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Need some growth improvement? Vitamin E is going to improve your natural hair health whether it is taken as a supplement or a hair oil.
When it comes to natural hair and oils we are all aware that they can be a great savior for dry and thinning hair. The scalp loves to be massaged with oils that stimulate the follicles and although coconut, olive, castor and jojoba oils are the main suspects for this you may want to introduce Vitamin E into your hair regimen.
It has many uses and is great to heal the skin from problems like eczema, its properties strengthen the capillary walls improving moisture and elasticity (both great for the hair”>. It is a very important nutrient and antioxidant to help balance hormones, heal the skin, improve vision and most importantly to us, grow healthier hair!
How to consume and use Vitamin E
You can consume Vitamin E via supplement, or find it in foods like, nuts, eggs, cabbage, carrots, and dark leafy green vegetables. You can also add the oil to your hair products. You can also use it alone as an oil, but note that it is a sticky substance.
Vitamin E pre-poo
For hair growth I recommend using Vitamin E oil as a pre-poo treatment.
You can either puncture Vitamin E capsules and squeeze them out, or you can purchase Vitamin E oil. For ease you can mix this with your favorite carrier oil, such as apricot oil (also a source of Vitamin E”>. Massage some of the oil onto the scalp, using your fingertips, applying to the length of the hair while softly detangling. Once you let the oil sit and work its stimulating magic for 10 to 20 minutes, wash your hair with a Vitamin E enriched shampoo for an extra boost.
Below are some examples of products you can introduce into your hair care routine.
Curly hair products with vitamin E
- Cococare 100% Vitamin E Oil: This is a 100% Vitamin E oil that you can use to soften hair and skin along with maintaining moisture and repairing skin tissue — it is great for scalp care. Use this oil daily or weekly for a more intense hair treatment.
- Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Girls E-Blast Vitamin E & Flaxseed Nourishing Scalp Remedy: Aunt Jackie’s a popular curly hair scalp remedy daily for a dry, flaky scalp. Regular use maintains the hair’s nourishment, encourages healthier hair growth. Bonus: it is also a great maintenance product for naturalistas rocking braids, twists and locs.
- ApHogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner: ApHogee are 1 of my favorite brands for repairing hair damage and have a curly staple protein treatment used by both professionals and those at home. This leave-in conditioner is carefully formulated with the minimum daily requirements of Vitamin E so you will get the full benefits of the oil daily without causing any damage in the long run. You can use this leave-in conditioner on wet curly hair.
- Curls Blissful Lengths Hair Growth Vitamin: I recently did the Curls length challenge taking the above vitamin daily for 3 months and saw such a difference in the thickness, health and length of my hair. It is taken in a liquid form so you will get a daily dosage and no need to apply directly to the hair. It works from the inside out, you take 1 TBSP per day and keep in the refrigerator, you’ll see best results when taken for 2-3 months.
- TGIN Twist & Define Cream: TGIN has an amazing styler will all natural ingredients. This product defines and smooths twists and produces the perfect curl definition all whilst benefiting your hairs health.
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo: I recommend if you want to choose just one Vitamin-E enriched product, that you go for a shampoo. This is because when applying shampoo you really apply well to the scalp giving it stimulation and the oil a chance to really get into the scalp benefiting your hairs health in the long run. This shampoo targets dryness and softens leaving your hair manageable once rinsed out.
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask: Curlies love a deep conditioner and I would start to include 100% natural Vitamin E oil into your usual deep conditioner, or buy an already made deep conditioner infused with Vitamin E, like the above! This product goes hand in hand with Vitamins B5, D and A to increase elasticity and replenish damaged and broken hair.
A note about Vitamin E dosage
Although the benefits are enough for you to want to intake it non-stop, please be aware that with most things in life, too much can become harmful. The recommended intake of supplements is 15mg (24.4 IU”> per day — do not take more unless advised by your doctor. Are you now convinced to apply this super vitamin to your curly hair routine or have you already been using this game-changer?
Read next:
These are the Top 10 Herbs for Hair Growth
7 Vitamins Every Hair Health Nut Should Know
4 Essential Vitamins for Healthy Hair
Hair products that have been made without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and artificial chemicals are considered “organic.” You can also rely on organic products if you are against animal testing. With the growing research linking certain chemicals found in non-organic foods and everyday household products, more and more consumers are making a conscious effort to purchase organic whenever possible.
Hair sprays have traditionally been filled with harsh chemicals that mask the hair to give it the shine and look of moisturized hair, but they don’t actually moisturize the hair from the inside out. An organic, natural hair spray will cut out the chemicals and give your hair the raw nutrients it needs to stay moisturized and healthy!
As mentioned above, natural ingredients in our hair products are so important and it can sometimes be hard to find real organic products (many brands can get away with using the word”>.
Below I have listed 3 certified organic hair sprays suitable for curly hair!
1. Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Style Setting Spray
The name speaks for itself! Mielle organics is a brand built on the importance and benefits of organic ingredients for the hair. This style-setting spray is perfect for those who like to use heat for manipulating their curl pattern with flexi-rods, perm-rods, curlformers or curling irons. It has been made with organic natural ingredients like mongongo oil, sweet almond oil and grape seed oil.
2. Obia Naturals Curl Hydration Spray
Obia Naturals is a brand that creates natural, PH balanced, non-toxic and herbal-based products. Their ‘Curl Hydration Spray’ can be used on dry hair to revive your style and is safe for those with colored hair. Its main natural ingredients (also vegan”> include purified water, Argan Oil and Vitamin E. It will not give you the hold of a traditional hairspray, but it does help to refresh 2nd or 3rd day hair without additional styling product or buildup.
3. Jessicurl Awe Inspiraling Spray
Jessicurl is another beloved brand within the curly hair community, and is one of the few that offers scent-free versions of their scented products! All products are cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan. The ‘Awe Inspiralling Spray’ is an amazing natural curl booster that’s great for after gym sessions. Ingredients include some of our favorites, like aloe vera juice, jojoba seed oil and epsom salt.
If you want to explore the organic hair care route definitely give the 3 products and brands mentioned above a try and I guarantee you will see a difference in your hair’s health, all while protecting your health and the environment.
List down below some of your organic hair product staples!
After years of manipulating my hair’s natural texture and color during the early stages of my teen years, I suffered from damaged hair for too long!
When I finally started the natural hair journey and transitioned for over a year, I had to pay close attention to my new (natural”> hair type as I was going to have to treat it differently than I had done in the past.
By looking at my hair and studying the hair types guide I could see that my hair was around the 3b-3c category, however, finding out your hair type to me is more than just looking at the pattern of your curl. This can help distinguish what may work for you, but to get a better idea of what your hair is going to like and dislike, I decided to focus more on finding out my hairs porosity instead of the typical hair types.
What is porosity?
