Search Results: Sabrina Perkins

Many products are full of chemicals you may be unfamiliar with that do not necessarily aid in telling us what they are. Being in the dark with many of these ingredients is a pain, so we try and help whenever we can since knowledge is most often the difference between bad hair days and looking like a curly-haired goddess. 

Cleansing our hair is just as important as moisturization when it comes to curl care. While we need to do both, we often find ourselves in-between a rock and a hard place in finding products with ingredients that are capable of doing both successfully. Perro from Curly Q&A inquired about an ingredient that is found in shampoos but with a very misleading name.

Question

Does sodium trideceth sulfate, stripped the oils of hair?

Answer

Sodium trideceth sulfate is a cleansing agent that belongs to the chemical class of alkyl ether sulfates. An ether is an organic compounds that contains an oxygen atom bound to two hydrocarbon groups. It is considered safe and has a very low concern for hazard. It is a cleansing and foaming agent that removes dirt, sweat, product, and of course oils. Will it completely strip your hair of its oil? That depends.

What is sodium trideceth sulfate?

Sodium trideceth sulfate is a sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol. It acts like a mild nonionic surfactant that does contain conditioning properties and when used in combination with other surfactants it creates foam and viscosity. It is used in skin, hair, shaving, and baby cleansing products because it is very low in skin irritation.

It is safe enough for babies

Yes, you read that correctly. This surfactant is found in quite a few baby cleansers including the one we all grew up on, Johnson & Johnson. Because it is low on the scale of skin irritation it is ideal for baby cleansing products, as that is important. As far as stripping the hair of oils it is a mild surfactant and it depends on the person, their scalp, hair and what other ingredients are in the product to see if that occurs.

Surfactants are for cleansing and that includes removing oils from the scalp and hair and why some curlies opt for conditioner cleansing or doing a pre-poo prior to shampooing to keep the shampoo from stripping hair of all the oils it needs. If you found a product that has sodium trideceth sulfate that you like, then enlist in a pre-poo or adding a few drops of carrier oil to your shampoo when using to help keep the hair and scalp from feeling stripped. Here are a few products with the mild surfactant sodium trideceth sulfate.

Products

• Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo 
• Johnson’s Baby Shampoo With Natural Lavender 
• Johnson’s No More Tears Baby Shampoo 
• Suave for Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner, Wild Watermelon 

I love oatmeal! Oatmeal was my saving grace when I was growing up because it was cheap and I was always hungry. I have brought it into my adult life tri-fold with my eating it (helps to lower cholesterol”>, using it in my smoothies for texture and for my hair. Even though I use them differently, it yields all the same wonderful results that do not get mentioned enough for the massive benefits. Well, apparently Tina.Trapp already knows this but needed some application guidance when she asked about it in the Curly Q&A section.

Question

How exactly do I put oatmeal in my hair? Do I mix with hot water or anything, and just rub all around?

Answer

Oatmeal is wonderful for our hair for several reasons, and while you can benefit by just eating it, using it in your hair gives immediate results. There are two popular recipes for hair masks with oatmeal as the primary ingredient but first, let’s discuss the many reasons why we love oatmeal for our strands.

Moisture & Softness

Oatmeal has vitamin B and can penetrate the hair shaft, which allows our hair to retain moisture by acting like a humectant and the polysaccharides help in softening the hair. That same polysaccharides or glucan adds slip and as long as you keep it in (like a hair mask”> your hair feels soft the entire time.

Strengthens

Oatmeal allows hair to become more elastic and that makes it stronger and less prone to breakage. This in turn can lead to length retention as stronger hair hangs around a lot longer.

Can stop an itch

Have you ever had the chicken pox? I did at the tender age of 31…no, it was not pretty but you remember how we used oatmeal in the bath to help soothe the itching? Well, that goes for your scalp too. An oatmeal scalp treatment will help with dry and irritated scalps naturally.

It’s cheap!

Oatmeal is so cheap it is ridiculous and you cannot ask for a cheaper way to soften, moisturize, and strengthen your strands.

Now that we’ve shown you why you need to be using it, here are two super simple recipes that will help in harness the benefits of oatmeal.

Oatmeal + Almond oil hair mask

• ½ cup of oats
• 1-2 tbsp. almond oil
• ¼ -1/2 cup of milk

Mix ingredients well. Make sure hair is completely detangled before applying to hair from root to tip. Leave the mask in hair for 15- 20 min. You can cover with plastic cap too. Shampoo hair and style as usual.

DIY All-Natural Treatment For Dry & Itchy Scalp

Check out Hey Fran Hey for her all-natural oatmeal treatment for a dry and itchy scalp and here’s what you need:

• Colloidal oatmeal
• Organic bananas 
• 100% pure nutmeg

We are an ever-emerging DIY culture, and while not an all entirely a bad thing, it can sometimes cause bigger problems. We find the best products and techniques by simple trial and error, but knowing when to stop using what is not working and trying something else is subjective. I may try something only once and know immediately that it won’t work but another curly may try a product and allow it a few tries before making her decision on liking it or not. Who is right in their method? It depends on the curly girl. Livaskew inquired about whether her no-shampoo method in our Curly Q&A is the path she needs to continue to take.

Question

No-shampoo causing dandruff? I am doing the no-shampoo thing and it is making my hair feel so much better, but is causing excessive dandruff? How to have nice hair without the dandruff?

Answer

There are several things that can cause reasons for dandruff, and according to the Mayo Clinic it can be:

• Dry skin
• Irritated, oily skin like seborrheic dermatitis
• Not shampooing often enough
• Other skin conditions
• A yeast-like fungus like malassezia
• Sensitivity to hair products

Are you sure it is dandruff?

It could also be psoriasis, since both dandruff and psoriasis are quite similar and treatable. While many curly girls have turned their backs on shampoos, they are a necessary component of healthy hair care, and since there are several types (sulfate-free, moisturizing, protein-free”> you may be able to find one you prefer. If you are unsure what it is and how to get rid of it, you can also enlist professional help from a dermatologists or trichologist.

