Search Results: Stacey Biro

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Shampoos are a critical part of any curly regimen, particularly when dealing with thinning hair. This condition, also known as Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL”>, Androgenic Alopecia, and pattern thinning, is due largely to the binding of DHT (dihydrotestosterone”> to androgen receptors in the hair follicles. This alters the growth cycle of the hair, causing many hairs within the pattern to fall out prematurely, and be replaced with thinner and thinner strands over each shortened hair growth cycle. Eventually, if left untreated, these follicles will die. Unfortunately, there is no shampoo that can fully reverse this process once it has begun, but the right shampoo(s”> can do the following:

  • Remove excess sebum, dirt, and debris that would block and/or irritate the hair follicle.
  • Cleanse hair of topical hair loss products which can be oily, sticky, or drying to the hair.
  • Relieve and resolve scalp conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
  • Get rid of calcium build-up from hard water.
  • Optimize scalp health to encourage new hair growth.

In order to create a custom-care regimen for your scalp, you may want to alternate stronger clarifying shampoos with more gentle ones that will not dry out your hair. Determining a wash schedule will take some trial and error because although most hair loss professionals suggest shampooing every day or every other day when you have FPHL, this is much too damaging for delicate curls (even when conditioner is used afterwards”>. If you want to protect your hair and keep it hydrated while washing your scalp, try the Condition-Wash-Condition Method.

1. Girl+Hair Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Apple cider vinegar and rice water are combined in a pH Balancing powerhouse that deeply cleanses your scalp while leaving your hair smooth and silky. The applicator nozzle on the bottle enables you to easily apply the product when you are wearing protective styles. This is a great shampoo choice when you have hard water.

2. Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

The holy grail, the OG, the one that everyone loves for its peachy-scented goodness, can be the mainstay of your wash routine. It cleanses enough to get out the gunk, but it doesn’t strip your hair or make it feel like straw. It is full of scalp-nourishing botanical extracts of peach, anise, ginseng, and gingko biloba. It does have a gentle sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, which is derived from coconut, but the shampoo with not rob your hair of its beneficial oils.

3. Curly Hair Solutions Treatment Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Inevitably, in your thinning hair battle, there is going to be that one topical treatment that you cannot get out of your hair no matter what you do. This shampoo will do the trick. It also has strengthening agents like panthenol and silk amino acids, and it contains magnesium sulphate to help remove build-up on your hair follicles.

4. Wonder Curl Detoxifying Clay Cleanser

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Coming soon to our shop, this Kaolin clay-based cleanser gently removes dirt and impurities while keeping your strands soft. Unlike most shampoos, you can use it to detangle, as it contains moisturizing fatty alcohols and botanical butters and oils.

5. Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

This volumizing shampoo will leave your hair fully of body and sheen. Coconut-derived cleansers gently yet thoroughly cleanse your scalp, while aloe, coconut, biotin and panthenol leave your hair strong enough to stand up to daily stressors.

6. Eprouvage Gentle Volume Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

This strengthening, anti-aging, anti-breakage shampoo gently cleans without stripping. Give your hair and scalp a boost with botanical ingredients like the following:

  • Egyptian Blue Lily to protect skin from the effects of aging.
  • Keratins to help fortify the hair and rebuild it from the inside.
  • French Oak Extract to fight free radicals.

7. Hairfinity Beneath The Weave Scalp Purifying Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

If you are wearing protective styles, wigs, and hairpieces you need this shampoo in your life. It comes in a bottle with an applicator tip that will help cut down on the time it will take to apply the product and give your scalp the TLC it needs. Some key ingredients are aloe (great for high porosity hair”>, peppermint (to stimulate new hair growth”>, and biotin and panthenol for longer, stronger hair.

8. Many Ethnicities Invigorating Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Balance is critical for healthy hair, and that is what you get with this shampoo. It cleanses well, but it does not dry out your tresses. Reviewer Cecelia writes: “Tried it and LOVED it!”

Saw Dr. Ena was named one of the 2018 style heroes by the Today Show and bought all three of their adult products. The shampoo is amazing! Great moisturizing – even before conditioning. Very impressed. Will buy again!

9. As I Am Long and Luxe GroWash Cleansing Creme Conditioner

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

If you do the Condition-Cleanse-Condition method, this co-wash can be used as the conditioner applied to your hair before you apply the shampoo. Growash is a moisturizing yet strengthening cleansing conditioner that has hair growth promoting ingredients like castor seed oil, caffeine, and nettle.

10. Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo

The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

For any scalp condition from dandruff to psoriasis to scalp irritation from topical products, this is the solution. It has a blend of scalp-soothing sage, rosemary, and tea-tree essential oils. It will also get your curls clean and leave them bouncy and voluminous. This shampoo is on the stronger side, so I would recommend pairing it with your favorite conditioner and leave-in for a wash day you are sure to love.

What is your favorite shampoo for properly caring for your thinning hair? Let us know in the comments.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Denman Brush

While technically it’s not a curly styling tool, the Denman brush is better at whipping wet hair into ringlets than anything else. Yes, you might have seen failed trials resulting in spaghetti strands or detangling traumas on YouTube, but chalk those up to the learning curve that we all go through. The Denman brush is your friend, and with a few variations of technique, you can get the best curls of your life. This is because it allows you to evenly coat each strand of hair with moisture which in turn helps your curls clump better.

Although Denman offers a variety of brushes and combs, for the purposes of this article, I am referring to the Denman D3 Classic. It’s a medium-sized brush that has seven rows of pins imbedded in a rubber pad. You can remove rows if you have thicker hair. Here is a video demonstrating how to do this: Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZhJLm5DM0

Before you get started using your brush in its original or modified form, here are some tips:

  • Do not use the brush on dry hair.
  • Do not use the brush to detangle. Instead, detangle first with your fingers, and a wide-toothed comb for stubborn knots.
  • Do not brush through wet hair that does not have product on it.

How to Use:

  1. On fully saturated and detangled hair which you have applied a leave-in conditioner, moisturizing foam or cream styler, carefully brush through your hair in a downward motion.
  2. Flip your head over and brush through your hair again. This will allow you to reach the layers in the back of your head.
  3. Flip your head back over, and let your hair fall into place. Part your hair as you normally would.
  4. Now, this is where you can use different techniques to achieve different results.

Check out the video below to see how Jannelle O’Shaughnessy shows how she uses a denman brush on her 2c/3a curly hair.

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFLcF5n8BP8
  • If you want large clumps, brush downwards and flip out the ends. This technique is good for wavies and looser curlies.
  • If you want tiny separated, defined curls, brush hair up and away from your head. This technique is good for tighter curls.
  • If you want medium clumps, curl sections of your hair under.
  • After you have brushed through your hair using your desired technique, check your head to ensure that there are no strands of hair that are not clumped, or curls that are smaller than you would like them to be. If there are, shingle them with another curl clump.
  • Lastly, there are variations in scrunching technique you can use to produce different results.
    • If you want a lot of small, springy curls all over your head, start scrunching everywhere. Flip your head over, and scrunch the layers in the back of your head. You can then further scrunch with a microfiber towel to remove excess water.
    • If you want smooth, defined curls that curl evenly from root to tip, cup a few curls at a time in a microfiber towel, and scrunch them up to the root, squeezing out excess water as you go.
    • If you want to elongate your curls and avoid too much shrinkage, use microfiber gloves to squeeze out excess water from the mid-shafts to the ends of your curls. Remove the gloves, and then scrunch your roots. Do not scrunch upwards.
    • If you have tighter curls, check out the video below to see how JeanetteJBeauty shows how she uses a denman brush on her 3c hair to get the most out of her wash n go routine.

      Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVYESul7UBg

      How do you like to use your Denman brush? Let us know in the comments. For more about the Denman brush, click here.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls

Sun, sand, and dry Santa Ana winds are no match for these ten Southern California Salons. Check them out for gorgeous, glam it up waves, curls, and coils or carefree, beachy Summer looks. For the best in curly hair care and styles, these LA and San Diego salons have got you covered.

