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If you were like me, you remember the long Sunday wash days spending hours in front of the TV sitting between your mothers legs, either crying or moaning in pain!
Some of my fondest (and worst”> childhood memories have to do with my Mum doing my hair, and I’m thankful.
Since I am an only child, these memories stand out because I could only imagine how precious that one-on-one time was for those who grew up with siblings. If you were like me, often wearing braids or cornrows as a child, you remember the long Sunday wash days spending hours in front of the TV sitting between your mothers legs, either crying or moaning in pain! Now looking back, it was a perfect time to bond with my Mum.
Coming from a mixed ethnic background, hair care is usually a big difficulty as my mother has a completely different hair texture and type from mine. She is Scottish (white”> and although she had natural curls, she grew up wearing her hair straight most of the time. This made it difficult for maintaining a regimen that worked for my hair type.
My curly hair needed a lot of moisture and styling to tame it for playing around outside and going to school. Every evening, Mum would condition my hair and plait it up before bedtime. Fridays were so much fun–she would allow me to have my hair in a ponytail for school with waves from my hair being in braids all week long! Now, that style is popularly known as the braid-out. Mum and I would both be in awe of my curls on washday when they were soaked in conditioner; we both just couldn’t find a product that would allow my hair to stay with that beautiful definition without becoming frizzy or shrinking so much!
As most teens do, I rebelled from Mum. When it came to hair care, I wanted to feel like a grownup. Really, I should have taken the advantage of free hair care! Instead, I wanted to be like the other girls at school who wore their curly hair out or in buns. Once I got to high school, I begged Mum to colour my hair, which she was highly against but finally gave in and let me do at my own risk.
In a way, my personal journey through hair care with the help of my mother was important as a young woman. I started off innocent and young, doing everything right and obediently. Then, I went through a rebellious time. Finally, I came back around at the end and realised: Mum knows best.
Today my Mum loves to wear her natural curls instead of straightening them, thanks to my advice on styling and products! I am so grateful for the love and dedication she gave to me. I understand that she did as much as she could to maintain and keep my curls healthy. As a woman in Europe and no formal knowledge of curls or black hair, she gets major props for trying.
Thanks Mum!
Follow me @UKCurlyGirl
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When many of us decided to embark on our natural hair journeys, we often have an image of how long it will take and how we expect our hair to look every step of the way. However, in reality, it isn’t always as easy as it can appear on the blogs and popular Instagram pages. Hortencia (AKA @StyleFeen“> expressed to me the expectations (and realities”> she had throughout her personal natural hair journey.
Hortencia’s naturally curly hair journey started after realizing her hair was severely heat damaged and wanting back her natural curls.
Day 1
When I decided to get my hair cut really short, I was at my breaking point. I’d had it with heat damage and ugly hair. I was expecting my hair to look great and stylish right after like something out of a magazine. In reality, it looked nothing like that.
Don’t get me wrong, my hairstylist did an amazing job. Still, I hated how short my hair was. I also didn’t like how my curls laid down with the haircut I was given.
I knew that was part of the process of getting my curls back–cutting my hair super short would be supposed to be a fresh start! I reminded myself that I had to suffer a little to gain a lot; in the end all I could tell myself was that my hair was going to grow back.
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Month 1
I was determined not to fall into the temptation of bleach and figured I’d just try out a bunch of new products that I thought would help my hair look it’s best and my curls would pop back and I would have the perfect curls and volume I had always dreamed of having.
I bleached my hair twice by two great and highly recommend colourist on two separate occasions. Yes it’s true, you can have color without damaging your hair too much, but not for my hair. After bleaching, my curl pattern was evidently much looser. Sometimes you want to change things up, but forget there’s damage, my advice is buy a wig, braid your hair or change up your hair part. I dyed my hair back to brown and decided to stay away from bleach.
Month 6
After having color in my hair, I realized that it was causing damage to my curls so I decided I was going to get the exact curl-by-curl haircut as my curly inspiration @Curly.Edgy to get my curls back on track.
Since every curly hair pattern is different, I didn’t get the exact haircut as my curly inspiration, but I got damn close! I got a variation that shaped my curls to my face, which I adore. This haircut was a real eye opener to new and less tamed styles. I got exactly what I needed and it helped me love my curls even more.
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Year 1
After a year I wanted my hair to have its curl back.
In reality my hair has reached my goal. I am now so in love with my hair! It has the perfect shape and is in great health. My transitioning journey was filled with ups and downs but totally worth every minute.
How did your natural hair journey differ from how you expected it to be?
Stay tuned for more Transitioning: Expectations Vs. Reality stories this month!
Every day, more of us curly girls are starting to embrace our natural hair around the world! Mexico is just one of the countries where the hair care industry is at an all-time high. Women have found great ways of caring for this type of hair and other beauty uses with natural, locally-grown resources.
Tepezcohuite is the perfect natural clarifying remedy for unclogging your pores; its most common use in hair products is the prevention of hair loss.
What is Tepezcohuite?
Pronounced as ‘Tep-ez-co-heety’, this root bark is an age-old nontoxic and organic ingredient derived from bark of the Mexican “Skin Tree.” It is heavily found in Chiapas, Mexico, and other tropical climates of South America.
The leafy Tepezcohuite tree grows up to 8 meters tall. It was used in the ancient Mayan civilization as an anti-aging and skin healing product and is classified as a part of Mexico’s national heritage due to its ability to treat burns with its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anaesthetic properties, according to Plantas Medicinales. It also naturally cures anxiety and stress-induced insomnia when steeped in water for a nighttime tea recipe.
