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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
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
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?
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.
Father’s Day Special: Daddies Do Wash Day
Washing, treating and styling curly and natural hair can be challenging enough for ourselves, so imagine what adding another person to the wash day routine would feel like! Ladies, don’t underestimate your partner when it comes to dealing with your children’s natural hair. We have been conditioned into thinking that the mother is the best out of the parents to deal with hair care in the household but these daddies have proved us all wrong!
In honor of Father’s Day, check out the below super dads that can combat wash day in any household!
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@icemikeloveasia
The daddy and daughter duo that have captured the hearts of their over 700 thousand followers for a few years now! Daddy Mike posts videos and photos of his sweetheart Asia who sports a cute and outgoing personality. Their daddy daughter dancing and hair care routines have gone viral and makes us admire Mike’s love for his daughter. One of their latest haircare videos features Mike trying out the straw method to create perfect uniform curls on Asia’s hair, impressive!
@tyrese
Tyrese Gibson, R&B legend, Hollywood movie star and best selling author! Has mastered the art of social media and often posts positive daddy and daughter visuals. Known for his motivational rants, he gives his daughter the cutest self-love lessons. We love this one video in particular where Tyrese takes a shot at doing a high bun on his daughter’s hair.
@lovewithchance
A page dedicated to 2 toddler siblings Zara and Levi, managed by their father, who often features hair tutorials with the kids. The cutest video is when daddy managed to detangle and style 2 pigtails on natural hair, with the help of his daughter (who kindly gives him some directions — what a great role model!
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@guru_of_abs
This full time daddy of 2 kids is another inspiration and should be celebrated this Father’s Day! Watch as this father combs, heat protects –smart man! –and straightens his daughters hair. Wow just when you thought it was hard enough doing your own hair.
@daddydoinwork
Doyin Richards went viral on the internet after posting a photo of him holding his youngest child in a baby carrier while doing his eldest daughter’s hair — multitasking at it’s finest! Receiving both positive and negative reactions, Doyin was so inspired by the great feedback he gained from the internet that he decided to create a page that celebrates not only his work but fathers all over the world that are too “Doin’ Work.”
Thanks to social media we have seen more and more fathers caring for their kids hair going viral meaning more positive images of dads and single dads not just taking care of their daughters hair but also their self confidence. Give the above fathers a follow for weekly inspiration. Let’s remember to celebrate all of the active daddy’s out there, this Father’s Day and every other day!
My go-to lazy day hairstyle is a very important hairstyle to me because I rock it at least once a week in between washes.
Easy to create and protective of curly hair, this style is perfect for days when there is no time for refreshing in the mornings. Here’s what I do to my type 3C curls on lazy–or busy–days.
1. Create a middle parting and section your hair in 2 halves.
Focus on one side first by tying one away from your face.
2. Detangle and shape the section using a Denman brush.
Apply gel to your edges to smooth the hair in place and prep it for styling. Grab a hairband and smooth the hair back for a sleek finish.
3. Twist the section tightly until the hair begins to naturally fall into a bun.
Use a circular motion, securing with a hairband.
4. Repeat with the other section.
Set your edges by tying a satin scarf around your head for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Release the scarf and voila!
You have smooth, shiny edges and an easy to rock, lazy–or busy–day curly hairstyle.Why it should be your go-to…
Simple and effective, this simple hairstyle once perfected can be done in around 5 to 10 minutes and is versatile. As for the rest of the week, try joining the 2 buns together to create a single large bun, two braids, or even a low ponytail. This is my in-between go-to style because it tucks away my curls, leaving me no worries about frizz or needed to re-define my hair.
What’s your go-to style for lazy or busy days?
Read How to Refresh Dry Curly Hair
Follow @UKCurlyGirl on Instagram
Have you tried any almond oil-infused hair products? You should!
Why? Because the oil, blended from almonds, is a great substance to use on your hair for manageability and nourishment to the hair and scalp, giving curls a natural shine while strengthening them too. It’s the perfect natural oil for those trying to treat damaged hair. I managed to find a whole bunch of natural hair products that include the magic oil–check out some of my top picks below!
EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner
For all hair types, this deep conditioner from the natural beauty brand EDEN BodyWorks has been specially made to strengthen and restore moisture thanks to natural moisturizing oils like monoi, jojoba in addition to sweet almond oil, of course.
Mixed Chicks Sulfate Free Shampoo
Perfect for those with coloured and chemically treated hair, this sulfate-free cleanser is mild and friendly on curly hair! It works for both wavy and curly hair without stripping or drying out the hair thanks to the almond oil, aloe vera and avocado.
TGIN Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner
Best for dry and damaged hair, this conditioner is great for smoothing the hair after cleansing, it leaves the hair moisturised and easy to manage ready for styling. The Sweet Almond oil helps with the hydration of this product.
Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo
Again a perfect shampoo for more sensitive/damaged hair as it doesn’t strip your hair of its natural oils instead infuses your hair with a moisturising formula of Avocado and Almond oils.
Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter
Voted NC’s Best of the Best for natural curly hair, Camille Rose Naturals use almond oil along with honey, aloe, and green tea to make this twisting butter. It is also useful for braid-outs, and wash-and-go styles, particularly for those with dry, thick, curly, and coily hair.
Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil
Perfect for those with weak hair, this mint and almond-infused oil acts as a protein carrier to seal and lock in moisture within your hair shaft. This product is also a great cocktail for styling and stimulating hair growth.
Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
A popular product from the Cantu line, this deep treatment masque gives the hair intense moisture and strength which is essential for those suffering from dry hair. It has no mineral oil, sulfate, parabens, silicones, or nasties and includes almond oil for replenishing the hair.
As I Am DoubleButter Cream Rich Daily Moisturizer
A product to be used daily! Sure to bring your hair back to health as it contains the almond oil for rehydration. This product should be scrunched into the hair. Also note that a little goes a long way–you want to avoid using it daily because of how easily it can give you product build-up.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Grow Loc & Braid Butter
From the popular and effective Jamaican Black Castor oil line which is great for restoring the hair, this product is great for those who wear protective styles frequently and want to keep their real hair tangle-free, smooth, and moisturized thanks to the almond oil. For best results, apply a dime-sized amount and evenly distribute damp or dry hair, also great for massaging into the scalp for relief.
Hask Mint Almond Thickening Conditioner
This product is great for thinner, flat curls as it helps to bring volume and softness thanks to its omega fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, and the almond oil for shine and nourishment. Mixing and matching some of the above products will definitely improve your hair and scalp’s health. You can also just buy the 100% natural almond oil and apply some to your hair for treatments and sealing.
DIY hot oil treatment
You can also use almond oil or an oil mixture to do a hot oil treatment! How to do a hot oil treatment:Do you use almond oil?
Tell us if we’ve missed something!
Like us on Facebook @NaturallyCurly and follow Shannon on Instagram @UKCurlyGirl
Spring is here, which means the flowers are blooming and Easter is on its way. It’s also time for that last minute preparation for the summer holidays–low manipulation is probably a good idea this season as it will help your hair become even stronger and able to withstand the summer humidity.
These updos shared by some of our favorite Instagrammers are the perfect way to slay while giving your curls a bit of a break. Girls, gather your bobby pins!
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@thatdynamitechick
If you are good at twisting and braiding your own hair, this will be a great updo for you to try out! The mixture of textures and sizes of twists & braids creates a pretty and impressive look! You can also decorate the style even more by adding some braid beads.
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@curlsandcouture
This updo adds a twist to your usual Bantu Knots! Instead of creating Bantu Knots all over your head, make two on your crown to leave your hair’s natural texture out in the back. You could even Bantu Knot your whole head and then release the back for an even more defined curl.
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@julzjones
Now this is a good excuse to invest in a quality headwrap! Julz compliments this simple updo with a statement headwrap. If you don’t have bangs, you can create a faux fringe by finger curling or using flexi-rods on the front section of your hair. Simply tie the head wrap around your crown and nape, securing with a knot or bow to your liking.
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@actually_ashly
For an elegant pin-up look, perfect for work or a special occasion, try out a roller set and simply create two twists on one side of the hair, pinning them back to create the illusion of short hair on one side and longer voluminous curls on the other.
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@kienyabooker
This gorgeous jazzed-up curly bun can be recreated by slicking up your edges and forming a large braid in the middle of your hair surrounded by smaller braids on each side. This updo will make a cute pattern and stand out even more on colored hair.
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@dr_kami
The ultimate updo for those who crave a sleek and textured spring look. You can even add hair to the puffs to make them bigger or thicker for those with shorter thin hair. Make sure to add gel and edge control for the sleekness as this is what makes the pinned-back puffs stand out even more.
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@gracied_forever
One of the simpler styles on the list but very effective, this top knot is a great style for spring. Use a stretch comb headband to control the back section of the hair, this look is best on shorter hair.
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@arielvscupcake_
The crown braid is such a beautiful updo for all hair types and lengths and can be fun to play around with. Try this style on a blowout for a frizz-free and sleek look. If your hair is shorter, extension hair can be added to the style by attaching to the braid and pinning around the head.
Which updo makes your Easter and springtime list?
Give your curls a break this spring with some of the above styles.
Follow us on Instagram @NaturallyCurly and Shannon @UKcurlygirl
Shoutout to all the curlies from the United Kingdom representing on Instagram!
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Are you following one of these beauties yet?
