Search Results: Hortencia Caires
If you are thinking of transitioning or you’re currently going through it, here’s a guide to help you with your journey.
I once went through a transitioning period in my life and I just want to tell you to prepare for rough times. I know that statement is scary and not very encouraging, but you must know what you’re about to endure. Transitioning is far from easy and it’ll test your patience, but it’ll be so worth it in the end, trust me!
I personally just did a big chop and said no to excessive heat, but this guide is more for those who aren’t ready to lose their hair length just yet.
1. Cut your dead heat damaged ends gradually
Chances are you have damaged ends that need to be cut off from too much bleach and/or heat. You can slowly start getting trims every 6-8 weeks to remove the bad ends gradually instead of just chopping off all your hair completely.
2. Say no to heat & bleach (for now”>
That’s right you can have yourself some bleach and heat, but not now. If you’re trying to strengthen and bring back your hair, you need to let go of the heat tools and bleach till you feel you can use them in moderation again. I personally think the heat tools need to be completely gone or only used 2-3 times a year IF your hair can handle it. You know your hair and how much it can handle, my hair can’t handle heat hence why I haven’t touched a flat iron in almost a year.
3. Deep condition regularly
Aside from getting trims and putting down the heat tools, it’s time you pick up a better habit called Deep Conditioning. Weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning sessions are an essential step to improving your hair’s health. Pick up a few sample packets so you can change it up every week and test products without committing to just one. If you’re on the hunt for a deep treatment that works for you, here are 9 that never fail us.
4. Master some new hairstyles
Since you can’t use heat products, it’s time to master some hairstyles you can do in the meantime. In the period after I cut off my hair and said no to bleach/heat, I was at my lowest in the confidence department. I felt very ugly in this period of time, but you don’t have to feel this way. There are plenty of cute hairstyles you can wear while your hair is regaining its strength and becoming healthy again. Here are a few of our favorites:
5. Find products that keep you hydrated
During this time you should be trying out a few products that encourage your curls to stay curly and hydrated. Trial and error is inevitable when it comes to finding the best styler that works well with your hair. Something to keep in mind is to avoid shampoos with sulfates that strip away your hair’s natural oils and leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. Get educated on what different ingredients mean to better understand what your unique head of hair lacks or needs. Here are 9 of the best moisturizers for transitioning hair.
6. Seek advice
So many naturalistas before you have gone through this transitioning process and it’s okay to slide in their DMs for advice and encouragement. I try my best to respond to as many DMs as I can because I know how it feels to feel frustrated and lost while transitioning. If a fellow naturalista has the same hair type as you, you can ask what he/she uses on their hair and maybe it’ll work for you as well. Remember no two curls are the same, so take their advice with a grain of salt.
Watch my transitioning video
What’s next?
Think you know what transitioning will be like? Read Transitioning: Expectation vs. Reality.
For more inspiration, follow StyleFeen and NaturallyCurly on Instagram.
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Since shampooing and cleansing your hair takes away a lot of the hydrogen ions that are in our cuticles, a daily conditioner is a must in a curly girl’s regimen.
The right one will restore the necessary amount of moisture and oils that stripped your hair while cleansing.
As you look at the ingredients in your own daily conditioner, keep in mind that they are listed in order of quantity, so the first five are going to be what your product is mostly made up of. These 5 ingredients are what I look for while shopping for the next potential Holy Grail conditioner addition to my shelf. (Is Product Junkie Anonymous a thing?”>
1. Water
This might actually be the best natural moisturizer for naturally dry, curly hair. Our hair is always in need of hydration–what better ingredient to quench your curls’ thirst than H20?
2. Oils
There are loads of benefiting factors when certain natural oils are in our daily conditioner. By helping to seal in moisture and close the cuticle, the right carrier oil can penetrate the hair via the cuticle, improving softness of curly hair.
