Search Results: Stacey Biro

In the words of Curl Queen Lorraine Massey, “Curls are for life.” Somehow, though, this sentiment is not reflected in the hair industry, where older women are seldom represented in marketing and advertising, nor are our specific age-related hair and scalp challenges adequately addressed. Consider the following rough statistics: as of 2018 there were approximately 674,874,638 women in the world over age 55, and an estimated 65 percent of them have curly or wavy hair. This is a community of significant purchasing power, yet it is a demographic that goes unseen for the most part. This site, which embraces and celebrates inclusiveness, and Lorraine Massey’s book Silver Hair: A Handbook are ahead of the curve when it comes to helping curly women over 50 care for their hair. Doing a robust Google search on the topic “older women curly hair” will retrieve vast collections of bad haircuts and hair toppers. On the rare occasion there are products marketed to myself and my age cohorts phrases like “anti-aging”, “age-defying”, and “gives a more youthful appearance” abound. I asked myself “Haven’t we earned the right to rock our silver crowns?”, and then I consulted my female curly friends over age 50 online and IRL on this topic and more. What we want the hair industry to know follows.

We would be thrilled to see ourselves represented in advertising.

Who says that hair can’t be healthy and beautiful at any age? I mean, is there anything more glorious than silver and white 4C coils, or a bouncy head of curls with a few streaks of nature’s glitter peppered throughout? We want our 50-plus hair to look the best that it can look, and showing models in our age group with healthy hair of all curl types encourages us to buy. 

We want natural, curl friendly products to address thinning hair concerns.

By age 50, more than half of all women will experience hormone-related hair loss. Unlike other forms of this problem that are often (although not always”> temporary, the type of hair loss older women experience due to menopause, androgenic alopecia, tends to be permanent. Shampoos and topicals that are used to treat it are often not the best things for curly hair, as they are often loaded with harsh sulfates, drying alcohols, and other harsh chemicals. Healthy, robust hair follicles should not come at the expense of the hair that we have worked so hard to care for.

Image Source: @thetenillelife

We want stylists and other hair professionals to understand fading, gray, silver, and white hair and embrace it.

Hair that is losing pigmentation may become drier and more porous than it was, and we would appreciate having stylists who know how to care for it and educate us on it, rather than cover it up with hair dye. Treatments that impart moisture into thirsty curls and leave them shiny and hydrated should be on every salon menu.

Just because we’re over 50 doesn’t mean that we want a haircut that has been around since we were born.

We don’t need or want flat-ironed pixie shags. We prefer cuts that make the most of the texture that gives us effortless volume. Shape our curls and coils so they can show the world how beautiful they are.

Please don’t hurt our hair. We want it to be healthy.

Keep the heat styling tools, chemical relaxers/keratin treatments, bleach, and harsh shampoos away from our heads. Treat our hair as with the delicate care that you would treat fine silk. We will leave the salon happy, and you will have a repeat customer.

If you are a stylist, don’t push products on us that we don’t want.

Most of us enjoy trying new products and will support a quality brand. However, know that not every product is for everyone. There are very good reasons that we avoid certain ingredients. Respect the wisdom of our experiences.

What would you like the hair industry to know? Let us know in the comments. To get your best hair after 50, click here.

Even if we have the best of regimens (and intentions”>, our scalps can become dry, irritated, and inflamed. Some of the reasons why may be out of our control, such as changes in the weather, hard tap water, hormones, and forced air heating. Others, though, can be caused by certain common practices seen in curly hair routines across the internet. Regardless of the reason, if you are experiencing any of the following, please see a Doctor for an assessment and treatment:

• excessive itching not relieved by a regular shampoo.
• scabs, bumps, cysts, pus, or bleeding (all these can be signs of an infection”>
• hair thinning or hair loss
• waxy scaling
• redness and/or pain or discomfort

To limit flare-ups of pre-existing scalp conditions, and to grow longer, stronger, healthier hair, examine your curly hair routine, and then eliminate the things that might be sabotaging your efforts. Below I’ve listed the questions you should ask yourself, and provided some tips to keep both your hair and your scalp happy.

Image Source: @naturallycurly

Are you overdoing it?

By overdoing it, I mean doing your hair every single day. I am not referring to refreshing, or putting your curls up in a messy bun, but rather doing the entire routine, from shampoo, to finishing mist, every morning. While your curls may look their bouncy best, your scalp is not going to be happy. It may take it a while to protest, but when it does, it won’t be pretty.

A good curly hair regimen is meant to make your life easier, not more complicated. If you are just discovering the Curly Girl Method, learn ways to work with second day hair. Try refresher mists, techniques, and super cute updos. If you are transitioning, know that in time your curls will retain their shape much more consistently so that second-day and beyond hair is much more easily achievable. Until then, go easy on your scalp.

Are you failing to remove excess sebum from your scalp?

Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that prevents moisture loss from the scalp. It also contains anti-microbial properties that fight off pathogenic bacteria. Sebum in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it can become problematic when it is allowed to build up often along with dirt, dead skin cells, oils, and styling products. What we refer to as blackheads is actually oxidized sebum. As you can imagine, sebum build-up can clog hair follicles, leading to inflammation, and in severe cases, hair loss. In the video below, there is a magnified view of this, and its removal. 

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaGq3TP6OFE&t=197s

While extra gentle co-washes, and cleansing conditioners have a place in most regimens, most of us do need a scalp care regimen that includes scalp exfoliation in addition our hair care routine. Fortunately, there are a number of great products available to optimize the health of your scalp and hair follicles. Two of my favorites are Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo which removes dirt, dead skin and other impurities, and sooths the itch and Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Cooling Jelly Conditioner which cools the scalp and provides all-over hydration.

Are you introducing too many new products at once?

If you have ever gone to the salon and walked out with every single product the stylist used to create your Gram-worthy look, this is for you. Your scalp can easily react to ingredients in products, resulting in everything from flaking to blistering. Some examples common allergens in hair products include: fragrance, propylene glycol, certain alcohols, sorbitan sesquiolate, benzoic acid, cocamidopropyl betaine, and silicones. Unless you have used the products regularly in the past, it is best to trial each product individually for a few weeks, particularly if you are prone to skin allergies. When each product proves to be safe for your skin, move on to the next.

Are you creating an environment for dandruff to proliferate?

Dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia globosa which feeds off of sebum. It thrives in warm, moist environments, for example, those created when plopping. Wet hair combined with the heat of your scalp can really exacerbate dandruff issues. Likewise, sleeping on wet hair, or pulling your wet hair up can be problematic as well. The fix here is to dry your scalp as much as you can with a microfiber towel, and then diffuse until dry on a no to low-heat setting.

What are your biggest scalp woes? Let us know in the comments. For more scalp care products to love click here.

