Search Results: Shannon
Christmas is on its way! Starting a natural hair journey and up keeping natural hair can be a lot to deal with, but there are so many cool tools that can make your life easier, and I have put together a list of 7 treasures you or your natural curly loved one will adore this holiday season.
1″> Q-Redew Handheld Steamer
If you have the capacity, one of these make a great solution for dry, broken hair. A steamer will do so much more for your hair than a deep conditioner can. The two together work like magic as the steam allows the treatment to penetrate fully into your strands giving your hair maximum moisture. This steamer is handheld, which is great for curly hair (you can get deep into your thick roots and are not restricted unlike the steamers with a hood”>.
2″> Hot Head Thermal Haircare Deep Conditioning Cap
A favorite of mine, this cute bonnet is full of magical natural flax seeds that warm up–this means wireless deep conditioning sessions. Throw it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, apply your deep conditioner cover with one or two of the provided shower caps and add the ‘hot head’ on top. Simple!
3″> O So Curly Pillowcase
This is something we all should have. This accessory saves you from waking up in the middle of the night searching for your headscarf! It is a satin pillowcase that acts as two in one–one side is black and the other is white, so you can switch it up.Available from the O So Curly website and ships worldwide.
4″> SLAPS
This is an alternative for the ‘on the go’ naturals. Have a protective style and no time to take it down? It’s fine–SLAPS (satin lined caps”> have the solution throw on the satin lined and keep it moving. They come in many different colors to suit your fancy and keep your hair In tact.
5″> TIANA Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
A curly girl’s dream! I know I would be ecstatic to receive one of these bad boys. Such a simple but much appreciated gift. The benefits of coconut oil are endless, from skincare to haircare. This tub will give you everything you need, and you can get your hands on one of these giant tubs at a local health store.
6″> Curlformers
On your natural hair journey? Want a change but do not want to bring out the tongs! Try Curlformers these tools are a heatless way of manipulating your curl texture; they have a bunch of different curl styles and kits to suit your needs. A great gift for Christmas and a must have for the party season.
7″> Denman Brush
Perfect gift for someone who doesn’t enjoy detangling! The Denman brush can be altered to your liking and is so smooth on natural hair when used whilst the hair is wet. It is also so affordable and widely available in most local drug and beauty stores.
What’s on your natural hair gift list this Christmas?
[prodmod]
You may or may not have heard of Bouclème, as it is a fairly new UK brand of curly hair products. Owner Michele is a curly girl herself, and started the company after battling with her own curls. She now has curly kiddies that have inspired her to embark on her own healthy hair journey.
This eco-friendly line of products are based in the UK and contain natural moisturizers like argan oil, coconut oil, honey, and aloe vera.
Bouclème has a simple “cleanse, condition, and define” three-step system.
These eco-friendly products are meant to restore moisture and life into naturally dry, curly hair. The brand uses fair trade ingredients in their products whenever possible, which contain no harsh chemicals and is eco-certified and tested on real hair (not animals”>! The products contain great natural moisturisers like argan oil, coconut oil, honey, and aloe vera.
Curl Cleanser, £15
read more reviews here
This cleanser reminds me of the Devacurl No Poo because of its fresh scent and softness. I enjoyed using it as a co-wash. The no lather made me feel like I was pampering my scalp; at the same time being able to free it from dirt and slight build-up. I’d say this product is great for those who get greasy scalp or sweat a lot–it was gentle enough for me to use everyday.
Curl Conditioner, £17
read more reviews here
This leave-in is amazing. I have used it a lot, applying section by section for immediate definition. It smells amazingly fruity, which may be thanks to the sweet orange and fruit oils. This conditioner is supposed to leave your hair moisturized for two to three days. For that reason, I didn’t have to follow-up with anything else in my regimen. But if you want a great, longer lasting wash & go, I’d recommend using the styling gel.
Curl Defining Gel, £15
read more reviews here
This felt more like oil; its consistency is so light and watery you would never guess that it was a gel! I only needed a small amount to add to my crown. Both the conditioner and gel together left my curls with the greatest definition I’ve ever had. As a result, it did leave me with some flakes the first time. To combat this, I sealed with coconut oil after applying the products and it softened up my curls and prevented any flakes from happening.
More Bouclème products that I haven’t tried yet:
Bouclème has a new product I haven’t tried yet, The Hydrating Hair Cleanser. It has a slight lather for those who want a deeper cleanse. It includes a high sea salt content to nourish curls and promote hair growth by boosting blood circulation.
This line also has an Organic Curl Towel that is curly friendly–it doesn’t disturb your curls or create frizz or dryness, unlike normal terry cloth towels.
Where to buy:
- British Curlies for UK readers
- Bouclème website ships internationally
- Ayla for US readers
Overall, I was really impressed with the Bouclème brand. I love how moisturized my curls have felt and looked even days after my last wash and style. Have you tried Bouclème products?
One of the many advantages of having curly hair is that we have so much room for improvement and experimentation of styles. We often have to mix and match different products together to get our desired look. Most of the time just one products doesn’t provide our hair with enough even though it would be great for our bank accounts unfortunately there isn’t one magic product that can do everything for your hair.
Of course, different hair types require different levels of moisture and hold. Take advantage of the many styling articles on NaturallyCurly.com and read the directions on your product labels, as they may recommend which products you should pair them with for the perfect cocktail. If you are stuck and don’t know where to start, use these 3 basic examples as a starting point for cocktailing curly cocktails that work well for 3 popular curly hairstyles!
1. Sleek Bun
- Ingredients: Ecoco Styler Gel and CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste.
Curly hair is not the easiest to tame so to get the perfect sleek bun you will need products that give your curls extra hold.
