Search Results: Victoria Davis
Let’s face it – curly hair and deep conditioning compliment one another, and if you haven’t added it to your hair care routine, you’re missing out on some fantastic benefits.
Applying a deep conditioner can solve many of the problems we curly girls face, like dry, lifeless, brittle, or damaged hair.
Here is what you need to know about deep conditioning.
Understand what your hair likes
You’ll find this out quickly the more you experiment with the many different deep conditioners offered by curly hair care brands. Some are more expensive than others, and they have varying consistencies and ingredients formulated by hair concern.
When choosing a deep conditioner, it’s always best to look at the ingredient list first and note its quality. If your hair is brittle, then you will want ingredients that improve elasticity, like coconut oil, olive oil and hydrolyzed protein. If you have high porosity, or your hair is damaged or chemically treated then you will want ingredients that can penetrate the hair like amino acids, and hydrolyzed palm oil. If your hair is low porosity you will likely want to use heat to help moisturize your hair. Understanding your hair type and its needs will impact which deep conditioner will work best for you. From there, decide if you want a thicker product from a jar, or one that’s lighter and comes from a pump. Next, you’ll want to look at pricing and sizes.
MORE: Why you NEED a deep conditioning mask
Adding a deep conditioner to your routine doesn’t mean a longer wash day
It seems as if we automatically associate using a deep conditioner with a long wash day, and that isn’t necessarily true. Some masques, like Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque or Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, only need to be left on for 5 minutes. Others may recommend 20-30 minutes. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package, and don’t leave the product on overnight or longer than recommended.
You’ll want to find a deep conditioner that fits your lifestyle and hair’s needs. The most important thing here is to be honest with yourself.
MORE: It IS Possible to Have a 2-Hour Natural Hair Wash Day
You will most likely use a lot of product
Usually, no matter what deep conditioner you choose, the instructions will read something like, “Use a generous amount.” They’re not lying. You’ll want to use more than a dime size this time. Deep conditioning means completely saturating your hair in product from root to tip.
This also means you’ll have to take this into consideration when purchasing product. If you have long hair, or deep condition often, you might want to buy a bigger supply.
Slip matters
How easily a product applies to your curls is undoubtedly important, and “slip” refers to just that. You’ll want a deep conditioner that easily glides down your hair shaft. The slipperiness of that product will also help prevent knots and tangles.
If you choose to detangle during this step, it will help cut down on time and, not to mention, your hair will feel freakishly soft after rinsing.
I’m a huge advocate for deep conditioners and quality matters more than anything in my book. I look for those that check all of the boxes above, along with those that are a thicker consistency since I have Type 4 curls. My top 3 deep conditioners can be found here.
Deep Conditioners Under $10
For those on a budget, here are five deep conditioners under $10.
- Mixed Chicks Detangling Deep Conditioner: $3.99
- Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment: $5.99
- Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque: $6.99
- EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque: $8.99
- Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque: $9.99
Read next:
Don’t know what your curl pattern is? Take our quiz.
This is the difference between daily conditioner & deep conditioner.
If you have Type 4C hair, here are our favorite 5 Deep Conditioning Masks for Under $20.
Ever turned over the back of your curly hair care products and thought to yourself,
“What the heck is that?”
We’ve all joined the game of trying to pronounce the ingredients on our curly hair products but often lose because we feel as if we need a chemist to help us out.
Many of the curly hair care products on the shelves labeled as, “organic,” “good for you,” and “all-natural” are full of chemicals and toxins. These products may even have cute labels, but they are known for stripping the moisture from your hair. It’s why learning to read product labels are extremely important.
This is one of the many reasons I decided to go natural, and now include DIY curly hair products into my routine. Here are some of the benefits of making your own curly hair products:
You know exactly what’s in your product.
Mostly, because you made it. It won’t be full of fillers and chemicals that cause a dry scalp or skin infections. You can trust it because it’s yours. This is one of the main reasons I advocate for DIY products.
You may be saving your health.
It is said that the average morning routine contains more than 200 ingredients. This means, by the time you’ve showered, put on lotions, deodorant, makeup, hair products, and that lovely perfume you love, you’ve been exposed to hundreds of chemicals before you’ve even stepped out the door. Many of the products labeled as, “good for your hair” have ingredients that may cause cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Custom make your creation for your needs.
With some time and research, you can whip up a cleanser and conditioner that fits your hair’s immediate needs. Need to boost your moisture levels? Throw in an avocado. Need to cleanse your scalp without over drying? Try using Castile soap and essential oils. Read more about finding ingredients for your DIY
You will save some cash.
If you really think about it, you probably spend a lot of money on hair products. Multiply that by a year, and it has to be more than $200. One of the things I teach in my online DIY Shampoo + Conditioner course is how to save money by not buying hair products, but making them. It would cost just a few dollars to make a wholesome, healthy cleanser (with ingredients you may already have”> versus spending $10 and up every store visit.
Also, chances are, you can use some of the same ingredients in your hair products for others, like creating a face mask.
Your hair and scalp will love you
Once you find the best combination of ingredients that work toward your advantage, the possibilities are endless. You may find that your scalp is less irritated, your hair is much shinier and stronger.
It takes like 2 seconds (no, really”>.
Once you really get your feet wet with this whole curly hair DIY thing, you can throw your ingredients into a blender and have a hair mask ready to go in less than 5 minutes. Think of it this way – it’s 5 minutes, but it’s going to help you expose your body to fewer chemicals.
While creating your own curly hair products at home can work in your favor, if you’re new to the game, there are a couple things you should know:
1. There are no preservatives in your DIY creation. You won’t have the luxury of whipping up your products and letting them sit for days or weeks before using them – you’ll need to do so immediately. Without preservatives, mold and bacteria can grow, and you don’t want that.
