Show your stylist these photos before going to get a curly cub cut.
Come spring, it seems like everyone is itching to change up their look and start fresh again. There’s something universal about the changing seasons urging us into a new hairstyle, and this spring as the cherry blossoms bloomed, so did an edgy cut: the curly cub. If you aren’t familiar with the style, it’s basically the love child of the traditional bob and the TikTok viral wolf cut. To help you visualize whether or not the trendy cut may be for you, we’ve put together a collection of 15 photos that you can show your stylist.
1. A curly bang forward look for shorter curly styles.
@simply.cie
2. For tigher curls that want some thing a bit different than the TWA.
@joyolameisalon
3. The perfect cut to show of soft waves and curly bangs.
@andy_doesyourhair
4 Lots of layers to show of those amazing golden curls.
@moriahthecurlmender
5. Ciara can pull off any hair style, but we love her rendition of the curl cub cut.
6. This layered short bob really shows off the texture in wavy hair.
@hair.bylisag
7. Beautiful face framing in this just above the shoulder cub cut.
@shagnoirsalon
8. Baby bangs pair so well with a cub cut.
@troycutshair
9. Looks good from every angle.
@esther.itterly
10. This cut compliments their face beautifully!
@mouseybrowne
11. Who needs highlights when your curly cub cut can give you this dimension!
@unconscious_curls
12. This one’s a video, but it’s still enough to be a good option to show your stylist if you have a similar hair type.
13. Sometimes all you need is patience, a fresh cut, and a good stylist to revive your curls.
@florence.hair
14. Mullet + shag + curly hair = this beautiful curly cub cut.
@tinalenoblehair
15. Last but not least, a carousel of curly bobs, including some cub cut options!
@mouseybrowne
So, there you have it – 15 photos of curly cub cuts to show your stylist. This bold and playful hairstyle is perfect for curlies who want to stand out from the crowd and show off their wild side. Make sure to save this page to share with your stylist for inspiration!
Check out: 25 Photos That Will Make You Want Curly Bangs
IMAGE SOURCE
If you have ever gotten your hair colored at the salon then there is a good chance you’ve heard the word “Olaplex” being thrown around whether it’s a treatment or recommendation your stylist makes to add to your product regime. There’s a reason for that.
As a naturalista who loves to color her curls I can say without hesitation that hair dye does a number on your texture, pattern, and overall hair health when not treated properly. Finding the right mix of shampoo, conditioner, and products to give your curls the bounce and moisture they need can be extremely challenging. Every product can say “color safe” or “sulfate free” but you can go through plenty of trial and error to determine which product is actually helping your hair versus hurting it.
What is Olaplex?
Olaplex is a patented system developed by scientists to repair, protect, and strengthen damaged hair regardless of your texture or type. These bottles are filled with liquid gold and are known for their reparative qualities that re-links broken bonds whether you have damaged hair, frizz, colored curls, or split ends. “Olaplex is Insurance for your tresses” says textured hair expert Niki Mackey. “I have seen first hand what this product can do to damaged as well as healthy hair. Olaplex’s game changing products repairs the disulfide bonds in your hair, which give your hair it’s structure, strength and stability; when these bonds break – this is what results in damage. The products work for every hair type and texture.” The short version is that it leaves your hair easier to manage, healthier, stronger, and moisturized. We’re breaking down all the Olaplex products, why people love them, and which hair types they work best with.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 – The Best-Seller
Known as the “Hair Perfector” the original Olaplex is one of the most popular products because it is an at-home treatment that nourishes, strengthens, and repairs hair from the inside out. It is the global best-seller of the brand because it improves the overall look and feel of the hair texture giving it a noticeably healthier appearance. “I use Olaplex on myself and my clients” curl stylist LaQuita Burnett told us, “I perform a lot of color services on my clients, especially blonde. I use Olaplex No. 1 with my color mixture during color service and No. 2 after color is rinsed to protect, repair, and strengthen curls post color treatment. I then recommend taking home care Olaplex No. 3 along with any additional products following No. 3 my client decided to use. Olaplex is definitely a must for healthy curls.”
It can be used 1x-2x a week to help strengthen hair before you shampoo. You can use it all over the hair or on the roots but much like a deep masque, you want to comb it through and leave it on your hair for a minimum of 10 minutes or more. This product is ideal for all curl types and should be used for naturalistas looking to maintain their favorite color treatment between salon visits.
Olaplex No. 4 – The Shampoo That Gives Back
This is a highly reparative and nourishing shampoo that is designed to repair and protect hair from daily stress like frizz, split-ends, damaged hair, and relinking broken bonds. As a sulfate-free shampoo this is a crowd favorite because it will not leave your hair dry and provides great moisture for regular and color treated hair.
Chicago color specialist Rhi Hibionada uses this on her color clients, “when a client sits in my chair, I believe they should have the most luxurious experience. That includes adding an Olaplex treatment to help keep their hair strong and healthy. I specialize in color services only, that being said, I use Olaplex no. 1, no. 2, no. 4 and no. 5. I start off by mixing in Olaplex no. 1 with the color then when the color is rinsed out, my client sits with Olaplex no. 2 for 15-20min. Lastly, they are shampooed and conditioned with Olaplex no. 4 & no. 5.”
Curlies can incorporate this into their weekly wash regimen or use it after they use it with the signature No.3 product. If you’re looking to reduce breakage and incorporate moisture into your curls, this is the product for you!
Olaplex No. 4D – For the Clean Hair & Healthy Scalp
Welcome to the newest edition to the Olaplex family, the NO. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo. The best thing about dry shampoo is that it can make your hair and scalp feel cleaner without the fuss of wash day. As a healthy scalp shampoo it does not clog pores or leave any visibile white residue so your roots aren’t powdery or gritty. It can be easily applied to different sections of your roots between wash days to amplify any style. Current results show that consumers had 100% no white residue, 97% say their hair looked clean, and 97% saw an overall reduction in oil.
