Search Results: Desiree Johnson
There is nothing like kicking off the holidays with an advent calendar. They are a fun, easy, and creative way to countdown the days until Christmas with an array of daily goodies you can look forward to. Advent calendars have made a big comeback in the past decade, with brands swapping out the normal chocolate treats for any combination of items your heart desires. Whether you love collecting socks and Lego toys or want to sample different flavors of coffee, there is no limit to what can be curated for an advent calendar.
We’re seeing more beauty brands have put their own spin on the classic advent calendar by incorporating best-selling products, travel-sized items, or limited-edition items. Beauty mavens everywhere have flocked to stores like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora to snag these coveted advent calendars that feature everything from lip glosses to mascara, perfume, and more.
We may be a few days into December, but you’ve still got time to shop and find the beauty advent calendar of your holiday dreams.
Still looking for holiday inspiration? Get ready to stock up your cart with The Best Holiday Gift Sets for Curly Hair Lovers.
Who doesn’t love a Black Friday sale? When you’re a beauty maven like so many of our readers, the holidays are extra cheerful in more ways than one. Whether you love skincare, makeup, or haircare or want to upgrade your beauty tools, brands go big for Black Friday. In recent years, we’ve seen more brands drop early Black Friday sales or a series of sales leading into the big one before Cyber Monday.
If you are ready to shop and can’t wait for Friday, we’ve compiled a list of the best early Black Friday beauty brand deals you can grab this week. You can’t beat many of these viral and award-winning products at jaw-droppingly low prices that your wallet will love.
Beach waves are here to stay this season. You can grab the popular Beachwaver rotating curling iron for 42% OFF. Choose from three gorgeous shades and get ready to create glamorous curls.
Available at Beachwaver
iNNBEAUTY Project started its Black Friday deals earlier this month, so you want to start shopping now. From 11.12-12.1, you can create custom bundles featuring your favorite skincare solutions or makeup starting at 35% OFF.
Available at iNNBEAUTY Project
This year, from November 2nd to December 1st, Typology will once again donate a portion of its profits (2 Euros per Order) to Wings of the Ocean. Shop skincare, serums, masks, and more!
Available at Typology
If you’re still looking for the perfect holiday gifts this season, check out Must-Have Holiday Gifts for the Makeup Maven.
The holidays are charging at us quicker than ever this year, which means you want to be ahead and not behind in gift-giving. Makeup is always in season, whether you’re a makeup guru who has mastered the art of winged eyeliner or a novice still figuring out your favorite shades. What I love about the holidays is that tons of makeup brands package their best-selling products into custom holiday sets that make it easy to restock your favorite goodies or try something new. Makeup spans many categories, whether you love a bold lip, smokey eye, dewy skin, or a flushed cheek.
These holiday sets feature viral products that are hard to find and timeless essentials to help you build your makeup regimen.
Get ready to be inspired by the magic of the season with Subtl Beauty’s newest holiday-inspired shades. Featuring original classics such as the Lip & Cheek in “Passport to Plum” and the Cream Highlighter in “Rose,” mixed with the NEW Eyeshadow Duo in “Flight” and the NEW Vanilla Sugar Lip Balm, you’ll get the perfect mix of cold-weather favorites.
Available at Subtl Beauty
If you’re in the mood for something juicy, look no further than tarte’s maracuja juicy lip collector’s set. This luxurious set features ten full-size maracuja juicy lips, including two of each of the best maracuja juicy lips: balm, plump, vinyl, plumping oil, and liner.
Available at tarte cosmetics
You’ll be the toast of the town with Morphe’s newest shimmering palette. Bring the drama to every holiday occasion with this limited-edition curation of warm neutrals, soft pinks, and icy metallics in creamy matte and dazzling shimmer finishes in a new square pan footprint.
Available at Morphe
Gifting your favorite makeup essentials has never been easier with Kulfi Beauty’s five-minute face set, which makes it easy to stay fresh-faced on the go. This set includes the essentials, brow gel, lip stain, concealer, and blush.
Available at Kulfi Beauty
The Cluster Palette comes in two different styles, a ‘Light’ and ‘Neutral’ option. Each kit includes 36 lash clusters in different sizes for the perfect customizable look, a mini lash applicator, and a mini mascabond, which is a mascara-type under-lash application providing a water-resistant hold for up to 24 hours!
Available at Amazon
You’ll want to grab this limited-edition collection that pairs beauty queen Patrick TA with the iconic Barbie. The “She’s a Barbie Doll Blush Duo” and “Malibu Dreamhouse Plumping Gloss” are monochromatic collections that serve up hot pink confidence.
Available at Patrick TA
The gel-like texture coats the eyebrows in a flexible film that allows you to comb and style as you like, and dries down in less than a minute, holding your brows in place all day. This lightweight brow gel is infused with Panthenol, natural oils and fibers to add dimensional volume, strength and shine to brows.
Available at Amazon
Give your makeup brush set a refresh this season. Whether you’re a novice or advanced makeup guru, this 11-piece makeup brush set is the perfect holiday gift for aspiring MUAs! It includes all the essential eye, cheek, and face brushes, empowering creativity and flawless application.
Available at Ulta
If there is one thing all makeup mavens need during the holiday season, it’s a setting spray that won’t let up. Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray gives you the ultimate makeup endurance. It’s waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant, and lasts up to 16 hours!
Available at Amazon
‘Tis the season to channel your inner magic, and this Wicked set is packed with beauty essentials that any Broadway fan will love. Ariana Grande’s limited editing collection pays homage to the classic Wicked characters with Galinda and Elphaba-themed eyeshadow palettes, glow drops, lip stains, and more!
Available at r.e.m. beauty
Still on the hunt for your favorite products this holiday season? Check Luxury Beauty Gifts to Help Get Your Holiday Shopping Started.
In a year when beauty has moved toward more eco-conscious formulas, naturally derived ingredients, and marketing tailored toward self-care, luxury has reigned. Whether you’re a skincare girl who has mastered her routine or a hair maven looking to upgrade your product regimen, we’re seeing our favorite brands pull out all the stops this holiday season. Luxury comes down to what you’re willing to invest your hard-earned dollars in, and this guide has a range of options from fragrance, hair tools, skincare, and more!
JACANA’s curated gift sets nourish mind, body, and soul, offering a moment of serenity amidst the festive rush. This comprehensive collection features JACANA’s full range of USDA certified organic products, including the two Releaf Balms, CBD Oil Drops, Body Oil, and Lubricant. Experience head-to-toe island wellness with these farm-to-bottle formulations.
Available at Jacana
Who doesn’t love a great set of curls? The Luxy X Mega Curls Bundle makes it easier to give yourself the curls of your dreams at home. The bundle includes a blowout brush kit, velcro roller set, and heatless curler set to help you create enviable curls all holiday season.
Available at Luxy Hair
When the DOUX dropped their ‘Press Play Thermal Styling System” in 2023, they revolutionized our hair’s relationship with heat. This line strengthens, smooths, and protects hair with DOUX-plex™ Bonding Technology—helping you achieve sleek, long-lasting styles without compromising hair health.
Available at The Doux
The Solid Fragrance Pair features two of the brand’s best-selling scents, Unmute and Love Club, in skin-loving, moisturizing balms that warm with your body to release the scent throughout the day. Layer them up, touch up, or switch it up—this set is designed for versatility.
Available at NOYZ
After being named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2024, the PATTERN Blow Dryer will be the tool to keep on hand this season. Designed for curlies, coilies & tight-textured hair, the dryer includes: brush attachment, Wide Tooth Comb, Concentrator Nozzle & Diffuser to help shape, stretch, and smooth your hair pattern.