Your porosity level is going to determine how well your hair takes to moisture, which in turn allows you to work out what products and routines you need to be using to get healthy curls. Finding out your hairs porosity level can help you cater your whole routine to your hair type. Now that I know I have low porosity hair, I know that it is naturally hard for my hair to hold on to moisture, because of this I use some steam when deep conditioning and use certain products that work well with my type.
How to Test Your Porosity
Below are 3 different ways you can test for your hair type. The jug method is the most popular but if you want to double check your results are right, try out all 3! Before testing, make sure you complete the below methods on freshly washed hair for accurate results.
1. The Jug Method
For this method, you will need a jug or glass full of water. Take a strand of your hair and place it into the jug. Leave it for 1-2 minutes.
- If the strand floats = Low porosity
- The strand slowly sinks = Normal porosity
- The strand sinks = High porosity
2. The Direct Water Method
For this method, you will need a spray bottle full of water. Spray around 2-3 pumps of water to a clean section of hair.
- Visible drops of water that are not absorbed = Low porosity
- Water absorbs quickly = High porosity
- Water sits on hair and then absorbs = Normal porosity
3. The Strand Method
For this method, grab hold of one strand of hair between your fingers. Swipe your finger up from the end to root, feeling its texture all the way along.
- If the strand is smooth = Low porosity
- If the strand is bumpy = High porosity
What your results mean
Low Porosity: You may find it harder to keep your hair moisturized. Your hair’s cuticles are tight and don’t allow moisture into your hair easily. You can use steam to help for this process.
Product Recommendation: Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner
Top 15 Products for Low Porosity Hair
;”>Normal Porosity: Your cuticles aren’t as tight, so will allow in just the right amount of moisture! This porosity level takes well to heat and color, you should, however, avoid protein in everyday use and you can deep condition every few weeks or so (up to you!”>.
Product Recommendation: SheaMoisture Mongongo & Hemp Seed Oils High Porosity Moisture-Seal Masque
High Porosity: Allows too much moisture which makes it prone to tangling whilst in humidity. When water hits the hair this can actually cause breakage and damage! To prevent this you need to make sure your hair is sealed, you can do this by layering products e.g. LOC method. This will help the hair to hold on to the moisture it’s given instead of soaking up any more than needed.
Product Recommendation: Mop Top Citrus Medley Medium Hold Gel
Top 15 Products for High Porosity Hair
Now that you know your hair type, it’s going to make your hair journey from now forward a much easier process when it comes to choosing hair products and finding out what routine will work best for you!
Read more to find out your hair type
My curls are such a huge part of my identity, and essentially, my current career. The difficulties I faced over the years have led me to start the natural hair journey and within that process, I fell back in love with the internet, social media, and blogging. There are many reasons why I love, and can hate, my curls too! I have a feeling others will relate to my story too.
I grew up hating my hair as it didn’t look like most of the girls around me at school and in my family. Media didn’t portray curls as beautiful and I dreamed of the day I would be able to straighten them. It wasn’t until I had abused my curls so much (to the point of no return”> that I started to yern for them to come back. Now I take full advantage and love my natural hair at all costs! With that being said, here are some of my pro’s and con’s of having natural hair; I am sure you’ll relate to them all.
1. It’s a conversation starter
This is something that I love about my hair! It stands out and is always complimented by strangers which gives you a real confidence boost. Having curls also makes you notice and want to start conversations with any other curly haired women in the room — I have made so many friends this way. I also find that I can gain certain opportunities all due to the look of my hair, #winning
2. It’s empowering
Having natural hair is very empowering as you have accepted your natural self and natural beauty. As women of color, we often feel like outsiders when it comes to what is portrayed in the media. Here in the UK, we have hardly any black female lead roles in television or film and the ones we do aren’t natural. Being comfortable to do so in a world where it isn’t quite the norm is hugely empowering and the internet has helped to lift us all up as women!
3. It’s versatile
It is so versatile: you can wet it, diffuse it, stretch it, create different curl patterns (without heat”> and numerous hairstyles that a person with fine straight hair couldn’t do. I love that I can switch up my look, it also means bae can’t decide he wants to see other people, I mean I am other people.
4. It can be high maintenance
Along with the versatility of naturally curly hair also comes the annoyance of maintenance. Changing up your look is fun but it often isn’t as easy as it looks; as naturals, we can spend hours, sometimes an entire night, on a style.
5. Holidays can ruin it
Pool, ocean, sand, heat can cause problems for those of us with curly hair. We cannot just step out on a holiday like everyone else does without prepping our hair for one of these issues. Humidity can cause frizz and dryness for natural hair so it is important that we take extra care before and after sun (which kind of defeats the point of being on holiday and having a break!”>.
6. It is costly
Black women (and naturals in particular”> spend the most amount of money on hair! Your typical natural product can cost anything up to £20! We use more than 3 different types of products so you can only imagine how much that can drain your pockets!
My product must-haves
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In is my go-to leave-in conditioner as it always provides softness and moisture, allowing me to style my hair or have a defined wash and go.
- ECO Styler Gel is my favorite for updo’s and buns to style without the dryness and flaking.
- Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner is perfect for sealing in moisture whilst repairing your hair and a great treatment for the scalp.
Learning to love your hair is a process and, like most things in life, won’t just happen overnight.
I tell my followers who are transitioning that it is important to surround yourself with others that have natural hair with a positive outlook towards it. When you are around family or friends who make negative comments about your hair, it won’t help the process. I noticed that those who used to say bad things about my hair now want to follow in my footsteps as I walk with confidence.
I hope this helps to those who hate their natural hair and gives you the inspiration to push through with the journey!
Read more:
How to Practice Self Care on Valentine’s Day (While in a Relationship”>
How I Teach My Daughter to Love Her Natural Hair More Than I Did
My hometown, London, is one of the most influential cities in the world for fashion and hair trends.
Think about it: we birthed style icons like the Spice Girls and Naomi Campbell. As a hair blogger, I notice a lot of trends from fellow Londoners on Instagram that have begun to spread across the U.K. And as the holiday season arrives, a lot of events pop up in the city; I just attended the third London Beautycon event and then there was the Music of Black Origin (MOBO”> Awards bursting with fashion. Not to mention, of course, there’s a ton of holiday natural hair events happening this time of the year.
Traveling to London anytime soon?
If you are interested in what’s popping across the ocean, check out some of the top trending fashion and beauty buzzes happening in the city of London. Who knows, you may want to add one of these to your holiday season lookbook.
Source: @mspaigeycakey
Gucci Headbands
Gucci, in general, is very popular in London and this season, the trademark red and green pairing has been used in many clothes sold in the biggest UK fashion retailers like Topshop & River Island. The rise of Gucci-inspired T-shirts and jumpers are becoming an epidemic in London as the trend has made its latest impact on hair accessories. The London rapper and actress Paigey Cakey shows off her gorgeous look on her new big chop via Instagram.