Olaplex No. 4P – For the Unbreakable Blondes
The purple shampoo has made a splash and become a staple of the Olaplex family! Whether you’re a natural blonde or not, the concentrated purple shampoo works to cleanse, tone, and repair any hair type or texture from root to ends. The sulfate-free formula creates a rich later which can neutralize the dreaded brassiness that comes with washing your hair. You can look forward to improving brightness in blonde, lightened, and grey hair in just one use.
Olaplex No. 4C – For Removing the Buildup
Don’t you hate when your hair becomes dull, discolored, dry, and unmanageable due to hair damage? The No 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo helps to optimize your hair repair by removing impurities that can leave your hair brittle and straw like. Your hair will love the airy volume, softness, restored shine, and vibrant color clarity. If your scalp is in need of a deep clean, this is the shampoo for you.
Olaplex No.5 – Say Goodbye To Frizz
The No.5 is the perfect pair to the shampoo because it’s a nourishing conditioner aimed to keep hair healthy, shiny, and strong. Known for being an ultra-hydrating conditioner, this is an excellent remedy for frizz and infusing moisture into your thirsty strands. For those of us with super dry ends and damaged hair, this is your best friend. One of the benefits of this conditioner is that it is lightweight and doesn’t require a heavy handful.It can be applied daily and should be washed out as it is not leave-in conditioner and should be used by slowly working it’s way up from the ends to root.
Olaplex No.6 – The Leave-In Conditioner
Finally a leave-in we can fall in with. The No. 6 separates itself from the average leave-in conditioner because it is designed with curls in mind. Hydration and moisture are the staples of this product that can eliminate frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours. It adds weightless nourishment while protecting and defining your curls just the way you like it. If you have chemically treated or color treated hair this can greatly improve your hair health and can be used on dry or damp curls. It is recommended to be applied from mid-length down to your ends and combed through generously.
Olaplex No.7 – The Big Finish
An oil that is a step above the rest. The No. 7 is the Bonding Oil that can be applied for extra gloss and shine. The product is highly concentrated, lightweight, reparative, and can be used for all hair types and textures. Just a few drops can drastically change the appearance of dull, dry curls, and it can be applied to wet or dry hair at any time. If you also like to straighten your hair this is an oil that can also provide heat protection which is vital to preserving your hair health when applying large amounts of heat.
Olaplex No.8 – Time to Mask Up
This bond intense moisture mask is the latest and greatest edition to the lineup and debuted this past year to stellar reviews. As a “multi-benefit” reparative mask this product works to shine and smooth hair that has been damaged by heat. It has been clinically tested to treat all hair types and is recommend to be used weekly as part of your regular hair routine. “Six of [the] eight products are available for shoppers to use at home,” says stylist Nicki Mackey, “Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector and Olaplex No 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask are both my top leave in treatments for home. You can mix and match based on your individual hair needs. Give your hair the TLC it needs and watch it transform!”
Olaplex No. 9 – When It’s Time for Nourishment
Knots, tangles, and dull hair does not stand a chance with the No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum. Heat damage and pollution can contribute to your overall hair health. Olaplex is ensuring you can protect your hair from daily damage with this weightless leave-in serum to help shield hair from pollution and up to 450 degrees of heat. It can be incorporated as a serum on your wash days to improve shine, softness, and bring the bounce back to your curls.
Have you tried Olaplex on your curls? Let us know how it works for you in the comments!
This article has been updated with newly released products and links.
Prom nights are meant to be a night for showing off your individual sense of style, and what better way to demonstrate individuality than to show off your unique texture? Save these prom hairstyles for natural hair if you’re ready to celebrate your natural hair instead of wearing the same straightened updo (no offense to straightened updos–we love a good blow-out now and again!). Thankfully, the high school seniors and juniors of this generation no longer have to settle for straightening their curly hair to oblivion in an effort to look more “formal” and “presentable.”
Ahead you’ll find a bunch of prom hairstyle ideas for natural textured and curly hair that you just might want to save for your upcoming prom (and all the after parties).
Fluffy Low-Pony Hairstyle
If your hair happens to be particularly frizzy in the hours before you leave for prom, our advice is: just go with it. This low pony is intentionally fluffy and frizzy, and you can always style your edges to your liking. You’ll have your classmates convinced you just stepped off the runway straight into the school gym.
Bubble Braids
We love the incredible shapes natural hair can make. If you’re into the bubble pony, try out this bubble braids style–you can see the tutorial here.
Pixie Curls
Contrary to what you might think, pixies can do a lot! You can mold your hair into different swirls and shapes with your favorite mousse or gel and immediately look prom-ready.
Faux Bob for Locs
We couldn’t leave locs out of this roundup. You can easily create a bob effect without cutting a single loc. Wrap the ends up to your desired length for an elegant and face-framing “cut.” You can even get creative and make it slightly asymmetrical.
Half-Up Half-Down With Palm Tree Pony
Curlies with more hair to work with can pull off this “Coming to America” inspired style. Use hair ties to create as much height as you like on the ponytail (more hair ties = more height) and fluff out the hair to get as much volume as possible. Frizz is your friend for this look.
Elegant Claw-Clip
When we look back at our favorite styles of 2023 next year, there’s no way the claw-clip styles aren’t making the top of that list. These styles are usually considered casual, but the height this claw-clip gives here is gorgeous–and totally formal-appropriate. Include decorative clips and pins to bring the look full circle.
Braids Galore
If you’re looking to incorporate braids into your final look, but you don’t quite have time for box braids and cornrows, take a look at this braided ponytail. Section your hair off with rubber bands as shown here, braid the front of your hair to frame the face, and add a faux braided ponytail to finish it off.
Half-Bun on Gentle Waves
@leesondra_
For all the wavy girls out there, or anyone looking for subtle texture–we see you too. Try this slightly wavy half-bun style.
