Search Results: Stacey Biro
With a change of seasons in the air, it’s a great time to try some new products. Enhance your waves without breaking the bank with this blend of old favorites and new finds. They’ll make your routine ready for Spring’s warmer and rainier weather.
Bioterra Alcohol-Free Defining Gel
I first found out about this gel from Curly Susie who swears by it for her wavy/curly hair. I had been reluctant to try it because it does contain a small amount of glycerin which my hair does not usually respond well to, however, once I finally did try it, I wished I’d done so sooner. It has a lightweight, watery consistency that is easy to apply and does not weigh down hair. It creates a soft gel cast that can easily be scrunched out to reveal soft, shiny, touchable curls and waves. I like to use it to finger-coil. I fill the cap with the gel, dip my index finger into the gel, and finger-coil wet, conditioned curl clumps. When I am finished with the curl clumps, I flip my head over and scrunch in any remaining product.
Giovanni Cosmetics Mousse Air-Turbo Charged™ Hair Styling Foam
This light, airy styling foam will help form gorgeous clumps on wet hair. It also works as a refresher on 2nd day hair. It gives you just enough hold, and helps to add volume to limp waves. Just a few pumps will give you waves that last.
Renpure Originals Argan Oil Luxurious Conditioner
For smoother, silkier hair, this conditioner is a must. It has argan oil for stronger strands that resist breakage. Your hair will look and feel healthier and more voluminous.
Luster’s Pink Smooth Touch Smooth Edge Gel with Coconut Oil
Got flyaway edges? Smooth them down for a sleeker, more polished look. This edge gel contains coconut oil to help strengthen fine baby hairs and help them grow.
Cantu Sensitive Hypoallergenic Conditioner
If you suffer from dermatitis, you know how difficult it can be to find effective products. Cantu Sensitive Hypoallergenic conditioner will provide your hair with all the hydration it needs without causing your scalp to break out.
Bella Curls Coconut Creme CoWash
If you love a good cowash, here is one that you need in your life. It gently cleanses your scalp while leaving your hair moisturized and smelling fresh. A combination of moisturizing oils and hair health-promoting botanicals guarantee a good (co”>wash day. This luxurious formulation comes in a pump bottle, so it won’t slip away in the shower.
Mielle Organics Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Styling Gel
Streamline your routine with a styling gel that moisturizes your hair. It doesn’t flake, or leave your hair crispy. It also has a light, fresh, invigorating scent that you are sure to love.
Coconut Restore Styling & Setting Gelee
If frizz is a problem, this gelee has you covered. It provides the perfect balance of moisture and hold. Your waves will stay put all day with this light, coconut-oil infused styler.
CURLS Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste
Calm those flyaways and add sleekness and shine to your strands with this sweetly-scented pomade. You only need a dab of this Naturally Curly community favorite.
Sauce Beauty Intense Repair Shampoo Chimichurri Mint Tingle
This minty and invigorating shampoo will cleanse your scalp and calm the itch. It’s the perfect cleanser for getting the scalp back in balance while gently removing dirt and product from your waves to leave them bouncy and soft.
What is your favorite budget-friendly product? Let us know in the comments. Click here for some drugstore products for the Curly Girl Method.
Image Source:@powerdomi
Healthy, bouncy, shimmery waves are rocking the runways this fall. Bring on the shine, and banish the frizz with these tips and products. A little extra TLC (and moisture”> is needed as the seasons change.
1. Trim those ends.
Regular removal of dry, split ends will reduce breakage and tangles, and keep your hair healthy. Fuzzy ends look dry, matte, and unruly. Without them, your hair can clump better and retain more moisture.
2. Rinse with cool water.
Steaming hot showers may be a welcome wake-up on those chilly autumn mornings but they can dry out your hair and skin. Rinsing your daily conditioner with cooler temperature water can help seal in moisture and make your hair look smoother and shinier.
3. Diffuse with a cool shot.
Having a cool shot feature on your hair dryer is a must, especially if you want to turn down fall frizz. NuMe has everything you need to get your gloss game on in its Blowout Boutique.
4. Use shine-enhancing serums.
Serums are light, easy to apply products that can be used in place of your leave-in. They impart a brilliant sheen to your hair without weighing it down. Naturally Curly community favorites include:
- CURLS Cashmere + Caviar Hair Serum: with its blend of oils and hydrolyzed wool protein, this serum will give you smooth shiny waves with structure.
- EDEN BodyWorks Almond Marshmallow Hydration Serum: For shine, tangle-busting slip, and sheen promoting properties that will keep your waves glowing gorgeous all day, this hydration serum is sure to be a regular in your regimen.
- Lubricity Labs S-Curl: Curl Perfecting Serum: if you aren’t a fan of products that leave your hair feeling crunchy, this is the serum for you. If contains tapioca-derived proteins that support your waves without leaving them feeling stiff. It can be used when you are air drying or using a diffuser. It will give you soft, full-bodied waves with plenty of shine.
5. Finish with a mist.
Finishing mists are a great way to add gloss to your finished style without the weighed-down look that can be caused by heavier oils. You can also use them to help scrunch out the crunch. Spray a small amount into one of your palms, and then scrunch. Some mists that are perfect for waves include:
- Design Essentials Coconut & Monoi Intense Shine Oil: You only need a tiny amount of this oil blend for fantastic, lasting sheen. It is best for thicker density hair that needs a lot of moisture.
- Alikay Naturals Shine Crave Hair Glosser: If you love coconut oil as a sealer, this glosser is perfect for you. Its all-natural blend of oils including coconut and sweet almond will keep frizz and flyaways at bay while leaving your hair soft and shiny.
- Curl Company Beach Spray Curl Activation Mist: If you want to get beachy waves without the heat of a barrel iron, finish with this texturizing and shine spray. Not only will it help to enhance your waves, it will leave them full of sheen.
- Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Shine On Curl Elixir: Naturally Curly shopper Marsha L. writes “Great product! Leaves my curls soft, moisturized, and bouncy. Love it!” with its blend of moisturizing oils and fantastic fragrance, you are sure to love it, too.
What are your favorite ways to add shine to your waves? Let us know in the comments. For some tips on preventing frizz for type 2 wavy hair, click here.
I am a huge fan of hair foams of every variety: volumizing, moisturizing, root lifting, and curl refreshing. I have tried most of them, and if I had to choose one styler to use in lieu of all others, a foam would be it. Having used Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse with great results, I was pretty excited to see Lottabody Milk & Honey Refine Me Curl Defining Mousse in the store. I knew it would work for my hair before I tried it because I did my usual label sleuthing. (Product junkie tip: get to know ingredients and you will save money when shopping for new stylers.”>
The product’s first ingredient is water, so it is light, and absorbs well. Other key ingredients include:
- cocamidopropyl betaine is a surfactant that is coconut-oil derived. It helps create a rich foam, and moderates the viscosity of the other ingredients. It has some mild conditioning properties as well.
- Polyquaternium 11 is used to help smooth hair and reduce static. It can help with the type of winter frizz that comes from dry indoor air.
- argan oil smooths, moisturizes, and helps strengthen strands.
- shea locks in hydration and conditions hair.
- milk protein and coconut oil help strands to be stronger and less prone to breakage.