Los Angeles

Curls One on One

Located in posh Beverly Hills, this salon is staffed by Devacurl Certified Stylists Ezmeralda, Donatela, and Emily who specialize in Devacuts and Pintura color. Embrace your beautiful texture, and enhance it with stunning highlights in the salon that Devagirls with curls love.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: https://www.vagaro.com/curlsoneonone

Curls L.A.

There’s nothing but curl love here in this tinsel town salon that specializes in Deva techniques. Curl experts, Ashley and Sergio, will shape up those curls to their most glorious state. They work with all texture types, and can even style your curly kids, too.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: https://www.curls.la/

Isis Hair Salon
If you are considering a protective style to get you through the hot days of July and August, look no further than Isis Hair Salon. It is one of their specialties, along with extensions and custom units.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: FB Isis Hair Studio

Sekkai Natural Hair Gallery

Located just blocks from the Paramount Pictures Studio Tour, this salon is the perfect place for traveling curlies who want the finest in natural hair services, braids, twists, and extensions. They care for kids’ hair, too.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: http://www.sekainaturalhairgallery.com/

Virgo Texture Salon

Virgo Texture Salon’s focus on all-natural products and healthy hair of all textures definitely makes it a place to go to trim those tresses into shape. They offer services such as organic color and non-toxic hair rebuilding treatments which can make the transitioning process so much easier.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: https://www.ilovevirgo.com/

San Diego

Me, My Curls, and I
Sun-drenched San Diego is the home of curly cut experts who will give you a fabulous style and help educate you on caring for your gorgeous curls.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: http://www.memycurlsandi.com/

T’s Curls
Curly hair expert, Travina, knows curls of every kind. Treat yourself to curl care in two locations: La Jolla and Spring Valley.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: http://www.ts-curls.com

Bella Donna’s Salon
While not a curly-specific hair salon, it is a place to go for organic and henna-based hair color. This is the perfect solution for those of us who want to have fun with color without doing damage to our hair or sensitive scalps. If you go in for a henna treatment, the mixture will be applied to your hair, and then you can go home and let finish processing for deep, rich color.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: FB Belladonna’s Hair Salon

Curl Craft by Skylar
The cuts at Curl Craft are beautiful, unique, effortless, and Bohemian-chic, much like sunny San Diego itself. You can compliment your new style with color, too.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: https://www.skylardelong.com/

Daze Hair Salon

Stunning cuts are on the menu along with Pintura highlights and other services to help your crowning glory shine. Book your appointment now to get a fresh look for fall.

10 Southern California Salons that Specialize in Curls
Image Source: Yelp Daze Hair Studio

What is your favorite curly salon in Southern California? Let us know in the comments. For more LA salons to love click here.

Avoid These Ingredients When You Have Scalp Psoriasis
Avoid These Ingredients When You Have Scalp Psoriasis
Image Source: Getty Images/People Images

Psoriasis, patchy, flaky, blistery, painful nuisance that can plague even the most well cared-for scalps is persistent and difficult to treat. If you suffer from it, you are in good company, as even some famous members of the reality-TV elite have battled it. Like them, you may be wondering what triggers it in an effort to cure it. While they are only part of the story, limiting your use of certain hair care ingredients can definitely lessen flare-ups. Common scalp psoriasis triggers that you might regularly find in haircare products include those below. Of course, there are others such as parabens, but they are likely to be ingredients that are not part of a standard curly regimen.

  • Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS”>: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, while not Curly Girl Method friendly, is still being used by those of us who wash and style silicones that are not water-soluble. Sulphates can strip your hair of its moisture and in the process irritate your sensitive, psoriasis-prone scalp. Avoid it if you can and replace it with a gentler curl-friendly shampoo. Ideally, look for shampoos that contain black soap and white willow bark, for example SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo.
  • Urea: There are three forms of it that can be found in your hair care products: hydroxyethyl, diazolidiny, and imidazolidinyl. Hydroxyethyl is the most common, as it is a humectant and moisturizer.
  • Fragrances/perfumes: Any type of fragrance or perfume can trigger a psoriasis flare-up if you have sensitivities. A number of haircare lines carry fragrance-free options for a variety of curl types, for example Jessicurl and Koils by Nature.
  • Polysorbates: These are emulsifiers and thickeners that can be found in numerous hair products, particularly conditioners which have both oil and water-based ingredients.
  • Sorbic acid, sorbates: Used as preservatives, sorbic acid and sorbates are antimicrobial. If you react to them, look for products that contain rosemary oil or extract as a preservative.
  • Alcohols: While there is a big difference between drying alcohols like Isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol and the fatty alcohols (e.g., cetyl and stearyl”> in terms of how hair looks and feels, when it comes to psoriasis, any alcohol can set off a flare-up of dreaded psoriasis.
  • Propylene glycol: Last year, in 2018, American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS”> named Propylene Glycol Allergen of the Year. This illustrious (or rather, notorious”> award was a nod to those of us scalp psoriasis sufferers who have been avoiding propylene glycol for years.
  • Minoxidil(brand name: Rogaine”>: While the alcohol or the propylene glycol in these hair loss products can be the main culprits, it is not uncommon for psoriasis sufferers to incur a flare-up from actual Minoxidil itself. If you are experiencing this, consider switching to a topical that contains rosemary which was shown to be as effective as 2% Rogaine in this 2015 study. Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil contains rosemary essential oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil, both of which can help regrow hair.

If you have scalp psoriasis, which ingredients do you avoid to limit flare-ups? Share them with your Naturally Curly community in the comments. See How to Deal with Scalp Psoriasis, According to The Hair Doctor for more tips.And then 

Have you ever experienced hair loss due to low ferritin levels?
Have you ever experienced hair loss due to low ferritin levels
Image Source: Getty Images/PeopleImages

If you are experiencing Telogen Effluvium, a type of diffuse hair loss and thinning, your Doctor or other health care professional may order a lab test to determine the ferritin levels in your bloodstream. This important, yet simple test can show whether or not the stored iron in your body is adequate for overall health and to support hair growth. Ferritin is, in part, stored in the hair follicles, and when levels dip too low, your body will steal it from them for its essential functions. The hair follicles are then unable to sustain the hair growing from them which results in:

  • Diffuse hair loss all over the scalp.
  • Often, although not always, a loss of some body hair.
  • Thin, weak, brittle, breaking scalp hair.
  • Dull, listless hair that has stopped curling (this hair is in the process of falling out”>.
  • Loss of shorter regrowth hairs.
  • Linear hair loss and bald spots.

Note that Telogen Effluvium can coexist with other forms of hair loss, particularly Androgenic Alopecia (pattern hair loss”> which begins as a widening part. As it progresses, hair thins at the temples and in the front of the scalp. The hair line may also recede. Therefore, even if your Doctor diagnoses you with Androgenic Alopecia, he or she may still order the ferritin test, particularly if you are experiencing other iron deficiency symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue/exhaustion
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Heavy periods
  • Dizziness
  • Brittle nails
  • Headaches
  • Restless legs
  • Difficulty staying on task/concentrating

In addition, if any of the following apply to you, and you are dealing with hair loss, you may want to consider asking your Doctor to test your ferritin levels.

You are pregnant or nursing.
Even though you may have the healthiest of diets with adequate calories, you may not be getting everything you need. Your OB/GYN can guide you on how to proceed with dietary changes and supplementation.

You are in perimenopause.
Perimenopause generally means heavier periods which can have an impact on your ferritin levels over time.

You have chronic digestive issues.
Anything that disrupts the digestive process can contribute to iron malabsorption issues, so if you have been diagnosed with GERD, Crohn’s, Colitis, Gastritis, or IBS, and you are having symptoms of low ferritin levels, consider getting them checked out.

You have radically changed your diet or food intake.
This is a tricky one since diets do tend to fluctuate. However, if you have undergone gastric bypass, or are eating significantly less calories or iron-rich foods, your ferritin levels could have dropped.

How to Proceed

After the result of your ferritin level test is in, sit down with your Doctor to discuss it. Clinically “normal” ferritin ranges are 12 to 300 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter of blood”> for men and 12 to 150 ng/mL for women. Hair loss can occur at any level below 50 ng/NL, so it is important that you know what your exact number is. You will likely be prescribed iron supplements that you will need to take, possibly along with Vitamin C that will help with absorption. If you have had difficulty taking iron supplements in the past, iron bisglycinate chelate (also called chelated iron or iron chelate”> can be a good option for you since it causes less digestive upset. Do not take more than what you are prescribed because too much iron can get stored in the organs which can possibly lead to heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease.