Stacked Bun
@naturally.nish
This updo looks regal and takes minimal effort. It can work beautifully with all hair textures, but especially for type 4. Take a peek at the tutorial for this here.
Minimalist Middle Part
Hair stylist Amanda Guido says that when styling curly hair, the curls are the style. And we couldn’t agree more. For the girls who like to just keep things simple and let their natural curls do the work, try this simple style to frame the face.
Twisted Double Puffs
This style is a bit more fun and playful–but still super eye-catching. And if you’d prefer not to braid, flat twists like these may be a better option. Another benefit of this style is that it can be done on short curls, as shown here.
Bantu Knot Crown
@nikethegawdess
If you already have braids installed, half the styling battle is already over. You can try styles like this bantu knot crown for formal occasions like prom–and can we also take time to just appreciate this vibrant blond color?
Twisted Stitch Bun
@melissa_nerovique
You’ve seen stitch braids, but what about stitch flat twists? Gather the twists at the nape of the neck for the classic low bun effect, with a bit more flavor.
Bring back the 2000s with these Y2K braids for all textured hair types.
From TV show reboots to bedazzler machines, 2000’s nostalgia is having a huge moment right now, including trending Y2K braided hairstyles. One of the most iconic aspects of Y2K style was the hairstyles, so if you’re ready to reject minimalism in favor of bright colored braids and kitschy hair accessories, now is your time to shine. I’ve rounded up 18 Y2K braids that will take you back to the future.
1. Micro Braids
Tiny braids that are tightly woven are a Y2K staple. This hairstyle can take several hours to complete, and just as many to take out, but the Moesha style results are worth it.
2. Beaded Cornrows
Cornrows are a timeless classic and are perfect for those who want a low-maintenance style that lasts. Adding beads give the look a kitschy style that exudes Y2K.
3. Box Braids with Money Piece
Like cornrows, box braids are a classic protective style that’s been worn for generations. They are versatile and can be styled in many ways, but to achieve that Y2K edge, try adding a different color at the front parts of your hair.
4. Space Bun with Baby Braids
Space buns with a Y2K twist. Part your hair into three sections at the front, two for braids and one for fringe. You can put the rest of your hair into space buns, or leave some out for a half-up half-down look.
5. Three Space Buns
The three space bun look with box braids feels reminiscent of the millennial cult classic “Zenon.” You can try this style with or without box braids.
6. Bun and Baby Braids
All you need to do for this Y2K masterpiece is leave out two sections of hair from your curly bun and part down the middle. Then, take out an additional piece of hair from the back of each section and braid it all the way down.
7. Half-up Half-down and Baby Braids
Similar to the look above, but rather than putting all of your hair up, leave half of it down for a beachy look. Try curly-clip in extension if you want extra volume and length.
8. Butterfly Clips
Millennials, you know what’s going on! Butterfly clips are having a comeback moment and I couldn’t be happier about it. To achieve an effortlessly whimsical Y2K style with butterfly clips, try clipping them throughout your hair and adding two loose braids towards the center of your hair.
9. Box Braids with Layers
Like regular box braids, but cut the front pieces shorter to frame your face shape. To pull the look together, don’t forget the essential 2000’s staple, beaded bottoms.
10. Fishtail braid Ponytail
Mix two classic looks together for this look: the Sade slicked back ponytail and a fishtail braid. The braid involves weaving two sections of hair together to create a fishbone effect. Add extensions for a longer braid as needed.
11. Fishtail Braid Crown and ZigZag part
ZigZag parts are a Y2K staple. Add a fishtail braid at the crown of your head to elevate the look.
12. Two Braids with ZigZag Part
Start with a zigzag part down the center of your scalp, and braid your hair into two sections, adding in braiding hair for extra length and volume.
13. Half-up Half-down Pigtails with Box Braids
Getting creative with your protective style makes the investment even more worth it. Try putting your braids into two pigtail buns, and leaving out hair at the front for a side part Y2K look.
14. Claw Updo with Braids
This look works best if you have a layered haircut and can leave some fringe bangs (or braids) out of the claw clip in the back + some hair at the bottom for a more voluminous look. https://www.tiktok.com/@zahrahsroom/video/7013801976743890182?q=y2k%20braid%20hairstyles&t=1682618970820
15. Pigtail Buns with Fringe Braids
Similar to the look above, you’ll need to leave some hair out for the fringe to frame your face. All that’s left is putting your hair into two even sections and a simple bun, leaving the ends out to create the classic spiky Y2K look.
16. Half-Up Bun and Four Baby Braids
The half-up bun is a timeless hairstyle giving the half-up pony a run for it’s money. Simply leave out a section at the front of your hair for four baby braids to frame your face.
17. French Curl Braids
If you’ve been wanting to try out the trending french curl braids, here’s a Y2K style that pairs perfectly with the protective style.
18. Box Braid Space Buns with Butterfly Clips and Fringe
A truly maximalist style to top off the list. This look mixes several Y2K hairstyles together: butterfly clips, space buns, and fringe bangs.
The early 2000’s were a time of flip phones, low-rise jeans, and of course, some of the most iconic hairstyles of all time. And while flip phones haven’t quite made their return to popular culture *yet*, with celebrities like Marsai Martin, Bella Hadid, Doja Cat, and Zoë Kravitz all dawning Y2K hairstyles in 2023, I think zig-zag parts, spiky space buns, and fringe baby braids are here to stay.
Let us know if you try any of these styles, and be sure to tag @NaturallyCurly on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
Image: @love_brittanyneal
In my effort to grow out my natural hair, I decided to get some medium-sized box braids. Since they weren’t cheap—they were done really well but still, not cheap—I also decided to go all out and get them past my bra strap. When I tell you that they had me looking super cute?! Girl, I must say so myself!
