African Pride Hair
Cute & Quick Natural Hairstyles For Busy Women
This past year has uprooted a lot of our daily routines and activities while highlighting the importance of self-care. While we might not be dressing as fancy or wearing false lashes as often as we used to, women are now investing time and energy into properly caring for their hair and skin. Another upside to quarantining has been how much we’ve all embraced our unique, natural hair textures. Pre-covid it was much easier to switch up your wigs and weaves but as we are avoiding salons, trying to save money, and looking to simplify our routines, finding cute and quick natural hairstyles is key. While some things have dramatically changed most women are still busier than ever. Between work, meetings, staying active, trying to maintain a social life, and caring for our children (who may or may not still be attending school virtually) difficult hairstyling is nearly impossible. The good news? You can still achieve an easy and quick natural hairstyle that’s beautiful. From twist-outs and braids to defined wash-and-gos there are tons of options for your specific hair type and texture. The trick is to arm yourself with helpful hair products, like our Black Castor Miracle Prep & Leave-In Moisture Butter and spend a bit of time practicing and perfecting your favorite hairstyle. We’re delving into the do’s and don’ts of at-home styling, the best natural hair formulas to use, and how to achieve a variety of quick natural hairstyles. Embracing Your Natural Hair Making the decision to transition your hair from relaxed to natural is a big deal. It takes lots of patience, effort, and time to adjust to your new ‘do, especially during those in-between months. But this journey can’t be rushed, in fact it can take up to 8 months for your hair to fully transition back to its natural state. No matter where you are on the journey right now, congrats! It takes time to be both completely confident in your natural look and master an effective natural hair care routine and what hairstyles work best with your texture. The most important things to remember when transitioning to natural hair is to be patient and gentle. You’ve most likely spent years fighting against your natural texture and causing damage, be patient and go slowly. This is when your hair needs the most babying. Make sure it’s getting constant moisture, proper nutrients, and the best care. It’s also important that you work with your hair and not against it. Let your strands take the time to find their natural shape and rhythm. This means putting down the hot tools like your blow dryer and straightener, doing plenty of deep conditioning treatments, and giving yourself the time to re-discover your new hair type. Learn more about this process here: How To Embrace & Care For Your Natural Hair Like Tracee Ellis Ross. Benefits Of Protective Styling Styling your hair without the use of weaves, wigs, chemical relaxers, or hot tools means there will be minimal damage to your natural hair. Therefore, this is often referred to as protective styling. Protective hairstyles also tend to lock in moisture, length, and offer protection from the elements like sun, wind, and humidity. Not to mention they give you countless options for stylish looks. One of the best benefits your hair will get from protective styling is increased moisture retention. Natural textured hair tends to be drier and more brittle, especially type 4 hair. Protective styles help keep your hair hydrated by tucking your ends away and help you hang onto growth as you’re not pulling/yanking on strands which causes shedding. Our Favorite Easy & Quick Natural Hairstyles Ever find yourself scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest for natural protective hairstyle ideas and stumble across gorgeous intricate braided ‘dos? While these might make you double tap they certainly aren’t the most realistic styles for everyday. Especially if you’re new to natural hair styling. Whether you’re a beginner or the go-to girl for natural hairstyling, everybody needs a few everyday protective hairstyles that are cute, easy to achieve, and don’t require a large budget or amount of time. Here are some of our favorite quick natural hairstyles you can DIY at-home. Pigtail Cornrows Achieve this adorable and on-trend look in less than 15 minutes. We love braided pigtails because they can work on every hair type, texture and most hair lengths, though we recommend you have at least shoulder length hair to get this look. To begin, part hair into two sections, generously work through a hydrating cream or oil like our African Pride 5 Essential Oils through each section. Starting at your forehead take 3 small sections and begin braiding as you would for french braids. However, be sure to cross sections underhand to make the braids pop off your head. Feed in hair as you work your way down to your ends. Repeat on the other side and voila! Once you’ve mastered this look feel free to play around with adding 2-3 cornrows on each side. Chunky Two-Strand Twists This edgy look is perfect for warmer weather as they help protect hair from heat and sun. Plus there’s something almost tropical about this pretty style. We also love chunky twists for those with shorter to medium length natural hair. You can do this style on wet or dry hair but we recommend getting it a little damp for best results. Also run a thick cream like our Black Castor Miracle Prep & Leave-In Moisture Butter through the head for lasting hold and hydration. Then divide hair all over into smaller sections that will serve as your twist. Take each section of hair, divide into 2 even sections