These days, I'm all about getting the most out of my wash and go. Some people chase curl definition for curl's sake, but I'm more of a curl convenience enthusiast. When I lay on the product, smoothing generous amounts of curl definer from root to end, I'm thinking about getting the most days out of my hair between wash days.

I've covered a lot of ground as far as wash and go's are concerned. I've shared my 7 secrets for the perfect wash and go, hacked diffusing, and broke down another product application method -- the Ouidad Rake & Shake.

This time around, we're digging a little deeper into the Praying Hands Method, which is exactly what it sounds like. With this method, instead of raking product through your curls, you rub it between your palms, and using praying hands, smooth product from root to end. It's not nearly as complicated as it sounds:



Products Used:
Zotos 180PRO Foaming Smoother
Be Kekoa Kukui Nectar Hydrate Conditioner
As I Am Smoothing Gel

Have you tried the Praying Hands Method? Read more about the benefits at NaturallyCurly.com!

If you follow me on Instagram or keep up with me on the blog, then you know I live in the wash and go. I switch up my products to keep it interesting, but I've got the technique down to a science.

Related: 7 Secrets for the Perfect Wash and Go [video]

The wash and go gets a bad rep, because the hair is left to curl, coil, kink, and clump freely while being exposed to the elements, and depending upon the length of your hair, being exposed to rubbing against your clothing as well. By contrast, protective styling involves tucking the hair away into twists, braids and updos that keep the hair from tangling, snagging, and breaking. In protective styling, the ends of the hair are often tucked away, to encourage length retention.

So how is it possible that such an "out" style can be considered protective?

Consider the following:

1. Low Manipulation
The wash and go is considered a low manipulation style for two reasons. One, unlike twist-outs, braid-outs, and other styles, the wash and go doesn't require any tugging pulling, or stretching (unless you're into that sort of thing). You simply wash, deep condition, add product, and keep it moving. Of course, you can plop, diffuse, and add other steps, but at it's core the wash and go is a relatively simple style to pull off that doesn't require you to excessively manipulate your hair. The second reason is that when done correctly, wash and go's can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Maintenance (at most) involves spritzing and applying water-based products and oil to seal the ends of the hair, and protecting it at night. No combing, no re-twisting or braiding at night means that for several days at a time, the hair is left unmanipulated -- rendering it protected.

2. Protective Gel Casts
When we think of sealing our hair, typically an oil or butter comes to mind. It rarely occurs to us that gel is a sealant, too. In fact, the gel cast that forms after you apply your product envelopes and clumps your curls locks in moisture and keeps your hair protected. Additionally, the gel cast helps reduce tangling by holding curls together. I know we typically look down upon crunchy curls, but if you're looking for maximum protection, firmer hold gels will yield the best results. Besides, the gel cast wears off -- and you can even scrunch it out with a little oil or butter. Work gel through the hair in sections to ensure full coverage and protection. 

3. Clumping Improves Hair Strength
When it comes to withstanding the elements and resisting breakage, clumped curls via wash and go's are especially beneficial. Clumped curls are stronger than separated strands, and are less prone to breakage and damage. Curls that clump together last longer, so make sure you use the "praying hands" or rake & shake to smooth product through and encourage clumping.

Are you convinced yet? You can rock more than updos to protect your hair. Give a wash and go a try, with some of my favorite curl definers:

• Camille Rose Naturals *new* Curl Maker [review here]
• Obia Natural Hair Curl Enhancing Custard [review here]
• Jelly Soft Curls [review here]
• Kurlee Belle Jelle Coconut Styling Gel
• CURLS Goddess Curls [review here]
• TreLuxe Hi! Definition [review here]
• Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel
• TGIN Twist & Define Cream [review here]
• As I Am Smoothing Gel

And if you need one final piece of information to convince you, check out my growth and length retention progress from my chop in December of 2013 to September 2014 (before I cut my hair in October):



This article originally appeared on NaturallyCurly.com.