Source: @emzpower
“Lemonade” Braids
I know it all started with Beyonce’s performance in the Lemonade video series, and recently, worldwide fashion icon and rapper Nicki Minaj killed the sideswept cornrows and microbraids look in her latest video with the Migos and Cardi B. Although she is from the streets of New York, both cities often play off of each other’s trends. While this trend originated in the US, I have spotted this renditions of this hairstyle over and over again throughout London. The best braiders in London’s Instagram pages are full of clients choosing this style! Check out this look on the gorgeous London based personal trainer, Emzpower.
Source: @nadiarosemusic
Thigh-highs and fur combo
It’s definitely boss lady season! We saw a whole load of powerful London-based black females rocking “queenwear” at this year’s MOBO awards. Singer Nadia Rose killed it with her dominating thigh high boots, perfect for London’s cold weather. Rose paired it with the ever so fly and ever so needed fur coat and we fell in love.
Source: @faroukjames
Red Afros
…Because we all need some sunshine this season to brighten up the cold and dark London streets. Red ‘fros have been popping up all over the place and I am in love with this fearless look from natural hair model Farouk James. This look is perfect for taking you from autumn til springtime with ease.
Source: @Kitagirl921
Goddess Locs
This look, as seen on popular YouTuber turned Instagram influencer Nikita Johnson, stunned her subscribers with her beautiful goddess locs at this year’s Beautycon London. Adding something new to the already big hair trend of faux locs in London, now this look is finally catching on with the ends of the locs left loose and curly. Many curly girls are also adding some color to the mix, now.
What is trending in your city?
Let us know in the comments below!
The world’s largest cosmetic company and self-proclaimed “world leader in beauty,” L’Oreal, recently published its latest Hair Map of the UK which covers the latest color trends in each region of the United Kingdom.
The survey, which shows over 3,000 opinions on the topic of hair color, had some clear differences between each area. See the map below.
photo courtesy of L’Oreal Professionnel
My honest opinion?
A part of me feels like this study had more Europeans with naturally straight hair than wavy or curly due to the fact that it covers the whole UK and I know that London, its capital, is the most diverse place. Below is my honest take of 5 statistics pulled from this survey.
1. Facebook and Instagram came on top with the highest percentage results for ‘What’s driving hair color trends.’
This isn’t surprising at all! So many of us have transitioned from looking at hair care magazines for color inspiration to hopping on social media pages to search relevant hashtags. Personally, I am inspired by others on Instagram every day.
2. 24% of women say that they’re more likely to try bright or pastel hair colors than they would have done a year ago; London is where the majority of them are located.
With London being one of the leading fashion capitals of the world, I can see why women are more likely to go pastel here! Walking down the go-to shopping location in London, Oxford Street, will give you the best inspiration for hairstyles and colors — it’s pretty much an open catwalk to what’s trending. I have seen more bright hues than ever before on all hair types this year.
3. Only 3% of women have red hair!
Redheads are clearly on the outs, with blonde (21% of women”> and brunettes (43% of women”> being the most popular colors in the UK. I 100% agree with this — blonde is hugely popular here in the UK along with brunette hair, even with curlies. I have seen the blonde highlights and platinum blonde curls all over Instagram this year.
4. Katy Perry, Rihanna and Beyonce are the top 3 famous faces to inspire UK women to color their hair. Kylie Jenner is number 10 on the list.
I would have guessed that Kylie Jenner would be in the top 3 given her influence and various hair color changes throughout the year. However, the 3 biggest female artists in the game take the spotlight makes sense. Rihanna is an icon for color and hairstyles, so no surprise there!
5. In Wales, people are more likely to be taken seriously in the workplace after having their hair colored.
In my opinion, this is not a great example of the Welsh — does this mean your appearance says more about you than your work ethic in this region? Many women who have natural hair feel the tension and backlash in the workplace just from wearing their natural curls, so this is also sad to hear.
Overall, I think the hair map is a great idea and as a hair blogger, it’s really interesting to know these facts.
I would really love to see a curly hair map of the UK as we have had so many trends this year. London is definitely a capital for those going back to there natural curls and I am so happy to be a part of it!
What’s trending in your area? Let us know!
Follow me on Instagram @UKCurlyGirl for more, and like NaturallyCurly on Facebook.
Are you from the UK? Read this:
Is a blowout bad for my naturally curly hair?
photo @naptural85
It’s hard to say in black and white terms whether a blowout is bad for curly hair or not, because every head of hair is different. Although there is always a risk with heat, many will tell you they have never had an issue with doing a blowout on their curls.
Naturally, your curly hair is very sensitive to manipulation, permanent color, chemicals, harsh tools and heat, even more so than straight hair. Although using a blow dryer to stretch your curls is less direct heat than a straight iron, it can still be a cause of concern for curlies who have a concern of losing their natural curl pattern. Many naturals manage to keep their curls healthy when having their hair blown out, and this comes down to using the correct heat protectant and blowout technique.
What kind of style will a blowout give me?
When your curls are stretched with the heat of a blow dryer and brushed out with a comb attachment, your end result is the big, textured, semi-straight look reminiscent of some of our favorites like Diana Ross, Solange Knowles, and Zendaya Coleman.
photo @OhWendyOh
Another reason so many curlies use this style is to see how long their hair has grown without having to straighten it, or to give themselves a break from styling their curls. Basically, a blowout is the in-between step to straightening natural hair. Usually, a good stylist will blowout the hair before using a flat iron straightener. You can, however, stop at this stage and avoid the straightener to create effortless heatless styles like a Bantu knot out or rod style.
Basically, a blowout is the in-between step to straightening natural hair.
photo: @LipsticknCurls
Blowouts stretch the curls out making them straighter, and during this process the blow dryer breaks down the strands’ temporary bonds. Your hair is at its most flexible state while it is wet, which means your hair will be weaker when soaking wet. Because of this, you may want to blow dry damp hair instead of soaking wet hair to avoid as much damage as possible.
Can the damage be reversed?
No, but there is an alternative for those who are scared of using heat for this look. Thanks to natural hair’s versatility, you can actually create a heatless blowout with tools like Curlformers, flexi-rods, or perm rods. To get the look, set them on wet hair until dry, then simply comb or brush them out. This results in a look similar to — but healthier than — a blowout.
Who should get a blowout?
I would recommend heatless blowouts for those who are currently transitioning to natural hair as you just don’t want to risk getting more heat damage. For those who do go ahead with the blow-out technique, keep the style for a week and then cleanse and deep condition on wash day.
To do a blow out the right way, make sure you are using the right tools! Celebrity stylist and blowout expert Jonathan Antin recommends using a hair dryer that has ionic technology as this feature dries the hair faster, minimizing damage and frizz! You should also give your hair a break; don’t repeat blowouts every week as you will ultimately face dryness and heat damage. Otherwise, when done safely, you can try out this style around once a month minimum to keep your curls healthy. Between blowouts, use a moisturizing and heat protectant for extra assistance.