3. Fatty alcohols
Fatty alcohols stemming from plants, oils, or animals are the “good” kinds of alcohols. These types of alcohols are known to soften your hair and provide great slip to make detangling a breeze. Fatty alcohols like Myristyl, Behenate, Cetyl, Stearyl are effective in a daily conditioning routine.
4. Humectants
They draw in moisture from the air and into the hair shaft. Depending on the season, using a daily conditioner with a humectant could be either good or bad. If the air is dry, it can work against our curls because a humectant may remove moisture from the cortex of the hair into the air. Otherwise, it can be beneficial for drawing in moisture.
5. Protein
*Gasp* Yes, protein has a bad rap because too much of it can cause more harm than good for our curls. For low porosity hair that feels stringy or limp, however, a protein-packed conditioner can help for moisture balance. While it cannot moisturize curly hair alone, it does strengthen our strands to better retain moisture during the next wash.
For a proper curly hair care regimen, it is all about doing things in moderation. This includes moisturizing.
Every head of curls is different. This combination of ingredients work for mine, but I recommend figuring out exactly what yours could be lacking, then try your best to replenish and nurture it that way.
What’s next?
Check out our complete guide to finding the right protein treatment for your hair.
Want to know how StyleFeen gets these amazing curls? Here are her favorite products.
Have you seen my latest curl-defining trick on IG? Follow me @StyleFeen
Are you on Facebook? Like NaturallyCurly for more curly crush inspo.
Read about the 5 products YOUR hair doesn’t need here.
She has a hefty client list that includes some of the curly hair influencers that our community looks up to. This is always rare, as many of us curly girls know the struggle when it comes to finding a great hairstylist who understands the specific needs of our hair texture and curl pattern.
I was referred to Mona Baltazar by popular Instagrammer and YouTuber, Curly Edgy. Although I was a little scared due to my past experiences, the results blew my mind away! Here’s Mona’s professional journey, in her own words.
Born and raised in the Philippines, I grew up in San Jose California. I moved to New York City attend Fashion design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT”>, where I have been for 10 years.Before moving to NYC, I was also a hairstylist in California for 5 years–which means I’ve been doing this since 2001. However, I don’t have a fancy story about how I came to be a hairstylist.
In high school, we had Career Day and I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to be.
My mom was not able to guide us with education because we were new to U.S. Not to mention, she was too busy holding down 3 jobs to make ends meet. Therefore, I had to figure out for myself what I would do after high school. I saw an information guide that read Cosmetology and was intrigued by it. I waited over a year, working as a receptionist to save money to go to school full time.
I came to realize that I really love doing hair–and I was very good at it.
I was trained by an amazing haircutter name Jojo from Jojo Hair Studio, who taught me many things with my cutting. Jojo trained me well and was very supportive of me. He actually use to perm my hair to make it super curly and big. That is when my love for curls started.Instagram helped [my business] a lot when I started to showcase my work through posting the results and before and after shots. I started to then get reposted by various different accounts and it was all curls from there.
I have always been attracted to and love the texture of curly hair but the shift started when Marissa Gold–@curly.edgy‘s colorist–introduced me to Edgy for a haircut. I started getting more requests after she referred me through her IG followers. From there, I have met and was able to cut some curly bloggers such as @Stylefeen and @Christinavega_ @oohthatsjustflash, among others. Instagram helped [my business] a lot when I started to showcase my work through posting the results and before and after shots. I started to then get reposted by various different accounts and it was all curls from there.
Educating [the client] is the key.
I’ve learn most of my tips through hearing about their experiences. I do a thorough consultation before picking up any tools because I want to get them acquainted with their hair texture. I give them options as far as what kind of haircut is best for their texture type. Some clients want more volume, but sometimes, their growth pattern and hair density do not allow them to get the volume they desire. In those cases, I find a way to shift their thought and refocus on other areas we can enhance, like creating a shape or going shorter.
I understand that every single curly girl owns their own curls. No two curly heads are the same.