Are you using silicones?

First off, you have to make sure it is dandruff and not something else like product buildup, because shampoo actually removes that along with sweat, dirt, oil, and pollutants. I ask because while any botanical conditioner should be able to cleanse your hair, some ingredients like non-soluble silicones need the use of a clarifying shampoo or a sulfate-shampoo to remove them properly. Check your conditioners and stylers to see if they have silicones, and if so that may be what is actually flaking or causing the flaking or you could just be sensitive to the formulas in one of your products.

Not shampooing can be causing your dandruff

According to the Mayo Clinic, not shampooing enough may cause dandruff but that just means that the product you are using to cleanse your scalp is not properly removing the oils, skin cells, and dirt from your scalp and hair. Try a mild or sulfate-free shampoo and see if you notice a difference. As I alternate and shampoo twice a month, I co-wash weekly. That may also work for you without drying out your hair too much by the harshness of shampoo.

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your non-shampoo cleansing method

I love tea tree oil and before I started the curly girl method I suffered horribly with dandruff. I would pour some sulfate-free or cleansing co-wash into the palm of my hand and add a few drops of tea tree oil and cleanse my hair. The dandruff was gone for months at a time as a result of the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and it would actually soothe my scalp. Another method is to create a scalp treatment with tea tree oil and a carrier oil like jojoba oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. Take a small application bottle (dark colored would be best”> and fill it up ¾ way with your carrier oil. Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil and mix (shake”> well. Apply to your scalp and hair and massage lightly before leaving in for a few hours or even overnight. Cleanse hair in the morning and style as usual.

Gotu kola has been used for thousands of years and is native to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, South Pacific, and Sri Lanka. It was popular in ancient times for healing wounds, improving mental clarity, and treating leprosy and psoriasis. While not as popular as some other plants, this perennial herbaceous creeper is more known as centella and grows in tropical, wet areas. 

In recent years, gotu kola has been used in the US and Europe to treat varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency while also being used to treat psoriasis and healing minor wounds, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. The entire plant is used for medicinal purposes and is considered a very spiritual herb for its rejuvenate properties in Ayurvedic medicine.

Benefits of Gotu kola

Gotu kola is known for healing wounds with the saponins and other organic compounds that actually stimulate the healing process on site. Gotu kola has been used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries and stimulates the flow of blood. This increases oxygenation to different parts of the body. A mild diuretic, it can help to release the excess toxins, salts, and water while also relieving tension and anxiety in blood vessels, which helps to regulate blood pressure. It also has antibacterial properties and used in topical, oral, and injected forms to treat leprosy.

Gotu kola benefits for hair

Gotu kola can be used several ways for hair such as a tea, a powder, and even an oil. With such potent components we should not be surprised this herb is used for hair loss. Sometimes hair loss is a result of malnourished cells or hair follicles, and gotu kola plays a hefty role in strengthening the hair follicles due to nourishment of the scalp through the strengthening of the blood vessels. This also helps in getting proper blood circulation to the scalp to feed and nourish those starving hair follicles. Oxygen and other nutrients can find their way to the scalp and hair follicles. This helps in not only preventing hair loss but encouraging hair regrowth.

The extract can be used internally and externally to aid in fighting hair loss. It can be used as an oil in scalp massages. It can be taken internally as a tea but to get even better results drink the tea and use the oil as a scalp massage. The powder can be used in a hair mask by combining aloe vera gel with the powder and mix into a paste. Not only will this be a great hair mask for hair loss, but it is also a soothing and scalp irritant deterrent. While this can be used solely by itself in powder, tea, or oil form, there are some products that harness the goodness of this miracle herb.

Products with gotu kola

• Darcy’s Botanicals Peppermint Scalp Elixir
• Darcy’s Botanicals Shea Butter Curl Moisturizing Cream 
• Black 15in1 Miracle Hair Treatment

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“Short hair, don’t care” is a motto many curlies live by proudly. Not everyone is opting for longer hair.  Many enjoy the carefree look or quickness of the TWA or pixie cut.  Even if one is merely growing their hair out, the desire to find styles for their short cut during that time period does not have to be a hard thing to do. For the shortest of the shortest or for the curlies rocking shaved sides or undercuts, you may need a little guidance. No worries because if you cannot put your hair in a ponytail then we’ve got you covered!

Being Melody

Being Melody is a channel about a natural-haired woman stumbling through life fabulously. She’s also got really short sides and back with longer length on top. She changes it up occasionally with twists added in, but her super short cut is never boring, as she finds amazing styles to rock.

Queen Teshna

Queen Teshna is a natural hair, beauty, and fashion vlogger rocking an ultra-short tapered cut masterfully. She is big on variety—including makeup tips—that will never bore you. In her most recent videos she shares how quickly she creates a slicked back wave, which is the perfect style for spring. All you need is some moisturizer, gel, a comb, and some edge control.

Natural Hair Rebel

Natural hair rebel is another tapered cut diva who has no problems creating beautiful styles. This natural hair, beauty, and lifestyle vlogger is forever creating timeless styles that will never leave you wondering what to do with a short tapered cut. From perm rods to finger coils to rocking a scarf, she is masterful at flawless coils and curls on short hair. Check out her video on how she creates finger coils on her tapered cut and ends up looking gorgeous!

Sadora J

Sadora J is a great vlogger to follow for creating easy and fun styles with short hair. My favorite video by her is her effortless curly fro with perm roods on ultra-short hair. It only takes some creativity, a few products, perm rods, and afro pick. She also great with scarves for those days the hair is just not working out!

ThatIsKei

I love watching Keiana’s videos. She’s fun, full of creativity, and can rock short hair like no one else! You can learn how to work your accessories to using sponges for styling. In this video she shares six ways to spice up your TWA from sporting a variety of hats and scarves to rocking temporary color. What you walk away with is that absolute belief in how versatile short natural hair can have for any woman.