My braids looked so good that I got them done twice, back-to-back. Each time, they stayed in for about seven weeks or so and, not one day went by when someone didn’t compliment me on them. Also, folks had a consistent look of shock if they asked me how long they had been in and I said more than a month. “Wow! They look like you just got them done” was the consistent response. My reply was usually along the lines of, “When you’re spending a couple of hundred bucks a pop, you want them to last for as long as possible.”
Currently, my braids are out but that’s only to give my hair a bit of a break. My appointment to get them back in a couple of weeks has already been made. And since I’ve gotten back into the saddle of box braid maintenance, I wanted to share with you what I’ve discovered has kept my braids looking fresh and new—no matter how long it may have been since they were first installed.
1. Style with care
Your braids are killin’ the game and yes, there is nothing like being able to pull all of them up into a ponytail, look fly and go on about your day. But just like your natural hair can experience wear and tear, so can your braids. If you are rough with them, that can create those ugly fly-aways (more on that in a sec). Or, if some of your hair is on the shorter side (like the nape of your neck”, you could end up pulling them—and sometimes your own hair—out. That’s why, even if you do have extensions, it’s important to style them with extreme care. Watch your nails. Make sure that all bobby pins and ponytail holders have a protective coating on them. And always use your fingers to style; styling tools will just pull the braids a part…strand by strand.
2. Trim fly-aways
I’m not sure if people still use lighters to “seal” the ends of their braided hair. My stylist uses water. And as far as the fly-aways, she removes those with a pair of scissors. Once I get home, in order to get any additional fly-aways under control, I use the shears that I have too. The key is to make sure that you know where your natural hair ends and where the extensions begin. Otherwise, what you’ll end up doing is cutting your natural hair in the process, which, I’m assuming, totally defeats a part of the reason why you got box braids in the first place…right?
3. Use water-based mousse
Because we discuss all things curly-haired on this site, we’ve done quite a few features on mousse before (you can check a couple of ‘em out here and here). I’m bringing them up because if your braids have gotten to the point where your fly-aways have gotten under control and you’re honestly not sure what is your hair and what isn’t, something else that you can do is apply some mousse to your braids, pull them back in a low ponytail and tie them down with a silk or satin scarf. In about an hour, they will be looking fresh and smooth again. Just make sure that the mouse is water-based (to reduce build-up) and that you apply a little grapeseed or jojoba oil to your hair once you take your scarf off. Otherwise, you could end up having a white, flaky mess on your hands—and hair.
4. Pamper your edges
Here’s something to keep in mind. If you’re going to a braider who is really good at what they do, you shouldn’t leave the shop feeling like you’ve just experienced a round of Botox shots topped with a triple-strength migraine. In other words, good braiders can “catch your hair” without you feeling like it’s all being pulled out. At the same time, pulling on hair is pulling on hair, so it’s important that you pamper your edges. Apply a little coconut oil on them and, if you want to lay your edges do, make sure the product you use is alcohol-free and that you don’t apply the product every single day.
5. Spritz your scalp
Some people wash their box braids just as much as they do when they don’t have them. But usually what I do is focus more on my scalp than anything else. Typically, if I put some witch hazel (which is a powerful astringent), some tea tree oil (which contains properties that kills fungus bacteria and yeast) and some lavender oil (it soothes the scalp and fights dandruff, dry scalp and flaking) into a bottle that is filled up half way with distilled water and spray it onto my scalp when it’s itchy or irritated, that gets the job done. “Done” when it comes to reducing flakes and soothing my scalp without risking that my natural hair will frizz up by washing it. (Bonus tip: If you put a little grapeseed oil and distilled water into another spray bottle, it can add sheen to both your scalp as well as your braids.)
6. Wrap it up at night
Yes, your braids are fabulous. But they are also still hair. Your extensions will only fray more when the friction of your bedding hits them, and you’re in for some pretty puffy roots once your new growth comes in. Something that can significantly reduce both of these things is tying your hair down at night. Whenever I have braids in my hair, a big silk or satin scarf is my saving grace when it comes to keeping my hair intact.
7. Re-touch the front in-between times
Let’s be real. Pretty much all that people see of our braids is the perimeter—front, sides and back. So, if you’re someone who has “old-looking braids” by week three (hey, it happens), buy yourself some more time (and money) by only getting the perimeter redone. Your braids will look like you got all of them installed again, it’s cheaper than paying for your entire head, and you can keep the others in for another month or so before it’s time to take your braids down. #brilliant
Check out these braided looks, too!
Coachella marked the start of festival season, and on top of giving us the return of Frank Ocean and Zendaya on stage, we also witnessed enough bold and whimsical hair inspiration to last through the year. From baby fringe braids to bedazzled hair accessories, it’s safe to say festival hairstyles have moved past viral TikTok status and are here to stay. Festival hair trends are everywhere, but finding tutorials and styles that work with your natural hair texture can be a challenge. Whether you are planning to attend a festival soon or just want to try some new styles out this season, here are easy festival hairstyles you can try on curly and textured hair.
Hair Accessories for Festivals
One of the easiest ways to incorporate festival inspiration into a style is by using hair accessories. For a trendy Y2K look, try a fluffy bucket hat over a protective style or multicolored hair clips all over your picked out hair. For a bold and ethereal look, try out pearled or bedazzled edges or the blinger hair tool with a slicked back side-part.
Here are some tutorials to get you started.
1. Blinger Hair Tool
2. Bedazzled Edges
3. Pearl Accessories
4. Barrette Braids
5. Bucket Hat Curly Hairstyles
Temporary Hair Color for Festivals
Dying your hair for a festival is a big commitment, luckily there are brands that have found that niche market of people that fantasize about fantasy hair colors, but only for a short-period of time (me included). If you’re looking to change up your colors temporarily and maintain the health of your hair, here are a few options to achieve festival hair quickly.
6. OverTone
7. Metallic Silver Hair Wax
8. Glitter Hair Spray
9. Tinted Red Hair with Manic Panic
Protective Styles
The ease and longwear of protective styles make them the perfect candidates for festival hair. If you’re short on time or on a budget, these are quick and simple protective style options you can try at home.