I know this goes without saying, but sometimes we product junkies get caught up in the thrill of the product chase and neglect our precious tools. But after weeks of getting serious mileage put on them, the tools we use on our textured tresses need a little TLC. Keep them in tip-top shape with these easy to implement tips for cleaning:

Combs & Brushes
Cleaning combs and brushes is important to do, and of all tools, they're the easiest to clean. Combs and brushes can get some serious buildup on them from detangling, parting, curl clumping, and being used to slick edges, ponytails, and buns. To clean your combs and brushes, simply fill a sink or large bowl with warm/hot (not scalding!) water and immerse your tools. To clean them, you can use dish soap, or even shampoo. You know that shampoo you bought that you thought was going to be great, but actually dried your hair out? Yeah. Use that to clean your tools! Once they're all gussied up, pat them dry with a towel (or paper towels) and allow them to finish air drying before storing them away.
Insider Tips: for buildup stuck between the teeth of combs, use a nail brush soaked in water and shampoo, and run it briskly up and down the length of the comb teeth, intermittently dunking it in the water to loosen the gunk. To get gunk from your soft bristle brushes, before you clean a comb, use it to work and rake through the bristles, intermittently dunking the brush into the water to loosen buildup.

For more information and insider tips on cleaning electronic tools, flexi rods, satin bonnets, and scarves, head on over to NaturallyCurly.com! 

I did it! I finally did it!

I'd like to thank God first, my parents, my sister for being A1 since day 1, my boyfriend Samuel, YouTube University...

Pardon my getting carried away, but I do feel like hacking the diffusing process should come with some kind of award. Just don't tell Kanye. In this video, while y'all watch me diffuse my hair, I discuss the 4 major problems we ladies encounter when trying to emulate the diffusing results of our favorite YouTubers:

• shrinkage//lack of volume
• frizz
• crispy curls
• heat damage fear

Shrinkage

Me and my mane have come a long way.....

Are you stuck in a hair rut?

You know, those times when it seems like your hair has launched a personal attack against you -- and despite your best efforts to diplomatic with the best deep conditioners and holiest of holy grail curl definers -- it refuses to back down? Maybe you made a mistake (or three, or ten) and you're just ready to throw in the towel. Or perhaps, this whole "natural thing" seems too complicated, and you're ready to go back to what feels simple and familiar -- that relaxer or that flat iron.

Trust me, I've been there -- more times than I want to admit. But before you run to Sally's and grab those deeply discounted relaxer kits (I can't be the only one that notices them on clearance everywhere!) or go digging for your precious flat iron, stop and read this.

You can get over this hump.

I know you can, because I did. In my moments of weakness and peaks of frustration, I had to hunker down and be honest with myself. I've never had a relaxer, but I know what it feels like to hide behind a flat iron every two weeks. I know what it feels like to straighten your hair within an inch of its life, and then turn around and use a curling iron to fake "volume" because your hair has thinned terribly.

I also know what it feels like to look in the mirror and hate your hair.

I transitioned for 21 months, a period which tried every bit of my patience, resolve, and self-confidence. There were days that my banana clip and bobby pins would tuck away a multitude of hair sin, and there were days where I looked in the mirror and just said, "I can't." But those days, those feelings, those frustrations -- they will all fall away in due time as you learn. It doesn't mean they won't be back, but you'll be better equipped to deal with them as you delve further into your natural hair journey. These 4 tips will help you cope with the temptation of going back to what seems comfortable or easier. Check them out at NaturallyCurly.com!

 Are you tired of relaxing, chasing your kinks away with a flat iron, or just ready for a change?

Congratulations, you're on your way to joining #TeamNatural! But before you take the plunge, you need to decide -- are you going to big chop or transition? If you're eager for change ASAP, or your hair is severely damaged, you're likely to opt for the big chop. But if you're like I was, and are not ready to part with your length, transitioning is most certainly an option.

Before I go any further, let's clarify the two terms:

Big Chop: Cutting off all straightened, damaged, or relaxed hair into a short fade or TWA (teeny weeny afro). The big chop allows ladies to begin their natural hair journey from the ground floor, caring for and styling only the natural hair that grows from the scalp.

Transition(ing): Gradually growing out straightened, damaged, or relaxed hair. Transitioners make the conscious decision to stop the practices that got their hair into the position that it's currently in. Transitioners coddle along both natural and damaged tresses, growing out the hair until they are ready to cut the ends off.

One method is not superior to another, it ultimately is a matter of circumstance and preference. I transitioned because I was uncomfortable with the idea of growing out big chopped hair. There are plenty of resources available to support big choppers (here is a great place to start), but today I'd like to chat with all the ladies considering a transition.