Available at Amazon
Queen Bey is here to you sleigh the holiday season with Cécred. The restoring ritual kit includes the fermented rice and rose protein ritual, shaking vessel, and restoring hair and edge drops. Give your hair the gift of luxury products that will help reduce breakage.
Sabrina Elba ensures your skin stays cleansed, hydrated, and moisturized this holiday season. This limited edition holiday collection includes her Qasil cleanser, black seed toner, and baobab moisturizer.
Available at S'ABLE Labs
Danessa Myricks is a beauty industry titan who creates products that cater to a wide range of skin tones and types, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity. This expertly curated set will enhance every contour, highlight, and blend regardless of your makeup skills.
Available at Danessa Myricks
Who couldn’t use an at-home facial that gives salon-worthy results? Shani Darden is an expert esthetician whose results-oriented approach to skincare will give you a youthful glow. Her at-home facial kit includes a cleansing serum, facial sculpting wand, hydra prep gel, nourishing facial mask, intensive eye renewal serum, and moisture boost plumping serum.
Available at Shani Darden
This limited-edition fragrance set is the perfect way to indulge your inner scent maven. Moodeaux is a BIPOC female-founded indie gender-inclusive, refillable fragrances free of parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, and commonly known or suspected endocrine-disrupting toxins.
Available at Moodeaux
If you’re still looking for the perfect gift sets for the wavy, coily, and curly person in your life, don’t miss out on The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Naturalistas.
It’s officially the holiday season, and it’s time to start shopping. Between all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be hard to determine the ideal gift for your favorite curly, coily, wavy, and fine-hair friend. There are endless options in the natural hair world because most naturalistas combine different products, tools, and accessories to achieve their desired style. However, it’s not cheap. Natural hair products can be expensive, and even bundling just a few products can add up to a hefty price tag.
Should you go the tech route and splurge on a high-end tool like a diffuser or blow dryer? Maybe you want to buy a bunch of products but are looking for a comfortable price point. The good news is that you have options, and many brands create holiday-friendly options that feature their best-selling products and tools. This holiday guide will be your go-to resource this season to gift products that your wallet and your loved one will enjoy.
A game changer in providing valuable nutrients to your hair, helping to prevent breakage and split ends, and treating brittle, damaged hair. Plus, the interchangeable facial attachment makes it just as effective for rejuvenating your skin, giving you a glowing, hydrated complexion.
Available at Amazon
This good-for-all-hair-types stocking stuffer bundle includes a full-size U Oil, which she’ll be impressed to learn can be used in numerous ways. From using it on wet hair for moisture, to repair and for heat protection to applying it on dry hair for frizz control and shine, or as an overnight treatment to nourish and strengthen, this multi-tasking Argan oil is really like 5 gifts wrapped into one.
Available at UNITE Hair
A fine hair & body perfume featuring the Rizos Curls signature scent, the essence of California, to give long-lasting, aromatic benefits without drying the hair or skin. Multi-note Fragrance:
- Madagascar Ginger: energizing, invigorating, aphrodisiac
- California Lemon: clears the mind, uplifting, stress reducing
- Persian Lime Oil: relaxing, mood boosting
This collection helps to address the needs of the scalp and awakens the senses for a sensorial, spa-like experience. All products in the collection feature Argan Oil, which is extremely rich in tocopherols (Vitamin E), essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, this natural oil helps to nourish the hair and scalp.
Available at Amazon
This revolutionary hair dryer cuts your drying time in half while using less heat. The patented technology is designed to dry, stretch, smooth and lengthen your hair. RevAir suctions your hair in the natural direction of the hair cuticle to lock out frizz and seal in shine.
Available at Amazon
CAKE Beauty is celebrated for its high-performance, cruelty-free, and vegan personal care products. Known for its playful, dessert-inspired branding and delightful scents, CAKE Beauty combines fun with function, offering a range of products that feel luxurious yet accessible.
Available at Amazon
You have seen these viral brushes taking over curlytok; now it can be yours. Bounce Curl’s patented design helps to define, style, and create effortless curls, coils, and waves. This dual pack lets you choose between styling for volume or definition based on your preference.
Available at Amazon
Dive into the world of curls with “Curly Confidence,” a transformative guide by Andrea Pezzillo, a celebrity hairstylist and curly hair specialist with over 20 years of expertise. This book isn’t just a how-to guide; it’s a celebration of ALL curly hair in all its diverse beauty.
Available at Amazon
There is never a right age to begin teaching your tiny tot about their natural hair! PROUDLY was designed for developing curls, coils, and waves that need a gentle formula. This bundle includes moisture-rich products to help nourish the scalp, define hair patterns, and improve manageability.
Available at Proudly
Designed to blend flawlessly with deep grey and silver hair color, these charming elastic hair ties are ideal for any occasion—whether you’re at work, the gym, or relaxing at home. The rich tones of our silver silk scrunchies complement your hair color while ensuring your strands remain protected and styled beautifully.
Available at Amazon
The fall season is here, and between the holiday celebrations and cooler weather, it can be tempting to keep your braids a little longer than usual. While the duration for how long you wear your braids can vary based on your style and hair type, the products and tools you use for maintenance in between are essential. For the amount of time, effort, and money you invest in getting braids, you want to ensure you get the most out of the style by taking care of your hair.
We’ve seen an explosion of braid products that can help improve your scalp health, lay your edges, and give you the flexibility to retouch and revitalize your strands. Check out the products below to start revitalizing your braid regimen and routine.
This award-winning scalp serum optimizes and resets your scalp with balanced hydration. It relieves dry scalp while reducing the appearance of flakes and irritation, supports a healthy microbial ecosystem, and helps protect the scalp barrier. Fast absorbing and non-greasy. Developed specifically to be safe for sensitive, acne-prone, and eczema-prone skin.
Available at Amazon
There’s no such thing as keeping your edges and flyaways looking sleek and slicked down without a brush. The comb side is for separating the baby hairs, a natural boar bristle side is for swooping and slicking down flyaways, and a rat tail pointed tip is for detailing and defining.
Available at Amazon
If you’re ready to pack up and take your braids on vacation, you don’t wanna forget this must-have travel set. This kit includes a TSA-approved ACV Hair Rinse, Leave-In Conditioner, and Hair Balm. Made with botanical ingredients, including castor oil, neem oil, and tea tree oil, to maximize hair retention and strength.
Available at Amazon
Whether you’re touching up a few loose strands or just need to redo sections of your curls, coils, or waves, this twisting gel will give you moisture sans the crunch or flakes. You’ll be able to keep any braid style in place whether you’re wearing your natural hair, weave, or extensions.
Available at Amazon
Halloween is right around the corner and we’re already plotting all of our fun and festive outfits to celebrate the spookiest of holidays. Whether you’re going the DIY route or planning your outfit around nostalgic characters (we see you TLC) there’s no shortage of diverse and iconic people to choose from. If you’re looking to enhance your Halloween costume but don’t know where to start, look no further than accessories. Whether it’s a bold lip, playful eye, or hair accessories, these beauty brands have products to add extra flair to your Halloween outfit.
Let’s talk locs. This beautiful natural style is often called “dreadlocks” and has been seen in famous figures from Lauryn Hill, Jayden Smith, Ava DuVernay, and Lisa Bonet. Locs are versatile, thick, luscious, and an innate expression of freedom and resilience. It’s a hairstyle that requires commitment, upkeep, and flexibility to get creative with your everyday styles.
Whether you have micro locks, sister locs, or traditional locs, we’re sharing our must-have products and tools to help you maintain, refresh, and hydrate your locs.
If you’re already a loc maven, check out the 10 Loc Retwisting Products for Shine, Hold, and Length Retention.