It now is being used in many beauty products due to its healing properties. The people of Mexico often use the bark in powder form for anti-aging creams and skin problems like psoriasis. In the past Tepezcohuite was also used to help with toothaches. In history, Tepezcohuite saved the skin of some of the 5,000 burn victims of a 1984 gas explosion near San Juan and a large earthquake in Mexico that happened in 1985.
THE HAIR BENEFITS
Thanks to this plant’s many natural healing properties, it has amazing benefits for both hair and skin! Many people use directly on their scalp to improve their hair’s overall health. This bark stimulates blood circulation, providing the scalp with nutrients that frees the hair follicles from the chance of fungal, dandruff, and general scalp issues.
Not dealing with your scalp buildup leads to hair loss, stunting of growth, and room for bacterial and fungal infections. Tepezcohuite is the perfect natural clarifying remedy for unclogging your pores; its most common use in hair products is the prevention of hair loss.
HOW TO USE IT
When the bark is in liquid form through a somewhat simple melting process, it can be ingested to reap the benefits for healthy hair, skin, and body. 10-20 grams of the root bark will give you the best results if used in a daily beauty and hair regimen.
Sold on the benefits of Tepezcohuite? Here is how you can get a hold of the magic ingredient. There are more products from Mexico and around South America steadily becoming available to the rest of the world, online and in certain beauty supply stores.
Get Tepezcohuite benefits with these products
Tepezcohuite is available to buy in powder form that you can then add to skin care products, shampoos and deep treatments for extra power and aid in healing the scalp:
- Polvo Tepezcohuite Auxiliar En Quemaduras, $9.99
- Nuance Salma Hayek Intense Hydration Hair Mask, $19.99 (also available at Walgreens”>
- ASDM Beverly Hills Tepezcohuite Serum, $23.43
What’s your secret to beautiful hair? Share with us below!
A breakup or other traumatic experience are common times for us women to cut their hair as we see it is the one thing we can take immediate control of; we all know it is often a struggle to adjust our feelings and move on right away.
“The Big Chop” is a nickname most women in the natural hair community will be familiar with. It is done to cut off all of your relaxed or damaged hair, leaving you with natural hair only, either a buzzed cut or a small afro, ear length curls or a full shaved head of hair. Often a drastic decision driven by emotions, those who have big chopped share that it is a really liberating experience. This fresh start is an option for those who don’t wish to transition.
The Psychology Behind A Woman Chopping Her Hair Off
This is true for a lot of women: we often relate a new look with a new start in life, which can be for many reasons. You can even take it way back to the Holy Bible. A writer for And They Lived Happily Ever After states, “Samson, the biblical figure who lost his power when Delilah cut off his hair, should have been written as a woman.”
Our natural hair represents our self-acceptance. Along with making ourselves happy, our hair can also be a way of attracting a potential partner. The hours we spend getting our hair perfect for date night or girls’ night out is a reflection of our confidence. When we decide to chop our hair off, it is us choosing to make a sacrifice and careless attitude to what men think or our partners think.
The emotional shedding process
A breakup or other traumatic experience are common times for us women to cut their hair as we see it is the one thing we can take immediate control of; we all know it is often a struggle to adjust our feelings and move on right away. In a soppy way, our hair is a window to our souls–it carries many memories often related to the bonding process we have with the maternal figures in our lives as well.
Some natural hair bloggers and vloggers have taken part in the Big Chop as part of a public shedding process. For example, Shameless Maya had doing the Big Chop on her bucket list and was going through a divorce when she decided to film it and start over.
The London Curls is another natural hair blogger who recorded her Big Chop and selflessly donated to Age UK, a charity that became close to her heart after the passing of her grandparents.
Starting over
While my natural hair journey had a lot to do with a frustration of having damaged ends and putting my trust in a good hairdresser, funny enough, I was going through a break up at the time as well. It was a great time for me to start over. When I did it, I felt like a new woman and it made me feel more confident with myself.
The next time someone tells you “It’s just hair!”
Tell them yes, they are right. However, there is often an emotional reason behind any hair choice we choose to make and that is the beauty of us being women! No one can take that strength away from us.
What motivated you to Big Chop?
Share below.
We all need a little help when it comes to taking care of our natural hair and sometimes our pair of hands is just not enough. These hair tools will make a huge difference to your hair styling routine.
Kiloline Pro Gloves
If you have been curling your hair with heat tools for years, you no doubt have memories of burning yourself. With this, you won’t have to use a tea towel or an old winter glove to protect your hands from the heat. These gloves serve the same purpose but are made to protect against flat irons and curling wands. It fits all sizes and can be used on your left or right hand, and is designed with heat resistant material. At only about $5 on Amazon, it’s a good investment for protection during heat styling.
Banggood Perfect Silicon Heat Resistant Proof Mat
Another must have for those who use heat tools, this silicone mat is resistant to the temperature of your curling wand or flat iron. This means no more burn marks on your carpet or bathroom surfaces, taking away the anxiety of thinking that you’ve left the tools on after you’ve left home. It also has a snap fastener making it easy to roll up and put away when not in use. Another affordable buy from Amazon that is under $5.
Studio Dry Hair Drying Gloves
Made from micro-weave fibre, these fluffy gloves are designed to dry your hair faster and more effectively. These high quality gloves can be used over and over again–just hang to dry after each use. To use, put on the gloves and squeeze the excess water out from your hair. You will be left with dried but moisturized curls, as they do not remove product. You’ll also notice less frizz than if you had used a terry cloth towel. It may be bit on the pricey side, but worth the extra coins and time saved styling at just under $25.
Hair Catcher Bathroom Tub Strainer
This is a personal problem I have every single washday–having to pull out strands of hair from the drain and prevent the bath tub and sink from clogging up. Curly and afro textured hair is a nightmare to pull out of the drain due to the tangling. This tool will be well appreciated for those hair types! It is also made from plastic, meaning that the hair catcher won’t rust and is long lasting, costing under $5.