Use around a dime sized amount of the gel and smooth onto the hair that needs sleeking back (do not over do it as you may cause fakes from the build up of products”>. Use a bristle brush to pull the hairs back into a bun. To finish the style, put some of the edge control on your finger tip and rub it into your baby hairs. This will tame them and make the bun look more presentable.
2. Shiny Twist-Out
- Ingredients: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk, SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and a light oil of your choice.
Twist-outs require cocktailing for perfect results. You need a mix of a moisturizer and a product with hold that will leave your hair soft when taken down.
Section freshly washed wet hair and apply your leave-in whilst detangling. Next, apply the curl enhancing smoothie on top of the leave-in and start twisting. Once your hair is dry apply a light oil of your choice to your fingertips and take your twists down.
3. Defined Wash-And-Go
- Ingredients: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In and Hydratherma Naturals Aloe Curl Enhancing Twisting Cream.
The key to a great wash and go is to style when your hair is wet and not just damp. Apply your leave-in generously and then follow up with your curl cream. Make sure that the curl cream reaches every strand by finger combing it through section by section. You then can scrunch up the ends for added volume. Leave to air dry or diffuse on a low heat.
These 3 simple cocktails will leave you with soft, defined, moisturized curls that are picture ready. Adjustments are more than welcome.
[prodmod]
Follow me online @UKCurlyGirl
Have you found the perfect cocktail for your unique hair yet?
I started my natural hair transitioning journey back in 2013 after 5 years of semi-relaxing my hair.
It took me 18 months to feel comfortable enough to cut off the last pieces of my relaxed, damaged hair. Recovering from any kind of chemical or heat damage can be a difficult process, but with the proper care, products, and techniques, you can make your transition a bit easier.
Here are two common questions I get from NaturallyCurly.com readers:
1. What is the best curl defining product for transitioning hair?
Curl definition is something we all want and cannot wait to achieve with our natural hair. During the transitioning process, it can be really difficult to get this right. I recommend using the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. This product was a great help for me due to its ability to define my curls without making them ever feel or look dry, crunchy, and flaky.
If you are at a stage in which the two hair textures are noticeable, I am sorry to say that no product is going to magically give you defined and uniform curls. There is another route to to take for uniformity, though.
I wasn’t able to wear my hair in a wash-and-go for around a year whilst transitioning.
Create a twist-out, braid-out, or other heatless stretched style using the curl enhancing smoothie. The product will create the illusion of an even curl pattern that is fully transitioned. Let me be the first to say, you will know when your hair is in the right stage to ditch any manipulative styles. Here are other products that are similar to the Curl Enhancing Smoothie:
Hydratherma Naturals Aloe Twisting Cream is lightweight and has amazing hold–no flakes or crunch. It’s perfect for twist-outs (see my tutorial above”>.
Cantu Coconut Curling Cream smells amazing and is a heavier cream that will really coat and moisturize your transitioning hair. It gives the hair definition when used with a Denman Brush or finger detangling.
2. Is there a cheap (but effective”> hair routine for transitioning hair?
The great thing about natural hair is that you can care for it with natural ingredients. You can pick up transitioning hair-reviving ingredients just about anywhere–and for dirt-cheap! Caring for your unique natural hair is all about trial and error, but it’s a fun process finding out which ingredients and curly cocktails work well for you.
Coconut oil
You can buy a big jar of this for a maximum of £10 (depending on the size”> and use it for literally everything. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and sealant for your damaged ends. You can also use this for your well-needed deep conditioning treatments. It works well for revitalizing damaged, weak transitioning hair.
Raw Shea Butter
This all natural butter is found in many natural hair products because of its intense moisturizing abilities to the scalp and hair. It is also great for sealing in moisture after washing. I love using it on my ends. You can also pick this up at your local hair stores or online for not a lot of money. Shea butter is a great base for cocktailing (or mixing”> with other ingredients for the perfect curl quenching recipe.
Eggs
This ingredient is perfect as a DIY protein treatment, which is an important part of your transitioning regimen (do one every 6 weeks until you are fully natural”>. This will probably already be in your fridge so you won’t be out of pocket! Just mix up some raw egg yolk in a bowl, apply the mixture to your freshly washed hair like you would a deep conditioner, cover with a plastic cap or bag, leave on the hair for 10-30 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. This will help strengthen your hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Found in your local supermarket, this will be your go-to clarifier and scalp reliever. This vinegar may smell appalling but it’s great for refreshing dull hair and removing gritty product build-up and dandruff. Be sure to dilute it with water before application.
If you don’t fancy the whole DIY side of things and would like to purchase some inexpensive but good curly hair products, I am a fan of these:
Tresemme Naturals Conditioner is under £5! It comes in a great sized bottle and is great for detangling and co-washing but is not as harsh as a shampoo. Remember, while you are transitioning to natural hair, you should avoid drying out the hair whilst transitioning.
Cantu Hair products are also an affordable and trusty line, ensuring maximum moisture and tons of options for styling. They have everything you need, from cleansers, deep treatments, leave-in and stylers. Each product is usually maximum £5-6 in the UK.
To all my fellow curly hair transitioners, stick it out!
You will love your end results–I promise, it is worth it. Do you have a question for the NaturallyCurly community? Visit our Q&A section to ask it.
In this tutorial I will be showing you how I create finger coils that match a perm rod set by using just my hands. If you’re not for using a lot of hair tools, this is perfect for you.
Styling Time
This will take you 30 to 45 minutes depending on your hair length and how fast you are at coiling.
Products Used
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil ‘Leave-In’
- Hydratherma Naturals ‘Aloe Curl Enhancing Twisting Cream’
- Coconut Oil
Steps
Begin with freshly washed hair that is still wet (that is the key to this routine”>.
