Search Results: Shellie Reneé

By Shellie Reneé · Published March 20, 2019

Ain’t nothing like a good finisher to solidify your hairstyle and a refresher to revitalize your curls. This time around, we’re visiting the best hair finishers and refreshers of 2019. Whether you like a strong hair spray, sheen spray or curl refresher, we’ve got the latest on the products you loved the most. In this roundup, you’ll discover some of your favorites and possibly new sprays and oils to add to your hair care regimen. Take a look at the best finishers and refreshers from this years Best of the Best.

Wavy and Curly

Hairspray:

Bounce Curl Alcohol-Free HairSpray

Right after you finish that style, spraying your hair with Bounce Curl Alcohol-Free HairSpray will hold each wave in place. The medium-to-strong spray works well despite the season. That means your hair will thrive on rainy, humid days as well as windy, dry days. To avoid stiffness, spritz 2-3 times throughout your hair. More reasons to love this product? It is an alcohol-free formula that has no harsh chemicals, silicones, parabens, Sulfates, and animal testing. This product is great for wavy and curly hair.

Finisher:

DevaCurl Set It Free Moisture Lock Finishing Spray

When it comes time to restore 2-3 day-old curls, the DevaCurl Set It Free Moisture Lock Finishing Spray will bring your hair back to life. Spritz the finishing spray on wet or dry hair and scrunch through to reactivate your curls. Also use this product to seal the ends of your hair. If you have wavy or curly hair, this finishing spray will work really well for you. Purchase yours in the NaturallyCurly Shop.

Coily

Hair Spray:

ORS Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray

The ORS Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray is a staple in the hair care community. The fastest way to add a little sheen and hydration to your hair is to apply this product to your freshly-styled mane. What’s beautiful about this spray is that it won’t weigh coily hair down, or leave it oily. The light-weight formula will enhance the overall appearance of your hairstyle by giving it a healthy, beautiful glow.

Finisher Spray:

The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Serum Oil Mist

Mixed with Umutanga Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Yashtimadhu Root, Yucca Root, Burdock Root Oil and Soy, the Heavenly Halo Serum Oil Mist restores every ounce of moisture back into your hair. This light-weight mist can be used daily to keep your hair hydrated and eliminate shedding.

Frizz Fighter:

Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper

Nothing ruins a hairstyle more and frizz! The Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper not only enhances the definition of your curls, it gives you the moisture needed to eliminate frizz. The formula is water-based, which allows you to use it daily without worrying about product buildup. If you want to see what all the hype is about, check out the Curl Hair Solutions Curl Keeper in the NaturallyCurly Shop.

Refresher:

Alikay Naturals Wake me Up Curl Refresher

When you’ve slept on your curls for a few days, the Alikay Naturals Wake me Up Curl Refresher will redefine, revive, and refresh your hair. Made with an amazing blend of specialized oils like wheat germ, pomegranate, and sweet almond oil, this formula will promote hair growth, nourish the scalp and minimize frizz. Sold on this curl refresher? Pick yours up in the NaturallyCurly Shop.

Which of these are your go-to for refreshing and reviving your curls? Let us know in the comments below. Check out the full list of Best of the Best winners here.

By Shellie Reneé · Updated May 28, 2024

Image:@tiffanylaibhen

Back when I was in my 20s (I’m in my 40s now…where does the time go?!”>, it was nothing for me to change my hair color at least a couple of times a month. It actually wasn’t until I decided to grow my hair out a couple of years ago that I learned just how much hair dye can weaken hair follicles. Now that I’m on the road to getting my healthy scalp and hair back, I wish there had been hair color wax around in my younger, hair-reckless days. 

What is Color Wax?

Color wax is one of the latest temporary hair color trends that is definitely less harmful than permanent dyes that contain harsh ingredients like ammonia (more on this in just a bit”>. Depending on the brand you use, they can be made up of a mix of beeswax and color pigments that coat the hair strand but do not permanently alter the structure of the hair, the way peroxide and ammonia do. 

If you’re anything like I was a couple of decades ago, it’s a great way to literally go from purple to white to intense red hair, all within a matter of a few days, without totally damaging your natural hair in the process.

Popular Color Wax Brands

As far as hair wax brands go, I did some research and it appears that Mofajang Hair Color Wax, Hailicare Unicorn Purple Hair Wax and ALEXIA & CO Japanese Color Hair are all fan favorites. But if you’re looking for some solid reasons to give hair color wax a try, take a few moments out of your day and I’ll do my best to break it down for you.

Reasons to Try Color Wax

Image:@bianca_lambert

1. It’s less damaging than hair dye

Recently, I was talking to a woman who used to have really long dark hair. About five or six months ago, she decided that she wanted to go blonde. Long story short, her hair is a short lob right now, mostly due to the damage that dyeing her hair caused. The moral to the story is ammonia is nobody’s (hair”> friend. This is another reason why hair color wax is so awesome. Most brands contain natural ingredients like beeswax, licorice and some type of oil (like a castor oil”>; things that are good for your hair whether you used them to color your tresses or not.

2. It works well on all hair textures

If you’re wondering if hair color wax only works for a couple of hair textures only, absolutely not! The straightest of the straight and the curliest of the curly all sing its praises. In fact, if your hair happens to be more of a Type 4, using the hair wax can even elongate your curls, similar to Bentonite hair clay does. Oh, and if you’re wondering if it looks just as good on dark hues as light, it absolutely does (although you’ll probably have to do the layering thing that I mention below”>.

3. You can switch up as often as you want

Another thing that’s cool about hair color wax is once it’s completely dry, it doesn’t feel icky or sticky. On the other hand, if there’s a downside, it’s that after about the third day, it can sometimes look a little chalky or be difficult to manage. In other words, after day 3-4, you should probably wash it out. But again, if you like to switch up your look as much as possible anyway, that gives you a reason to go from silver to blue to rainbow (yep, you can also mix different colors if you want”> all within a seven-day period.

Image:@curlswithapromise

4. It can even make your hair look thicker, healthier too

If you love what dye does for your hair, color-wise, but you absolutely hate what it does to your hair, health-care wise, this is another reason to give hair color wax a try. Thanks to the consistency of the wax and the ingredients in it, it can actually help your hair to appear thicker and feel healthier!

5. It is super easy to use

One of the best things about hair color wax is it’s uber easy to apply. Unlike hair dye, you won’t need to reserve hours of your time or make an appointment at the salon in order to achieve this look. You can do it at home with ease!

Image:@__simonesays

How to Apply Color Wax to Curly Hair

First, it’s best to put it on freshly-washed conditioned damp hair. Just take some of the wax (which feels more like a cream than a wax, by the way”> and evenly distribute it throughout your hair, wherever you want the hair color to go. Then, if you want more intensity, let the first “layer” of color dry for 15-20 minutes before adding another. For the record, most brands easily rub off during the application process, but if you want to be extra safe, put on some rubber gloves before applying. Oh, and if you’re a visual person, you can watch how Laurscurls and Ambrosia Marlborough applied color wax to their own natural hair.

Does Color Wax Rub Off or Transfer?

Just to be as transparent as possible, to me, hair color wax is a lot like foundation. Some brands don’t rub off on clothes and people better than others. Also, although the wax is great on dark hair, it’s kind of hit or miss when it comes to fully covering greys. But if you’re looking for a way to drastically change your hair in (one of”> the most low-maintenance ways possible, hair color wax is a (relatively”> affordable way to do it—over and over and over again. As often as you feel like doing it!

Image:@gkccouture_

How Long Does Color Wax Last?

The color will stay on your curls for three to four days until you wash it. You can extend the life of the color in between by covering up your hair with a shower cap when you shower, and by lightly touching up the color with your fingers (although this should be done sparingly”>. 

Laurscurls showed how her color wax lasted throughout the week, and how the color did stay pretty vibrant over three days, but she did experience color transfer, flaking, and a chalky look in later days with the color she chose. It does depend which brand you use and even within the brand, which color. On day three she washed the color out using shampoo. 

Image:@brosiaaa

How Do You Remove Color Wax?

Remove the color wax from your hair by cleansing as you would when you are following a curly clarifying regimen to remove product build-up from your hair and scalp. If your hair is prone to dryness you may want to pre-poo first, followed by a clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner to infuse moisture back into your curls. 