Joelle

J. Joelle is a chameleon of style. From makeup to hair she brings flair to all her looks with relative little work to be done. What I love about her videos is how she has a range of styles as she does rock wigs and braids from time to time but she not only share how she cares for her hair beneath the wigs but she has some stellar videos on the shortest of the shortest TWAs and how to rock them beautifully. The video below is on how to wear the shortest TWA with a sleeker look that is easy and fun to create.

Jaelah O’Neil

Jaelah has gorgeous hair. She can create just about any style she wants with a little creativity and accessories. In this video she shares how she easily creates the cutest puff with her TWA and you will fall in love and be rocking this in no time.  

J Mayo

J Mayo brings fun to hair. With her passion for color and learning new ways to rock her hair, she’s got videos sharing her journey of growing out her hair through funky styles for even the shortest TWA. In this video she shares how she flat twists her TWA. She creates a gorgeous style with flat twists that will make you see all the versatility in your own hair.

GlamMzMore

GlamMzMore has a short, 4C TWA, and while many feel one is limited with super short hair, we see how that is far from the truth. From shingling to wash and go to perm rods, GlamMzMore shows how easily any style can be created no matter your type. In this video, she shows the process of creating a defined TWA using the shingling method and how this style can last for days!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1KSNLO9CwA

Tierra J. Beauty

Tierra gust big chopped two weeks ago, so she’s fresh out of the gate working with short natural hair again. She was ready for removing those heat-damaged strands and work with healthy, curly hair, so she’s been creating some amazing styles on her new hairdo. In this video she show how she expertly creates finger coils and the results are awesome.

Who’s your favorite TWA vlogger? 

There are plenty of treasures for our hair right in our own backyard and one such treasure is candelilla wax. Candelilla is an upright, leafless growing succulent about two feet tall that spreads slowly by suckering from the base to form large clumps. A true desert plant, it grows in bunches and prefers hot, dry conditions and well-drained calciferous soils. It is most common in northern Mexico and extends into southern Texas. 

Candelilla wax is extracted from the candelilla plant and it means “little candle.” It is a natural, multifunctional, vegetable wax comprising a complex of natural wax esters. It is extracted by boiling the plant to separate the wax from it. It is a non-gelling thickener, viscosity enhancer, and film former with protecting properties. It is a cosmetic astringent, emulsifier, stabilizer, and skin-conditioning ingredient that is odorless. To remove this wax from the hair and prevent build up, it is important to know that it is soluble in alcohol but insoluble in water.

Benefits of candelilla wax for hair

This vegetable wax is often used as a viable substitution for beeswax, which is great for vegan lifestyles. Candelilla wax is rich in nutrients and easily absorbed into the scalp and hair while creating an instant barrier to prevent moisture loss in the scalp and hair. It adds gloss and lubricity to hair. It is also a natural thickener and emulsifier that adds texture to a formula and prevents oils and liquids from separating, which is great for lip balms and body balms. The creamy consistency of candelilla wax makes for smooth applications in depilatories and can be found in several hair products from hair conditioners to scalp treatments. Here are a few products that contain candelilla wax.

• Darcy’s Botanicals Eucalyptus Mint Herbal Scalp Conditioning Butter 
• Darcy’s Botanicals Sweet Cocoa Bean Moisturizing Hair Whip 
• LUSH Superbalm Scalp Treatment 
• LUSH R&B Hair Moisturizer 
• Original Moxie Lux Locks Styling & Shine 

DIY hair pomade (sculpting wax”>

• 1 oz. candelilla wax
• 1 1/2 oz. shea butter
• 2 oz. jojoba oil
• 1/8 – ¼ tsp. essential oil

Melt wax in double boiler over low heat. When melted add in shea butter and allow to melt before adding jojoba oil and stir to mix. Pour mixture into a container and allow to cool slightly before adding essential oil. [prodmod]

When I suffer unusually high stress, my hair begins to shed in the following weeks. Likewise, when I neglect to get my bi-annual trims, I can count on experiencing more tangles and knots. It’s all about finding out what’s going on with my hair and habits so I can rectify the problem, switch gears, and make my hair happy. If you are always experiencing tangles, there is a really good chance you are failing to do one or more of these vital hair care necessities that will drastically change your hair game. 

You are not using (enough”> conditioner

There are still some curlies out here in these streets skipping the conditioner step on wash day. Shampoo slightly lifts the cuticle and conditioners are formulated to close the cuticle, making less friction. Conditioner is necessary to combat the stress and tangles that occur after cleansing with shampoo to soften and protect the hair. A deep conditioner rebuilds the health of your hair by penetrating deeper than a regular conditioner to repair and hydrate from the inside out. After rinsing your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner to maintain the hair’s moisture and lessen tangles as your hair shrinks.

You are not fully detangling during wash day

It is a chore no one particularly loves, but when you put it off or do half the job you make matters worse. Detangling is a necessary evil of wash day. In a nutshell, find a method that works for you, be patient, and work in sections. Tangled hairs do not miraculously disappear if you ignore them. They just find other hairs to entwine with.

You are leaving old styles in too long

I understand that some protective styles are meant to stay in long periods of time like box braids, but what about low manipulation styles that you allowed to fester without moisturizing because you were lazy? Neglect causes your hair to tangle even more. If you go a whole week with a wash and go and haven’t added a drop of water, conditioner, refresher, or even touched it, then you are inadvertently creating a tangled nightmare. Stop putting off detangling and moisturizing your hair.

You don’t protect your hair at night

Sleeping on a satin pillowcase, wearing a satin scarf, placing hair in a pineapple, bun or braids are all ways to not only keep hair soft, less frizzy, and less tangles. Another no-no is going to bed with a wet, tangled hair. There is no detangling fairy coming to visit you and detangle your wet hair, so if you do want a serious nightmare in the morning, never go to bed with wet hair.