Plastic Massage Brush Comb
Perfect for those whose scalps are in need of stimulation, this tool gets right to the roots. It also easily gets rid of dead skin cells and dirt that your fingers can’t get, too! Constant use of the massage brush can reduce hair loss caused from clogged pores. This brush comb is cheerful to your budget at less than $5 and can be bought at most beauty supply stores.
CWK Straight Plates
A tool that you probably have seen a lot on Instagram if you are a fan of natural hair pages! This is a new and at first strange looking way to stretch and style your curls with no damage or heat! It is made of plastic plates that you leave your hair in–similar to rollers–and once dry, your hair will form a straightened texture. If you are against using heat on your hair, this is the perfect alternative for you! It costs $38.99 for the New SSS Rubber Stretch Plates.
Sprangz
A hair tool that elongates your curls! Great for those with really tight curly hair. Sprangz work by adding weight to the hair. Simply wash and style then attach the ‘Weightz’ tool to the ends of the hair to elongate the curl. It’s a simpler technique than the old school way of having to attach hair bands all the way down your hair.
Have you tried any of the above hair tools?
Let us know which ones have helped your hair styling routine.
If this science-based natural hair product line is one you haven’t become familiar with yet, shame on you. Obia Naturals is a natural hair product line you’ll try–and fall in love with. It’s currently available for purchase online in CurlMart and has recently been used in tutorials by popular natural hair influencers @heycurlie and @actuallyashly.
Obia Naturals is a line of science-based products promoting healthy hair by balancing the pH level using non-toxic vegan ingredients and only the highest quality of herbs and essential oils.
Its maintenance for managing natural hair is what the brand strives to serve.
This hair care line is named after and created by Obia Ewah. She is based in the United States and of Nigerian descent. The chemist holds degrees in Chemistry and Biology, which is why her products are very focused on the science of hair and what is important for health and learning why certain routines may not be working for you.
Along with her passion for cosmetic chemistry came the urge for Obia to change her own lifestyle due to sickness.
As a result of starting her natural hair journey, Obia began experimenting at home and making her own hair products as a hobby. Years later in 2012, Ewah’s formulations turned into products that can be used for not only her but also others with natural, transitioning or relaxed hair.
It is great as a consumer when you come across a brand that you feel you can trust and Obia is a great example; she has the right experience and knowledge along with being extremely personable. On Obia’s own YouTube channel, she uses the products on her own hair with step-by-step tutorials. Below is a list of products I recommend.
2016 Winner of the NaturallyCurly Best Of The Best Awards, this shampoo bar is made up of Coconut, shea butter, rosemary essential oil, castor bean, & more to give you an invigorating scalp cleanse without stripping moisture.
This is a stand-out product from Obia’s wash and go routine you can see how easy it is to detangle with once applied directly to the hair as if the shampoo was a conditioner. If you are in need of a moisturising shampoo and like to use shampoo bars this is definitely one to go for.
This deep conditioner is infused with Rice oil, Babassu seed oil, pro-vitamin B5 and avocado oil all perfect natural ingredients that will leave you with soft, super-moisturised curls. And while some deep conditioners often end up making your hair feel dry or hard (due to protein overload”>, the Obia Naturals Babassu Deep Conditioner is protein free so it will restore your natural hair’s moisture balance.
For the twist out lovers, this product has given flawless results as seen in a tutorial from @actuallyashly and is the perfect butter to keep your twist out in tact.
The butter is made up of all things moisturizing. From the beloved shea butter, mango butter, tucma butter, aloe vera and more! You can use this butter on dry and wet hair. Use a small amount evenly to each section of the hair when twisting.
Have you tried Obia Naturals?
If so, let us know what your favourite product from the line is!
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It feels great to bond with those who can relate to your natural hair journey in person and not just online.
TAKE COOL PICTURES WITH OTHER CURLY GIRLS
Some of the best group pictures are created at hair events, so make sure you jump in every photo opp. Wear something cute and that will stand out from the crowd, and show off your natural curls–I have made the mistake before of trying a new style for an event, and then being the only one in the pictures without my natural curls on show!
FIND YOUR HAIR TWIN
With so many varieties of races, backgrounds, curl patterns and hairstyles, you are bound to spot someone with similar hair to yours. Hound them and find out how they deal with their hair; you may learn about some new products or techniques to try.
SPOT YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Want to grow your following? This is the best way to do so! Posting a selfie with other popular curlies can encourage their audience to learn about you–just make sure you’re tagged in their pic! Most event pics always make it to the big natural hair Instagram pages like @mixxxedchicks @healthy_hair_journey and @berrycurly
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR NETWORKING
You can ask the bloggers questions in person (we don’t bite, well most don’t! lol”>. They can give you the push in the right direction to start your own blog or YouTube channel. When I went to SunKissAlba’s meet and greet, she gave me some great advice that helped me with my own journey.
DISCOUNT ON PRODUCTS
Most hair events are sponsored by some of your favorite brands! With a bunch of vendors, be sure to do the rounds and look out for any special samples and discounts. (Tip: Bring cash as most do not accept cards”>.
ENJOY THE SUMMER
Here in the UK/London, most natural hair events take place from May-August, which means you can get a great day out of it! Attend a park meetup and enjoy the company, beauty, and weather. Last year I had a great time tanning and posing with fellow curlies.
CREATE A COMMUNITY
It feels great to bond with those who can relate to your unique natural hair journey. Events can bring us all together–so try to keep the community growing by creating more meetups and connections!
OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL
Paris, London & New York seem to be the top natural hair cities and all have some great events this year! When I travel, I always give a shoutout on social media that I will be in town to meet up with curlies in the area.