2. The color and consistency may be a little different than you’re used to. Because you won’t be using any artificial colors like dyes or fillers, things may be a little different. While different, this doesn’t mean they won’t work just as well as traditional products.
If you’re looking to start off with the basics, I encourage you to take a look at my online DIY Shampoo + Conditioner course. It’s full of workbooks, ebooks, and videos to get you started. If you’re ever in the Indianapolis area, feel free to join my in-person classes.
Watch how I make this DIY avocado & honey deep conditioning mask for dry natural hair.
There seems to have always been an emphasis on long hair rather than healthy hair, am I right?
Long hair can show status and health among other things, but why can’t we have long and healthy hair? It’s possible.
As a natural hair and green living blogger at ClassyCurlies.com, I know there are tons of people out there within my niche. One of the things I get fired up about is content. I’m not just about helping you achieve the perfect style, but strong hair is the No. 1 priority. Here are 10 tips to growing your healthiest hair:
1. Skipping regular deep conditioning
If you are the one complaining about dry, crunch curls, you will definitely want to include this self-care act into your haircare routine. While there are several deep treatment masks on the market, look for ones with moisturizing ingredients you can pronounce.
2. Combing from roots to ends
Growing up, I now know my mother had no idea how to comb black, kinky hair. She would always start at the root and pull through. This is totally incorrect and causes tons of breakage. Start at your ends and work your way up.
3. Not using oil when you detangle
Have you broken a comb lately or dread wash day just because you know you’ll have to detangle – meet the art of oil rinsing. It’s pouring oil over your curls and then rinsing right after conditioning. It cuts your detangling time in half.
4. Putting off trims
No everyone’s hair grows at the same speed, so be sure not to trim just because you feel like you should. Take a look at your ends and ask yourself these questions: “Are they much rougher than other parts of my hair?” “Are they uneven and full of single-strand knots?” (If you were wondering, I only trim about three to four times a year.”>
5. Not using clay
Not only will a clay mask boost your hair’s moisture levels, they also are perfect for making your curls pop.
6. Wearing the same style for too long
Long story short, don’t wear your ponytail or bun in the same position for too long. Doing so will cause lots of tension and stress, which could lead to breakage. If you wear a low ponytail one week, wear a higher one the next.
7. Relying on products
It doesn’t matter how many hair products you buy, your hair and skin is a direct reflection of your body’s health, so it’s important that you feed it nutritious foods. Want glowing skin and healthy hair? Increase your water intake and seek foods with vitamins and minerals.
8. Don’t forget your scalp!
We focus sometimes so much on our ends, that we forget about the importance of moisturizing the scalp. Give it a massage every now and then — here’s how.
9. Overlooking the ingredients label
I recommend sticking to ingredients you can pronounce and understand. Remember, the first five ingredients are the most important. Learn how to read the label on your product.
10. Comparing your curls to someone else’s
They say curl comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing or what their hair looks like. Concentrate on what makes your beautiful.
If you’re wondering what some of my favorite products are to maintain healthy hair, here you go!
Thermal Hair Care Posh Hot Head: $30 (Great for intensifying your deep conditioner”>
Q-Redew Handheld Hait Steamer: $78 (While pricy, it helps you restyle and moisturize without washing again”>
Honey Baby Naturals Knot My Honey Instant Detangler: $12 (Awesome detangler”>
What do you do to maintain healthy naturally coily hair?
Leave us a comment below, and follow us on Instagram for some inspiration @NaturallyCurly
Follow me on Instagram for more type 4 inspo, too @classycurlies
My coils and kinks complement my other physical features, but in reality, they have also played a big role in my self confidence.
My hair has helped me stand up for myself, boss up during important meetings and sell my skill set.
Physically, my hair hasn’t made any important decisions (obviously”>, but going natural did something I didn’t expect: change the way I saw myself. It boosted my confidence.
I don’t know if you’ve ever had this feeling, but there is something intimate and revealing about choosing to embrace the way you were created. It exposes your truth in ways unimaginable.
Right before I went natural while evolving into my twenties, I experienced the insecurities many young women have during that age. I was constantly questioning my thoughts, actions and looks, even though I looked well put together on the outside. While my confidence issues weren’t completely off the charts, it was so easy to look at the person next to me and wonder why I didn’t have X,Y, and Z. I was constantly trying to “keep up” — I wasn’t being my true self.
When I discovered women were actually OK with exposing their truths (and their natural hair textures”>, I knew I wanted to learn my roots and see what I looked like without chemicals and alterations.
I wanted to love that person, and not the person society wanted to mold me into. Although I knew I would have pushback from my family, I knew there was no way I wasn’t going to pass up something I was curious about. While I knew the decision to embrace my curly hair texture would alter my physical appearance, the internal journey was mind-blowing. I learned it was much more than the coils I styled each day.
My personal journey was about internal growth, maturity and self-confidence.
The journey to natural hair helped me look at areas in my life where I knew I could no longer compromise. It allowed me to tell myself, “Hey, this is you. This is who you are, so own it.” Since then, my little pep talks, which started about my hair, have carried on. Now that it’s been seven years since my big chop, I often reflect back and give thanks for allowing Victoria to be introduced to ;”>Victoria 2.0.
Today, there is something so gratifying about standing in the mirror and admiring the features of the person I am, and who I want to become.
Years ago, I’m not sure if it would’ve happened; I might have been more worried about my skin complexion, my full lips and probably other things I could’ve found wrong at the time. This is one of the many reasons I tell my readers on my blog that going natural isn’t just about hair, it’s about building confidence that goes along with it and everything else in between. I now bring that confidence when writing contracts, engaging with readers, speaking at events and creating new content.