You need a trim

Trimming is a necessary component of keeping curly hair healthy and tangle free. Raggedy ends or split ends are not smooth and will cause friction with other raggedy ends and create fairy knots or tangles. Keeping those ends healthy and sealed not only looks better but also helps lower the tangles.

You may need to try stretched styles

Wash and go may not be your style of choice if you suffer from massive tangles despite everything you do to combat them. Try stretched styles, as they are less prone to tangles. Roller sets, banding, African threading, heatless blow-outs and even Curlformers help to stretch textured hair.

How do you keep tangles at bay? 

How we choose to style our hair is personal. There are numerous factors that must be taken into account on what makes for a better styling technique, like wet styling or dry styling. How do you determine what works best? It depends on your hair. Hair is weaker when wet because it can stretch a lot more, making it easier to reach its breaking point. What makes matters worse is being too rough with your wet hair and confusing breakage with shed hairs. Here is how to determine whether you should be styling wet or dry.

Wet styling

Wet styling is the best method for styles like roller sets and perm rod sets. Styling foam and lotion are usually applied on wet hair to smooth it out. From there you either air-dry on sit under a hood dryer and the style is completed. Remember to be gentle.

Dry styling

Braids, twists, and extensions are usually installed on dry hair.

Some styles just come out better on dry or damp hair. If just a few spritzes of a water bottle or refresher is all that is needed to create a style, then that is still considered a dry or damp style and you are working with hair when it is strongest.

You should dry style if…

You have damaged hair or suffer from severe tangles. Whether damaged by heat, chemicals, or over manipulation, dry styling is the number one option, so you are not manipulating the hair while it is weak. Styling on wet hair can cause more breakage since hair will be in its weakest state. If hair is bone dry then spritz with water or use a refresher to help hydrate the hair before styling. If hair has been straightened and you want to keep it straight, then it is best to style your hair dry.

You should wet style if…

You do not suffer from a lot of tangles or have split ends. You want to get those ends cut regularly but, until then use a good sealant on them and style hair while wet to mask them before they dry and begin to frizz or look frayed. Also, if you do not have a lot of tangles, then wet styling will not be an issue for you as long as you are being gentle with your hair.

Styling hair while damp

This is a happy medium for most people, as hair is pliable and moisturized enough to work with you but dry enough to be much stronger than wet hair. The bottom line is to find the best technique for your strands. Try styling on wet, dry, and damp hair and see which yields the best results with the least amount of breakage, and is the least time-consuming. Once you have figured that out, you are on your way to the best styling sessions of your life.

Which do you prefer, wet, dry, or damp styling?

There are many factors that affect hair growth: stress, styling manipulation, certain medications, hormones, age, and vitamin deficiencies. When BlessingE inquired about hair growth and two-strand twists in our Curly Q&A, I knew this was a great opportunity to share more information about hair growth. 

Question

Hello, does 2 strand twist grow hair, and what other protective styles enhance growth? God bless.

Answer

Hair grows in a cycles predetermined by the body regardless of the hairstyle you wear. Hairstyles can affect the health of hair and can help or hurt one’s length retention, but hair will not grow faster from a particular hairstyle. Here are some factors that affect hair growth, and how styles impact it.

How does hair grow?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair begins from the root in the bottom of the hair follicle, which is fed by the blood vessels. The hair gets pushed through the scalp as the sebaceous glands add oil to help keep hair soft. We are born with all the follicles we will ever have, which is about 100,000 follicles. At the end of a hair’s life cycle, we lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day.

The anagen phase is the active phase of hair that lasts about 3-5 years. The catagen phase is at the end of the anagen phases and lasts around ten days. The telogen phase is when the hair enters the resting phase before releasing. The follicle remains inactive for three months before starting over again and hairs on the head can be in any one of these phases, as they do not happen simultaneously.

What affects hair growth?

The length of the anagen phase of hair growth will affect hair growth, but there are external factors like diet, stress, mechanical and chemical manipulation, medications, and health. Some people have a shorter anagen phase than others, while others are longer. There is no changing that but keeping your body and hair healthy is allowing for optimal growth and retention. Also, know that some follicles stop growing as we age. That is why we see more thinning hair as we age.

What helps hair growth?

A healthy diet, low stress levels, and adequate sleep are all ways to positively affect hair growth. Many things like life stressors (e.g. death in the family, pregnancy, losing a job”> are all instances we cannot control and will affect our entire body as a result. What also helps with hair growth is maintaining a healthy scalp and doing scalp massages.

These styles help with length retention not hair growth.

Protective styles and hair growth

Protective styles are hairstyles that keep your ends (the weakest and oldest strands”> away from manipulation and pollutants. Popular protective styles include braids, two-strand twists, updos, and even wigs. These styles help with length retention not hair growth. Keeping hair healthy and protecting those ends are the best ways to stave off breakage. Maintaining your whole health as it relates to diet, exercise, drinking water and a healthy scalp are the best ways to optimize hair growth.

Styling agents, especially gels, can be a curly girl’s best friend. Some prefer soft, touchable curls while others want firm hold. Finding the perfect product that allows your hair to be great is everything. Finding the perfect product that allows your hair to be great and saves a few coins is masterful, but we want that greatness without compromising our hair’s health. Curlyhead101 from Curly Q&A asked about a popular and unique styling gel.

Question

“Gorilla snot gel (alcohol”> ingredient

I really want to try out this gel! Its protein free but it has alcohol in it. And someone had commented on the gel and said that it breaks off their hair and their doctor told them not to use it. I have low porosity hair so I fear that it might make my hair break off. Should I risk it?”

