Search Results: Sophie Brame

DIY Sea Salt Spray That WON’T Dry Out Your Curls
DIY Sea Salt Spray That WON’T Dry Out Your Curls
By Sophie Brame ·
PHOTO BY MASSAKRE — GETTY IMAGES

Every naturally wavy and curly girl likes to tweak her regimen and experiments with various product combinations, and many of us end up creating our own formulas, even by accident! My curl pattern falls between the 2b-3a Texture Types, and I wanted to find a product that would make my hair appear more uniform.

I liked the idea of beachy, defined waves and have tried out many sea salt sprays, but they would either weigh my waves down or dry them out. I thought back on beach trips when my curls had magically tightened into ringlets just from walking among the waves. Since I don’t always have the sun, sand, and saltwater of the beach at my disposal, I decided to take matters into my own hands and started mixing.

Before you make a sea salt spray…

I created my own sea salt spray formula with just a few ingredients, and the process of mixing taught me a lot! A few tips before you start your curl chemistry experiment:

  • Look for a fine-mist spray bottle that will spray more than a single stream toward your hair. It does not matter how expensive the bottle is, it will eventually clog, so I opt for cheap ones that can easily be replaced.

  • The higher the salt-to-water ratio, the more texture you will get–so don’t overdo it right off the bat! You can always add more salt if needed.

  • Each head of hair needs its own balance of ingredients. For my type 2b-3a hair, the spray tightens my curls, but depending on your hair type, it may loosen them. The overall theme is achieving a natural and uniform texture.

What you need:

  • 1 plastic spray bottle
  • 75 ml filtered or distilled water
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • A couple drops of the essential oils of your choice (I use lavender and jasmine”>
  • 75 ml rosewater

The benefits for your hair

Just as shower water filters offer benefits to hair, using filtered or distilled water in DIY products can prevent excess drying from the chlorine in tap water, protecting color and shine.

Although salt water absorbs moisture and can dry hair out when used in excess, it is essential in creating a texture spray and has also been shown to stimulate circulation for a healthy scalp, according to Renee Loux of Women’s Health Magazine. We are only adding a small amount and it will be diluted in water, so it should not be drying to the hair.

You can add essential oils to your mix for their fragrances and aromatherapy benefits. 21 Drops says lavender is known to be calming and healing while jasmine has an uplifting scent. Disclaimer: Any time you are using natural oils in DIY products, watch out for bees! They love natural beauty just as much as we do and can be drawn to the scent.

Directions

  1. Fill your plastic spray bottle halfway with water. (Mine is a 150-milliliter bottle.”>

  2. Pour ¾ teaspoons of sea salt into the water. Screw on spray top and lock it if possible. Shake it up! If you have trouble dissolving the salt, try heating up the water slightly.

  3. Unscrew top and add a few drops of any essential oils–for me, it is really for the scent! I like to use 2 drops of Lavender oil and 4 drops of Jasmine oil.

  4. Fill the rest of the bottle up with rosewater, which can often be found in the “natural living” or “ethnic foods” sections of the grocery store. Leave a tiny bit of room at the top of the bottle so that the mixture can be shaken.

  5. Seal the top tightly and shake it up one last time. Now you are ready to style.

How to use salt spray

I typically use this sea salt spray as a finisher on damp hair to tighten my curls. I find that it works especially well when scrunched into hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days, and it provides a light hold for me on dry hair.

My favorite way to refresh my curls is to divide my hair in half and loosely French braid it on each side. Then, I spritz the sea salt spray all over and keep this protective style while I’m cooking, driving, or sleeping. I take the braids out, and my beachy curls are set and ready to go! The texture definitely builds throughout the week, and you will be able to tell when it’s time to wash it out and start over.

For tighter curl patterns

If you have a tighter curl pattern you may find that this salt spray doesn’t provide you with enough hold to give you definition. I would suggest adding a few drops of your favorite styling lotion or a lighthold gel and shaking up the mixture. Here is a modified sea salt spray that incorporates Curl Junkie’s Curls in a Bottle.  If you find that the spray is drying out your hair, mix some coconut oil or a few drops of a leave-in conditioning spray. Otherwise, try using less salt the next time you make it.

I Found My True Identity Through My "Big Texas" Hair
By Sophie Brame ·
The worst kind of hair day for me is meeting someone for the first time with my hair straightened. I feel like I’m misrepresenting who I am and how I really look, and I often try to find a way to work into the conversation the fact that my hair is actually curly! It may seem like an insignificant fact to some, but most folks who have navigated the roller coaster ride of managing curly hair know that it becomes part of our identity. Of course, I have not always felt this way.

Ten years ago, I was a high school freshman waking up an hour early to straighten my hair before school; I was an avid frizz-fighting solution seeker. I combed, brushed, and blow dried my 2b-3a hair straight in hopes of achieving the soft and shiny locks of a John Frieda ad.