Section your hair into 2 halves and apply your leave-in conditioner generously. I do this whilst finger detangling.
Section your hair in 4 parts–2 up top, 2 on the bottom.
To create a perfect finger coil, apply a palm full of the cream and start on a tiny section of hair from the roots.
Twirl the section around your finger down to the end.
Repeat this step all over.
Leave your coils alone and air dry. You may also diffuse them on a cool heat setting to speed up the process.
Apply coconut oil to your fingertips and begin to carefully separate your coils to add frizz-free volume.
That’s it–cute coils with no heat styling tools and a fuss-free styling routine! This look is versatile for everyday wear and perfect for special occasions. Depending on your preferences and styling maintenance, your finger coils will last for days without needing a touch-up.
Watch my full video tutorial
Our hairstyle choices have an impact on our first impressions. If you’re looking for a few easy changes you can make to look more youthful or even just well-rested, stay away from these aging hair habits.
1. BLUNT HAIRCUTS
Blunt line haircuts in which the hair is all one length can make your hair look heavy and shapeless. Strategically placed layers can help to avoid triangle head, and light bouncy curls will keep your look playful and youthful. For a style that does not weigh your curls, coils or waves down it is important to find a stylist who specializes in curly cuts. If you have yet to find a stylist you love, you can read this list of 15 of the best curly stylists all over the world, or use our Salon Finder to read reviews of salons and stylists in your area.
2. SKIPPING TRIMS
Many of us literally dream of having long, curly hair. Still, the reality is that the length will eventually drag your hair down, giving you less volume (and pulling your facial features down with it”>, and neglected ends will give your hair a dry and unhealthy appearance. Trims are essential to preventing breakage and knots, and hair that is regularly trimmed in effect looks healthier because the ends are the oldest parts of our hair and holding on to thin, split ends takes away from the overall look.
3. GREY HAIR
Whether you rock your naturally grey hair or are taking part in the grey dye trend, toning your grey with blue or violet undertones will keep your look fresh and fashionable. Yellow tones in grey hair can be aging and can also be unflattering for certain skin tone features like dark undereye circles. Give your grey hair a cool tone by incorporating a toning shampoo into your regimen like the popular Clairol Shimmer Lights, Lush Daddy-O or Unite Blonda Toning Shampoo.
4. COMPLICATED UPDOS
Your hairstyle choices can have a huge impact on how old you look. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles that work with your loose, free curls (wash-and-gos”> rather than overbearing twisted or braided up-dos. Give yourself an easygoing, youthful appearance with an imperfect ponytail, pineapple, puff, or messy bun that feels fun and effortless.
5. DRY, DAMAGED HAIR
Dry damaged hair never looks attractive, no matter your age. Our scalp’s natural oils often find it difficult to make their way down the hair shaft, which results in dryness (especially in curly hair”>. To prevent this, make sure to moisturize your hair generously. Deep condition at least twice a month to give your curls extra hydration. For instant results and softer hair, try a bentonite clay mask. Tip #2 will also help you greatly here.
6. PRODUCT OVERLOAD
Using too many products at once can make your hair look and feel very heavy and stiff. Many of us curlies can get a little obsessive with products–but in this case, less is more! If you feel using less products has left your hair feeling dry and flat, use a clarifying treatment for a clean canvas and then start adding an oil or serum to your styling routine only once it is dry for softness and to seal in your moisture.
[prodmod]
We asked 4 curly hair specialists which haircut they’re receiving the most requests for this season, here’s what they said.
Leslie Ellen Abbate Salon, NYC
“What I have been seeing a lot of is a trend of long hair with little to no layering being brought up to about the collarbone length or slightly longer and being layered a lot. A feeling of modified disco hair–if I dare say–big fun, playful hair!”
,0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15″>; margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% – 2px”>;” data-instgrm-version=”4″>
Oasis Salon, Rockville, MD
“At this time of year, a lot of curlies are asking for shorter cuts–shoulder length with a higher back and longer or asymmetrical front. Also, for super tight curls, they don’t want to lose much length, but want some kind of shape.
Then of course, another trend is color…for Americans, more daring color is becoming popular. I attribute this to youngsters now being a stronger presence in the workforce; as a result styles that are a bit more edgy are acceptable in the work force.”
Aphrodite’s Sanctuary, Toronto, ON, Canada
“The most popular cut that I do is the DevaCut. It is a dry cut specifically designed to make curls look their best. Who wouldn’t want that? I get my clients to flip forward and back, side to side so I can cut each curl where it will naturally fall so they get the best cut possible.”
Tangles Pasadena Salon, Pasadena, CA
“Soft A-lines and curly pixies. It’s so much fun for us to empower these curly hair women to rock shorter cuts. Us hearing “I need to keep it long to weigh it down” is long gone. With the right products we can not only control frizzy curl but also enhance the wave.”
Trying to figure out which salon in your area specializes in curly hair?
Visit our curly salon database and read thousands of reviews here.
What hair trends are you noticing in your area? What will your next salon request be?
Get yourself familiar with the new beauty trend, sugaring! Unfortunately it doesn’t involve you being able to eat the sugar but it is a great alternative to waxing. This natural hair removing method however isn’t anywhere near new, the technique of sugaring started in Persia back in 1900 BC! It is a well known Middle Eastern natural beauty secret that is affordable and earth friendly.
What is sugaring?
Sugaring involves a mixture that consists of melted sugar and honey as a wax alternative. A common modified recipe uses sugar, lemon and hot water. Apply the mixture to the area of hair and rip off as usual. The greatest thing about the sugar and honey is that they do not stick to the skin like hot wax does, instead it grabs your hair follicles from the roots and pulls them out instead of breaking them halfway, which can causes pain and ingrown hairs.