There are at least 2 or 3 different textures in each individual and sometimes that’s what makes it interesting for me. So much patience and love has to go in to curly hair to keep them healthy and bouncy. I am grateful to be a part of this shift of people–specifically, women–embracing and allowing their natural curls to come out and finally wear it as it is meant to.
At Muze salon we carry and use Sebastian, Wella, Nioxin and Oribe.
- Sebastian: Potion 9 (leave-in conditioner”> and Texturizer (gel”>.
- Wella: Element shampoo and conditioner (sulfate free”>
- Nioxin: rejuvenating elixir and defining crème.
- Oribe: Intense Moisture (deep conditioner”>, Apres Beach (shine and texture finishing spray”>
I also had the pleasure in testing out Mizani and I really like their products.
I work at Muze Salon NYC in the Chelsea area. I’m usually there Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays (in the Fall”> and Saturdays. My next goal Is working to be an educator. I want to teach others how to cut curls with my techniques so other curly girls who don’t live near me will be able to find a stylist in their own area.How did you find your current hairstylist?
Leave a review for your stylist in our Salons section.
Follow us on Instagram @StyleFeen and @NaturallyCurly for more curly hair and style inspiration.
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A huge deciding factor before getting bangs was the fear of getting forehead acne.
I wasn’t sure if the oils from my hair being so close to my forehead were going to cause my skin to break out.
I decided to go ahead with my haircut change and couldn’t be happier because sometimes the pros outweigh the cons. I was pretty confident I could fight acne or potential break outs with a consistent skin regimen.Morning
I like to use my St. Ives Naturally Clear Blemish and Blackhead Control Scrub to fight against clogged pores and wake up my skin. I’ve been using St. Ives for years–this scrub has been my go-to when it comes to making blackheads and blemishes disappear.
I top it off with my Botanics Hydrating Day Cream with SPF 15 and continue on to my usual makeup routine.
Night
I opt for the Cetaphil Facial Cleanser to remove makeup. I love that it is gentle enough for daily use. I also never sleep with makeup on and because my forehead is usually hidden I forgo wearing makeup there anyways.
Additional tips
- Wash face with desired acne fighting cleanser twice a day.
- Use blotting paper throughout the day to minimize oily skin.
- Do not put makeup on your forehead–nobody is going to see it anyways.
Have you thought about rocking bangs on your curly hair before? Tell us @NaturallyCurly
Follow me @StyleFeen for more bangin’ curly hair inspo.
THIS is how curly girls rock bangs in 2016.
Jen Atkin, I’m baffled. Are my spiral curls considered a trend?
Then we have Jen Atkin, who was crowned “the most Influential hairstylist in the world” by The New York Times.
With a client list ranging from the Kardashians to Chrissy Teigen, some may argue that Jen Atkin deserves this award. However, the curly community may disagree after a recent interview by Raleigh Burgan for E Online.
Burgan asked Atkin, “The one hair trend you can’t stand?” to which Atkin responded, “Cheesy, spiral curls.”Burgan asked, “What’s an easy-to-do hairstyle that can instantly elevate any look?” to which Atkin said, “Always opt for a sleek look. It’s hard to mess up straight hair.”
*Insert puzzled emoji*I’m baffled. Are my spiral curls “cheesy” and considered a trend? You mean, that thing 60% of us in the world were born with? It’s “cheesy” like, it’s out of style–which means it’s considered a style?
I understand that Jen Atkin doesn’t work with or understand natural curly hair. Maybe, as a community, we can forgive her. One thing is for certain, we should come together to educate her for she does not know the error of her ways.
Jen Atkin, our hair is fabulous and far from being “cheesy”!
This so called trend is what we have grown to love and rejoice over! So if she can’t stand the type of curls we have then sucks for you boo. We love it.It all comes down to acceptance and the only person who you should care to STAND your “chessy, spiral curls” is you. Because listen! Your curls are popping!