In my case, it has purposefully spilled into other parts of my life — and I am forever grateful.
It’s 9 a.m. on Sunday when a friend asks you to go out for dinner planned for 7 p.m. If you decline because it’s #WashDay, we’ve got a problem.
When it comes to caring for our natural hair, there are so many techniques and tips that sometimes it can be a little overwhelming.
Let’s face it: sometimes we over complicate our curls.
Wash day shouldn’t be the entire day (maybe just a few hours at most”> because you have a life to live. You have family to love, friends to hang out with and that Netflix series to catch up on. While I’m not, by any means, advocating for neglecting your mane, there are ways to make wash day much easier. After embracing my natural hair for the past eight years, I have learned the steps during your wash day to pay a little extra attention to, as well as the steps you shouldn’t dwell on. Here’s how to take control of your wash day and tips on how to make it run much more smoothly.
Gather everything you need
Is your hair in need of moisture, a portion treatment or even a much overdue detangle session? Find out what your hair needs this wash day and pull out all tools you need to get the job done. This includes cleansers, conditioner, hair clips, towels and other items. This would also be the time to pull out diffuser attachments, blowdryers and hair steamers. By gathering everything you need in the beginning, it will not only save time but keep you sane!
Detangle in the shower
One of the benefits to detangling your hair while in the shower is using the stream of water to your advantage. Use a shower comb or fingers along with your favorite detangler. Mine is Honey Baby Naturals Knot My Honey Instant Detangler. The downward motion of the water will make the process a breeze.
Find a deep treatment mask
Although deep conditioning your hair will add more time to your overall wash day, it will be minutes well spent. Finding even just 10 minutes to deep condition will help you achieve some of your best hair days during the week. Since you spent a little extra time, you will cause yourself less of a headache toward the end of the week when your curls would normally begin to dry out.
Set the clock
Sure, it’s called wash day, but that doesn’t mean anyone should spend an entire day prepping your curls for the week. Set a realistic time for washing, conditioning, detangling and styling. I used to be one of those people that spend hours and hours doing my hair, but now, I can complete my routine in 2 to 3 hours (unless I’m doing a special clay treatment”>.
If you’re a geek like me, create a schedule. Here’s a more detailed look into one of my wash days that keeps me on track every time:
Gather all items needed: 5 to 10 minutes
- Honey Baby Naturals Honeychild Moisture & Scalp Balance Gentle Shampoo
- Honey Baby Naturals Honey Sweet Softening Conditioner
- Honey Baby Naturals Knot My Honey Instant Detangler
- Honey Baby Naturals Honey Shea Butter Hair Smoothie
- Hair clips
- Plastic shower caps/Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap
- Wide-toothed comb, paddle brush
- Towels
Wash and deep condition: 35 minutes
Complete your normal wash routine and add in a short deep conditioning session that lasts 15 to 20 minutes.
Style: 40 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes
There is such a huge time difference here because it depends on the look I’m trying to go for. I normally pick one style to wear each week – so I want to make it a cute one. Some may require me to blow dry my hair using the tension method, and then style. If I want a shorter look, I style on damp hair, which takes much less time.
Note: Though I love mini twists, they take several hours — at least 4 — to complete. For styles like this, I mentally prepare and face the fact that most of my day will be dedicated to my hair. Seeing as I only do this style a couple of times a year, it still works in my favor!
What does your typical wash day look like?
Let us know in the comments below. Follow NaturallyCurly on Instagram and follow me @classycurlies
Read 4 Type 4 Bloggers Share Their Fall Natural Hair Regimens
Fourteen minutes is all it took to evoke emotion from a situation many curlies have often found themselves in after doing the big chop.
A 2016 short film written by Alisha Cowan and directed by Derek D. Dow, The Big Chop follows the journey of a 10-year-old girl who once has a great love for her afro then gets a relaxer when negative comments by her mother and constant teasing by her peers gets the best of her.
Soon after entering their film into the American Black Film Festival, Alisha and Derek were chosen to have their work shown on HBO. The two chatted with NaturallyCurly on the concept behind the film and their spotlight on HBO.
NaturallyCurly: Where did this idea for the Big chop come from?
Alisha:
I had been toying around with the idea for at least maybe two years. I’d been wanting to write [The Big Chop], but I had never really dabbled into short film. My path was TV writing for comedies, but Derek… moved out here [to Chicago] and I said, “You’re a director, and I’m a writer,” so thought we should do something together.
“It’s 100 percent based off my story, but I also think it’s based off of a lot of women’s stories.”
In particular, I transitioned for a year and thought I was ready to cut it off, and I did it on a whelm one night. It wasn’t midnight, but it was late. I was standing in the mirror and I just cut it off. What resulted after was not what I expected at all. I didn’t have as much hair as I thought and I all of a sudden became clueless on how to take care of it. When I cut it off, it was a whole new life.
“I didn’t get a perm until I was about 13, and it was because I wanted it. I’ve always equated my hair with pain because my mom didn’t know what she was doing with it.”
I wanted to show the transition of having the fro when you’re a child and some situations you might be put in, and then wanting to go back to that when you’re an adult.
NC: You talked about the film showcasing a girl’s journey to adulthood, but what role do you think children play in the natural hair movement?
Alisha:
I think it’s changing for me. I turned 30 in May, but when I was growing up, Just For Me was all I saw. To go from that… and for little girls to know it’s OK to embrace their hair, is a totally different world for the better. I think parents are more educated now, as well.
NC: Since doing the big chop comes with a range of emotions, what was the process like of directing a story such as this one?
Derek:
The source material was so good. I personally could relate to it because my story was more in reverse order. I grew up as a black boy who was told his hair was nappy and ugly, so my mom would keep me bald because she didn’t know what to do with it. On the other side, boys deal with, “did you brush your hair?” Now, I have fairly long locs, so for me it was finding the truth in each scene and what it feels like. When a scene took place, it was like I was living in that scene.