Once you've made up your mind that you're going to transition, there are 4 things that you're going to need to do in order to make it a successful one. This is not to say that you won't make mistakes or get frustrated, but rather that those hiccups won't derail your journey to healthy hair.

 Ready to start your journey? Click here to read the rest of the article at NaturallyCurly.com!

The new year is rapidly approaching, so you know what that means -- gym membership spikes, more crowded lots at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and an onslaught of resolutions to to live a healthier, more positive life.

I'm rooting for ya, I am!
(Because in rooting for you, I'm rooting for me too.)

Getting healthy and focusing on a balanced lifestyle will most certainly bring about numerous benefits, especially for your hair. If you've been struggling with dryness, breakage, excessive shedding, or just lackluster tresses in general, it may be time to put the deep conditioner down and take a hard look at what you've been doing (or not doing) to your body, and how it impacts your hair.

So when you're making your new year's resolutions, keep these 5 lifestyle changes in mind, because they'll most certainly put you on the path to a healthy body and healthy hair!

Get Active
If you ever needed some extra gym motivation, here it is: regular exercise promotes healthy hair and growth. Between overbearing employers, holiday traffic (well in LA, everyday traffic), deadlines, moving and shaking, stress can be at an all-time this time of the year. Amongst other ailments, stress can cause breakage and hair fall -- with the body's natural release of the hormone cortisol. Increased stress and therefore increased cortisol levels contribute to hair loss. One sure-fire way to eliminate stress and regulate/decrease cortisol levels is through cardiovascular exercise 3 or 4 times a week. Exercise also increases serotonin levels in the brain -- making you more apt to feel upbeat and happy-go-lucky -- and therefore decreasing the release of stress-related hormones that can trigger hair loss. Lastly, exercise improves blood circulation. Good blood circulation is key in transporting vital nutrients that stimulate hair follicles for growth. So while you're getting your body right for Summer, your hair is getting right too!

Ready for the other 4 lifestyle changes? Head on over to NaturallyCurly.com to keep reading!

Note: I read some of the comments on NaturallyCurly.com. I knew this was going to be a controversial topic -- and ya'll know I'm always here for healthy debate. You guys know I'm not the shade-throwing type, I simply raise questions and I'm equally interested in contributions from all perspectives. But what I'm not here for is draggings. You don't have to agree with me, or with anyone in the comment section. I can respect differences in opinion, because we have differences in experience. Just don't be a petty betty, please. Let's keep it classy ladies!

On any given day, I look the same:
Wash and go, no makeup, no earrings, and no jewelry -- save for my nose ring and anniversary necklace. I own only a handful of makeup products, and know even less about applying them properly. The extent of my expertise is mascara and a little bronzer (eyeliner too, if I feel adventurous...or like poking myself in the eye).

I wasn't always this way -- back in my "straight hair" days, I wore makeup all the time. I felt like I needed makeup to "complete my look" -- rather than a means of enhancing my appearance, makeup became my crutch. I didn't feel attractive, pretty, or ready for the day without it. When I began dating my current boyfriend Samuel in 2010, I was still pretty into makeup (although I had ditched the bright eyeshadows). He insisted that I didn't need the makeup, and that I was beautiful as-is. I only halfway believed him (haha) at the time, but the real change came when I decided to go natural.

During my transition, I embraced more natural products, and got invested in my health and wellness. In truth, my decision to back away from the makeup had less to do with being "more natural" and more to do with the fact that I was working out regularly and leading a more active lifestyle. Fast forward about two years from my transition, and I'm just as described above:


And this is on one of those more adventurous date nights.

My decision to ditch makeup (and only dabble in a little bit on date night) almost entirely is a reflection of who I am at this stage in my life. Anybody that knows me knows that I'm all about comfortable. I wear wash and go's because they're easy, and I don't have to worry about my hair should the weather change (but seriously, I'm in LA) or if I decide to embark on a random adventure. I own more workout clothes than regular clothes, because I'm active and the clothes are sooooo comfy. I avoid heels like the plague. I don't wear any makeup because I've grown to feel comfortable in my own skin. Besides, if I go missing -- I want to  help make it a little easier to find me (please laugh, that was a joke).