By Shellie Reneé · Published March 18, 2019

Image Source: @naturallycurly

If you’re anything like I am, you probably have a bona fide love/hate relationship with hair gel. While, on one hand, you like how it gives your curls lots of definition and holding power (good”>, sometimes it can also make your hair feel stiff and crunchy (the absolute worst”>. And then, when you try and wash it out, you might notice that your hair feels really dry too (that’s usually thanks-but-no-thanks to the alcohol that’s in a lot of the more commercialized brands”>.

Still, on those super humid days when you want as little frizz as possible, you need at least a little bit of gel to keep every lock of hair in place. The solution? Homemade hair gel. The great thing about making some yourself is, not only are the ingredients better for your hair, but you can customize them to control the consistency of the gel itself. That way, if you need a batch that will give you a super hold (like the first recipe I’m about to share with you”> or something that is a bit more lightweight (like the DIY cream recipe that’s down towards the end”>, you can create the gel to you and your curly hair’s liking.

Are you ready to devote an hour or so on your next wash day to make and apply some hair gel? If so, here are six pretty easy to make recipes.

DIY Flax Seed Curly Hair Gel

• 2 cups of water
• 1/3 cup of flax seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of 100% honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of shea butter

Pour the water and flax seeds into a small pot. Bring everything to a boil, all the while stirring the solution with a wooden spoon. Then immediately remove the pot from the heat (you don’t want the gel to get too thick”>. Put a strainer over a glass bowl so that you can separate the seeds from the gel you’ve just made. Let the gel cool for about 20 minutes or so, then add all of the other ingredients.

Store it in a glass container. Also, it’s best to use this after washing your hair and applying a leave-in conditioner. Put on some of the gel and either allow your tresses to air dry or braid it up, let it dry and then take the braids out for even more definition.

DIY Oatmeal Curly Hair Gel

• 2 cups of water
• 3 tablespoons of oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

For starters, pour the water and raw oats into a small pot. Turn your stove’s burner up to medium so that the oats boil completely. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything has a thickened velvet-like texture. Next, remove the pan from the heat so that you can strain the oats. Take an old pair of pantyhose (make sure they have no holes in them”> and place them over a glass container. Then slowly pour the contents over it, separating the oats and the gel. Add the olive oil, stir and let the gel cool down completely. It’s now ready to use.

DIY Aloe Vera Curly Hair Gel

• 1 cup of hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon of gelatin
• 1 tablespoon of 100 percent Aloe Vera gel
• 8-10 drops of geranium oil

Put the cup of hot water into your microwave for about 10 seconds. Add the gelatin into the cup, stirring the combo with a wooden spoon. Now it’s time to put it into your refrigerator for 4-5 hours so that the gelatin can turn into a gel-like consistency. Then take it out of the fridge and add all of the other ingredients, again stirring with a wooden spoon.
Transfer the gel into a plastic squeeze bottle. It’s best to apply to your hair when it’s damp.

DIY Okra Curly Hair Gel

• 5 pods of okra
• 2 cups of distilled water
• 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
• 10 drops of Vitamin E oil
• 8-10 drops of vanilla oil

Health-wise, okra is a great source of protein and that’s what our hair is made of. Plus, if you’ve ever eaten it boiled before, you know that, ironically, it’s got a bit of a slimy consistency which makes it a great ingredient for DIY hair gel!

First up, thoroughly rinse the okra pods and cut them up into small pieces. Then combine the pieces and the distilled water into a small pot and bring the okra to a full-on boil (on medium heat, it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes or so”>. Once the okra has boiled, take it off of the stove, pull out a glass bowl and strain the okra with a piece of cheesecloth. Then add all of the other ingredients, making sure to stir them all with a wooden spoon. Next, transfer the gel into a glass container and refrigerate it, making sure to put the gel back into the fridge after every use. You’ll never see okra the same way again!

DIY Curly Hair Spray

• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1 tablespoon of sea salt
• 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
• 8-10 drops of lavender oil

In order for all of the ingredients to thoroughly mix together, start off by warming up the distilled water (hot faucet water is fine”>. Then add the sea salt; let it sit for a minute and add the oils. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together. Finally, transfer the solution to a spray bottle and you’re all set.

DIY Curly Hair Cream

• 3 tablespoons of your favorite conditioner
• 1 tablespoon of organic blue agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Combine the conditioner and nectar first (when everything looks golden, it’s mixed pretty well”>. Then add the sea salt and coconut oil. This will hold well in a plastic or glass container.

For best results, add about a quarter-size (or two”> of it to your hair after you’ve shampooed and conditioned it and it’s wet. Then allow it to air dry. You’ll love how your hair looks and feels. Enjoy!

Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

By Shellie Reneé · Published March 7, 2019

Spring is a beautiful time of the year. You know what else it is? Totally unpredictable. Between the fluctuating temperatures, rainy days and peak-level humidity, if there’s ever a time of the year when hair accessories come in handy, March-June (21st, to be exact”> would be it!

The key to keeping your naturally curly hair pretty, healthy and manageable is to incorporate a little springtime preparation. The good news is you don’t have to spend a mint on commercial hair products or spend hours at a salon. After you get your routine trim and you have a couple of hair staples in hand, all you need to do is use some of these all-natural springtime hair tips and you’ll be well on your way to the kind of tresses that will be longer and thicker than ever!

Image source: @joyjah

Homemade Leave-In Conditioner

Something else that can keep your hair extra soft while reducing breakage is applying a leave-in conditioner to it, every time you shampoo your hair. There are some cool ones on the market, but why not make some of your own?

A great recipe consists of ½ cup of coconut crème, three teaspoons of (melted”> shea butter, one teaspoon of sweet almond oil and 3-5 drops of neroli oil (it contains cytophylactic properties that help your scalp to produce new cells”>. Mix everything together, pour the contents into a small spray bottle and generously apply it to your hair after washing it and whenever needed following your wash day routine.

Black Seed Oil

When it comes to the health benefits that black seed oil provides, they are truly endless. It’s the kind of oil that reduces the symptoms that are associated with rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma, diabetes, indigestion and heartburn. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black seed oil is also an effective way to treat breakouts and the blemishes that they leave behind.

As far as your hair goes, whether you’re looking for something to soothe your dry and itchy scalp or you want the type of product that will promote strong and healthy hair, simply massage one-part black seed oil, one-part olive oil and 5-7 drops of lavender oil directly onto your scalp. It will nourish your scalp, treat any areas where there is hair loss, prevent premature greying and yes, stimulate hair growth too.

Honey

Honey is sweet in every way! It’s loaded with antioxidants, antibacterial properties and phytonutrients—all of these things work together in order to boost energy, soothe sore throats, fight allergies (make sure it’s local honey in this particular case”>, gently exfoliate skin and provide a sound night’s sleep.

What makes honey so great for hair is it is also a humectant. Basically what that means is when April showers come, honey will help to pull the moisture out of the air and into your tresses so that they can avoid being dry and brittle.

You can get the benefits of honey by making a potent DIY hair mask; one that consists of two tablespoons of plain yogurt, two tablespoons of raw honey and one tablespoon of organic coconut oil. Combine all of the ingredients, apply to your clean damp hair, let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse and style as usual.

Or, if you’d prefer to give your hair a honey hot oil treatment, mix one tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of olive oil. Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to make it smell even more amazing, zap the oil in the microwave and apply it to clean hair. Put a plastic bag onto your head, let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse and style as usual.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

All of us curly-haired girls know that with unpredictable weather comes the need—at least temptation— to up our product usage. In order to keep your hair from feeling sticky or looking matted, make sure that you clarify your hair, at least every other wash day.

One of the absolute best ways to do this is by combining ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to ½ cup of distilled water and two tablespoons of baking soda. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda both contain properties that will cleanse your hair and restore it to its natural pH balance. They also have a way of making your hair incredibly shiny too.

Mango Butter

Thanks to all of the antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins A and E that are in mango butter, it’s great for your hair and skin. In fact, the only thing that’s missing from this sort of butter is that it doesn’t smell (much”> like mangos. Still, if you want something that will protect your hair from damaging UV rays as it fights dandruff and restore elasticity which is also a huge hair perk!

DIY Curling Pomade

If on the rainy or super humid days, all you want to do is pull your hair back into a ponytail, something that you can do to sleek your sides back or create a few baby hairs without worrying about alcohol drying your hair out in the process is apply some DIY some curling pomade.

It’s pretty easy to make. All you need is five teaspoons of shea butter, three teaspoons of beeswax, one tablespoon of jojoba oil, one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and ¼ teaspoon of rosemary oil (it will add some additional shine to your locks”>. With a double boiler, first put in the beeswax, then add the shea butter and other ingredients. Make sure everything is melted and then pour the pomade into a glass container, let it complete cool and then apply. It feels pretty amazing!