My review:
I first tried this mousse on fully saturated and detangled hair that did not have any additional product in it. My goal was to see if it could hydrate my curls on its own. Generally, with most foams, I do need to use a leave-in underneath. I applied eight pumps of product in total, distributing it throughout my hair and raking it through. The scent was really pleasant and not too heavy. I then finger-coiled and scrunched my hair. The curls clumped extremely well. With some brands of mousse, the product tends to sit on the hair, requiring the excess to be scrunched out with a microfiber towel. Lottabody Milk & Honey Refine Me Curl Defining Mousse penetrated the hair shaft. I just had a little extra at my roots that I was able to easily scrunch into the hair. When my hair dried, it was shiny, defined, and had good volume. It was frizz-free and stayed that way for the entire day.
The next day, I wanted to ensure that the product could refresh my hair easily. Being a high porosity, fine hair density curly, I tend to lose moisture and definition easily. Frizz is always a challenge as well. I tried to scrunch in a tiny section of curls that had lost definition and I found that I needed to add a spritz of water. I lightly dampened the area, applied a small amount of the product, and then finger-coiled the curls that needed a boost. I allowed them to dry and lightly scrunched them for extra body. I was able to repeat this for several days with good results. I recommend this mousse with a caveat: it provides medium hold, so if you like a firm cast you may need to go over it with a firm-hold gel.
Have you tried Lottabody Milk & Honey Refine Me Curl Defining Mousse in additional ways, like for twists or roller sets? Let us know in the comments. If you want help on deciding on whether mousse is the right product for your curls click here.
It’s February and you know what that means: Galentine’s Day! This year, our picks for the best gifts include some new additions to our Shop along with tried-and-true favorites. Give everyone on your list a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of gorgeous curls. And don’t forget to stock up for yourself, too.
Adama Burgundy Satin Lined Jersey Beanie
When those winter winds howl, this trendy, soft, satin-lined jersey-knit beanie can help beat the cold. Curls stay protected and frizz-free. It can also be worn over a plastic cap when deep conditioning.
SwirlyCurly Snappee Black Hair Tie (5 ct.”>
Does your curl friend like to pull her hair back? This hair tie will get the job done without damage for perfectly polished styles that last. Two Snappees can be connected together for a headband. The product is washable, hypo-allergenic, free of elastic, and dryer-safe.
The Mane Choice Peach Black Tea & Vitamin Fusion Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Conditioner
Peach Black Tea Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Conditioner helps to make fine, thin, and weak hair more voluminous. It moisturizes without excess weight, and leaves curls soft and shiny. If breakage and shedding are a problem, this product is the perfect fix.
Originals by Africa’s Best Honey & Castor Curls
This hydrating, curl-defining cream will give even the driest, thirstiest curls all the moisture they need to look and feel amazing. This is a styler with soft hold that can be paired with a medium or firm-hold gel.
SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Rehydration Hot Oil Treatment
Used before shampooing, this restorative pre-poo moisturizes, strengthens, and improves hair’s elasticity. It reduces breakage and split ends and improves the overall health of hair.
Curl Junkie Pattern Pusha
As with all Curl Junkie’s products, your curly-bestie can expect great results from this Naturally Curly Community favorite. It can be used to help curls hold their shape when scrunched in, or to create lovely stretched styles. It leaves curls with a polished look, and gives them plenty of sheen.
CURLS Cashmere + Caviar Hair Bath
For a moisturizing deep clean that won’t leave curls feeling stripped, this hair bath is one to reach for. It has charcoal, botanical extracts, and a fresh scent she will love.
SoCozy Sensitive Scalp Serum Balancing Treatment
I know we don’t usually think of itch-relief products when it comes to hair-product gifts, but relief from the winter dryness and flakes is something that most curlies are on the lookout for when January and February roll around. This serum is light, non-greasy, and effective.
CURLS Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste
Multi-use products are everyone’s favorite find. This paste provides great edge control, restyles errant curls that have lost their shape, slicks down flyaways, and adds shine.
Hair Flair Deluxe Softhood Hair Dryer Attachment – Purple
Give that salon look at home with the Softhood hair dryer attachment. It can be used to help deep condition hair (just place a plastic cap underneath”>, or to help speed up drying times for sets. Its patented silicone collar means that it will not slip off the hair dryer nozzle. It fits nozzle diameter sizes up to 2.2 inches.
What is your favorite Galentine’s Day product? Let us know in the comments. For more great gift ideas click here.
Image: @planetcurls
Short hair is supposed to be liberating. Losing length means less work, less product, and the realized dream of a true wash and go, right? Well, sort of. While it is true that there are fabulous benefits to cutting your curls, caring for them at a shorter length requires some adjustments to your normal regimen.
Do get more frequent trims.
With long hair, you can usually get away with scheduling a professional trim 2-3 times per year, in addition to regular at-home split-ends checks. With a shorter cut, you will have to spend more time in the salon chair. A short-to-medium cut needs to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks, while a pixie may need to be trimmed even more frequently to keep it in great shape. But, the bright-side is that your hair will be its healthy best.
Do make sure you are using the right types of conditioners.
With longer hair, you may find that the ends need intense moisture to keep them from being dry and frizzy. At a shorter length, intense rinse-out and leave-in conditioners may leave your curls looking greasy and flat. You may notice that your hair does better with a few lighter, water-based products.
Do plan on needing to wash your hair more frequently.
With long curly hair, it takes a couple of days for the sebum at our scalps to make its way down the hair shaft, and it may never reach the ends before we wash it away. With shorter hair, you may need to step up your wash days, particularly if you have fine, low density hair.
Do create a night routine appropriate to a shorter length.
When your hair is long, you may be able to pull it up into a pineapple before going to bed and awake with voluminous curls that have body at the roots. If you overstretch shorter hair, it will lose curl definition. A better bet is to sleep in a satin scarf or cap.
Do spice things up with temporary color.
Want to try flame-red tips, or violet roots? Short hair is the perfect canvas for your color experiments. A little hair color wax or spray can rev up your look.
Do not neglect your scalp.
This is particularly important if you are trying to grow out your hair after a big chop. The condition of your scalp is key, and making sure that it has everything it needs to be healthy will give you strong roots and adequate hair growth. At the least, you should be clarifying 1-2 times per month, but for increased benefits, add a detox and an exfoliating scrub.
Do not skimp on styling.
As much as it would be wonderful to be able to scrunch and walk out the door, many (if not most”> of us find that shaping our curls will give the best results. Finger coiling, twist outs, and shingling can bring out the best in our curls and our shorter cuts. Styling curls helps to shape them as they grow, too.
Do not let your roots fall flat.
While flat roots are a challenge for long-haired wavies and looser curlies, for those with shorter styles, too much moisture at the roots can keep curls from clumping correctly. To avoid this, use a microfiber towel to get out excess water, and then clip your roots. Click here for tips.
Do not stick to the same style every day.
If you are used to long hair, you are likely used to its versatility. Short hair is versatile, too! You can use pins and clips to direct your curls, dab in pomades and texturing pastes to add movement, or pick out your soft, well-defined curls for face-framing volume. Short hair is never short on choices.
What are your best-tressed tips for short hair? Let us know in the comments. For more dos and don’ts click here.