In more recent months, I've noticed a trend in the natural hair community. A lot of ladies love makeup. Bold makeup. I'm talking beat faces like they live at MAC (and some of them do work there!) or have a personal MUA at their vanity every morning. Now, I'm not here to knock or judge. By all means, do you! But I do have some questions. Forgive me now if any of this offends you. I don't mean to offend, disrespect, or shade anyone. These are just my honest thoughts and feelings, and are in no way the gospel according to Naturally Curly.

You guessed it! To read the rest, head on over to NaturallyCurly.com....

When we first go natural, we're all about finding the perfect products to moisturize and define our curls, kinks, and coils. Then, we get a little ingredient-conscious and learn to focus our attention away from the package advertisement, and more on the first 5-6 ingredients after water. And finally, as we become more ingredient-savvy, we become more health-conscious. Natural hair inspires us to live healthier lifestyles, and we begin to get active, and take control over what goes into and onto our bodies -- including hair products.

Francheska Medina (Hey Fran Hey) has been the face of the clean living movement in the natural hair community since 2011. Her videos on everything from her hair regimen, to oil pulling and making your own natural eyelash growth serum have garnered her over 100k YouTube subscribers and clean living devotees. Her healthy lifestyle is something to be admired, absolutely! I'll get there one day. As I'm transitioning to cleaner eating, I'm making cleaner choices about what I'm putting onto my hair.

• Organic/Non-GMO (when possible, especially if it contains soy)
• Most ingredients if not all should be plant-derived
• Free of harsh chemical additives and formaldehyde-donor preservatives
• Free of artificial colors and/or fragrance (phthalate free)
• Unique/exotic ingredients are sustainably sourced
• Free of sulfates, silicones, parabens
• No mineral oil or petroleum
• Cruelty-free
• Environmentally friendly

Your journey to uploading on Instagram probably goes something like:

1. Find best lighting source.
2. Wipe camera lens to remove smudges and prints.
3. Smile, pose, make a cute face, or look down (we all know you still took the picture)
4. Click.
5. Examine, make adjustments, and repeat steps 1-4 approximately 10 more times.
6. Scrutinize each picture, deleting those that don't make your hair look amazing, your smile look perfect, and your skin look flawless.
7. Be unsatisfied, delete 9 of 11 pictures and repeat steps 1-4 10 more times.
8. Finally find the perfect picture, filter, and upload to Instagram with hashtag.....

And here's where we come in. What started out as an easy way to catch what's trending on a particular topic across the vast expanse of Twitter has become a useful filter (haha!) for Instagram photos. Want to see who else has #naturalhair? Search it. Hmm, who else is using that new Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker? Do they have a review? #CurlMaker it is! The point is, there's tons of hashtags floating around the 'gram. Many of them belong to ladies dedicated to featuring the gorgeous diversity of natural hair on what are considered natural hair pages" of Instagram. In the same vein of being shaded out of mainstream (social) media pages, these natural hair pages are 100% committed to unifying, uplifting, and and supporting natural hair in every shade, texture, length, style, and state around the world.

Head on over to NaturallyCurly.com to check out these dynamic social media accounts for natural hair inspiration!

Coconut oil is one of the few oils that is able to penetrate the hair -- making it both a moisturizer and a sealant!

As a transitioning and natural hair blogger, I love to observe (and sometimes participate in) the waves and trends that roll through the natural hair community. First, it was all about growth, length retention, and proving that textured hair could be just as fab (if not moreso....but hey, I'm biased) as straight hair. Now, some of our favorite bloggers and YouTubers are doing second and third chops, and tapered cuts are taking the reins. Coloring natural hair used to be met with the side eye, but now bright and bold colors are everywhere -- with only a marginal few claiming that hair dye strips you of the title of naturalista. What used to be a race for the most complicated regimen is now met with "ain't nobody got time for that" and a supreme side eye. The current trend in minimalist/lazy natural hair care has ladies looking to eliminate the fluff from regimens, focusing only on what's necessary.

Which brings me to this point: is pre-pooing a necessary step in your wash day regimen? Could that 30 minutes to an hour be better spent, or eliminated to truncate wash day?

The answer isn't as cut and dry as one would think. The real answer depends on what you're using to prepoo your hair, who's advice you trust, and what has yielded the best results for your own head of hair. Let's explore the two most common pre-poo methods, and what folks have to say about them over at NaturallyCurly.com!