Recently, I was introduced to ColorWow’s Coconut Cocktail Bionic Tonic. This light treatment gave my curls life, bounce, and serious hydration. The product was created to help restore the damaged lipid layer on the hair’s cuticle, a common-problem for curls that have been color-treated. As soft, shiny, and moisturized as the product left my hair, I expected that it would have come with the usual negatives (greasy, straggly, limp ends”>, but it did not. This is a product that helps fine hair look fuller while still retaining curl definition. Based on these unexpected results I took Coconut Cocktail on a serious trial run, trying it in numerous routines as I’ve outlined below, and it passed with flying colors.

Leave-in

Used as a leave-in, the product is different from what you might be used to. It is much lighter than a cream-based leave-in, making it perfect for finer textures that still require a lot of moisture. I recommend applying it to fully saturated, detangled hair, starting with the drier sections first. Using your fingers, work the product into any extra-thirsty ends. You can then follow up with your styler (s”>. Although the product works with heat, you can achieve good results without it.

Image Source: Color Wow Hair

Moisturizer and Refresher

I regularly mix leave-ins with water at various ratios depending on their consistency. One of the challenges with some products is that they will lay on top of the hair shaft unless the hair is soaking wet. While this does not pose a problem in warmer months, or when, on rare occasions, I diffuse my hair, it can be inconvenient when I just want to quickly refresh and go. With a 50/50 mixture of Coconut Cocktail, water, and my trusty fine-mist sprayer, I am able to lightly spritz the curls that crave moisture or that have lost their shape, and they spring back up. I like to mist my hair about an hour before going to bed, scrunch it, and then allow it to dry. Afterwards, follow my normal pineapple routine. The next day, I am able to quickly and easily refresh with a few more sprays of this mixture.

Double-Cocktail: A Lighter Version of the LOC and LCEG Methods

A double-cocktail can help you seal in moisture into fine, low-density, high-porosity hair without weighing it down. To do this method, you will need the Coconut Cocktail, a rich cream-based leave-in (for example, Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner“> and a water-based, medium-hold gel (for this method, I like Curl Junkie Pattern Pusha“>. On wet, detangled hair, apply approximately a quarter-sized amount of the Coconut Cocktail to your hair, starting with the sections that need moisture the most. Work it through the hair, massaging it into the ends as you go. Make sure that it is evenly distributed. Next, mix a cocktail of 50% gel and 50% leave-in. The amount you use is dependent on your hair’s density and length. I prefer to use a nickel-sized amount of each of these two products. Emulsify, and then apply this second cocktail to your hair using the praying hands method, ensuring that the mid-shafts to the ends of your hair are covered. Scrunch and shingle your hair, and then dry it as you normally would.

Have you tried Coconut Cocktail Bionic Tonic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. For more information on Pattern Pusha and other great gels to double-cocktail, click here.

Picturesque, historic, Temecula is located in Riverside, County, California, an hour’s drive from San Diego. As a popular tourist and wedding destination, it welcomes visitors from around the world who come here to experience its warm weather, magnificent sunrises, unique restaurants, and award-winning wineries and vineyards. The morning mist carried in by the Santa Ana winds creates the perfect micro-climate for the many varieties of grapes grown to create wines of the highest caliber. Recently, it was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations of 2019.

Temecula is also the place for curlies to come to refresh, recharge, and care for their hair. The region is home to hair healer, Brandie Kekoa, owner of Be Kekoa in Old Town Temecula. I caught up with Brandie this week for this interview about her salon, the Be Kekoa product line, and her holistic approach to nurturing curls.

Credit: Be Kekoa

1. What is your philosophy when cutting and caring for curly hair?

Not all curls are created equal, so there is not just one way to cut them. The cut depends on the curl pattern and the client. All curls have different fabrics. I am trained in different cutting techniques, and not all techniques are appropriate for every curl pattern. Some curls should be cut wet, and some should be cut dry. Each head of curls is unique.

We talked further on this, as recently I had gotten a debulking-style cut on my fine, looser curl pattern hair at another salon. The cut took away volume that I needed, and caused a lot of tangling. She agreed that it was the wrong cut for fine hair, and that it was a cut that was more appropriate for thicker, denser curls like her own. This ability to look at an individual head of curls and know what it needs independent of a specific technique or label is often what we curlies most appreciate in a stylist. She also wants to change the salon experience for curlies, to step up the game with essential oils, products, and a relaxing environment.

2. Can you tell me more about the Be Kekoa product line?

The line is made from natural, fair trade ingredients that are grown around the world. It’s a line with purpose. (Indigenous”> farmers are paid to grow the ingredients which are used by our in-house chemist to create hand-crafted products. I wanted to show how the products are made so that consumers will feel more connected. In creating this line, I am able to recycle dollars back into the communities that grow the raw materials.

Credit: Be Kekoa

Credit: Be Kekoa

3. I see you offer a steam hydration treatment for curls. Can you tell me more about it?

I’ve been doing hair steaming since 2015. We have a Micromist top of the line steamer which brings maximum hydration to the hair. It heats to 109 degrees, which opens the cuticle. Water and steam hydrate the hair shaft. The last part of the cycle is a two-minute cold shot that closes and seals the cuticle. You’ll see results instantly.

Credit: Be Kekoa

Below, are before and after images of haircuts with the hydration service.

Credit: Be Kekoa

4. What typical hair concerns do your clients have and what suggestions do you have for them? 

A concern I’ve been seeing for a least a year with many of my clients is that they think that they have a dry scalp. I’ll do a consultation and see that they have issues with product build up. People aren’t washing their hair enough. Proper cleansing is needed to prevent dandruff and scalp irritation.

Credit: Be Kekoa

5. Any other services or specialties that your salon offers that you want visitors to Temecula to know about?

Felicia Leatherwood (celebrity stylist”> comes up once a year and does training. She is a mentor. At our location we have a chemist who is also a certified aromatherapist. Our chemist has been creating products that heal, like bath bombs and a CBD balm. For the skin we have goat’s milk moisturizing masque. (Click here for more information about these natural products.”>

We’re offering classes where you can make your own lotions and balms. Ours is salon for the mind, body, soul, and spirit.

For more about Be Kekoa, click here.

Since Temecula is also a wedding destination, curlies needing special services like updos can come here to get a perfect style for the special day.

Credit: Be Kekoa Salon

6. What makes Temecula a curl town?

It’s a curl destination. It is an experience. Clients come to get their hair done, and then enjoy the sites. They’ll have lunch at 1909, or go to the wineries. There’s even a Blues Bar under the salon (Old Town Blues Club“> that is naming a drink after Be Kekoa.

Around Town

After you leave the salon looking fabulous, make sure to complete your vacation (or daycation if you are driving in from nearby San Diego or Los Angeles”> by checking out some of our local sites.

Old Town Temecula

Old Town has a beautiful city hall and fountain at its helm. It’s also a venue for concerts and festivals.

Credit: Visit Temecula

If it is the first stop on your tour of the town, follow it up with shopping and dining in Old Town. Besides local favorite 1909, there are restaurants of every variety to tempt your palate. Whether you’re craving burgers at Mad Madeline’s, a unique communal dining experience at E.A.T. Marketplace, or desserts with a Southern flare at Robin’s Nest, Old Town is the place for you.