Who doesn’t love Amazon Prime Day? It’s that perfect time to start your holiday shopping because you find the best products with even better deals. For our beauty girlies that can range from your favorite haircare products, tools, skincare, makeup, and more! With only one day left to shop for your favorite Prime Day deals, we’ve compiled the must-have items you want to add to your cart before the day ends.
We love seeing your glorious braided styles like colored box braids, marley twists or knotless jumbo braids, and goddess braids. Once you’ve selected your coveted style, it’s more than just cute pictures for the gram and travel photos; you’ve got to maintain and protect them. The scalp underneath is just as important as the style you’re sporting, so you want to shop for products that will help with moisture retention, frizz, edge protection, and more.
Whether it’s your first or 50th time rocking a braided style, you don’t want to be unprepared because it can not only ruin the style but wreak havoc on your scalp. You want to develop a routine that can help you protect your hair before, during, and after styling to minimize damage and prepare your curls for fall.
Products Before Braiding
Before you can begin getting your hair braided, you want to focus on prevention and protection to allow your hair a chance to grow and remain healthy. Some braided styles manipulate the hair more than others, but that shouldn’t prevent you from ensuring your hair is cleansed, conditioned, and moisturized before seeing your stylist.
You never want to go with your hair unwashed, tangled, and dry; this will make it harder on your hair and the stylist. Your strands and scalp are the two most important aspects of your braided style, so invest in a good, clarifying shampoo, deep conditioning masque, and pudding or custard to set your hair.
- Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter
- Premium Wide Tooth Comb
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Strengthen, Grow and Restore Treatment Masque
Products During Braiding
While most stylists may have their own products, they use during braiding, keeping your own products if you’re DIYing at home or have specific allergies to certain ingredients is always handy. Getting your hair braided is not about the braids themselves but ensuring your hair is as healthy as possible while it’s in the style.
Moisture is one of your biggest tools when sporting braids, so you should consider products that will cleanse your potentially exposed scalp and prevent breakage along your hairline. You want to use soothing products to help relieve your skin of any itchiness or flaking and reduce the amount of buildup on your scalp.
- Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Thick and Full Bamboo and Coconut Milk Moisturizing Mint Shampoo
- Ampro Shine ‘n Jam Conditioning Gel Extra Hold
- Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils Flaxseed Recipes Tame My Edges Smoothing Gel
Products After Braiding
Now that the style is complete, it’s time to preserve, maintain, and protect those braids. Keeping a satin bonnet is going to help reduce frizz and allow your hair to stay moisturized, which you will most definitely need from constant sun exposure. Restorative sprays, balms, and oils can help to add moisture to your roots and prevent breakage and dryness depending on the length of your style. Be gentle with your scalp during this timeline, and make sure you are using your fingers to rub on the scalp, between your braids, and in any crevices where you can have product buildup, sweat, and flaking skin.
- Yanibest Satin Bonnet
- Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair and Strengthening Oil
- Girl + Hair Protective Restoring Balm
Community Members’ Favorite Products
Taylor Bobb
Photo Credit
“It’s the mousse for me! Maintaining my summer braids is always a breeze with styling mousse! My favorite styling mousse is the Creme of Nature Pure Honey Avocado Smoothing & Frizz Control Mousse. It controls the frizz and flyaways on my braids. What I love most is that it’s infused with pure honey, shea butter, and coconut oil, which moisturizes my natural hair and scalp!”
Benita Oseleononmen
Photo Credit
“Braids are my favorite low manipulation hairstyle. While giving my kinks a break with this style, the Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Super Hold Edge Gel is a must-have styling product for my braids. As someone with thin, fine type 4 hair, I love an edge gel that sleeks down my edges with maximum hold and without flaking.
Glycerin and honey are two of its main ingredients, and they act as both an emollient and humectant to moisturize one’s hair. I love this product because it lasts all day, even in the summer, and it causes no breakage to my edges.”
Sandy
Photo Credit
“To maintain my natural hair while using proactive style braids. I use Aveda Nutri-Plenish Shampoo and conditioner, as well as a treatment mask. I maintain my braids by washing them when needed. To help my braids last longer. It also helps to cleanse my braids and keep my natural hair hydrated.”
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
It’s getting hotter, and our curls need extra protection from the sun. The sun’s UV rays can be damaging to your scalp and curls by drying them out. Since many of us don’t apply sunscreen to our hair, keeping your scalp hydrated and healthy can be done with a great hair product and a trendy accessory.
I know hats can be hit and miss within the natural hair community, but the great thing is that the fashion world is catching up with us! Some businesses are dedicated to creating curl hair-specific hats for everyday wear, which is now making curly hair and hats more style-friendly.
This summer, try out any of these five summer hats, along with the hairstyles that work with each specific hat.
1. Baseball Cap
Image Source: @tress.forus
“That hat for us,” is here to make the classic baseball hat fun, trendy, and accessible for us curlies! You can buy this hat tailor-made for curly hair at Tress, an online shop that aims to make stylish accessories that are protective and functional for its customers. Styles that would work best with this accessory are a low ponytail, wash and go, or space buns since the hat is designed with textured hair in mind.
2. Bucket Hat
Image: @damn.gina.au
Going retro has never been more in style with this 90s hat, which is making a big comeback. Bucket hats are cute and trendy for a casual look that your curls will appreciate. Many of your favorite stores — like Damn Gina, BALMEE — are carrying texture, printed, and patterned versions of this throwback. You can rock lemonade braids, mini braids, or a cornrow bun to help this hat protect your curls.
3. Sun Hat
Image: @hairbrella
The sun hat never goes out of style because it’s the perfect beach or pool accessory. Sun hats come in all sizes, colors, and varieties, which is ideal for those who want options for our style. These hats represent elegance and can add flair to a bathing suit or a sundress. Hairbrella has some great selections for those who want a satin-lined and waterproof sun hat that you can take anywhere. Natural hairstyles that pair well with this hat are box braids, twist-outs, or a side-braid.
4. Visor
Image Source: @kinapparel_
I know you may think no one wears a visor anymore, or this style of hat may give you amusement park vibes, but it is a trendy summer staple! Visors protect your face and provide much-needed shade from harsh UV rays. They’re comfortable and versatile, and you can rock any updo. The standard visor has been updated with a clear rim, bold colors, and cute monograms. Kin Apparel has designed a great visor for rocking a pineapple, high ponytail, or cornrows.
5. Panama Hat
Image Source: @curlebeauty
The Panama hat is giving us Cubano vibes! It comes in several versions, including a wide brim, a monochrome look, or brims featuring patterns and bright colors. The Panama hat has been a summer staple for years and is an excellent accessory for pairing with a stylish or casual look. It will provide 360-degree shade for your face, hair, and neck, making it an essential part of your beach bag. This type of hat can be purchased online from retailers like Amazon. Natural hairstyles that work well with this look are a side braid, low bun, or goddess locs.
Protecting your face and hair in the summer heat should always be a high priority, whether that means packing sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat. These are great options for creating versatile and stylish looks that can pair well with any summertime outfit. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a hairstyle that works best for the individual hat.
Show us your hat-adorned curls in the comments section, below!
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Protective styles are perfect for any season, but when you’re traveling on the go during the summer season, they can save you time and energy. I decided that this year, for EssenceFest, I wanted to get knotless braids instead of making my curls fight the heat and humidity. This protective style has been on my bucket list since seeing Lori Harvey rock them last summer. They are effortless, beautiful, and, most importantly, can remove the need for me to constantly add products to my hair during a very busy week.
As a mixed-race woman (Black and Mexican) I didn’t grow up regularly getting braids so the entire process was going to have learning curves. However; wearing braids is an honor and privilege I don’t take lightly and wanted to do them justice. With any new style, haircut, color, or braiding look, there is always stumbling blocks whether you need to invest in new products or research a salon or braider. In my case, I had to apply all my NaturallyCurly knowledge to my braid maintenance, and I learned a few new things along the way.