Recovery

Most Doctors recommend raising ferritin levels to an optimal range between 70-80 ng/mL to resolve hair loss issues. This will take several months. You will know, though, that you are moving in the right direction when shedding slows down and you start to feel peach fuzz on your scalp. You may shed several short hairs during the recovery time as new hair grows in, but this will likely stop within a few weeks.

Have you ever experienced hair loss due to low ferritin levels? Tell us how you resolved it in the comments. For more on hair loss and iron deficiency click here.

10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

If you are planning a summer getaway with kids, you may wonder where you are going to put the shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, stylers, and assorted accessories needed for multiple hair regimens. Don’t worry, we have everything you need for the whole family in our shop. These products travel well and will save you space in your luggage.

Hot Sock Ultralight Diffuser 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

This super effective, yet super lightweight diffuser is made out of foam, so it stores easily. It will fit on your hotel hair dryer, too. No more rushing off to the last moments of your hotel’s complimentary breakfast buffet with wet hair thanks to the Hot Sock.

SoCozy Behave Styling Gel Medium Hold Trop-o-Lish 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

For a tropical fruit fragrance and hold that is strong enough to stand up to hot summer days, this gel is one for the road. It creates a nice gel cast on wet hair, and can also be used on dry hair to encourage texture, or to slick down flyaways.

HAIRiette Hair Kit Simple Soapless System 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

This kit of luxurious Kokum Butter and Marula Oil-based products come in regular-sized bottles for sharing. It contains:

  • a Co-Wash (8 oz.”> that cleanses and conditions in one step.
  • a Curl Crème (8 oz.”> that contains horsetail extract and soy and wheat amino acids for strong hair and honey to moisturize. Curls will be bouncy and have great definition.
  • an Oil Blend for moisture and shine.

The kit also comes with the inspirational book “I Found God in My Hair” by Tanya Wright for some upbeat summer reading while you get ready for your next great family adventure.

DevaCurl DevaGloves (1 pair”> 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

Grab a pair for all your curly travelers and cut down on frizz frustration and bad hair days. Who needs a starchy, stiff hotel towel when you can scrunch out the excess water from your tresses with these handy gloves?

Soultanicals Mango Dip Detangling Slip 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

Knots, tangles, and tears won’t be a part of anyone’s wash day any longer thanks to this mango-scented detangler. Your kids will love it, and it may just become your next holy grail, too.

Mixed Chicks Gentle Clarifying Shampoo 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

For little curlistas who don’t like to share, this 2 oz. bottle of gentle clarifying shampoo is just the right size to keep curls clean when away from the comforts of home. Stock up for everyone, including yourself.

SheaMoisture 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

If you love coconut oil for softer hair, but you don’t like how open jars melt and leak all over your luggage, this trial sized container is the perfect solution.

Mielle Organics Brazilian Curly Cocktail Curl Mousse 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

For popping curls that hold their shape no matter the weather, this mousse is a must. You can use it as a styler, or as a refresher on next-day hair that has been misted with a little water.

Kinder Curls The Kinder Brush 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

Breakage-free detangling is a snap with this brush that is smaller and perfect for little hands and limited luggage space.

Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Girls Soft & Sassy Super Duper Softening Conditioner 10 Curly Hair Products for Everyone in Your Family

Hydrating butters and oils provide great slip for detangling, and keep your curly girls frizz-free even in hot, humid weather.

What curly products do you like to travel with? Let us know in the comments. For tips to make travelling with curly hair easier click here.

Frizz Forecast: How to Save Your Curls on a Humid, Rainy Day
Frizz Forecast How to Save Your Curls on a Humid Rainy Day
Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels

When the summer humidity soars, flash thunderstorms can strike without warning, wrecking your picnic and your perfect curls. With a few extra precautions, you can ensure your hair won’t puff up in the downpour. Along with the tips below, follow our Frizz Forecast which can help you plan out your regimen for those super sticky, muggy days.

Decide in advance how you plan to wear your hair, and then stick with your decision

Many of us curlies make the mistake of over-manipulating our hair when the weather is working against us. That over-manipulation leads to frizz, which leads to more manipulation, and then more product until our curls have either completely lost their definition, or they are weighed down and lifeless from too much product. There is no one right rainy-day style for everyone, however, if you do opt to pull your hair back or create an updo, make sure to use a Snappee to avoid damaging your curls.

Use products that will work well in rainy weather

Rain-friendly hair products should have the following characteristics:

  • They should provide hydration without being overly heavy or greasy.
  • They should contain no or little glycerin. This type of humectant can cause your hair to expand in higher humidity.
  • They should be water soluble.

These products worked for me when I got caught in a flash flood in New Orleans. I was stepping off of a river boat cruise when the sky cracked open and spewed out hail and buckets of rain. I was sure my hair would be wrecked, but to my surprise, my curls stayed intact.

Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment

Besides providing deep moisturization and conditioning to curls, Curl Rehab has excellent slip. It can be used as a hair mask or a leave-in. I prefer to use it as the former, and then follow it with Beauticurls.

Curl Junkie Beauticurls Leave-in Hair Conditioners

One of my first post-transition leave-ins is still a holy grail. It works in a variety of climates, and provides frizz-evading moisture that lasts.

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel

This gel has a thin, slippery texture that makes coating every strand of your hair a breeze. It locks in moisture, and keeps the cuticle sealed for smoother waves, curls, and coils. I like the medium hold of this gel. If you prefer a stronger hold, Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel- Stronger Hold is now available.

Don’t scrunch out the crunch

After you have applied your moisturizer (s”> and stylers and allowed a gel cast to form, avoid breaking the cast. The humidity in the air will slowly break the cast for you, leaving you with well-defined curls. Bring along a pick to fluff out your roots, if desired.

Smooth over your edges and flyaways with pomade

Pomade, when used very sparingly, can give your curls a little shine enhancement, and keep your edges moisturized and less prone to becoming hairline flyaways. Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade has shea and cocoa butters to moisturize your hair while making it stronger. Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade contains castor and coconut oils for a healthy sheen. Kinky-Curly Gloss Pomade is comprised of a blend of nourishing oils to give your curls a glossy, glassy shine.

How do you keep your hair from frizzing in the rain? Let us know in the comments. For more stormy weather tips, check out this Rainy Day Curly Routine.

Why Your Hair Looks Better at the Beach
Why Your Hair Looks Better at the Beach
Image Source: @jasmeannnn

For most of us, the beach conjures up feelings of ultimate bliss and relaxation. Gentle waves, calypso music, and perfect sunsets are the stuff of our imaginations. For two weeks out of the year, it’s real. Two weeks of beachy waves and Boho braids, minimalist makeup, and strappy sundresses, and we feel like goddesses. Then, back to the daily grind, and our daily hair care routine, and we forget how to relax, to nurture ourselves, and to experience the blessings of this life. Curly hair looks its best when we back off and let it do what it does naturally. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself when your curls look their finest, and chances are it is at noon on a Sunday afternoon when you’ve done nothing to them, except for maybe casually picking them out before brunch with the girls. Your hair looks better then, just like it does at the beach, for a couple of reasons that you need in your everyday life.

Reason #1: You have ditched your daily hair care routine, or at least eased up a bit.

We all know the drill: Sunday wash day, Monday and Tuesday refresh, Wednesday co-wash, and so on and so forth with updos, and scalp issues, and pineapples in-between. It just gets to be too much sometimes. The Curly Girl Method is supposed to be easy, but many of us have turned the wash and go into a profoundly complex process that our hair and scalp could use a reprieve from every so often.

Reason #2: You are relaxed.

Life can be a huge stressor. From work, to family responsibilities, to all the bad news bouncing around on social media, we take on, and take in, a lot. At the beach, all that noise and drama just fades away to calm, and our hair and skin respond in positive ways.

Reason #3: You are taking time for yourself.

Whether you are a beach-dweller who likes to daydream while lying in a cabana, or an avid jet-skier, or someone who likes to explore local shops and restaurants, you are doing what you want to do on your own schedule. This can cut your stress levels way down, and have a positive effect on your skin and scalp, and your hair will look better as a result.