10. PixiStics Fantasy Color Extensions
11. Partial Bantu Knots
12. Curly Hair Clip-Ins with front Braid
13. Feed-In French Braids with a Pop of Color
Festival season is the perfect opportunity to use your hair to express your individuality. And with so many effortlessly fun trends, you could experiment with a new version of you every week! Let us know what curly festival styles you’re trying out this season, and be sure to tag NaturallyCurly on Instagram for a chance to be featured!
Check out: 21 Braided Hairstyles You Need to Try Next
Image: @indiabatson
Finding the right combination of hold, texture, scent, and anti-frizz magic is a challenge for those with wavy hair. How do you find products that don’t just weigh down your waves?
If you don’t already live by the beach, there are other ways to create that natural windswept look.
We’ve collected our top 9 refresher mists for wavy hair. Whether you’re trying to prolong your waves between washes or need a post-workout refresh, try one of these sprays:
1. Jessicurl Awe Inspiraling Spray
If it’s a second-day spray you’re after, Jessicurl Awe Inspiraling Spray is available in Island Fantasy, Citrus Lavender, and “No Fragrance” varieties. Spray directly onto hair or spray into your hands and scrunch to revitalize your waves.
2. PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Mist Spray Bottle
Many Type 2 Wavies refresh their waves with water alone – but the bottle can make a difference. This continuous mist spray bottle creates a fine mist to lightly refresh your waves between washes. Another option is to refresh with water in the form of steam, either from the shower or a hair or facial steamer.
3. Alex Anthony Curl System Morning After Dry Shampoo
This unique product is the only dry shampoo on our list. With a great scent and special lightweight formula, Alex Anthony Curl System Morning After Dry Shampoo is a great option for post-workout or post-wash day restyling.
4. Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Beach Mist
Curl Keeper’s Beach Mist is focused on delivering moisture to your limp locks. Brewed from Pink Himalayan Crystal Salts, this product is like “a blast of ocean air” to your hair.
5. Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
This antioxidant-rich, multipurpose leave-in conditioning spray helps protect against heat damage while combating frizz and promoting softness and manageability.
6. Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray
This spray adds volume to wavy hair with clarifying agents that absorb oil to prolong time between wash days. With immediate results and long-term thickness benefits, this product will give your waves a revamp while delivering key nutrients to your hair.
7. Verb Sea Spray
Verb Sea Spray will give you volumized, windswept waves while maintaining a light and dry texture all over. In addition, this product is paraben, sulfate, and gluten free.
8. Raw Curls Anti-Frizz Spray
This was voted Best Refresher for Type 2 Waves by the NaturallyCurly community. This silicone-free anti-frizz spray helps prevent halo frizz in between wash days.
9. Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
If you are on the curlier end of the Type 2 spectrum with Type 2C waves, check out the Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray. India Batson (pictured above) shared this as one of her Holy Grail products and the NaturallyCurly community agrees, as it’s been awarded a Best of the Best Award for Best Refresher.
Looking for more products for wavy hair? Check out our top wavy hair products!
This article has been updated with new links and products.
Let us introduce the newest haircare line that hit the market in February 2023, UZIMA, which means ‘Full of Life’ in Swahili. ‘Hair is Life’ draws the connection between the nonlinear nature of life and the nonlinear nature (aka not straight) of coily, kinky, and curly hair, both in their look, and the journey we go through in learning to care for our hair. UZIMA is THE FIRST prestige hair care brand to bring the clean, modern, multidimensional scalp and strand care to textured hair. Designed to empower those with coily, kinky, and curly hair, UZIMA offers elevated haircare and educates them on how to care for these specific hair types.
We spoke with Leona Dondi, the brand’s Founder and CEO, who spent years blending extensive research background with cosmetic biotech to create a brand focused on the multi-dimensional scalp and strand care. UZIMA products are safe, sustainable, and formulated with effective botanicals to help coily, kinky, and curly hair thrive.
The UZIMA hair care system is composed of four products: USAWA – a hair essence), UNYEVU – a leave-in conditioner, UKUAJI – a scalp serum; and NISHATI – a nourishing hair oil. UZIMA will teach you to properly nourish, clean, and care for your textured hair and scalp by providing detailed step-by-step instructions for each product.
What was the relationship with your hair growing up?
So I had natural hair from birth until I was about 8. I remember my dad doing my hair in the morning before school, and I hated it. I dreaded my mom hot combing my hair every Sunday before church. I’m super tender-headed, especially when I was younger, so I never really enjoyed getting my hair done at any point. My Mom had relaxed hair, and we would go with her sometimes to the salon, and my sister and I would get our hair braided, which required blow drying and braiding. I still also hated that experience. But it wasn’t really about my hair; it was about how painful it was to get it done.
Fast forward to college, my junior college, and in 2006, I started transitioning to natural hair. The only two forums we’re talking about natural hair were NaturallyCurly.com and another I can’t remember, which gave me more confidence to start over. I just started taking care of my hair without being relaxed and noticed it would grow slowly. I began looking to find out what other women were talking about as the natural movement was gaining ground, and, you know, getting product recommendations were instrumental in feeling like I could take care of my hair because no one taught me how to take care.
How did you break into the haircare industry?
If you asked me 15 years ago, it wasn’t even an idea in my mind to make a brand. I started making hair care products because I was allergic to castor oil. I was getting painful irritation, and I couldn’t understand why, so I tried all sorts of other products, and if they had castor oil, I would have irritation. I tried making my products without castor oil from different regions, organic, etc., but it would not work. I started making my products, beginning with body care products, because I had already ventured into this DIY formulation.
I started reading cosmetic chemistry books, patent information, and researching different hair care products and manufacturers. I needed to learn how product ingredients work and what works together, and that’s how I started my foray into formulating. There were two blogs in Europe, one in France and one in Germany, that were also instrumental in my journey, especially with regards to homemade cosmetics that are more natural because even at the time in the US, where we were buying ingredients, our suppliers weren’t. I generally love formulating and thinking about how to design a product and the problem I must solve. It’s just part of my creative process.