DIY Anti-Frizz Spray

Frizz was mentioned quite a bit in this piece. That’s because it’s a #1 enemy of curly hair! Something else that you can do to stop it in its tracks is to create your own anti-frizz spray. A recipe that I adore consists of ½ cup of water, 1/3 cup 100 percent pure Aloe Vera gel, one tablespoon of white sugar, five drops of lemon essential oil (it keeps hair fresh and musty-free”>, five drops of palma rosa oil (it hydrates dry curls”>. 

Let us know which interests you the most, and share your own recipes and ideas in the comments!

By Shellie Reneé · Published March 6, 2019

As a fellow naturalista with (mostly”> 4a hair, I can totally relate to the frustration that comes from wanting your hair to grow out, but because it’s curly, feeling like it’s not. Not even a little bit.

This feeling can be uber-frustrating but you know what? Don’t let your curly hair texture fool you. Although genetics do play a pivotal role in just how long our hair ultimately gets, everyone’s hair grows between ¼-½” a month. This means that if you take really good care of yours (ends included”>, you could end up with as much as 6” of new growth a year!

I’ll be frank with you—when it’s curly, it will probably appear bigger instead of longer. But when you braid, twist or blow it out (try and not overdo it with that last one”>, you’ll see that your hair is indeed making progress; especially if you apply the following eight things to your daily hair growth regimen.

Peppermint Oil

Image source: Getty Images

Peppermint oil is awesome! It does everything from relieve headaches (including migraines”> and unclog sinuses to soothe menstrual cramps and freshen breath. But what I really like about it is its ability to make my scalp feel all cool and tingly. Whenever that happens, it’s a sign that the oil is stimulating my hair follicles. When that happens, blood circulation increases and hair growth transpires.

As a heads up, peppermint oil is pretty potent. You might want to dilute it with some coconut or avocado oil. Then use it as a hot oil treatment once a week or apply a little every couple of days in order to keep dandruff and the overproduction of sebum at bay.

DIY Hair Growth Shampoo

We all need to wash our hair and scalp, there’s no doubt about that. But honestly, sometimes it’s the kind of shampoo we choose that works against us having the kind of hair growth that we want. Shampoos that contain sulfates are particularly drying. Also, certain commercial brands have far too many chemicals in them.

One way to work around all of this drama is to make your own shampoo. It might sound complex at first, but all you need is some castile soap, vegetable glycerin, Vitamin E oil, distilled water and a couple of your favorite essential oils. There’s a great recipe here. I’d be shocked if after the first wash, it doesn’t become a consistent part of your wash day routine.

Berry Salads

The peak season for strawberries is April-June. That’s good to know since berries are something else that promotes hair growth. Thanks to the high amount of antioxidants that are in them, strawberries (berries, in general, actually”> are able to protect your hair from free radicals. As a bonus, the Vitamin C that’s in them will help your body to produce more collagen which ultimately helps to prevent hair breakage.

If you really want to take hair growth from the inside out up a notch, put those berries on some fresh spinach; it contains vitamins A and C, folate and iron—all of which your hair needs (especially Vitamin A because it promotes the produce of sebum so that your hair stays naturally conditioned”>.

Rose Petals

Image source: @theesperanzamaria

Roses are interesting because there are some that are known as repeat bloomers (they bloom in May, June and again in September”>. Then there are those that pretty much only show up in the spring. It’s good to know that you have access to roses all throughout the year—your hair needs them.

What, you didn’t know? If you take some rose petals, boil them in distilled water, let them cool and then apply them as a rinse onto your freshly-washed hair, it has a way of making your tresses super soft. Some say that it’s also a great all-natural treatment for dry scalp as it provides a coat of protection from sun damage. The less damage you have, the more hair length you’ll get.

Niacin

If you’re wondering what niacin is, it’s Vitamin B in B3 form. It’s the type of nutrient that’s in foods like sweet potatoes, brown rice, tuna, turkey and broccoli. If you’re on a mission to get your hair to grow longer, you need to have plenty of niacin in your system. For one thing, it helps to nourish your scalp. Also, it strengthens your hair follicles and helps to treat dry brittle hair in the process.

Fermented Foods

Something that all of us need a lot of are enzymes. They’re what helps our body to absorb the vitamins and minerals that we consume on a daily basis. One way to get enzymes into your system is by taking a supplement, but another way to do it is by eating fermented foods. Fermentation is basically the process of changing a food from a carb to alcohol or an organic acid. Some foods that top the list include sauerkraut, miso, kefir, probiotic yogurt and pickles (yes, pickles!”>.

Scalp Exercises

I know it sounds weird to exercise the scalp, but trust me, it works! Technically, what you’re doing is massaging your scalp so that blood circulation intensifies and feeds your follicles. If you want some tips on how to massage your scalp properly, read more here.

My recommendation would be to do it on wash day with an essential oil like peppermint, rosemary (it will make your hair thicker”> or thyme (it helps to treat alopecia and prevent hair loss”>. Shampoo your hair, warm up the oil and massage your scalp for 10 minutes. Then deep condition your hair and style as usual. You’ll start to see a noticeable difference after 3-4 wash days.

Macadamia Oil

An oil that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves is macadamia oil. It’s an oil that comes from the Australian nut. Because it’s the kind of nut that contains 80 percent monounsaturated fats, macadamia oil is great for heart health and lowering cholesterol levels. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for treating acne, eczema and psoriasis.

As far as your hair goes, macadamia oil is awesome due the fact that its fatty acids will strengthen your follicles while helping your hair to have a brilliant shine. As a bonus, macadamia oil significantly reduces frizz which is always a plus on beautiful-yet-really-humid days.

Some people use it straight out of the bottle. My recommendation is to pour a couple of capfuls into your shampoo and wash your hair with it. You’ll totally love how it makes your hair feel as you’re trying to take it from it is to oh so much longer!

Have any more tips to help see your curls flourish? Share them with us in the comments!

By Shellie Reneé · Published February 28, 2019

I don’t know too many people who aren’t diehard fans of dark chocolate. Just thinking about having a piece of some of that rich chocolatey goodness has me close to salivating. Hmph, now that I think about it, the only thing that’s better than its taste is all of the health benefits that come from eating it.

Image source: Istock

What? You didn’t know? For starters, dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that fight off free radicals and keep your immune system strong. Dark chocolate also contains a pretty impressive variety of vitamins and minerals including iron, fiber, magnesium, potassium and zinc (just to name a few”>. Because of how nutritious dark chocolate is, there are studies that support the fact that it’s good for eye, oral and heart health while being a great energy and libido booster too.

And since dark chocolate is so good for your body, doesn’t it make perfect sense that it would be good for your hair as well? In fact, something else that dark chocolate contains a good amount of is copper; hair-wise, that can keep premature greying at bay. In order for its benefits to be the most effective, it’s important to both eat and use the kind that is no less than 65 percent cocoa and contains no sugar.

Now that you know that dark chocolate works just as well on the outside as it does within, here are some of my favorite DIY dark chocolate hair recipes. They will have you looking, feeling and even smelling totally delicious. I can promise you that!

Special note: Not all dark chocolate cocoa powers are created equal. My recommendation would be to either try Kiva Raw Organic Cacao Powder or Anthony’s Organic Cocoa Powder. Here are five of the absolute best dark chocolate hair recipes!

1. Dark Chocolate Hair Mask

There are plenty of videos out in cyberspace that sing the praises of bentonite clay. Not only is it an awesome detoxifier, but it has an amazing way of elongating even the tightest of natural curls. If you’ve got the 4a-c texture hair and you want to add some length to it, this is a hair mask that you’ve just got to try.

• 3/4 cup of bentonite clay
• 1/3 cup of cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of Aloe Vera Juice
• 2 tbsp of raw honey
• 3-5 drops of peppermint oil
• 2-3 cups of semi-boiling water

Step 1: Pull out a medium-size bowl and put the cocoa powder and bentonite clay in it.

Step 2: Make sure your coconut oil is room temperature (so that you can easily mix it in with the other ingredients”> and add it to the powder and clay.