After a few sugaring sessions, the hair’s follicle will begin to diminish as it can extract the hair in its earliest growth phase. What does this mean for you? That there is a great chance of no more hair in those stubborn areas! This is even something that you can do at home. It is inexpensive and uses only 3 simple ingredients (that you will have already lying around the house”>. Laser hair removal who?
Is it better than usual waxing and laser hair removal?
Sugaring is the better alternative to waxing as the ready-made wax you buy or is used in salons contains strong chemicals, fragrances, dyes and preservatives. The wax is also usually warmed up which causes swelling when applied to the skin and if you have sensitive skin this can cause burning and scarring. Sugaring avoids this as sugar cannot stick onto skin cells as they are wet and sugar paste is water soluble, Perfect!
Waxing is a fear of many due to the possible pain you go through when the it is being ripped off. Sugaring makes the removal of the most painful areas such as bikini line, upper lip and chest much more bearable–this is due to less heat, which reduces the chance of skin irritation.
Do it yourself
Many beauty salons are starting to learn the practice of sugaring and offer this service. It is also something that you can master on your own at home.
- Tip: Make sure that the area you will be removing hair from is well exfoliated and not oily. After removing the hair avoid the Gym, exfoliation, sauna and hot water on the area for at least 48 hours.
Here is a great tutorial on how sugaring is done properly
Would you try the sugaring technique?
The term ‘multiracial salon’ sounds alien to me.
Coming from South London, I live in a very multicultural city but my part of London, the home of (Brixton, Lewisham, Streatham”> can be deemed as urban and black/Asian. While driving through these areas, you will see rows of markets, black hair salons, black hair product stores, Asian beauty salons, and black barber shops on the high streets. It’s almost like we are forced to be separate from white people when it comes to hair and beauty.
Recently, Racked contributor Nadra Nittle published an article titled Hair is Hair: Making the Case For Multiracial Salons article. It brings me back to past memories of being a child and needing my hair done.My mother, who is white, would visit any hair salon when I was younger. For a treat, she went to a high-end salon like Toni & Guy or RUSH. When I wanted my hair straightened like hers, she would ask them if they would be able to do mine so that we could have our hair done together–mother and daughter bonding time. However, we were always met with a “hold on let me ask my manager” or “No, we don’t deal with that type of hair”. Sometimes, they would admit, “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
These responses left me feeling insecure. We then had to find salons that specialized in ‘Black hair’.
As a person of mixed origin, this is something that bothered me. The fact that I found it so hard to find products in mainstream stores and even hair stylists in high street salons–it was always an effort when it came to my hair compared to my mother’s. This is partly the reason why I now blog about my hair type as for years I have struggled with dealing with it.
“But these hairdressers didn’t always provide a full range of services, such as relaxers, to black patrons, so I opted for black salons,” Nadra Nittle states. Let’s be completely honest with ourselves. Most of our experiences growing up visiting black hair salons were interesting to say the least. But we’ve had to learn to accept the way it worked back then.
I’m sure we have all been through the frustration of having a booked time but still having to wait as stylists are in the middle of styling someone else’s hair or being judged and stared at as soon as you walk in–along with secretly not liking your hair when it’s done and not daring to voice it (lol”>. In my opinion, it all comes back to us wishing we could just be catered too in all hair salons so we don’t have to feel marginalised to just one kind.
In my opinion, it all comes back to us wishing we could just be catered to in all hair salons so we don’t have to feel marginalised to just one kind.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things I enjoy about Black salons!
From the music, to the great conversations, to becoming more more educated about my hair, I love it. But it would be great if this were an experience we could enjoy everywhere! The problem lies with the industry standards too, as mentioned in the Racked article. Recently, I spoke to a white curly hair specialist who styled my hair. She shared with me that she was also appalled after working in mainstream salons that they did not know how to deal with curly hair or afro hair and were not required to. This is what fueled her to start her own business that caters specifically to curlies to help get rid of the ‘discrimination’ of different hair types which in this day and age is ridiculous.
A black stylist shouldn’t be the only stylist who can deal with Black hair. A stylist of any background should also be taught the science and versatility of black hair, as it would expand their skillset and clientele!
To sum it up, I would have to agree that multiracial salons should exist–especially with the rise in mixed race couples and families. Call me unrealistic, but it would be nice for us all to be served together and be one big happy hair family. As long as stylists are taught to appreciate every hair type and do not underplay the true roots of black hair then I would see this as a very positive change.
Do you agree that multiracial salons should exist? What does that phrase mean to you?
Silicones have created such a huge debate amongst the naturally curly hair community. These ingredients tend to get a bad rap when used in hair and skincare products because some silicones block all moisture out of the hair cuticles, causing dry, brittle or sticky curls. However, there is one silicone in particular that can be beneficial to hair during the summer months. It acts as a heat protectant and works wonders for frizz-prone, textured hair, and you may recognize the name, “dimethicone.”
Dimethicone’s pretty popular, actually
You will find Dimethicone in a large range of beauty and hair products usually within the first five ingredients after water. This is due to its slick lubricating coat that helps with detangling hair and smoothing any imperfections on the skin. Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer, meaning that it is “a molecule made up of several smaller units bonded together” says Dr. Frank Lipman. It provides curls with sleekness and shine, and is mostly used in conditioners, stylers, and detanglers.
This ingredient coats the hair strands creating a barrier against the humidity. As we all know, humidity and a high dew point cause curly hair to have more frizz, especially in the summertime. This is due to the larger number of water molecules in the air. These molecules create a bond on the hair causing the hair to fold back on itself at a greater rate, which we experience as frizz.