Your Pre-Braid Prep Cannot Be Skipped
Image Source: @naturallycurly
I knew going into my knotless braid appointment that it was important I hydrate, moisturize, and straighten my hair for my braider. In the reel above I breakdown the products I used for my braiding prep routine which included:
- The Doux Press REWIND Curl Retention Shampoo
- The Doux FAST FORWARD Heat Prep Conditioner for Heat Styling
- The Doux Silent Treatment Thermal Protectant Spray
- Hot Head Thermal Haircare
I started with these products for the washing part of my routine because I wanted prevent heat damage and preserve my curls. Their Press Play Thermal Styling System debuted earlier this year and has been fantastic for helping create soft and silky hair when you plan to straighten, blow out, or silk press your hair. I don’t straighten my hair often so it was really important I used products that were going to protect them from any heat damage. I loved the scent and lightweight feel of these products!
Whenever you get a braided style it’s always important you stretch out your hair so your braider can blend your hair with your extensions or weave. Since I was still trying to reduce any heat damage, I used the RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer to dry, stretch, and smooth my hair seamlessly. This tool is specifically formulated to reduce damage, breakage, and keep hair healthier, shiner, and stronger. I was able to easily dry and stretch my hair in less than 30 minutes without any steaming, sizzling, or frying that the straightener typically does. In no time, it was dry and I was able to fight off the frizz with Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil.
Jumbo Braids Can Affect Your Hold
I visited a local braider here in Austin who was able to create a beautiful knotless braided look in a few hours. However, the next day, I was surprised to see different parts of my hair popping out of the braid, which was disappointing. Upon contacting the braider, she cited that the hair products we used might not have been strong enough and recommended using a stronger gel to wrap the loose strands into the braid. This was a continuous process I did the entire time during my trip to New Orleans and thankfully I had no additional strands coming loose.
Be Prepared For Big Change
Image Source: @dezij
Having knotless braids brought a lot more attention to my face shape and structure which is typically engulfed by my curls. It took a few days for me to find a good routine for sleeping comfortably with the braids and figuring out what to do with all the extra length. My hair typically sits right above my shoulders so it was a different experience feeling hair down my back and shoulders and I was constantly playing with it.
Edge Maintenance Is a Must
Edges are a staple of natural hair and braid culture, and to say I’m an amateur at doing them is an understatement. I was fortunate that my edges stayed down for a few days before I had to reapply product which would happen in the morning after sleeping. I was absolutely in love with the smell, texture, and hold that the Aunt Jackie’s Smooth + Swirl Edge Gel gave me. It wasn’t too sticky and held my edges down through booth maintenance, convention center sprints, and the New Orleans humidity.
Over Time, You’re Going to Itch
Man, the scalp itch was no joke and definitely came roaring in about three days into wearing my knotless braids. It started as a dull itch on different parts of my scalp and progressed to my whole head after about a week. It’s a definite “no-no” to physically scratch my scalp with my nails because it was going to further irritate my scalp so I was happy I brought the GIRL+HAIR Ultimate Travel Hair Care Set.
Cleansing my scalp quickly was easy with the water-to foam shampoo safely removed the product-buildup and residue. I didn’t need to shampoo my head regularly but did use the daily hydration milk to give my scalp moisture and relief. These products were so helpful and the pointed tip made it easy to directly get to my itchier spots without messing up the braids.
You Gotta Get Creative With Workouts
I love to workout but I’m not a girlie who works out with her hair down so I had to get creative with how I was going to maintain my gym routine with knotless braids. Since I had jumbo braids they were big and heavy and didn’t tie into a great high ponytail. I opted to go for Space Buns which were still heavy but kept my hair off my back.
Allot Time For Taking Your Knotless Braids Out
Let’s talk take down because it got REAL. When it came time to remove my knotless braids, I had to cut the braids at the bottom and then unbraid the weave from my real hair. It was tempting to try and cut closer to where I thought my braid started but I didn’t want to accidentally cut my real hair, so we’re starting from the bottom.
This wasn’t painful, but it was time-consuming. I wasn’t prepared for how sticky and stiffy my hair would be closer to the top of my scalp, so I knew that I would need to wash it immediately because it couldn’t be styled otherwise.
Don’t Forget Scalp Care Essentials
Once I had removed all the hair, my scalp was screaming in relief. However, it wasn’t time to rest; it was time to start another round of work with a wash day tailored to clarify my scalp. I used the JooY Scalp Resurfacing Serum as a pre-cleanse for my wash day because it gently exfoliates and removes buildup. It contains ingredients like peppermint, nettle lead, and lemon and felt very cooling on my scalp.
Once I jumped into the shower, I used JooY Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner to start wash day. I used the Scalp Energizing Brush to bring back blood flow and circulation to my scalp, and it was such a therapeutic massage. These worked like magic in my curls and left my scalp feeling clean but not stripped. I really enjoyed the very light scents, slip, and manageability they gave my curls. It was a relief to have moisture in my hair and a clean scalp before applying styling products.
Before completing my wash day, I applied the My Black is Beautiful Intense Hydrating Treatment to deep condition my curls. This was an important step I didn’t want to miss because I knew my hair needed it (though I know deep conditioning always adds time to your wash routine). I definitely had plenty of hair fall out when detangling my hair, but that was to be expected since I wore my braids for two full weeks. This was deeply penetrating and smelled amazing! I could see great results after the first use.
Give Your Curls Extra TLC During Wash Day
Finally, we made it to styling, and I couldn’t be happier to kick start my curl revival than with Briogeo’s new Style + Treat collection. I was able to generously apply the Lightweight Sculpting Cream, Air Dry Hair Styling Cream, and Hair Styling Texture Foam to create defined, frizz-free, and effortless-looking curls. The Yuzu extract, Plum Oil, and Super B-complex ingredients in each of these products was just what my hair needed to create pillowy, soft curls.
I absolutely loved wearing knotless braids and am excited to try out new braided styles this fall!
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 2024 Olympics are in full swing in the beautiful city of Paris, France, and athletes, celebrities, and festival-goers are showing up and showing out. Paris is known for its food, fashion, and art, and we’re seeing that happen in real-time as attendees show up in the chicest fits and ornate hairstyles. The Opening Ceremony was hosted on Friday, July 26, 2024, with performances, celebrity sightings, fireworks, and a spectacular light show.
Image Source: @gamechangeher_
The day was full of fashion courtesy of Ralph Lauren and showstopping appearances from celebrities touching down to support their favorite athletes in Paris. Instead of the traditional global processional around a stadium, the city of lights showcased over 10,500 athletes on boats cruising through scenic Parisian bridges and landmarks. An array of athletes could be seen joyously waving flags along the Seine and sporting an array of chic blazers, berets, and clear ponchos to keep the rainy weather at bay.
If you missed out on any looks from the Opening Ceremony, check out these head-turning curls, coils, waves, and braids on full display on land and in the Seine.
The Marriage of Sports and Fashion
1. Pink-Tinted Micro Braids
Image Source: Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images
US Soccer star Trinity Rodman came to Paris with a feminine, beautiful set of micro-braids dyed pink. This hairstyle is perfect with her beret and Ralph Lauren outfit for a fun and flirty look that will turn heads.
2. Lucious Protective Styles
Image Source: @aja22wilson
The queen of hoops has already won us over with these gorgeous French curl braids. A’ja’s hairstyle is effortless and chic and will make hearts stop on and off the court in Paris.
3. Defined Red Curls
Image Source: @love_tbrooks
Taliyah Brooks is setting the Parisian scene on fire with these newly colored red curls. The track and field star shows she’s not afraid of a little rain with this moisturized wash and go that shows the definition of her texture.