With the children (actors”>, it was more of helping them with the pace. I wanted to make sure they didn’t say lines how their parents told them to say them, but how I needed them to say them.
NC: How long did it take you to develop the concept from start to finish?
Alisha: The idea came about and then we were like, ‘we don’t have any money,’ so we came up with the idea to crowdfund. That was a process within its self – I’d never done it. We gave people about a month to give us money for the project.
Derek: We shot it, and shooting it only took three days. We missed the first deadline for the American Black Film Fest, and then life happened. We needed $13,000 to do the film, but we only raised $5,000. I started changing some of my shots, scenes and we shrunk the camera package. We spent the $5,000 on production, and we still needed money for post production, which took another month the complete between the edits and the sound design. We literally turned it in to ABFF an hour before it was due.
You mentioned how you had difficulty meeting your crowdfunding goal. What type of challenges did you face for this film, considering we’re living in a time where curly hair is so popular?
Derek: It did make me think like, ‘we only got $5,000.’ I even personally contacted natural hair people and got cold shoulders left and right. I don’t know if it was because I was a guy or what, but that made us want to make the film even more. It wasn’t about their support, it was about getting the message out and making people feel like what they do through matters.
So you submitted to the ABFF – what was the result?
Alisha: Their short film competition is sponsored by HBO and they chose five films out of thousands. They fly out the winners to Miami, screen the films for an audience and then they vote on a winner. There was a cash prize but if filmmakers agree to, they can allow HBO to license it. No one really declines that, so we were on HBO. It was pretty cool — it was one of my ultimate goals when I was writing it, so I was super excited when we got in.
Both of you mentioned your curls — what’s your hair routine like?
Alisha: I don’t really think about it. You know at first you’re obsessed with everything — and I’m still obsessed with natural hair in general — but as far as my hair, I don’t care anymore. I wash it once a week and I usually do a wash and go. I use DevaCurl and then I go about my week.
Derek: I’ve had my locs for a little over 10 years and they’re pretty easy to maintain. When I do wash them, I do an apple cider vinegar rinse and then use light to no oil. I had been told my hair was so ugly growing up, but now people can’t wait to tell me how nice it is.
You can watch the Big Chop here and learn more about Alisha Cowan and Derek D. Dow on Instagram.
If you’ve ever washed a dish and later noticed a white residue on your glass, chances are you live in an area with hard water.
While many of us may not think twice about the type of water we use on wash day, quality matters when you want to maintain healthy curls.
If you think of your hair as the once sparkling glass, picture the unseen film resting on your strands. It’s not a pretty sight once frizz is introduced and can cause you more difficulty in the long run.
Hard water is the high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While the presence of minerals in the water is beneficial to health, depending on the hardness of your water, your hair can experience harsh effects.
You may have noticed an abrupt change in how your curls behave if you moved to a new area.
Levels of hardness in water vary, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Check yours here.
In hard water conditions, your shampoo and other hair products react with the calcium in the water, leaving behind a film and mineral buildup.
Ultimately, hard water can cause frizz, detangling issues, dry hair and scalp and change the overall appearance of your curls — and we don’t want that. If you find yourself in an area with hard water, here are some steps to take to increase the quality of your water.
1. Test the quality of your water
Several companies offer water tests to find out if your home faucets distributes hard water. A clear sign is to take a look at your shower heads, faucets and toilet bowls. If they have residue stains, you most likely live with hard water. If you’re more of the DIYer, add 10 drops of dish soap to a cup of water. If it turns milky white, you have hard water.
2. Ditch hard water for good
Companies that offer water tests can also install water softeners, which changes the amount of minerals in the water using beads and salts to act as filters. You can expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for a home system. A water filtering shower head can also be installed for much less. If you’re strapped for cash, or don’t believe a softener is needed, there are other less expensive options available.
In my time as a curly girl, I’ve heard about people using distilled water during the washing process. While that is an option, you have to admit, that’s a lot of gallons of water.
One of the easiest and quickest alternative involves experimenting with different hair products. Just as all water is not equal, we curly girls know products aren’t, either.
Those with hard water should try clarifying and pH balanced shampoos made for hard water environments. Look for products with the main ingredient Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid, or EDTA – which helps break down minerals causing hard water.
Although these types of cleansers are great at stripping your curls of buildup, they can also have a drying effect. Try incorporating them into your hair regimen at least once a month.
Here are a few shampoos to check out:
- Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo, $18, uses a blend of lemon, grapefruit, and orange flower extracts to breakdown buildup without stripping the hair of natural oils.
- DevaCurl Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum, $28, attracts dirt and buildup like a magnet and uses Abyssinica seed oil and jojoba to deliver moisture.
- Jane Carter Solution Healthy Hair Renewable Difference Detox Shampoo, $11, is a color-safe shampoo that helps hair thrive in hard water environments by using glycolic fruit extracts of sugar maple, orange and lemon.
What’s the water like in your city?
Help a fellow curly girl out. Let us know in the comments below!
While there are tons of bloggers and vloggers sharing their fall hair care tips and journeys, it can sometimes still be difficult finding someone with a similar hair texture as yours. Knowing their favorite products and routines can be helpful, especially when the season changes and you’re looking to tweak your own regimen.
Type 4 hair requires a bit of extra attention as its kinky curls dry out much easier than others.
Take it from someone who has created a simple fall hair care routine. Here, four type 4 coily hair women sharing their favorite fall hair care tips.