Who inspired or influenced your approach to haircare?
I always loved even though I was allergic to Mielle Organics. I always loved their marketing, rollout, colors, and the way they mix their products. There are several brands. Many of them that are not even in hair care that I admire that I’ve recently begun to follow. What inspired the hair care brand as it is today was my trip to Korea in 2018 which solidified this idea of feeling. This white space that I observed so in Korean skincare is like; it’s like breathing in Korea. It’s so intense and intentional, and everyone is part of it. Everyone ascribes to it, and there’s so much about the kind of attention and care brought to skin care. And I just kind of wondered why?
We don’t do that for hair at all, so I came home and was super inspired. Could I build a product that brought something different to the marketplace that focused on how we care for our scalps? And when I did market research in 2020, I was kind of locked in the idea because one of the findings from that research was that Black women are not thinking about themselves in any meaningful way.
How does your branding reflect your culture?
It’s an enormous credit to my design and marketing team, who helped to bring this to life. Our brand colors are pan-African colors, and so you’ll see those reflected in the pattern that we chose, which is an African-based pattern. This also reflects Kenya, and I thought these colors were fitting because I wanted to address all of us, everywhere, who have textured hair and have struggled to take care of it and love ourselves. I wanted the branding to reflect blackness’s power, uniqueness, and multidimensional aspect.
I wanted to reflect that back to my target audience, so when my designer mentioned black and gold in our redesign because we did have this as the 2nd version of our product packaging, it felt perfect. Black and gold signify an ultimate luxurious experience and are sprinkled with colors reflecting our culture, struggle, and determination. I thought that those two things would elevate the hair care experience and raise expectations of Black women about what’s possible in hair care. We deserve luxurious hair products that do more for hair, and the intention behind this brand is to bring exactly.
Can you describe the plant-based biotechnology that went into creating your products?
Biotech is such an exciting space, especially right now when it comes to cosmetics. Biotechnology gives us kombucha solid ale, bread, wine, and beer in food. Biotech is what’s going to help us move toward a more sustainable future. We get these ingredients from biotech that are generally less demanding of our planet. Biotech involves amplifying an ingredient, so we are strengthening specific parts of that plant to produce byproducts that are helpful to the skin and the hair. They have smaller molecules because you’re breaking down the enzymes within the plant, and then they are more efficacious, bringing more nutrition. The ingredients that we’re we’re using are fermented rice, passion fruit seeds, plant stem cells, peptides, and growth factors.
Which product would be the best to try for first-time users?
I would recommend that first-time users want a product that’s easy to fit into their current routine. Most people use some kind of leave-in conditioner, and our UNYEVU LIGHTWEIGHT SILK LEAVE-IN. It’s rich, but it’s lightweight, so it’s not going to be greasy, and it’s not going to leave a heavy residue on your hair, but it’s going to moisturize, soften, and help fight offers dehydration. It contains snow mushroom, which is the first time this ingredient is being used in a product for textured hair, and our innovative blend of both low and high molecular weight. It will deeply hydrate, so it will penetrate the hair with the smaller molecules, the lower molecular, and then the higher molecular weight, forming a film over your hair.
How did your approach to sustainability influence the packaging?
In thinking about sustainability, I’m considering how something comes into existence and how it ends its life after the customer has used it. Are the people picking it for the manufacturer working in safe conditions with fair incomes? Is the manufacturer contributing positively to the improvement of life and protecting biodiversity? These are the questions I think of when I’m thinking about OK, how do I pick which ingredients I want to use for packaging?
Globally, we have a huge plastic problem, but at the same time, some things only come in plastic at the moment and not all plastic is recyclable. My goal with UZIMA was to try and move away from plastics to single-use plastics, which led us to pick aluminum. The leave-in conditioner and the essence because it’s lighter, has a larger volume, and is infinitely recyclable. It’s a good way to lower our footprint and pass that on to our customers. And then we also chose lightweight glass, so it’s easier or lighter to transport and is gentler on the environment.
Did you know that stress, that seemingly natural response to something challenging, can have an adverse effect on your hair? Yes, stress can cause you to experience hair loss, among other problems. Learn more about what stress does to hair and how you can combat it.
Different Types of Stress Levels that Can Affect Your Hair
The following are types of stress levels that can cause hair problems and they include:
1. Telogen Effluvium
This is a condition where the hair falls out as a result of extreme stress, weight loss, and poor diet, among other factors. It begins with the hair becoming weak, followed by abnormal shedding, and thinning. If you’re suffering from telogen effluvium, you’ll notice that when you brush or wash your hair, more hair falls out than normal, at an alarming rate. You’ll also notice that your hair looks and feels thinner than it should be.
This, however, is temporary and the hair usually grows back after some months.
2. Alopecia Areata
This is a hair condition that occurs when the hair falls out in small patches, leaving random spots of baldness on the scalp. Alopecia areata is a common hair condition that affects millions of people all over the world, gender and age regardless (although it is rare in newborns and infants). Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s immune system mistakes the hair follicles for foreign invaders and attacks them. While scientists and researchers are yet to discover the exact reason for this, stress is attributed to be one of the potential contributing factors to the condition.
Although this has no known cure, it can be treated and this will be discussed later on in this article.
Read more: What You Need To Know About Temporary And Permanent Hair Loss
3. Trichotillomania
This is a mental/physiological disorder that causes a person to pull out their hair from the scalp. When a person does this, they leave bald patches on their scalp. Chronic stress can cause a person to suffer from trichotillomania.