4. Fulani Braids
Image Source: @teamusa
It’s all love for Coco Gauff and Lebron James. These reigning champions are giving us big grins and fashion flair as they represent Team USA in Paris as flag bearers. Gauff sports Fulani braids that cascade down the front of her blazer, while James rocks a freshly groomed beard and fade.
5. Locs
Image Source: @livehappi
Tori Franklin smiles as she returns to the Olympic stage. Her beautiful locs are reminiscent of 90’s Lauryn Hill as she puts them on full display in a ponytail on top of her head.
6. Top Fade With Texture
Image Source: @fencer
Miles Chamley Watson is no stranger to being a trendsetter. The fencing champion rocks a clean top fade with his signature coils to compliment his Ralph Lauren fit. Watson is known for experimenting with his hair and having an effortless approach to grooming.
7. Buns, Curls, and Braids
Image Source: @_taarra_
Tara Davis-Woodhall is all smiles with fellow Olympic athletes as they wait for the Opening Ceremony to start. For the event, Davis-Woodhall is sporting micro-braids, which are the perfect hairstyle for her track and field competitions this week.
Celebrities on Parade
8. Elaborate Buns
Image Source: Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Lady Gaga was the belle of the ball as she performed at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony with a French performance that dazzled and delighted viewers. For her performance of “Mon Truc en Plumes,” she wore a sleek and simple bun that was an ode to French culture. Her bun was adorned by a removable headpiece that was reminiscent of French showgirl couture.
9. Wickedly Chic
Image Source: @arianagrande
Ariana Grande and Cynthis Ervino channeled ’50s fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn with colors that mirrored their fictional characters (Glinda and Elphaba) in the upcoming Wicked adaptation, which will grace theaters this fall. Ervino’s emerald green outfit is jazzed up with a wide-brim hat, while Grande leans into the girlie hairbows at the base of her updo.
10. Flowing Blonde Curls
Image Source: Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
It wouldn’t be the Olympics without the reigning queen of tennis. Serena Williams steps out in Paris with blonde, voluminous, and defined coils that are expertly paired with a bright red dress.
11. Slicked Back Hair
Image Source: @britishvogue
Zendaya made her Olympics debut in Paris with a beaded Louis Vuitton floor-length slip dress that shimmered and sparkled. She’s still rocking her Barbie blonde color that she debuted this past summer during her Challengers press tour in a sleek and slicked-back style that is perfect for the wet weather in Paris.
12. Voluminous Hair
Image Source: @ayanakamura_officiel
Aya Nakamura showed that all that glitters is indeed gold during the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony. As France’s most-streamed musician, she led a powerful performance of her song “Pookie” alongside a live band and France’s Republican Guard. Her blonde, touseled waves were a standout with her gold Dior dress.
13. Beachy Waves
Image Source: Photos: Courtesy of Marco Bahler/BFA for Stuart Weitzman
Aly Raisman came to support Team USA in a fashionable Carolina Herrera gown complimented with custom Stuart Weitzman sandals adorned in red, white, and blue Swarovski crystals. The two-time Olympian styled her brunette hair in loose waves that complimented her strapless gown.
14. Sleek Low Bun
Image Source: @voguemagazine
Celine Dion was très magnifique as she made her long-awaited return to the stage in Paris after her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis. Dion sang “Hymne a l’Amour” by Èdith Piaf under the Eiffel Tower with a sleek low bun that was the perfect addition to her silver Dior gown.
15. Blonde Ambition
Image Source: @beyonce
It’s not an Olympic ceremony without an appearance from Queen Bey! The Cécred co-founder surprised everyone with a “Ya Ya” remix from her Cowboy Carter album that introduced Team USA. Her long blonde hair gave length, sleekness, and shine as she proudly strutted in her custom USA bodysuit.
Stay tuned for our Olympics coverage all month! We’re covering the show-stopping looks from athletes all over the world.
In a world where everyone runs their race, community shapes your journey.
Digital Creator Blake Newby adeptly moderated “Beauty That Bonds Presented by Shea Moisture,” a panel featuring the unique insights of celebrity stylist Lacy Redway and actress-singer Ryan Destiny at BeautyCon. The two women engaged in a candid discussion on the art of bonding, the importance of hair health, and styles that withstand the summer heat.
Building The Bond Between Clients and Stylists
Today’s hair culture is undergoing a shift where the salon is not just an option but a necessary space for building your hair journey. Redway stressed the salon’s role as a foundation for fostering healthy habits and routines for your hair texture. “The salon is not just a workplace; it’s a home and a community hub. This aligns with the ‘Beauty That Bonds’ theme from Shea Moisture because I can only give my best to my clients when I understand who they are as individuals. Building a bond with your clients takes time, and it’s a journey that doesn’t always begin the first time they sit in the chair.”
As a multi-hyphenate performer who is based in Los Angeles and always traveling, Destiny shared that as a Black woman, she finds it difficult to get her hair done in a city that glorifies blowouts. “I’m a salon girlie; I love getting treatments and trims and giving my hair a break when I can to maintain my health.” While she has a few gems she can visit, she relies on having a trusted glam team that has good energy and pours into her daily. Newby shared that as longtime friends of Destiny, they spent hours in the salon and could relate to how the environment shapes how you bond as friends.
Products That Won’t Fail
Bonding as sisters, friends, and women remained a mainstay of the conversation, with Redway and Destiny citing their favorite Shea Moisture products. Since the New Orleans humidity wasn’t letting up, Redway discussed how the Bond Repair Oil is the go-to product to keep handy since it’s lightweight and prevents frizz for up to 24 hours. Destiny said she always tries to “Pick styles that work better in the heat because my schedule doesn’t always give me the time to sit down for braids. Today, I chose to slick down a portion of my hair and leave the rest down so it’s more manageable.” As a bonding collection, Shea Moisture’s products are not just about style; they’re about maintaining the health of your hair and giving you the confidence that your hair is in good hands.
With the newest Camp Shea activation bringing people together at BeautyCon, Redway, and Destiny shared how the theme of community resonates with them. Destiny stated, “All my life experiences wouldn’t have been possible without sisterhood. We feel for each other and try to be there for each other as much as we can. I can’t stress enough how impactful it can be to be seen authentically by your fellow sister. Redway reflected on how traveling has helped to foster community and said that during EssenceFest 2024, she’s been grateful to meet women who have helped her with filming and social media.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 4-7. For more information and updates on the festival, visit our website and follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Alicia and Stepahenie are the co-founders and brainchild of SOTRO (Salon on the Road), which is an innovative, dynamic, and revolutionary 2-in-1 micro-mist hair steamer + hooded hair dryer. These ladies used their natural hair care experiences to bring awareness to a gaping hole in the beauty market: innovative tech solutions for natural hair. While the shelves are full of products with promising solutions for our curly, coily, and wavy haircare woes, they lack tools to enhance our texture.
Alicia and Stephanie created SOTRO to help bridge this gap by helping stylists and consumers feel empowered to treat their hair from the comfort of their homes. Long gone are the days of sore arms and necks trying to power through wash day, SOTRO helps consumers maintain a regular hair routine that repairs hair loss and moisturize with salon-grade styling results.
We sat down to chat with the blossoming co-founders about the creativity behind SOTRO, the landscape of tech in haircare, and what we can expect from their upcoming debut at ESSENCEFest 2024.
When did you meet as co-founders, and what are your roles within your company?
Stephanie: We met five years ago when Alicia won a contest that allowed the winner to visit the best ten salons in New York City. We were the first salon that Alicia visited, and we started to bond through these vulnerable conversations regarding her hair blog.
Alicia: When I ran this blog, I started right out of college to encourage people to be comfortable wearing their natural hair at work in every setting. It was right when the natural hair movement started, and people were wearing their natural hair but straightening it again for work.