Ingredients

Water (Aqua”>, Pvp, Alcohol, Peg-150, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Cyamopsis, Tetragonoloba (Guar”> Gum, Fragrance (Parfum”>, Yellow 10 (Ci 47005″>, Yellow 6 (Ci 15985″>, Green 8 (Ci 59040″>, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Answer

Not all alcohols are bad despite the negative rap they get. Fatty alcohols like lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, or stearyl alcohol are usually derived from natural sources and have a higher amount of carbon content, which makes them oilier and used as softeners or emollients in skin and hair products. The short chain alcohols like SD alcohol, SD alcohol 40, or propyl alcohol have less carbon and evaporate quickly due to their low molecular weight. Alcohol is the third ingredient in this gel so we are not sure if it is a fatty alcohols, but we do have some information on some other ingredients in this product.

The Beauty Brains discusses what polyVinlyyrrolidone is and what it does. “PVP is used in stylers because it’s cheap and it gives a very hard crunchy hold. As long as there’s no moisture in the air. Because if there is, the PVP will absorb it and become sticky. Some people love the PVP crunch but it’s certainly NOT a state of the art styling aid.”

Beauty brains goes on to say how sorbitol is not all that great either, especially since PVP does not do well when exposed to water and that the sorbitol may only make matters worse. There are plenty of women who love Gorilla Snot Gel because it is inexpensive and gets the job done, but that might not be the same for all.

The bottom line

This relatively inexpensive product is a popular one. It seems to be an excellent gel with hold and many curly girls use it so give it a try. However, it is not the best styling gel to use nor one for touchable soft curls. We are not aware of what type of alcohol (good or bad”> is in it, but PVP is an ingredient to watch out for because it can make the hair sticky. With you having low porosity hair, you could potentially try this once to see how it goes, but if it does not work out then know you only wasted less than $5.

Buriti fruit oil is a natural wonder from the wetland regions of the Amazon as well as in Central Brazil. This common palm fruit plays an important role in the Amazon diet while also possessing a fabulous beauty oil. The yellow pulp is the prized possession in this palm, as it is naturally rich in oils. The fruit is gathered in Brazil between April and September and between October and January in the Peruvian Amazon. 

A potent beauty oil

Ground and then cold-pressed, buriti fruit oil is used in a wide range of beauty products from skin to hair conditioners. This beautiful golden-orange colored oil is rich on palmitic, linoleic, oleic, and arachidic acids. It also has tocopherols, carotenoids, and beta-carotene. The oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, which helps with calming redness and soothing sensitive skin and scalp conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It also has antioxidant properties that enhance cell longevity, because the oil protects the lipid membranes that surround skin cells. It also helps to rehydrate, rebuild, and restore skin cells allowing for more moisturized skin.

Benefits of buriti fruit oil for hair

This oil soothes dry and damaged hair and can be used in oil blends or as a hot oil treatment. The essential fatty acids in this treasured oil are excellent at maintaining elasticity and firmness in skin while producing collagen and elastin, which provide moisture for the scalp. The high presence of beta-carotenes in buriti fruit oil is helpful in healthy hair growth and the oleic acid is great for adding a natural sheen to hair.

Those same essential fatty acids are great for maintaining elasticity and revitalizing dry skin and hair. The smoothing nature of this oil makes it a good choice for fighting frizz. Simply add a few drops to hands and apply to help calm frizz while adding softness and a slight sheen. From shampoos to stylers, this oil is being used in hair products for several of its natural properties. If you prefer ready-made products, we have a list of a few possessing this lovely beauty oil below.

• Darcy’s Botanicals Curling Cream Gel 
• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie 
• Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie
• Avlon Affirm MoisturRight Hair Repair Masque 
• Avlon Affirm MoisturRight Clarifying Shampoo 

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Hair color is a fun way to spruce up one’s look without getting a hair cut or new style. While many women color their strands on their own, this practice can lead to mishaps, making the enlistment of a hair color professional a good idea. Professional colorists have been trained in hair color processing, a highly involved, technical application of color to hair.

Even though professional colorists are skilled in the application and color alteration of hair, their cost per hour may not be within would-be client budgets. That’s when temporary color treatments, such as hair color rinses, become helpful. Temporary coloring allows for versatility without damaging or compromising the integrity of the hair.

What is are hair color rinses?

Hair color rinses fall under the temporary hair color classification. A rinse is applied after cleansing and conditioning. Hair rinses are used for several purposes like enhancing gray hair and toning down the colors from permanent dyes.

Why do black hair rinses leave a green cast?

A common problem some women face when using a black rinse is a green cast left on their hair that’s visible in the sunlight. While some women love fantasy colors, many are not happy when they were hoping for jet black, grey-less hair and get green hair after a few washes.

“It is absolutely possible that black semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, commonly referred to as a ‘rinse’, can leave a green cast on the hair,” according to Monae Everett, an American Board Certified hair colorist and celebrity stylist.

“This typically only happens when you are coloring your hair darker from blonde, especially light blonde to black,” Everett explained further, “The reason this happens is simple; blonde hair has a lot of yellow in it. Black has a lot of blue in it. Once combined, you can get the dreaded green cast. The best way to avoid this is to have a professional apply the color.”

Since all dark hair shades’ natural orange undertones are removed during the lightening process,  Everett recommends introducing orange dye into your temporary rinse process. This is especially important if you’re unable to get a professional colorist.

“Color your hair twice, using two different formulas,” Everett said, “The first hair color should have a deep orangey tone. Apply it to your wet hair, allow it to process, [and] then rinse it out. Don’t be surprised by your noticeably orange strands. The second hair color can be the desired goal of the black hair color. The blue undertones in the black hair color will neutralize (cancel out or balance”> the orange strands and give you true black hair color.”

Sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it?

Well, that’s why going to a hair color professional may ensure you’re get the right color, not a by-product of the color wheel.

If you’re up to the challenge, follow Everett’s suggestions and make sure you have clean, healthy hair before the application.

Follow Monae Everett on YouTube.

Has your hair ever turned green after using black hair dye?