Do-it-yourself
If you choose to do your blowout yourself at home, here are some products I would recommend you use for the process:
- Shampoo: SheaMoisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue & Repair Clarifying Shampoo
- Deep conditioner – Silicon Mix Hair Bambu Nutritive Hair Treatment
- Heat protectant – Carol’s Daughter Cupuacu Anti-Frizz Smoothing Blow Dry Cream
- Finishing serum – KeraCare Silken Seal
Blowouts aren’t bad for curly hair if carried out correctly and safely. If you aren’t confident in doing so, always seek out a stylist to create this style and be sure to commit to healthy aftercare as your curls will need it! Blow-outs are fun and another reason why curly and natural hair is magical.
I hate to burst a curly girl’s bubble.
Split ends are never attractive and are not easy to hide once a wash and go is completely dry and unfortunately, they cannot be magically fixed. But this is when you have to get creative and try something new.
Split ends can appear as fraying at the ends of your curls — or even, sometimes, the middle of the hair shaft. They are similar to what you sometimes see at the end of your favorite winter scarf. Splitting of the hair can be caused by both internal and external factors such as health, lack of vitamins, using harsh styling tools, heat and dryness. Make sure to deep condition weekly, co-wash in-between shampoos, slathering conditioner on the ends at night and hide them with different curly hairstyles. Here is one of the easiest curly hairstyles I create to hide those unwanted split ends on my curls.
Start with a day 1 or 2 wash and go. Style with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and leave to air dry for less frizz.
Create a middle parting in the hair, gently trying not to create any frizz.
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Leave 2 curls out at the front and add some conditioner to the ends of them if needed.
Tie one half of your hair to the side whilst you focus on the opposite side of the hair.
Grab the ends of the side you are working on and tuck them under.
Begin to roll upwards to your ear whilst still gripping your ends.
Once in place secure with a hairband once (very loosely — you don’t want to cause any more splitting”>.
Repeat for the opposite side.
That’s it!
Wear this simple but effective curly hairstyle to hide damage or at a classy event. If you are fussed with any split ends showing, you can easily tuck the curls at the front of your hair into the low buns but I like the messy look sometimes!
When you next stress about what to do with your damaged hair definitely give this easy curly hairstyle a try it will elegantly hide those split ends you’ve been cringing over for weeks. Remember to prevent more splitting, keep up a healthy diet and slow down with the heat styling and harsh combs and brushes for everyday use.
Note: Since split ends cannot be fixed completely so be sure to find a trustworthy curly stylist who can trim your hair properly. A good dry cut is a great way to keep your curls in shape and causes less damage by using no heat for the process!
What do you do to manage your split ends in between trims?
Read more:
THIS Is Why You Have Split Ends And Breakage
12 Things You Can Do Today to See Less Split Ends
Follow UK Curly Girl on Instagram for more curly hairstyles and tips
Photo 5PH — Getty Images
Like most essential oils found in everyday household items, you will find that if used in the hair you will reap many benefits for various problems.
Peppermint oil is used in so many of your favorite curly hair products.
Winter is the best time to focus on maximizing your hair growth; it lets you hibernate your hair and protect from the cold weather with turbans, protective styles and up dos! These styles allow you to top up on oils and focus more on scalp care instead of curl definition.
Be sure to never use peppermint oil directly on the skin — it is simply too strong. Therefore, you must mix peppermint oil with a carrier oil like sweet almond Oil to dilute and make it safer for application.
Check out below the direct benefits that peppermint oil has for natural hair and how you should use it in your next wash day routine.
For your itchy scalp
An itchy scalp can drive you crazy and cause damage to your scalp and hair when you constantly itch harshly, breaking the skin and hair! Thanks to its restorative properties, using Peppermint oil is a great way to soothe the itchy sensation. To help you can massage the scalp gently with your fingertips — not nails — using an oil mixture including a few drops of peppermint oil. You can also mix it in water and a spray bottle, using it throughout the day whenever you get the itching urge!
For your dandruff
We all dread noticing white flakes in our hair and built upon the scalp, it can be hard to get rid of and embarrassing. Dandruff is caused when the oil from your scalp clogs your skin cells to stick together. Peppermint oil balance the scalps pH level fighting any bacteria and riding of the dry flakes on the scalp. Sometimes we suffer from scalp problems because we use too much oil or too little oil.
For hair growth
Winter is hair growth season so you will want to stimulate the scalp with the right oils that are going to get the blood and follicles going! Peppermint oil should be your go-to for this as the ingredient has a menthol effect. Ever had a menthol mint or oral care product and your eyes water? Yes, it’s that strong and has an effect on the scalp stimulating the skin cells and blood circulation which equals hair growth.
So we now know the benefits of peppermint oil, how should we incorporate it into our routine. Check out a peppermint oil infused wash day below!
- Pree-poo, use an oil to massage the scalp with and coat the hair for extra moisture and treatment before you go in with your shampoo. Try EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Oil.
- After rinsing the pree-poo with warm water, you want to deep cleanse with a moisturizing shampoo to clear the scalp and moisturize the hair at the same time. Try Noughty Hair Care Detox Dynamo 2-In-1 Shampoo.
- Apply a moisturizing deep conditioner to the hair and massage in the scalp for extra moisture and protection especially during the winter months. Leave the treatment in for 20-40 minutes under a shower cap and for extra effect use a warm towel or heated cap. Try SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque.
- Rinse the deep conditioner out with cool water and style with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner that will help to promote hair growth. Try SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner.
Mid Week relief: In between wash days, you can apply a product like Cantu Refresh Apple Cider Vinegar Root Relief directly to the roots for scalp relief.
Want more?
Peppermint oil is going to solve all of your scalp problems with ease! Make sure to top up on some products including this ingredient to get your curls through possible dandruff and scalp irritation this winter.
DIY Peppermint Oil Pre-Poo For 3B Curls
Does the Tingle Mean It’s Working? Or Irritating Your Skin
For the curlies reading this article who have just started their natural hair journey, congratulations!
You are off to a great start and a beautiful journey.
For those of you thinking of starting the transition to natural hair, you might find it hard at first. Many veteran curlies will tell you about the times they’ve been through years of hating their curls, trying to hide them and using harsh chemicals and tools to remove them. Now is the perfect time to transition as so many others are in the same position as you, thanks to the internet you can find curlies with the exact same hair type as yours managing and embracing their curls with ease! Here are some ways to start to embracing your transitioning journey right now.
Protective styles
When it comes to relaxed hair growing out: out of sight, out of mind.
If during your transitioning journey you find that you just can’t deal with the look of your wash and go’s or trying to style your hair, keep it simple! Don’t stress out too much, just style your hair in very simple and loose curly buns. It can vary from space buns, Bantu knots, low buns, high buns, or whatever works best for you. You can also choose to go the extra mile and get box braids or twists installed as it’s a great way to keep hair moisturized and out of your face and hands for a while.