SOME UPCOMING EVENTS
I hope to attend these.
Have you attended a natural hair event or meetup yet?
If your curls are high porosity, consider swapping your cleansing conditioner out for a conditioning shampoo.
Men’s Hair Blog says when shopping for a conditioning shampoo you want to pay attention to the ingredients label. Look for essential oils, they will help soften and moisturise dry hair. Try one of these popular conditioning shampoos in 2016 and see if you have softer curls by the end.
[prodmod]Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo
Key Ingredients: coconut oil (rich in vitamins and fatty acids that strengthen and condition the hair”>, panthenol (a humectant that gives slip for easy detangling”>
Where to buy
This product is ideal for
Those with type 2 curls that are naturally coarse and dry
Karen’s Body Beautiful Ultimate Conditioning Shampoo
Key Ingredients: aloe vera juice (doubles for giving your hair nourishment and balancing out your scalp’s PH balance”>
Where to buy
CurlMart, Beauty By Zara (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Thick type 3 or 4 hair, relaxed or color treated hairNow Foods Citrus Moisture Shampoo
Key Ingredients: aloe vera juice (packed with essential vitamins and minerals that restore hair health”>, coconut oil (a natural moisturiser”>
Where to buy
Amazon (US”>, Amazon (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Finer hair and curl patterns type 2 and 3
SheaMoisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair Conditioning Shampoo
Key Ingredients: shea butter (packed with essential vitamins for the scalp and an deep penetrating moisturiser”>, monoi oil (made from soaking the tiare flower in coconut oil, taken from the Polynesians who used it as a hair softener”>Where to buy
Curlmart, Beautybyzara (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Frizzy hair and curl types 3 and 4
Giovanni ‘Smooth As Silk’ Deep Moisture Shampoo
Key Ingredients: aloe vera leaf juice (natural moisturiser that restores and strengthens hair”>, yrus malus (apple”> fruit extract (a natural conditioning agent”>
Where to buy
Amazon (US”>, Holland & Barrett (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Looser wavy and curl patternsKinky Curly Come Clean Moisturising Shampoo
Key Ingredients: organic sea kelp (great for balancing hair’s moisture levels”>
Where to buy
Curlmart, Beauty By Zara (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Dry and damaged type 4 curls
Eden BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Moisturizing Shampoo
Key Ingredients: vitamin e (conditioning oil rich in fatty acids that helps to restore damage from UV rays and heat”>, coconut oil (natural moisturiser”>
Where to buy
Curlmart, Beauty By Zara (UK”>, Amazon (UK”>
This product is ideal for
Type 3 curlsOGX Moisture + Vitamin B5 Shampoo
Key Ingredients: vitamin B5 and ProVitamin B (nourish the inner layer of every strand with moisture, while rebuilding damaged areas to give dull hair a healthy sheen”>
Where to buy
This product is ideal for
Damaged and finer/wavy curls
Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing System Conditioning Dry Shampoo
Key Ingredients: monoi oil (all-natural hair softener”>, aloe vera (provdes better slip for detangling”>
Where to buy
This product is ideal for
Dry, chemically or environmentally damaged hair
Dermorganic Daily Conditioning Shampoo
Key Ingredients: argan oil (natural conditioner, frizz tamer, aids in keeping hair healthy and shiny”>, grapeseed oil (locks in moisture”>Where to buy
This product is ideal for
Type 3 low/normal porosity curls
[prodmod]Do you use a conditioning shampoo instead of a cleansing conditioner?
Defining my curls is a technique that I am still trying to perfect (but I have some useful tips for you”>. You too can take your curly wash-and-go to the next level if you simply follow these steps. To get definition, make sure your product is reaching every single strand of your hair with moisture, hold, and distribution.
I believe that having a great curly cut and shape will greatly help with maintaining curl definition. It will shape your face and have your curls finished–no straggly ends!
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If I want great definition, I’ll wash my hair first. The water from the shower pouring down on your hair from root to tip will train your curls to fall in place with less frizz ready for styling. Condition your hair whilst it is soaking wet! This makes it easier for the hair to retain moisture; the soaked hair will already be somewhat defined, your conditioner and styler will then only enhance it.
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When applying my leave-in conditioner, I do so in smaller sections. This way, I am sure to not miss any strands. Dry and tangled hair equals frizz, which will prevent definition.
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To set, I use a small amount of curl cream or gel and smooth each section of hair from root to tip one with the praying hands method.
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Once my whole hair has been styled, I like to finger curl any sections that need extra help for definition. I have very straight hair near my edges so during this time, I give them some extra styling TLC.
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Finally, I leave the hair completely alone to air dry to prevent any friction or frizz. No touching! (If you’re in a rush, use a diffuser attachment”>.
Watch my wash/cleanse video
Watch my video on how to have defined twists
What defining technique works best for your curls?
Have you ever wondered why your hair seems to have changed in length, condition or texture over the years?
Throughout this thing called life we manage to go through many different hair cycles that depend on age, hormones and external factors. Notice at birth, most are born with very soft, shiny and thin hair–or even none–but this quickly changes as you grow. In fact, many curly girls were born with straight hair! Here is a brief cycle of how your hair changes over the years.
Childhood
A newborn baby usually has very thin and soft hair but this will always change after a few years. Many curlies have been born with straight hair that ‘magically’ became curly years later this happens as throughout childhood the diameter of the hair follicle begins to thicken which causes a change in the hair’s shape and texture.
Adolescence to Early Adulthood
There are muscles at the base of every hair follicle and as we go through different stages of our lives like puberty, hormone changes, and medication usage, they grow and change shape. This directly affects your hair follicles–this is similar to the different changes we have with our skin whilst growing up.