Update: Bentonite Clay Curls, May 2017!

Note: This post has been updated as of May 2017 to reflect my current natural hair practices and product preferences. The recipe itself remains unchanged. #ifitaintbroke...

I'm more product junkie than DIY mixtress, but every so often I copycat or stumble upon a DIY recipe that makes me think I could launch the next big natural hair product line.

Maybe I'm exaggerating a little. Maybe.

But this DIY Clay Mask has forever changed my regimen. It hydrates, moisturizes, de-frizzes, softens, and banishes dryness, while encouraging curl clumping and shine. Any problems you're having with your hair, this mask can probably solve. Initially, I did the mask twice a week as a part of my Max Hydration Method challenge experiment. But not, I reach for it whenever my curls are giving me serious side-eye. It's the remedy for my persistently frizzy, unruly patches rough, dry, tangly ends.

Here's the scoop on the ingredients I use in my personal mix:

Ingredients
Bentonite Clay: Bentonite is incredibly powerful, possessing a negative charge (anionic). This makes it an ideal clay for cleansing and detoxifying, as it has the ability to remove positively charged (cationic) conditioners and products that can build up on the hair and scalp. It is also said to have the ability to draw out toxins, heavy metals, chemicals, and impurities. It helps cleanse and lift impurities from the hair, aiding in conditioning, shine, softness, and definition.

Smooth like Greek yogurt.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Serves as an antimicrobial agent (warding off infection), and helps ease the itching and flakiness associated with scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. ACV is also able to improve the shininess of hair and increase moisture retention by causing cuticles to lay flat via pH balancing the hair. Through this same mechanism, it is also believe that Apple Cider Vinegar can correct hair porosity issues.

Water: The ultimate hydrator and hair problem solver.

Coconut Oil: Oil with a high saturated fat content, rich in vitamins and nutrients beneficial to the hair. Due to its low molecular weight, coconut is one of the few oils proven to actually penetrate the hair shaft. It protects and coats the hair, and prevents protein loss.

Castor Oil: Castor oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it will help with dandruff and other scalp ailments. It is also a great moisture sealant, and promotes hair thickening and growth.Castor oil also acts as a humectant, drawing in moisture to the hair for total hydration.

Sweet Almond Oil: Oil that locks moisture into the hair while nourishing, smoothing cuticles, controlling shedding, and boosting shine. It is rich in omegas 6 and 9, which help ciment the cuticle, reduce moisture loss, and improve elasticity. 

To make this clay mask, you'll need:

• a plastic or glass bowl
• a plastic, wooden, or rubber stirring utensil
• 1/2 cup (or 4oz) of bentonite cay (I use the Indian Healing Clay)
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
• 6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (unfiltered, with mother)
• 3 tablespoons of water

Directions
Add the clay first, then the oils, in your mixing bowl. You can begin stirring if you like, or leave it all until the very end (I prefer to stir after everything is all in). Next, add your 6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Allow it to aerate and foam for 10-15 seconds before adding in the water. The reaction between the clay and apple cider vinegar is essential to avoiding a lumpy mix. After the mixture has foamed for a few seconds, add your 3 tablespoons of water. 

Length goals, circa 2014...

I'm a product junkie.

More specifically, I'm a small business product junkie.

Ladies, there are some AMAZING products out there that I've covered consistently on the blog and even shared on NaturallyCurly.com. I will always and forever continue to support natural hair small businesses because I believe in them. Not only are the products incredibly unique, well thought out, and crafted with love, but they are made by women (and some men too) who know our hair best -- because they are naturally curly too. They know and understand what ingredients we don't like, and what we look for products to be able to do. And many of them are involved in initiatives beyond natural hair, aimed at making our communities (and world) a better place:

Like TreLuxe.

TreLuxe is a socially conscious natural hair and beauty care brand founded by husband and wife duo Courtney and Kiprono Sigali. They have focused their brand not only on natural haircare, but on community-based initiatives to educate, support, encourage, and meet the needs of girls and women beyond hair.

TreLuxe hair products are designed to give ladies with natural hair a premium upscale product experience, combining wholesome ingredients and Active Botanicals to alleviate our hair woes -- from dryness to curl definition. Currently, the TreLuxe line consists of four products -- Untie the Knot Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner, Curl Supreme Styling Cream, ReFlex Curl Styling Serum, and Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel. I was too excited to try out the TreLuxe line -- so let's get on with the review.

