The world of protective hairstyles has grown tremendously in the past few years. While it’s true that classic looks like box braids and cornrows are still popular, there are tons of new styles to explore. This year has been one of the most creative for the category, with the success of the braided baldie and other unique looks like Bora-Bora braids.
But the latest style to steal the spotlight is in a lane of its own. River Locs, also known as Waterfall Locs, blend a less traditional braiding method with the breezy feel of boho braids to create a truly one-of-a-kind look. Despite being new to the braid scene, they’ve already gained a cult following on TikTok and Instagram.
Protective styles are a popular choice come summer, thanks to their ability to keep curls tucked away. But they also provide a stylish look, and with so many options, it’s always fun to change it up. The allure of airy boho braids or crisp stitch braids never gets old. However, if you’re looking for a fresh way to shake up your hairstyle, River Locs could be the style for you.
As with any new protective style, it’s good to know the ins and outs before committing. We get it; braids aren’t exactly cheap and have a longer lifespan than a silk press or twist-out. Fortunately, we got the rundown from three stylists and braiders to help you out. Below, they share everything you need to know about River Locs, including how to keep them looking salon-fresh.
What are river locs?
Like Goddess Braids, River Locs have an ethereal and beachy feel. “They are considered a crochet hairstyle and create a bohemian, free-flowing appearance thanks to curls at the root and ends of the locs,” says Kadidja Dosso, founder of Dosso Beauty and Philadelphia-based braider. However, unlike braids, River Locs are lightweight. “It’s a great style for those who like mid-back braids because they’re not too heavy and offer less tension at the root of the hair,” she says.
River Locs are still fairly new in the braid community. A quick Google search will yield just a few pictures for inspiration. Still, it’s not hard to see why they’ve become so sought after—especially for summer. The style is breezy and quick to install, making them ideal for vacations. “It is perfect for creating a weave look thanks to the curls, but it doesn’t have the extra maintenance that comes with having those styles,” says Shay London, a Brooklyn-based braider and owner of the namesake hair salon Shay London Beauty Bar.
What Makes River Locs Unique
Faux locs have become a popular protective style that offers less tension and is often much lighter than knotless braids. You’re probably familiar with a few hairstyles, such as butterfly locs and soft locs. Both were top trends last year and could be seen all over Instagram. River Locs offers the same lightweight protection but varies in a few ways.
The first is how the look is achieved. According to celebrity stylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, the hairstyle is installed by crocheting the locs into your natural hair, which is usually twisted flat on the scalp. “This method is easy to install and makes River Locs lighter than other protective hairstyles,” she says. It also creates less tension and allows your strands to breathe a little better.
Another glaring difference between River locs and other faux loc styles? The overall appearance. Sturdivant-Drew explains that while some loc styles have a beautifully messy look to them, River Locs are more polished thanks to a neatly defined root structure.
How long do river locs last?
Dosso and Sturdivant-Drew tell ESSENCE that most River Locs hairstyles last between 6 and 8 weeks when properly cared for (more on this below). But as with any type of extension, the type of hair you use can also play a role in the longevity of the style. Most River Locs looks are created using locs crafted of synthetic hair, which can help keep the curls intact and tangle-free.
Others are created using a blend of loc extensions and human hair. In this case, London explains that human hair adds curls and volume to the locs, similar to Boho braids. She mentions that this type of installation can last up to three months with salon touch-ups to keep them looking fresh.
How To Maintain River Locs At Home
If you’ve had braids in the past, you know that having a routine in place is essential. Not only will it keep your style looking good, but it will also ensure your natural hair remains healthy. That said, you’ll need a handful of moisturizing and nourishing products. “A braid shampoo is key to breaking up products that can build up at the root of your hair,” says Dosso. Between edge controls, gels, and oils, the roots of your style can become saturated with debris. She recommends using a detoxifying shampoo every two weeks to keep your roots clean.
Scalp care is just as important as having a good wash routine. Sturdivant-Drew mentions that using a scalp oil will help lubricate the scalp and nourish the roots. She also recommends adding a scalp spray, like Jamaican Mango Lime’s No More Itch Gro Spray, to your routine. “It refreshes your scalp and reduces itching, so the style lasts longer,” she says. The pro also suggests looking for gels that prioritize nurturing ingredients, like manuka honey and Jamaican castor oil.
Dehydration can be a common problem with braids. In that vein, you’ll need to invest in a fortifying braid spray to ensure that your natural hair is moisturized and well-kept. Rice water is a popular choice for protective styles because it’s full of vitamins and nutrients that hydrate and replenish the style and your hair. Dosso suggests adding a spray with the ingredient, like Dosso Beauty’s Rice Water Braid Spray, to your daily routine to lock in moisture and prevent breakage. Lastly, all three experts say that covering your hair with a satin or silk bonnet at night will keep the style neat and moisturized as you sleep.
