears.

What are tried and true tips for detangling a toddler’s hair?

This article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.

These Popular Hair Care Brands Have Amazing Skin Care Products Too

By Sabrina Perkins · Published October 1, 2018

Photo courtesy of Glam Natural Life

When hair care brands take their business to the next level they often launch new collections or expand into skin care. Being outstanding in hair does not mean you can be just as impressive for one’s skin, but there are those lines that excel in both areas and we love them for it.

What more can a curly girl ask for than products that keep both their hair and skin soft, supple, moisturized, and healthy? Here is a list of the best when it comes to hair and body product combo lines!

SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture is not only a beloved hair care line for most curlies, coilies and wavies, but it has taken the body care by storm. They have collections for women, men, and even babies. They are continually bringing forth lines with amazing scents and ingredients that add moisture, suppleness, and color to your body from head to toe. They do all of this without parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colors, fragrances, or animal testing.

I use and love the Manuka Honey and Mafura oil line for my coils and embrace the Coconut & Hibiscus for my body with their highly concentrated body washes and softly scented body oils. There are numerous collections in their hair and body lines so it is almost impossible to not find a line you will love and cherish. They also have hair coloring systems that won’t harm your curls. SheaMoisture uses quality ingredients in all their products, so you never have to worry about much other than which line to try next.

Carol’s Daughter

Carol’s Daughter has a mission of fulfilling multiple beauty needs and Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, takes this passion seriously. A line that started over 20 years ago from Lisa’s kitchen can now be easily found at Targets, HSN, and specialty beauty stores. Carol’s Daughter has hair, body, and skin care lines and collections that are salon-quality at reasonable prices. From their hugely popular Monoi Repairing Collection to their heavenly scented Almond Cookie Body & Bath sets, curly girls can enjoy blissful body pampering while moisturizing their curls.

Oyin Handmade

Oyin Handmade has the Grand Mixtress, Jamyla Bennu, who is the ingredient-conscious mixer personalizing products for her very own needs and preferences. She’s an experimenter and has fun doing it. Created in 2001, Oyin started out small for friends and family and from there moved to bigger arenas (fairs and shows”> before launching the website in 2003.

The core ingredient to this line is honey, which cleanses, nourishes, and hydrates the hair and skin. Their variety is vast with products for the hair and body. Oyin Handmade steers clear of petroleum, silicones, parabens, or any other non-nourishing fillers for all of their products. Pure and natural is the cornerstone to this family-owned business that has products that range from shampoo bars to effervescent bath powders.

Aubrey Organics

Aubrey Organics began unknowingly simply by mixing ground ginger, peppermint, and eucalyptus leaf into a base of coconut oil to combat the harsh winters in the late 1960s. From there a brand was born to now house more than 200 products that range from hair to body. The Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner became a favorite for curly girls, which help to put them on the radar during the natural hair movement. Hair care is only one facet of this amazing brand that also has gluten-free products and personal care products for men. Aubrey Organics only uses the purest and natural organic ingredients from fair trade sources.

Photo by Shopgonatural

Karen’s Body Beautiful

Karen Tappin is Karen’s Body Beautiful, and this entrepreneur and educator has turned this beauty line into a house-hold name for naturals and curlies alike. This organic body care line caters to the whole body with hair, bath, and body products made with all natural products including lotions, soaps, and scrubs along with shampoos and conditioners. From shampoos to holding aids, the hair care line is phenomenal with everyone loving their best-seller Sweet Ambrosia Leave-in Conditioner. The bath and body care line is just as great with the objective being moisture retention. From body washes to supple lotions the bath and body is just as amazing as the hair products. Long lasting products that give hair and skin the moisture and softness it craves and deserves, Karen’s Body Beautiful is a full body treat.

Have you tried any of the skincare products by these brands? Let us know in the comments below!

This article was originally published in 2010 and has been updated.