Kenny Olapade
- @kenny_olapade on Instagram, Kenny Olapade on YouTube, kennyolapade.com
My fall haircare routine
My fall hair care routine is focused on more moisture. I wash my hair every week using Tresemme Botanique Conditioner or Tresemme Botanique Shampoo. I shampoo once a month with a clarifying shampoo; my DIY African black soap shampoo or SheaMoisture JBCO Shampoo.
For deep conditioning, I use my DIY moisturizing deep conditioner — Aussie Deep Treatment, avocado, banana, honey, coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and argan oil — every week or my DIY protein deep conditioner once every three months.
I apply the deep conditioner to my hair, cover with a plastic cap or plastic bag, and leave it in for at least 30 minutes. I always detangle my hair in the shower. I make sure I coat my hair with enough conditioner, use my finger to first detangle, then, use the big shower comb to gently remove or separate the tangles.
I moisturize my hair using the LOC method (liquid, oil, cream or styler”> in this order. I put my hair in twists or braids to be taken out the next day.
My favorite product to use this fall?
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-in Conditioner.
Helicia
My fall hair care routine
I almost always have my tresses exposed to the elements, which means I have to take additional care of my hair through out the year with the changing seasons.
During the fall season, I naturally gravitate toward deep conditioning regularly. The weather tends to get cooler and dryer and my hair needs additional moisture.
My favorite product to use this fall?
Lately my staple deep conditioner has been the Mielle Organics Babasu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner. It’s refreshing on the scalp and moisturizing on my strands.
Vany
- @misscoilyhair on Instagram, misscoilyhair.com/
My fall hair care routine
With everything I have going on, I don’t have much time to be playing with my hair. So, I try to keep my hair regimen as simple as possible.
I wash and deep condition my hair every weekend. I have low porosity hair, so I use products that are either low on protein or protein-free. I also pre-poo or do a hot oil treatment prior to washing my hair.
After washing and deep conditioning, I allow my hair to air dry a bit, then I moisturize using the LCO (liquid, cream, oil”> method. Afterwards, I put them in chunky twists — unless I need to go out that night.
The next day, usually Sunday, I style my hair for the week — finger coils, twists or “frohawk wash and go.” I find that twisting usually helps my hair retain more moisture throughout the week. I make sure to wrap my hair each night.
My favorite products to use this fall?
Two products that I’m really loving right now and highly recommend — especially for low porosity girls — are the As I Am Twist Defining Cream (My twists are always very defined and very moisturized with this cream”>. I also love the Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner (It leaves my hair so soft after usage”>.
Leigh Jones
- @lifestylejones on Instagram, lifestylejones.com
My fall hair care routine
Fall is here! I love to wear wash and go’s so I get to rock my ‘fro.
Once I mastered the wash and go, I can wear it for 4 to 6 days without restyling. I start to deep conditioning more in the fall to prepare for the winter months ahead.
Using a hooded dryer or steam from the shower really helps the moisture to get in my hair. Parting my hair in four sections before I add my styling products cuts down on time. I sit under a hooded dryer instead of air drying. After that, I fluff my hair and go!”
Favorite product to use this fall?
To seal moisture into my hair, my go-to product is Flora & Curl Hair Oil. It smells like oranges!
Do you have a fall regimen question for one of our type 4 coilies?
Leave a comment below and on Facebook and we’ll do our best to answer it!
Read my fall haircare routine for type 4 hair
Whether you want that recent short haircut to become long curls again, or you are simply committed to growing your hair, believe it or not, you can boost your hair’s growth at home without products.
There are endless DIY hair growth remedies out there but because you deserve the best, I’ve narrowed them down for you. Here are 5 hair growth remedies you need in your life.
Caffeine
A trusty remedy involves the usage of caffeine. If your mind automatically thought of coffee – you’re wrong. Several teas contain caffeine that can be used as rinses to promote hair growth by increasing blood flow.
Green tea can be used to help you meet your hair growth goals. Simply fill a large container or mug with two bags of organic green tea, pour boiling water over the bags and let seep for 10-20 minutes. Once cooled, pour the tea over your head after your regular shampoo, condition, and detangling session. Do not rinse! Learn more on the benefits of tea for hair.
Black Seed Oil
A remedy you may not have heard of contains black seed oil, also called black cumin and fennel flower, among other names. The oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and can possibly help in regrowing thinning areas on your scalp.
Hair growth boosting tip:
Massage 1 part black seed oil with 2 parts olive oil into your bald patches to encourage hair growth. Rinse out afterward with a cleansing conditioner. Get the recipe for regrowing hair using black seed oil.
Cinnamon
It’s not just made for enhancing your pumpkin-spiced lattes and baked goods, but can be great for growing curly hair. Since cinnamon is great at exfoliating the scalp, it can get rid of product buildup, which can clear the airways for growth.
Ready to give it a go? Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 Teaspoons of cinnamon. Add Olive oil to desired consistency. Leave on hair for 15 minutes and shampoo as normal. More on benefits of cinnamon for hair.
Tomatoes
Making fresh spaghetti sauce? Save some of those tomatoes for your hair.
Adding tomatoes to your hair regimen can add natural shine and help balance your strand’s pH levels – all of the ingredients needed for healthy hair growth. Learn how to use tomatoes for your hair.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
A classic method for growing curly hair is by scalp massaging with Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO”>.
When using this magical oil, as some refer to it as, you’ll want to apply small amounts to your hair and scalp daily and massage with your fingertips. You may also use it as a weekly hot oil treatment. Read more on other ways to use Jamaican black castor oil.
For the DIY challenged…
If DIY recipes don’t pique your interest or if you’re on a time crunch, there are plenty of products on the market aimed at growing healthy curls – the challenge is finding quality ingredients.
Here are five products you’ll find in stores that help promote hair growth:
- Curls Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil contains blueberries filled with antioxidants and Vitamins A, B5, C, and E. Shop at SHOPNaturallyCurly, Target, and Walmart.