Many of us curly girls have heard the benefits of diffusing, but upon trying a diffuser for the first time we’re left with more frizz than air drying. Diffusing can be a key step in your routine – if you know how to do it correctly.
Why use a diffuser on curly hair?
Image Source: @taccarrashyann
The air force from a hair dryer can ruin how your hair clumps into defined waves or curls. A hair diffuser can reduce the air velocity from your hair dryer, allowing you to dry your hair without disturbing your curls. Diffusers are also beneficial for anyone in a hurry needing to dry their hair quickly and safely.
In addition to drying time, you maximize the volume of your waves, giving the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. Some have complained that they experience a lot of frizz when they diffuse, and that could be due to using the diffuser incorrectly. It will boost volume, but the right techniques and product application should do the trick.
The benefits of using a diffuser
- It prevents frizz when done correctly
- It doesn’t disturb your natural curl pattern
- It speeds up drying time without adding frizz
- It is less damaging than direct heat from a blow dryer
How do you use a diffuser?
If you are new to diffusing, here is how to perfect your technique for voluminous, defined curls. Before you start, make sure you have a diffuser that stays on your hair dryer (many will fall off”). Look for a universal diffuser attachment like a Pop Up Silicone universal attachment or the Hot Sock, they fit most dryers.
Image Source: @sojazzyjae
Step 1. Apply products
Apply your favorite styling products to soaking wet hair and then allow your hair to air dry partially before using the diffuser. Some people dry as much as 75% before they diffuse, but this will depend on your preference.
Step 2. Insert duckbill clips
If you need to add volume at the crown of your head, then inserting duckbill clips at your roots can help create lift at the root of the curl.
It will look something like this when you’re done:
Step 3. Set your hair dryer to the medium, cool setting
Be sure not to over-dry your hair, as this will create frizz. Some curlies diffuse their hair with the heat setting on to speed up the drying process, but when possible, we recommend avoiding using heat on curls for their overall health.
Image Source: @thatcurlblog
Step 4. Hang your head sideways or upside down
Hanging your head sideways or flipping your head upside down is another way to create lift at your roots. Then, you can gently lower sections of your curls into the bowl of the diffuser.
Step 5. Move the diffuser towards your head
In order to let the air circulate around the roots, you will have to lift the diffuser up towards your head.
Do not move the diffuser around the way people do when blow-drying straight hair; this will disrupt the clumping of your curls and curl formation! Instead, lift the diffuser up towards your roots, hold it still for as long as you can (at least 30 seconds), and then gently lower it and repeat on the next section.
Step 6. Repeat
Diffuse in large sections until your hair is 80-90% dry. It’s best to dry your hair completely before leaving the house so that the humid air outside doesn’t create frizz as it’s drying.
Image Source: @danielaapryl_
After you diffuse
Once your hair is dry, you may notice a hard cast on your curls from the styling products you applied while your hair was wet. “Scrunch out the crunch” by smoothing a small amount of a light curl defining cream all over both hands and then scrunching your curls from the ends up towards the roots. This will break up the hard cast, without losing the curl definition.
You can shake out hair and fluff the roots for an extra boost of volume. Some curlies like their curls to be super defined, and some don’t mind sacrificing a bit of definition in favor of volume – it’s a personal preference! But if you prefer volume, then you can flip your head over and fluff it at the roots. Once you’ve done this, try your best not to touch your hair throughout the day so as not to cause extra frizz.
Where to Buy a Diffuser
You can find “universal” diffuser attachments that fit onto the end of most hair dryers. Some blowdryers even come with a diffuser attachment. If yours didn’t, you can buy one separately from the links below.
Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Pop-Up Silicone Curl Diffuser, $23
If you’re short on bathroom cabinet space (most curlies are), this may be your universal diffuser attachment. It collapses like an accordion into a flat disc because of its flexible silicone material. This also makes it easier to travel with than traditional large diffuser attachments.
Devafuser, $55
This is called a universal diffuser but you will likely need a hair dryer that’s on the smaller side to fit this attachment. Some curlies find that their results with this diffuser far surpass other diffusers, but some find the shape of this attachment awkward to use. It comes down to personal preference, but it’s important to know these factors before investing the extra money.
Conair Volumizing Diffuser Attachment, $11.99
This hard plastic diffuser attachment is similar in design to the popular Diane Soft Finger Diffuser, which is getting harder to find in recent years.
Will you be splurging on a regular diffuser or a diffuser attachment? Keep away the flyaways and read This is Why Your Hair Looks Frizzy After it Dries.
This article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for clarity and grammar. Our editors independently select all products featured on NaturallyCurly.com. However, we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy something through our retail links.