Step 3: Pour the hot water into the bowl and blend everything with a wooden spoon (metal tends to upset the effectiveness of the clay”>. Keep mixing until the texture of the “batter” is super smooth. Allow the batter to cool for 2-3 minutes or so. Now you’re ready to apply.
On clean damp hair, apply the hair mask. If you don’t want to get the mask all over your hands, using gloves and/or a hair dye brush is perfectly fine. Once it’s on your hair, from roots to tips, put a plastic bag on your head and let it sit for an hour. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water, apply a deep conditioner, rinse again and watch how awesome your hair will look and feel!

2. Dark Chocolate Hair Smoothie

Aside from the dark chocolate, two of the best things about this recipe is the Greek yogurt and rosehip seed oil. Greek yogurt contains vitamins B5 and D that help to nourish your locks and reduce hair fall. Rosehip seed? It’s the kind of oil that does everything from fight signs of aging and soften the appearance of stretch marks to deeply moisturize hair and heal any scalp ailments you might have.

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup of raw cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp of coconut oil
• 3 drops of lavender oil
• 5 drops of rosehip seed oil
• Totally up to you: 1/4 cup of hair conditioner

This one is super-easy to make. All you need to do is mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and stir until smooth. Put the smoothie on to your freshly-washed hair, then put a plastic cap over it. Let the smoothie remain on your tresses for 30 minutes, then rinse. If you have a detangling routine for wash day, it’s a good idea to follow this up with that.

3. Dark Chocolate Dry Shampoo

If you’re looking for a quick and chemical-free way to remove excess product from your hair while adding volume, texture and shine (and even preventing premature greying”>, dry shampoo has totally got your back. Not that it should totally replace your wash routine, but it is a great alternative if you want to shampoo less or you’re going to be on the road with no time to have a traditional wash day.

• 1/4 cup of organic cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 5-7 drops of lavender oil (although you can use whatever kind you wish”>
• An old make-up brush

This hair recipe is easy too. Mix the cornstarch, cocoa and lavender oil together. Blend everything with a spoon and store in a small jar. Then use your make-up brush to apply the dry shampoo to the roots or the parts of your hair where there’s a lot of residue. Use a comb to remove any excess and style as usual. (That’s it? That’s it!”>

4. Dark Chocolate Hair Conditioner

If your curls are particularly damaged and brittle, a little bit of coconut cream is all that they need. This kind of cream also has a great reputation for nourishing hair follicles and deep conditioning hair, so of course, it makes the cut as far as being a dark chocolate conditioner ingredient.

• 3/4 cup of coconut cream
• 1/3 cup of cocoa powder
• Mix the coconut cream and dark chocolate cocoa powder together. Apply it to your hair right after shampooing it. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash and style like usual. Your hair will feel A-MAZ-ING!

5. Dark Chocolate Flaxseed Hair Gel

If you want your curls (or baby hairs”> to have some extra definition, DIY your own hair gel. Just make sure that it contains flaxseeds because they are the kind of seeds that are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that will protect your hair follicles and shaft (soooo much better than the alcohol that’s in a lot of commercial hair gel brands!”>.

• 3/4 cup of distilled water
• 1 tablespoon plus 1.5 teaspoons flax seeds
• 1 tsp of cocoa powder
• 1 tsp of Aloe Vera
• 20 drops of your favorite essential oil

Step 1: Pour the water and seeds into a pot, put them on a burner set to medium and allow them to boil.

Step 2: Reduce the heat to low and allow the seeds to simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Add the cocoa powder and Aloe Vera.

Step 4: Line a mesh sieve with cheesecloth.

Step 5: Remove the pot from the stove and pour the liquid onto the cheesecloth.

Step 6: Allow the cloth to cool a bit. Then pull the corners of it together, making sure none of the seeds fall out.

Step 7: When you look at sieve, you should notice a gel-like consistency in it. Squeeze whatever gel is remaining on the cheesecloth (use thongs if you need any assistance doing this part”>.

Step 8: Let the gel cool for 30 minutes, then add your favorite essential oil.

Step 9: Put the gel into an airtight container and place it into your refrigerator. It should keep for about 10 days.

Special note: If you’re more a video learner, you can watch a video (sans some of the ingredients”> here.

Enjoy your chocolate-rich hair, y’all! And let us know which one you’d like to try in the comments.

By Shellie Reneé · Published February 27, 2019

Image source @naturallycurly

If I had enough money to get every woman on this planet just one thing, I’d probably go with their own customized collection of essential oils. I promise you, out of all of the things that some of us don’t have (or have enough of”> in our possession, it baffles me that essential oils aren’t on the list!

Not only do they provide some of the most amazing (and affordable”> aromatherapy benefits, if you apply these types of oils directly to your body (it’s usually best to dilute them with some sweet almond, avocado or coconut oil first”>, they can help to relieve pain, reduce PMS symptoms, decrease bodily inflammation, strengthen your immune system, boost your libido and even help you to sleep better (more on this in a bit”>.

There’s more! Certain essential oils also have a remarkable way of improving the quality of your hair too. There are even some that can take your already fabulous curly locks and make them even better.

Are you ready to find out what those essential oils are? If so, I am definitely ready to share them with you.

Palma Rosa Oil

Let’s start off with an essential oil that isn’t super popular but should be. Believe it or not, palma rosa is a type of grass that comes into two different varieties— Motia and Sofia. Thanks to its antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, palma rosa is the kind of oil that helps to reduce fever, cure bacterial infections, improve digestion, heal wounds and even treat dehydration.

As far as your hair goes, because palma rosa oil contains powerful hydration properties, it will help your curls to remain soft and manageable. Also, if you struggle with dandruff or scalp irritation, this is just the kind of oil that will help to relieve the symptoms.

Palma rosa oil hair serum recipe: Mix 6-7 drops of the palma rosa oil with 3-4 drops of warm jojoba oil. Apply it to freshly washed damp hair. Put a plastic cap on your head and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water and style as usual.

Geranium Oil

Thousands of years ago, Egyptians were really fond of geranium oil. Although it’s probably best-known as an antiseptic that heals wounds, geranium oil is also great when it comes to reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, fighting depression, relieving anxiety and keeping skin healthy and radiant looking.

Use it on your hair in order to treat scalp irritation and also to build the protein keratin for your hair. In fact, thanks to the amino acids that are in this particular oil, it can even help to keep hair loss at bay.

Geranium oil hair mask recipe: Add two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of raw honey and one egg to 5-7 drops of geranium oil. Mix with a whisk until the texture of the mask is smooth and creamy. Cover your clean damp hair with a plastic cap and let the mask sit for an hour. Then use a non-sulfate shampoo. Follow that up with your favorite conditioner. You’ll be amazed by your hair’s feel and shine!

Ylang Ylang Oil

This is the type of flower that has a sweet floral scent. Don’t let the smell fool you, though, because ylang ylang is extremely powerful. It works well as an antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic and even a sedative. In oil form, ylang ylang helps to improve your moods, increase blood circulation, reduce PMS symptoms, stimulate your sex drive and also protect your cells from damage.

What will ylang ylang do for your curls? For one thing, it’s the ultimate kind of conditioner and detangler. Plus, if you use this oil on a regular basis, you will notice your curls having more definition, thanks to the kind of shine ylang ylang oil provides.

Ylang ylang oil hair spritz recipe: Add 3-5 drops of lavender oil to 3-5 drops of ylang ylang in a small plastic spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water and lightly spray your hair, as needed, throughout the day.

Juniper Oil

This essential oil is derived from berries. It’s super high in flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants which means it’s a leading oil at fighting free radicals. Juniper oil does so much more than that, though. It is also the kind of oil that helps to prevent urinary tract infections, reduce stress, improve the quality of your sleep, soothe heartburn and indigestion. Due to its antiseptic abilities, it’s an oil that can heal acne (sometimes overnight”>. Word on the street is it can even soften the appearance of cellulite.

The concentration of the oil promotes healthy hair and scalp too. Since it tends to increase blood circulation, juniper oil also has a great reputation for promoting hair growth and bringing definition to curly hair as well.

Juniper oil hair gel recipe: Mix three teaspoons of 100 percent pure Aloe Vera gel with 5-6 drops of juniper oil. Apply it thoroughly on your damp hair from roots to tips then allow it to air dry. Watch how your curls pop!

Peppermint Oil

It’s the menthol is peppermint oil that gives it such a cooling sensation. It’s also what helps it to keep your breath fresh, your digestion on track and your energy levels up. Peppermint oil also fights bacterial infections, improves seasonal allergies and helps to relieve menstrual cramps.

Aside from the fact the peppermint oil can make your hair smell unbelievably fresh, it another kind of oil that will stimulate your hair follicles, soothe dry scalp and strengthen your hair’s roots too. Strong roots equals strong hair.