I wanted to help resolve that dichotomy, so I decided to be like a sacrificial lamb for the New York hair community that summer. I will try all these salons and tell you how they are. But I went to Stephanie’s Salon and never went anywhere else.
Stephanie: Regarding our roles, we’re in the early stages, so that ebbs and flows. We both handle everything. But if we had to break it down, I’d be more CEO and operations, and Alicia’s would be more CRO and marketing.
Stephanie, between 2019 and 2021, you had a natural hair journey that was the foundation for SOTRO’s ideation. What did you learn about your haircare routine during that time?
I can handle business professionally, but I can be lazy about self-care. Hair care is one of those things that feels like a cute chore. So anyway, can I try to escape it? Having natural hair felt like a task, so outside of having it done for the salon, I never took care of my hair. Even though I owned a salon, I still didn’t even go to the salon as regularly as I could. I’m swamped, and there’s just no time. And, like anything, it worsens when you don’t take care of it.
For the first time in my life, I started losing hair and chunks of it. And then I got a bald spot. And so, at that point, I was like, oh, no. Like, how did we get here? I went to lots of dermatologists and then was finally diagnosed with a form of alopecia called CA.
Even though I had this bald spot, she was like, yeah, don’t worry about it. We can still reverse it with medicine. But one thing you’re going to have to do is take care of your hair. I can give you all the medication in the world, but it’s not going to change the fact that if you go through these same habits again, you’ll find yourself right back here and then. There’ll be a point where we can’t reverse it.
Now I gotta do the thing I haven’t been doing forever, and I started with the fact that I’m lazy because I was trying to think through why it is that like I don’t do this right. I could just walk to the salon if I want to, it’s a 5 minute walk away. I don’t have to pay for it cause I own it. So, what prevented me from doing it was that it always felt like work, even though someone else was doing it. And then I would have to get myself in whatever comfortable position I was on my couch right to go over there and then sit in a salon space.
I thought if I could think through how to make this accessible when you’re at home with salon-level quality, then maybe I would do it more. These are like the beginning stages of what would ultimately be our tool line. Skincare has seen a surge in self-care as part of how people do these routines; hair care doesn’t have that.
Alicia, you started hair steaming in 2019. How did this change your haircare routine, and what were the benefits of diffusing or air drying?
Prior to 2019, I’ve always had long hair, like shoulder length, and now it’s longer than that. I always had a routine where it was good: I’d cut it, wear a protective style, and then have to restart growing it out. When I started regularly steaming my hair, it became more manageable, so I was able to be more consistent when I couldn’t go to the salon.
Steaming has been an additional step that I was missing in my hair journey. It keeps my hair moisturized and makes it easy for me to manage on my own. I would say it’s very different from air drying and diffusing because those were more of the final steps, whereas this was for having my styles look good in between wash days.
How did you come up with the name and design for SOTRO?
Stephanie: SOTRO stands for (Salon On the Road), which indicates tools and solutions for people on the go. We wanted to think of a very memorable name, like Coca-Cola or Kodak. Second, we wanted to reinforce this concept of an accessible salon concept that you can take anywhere with you. We felt like that was very representative of the types of tools and solutions we would end up building for people. Regardless of their destination, location, or stylist, they could always have their salon with them to meet their hair care needs.
What has been your biggest challenge as co-founders entering a crowded haircare market?
Stephanie: It’s an exciting time. One can look at crowded as a limiting step, but the conversations are changing now to your point about Cécred, FentyHair, TPH, and Flawlessby GU. All of these brands, right? Like there’s a conversation about what your natural hair is doing and how we can enhance that.
It’s not crowded for us because very few people are taking a hardware approach to that. But the fact that we are in a space and in a time right now with curly hair is a market opportunity that people are actually recognizing. We all have this curly hair for what, like the other.
You’ve got all these products, and they are great, but without the tools to optimize them, they could not work as well for you as they should. How can we help your products perform better? How can we help you maintain a better hair care routine? Like how? We get to be that gap. We see that this is the right time for SOTRO to exist; we couldn’t exist before people had the desire and the language to be able to care for their hair.
What was a game-changing moment for your company?
Stephanie: The first game-changing moment was when we came together with our diverse backgrounds and combined our passion for improving hair care for other people. We could take a napkin-drawn concept to a fully functional prototype, and that first day that we plugged it in and it worked…was a big deal.
Image Source: @sotroinnovations
Another hallmark was winning this manufacturing grant that New York State sponsors. It’s designed for robotics and high-end tech, and we almost won first place, which made us realize that we are innovators. Sometimes, it takes someone to recognize you in a space you would not think is a traditional place to go.
Being a winner of the “Lift as We Climb” grant from Gabrielle Union was a personal and professional victory because she’s a legendary actress. Pitching to her was one milestone, but having her support our vision has been an unforgettable experience. Our next big moment will be debuting our product at ESSENCEFest 2024.
How does combining a hair steamer and hooded dryer improve a person’s hair health?
Alicia: Many of us have alternatives for drying, whether starting with an air dryer or using a diffuser. Then you have the hooded cap or dryer I used to have in my house, so to say there are many options to dry your curls, coils, and waves is an understatement. When we thought about this, we wanted steaming to be a tool that people introduced to their routine, and the best way to do that and educate our consumers about that is to marry it with a product they’re used to.
When they see a dryer and a steamer, they’re like, shouldn’t this be the same machine? And we figured out a way to do that so that people aren’t shelling out all this money to have a whole salon worth the products in their house. We can simplify it to one. With that, we’re really on this mission to emphasize the importance of steaming so that people can have a similar experience that I had where I realized this was the missing link in my routine that really brought it all together and then provided them with the tool that they’re used to for an optimal experience there as well.
Adjusting your haircare regimen revolutionized both hair experiences; what advice would you give to people who are scared or hesitant to try a new tool?
Stephanie: Having a built-in trust with the community makes these sorts of arguments easier, and that’s something we’re building. As we build, we will invite people into our hair care routine, and people will get to follow us and see how regular steaming sessions and drying sessions with the SOTRO machine.
Many companies are trying to zero in on a core tenant of hair care that can only be resolved with moisturizing. You want your hair to be healthy, and products with this water percentage are excellent. Still, if you don’t have a foundation where your hair can absorb this moisture, retain it, and do that consecutively, you won’t see a difference.
Alicia: For people with curly hair, the tighter the curl, the higher the stakes when trying out a new product or tool. You have one shot each week to do your hair, and you’re like, alright, are you going to work, or should I just stick with what I know will make me look good? Our product will allow you to have maybe even the opportunity to have two do-overs in a week, right? If you come out of the shower and it’s messed up like I’m going to go right under the steamer, try again, and it’ll be more accessible than the first time I did it.
Your brand is focused on making “hair care accessible to everyone.” How do you plan to execute that philosophy in the future?
Image Source: @sotroinnovations
Stephanie: You spoke about affordability earlier in this call, and I think that is one high barrier to accessibility. So we want to introduce our tool, which we have priced accordingly. It’s two tools in one, giving you some long results, and it’s travel-friendly.
The innovation alone has a commensurate cost, right? But we want to make it affordable. Not everybody can spend hundreds of dollars on a tool at once, so we want to offer buy-now, pay-later plans out of the gate. That is very important for us. We’ll eventually implement a rental plan as well.
We’ll be seeing SOTRO at ESSENCEFest 2024 at the NaturallyCurly booth. What can we expect from your partnership?
Alicia: I think the inspiration behind what we wanted to do at ESSENCEFest 2024 is to give people a taste of what it would feel like to have our machine in their home, just to be able to block everything out and let something else do the work while you. You can focus on something else while your hair is getting taken care of. We’re really trying to bring that relaxation aspect of it as well, and the specific meditation that we’re doing really reframes the idea of wash day.