However, I suggest letting your hair breathe when you are at home or during sleeping. For people wearing braids and twists, you don’t want to stress your scalp or edges too much as that can cause even more breakage than transitioning brings anyway.
Testimonials
As humans always find comfort in knowing that others have been through what we have been through, this is a great way to help you embrace your transition! Social media apps like Instagram have been amazing for the growing natural hair community. You will find hundreds of thousands of pictures and short tutorials that focus on transitioning hair online for more support. The amount of before and after testimonials that you will come across will blow your mind and you will be sure to feel confident that all of your hard work will be more than worth it when you end up with the natural curls you dream of having.
Here are some of my personal favorite pages to follow for natural hair inspiration:
I also recommend searching the hashtag #transitioninghair #naturalhairjourney and #transitioningjourney on social media for more examples.
Trimming
Keeping up with your trims while transitioning to natural hair is going to build excitement and each time you know you are even closer to your goal! Be sure to take before and after pictures and really notice that damaged hair as it will be a far cry from the beautiful natural healthy locks taking over your head. You can go to a trusty hairstylist for a trim but make sure they cut your hair dry in its natural state, not straightened. You need to steer away from any kind of heat during this period.
You can also trim your curls yourself by using many DIY methods. The dusting method is very popular with transitioners.
Natural hair events
Now is the time venture out, network and make new curly friends as they are going to be the ones that can relate to you the most, inspire you and educate you on new products to try, techniques and styles! It’s such an amazing feeling when you are able to embrace your natural hair and feel comfortable around other as they look like you too.
Events make this an easy process! Natural hair events and meet ups are a ‘thing’ and have grown bigger the past few years. One of the biggest is Curlfest which happens once a year in Brooklyn, New York! 100’s of naturals gather together to celebrate their hair! Many of your favorite brands also attend to give out samples and educate. Similar events and conventions happen all over the world, especially in London, UK where the natural hair industry is growing fast. Get yourself a ticket to the next event nearest to you for additional support.
Advice from the online community
The internet will be your best friend when it comes to transitioning hair inspiration. There are countless blogs, forums, articles, videos, pictures, podcasts and more packed with advice and help on transitioning. Our website is updated everyday with new content providing tips and tricks for transitioners. A wash-and-go isn’t always a great choice when you are dealing with two different hair textures, or sometimes even colors. To combat this bloggers and naturalistas have created some amazing easy hairstyles for you to wear every day to hide your transitioning hair and feel more confident on your journey!
By adding some curlies to your social circle, researching on the internet and getting your head around some new hairstyles, you will find your journey way more enjoyable.
Need more transitioning inspiration?
This winter, introduce scalp exfoliation to your hair routine.
This technique is going to help clear your pores from dead skin, dandruff, and product build-up. Although we tend to leave it out of our weekly wash day routine, many of us need exfoliation because shampooing is not enough to really replenish and maintain a healthy scalp. If you haven’t done this lately, it’s time to exfoliate.
The colder weather makes your skin drier, so we tend to use heavier creams at this time of year. Remember, you also want to treat your scalp with the same extra care. It is skin after all — even if it is hidden under that huge head of curls.
What does scalp exfoliation do?
Exfoliating your scalp can also help to treat blemishes, white heads and acne that you may have hidden on the scalp. If you’ve ever felt bumps or pimples on the scalp when massaging you definitely should take the time to exfoliate. Additionally, doing this regularly will also relieve any scalp irritation and can help prevent hair loss.
I would recommend doing this twice a month (if you have the time weekly would be amazing!”>. This will allow your scalp to breathe and promote hair growth due to the stimulation whilst exfoliating.
You can make your own scalp exfoliator from items you probably have lying around the kitchen, so no need to buy any more products to add to the many you probably already have! I like to keep it basic by mixing together 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil. The brown sugar granules help to remove the dead skin, unblocking your pores and the olive oil helps to moisturize your scalp.
How to exfoliate your scalp at home
1. Mix together 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil.
2. Section and pre-poo your dry hair by moisturizing the hair with an oil of your choice.
3. Bantu knot your hair; this is going to make it easier for you to reach your whole scalp without tangling your curls during the exfoliating process.
4. Section by section, massage the scalp scrub into the scalp with your fingertips gently. Once your whole scalp has been exfoliated, leave in the scalp scrub under a shower cap for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Rinse your hair under the shower head and massage any scrub out.
6. Shampoo with a gentle moisturizing cleanser, continuing to massage the scalp well to remove any existing scrub.
7. Deep condition and style as you would on a typical wash day.
Now you will be left with a fresh scalp ready for the week to come! If you feel a DIY scalp treatment isn’t for you, you can try using a scalp exfoliating brush which you can use when shampooing weekly to keep on top of your scalp care.
Is scalp care something you pay attention to? Let us know your scalp care tips below!
Want more scalp care advice?
How Box Braids Helped Me Take Better Care of My Scalp
Video: How to Deep Condition Your Dry Hair With Olive Oil
Follow Shannon for more curly hair tips @UKCurlyGirl and like NaturallyCurly on Facebook
Hemp seed oil is good for the body and hair in many ways but for those of us with naturally curly hair, it is especially great as a natural curl definer due to the fact that it styles, strengthens and conditions at the same time.
Pressed from the seeds of the sativa (cannabis”> plant, hemp seed oil is known to be a natural remedy for brain function, heart problems, acne, psoriasis, moisturizing and an anti-inflammatory agent.
The word hemp in this oil may alert you into assuming the oil is made from cannabis.
They are classed as the same, but scientifically this oil does not contain the THC compound — the psychoactive element present in cannabis which gives you a high — so the oil is 100% legal and safe to use phew.
This oil also contains fats that support our cellular membranes which are the gates that allow substances, like oils, into and out of our cells. When used in our hair it helps to prevent moisture from leaving the cells, which is just what we need as curlies!
This makes it a great scalp oil as it penetrates and lubricates the cells without clogging them. When pressed into a liquid, hemp seed oil increases your hair’s elasticity and volume making it a great curl definer thanks to its balanced concentrations of Vitamin E and omega fatty acids.
So, how do you introduce this magical oil into your hair regimen? Well along with using the products below, you can also create your own hair serum for shine and a sealant for your wash and go’s.
Just mix with coconut oil, jojoba oil and a few drops of essential oils for fragrance. If you suffer from a dry scalp this will also be a great scalp oil for nighttime as it will penetrate the scalp from dryness without clogging your pores.
10 Curly Definers with Hemp Seed Oil
- SheaMoisture High Porosity Moisture-Seal Styling Gel provides hold, definition and elongation. With this one, a little goes a long way, so try not to apply too much as it will cause crunch in your curls.
2. Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner provides great slip and is highly moisturizing, making it a great leave-in conditioner for those who need extra moisture to a wash-and-go.
3. Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Fortify & Soften Co-Wash is perfect for softening the hair which in hand reduces frizz leaving you with defined curls. Although this isn’t meant to be a leave-in it is a great starter for creating defined curls that you can then go in with a moisturizer.
4. Nature’s Gate Hemp & Argan Oil Nourishing Conditioner is a rinse out conditioner again that can also be used as a leave-in. A SHOPNaturallyCurly reviewer used this product as a leave-in while visiting the beach and claimed that it maintained moisture!
5. Dr. Bronners Lavender Organic Styling Cream softens, moisturizes and creates manageable curls thanks to the great certified organic ingredients!
6. Cantu Men’s Cream Pomade one for the curly men, this product provides a strong hold for curls while leaving them feeling soft as well.
7. Taliah Waajid Lock It Up This is great for styling a defined twist-out, or if you have natural waves. It contains no alcohol so you won’t see flakes, either.
8. Beessential All Natural Hair Conditioner is what you need to seal in moisture and create luscious, defined curls. How can you go wrong with hemp seed oil, aloe and avocado?
9. Marrakesh Curl Cream gives your curls flexible hold, shine, and a silky finish with this natural oil infused curl cream.
10. LUSH Jasmine & Henna Fluff-Eaze Hair Moisturizer is amazing for all hair types, but thanks to its amazing ingredients, it also gives curls the moisture, frizz control and definition they dream of.
Do you have a hemp seed oil favorite that we missed?
Let us know your experience below.
Bored and tired of your beauty regimen? Are your usual products not working as well as they once were? Sometimes it is best to think outside of the box — and outside of your culture!
Welcome to the world of K-Beauty, short for Korean Beauty, which is a growing phenomenon taking over the beauty industry in the Western world amongst beauty gurus and bloggers.
You may have seen or heard about beauty products that derive from South Korea as they are proven to be the secret to healthy and hydrated skin.
K-Beauty products use a range of, let’s just say alternative, ingredients that you might not see used in your typical staples. This is what makes K-Beauty products so new and exciting, and as women, we are always looking for the newest beauty trends and secrets to the youthful and clear skin. If you are in search of a new beauty regimen, check out 10 odd K-Beauty ingredients below, most including zero parabens, sulfates and phthalates.
1. Rubber
Rubber masks are derived from algae and used in many K-Beauty products to actively cool the skin down and boost hyration. Rubber masks wrap the skin, preventing the active ingredients from escaping. After 15 to 20 minutes of using one you will see an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and pores, revealing smoother, dewy skin.
2. Peach
Packed full of iron, vitamins A and C, this fruit contains many health benefits. Peach extract is used in K-Beauty products to soften and rejuvenate the skin, the peach can be used in creams and also finishing powders to control excessive sebum but calm skin troubles at the same time.
3. Rice water
You may be more familiar with this ingredient as an essential part of your favorite meal! However, there are no actual grains of rice in this K-Beauty ingredient, it’s just the water! Rice water is used to brighten and fade dark spots perfect for aging skin. With regular mask use, you will see a huge improvement in your skin’s overall appearance.
4. Tiger grass (cenella asiatica complex”>
Tiger grass is a popular extract used in K-Beauty products thanks to its age-old medicinal uses for correcting redness, inflammation and blemishes. This ingredient will protect the skin from sun and UV light along with great management of eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks and acne!
5. Truffle
Although it’s known during the holiday seasn as a sweet chocolate to indulge in, truffle, in this case, is not used to fulfill your cravings but to smother all over your face. Truffles are full of amazing vitamin B and ceramides to strengthen and renew the skin. It can be used to balance oil and moisture in the face, too.
6. Egg
You may — or may not — be surprised with this ingredient as it is popular to naturals who are used to making their own hair masks as it is a great source of protein. However, did you know that egg can also be used to get rid of clogged pores? It manages to remove dirt, sebum and oil (blackheads”> as it melts into an oil when massaged onto the face.
7. Pumpkin
Take full advantage of the autumn season — don’t let your pumpkins go to waste this Halloween! This ingredient is great for use as a moisturizer thanks to its beneficial vitamins A and C. You will see many masks and creams made from pumpkin seed oil in the K-Beauty industry.
8. Watermelon
Another fruit used in K-Beauty products to hydrate and smooth the skin, watermelon quenches your skin’s thirst, thanks to its amino acids to help boost blood circulation. When used regularly it is a great solution for uneven, dull and oily skin.
9. Snail slime
I definitely would be reluctant to even go near this ingredient let alone rub it over my face BUT snail slime has amazing properties seen in hair products also! This ingredient repairs the skin providing moisture (it is made up of 90% water”>, stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin something we all look for as our skin begins to age.
10. Salmon
Here’s another ingredient I want nowhere near my face: fish eggs. Still, it has been in beauty products for hair and skincare to help repair and tackle dead skin cells. Salmon eggs in K-Beauty products help to brighten complexion and reduce wrinkles.
Thanks to popular K-Beauty products, we now know how to use the above 10 alternative (but amazing”> ingredients to savor our skin all year long.
Have you tried any K-Beauty products that have worked for your skin?
Let us know in the comment section on Facebook.
Curlies love to obsess over curl definition.
We will do anything to get the “perfect” curl because after all, it will result in our hair standing out in the crowd! However, as a curlie, we also know that curl definition doesn’t always come — naturally. It isn’t always easy to achieve on its own; the right technique, tools and products are definitely necessary.
I suffered from dry and frizzy wash and go’s for years which led me to transition to natural hair. After three years of trial and error, I have finally mastered the steps to get the best curl definition and want to share them with the world.
A defined curl is one that has no flyaways, frizz or dryness. To achieve this you want all of your curls to flow softly without being clumping together with the rest of your hair. You should be able to see every curl one by one.
My hair is low porosity, meaning that it is harder for moisture to get into my hair’s cuticles and results in dryer hair. To avoid the dryness, I layer products, applying enough conditioner on day one to last me for the next few days. Here is how.
1. Start with soaking wet hair.
Achieving the best curl definition means starting off on the perfect canvas which is wet — not damp — hair. I always get the best definition when I style freshly cleansed, conditioned and cold-rinsed curls. Hair that is cleansed and conditioned will give a start fresh, leaving behind no past product build-up and some moisture left over from a rinse-out or deep conditioning treatment.
2. Generously apply a leave-in conditioner and finger detangle.
Now it’s time to apply the product. I like to apply my base leave-in conditioner SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-in as it is very light, water-based and is a great foundation for the heavier product I use next. I take advantage of its amazing slip by finger detangling in sections. Once my hair has been conditioned with the leave-in, I go in with my favorite product and secret to defined curls, theBoucleme Curl Cream. It has the right consistency to seal and hold the perfect defined curl without clumping the hair together and flaking once dry. I simply smooth a handful of curl cream through my hair section by section (a total of four sections”>.