Peppermint oil hair growth solution: Add two tablespoons of room temperature organic coconut oil, four tablespoons of Jamaican black castor oil and 8-10 drops of peppermint essential oil preferably to a bottle that has a nozzle on it (like the kind of bottle you would use to dye your hair”>. Wash your hair and then apply this solution as your conditioner. Let it sit for 30 minutes with a plastic cap and warm towel on your head. Then thoroughly rinse and style as usual.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary is the kind of oil that everyone should has in their possession. It comes from the leaves of an herb called Rosmarinus officinalis and has a minty-woodsy kind of scent. If you inhale the oil, it can help to protect the part of your brain that is responsible for your concentration and memory. There are studies to support that rosemary oil is a pain and stress reliever as well. It also reduces joint inflammation and contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that help to prevent cancer, liver damage. Rosemary oil can relieve the symptoms that are associated with food poisoning.
Use it on your hair and scalp daily in order to heal alopecia, reduce scalp irritation, stop hair loss and promote thickness to your curly hair texture.

Rosemary oil hair thickness remedy: Mix three teaspoons of grapeseed oil with 7-8 drops of rosemary oil. Coat your clean damp hair with it for 15 minutes, then rinse and style.

Horsetail Plant Oil

Horsetail is a medicinal herb that’s been around for thousands of years. It got its name because it resembles an actual horse’s tail. Although a lot of people enjoy consuming it as an herbal tea, it is very effective as an essential oil as well. Thanks to the flavonoids, phenolic acids, silicon, silica and kynurenic acid that is in the oil, horsetail can reduce inflammation and increase collagen. To make it even more impressive, some of the vitamins that are in horsetail oil include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, C, E, K, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium—and that’s just for starters!

This is the type of oil that also well-conditions your tresses. But one of the best things about it is it promotes hair growth and significantly reduces the amount of split ends you’ll get if you apply it consistently to your hair.

Horsetail oil hair growth recipe: Add 3-4 teaspoons of horsetail oil to one teaspoon of coconut oil and a cup of distilled water in a microwave-safe bowl. Put it in the microwave for 10 seconds and then apply it to your freshly washed hair. Do this every other wash for the most noticeable hair growth results.

Vetiver Oil

Another name for this oil (that is popular all over India”> is “khus-khus”. Vetiver derived from a
plant that has a very powerful scent (think woodsy or earthy”>. Vetiver contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It also has antiseptic compounds that kill bacteria, along with antioxidants that will keep your immune system strong. As a bonus, vetiver the kind of oil that heals breakouts, treats ADHD and boosts your libido too.

Vetiver is the kind of oil that keeps free radicals away from your hair follicles while also preventing premature greying. If you’re struggling with eczema or psoriasis on your scalp, this is the type of oil that will help to heal it. Also, if your scalp is irritated due to over-styling, vetiver will immediately provide it with a cooling effect.

Vetiver massage oil for your hair recipe: Mix two tablespoons of sweet almond or avocado oil with 5-6 drops of vetiver oil in a microwave safe bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and massage your scalp with it. It will soothe your scalp and stimulate your hair follicles so that you’ll have longer, healthier curls in no time!

 Have any recipes of your own, or have an interest in any of the ones we’ve shared? Let us know in the comments below!

By Shellie Reneé · Published January 9, 2019

The Cantu brand and my hair have an interesting kind of relationship. There are certain products it has that I adore (like Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque“> and then there are some that basically make me feel like my money could’ve been better spent elsewhere. Sigh. Such is the case with their Cantu Butter Daily Moisturizer.

Since my hair is naturally dry (and also color-treated”>, I’m constantly on the hunt for the kind of conditioners that will keep moisture in my hair. Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve come to the conclusion that deep conditioning on wash days and then using a blend of essentials oils and Jamaican black castor oil are what work best for me. And honestly, a part of what brought me to that conclusion was trying this particular daily moisturizer out.

First, I’ll share the plus sides to it. Something that’s cool about virtually all of Cantu’s products is how affordable they are. This item comes in a large size (which means it’ll last for a while”>, and I do like that it has a mild/non-overpowering scent (it’s kind of reminiscent of baby lotion”>. Also, the first ingredient in it is water and that’s always a good thing.

But when I first tried this moisturizer out, it was after washing and conditioning my hair. Although I am natural, also through trial-and-error, I’ve discovered that my hair responds better to heat. So, after cleansing it, I blow dry it and then braid it up (until I choose to wear it out”> until the next wash day. Anyway, I decided to put the moisturizer on my hair after blow drying it and while it did soften my hair, it actually made it too soft. Kind of spongy.

Even if I applied it to my hair days later before braiding it, whenever the moisturizer would dry and I’d take the braids out, it still felt like cotton and looked frizzy (which is interesting because if you check out some of the moisturizer’s ad copy, it says that it is designed to prevent frizz”>. And since it made my hair super soft, it kind of messed with its elasticity which, ironically, lead to some breakage—not a ton, just a little on the ends.

Since I am a bit of a product junkie, I get that some products don’t produce the same results for everyone. I’m thinking that is probably the case with this particular moisturizer. For instance, although most of my hair is a 4a texture, my goddaughter is more like a 2c-3a. On the days when she wants to wear a slick ponytail or something, this product is light enough that it will probably condition her hair without leaving a lot of residue behind (which means I’m probably going to pay it forward to her”>.

But for kinkier types, unless you want your hair to look (and feel”> like a big cotton ball (which sometimes isn’t a bad thing if you’re going for an Angela Davis Afro”>, this wouldn’t be what I recommend. You should probably go with something that is thicker and creamier.

That’s what I did anyway. And it worked brilliantly.

Have you tried this product? How did it work for you? Share with us in the comments below.

By Shellie Reneé · Published January 8, 2019

Pardon the obvious hair pun, but sometimes I can be hard-headed. Even though I know that there are certain things my hair needs, oftentimes, I’ll still be inconsistent about doing them. Usually it’s because either I don’t feel like it, or I can’t seem to find the kind of product that makes it worth my while.

That’s why I’ve always been pretty inconsistent when it comes to deep conditioning. Yes, I know that curly hair doesn’t always get as much moisture as it needs, and deep conditioning makes up for that. Yes, I know that if I use even a little bit of heat, if I don’t deep condition, I could damage my hair. And yes, I also know that if I want to significantly reduce the amount of breakage and split ends that my hair gets, deep conditioning is a must.

Still, as my hair continues to grow (more length equals more hair care time”>, sometimes I have to gas myself up to wash it every other week, let alone apply a conditioner to it and let it sit on my head for ten to fifteen minutes. Plus, most of the deep conditioners I’ve tried (that will go unnamed”> didn’t seem different from the regular conditioners I’ve used. Bottom line, as far as deep conditioners go, I’ve been totally uninspired.

Then one day, while perusing through the aisles of Sally’s Beauty Supply, I saw that Proclaim’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hydrating and Reparative Treatment Masque was on sale. It caught my eye because 1″> it was on sale and 2″> it had Jamaican black castor oil in it. Although I was rolling my eyes at the thought of trying yet another deep conditioner, I purchased it anyway.

I must say that what I immediately liked about this deep conditioner was it seemed thicker and felt “sleeker” than other deep conditioners. For me, a lot of them feel more watery than anything; like they aren’t truly deep conditioning my hair.

Although the directions say to leave it on for five to ten minutes, I left it for twenty instead. The conditioner washed off easily, and my hair did immediately feel softer. However, I didn’t notice how soft it actually was until after I blow dried it. The conditioner made my hair so soft that when I went to braid it up the next day, it was a little harder for the braids to hold (depending on how you look at it, that could be a good and bad problem, I guess”>.

Another issue that I’ve had in times past with other deep conditioners is my hair tends to feel dry again within a few days. That hasn’t been the case with this one. Even right before wash day (which for me is around every ten to fourteen days”>, my hair feels just as soft and moisturized as it did on the day I applied it.

I can’t say that Proclaim’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hydrating and Reparative Treatment Masque has me so sold on it that it makes me look forward to deep conditioning my hair (which is something that I’m trying to do once a month”>. But at least now I know which one I’ll apply whenever I do. And that’s a start!

By Shellie Reneé · Published January 2, 2019

If you know that you don’t eat as well as you should, and you’ve been trying to commit to taking a multivitamin (but that hasn’t exactly been working out so well either”>, never fear! There is a delicious alternative to get some extra nutrients and health benefits into your system—drinking herbal tea.