and, after stretching them out, begin twisting from root to tip, making sure to keep sections equal and taut. Flat Twist Updo This feminine yet Bohemian style is one of the easiest ways to look put together. Pull your hair into this quick protective style before a meeting or date for instant chic. To achieve this style pull the back half of your hair into a high or low bun. (Personally we love a low bun for its classic elegance). Then, divide the front section into two and begin twisting back towards your bun. Secure with pins and you’re done! Pineapple Updo The pineapple method is an easy way to prevent your curls from getting squished and flattened underneath your head while you sleep but it also makes a fab look for daytime. To pineapple your hair, simply flip your strands all the way towards the crown of your head and secure it into a very high ponytail on the top of your head, tie it loosely. Wash-and-Go Sometimes you want to keep it simple and showcase your beautiful curls in all their natural glory. Getting that perfect frizz-free, defined look however, can take some practice. We’ve perfected the #CoilyGirlMethod which includes 5 key steps for the perfect wash-and-go. Explore more about our award-winning wash day routine below. Step 1: Detangle Unwashed Hair Incorporating African Pride pre-shampoo into your wash day regimen helps to detangle hair, minimize breakage, and define coils. This lightweight cream moisturizes and detangles using the natural benefits of Aloe Vera and Coconut Water. Plus it conditions, protects strands, and removes tangles from natural coils; leaving hair soft and easy to manage during cleansing and styling. Step 2: Shampoo & Condition Maintain healthy, hydrated coils with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner duo that’s infused with moisturizing properties. The easiest way to do this? Divide your hair into sections, shampooing and conditioning each section individually. Step 3: Hydrate Hair The more you hydrate, the easier your future wash days will become (and the better your hair will look in between). Add a rich leave-in conditioner to ensure your curls are hydrated and manageable. Step 4: Define Curls Not only does this step help define each unique coil, it gives strands extra shine, and provides extra moisture (in case that leave-in conditioner wasn’t enough). Whether you’re doing a twist out, braid out, or finger coils, our Moisture Miracle Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream will provide tons of moisture and definition without all the frizz and flakes. Step 5: Seal & Protect Either during or after you’ve put your hair into a protective style, lock in all that good moisture and shine. Protect your coil definition with a restorative oil. African Pride’s 5 Essential Oils use a nourishing blend of essential oils, including vitamin E to replenish your hair’s natural nutrients, protect against breakage, and promote natural hair growth. Over the next few days (or weeks) your scalp and strands are going to dry out. You can repeat this step as needed between wash days to maintain your curls bounce, shine, and moisture. The Best Products For Natural Hair Styling We briefly mentioned above some of the ingredients and products that will help you achieve the perfect protective style. This part shouldn’t be overlooked, the products you use are almost just as important as the techniques. To ensure non-sticky hold, hydration, definition, and a lasting fabulous hairstyle, learn more about which natural hair formulas and products are best for you. Black Castor Miracle Prep & Leave-In Moisture Butter This luxurious Moisture Butter is specially crafted with a blend of Black Castor Oil, Shea Butter, and Jojoba Oil to penetrate hair strands and deeply moisturize before braiding or manipulating hair into protective styles. This natural formula also helps to prepare hair for extended styles by providing long-lasting hydration. Simply distribute through damp or dry hair before styling. Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid, Loc & Twist Gel Before braiding or twisting, apply a small amount of this non-sticky, non-flaking gel to roots or hairline. The rich blend of Black Castor Oil and Coconut Oil smooths frizz and flyaways while boosting shine and leaving braids, locs, and twists neat and smooth. Moisture Miracle Shea Butter & Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream Moisturize and define your curls with this versatile curling cream that blends Shea Butter and Flaxseed Oil to provide deep moisture, lasting definition, and radiant shine. Elevate your wash-and-go with shiny, smooth, bouncy curls and coils. Olive Miracle Braid Sheen Spray Keep your braided styles fresh, shiny, and healthy with this miracle spray. We’ve utilized our Olive Miracle® formula for silky smooth deep conditioned hair and a healthy scalp with our African Pride® Olive Miracle® Magical Growth Sheen that restores hair’s natural beauty and boosts shine. Revitalize your dry, dull braids or twists with just a few spritz. Black Castor Miracle Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil Specially crafted with a unique blend of Black Castor Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Soybean Oil this luxurious selling oil locks moisture into hair strands and improves moisture retention. It also works to condition hair, soothe the scalp, calm itching, and prevent dryness. Gently massage a few drops into edges, scalp, hair, and nape for extra protection and shine. We want to see your fabulous new hairstyles! Don’t forget to tag your quick natural hairstyles with us on social media by using the hashtag #MyAfridanPride.