Reason #4: Sun increases Vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D has been shown to stimulate hair follicles, which in turn promotes hair growth. Those with hair and scalp issues due to an autoimmune condition can especially benefit from higher Vitamin D levels. Just be sure to protect both your hair and your skin with sunscreen.

Reason #5: Salt air gives your hair gorgeous texture and movement.

Sea spray can give you effortless bouncy waves and curls. After your beach-created coif, make sure to do a deep conditioning treatment. To recapture this look when you’re back home, try these texturizing mists:

After Your Trip

Besides bouncy waves, there are other ways to bring that beach style and attitude home with you. Follow these tips to relax, restore, and make time for a happier, healthier you.

What are your hair essentials for the Summer?

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

Travel sets are the easiest, most convenient way to keep up with your regimen when on the road (or in the air”>. Besides being sealed and less likely to spill all over the place while in transit, they are the perfect size for the limited space available in your luggage and in hotel showers. The smaller-sized bottles also mean that you can take a moisturizing product in your carry-on for touch-ups before and after flights. According to the TSA rules for 2019, bottles should contain 3.4 ounces or less. Try these air travel-compliant sets below for smoother boarding, and shinier, softer curls.

Jessicurl Confidence Collection Travel Set

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

Specially formulated for curl patterns 3C to 4C, these hydrating, luxurious products will keep your curls and coils looking great no matter where your adventures may take you. Everything you need to cleanse, moisturize, and style is in a compact set that contains:

  • Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream (2 oz.”>. This gentle conditioning wash will get your hair clean without stripping it of beneficial moisture.
  • Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner (2 oz.”>. If you want a leave-in to provide you with extra hydration for the softest, most manageable hair, this is the perfect product for you.
  • Jessicurl Deep Conditioning (2 oz.”>. For deep, restorative moisture and repair, this conditioner may be your next holy grail. The trial-size gives you a chance to sample this five-star favorite.
  • Jessicurl Confident Coils (2 oz.”>: This is a styler that creates excellent curl definition and provides strong hold to stand up to even the highest humidity.

Curly Hair Solutions Loose Curl Kit

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

Girls with waves, looser curls, or a combination of the two, this is the kit for you. With three products for cleansing and definition, you can hit the beach with bouncy hair that won’t be weighed down. These lighter products will leave you with plenty of volume and shine. This kit includes:

  • Curly Hair Solutions Treatment Shampoo (3.4 oz.”>. For a deep clean, look no further than this shampoo that gets out all the dirt and oils that would weigh your hair down. This shampoo contains silk amino acids and panthenol for stronger, more resilient strands.
  • Curl Keeper Original (3.4 oz.”>. Curl Keeper Original can provide you with frizz-free defined waves and curls that have gorgeous shine and bounce.
  • Curl Keeper Gel (3.4 oz.”>: Panthenol provides you with extra hold and support in this non-flaky gel.
  • Curl Keeper Slip (3.4 oz.”>: Detangle with ease with Slip. It contains aloe and chamomile to help seal and smooth the hair and prevent flyaways.

Many Ethnicities Beautifully Blended Box Sampler

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

If you have several different curl patterns on your head, you know that it can be a challenge to give every curl what it needs, especially when you can’t pack all of your products. This lovingly-curated kit can help you out. These moisturizing, gentle products are perfect for all curl types, and can work well in any climate. This sampler includes:

  • Many Ethnicities Invigorating Shampoo (2 oz.”>. This curly girl friendly shampoo contains ingredients to keep your hair strong and healthy, and your scalp cleansed, including hydrolyzed pea protein, argan oil, avocado oil, and algae extract.
  • Many Ethnicities Moisturizing Conditioner (2 oz.”>. Follow the shampoo with this extra-moisturizing conditioner for frizz-free, defined curls and coils.
  • Many Ethnicities Leave-In Conditioning Cream (2 oz.”>. If moisture-retention is a struggle, you will love this rich, creamy leave-in that will not weigh your hair down.

DevaCurl Travel Kit for All Curl Kind 

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

For stunning yet effortless curls that feel and look their healthy best, 

DevaCurl is the travel companion you will want in your life. This travel kit contains all you need to cleanse, condition, and style your hair, including:

  • DevaCurl No-Poo (3 oz”>. This gentle yet cleansing creamy co-wash will leave your hair in great condition.
  • DevaCurl One Condition (3 oz”>. If you love multi-purpose products, this one ‘s for you. It can be used as both a leave-in and a light daily conditioner.
  • DevaCurl Light Defining Gel (Formerly AnGEL 3 oz”>. With a light hold, and a fresh summer fragrance, your curls will smell as lovely as they look.
  • DevaCurl Styling Cream (3 oz”>. For moisture, definition, and curl-elongation, this styling cream is the go-to for curlistas in the know. Plus, if you’re a coily they’ve got just the travel kit for you to keep your hair moisturized on the go.

Curl Keeper Original Multipack

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

The gel for all-seasons is available in minis in this must-have multipack. It contains three 3.4 oz. bottles that are just perfect for air travel. You can use one for touch-ups in transit, one for your hotel stay, and one for your return.

Jane Carter Solution Natural & Curly Hair Essential Travel Kit

Best Travel Size Products for Curly Hair You Need in Your Bag

This citrus and floral scented collection is filled with all your favorite products. It contains:

  • Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo (2 oz.”>. This stimulating shampoo will cleanse your scalp of excess sebum and debris while leaving your hair soft and shiny.
  • Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner (2 oz.”> Even the driest, most thirsty tresses are revived with this rich, nourishing conditioner.
  • Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner (2 oz.”> Bring your curls and coils back to life with a leave-in that will protect your hair from the sun’s harsh rays.
  • Wrap & Roll (2 oz.”>. Use this setting styler to create gorgeous waves and curls that last.
  • Nourish & Shine (1 oz”>. You can use this one product as a pomade to enhance shine and texture, or as a moisturizer that will leave your skin super soft and smelling like lemons, oranges, and honeysuckle.
  • Curl Defining Cream (1 oz.”>. For definition and hold without stickiness or flakiness, this curl defining cream is a necessity.

What are your favorite travel products? Let us know in the comments.

For more favorites to take along with you on your next adventure, see below:

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

Girls with curls on the go need a gel that will work from coast to coast (and in between, and beyond”>. These five trusted gels will help your hair hold its shape in the driest desert air to the highest humidity. Stock up now for all of your summer adventures.

1. Curl Junkie Pattern Pusha

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

This specially-formulated favorite was created to withstand high and low humidity, both of which can wreak havoc on our hair. It has naturally-derived ingredients, so it is a good choice for those with sensitive scalps. With a medium to thick consistency that feels slippery, it is easy to apply to fully saturated hair, or you can easily scrunch it into loose curls and coils for a bit more definition. You will love how it makes your hair feel soft and conditioned, yet it will give it the hold it needs to look gorgeous from sunrise to sunset. It has a fruit and hibiscus fragrance inspired by the tropics.

2. Jessicurl Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

For juicy, hydrated, bouncy curls, this gel is a popular summer staple. It has a thin consistency which allows for easy and effective product application. It also rinses out with water, and does not build up on the hair. Fans of this favorite say it is their tried and true because it gives them light hold without the powdery and flaky residue that some gels leave behind. Its island fantasy scent will leave you dreaming of palm trees and ocean waves.

3. Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

If you want moisture and hold, this butter gel is what you need in your life (and your luggage”>. With an all-star lineup of ingredients like aloe, macadamia seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, and cetearyl alcohol, it will leave your hair soft and moisturized. Green tea and vitamin E will keep your scalp in optimum condition, and vitamin C will protect it from free radicals. This gel will give you plenty of support for all of your favorite beach-goer styles. For more on butter gels, click here.

4. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

No matter what your curl pattern, porosity, or density, Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator will give you the all-day hold and definition you desire. It provides moisture like a leave-in, too. When you first apply it, it will lock your curls into shape by forming a hard gel cast. Breaking the cast will leave you with soft, defined curls. If you are looking for a one styler routine for travel, this is a perfect pick.