During certain times of the year, when I’m a little lax on my regular trims and daily moisturizing rituals, my high-porosity hair ultimately protests by presenting me with a wild halo of frizz that no amount of fine-mist spritzing will tame. When this happens, I need to reach for hair products with intense hydrating capabilities, and I must schedule a trim. To tide me over until my next salon visit, I decided to test out Wonder Curl Restoring Hair Treatment.
While Wonder Curl Restoring Hair Treatment was created for tight curl patterns, looser curlies and wavies who have a lot of dryness and frizz can use it, too. So, if you live in an all-curly household, you will be happy to know that it can work wonders for everyone. The product is vegan and cruelty-free (not tested on animals”>. Some of the key ingredients include:
- Olive oil to smooth, moisturize, and help mend brittle, fraying ends.
- Avocado to reduce hair shedding and help to seal in moisture.
- Shea butter for softness and elasticity.
- Tamanu oil to make hair stronger and more resilient. Tamanu oil also promotes a healthy scalp, and contains antifungal properties.
- Vitamins E, C, B3, and B6 to protect hair and scalp from damaging free radicals.
- Vitamin B5 (panthenol”> to make hair stronger and provide curls with structure and support.
- Fatty alcohols which contain good slip for aid in detangling. They also improve manageability.
- Botanical extracts to help promote the health of the hair and scalp.
To Use:
To get the best results with Wonder Curl Restoring Hair Treatment, use it with heat.
- After washing or co-washing hair, apply the treatment in sections.
- Rake through, and then use your fingers, and a wide-toothed comb to detangle. If you have high-porosity hair and have difficulty moisturizing all the layers at the back of your head, flip your head over and rake through your curls.
- Cover your head with a plastic shower cap, and then put on a Hot Head that you have heated in the microwave, or a hooded hair dryer attachment with the hair dryer set to medium heat.
- If your hair is very dry or damaged, leave the treatment on for 30 minutes. You can leave the treatment on for 15 minutes if you are using it just to maintain hair health.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and then style as usual.
My Review:
The first thing I noticed about the product when I opened the jar was its rich, luxurious texture. It was thick enough to cling to my strands while I massaged it into the dry ends, but not too thick to impede distribution. It had a wonderful slip which got out the knots and tangles easily. I was able to do finger detangling over most of my head, and only needed to use a wide-toothed comb for a small section at the crown. I used the product with a Hot Head, and it penetrated my strands well, leaving them hydrated. I was able to skip my usual leave-in, and just scrunched in a bit of mousse, and ended up with bouncy, shiny curls that kept their shape. Refreshing was much easier, too. I just lightly misted a few errant curls that had lost their definition with water and scrunched in some mousse and I was good to go.
Have you tried Wonder Curl Restoring Hair Treatment? What do you love the most about it? For more Wonder Curl products click here.
Image: @heyhellolauren
We’ve learned a lot about curly hair over the past twenty years. From products, to tools, to techniques with odd-sounding names like plopping, there are countless hacks that we use in our individual regimens. Below are the very best of them, cultivated from our Naturally Curly community.
Build a customized routine.
The Curly Girl Method taught us a lot about caring for and respecting our hair. For some of us, ceasing the use of silicones, sulphates, parabens, drying alcohols, and heat, along with co-washing, and other mainstays of the method, introduced us to curls we never knew we had. However, some of us found that we needed to make tweaks such as continuing to use silicones and sulphates, or ditching co-washing altogether in order for our hair to be its healthy and beautiful best. No matter which rules you follow (or create”> if the end result is you loving your curls then you are doing curly right.
Pay attention to ingredients.
As curlies, we have learned to do the bottle flip—i.e., completely ignore the description on the front of the bottle and flip it over to read the ingredients on the back. Besides the stuff that we may not want, like parabens, we want to look for the ingredients that make our hair thrive, for example aloe, fatty alcohols, and botanical extracts. Making a mental note of the ingredients in products that work well for your hair will help you save money and time when you want to switch up your routine and try something new.
Give your hair the right amount of moisture.
Moisture is critical for every curl type, porosity, and density. Too little moisture, and your hair will become dry and frizzy, and will be difficult to detangle and style. Too much, and you can run into issues withhygral fatigue. Finding the right amount can leave you with hydrated, healthy curls with lots of spring and bounce.
Maintain the correct moisture-to-protein balance.
While not everyone needs extra protein in their products, especially if they are prone to protein overload, for some, a little protein in products can provide structure and support to curls. It can also help to make hair stronger and eliminate that spongey-frizz that hygral fatigue can cause. For more on this topic, click here.
Be aware of the variables that can impact your hair.
Every head of curly hair is unique, and what works for one curly can be totally different from someone else with a similar curl pattern, porosity, and/or density. There are many variables that impact our hair, from the climate we live in, the change of seasons, to hormones, to even haircuts, so respecting your hair’s evolving needs is key to keeping it in great shape.
Clarify regularly.
Clarifying hair is critical for a healthy scalp and head of hair. It removes dirt, debris, dead skin cells and product buildup that can clog scalp pores and impede hair growth. It also thoroughly cleanses the hair leaving it bouncier and fuller. Click here for clarifying shampoos that work great for curly hair.
Detangle with care.
There was a time in the not-too-distant past that detangling was done on dry hair with a brush which led to breakage and frizz. We now know that detangling is best done on thoroughly saturated hair with products that have plenty of slip. Fingers, wide-toothed combs, and tangle-teasers can be used to help get out the knots and tangles.
Use enough product.
Curly hair needs product to help keep it moisturized, to encourage curl formation, and to create a cast which will lock curls into form. How much is enough can be variable, but as a general rule of thumb, your hair should make that squishing sound when you scrunch it.
Seal in moisture.
Once you have applied moisturizing products to your hair, it is important to trap moisture so that curls stay hydrated. There are many ways to do this, including the LOC Method and the 1-2-3 Gel Method.
On wash days, remove excess water after you have applied products.
After you have applied products onto your saturated hair, it is important to remove any excess. For curlies with looser textures, this may mean using a microfiber towel or tee-shirt, and then scrunching. Curlies with tighter textures may find that shaking out their curls gets rid of just the right amount of water while still leaving their curls hydrated.
Encourage curl definition.
You encourage curls to help them to find their correct shape. There are many ways to do this which include: finger coiling, scrunching (which also locks in moisture”>, the Rake and Shake Method, and shingling.
Don’t let your roots fall flat.
The weight of water in the hair can drag down the roots causing them to be flat. There are many ways to avoid this, including using a microfiber towel, using duckbill clips, jaw clips, and plopping.
Diffuse with care.
Diffusing hair can be a great way to create springy curls and to get excess volume. However, it is a delicate operation. Gently and carefully pushing up a few curls at a time from their ends to the scalp is the best way to do this. Time, care, and patience are necessary.
Scrunch out the crunch.
Once a cast has formed around those gorgeous curls, you need to scrunch out the crunch in order to keep your hair from looking crispy. I like to do this by flipping my head over and starting at the back.
Use a pick.
A pick is an excellent tool for getting volume without losing definition or causing breakage. You can use it to help break up a cast (just pick out the roots only”>, or to fluff up your hair when it has fallen flat.
Avoid heat styling.
Heat styling tools such as blow-dryers, flat irons, and barrel irons can permanently wreck your curl pattern as well as causing permanent damage and breakage. While using a tiny bit of heat is usually okay, for example, a hair dryer set to ‘Medium’ with a diffuser every so often (depending on the health of the hair”>, for the most part, avoiding heat can help you get the healthy, shiny, bouncy curls that you crave.