We all have a growth phase of the hair and this can happen for 3-4 years until a new hair forms and begins to grow. The hair that you currently see is actually dead hair! This means that every 3-4 years it could be possible for your hair texture to completely change!
Adulthood
According to healthy aging expert Sharon Basaraba, when we transition into the later stages of life our hair begins to lose colour and turns grey. Hair turns grey when the melanin stops being produced, this typically happens to women past their 30’s but external factors such as stress can affect your aging process meaning earlier hair loss and turning grey. Along with the loss of colour, aging may make your hair become coarser as the keratin in the hair begins to breakdown.
Later Adulthood (Menopause”>
As women, we all naturally go through ‘the change’ as we age. Menopause can have a huge effect on the hair as your oestrogen declines, according to Dr. Nicola Finley, M.D. You may experience hair thinning and hair loss along with a dry scalp due to a lack of moisture. At this stage in life, it is even more important to keep your hair and scalp moisturised.
How has your hair changed throughout your life?
Pictured: Jessica Pettway (@jfashiongirl87“> & daughter, Kai Lee (@kaileecurls“>
When you think of garlic, you think of that wonderful herb added to many of your favorite meals or the smell you love to hate! Aside from this, did you know that garlic is a great natural ingredient to use for hair and scalp care? If you don’t wash properly and enough, your scalp can suffer by becoming greasy, dry, or flaky scalp with clogged pores.
Many curlies and naturals opt for products and hair care methods that include 100% natural ingredients. Garlic is a great one to introduce to your routine as it contains vitamin C, sulphur, copper and essential minerals that promote hair growth. The garlic stimulates blood flow to the scalp resulting in growth and protects it from any toxins and bacteria.
The smell of garlic may put you off even trying its amazing benefits but there are ways around this! Many of the ready-made garlic hair products are unscented and if you go the DIY route adding some ginger to the mixture can also tame the smell.
Garlic in your products
Some of your favorite shampoos may already have a garlic additive included, like these two great garlic-based shampoos that are curly hair friendly:
DIY garlic recipes
Instead of buying a garlic shampoo you can also simply add some garlic juice to your existing products. As frequent use of garlic can dry out the scalp try adding the juice to some honey and use as a scalp treatment for moisture.
If you would prefer to take the DIY route you can use a crushed garlic clove and apply it directly onto the scalp then follow up with massaging in olive oil, leave this on the hair for 30 to 60 minutes or sleep overnight before rinsing out. You can try the DIY garlic hair shedding scalp clarifying recipe below.
If you haven’t found a solution for your scalp problems or are suffering from hair loss give garlic a chance! It may be the magic ingredient you have been missing.
Garlic scalp stimulator
If shedding and clogged pores are a concern for you, this homemade recipe has been proven to work. Warning: Although it is effective, the smell might be off putting!
What you’ll need
- 1 tbsp of aloe gel
- 1 tbsp of honey
- 1 tbsp of garlic juice
- 2 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp of chamomile (tea bag content is fine to use”>
- 24 fluid oz of water
Directions
- Peel garlic and use a garlic press to squeeze the juice out
- Mix in honey and place the bowl in the fridge
- Boil water with chamomile tea for about 30 minutes, stir occasionally
- When tea is done, take the bowl with honey and garlic juice out of the fridge
- Stir an egg yolk into the garlic juice and honey mix
- Add aloe gel to the garlic honey mix
How to use it
- Gently rub all of the garlic honey mix into your scalp
- Wrap a towel around your head
- Keep the towel on for 20 minutes and wash once with a neutral shampoo
- Rub in the second egg yolk and wash off using only warm water
- To finish off, wash your hair off with the previously prepared chamomile tea
You may or may not be too familiar with this all natural oil, but it has some amazing healing benefits for your hair and body. Get to know more about pimento oil, which can be found in your local grocery and natural foods store.
Where it comes from
According to WWW Chem, Pimento oil is extracted from the Pimento tree, a native to the Caribbean and South America. It was first discovered in the 1500s in Jamaica and is also known as allspice in some countries due to its aroma described as a mixture of spices.
How it looks & smells
Pimento oil has a yellow-brown colour with a scent similar to clove oil. Nowadays it is used widely in hair and skin care products due to its medicinal properties. Note: this oil can cause irritation if used in high dosages or concentration, so always mix with a carrier oil when applying topically. Pregnant women should avoid using this oil due to its potency.
The topical benefits
- Hair growth: Pimento extract is an amazing natural oil for hair growth and is included in many scalp oils and products for growth. The oil, when massaged into the scalp stimulates the hair follicles, which then removes the toxins that will stunt hair growth. After using hair products including the oil for about 2 months you should see a difference.
- Alopecia: Many sufferers have turned to using products with pimento oil due to it being a strong antioxidant. Oxidation can lead to tissue damage and pimento oil fights against this and repairs the damage already done so can help to heal alopecia and hair loss.
- Natural pain reliever: If you are a lover of natural medication pimento oil is a great alternative to painkillers. Pimento extract helps to relieve pain externally due to its warming properties, which can help with chest pain, arthritis, bruises, aches and pains.
- Calms the mind and body: When steamed and taken in as a scent like lavender, pimento oil gives of a soothing freshness for the mind and body. It is a tonic for the nervous system and can treat nervousness, depression and fatigue.
- Dry scalp: If you suffer with scalp problems like dandruff, irritation and dry skin pimento oils antiseptic properties help to cleanse the scalp and rid of these problems.
How to use pimento oil
Apply the oil directly to your scalp as a pre-shampoo treatment to loosen up any dirt and product build-up. Gently massage it for a couple of minutes and then rinse and use your shampoo and conditioner as usual.
[prodmod]Try: Sunny Isle Jamaican Strong Roots Organic Pimento Oil with Black Castor Oil, $9.99 (rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Shop.NaturallyCurly.com“>
Do you use pimento oil?