3. Detangle again!
To get perfectly defined curls, I like to go the extra mile and detangle again using my Denman Brush, which helps to get all of the hidden tangles out and evenly distributes the product to my thick hair. I get the best definition when every strand is covered in the product as it prevents frizz.
4. Wrap flexi-rods.
I recently suffered from some heat damage near the front of my hair which has given me a huge issue for defined curls in that section. To combat this, I have been using a flexi-rod to blend and match the straighter strands with the rest of my curls. I simply separate the heat damaged section carefully away from the rest of the hair — remember, manipulation has to be avoided. Next, I wrap the section around the rod and fold the rod upwards into a curl.
5. Air dry.
The best way for me to avoid causing any frizz is to air dry. Yes, it takes longer and can be a pain, but my advice is to try to plan ahead! I like to air dry without a towel around my shoulders, as these can rub against the curls and cause frizz. A t-shirt is the best thing to wear. After an hour or so I take down the flexi-rod and separate the curl to match in with the rest of my hair.
Here are my results!
My hair doesn’t feel clumpy or hard at all and I never have any white residue or flakes, thanks to the Denman Brush and applying conditioner on wet hair”>. I have a head full of different curl types so having uniform curls isn’t something I can achieve but as long as every strand is moisturized you will achieve the defined look we all pray for!
The above products are my go-to’s for curl definition but below I have listed some other products I recommend.
- Aunt Jessies Don’t Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curl Gel
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Styling Lotion
To conclude, curl definition is a process and the formula consists of hair type, products and technique!
The above steps along with patience, a steady hand and practice will lead you to achieve your best curl definition!
Need more tips for perfect curl definition?
What is transitioning hair?
Transitioning is the process you go through when you stop relaxing and damaging your hair and begin to grow it out without chemicals. Known as the other alternative to doing the big chop, which is cutting off all of the damaged hair and starting growth from scratch, many curlies — like myself — prefer to transition to natural hair as we feel as though the big chop wouldn’t suit our look, or perhaps, we are too scared.
The advantage of transitioning to natural hair
You get to really see a noticeable difference between your damaged/relaxed hair and your natural curls. You may have been relaxing your hair for so long that you cannot even remember what your natural texture looks like! I have learned so much about looking after my natural hair in its transitioning phase, which inspired me to become a hair blogger and write a book all about my own transitioning journey!
Now, how to start your transitioning journey and look after your transitioning hair isn’t as hard as it seems! You just have to make a major promise to yourself that you will not touch another heat tool or relaxer until the damage has gone! You will also want to trim away at the damaged hair every few months or where you see fit. Eventually, you will be ready for a curly haircut to rid of all of your damaged hair and be left with your natural curls!
How to begin your transitioning journey
Here’s what to do.
- Do some research on the natural hair journey before deciding if it is for you. Watch videos on YouTube from hair vloggers with a similar hair type to yours that have successfully transitioned. Try out some of their suggested techniques.
- Wash Day! Try out your first ever natural hair wash day. You may have picked up some great skills from the research you have done so far, so now it is time to put it to practice. The first changes I made: deep conditioning and finger detangling with a generous amount of slippery conditioner. You will also want to apply a protein treatment every 6 weeks until you notice your hair is healthier and stronger.
- Your hair will be very sensitive while transitioning and tends to become dry, so it is important to retain as much moisture as possible. Do this by eliminating products from your hair cabinet, including harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens and silicones.
- Be gentle with styling. It’s time to put down that rat tail comb! You are going to have to be as gentle as possible with your hair as it will be even more prone to breakage due to the line of demarcation.
- Protective styling! Further protect your transitioning hair from over-manipulation by wearing a protective style, which is one that allows you to not touch your real hair for at least a few weeks at a time. These styles can include (but not limited to”> braids, cornrows, wigs, weaves and twists! They allow the hair to grow reducing the chances of breakage. If installed correctly and not tightly at the edges, it is truly a protective style.
Your transitioning “don’ts” for naturally curly hair
These things will set you back.
- Use heat. Using heat on already damaged, weak hair is only going to cause more damage and eventually lead to breakage. Your new natural hair growing in is going to be strong and healthy, applying heat to it is only jeopardizing your good work! If you are a fan of heat styles try to wait until all of your relaxed or damaged hair has grown out, then you may apply heat once a month with heat protection.
- Manipulate your hair. As mentioned above, the line of demarcation, the line where your damaged hair meets your natural hair, is sensitive. Any harsh styling, pulling, or manipulating is going to make it break. To maintain the line of demarcation, reduce manipulative hairstyles that pull at the hair and use a wide tooth comb or your fingers for detangling.
- Detangle dry hair. Detangle only wet and conditioned hair. This is one of the biggest and most beneficial steps to your transitioning journey. Growing up, I would condition my hair while it was dry and wonder why I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. Wet hair will help your comb or fingers glide through knots much easier, reducing the risk of further hair breakage.
- Break the bank. Don’t fall into the thinking that you have to buy every single new natural hair product on the market! I fell for that myself when starting my journey, but it isn’t a necessity. You can simply begin with this list: sulphate-free shampoo, co-wash or rinse-out conditioner, deep conditioner, protein treatment, moisturising leave-in conditioner.
- Skip deep conditions. Deep conditioning is a MUST for transitioners as it gives your hair that extra boost of moisture it needs during this drying period! I loved to deep condition for 30 minutes (minimum”> with a deep conditioner full of natural ingredients and for additional moisture, I added heat (a hooded dryer, heat cap, warm towels”> on top of my shower cap to open up the cuticles and allow in as much moisture as possible.
Happy transitioning!
I hope all of the advice above is enough to convince you to start your transitioning journey now! Let us know how your experience is going throughout the months to come.
Follow me on Instagram for more curly hair tips @UKCurlyGirl
Preserving your curls overnight makes it easier for curlies to continue on with the week without having to wash and go every morning, which as we know, can be a very long process.
To save yourself this styling time every morning, there are a few things you can do to your hair the night before, to preserve curls overnight. These steps will help you simply fluff and go the next day.
Different hair types may require different techniques or extra product for moisture but the below tips have worked for my hair for years and completely changed the way I look at my hair. It is no longer a nuisance and does not control my decisions for events like staying over at a friends house or prepping my holiday hair.
Step 1. Mix a handful of water to smooth your dry ends.
Most of the time I sleep with my hair completely dry — sleeping with wet hair causes me headaches as well as wet frizzy hair in the morning. Begin preserving for the night-time on dry hair. I don’t usually apply products to my hair overnight as I get product build-up easily which causes scalp irritation. If my ends are extra dry, I may mix a handful of water with shea butter to smooth into the ends as an overnight moisturizing treatment. If your curls love oil, you can also use some oil for extra moisture overnight. The next steps were game changers for me when I began transitioning to natural curls. I couldn’t believe how I was now able to wake up with no frizz, tangles, breakage or dryness. Satin accessories are the number one curly hair hack, they will ensure your hair is protected while you sleep.