Get serious about deep conditioning.
Using deep conditioning treatments at regular intervals can help your hair to thrive. With them, you will see an improvement in hair’s elasticity, strength, and growth rates. Hair will also be less brittle and prone to breakage at the ends.
Get regular trims at a salon.
No matter how skilled you are with the scissors, your hair still needs help from a trained stylist to keep those dry ends at bay, especially in the back. Without regular trims, split ends will progress up the hair shaft causing you to lose length. More so, dry ends will drag down your hair, and make it difficult to work with. Snipping them off periodically will keep your curls in good shape.
Choose haircuts that suit your style and your hair type.
Curly hair is so versatile, and is beautiful at any length, and in a variety of styles. While you do need to find stylists with the proper training to cut and care for curly hair, you usually do not need to go to the most expensive salon in your city to get a great cut. You also do not need to stick to a particular style, technique, or length. The best cut for you is the one that works with your style, curl type, and lifestyle.
Change up your routine as needed.
Even if you have the perfect routine for your hair, you will need to adjust it periodically due to the weather, the length of your hair, hormonal factors, moving or travelling to a different climate, and other variables. This does not mean that you will need to abandon your current routine entirely, but you may just need to add a bit more moisture in the form of, for example, a richer leave-in conditioner, or clarify a tad more frequently.
What are your favorite curly hair hacks? Let us know in the comments. Click here for tips that are specific to winter weather.
As you may know, there is no one routine for the spectrum of curl patterns, porosity types, and densities that we have (often on the same head”>, but the need for moisture is common for everyone. The products below have hydrating properties in abundance to banish dryness and the frizz that comes with it. Bonus: if you live in a curly household and are sharing products, there is something for everyone on this list.
Wonder Curl Restoring Hair Treatment
For dry, brittle hair that lacks elasticity and shine, this deeply penetrating treatment is the perfect prescription. Its rich blend of oils and butters such as tamanu, olive, avocado, and shea, provide lasting hydration. A combination of vitamins E, C, B3, and B6 protect the hair and scalp from free radicals and promote hair growth.
Oyin Handmade Hair Dew
Oyin Handmade Hair Dew, is a light multi-use product that packs a punch when it comes to moisture. It can be used after a wash, or as a pick-me-up for tired tresses. To revitalize second-day curls, mix with water and lightly mist and reshape any curls that have lost their zing.
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner
Of all the products I have used over my own curly hair journey, this one remains a staple, and I recommend it to transitioning friends of all hair types. It helps to make detangling easier, leaves hair soft, enhances sheen, and infuses curls with all-day moisture. You can use it as a daily conditioner, a leave-in, or as a refresher when you mix it with water. It also comes in liter-sized bottles for your convenience.
As I Am Restore & Repair Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner
JBCO fans rejoice! This conditioner will strengthen and repair your hair, and is especially good for helping to prevent breakage and split ends. It has great slip for working through knots and tangles, too. The end result is hair that feels bouncy and more manageable.
Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner
This conditioner contains coconut oil and coconut milk to help strengthen strands, and provide structure and support for curls that loose definition easily. Rosemary oil soothes the scalp and helps to promote hair growth.
2 Girls With Curls Lavender and Grapefruit Conditioner
Dry hair has met its match with this hydrating recipe that contains aloe vera, and olive and avocado oils. This conditioner has a citrus and lavender scent that will leave your curls smelling fresh and clean, too.
Kinky-Curly Knot Today
Knot Today is a favorite of wavies, curlies, and coilies due to its great slip and shine-enhancing capabilities. Its blend of botanical extracts and moisturizing cetyl alcohol fight frizz in any weather.
African Pride Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-In Cream
Nourishing, restorative baobab oil joins forces with strengthening coconut oil in this leave-in that you are sure to love. It will help enhance your curls while providing them with all the moisture they need to look and feel their best.
Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan & Olive Oil Daily Hair Conditioner
For a daily conditioner that will supply your hair all the moisture it desires without weighing it down or making it look greasy or stringy, grab a bottle of Beauticurls Argan & Olive Oil Daily Hair Conditioner. Like all Curl Junkie products, the ingredients form a top-notch formula that will give your hair the TLC it deserves.
Mielle Organics Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Scalp Treatment
If you suffer from a dry scalp that itches and flakes, this moisturizing treatment can get things back into balance. It has cooling peppermint (which also stimulates hair growth”>, soothing menthol, and invigorating ginger.
Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Mist Me Over Curl Hydrator
Revive and refresh those wilted curls with this botanical, water-based mist. It will put the hydration back in your hair and leave it smelling fresh.
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Give your curls a boost and prevent frizz with the Curl Activator Cream that everybody loves. It moisturizes, defines, enhances volume, and boosts shine.
Many Ethnicities Leave-In Conditioning Cream
This rich and luxurious leave-in can be used on wash day to lock in hydration or on second-day (and beyond”> hair to banish dryness and enhance curl definition.
Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Hair Parfait
Even though this parfait is ultra-moisturizing, it is not too heavy or greasy, so it will not weigh down finer hair. It contains argan and coconut oils, and shea butter to keep waves, curls, and coils well-hydrated, happy, and healthy.
Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream – Island Fantasy
If you want a gentle cleanser that will leave your hair feeling soft, clean, and moisturized, this Cleansing Cream is a must-have. With its delightful tropical scent, it makes the perfect pick-me-up, too.
What is your favorite moisturizing product? Let us know in the comments. Click herefor four ways to moisturize your curls.
Winter is a great time to try a fresh new hair color that will add light and dimension to your curls. The options are endless, from the natural sun-kissed look, to bold all-over color, to ya shiny boost to your natural shade (and everything in between”>. But, because Winter is hard on textured tresses, there are special precautions that must be taken to keep them healthy. Below, stylist April Kayganich of Austin, TX shares some color inspiration and tips to ensure that your hair color makeover turns out perfect.
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Tip #1: Do an Olaplex Treatment.
One of my favorite things to recommend to clients before coming in for a color service is to do an Olaplex #3 treatment. This is a treatment that can be used once a week in between color services. It is a bond-building treatment that helps to fortify the hair before any chemical process. I have seen Olaplex work its magic for many years and I stand behind it! You can even book a stand-alone Olaplex treatment at your salon which will be an even more potent treatment.
Buy Olaplex #3 here.
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Tip #2: Book that color consultation.
Dry hair is prone to breakage, so adding color in the mix can be a dangerous thing! Make sure you have a consultation first before booking a color appointment so you and your stylist can manage expectations as well as maintain the integrity of your hair.
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Tip #3: Do a Steam Treatment.
Another thing you can do to increase hair’s moisture during the winter is to do a deep conditioner while sitting under a steamer. Steamers are different from dryers because they open up the cuticle by using heat and water, compared to the dryer that just opens your hair with heat, and your result with the steamer is more hydrated hair. My favorite deep conditioner right now is Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Mask
Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Mask is a Naturally Curly Community favorite. It contains Moroccan Lava Clay along with olive, marula, and coconut oils. It deeply moisturizes, and then seals the cuticle for maximum sheen and definition. If you struggle with winter frizz due to the combination of dry, indoor air from forced heat, cold winter winds, and precipitation, this masque is a good choice. If you do not have a salon nearby that offers steam hydration services, you can amp up the moisturizing properties of this mask or another favorite by using it with a Hot Head thermal conditioning cap.