Chamomile? It helps you to sleep better at night. Echinacea? It’s a surefire remedy for cold-related symptoms. Oolong tea? Many use it to aid in their weight loss regimens. But aside from all of the ways that herbal tea does your body good, you might be surprised to know that certain kinds are miracle cures for your hair too.

Take a moment and read about some of the best teas to not only drink with a little lemon and raw honey, but also to apply as herbal rinses for your tresses as well. We’ll be shocked if you don’t fall in love with them just as much as we have!

Lavender

If you get a few Lavender tea bags and look closely at them, they might look like potpourri. That’s because that’s just what lavender tea is comprised of—dried flowers. This is the kind of tea that smells awesome, because you’ll notice not only the flower’s fragrance, but also hints of rosemary and mint as well.

Health-wise, the properties in lavender tea help to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, detoxify the body and improve sleep quality. As a hair rinse, lavender has the ability to soothe your scalp, fight infections, and even aid in preventing hair loss.

Rooibos

The word “Rooibos” means “red bush” in Afrikaans, thanks to the deep crimson color that this tea has. Its native origin is South Africa, and it’s been highly-celebrated for years due to its high level of polyphenols (which are micronutrients found in plants”>.

You can drink Rooibos tea if you want to shed a few pounds, heal breakouts or even treat allergy symptoms. It’s awesome for your hair, because not only does it reduce hair shedding, but it also fights dandruff, too. As a bonus, some people have seen their hair grow as a result of drinking and using this tea as a rinse as well.

Sage

Sage is a plant that originated in the Mediterranean region. One of the main vitamins that is found in sage is vitamin K. That’s beneficial, because it’s the vitamin that strengthens weak bones, and protects the heart. Two other things in sage are copper and iron—both that are needed to fight anemia.

Sage is an awesome herbal hair rinse option, because the copper in it will help to prevent premature greying. Also, because the properties in sage act as an astringent, it can soothe eczema and dermatitis if those are scalp ailments that you are currently dealing with.

Jasmine

You can thank the continent of Asia for this tea, which is a combination of tea leaves and jasmine petals. Since jasmine tea does come from florals, when you drink it, it has a mild floral scent.

If you battle with heart disease or diabetes, the properties in jasmine will help to fight those. Its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can also provide you with an energy boost, while reducing your levels of stress.

Since most Jasmine teas are infused with green tea, the caffeine that’s in green tea will help to stimulate your hair’s growth. Jasmine also fights off scalp infections, while keeping it moisturized. And, if you want to deep-condition your hair, jasmine tea can do that. It is the kind that we definitely recommend that you don’t rinse out!

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb that also comes from the Mediterranean. It has iron, calcium and vitamin B-6 in it, along with some powerful antioxidants as well. If you drink rosemary in tea form, it will help to protect your brain, aid in digestion and even help to improve your memory and concentration.

It’s a wonderful hair rinse because it increases blood circulation to your scalp. This is a good thing, because blood is what carries the nutrients that your hair follicles need in order to thrive. Speaking of hair follicles, rosemary also has the ability to unclog them so that your hair growth isn’t stunted. It’s also the kind of tea that gently cleanses your hair while leaving it thoroughly moisturized, too.

Ginger

The next time you’re in the produce department of your local grocery store, make sure you pick up a ginger root or two. If you cut a few slices, let them boil in water and then drink it as a tea, the hundreds of compounds in ginger alone will calm feelings of nausea, provide relief to cold and flu symptoms, and also make PMS and period-related symptoms so much easier to bear.

Using ginger as a hair rinse offers all sorts of benefits too. It will help to alleviate a flaky scalp, give your hair a natural sheen, and also make your hair stronger so that you’ll be able to retain more length over time.

Peppermint

If you like tea that has a bit of a “kick” to it, peppermint tea will provide it (ginger tea will, too, by the way”>. That’s due to the menthol that’s in it. Menthol provides a cooling, minty sensation that that’s great for treating a sore throat, or even fighting bad breath. Peppermint tea also eases digestion, relieves headaches (including migraines”> and even fights bacterial infections and fungi that may develop on the scalp (which is basically what dandruff is”>.

Why should you try it as a hair rinse? First of all, the menthol in it will make your scalp feel a-maz-ing! In fact, if you apply the rinse and massage your scalp, its menthol properties will invigorate your hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. And who doesn’t want longer hair?

How to Make an Herbal Hair Rinse:

Put three to four tea bags into a pot that has about a quart of boiling water in it. Let the tea bags steep for about 30 minutes, then let the tea cool until it becomes room temperature. After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour the rinse over your head. You can either let it sit for 15-20 minutes or, if you want to get extra conditioning benefits, leave the rinse in and dry and style your hair like usual. Remember, it’s only tea and water, so no residue. Enjoy!

Know of any teas we haven’t mentioned that are great for your hair? Share them with us below, and also let us know if you’ve seen any results from using herbal teas for hair health as well!

By Shellie Reneé · Published January 1, 2019

People close to me know that I have a deep and profound love affair with Etsy. A part of the reason is because I like to support smaller vendors. Another reason is because (for the most part”> the customer service is really good (especially when it comes to getting things customized”>. I also like it because I can support a lot of black merchants, ones that I probably wouldn’t hear about any other way.

Although 4BellaNaturale is a fairly popular all-natural hair care line, I personally didn’t know anything about it until I was on Etsy late one night, looking for some edge control. For the most part, I have 4a hair that is pretty manageable. But like a lot of sistahs, I still want some baby hair from time to time and finding some edge control that works all day long?! It has been the most frustrating search mission.

When I went to Etsy and put “edge control” in the search field, 4BellaNaturale came up with this description on it:

Aloe & Honey Styling Gel 8oz jar Handcrafted, Natural, Curl Definer, Edge Control, Organic Gel, Aloe Vera, Flaxseed, Hair Gel

I know that aloe, honey, and flaxseed oil are really good for your hair so that piqued my interest. Still, they weren’t my top priority. The “edge control” part is what I was after.

Just to be sure that I would be getting what I was looking for, I wrote the merchant. This was the timely response that I received:

Good Evening Shellie Thanks for contacting 4 Bella Naturale. The Aloe & Honey Gel works great as a edge control when used as directed. Our styling gel does not contain beeswax. Also many times residue or flakiness from gel is due to several possible factors. 1. Overuse of the product 2. Failing to apply to damp hair 3. Failing to apply an oil or leave-in before applying the gel. 4 Applying gel to dirty hair. Thanks

All-natural products. Professional service. Sold.

When the product arrived, I was super-excited to try it. But when I opened up the jar, I instantly knew that it wasn’t what I was looking for. Although it smelled a-maz-ing, the consistency of the product was way too thin to work a proper edge control. It was way too thin to even slick my hair back.

The moment I put a little onto both sides of my head, my hair started to slightly wave up (because remember, even though I’m a naturalista, I blow out my hair on wash day and braid it up to elongate it in between washes”>; that was the complete opposite of what I wanted it to do.

So yeah, this one is a no-go for me on the edge control tip. What would I use it for? Probably if I wanted a braid out that didn’t require a ton of definition. So far, though, all I’ve used it for is on wash day if I want to add a little aloe or flaxseed to my hair before drying it.

So, my search for the perfect edge control continues.

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 18, 2018

Let’s be honest. As ridiculous as it might sound, there are a lot of us who are slow to go natural simply because one of the “perks” of having a relaxer is that our hair lays down with ease and our baby hair stays on-point without any stress, strain or drama.

But if that’s your only reason for not letting your natural soul glow, I’ve got some great news. Although finding the best kind commercial brand of edge control is like playing the most frustrating game of hit-or-miss, through some personal trial and error, I’ve discovered a recipe that will not only keep your edges laid, but will also have no hazardous chemicals in it either.

The best part? Even though the ingredients list might seem long at first, once you get the first batch under your belt, you’ll be thrilled by how fast you’ll be able to make more. You might even be able to make a little extra cash by becoming the go-to girl among your friends when it comes to getting a jar or two of edge control!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup of DIY flaxseed gel
• 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 2 tablespoons of Jamaican castor oil
• 2 tablespoons of beeswax
• 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin
• 15 drops of lavender oil
• A small pot
• A [nonreactive] bowl
• A heatproof glass bowl
• A small whisk
• A glass jar

Once you’ve made your flaxseed gel (which basically consists of boiling distilled water and flaxseeds together”>, pull out a glass bowl and put the gel, avocado oil, honey, castor oil, and vegetable glycerin into it. With your whisk (you can also use a blender, but I personally think it’s easier with a whisk”>, mix all of the ingredients together.