To learn more about TreLuxe and their Untie The Knot Leave-In, ReFlex Curl Serum, Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer, and Curl Supreme Styling Cream, head on over to NaturallyCurly.com!

Don't be fooled!

You don't have to sacrifice soft, hydrated kinks and coils, for cleanliness.

Many naturals and curly girls hate clarifying because it causes so much drama. You wreck your hair and strip it of natural oils, softness, and hydration for the sake of a clean slate. Even after intense deep conditioning, your hair doesn't start "acting right" for another two weeks, and by that time, you're able to get another good week and a half out of your hair before it's time to clarify all over again.

Break the cycle.

These shampoos offer you the chance to deeply clean without stripping, and to clarify without causing drama. Get clean, healthy, shiny, soft, and moisturized hair with these cleaning powerhouses that don't contain harsh sulfates like SLS:

1. Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo, $18 (pictured above)
Ever since Ouidad relased this gem, I've been in love. This rich, creamy, clarifying shampoo is everything you need it to be, and nothing you don't. It is free of SLS and other harsh sulfates, and is nothing short of a miracle worker. It offers clarified, clean hair that doesn't feel stripped or dried out. Plus, you can detangle with it! Yes, this shampoo has slip! (Insert praise emoji here). It is gentle enough to use weekly, but the fragrance alone will have you sniffing the bottle daily (don't judge me). Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo is also silicone-free, and curly girl friendly! For a full review, click here! $18 Ulta, www.ouidad.com

For the rest of the list, head on over to NaturallyCurly.com!

At some point, somebody should actually do this. #justsayin

In the naturally curly world, we have a lot of our own lingo--so much so, that that a newbie natural may find herself looking for the Rosetta Stone of the natural hair world. Hopefully, we can help shed some light on a few terms that meant something else before you went natural. Here are 8 common terms, translated naturally curly style:


1. Cones: Not the bright orange construction markers, or even the geometric shape. "Cones" is the abbreviated natural hair lingo for silicones, the styling and conditioning ingredient that many naturals and curly girls tend to avoid. Cones appear to improve the condition of the hair, creating a silky, shiny, lightweight microfilm around hair strands. Cones also help tame frizz, block humidity, and smooth rough cuticles. So why do cones get a bad rep? They can build up and don't always get effectively removed using the gentle cleansers we naturally curly girls lean toward. Ultimately, your decision to use or not use cones is up to you!

2. DC: If you see a naturally curly girl say "DC", you can bet she isn't talking about the Capitol. "DC" means Deep Conditioner -- which in the straight-haired world, means "optional", but for textured ladies is a must. 






Ready for the other 6? Head on over to NaturallyCurly.com!

Photo courtesy of WiseShe.com

Before dropping a product into your basket at Target, Ulta, or in your cart on CurlMart, how much time do you spend reading the ingredients? At this point in the game, probably more than you have in your entire life. Whether you're an ingredient snob and only purchase products made with the best of the best, a clean living curly who believes in eating and using only whole and natural products, or a natural newbie just taking it all in, there's one thing we can all agree on -- ingredients can sound confusing, scary, and like you need an advanced degree in material science to understand how to pronounce them.

Luckily, everything that looks bad and sounds bad isn't really bad at all. So relax, naturally curly girls -- and take in these 10 ingredients that sound all sorts of naughty, but are really pretty nice!

Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Because of how harsh traditional shampoo and cleansers can be, many of us turn away from anything that has the word "sulfate" in it. But the truth is, behentrimonium methosulfate is a far cry from the sodium lauryl sulfate that dries out and damages our kinks, coils, and curls. In truth,  behentrimonium methosulfate is neither drying nor a sulfate. It is actually a super gentle surfactant made from non-GMO (imagine that!) rapeseed (canola oil), and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn't cause buildup, or irritation to the scalp. You can find this gem in products like Kinky Curly Knot Today, Camille Rose Naturals Fresh Curl, and Lawrence Ray Concepts Shake & Go.

Head on over to NaturallyCurly.com to catch the rest of the not-so-scary ingredients!

The journey to natural hair for some of us is emotional, wrought with frustration, overrun with failed products, and sometimes, downright traumatic.