Step 2. Put your curls in a pineapple.
This technique is popular for curlies as a way to gather your hair together without causing friction resulting in a loss of definition. I like to use satin scrunchies for this to reduce breakage. Gently gather your curls into a high ponytail, or pineapple, and tie the scrunchie around once. This technique allows your ends to breathe instead of your head resting on them all night.
Step 3. Secure your pineapple with a satin scarf.
This is something I do for extra security; it also keeps my curl definition by creating a boundary between curls and pillow or bed sheets. You want to half the scarf creating a triangle shape and tie around your pineapple with a knot at the front. Then, tuck the rest of the scarf in at the back.
Step 4: Sleep like a baby on your satin pillowcase.
This is going to help keep your hair and skin smooth. It is great for those who wake up in the middle of the night with no headscarf which happens to the best of us. It also covers any curls that escape the scarf (great for those with longer hair”>. Sleep well and watch the magic that happens in the morning! (The satin pillowcase is from O So Curly“>.
Step 5. Wake up and start your morning routine.
Thanks to this preserving curls technique, you should have an easy ride. Simply remove the scarf (be carefully to prevent frizz”> and shake or fluff your curls back into shape. At this point, I still have defined curls just as they were before I went to sleep the night before!
Step 6: Scrunch in a curl refreshing spray to dampen dry curls.
Do this if you see any dry curls instead of completely wetting and conditioning your whole head of hair. Scrunch it in to revive that section.
Here is a list of SHOPNaturallyCurly’s top curl refreshers
Now you know how to preserve curls overnight you are all good to go!
You can see that the majority of my curls are still defined here. Not only that, my hair is bigger and fuller than Day 1 curls — I embrace the puffiness. I make sure I stick to this routine every night and it allows my hair to be tangle-free from wash day to wash day. By Day 3 or 4 I will co-wash my hair in the morning and restyle but again use the same overnight routine for preserving the curls.
For more about preserving fine, type 3 curly hair at night, read this.
Follow Shannon on Instagram @UKcurlygirl
 
As a curly hair blogger and enthusiast I naturally am a bit — ok, huge — product junkie, which can become very expensive when you have to buy products with natural ingredients and get through conditioners quickly!
Because natural, healthy hair care can be expensive, a lot of curlies and transitioners might go for cheaper products with harsh ingredients that in the long run will damage the hair. An alternative to this is to DIY! Make your own hair products. After some research online I found an easy and cheap recipe for a ‘curl cream’ leave-in conditioner. Check out the steps to make it and my results below.
This is my day 3 hair.
I will be refreshing it with water and the DIY curl cream. To make the cream you will need just 3 ingredients, coconut oil, shea butter and aloe vera gel, which came to around £15 to 17. Keep in mind that I will only be using a small amount of each for the curl cream.
We will be mixing 2 tablespoons of each ingredient in a bowl for the cream and you want to start with the thickest product (Shea Butter”> as the base. I am using 100% natural unrefined shea butter, which was very hard to mix and came in clumps, so it did take a while to break down!
Step 1: Apply 2 tablespoons of shea butter to a bowl.
I prefer wooden bowls as the product doesn’t stick to them as much.
Step 2: Add in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
Mix both the oil and shea butter together until you get a soft creamy consistency, try to smooth out any clumps of shea butter.
Step 3: Once the consistency is smooth add in the last 2 spoonfuls of aloe vera gel.
This is in a way the LOC method mixed together. (LOC stands for liquid, oil, cream, with the liquid here being the aloe vera gel. Once the aloe is mixed in you will get a very creamy and white looking consistency, which is ready to apply to your damp or wet hair!
Step 4: Apply the final mixture to damp hair (a little goes a long way”> so I was left with a lot of cream after!
This is amazing as the 2 tablespoons is hardly anything from each ingredient so you should have a curl cream lasting for at least a month. With a huge amount of ingredients left to make more and more curl creams until your heart is content! And plus, it is super cheap.
Check out my final results below, my hair was immediately moisturized so this is amazing if you ever are out of product and your hair is dry and needs to be replenished. I did feel that it may have been just a bit too heavy for my hair to give it the greatest definition but would work well for styling a bun of even twist or braid-out.
Let me know how this curl cream works for you!
If you have another tried and true DIY, tell us which mixture you would recommend for the best-defined wash and go in the comments below.
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I began my natural hair journey in 2014 when I had had enough of relaxing my hair every 3 to 6 months and dealing with its lifeless look and feel from all of the damage! After researching the natural hair journey I decided to try out transitioning at a time where there weren’t many UK bloggers to relate to or learn from, because of this I started my own.
During this time I was suffering from major heat damage; my curls had turn to straight straw! Now I am 100% natural with the longest, healthiest curls I never thought I would ever have! Here are some of my top tips for overcoming heat damage.
1. No Heat!
The most obvious and vital tip: stop using heat! Your hair will never get the chance to fully recover if you keep on causing it stress and damage. Yes, straightening natural hair can be done, but not when you already have major hair problems.What if I want to straighten my hair?
Please wait until your hair is strong enough; you might even become like myself and not even want to straighten your hair again due to your newfound love for your natural curls.2. Trim your hair
Eventually as your hair grows you may want to give yourself a kick-start and trim off any really dead and straight ends. Make sure you visit a professional that has experience in dry cutting curly hair (Devacurl trained stylists help too!”>. Once you get rid of the worst of your damage you will notice more volume and be inspired to keep going with your journey.
3. Be gentle!
Your hair is at its worst right now and you have to be so careful when handling it! The line where your new natural curls meet your damaged hair is going to be highly prone to breakage, you can avoid this by, keeping your hair moisturised at all times, detangling using your fingers only (worse case scenario a wide tooth comb”> and protecting at night-time.
4. Rely on protection & maintenance
So you’ve been putting in all of the work to get rid of your heat damage — now you need to maintain your new healthy hair. The best way to do this is by using satin accessories and moisturising your ends regularly.
I sleep on a satin pillowcase and use a satin scrunchie to pineapple and cover with a satin headscarf when needed. These help to keep in your hair’s moisture overnight, prevent breakage and maintain your curl pattern — no frizz.
5. Get regular treatments
Your hair needs regular TLC and that comes in the form of deep conditioning. To prepare for the week ahead I like to deep condition my hair for 30-40 minutes every Sunday with a heat cap on top for extra moisture. This helps to maintain my hair and prevent it from dryness. I also once a month or every 6 weeks do a protein treatment for extra strength.
After 3 years of successfully transitioning I decided to write my own book, titled Get My Curls Back! due to so many people asking me how to get their curls back like mine.
This book is filled with advice, tips, and evidence of how to fix damaged curls. I made sure to add tips for all hair types and include stories from some of my followers who have too achieved getting their curls back by following my formula.It has great 5-star reviews and is available to purchase via Amazon both paperback and kindle here. I hope my tips have helped! Good luck on your healthy hair journey.