Lean more: What is Trichotillomania? Two Women Share their Honest Experiences with Hair Pulling
Ways Stress Can Affect Your Hair and How to Combat Them
1. Hair Loss
As has been discussed above, extreme stress can cause you to experience certain conditions that lead to hair loss. Telogen effluvium usually goes away on its own after a few months but you can speed up the process by seeking the help of a professional (trichologist or a doctor). Together, you both can identify the underlying cause(s) of this condition which could be poor diet, harsh hair treatments, and mental strain as a result of circumstances, among others.
To treat trichotillomania, you’ll need to work with a medical professional for medications and therapy. The major therapies used for treating trichotillomania are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and habit reversal therapy (HRT).
For alopecia areata, as has been stated already, sadly, there is no known cure. However, medications and therapy can be used to manage the condition. It is best to consult with a professional.
2. Overproduction of Sebum
Extreme stress can cause your scalp to produce more oil (sebum) than is necessary, leading to seborrheic dermatitis such as itching, flaking, dandruff, and even acne. You can deal with this by practicing relaxation techniques and using products specifically formulated for dealing with seborrheic dermatitis.
3. Premature Graying
While genetics can be a major contributing factor when it comes to premature graying, high levels of stress can also trigger it. According to [this 2022 study](https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/04/how-stress-causes-gray-hair#:~:text=A new study shows that,pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.), stress can cause premature graying in people. However, the good news is it can be reversed. In the course of their study, the researchers discovered that when a sufferer took a vacation, their hair color was restored to its original one. If you suffer from premature graying, you should identify and eliminate the cause of your stress. You should also seek professional help as you may need to take medication and modify/change your diet.
4. Dull-looking Hair
Stress can result in a reduction of blood flow to the scalp which in turn can lead to dull-looking and lifeless hair. If you suffer from this, you can combat it by eliminating your stressors and then using hair products such as hair masks, to restore its shine.
5. Slow Growth
Stress can slow the process of hair growth in a person, thus resulting in shorter hair length. If you notice that your hair remains at a particular length for a period longer than usual, and you’re going through stress, then you should know that the stress is the root cause. You can treat this by massaging your scalp to increase blood flow, eat healthily, and also deal with the factors that contribute to your stress.
Check out more tips to improve your length retention.
6. Thinning Hair/Hair Breakage
Chronic stress can cause your hair to become weak, leading to split ends, thinning hair, and hair breakage. If you’ve noticed this, the best thing to do is speak with a professional. You may be given medication or supplements and also guided to modify your lifestyle. Furthermore, you may need to get hair products that help to combat these problems.
Emotional and mental strain can cause hormonal imbalance which in turn leads to hair problems. If you suspect that stress is to blame for your hair problems, then you should seek professional help as soon as possible. Stress can be managed and some of your hair problems can be reversed, you just need to take the right action.
The sooner you get a handle on how to manage curly hair without losing your mind, the happier and healthier you, your child, and their hair is going to be. I reached out to some curly haired moms to share some of their advice/tips on how they care for their child’s curly hair and some of the biggest challenges they face as a mom to hopefully help other mamas out there caring for their curly kids hair a lot less stressful.
Amanda
Our first mom to share her tips is Amanda @mandapanda_xo
What are the biggest challenges you face as a mom?
The biggest challenge I think I have faced so far as a mom has been balancing work and mommy life. I’m sure many can relate to me when I say sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day, and you wish you had more time with your child. However, I try to remind myself that I do it ALL for her.
What are your top tips on caring for your baby’s curly hair?
The greatest tips I have for caring for curly babies hair is keep it moisturized and make sure to deal with any bad tangles right away. Keeping their hair moisturized will help keep tangles to a minimum in the first place, especially because they’re so active and, of course, not worrying about keeping their hair cute for days lol. If they do get tangles easily like my Bella does because her curls love to “hug,” then dealing with those tangles right away (especially since I don’t wash her hair everyday), make wash day much easier for us.
Image Source: mandapanda_xo
What products and techniques do you recommend for kids’ curls?
My holy grail products for her right now are the Just for Me Curl Peace line. I love every single product from this line, and they smell so good. Her curls spring up so well when I use their Wonder spray and slime styler. Also, Righteous Roots Pre-poo is a staple product for us, and I’ve been using it on her since she was a newborn with cradle cap! Therefore this works great for cradle cap and tangles.
Do you prefer to share products or use a “kids line” on the kids?
I don’t mind sharing maybe a leave-in or cream that can work for us both, but I am very cautious of the ingredients it may contain. For example, Honey Baby naturals leave-in has worked great for us as it’s a family-friendly hair care line, as well as Bounce Curl Clump & Define Cream, (making sure to use a very small amount on her hair because it is quite potent.”>
Cute and easy hairstyles to try?
I try to keep it super simple with her hair right now. I love doing two little ponytails or puffs on her hair, especially when I know we’re just going out shopping or to run errands together.
Eva’s Mom, Ericka
Next, we have Eva’s mom, Ericka @peytonspace. Here’s what she had to say.
Having a child with thick, long curly natural hair can have its challenges. My biggest challenge with my daughter Eva’s hair was how to detangle without the tears. The more her hair grew, the harder it was to detangle.
I had to find a technique and a pain-free way that worked for us both. Of course, with trial and error, I found what works. I use the Righteous Roots pre-poo and the EZ detangling brush (which is amazing for this process”>, and in less than 15 minutes, her detangled free hair is ready for wash day. The products I use on her hair is the Shea Moisture Low Porosity line. I found that this works very well with her hair. Eva’s hair is protein sensitive, so when I found out about this line, I was elated. I also use Righteous Roots Oils to seal in the moisture and for scalp massages every other night.
Eva and I have the same porosity and use the same products. I remember using the Shea Moisture kids line and Curly Kids when she was about 2 years old. Those products helped a lot because they did keep her hair at that time healthy and strong. As she got older, her texture changed, so the products had to change. I learned a lot through the natural hair community, and I’m so glad there is a platform for us natural curlies to help and guide each other.