It blocks humidity and prevents frizz.
Dimethicone coats the hair strands, creating a barrier against the humidity. Humidity affects curly hair in the summer time due to the higher number of water molecules in the air. Its bond on the hair causes the hair to fold back on itself at a greater rate (commonly known as a frizz halo”>.
If your hair frizzes and poofs up quickly outside in the heat, try a hair serum or heat protector that contains Dimethicone to reduce shrinkage and frizz. This works by sealing moisture in and out of the hair shaft, preventing frizzies from sticking out of the hair.
Still, many curlies avoid it
Since Dimethicone is not water soluble, your scalp is prone to more build-up that sometimes cannot be rinsed away easily. Dimethicone sticks to hair strands, and to remove them you have to use a shampoo with sulfates or a cleanser/no-poo with the ingredient ‘Cocamidopropyl betaine’ in it.
Many curlies avoid both silicones and sulfates in their curly hair regimen, but not all silicones across the board are non water soluble. One way to enjoy the benefits of Dimethicone without resorting to the use of sulfates is to use products that contain the ingredient ‘Dimethicone Copolyol’ –this type of silicone is water-soluble and will give you less build-up and can be rinsed out with the water washing method.
Popular curly hair products (with Dimethicone”>
Many of the Holy Grail hair products that are often reviewed and praised in the curly hair community actually contain Dimethicone, you may even find the common ingredient on the labels of your favorite products:
- Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment, $13 at Walgreens
- Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner, $26 in Curlmart
- Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, $20 in Curlmart
- Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Fortifying Cream Conditioner, $3 at Walmart
Here is a list of water soluble and non soluble silicones, so you can decide for yourself if your hair products require the use of a sulfate cleanser or not.
Water Soluble Silicones
- Dimethicone Copolyol
- Lauryl Methicone Copolyol
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein (Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane”>
- Any silicone with PEG as a prefix
Non Soluble (not water soluble”>
- Trimethylsilyl Amodimethicone
- Dimethicone
- Phenyl Trimethicone
- Cetearyl Methicone
- Dimethiconol
- Amodimethicone
- Stearyl Dimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Cetyl Dimethicone
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Behenoxy Dimethicone
- Stearoxy Dimethicone
Do you avoid products that contain Dimethicone? Or do you find that they help reduce your frizz?
[prodmod]
Hair rinsing is an effective way to maintain your curly hair. But since blonde hair (both natural and color-treated”> tends to react differently to other ingredients, hair rinses are usually avoided. Once going lighter, it is important to take extra steps to really maintain the color and condition of your hair after washes. These hair rinses are blonde-hair friendly, filled with nourishing antioxidants and free from any chemicals or preservatives that might chemically alter the state of your hair color. Use these rinses after cleansing your hair and in place of the usual rinse-out conditioner. You can find these ingredients in the herbs and tea section of your local grocery store.
Linden-Flower Rinse
Blonde hair can be very prone to dryness and Linden-Flower is perfect for dealing with this. The Linden-Flower rinse will help to promote growth and strengthen the hair.
- Boil 2 tablespoons of linden-flowers and simmer until cool. Strain the mixture and add to a spray bottle. Use the rinse after washing your hair and massage into the scalp.
Chamomile Tea Rinse
Chamomile tea has many hair benefits such as calming down the scalp, softening the hair and giving shine. When it comes to using a Chamomile tea rinse on blonde hair it works as a natural and healthy lightener for colour treated hair. If you want to keep your blonde hair vibrant try the following rinse once a week if your hair colour needs a pick me up! It great for bringing out blonde highlights!
- Once a month, boil 2 cups of water and steep 2 bags of chamomile tea and either spray or pour through your hair. Let it sit in your hair for 5 minutes before rinsing out with cold water.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are a great quick fix for fighting dandruff and removing excessive scalp buildup. Along with its antibacterial fighting properties, it is also known to give your hair shine. The vinegar in the rinse closes the hairs cuticle resulting in sunlight reflecting off your curls!!- Mix some Apple Cider Vinegar and water together in a spray bottle. After cleansing your hair, spray your hair with the mixture and massage into the scalp and use as a clarifier. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Do this once every month.
Champagne Rinse
It may sound off the wall but a champagne rinse can actually enhance gold/blonde tones in the hair. The antioxidants from the grapes made to use bubbly are great for achieving smooth and shiny has also! Side note: don’t waste the good stuff on your hair! Opting for a cheaper bottle for your hair works just as well.
- Mix one-half hot water and one-half champagne in a spray bottle, distribute the mix all over your hair and then rinse.
Rhubarb Root Rinse
Rhubarb root has a long history of medical use! This plant is full of calcium, fibre and vitamins. You can use this as a rinse to naturally lighten the hair a shade or two! Stay away if your blonde hair is already light–think platinum–as this rinse can darken it!
- Let some rhubarb root boil in a non-metal pot for an hour. Let it cool down and strain through a sieve. With a spray bottle, apply this mixture and rinse after washing your hair. Rinse with this a few times to get the colour and leave your hair to air dry.
Have you tried any of these rinses on your blonde curls? Let us know how they turned out.
After transitioning for just over 2 years I have experimented with twist-outs, braid-outs and bantu knots and admittedly, made so many errors.
Now that I have chopped the majority of my straight ends off, I can now truly enjoy twisting without the added perm rods! I decided to refresh an old wash-and-go as I felt my curls has dried out and lost their definition. To do this I decided to apply two-strand twists using a new product, Aloe Curl Enhancing Twist Cream by Hydratherma Naturals and the results were amazing. It was the best twist-out I have ever applied so I have put together some of my tips for getting the perfect twist-out.