It’s been a straight-haired world for so long. Within the past ten years, our curls have been the center of attention. As more stylists participate in continuing education seminars and certification courses to gain more experience with textured hair, how can you find the right natural hair stylist for you? Domonique Mo, from Curly Q&A, wants to know more about what curly customers expect at the salon. 

Question

What questions [should I] ask during a consultation? My last perm was two years ago. I’ve done everything dealing [with] my hair, between my big chop to trims all [on] my own. I want a haircut… to give it a shape and maybe some color (without damaging my fine hair”>, but I don’t know where to even start.

Answer

While many stylists may want to jump on the curly girl bandwagon to expand their clientele, experience is essential. Textured hair is too fragile to leave to the novice. Too often we’ve allowed our stylists to do what they pleased, expecting them to not only be professional but educate us as well. I cringe at how misinformed I was about the chemicals and treatments used on my curls, and I refuse to ever be that naïve again.

6 Questions to Ask During a Consultation

1. What type of training have you received?

Make sure he or she is a licensed professional with experience in styling, coloring, and cutting your texture.

2. Do you have a preferred cutting technique?

There are quite a few out there like the Deva Cut, RI CI technique, or Ouidad Carve and Slice. Knowing what technique the stylist uses will allow you to determine what type of styles they may be able to achieve and their approach.

3. Do you have pictures of hairstyles or cuts you have performed?

Bring photos of someone with your texture and the style you want to achieve. Texture is important because everyone’s hair doesn’t behave the same way and the maintenance may be different.

4. What products do you use?

It’s a good idea to know what products the stylist uses. This way, you can express whether or not you have a preference. Curly haired clients rarely asked in the past. Now that we’re savvier natural hair care product consumers, we know what we do and don’t like.

5. Is the style I want a true possibility with the current state of my hair’s color, texture, and overall health?

Let’s not fool ourselves. Sometimes we want something that is not good for our curls. It’s okay to want the world. However, you need a stylist who will be honest and guide you to the best options that complement your face, skin tone, and lifestyle. Be open to the the stylist’s suggestions, as well.

Remember to consider the current state of your hair. If your curls are damaged, then permanent color may not be the best option; getting a haircut may be the only way to save your curls. This is why consultations and open, honest communication with a potential stylist is so important.

6. Do you prices vary based on length and texture?

Never skip this question. Stylists should not charge more for longer hair or tighter textures.

Be Upfront and Clear About What You Want

There’s nothing wrong with being assertive. If you absolutely want your hair cut on dry hair and your stylist is uncomfortable or inexperienced doing that, then you need to find another stylist. I am not saying you or I know more than the professionals, but you should never feel like you don’t have a say in your service. Be upfront with what you want. Feel free to ask as many questions as needed in order to to determine if this styling session and salon is a good fit for you.

If You Get a Bad Vibe, Leave!

Go with your gut, or first mind. If you feel uncomfortable or that the stylist is not for you, keep it moving.

Watch

Too often we hear folks telling us to not do this and not do that and often it is never harmful to your hair. Despite that, some curly girl know-it-alls who have only their hair in mind still feel the need to judge. Well, no judgment here. Know that it is ok to follow the rules but sometimes the rules just do not apply to your curls. Mth333 has already figured that out but despite her new way of dealing with her hair, she’s had some hiccups and asked for help in Curly Q&A.

Question

[I am] using conditioner as styler. My hairdresser taught me to leave my conditioner and smooth my hair with it (use it as styler”>, but I noticed that I started scratching my scalp a lot. Why? I use deva curl conditioner.

Answer

Using a conditioner (such as a leave-in conditioner or a daily conditioner”> as a styler is used by many curlies. My sister and daughter do it all the time. The conditioner does define my curls better than any styler and keeps them moisturized after I’ve sealed with an oil. I add gel to give me second and third day hair, as it keeps my curls from frizzing. The key to this method working is application and conditioner. Here are some tips that may help you with your itchy scalp.

You may need one cleansing conditioner and one leave-in conditioner

The ingredient list with the DevaCurl line is awesome but that does not mean it will work for everyone’s hair. We are all unique with special needs for our hair and scalp, and while all DevaCurl conditioners are for cleansing and conditioning they can be applied to stay in after cleansing and rinsing. Maybe you need a different conditioner to stay in after cleansing since something in the DevaCurl conditioner may be affecting your scalp. Now, the conditioner you choose to use in leave-in conditioner does not need to be a traditional leave-in conditioner, but it should have different ingredients from the DevaCurl to try and narrow down what’s bothering your scalp.

Try not to put it on your scalp

If you love this conditioner and it works for you other than the itchy scalp then do not apply it to your scalp. Hair conditioners can contribute to buildup so steer clear of your. You may be creating buildup on your scalp when you apply it, so make sure to leave 1-2 in. of space from the scalp.

Trial and error will be your guide

It took years for me to find out which rinse-out conditioners work wonders for me. I‘ve tried a few and ended up loving SheaMoisture. First, I was using the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner and loved it until they created the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner. I’ve been using that ever since and love it as my leave-in. I do not keep it off my scalp because I haven’t had any issues with it making my scalp itch. On second and third day hair I merely spritz my hair with my distilled water and lavender oil mix and fluff and I have been leaving a daily conditioner in my hair for over two years with no issues to date and have even controlled a nasty dandruff problem using this method too.

Using a rinse out conditioner as a leave-in depends on the type of conditioner (I would advise a botanical one”> and your scalp and hair preference. If these tips help with our itchy scalp, then you are well onto your way to healthy and happy hair.

Do you use a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner as your styler and if so which ones?

Not every product was designed for you. It is as simple as that. We are all unique and despite having the same porosity, density, or curl type, there are other factors that come into play on finding the right products for you. Genetics, climate, or even allergies makes for differences in hair conditions, types, and needs. That is why having so many choices in hair care products is a great thing for curly, coily, and wavy ladies. It also makes for questions some may have like Nyla brought to our attention in our Curly Q&A section.  