Calling all last-minute shoppers, we’re days away from 2025, but there’s still time to shop for your favorite guy. Grooming products have become essential for the modern man looking to maintain a healthy skin, face, and beard routine. Long gone are the days of just shaving and using water; today’s men need an array of grooming products to help with all their everyday needs. Luckily, we’ve seen many popular brands come out with buildable kits that can be easily integrated into a man’s routine, whether they’re still figuring it out or wanna try something new.
Check out our picks for grooming products that will get your man through the holiday season and leave you both with a smile.
The Dry Shampoo Puff includes a clean, finely-milled dry shampoo powder in a compact portable puff that absorbs excess oil and refreshes hairstyles. The custom puff top provides even distribution and effortless targeted scalp blotting application, while the locking top ensures no messy spills.
Available at Briogeo
Help your guy eliminate any funky odor with these antibacterial body wipes that are perfect for the all-around active guy. Ten individually wrapped head-to-toe wipes provide a quick and effective clean, eliminating sweat, dirt, and bacteria with a single swipe.
Available at Bravo Sierra
We love a gender-neutral product that gets the job done. Marie Veronique’s shave prep and daily wash help to clean and deeply improve skin texture and is perfect for oily and thick skin.
Available at Marie Veronique
Which of these grooming products do you plan to use this season? If you’re still looking for additional ideas, check out How Carlton Rose is Emphasizing Grooming for Men.
When it comes to getting a great curl definition that lasts, there are two important factors to consider: your product selection and application technique. One of the hallmarks of the curl definition is wet curls, but maintaining them can be challenging.
Even though I’m a product junkie with no rehab stint in sight, even I can admit that technique is more important. You can have the best curl defining products at your fingertips, but if you’re not utilizing and applying them properly, you’ll blame the product for the outcome of your style.
There are several methods for applying curl definers to hair, raking, smoothing, praying hands, and more. But there is one method that has been delivering the best results — defined curls from root to tip that are plump, juicy, de-frizzed, and far from stringy ramen noodle style. There’s an art to mastering the wet hair look for curls, and we’re going to break down all the techniques and products to help!
Ouidad’s Rake & Shake Method
The Rake & Shake was developed as a technique to define curls and encourage clumping without sacrificing too much in the way of volume. The method guarantees even distribution of product and minimal frizz–and promises perfect curls every time.
Image Source: @curlyyhairboo
I came across the Rake & Shake Method about a year ago while poking around online, learning more about Ouidad as a brand and salon. I became curious about the method but wasn’t quite sold on how successful it would be with my multi-textured, type 3-something curls. The videos I found from Ouidad showed ladies with looser textures (like 2A hair) getting their Rake & Shake on–but I was hard-pressed to find a video of it on more highly textured hair. So, I decided to do what I always do when I get curious about the claims a brand, product, or method makes–try it out myself!
The Rake & Shake method is really simple and involves only a few minor adaptations from how you probably already apply product to your hair for wash and go styling. Really, it’s modified shingling.
How to Make Wet Curls Last
In this video, I styled my wash and go with As I Am Leave-In Conditioner, Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel — the yellow one. You can use Ouidad styling products to do the Rake & Shake (the consistency and slip of their Tress Effects and Climate Control gels is perfect for raking and shaking), or experiment and get the technique down with products you already have at home.
Remember, the best wash-and-go’s happen on WET hair! Capturing the curl while it’s still wet will guarantee you a longer-lasting result. Got your products ready? Let’s go!
How to Rake & Shake
Image Source: @thecurlsuite
1. Take a generous amount of your curl definer of choice and apply it to the root, then smooth and rake it through the entirety of the larger section. Really work it in so it coats all the strands. Then, take a smaller section within that larger section and move the rest of the hair out of your way.
2. Starting at the root, rake your fingers through your hair. Rake thoroughly 3 or 4 times, so that your hair is evenly clumped between your fingers. This is going to give you more plump clumps of curls.
3. On the last rake, stop just short of letting the hair go. Holding on to the ends, gently shake the hair up and down a few times to set the curl. Make sure that you’re holding the hair in an outward motion, away from your scalp. This ensures that your curls will be defined to the root but won’t fall flat.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 throughout each section of your hair.
5. Air dry, diffuse, or use a combination of both. I personally prefer to air dry (I live in LA, and it’s still 80 degrees every day).
Drying Wet Curls
Image Source: @itsamandapasceri
Took me all of 15 minutes to rake and shake my entire head. Now, air drying, that’s another story. Regardless of what product I use, it’s an all-day process. As you can see, the results in this video really cosign on the claims that the Ouidad folks make. Rake & Shake has given my curls new life!
No more frizzy roots, no more randomly stringy ramen noodle curls. I even found that while letting my curls air dry, I didn’t have to pin them back like I normally would to create that elongation in the front (thanks to the fact that it shrinks considerably more than the back half of my hair). For all the ladies like me with multiple textures, this is a total game-changer.