WHAT IS SHEDDING?
Shedding is when hair naturally falls out directly from the root. This is something that happens to us all at certain times in the hair’s cycle, especially for those of us with curls, since we don’t usually wash our hair as frequently as straight haired people.
IS YOUR SHED HAIR RATE NORMAL?
When you have curly hair, there are a few things to consider when it comes to noticing shedding. First off, we wash our hair less frequently than those with straight hair which means when it does come to wash day you will notice a larger amount of shedding. This is just shed hair that has been caught in the hair ever since your last wash or detangle.
Remember, the average person sheds 50-100 hairs a day! So you will usually be seeing what a week’s worth of shedding looks like.
HOW CAN I TELL IF IT’S SHEDDING OR BREAKAGE?
Check to see if the hair fallen out is shed hair or breakage. Look at the length of the hair, feeling the root of it. If you feel the bulb at the end, then it is a shed hair. If the hair has no bulb, feels a little rough and is a short piece of hair that is breakage. I suggest giving your hair a treatment and trimming if you notice a lot of breakage.
OTHER REASONS FOR SHEDDING
There are some other factors that can cause shedding. Your general health can affect your hair’s condition, so make sure that you are taking vitamins, drinking water and eating a healthy diet. If you notice a lot of shedding along with less energy and just bad health in general definitely speak to your doctor as you may be lacking in something.
ARE YOU TRANSITIONING?
When I transitioned I noticed my shed hair a lot more. This can simply be due to the fact that you are now paying more attention to your hair’s every move! It could also be the change-up in your new routine and products which are affecting the scalp.
YOUR SCALP HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT
If your roots are blocked with product build-up or dandruff, this can be causing your hair to fall out at a faster rate.
Keep an eye on your scalp’s health; do regular scalp massages and make sure to cleanse the scalp well. I like to use cleansers that contain peppermint oil or tea tree oil due to their amazing clarifying benefits.
HOW TO PREVENT SHEDDING
Here are some ways you can help to prevent further shedding.
1. Reduce your stress: Stress causes hair loss so try to fit in some relaxation time it will be good not only for your hair but for your overall health.
2. Massage your scalp: Weekly scalp massages are amazing for promoting growth by stimulating the hair follicles. This is a great time to relax by using essential oils like argan oil, olive oil and coconut oil.
3. Natural remedies: Hair rinses are great for stimulating the scalp and increasing hair growth. One recommended for this is a green tea hair rinse. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory herb that some people use to rub on the scalp to help with growth and reducing shedding.
MY PERSONAL HISTORY WITH CURLY HAIR SHEDDING
Has there been a time when shedding was a major worry to you? If you have any questions about curly hair shedding, let us know in the comments below!
How I keep my hair from tangling is really thanks to my night routine. I detangle my hair after washing and then will style and go about my day, when it gets to night-time I must make sure I take the following steps to ensure my hair won’t get tangled or matted throughout the week.
SLEEP STYLING
When I have worn my hair in a wash and go that day, before bed I will put my hair into a pineapple (high loose ponytail”>. This keeps your hair out of the way whilst sleeping and is great for keeping your curls defined as they won’t be squashed whilst you sleep.
SATIN
Sleeping with your hair in a pineapple is pointless if you don’t pair this with either a satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase. This has been the best thing I have ever done to my hair. It prevents the dryness and tangles you naturally get whilst sleeping. I use my satin pillowcase and satin scrunchie for my pineapple.
MOISTURE
Another essential tip for preventing tangles is moisture! I make sure my hair stays moisturised at night-time. I add some coconut oil (shea butter in the winter months”> to my ends whilst my hair is in the pineapple. This keeps the hair moisturised and helps to make your curls even fresher in the morning.
PROTECTIVE STYLING
Throughout the week (usually on day 3 hair”> I’ll feel that I can no long wear my wash and go. At night, I braid my hair in 4 plaits (or twists”> then add coconut oil. This is a great way to lightly detangle your hair so that it is manageable for the rest of the week. I then cover the braids in a satin bonnet whilst still sleeping on my satin pillowcase. This is just to protect the braids from frizz and keep the protective style super moisturised and defined.
PRODUCTS
Along with these techniques I also have a few products that help with tangles.
- Satin pillowcase: I love my satin pillowcase as it protects my curls as I move around a lot in my sleep, which means I would usually wake up in horror finding my scarf or bonnet not on my head! With the pillowcase you won’t have this problem.
- Satin bonnet: This a great way to protect your hair even further than the pillowcase. You can purchase these at most beauty and hair supply stores. They are great for holding in moisture throughout the night.
- Coconut oil: I like to make sure I moisturise and detangle my ends with some coconut oil at nights.
- Shea butter: In the really cold months I like to apply this also to my ends at night as it is thicker and works as an intensive moisturiser throughout the night leaving the hair so soft.
- Kinky Curly Knot Today: My favourite detangler due to its amazing slip. If you have a lot of tangles you may want to refresh your hair. This is great to use before doing your braids or twists if you find the coconut oil isn’t helping to tangle just spritz your hair lightly with water and apply some of the detangler to your fingers and finger detangle any knots.
These steps are crucial to keeping my hair under control throughout the night shift! I would recommend satin or silk accessories for everyone, as they will keep your hair from knotting, drying out and frizzing in the night.
What do you do to keep your hair from tangling at night?
I like to wash my hair every week. By wash, I do not mean co-wash. I use a moisturizing sulfate-free shampoo or natural cleanser once a week to free my hair from product build-up and soothe my scalp. In between washes I may co-wash to refresh my wash and go so it can last longer. The following are my steps (video included”> to my weekly wash routine!