Our go-to style is the two-strand twist. Eva finds that it’s quick and easy to do, especially on wash day. Other styles we adore are simple box braids, single high bun, two ponytail buns, fro out, or a mega puff. Eva will tell you in a heartbeat that her hair is magical because there are so many different styles she can choose from.
Our top wash day hair essentials are: Righteous Roots pre-poo, EZ detangling brush, plastic cap, and our heated thermal cap if we do any deep conditioning. To sleep, Eva wears her eboni curls bonnet that she absolutely adores and helps keep the moisture in her hair while she sleeps. We have come such a long way with hair care routines/techniques. I give thanks to the natural hair community, which I find to be supportive and helpful in so many ways. I’m grateful for them all.
Megan, Mom of Two
Next, we have Megan @wavycurlychronicles. Here’s how she takes care of her two beautiful girls.
Image Source:@wavycurlychronicles
The biggest challenge I’ve faced with having curly kids is learning the needs of their hair texture because they are quite different from mine. In the beginning, I made the mistake of using the same products and techniques on myself and them, without fully understanding how different textures have different needs. A friend with similar hair as my daughters reached out and helped me modify their hair care regimen.
My biggest tip to any parent with curly kids is to take them to a curly hair specialist who specializes in their texture. After getting advice from my friend, I found a hair stylist whose portfolio was full of transformations with similar textures to my oldest daughter. I carefully watched her wash and style my daughter’s hair, even videotaped some of it for reference. This was a total game changer for me in properly caring for her hair.
While I’ve used some great kid-friendly lines on my children – Moptop kids line and Kinder Curls line by Curlkeeper – I’ve also used some of my own personal favorite lines on them: Jessicurl and Bouncecurl. Just as I try to keep my own regimen quite simple, I also keep their lineup simple. I typically do not layer products, usually just a moisturizing leave-in or cream followed by a gel to seal in the moisture and hold the curls. Our go-to combo is Bouncecurl Clump and Define Cream, followed by Kinky Curly Curling Custard.
Both girls prefer to wear their hair up for school and sports, so we use the Puff Cuff to keep their hair up, which prevents breakage and excessive pulling on the hair/scalp. My youngest sometimes requests braids or pigtails, and it’s important to be mindful that pulling the hair too tight can cause breakage and/or damage to the hair line. Gentleness is key! If they wear their hair down, I style it by sectioning their hair and raking in their leave in or cream and Gel. I keep a spray bottle with water handy to keep the hair saturated as we go, which helps prevent frizz and keeps the hair hydrated.
Wash day essentials for my kids include Righteous Roots Pre Poo (helps with detangling and conditioning”>, a gentle shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, flexi brush for easy detangling, a tee-shirt towel, hooded dryer, and puff cuff.
Vivian
Up next is Vivian @naomanerette.
One of my biggest challenges with my curly lil one is the all dreading “Bed Head.” I, too, had the same issue as I lived to sleep with my hair free at night in an attempt to look like a never-ending snack for the hubby (haha) but short-lived due to the dry and brittle nest that formed throughout the night.
My lil one seems to suffer the same issue… of course not for the same reason. I’ve tried the satin caps, but they always end up on the other side of her crib by morning. Twisting her hair at night works, but sometimes I’m just too tired, and she’s not always cooperating. So the next step is the Satin sheet! Thanks to my sister’s suggestion… why didn’t I think of that?!?
I like to use Righteous Roots Oils along with Camille Rose Sweet Pudding in her hair. Righteous Roots really helps to detangle and contribute to her hair growth. Parting and Twisting her hair works wonders and keeps her curl pattern strong.
I love to let her curls shine through and just add a cute bow or head wrap after defining her curls with the Camille rose sweet pudding. I also love doing several twists with different colored neon rubber bands.
On wash days, I have Shea moisture oat milk and rice water shampoo, and of course, I have my Righteous Roots handy to help with detangling. I usually wash her hair every three to four days. And finish off with The Mane Choice leave in. It’s light, and I find it not as greasy as most products I’ve used.
Jillian
Last, but not least we have Jillian @curly_boymason
I have a curly son named Mason, who is 7 years old. Having a boy with curly hair, I have had to overcome two of the biggest challenges. The first one was having to re-teach myself the correct way to care for curls because I grew up using many products that were not natural friendly, and my hair was always dry, crunchy (from Gel”>, and had little curl definition. The second challenge was teaching Mason that hair had no gender. Being bullied at the age of 4- 5 and having limited boy-friendly hair accessories definitely made it harder for him to embrace his hair.
Some of my top tips on caring for Mason’s hair was consistency, patience, and to involve him in the process of caring for his hair regardless of his age. Teaching him about products, how to wash and style his hair, and what his hair should feel like when using these products, really went a long way for me. Teachers would ask Mason, “what products does your mom use on your hair,” and he would be able to respond and tell them, lol!
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When he was 2 years old, I started off using kids line hair products, but as the texture of his hair started to change, they no longer worked for him. So at age 3, I went straight to experimenting with non-kid lines.
Some products that I use on Mason’s hair and would recommend are a combo of Cantu Leave-in conditioner with Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. And one of our new favorites is Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Line. I wash his hair every 4 days, but during the summer, I wash and deep condition more often because he sweats or goes in the pool. When styling his hair, I make sure to part it into sections, and his hair must be WET! After applying the product, I use a brush to give his curls a more defining look. And deep conditioning his hair AT LEAST ONCE every other week is one of the most important tips that I can share with anyone.
The hairstyles we usually go for loose and curly aka Crazy Hair (which he likes to call it”>, two braids, bun, and sometimes half up and half down. Even though we are limited (very limited”> with the designs and colors for boys on bonnets, Mason still rocks out his pink leopard print bonnet, which he loves to wear to sleep. We also use neon color scrunchies, black headbands, Shower caps with silk linings, and our favorite curl essential is our mist spray bottle (it has a continuous spray of water”>.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for your kid’s hair? Share them with us in the comments!