Wineries

No trip to Temecula would be complete without a visit to the wineries. The views change with the seasons.

Credit: Visit Temecula

Wine-lovers rejoice: in addition to the perpetually popular merlots and chardonnays, you can find interesting varieties including: chocolate wine, almond sparkling wine, and peach wine. The wineries offer tastings, special events, and happy hours. Many of them also host live entertainment, such as Shakespeare in the Vines.

Nature and Wildlife

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, there are lots of opportunities for photo-worthy hikes within a forty-five-minute or less drive. Check out the beautiful Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, the Tenaja Falls Trail that leads to a waterfall, and the Santa Margarita County Preserve.

Pechanga Resort Casino

Pechanga has the largest casino floor in California: 18,800 sq. ft of space filled with slot machines, table games, and poker and bingo rooms. It also offers a wide range of fine and casual dining experiences. Luxurious rooms with all the amenities can be reserved, and you can even catch a fun event here, like the Chocolate Decadence and Wine Festival.
With all these sites and a next-level curly salon, Temecula is indeed a Curl Town that is waiting to welcome you.

For more information, click Visit Temecula Valley. To keep those curls on point on the road, click here for tips.

My fine, thin, flyaway curls seem to have strong opinions on what they like and what they don’t. They crave moisture constantly, but when given too much they look flat, greasy, and stringy. Before I fully transitioned, trying anything in the decadent food sounding category was an epic fail. Custards, puddings, creams or butters weighed down my hair, and I ended up giving away those products to my friends with tighter and denser curls. However, despite their perceived heaviness, styling creams have lots of benefits that make them worthwhile for a second try, including: 

• providing maximum moisture to parched strands
• good slip for detangling
• enhanced curl definition
• soft yet resilient hold
• imparting sheen to the hair

Additionally, proponents of the LOC method use them as a last step, as they have good sealing properties.

Recently, I needed to find something with a little more weight than the whipped air and water-based stylers I usually go for to style my curly bangs, and I also wanted to determine if I needed a heavier-hold product because my curls were declumping by the evening, making next-day refreshing very difficult. I decided to compare the following two creams: Curly Hair Solutions – Curl Keeper Styling Cream and Curls Crème Brule. 

I chose them for the following reasons.

• The first ingredient in each is water, which lets me know a product will have a lighter consistency.
• Both contain a number of natural ingredients that my hair has responded well to in the past, including aloe and sunflower.
• Reviews let me know that the product could be easily refreshed with water.

Round One: Ease of Application

Both are easy to apply over wet hair. They also have good enough slip that they can be used to help detangle, though I do prefer to detangle first, and then work in the product. I have used a Denman brush to distribute, and I have also used the praying hands method. When doing a full application, I prefer the former because I feel it ultimately coats my curls better, leading to exceptional definition.

Round Two: Scent

You really can’t go wrong with either of these scents. Curl Keeper Styling Cream has a light, citrusy scent that goes well with just about any fruit or floral scented product, so it won’t clash with other products in your regimen. Curls Crème Brule smells like birthday cake icing (sweet, with vanilla notes”>.

Round Three: Hold

Both of these creams provide reliable, yet soft, hold. I was able to Scrunch Out the Crunch without losing any definition. The hold lasts all day, and is easily refreshed with water and a bit more product.

The Winner

I have to give a slight edge Curls Crème Brule because it is a little lighter than Curl Keeper Styling Cream so it keeps my curls bouncy all day. It gives my bangs just enough weight that they stayed in their spirals instead of losing definition when I didn’t want them to. Crème Brule also added a bit more shine to my hair which is something I always appreciate. I did not need to use oil or a balm to finish my style with it.

Some Tips on Using Styling Cream with Fine Hair

• You don’t need to use it all over your head if you find it to be a bit heavy. It can be used as a spot-styler wherever you need a little extra hold and definition.
• It makes a great cocktail with a light, watery gel when you need both moisture and hold.
• Water-based cream stylers such as the two I tried here can be thinned out with a little water, and then emulsified between the palms of your hands to create a lighter product. When I do this, I like to use the praying-hands method for application.

Do you use cream stylers? Let us know in the comments. For more about the LOC method, click here.

For those of you with fine, low density, high porosity hair like me, you know that keeping your curls hydrated without weighing them down is a daily goal, particularly when the humidity is low for an extended period of time. Many high porosity curlies need to change their product regimen with the seasons. For me, living in an arid, desert-like climate means that the air has two states: dry, and drier. My hair also has the same two states, and so I am always on the lookout for a product that can control the frizzies without leaving my curls limp from product overload. Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner does the trick for me. I first starting using it two months ago when I needed something a bit heavier than my regular leave-in. I tried all the usual methods to combat the halo of frizz I was experiencing: haircut, conditioning masque, products with more hold. Nothing was working and so I opted to swap out my leave-in since I knew the moisture in my hair was evaporating too quickly to do it any good. I was very happy with Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner from the first time I used it, and now it is a regular staple in my routine.

There are many reasons I love this product. First, is the price. While there are less-expensive counterparts, this leave-in is thick and rich. You can use less than you do with brands with a thinner consistency. Sometimes, though, it can make it difficult to get the product out of the bottle, so I highly recommend frequently rinsing the bottle top so it doesn’t clog.

I really enjoy the scent of this leave-in. Some reviewers have said it smells like pear, others have said it has a tropical fruity fragrance. To me, it is reminiscent of apple. The smell is pleasant, but not over powering, and it does not dominate the scents of the other products in my routine.

It has all the qualities that I look for in a good leave-in. It has great slip for detangling, which is particularly appreciated when I am trying to comb through the perpetually tangled curls at the nape of my neck. It is also easy to distribute with your fingers, a wide-toothed comb, or a Denman brush. It instantly moisturizes and smooths my hair. The hydration lasts me all day and late into the evening. Even when I manipulate my hair, like pulling it up, it does not frizz.
This leave-in works well with my other products. I am able to go over it with moisturizing mousse and use a moisturizing curl cream on my bangs without having my hair becomes greasy. It helps with curl definition, but you will, as expected, need a styler to keep your curls intact.

Lastly, it makes an excellent refresher. I mix it with water at a ratio of 25% product to 75% percent water in a fine mist spray bottle. I use this mixture to perk up second-day and beyond hair. If needed, I will also dab a small amount on errant curls that have lost their spring and shingle them back into shape.

Overall, this is a great leave-in, especially for the price. Check out what other reviewers have had to say about it in our shop, and let us know if you love it, too, in the comments.

If you are considering a bold new short style, why not give away your healthy hair to someone in need? The following organizations are accepting hair donations. The organizations below primarily help those who are experiencing hair loss due to illness, injury, skin conditions, or as a result of chemotherapy feel more confident. One organization uses it to help the planet.

Image: Getty

Before you donate your hair, there are a few things you should know.