STEP 1 PRE-CLEANSE: Scalp massage
I like to give myself a scalp massage before washing my hair as I have a very sensitive scalp that can get itchy and dry. Massaging my scalp weekly also promotes hair growth especially when done with a hydrating oil.
STEP 2 CLEANSE: Section hair, dampen roots, apply shampoo
I recently have changed my cleansing technique due to dry hair and skin irritation. I now wash my hair before I get into the shower and rinse out. I can see exactly what I’m doing in the mirror instead of relying on just your hands to do the work. Since I have thick roots, looking in the mirror helps me deeply cleanse my scalp and catch any parts I wouldn’t usually get to. I section my hair into 4 twists, dampen the roots and apply shampoo. Then, I massage the shampoo well into my scalp before getting into the shower and rinsing with cool water.
looking in the mirror helps me deeply cleanse my scalp and catch any parts I wouldn’t usually get to
STEP 3 DEEP CONDITION: Detangle, steam treatment
While my hair’s still wet and completely cleansed, I apply a deep conditioner or treatment depending on what I feel my hair needs. I apply this generously in sections whilst finger detangling. I like to detangle while my hair is soaked in product since it’s easier to glide my fingers through the curls and unknot my hair. Once my hair is coated in the treatment, I cover it with two plastic bags to keep in the heat and leave in for around 20-30 minutes before rinsing out.
STEP 4 STYLE: Moisturize, apply styling gel
Time to style! I keep it simple with my wash and go styling, I simply section the hair while it is still wet using a moisturizing leave-in. I saturate my curls, working the leave-in through. I apply a lot of product on my washday since I don’t apply product daily. This usually keeps my hair moisturised for the next 3 days. Next, I add a small amount of styling gel or crème to the sections.
STEP 5 DRYING: Diffuse, define, go!
In the winter I have to use a diffuser especially if I have somewhere to go, the cold weather in the UK and wet hair usually result in a flu! I avoid this by diffusing. I use a cool setting to avoid frizz. This results in a fresh scalp and clean, defined curls. This is my weekly routine. However, I usually switch my cleansing and treatment products monthly.
Watch my video
How does your cleansing routine differ from mine?
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel, UK Curly Girl.
The flesh of avocado is often used for deep conditioning treatments particularly effective on dry, thick, and coarse curly to coily hair. If “doing it yourself” isn’t your thing, try one of these store-bought deep conditioners with avocado oil or butter.
Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment
This is a pre-shampoo treatment made with natural ingredients like Avocado, Olive oil and Almond oil. They penetrate deep into the hair shaft, instead of leaving an oily film on the hair’s surface. You will be left with shiny and healthy-looking hair. This treatment is especially good for those who colour and heat style their hair as it helps to treat the damage.
Lush R&B Hair Treatment
This natural conditioner is made especially for curly hair; it is infused with organic avocado butter to hydrate the hair and restore health. The mix of butters and oils give it a thick consistency that you can soak your entire hair in. The jojoba and extra virgin coconut oil combination helps to moisturize, calm, and balance the scalp’s natural oil production. The results are in truly healthy hair from the inside out.
Lavera Mango & Avocado Colour & Shine Treatment
The name sounds like something you would enjoy eating. This organic extract treatment is best used on hair that has been color-treated with full or partial highlights. It also is great for those with damage from colour as both the mango and avocado give deep care and shine to your strands.
Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak
One of the many hair repair masques from the Khiehl’s brand, this one contains avocado oil mixed in with haircare essentials like olive and fruit oils. This mask is perfect for undernourished tresses and heat damage as it strengthens along with moisturises. Using this treatment consistently will improve hair’s appearance as well as protect it from sun exposure and other external abuses.
Toque Magico Emergencia Volume Control And Softening Deep Acting Mask
This Dominican classic is a favourite for some curly hair transitioners and acts as a deep treatment mask for dry hair. The first three ingredients are Water, Avocado Oil and Olive oil, which screams out moisture! It acts as a frizz controller and softens the hair.
Bear Fruit Hair Banana Avocado Conditioner
This all-natural deep conditioners first ingredient is Avocado oil. Followed in the top 5 ingredients by banana, this conditioner serves moisture retention and is nourishing for dry hair. You can soak your curls in this conditioner for hours and let the added coconut oil, palm fruit oil and Shea butter work its magic.
Universal La Bomba Ultra Conditioning Deep Treatment With Avocado Cream
Another Dominican treatment made from special oils, vitamins and proteins to strengthen and nourish the hair. This product is especially useful for curlies with chemical damage and over exposure to the sun. This works best when applied on washed hair and sat under a dryer/heated cap for 10-20 minutes.
Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner – Sleek & Shine 3 Minute Masque
It’s specially created to smooth dry, unmanageable hair and contains an innovative combination of apricot and avocado oils, and vitamins B3 and B6. It is a 3-minute, rinseable masque that helps tame frizz. It intensely moisturizes to smooth even the most unruly hair.
Beauty Formulas Avocado Treatment Wax
This product contains protein so will help to strengthen the hair especially good for those with major damage and weak curls. It contains pure avocado oil to help with the repair and great for giving your hair added shine. It has a thick consistency and can be used on the hair for 10-15 minutes wrapped in a warm towel or shower cap (no dry direct heat”>.
Giovanni 2chic ‘Avocado & Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Deep Moisture Mask
From the natural curly hair popular brand Giovanni, this Avocado-infused moisture mask mixes with olive oil to give ultimate moisturising results! The rich formula with Aloe Vera, Shea Butter and Fruit oil helps to improve the hair’s dry and rough exterior along with repairing extreme damage like breakage and split ends.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
This cruelty free and natural-derived brand is a popular in the naturally curly community. The mask is made up of Avocado mixed with keratin protein, rosehip oil, aloe and argan oils. Along with essentials and vitamins that promote health and hair growth. This mask is also great for those with lifeless and dry hair caused by colour, chemicals, heat and climate.
