The best combs for your curls

As most know, curls and combs go hand and hand, but if you're using the wrong comb not only will your hair be frizzy, but it can damage your hair ! There are only a chosen few that can be called the best, and these are the best combs to use for keeping your curls in shape. Remember, unless your hair is straight, it's always best to comb your hair only when your hair is wet.

Hercules Sagemann Hard Rubber Jumbo Rake Comb (5660)

Also known as the "Magic Star" , this detangling comb is the best comb for long, thick, and curly hair. It is considered the best because it is seamless, meaning that the hair can smoothly detangle curls without the hair catching onto the seams of the comb causing split ends and breakage. Although this comb carries a hefty price tag, ( about $16.00) It's strong, long lasting, and ideal for almost any curl pattern.

Conair Shower Comb

This comb can be found in many curly haired households. Firstly, it's very affordable (about $2.00-$3.00) , and it's also designed to detangle the hair while wet, which is the best way to detangle curly hair. Lastly, it is easily found in stores such as Sears or Rite-Aid.

New Image Vented Straightening/Cutting Comb

If your straighten your hair often, this comb should definitely be in your arsenal! This straightening/cutting comb is important because it helps you get your hair it's straightest when flat ironing your hair. It's also helpful for trimming your ends by stretching your hair before for begin to cut.  

Before you go out and buy any of the combs mentioned, be sure to check out these very important hair tips here and here .

Wedding hair tips

Summer is  the most popular season to get married, here's few tips on how to style and maintain your curls your big day!

Make sure to begin with nourished hair!

Whether you are doing your own hair or it's being done by a stylist, make sure your hair is in good shape prior to styling. You can do this by making sure to use a deep conditioner at home or asking your stylist your a deep conditioning treatment. Also, rinsing the hair with cold water will help with raised hair cuticles, and assist in the appearance of smoother hair.

Try an up-do

Up dos and curls go very well together because they are simple yet elegant. Up-dos allow the focus to be applied to your face, which is very important on your big day.





Make sure your curls are well set

Heat and humidity can change your look gradually, that's why it's very important for your curls be set in place with either a gel or serum specifically for fighting frizz! . A great one I recommend is Curl Keeper by Curly Hair Solutions.








Hair accessories

The right hair accessories can make your curls go from regular to regal almost instantly! Make sure that they do not clash with earrings or other jewelry if you choose to wear some.

The Curly Hair Solutions Line



Curly Hair Solutions is a product line designed and dedicated to styling and maintaining curly hair.
They have a curl kit for every curl pattern according to the tightness of the curl; loose curl, medium curl, and tight curl. The two best things about this product line is that it's silicone free, and it's focused on curl definition.

My curl pattern is considered to be a 3c, so I used the tight curl kit. The following is a summary review of the best products within the tight curl kit.

The Curl Keeper





The Curl Keeper's purpose is to block frizz while keeping your curly style intact. It's very light, and is best used on wet hair. What I like best  about this product is that it rinses clean, which is a major plus! It does exactly as it claims. It's also very light and does not weight the hair down. A great choice for those with thin or fine hair. It's also good for those who are trying to achieve a light, bouncy finish to your curls. It's considered pricey, $9.99  for 3.38oz/100mL, but if you use styling products on a daily basis it's worth the investment.

Pure Silk Protein Moisturizing Deep Treatment





 The Pure Silk Moisturizing Deep Treatment is a deep protein treatment. It's best to use this when your curls have that mushy stringy feeling or it just needs a boost of protein. It's thick texture coats curls, and once it's rinsed out it leaves your hair feeling strong. If your hair is protein sensitive, follow up with a rinse out conditioner that contains moisture.

Silk Leave-In Conditioner



The Silk Leave-In Conditioner is a lightweight leave in that adds softness and shine. It left my curls well defined, shiny, smooth and strong. This is ideal for those whose hair doesn't mind light daily protein.

In conclusion, The Curly Hair Solution Line is a good choice for those who are seeking shine, strength, and curl definition. It's on the higher end of the price bracket, but the products listed here do an exceptional job of maintaining curly hair.

Getting right for the new year



It's a new year, and many people have chosen to make new year resolutions such as; a better body, clothes, a better car, but what about better hair? You hair is a part of one's appearance, so why not make a resolution to have better hair? Here are a few tips to get you into gear.