I should also mention that the Texas heat has no compassion for anyone who is disinterested in the “Big Texas hair” look. It cannot be matched by any cream, spray, or gel that claims to create “sleek” results.

I was feeling pretty “CHIed” out.

After sacrificing sleep, time, and money on texture taming techniques, I decided to take a little break from my beloved ceramic straightening tool. I was shocked when people at school started asking if I had curled my hair and wondered what products I used. When I confessed that this was my real texture and actually took a lot less time to style, my friends asked why I bothered straightening it at all. Lucky for me, I was blessed with supportive people in my life, so all of the curl criticism was my own. I had been so busy fighting my curls that it hadn’t occurred to me that other people might actually want the kind of hair I already had!

I combed, brushed, and blow dried my 2b-3a hair straight in hopes of achieving the soft and shiny locks of a John Frieda ad.

It was not until my freshman year of college at Texas A&M that I felt that curly hair was really being accepted–and even coveted–on a larger scale. My classmates and smiling strangers alike asked if anyone had told me I looked like Taylor Swift–ok, we’re talking pre-crossover. There were plenty of days that I felt like my hair looked like I had just ended a week-long stint in the rain forest, but when people started recognizing me from afar by my big, blonde curls, I felt proud and finally started to acknowledge my hair type as part of my true identity.

As a college intern for NaturallyCurly.com, I got to see firsthand how diverse the curly haired community is.

I had no idea that having curls in common could create such a bond between people from all over. I assisted in marketing, event planning, and research for articles. Then I took photos for our first Texturing Typing chart. This led me to experiment with many styles during that time. I tried products ranging from Fekkai to Afro Sheen. I began learning the curly lingo and found a sense of pride being a part of this community.

Like most curly girls, I am always seeking the perfect hair routine

I consistently use sulfate-free shampoos, like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Shine Shampoo and a heavy conditioner like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Shine Conditioner a couple of times a week.

I apply SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisturizing Detangler as a leave-in conditioner, SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Style Milk as a moisturizer, and scrunch a small amount of Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel whenever I need extra hold.

For a more polished look, I like to use a blow dryer to smooth the top of my hair and a curling wand to define the bottom pieces. Otherwise, I’ll use a sea salt spray (I often make my own”> to play up my natural texture.

My favorite second day refresher is Curls Lavish Curls Moisturizer. As my hair has recovered from its straightener suffering, it has grown quite a bit, and I have had to learn the art of protective hairstyles.

Gone are the days of taming my mane in frustration.

Now it is fun and games! Whether I’m at home in Texas, in the dry mountains of New Mexico, or walking the humid streets of New Orleans, I wear my hair curly because that is part of who I am. My texture has taught me to accept and embrace what I have and not to fight what comes naturally, in locks or in life.

[prodmod]

Does Hair Stop Growing at Terminal Length?
By Sophie Brame ·

No matter your hair type, length is something we tend to focus (even obsess”> on, whether a person’s hair grows faster than they can find time to cut it, or if it has little visible signs of growth.

Curly hair in particular tends to coil up or exhibit length in its volume, without noticeable length on the ends. Many women, especially those of us with denser hair, experience frustration when trying to grow hair longer, and many even feel that they hit a limit with their growth potential. This common concern has lead to the myth that there is a definite limit to how long a person’s hair will grow, also known as a “terminal length.” While each individual has a different rate of hair growth, there are many factors affecting the actual length of hair, and terminal length may play a smaller role than most people believe.

The rate of hair growth (often measured in months”> can depend on genetics, as well as environmental and health factors. Many people refer to the terminal length of hair, as if there is a defined growth limit. The terminal length is the maximum length hair could possibly reach without being cut or damaged. Each strand of hair completes an individual growth cycle, shedding when the cycle is complete, and it is then replaced with newly growing hair. Since each hair completes the cycle at different points, this explains why a person has multiple lengths within their head of hair at all times. When hair sheds, it may have reached its full length potential, or breakage could be the cause.

While genetics factors on some level, helping to dictate the length of time it takes for hair to grow, hair would have to be kept in pristine condition to truly judge how long it could grow based on inherited traits alone. Many people believe that their hair has trouble growing because of family traits, but it may be the habits of relatives that are actually to blame. Dying, bleaching, perming, relaxing, heat styling, and using drying products all contribute to hair damage and breakage. Weak and unhealthy hair will not show growth, even if the roots are still producing new hair.