Watch These Videos for the Ultimate Wet Curl Look
Image Source: @anniieswrld
A lot of times, we naturalistas get comfortable in our styling boxes based on texture and type. I’m sure many type 3 and 4 ladies have heard of the Rake & Shake, but skipped past it based upon not being able to identify with the hair model in the video. Hopefully, my video can help bridge the information gap a little–some techniques and methods can be universally applicable.
Will you be trying the Rake & Shake? Remember that a great gel is the key to a perfect wet curl look. Check out the Best of The Best Gels 2024.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
The beauty of being a curly is that your hair texture, pattern, and type all are unique aspects of you! While there are many reasons your beauty is unique and special, the shape of your face is one that can impact the way your hair falls around your features. Oval face shapes are versatile in that many hairstyles can fit this specific face shape — whether they are short, long, or chin length. A good haircut will highlight your favorite facial features like your cheekbones or lips, but it all depends on the style you are looking to achieve.
Image Source: @preciosa.arlisia
An oval face shape is one where the forehead is wider than the chin, and the face length is about one and a half times the width. It’s a versatile shape that allows you to wear a variety of styles and cuts that suit your personality, lifestyle, and curl pattern.
Image Source: @_thehairsaint
Stylist Ona Diaz-Santin told NaturallyCurly “because the oval face shape is equally divided into thirds — equal proportions. Any haircut, style, and length would work! A great simple tip to figuring out if you have an oval face shape is to think of an upside-down egg!” This means you have a plethora of options, but we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites for inspiration.
If you have an oval face shape, the top looks for you include the following best haircuts for oval faces:
1. Curly layers
Image Source: @sarahdidmy.hair
This classic cut, custom-tailored to your curl pattern—and with a wispy fringe—is flattering and timeless. Pintura highlights complete the look.
2. Cropped
Image Source: @100laurencandy
Shorter styles like this one look great with an oval face shape. If you want to emphasize your eyes, this is the cut for you.
3. Short, blunt cut with a few well-placed layers around the face.
Image Source: @maisvault
Not only do layers add dimension and movement to curly hair, they can also draw attention to various facial features, depending on their length.
4. Round layers
Image Source: @leysahairandmakeup
“I cut my curly girls dry versus wet because every curly girl has multiple curl patterns naturally and when you wet the hair, it stretches out, and we don’t know how it’s gonna shrink up dry. I always tend to stick with round layers to frame the face. Most of my girls come in with a triangular shape that they are trying to get away from. I cut curl by curl and carve into each curl, especially around the face to take bulk out if needed. I love all my curly girls! The curls come in all shapes and sizes making every haircut unique to custom to fit each person.”
5. High layers
Image Source: @rëzosalon
This cut is the perfect vehicle to showcase curls and coils. It’s a great look when you want to start fresh (e.g., a big chop) or when you want both volume and definition.
6. Choppy bob
Image Source: @curlycooper26
Oval face shapes look great in any type of bob, including this one which will bring out the texture in looser curl patterns. Just make sure the cut is longer than chin-length if you have a pointy chin.
7. Shag
Image Source: @beautylaunchpad
This cut looks great on every face shape. On oval shapes, use layers to enhance your favorite facial features.
8. Layered braids
Image Source: @nadiankwetta
Timeless, beautiful, and a great way to protect hair from breakage, layered braids are always runway-worthy.
9. Braided Crown
Image Source: @its.brinkley
How one look can look effortless and regal at the same time is a mystery. Regardless, coaxing your curls into this pretty style will make your eyes, lips, and cheekbones pop. It’s versatile enough to wear during work hours or for a night out on the town.
10. Shoulder length with bangs
Image Source: @arcscissors
Stylist Nubia Suarez says, “Oval shapes come in different symmetries, depending on the client’s texture and curl type. I like to create a softer fringe that lays around the shoulders. I think this makes a harmonious and balanced shape for my clients.”
11. Long, soft layers.
Image Source: @slickback_buttahtoast
Whether you scrunch your curls or set them, they’ll look beautiful in this style. Add a bold lip for drama.
12. High and medium layers
Image Source: @jesseniaspallet
This look is a perfect in-between cut when you want to show off your length. For extra volume, use a pick at your roots.
13. Voluminous curls
Image Source: @mariahliyah_
Think uptown-glamour-meets-70s-chic. You can use duckbill clips are used to create a lift in the front of the style and at the crown.
14. The pony.
Trendy yet timeless, the pony looks great on everyone no matter what your style.
15. Heavy curly fringe
Image Source: @chelseadunoon
Update your look with banging bangs that will draw attention to your eyes.
16. Side twists
Image Source: @michixo_
Sharita says, “Curly hair frames an oval shape face very well no matter the length. This Wash and Go style with partial “side twists” shows off a great bone structure. It also helps to give you a fly look to accentuate your oval-shaped face.”