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4 Surprising Flaxseed Oil Hair Benefits For All Textures
It can be hard not to feel guilty when you have ‘one of those weeks.’ You know the ones, where you eat way too much fast food, binge watch an entire series, and completely neglect your natural hair care routine. We get it. Sometimes you don’t want to have to remove your makeup at the end of each day and you’d much rather indulge yourself than eat a salad. It’s okay, sometimes you need this. You need to practice self-care and take it easy. When you’re having one of those days or weeks (or months) it’s that much more crucial to use products and formulas that leave your coils and curls healthy, hydrated, and happy. You want every ingredient to work overtime, to nourish your strands so you don’t have to spend as much time caring for them. We want to give you peace of mind about what’s in our products, and that’s why we continue to be transparent about the ingredients we put in them. (Read up on other favorite ingredients like The Dos & Don’ts Of Using Coconut On Natural Hair, The Amazing Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil On Natural Hair, and Surprising Reasons Chocolate Is A Game-Changer For Natural Hair). Several of our products, for instance, contain Flaxseed Oil and we want you to know exactly what it is, where it comes from, and what it does for every natural hair type and texture. The Flaxseed Oil hair benefits are numerous and it’s why we’ve made it the star ingredient of our Moisture Miracle Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream. Learn more about why we’ve included this underrated natural ingredient in our products and the surprising ways it can make caring for your natural hair simpler, regardless of your natural hair type or texture. What is Flaxseed Oil? First things first, what exactly is Flaxseed Oil? This oil comes from the flax plant, a herb found in Africa, Oceania, Asia, and Europe. It was first cultivated in Babylon in about 3000 BC but wasn’t commonly used until somewhere around 300 BC in the Middle East. The Ancient Egyptians saw its numerous benefits and used its fibers for clothing while the Europeans in the Early Middle Ages consumed it for its health benefits. Next time you’re in a health food store keep your eyes peeled for flaxseeds. Chances are you’ll see tons of flax foods, grains, and oils. Whole flax seeds, also called linseed, can create two different types of oils. Flaxseed Oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds and is safe for human use and consumption while Linseed oil is extracted the same way but petroleum solvents are added to get the maximum yield. It’s important to note that Linseed oil is not safe for human consumption and is often used as an ingredient in paint and furniture finishes. Two largely different oils cut from the same seed so be sure to only use the Flaxseed Oil made for health and beauty care. The Health Benefits Of Flaxseed Humans have long been consuming flax seeds and Flaxseed Oil for its nutrients, but what exactly it did for the body was a mystery for most of that time. Many modern studies sought to discover whether flaxseed actually provided such amazing health advantages. One 2014 study done on rabbits demonstrated not only flaxseed’s health benefits, but also how it specifically contributes to overall hair health. The research showed that consuming flaxseed had a positive effect on the rabbits’ hair length and thickness. So how exactly does flaxseed achieve this? Well, the main nutrients in flaxseed that contributed to hair growth are its omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. The fatty acids nourish the hair shafts and follicles, strengthening them against damage and improving the hair’s elasticity. This encourages new hair growth that is strong and healthy. Flaxseed’s high amounts of protein and selenium also contribute to hair growth as well as shine. Vitamin E improves blood circulation, nourishes the hair follicles, and adds moisture to the strands. Its strong antioxidant properties also keep the scalp healthy and protected against free radicals. With all of these great nutrients that benefit the whole body and the hair, it’s no surprise that there would be excellent advantages to applying flax topically as well. Flaxseed Oil Hair Benefits Ingesting flax offers a lot of value in terms of overall health and hair health, but applying it directly to hair comes with its own advantages, especially for natural hair. Curls and coils of almost all types tend to struggle with retaining moisture and those with Type 4 hair typically experience dry, itchy scalps. Textured hair has a tendency to be more prone to dryness and breakage. Finding the right curly and coily hair products that are affordable, effective, and gentle can often be a struggle. This is why we love Flaxseed Oil and how incredible it can be at transforming strands and fixing your biggest hair woes. Let’s dig deeper into the four most amazing Flaxseed Oil hair benefits. Fights Scalp Issues The most frustrating scalp issues are also some of the most common. These can include itching, dryness, and dandruff. Not only are these scalp irritations physically and visibly unpleasant, they can also lead to more serious problems like eczema, infections, and even stunt hair growth. The fatty acids and nutrients found in Flaxseed Oil are just what your natural hair needs to help alleviate that irritation. The rich omega-3 fatty acids moisturize and soothe the scalp while helping to fight those more serious ailments like dandruff and eczema. One of the best ways to fight