Many people believe that African American hair is genetically predisposed to minimal growth, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. Types 3C and 4 hair tend to be denser and coarser, making it impossible to see the full length unless it is stretched out. African American hair care companies have promoted relaxing and other chemical processes for years, and heat styling and chemical processes cause breakage and can dramatically stunt hair growth. The process of adding and removing extensions also creates weak and fragile strands. This ideal of smooth and straight hair is a challenge that all curlies have had to overcome at some point in their natural hair journey.  While there may be some racial and ethnic differences regarding terminal length, the average person is still capable of growing hair between one and three feet long, if it is cared for under ideal circumstances.

When making an effort to grow your hair out, it can be frustrating not to see immediate results. Each strand has a different age, and inconsistent hair maintenance can slow the process. Try some of our tips for maximizing your hair growth potential!

These hair-loving precautions may prove to be a transition, but stick with it. Remember that hair occasionally goes through resting phases of slower growth, which can be reparative and helpful in the long run.

Maximize Growth Potential

April is NaturallyCurly’s month of Curly Myth Busters. Don’t be April fooled by these common curly hair myths!

5 Ways to Use Coffee for Beauty
By Sophie Brame ·

When you are guzzling your morning coffee, does it ever occur to you to pour some in your hair? Probably not. However, both brewed coffee and grounds can be used creatively to enhance the skin and hair. Grind up those beans, and get ready to reap the beauty benefits!

Coffee for Beauty

The Perfect 2-in-1 Shampoo for Curls
By Sophie Brame ·

2-in-1

How to Make a Curly Lioness Costume
By Sophie Brame ·
Sophie

When it comes to Halloween, many people opt for wigs, but those of us with curly hair are blessed with a lot to work with to get into character. If you normally wear your hair in its natural state, straightening it can cause a dramatic effect, and the cool October weather will keep hair smooth. An even more fun option for those with curly hair is to tease it up and maximize its volume potential. Hairspray, backcombing and boosting with a blow dryer can help you mimic the look of your favorite character or create your own unique persona.

Last October, I decided to avoid the itchy Cleopatra wig and teased my hair up and turned myself into a lion instead. Rather than fighting my hair and trying to conceal or squeeze it into a wig, I turned it into the “mane” focus of my costume. The hair, makeup and outfit were so easy to put together, and it would even be a great idea for a curly haired child’s Halloween costume.

 MORE: Curly Hairstyles for Halloween Costumes

The Curl Mane

  1. Start with unwashed hair. I combed out my hair first with a wide tooth comb, making it less curly and more fluffy.
  2. Put a golf ball size amount of mousse through it and scrunch it in.
  3. Blow dry your hair upside down while combing the underside to create volume, then backcomb the hair under the roots. Make sure you don’t create too many tangles to have to comb through later.
  4. Use Loreal Elnett hairspray (Deva Curl Flexible-Hold Hairspray would be a good natural alternative”> to add texture and hold, as well as lift your roots. If your hair is fine, dry shampoo or baby powder will add volume.
  5. Continued to lift, tease and scrunch your hair to your desired lioness look, finishing it off with a final healthy dose of hairspray. And that is how you create a mane!
MORE: Curly Hair Growth Chart

The Makeup

Bronzer, bronzer, bronzer!

If you would like to recreate the makeup look as well, be prepared to use a good portion of your bronzer! I already had my normal daytime makeup on (foundation, powder, blush, mascara”>, and I began to layer on two different bronzers. One was darker and matte, while the other was lighter and had a shimmer to it.  If you are going to a party that will have dim lighting, it is best to use some shimmer to highlight your face. I worked the bronzer into my hairline, allowing it to go into my hair for added texture.

Cat Eyes & Whiskers

  1. I darkened my eyebrows with a dark brown eye pencil and set them with brown powder eye shadow.
  2. I then used light concealer and white powder around my eyes to create contrast with the black lines I was about to add.
  3. I began with a typical cat-eye, first using a black pencil as a guide and retracing with liquid liner, curving the outer portion of the line upward.  I then extended it in a downward motion on the inner corner of my eye.  This can be made as dramatic as desired.  I traced my lower lash line with a thick line of liquid liner and used a black pencil on my waterline for depth.
  4.  I finished off my eyes with multiple shades of brown eye shadow and retraced the lines with Tarte Amazonian Clay brown eyeliner.
  5. Next, I added the nose and whiskers. I drew the nose on in an upside down triangle shape with black liquid liner and filled it in with a black pencil.
  6. I only made three dots on each side for whiskers, but lines could easily be added. I used peach lipstick and topped it off with the shimmery bronzer that I had used on my face.
MORE: Curly Hairstyles from AnnaLynn McCord

The Cat Suit

Unlike most Halloween costumes, the clothing was actually the easiest part. I wore black leggings, wrapped brown and orange fabric around me and attached a tail at the back with a safety pin. This part of the costume can easily be created by making use of what you already own and would be fairly simple for a child.

This was such a fun and simple curly haired Halloween costume, and I hope you enjoy making it your own!

Do you have a favorite curly costume idea?