5. Soultanicals Curl Blaze Hair Glaze

Top 5 Gels for Curly Hair to Use for a Frizz-Free Summer

Glow up those curls with this shine-enhancing get that will leave your curls smooth and hydrated. Blue malva and marshmallow root help to create good slip, and allow for thorough product distribution. Acacia honey provides moisture to eliminate frizz. Blaze Hair Glaze works well on a variety of curl types, and it pairs well with other stylers in your regimen.

Which of these gels is your favorite travel go-to? Let us know in the comments. If you want to know about the science of hair gels, click here.

I Tried the Pura d’or Moisture Protect Cleansing Conditioner
I Tried the Pura dor Moisture Protect Cleansing Conditioner

After admiring the trending stacked A-line curly bobs with a fringe, I decided to take the plunge. With a newly-sheared style, the opportunity to make my lazy summer routine even easier presented itself. I had a goal of replacing some of my wash days (which are comprised 1-2 conditioning treatments and a vigorous shampoo”> with one step: a co-wash. Easy, right? The problem is that summer in the Southern California desert region where I live it is dry and hot, and we have hard water that can leave hair crispy and lifeless. I save my cleansing conditioners for the winter months when the air indoors is dry, but there are a lot of rainy days. However, short hair can take you on new adventures and mine led me to finding the Pura d’or line of products. The cleansing conditioner is Curly Girl friendly, vegan and cruelty-free, and without common allergens including gluten. It does contain many curl-strengthening and nourishing ingredients including:

  • Aloe to provide hydration and sheen. Aloe soothes the scalp, and smooths the hair shaft
  • Argan Oil to make your curls look and feel healthier and smoother. It reduces flyaways and split ends.
  • Apple Fruit Extract to minimize hair loss and encourage hair growth.
  • Oat bran extract to optimize scalp heath.
  • Coconut oil to add shine and strength to curls.
  • Behentrimonium Chloride for cleansing and conditioning.
  • Lavender and geranium oils for fragrance. They are also antifungal and antimicrobial to help with scalp flaking and dandruff.

First, there are a few things I really love about this cleansing conditioner, including the following:

  1. It cleanses well without leaving a residue. My hair felt clean after one application, and when it dried, it had a lot of bounce and body.
  2. It has a wonderful scent, thanks to the essential oils and orange peel extract.
  3. It really soothes the scalp and reduces tension.

However, I cannot really say that this is the once and done product I was looking for. It does not have good slip for detangling, nor did it completely moisturize my hair. Both of these issues were easily remedied with leave-ins, though. Since I always use a leave-in, even after deep-conditioning, this was not a deal breaker.

Another thing I would note is that the instructions provided probably would not work for most curlies. The label states that you should massage it in, let it sit on the scalp, comb through, and then rinse. 

Because of the afore-mentioned lack of slip, I recommend rinsing out the product, and then detangling with a cream-based leave-in.

Lastly, this has been a great product to use as a base for a rosemary scalp massage. Rosemary essential oil can help improve hair growth in part by increasing circulation to the scalp. When combined with the cleansing conditioner, it can turn your wash day into a spa day.

Rosemary Scalp Massage

Materials

Method

  1. Place the cleansing conditioner on the bayalage board, and then sprinkle the rosemary oil over it.
  2. Mix the two together with the hair color brush.
  3. Fully saturate your hair and scalp with water, and apply the cleansing conditioner mixture to your scalp using the brush.
  4. Massage the mixture into your entire scalp for five minutes, and then wait five minutes before rinsing it out. You can then apply a leave-in or a light daily conditioner, and then detangle.

What new products have you tried this summer? Let us know in the comments. For more about rosemary, click here.

How to Determine What Your Curly Hair Needs
How to Determine What Your Curly Hair Needs
Image Source:@nnoorxo

Curly hair, by its very nature, is an ever-evolving entity that is sensitive to changes in temperature, moisture in the air, products, technique, and styling practices. This is what makes it unique and beautiful… and also frustrating and temperamental. I cannot tell you how many hair shots I have seen floating around the internet with accompanying statements about its failure to cooperate in some way. I realize that these self-perceived problems occur because many of us don’t know how to read our hair. In time, we learn to pick up its subtle to startling cues, and this makes all the difference in its care. The tips below will help you identify if your curls need:

  • More or less moisture
  • More or less protein
  • Clarification
  • A trim
  • Different products
  • A visit to a dermatologist

If your hair needs more moisture:

This easily-identified common problem has a few key indicators: hair feels dry and rough to the touch, is frizzy, and sometimes has pieces reaching into the air. Sometimes, the curl pattern has completely opened up leaving the hair without curl definition. It will look frizzy-straight. It will lack sheen, and have a matte finish. In extreme cases, like when the hair is damaged from heat and chemicals, it will break and/or lose its curl pattern entirely so that it cannot be restored with water.

What to do: if your hair is generally in good health, is well-maintained, and is just a tiny bit dry, moisturize it with a refresher spray. If you wake up to a head of dry frizz, a co-wash is usually in the cards. For more extreme dryness, look to a deep conditioning mask. If you really want to get maximum hydration, try a professional steaming treatment. 

This is offered in some salons that specialize in curly hair. It generally involves coating your hair in a rich conditioner, covering your head, and sitting you under a steamer which finishes with a cool shot in order to seal in maximum hydration.

If your hair needs less moisture:

Moisture overload is something that can happen easily and without warning. It can occur because of constant co-washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, oils, butters, and balms. Over-time, this all builds up until one day the hair just revolts. When this happens, it will feel any combination of the following: greasy, sticky, spongey, mushy, frizzy, and weighed-down. It might stick to your head when you comb through it, so you need to detangle your hair with your head upside down.

What to do: Clarify, at least once or twice a month. Also, swap out some of your co-washes with gentle cleansing shampoos that do not contain a lot of oil. Finally, make sure that any conditioner you use contains some hydrolyzed protein.

If your hair needs more protein:

If your curls are spongy-soft, and lacking definition, more protein in your regimen might be the key. In extreme cases, like when hair is severely damaged by chemical processes, it will be substantially over-elastic. It will stretch significantly before breaking. It will stick together and be difficult to comb through. It will break easily, sometimes at the root.

What to do: For the first scenario above, a protein-rich conditioner can restore the protein moisture balance. In cases of severe damage, it is best to consult your hairdresser. Often this type of damage requires Olaplex treatments to rebuild the hair’s broken disulfide bonds, or if they are un-repairable a big chop might be in order.

If your hair needs less protein:

If you have ever heard the phrase protein-sensitive, too much extra protein is an issue. Most conditioners contain some protein, but if the conditioner you are using is making your hair feel stiff, hard, and dry, it is not the right one for you.

What to do: ditch the protein-heavy conditioner for one that is moisturizing. Look for words like hydrating and moisturizing on the label. Avoid strengthening conditioners, and ones that contain an abundance of protein ingredients.

If your hair needs clarification:

Everyone needs to clarify their hair periodically, even if water-soluble products are being used. Besides product build-up, hard water deposits and environmental toxins mixed with sebum can also build up on the hair. This will cause it to have any of the following reactions: greasiness, lifelessness, frizz, lack of curl pattern, resistance to moisturizers and conditioning treatments.

What to do: clarify with a quality clarifying shampoo or treatment at regular intervals.

If your hair needs a trim:

Do you find yourself doing a lot more to the ends of your hair than the roots? Do you have to spend extra time massaging in moisturizing conditioners, only to have the ends of your hair dry frizzy? If so, it may be time to snip them off. Other telltale signs that a trim is in store are: ends that refuse to clump, a looser curl pattern at the bottom of your hair, excess shedding, hair that feels itchy on your skin, and wet hair that is resistant to detangling.

What to do: get a trim.

If your hair needs different products:

Even those of us who have been at the curly girl method for a while can have a hard time figuring out if a product will work for us without road-testing it for a few times. In general, though, if your hair is showing any of the indications that it has too much or two little protein or moisture as described above, the products are the culprit. Other issues that you might experience are healthy hair that is constantly frizzy, or a scalp that is breaking out or inflamed.