scalp issues is to give yourself a soothing scalp massage with pure Flaxseed Oil. Simply massage into your dry scalp in between wash days or leave on the scalp as a deep conditioning treatment, rinsing off after 20-30 minutes. Stimulates Hair Growth Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins like Vitamin E, Flaxseed Oil helps promote a healthy scalp, adds shine, and nourishes dry, brittle strands. Omega-3 fats nourish hair follicles and encourage growth as they help prevent inflammation which leads to hair loss, dandruff, and itchy scalps. Meanwhile the rich vitamin E reduces free radical damage that leads to breakage and stunted growth. Clearer, healthier hair follicles prevent tissue corrosion and provide a better environment for new hair growth. Similarly, Flaxseed Oil works to seal hair cuticles, helping to fight frizz and prevent breakage so that your natural locks can grow longer and stronger. Rich in antioxidants, you can reap the hair growth benefits of Flaxseed Oil by adding more flax to your diet and giving yourself a relaxing scalp massage as outlined above Gives Hold & Definition One of the reasons we love Flaxseed Oil for all natural hair textures is that it provides great hold and restores shine to your natural beautiful hair. This nourishing ingredient leaves curls and coils more manageable while supplying a light yet noticeable hold. Flaxseed Oil in gel formulas makes a wonderful flake-free moisturizer that gives coily and curly hair sturdy hold and definition without that dreaded crunchiness. Using Flaxseed gel is a great way to apply the benefits of Flaxseed to your hair topically and to get amazing hold for your style. Our Moisture Miracle African Pride Gel N’ Cream utilizes Flaxseed Oil with the added benefits of Shea Butter to provide superior curl definition, hydration and shine, enhancing coils and curls natural pattern without flaking. For best results apply gel to small sections of clean, wet hair. Smooth throughout your hair in a downward motion and use a denman brush or comb to define each section. Scrunch coils & curls as needed. Allow to air dry or sit under a hooded dryer for maximum impact. Moisturizes & Strengthens We all know protein is incredibly important for a balanced diet. Protein is also a significant factor in the overall health of your skin and hair. As one of the richest vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, Flaxseed Oil is an excellent source of protein and nutrients. These essential fats help moisturize the scalp and strands plus, they make curls stronger and shinier. Packed with nourishing nutrients like vitamin B, magnesium, selenium, and copper, Flaxseed helps improve the elasticity of your natural curls while giving them the proper moisture to grow stronger and healthier. By sealing moisture to the hair shaft, Flaxseed Oil helps curls and coils have less breakage, dryness, frizz, and split ends. We love how well Flaxseed helps transform brittle, dry, or lackluster natural hair, making it smoother and more manageable. Using Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream African Pride’s Moisture Miracle Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream blends Shea Butter and Flaxseed Oil to provide deep moisture, lasting definition, and radiant shine. This is guaranteed to leave coils, waves, and curls of every type smooth and bouncy. Infused with moisturizing properties, this curling cream gives hair soft hold without flaking or crunchiness. It’s the perfect formula for easy wash-and-gos, twist-outs, braid-outs, or finger coils. Simply work this lush cream into sections of dry or damp hair (we think it works best on damp hair) and rake (never scrunch!) through strands with your fingers or a wide tooth comb, working the product from your roots to ends. This method helps you get the best version of your curls since they are smoothest when they’re wet. Once you’ve got your curls fully coated in the cream, don’t touch them too much as they dry, otherwise you might cause them to frizz. Air dry or gently blow dry hair with a diffuser on a low setting, then you can fluff it to your liking. It’s common to use a bit of gel on top of a curling cream that isn’t strong enough, but a defining formula like ours has enough hold to keep your curls and coils in place all day. Incorporating Flaxseed Into Your Daily Routine This natural, plant-based oil has so much to offer your hair health that we’ve added it to several of our amazing products. In addition to using Flaxseed Oil in your gel and curling creams, work some pure Flaxseed oil into your scalp as a gentle massage. To get even more benefits from Flaxseed Oil, it’s worth incorporating some into your diet as well as your hair care routine. Flaxseeds as a snack are a great source of fiber and Vitamin B, not to mention the omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E. In addition to stronger, healthier hair, some studies have even shown that ingesting Flaxseeds can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Not sure where to start? It’s easy, think of Flaxseed like a topping. It can be sprinkled over salads, oatmeal, veggies, yogurt, or smoothies and baked into goodies like bread and cookies. Making positive, healthy choices for your curls and coils (and your overall well-being) may take slightly more time or effort but that’s why it’s important to use ingredients that work overtime. That’s why we’re committed to creating effective yet affordable natural hair products that make your life a little bit easier. Discover our extensive Moisture Miracle collection and get ready for healthy, fabulous hair!