Experimenting with haircuts tailored around your facial shape is a great way to intentionally play up your favorite features. Oval face shapes are long, curvy, and gorgeous! Fellow curlies like Halle Berry, Jordan Dunn, and Selena Gomez are great examples of celebrities with oval face shapes who constantly change their hair game by rocking fierce styles. Use the versatility of your angles to try something trendy whether it’s chopping it off or adding color.
Stylist Dashell says, “To have an oval face shape is to be blessed with perfect symmetry! Oval is the ideal face shape because it is the most balanced all the way around and is the most visually pleasing. What this means for a client when it comes to the shape of their haircut is they can wear anything! Side parts, center parts, fringe, and bangs, long or short!
The reason for this flexibility and versatility is that there isn’t an imbalance that needs to be corrected in an oval face shape. For example, triangle face shapes that have wider jawlines and bangs would be favorable for creating width up top. Or oblong face shapes, where shorter lengths look nicer to help make the face more oval.
Creating an “oval” face shape on someone who may not naturally have one is my job as a stylist. So if you are fortunate to have this shape naturally, embrace the change and try something new, because you can!”
Tangle Teezer has been a mainstay of natural haircare since they launched the original detangling brush in 2007. After 30 years as a colorist at top salons, Founder and Inventor Shaun P wanted to create a detangling brush that wouldn’t tug or pull at curls, coils, and waves.
This innovation led to the creation of an entirely new hairbrush category that would inspire an entire collection of tools across different textures. We chatted with the brand’s Chief Marketing Officer, Fiona Marshall about the next generation of Tangle Teezer which includes a plant design of 85% sustainably-sourced castor beans.
Below, Marshall goes into detail about her journey, sustainability, and more.
We see more expansion in texture education for waves, curls, and coily hair. How has Tangle Teezer adapted to meet these developments?
At the beginning of last year, we formed an innovation advisory board that consists of global business leaders, trichologists, and scientists; this aims to support the growth of the brand through diverse insight, expertise, and perspectives so that we truly are catering to all hair types when developing our products.
Tangle Teezer has been around for over a decade. What inspired the brand to create a plant-based brush, and how is it different from your original line?
We wanted to launch a more sustainable hairbrush simply because it’s the right thing to do. This launch is just one of our steps in the journey to becoming a more sustainable brand. The Plant Brush and our regular brushes share the same unique teeth technology and body design, so we’re very proud to say our Plant Brush performs just as amazingly as our regular brushes. However, our Plant Brush differs from our original line because we use sustainably sourced castor beans to turn them into a high-performing, long-lasting brush.
85% of The Plant Brush is made from castor beans that grow in arid regions of India, giving local communities new job opportunities and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels as a source of raw materials. While the Plant Brush is built to last, we understand that nothing lasts forever, so we’ll also recycle any well-loved Plant Brushes, Tangle Teezer brushes, or any other plastic brush for you for free. We are also proud to say we have now made the switch to cardboard packaging, which makes it easier to recycle. And by 2025, we’ll have said goodbye to all our plastic packaging.
What is a common misconception about detangling hair?
That you can’t detangle wet hair; hair is at its most fragile when wet which is probably where this misconception comes from. When detangling wet hair, it’s extremely important to use an intelligent hairbrush that is gentle on the hair. Our hairbrushes feature a patented two-tier teeth technology. The long teeth flex over tangles, and the short teeth smooth the cuticle and add shine, so you don’t need to worry about any unnecessary damage caused by your hairbrush.
We’ve seen a lot of online discourse in the community about the correct way to detangle your hair. What are your expert recommendations?
ALWAYS detangle starting from the ends of your hair up to the root to minimize breakage, It sounds very straightforward forward, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this.
Should people use a separate tool to detangle and style their hair, or can one tool help them succeed?
Detangling plays such an important factor when it comes to the health of our hair, so we recommend using an intelligent, detangling-specific hairbrush. We have also designed our detangling hairbrushes not to be used with heat, as we know how damaging heat can be to the hair, so we feel this process deserves a brush that caters just for that.
Our Tangle Teezer Ultimate Vented Blow-Dry brush has bottled-shaped teeth to quickly draw out moisture and a vent that helps control airflow. You wouldn’t just use one brush for your whole makeup routine; it’s just as important to remember that different hairbrushes serve different purposes when it comes to hair care and styling.
We have many readers with children who dread detangling. How can we teach parents to make detangling easier for both parties?
Hair is a very emotional topic; often some of our first memories as children is our hair being brushed by our parents, so we really want to ensure this process is as positive as possible. Firstly, investing in the right tools is so important! Choosing the right hairbrush for your hair type is the first step to nailing your detangling routine. Our Naturally Curly hairbrush has firmer teeth designed specifically for 3c-4c hair types.