Tip #4: Make sure you get a haircut.
The weather can be very drying during winter because of the cold air. This is also the time when people will use heat on their hair more often so they don’t have to leave their house with wet hair. The ends of our hair are the oldest, so they need the most care. To ensure that you’re retaining length, make sure you get your ends trimmed.
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Once you’ve gotten that glorious hair color shade that you love, keep it glowing and growing with the following tips:
- Schedule regular maintenance visits to the salon. Besides regular trims, which keep strands healthy and less prone to breakage and split ends, have the color freshened up as needed. This might mean a toning rinse, a root-refresh, or a few lowlights if your hair color looks washed out and needs more depth.
- Avoid the box dyes. While it may be tempting to grab-and-go your signature shade at the pharmacy, this is the fast-track to dry, frizzy, damaged curls. Also, if you have high-porosity hair, special precautions must be taken to avoid over-bleaching or over-saturation of color.
- Make your own blue or purple toning shampoo and use it regularly to mitigate brassiness. Click here for instructions.
- When choosing a clarify shampoo, ensure that it is formulated for both curls and color. Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo has a gentle, curl and color-friendly chelating formula that gets out product-buildup, dirt, and impurities without stripping.
- Consider using a shower filter. The minerals in hard water can make your hair color fade or look brassy or greenish.
- Limit your use of heat styling tools as much as possible.
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Are you get a hair color makeover this winter? Tell us all about it in the comments. If you are not quite ready to take the plunge, click here for the best temporary colors to try.
Whether it’s glamorous and sophisticated or carefree and fun, the updo is a style that never goes out of fashion. You can wear it to work in the morning, and it will hold its shape for an evening party, provided you secure it properly and use lots of hairspray.
Here are my favorite updo tips for curly hair:
- It is a good idea to practice your updo of choice before you have to wear it so as to avoid over-manipulation of the hair (which can lead to loss of curl definition”>.
- Make sure your hair is well-moisturized, paying particular attention to any loose or flyaway pieces.
- Use edge gel. Nicely laid edges can complete your style, particularly if you are going for a formal, elegant look. If you have grays at the hairline, black edge gel or another color that matches your own such as these can cover them as well.
- Finish with shine-enhancing hairspray for sheen and hold.
For style inspiration, see below.
1. Image Source: @devacurl of @comegetyacurl
In need of a wash day, but want to extend it as much as you can? Try this quick and easy updo perfect for styling when you’re low on time.
2. Image Source: @corporate_curly
This twisted updo is simply stunning! Great for work, weddings or a holiday party to keep your curls poppin all night long.
3. Image Source: @joyjah
The classic high bun with a couple loose curly pieces to frame your face are the perfect combo. This timeless style is a forever favorite, plus it looks great on all hair types.
4. Image Source: @Pekela Riley
Tis’ the season for big voluminous hair! This gorgeous yet effortless curly updo is the perfect style for any occasion from day to night.
5. Image Source: @me.and.my.curls
For a pretty, carefree look that takes just minutes to put together, try this 3-Step bun. It is inspired by the 2-step bun from The Small Things blog.
6. Image source: @pinkpetalorganics
A mile-high bun and a cat eye go great together. Accent this look with a horizontal braid for a truly unique statement.•
7. Image Source: @curlsbybebonia
Bebonia Curly Hair Extensions can take curls to new lengths. You are sure to love this soft, romantic look with loose braids and shiny waves.
8. Image Source: @naturallytemi
To pump up the volume, try a rod set for extra definition and volume. This gorgeous twisted low bun is a great way to switch up your everyday look in no time.
9. Image Source: @heycurlie
Spice up your top knot with gold string combined to create a stunning, sparkly style that is a great pick for the holidays.
10. Image Source: @poshandpoor
This updo emphasizes spectacular curls. It has lots of height, along with perfect definition, plus even a few sparkles.
What is your favorite updo? Let us know in the comments below.
Don’t let the dry winter weather zap the life and bounce out of your waves and curls. These ultra-moisturizing, rich, restorative conditioners will give your hair the hydration it needs to stay healthy throughout the colder months. This lovingly-curated list is sure to contain your current or soon-to-be-discovered favorites.
1. Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner
If frizz is the halo you can do without, Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner can smooth it down. It strengthens hair with coconut oil, and keeps it soft and pliable with olive and sunflower oils. This is a fantastic product for curls that easily lose their shape when there is a lot of static electricity in the air.
2. Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
This conditioner contains the antioxidant powers of hibiscus to protect your strands from environmental damage, as will as a blend of moisturizing oils, botanical extracts, fatty alcohols, and smoothing aloe vera. Its rich, buttery texture coats the hair shaft and helps seal dry, brittle ends. Hair is left silkier, shinier, and more manageable.
3. Alikay Naturals Avocado Moisture Repairing Mask
Alikay Naturals Avocado Moisture Repairing Mask will provide your hair with excellent hydration while also making it feel smoother. Behentrimonium methosulfate and cetearyl alcohol make detangling easier. Wheat germ oil helps to strengthen hair without leaving it feeling hard or dry. And if you are trying to grow out your hair, burdock root and rosemary and peppermint oils will help to stimulate your scalp.
4. Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment
Treat your hair to the deep thirst-quenching properties of coconut water. It, in tandem with moisturizing safflower seed, sunflower seed, cocoa seed, palm kernel, Argan, almond, and jojoba oils provide moisture to hair that needs some extra love. Botanical extracts help to purify hair and scalp. Your hair will be renewed and restored.
5. DevaCurl Heaven in Hair Intense Moisture Treatment
A Naturally Curly Community favorite, Heaven in Hair Intense Moisture Treatment can take the driest waves and curls from flat and frizzy to bouncy, shiny, and lively with ease. It’s the winter wonder that you need for your regular deep conditioning treatments.
6. Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment – Strawberry Ice Cream
You will see this fruity-scented jar of hair magic on many top-ten lists, which is where it belongs. It works amazingly as a deep-conditioner, a daily-conditioner, or a leave-in. If you like do-it-all products that have great slip to aid in detangling, and leave your hair silky and glowing, Curl Rehab is an absolute must-have.
7. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
The buttery goodness of this deeply moisturizing masque makes it a perennial favorite for wise naturalistas and newbies alike. It also will encourage stronger strands with panthenol and carrot seed oil.
8. Texture My Way Texture Control Moisture Intensive Dual Conditioner
Dry, damaged, lifeless hair needs special care. This intensive conditioner will give it all it needs to thrive in cold air. You can use the product as a regular treatment when transitioning, or as a reconstructor for hair that has recently undergone heat or chemical damage.
9. As I Am Restore & Repair Jamaican Black Castor Oil Moisturizing Masque
For hydration that lasts, scoop up some of this luxurious masque. It will soothe your scalp and coat thirsty strands with moisture, helping to alleviate dry, brittle ends and frizz.
10. Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage Deep Conditioner
This deep conditioner is full of hair-loving ingredients. Honey is a fabulous humectant that will deposit moisture from the air into parched strands. Babassu oil penetrates the hair’s cuticle layer to restore it and protect it from dryness. Sage is a wonder-herb for the scalp that helps to stave off flakes and itching. These ingredients and more will give your hair and scalp everything they need to thrive.
What are your favorite hydrating conditioners? Let us know in the comments. To rev up your conditioning routine, use any of the products above with a Hot Head.
This holiday season, Santa is not the only one sporting a beard. Many men are loving the look, and like our curls, beards need special care to be healthy. If your Bae is stuck in the stubble stage, be aware that certain oils contained in products can block DHT, the hormone that is responsible for beard growth. (Yes, DHT, the same hormone that is implicated in scalp hair loss.”> Oils with the least amount of DHT-blocking properties are jojoba, castor, and meadowfoam seed. Conversely, if his beard grows so fast that keeping up with it is a challenge, choose products with more DHT-blocking oils such as: pumpkin seed, rosemary, sweet almond, and apricot kernel.
What to look for in beard products:
Because men with beards can struggle with clogged pores, irritation, and breakouts, it is important to choose products with gentle ingredients that promote skin health. You also will want to look for plenty of moisturizing ingredients that will help to soothe delicate facial skin while also softening beards and making them easier to detangle.
Murray’s Billey’s Beard Oil
For a smoother beard with the natural scents of tea tree and lavender oils, this beard oil is a must-have.
Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener
Dry, brittle beards are itchy and uncomfortable. Condition and help them grow with this softener that contains a blend of butters and oils such as shea and black seed oil.
OKAY Pure Naturals for Men Castor Oil Beard Pomade
The waxed mustache is back! If your BAE likes this look, help him get it with this castor oil-based pomade. It has an all-day hold, and can be used for hair, too.
The Mane Choice Head Honcho Hair & Beard Shampoo + Conditioner = Too CLEAN
Behold, a gentle moisturizing shampoo that contains burdock oil and a blend of botanical extracts to help stimulate hair growth. This hair and beard shampoo by The Mane Choice cleanses without stripping to leave his scalp, hair, and beard feeling and smelling refreshed.
OKAY Pure Naturals for Men Castor Oil Hair & Beard Growth & Maintenance Oil
If your BAE is struggling to get his beard to fill in, this is the product that he needs. Its main ingredient is Jamaican Black Castor oil, known for its ability to promote longer, stronger hair growth. JBCO won’t interfere with DHT, which is needed for a full beard.
OKAY Pure Naturals for Men Castor Oil 3-in-1 Hair & Beard Shampoo, Conditioner & Treatment
Multi-use product fans, rejoice. This 3-in-1 can be used for hair and beards. It cleans well without stripping, and contains moisturizers as well as hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Curl Keeper Dry Oil Elixir
Help your bearded bestie get his sheen on with this dry elixir that won’t leave his beard feeling greasy. It helps to moisturize hair and skin, and to improve elasticity. Bonus: you will love it too.
SheaMoisture Men Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Full Beard Detangler
We all know what a challenge detangling can be. This product can help make for smoother beard detangling and maintenance.
Luster’s SCurl Beard Oil
Lush, beautiful beards are healthy beards. Give your guy this luxurious blend of jojoba, Argan, and vitamin E oils to get his growing right.
Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Beard Oil
This dual-purpose oil will help him grow a thick, full, beard, and it will keep his skin soft and hydrated. It’s the perfect grooming product to start the day with.
Which products are your Bae’s faves? Let us know in the comments. For more beard care tips, click here.
Image: @ohleighann
Cetyl alcohol is one of those ingredients that, like coconut oil and glycerin, can either do wonders for your hair, or make it look and feel dry, frizzy, and unmanageable. Curlies have a love or hate relationship with it, but for those of us with high-porosity hair, it can often work wonders. I use the word “often” here because everyone’s curls are different, and they are ever-changing due to the weather, hair care, and styling practices, and scalp issues.
It is classified as a fatty alcohol. Fatty alcohols contain greater than 12 carbons per molecule and are vegetable-derived from sources such as coconut.
You will find cetyl alcohol in many hair care products because it has film-forming properties to coat the hair and provide slip. It helps to provide maximum hydration to thirsty strands and prevent dryness. This alcohol has emulsifying and thickening properties and a creamy texture, so it is often used in many different types of shampoos and conditioners. It makes them opaque, and it also helps to stabilize foam which results in a more luxurious feel to products.
Using products that list this ingredient among their top five can help many high-porosity curlies have shinier, softer hair that is easier to detangle and less prone to breakage. High porosity hair:
- Is often dry. The dryness can occur naturally or as a result of heat or chemical damage.
Cetyl alcohol is oilier than most other alcohols and is, therefore, more moisturizing. You only need a little bit in one product to provide your hair the moisture it needs. You do not need to layer products with cetyl alcohol in them.
- Loses moisture easily.
Cetyl alcohol helps to seal the hair shaft so that the moisture stays where it belongs. This will keep your curls hydrated longer.
- It has a rough cuticle structure that causes the hair to appear frizzy and dry because the light is unable to reflect off of it.
Cetyl alcohol smooths the cuticle which helps to improve hair’s sheen.
- Tends to stick to itself which makes detangling difficult. If you have this porosity type, it is likely that you need to flip your head over when you detangle because the layers in the back of your head are difficult to get through. You may also find that it is difficult to keep your hair detangled.
Cetyl alcohol provides great slip so you can detangle with less breakage.
- It is prone to frizz and flyaways.
Cetyl alcohol will coat the hair shaft and make hair softer and more manageable.
- Easily loses curl definition.
Cetyl alcohol helps your curls to retain moisture which keeps them from falling flat.
When using products with a high percentage of cetyl alcohol be aware that this ingredient, because it is very moisturizing, can be heavy and weigh down fine hair. It can also build up on the hair, so it is important to clarify regularly.
Have you tried products with cetyl alcohol in them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This holiday season, why not give the gift of great curls? The 10 regimen-perfecting products below are for those curl friends who are still striving to get the curls of their dreams, or for seasoned naturalistas who love trying new products. And while you are making your list and checking it twice, don’t forget to treat yourself, too.
1. Grace Eleyae Black Adjustable Slap Satin-Lined Cap
This fashionable satin cap will stay put thanks to adjustable straps. It can also be used to cover up sets and bad hair days in style.
2. Curly Hair Solutions Flexy Brush
This brush is a great solution for hair that is thick, dense, and difficult to detangle. It should be used on wet hair that is fully saturated with conditioner or another product with slip. Not only will it help to detangle those smaller knots, it is also fantastic for evenly distributing product.
3. DevaCurl DevaFresh Scalp & Curl Revitalizer
This mist is a must-have for a quick perk up between wash days, or after a trip to the gym. It’s infused with botanicals, and has a fresh kombucha champagne scent.
4. Camille Rose Naturals Lavender Curl Crush Defining Gel
This oil-enriched styling gel with nourishing coconut, jojoba, and real lavender is crafted to define and hold styles in place longer. Coconut Extract penetrates the hair shaft to moisturize and condition from within. Jojoba Oil moisturizes strands and scalp to promote healthy hair growth.
5. Mielle Organics Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner
For maximum moisture and superior curl definition, try Mielle’s Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner. It contains a mix of hydrating oils and hair-health promoting ingredients to keep curls looking shiny and frizz-free.