What to do: If your hair is frequently frizzy, and you live in a climate with extremely high or low humidity, you may want to avoid products with humectants in them, particularly glycerin. If your scalp is breaking out, is red, or irritated, or showing any other signs of an allergic reaction, stop using the product (s”>. To find products that are right for you, start taking note of the ingredients in products that you like and check the labels on new products to ensure they contain those ingredients.

If your hair needs a visit to the Dermatologist:

Technically, it would be your scalp that would need to be inspected by a Dermatologist if any of the following are happening, but anything that affects your scalp can and generally does affect your hair, including:

  • Hair loss on the top of the scalp, in patches throughout the scalp. Diffuse thinning throughout the hair should also be evaluated.
  • Excessive itching, flaking, sores, cysts, oozing, crusting, or scaling.
  • Tiny pimples at the hairline.
  • Any signs of an infection including pain and tenderness.

What to do: find a Dermatologist that specializes in hair related issues such as alopecia.

When you read you hair, what does it tell you? Let us know in the comments. Check out this great article about protein moisture balance.

Can You Have Both Low and High Porosity Curly Hair?
Can You Have Both Low and High Porosity Curly Hair
Image Source: Getty Images/Deagreez

When we think about porosity, it is usually in terms of three distinct types, low, medium, and high. High porosity hair has a raised cuticle that easily receives, and then releases moisture. Low porosity hair, conversely, has a cuticle that lays flat. Low porosity hair is more of a challenge to moisturize than other types due to its cuticle structure, but once it is moisturized, it tends to stay that way. Where normal porosity falls in all this is a bit more nebulous. I’ve heard it defined in numerous ways, but the clearest one is this: if you can detangle your hair with shampoo, you have normal porosity hair. I contend that there is actually a fourth porosity type: multiple porosity. It is this type that can make identifying your hair’s porosity a challenge. It stumps you when you drop a few clean hair strands into a bowl of water, because it will often stand straight up rather than float or sink. Multiple porosity hair is common for several reasons that I’ve listed below.

Hair’s porosity changes as it grows, generally from low to normal/high, and then to low again.

All hair grows out of our scalps as low porosity, and as it gets longer, it is exposed to environmental stressors such as dry indoor air, hard water, and sunlight. It generally experiences some damage, and tends to undergo a change in its porosity. Some hair, however, is less resistant to this damage, and is, consequently, less likely to see a change in its porosity. This is wholly determined by genetics, so if you see someone on YouTube with coarse, straight, thick, tailbone-length hair that reflects light and is rarely prone to breakage, don’t think they have a miracle regimen. They got it from their mama.

For most of us, as our hair grows out, porosity will increase, but still remain in the normal range. When we wait a little too long to get a trim, suddenly, our ends will become frizzy and difficult to manage. They will become resistant to hydration from conditioners, and not want to clump. They will want to pull away from each other, too. The mid-shafts of the hair, however, will be heavy, as they are of a higher-porosity, so they will readily accept the moisture that is provided (think of a sponge absorbing water and weighing more when it is fully saturated than when it is dry”>.

Chemical damage in certain areas of your hair can alter porosity.

Transitioning hair is a great example of this. You might have beautiful, healthy new growth, and then below it older chemically processed hair that is dry, frizzy, breaking, and resistant to hydration. This hair won’t reflect your true curl pattern, and you will likely find that you need to set it to get it to blend it with the new growth. Another common scenario for an alteration of hair’s porosity in certain spots is when you get highlights on virgin natural hair. This bleached hair is generally thinner, finer, straighter, and frizzier than its neighbors. If it has incurred a lot of damage, it will be stretchy, spongey, and possibly even sticky.

Sun damaged hair can have a higher or lower porosity than the rest of your hair.

For many of us, there is one area of hair that is drier, frizzier, and less likely to curl than the rest. For me, that area is the back of my head. This section tends to tangle and break easily, and is hard to moisturize.

Silver strands can have a higher or lower porosity than the rest of your hair.

It is often said that gray hair has a coarser and more wiry texture than the other hairs on your scalp. With it, one would assume a lower porosity, however this is not always the case. Many glitter-blessed gals have noticed their silver strands are more porous than the rest, not less.

Lastly, naturally high porosity hair can be mixed with other porosity types.

Hair that is naturally high porosity is more affected by the environment than other types. This does not mean that it is damaged, or unhealthy. It does tend to be fine, delicate hair that loses moisture easily and does not respond well to over-manipulation. It can easily become over-processed when color-treated. Damage on naturally high-porosity hair tends to be very noticeable: dry, hard to condition, and prone to breakage.

  • If your hair has multiple porosities, you may find it a challenge to find a one-size-fits-all hair strands approach to caring for it. Know that you DO NOT need to have a different regimen for the different areas of your hair. Follow these tips to keep all your hair healthy.
  • Don’t skip the trims. They are the best way to avoid split, frayed, frizzy ends. Snipping them off will allow your hair to spring up and have more life and bounce.
  • Get serious about steam. Ideally, get regular professional hair steaming treatments for maximum moisture. Many curly hair salons offer this service. It involves using a steamer to open the cuticle, applying conditioners, and then sealing with a cool shot. This will provide maximum hydration to your curls without weighing them down. Alternately, use a hothead when doing deep conditioning treatments. This handy cap uses the heat of your head to provide a toasty, steamy environment to help moisturize your tresses.
  • Massage conditioner into your ends. Regardless of their porosity, the ends of your hair can benefit from a little extra moisture. High porosity hair will only absorb as much as it needs. Low porosity hair will benefit, too (just make sure you applying the conditioner right after you have rinsed out your shampoo with warm water”>.
  • If you have any high porosity hair that is sticky, or stretchy like spaghetti, this is an indication of serious damage that requires help from a professional.
  • If you have predominantly low porosity hair, avoid protein-heavy treatments, and instead opt for conditioners that supply hydration along with a very small amount of hydrolyzed protein.
  • Read product reviews. Chances are, that if a product works for reviewers with different curl patterns and porosity types, it will be a good choice for you.

Some multiple porosity best picks include:

How do you care for your multiple porosity hair? Let us know in the comments. For more on porosity, click here.

5 Smoothies Recipes to Promote Hair Growth
5 Smoothies Recipes to Promote Hair Growth
Image Source: Getty Images/Urbazon

Who doesn’t love smoothies? Full of fresh seasonal or frozen fruit, seeds and other superfoods, they are perfect for breakfast on the go, or whenever you need an energizing pick-up-up. These five smoothie recipes, when added to a healthy diet, can help aid in growing out that big chop. My favorite tip for curly girls on the go is frozen smoothie packs. This is prepping and chopping all the fruit you will need for a week’s worth of smoothies, putting the fruit in labeled baggies, and then freezing it. When you are ready to use it, let it defrost slightly before throwing the baggie contents into a blender and whirling away with the other ingredients. All of the fruit in the recipes below freezes well, except for the avocado in the Biotin Berry Blast which will need to be sliced and added fresh.

1. Berry Biotin Blast

We all know how helpful biotin can be for hair growth, but for some of us, biotin supplements can cause acne and other skin problems. If this is your situation, or you just want to enjoy the best of the summer berry harvest in a glass, try this smoothie.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup blueberries
  • ¾ cup blackberries
  • ¾ cup strawberries
  • ¾ cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon shelled hemp seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ¼ of an avocado

Method:

Blend the berries, hemp, avocado, and almond milk until pureed, and then add the chia seeds.

Pulse once or twice to incorporate the chia seeds into the smoothie, and then serve.

2. Vitamin C Crush

This smoothie is rich in antioxidants which protect your hair and scalp from free radicals. It will also provide you with lots of Vitamin C, which is what you need to help you absorb the iron that is contained in the pea protein. The iron stores in your body, otherwise known as ferritin levels, need to be in a healthy range for optimal hair growth.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup fresh pineapple
  • ¾ cup strawberries
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup mango
  • ½ scoop pea protein powder

Method:

Blend all ingredients until smooth, and then serve.

3. Oats and Omegas Smoothie

Overnight oats and superfood seeds form the base of this creamy, rich, smoothie. The omegas encourage healthy hair growth and help to prevent brittle and breaking strands.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons rolled oats
  • 1 cup oat milk
  • ¼ blueberries
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon each shelled hemp seeds, ground flax seeds, and raw shelled pumpkin seeds

Method:

Soak the oats in the oat milk overnight in the refrigerator.