Do you love Hortencia’s curls? (We do!”> She shared her essentials for a *perfect* wash day and it’s these 5 products.
To see more of Hortencia, aka Stylefeen follow her on Instagram @StyleFeen and to see more from NaturallyCurly follow us @NaturallyCurly
You’ve heard the story 1000 times over about the girl who hated her curly hair. My story is no different…
I hated my naturally curly hair and therefore, I wanted to change it.
I would use heat on a weekly basis without even thinking about the damage I was causing my curls. I didn’t even know what heat damage was until like five years ago. I remember when the damage really started to really show and I actually almost was glad. Why? Because I thought my hair was straightening out for good. Then, my roots started growing in curly and I was just horrified. The second I started acknowledging that I knew nothing about curly hair, I said to myself: you need to educate myself.I found out what type of curls I had, the porosity of my hair and from there I realized which kind of products to look for.
I started to also go on YouTube and search for tutorials of people with my same hair type so I could know how to do my hair the correct way. I also suggest asking your favorite curly hair inspiration for advice there’s no shame in asking for help. I think I hated my hair for so long because I didn’t know how to do it so I just avoided it instead. So get to reading and learning!
Get a proper haircut
Once you figure out your hair type and porosity, get a proper curly cut that accentuates your face and makes your curls look their best.
I prefer dry cutting curly hair since it allows the stylist to see the hair take natural shape as he or she is trimming it. A good cut is needed, especially if you are transitioning back to natural. Not only will it get rid of the dead and damaged ends, but also promote healthy growth. While transitioning, I had to cut a good amount of hair so I could get a fresh start in my curly hair journey. Do a big chop or gradually cut the dead ends off around every eight weeks if you are not ready to fully let go of your length. Remember, short and healthy hair is better than long and damaged hair.
Find the regimen that works for you
So you started researching and educating yourself about your natural hair. You have a great haircut, too. Now it is time to figure out your unique hair regimen.
Every curly head is different; keep this in mind when looking through YouTube because although a set of products works for some, it may not necessarily work for your curls.
Learn your hair type and porosity to find what will help your hair flourish. The period in which you are trying out new products is a brutal one because you don’t know if your hair will react well with a certain products. I have gone through my fair share of products that clearly didn’t mix well with my curls. Bad hair days were kind of inevitable, but once I found what worked for me it was wonderful. I am always down to try new products of course, but sticking to what works for my hair is comforting and efficient because the results are more or less consistent.
How did you learn to love your hair?
Let me know. Follow me @StyleFeen on IG.
The notion of it being impossible to have bangs when your hair is curly never crossed my mind when I started rocking mine.
Back with a bang
Despite the extra styling time, I actually love having bangs! In the video below, I show you how to achieve the most defined look by sectioning off bangs into smaller sections than you would the rest of your hair when you’re evenly distributing product. You want to finger curl each section after applying product to get this ultra defined look.
Directions
1. Add styling product to your entire head of freshly conditioned hair and section off your bangs.
2. Use plastic clips to further divide your bangs into its natural individual clumps.
3. Finger curl using DevaCurl Supercream and Bounce Curl Light Gel for definition.
3. Take down your sections and diffuse to blend your bangs in with your entire head.
4. Put the back of your hair into a pineapple, leaving your front bangs out.
There are various ways you can rock your own curly bangs, from the side part to the pineapple-fringe combo.Whichever way you choose to wear your bangs depends on you. On short to medium length curly hair, each look is superb for the summer–it’s all about what fits your personality and what you’re looking to achieve that day.
How I rock my curly bangs
Subscribe to my YouTube channel, Style Feen, for more curly hair tutorials.
[prodmod]
My wash day routine consists of 5 products at the moment.
I like to switch it up from time to time, depending on what my hair needs. All of the products I use are free of sulfates, silicones and parabens. Ideally, I like to shampoo my hair once a week and co-wash on the other days (if I feel my hair has a lot of product build-up”>.