• Make sure hair is healthy and in good shape.
• Hair must be clean and dry when donated.
• There are length requirements. Hair cannot be used for wigs if they do not meet these requirements. No clippings.
• Hair should be recently cut. Hair that was cut years ago is harder to make into wigs.
• Just because your hair is chemically treated doesn’t mean you can’t donate! Check with each organization to make sure.
• Make sure you follow all guidelines set forth by the organization you have chosen.
• When mailing the donation, make sure you place hair in a Ziploc bag inside of an envelope instead of simply putting hair in the envelope. This helps keep the hair intact and safe.
• Some organizations offer free wigs while others charge recipients on a sliding scale. If this matters to you, make sure you read the company website for further information prior to donating.

Locks of Love

Ponytail donations are used to create hair prosthesis for children in need. They are provided free of charge. This organization is perhaps one of the most well-known on this list.

Dreadlocks of Love

This organization creates loc wigs for Cancer patients of all ages. It will take a variety of locs, including those that have been colored, or that have beads and wires.

Children with Hair Loss

Children with Hair Loss provides no-cost hair replacements to kids who are experiencing medically-related hair loss.

Hair Donation Ottawa

If you are in the Ottawa, Canada area or plan to visit, sign up for a donation event. Registration for 2019 is currently open. Hair Donation Ottawa supplies kids with wigs free of charge, and also contributes to Cancer research.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids

This Michigan-based organization gives free of cost wigs to children who have experienced hair loss. It also has a Wellness Center and supportive services to help nurture them through their recovery. Many of the donations come from other children, which is a great way for your little curlies to help others in need.

Wigs for Kids

Beautiful, handmade wigs which are made to look like a child’s own hair are custom made. These empowering hair replacements ensure that no child has to worry about his or her appearance while overcoming illness.

Children with Hair Loss

Children and young adults with hair loss due to a medical condition are given wigs without cost.

Childhood Leukemia Foundation

On the homepage of this foundation’s site is the slogan Hugs-U-wear. What an appropriate way to describe the gift of a wig to a child who needs one.

Hair We Share

Hair We Share provides men, women, and children suffering with hair loss due to a medical condition with wigs free of charge. Recipients are from all across the United States.

Pink Heart Funds

Wigs are given to women and children with hair loss due to a medical reason without cost to them. This organization also offers breast prostheses to women with mastectomies.

Matter of Trust

While other organizations on this list use human hair donations for wigs, Matter of Trust uses it to help clean up the environment. Here, hair, fleece and fur are used to sop up oil spills and keep storm drains clear. Donations can be any length of hair. Besides its hair donation program, it also has eco-education, renewable resources, and other programs to help heal the planet.

Have you donated hair in the past? Let us know which organization you donated to in the comments.

It’s an exciting time for textured hair. Never before has there been better open access to all the tools, tips, and tricks of the trade to care for curls. YouTube, in particular, is home to some of the best influencers anywhere. Among them, the following kings of content are making waves. Show them your support and appreciation by liking their videos and subscribing to their channels.

Image:@giofilipinohair

Gio’s Wave

When most people think of male hair YouTube channels, Gio’s Wave is often the first one to come to mind. I first learned about Giovanni Ferrer, A.K.A Gio, from Bianca Renee’s channel. His hair is so long that has its own pillow for sleeping. He makes videos on growing longer, stronger, healthier curls.

Image:@willnotwilly

Willonawhim

Will does tutorials on braided styles, haircare, and some fitness. He welcomes all hair types to his fun, upbeat channel. Even though it’s a men’s channel, ladies can learn from it, too.

Image:@360jeezy

360Jeezy

If you want tips from a pro on perfecting your buzz cut and all the trade secrets to keep your (and your man’s”> hair looking on point, check out 360 Jeezy. With over 2 million subscribers, this prolific content creator is one of the most popular on YouTube.

Image:@grahamsnaturalcurls

GrahamsNaturalCurls

From product reviews to flat ironing and style tips, Graham has you covered. He’s also a Hydratherma Naturals Brand Ambassador.

Image:@mcdonaldterell

Terell McDonald

For the finest in curl defining, straightening, cornrowing, and all things natural-hair related (and more”>, stop by and see Terell.

Image:@curlyguy13

Curly Guy

Curly Guy tries all the newest tools and techniques to inspire. He might be the only male with curls that I’ve seen use hair paint wax (and use it correctly”>. You have to love a video called “Hair Yes, or Hot Mess?”

Image:@kxd.sheldy

Kxdsheldy

I love the creativity of these video topics. Yes, he’s got your standard wash and go routines, hair trimming tips and product reviews, but he also has amazing style tutorials, like a braided curly puff and a rope twist out.

Image:@jibaroboricua

Angel Roma

First, can I say that it is nice to see a Devacut on a guy? I know Angel isn’t the first to have one done, nor will he be the last, but I wish more male YouTubers would film the process. Hopefully, it would inspire more curly males to embrace their texture rather than opting for, say, a buzzcut like my wavy curly spouse does. Besides the Devacut, Angel has videos on routines, products, accessories, and other topics to help other guys create top-notch curls.

Image:@guntherdagreat

Gunther Da Great

If you need some spot-on advice on dreads, curls, and box braids for guys, this is channel for you. He even has best tips for transitioning from dreadlocks to curls.

Image:@afrikanhairgod

AfrikanHairGod

Narada, AKA Afrikan Hair God, showcases a vast array of stunning sets and braided styles in addition to tips on hair health, hair growth, and roller skating. He also delves into some interesting topics ranging from why he hates crochet braids to texturism.

Who are your favorite male YouTubers? Share their channels and links in the comments. For 12 Natural Hair YouTubers to Subscribe to NOW, click here.

I have had so many curl mishaps in the past that my sister keeps a collection of photographs of legendary horrible hairdos to dissuade me should I decide to cut the front of my hair again. That has not stopped me from cutting my own curly bangs courtesy of a YouTube tutorial (below”> by the hilarious Mell. This wasn’t just a few wisps, I actually snipped my way to a whole new look. 

However, I made mistakesin my quest for Natasha Lyonne’s curly bangs and I don’t want you to do the same, so we’re talking to a expert curl stylist about the best ways to cut and style curly bangs. 

How to Cut Bangs on Curly Wavy Hair by Manes by Mell:

Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTq03RkdRro

This is the video tutorial I followed. Bangs were a good decision for my fine curly hair. They instantly refreshed my layered cut, gave life to a section that is both unruly and flat at the same time, and made me feel somewhat edgy. They were a bit uneven, however, and required a quick fix from my hairdresser. I also made the mistake of cutting my hair when it was picked out. I recommend ensuring that your hair is in a styler cast before you break out the scissors.

In order to help you, my curly friend, embark on a successful bangs adventure, I enlisted the help of curly hair expert Evan Joseph of Evan Joseph Salon located in Columbus, Ohio. He is a fan of the fringe because he says that curly hair tends to have a lot of weight in the front, and bangs help relieve that weight. He prefers bangs to be proportionate to the rest of the cut. 