All of the above deep conditioners including avocado butter and oil stress the hydration that they will give to your curls! I personally highly recommend adding Avocado (oil or butter”> to your list of essential ingredients to look out for in products if you suffer from dry, damaged, coarse or color-treated curls. Want a daily conditioner that contains nutritional avocado? Refer to this list for our suggestions.
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Hair loss is something that we all worry about at some point in our hair journeys, many worry that too much hair is falling out into their combs or brushes when detangling. It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but if you are dealing with extreme amounts of hair loss then there are a few lifestyle factors that you can examine, and one of those is your diet.
If you are on or are considering a plant-based diet, you will want to consider the nutrients from meats and dairy that you no longer receive and find ways to incorporate them into a plant-based one. Planning your meals around getting all of your necessary nutrients is of course important for your health, but failing to do this can also lead to excessive hair loss. Surely that isn’t part of your healthy hair goals, so make sure you incorporate these things in your diet to avoid a deficiency.
VITAMIN B12
This nutrient is only available in foods that come from animals–meats, fish, and poultry. If you are on a plant-based diet, this can be a problem. You are at risk of a deficiency, which can in turn cause hair loss and a dry, scaly scalp. Include this in your diet through fortified cereals and grains, or by taking a Vitamin B12 shot or supplements regularly.
IRON
Iron in plant-based foods is lower and less available for use by the body than iron that is derived from animal sources. Lack of iron causes fatigue, weakness, and hair loss. You should be consuming 18mg of iron a day. Whilst consuming iron-rich meals you can enhance the absorption by consuming vitamin C also for example eat greens and beans with fruit or fruit juices.
PROTEIN
Most foods included in a vegan diet are filled with protein like grains, beans, nuts and vegetables so you probably won’t have a problem with a deficiency in protein. Remember, it is incredibly important for the growth of hair and the strength. Our hair is made up of over 90 percent of the protein best known as keratin, so you may do a hair protein treatment to replenish its strength in addition to consuming it in foods or supplements.
Vegan? Do this.
Enhance your texture’s elasticity and strength by can increasing your Omega-3 fatty acids intake. If you avoid meats, choose tofu, canola oil and flaxseed oil. Chia seeds work with you to resist breakage and promotes growth as they are rich in calcium, iron and B vitamins. Almonds are a great source of protein and vitamin E, improving collagen for hair strength, moisture and elasticity. Cacao is a superfood rich in iron, zinc, protein, and sulphur. You can consume this as a raw powder each day on your meals (add some to your breakfast smoothie”>.If you feel that you have a good diet and are still experiencing hair loss you may want to speak to your Doctor as other life factors like stress or illness could be causing the change in hair loss. Supplements can be recommended if needed.
Next: 4 Essential Vitamins For Healthy Hair
Who doesn’t aspire for soft and bouncy curls? However, it can be a problem when you have curly hair, due to it being prone to dryness. Some of our favorite curl defining styling products also makes our curls hard, too. Check out the following 5 methods that can give you the softness you’ve been longing for.
1″> Rake & Shake Method
Keeping everything light, this method was created by a curly hair stylist from Ouidad. It consists of you applying a lightweight styler with a lot of slip like Kinky Curly Knot Today, running it through your fingers through a small section of your hair as if your hand was a rake.
Rake the hair two times but on the second you want to hold onto your ends and shake them back and forth automatically separating and forming your natural curl pattern. The shaking helps to get rid of any crunch leaving you with softer curls.
2″> The LOC/LCO Method
The LOC/LCO methods are a simple 3-step system that will provide your curls with long lasting moisture and definition. This method is used mostly in the winter time.
The L stands for liquid/water, O stands for oil and C for cream/butter. After washing, style with water or a leave-in conditioner (both work, it just depends on your hair’s needs”> add an oil to seal in the moisture and then a curling cream or moisturizing butter. Some curlies prefer to apply the oil after the cream.
3″> The Praying Hands Method
This is a method you probably have already used during your hair journey. Often, we apply too much product and get crunchy curls, but by styling using praying hands, you can distribute the product from root to tip evenly without over doing any section.
Place your hands over a section of your hair in the prayer position (with your hair in-between both hands”> and simply slide down from the roots to the ends. This also works great whilst your hair is dry, apply a light oil to your palms and do the praying hands method in sections around your hair to add long-lasting smoothness and stretch out the hair.
4″> The No-Poo/Curly Girl Method
The No-Poo method is the famous curly girl method created by Lorraine Massey, which consists of washing your curls without shampoo! In other words co-washing, washing with a conditioner, this can contribute highly to softer curls as you avoid the dryness that shampoo can cause to curly hair.
When choosing a conditioner for the No-Poo method make sure to look out for ingredients like honey, vegetable glycerine, panthenol, aloe vera and nut butters as they will naturally soften and moisturise curly hair. You apply the conditioner from the roots upwards; detangle, massage and rinse to reveal refreshed soft hair.
5″> The Plopping Method
This method was born on NaturallyCurly forums! Using a soft t-shirt or microfiber towel, simply plop your wet and styled hair until it’s almost completely dry. This gets rid of the excess water while avoiding adding tension or frizz to your curls. Standard towels are harsh on the hair shaft and cause curly hair to frizz up so switch to a t-shirt or microfiber towel to soften your curls.
Plopping time usually is 10 minutes and you can then go in with a diffuser or continue to air dry. You can also keep your hair in the t-shirt or microfiber towel for overnight drying allowing the water to soak up and moisture to penetrate your curls.
What method will you be using to get softer curls this winter?