Question

Why do shampoos and conditioners make my hair hard? Every time I wash my hair it gets hard. I know it’s the shampoo and conditioner because my hair is soft before I put shampoo and conditioner in. It’s also soft when I rinse it out. Even deep conditioners make my hair hard. So far I have used Pantene and Organix shampoos & conditioners and the deep conditioners I’ve used are Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Masque (the original one “>, and Africa’s Best Hair Mayonnaise. I think my hair is protein sensitive too. To keep my hair moisturized I spray it with water and seal with a shea butter mix. The mix is the only thing that makes my hair shiny, soft, and kind of defined. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?

Answer

There can be several ingredients in a product that make for hard deposits on our hair. The best way to find out why a product will work well or poorly is to check out the ingredient list and good ole trial and error. I know you tire of that answer but what may work for someone else may or may not work well for you. Giving it the old college try is the best solution, but like in Nyla’s case…what if a lot of different types of products are not working? Here are some tips to help with that.

You may need to do more DIY recipes

You mentioned your hair responds very well to your own DIY water and shea butter mix. You may be on your way to becoming a master DIY mixtress, and since you did well with that mix, others may be soon to follow. DIY mixing can be less expensive than products you can purchase and allows for you to know exactly what you are putting in your hair. Many curly girls prefer creating their own hair products for those very reasons and others just love whipping up new items to try. Even if you do not fully embrace the DIY route, just know there are cleansers like shampoo bars and clay washes that are natural and simple to use if you do not want a commercial shampoos. That goes for conditioners and stylers too. Less is more for many curly girls who opt for simpler products for their hair care.

Remove a few ingredients

Some of the products you mentioned may have silicones or proteins and both can be troublesome for many curly girls with low porosity hair or strands that are sensitive to product buildup. Check the ingredient list in your products and if they do have silicones or proteins, then steer clear of those two items for a few days (or weeks”> to see how your hair responds without them. If you notice a huge difference (in a good way”>, then you know those two ingredients do not agree with your hair. Now, this is a great way to determine what works and what doesn’t, so remove an ingredient from your hair care and see if it makes any kind of difference and go from there. Process of elimination will yield a better understanding of what your hair needs.

Try more natural ingredients and/or brands

I am a huge proponent of natural brands or natural ingredients. My hair responds well to them and it sound like yours may as well. Now, of course the DIY route will allow you to use natural ingredients but many brands like SheaMoisture or Avalon Organics use a lot of natural ingredients and have sulfate, parabens, and protein-free products and collections worth trying. They are far from alone so do a little homework and see if more natural ingredients will help to soften those strands, as it may be product buildup creating that hard exterior.

Read more: You are Feeling Texture, Not Dryness

The universal standard of beauty has been one-sided since forever. A European look of fair skin and straight hair has haunted women who were not in that group. While completely untrue, women of color have been growingly balking at this narrow and short-sided standard of beauty. It is hurtful, detrimental, and unhealthy to perpetuate such a limited view of beauty. While it warps the psyche of many a people of color, it symbolizes the limitations this world has on diversity within the beauty world. As if we needed a reminder, this world is not fair, perfect, or lovely most of the time, but we can make it better. 

SheaMoisture is taking on this limited perception of beauty by attacking the discrimination we see every day in the beauty aisles of every major store. Women of color having to find the ethnic section for beauty products—separate from the beauty aisle—perpetuate the narrow ideal of beauty in our society.

SheaMoisture has been fighting this exclusion for years and recently created a TV commercial and a national awareness campaign called #BreakingTheWalls that highlights the struggles women of color face every time they have to walk away from the beauty aisle to find their own beauty products. Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands, shares why this campaign is necessary: “I have often said over the last 20 years that the beauty aisle is the last place in America where segregation is still legal, and separating ‘beauty’ from ‘ethnic’ has only served to further perpetuate narrow standards of what is considered beautiful in our industry and our society—which is why we began leading the efforts to break down those walls.”

I clearly remember growing up and knowing I would have to find the ethnic section—usually just two or three shelves—for my hair care needs. It was humiliating and isolating to never find what I use for my hair in the beauty aisle. This awareness campaign opens real wounds concerning the lack of inclusion women of color feel ostracized. This is one of the last few places to find blatant segregation in product placement in retail stores, and while women of color have suffered in silence, SheaMoisture is breaking down the real walls of exclusion to topple the narrow perception of beauty to include all women.

At NaturallyCurly we were thrilled to see this campaign launch because “since NaturallyCurly.com was founded 18 years ago, we’ve had the philosophy that texture transcends ethnicity” says Michelle Breyer, President and Co-Founder of NaturallyCurly, “I’ve engaged in a lot of debates over the years about this topic, but believe that the consumer – and brand – benefits when the haircare aisles aren’t defined by ethnicity.” Dennis also adds, “This movement is about so much more than selling shampoo, lotion, or cosmetics. We’re advancing a mission and vision to change the social dialogue about how we’re looking at beauty as a society and how those archaic structures and views are debilitating to the establishment of new and more inclusive ways of viewing beauty – whether in the images we see or in the aisles that divide…With SheaMoisture, we have built a successful brand by recognizing that beauty comes in every hair type, skin tone, shade, and feature and by honoring the natural beauty of every woman with natural products that address her individual needs and empower her to celebrate her unique journey.”

With YouTubers like MahoganyCurls, Naptural85, SunKissAlba, and others taking part in the commercial and behind the scenes videos, we see the problem taken head on, addressed, and then shattered by the very symbolic and real approach to breaking down the segregated walls of beauty norms. It is a powerful voice in a world where silent acceptance is no longer tolerated and action takes over and wins.”

Watch the video below to see how this impactful message embraces a universal beauty that is long overdue.