However, some of our textured hair consumers love using our Fine & Fragile Ultimate Detangler in addition to Naturally Curly, so it’s worth considering whether different areas of the hair have different concerns and, therefore, require different tools. Once you’ve done this, you’ll find the hair detangles much easier and your child will be more comfortable with this process. You can also part the hair in smaller sections to make it more manageable and always detangle from roots to ends. We would also recommend encouraging your child to take ownership of their own detangling routine by showing them how to do it themselves.
There can often be a bunch of build-up on a brush over time. What is the best way to clean your brush between usages?
We have found that the best way to clean our hairbrushes is to first remove any hair left in the brush with the tail end of a comb, then use an old toothbrush and some warm water and dish soap and gently brush the surface area to remove any dirt. Once clean, rinse and leave to dry.
What can we look forward to from Tangle Teezer in 2024?
We are so excited to be expanding our Plant Brush range to include a Plant Brush Fine & Fragile Ultimate Detangler and a Plant Brush Naturally Curly Ultimate Detangler (designed for 3c-4c hair types). We’re proud to say our Plant Brush range now caters to all hair types within just one year of its first launch. As well as a sustainable brand, we want to be known as an inclusive hair brand that caters to all hair types, as we know that different hair types require different tools, and hair is not one size fits all.
Have you tried their Tangle Teezer’s Plant Brush? Let us know in the comments!
K-Beauty trends have dominated the feeds, cosmetic counters, and online moodboards for the past few years. At the same time, blush is having its moment, with looks such as sunset blush, blush contouring, and cottage-core makeup doing rounds across beauty circles worldwide.
Makeup artists in the global editorial sphere, such as Chinese MUA Valentina Li whose work can be seen on the cover of W Korea, have used blush and bright pigments to color outside the lines, so to speak. Meanwhile in the States, cottage-core and strawberry makeup blush trends were gaining traction in tandem, as well as sunset blush and bright under eyes through American creators such as Alissa Janay and Naezrah. The culmination of the two developments results in one of many techniques of interest for international beauty lovers: the undereye blush trend.
The particular way soft pink blush is placed under the eyes and across the apples of the cheeks is a growing technique born out of K-beauty circles, through the rise in influence of K-pop groups such as Aespa and NewJeans. A slight evolution from the Aegyo Sal K-Beauty technique that accentuates the under eye for a youthful look, this lifting blush trend shares more similarities with Western blush placements, and therefore may speak to its global traction.
While the practice existed amongst many Korean MUAs (namely Jo Eun Bee, MUA to many K-pop stars and actresses), its large-scale popularity cemented by 2022, around the time global sensation NewJeans debuted and took off. Bee’s utilization of Clinique’s Cheek Pop blush sent the internet into a frenzy and prompted the trend that Sharon Lee, Korean American beauty and cultural creator, believes harnesses a key aspect to K-pop’s allure.
As far as the late 2010s to 2020s are concerned, K-pop groups have commanded the global zeitgeist. Consider: Aespa’s Coachella 2022 performance, NewJeans’ historic performance at Lollapalooza 2023, BLACKPINK’s global sold out tour, highly visible collaborations with Western artists such as Selena Gomez and Megan Thee Stallion, and fashion and beauty ambassadorships with the likes of Chanel — the influence is undeniable. Everyone is talking about them, everyone loves them, and everyone wants their look.
Lee believes a large element of the K-pop beauty influence is its stars’ ability to balance both cute and sexy aesthetics, as executed through traditional and editorial influences.
“We’re definitely seeing the Hallyu in action,” she explains, across cultural elements including language, food, film, beauty, and music. Hallyu, or “Korean Wave,” which originated in the 1990s refers to the circulation and acceptance of Korean culture globally.
“I feel like global audiences are hypnotized by Korean dramas, K-pop, K-food, K-beauty, and anything that’s a vessel for Korean culture because Koreans have a way of making people and things aesthetically pleasing. We deeply care about outward beauty as a society. In Korean culture, beauty means success.”
She speaks to Korean culture’s affinity for the cutesy, girl next door vibe, as exemplified by K-pop girl groups, in relation to the way these groups are adapting for global audiences. With global popularity increasing, many K-pop stars are opting for a more “editorial” look, which helps to balance the more innocent and conservative aesthetic with an edgier, yet elevated twist. The blend of Korean and global beauty standards results in the popularity of a fun and flushed approach to blush application.
Of note, is the influential “soft bunny aesthetic” which also adapts a high blush placement to emulate rounded bunny-like cheeks. While this cutesy aesthetic pulls from many influences including Japanese culture, its reach was expanded by NewJeans, whose utilization of bunny motifs is almost synonymous with their brand.