I think for most of us, it feels like a chore. It feels like work. I have been putting it off for way too long—even me just right now. And I’m a co-founder. But you know, just reframing that, you get to do your hair, and it’s exciting and it’s good. And you’re happy to do it, and it won’t be hard today.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 4-7. For more information and updates on the festival, visit our website and follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
The countdown to ESSENCEFest 2024 is happening, meaning it’s time to plan, pack, and strategize all the essentials for the 30th anniversary celebration. For the NaturallyCurly team, deciding which hairstyle we want to rock will allow our curls and coils to flourish in New Orleans. Before loading up our suitcases with tons of travel-size products, we decide the best way to style our curls and coils. Given the sweltering heat and humidity, the best option is a protective style.
Why We’re Opting For Protective Styles
Image Source: @euleticiapiuu
Going for a protective style can not only be beneficial to save time and energy from constantly styling our hair each day, but there are endless options to choose from. Every season, we see braids, locs, and twists evolve into intricate designs and styles showing natural hair’s power. The climate of New Orleans can lend to humidity, heat, and frizz, which could be a winning combination or epic fail for your traditional wash-and-go, depending on your regimen.
Our team is dreaming up the perfect protective styles to have our curls and coils thriving during the summer heat while we sashay between all that ESSENCEFest 2024 has to offer. Between panels, concerts, and hanging out with our NaturallyCurly readers, we want to ensure our styles are sleek, frizz-free, and manageable.
Interested to see what protective styles our team could wear at ESSENCEFest 2024? Read more below.
The NaturallyCurly Teams Share Their Style Choices
Ayeshah, Social Media Manager
Hair selections: Perm Rod Set, Knotless Twists, Faux Locs
What do you love about these styles?
Image Source: @teerachelle_
What I love about these hairstyles is that they are effortless and bring out my personality. I love how my natural hairstyles can speak for themselves.
Why would they be good options for ESSENCEFest 2024?
Image Source: @akemurrr
These on-the-go styles are great for ESSENCEFest 2024 because they require little effort. I can style each hairdo in various ways.
What would be your prep routine for a protective style and any products you use?
For my styles, I will be prepping my hair with the Olaplex No. 3, followed by the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. I want to make sure strands are protected and hydrated. I use the Innersense leave-in conditioner, followed by Doux’s heat protection spray, silkening fluid, and bonding polish before I blow my hair. These products combat heat damage. Also, I’m ensuring my ends are trimmed properly after my blowout. Then I use a cream like Melanin hair care twist elongating cream to seal my hair before installation.
Desiree, Editor
Hair selection: Knotless Braids, Micro Braids, Marley Twist
What do you love about these styles?
Image Source: @braidsgang
I love that these are very easy to style and manipulate, besides just wearing them down. I can choose the color, length, and size, which allows me to customize my overall ESSENCEFest outfits.
Why would they be good options for EFOC?
Image Source: @braidsconnect
At best, all I have to worry about is hydrating my scalp and oiling the braids to prevent frizz, but they don’t require much upkeep. This makes moving between events easy during the weekend and saves me prep time in the morning.
What would be your prep routine for a protective style and any products you use?
These styles will require me to stretch and straighten my hair, so I’ll want to use a good deep conditioner like the OUAI Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque to make my hair soft and strong. I’ll follow it with the Moroccanoil Intense Smoothing Frizz Control Serum to reduce frizz and create a good slip for my braider.
Keturah, E-Commerce Manager
Hair selections: Island Braids, Fulani Braids
What do you love about these styles?
Image Source: @kp_thestylist
I love how timeless they are. I can look back on photos and feel good about what I chose.
Why would they be good options for EFOC?
Image Source: @justbraidsinfo
They’re good for festivals because they keep my hair from my face and let my scalp breathe in the NOLA heat.
What would be your prep routine for a protective style and any products you use?
I know I would lay my hair down at night. I would ensure I had an excellent scalp oil and some edge control. I like the Mielle rosemary mint collection!
Stay tuned to our ESSENCEFest 2024 coverage next week to see what styles we’ll be rocking at the event!
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 4-7. For more information and updates on the festival, visit our website and follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Created by successful barber, designer, and cultural curator Houston White, the high-vibes, inclusive personal care brand Fresh by Houston White launched exclusively at Target to bridge cultural divides in the beauty aisle. The collection is for people of all races, genders, and hair types. It provides effective routines for a community of people who celebrate feeling beautiful and strive to vibe high daily.
FRESH by Houston White features 11 solution-oriented products ($9 – $12) ranging in hair, skin, and body care and offers vibrant packaging and fresh ingredients, including Matcha Tea, Lavender, Soothing Aloe Oil, and scented notes of apricot, almond, cedar, and coconut for an ultimate FRESH feel – all at an affordable price point.
We chatted with Houston about how he developed his barber skills and expanding the haircare sector for men of all textures.
You originally started cutting hair in your aunt’s basement. Did you have a few signature styles, or could you do all haircuts?
I did mostly bald fades with the waves on top. The waves with the tight lineup were really a big deal back in the day.
Did you have any learning curves or memorable hair blunders?
Image Source: @freshbyhoustonwhite
Of course…, I messed a few lines up early on. I was trying to be so precise when I first started!
You’ve created several businesses as an entrepreneur; what vision did you want to achieve when designing the Houston White Men’s Room?
I wanted to elevate the experience of the local barbershop. The goal was to create an upscale environment that exuded approachable opulence. I wanted everything to be perfectly in place and the customer experience consistent and top-notch for the “everyday person.”
How would you describe the essence of a barbershop and how it’s evolved for the modern man today?
Image Source: @freshbyhoustonwhite
The Black barbershop is a second home, a space where you come as you are, no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’re going through. When you walk through that door, you enter some type of family you won’t experience anywhere else. The evolution of space has become much more multicultural.
What inspired you to create a natural hair and skin care line for all genders and hair textures?
Image Source: @freshbyhoustonwhite
I started making hair and skin care products in 2008, starting with pomade. The original pomade I was using was discontinued, and because I couldn’t find one that had the same quality, I learned to make my own. When I opened the barber shop, I wanted to give my clients the ultimate experience.
With the positive feedback and questions from women and men from all races who would come in and ask if they could use the pomade, I knew we could re-engineer those recipes to formulate what is now FRESH by Houston White, intentionally created to meet everyone’s hair textures and skin types. I’m happy that our formulas have gone beyond the barbershop and are now available at select Target stores and Target.com.
Is there a common problem or issue you’ve noticed all men face with their hair care/grooming routine?
Many men struggle to find the right hair products and skincare routines tailored to their texture and lifestyle needs.
Image Source: @houstonwhite.co
Where do you see your brand evolving in 2024?
Our primary goal is to continue growing the Houston White brands and uphold our commitment to a culture-first mindset that creates products and services for the greater good. For FRESH by Houston White, we aim to increase mass retail distribution and introduce new products in the hair and skincare categories.
We have some exciting collaborations for Camdentown Flats, our professional housing apartments in Camdentown, Minneapolis, and The Get Down Coffee Co. our specialty coffee selection in Target is a part of the expansion that will bring people, cultures, and communities together to celebrate one another.
The FRESH by Houston White collection also features a QR code and frequency icons on each product, which drive to a playlist of frequencies to listen to while using FRESH products for a truly immersive sensory experience.
Knots are an inevitable part of curly hair, and there is absolutely no avoiding them, no matter how fine-tuned your routine is. Finding the right detangling brush can make or break your wash days. Luckily, we’ve seen innovation in detangling tools that are leaps and bounds from the styling tools of yesteryear that would leave us in tears.
