Our bags are (almost) packed and our looks are (almost) finalized. We’re putting the finishing touches on our booth as we gear up for the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, presented by Coca-Cola in New Orleans, LA, from June 29 – July 3. We’re excited to connect with you all at the NaturallyCurly activation, the Curly Experience, at BeautyCon, but before we go – there are 5 questions we all need to ask…
1. What will the weather be?
It’s safe to say New Orleans will be hot. And humid. With temperatures in the 90’s and a humidity index around 80%. You can also expect frequent rain and thunderstorms. None of this bodes well for curl definition, which brings us to our next question.
Read more: What Humidity, Humectants and Dew Points Mean for Curly Hair
2. How will I wear my hair?
Humid conditions can make defined wash and go’s and sleek blow outs difficult to maintain, so braids may be your best bet to beat the heat. Make sure you’ve booked your appointment with your hairstylist and start pulling together inspiration photos. We’ve gathered 14 Essence Fest hairstyle ideas for you to try. And if you need a refresh or a touch up while you’re in NOLA, stop by the NaturallyCurly booth at BeautyCon, where the Swella Beauty braiders will be doing consultations and hairstyles for festival attendees.
3. What products will I pack?
The “right” products for your hair in high humidity will really depend on your hair. For example, if you have low porosity hair, that means it’s more difficult for your hair to retain moisture, you’ll need to use more humectants. On the other hand, if you have high porosity hair, it means that your hair easily absorbs moisture and you may want to use anti-humectant products.
Once you’ve determined the right products for your hair, pick up travel sizes or pour your favorites into travel-size bottles or ziploc bags so you can bring them in your carry-on. And if you’re planning to wear a protective style, these are The Products You Need To Maintain Your Protective Style While Traveling.
4. What will I wear?
Essence Fest is no place to be understated. You want to be photo-ready, comfortable enough to walk all day, cool enough to withstand New Orleans heat, and you may want to bring a light layer for that convention center air conditioning. Need inspiration? Check out the Essence guide on How To Dress For Festival Season.
5. Which activations will I check out?
BeautyCon, the annual convention for beauty lovers, has joined the Essence Ventures family and will be making their pre-debut at Essence Fest 2023 (with their debut event happening in Los Angeles later this year). We may be biased, but it’s going to be a must-see, can’t-miss event. NaturallyCurly’s activation, the Curly Experience, can be found at BeautyCon, along with the return of our own annual event Texture On the Runway.
Since its New York City debut in 2012, Texture On the Runway has become one of the most anticipated and talked-about events in the natural hair community. The innovative runway show arose out of our frustration with the lack of representation at Fashion Week. Texture On the Runway puts curls, coils, and waves front and center, letting the hair inspire the fashion rather than the other way around. You won’t want to miss it.
We’ll see you at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, June 29-July 3. Come say hi, pick up a swag bag, and see a Swella Beauty stylist at the NaturallyCurly booth!