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8 Essential Tips For Transitioning Natural Hair
When transitioning to natural hair and growing out chemical relaxers, there are many things to consider: what products to use and how to best use them, how to minimize damage to your natural hair, how to maintain edges, and above all, how to make sure your curls still look cute. Transitioning your hair is a process that takes time, patience, and care. There will definitely be a few awkward weeks where your hair is finding its natural texture, pattern, and rhythm. Unfortunately, this process means there will be a few not-so-great hair days in your future. Don’t fear! You can always smooth strands into braids or other chic protective styles while your hair is growing out. In order to get long-term healthy, soft, and smooth curls when transitioning natural hair, there are a few must-dos to follow. Using nourishing formulas, protecting your hair at night, and avoiding heat styling are just a few of the transitioning rules. We’re digging deeper into our essential tips for transitioning your natural hair plus, what to expect when making the big switch. Why You Should Go Natural It’s your hair and you should do whatever makes you feel your best. However we have to admit, we love the au naturale look! It’s healthier for your strands in the long run plus, we think it’s important to embrace the beauty of your unique curls and coils. Now is also the perfect time to go natural. Over the summer a lot of things began to change. There was a major push to devote 15% of retail shelves to black-owned businesses and products, to cast more black models in mainstream ads, and to celebrate natural hair in all its glorious forms. There’s also been an increase in textured hair influencers, celebrities, and a larger social media presence of natural haired-beauties. With all these improvements it’s no wonder why so many of us with curls and coils are excited to explore new ways to style our hair that go beyond the traditional weaves and chemical relaxers. We love the creativity of protective styling and Instagram-friendly hair trends that are much more inclusive. Now is the perfect time to celebrate your hair and learn new ways to embrace and style it. Need some inspo on how to embrace your natural look? Read all about How To Embrace & Care For Your Natural Hair Like Tracee Ellis Ross. How Does Transitioning Effect Edges? If you’ve ever tried to transition your natural hair before you know that maintaining smooth edges is a huge concern. Though it may be tempting, never continue to relax your edges. It’s better to give your entire head a fresh start. When you’re transitioning, your hair is finding its natural pattern and texture which can take some time. During this process your edges will likely stick straight up and never lay flat against your head. Similarly, they will likely be extra dry or damaged from months (or years) of relaxing them. This means not only do you need to help nourish them to regrow, you need to find ways to style them that won’t contribute to any more damage. Read more about this process in The Best Edge Care Tips For Transitioning To Natural Hair. 8 Essential Transitioning Natural Hair Tips Transitioning your natural hair is a very personal journey. How it impacts your curls and how long it takes for your hair to fully thrive will depend on your unique curl pattern, texture, density, and more. However, there are some universal tips to help your strands look and feel healthy and hydrated while promoting new growth. When it comes to caring for transitioning hair the best approach is to treat your hair as gently as possible. This means no harsh chemicals, ingredients, or hot tools and lots of nourishing formulas and practices that protect your strands. Use Moisturizing Formulas Natural, textured hair is unique. As such, it requires extra specialized formulas. Curly and coily hair is prone to dryness at the best of times, meaning your transitioning strands are even more brittle and delicate. This makes using moisturizing formulas an integral part of your overall hair health. A simple way to tell if a product has enough moisture to quench your natural curls is whether it’s water-based. You can spot a water-based product by looking at the label and seeing water as the first ingredient, similarly you want to avoid harsh products with sulfates, alcohol or petrolatum. For example, our Moisture Miracle Collection is formulated with nourishing, natural ingredients to infuse hair with shine and moisture. Protect Your Hair At Night The easiest thing you can do to protect your curls is something you should definitely already be doing: covering your hair at night. If you’re using a regular bonnet, it might be making matters worse. Instead, opt for a silk scarf or a bonnet with a headband attached so that it fully covers your edges and top of your forehead. No matter what protective cover you use at night, make sure it’s a silk or satin material. This isn’t just to be fancy, silk and satin help your coils and curls remain hydrated and protected whereas cotton absorbs oil and moisture from your hair. For extra protection, double up with a pillowcase of the same material to prevent any breakage from friction as you may toss and turn. Be Patient Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to cut all your hair off in order to start transitioning to a natural ‘do. Instead you can simply trim dead ends every month or so and follow these tips to encourage healthy hair growth. Whichever method you choose, it’s going to take some time. We’re living in an age of instant gratification, and it can be difficult to be patient and wait for your hair to transition. However, it’s important to remember that good things take time. In the meantime, you can wear fabulous wigs and experiment with various protective styles like chic braids and edgy twists. Give Yourself A Scalp Massage Anything you can do to help your hair grow healthy is always worth it. A great way to care for your scalp and stimulate growth is to give it a comforting oil massage every week. We recommend using African Pride 5 Essential Oils blend as it can help reactivate hair follicles to support growth and prevent breakage. It also utilizes Vitamin E, a thickening agent, that repairs hair follicles to help reduce damage. Simply applying the oil will protect and strengthen the hair, plus massaging it into your edges will stimulate blood circulation and encourage growth. The increased