- SheaMoisture Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque is infused with ingredients like Shea butter and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Shop at SHOPNaturallyCurly, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart and CVS.
- Honey Baby Naturals Honey Shea Butter Hair Smoothie has a main ingredient of honey, known as a natural humectant for moisturizing hair with a blend of Shea butter and biotin. Shop at SHOPNaturallyCurly, Target and Meijer.
- Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Purify Me Moisturizing Co-Wash Cleanser is made with flaxseed, an excellent source of Omega fatty acids known for preventing shedding and promoting healthy hair growth. Shop at SHOPNaturallyCurly, Family Dollar, Walmart and Kroger.
- Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner is created with lemongrass, known for strengthening hair follicles. Shop at SHOPNaturallyCurly and Target.
Do you have a DIY hair recipe to share?
Let us know in the comments!
For more tips and inspiration, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
While there are many of bloggers and vloggers sharing their fall hair care tips and journeys, it can sometimes still be difficult finding someone with a similar hair texture as yours. Knowing their favorite products and routines can be helpful, especially when the season changes and you’re looking to tweak your own regimen.
Type 4 hair requires a bit of extra attention as its kinky curls dry out much more easily than others.
Take it from someone who has created a simple fall hair care routine, coily hair comes with its own set of hair concerns. Here, four type 4 coily hair women are sharing their favorite fall hair care tips.
Kenny Olapade
- @kenny_olapade on Instagram, Kenny Olapade on YouTube, kennyolapade.com
My fall hair care routine
My fall hair care routine is focused on more moisture. I wash my hair every week using Tresemme Botanique Conditioner or Tresemme Botanique Shampoo. I shampoo once a month with a clarifying shampoo, my DIY African black soap shampoo or SheaMoisture JBCO Shampoo.
For deep conditioning, I use my DIY moisturizing deep conditioner — Aussie Deep Treatment, avocado, banana, honey, coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and argan oil — every week, or my DIY protein deep conditioner once every three months.
I apply the deep conditioner to my hair, cover with a plastic cap or plastic bag, and leave it in for at least 30 minutes. I always detangle my hair in the shower. I make sure I coat my hair with enough conditioner, use my finger to first detangle, then, use the big shower comb to gently remove or separate the tangles.
I moisturize my hair using the LOC method (liquid, oil, cream or styler”> in this order. I put my hair in twists or braids to be taken out the next day.
My favorite product to use this fall?
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-in Conditioner.
Helicia
My fall hair care routine
I almost always have my tresses exposed to the elements, which means I have to take additional care of my hair through out the year with the changing seasons.
During the fall season, I naturally gravitate toward deep conditioning regularly. The weather tends to get cooler and dryer and my hair needs additional moisture.
My favorite product to use this fall?
Lately my staple deep conditioner has been the Mielle Organics Babasu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner. It’s refreshing on the scalp and moisturizing on my strands.
Vany
- @misscoilyhair on Instagram, misscoilyhair.com/
My fall hair care routine
With everything I have going on, I don’t have much time to be playing with my hair, so I try to keep my hair regimen as simple as possible.
I wash and deep condition my hair every weekend. I have low porosity hair, so I use products that are either low on protein or protein-free. I also pre-poo or do a hot oil treatment prior to washing my hair.
After washing and deep conditioning, I allow my hair to air dry a bit, then I moisturize using the LCO (liquid, cream, oil”> method. Afterwards, I put them in chunky twists — unless I need to go out that night.
The next day, usually Sunday, I style my hair for the week — finger coils, twists or “frohawk wash and go.” I find that twisting usually helps my hair retain more moisture throughout the week. I make sure to wrap my hair each night.
My favorite products to use this fall?
Two products that I’m really loving right now and highly recommend — especially for low porosity girls — are the As I Am Twist Defining Cream. My twists are always very defined and very moisturized with this cream. I also love the Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner, which leaves my hair so soft after usage.
Leigh Jones
- @lifestylejones on Instagram, lifestylejones.com
My fall hair care routine
Fall is here! I love to wear wash and go’s so I get to rock my ‘fro.
Once I mastered the wash and go, I can wear it for 4 to 6 days without restyling. I start to deep conditioning more in the fall to prepare for the winter months ahead.
Using a hooded dryer or steam from the shower really helps the moisture to get in my hair. Parting my hair in four sections before I add my styling products cuts down on time. I sit under a hooded dryer instead of air drying. After that, I fluff my hair and go!
Favorite product to use this fall?
To seal moisture into my hair, my go-to product is Flora & Curl Hair Oil. It smells like oranges!
Do you have a fall regimen question for one of our type 4 coilies?
Leave a comment below and on Facebook and we’ll do our best to answer it!
Got breakage, shedding or dryness? My first recommendation for anyone wanting to repair their curly hair: always to find a deep conditioning mask.
And we are just not talking about any conditioner here. I’m speaking of the thick, nutritious mask jam-packed with vitamins and bring your hair back to life. Here’s the low down on deep conditioners for curly hair:
What is a deep conditioning mask?
A mask is a hair treatment used to remoisturize and repair hair. It plays a major role in retaining moisture for your curls and growing healthy hair. Read the do’s and don’ts of deep conditioning.
How can you tell the difference between a regular conditioner and a mask?
Masks have a much thicker consistency than traditional conditioners you would pair with shampoos because they are made to coat your strands entirely.
Where in my hair regimen should I include a deep conditioning mask?
You’ll want to apply your deep condition mask right after you have shampooed your hair.
Are there any other special tools I need when using a deep condition mask?
You want to use something to trap in the heat once you’ve applied the mask. Typically, people use plastic shower caps, but I like to use the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap. See my review here.