1. Refresh an old wash-and-go with a twist-out. Your hair will be less defined for easier styling and manipulation. I find that applying twists straight after washing my hair can be a lot of work and hand strain when you have just been through detangling, cleansing and deep conditioning. #WashDayProblems
2. I started on dry hair and separated my hair into 4 sections on each side of my head. I sprayed each section that I was working on with water so that my hair was damp but not soaking wet. This helped the product to penetrate my hair and was easier for me to finger comb whilst twisting. I prefer to work with damp hair because it does not take as long to air dry, also.
3. Double up on products! If you are like me, you have thick hair and curls that dry out easily. So it is probably best to layer your products. I used the LOC method by dampening my hair, applying an oil and then a cream. This ensured my hair would still be moisturised the next day when I took down my twists.
4. Use products with hold and great natural ingredients. You do not want a twist-out that looks great to the eye but leaves your hair feeling sticky, flaky and dry. I used the Hydratherma Naturals Aloe Curl Enhancing Twist Cream.
5. Twist your hair a few hours before bed and then sleep with them under a satin scarf. This is essential if you want your twist-out to be perfect the next day! The satin wrap will help to set the style and seal in all of the moisture.
6. Remember to apply oil to your hands while taking down your twists, as you want to smooth your hair out and prevent any tension which can cause frizz.
This is what worked well for my 3b/c low porosity curls. How do you achieve the perfect twist-out? Visit Style Nook for more twist-out inspiration. And follow me on Instagram, @UKCurlyGirl
If you have a little extra money saved up for a trip to the salon this summer, why not fix that bad dye job you gave yourself last season? If your colorist uses one of these, they are nothing short of legit.
Pravana ChromaSILK
This brand includes 5 beautiful pastel shades including ‘Pretty in Pink’, ‘Luscious Lavender’, ‘Blissful Blue’, ‘Too Cute Coral’ and ‘Mystical Mint’. All great if you are looking for the Mermaid look. The pastels are also demi permanent and can be mixed for your perfect shade.
Goldwell TopChic Professional Hair Color
Looking for permanent hair colour? This brand has a range of intense colours from N shades, cool NA shades and TriFlective Naturals. The colours stay cool and even all over for long periods of time and offer 100% grey coverage.
Schwarzkopf Professional Essensity
A healthier option! This collection offers ammonia-free permanent oil colours. This range promotes healthy looking hair colours and protects against external influences resulting in natural shine and long lasting colour! The range includes 58 different shades.
Redken Color Fusion Advanced Hair Color
If you are looking for multi-dimensional hair colour this line is for you. This range has over 100 shades that can be used to lighten, darken, match natural hair colours and cover grey. Great for experimenting with high fashion shades also.
Sebastian Hair Color
Sebastian hair colour intensifies your initial hair colour giving it a boost. The colours are semi-permanent and include no peroxide or ammonia.
Joico Color Intensity
If you’re looking for dramatic hair colour this brand is for you! The Joico’s Color Intensity line has 5 new shades of blue, green, magenta and purple that are able to be mixed to create softer shades.
The test
I followed the instructions and found out that I have low porosity, great! But now what? Scientifically, low porosity hair is “‘hydrophobic’ meaning it repels water from its surface.” So, that explains why your hair might really dry out in the sun, swimming and after using chemicals. My hair was highly affected by my bleached blonde highlights.
What works for me
Diluting my conditioners with water in a spray bottle gives my hair more moisture so I like to avoid products that don’t include Aqua in the first 2-3 ingredients. I also try to apply my leave-in conditioner after washing my hair whilst I am still in the shower and my hair is soaking wet. I then wrap with a T-Shirt and begin to style after.
Rehydrating/misting my hair daily or when needed also helps to keep it soft and detangled. I have also found that my hair holds moisture more during a steamy environment. I once deep conditioned during a visit to my Gym’s steam room and it transformed my hair! This is now why I always make sure to add heat to my deep conditioners using a heat cap. The steam/heat binds the conditioner to your hair giving it maximum hydration and softness.
Pre-Poo treating my hair hours before my wash routine can benefit in a great and longer lasting wash and go! I like to penetrate my hair with Coconut oil or Olive Oil (A light oil is best for low porosity hair”>. I then detangle my hair gently and leave the oil on for a few hours or even sometimes overnight (wrapped in a shower cap, no one likes to wake up to oil stains on your pillowcase!”>.Products that help me
With these techniques I like to use products that will also add more moisture to the hair, after 2 years of transitioning I have found the following products to work well for moisturising my low porosity hair.
- Jessicurl Deep Treatment
- Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner
- Kinky Curly Knot Today
- SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
- Boucleme
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Bentonite Clay & Apple Cider Vinegar (to cleanse”>
- Big Hair Deep conditioning hair treatment
What has worked for you and your low porosity hair?
Tip: If you can’t find some of these brands in your local store, try visiting some of the larger stores in centres or in central London as they stock a bigger variety.
Dr. Bronner’s
Castile soap is a vegetable oil based soap, meaning it has no detergents. This soap is 100% natural including ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and extracts depending on which scent you choose. I personally enjoy using the tea tree soap, as it helps to soothe my itchy scalp. One of the many uses of this soap is to wash your hair! Make sure that you follow up with a conditioner to rinse out after so your hair becomes smoother and doesn’t tangle.
Avalon Organics
Avalon Organics is amazing! The rosemary conditioner leaves your hair feeling soft and shiny after rinsing out. I also love to co-wash with this product, as it allows me to detangle my curls easily. Just like Dr. Bronner’s, they also have a variety of scents. I would recommend the Peppermint Revitalizing Conditioner and Ylang Ylang Shine Conditioner.