The next morning, blend the oats and oat milk with the rest of the ingredients, and then serve.

4. Green Growth Smoothie

If you want to crank up your hair growth, while combating scalp inflammation and redness, this smoothie is a great addition to your diet.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon matcha powder
  • 1 cup vanilla almond milk
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh spinach, and or curly kale, washed, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 2 fresh peaches, pits removed and cubed
  • 2 dates, pits removed

Method:

Blend all ingredients, and then serve.

5. Maqui Mane Miracle

Move over acai, there’s a new super-berry on the block. Maqui is cram-packed with antioxidants to keep your tresses looking their healthy and shiny best.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon dried maqui powder
  • ½ cup sliced strawberries
  • ½ cup sliced blueberries
  • ½ cup seedless watermelon chunks
  • 1 cup cherry juice
    the juice of ½ lemon
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

Method:

Blend all ingredients, and then serve.

What are your favorite smoothie recipes to get your hair growing? Let us know in the comments. For more fruits to add to your morning mix click here.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

For vegans, there has never been a better time to go curly. We now have amazing plant-based, cruelty-free products to nourish our hair with botanical extracts, essential oils, and natural moisturizers. This article will provide you with tips on shopping for them (what to look for, and what to avoid”> and some tools to help you in your search. If you need some inspiration from fabulous new finds to old favorites for creating an eco-friendly regimen that both your hair and the environment will love read on.

Tips and tools

  • Spot the symbols on product labels. There are a few different vegan symbols, like V-label from the European Union (always check ingredients with this one since it can denote both vegan and vegetarian products”>, the Vegan Society vegan trademark, and the certified vegan symbol. The vegan bunny means that the product is both vegan and cruelty-free.
  • Vegan often, although not always, means cruelty-free (and vice-versa”>. 
  • If you want to ensure that a product does not test on animals and this is not indicated on the label, check the company’s website.
  • Avoid animal and insect derived ingredients such as: beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen, gelatin, elastin, keratin, silk proteins and amino acids, carmine, oleic acid, squalene, guanine, casein, glycerin that is not listed as vegetable glycerin, and casein.
  • If a product lists wax as an ingredient, verify that is palm-derived carnauba wax.
  • Check out PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies search tool to find cruelty-free, vegan hair products.
  • Use the search tools in our Shop. You can use our filter option to find perfect-for-your-curls cruelty-free products.

Best New Vegan Products

While there are lots of great options to love already, these new releases are sure to guarantee your curly hair journey will be a smashing success.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Briogeo Curl Charisma chia + flax seed coil custard: Briogeo’s much-loved line has a new addition with this rich, creamy, decadent custard that will provide moisture to the thirstiest curls while leaving them soft, defined, and full of sheen.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Camille Rose Naturals Lavender Fresh Cleanse: This gentle lavender shampoo will gently clean your hair while balancing its pH. Its antimicrobial properties will help keep your scalp in tip top shape, too.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Camille Rose Naturals Herbal Tea Seal & Soften: Here is a leave-in that every curly in your home will want to get her (or his”> hands on. It has hair-loving herbs like nettle, marigold, sage, and patchouli which work together to help strengthen your hair and sooth your scalp.

More Vegan Favorites

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Puracy Shampoo and Conditioner

This is the perfect combo for sensitive scalps as these products do not contain any harsh chemicals or irritants.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Yarok: With a mix of curly favorites and new offerings, Yarok’s product collection is worth exploring.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products Love Beauty Planet: Besides its widespread availability, Love Beauty Planet offers a wide-array of vegan, cruelty-free products. Their coconut milk and white jasmine shampoo and conditioner will give you bouncy, fragrant curls for days.

The Shopping Guide for Vegan Cruelty free Curly Hair Products

Pacifica: 100% vegan and cruelty products that won’t break the bank are on every plant-based curlista’s hit list. Pineapple Curls is a perpetual favorite.

Which are your favorite plant-powered products? Let us know in the comments. For more vegan lines, click here.

My Summer Curly Hair Routine using Elucence Products
My Summer Curly Hair Routine using Elucence Products

Image:@curlicue_lu

With warmer, carefree Summer days ahead, it is a great time to ditch the diffuser and multi-layered regimens for one that gets you out the door and into the office or onto the beach in less time. We are talking minimal effort, maximum impact (as in curls for days”>. I love and use Elucence products all year, but now is the time they really get to shine, as they provide moisture without weighing my curls down. Many of them are glycerin-free, too, which is helpful if you live in an extreme climate like I do. A lighter routine means no gel cast to scrunch your way out of, and you can refresh without a struggle. In the basic routine below, I’ve added a lot of details in case you need them, but really it is just a wash regimen with plenty of moisture. You can clarify and add a protein treatment once a month or more if you need to, but if you don’t, or your hair is protein sensitive, skip these.

Products Used and Their Descriptions

Basic Routine

  1. Thoroughly saturate your hair with warm water. Apply approximately a quarter-sized amount of Clarifying Shampoo to your roots and thoroughly massage your scalp. Working in sections and being cautious to avoid causing excess tangles, work the shampoo to the mid-shafts of your hair. If you have longer hair, you may want to do this step with your head flipped over. Rinse thoroughly, allowing the shampoo to reach your ends.
  2. Apply the Moisture Benefits Conditioner to your hair starting with the driest section first (for me, it is the back of my head”>. Start with a small amount of conditioner and gradually add more as needed (a little goes a long way”>. Work in the product from the mid-shafts to ends of your hair. Detangle your hair using your fingers and the detangling comb. Do not rinse out.
  3. Use the comb to part your hair as you would normally wear it (optional”>. Scrunch and/or shingle your hair to encourage curl formation.
  4. Using the microfiber towel, scrunch your roots to remove excess water, and then scrunch with your hands. This will keep your roots from drying flat.
  5. Allow your hair to air dry. When it is completely dry, flip your head over and scrunch out and fluff your roots.
  6. At the end of the day, if some of your curls have lost their shape, mix together 25% Moisture Balancing Conditioner and 75% water. Lightly mist any frizzy curls, and then reshape them. Allow your hair to fully dry before following your usual sleep routine (satin scarf, pineapple, etc.”>.
  7. The next morning, take down your hair and mist any frizzy, undefined areas with the conditioner and water mixture. Detangle any large knots with your fingers. If you are taking a shower, do so before the next step, as the steam will cause a bit of frizz.
  8. After your shower, if any curls have lost their shape, touch them up with a small amount of Volume Designing Foam.
  9. On subsequent days, repeat steps 6, 7, and 8 until your roots are greasy. At this point, a co-wash is needed.
    To co-wash like a boss, massage some Moisture Benefits Conditioner into your dry scalp for 3-4 minutes using the pads of your fingers to break up and remove any dead skin cells, debris and oils. Rinse thoroughly, and then apply a small amount of the same conditioner to your ends and shingle and style as usual.
  10. Continue repeating steps 6,7, and 8 until you need to wash with shampoo, and then you can either start at step 1, or clarify and strengthen as follows.

Clarify and Strengthen (optional”>

Thoroughly saturate your hair with warm water. Apply approximately a quarter-sized amount of Clarifying Shampoo to your roots and thoroughly massage your scalp. Working in sections and being cautious to avoid causing excess tangles, shampoo the mid-shafts and ends of your hair. If you have longer hair, you may want to do this step with your head flipped over. Rinse thoroughly, allowing the shampoo to reach your ends.

Rinse your hair, and then applying the Silk Hydrating Elixir to the lengths of your hair starting at an inch below the roots. Massage it into your ends, and then let it sit on your hair for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse completely.

Apply the Moisture Benefits Conditioner as outlined under Basic Routine, and then continue with the rest of the steps.

What is your favorite Summer routine? Let us know in the comments. 