Bang Cutting Mistakes to Avoid

Some mistakes that he sees people make when cutting bangs include the following:

• cutting curly bangs when the hair is wet
• cutting curly bangs in a straight line (as you know curls can shrink to different lengths”>
• starting the bangs too far forward in the front of the hair so that the other hairs fall forward and over the bangs

He suggests starting the bangs where the head starts to curve downward. He also recommends not cutting the hair too short. Cutting just below the brow or longer is optimal. If you want curtain bangs, for example, you will want hair that is even longer than the brow. (Yes, curlies can do the trendy curtain bangs, too.”>

Bangs Need Conditioning & Styling Too

For styling, he likes to ensure that the bangs are well-conditioned, and then he goes in with a styler. Some products he is loving right now are:

• NYC Curls Conditioner
• AG Booost Conditioner
• AG Cloud

This brings up an important point: keep those bangs hydrated if you want good curl definition. Even if you plan to pick and fluff them out, moisturize first before using your styler. In the example styles that Evan provided, you can see the bangs are perfectly moisturized with lots of sheen and bounce.

Try slightly shorter bangs to draw attention to your eyes and brow bone, as shown below:

Image Source: @evanjosephcurls

The image below shows a gorgeous full fringe that just skims the brow.

Image Source: @evanjosephcurls

The pretty, elegant style highlights shiny, bouncy curls.

Image Source: @evanjosephcurls

If you’re rocking this latest copper curls trend, then bangs will help emphasize the beauty of your look. 

Image Source: @evanjosephcurls

The following style with lots of layers and volume and curtain bangs is runway-worthy.

Image Source: @evanjosephcurls

How to Deal with Cowlicks

If you are ready to take the plunge with bangs, I have one last tip for those of you who, like me, have cowlicks in front of their heads. While these can be an asset when you are parting your hair against them (to bump up the volume at your hairline”>, they can also be a challenge because your bangs may have spots where the hair sticks up. To avoid this, I like to run a styling cream through wet bangs using my fingers in order to weigh down the hair, and then scrunch and shingle the bangs. I then create a horizontal line of hair clips across the forehead. This will encourage the bangs to lay evenly, and it also gives me a wave in the front of my hair.

What are your favorite bangs tips? Let us know in the comments.

Read next:25 Photos That Will Make You Want Curly Bangs

 

This article has been updated.

Image source @christinavega_

If you are looking for a way to spice up your curls and coils without damage, hair color wax is the product for you. Unlike other temporary coloring agents, this wax won’t stain your hands, and it rinses clean with just water. It does have a few drawbacks, however. It can be a bit messy and look uneven, particularly when globs of it are scrunched into the hair. Also, there are currently only a few color choices available. Below, I will show you how to mix colors to create some additional shades and to easily apply your creations using a balayage hair color kit.

You Will Need:

• hair color wax
• balayage hair color kit
• squares of foil, optional
• hair clips
• plastic spoons

Color Mixing

From the available colors, you can make any number of additional colors. Here are just a few.

• Color: pastels (here, pink is shown”>
  Mix together 50% primary color and 50% white.
• Color: millennial pink
  Mix together 50% pink and 50% silver.
• Color: rose gold
  Mix together 50% pink, 25% gold, and 25% white.
• Color: red wine
  Mix together 50% red, and 50% purple
• Color: pale blond
  Mix together 33 1/3% gold, 33 1/3% silver, and 33 1/3% white.
• Color: smoky lavender
  Mix together 50% purple, and 50% silver.

Application

While there are a variety of ways to apply the hair color wax, the two methods below are good starting points. From here, you can create different looks from subtle to bold, and everything in between. For both methods below, start with slightly damp or dry hair that has been styled as you would normally wear it. Make sure that your curls are clumped, as the color will emphasize any frizz.

Babylights:

This technique adds dynamic shine your curls by placing color where the light would naturally hit.

1. Using the smaller of the two brushes, gently paint curls around your face from an inch or so from the root all the way down to the ends.
2. When you are finished, rinse the brush thoroughly. With the damp brush, lightly smooth over any uneven areas of color. Gently scrunch the curl.

Multi-dimensional Highlights

For this method of application, prepare your color palette by placing your main color in the middle of the bayalage board. Place lighter and darker complimentary colors on either side of the main color and mix them with main color if desired.

1. Take a square of foil and place it behind the section of hair that you want to place the highlights. If doing an all-over application, start with the hair behind your ears and work your way up. Using a hair clip, clip the foil in place.
2. Paint highlights onto the hair. You can create tonal highlights and lowlights or ombres.
3. Allow the section to dry for 3-4 minutes, and then gently remove the foil. Scrunch the section if needed.
4. Repeat until you are happy with the desired result.

Want to try temporary hair color, but not sure how to apply it or how long it will last? Watch the video below as Laurscurls shows how she applied the hair color wax and tips for styling. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/fCuDZTENMLw

For our hair color wax reviews, click here and here.

Are your highlights letting you down? Chances are, it is because the toner applied over them has faded, revealing unwanted yellow or orange tones. On top of that, bleached hair tends to be a bit frizzier than uncolored curls and coils, and frizzy hair can give off a cast. If you want to banish the brass without damaging your hair, follow the tips below.

Image source Daili Perez

Start with a trim

If your ends are dry, they will pull down the rest of the curl, causing it to lose definition and appear frizzier. It is also difficult to keep parched ends moisturized because extra dry hair is more porous than the healthier parts of the hair shaft. A trim will instantly improve the look and feel of your curls.

Deep condition

Brassy hair needs moisture and a bit of protein to help it look and curl its best. Regular treatments will calm down the frizz, while helping to nourish new hair growth. Some tried-and-true curly community favorites include:

• Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask: strengthen, sooth, and restore in one step with this masque.
• Genedor Beauty Moisture Resuscitate Deep Conditioning Treatment: revive your dry, brittle hair with weekly treatments.
• Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner: saturate every strand with moisture with this beloved masque that smells like summer.

Use Butterfly Pea Flowers

These lovely blue flowers are antioxidant powerhouses. They are used in Chinese medicine to improve the health and elasticity of hair, and to reduce premature graying. When steeped as a tea, or boiled, they create a deep blue liquid that can be mixed with other ingredients to make blue or purple shampoos, conditioning products, and rinses. This is a great option for curlies who are struggling to find blue/purple shampoos and conditioners without sulfates, silicones, and parabens. Just add a little of this magic blue (or purple”> liquid to your favorite products to freshen up those highlights. If you have brassy yellow highlights, use blue, and if you have brassy orange highlights, use purple.

For the blue liquid, you will need:

1. 10 butterfly pea flowers
2. ¾ cup water
3. 1 fine mesh strainer

Variation: for the purple liquid, you will also need 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

In a saucepan, boil the butterfly pea flowers and water together until the water is a deep blue (about 15 minutes”>. You will be mixing this liquid with your shampoo, so you may want to remove the flowers after 15 minutes, and then allow the liquid to reduce further until it can be mixed with your products without making them too runny. Once you are done reducing the blue water, turn it off and then allow it to cool. If using, add the apple cider vinegar, and then stir. Use immediately.

