Search Results: Desiree Johnson
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.
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!
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.
Whether you’re focusing on skincare, hair, or makeup, this assortment of beauty tools has been at the top of its game all year.
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
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
If you’re still looking for additional products to uplevel your beauty game? Check out Skincare Sets That Will Revolutionize Your 2025 Routine.
In the world of natural hair, some foundational tools and products can elevate your hair care routine. Satin scarves and bonnets are tried and tested haircare essentials that always stay in style. We’ve seen many brands put their own spin on these classic haircare tools, whether it’s a new design or high-end fabric, to improve the texture and longevity.
Satin scarves and bonnets can also be called “hair wraps” because they act as the first line of defense against environmental stressors. They can be worn across all hair textures and have different uses based on your hair goals. Since we’re in the winter season, when most naturalistas straighten, blow out, or have a silk press, these tools will help you maintain your tresses.
If you haven’t used one of these as part of your hair regimen, we’ll explain their benefits, how they’re used, and where to find them online.
Satin Scarves
These accessories have made a big comeback over the past few years, with many influencers and celebrities rocking them as tops, over baseball caps, tied to a bag, and around the neck. If you’ve got curly, coily, or wavy hair, then the satin scarf will be best for improving your hair regimen. Satin or silk hair scarves come in various lengths, widths, and patterns and can be found everywhere, from high-end fashion designers to Amazon.
The Benefits of Using Satin Scarves
Satin scarves have multiple benefits for natural hair, whether you’re using them to sleep, protect your hair against the weather, or need to wrap up your braids at night. Most curlies, coilies, and wavies use satin scarves to help reduce friction, frizz, and breakage with their hair. Using a satin scarf while you sleep can protect your hair from the cotton fibers of your pillow, which can create the dreaded bedhead. You may see satin scarves used interchangeably with silk scarves, but they are two different styles of fabrics that will ultimately yield the same results. If you plan to use it to improve your hair texture overnight, you can use your favorite hair oil to nourish your hair.
How to Use a Satin Scarf Across All Textures
Using a satin scarf is very easy, and there are many different ways to incorporate it into your hair regimen, whether sleeping or rocking it outside while you run errands. Check out how these ladies use a satin scarf across different hair textures.
Wavy Hair
Curly Hair
Coily Hair
Protective Styles
Where to Buy Satin Scarves
There are tons of amazing brands that feature satin scarves in a variety of styles, patterns, and colors. Prices can vary between retailers, but affordable options exist for every budget.
Bonnets
Hair bonnets have made a big comeback in the past few years, with many brands creating new, functional designs that naturalistas wear in public. Yes, in public, on airplanes, on buses, and everything in between because the hair bonnet is a point of self-expression for Black women. It’s not a trend or a fashion accessory; it’s a practical and tangible solution to help us take care of our hair. As the natural hair movement grows, more women with textured hair become bold and comfortable, revealing how they care for their tresses in public.
The Benefits of Using Hair Bonnets
Like satin scarves, hair bonnets help prevent frizz and breakage and maintain healthy curls, coils, and waves. Hair bonnets are often used when people get relaxers, blow outs, or wear protective styles because it helps to protect from sweat and water. Sweat, water, and even excess oil can be a recipe for ruining your hair which is why a hair bonnet often has a thick band around the top that prevents moisture from forming at your edges.
How to Use a Hair Bonnet Across All Textures
Hair bonnets are very easy to use because they slip on and over your curls, coils, and waves without any fuss. However, if you have longer hair then there are ways to wrap and position your tresses so they don’t lose volume overnight.
Wavy Hair:
Curly Hair:
Coily Hair:
Where You Can Buy Hair Bonnets
There are tons of amazing brands that feature hair bonnets in different styles, patterns, fabrics, and accessories. Check out our recommendations below!
We’re almost halfway into the holiday season and there’s still time to shop for the beauty mavens in your life. Skincare has been a crucial aspect of wellness and self-care and thanks to social media, it’s becoming even easier to understand how to create your own skincare routine. The holiday season is perfect for trying out new brands, formulas, and getting to test out what works best for your skin type without the full price commitment.
We’ve compiled must-have skincare sets whether you’re treating yourself or someone special.
What skincare sets are you adding to Santa’s list this season? If you’re still feeling festive, you can shop these The Best Beauty Advent Calendars to Ring in The Holiday.
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.