“I’ve been seeing bunnies EVERYWHERE—Sandy Liang, New Jeans, hip hop artists wearing bunny hats, etc. All this peaking in 2023, aka the year of the rabbit, is also funny and probably connected,” Lee contemplates. “I think the soft bunny fashion trend is a response to folks finding the softer life ideal, especially post-COVID with recent economic turmoil and political upheaval.” This plausible correlation sits in the same conversation of the cottagecore trend which rose in the U.S. for similar reasons.
Today, the K-beauty blush trend has positioned many K-beauty makeup brands to take center stage alongside Western brands that historically have dominated global markets. Korean brands such as AOU Cosmetics (helmed by Jo Eun Bee), JSM Beauty, Hince, and Fwee to name a few, are excellent places to start if you’re interested in trying the rosy blush look for yourself.
Naturals who specialize in do-it-yourself hair care know caring for natural hair during the winter is not for the negligent. After all, cold weather can impact curls negatively. That said, prioritizing moisture is key for healthy hair, however, over-moisturizing can damage natural hair by way of hygral fatigue.
Sess Lee Cannon, the founder and educator at Flourish Curls Salon, spoke with NatuallyCurly about how to avoid hygral fatigue and hair porosity being the real determining factor when our hair’s ability to retain moisture.
Read on below for more.
What is Hygral Fatigue?
Hygral fatigue happens when curls become weak from constantly absorbing and losing moisture. Sleeping in wet hair and allowing styles done on wet hair to take more than one day to dry are common culprits of this issue.
According to Cannon, curls and coils are more prone to hygral fatigue because moisture and water are necessary for curls to thrive.
Signs that will tip naturals off to hygral fatigue include breakage, limp mushy curls, extreme frizz, curls refusing to retain styling despite using products and curls not bouncing back the way they should.
“If you’re dealing with any of this, your hair might be crying out for balance,” Cannon says.
Hair Porosity Is Key
Despite popular belief, how curls retain moisture has less to do with texture and more to do with hair porosity, or how hair absorbs moisture.
Hair can either be low, medium or high porosity.
Curls that are low porosity are less likely to experience hygral fatigue because the cuticles are tightly closed, preventing moisture from entering easily. However, low porosity curls typically retain moisture once the cuticle is penetrated because they’re tightly closed. Other characteristics of low-porosity hair include shine, the ability to hold styles well and not being prone to breakage.
Medium porosity hair is the perfect balance of moisture absorption and retention.
On the other end of the porosity spectrum, high porosity hair has higher chances of experiencing hygral fatigue because the cuticles are damaged or raised. These raised or damaged cuticles allow water into the strands but it dries out just as quickly, causing the hair to swell and contract.
“You can’t change your natural porosity (that’s genetic), but you can improve the
health of your hair if it’s become high porosity due to damage,” Cannon says.
Avoiding Hygral Fatigue
To avoid more damage by way of hygral fatigue, Sess has five tips for naturals who are working on balancing their moisture routines at home.
- Incorporate protein treatments to strengthen hair strands to better handle moisture without breaking down.
- Modest deep conditioning, once or twice a month, is enough to help curls retain moisture but don’t sleep in it!
- Seal the moisture into natural hair by applying a cream or gel to lock in hydration.
- Stop frequently rewetting natural hair without giving the hair enough time to dry completely.
- Let hair dry completely before applying more moisture.
“Adding protein treatments, sealing with oils, and protecting your hair from heat and chemicals will help your cuticles lay flatter and reduce water loss.”
Reversing Hygral Fatigue
However, naturals who are already suffering from hygral fatigue need to redirect their focus to strengthening their strands. In addition to using protein treatments, naturals can use a clarifying shampoo to remove build up that is contributing to strands holding excess moisture. Allow the hair a chance to recover from frequent wetting and trim any damaged ends if necessary.
“Your hair doesn’t just need moisture—it needs moisture and strength to keep things balanced,” Cannon says.
Sess’ Best Practices For Maintaining Moisture
- Alternate between moisturizing and protein-based treatments.
- Avoid overloading your hair with heavy products, especially if you have low porosity.
- Pay attention to your hair’s elasticity: Healthy hair stretches a bit and snaps back. If it’s limp or breaks easily, adjust your routine.
“Listen to your curls, take time to learn what they need and don’t be afraid to tweak your routine,” Cannon says. “Healthy hair is all about consistency. A little love and care will go a long way.”
Let’s play a game. What do you think of when you hear the word “mousse?” If you’re anything like me, it may bring up associations with crunchy curls, the 80s, and drying alcohols, but you should know that things have changed. Hairstyles, techniques, brands, and product formulas have all evolved since the days of teased, crispy curls. But because we still get flashbacks when we pick up a bottle of mousse, we spoke with a few curly hair experts about when to use mousse, who should be using mousse today – and who shouldn’t.
Why use a mousse?
Brooke Michie, curl stylist and owner of Lyric Salon in Austin, Texas, first made me reconsider mousse when she used it in Grace’s wavy hair transformation. She loves using mousse on her curly haired clients because it’s “easy to apply, economical per use, has buildable coverage and hold, and can be layered with so many other types of products.”