A’Kin
A natural brand you may have not tried but should! These hair products are highly nourishing for the hair with there healing ingredients. If like me you are ingredient conscious, this brand is for you. The 24-hour Lavender Leave-in Conditioner looks like one to try if you suffer from dryness. Along with hair products there are a few other items you can find that will benefit your hair in many ways!
Aloe vera gel
This 99% natural aloe vera gel is amazing to use as a styler for curly hair. Aloe vera actually has many uses for hair including pre-poo, moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and hair growth! Aloe vera can unclog your hair follicles to promote growth.
This honey is another multiuse product you can find in store. It is great to add into your deep conditioning treatments to prevent split ends, buildup, and a dry scalp! Manuka honey is different than regular honey due to its antibacterial properties. It is used as an alternative medicine to treat infections, boils, and diabetic ulcers!
Coconut oil
No need to explain the benefits of this gem! Coconut oil is used for cooking, skin care, and hair. Holland and Barrett have a large selection of 100% natural coconut oils to choose from.
Have you tried these products?
UK Curly Girl gives us the heads up on 6 beauty brands in Europe that we should totally be jealous of not having on-the-ground access to.
Allura Hair Accessories
Allura provides hair accessories available in the 99p stores! They recently have introduced a dupe for Curlformers ‘Spiral Ringlet Rollers’ which is so worth a try if you need a quick fix and cannot afford a whole pack of Curlformers. You will be sure find all types of Allura ‘curly girl’ friendly accessories in your local Poundland.
Macadamia Oil Extract Conditioner
The Macadamia Oil Extract line is similar to the beloved ‘Macadamia Natural Oil’ products but less than half of the price tag as they are available in Poundland! This intense hydration conditioner includes coconut oil, macadamia nut, castor oil and olive oil.
Mellor and Russell – Argan Shine Hair Repair Mask
A cheap and cheerful deep conditioner for dry and damaged hair. This product is also available at 99p stores. I have not come across a hair repair mask at such a cheap price! The product contains great ingredients such as Argan Oil, Shea Butter Extract, Olive oil and Avocado oil.
Sleek Makeup
This amazing makeup brand was made with darker skin tones in mind! Catering from light all the way to dark ‘Sleek’ has made drugstore makeup available to brown skinned women! The affordable makeup is available at most local drugstores and superstores and creates amazing palettes for eyes, lips and face!
- Contour kit (£6.49″>, purchase online here
Superdrug Vitamin E range
Superdrug supplies there own name brand products and one that stands out is there affordable Vitamin E skin care range. Mists, Scrubs, Butters and Cleansers! This range even includes a dry oil which is suitable for use on body and your hair. Great 2-in-1 product available for just £2.99.
- Find Superdrug Vitamin E Range online here
Boots – Curl Crème
A classic for UK curlies! Boots essentials own brand of curl crème. This is a great product for those with finer/looser curly hair giving definition and hold without weighting it down. It comes in a tub, which is great for scooping up large amounts!
- It also only costs £1.99! Find it online here
Boucleme
Amazing organic, natural and cruelty free curly hair products that provide the moisture and great definition we all need! Boucleme have just 3 hair products at the moment a cleanser, conditioner and gel. These are now my favourite wash & go products giving me perfect results every time!
- The products are available in the UK from the Curly Emporium
Summer 2009
New Mom’s Handbook references Shop.NaturallyCurly.com’s children’s products.
July 2009
Woman’s Day references NaturallyCurly.com’s database of curl experts.
May 2009
Lucky names NaturallyCurly.com one of top 5 hair-care websites.
November 10, 2008
November 2008
November/December 2008
October 17, 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 22, 2008
July 21, 2008
July 21, 2008
Longview (Texas”> Daily News
Jul 17–23, 2008
July 17, 2008
July 16, 2008
July 16, 2008
July 15, 2008
Fall 2008
Celebrity Hair Styles Short Hair
Summer 2008
July 2008
July 8, 2008
dag adg ds
July 6, 2008
June 30, 2008
June 7, 2008
June 6, 2008
June 2008
May 25, 2008
May 7, 2008
May 2008
May 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 1, 2008
March 2008
March 2008
Trendinista.com
March 2008
January 2008
October 17, 2007
August/September
September 10, 2007
September 8, 2007
I’m There for You Baby radio show
September 2007
Ladies Home Journal
September 2007
Entrepreneur
July 2007 Glamour — one of five sites listed under “Great Hair Info on the Web”
July 2007 Family Circle
July 2007 Self
May 21, 2007 The New York Times
May 3, 2007 Forbes.com
April 2007
April 22, 2007
April 2007
Cosmo
April 2007
Redbook
March 21, 2007
March 7, 2007
February 23, 2007
February 2007
January 25, 2007
January 24, 2007
SIRIUS satellite radio interview with Judith Regan on The Judith Regan Show
January 2007
January 18, 2007
January 16, 2007
Quick & Simple
December 29, 2006
December 26, 2006
December 14, 2006
November 2006
WWD Salon
December 6, 2006
December 2006
Lucky
October 2006
InStyle.com
October 5, 2006
October 2006
Quick & Simple
August 18, 2006
August 13, 2006
August 8, 2006
Quick & Simple
August 1, 2006
Women’s Day
July 2006
Good Housekeeping
July 2006
Oprah Magazine
June 23, 2006
Sacramento Bee
June 2, 2006
Ladue News
May/June 2006
Pilates Style
May 2006
Cosmo Girl
May 2006
Eyewitness News (New York”>
May 2006
Beauty News LA.com
May 2006
April/May 2006
April 2006
Parents Magazine
March 28, 2006
Quick & Simple
March 7, 2006
Soap Opera Weekly
February 17, 2006
The Hartford Courant
Quoted extensively in “Naturals At Curling”
January 2006
January 2006
Austin Monthly magazine
Feature article on NaturallyCurly.com and its founders
November/December 2005
Red Hat Society Lifestyle
December 15 , 2005
The Boston Globe
“Some good online resources for women with relaxed or natural hair: Naturallycurly.com. This site — which contains product reviews, a store filled with products for curly hair, and discussion forums — caters to women of all races and ethnicities with curly hair. It’s well represented by women of color who wear their hair natural, use texturizers to loosen their curl, or straighten their hair with blow-dryers.”