circulation also helps more nutrients reach the hair follicles on the hairline. Gently massage a small amount of the oil blend into the scalp and hairline to moisturize, strengthen, and repair edges. Since stress can also contribute to hair loss, close your eyes and take some deep breaths as you’re massaging. Condition, Condition, Condition After shampooing, give your coils some deep lovin’. No matter how gentle you are while washing, the process will strip hair of some moisture. Add nutrients and moisture back to strands through deep conditioning. Massage conditioner to wet hair for 10-15 minutes and gently rinse out. For an extra boost of moisture apply a targeted hair mask like our Moisture Restore Treatment, apply a plastic shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Deep conditioning not only ensures your natural hair stays moisturized, it will help repair damage, soften strands, and restore shine. Always Detangle Knots and tangles are quite common, especially for transitioning hair, but the potential damage they can incur is major. Not properly detangling hair can lead to damage, frizziness, and more. Natural hair is most susceptible to damage when wet, so take the extra precautions to gently comb through hair after washing, first with your fingers and then a wide tooth comb. To ensure tangle-free tresses on wash day, use a gentle formula like our Moisture Miracle Pre-Shampoo to detangle strands and prep them for washing. Incorporating a pre-shampoo into your wash day regimen also helps to minimize breakage and better define natural curls and coils. Put Down The Hot Tools Seriously. Put them down. High heat will only further any damage and delay the process of getting your best natural hair. We get it can be tempting but instead of using hot tools on natural hair, put your curls in protective styles and air-dry using a cotton t-shirt to soak up the water. If you absolutely must use a heat styler, don’t forget to always, always, always use a heat protectant spray when applying any heat to the hair. This puts a protective barrier between the heat from the styling tool and your delicate strands. Record Your Hair Journey Going natural is a process of trial and error. You need to find the right products and formulas for your hair type and learn the best ways to style your unique curl pattern. Yes it takes patience and diligence, but the long term payoff is well worth it. In order to keep track of your hair journey we recommend keeping a record of how various products, formulas, and ingredients impacted your hair. This will help to ensure you don’t repeat mistakes and keep track of positive methods for future use. African Pride wants to empower and support all our natural-haired beauties out there and help you love what you were born with. Don’t worry, this is a process and it takes a long time. This special journey can’t be rushed, in fact it can take up to 8 months for your hair to fully transition back to its natural state. It might also take that long for you to build up your confidence in your natural beauty. Ultimately, the key to going natural is understanding that this isn’t just a trend, it’s a commitment to embracing your natural beauty and ingraining proper natural hair care as a lifestyle change. Armed with the right products, techniques, and our helpful advice, we know you’re gonna succeed!
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The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Every Hair Type
With Hanakkuah underway and Christmas just around the corner, many people find themselves faced with that eternally frustrating question: what presents should I buy for my friends and family? It’s been a weird year to say the least. Most people aren’t shopping the same way they used to. Similarly, with most people still working remote and not attending major events, there is much less need for fancy clothes or makeup. If you’re struggling with what to get your friends or family members this year, not to fear! We’ve created the ultimate holiday gift guide for all the textured hair beauties in your life. If you’re not entirely sure what someone’s hair type or needs are, you can always ask them outright, or take a peek at their social media to get a better idea (and keep it more of a secret). No matter what hair type or texture you’re buying for, there is something on this gift guide that is sure to bring them joy, and great hair. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers or something special to stash under the tree, let’s take a closer look at what’s on everyone’s wish list this year. Why African Pride Hair Care Products? African Pride was created to help empower and support all the natural-haired beauties out there. We want you to love the locks you were born with and help make them look their absolute best. Operated and led by women of color, African Pride truly understands the unique process of caring for your natural hair and the special journey to self-love. We believe In the unspoken power of a great hair day. The boost of energy that’s given when your beauty and confidence is intertwined should be accessible to all women. That’s why we created African Pride hair care products with premium all-natural ingredients at an affordable price. All our products are made for wavy, curly, and coily hair of all textures and patterns without harmful chemicals, parabens, or sulfates. The African Pride Gift Guide With so many products on the market featuring trendy ingredients and buzzy names it can be overwhelming trying to find the right ones for you, let alone for somebody else. We get it. That’s why this year we aren’t just sharing our holiday gift guide, but how you’ll be able to determine someone’s hair type in order to give them the perfect gift. Let’s get to it! Straight/Chemically Relaxed Hair How You’ll Know: Hair relaxers can range from an at-home lotion kit to a professional system. The goal of a hair relaxer is to make natural locks easier to straighten and manage. They work by breaking down hair strands and chemically altering the texture to reduce the curl pattern. You’ll be able to tell if someone has chemically relaxed hair by looking for the absence of curls or coils. If however, they have super long, shiny locks that’s likely a wig or weave. Look for a shorter length and clear, defined edges. What To Get Them: Chemically relaxed hair is much more prone to damage and breakage. As such, a great gift for someone with this hair need is a super nourishing leave-in