We talked to ten natural hair stylists from all over the country to get their opinions on the best detangling brushes for curly hair.
1. Sharita Payton
Image: @sharitapayton
Sharita is the owner of The Loft Hair Studio, the only curl-exclusive salon in Medford, Massachusetts. As a curl specialist, Sharita remains committed to helping individuals of all backgrounds and curl types embrace and love their natural hair. She has taken classes with prominent curl brands like DevaCurl, Rezo, and Forever Curls in her pursuit to provide a safe space for customers of all curl patterns and textures.
Sharita’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“Our Salon “ALL TIME” favorite detangling tool…drum roll please…“Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush” Brush With The Best”! For the last four years, it’s been undefeated at The Loft Hair Studio. While we do lots of “finger detangling” at the shampoo bowl for low to medium density, we need a little extra help for clients with higher density. In addition to detangling, it gives some great curl definition with very little hair shed in the brush. We highly recommend it to our clients.”
2. Debra Gomes
Image: @dosbydeb_
Debra Gomes is a Rhode Island-based hairstylist whose passion lies in helping people embrace and love their natural curls. She has dedicated her career to becoming a resource for fellow curlies and is committed to providing them an excellent experience. Whether it is keeping up to date with new trends or styling techniques, she is committed to improving the educational gap in the curly world and helping people learn how to love and care for their hair properly.
Debra’s pick: The Wet Brush
“When detangling curly hair, I always recommend finger detangling first, followed by the Wet Brush. I love this brush because not only does it help reduce detangling time and has soft tips and flexible bristles that eliminate stress on the hair strand. It will prevent damage such as ripping or pulling of the hair strand that can eventually lead to split ends, breakage, and even hair loss, often caused by detangling wet hair. The Wet Brush also has a beautiful slip, making the hair easier and faster to detangle. I even love this tool for styling curls!”
3. Haley Smith
Image: @loveleyshair
Haley Smith found a passion for hair care on the journey of learning to love her own natural curls. Originally from NJ, now in Richmond, VA, she has specialized in bridal, advanced color, and wig customization. She has mastered cutting natural hair, ultimately creating LoveLey’s Hair, her salon specializing in curly/natural hair solutions. Virginia licenses Haley as a master instructor in cosmetology. She has been published in magazines, including Essence, MunaLuchi Bride, TheVoyageLa, and VPM, and has also trained under celebrity stylists like Tabatha Coffey, Yene Damtew, and Metowi.
Haley’s pick: The CurlTamer Brush
“I am a huge fan of the CurlTamer Brush for styling all textures in the salon. This detangling brush is amazing at getting through all curl patterns, from loose to extremely tight curls. I prefer this brush because the bristles are pliable, small, and flexible. These special bristles make it super easy to glide through and around tangles and stubborn knots in the hair without ripping and causing unnecessary damage. This CurlTamer Brush is hands down my most trusted tool in the salon for successfully shampooing, conditioning, detangling, and defining curls.”
4. Serina Lopez
Image: @yourhairstylistserina
Serina Lopez owns the Curl Lounge in Sacramento, California, and is passionate about styling curls and advocating for natural hair as a “Curl Activist.” As a Latina stylist, she is proud of her heritage and seeks to educate women and children on the importance of self-love with their curls. She is Rezo certified and prides herself on bringing curls to life after they may have experienced damage.
Serina’s pick: Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush
“My detangling brush of choice would have to be the Rizos Curls pink detangling flexi brush. It’s kinda like a wide-tooth comb/wet brush hybrid. It doesn’t rip out hair or cause any breakage. It’s also the perfect comb for kids because it is gentle and can help detangle out all those fairy knots.”
5. Genese Cervantes
Image: @mycurlconnection
Genese Cervantes owns My Curl Connection, a curly hair salon in Central Texas. She deeply loves curly hair and believes her purpose is to help people embrace the curls God gave them! Her goal is to partner with those ready to master their curls through a simple and practical routine. Genese believes that “curly hair doesn’t have to be hard, and I want to show you that.”
Genese’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“I recommend the Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush to my curly guests! It’s so gentle on the hair when it is used properly. Even though it’s called a detangling brush, I use it to style my curly guests, too! It helps evenly distribute the product, an important part of our curly set process. I love it, and you will too!”
6. Dawn Archer
Image: @vancityhairgirl
Dawn has spent over a decade as a hairstylist and 20 years in fashion. Her intuitive approach to hair with curls and texture is unique as it’s based not on her education but on her personal experiences. Her approach is shaped by getting her haircut at both commercial and natural hair salons and being disappointed but not knowing what to ask for. She currently works at Axis Hair Salon in Vancouver where she is working with clients to create trendy summer styles.
Dawn’s pick: Wet Brush Pro Detangler
“I recommend the Wet Brush Pro Detangler because it is great on textured and curly hair. It manages to untangle curls without breaking the hair, which is ideal for any curl texture. I also love that it can be used on wet or dry curls, a lifesaver between wash days. Clients like how it stimulates the scalp, especially since curlies don’t brush their hair very often, so getting that extra scalp care is perfect!”
7. Ashley Kukay
Image: @ashleycurlskc
Ashley Kukay is a curly hair specialist located in Kansas City. She has been in the hair industry for five years and has been focused specifically on curly hair the past three years. She enjoys working with all curl types and encouraging women and men to embrace their natural hair. Ashley remains passionate about helping her clients achieve healthy and beautiful hair.
Ashley’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“Brush with the Best by Felicia Leatherwood is by far the best detangling brush I have ever used. I use it on every one of my textured clients and get amazing results. I chose this brush over the rest because it has amazing detangling benefits and gives me a great definition of styling natural hair.”
8. Nadia Nicole
Image: @thenadianicole
LA’s Curly Hair Specialist, Nadia Nicole, has always been excited about cultivating a community that empowers women to embrace their naturally curly hair. With certifications for various types of curly hair, including Rezo Cut and Lights, as well as the popular Deva cut and style, she has truly mastered the art of taking care of all textures. She was inspired to create her own brand, “Curly Babes” and it has allowed her to teach women how to truly love their natural beauty. She continues to make a name for herself, transforming lives one curl at a time.
Nadia’s picks: The Tangle Teezer and Denman Brush
“I highly recommend the Tangle Teaser and Denman Brush for all my curly babes. Tangle Teaser has flexible bristles, which allow the detangling of wet hair without causing any breakage. Once you begin styling, I’d switch over to the Denman brush, which has stiffer bristles. This brush allows you to define and style your curls for that maximum bounce with some added definition.”
9. Ashley Nisheé
Image: @ashleynisheehair
Ashley Nisheé is based in Tampa, FL, and is a texture specialist focusing on all natural curl types. She believes in embracing your natural hair and walking around with your head crowned in curls. She takes her time to give each curl the love it needs to hydrate and flourish!
Ashley’s pick: The EZ Detangler Brush
“I highly recommend buying the EZ Detangler Brush! I LOVE to use it not only on my clients but also myself. It does not break or yank your hair while you’re detangling. Other detangling brushes I’ve used in the past have ripped and pulled the tangles instead of working them through. This brush gently glides over the knots until they are completely gone and is so gentle for my clients with sensitive scalps!”
10. Adriana Acosta
Image: @aadri.hair
Growing up, Adriana was exposed to all hair textures and instantly fell in love. She understood that women struggled with their hair and how to manage it. She made sure to invest in her education to perfect her craft, and now she teaches and helps women understand how to style their hair. Most importantly, her clients get to a point where they LOVE their hair.
Adriana’s pick: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
“One of my favorite hair tools is the Felicia Leatherwood brush. Its versatility helps with detangling and styling all at the same time. It’s so easy to clean and one of the tools I always recommend my clients to invest in.”
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