October 2005
Austin Woman magazine
Feature article on NaturallyCurly.com and its founders
May 19, 2005
The Dallas Morning News
“Check out www.naturallycurly.com, an Austin-based Web site launched in 1998 to “give girls with curls a place to get in the loop about their locks.” The site sells more than 100 shampoos, conditioners and styling aids for curly hair — complete with member reviews.”
March 2005
Shop, Etc
March 2005
Latina
March 2005
Prevention
March 2005
Cosmopolitan
February 2005
Self
Staying true to your texture saves you time and money. When you need a cut, find a specialist. Want help? Visit wwww.naturallycurly.com, a site devoted to ringlets and waves of all kinds, on which members post referrals to “curl-friendly” stylists (listed by state”>.”
February 2005
Latina
October 13, 2004
The Vancouver Province (British Columbia, Canada”>
“Click on NaturallyCurly.com to find a great,big, happy sorority of chat, product reviews, tips, tattle, contests and interviews.”
October 2004
Real Simple magazine
July 15, 2004
The Toronto Star
June 7, 2004 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia”> Berhad
May, 2004
Style magazine
March, 2004
Atlanta magazine
January 15, 2004 The New York Times
January, 2004 Women’s Day
November 14, 2003 Washington Post Express
November 5, 2003 Winnipeg Sun (Manitoba, Canada”>
October 28, 2003 Tulsa World (Oklahoma”>
September/October 2003 Beauty Launchpad
“NaturallyCurly.com has become a mecca for those searching for curl-friendly products, advice and support.”
August 2003 Children Today
July 31, 2003 The Indianapolis Star
June 23, 2003 Modern Salon June 23, 2003 New Statesman (England”>
April 11, 2003 The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC”>
March 23, 2003 Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY”>
February, 2003 Times Colonist (Victoria, Canada”>
Edmonton Journal
Windsor Star
August, 2002 Washington Magazine
July, 2002 The Arizona Republic
June 27, 2002 Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL”>
May 21, 2002 The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec
May 1, 2002 Chicago Tribune
February 4, 2002 Time Magazine
January 24, 2002 Daily News (New York”>
September 18, 2001 The State (Columbia, SC”>
August, 2001 Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (twice”>, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Denver Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Nashville Tennesean, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (thrice”>, The Times Union (Albany, NY”>, Chicago Sun-Times, numerous U.S. and Canadian radio stations
First for Women, November 6, 2000
Under Best Web sites:
“The right stuff for curly hair. For the most extensive A-Z guide of products for styling curly hair, log on to Naturallycurly.com. Then, find out which ones are worth your time and money by reading the comments made by the curly-headed girls who’ve personally tested each and every one.
Los Angeles Times, October 19, 2000
“If your hair has a bit more bounce to the ounce, check out https://www.beautycon.com. Here you can find the style that best suits your face, be it round, oval, square, triangular or heart-shaped. And for those looking for less spring and more fall, the site gives hints on straightening.”
People, August 7, 2000
Great article about us on their Online page. “Curly tops can celebrate their untamed tresses at Naturallycurly.com . . .”
Allure, April 2000
“Curl This: Those of us born with curly hair have battled it most of our lives (the war stories alone should qualify us for a veteran’s pension”>. Now there’s a Web site, naturallycurly.com, that gives the lowdown on everything we could ever want to know about curly hair — from the newest taming products to the most complimentary eyeglasses. And for the girl who’s still sadly in curl deinal, this site even details the techniques and products to get it straight and sleek.”
Sugar, March 2000
“Beauty website of the month: Did you realise that the Internet’s a mecca for fab beauty info? As a curly girl, I’ve spent the last week gathering amazing info from www.naturallycurly.com. It’s jam-packed with everything for girls with curls — great products, funny stories and top tips like this: ‘Don’t get lots of layers cut into your hair if it’s fine; it just enourages frizziness. Have it cut blunt to keep it sleek.’ So go and log on!”
Mademoiselle, February 2000
Naturallycurly.com gets the nod as the place curly girls — and wannabes — should check out for styles.
National Post, January 2000
A wonderful article about us in this national newspaper in Canada.
Heart and Soul, September 1999
In a blurb about curly hair, readers are encouraged to visit naturallycurly.com.
YM, August 1999
“Surf and learn how to deal with frizz feak-outs or wavy woes. Or just chat with other curly tops and share your own tried-and-true tress tips. The site will also recommend the best curl-friendly salons in your area.”
American Health, June 1999
In a blurb about curly hair, the magazine advises readers, “For more curl advice, check out naturallycurly.com, a website devoted to women with waves.”
Self magazine, March 1999
“CURL CRAZY
Don’t fight your naturally curly hair – flaunt it, say the three frizzy-haired creators of the Web site NATURALLYCURLY.COM, A CLEARINGHOUSE OF TIPS, TOOLS AND PRODUCT REVIEWS. Log on and discover how to tame and shape uncooperative curls. ”
And more
Naturallycurly.com has been mentioned on several radio shows and in several English and Canadian newspapers. ..