Next, pull out a heatproof glass bowl and put the beeswax into it. Boil a little water (1/4 cup should do it”> and pour it over the beeswax. Then add the lavender oil to the wax and pour that mixture into your other ingredients. Use your whisk to make sure everything is well-blended for about five minutes or so. Pour the edge control into your glass jar (make sure it has a lid”>, pop it into your fridge for 30-45 minutes and voila—you’ve got some great edge control that you made all by yourself!

Helpful tip: In order for your edge control to maintain its original consistency, it’s best to leave it in the fridge. As is, it’ll last about 10 days. But if you want it to (no pun intended”> hold for 5-6 months, add a little sorbic acid (it’s a great preservative and a tablespoon should do it”> right before mixing in the beeswax.

Oh, one more thing! I was serious about your friends probably wanting you to make some for them too. If things really start to take off and you decide you want to sell batches at a time, a cool and helpful read is “Start Your Edge Control Brand: From Start to Finish”. Good luck!

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 14, 2018

I’m currently in the process of (attempting to”> grow my hair out longer than it’s been in years. For me, this journey is a lot like a relationship — there are good and bad days, lots of mistakes that require forgiveness, new habits that have to be incorporated, and, most of all, the need for constant self-reminders to remain committed, no matter what.

One day (that happened to be a bad day”>, I was super-tempted to pull out the clippers and call it quits. As I rummaged through both of my bathroom cabinets to see if I could find any motivation to stay the course, a smile came to my face. All the way in the back of one of the cabinets was two cans of Smooth ‘N Shine Curling Mousse that I had totally forgotten about! In fact, I haven’t seen them in stores for so long that I though the company stopped making the product altogether (they haven’t; you can get some on Amazon“>.

Why did seeing those cans make me so happy? Because, although I am a bit of a product junkie, I have yet to find something that makes my braid outs turn out quite like this mousse does! Not only does it get my hair super-soft and provide lots of definition, but because it is also a curling mousse, it curls my ends, too. That means that when I take the braids out, my hair from root to ends looks curly. I don’t have to worry about my ends looking straight, making my hairstyle looking awkward.

How do I use it? After I wash my hair, I t-shirt dry it, add a little castor oil to it, and then apply the mousse all throughout. Then, I section off my hair (based on how big or small I want my braids to be”>, and apply a little more of the mousse to each piece before I braid it. I wrap my hair at night with a silk or satin scarf, and allow my hair to air dry.

When I wake up, I carefully take each braid down, add a little avocado oil to my hair, fluff out the braids, and I’m good to go! My braid out has sheen, is curly and—if I continue to tie it down each night—will last for four to five days before it’s time to braid it up all over again (for the record, sometimes I don’t wash it all over again; I just add some more mousse and oil and braid it up”>.

I’m telling you, I really dig this mousse. If there is a drawback, sometimes it does leave residue in the form of white flakes. But if you use some oil, that should dissolve it in no time.

Whew. Just writing all of this out is inspiring me to take out an hour and do a braid out this week!

If you’re a little frustrated with your natural hair right now, at least try my recommendation. It just might be what gets you and your tresses back on the same page again too!

Do you have a go-to product that always comes to the rescue when you’re feeling down? Are you interested in trying this product? Share your thoughts with us below!

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 11, 2018

Something that’s awesome about subscribing to various YouTube channels is that it gives you the opportunity to watch the evolution of vloggers. Someone I’ve been paying attention to for about a year now is Sadora Paris. She’s a beauty vlogger who provides tips on hair, make-up and even fitness from time to time.

I discovered her because one day she showed up in my suggestions feed. She held my attention thanks to her very down-to-earth approach. She literally makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend on the phone.

Anyway, something that I noticed she kept mentioning in her videos was a hair oil that she started in a kitchen and expanded into a lab. The reason why I was interested in trying it out is because for years, I’ve had a small thinning spot on my right temple. Between her saying that the oil was infused, the footage that showed her own hair growth and some of the reviews I read from her customers, I decided to give Cheveux Noirs (that’s the oil’s former name; it recently been changed to GS by Sadora“> a shot.

A 2 oz. bottle ran me $24.95 which honestly isn’t bad considering all of the ingredients that it contains including olive oil, fenugreek extract, sea moss, hydrogenated castor oil, gooseberry seed extract—and that’s not even the (literal”> half of it!

What I like about the oil is that it has a mild scent. It’s also not super-thick so it penetrates my scalp and hair shaft quickly and easily. It also seems to be the kind of oil that adds some elasticity to my hair, too, which is always a good thing.

As far as my thin spot? I used the oil twice a day for two months and honestly, it’s hard to say if the oil played any direct role in my hair getting thicker in that area or not. I say that because around that time, I also started taking a boatload of vitamins, drinking plenty of water and using rosemary castor oil on my hair too. Personally, I think it’s the combo of everything that’s helping to heal my hair follicles in that area, which is why I’ve been hesitant to invest in another bottle.

Still, I am on Sadora’s mailing list and I can personally vouch for the fact that she’s consistently running out of her oil, plus she’s got some pretty impressive testimonials.

So, what’s my bottom line on this particular product? If you’re looking for a hair oil that is light, packed with great ingredients and you’ve got $30 to spare, give it a shot. At the very least, you’ll like how it makes your hair feel.

But if you’re looking for an oil to specifically restore a bald spot, I’m not totally convinced that only an oil can accomplish that. Taking a multivitamin, keeping your scalp clean, massaging your scalp, eating leafy greens, exercising and drinking lots of water—all of these things play a role in healing your hair follicles and restoring hair loss (and even with all of this, you still may need to visit a dermatologist”>.

All in all, I don’t think there’s a miracle cure for hair loss. But as hair oils, in general, go, this is a good one to try.

Just make sure to use it sparingly. You can use a couple of ounces in a week if you’re not careful. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”>

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 10, 2018

When it comes to my hair, Jamaican black castor oil and I definitely have a love/hate relationship. I’ve done the research. I know that it’s jam-packed with minerals, protein, omega-6 and 9 fatty acids and even vitamin E. I also know that since Jamaican black castor oil is more potent than regular castor oil, it’s supposed to be able to strengthen tresses, make hair thicker and stop breakage in its tracks.

Image by iStock/David-Prado

That’s all well and good, but the reason why I wanted to give it a shot was because I also heard that it was one of the best ways to “seal my ends” (you know, coat my hair so that it will stay well-moisturized in between shampoo days”>. Maybe I’m doing it wrong, because every time I’d attempt to seal mine with this kind of oil, it only weighed my hair down. (Sigh.”>

I’ve been trying to make castor oil work for about five or so years now. It became so frustrating that I almost gave up. That is, until one day, while in a local beauty supply store, I saw a small bottle of Jamaican Mango & Lime Vitamins A, D and E.

Honestly, I had tried a couple of their other formulas before (the peppermint and ungurahui with citrus spice one”> and I still wasn’t super-impressed. Both seemed too thick for my hair (although if you want to thicken your eyebrows, they are awesome for that!”>. But what caught my attention with the Vitamins A, D, and E one is it claimed to help to prevent split ends. Since it was roughly around eight bucks, I thought “Just one more try of this thing…”

You know what? I loved it! The texture is lighter, and whenever I used it to braid my hair and—ahem—seal my ends, it works. It literally helps to hold my ends in place without any stickiness or residue. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and I’ve also noticed that I don’t have nearly as many split ends as I once did.

Since things went so well with that particular oil, I decided to take a leap of faith and test out the rosemary version that they have (since rosemary has a great reputation for slowing down premature greying and alleviating dandruff”>. For my hair alone, it’s a bit too thick. But on my scalp? It gets a total thumbs up. Sometimes I do get flakes (especially during winter”>, but the rosemary oil is very soothing. Plus, I’ve noticed more elasticity since I’ve been using it as well (roughly two months or so”>.

I guess the moral to the story here is that not all products from a particular brand are made alike—even brands within a brand. So my personal recommendation? If you haven’t given Jamaican Mango & Lime a try, you definitely should. From what I can see on their site, they’ve got 12 different varieties of black castor oil. You should be able to find at least one that will do your hair—and your face and body—good.

As for me, I’m glad I didn’t give up on my quest to find the right castor oil. Now that I’ve found what works for me, the Vitamins A, D and E product is a part of my daily regimen. I’ve got four bottles sitting in my bathroom cabinet right now to prove it!