6. As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Olive & Tea Tree Oil Treatment
Winter scalp itch is the worst. This treatment will calm it down and get things back into balance with moisturizing olive oil and antifungal, antimicrobial tea tree oil.
7. Zotos Professional All About Curls Divine Treatment
Dry, parched, frizzy winter hair needs special care (and lots of moisture”> to restore it to its healthy best. This treatment has a mix of nourishing butters and oils, along with a bit of coconut oil to provide curls with support.
8. Curly Hair Solutions H2O Water Bottle
A NaturallyCurly community favorite, this water bottle has a fine-mist sprayer nozzle that lightly saturates curls for refreshing with ease. It can be used with plain water, or with a D.I.Y. mix of water and leave-in.
9. Hair Remedie Frizz Eliminating Towel – Lavender
Who doesn’t love a soft, absorbent towel that removes excess water from wet hair without causing fuzz, frizz, or breakage? It’s the perfect size for scrunch-drying saturated roots, too. NaturallyCurly Shop reviewer Kay Z. writes: “The best! I will never use any other towel on my hair. It’s soft and safe for my delicate curls. I even take this with me to my hair appointments for my stylist to use when washing my hair.”
10. The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories and Practical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community – Paperback Book
This gorgeous and informative book is filled with helpful tips, inspiring anecdotes and stunning glossy photographs of curls done right. It’s the perfect read for those chilly holiday mornings. NaturallyCurly’s own Michelle Breyer penned The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories and Practical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community to share twenty years of the best curl information around. It teaches readers how to identify their curl types, create a personalized hair care routine, decipher ingredients, and pick styles to emphasize their glorious manes.
Product Pairings and Bundles
Below are some suggestions for pairings and bundles that make great themed gifts. You may want to add a styler or a cool new diffuser for faster hair drying on those cold winter mornings.
Relax and Restore Bundle- The Curl Revolution: Inspiring Stories and Practical Advice from the NaturallyCurly Community – Paperback Book
- Zotos Professional All About Curls Divine Treatment
- Curly Hair Solutions Flexy Brush
- DevaCurl DevaFresh Scalp & Curl Revitalizer
- Curly Hair Solutions H2O Water Bottle
- Grace Eleyae Black Adjustable Slap Satin-Lined Cap
- DevaCurl DevaFresh Scalp & Curl Revitalizer
- As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Olive & Tea Tree Oil Treatment
- Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo – Citrus Lavender
- Zotos Professional All About Curls Divine Treatment
- Curly Hair Solutions Flexy Brush
- Hair Remedie Frizz Eliminating Towel – Lavender
- Mielle Organics Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner
What are your favorite holiday gifts for curls? Let us know in the comments. For more great gifts, click here.
If you regularly purchase foaming products like bubble bath and mousse, you may have wondered about an ingredient commonly found on their labels, decyl glucoside. Despite having a very unnatural sounding name, this impurity-free plant-based ingredient is derived from coconut and glucose (a combination of sugar and starch”>. It is obtained from renewable resources and it is biodegradable.
Technically, if is classified as a surfactant. Because it is non-drying and gentle, it is a good choice for skin and hair care products. It can help keep them in balance. It’s safe for sensitive skin, and is so mild that it is often used in baby products.
It is widely used for its ability to produce a stable foam that easily distributes throughout the hair. If it is used in a mousse, for example, you will find that the product foams up quickly, can be raked or combed through your curls, and then much of it is readily absorbed into the hair or dissolves when scrunched, leaving you with light hold and moisture.
It is a good ingredient choice in Curly Girl friendly products because it can be thickened with xanthan gum, carrageenan gum, polymers and other surfactants. It can also be used in combination with cocamidopropyl betaine to create a smoother foam. It is amber in color, water soluble, and has a shelf life of up to 24 or more months when stored properly.
Products that Contain Decyl Glucoside
You will find this common ingredient in many of your favorite products. Below are just a few that are known for their luxurious foaming capabilities.
Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Shampoo:
Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Shampoo is a gentle moisturizing shampoo that lathers beautifully, cleanses hair and scalp without stripping them, and smells fresh and clean. Hair is left more manageable with enhanced sheen and softness.
Honey Baby Naturals Honey Dew Hair Foam Styling Mousse:
This lavender and sugarcane oil styling mousse is perfect for your little curly. It provides light hold with maximum shine. It also helps to keep curls moisturized all day.
AG Hair Foam Weightless Volumizer:
Give those curls and waves a boost of volume with AG Hair Foam. Naturally Curl Shop reviewer, WavyLyss489, writes “I really liked this product. It was lightweight enough that it didn’t make my waves feel heavy but it also wasn’t so light that it didn’t do anything. Nothing like a happy medium! My 2nd day hair was a little crazy after sleeping on it but a little extra water and a little more foam made it good as new. It helped control my frizz and overall worked really well.”
MIZANI Foam Wrap:
This foam wrap will help give you stronger strands. It’s formulated with shea butter, monoi oil, and an anti-breakage ceramide complex. It will help keep your curls intact while providing them with the proper moisture balance.
Everyday Shea Babies & Up Bubble Bath – Lemon Lavender:
Make bath time bubble time with this gentle cleanser that will help moisturize even the driest, most sensitive skin. It has a light citrus lavender fragrance.
What products do you use that contain decyl glucoside? Let us know in the comments. For more on curly product ingredients, click here.
Hard water, or water that contains calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals such as iron and silica is more common than you might think. In fact, it is estimated that 85% of all U.S. households have it. If you are suffering from hair loss, you may wonder if hard water is to blame. Unfortunately, while there are many videos on hard water hair loss, as well as ones discussing dry skin and hair damage like this one, the peer-reviewed research on this topic is sparse at best, and conflicting at worse.
Conflicting research
Much of the research centers around whether or not hard water contributes to loss of tensile strength and elasticity of hair, but those studies tend to lack information about the hairs that were tested (their texture, porosity, condition, and thickness”>. For example, the International Journal of Trichology published this study entitled “Effects of Hard Water on Hair” which concluded that hard water did not have an effect on the tensile strength or elasticity of hair. However, the study, with only 15 female volunteers within a five-year age span (ages 20-25″>, was not a large-scale one. In the same journal, the study “To Evaluate and Compare Changes in Baseline Strength of Hairs after Treating them with Deionized Water and Hard Water and its Role in Hair Breakage” concluded that “…there is a significant decrease in strength of hair when baseline strength of hair was compared with strength of hair treated with hard water as compared to strength of hair with deionized water. This also gives us an idea that the use of hard water may result in an increase in hair breakage as well.” The test subjects were male, ages 20-30 years old, and from Peshwar, Pakistan, an area with water of medium hardness. However, would water that was slightly softer or much harder impact the results? Also, why did the two studies with subjects around the same ages yield different results?
Ingested vs. topical hard water
To further complicate this discussion, some of the minerals found in hard water are used as remedies for hair loss due to scalp calcification from hard water. Overall, there are a few consistent hard water truths that you should be aware of, which can be either positive or negative.
When ingested, unfiltered hard water can be beneficial as it can increase your dietary levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and silica which are important for overall health. Additionally:
- Calcium is needed for many critical hormonal processes throughout the body, and for strong teeth and bones.
- Magnesium is helpful for heart health and muscle relaxation.