Blue or Purple Shampoo Treatment

Mix the blue or purple liquid with a quarter-sized amount of your favorite gentle shampoo. Apply this mixture all over your head, carefully working it into your ends, and then rinse thoroughly.

Blue or Purple Conditioning Treatment

Mix the blue or purple liquid with a quarter-sized amount of your favorite conditioner. Work the conditioner through your hair, using your fingers to detangle. Massage the conditioner into your ends. Let the treatment sit on your hair for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.

Fermented Rice Water and Butterfly Pea Flower Rinse

Use this rinse to help strengthen your hair and give it subtle toning. You will need:

• ½ cup dry rice, rinsed
• 2.5 cups water, divided
• Blue or purple liquid, prepared as directed above
• 1 mason jar
• 1 spray bottle
• 1 funnel

Soak the rice in 2 cups of the water for 1 hour. Drain the rice water into a mason jar, and place that jar into a dark corner of your kitchen. Allow it to sit undisturbed for 2-3 days. When ready to use, mix it with the blue or purple liquid and ½ cup water. Shake or stir to combine, and then pour the mixture through the funnel and into the spray bottle. 

Spray the mixture all over your head, working it into the ends of your hair. Gently massage your scalp. Rinse thoroughly.

How do you bring down the brass? Let us know in the comments. For a great article on keeping your hair from turning brassy click here.

Let’s talk shampoo. On the quest for killer curls, cleansing is every bit as important as hydration, but it gets far less attention. Keeping your hair and scalp clean and free of debris and build-up is required for optimum hair health. Shampoo is a critical part of any curly hair regimen, and if you are looking for a reasonably-priced quality line, Elucence has you covered. I was first introduced to this brand over a year ago by this video. I was looking for a new shampoo because my dry, high porosity curls could not stand up to the arid Southern California air, and I wanted to try removing glycerin from my regimen to see if it made a difference. Also, my wavy-haired husband had decided my expensive shampoo was community property, so I hoped to find something a little less pricey. I saw that Elucence Moisture Benefits shampoo came in both 10 oz. and 1 Liter sizes, so I knew if I liked the product, I could save money by buying the larger bottle.

Well, it was love at first shampoo. It’s peachy scent is wonderful and not too sweet or overpowering. The shampoo lathers beautifully. Its key ingredients are peach extract, Irish moss, ginseng and wheat protein which provide moisture. This is a gentle cleansing shampoo that doesn’t strip hair or leave it frizzy and parched. I like that it leaves my curls bouncy and hydrated, and my scalp refreshed. A lot of gentle shampoos don’t seem to do the job, or they deposit more oil onto the scalp and hair shaft, which leaves my hair limp and lifeless and causes my scalp to flake or break out. With this shampoo, I have been able to wash my hair less frequently and refresh my curls with water and a bit of leave-in and mousse. When I wash, I only need a nickel-sized amount to fully cover my head, as the product is not watery or runny.

If you need a deeper cleaning to remove product build-up, Moisture Benefits probably wouldn’t be the best choice. Instead, I prefer Naturally Curly Editors’ Choice Winner Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo. This stuff will get the gunk out without stripping your hair. Its main ingredients are Pro-vitamin B5, biotin, sage, green tea, chamomile, and salicylic acid. The most limp, lifeless, weighed-down hair is left restored and rejuvenated with just one wash. It will also keep your scalp clean, and help you get rid of flakes and itching. As with any clarifying shampoo, you only need to use it when you are experiencing product build-up, not on every wash day.

Elucence Moisture Benefits and Volume Clarifying Shampoos are the perfect pairing for shiny, healthy hair. They are also proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look your best. Of course, if you try them, you will likely want to explore the rest of the line.

Do you use either of these shampoos? Let us know what you think in the comments. For a review of Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner, click here.

Source @twobwavy

Because of the snow-tinged frigid winds, dry indoor air, and skull-hugging hats, winter is not a wonderland for wavies. When the temperature dips outside, it is only natural to crank up the heat indoors. This dry heat saps moisture from your hair and skin leading to a dry, flaky scalp and even drier hair that is listless, dull, and flat. The cold air outside causes the same issues, but an increase in moisture in the air may also cause strands to swell and eventually frizz. Follow this how-to to zap your top wavy worries.

Dry, itchy, flaky scalp

If you want to get to the root of your hair woes, start with your scalp. If it is irritated and lacks proper moisture, do the following:

• Use a scalp brush every wash day to exfoliate your scalp and increase circulation. See Cristina’s Wash Day Routine video for more information on using a scalp brush.
• Avoid washing your hair with water that is overly hot because it can lead to additional dryness.
• Massage your scalp bi-weekly with a therapeutic oil or serum. Canviiy ScalpBliss Itch-Calming Organic-Based Serum will relieve the irritation and leave your scalp feeling refreshed.

Dry, limp hair that has lost its waves

Wind up your waves even in the worst weather with these tips:

• Add moisture to your sleeping environment. A humidifier is a great tool to help relieve dryness of your hair and skin. For winter, the warm mist models are best.
• Use a moisturizing masque at least once a week. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque will restore your waves and leave them soft and shiny. For best results, cover your hair with a thermal hair care tool like Thermal Hair Care Posh Hot Head.
• Clarify your waves as appropriate. Clarifying is an important part of any healthy hair regimen but it can be slightly drying if done more frequently than needed. If your hair is looking weighed-down, greasy, and stringy and regular washing doesn’t seem to help, clarify with a gentle clarifying treatment.
• Switch up your products. If you are using products with drying ingredients, or products that are weighing hair down, switch to water-based ones that contain moisturizing ingredients. Briogeo Curl Charisma Definition All the Way Curl Essentials Kit has everything you need to get gorgeous, moisturized, bouncy waves.

Frizzy, puffy hair

In addition to the moisturizing that you need to combat winter dryness, seal your hair with a moisture-rich pomade to increase shine and encourage wave formation.

Hat hair

If you are covering those curls and waves with a hat, try a more hair-friendly option like a loose-fitting head scarf.

Wind-blown waves

While a gentle-breeze can give you a fun, carefree coif, the howling winds of winter can totally wreck your waves. To arrive at your destination looking presentable, wash and condition your hair, or refresh it, and then use your favorite styler to create a cast. Do not break the cast before you leave. Instead, loosely pile your hair on top of your head, cover with a snood, and then with a loosely fitting cap or scarf. When you get where you are going, remove the snood and head covering and shake out and scrunch your waves.

Second-day lifeless hair

Second day (and beyond hair”> is much more difficult to deal with in the winter than it is any other time of the year. Who wants to leave the house with wet hair in sub-zero weather? If you’ve done all the sleep-proofing steps like putting your hair in a pineapple or t-shirt turban and sleeping on a satin pillowcase and your hair still hijacks your morning, refresh by misting your hair with water, and following it up with a conditioning refresher or foam such as Ouidad Curl Recovery Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer to put the moisture back into your hair. Scrunch, and then allow the product to dry, and you are ready to go.