How often and how long should I deep condition?
Deep conditioning for at least 30 minutes at a time is recommended. How often you deep condition depends on the status of your hair. If you notice your hair is much drier than normal or is beginning to break off – I would recommend using the mask at least every two weeks.
I try my best to deep condition after every wash, which is once a week for me.
What type of ingredients in my mask should I search for based on my hair type?
Those with wavy hair should use a mask with a medium to thick consistency. Ideally, it will contain light oils like jojoba, coconut and olive oils as they don’t weigh the hair down as much.
Curly hair textures will want to find a mask with best of both worlds, as their strands can handle heavier and lighter oils like coconut and castor oils.
Those with ;”>coily hair will want heavy masks containing ingredients like shea butter, castor oil and olive oil as this texture is more prone to dryness and breakage.
How to find a deep conditioner that fits your hair type
Here are my recommendations you’ll find right here on NaturallyCurly.
- Wavy hair: Aunt Jackie’s Coconut Creme Recipes Coco Repair Deep Conditioner is made with coconut and olive oils needed to refresh dry, fragile strands.
- ;”>Curly hair: Almost any product you find from Macadamia Professional is pure gold, but their Macadamia Professional Nourishing Moisture Masque is the true star. It contains Macadamia and Argan oils that leaves hair feeling nourished and moisturized.
- ;”>Coily hair: EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner has amazing slip, a calming scent and focuses on repairing dry and damaged coils.
My personal favorite deep conditioner is WonderCurl’s Restoring Hair Treatment because it’s packed with shea and avocado butters that really rehydrate my hair. I can truly tell the difference when I use this product week-to-week. Check out this video of my WonderCurl mask application process here.
What’s your favorite deep conditioner?
Let us know on Facebook
Here’s an easy way to get your hair out of your face while in the heat and at the same time, give it a break from all the manipulation. #protectivestyles
Of course, protective styles can be worn any time of the year, but during the summer months is when the curly hair community really gets creative. While I am not a huge fan of styles that involve hair extensions for several reasons — unless they are installed the correct way — I love to mini-twist my own hair.
Mini-twists give you the same benefits you would get from any other protective style — you can simply put your hair away without constantly worrying about it. I also love that they can be worn on almost any length of hair and still look stylish no matter which way you wear them.
Are you in the mood for summertime mini-twists?
Here are some key things to keep in mind when creating your simple mini-twists routine:
- Although you will want your mini-twists to last, avoid installing them too tightly; your scalp and hair will thank you later.
- You may want to consider installing your twists in four sections. By dividing up your work, you’re less likely to lose your mind when it seems like the installation process is taking forever.
- Be sure to deep condition your hair beforehand. You will most likely keep your twists in for weeks at a time, so you will want to give your natural hair some love.
Here is a simple tutorial on installing your own mini-twists:
How to keep your mini-twists looking fresh?
Just because you don’t have to style your hair each day doesn’t mean you should neglect your curls. Spray a light leave in-conditioner or moisturizer at least a few times a week.
One of the main ways you can keep your twists looking fresh is to tie them down with a scarf at night.
Keep track of how long your twists have been installed – you don’t want to keep them in too long where they begin to loc (unless that’s your goal”>. I recommend no more than a month, then follow up with a deep conditioner.
You can see more on how to maintain and stretch your twists below:
What summer style is your go-to for getting your hair out of your face and giving your coils a break?
I have more type 4 natural hair advice on my blog, Classy Curlies.
From the outside looking in, having curly hair can look easy — just toss your curls around each morning and you’re ready to go, right?
Could you imagine straightening this? #shrinkage #naturalhairdaily #4chair pic.twitter.com/o37RU1dAOJ
— Shana (@napp_queen”> June 15, 2017
Oh, if only life were that simple. Embracing your curly mane involves lots of care, patience and above all, confidence.
While I am sure most women wouldn’t mind a dose of confidence, those with curly hair have been brought to the forefront. Since I big chopped in 2011, I cannot count how many times my hair has been called “wild” “crazy” and “nappy.”
Because this happens frequently in our communities, I try to give women inspiration and confidence on ClassyCurlies.com, but where I find a lot of my own inspiration is through social media platforms like Twitter. Over the past few years, women have been using hashtags to help others find their inner light. Here are three Twitter hashtags you should follow to find your own curly hair inspiration and confidence.
#CurlyHairDontCare
As a staple in the curly hair community, this hashtag has been around for quite a while and displays women with all types of textures and skin tones. You’re sure to find someone with the same hair length or hair texture similar to yours while scrolling through the sass and humor.
#BlackHairChallenge
Want to see the versatility of curly hair? This hashtag, created by @melaninmamis has it all. Curlies show off their hair in every style you could think of from curly to straight to creative updos.
#curlyhairtwitter #curlyhairdontcare #curlygirls ➰ pic.twitter.com/fy3c8KefjM
— VEE
#NaturalHairDaily
You will find everything from curlies showing off their latest hair styles to their favorite products and natural hair celebs.
Looking for some other hashtags?
You may want to check these out: #NaturalHairTwitter, #CurlyHairTwitter, #CurlPattern, #NaturallyCurly and #NaturalGirlsRock.
Oh, and don’t forget to follow @NaturallyCurly on Twitter too!
Dear coily girl,
You are beautiful. You are magical. Your hair texture is golden and your spirit is free. These are all of the things women with coily, kinky, and curly hair would love to hear. Instead, society throws different words and phrases into our view by calling our hair, ‘nappy,’ ‘crazy,’ ‘wild,’ or ‘unacceptable.’
As a dark-skinned woman with kinky, coily type 4 hair I understand our daily struggles.