How to Refresh Fine, High Porosity Curly Hair
How to Refresh Fine High Porosity Curly Hair
Image Source: @naturallycurly, of @quirkycurlsbylm

Are you one of the many fine-haired curlies who need to completely saturate your hair on a daily basis to get back your curl definition? Up until about a year ago, I was, too. I watched countless videos of perfect ringlets tumbling out of satin scrunchies four days after being washed and thought that either 1. a great lie had been perpetuated on YouTube, or 2. my hair was more difficult than other curlies’. It took me a while to realize my regimen was undermining my second-day and beyond hair attempts. If your refresh results are currently less than stellar, one or more of the following things is likely the culprit.

1. Your styling routine is too heavy for your hair.

There are two common recommendations that I see for high-porosity curls that tend to frizz or easily lose their shape: a heavier hold styler, or sealing. Both are good tips for creating brilliant, bouncy day-one curls, but the next day is a different story. If you use the LOC method, for example, to seal your hair, the following morning you will most likely awaken to hair that is both weighed down and frizzy at the same time. When you try to refresh, the product you use will not be able to penetrate the oil barrier on your hair, will lay on top of it, and leave you with weighed-down ringlets. Heavy, hard-hold stylers that form a strong gel cast can be problematic, too because all of the scrunching and picking required to make your curls crunch-free can lead to a loss of curl definition.

Hair fix: Lighten up on your routine by using just a small amount of water-based products. If your hair is in good condition, yet tends to get easily weighed down, you may do fine with a wash day that is comprised of shampoo, and then a cream-based leave-in. If you need a bit more hold, scrunch in some volumizing foam.

2. You are using a refresh product with too many oils in it.

Refreshers with oils listed in the first five ingredients on the product label can wreck your refresh. Besides blocking out water-based products and weighing hair down, they can cause scalp itching and flaking, as well as flat and greasy roots. Even if you just place the tiniest bit of oily refresher on your parched ends, it will find its way to your roots (especially if you tend to manipulate your hair throughout the day”>.

Hair Fix: Choose a water-based, light refresher spray that will provide you with a small amount of moisture and hold. Some great choices are:

3. You are starting the refresh on curls that are too open.

This is a common practice and it almost always leads to failure. If your hair is picked out and possibly frizzy before you go to bed, it has lost a significant amount curl definition and moisture. No matter how well you orchestrate your pineapple, when you take it out your hair you will have very little curl to work with.

Hair Fix: Moisturize your hair about an hour before going to bed. To create a DIY moisturizer, fill a fine-mist sprayer with 75% water and 25% leave-in conditioner. Mist this from the mid-shafts of your hair to the ends, and then use your fingers to detangle any large knots and tangles. Scrunch and shingle your curls back into shape. Allow your curls to dry completely, and then pineapple them or don a satin bonnet for sleeping.

4. You are sleeping on cotton pillowcase.

If you are sleeping on a cotton pillowcase it will suck all the moisture out of your hair, and rough up your hair’s cuticles leaving you with next-day frizz that no amount of refreshing will calm.

Hair fix: Get yourself some silk or satin pillowcases for a hair-loving slumber.

5. Your pineapple is stretching out your roots.

If you have longer hair, putting all of it up into a pineapple will leave you with a lot of fullness at the roots which is desirable. Medium-length or shorter hairstyles, or ones with higher-layers or bangs can be difficult to pineapple without tension. Tension equals stretching, which leads to hair with straight roots and curly ends.

Hair fix: Pineapple only the section of your hair that tends to tangle. For many of us, it is that section just below the crown. Gently pick up the curls, and secure them lightly with a satin scrunchie. The curls should just be resting inside the scrunchie. You should avoid your roots taut.

6. You have tried to use dry shampoo to freshen your roots.

I know that people use dry shampoo and love it. I have seen video evidence of it. It leaves my hair looking like I stuck my head inside a chimney. (I suspect it is because my scalp does not tend to get greasy.”> Dry shampoo smells great, though, so I can see (or rather smell”> why some users would enjoy it.

Hair fix: If after misting your hair with a refresher spray, it still needs a little bit of fragrance, lightly spray some rosewater at your roots.

7. You are fighting the steam of the shower.

Does your morning shower ruin your curls? If so, do you try to avoid this by keeping your hair in a pineapple or perhaps putting on a shower cap? While these methods can work for some of us, more often than not they can lead to frizz and flyaways.

Hair fix: Starting with hair that was moisturized the night before, spritz a refresher spray very lightly over the mid-shafts to the ends of your hair. Detangle your hair with your fingers wherever it needs it. If your hair is long and you don’t want to get it wet, put it up without stretching it. Shorter hair can be left as is. As you shower, the steam will open the cuticle. When you get out of the shower, apply some mousse to any curls that have become frizzy or lost definition using the praying hands method. Smooth, and then shingle those curls if needed.

What are your favorite refreshing techniques? Let us know in the comments. For more great refreshers to perk up your morning click here.

10 Vegan Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair
10 Vegan Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair

Image: Getty Images

The popularity of veganism is growing exponentially every year. Proponents cite a love for animals, a desire to help the environment, and a need to resolve health issues as reasons for choosing a plant-based lifestyle. Well-planned vegan diets that center around whole foods are associated with many health benefits including improved cardio-metabolic markers, lower BMIs, and more stable blood sugar levels. Your doctor or a nutritionist can guide you if you are thinking of making the switch to this or any new diet so that you can ensure you are giving your body everything it needs. Adding these ten vegan foods to your diet as well will help promote the health of your hair.

Algal oil

You can find this algae-derived, omega-3 powerhouse oil in a variety of vegan fish and shellfish substitutes and in supplements. It is also a neutral cooking oil. Omega-3 helps to reduce inflammation, nourish hair follicles, and encourage longer, stronger hair growth. Additionally, algal oil contains key nutrients including iodine which promotes thyroid health.

Hemp seeds

Just a few teaspoons a day of these super-seeds sprinkled on your morning oatmeal, on salads, or whirled into your favorite smoothie can provide you with lots of hair-building protein. They contain vitamin E, zinc, and other vitamins your scalp needs to be healthy. They also provide the optimal ratio of omega 6: omega 3 fatty acids, too. While whole hemp seeds contain soluble fiber, the shelled versions (e.g., Hemp Hearts”> are nuttier and milder.

Almonds

Almonds are high in vitamin E and magnesium. Vitamin E nourishes the scalp and helps to keep it supple. Magnesium is crucial for hair strand health and growth, and can also help reduce the risk of scalp calcification.

10 Vegan Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair

Image: Getty Images

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens such as kale, collard, mustard, and micro greens, swiss chard, cabbage, and broccoli should be a staple for every vegan. They are cram-packed with nutrients, anti-oxidants, and fiber. Some crucial hair-helpful vitamins they contain are iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Iron carries oxygen to the hair follicles, vitamin A helps to create sebum, and vitamin C protects the hair from destructive free-radicals.

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional Yeast, or nooch as it is lovingly referred to in the vegan community, is a savory seasoning that is full of B vitamins that are otherwise difficult to obtain through other foods and supplements. It has a cheesy flavor, and for that reason it is often used in sauces and savory dishes (I like to sprinkle it on plain popcorn, along with a little sea salt”>. It can help relieve stress, which is associated with some forms of hair loss.

Legumes

If you want strong hair, you need adequate amounts of protein. Legumes are protein-packed gems. There are loads of choices of legumes, too: lentils, beans, and even hummus can help you meet your daily protein needs.

Pumpkin Seeds

This once-humble snack is now on every healthy-foodie hotlist. Besides providing important nutrients for hair growth, they also contain beta-sitosterol which quells the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is implicated in pattern hair loss.

Acai

In California, you can (almost”> find an acai bowl on every corner. Flavor-wise, acai is kind of like a strawberry in a bad mood. However, acai has loads of benefits for the hair and skin, which include protecting against free-radicals, reducing scalp inflammation, and nourishing the hair.

Raw Cacao

Not to be confused with cocoa, raw cacao is a bitter powder that is rich and magnesium and other nutrients, the most important of which is sulfur. Sulfur can help to nourish and invigorate the hair follicles, which encourages healthy hair growth.

Avocados

We love them, and they love us back. Whether mashed into guacamole, sliced onto a salad, or blended into a batido, avocado is rich in fatty amino acids. It can help your hair retain its moisture. Avocados prove that healing foods are delicious.

What are your favorite vegan foods for hair health? Let us know in the comments. For great vegan hair care products to try, click here.