Social media doesn't make it any easier, either -- with Instagram accounts dedicated to incredibly gorgeous manes, and YouTube tutorials that promise results you'll never be able to replicate. But all hope is not lost -- don't throw in the towel on your natural hair journey just yet. In five easy steps (just stay with me for a moment), you'll be able to turn your attitude and perspective toward your natural hair right around!

Step 1: Social Media Detox
Don't get me wrong -- I love social media just as much as the next person. Actually, probably a little too much (follow me on Instagram to help fuel my habit). But every once in a while, I'll totally log out. Not only does it give me a certain amount of freedom, but it allows me to disconnect from the images of other women's beauty that I am constantly being fed. Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE celebrating the beauty of other women, regardless of hair texture, length, skin color, or size. But there is something incredibly self-affirming about stepping away from looking at others to focus on myself. No, I don't have the length of Hey Fran Hey, the gorgeous uniformity of  curls that Melshary has, or the jaw-dropping volume of Mahogany Curls. But guess what? That's okay. And the more time I spend focusing on understanding and appreciating my hair as-is (instead of fawning over theirs), the more accepting I become of my natural hair. This is not to say that I don't follow, subscribe, and support all these ladies -- because they're all dope for various reasons. But my appreciation of their hair can't outweigh my appreciation of my own.

Ready for steps 2, 3, 4, and 5? Head on over to NaturallyCurly.com to continue the journey to loving your hair!

Wash & go with As I Am Curling Jelly

Repeat after me: crispy curls are not cute curls.

Although I'm typically unbothered by the gel cast left behind by some of the stronger gels we naturalistas love (like EcoStyler), there is something to be said for achieving touchably soft curls on day 1.

With these 10 curl definers, you'll be able to get great definition without stiffness and that "ramen noodle look" everyone despises. Be warned: you'll develop serious hand-in-hair syndrome!

1. Obia Curl Enhancing Custard



I have yet to meet a naturalista who doesn't love Obia's Curl Enhancing Custard. It's thick and multi-purpose, yet dries without leaving hair crisp and crunchy. Enriched with olive, grapeseed, and argan oils, this custard nourishes, moisturizes, and protects while enhancing curls, kinks, and coils. $15, www.obianaturalhair.com

Fab wash & go...courtesy of Obia Curl Enhancing Custard

2. As I Am Curling Jelly


For a soft hold that won't weigh down finer textures of hair (regardless of type), As I Am Curling Jelly is definitely the way to go. Moisture, definition, and touchably soft hair are definitely on the menu, thanks to aloe vera, beet root, and glycerin. This jelly definitely works best for those who are in low-humidity areas. $22 (16oz jar), Sally Beauty Supply

3. Wonder Curl Curl Control Styling Lotion


In case you haven't read my full-on rave (which you can find here), Wonder Curl's Curl Control Styling Lotion is amazingness in a bottle. It delivers consistent, touchable, frizz-free, crunchless results across the board for all hair types thanks to aloe vera and witch hazel. $14, www.wondercurl.com


Check out the other 7 on NaturallyCurly!

Whether you're newly natural or a textured hair vet, there is one piece of information that continues to propagate across blogs, YouTube videos, books, social media, natural hair product websites, and more:

STAY AWAY FROM MINERAL OIL.

But why? What's so bad about mineral oil? Let's explore some commonly held beliefs about the taboo ingredient, and whether or not they are rooted in truth.

Rumor #1: Mineral oil is contaminated with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.
Verdict: FALSE. This is one area where being highly refined is not a bad thing. Whereas with natural oils we look for them to be virgin/unrefined and extracted without eliminating the vitamins and nutritive benefits, mineral oil is highly refined and purified to removed any crude ingredients and toxins. For what it's worth, cosmetic-grade mineral oil processing is regulated by the FDA and other international regulatory agencies. There is no scientific data that supports cosmetic grade mineral oil causes cancer. The rumored link between cancer and mineral oil likely stems from older studies surrounding the impact of aerosolized mineral oil on laboratory animals. Again, this has no bearing on cosmetic-grade mineral oil, which is highly regulated and refined.


Check out the rest of the rumors, actual factuals, and tips for *IF* you decided to incorporate mineral oil/petroleum into your regimen over at NaturallyCurly.com!