What are your favorite winter hair care tips? Let us know in the comments. For 20 Best Styling Products for Type 2 Wavy Hair click here.

As a vegan with a sensitive scalp and high-porosity hair, it is always a challenge to find 100% plant-based products that effectively moisturize my curls and keep them intact. I was interested in trying the Canada-based Carina Organics hair care line, because besides being vegan it is:

• Synthetic-free
• Hypoallergenic
• Cruelty-free
• 100% Biodegradable
• Paraben-free
• Soy-free
• Gluten-free
• Dye-free

It also contains a high percentage of certified organic ingredients. If you are interested in learning more about the company and its products, click here. You can also purchase products from the Carina Organics site for the lowest prices online, and they do offer flat rate shipping.
I tried three products in the line with the light floral Sweet Pea scent: the Deep Treatment Conditioner, the Leave-in, and the Alcohol-free Gel. Because my hair releases moisture easily, particularly in the drier winter and late summer months in California, I skipped the shampoo, which contains glycerin, and the daily conditioner. The ingredients in the conditioners I tried include: coconut oil, pine extract, chamomile flower extract, nettle leaf extract, dandelion leaf extract, clover flower extract, apple cider vinegar, olive fruit oil, and pumpkin seed oil. While I was familiar with most of these ingredients and how they worked in my hair, I was curious about pine extract, or pycnogenol. A quick Google search revealed that it can be used to stimulate the scalp to help it produce heartier hair follicles, which leads to longer, stronger hair shafts.

Deep Treatment Conditioner

This conditioner has a light fragrance, has good slip, and does a good job of moisturizing the hair without weighing it down. It washes out cleanly without leaving any residue. My hair was left feeling soft and moisturized with the exception of my ends which are particularly dry right now. Even with massaging the product in, I still had some lingering dryness and frizz. To be fair, I am also well overdue for a trim, so I plan to do another deep conditioning treatment with this product after a trip to the salon.

Leave-in Conditioner

While I tend to prefer cream-based leave-ins over the sprays, I was pleasantly surprised at how moisturized this leave-in left my curls, at least initially. It did not weigh them down. I was particularly fond of the ease of application of this product. I could easily spray this on freshly conditioned curl clumps and work it into the ends.
I will say that I needed to refresh my curls with a few sprays and a little water at the end of the day, however, I am dealing with very dry desert air right now. I suspect at a higher dew-point, even high- porosity hair would stay moisturized all day long.

Alcohol-free Gel

Admittedly, I abandoned gels recently in favor of mousse and volumizing foam. However, I wanted to try a styler from this line, and the only other option was hairspray that contained ethyl alcohol, which I knew would be drying to my hair. The gel ingredients were those that were also in the conditioners with the addition of Acacia Senegal gum extract, which is used as a stabilizer and thickener in many beauty products. On the website, the hold level is described as medium to firm. The texture of the gel is thick, and I imagine this would be a fantastic option for thicker hair with a tight curl pattern. The gel gave my fine textured hair good hold and created a nice gel cast, however, scrunching out the crunch was difficult. If you have a looser curl pattern like mine, I highly recommend diluting this gel, or cocktailing with a light leave-in or serum, and then diffusing to create a cast that is a bit less crunchy. Overall, for good hold with light conditioning properties, this gel is a winner.

What is your favorite Carina Organics product? Let us know in the comments. For more on alcohols, click here.

Rich, vibrant reds and auburns are always in season. Read on for tips on how to rev up the red in your tresses without bleach, peroxide or other damaging chemicals.

Products: 

1.Celeb Luxury Viral Extreme Colorwash:

Add a pop hint of color to your regimen with this co-wash in Extreme Red. This easy to use product will give you all the rich color you want without staining your hands or scalp.

2. Mofajang Haircoloring Material:

The bright red wax is easy to apply and remove (it rinses out with just water”>. To mute the red, rub the color into your curls. With its butter-like texture, it also works as a scrunch-and-go styler.

3. Jerome Russell’s Punky Color

Conditions as it deposits richly pigmented hues onto the hair shaft. Try Fire for a semi-permanent color boost.

4. DPHUE Color Boosting GLOSS+ Deep Conditioning Treatment in Burnt Copper

:

This will give your hair all the moisture it needs while coating each hair strand with bright, shiny color. If you prefer the natural route, many herbs, spices and teas can give you gorgeous temporary color. The following color cocktails will also help keep your curls healthy and shiny.

Natural Solutions: 

1. Rose Hip and Paprika

:

Brew 3 rose hip teabags in 12 oz. water. Let the tea cool and mix with 2 teaspoons red paprika. Using an applicator bottle, apply this mixture all over your hair and let sit for two hours. Carefully rinse out, ensuring that you do not get the mixture in your eyes. You will be left with a nice sheen with subtle red undertones.

2. Hibiscus Flower and Apple Cider Vinegar Paste

:

Mix together 2 teaspoons corn starch or arrowroot powder, 1/2 cup water, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. The corn starch or arrowroot powder should be fully dissolved. To this mixture, add ½ cup finely-ground dried hibiscus flower, and continue to stir until the flower is fully incorporated. Strain though a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Apply the strained paste to your hair, starting with the mid-shafts, then ends, and finally the roots. Allow this mixture to sit on your hair for 1-2 hours, and then rinse thoroughly. Your curls will have more definition (thanks to the hibiscus flower”> and will have subtle red undertones.

3. Henna Paste

:

Perhaps the most well-known method for imparting red into the hair is henna. However, it has its drawbacks. For one, it’s permanent. I mean it will sit on your ends until they are cut off. It will relax your curl pattern as well. But, if you want red tones, and a treatment that will leave your hair with more volume, henna might be something you want to try. Just do a strand test first, and perhaps paint it on a few select curls before committing to your whole head. To avoid relaxing your curl pattern, and to tone down the bright red color of henna, add a tablespoon of amla powder to the mix.

For this mixture you will need ½ cup henna powder, ½ cup hot water, coffee or tea, 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and several drops of your preferred hair oil (almond, jojoba, argan, etc.”>, and 1 tablespoon amla powder (optional”>. 

In a glass bowl, using a non-metal spoon, mix all ingredients to form a paste. Pain the mixture onto your hair and cover with a plastic cap. Let the henna sit on your hair for up to four hours (the longer you let the mixture sit, the richer the color will be”>.

How do you bring out the red in your hair? Let us know in the comments. For more about henna, click here.

Image:@hairromance

Do any other type 2 curlies have trouble with their curls easily losing their shape when you try to put them in an updo? When I try to put my hair up, I have very few chances to get it right or else it’s no longer a curly updo. 

Any tips, suggestions, or recommendations on how to style curls that easily lose their shape? One thing I am really struggling is getting bobby pins out if I need to readjust. 

— CurlTalker Curl Dabbler

Many type 2 curlies encounter these issues when styling their hair. This curl type easily loses its shape when stretched or manipulated and tends to frizz. To keep your curls intact while perfecting your updo, follow these tips.