1. Start off with a fresh trim

Dry and split ends can hinder the health of your hair. Getting rid of dry, split and ragged ends will not only make your hair look better, but it will rejuvenate the overall heath of your hair. It also makes detangling and styling easier.



2. Evaluate your beauty products.

Get rid of any hair products that contain the following; sulfates, parabens, petroleum oil, and mineral oil. Although some people claim that these products do not hurt the hair, they certainly don't help your hair! Getting rid of products such as these can save you from hair difficulties.



3. Invest in natural/organic and quality hair products.

Organic/Natural hair products can work wonders on the hair, this is natural/organic products focus upon nourishing the hair, not just styling it.

Quality products, such as professional salon brands are also help your hair become more manageable and achieve better results when styling your hair. Take the time and do some research to find out which products are best for you.

If you are on a budget, you can make your on home made products, there are many websites and books that contain recipes which can get you started.



4. Maintain the proper moisture and protein balance for your hair.

This takes practice and observation of your hair. Hair that does contain the proper balance can lead to breakage. Remember that hair that's too dry needs moisture, and hair that's too mushy, or easy to break needs moisture. Look for products that are specifically labeled "moisture" or "protein" to assist you in making and keeping this balance. Alternate between both moisture and protein is a good start.



5. Deep condition at least once a week.

This can make a world of difference in regards to hair health an style. Deep conditioning adds strength, suppleness, and overall beauty to the hair.



6. Take a multi vitamin.

Taking a multi vitamin will give your hair a much needed boost in the health of your hair. Taking a vitamin specifically for the growth and nourishment of your hair is recommended.

The Top 5 cowashing Conditioners Countdown

Cowashing has become very popular in the world of haircare, but there hasn't been much discussion as to which ones are the best. Here is my top 5 countdown list of the best cowashing conditioners to use.

#5 Silk Dreams Whip My Hair Cleansing Cream

This cleansing conditioner is thick and nourishing, it also has a wonderful sugar cookie-like scent! It has a faint lather, and it cleanses your hair without stripping your hair from much needed moisture. It also has wonderful ingredients such as; Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk, Grape seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Wheat Protein. It's also reasonably priced at $9.00 a jar. This is best for thick hair that is not protein sensitive.

This cleanser can be purchased HERE:

#4 Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner

Although this product is marketed as a conditioner, this makes for a great cowasher! It's scent isn't the best, but it leaves the hair and scalp feeling as if you just used shampoo. It also makes your hair feel smooth and silky without weighing it down. Those with fine hair will deeply apprciate this product.

It definitely gives you the most bang for your buck because it also gets rid of itchy scalp. Ingredients such as; Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera Juice, Japanese Honeysuckle Extract, and Plantain Enzyme, this conditioner is worth every penny. It can also be found at your local Walgreens or Target for about $10 dollars a bottle.  Due to this conditioner phenomenal job as a cleanser, you should add some additional moisture such as a leave in conditioner or hair lotion to prevent dryness.

#3 Devacurl No Poo

One of the first cleansing conditioner to hit the market, this cleansing conditioner does just as it says.

It leaves your hair and scalp feeling fresh and moisturized, with a peppermint-like smell, and it has an invigorating and tingling feeling when scrubbed upon your scalp. This cleanser is good for especially dry hair. It's also a bit pricey at around $18 dollars and up, but it definitely gets the job done.

#2 Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner

This cleanser is loved by many, It's great for extra dry or tightly coiled hair. The consistency is thick and creamy consistency and has the scent of double mint gum. It leaves your hair smooth, manageable, and moist, which make detangling a breeze. You do not need gobs of it in order to cleanse your hair which is good because at $19 dollars and up per bottle, it's definitely not cheap!

#1 Wen

Arguably the best cleansing conditioner, this is because many use this product as a shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in as well. It's a bit too light as a leave-in for my hair, but it's definitely number one in my book as a cleansing conditioner. It moisturizing and gives great slip as well, Wen also comes in many types such as; fig (a ethnic hair favorite!), almond mint,and pomegranate. I happen to prefer the pumpkin! It's price is fairly steep, at about $30 dollars and up, but in my opinion is definitely worth it's heavy price tag!