If you haven’t already, check this product out! Do you have any favorite type of castor oil? Share your intel with us in the comments below!

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 7, 2018

Okay, so… I know a lot of naturalistas believe that it’s basically a sin to put heat on their hair, but I’ll be honest—my (mostly”> 4a-textured hair didn’t stop breaking off until I started blow drying my hair (I only do it on wash days; the rest of the time, when I want to elongate it, I braid it up instead”>.

Back when I was trying to apply the “heat is evil” rule to my natural hair regimen, and I was using water bottles, oils (mostly coconut and castor oil”>, and humectants (mostly vegetable glycerin and honey”>, not only was my hair feeling way too “spongy”, but I was also seeing a lot more pieces of hair in my wide-toothed comb, and on my shoulders.

Since drying my hair, I have fewer tangles and less breakage, and overall, my hair is 10 times more manageable. And breakage? I can’t even tell you the last time I noticed any.

Still, I’m no fool. I get it — automatically, there are risks that we take when using any kind of heat, mostly because heat can remove the moisture from our hair’s cuticles. And that? That can lead to dry and brittle tresses, if we’re not careful. That’s why I make sure that I don’t put a dryer on my head without first coating my hair with some sort of heat protectant.

Boy, it has been a serious uphill battle, trying to find the one that best suits my hair, but I think I’ve found a home in Silk Elements Coconut Heat Protection Crème.

For one thing, I believe it’s going to be much better for me to go with a cream/crème than a spray. I say that because I used to use TRESemme’ Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray yet —and maybe it’s just me—it didn’t seem to coat my hair as thoroughly as the Silk Elements crème does.

With the spray, it’s like I felt as if I should saturate my hair in it. That kind of set me up to cause heat damage to my hair, because it’s when our hair is soaking wet that we tend to hear the crackle and sizzling from the dryer (and that’s a surefire sign that some hair damage is going on!”>.

But with the crème, I can towel dry my hair (actually, it’s better to dry your hair with a t-shirt; it’s gentler on your locks”>, apply about a palmful of the crème to my hair, and blow dry it, without seeing any smoke or steam coming from my dryer. Personally, I just feel more confident with the Silk Elements option.

Are there any “cons”? Eh. Sometimes I have to let the blow dryer pass through each section of my hair 2-3 times if I want it to be really straight. And, as far as the coconut part of the crème goes, it’s number six on the ingredients list, and I barely smell it. But other than that? I have no complaints.

So, am I saying to ditch the spray? I’ll put it to you this way: I did ask a stylist/consultant which is better for Type 4 hair—spray or cream. She said that sprays are more effective on fine-textured hair, and creams work well with thicker hair.

Take that for what it’s worth. Personally, I tend to agree with her.

What are your favorite products to use for protecting your hair from heat damage? Share them with us in the comments below!

By Shellie Reneé · Published December 4, 2018

Image by Ayo Ogunseinde/Unsplash

Shampoo and me? We have the ultimate kind of love/hate relationship. The reason why is multi-layered.

The main issue is this. Since I grew up using shampoo, when the whole co-wash movement became popular, I found myself super-conflicted. On one hand, since my hair tends to be drier than not, it made perfect sense that I should consider washing with conditioner instead of shampoo. For me, the conflict was since (sometimes”> I use a lot of product (more styling creams and gels than anything else”>, washing my hair with only conditioners didn’t seem to get my tresses clean enough.

So begins the experimentation

I tried washing my hair with baking soda a couple of times. Eh. There were a few paraben-free shampoos that worked OK (one that immediately comes to mind is Auntie Jackie’s Oh So Clean! Moisturizing and Softening Shampoo“>. But I couldn’t seem to find the kind of shampoo that didn’t make my hair look and feel like it needed a few days—if not an entire week—to recover after, well, washing it. It still seemed kind of dry and it didn’t have much volume either (my hair is mostly 4a and pretty thick”>.

I did some online researching and discovered that one of the reasons why my hair probably wasn’t as soft, moisturized, and full as I preferred was because I needed to do some pre-pooing/reverse washing. If you’ve never done it before, it’s basically the practice of coating the cuticles of your hair with an oil like coconut or castor or with conditioner before washing your hair (look at it basically like putting on a primer for your hair”>. That actually made a world of difference!

The other thing I did was look for the kind of shampoo that would give me what I thought my hair was lacking after washing it. In walks Renpure’s Extra Strength Biotin & Collagen Thickening Shampoo (for the record, it contains no sulfates, parabens, dyes, or other stuff that is really not good for our hair”>.

If there are two things that our hair needs, it’s biotin and collagen. Biotin helps our bodies to build protein. Collagen contains antioxidants that fight off free radicals while also strengthening our hair follicles.

Love at first lather

From the first time I tried the shampoo, I immediately fell in love with the lather it gave me (I know you don’t need lather for shampoos to work; it’s just a personal preference”>. Also, you know how some shampoos make you feel like you need to apply it 2-3 times? For me, this one didn’t. More times than not, once has been more than enough.

After washing my hair (the first couple of times, I didn’t do any pre-pooing/reverse washing”>, my hair felt so manageable that I almost talked myself out of conditioning it (almost but not quite”>.

Fullness: Hair and wallet

I also noticed that once I blow-dried my hair, it did seem a bit fuller; not thicker but just…“fluffier” is the word that comes to mind (some critics of the brand claim this is impossible but whatever”>.

Of course, another major selling point is that it’s affordable (one bottle should cost around $7″>. Plus, if you’re like me and you only wash your hair on a bi-weekly basis, a bottle should last you about six months.

$$AD$$

I promise you, it’s taken me about 5-6 years to find a shampoo that I—meaning my hair—can feel good about. Finally—and thankfully—I have. Renpure is some good stuff. No doubt about it.

By Shellie Reneé · Published November 26, 2018

I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if the first thing you wanna know is “What the heck is ghee butter?” Or, more specifically, what is clarified butter? Good question.

Basically, butter is made up of butterfat, water, and milk solids. When butter goes through the clarifying process, only the butterfat remains. When it’s going through a particular clarifying process that started in Southeast Asia, it’s known as “ghee” (which is Sanskrit for “sprinkled””>.

Anyway, I started using ghee butter because, earlier this year, I stumbled on an article about all of the health benefits that it has. Not only is ghee butter loaded with vitamins A, D, E, and K, it’s also lactose-friendly and has a pretty impressive shelf life (there’s no need to refrigerate it and it can last for a century!”>. Ghee butter also lowers cholesterol levels, maintains gut health, aids in weight loss and, because it lubricates connective tissue, it can even make you more flexible (plus, it evens out skin tone and hydrates dry skin, too”>.

But what does all of this have to do with my hair? That’s also a good question.

Image by iStock/skyNext

One day, while perusing YouTube, I put the word “ghee” in, just to see what some vloggers had to say—and boy, did they say a lot (you can watch some of the videos here, here and here“>! So many were talking about how ghee butter is an awesome pre-poo and hair detangler, while also being a way to prevent split ends and hair fall, that I had to give it a shot. I picked up a couple of jars of Kelapo Ghee Clarified Butter at my local Walmart, and headed home to see what all of the hype was about.

Here’s my take on it.

Ghee butter kind of reminds me of coconut oil, in the sense that although it starts off solid, once it comes in contact with body heat, it melts into a liquid. Although some people complain about the smell (it’s a got a mild nut-like scent to it”>, that doesn’t really bother me (plus, you can put some essential oils in it to defuse the smell”>.

Since I was looking for an oil that I could apply to my hair on a daily basis, that’s what I used it for. I do like the fact that it’s not super-greasy, and it does seem to absorb into my scalp quickly and easily. What does drive me a little batty is the butter has a slight gritty feel, and can sometimes leave a little bit of residue in my hair if I don’t spend a few minutes rubbing it all in.

Because of that, I don’t really use ghee butter as a go-to maintenance hair oil anymore. Sometimes what I will do is melt a couple of teaspoons of it, along with a teaspoon of olive oil, and use it as a hot oil treatment. Now that? That is an amazing way to try ghee, because it brings a lot of sheen to your hair (it’s one of the best ways I’ve experienced in a while!”>.

I guess my bottom line with it is, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance kind of hair oil, ghee butter is probably not your best bet. But as a pre-poo or hot oil treatment, you can’t get much better than it. You really can’t!

Have you ever tried ghee butter? Are you interested in trying it? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!