1. Start with well-moisturized, defined curls and waves. Doing this will enable your curls to keep their shape as you style your hair. If you are working with freshly washed hair, use a leave-in and a styler with adequate hold. Gel is a good choice here because it will keep your curls clumped without leaving your hair too slippery for combs, clips, and bobby pins to adhere to. If you have second-day hair, refresh it with your favorite hair refresher or spritz it with water or a combination of water and leave-in to reactivate the product in your hair. Add a small amount of styler if needed. Scrunch your hair, and diffuse or allow it to air-dry. Once the curls have formed, do not scrunch them or pick them out. The gel cast will naturally break up as your style your updo.
2. Optimally, choose tools that will not disrupt your curl pattern. If you find that coated elastic stretches your hair straight and/or makes it frizzy, use a Cuff Puff (a round banana clip”>, or a flexible comb headband. These tools produce an elegant updo with minimal effort. If you’re using the comb headband, just adjust its position on your scalp so the hair is lifted into a messy updo. One extra benefit of using either of these tools is that they are both effective at securing the hair, even if it is in layers so that you can limit your use of bobby pins and clips. You can also put your hair up in a scrunchie, as you would with the pineapple method, and use a headband to keep any shorter pieces in place.
3. Alternately, if you prefer to do an updo using elastics, and you need to use bobby pins to secure any shorter curls, follow these tips to use them correctly:
1. Try to avoid removing or adjusting bobby pins once you’ve placed them. Before placing any pin, hold the hair that you want to pin in position with your fingers. It should be a small section of hair, just enough for the pin to adequately hold without drooping or slipping out. The pin should go in the exact spot that your fingers are in, and not in front of them.
2. Do not open the bobby pins before placing them in your hair. When you do place them, ensure that the grooved side is facing downwards.
3. For an extra-secure pinning, insert one on a diagonal, and then cross it with another pin, also on a diagonal, to form an “x”.
4. If you need to remove a bobby pin from a section, do so carefully, spritz the section with curl refresher, scrunch, and allow the curls to reform before repining.

What are your favorite tips for perfecting your updo? Let us know in the comments. For more on creating waves using gel, click here.

For many of us curlies, there is always that one section of hair with a mind of its own. Maybe it’s that spot at your crown that refuses to curl, or a section at the nape of your neck that you struggle to get a comb through, or a few curls that frizz even in the best weather.

For me, the front of my hair has always required more attention that the rest, partly because my cowlicks are there, and partly because I spent so many years smoothing it with heat and chemicals that when I transitioned, I didn’t know what to do with it. For the longest time, I pinned it flat with a barrette or pulled it back, all the while dreaming of a full head of curls.

It took me a while to understand heatless, curl-encouraging styling for that section. It’s fast and easy, and can be done with just a few items: a wide-toothed comb, your favorite styler, and a few hair clips, such as DevaClips. For the looks shown below, complete the following steps before you begin.

Before You Begin:

• Fully saturate and moisturize your hair.
• Apply your favorite styler all over. I prefer Elucence Volume Designing Foam.
• Scrunch the back and sides.
• If desired, use a microfiber towel to blot excess moisture from these areas.

Note: If you generally use a diffuser to dry your hair, wait until you have applied the hair clips to the front of your hair before doing so.

Style #1: Loose spirals

This carefree look allows your curls to fall softly in front of your face. It’s achieved by using the skip curl method, along with a strategically-placed hair clip to coax the front curls to lay flat at the roots. To do:

• Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
• Using your fingers, choose some small sections of hair in the front and sides of your head, create small curls, shake those curls, and then scrunch (see The Skip Curl Method“>.
• Pin down a few curls in the front with a horizontally placed hair clip.
• Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.

Style #2: Volume at the part

This easy style volumizes your roots at the part line, making your hair look fuller. To do:

• Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
• Using hair clips, clip individual curls at the part on a diagonal as shown.
• Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.

Style #3: All-over Volume

This fresh-from-the salon look is both voluminous and versatile. You can change it up with the flip of a part. For maximum body, create a side part on the opposite side than you normally would. To do:

• Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
• Using hair clips, clip individual curls at the part line on a diagonal, and then clip additional curls throughout the crown of the head.
• Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.

Style #4: Wave

Curly hair is so versatile! This smooth wave was created with one hair clip. To do:

• Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
• Secure a large section of hair in the front of your head with your fingers.
• Using a hair clip, pin the section away from your face, weaving the clip in an out of the hair horizontally.
• Allow the hair to dry, and then flip your head over at gently pick out the roots near the crown of your head.

• Optional: Using the praying hands technique, gently apply a few drops of your favorite oil to your curls to add sheen.

How do you like to style the front of your hair? Let us know in the comments. For more on root clipping, click here.

Those of us with high porosity hair know that finding that perfect hair masque with the right balance of moisturizing and strengthening properties can be a challenge. For the longest time, SheaMoisture High Porosity Moisture Seal Masque was that product for me. And, at a little over a dollar an ounce, it was a bargain. I am not alone in my love of this miracle masque. Comments on this website tout its ability to soften and restore natural high porosity hair, as well as rescue hair that has been damaged by heat and chemicals.

Recently, when it became time to replenish my dwindling supply of my favorite product, I discovered that the name had changed by one word. Seal was now Correct. I worried that the name was not the only change, and immediately compared the label of the new product with the old; and I was happy to see that the formulation was unchanged.

After purchasing the newer product, I was also glad that the scent had not been changed either. It’s a light, fresh fragrance that is not overly strong or lingering. It also does not compete with the scents of the other products used in your regimen.

There are many reasons that I love this masque and prefer it over similar options at twice the cost, including the following:

• It contains ingredients that high porosity hair responds well to, including: shea and cocoa butters to help moisturize and seal hair, cetearyl alcohol to soften hair, monongo seed oil, which has soothing and protecting effects similar to sebum, rice and hydrolyzed soy protein to strengthen hair, hemp seed oil to improve hair’s elasticity, and vinegar to smooth the hair cuticle and promote a healthy sheen.

• It has great slip. It allows me to easily detangle my hair with just my fingers.

• It also works well as a co-wash, without leaving my curls greasy or weighed down.

• It can seal the frizziest parched ends, leaving them looking and feeling healthy.

• It rinses clean without any residue.

• It keeps my curls moisturized in a variety of climates. I’ve used in arid and winter air, and on humid and/or rainy days and the results are always consistent. Because of this, I haven’t had a need to rotate products when seasons change.

• A little product goes a long way.

• It works well with leave-ins and stylers.

• Since I started using it seven months ago, it has made a noticeable improvement in my hair’s strength and length. My curls are hydrated and soft all day. As my hair grows, it tends to knot and tangle more easily, and using this masque cuts down on detangling time. I also lose much less hair in the shower than I normally do.

If you are new to SheaMoisture High Porosity Moisture Correct Masque, I recommend using it after first shampooing your hair, or as a co-wash. It will help to form curl clumps in the shower, which can be maintained with styling products.

What is your favorite SheaMoisture product? Let us know in the comments. For more on conditioning high porosity hair click here.