conditioner like our Olive Miracle Leave-In Conditioner. This lightweight formula utilizes the rich nutrients and fatty acids in Olive oil and the detoxifying benefits of Tea Tree Oil to protect, strengthen, and condition natural hair. The other great gift? A strengthening cream like our Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Cream. Crafted with nourishing natural ingredients, this formula hydrates, softens and conditions hair while treating the scalp. It also helps prevent dryness and split ends, all while improving overall manageability. Coily Hair How You’ll Know: Coily hair is defined by small, tight spirals that are typically in a zigzag pattern. This hair type is much more prone to dryness and shrinkage. Some famous faces with this hair type are Solange Knowles, Kerry Washington, and Issa Rae. What To Get Them: Due to its tight coil pattern, Type 4 hair needs as much moisture as it can get. Regardless of exact texture, all coily hair girls will greatly benefit from nourishing, hydrating ingredients. Our two favorites? African Pride 5 Essential Oils which blends Vitamin E with Castor oil, Grapeseed oil, Argan oil, Coconut oil, and Olive oil to replenish hair’s natural nutrients, protect against breakage, and promote natural growth. Next our Black Castor Miracle Deep Penetrating Conditioning Treatment which combines Black Castor Oil, Coconut Milk, and Shea Butter to quench thirsty strands. Curly Hair How You’ll Know: Curly hair, or Type 3 hair, is slightly looser and springier, but much more prone to frizz. They are also sometimes called corkscrew curls and tend to be rather dense. Some famous faces with this hair type are Nathalie Emmanuel, Yara Shahidi, and Tracee Ellis Ross. What To Get Them: Type 3 hair can be difficult to care for as it needs both moisture and definition. Tackle both of these hair needs with a lush leave-in conditioner and curl defining formula. Our Moisture Miracle leave-in conditioner is a lightweight blend of hydrating Coconut Milk and African Honey which helps replenish moisture, add shine, and soften hair. Curly hair will also love a curl defining product like our Moisture Miracle Flaxseed Oil & Shea Butter Gel N’ Cream. This 3-in-1 formula blends nourishing ingredients to provide excellent curl definition and hydration that enhances curls natural pattern with zero flaking. Wavy Hair How You’ll Know: Wavy hair, or Type 2 hair, is defined by loose waves with slight bend. This hair tends to be less dense and less dry than the other hair types. Type 2 hair can differ greatly from soft ringlets to looser waves and it’s typical for someone to have several different curl patterns on their head. Famous faces with this hair type are Lorde and Zendaya, though Beyonce also frequently rocks this hair type. What To Get Them: Wavy hair needs a combination of curl boosters and formulas that add more definition and texture to strands and we love our Moisture Miracle Argan Oil Curl Mousse for Type 2 hair. This blend of Rose Water and Argan Oil forms a lightweight foam that conditions hair while adding body, control, and flexible hold. It leaves natural curls defined, frizz-free, and soft. Wavy hair, whether this is a person’s natural texture or an in-between texture while transitioning also benefits from a nourishing curl pudding like our Shea Moisture Curl Styling Custard. This non-sticky, flake-free formula helps elongate curls while giving them softness and shine. Dry Hair How You’ll Know: Almost every textured hair type could use an extra dose of hydration. While type 4 hair is more prone to dryness, the colder months mean everyone needs to up their moisturizer game. This is the gift that can’t fail. What To Get Them: A nourishing shampoo & conditioner duo. Our most-loved Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo is our go-to cleanser. This gentle shampoo removes dirt and buildup from hair without stripping it of its natural oils, but it’s also powerful. It deeply penetrates the hair shaft to hydrate natural coils and curls, leaving hair soft, nourished, and bursting with natural shine. Pair it with our Honey, Chocolate & Coconut Oil Conditioner which utilizes a moisture restoring blend of natural ingredients to hydrate and repair dry coils and curls. Kids Hair Don’t leave out the kiddos! Our Dream Kids collection is filled with gentle, easy-to-use products that are great for kids with growing curls and coils. Featuring natural ingredients that are gentle on delicate hair, kids love our Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner and detangling Anti-Reversion Shampoo. Where To Buy African Pride Hair Care Products Ready to check these gifts off your holiday shopping list? There are a few ways to get your gifts delivered in time. Order your favorite African Pride products online or shop in store at Dollar General and Walgreens. Find your favorite African Pride products nearest you with our handy store locator. Happy Holidays!
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How To Embrace & Care For Your Natural Hair Like Tracee Ellis Ross
When it comes to iconic women who promote self-love and acceptance (and who pretty much always looks fabulous) Tracee Ellis Ross is it. Many celebrities are great sources of textured hair inspiration, but so many of them have an unattainable, almost mystical-like quality. Getting your tresses on that Queen B level takes lots of money and time and even if you have both of those, it can still feel like an impossible task and unachievable dream. What we love about Tracee Ellis Ross is how approachable both her and her hair care routine is. Plus, she often rocks her natural ‘do and empowers others to embrace their own unique natural hair pattern and texture. If you’re just starting the transition to going natural, you want to take better care of your natural locks, or you just want to practice more patience and love when it comes to your curls and coils, there is no better icon to emulate than miss Ross. We’re diving into the signature Tracee Ellis Ross hair care routine and the easy wash-and-go look she’s perfected plus, how you can achieve the same look at home. Let’s get started on your natural hair care journey and discover how to embrace and care for your unique hair type and texture, Tracee Ellis Ross style. Why We Love Tracee Ellis Ross Via IG // @traceeellisross In case you don’t already know (though we doubt it) Tracee Ellis Ross is the daughter of legendary Diana Ross and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein. Though