What hairstyles is mousse best for?
Image Source: @ouidoux
Maya Smith, International Master of Natural Curls and founder of The Doux®, a haircare line she created specifically for naturally curly hair, says mousse can be used for “any style that requires definition and light hold. It can be used not only to set wash & go’s, but for twist outs and rod sets as well.”
As I’ve been starting to experiment with mousse more, I’ve wondered if I can use it on my dry hair as a refresher on second-day hair. According to Maya, “Mousse is best applied to wet hair for Wash & Go styling, but it can also be used to set a dry twist-out and to redefine the curl pattern. I wouldn’t recommend using it to replenish moisture on next-day hair.”
What causes that crunch?
Maya says, “It’s common for mousse to be combined with gel or cream because most mousse on the market contain alcohol to make the hair dry faster. They are also polymer-rich, which creates a sticky coating on the hair, much like a hairspray. This can leave hair feeling dry and stiff. We formulated our Mousse Def as an all-in-one solution for this problem. It creates the shine and definition of a mousse, yet leaves hair soft and touchable with no flaking.”
What are some ingredients to watch out for?
Maya recommends watching out for ingredients such as sodium laurel sulfate (SLS, Isopropyl, and Prolyene, which “have been found to cause breakage and dry out your hair). The best way to achieve healthy hair is to have that balance between protein and moisture.”
Who should use mousse?
Image Source: @nehachudaryy
Brooke says it depends on the mousse, “lightweight, airy mousse or foam is great for wavy hair. Denser mousse is great for 2s and 3s and as a thin layer of added hold for more definition over a moisture foundation for well-hydrated 4s even!” For Maya, it depends on the hairstyle: “I recommend mousse for hair up to Type 4B, depending on the desired results.”
Image Source: @therachelhodge
But before you rule mousse out for your Type 4C coils, Gerilyn Hayes, NaturallyCurly Senior Copywriter, loves using mousse on her 4C wash and go (like Camille Rose Spiked Honey Mousse). “I use about 5-6 pumps of mousse in my hair after shampooing and conditioning. I do this because I want to make sure that I’m starting with a clean scalp and curls that are free from any other previous products. And because my curls are very coarse and need lots of hydration, I make sure that my curls are soaked with water (which is why the shower is great for applying mousse to my hair).
To avoid product and water getting into my eyes, I flip my head over and scrunch my curls’ ends to my scalp. Although I do not have a lot of length, I still use this ends-to-root scrunching method to get the optimal curl definition. Sometimes I rake the mousse through my curls and then wrap them in a scarf, giving them more shine. Although rake versus scrunching may look similar to any onlooker, the textural differences are apparent to me!”
Who shouldn’t use mousse?
“Curls with moisture as the number one priority,” says Brooke, “or those who don’t need a product with general hold, but seek more of a product/product combo to hydrate than seal.” So if your curls are thirsty and your top priority is moisture, then you may want to opt for something like the LOC Method, which layers a leave-in for moisture, an oil to seal in the moisture, and then a cream for hold.
When to use mousse
Brooke prefers “the lightest weight mousse (she loves Bread Beauty Supply Hair Foam) in wavy hair for primary, general hold,” and this is how she recommends applying it:
- On freshly rinsed detangled hair in the shower, glaze a small amount over the surface area of the hair.
- Then flip and glaze another small amount over the underneath surface area.
- Then, apply the majority of it via scrunching and distribute it in your palms, making sure not to flatten the airiness of the foam.
- Before scrunching the ends of the hair up toward the scalp with a flat palm into a clenched fist motion, rotating your head to reach curls on either side.
If you’re using a denser foam and need more moisture, Brooke recommends applying it:
Image Source: @curlsbykeish
- Once a leave-in or moisture foundation is either combed through or scrunched in sopping wet hair.
- Then add a little denser mousse by finger combing detangled sections, or for longer curls, scrunching as above.
“This will create a cast of hold,” says Brooke, but before you worry about the crunch, remember you need to break that cast by scrunching out the crunch. “Release the cast once hair is fully dry by touching curls gently, or scrunching once more to release the wet-looking hold that was necessary during the drying process to maximize definition.”
Interested in trying a mousse? Check out the Best of The Best Styling Products 2024 options for your curls, waves, and coils.
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When it comes to beauty tools, we can all agree they usually require a big financial investment. Some beauties go their entire lives without the assistance of tools, while others live and die by these hefty investments to help streamline and improve their beauty looks. And hey, who doesn’t love a little extra help? It can be very tricky to achieve glowing skin or super hydrated curls with just a few products. Creating a good beauty regimen is a series of trial and error as you mix and match products and tools and learn new techniques. Every year, there are new trends, viral routines, and more ways to reach your goals.
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