SheaMoisture #BreakTheWalls commercial

Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands and Whitney (Naptural85″> vlogger on The Real discussing #BreaktheWalls Campaign

Say what you want but ombre is not going anywhere. This trend is taking on more looks with bolder colors. It’s fun and a great change as we walk into summer. How to do it? Well, there is more than one way to try this look and it is easier than one would think. Ombre is gradually adding whatever hair color you want to the ends (or even the middle and ends”> of your hair. It can be stark or a gradient with any color. There also various method of application or at least that’s what Brandiga26 wanted to know when she asked about it in our Curly Q&A.

Question

I want to dye my hair at the ends brown ombre or honey blond color. I don’t want to bleach it but I want know what to do can you give tips or ideas what to do or use?

Answer

You do not have to bleach your hair to get the ombre look. There are four major ways to get ombre hair and you can do most inexpensively.

Seek a color professional

This is the ideal way to get exactly what you want with minimal damage especially if bleaching is necessary. Now, understand that anytime you bleach your hair there will be damage but seeking the help of a professional will ensure the application is done correctly and they should give you pointers on how to care for your hair afterward. Also know that there are specific products for color-treated or bleached hair like shampoos and conditioners that are necessary, as they have extra nutrients and moisturizers to keep hair as healthy as possible.

Take the temporary route

This is great way to see if you will like going ombre or not without completely committing to it. Whether you choose eye shadows, chalk, or even temporary dyes, like Jerome or Manic Panic, this will allow you to give it a try with minimal price and commitment. Simply brush the color of your choosing on your ends (how high to go up is completely up to you”> and follow the instructions on the product. Since the color is temporary you can go as wild as you please, but make sure you are not applying temporary color to hair with split or damaged ends, as it may stay in longer than you prefer or permanently dye the hair. Read the instructions fully before using.

Ombre kit

They actually have ombre hair kits in stores that will guide you to the desired ombre you are craving. L’Oreal Feria Ombré Hair Color is a very popular line, but Revlon has one too called Revlon Color Effects Ombre. Women are having success with these kits so this step-by-step option is great if this is your first time or if you are unsure about the process.

Watch Andrea Garcia use the L’Oreal Paris Feria Wild Ombre Kit

Got a brush?

You can just wing it with some permanent dye and simply use a dye brush on the ends where you want the color. Here’s a video that shows you exactly how to do it with regular hair dye and a brush.

How to Dye your hair Ombre

For a polished finish, consider getting a professional trim.

So, are you ready to give it a try or have you done the DIY Ombre look already? 

It is just too easy to write off all silicones as bad without delving into what they consist of and learning their differences, strengths, weaknesses, and composition. There are a lot of ingredients that allow for more manageable hair but may not necessarily be great for our curls. While we crave and desire moisture and detangling properties in products, we must make sure our hair will not suffer in the process. It is a fine line to walk when it comes to being a curly girl and having healthy hair. 

There are good and bad silicones for hair

The main objective of a silicone for hair care products is to seal and protect the hair. They create a barrier around the hair strand that keeps moisture in and the elements out. This barrier is soft and has slip, making silicones great detanglers and a heat protectant. The barrier helps hair from being damaged by heat styling tools like curling irons, wands, and flat irons, but just like silicones are great for hair, they also have a downside. Several kinds of silicones (non-water soluble”> create buildup on the hair strands and scalp when not washed regularly.

Why do curly girls avoid silicones?

The only way to remove silicones is by using shampoos with sulfates or clarifying shampoos, and many curly girls steer clear of those types of cleansers as they can be harsh on our fragile and moisture-deprived strands, especially when used too often. Using a water-soluble silicone is best for curly strands because water-soluble silicones can be removed just with water or cleansing conditioners but harsher ingredients are needed for the water insoluble silicones. Dimethiconol however is water insoluble.

Read more: Silicones for Curly Hair: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

What is Dimethiconol?

Dimethiconol is a hydroxylated synthetic silicone oil that resembles dimethicone and  provides a non-greasy lubricant that adds shine and softness. It is an anti-foaming agent that has the unique fluidity composition of spreading easily and creating a mild protective barrier to the individual hair strands and skin, helping to fill in fine lines and wrinkles on the face and giving it a temporarily plump look.

Common uses

• Conditioners
• Shampoos
• Cosmetic creams
• Lotions
• Suntan products
• Bath soaps
• Lipsticks

Dimethicone vs. Dimethiconol

According to scientific consultant Yolanda Anderson, both of these two polymers often get mistaken for one another, because they are essentially equivalent in their performance in regard to the amount of deposition and when coming hair wet. The differences lie in their performance in other instances occurs, because dimethiconol has an increased molecular weight and has a different end group with hydroxyl (-OH”> groups and most of those groups contain alcohols. Despite those differences they are very similar.

Pros

This is an excellent skin and hair conditioning silicone that works as a non-greasy emollient. Great for detangling strands with its subtle gloss and softness that helps reduce friction. It is often used instead of standard silicones because of its less greasy feel despite being a heavier silicone and used in conjunction with lighter silicones that help deliver ingredients to the hair like cyclopentasiloxane. Dimethiconol is also great in reducing the effects of the weather elements that cause frizz.

Cons

Dimethiconol is a non-water-soluble silicone that can buildup easily if not removed regularly clarifying shampoos or cleansers formulated with sulfates. If you apply products regularly and do not shampoo often, then using products with this silicone may not be ideal for you.

The Takeaway

Using products with dimethiconol sparingly would be a great idea, but do not overload on them and to remember how to successfully remove them regularly. I will use a product with dimethiconol when I want that extra shine, softness, and smoothness, but I know I can use it once, maybe twice, and will wash with shampoo afterwards. Here are some popular products that use dimethiconol.

Products with dimethiconol

• Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax, Smoothing Controlling Care 
• Pureology Hydrate Condition 
• Smooth ‘n Shine Polishing Instant Repair Hair Polisher, Extra Strength 
• Dove Heat Defense Therapy – Heat Activated Protect & Shine Mist 
• Suave Aloe Vera and Ginseng Conditioner