@UKCurlyGirl
Shannon has proved to be a big inspiration to transitioning curly girls who yearned to go from damaged to healthy hair thanks to her many tutorial and advice videos. Shannon truly wants you to embrace your real curls through their ups and downs.
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@TheLondonCurls
This London-based beaut big chopped her curls last year for a great cause and charity close to her heart. With her ‘keep it real’ personality, Davina is the curly girl next door. She also just moved to Dubai, so expect a lot of travel posts and hair updates from overseas.
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@HairIsSimba
Simone lives up to her Instagram name due to her love of lions–and that gorgeous big mane! She is a natural hair model and influencer who posts encouraging words and stunning magazine editorial-esque selfies.
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@FroGirlGinny
This cutie rocks her ‘fro with pride and posts amazing pictures of her adventures around the world while hosting her own natural hair meetups. Get ready for endless hair piks, lip singing and ultimate #hairgoals.
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@Naturalbelle
Gina’s clean Instagram profile is a daily pleasure to watch. Not only will you meet the cutest little girl–her daughter, Freya, the entrepreneur posts product reviews and pictures of different wigs from her own small business.
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@Curlture
This dynamic comedic duo will definitely brighten up your day. Jay and Tri are a hilarious tag team of queens who flaunt their natural hair selfies as well as keep you up to date with trends and current affairs.
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@NiaKnowsHair
Protective styles queen! Nia can transform your natural hair to box braids, twists and crotchet braids and even posts the install on Instagram. Her easy to follow tutorials will encourage you to try a creative protective style this season, too.
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@NaturallyZeZe
Her smile and inspirational words will brighten up your day! Zeze is an East African curly living in London and her curl definition is immaculate. She also transitioned to natural hair right before our eyes–see her blossom through her beautiful selfies.
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@Solelysentials
This UK girl serves us the ultimate turban goals, high street fashion and fro love! Her page is flooded with flawless selfies as well as handy wash day step-by-step tutorials for the lazy natural.
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@HoneyBlongeGigi
For all the coloured curlies, Gigi’s hair is so healthy and gorgeous! Her posts give great inspiration to keep your curls healthy with great product recommendations to help prevent dryness and breakage especially for those with blonde curls.
Are you a UK curly girl?
Drop your Instagram name in the comment section below!
While it isn’t talked about much, many naturally curlies suffer from a thinning hairline. For those who love to rock sleek updos and ponytails, this can pose a problem.
A thinning hairline is usually due to years of tight styles (braids, buns, twists, etc.”> harshly pulling at the hair follicles. For some, this may also be a sign of hair fall or a scalp or skin issue that should be taken up with a trichologist immediately.
If you have been embarrassed to wear certain styles, fear no more: there is a simple and quick fix to make your hairline appear thicker in just a couple of minutes.
What you need & how to do it
1. Use an eye pencil or brush with a powder or eyeshadow that closely matches your hairline. With short and light sweeps in the direction that your hair grows, continue across your forehead until the sparse areas no longer stand out.
2. Dab some edge control across your edges to blend the powder in. Do not use a product that will require your hair to be wettened.
3. Smooth in with a bristle brush similarly to how you would smooth down your baby hairs.
Who this hack is made for
This method is safe for natural hair as it is not a permanent color and won’t affect your hair’s original texture. Note that this is not a long-term fix–the makeup eventually wipes off. You can get away with rocking this style for the whole day.
At night, you may want to save your pillows by rubbing coconut oil into the hairline and gently removing the makeup with a microfiber cloth. Alternatively, you can simply co-wash your hair and the color will fade.
Check out these quick and easy tutorials for a step-by-step tutorial of the popular hairline hack:
And just like that, Summer ’16 is over!
Fall is slowly creeping upon us, which means colder weather and shorter days. Now it’s time to adjust your haircare routine if you want to keep those curls healthy throughout the season.
Fall is the perfect time for you to begin taking extra care of your hair. During this season you curls are more likely to be prone to dryness from the change in temperature, use this opportunity to retain your length and focus on growing your hair (if that’s a goal of yours”>.
Pre-poo
Since I suffer from dry and itchy scalp during the colder months, I go the extra mile to prevent and manage it. Pre-pooing with a hot oil treatment is a great way to help moisturise the scalp and rid of dry flakes and dandruff.
I like to create a mix using olive oil, 2 drops of peppermint oil and coconut oil and warm it for 30 to 60 seconds in the microwave. Then, massage it directly into your scalp. I do this for 5 to 10 minutes and then go forward with my wash routine.
- Product Recommendation: Root 2 Tip Grow It Long Serum (available on the company’s website in the UK”>
During the week, I apply this oil blend to the dry parts of my scalp. It contains Rosemary, which helps to soothe the itching and other amazing oils that stimulate the scalp to help it grow.