- Silica is included in many hair supplements for its ability to strengthen hair.
- Low iron stores are implicated in a form of temporary hair loss called Telogen Effluvium.
Shampooing with hard water, however, can be problematic as hard water:
- reacts with surfactants in cleansing products to form a film that clings to the hair and scalp.
- can worsen scalp conditions as the minerals can leech into the skin and aggravate eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Exacerbation of skin conditions could potentially lead to hair loss.
- can lead to more brittle hair that is prone to tangles and breakage
- makes it more difficult to remove product build up which then leads to dry, frizzy hair and an irritated scalp
- can lead to overuse of harsh, drying shampoos that damage hair
- can cause a vicious cycle of itching, scratching, and abrasions to the skin
Are you struggling with hard water hair loss? Let us know in the comments. For more on this topic, click here.
Lively peppermint can get you going on those cold fall and winter mornings. Besides its exhilarating aroma, real peppermint oil can stimulate your scalp, keep dandruff in check, and even promote healthy hair growth. If you enjoy the signature scent of candy canes and peppermint lattes, these products are for you.
1.Curls Dynasty Pumpkin Mint Deep Treatment Masque
This treatment masque is made for parched curls that need both serious hydration and strengthening. Besides moisturizing oils of soybean, red palm, and pumpkin, it has rich shea butter, and hydrolyzed wheat protein. Botanical extracts of peppermint, yucca, nettle, horsetail and Melissa leaf leave you with smoother strands that are less prone to breakage. Reviewer Tiffany writes “…SCENT: The smell is a lime/mint/cookie scent. The mint can be felt very faintly on the scalp, but the scent is pleasant and smells like mint cookie to me.
2.Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner
Calm your scalp and soothe the itch while removing impurities with this hydrating conditioner. It has a jelly texture that is easy to distribute throughout your hair. It strengthens with panthenol and coconut oil to help your roots thrive, too.
3.Uncle Funky’s Daughter Heal & Renew Intensive Hair Masque
This mega-hydrating masque will keep your protein/moisture balance intact. It is infused with fortifying silk proteins, and moisturizing baobab, argan, and avocado oils. It also contains aloe vera juice to smooth curls that tend to frizz easily. Its peppermint oil will calm any dry air-induced scalp woes. If you need great slip for detangling, this masque is a good choice.
4.Canviiy ScalpBliss Itch-Calming Organic-Based Serum
Canviiy ScalpBliss Itch-Calming Organic-Based Serum is perfect for super itchy and inflamed scalps that need some extra TLC to get them back into balance. Just a drop or two will immediately stop the irritation. Its botanical blend of peppermint, lavender, witch hazel and manuka honey will help to calm inflammation and redness, and leave your scalp feeling restored. The itch relief is long-lasting, too.
5.Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Healthy Hair Under There Bamboo, Avocado And Peppermint Conditioning & Restoring Serum
This serum comes in a bottle with a nozzle for easy application when you are wearing protective styles, allowing you to effectively reach any areas of your scalp that feel itchy or tight. You can use it daily to help keep your scalp moisturized, while strengthening and fortifying your hair. If you tend to get flyaways avocado oil and aloe vera will help smooth them.
6.Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil
If you are looking for a light, yet moisturizing oil, look no further than this soybean and sweet almond oil blend. It will nourish your roots, and stimulate your scalp while helping to keep it free of flakes. The almond oil will help seal in moisture, making this an excellent choice for the LOC method.
7.Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Moisture Clenz
For those days when you want to freshen your hair and scalp, but you don’t have time for a wash, reach for Moisture Clenz. It can be used to keep waves, curls, and coils looking their best. Along with the peppermint you love, it also has green tea extract to moisturize and invigorate your scalp, and to prevent irritation.
8.Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel
Caring for your edges has never been easier with this once and done edge gel. It contains rosemary, mint, and castor oils which support growth. Its botanical extracts to calm frizz and flyaways. Biotin and coconut and babassu seed oils keep your edges strong and resistant to breakage. This flake free-formulation will give you the hold your need, too.
9.Koils by Nature Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Tea Tree Mint Cleanser
If you suffer from dandruff this time of year, this tea tree and mint cleanser can help restore your scalp back to its healthy best. It contains burdock root and bay leaf which are antiseptic powerhouses, and calendula which is excellent for getting the scalp back in balance. This cleanser will leave your hair smooth, shiny, and frizz-free.
10.EDEN BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk
Use this hair milk as either a leave-in or a light styler. You can apply it root to tip and not have to worry about it weighing your hair down. It contains a blend of apricot, sweet almond, carrot, and coconut oils that restore dry, parched, flyaway hair that has lost its luster. It gives your curls great sheen, and keeps them intact all day.
What is your favorite peppermint-scented product? Let us know in the comments. For more about peppermint oil, click here.
Image: @jannelleoshaughnessy
For many curlies, itchy, flaky scalps are a predictable and unwelcome fall occurrence. Dandruff and dry scalp are fairly common, as is irritation caused by product build-up. If the flakes are accompanied by other issues such as redness, inflammation, or hair loss, please consult a Dermatologist or Trichologist. To get rid of fall flakes and restore your scalp to its formerly healthy state, follow these tips.
Clarify
Before you reach for any moisturizing butters or oils, clarify your hair with a gentle treatment such as DevaCurl Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum which has micellar water that attaches to dirt and impurities in the hair and scalp and removes them without causing additional dryness. Use the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp, and then rinse the product thoroughly. Clarifying your scalp will remove product buildup, dead skin cells, and excess sebum which can all contribute to scalp irritation.
Massage your scalp with carrot seed oil
Carrot seed oil is an old school favorite and with good reason. It is a natural remedy for a dry scalp and will help to keep flakes at bay. It has vitamins A, E, and beta-carotene which promote scalp health. Its biggest benefit is that it encourages the scalp to produce sebum which then moisturizes.
Keep your styling products off your scalp
One of the challenges of fall is needing to use more products to provide hold when the humidity is low, or when there is variability in the weather patterns. Often, this means root to tip application, which, when combined with product build-up or a sensitivity to certain ingredients, can lead to flakes. For the fall, stick with the praying hands’ method, or scrunch in your leave-in and stylers. You will find that your hair has more volume with these methods, too.
Use a scalp brush
A scalp brush with massaging beads can help gently lift flakes and scales. Brushes like this one are designed for use on wet hair. Not only do they leave you with a cleaner scalp, but they also help to promote blood flow to the area which promotes hair growth and longer, healthier strands.
Get regular steaming treatments at a salon
Professional steaming treatments utilize a steamer that looks like a hood dryer. The steamer will help to open up the pores on the scalp to release impurities. The steaming session hydrates your scalp and hair. This is usually followed up with a cool shot which helps to seal the cuticles.
Don’t go to sleep with wet hair
Many curlies like to set their hair at night, particularly when the mornings are chilly (and leaving the house with wet hair or diffusing is not an option”>. Problems can arise, though because your pillowcase can stay damp allowing Malassezia, the yeast responsible for dandruff, to proliferate. If you want to set your hair at night, set dry hair with the aid of setting lotion or cream. Do this in the early evening so that your hair has a chance to dry before you head off to sleep.
What is your favorite way to banish fall flakes? Let us know in the comments. Click here for tips on removing scalp flakes.