#1 Pre-poo
DevaCurl One Condition is a thicker consistency than their one condition decadence milk conditioner so when I have to detangle my hair I opt for this one before shampooing my hair to get rid of stubborn tangles. I lather this on my whole head and comb out my tangles starting from the bottom and work my way up. I sometimes can get away with finger combing if my hair isn’t too tangled.
#2 Low-poo
DevaCurl Low Poo Shampoo is my go to for shampooing my hair without feeling like I’m stripping away my hair’s nutrients. I focus a lot on my scalp to make sure I remove any product build up. The reason why I love this Low Poo Shampoo is because it not only cleanses my hair, it provides maximum moisture and nourishment.
#3 Conditioner
DevaCurl One Condition Decadence Ultra Moisturizing Milk Conditioner is a favorite of mine. I usually leave about 40% of the conditioner to serve as a leave in to keep my hair moisturized. The consistency is very light so even after leaving 40% of it on my hair, it does not weigh my hair down at all. Since my curly hair is low porosity, I can usually get away with having a good amount of products in my hair at once, but it’s important to remember that every curl is different. Do what works for you!
#4 Cream & #5 Creme Gel
DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler in combination with Bounce Curl Light Crème Gel are my must-have styling products. The Supercream has great slip and helps with my frizzy, dry ends. The Bounce Curl holds my curls without a typical gel-like crunch. I section my hair and start from the bottom and work my way up, adding a quarter amount of each product to each section. All of these products smell so good and leave my hair feeling super defined and hydrated.
[prodmod]
Do you have one of these bad habits? Here’s how to stop.
Play nice with your curls–they’ll thank you in the long run.
Angry Detangling
The problem: The real and horrible thing you want to prevent is breakage because you have been working so hard to maintain healthy curls. Detangling should be done with conditioner in your hair in the shower; this makes it much easier to fight those stubborn knots in a gentle way. The solution: Opt to use a wide tooth comb or a brush with wide bristles. The best way to detangle curly hair is to start from the bottom and work your way up like Drake. And if you can, finger detangle; the average head sheds 50 to 100 hairs a day, so don’t be scared if you lose some hair in the process.Hair Touching
The problem: By touching your hair all day all it’s doing is removing moisture we try so hard to obtain. Not to mention all the dirty bacteria our fingertips carry, can you imagine all that transferring over to your hair? Ew!The solution: I know those curls are so irresistible, but try not to touch them so much.
Curl-paring
The problem: Every curl is not made the same and during those bad curl days it’s easy to go on social media and dwell on those beautiful curly goddess we admire so much. Let me ask you something on a bad hair day do you post a selfie of it? No? Same goes for your curly hair inspiration.
The solution: Yeah, I said it. We love to compare our hair with our curly inspiration, stop that! We all have different hair patterns, different hair porosity and different hair journeys. Embrace what is yours and enjoy what you have; your hair regimen is yours and what works for you.
Shampoo Overload
The problem: Guilty, again–I’m a clean freak, I just assume oh I haven’t shampooed my hair in 2 days it’s dirty. Most blogs recommend shampooing once a week. Most shampoos strip your hair of the oils it needs, which can be drying and damaging.
The solution: Opt for co-washing instead in-between your shampoo days. I do suggest a sulfate free shampoo which will definitely help with stripping away important oils your hair has without sacrificing that clean feeling.
Length Over Health
The problem: So you have long curly hair, but it looks like crap? You have the case of the long hair don’t care syndrome. I gotta say, I pride myself in being an extremist when it comes to haircutting. If your hair looks unhealthy, it’s time to trim the ends.
The solution: I’m not saying to chop off all your hair, but when you see your hair is filled with split ends and your ends feel really dry? Chances are you need to CUT IT! Healthy hair triumphs length any day anyways.
This post was written by Hortencia Caires. Follow her on Instagram @StyleFeen