Preparing your hair for Winter

It's getting cold outside, you have your coat, hat, scarf, and gloves ready... What about your hair?
The cold winds and temperatures can effect the health of your hair. These simple practices can assist you in maintaining healthy beautiful hair.

1. Keep wool away from your hair.

Wool is great for keeping us warm, but it is HORRIBLE for the health of your hair. When your hair rubs against the wool, the friction can cause split ends, and even breakage. This means no wool hats of any kind.  If you must wear the peacoat, keep you hair pinned up, in a bun etc. Just make sure you hair is NEVER touching the wool.

2. Deep conditioning with every wash.

Deep conditioning is an absolute must whenever you shampoo you hair, especially in the winter. Our hair loses moisture and endures extreme weather conditions during the winter season, Deep conditioning gives hair the strength it needs to thrive. Always remember to use a moisturizing shampoo with every wash.

3. Cowashing
Shampoo can strip you hair of it's natural oils, making it dry. Harsh weather conditions can add to dryness, making it brittle. Cowashing (washing your hair with conditioner only) is especially important for those who wash their hair on an everyday basis. If you wash your hair more than once a week, cut down to shampooing to once a week, and cowash with every other wash. For tips on cowashing click here.

4. Add Oil to your hair routine

If you do not have oil in your hair routine, now is a great time to start! Adding oil to your hair routine not only give your hair great shine, but it also helps seal in moisture, detangle, and add much needed strength to your hair. If you need tips on adding oil to your hair click here. If you information on different oils and the benefits they offer, go here. When it comes to oils, I recommend; avocado oil, grape seed oil, and argan oil.

Note: During the colder months, it's probably best to steer away from leaving coconut oil in your hair without washing it out. This is because it tends to harden the hair of some people. If you choose to use coconut oil, use it as a hot oil treatment, or pre-poo ONLY.

5.  Keep your hair moisturized

It's important to never let your hair dry out, this will only lead to brittleness and breakage. This can be avoided by; deep conditioning, cowashing, moisturizing, and sealing. Its also best to apply a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair. Moisturizing and sealing is simply applying moisturizer in sections, and applying a thin layer of oil on top ( especially on the ends). For tips on moisturizing and sealing, click here and read steps 2 and 3.

6. Style your hair in a "protective" way.

We all like to wear our hair down and out, but doing it everyday during is not a great idea. Try wearing it in a braid, bun, or twists more often. This keeps moisture in, and dryness out!

Frizz control: Products & Methods

Upon logging into Twitter, I noticed a substantial amount of ladies expressing frustration about frizz, unwanted big hair, and bad hair days. Look no further, I'm here to help! The following are some products and tips to help you fight against hair trouble!

Tips about fighting frizz:

*When rinsing your hair, rinse your hair with cool water, it may be a bit uncomfortable, but it helps to seal the hair cuticle, for a smoother curl appearance.

* Do not comb or brush your hair when dry, not only is this rough on your hair, it makes your hair "puff" out.

* One you have applied gel, cream, or any hair styling product, use a "hands off" approach to your hair. The more you touch it before the dries, the more your hair will frizz up.

* Consider applying a head scarf or sleep bonnet before going to bed, not only does it deter bed hair, but it will deter tangles and hair trouble the next morning


Products that fight against frizz:

Jane Carter Nourish & Shine

This product not only puts frizz in it's place, it also give great shine! Just rub it in between the palms of your hands, and apply it. Anytime I need my hair to be slicked back, I go to this product first. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly.





Curl Junkie Coffee-CoCo Curl Creme

This product is a leave-in conditioner/hair styling creme, which is great because it's two steps in one container. It's packed with good ingredients such as; blue agave and aloe vera, both which are beneficial for hair. When your hair is fresh out of the shower, apply the creme, comb through, then out whatever you use for hold on top. It gives light hold and shine as well.



Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle:

This should be used as the finishing touch for your style and curls. It's a very light weight styling solution to define your curls. For those who like light, flowy, natural-looking curls, this is the one for you. If you like light hold, simply apply in sections after applying your leave in. If you use gel, apply this after you have applied the gel. It also smells nice.



Curl Junkie Curl Queen

It's name fits it well because in my opinion, it is the queen of all gels. This is for those who need absolute hold & control! It has a good hold factor without feeling hard or crunchy. Simply scrunch into your curls after applying leave in conditioner.

There you have it, the antidotes to frizzy hair!