They tell you that you don’t fit the world’s view of beauty. They tell you your hair texture isn’t “good enough” because it has a few extra curls that most don’t have.
But what they don’t know is the internal impact their external words have on our mental capacity. Since we don’t grow up in a world where kinky, natural hair is as accepted as often as our “good hair,” loose ringlet-having sisters, we’re undervalued, looked down on and as a result, our confidence shrinks.
Have you found yourself frustrated because your natural hair journey hasn’t gone picture perfect like you thought it would?
Or are you upset that your hair texture wasn’t what you thought it would be?
Having curly hair can be tough — and sometimes it seems even more difficult when you have a coily texture. However, it is your hair texture and no one else’s, so embrace it! Despite the world attempting to bring us down, we must continue to uplift one another and our little girls, showing hair brands why it should be looked at with as much value as anyone else’s strands.
Sure, we may have a tougher time combing our locks and retaining moisture, but our hair does everything that our sisters with 3a, 3b or 3c hair does. We can rock a mean wash-and-go, fierce twist-out, beautiful braid-out and any other updo style our creative heart’s desire.
We deserve the love and respect just as much as anyone else, because we are worthy and we represent the lives and realities of many women of color. I need you to know this, and live it.
So the next time you doubt your hair texture, feel like you cannot rock that style because it did not turn out as well as your favorite blogger or Instagram role model, shove those negative thoughts away.
Know you are setting an example for everyone in the type 4, coily and kinky natural hair community by embracing your own texture. The day you wear that style you thought was a disaster, you will inspire and encourage other women to do the same; that is what I hope to do every single day on my blog, ClassyCurlies.com.
Sure, the natural hair community is great for discovering new hair products and styles, but if you do not feel accepted, represented or confident in your natural beauty, everything falls to the wayside. Be confident in who you are, what you have and what you represent.
If no one has told you today: you matter.
Your hair is gorgeous and you have a brilliant mind that could change the world.
One of the rooms in your home acts as a hair care aisle everyday. Don’t believe me?
Your kitchen is loaded with ingredients that can treat and grow your hair. The best part: you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge. No matter if you suddenly ran out of your favorite hair products, or you want to start whipping up your own creations, here are some kitchen ingredients to add into your curly hair regimen.
Olive Oil
Whether you like to fry, sauté or roast your foods, olive oil is a must in the kitchen and when it comes to pampering your hair. While extra virgin olive oil is best, most regular store brands will help your hair become softer and more manageable with extended use.
How to use
Use it as a hot oil treatment after shampooing, or mix it with your conditioner for a deep conditioning treatment.
Honey
I’m not a fan of white sugar, but I’ll quickly add a spoonful of honey to my tea for a bit of sweetness. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it pulls moisture from the air – and I’m sure none of us are going to turn down extra hair moisture. Because it is also an anti-bacterial, it’s good for soothing the scalp for those that have problems like dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis.
How to use
Combine honey and olive oil, heat and use as a deep treatment masque.
Coconut Milk
I’ve seen many women ditch dairy products altogether for healthier alternatives like almond and coconut milk. Of all the kitchen ingredients, I get most excited about using coconut milk in my DIY hair care routine. It is loaded with nutrients like Vitamin E and great for treating your scalp.
How to use
Pour some coconut milk into a bottle with a nozzle tip and squeeze directly onto the scalp. Let sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing.
Yogurt
There are tons of varieties of yogurt on the shelves now days, but you’ll want to opt for plain (Greek if you can”> yogurt. Its anti-fungus properties help get rid of dandruff and dead skin cells.
How to use
Combine yogurt, olive oil and honey to create a deep treatment for your hair and scalp.
Do you have a cool kitchen DIY to share with the NC community? Share it in the comments!
Follow us on Instagram @NaturallyCurly for daily inspiration.
4 Hair Product Lines with Organic Ingredients You Need to Try
You walk into your nearby drug store to snag some new curly hair products, but once you get to the aisle, you are instantly overwhelmed. You are not sure which one to choose.
Should you stick with your ol’ faithful brand or should you try one of the many new ones?
When it comes to making the best health decision for your hair, flip the bottle over and take a look at the ingredients. If you can read or recognize the first five — you have found a winner! If not, try again. If your journey leads you on the hunt for curly hair products that contain organic ingredients, today is your lucky day because I’ve got a list for you to consider. Here are four top organic curly hair care products, their price ranges, and where you can find them.
DermOrganic Curls
Many of the products from the DermOrganic Curls line — yes, the one with the purple label — contain between 70 to 75 percent organic ingredients and have a low pH reading at about 4.5. I often find this particular line of products, ranging from $12 to $20, in my local Marshalls store and on Amazon.
Aubrey Organics
This is a longtime favorite of mine that I discovered at Walmart during the early days of my curly hair journey. They have products infused with organic oils, shampoos just for those who love to swim and a ton of deep conditioners and scents to try. Be sure to check the label for the USDA Organic certification. Products range from $3 to $15 on their website, but you can also spot them at local stores like The Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods.
Jason Organics
Their 84 percent Aloe Vera Shampoo is everything! It contains of course organic aloe vera but also organic spirulina and lavender. The Jason Organics line also has a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners depending on the health of your hair. You can buy the products locally at most Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Whole Foods locations. You can see if they are in your area here. Prices run from $10 to $12.
Bee Mine Natural & Organic
This has also been a dear favorite of mine over the years. I love that this line of products is made in small batches so each creation gets its own unique bit of love. If you’re looking for something completely organic, this will be your go-to brand. Products contain ingredients like organic aloe vera juice, Ayurvedic herbs, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and many more. Prices range from $12 to $34 on their website.
Which of these organic lines have you used?
Let us know — like NaturallyCurly on Facebook!
Follow ClassyCurlies on Instagram.
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