Cleanse
Due to the brittle, colder months, I have to use a sulfate-free cleanser and co-wash weekly in place of a shampoo. This is to give my hair as much moisture as possible:
I have found that apple cider vinegar (ACV”> and peppermint oil are the best combination for my hair because they cleanse my dry scalp and soothe it at the same time.
- Product Recommendation: NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser
Thanks to the peppermint oil, this product refreshes and cleanses my scalp without drying out my curls. I also use The Curl Cleanser as a detangler because of its amazing slip and is moisturising properties.
Deep Conditioning
The next step is my Holy Grail and favourite part of wash day, deep conditioning! I like to use products that contain natural moisturisers like coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil and so on. During the winter I make sure that I keep up with weekly treatments and go the extra mile by adding heat during process.
- Product Recommendation: Hot Head Thermal Haircare Deep Conditioning Cap
This bonnet is a must-have for those who like to use heat for treatments. It uses beads that can be warmed up in the microwave for a better deep conditioning experience. Place the cap over your head while deep conditioning to allow your treatment to penetrate into the hair follicles and soften the hair.
Styling
Natural hair has a lot of room for diversity during the winter, and I definitely take advantage of this! I enjoy doing twist-outs and braid-outs to seal much-needed moisture into my curls while giving them a break.
When wearing protective styles I use the LOC method: I apply water, coconut oil then a hair cream or butter to my hair.
- Product Recommendation: Big Hair Moisture Me Whipped Butter (available on the company’s website in the UK”>
I have found that my most moisturised twist and braid-outs are when using this all-natural product. It comes in a big enough tub to last me the whole autumn and winter; it is a great addition to your LOC method as the cream option.
How does your fall routine differ from your summer hair routine?
Let me know! Follow me on Instagram @UKCURLYGIRL
[prodmod]
When starting my natural hair journey, I decided to throw away all heat tools and only use products with natural ingredients.
Early in my journey I often saw DIY hair treatments being recommended by other naturalistas as a great way to cater to my hair’s needs while maintaining more control over the ingredients that entered it. However, it’s not always as simple as pie. Below are some of the advantages, as well as some of the disadvantages that come with being an avid DIYer.
The good
You have more control
This can be great if you don’t have local access to a certain hair product and want to make a dupe. It is also a good way to avoid ingredients that you are allergic to or chemicals that disagree with your hair.It’s more affordable
Let’s be honest, a lot of the best hair products on the market can be a bit pricey. Using a DIY treatment is going to save you a lot of money! The price of the ingredients won’t even reach the $20 or so you would pay for your product. You also get great value for money as you can reuse the ingredients (especially oils”> for more than one treatment.You are helping the environment
When making a DIY product, you can store it in a eco-friendly jar unlike some product containers. You will also be able to live more sustainably and clear up much needed space in your cupboard.You get to experiment
DIY-ing allows you to create, concoct and learn about the ingredients that work well for you and the ones that don’t. If one batch doesn’t work for you, you can tweak the recipe and create a new product next time. When you purchase a product off the shelves you are committed to finishing the entire bottle, or risk it going to waste if you don’t like it.
The bad
You might make a mess
Have you ever had bits of banana or avocado stuck in your scalp and hair? It’s not fun at all. This is sometimes the consequence of DIY hair treatments. You may never be able to achieve the consistency that the recipe calls for. This also goes for DIY protein treatments using egg and mayonnaise. (When using egg as a DIY treatment, do not rinse it out with hot water, as you may end up with a ready-to-eat egg in your hair!”>Your hair might smell
A lot of the popular DIY ingredients–apple cider vinegar, avocado, mayonnaise–to include in your DIY treatments can have strong odours that linger. If a certain recipe calls for a strongly scented ingredient, dilute it with water or mix with another ingredient like peppermint or jojoba oil to balance it.It can be time-consuming
From buying individual ingredients, chopping and blending the ingredients, measuring and mixing the oils, to boiling the flaxseeds — — the DIY process can be a lengthy one! Sometimes on a long wash day, we want to avoid anything additionally tiresome. To cut down on time, consider making a large batch on a designated day and storing it in the refrigerator rather than making the treatment each time you use it.Preserving is a hassle
Many of our favorite natural hair products include preservatives to keep them shelf stable and safe to use for longer. DIY treatments typically do not last as long as their store-bought counterparts. Think of a banana or avocado, which can quickly oxidize in less than an hour.Which do I do?
Personally, I haven’t found the time to experiment with DIY treatments although I know they have some amazing benefits. While I do like making my own hot oil treatments, I don’t always have the time to mess with fruits and veggies–no pun intended.
Do you prefer DIY treatments over store-bought product?
Follow me on Instagram @UKCurlyGirl & NaturallyCurly @NaturallyCurly