she has always been in the spotlight, her famous family is the least interesting thing about her. As a graduate from an ivy league school, she also lists: actress, model, presenter, fashion editor, and entrepreneur on her impressive resume. She’s long embraced her natural beauty while encouraging others to do the same and recognizes the “power it takes to wear your hair in its natural glory.” She wasn’t always this confident in her natural hair however, like many women, embracing her unique natural hair has been a journey. Sometimes embracing your god-given texture can be a difficult road full of hair disasters and bad yearbook photos. We love how vocal she is in discovering the special beauty of your individual curls and coils and breaking down the stigma of discussing this process. But it’s her bubbly personality, approachable attitude, infectious humor, and outspoken nature that’s made her the superstar she is today, and what’s made us all fall in love with her. Caring For Your Natural Hair Like most of us curly girls, Tracee Ellis Ross went through an intense journey to self-love and natural hair acceptance. She speaks candidly about being at odds with her hair growing up. This was primarily in part because there was (and still is) a lack of mainstream representation of natural haired women and internalizing the feeling that her natural curls didn’t look the way they should. This journey is one all curly girls will eventually go on. Chances are you’re on it now. You might be avoiding going natural, you might be trying to embrace it, or learning to properly care for your unique texture. No matter where you are on the journey right now, congrats! It takes time to be both completely confident in your natural look and master an effective natural hair care routine. The first step on your natural hair care journey is discovery. While there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to natural hair care, we always recommend everyone spend some time with their hair in its natural state. Evaluate what it needs, ie: do you curls tend to frizz up? Are they brittle and dry? Then see how your strands respond to water, humidity, and hair care products. Next it’s time to get your coils and curls into shape. This takes time. It takes working with various products, techniques, and lots of trial and error to find what works best for you. Below we’ve outlined Tracee Ellis Ross’ easy wash-and-go routine for healthy natural curls. Feel free to adapt the steps to what works best for your hair texture and type. Tracee Ellis Ross’ Hair Care Routine Step 1: Shampoo Some people swear by co-washing but Tracee Ellis Ross (like us) argues that skipping shampoo can be damaging to the overall health of your hair. Maintain healthy, hydrated coils with a sulfate-free formula, like our Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil Shampoo, that moisturizes, removes dirt and buildup, and won’t strip strands of their natural oils. Step 2: Condition No matter how gentle you are while shampooing, the process will naturally strip hair of some moisture. That’s why it’s important to add back nutrients and moisture to strands through conditioning. Massage our Coconut Oil Conditioner to wet hair for 10-15 minutes and gently rinse. Step 3: Leave-in Conditioner Tracee Ellis Ross likes to apply leave-in conditioner to soaking wet hair while still in the shower. She applies lots of product into her hands, flips her head upside and dips hair into her palms. She then works the leave-in conditioner through strands, scrunching and detangling as she goes. Try our lightweight African Pride Leave-in Conditioner that replenishes moisture, adds shine, softens and leaves hair manageable and defined. Step 4: Towel Dry Hair Gently wrap hair into a microfiber towel and make sure it’s not too tight or twisted as not to ruin the curls you just created. Then let your hair towel dry while you use this time to do makeup or your skin care routine. After 10-15 minutes, Tracee takes her hair out of the towel and secures the majority of her hair at the top of her head with a large claw clip and lets this sit for another few minutes. Step 5: Blow Dry Hair You can choose to skip this step if you are trying to repair damaged hair. Even if your hair isn’t damaged it’s important to always use a diffuser and keep the hairdryer on a low heat setting. Slowly blow dry hair, working in sections and let each sit under the diffuser for a few seconds. Don’t worry if your curls dry differently or parts of your head have a slightly different pattern. For instance, Tracee Ellis Ross states she has several different curl patterns in her hair and has learned to embrace it: “I don’t like when my hair is all uniform,” she told Vogue, “I love having the difference and contrast of all the different curl patterns.” Step 6: Seal in Moisture For the final step, Tracee Ellis Ross seals in moisture and secures the style of her curls with an oil or serum. Lightly massage your scalp and strands with a nourishing blend of our African Pride 5 Essential Oils or Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil to restore the natural nutrients your hair needs. How To Embrace Your Natural Hair If you rarely go natural, take some time to think about why that is. No judgement either way. If it’s simply because it’s easier and more comfortable for you to wear extensions and wigs we get it! If however, you are afraid to embrace your natural hair texture or worry about how you will be perceived, it might be time to reframe your thinking. African Pride wants to empower and support all our natural-haired beauties out there and help you love what you were born with. Don’t worry, this is a process and it takes a long time. We’ve previously mentioned the natural hair journey and while part of this journey is learning what works with your unique hair type and texture and mastering your natural hair care routine, it all starts with love and acceptance. This journey can’t be rushed, in fact it can take up to 8 months for your hair to fully transition back to its natural state. It might also take that long for you to build up your confidence in your natural beauty. Tracee Ellis Ross speaks about the struggles she had with her natural hair. She used to rinse her hair with beer and iron it with a clothes iron (please never do either of these things!) to alter her curls into what she thought was the desired look. Let’s take a deeper look at the essential steps to embracing your natural ‘do. Put Down The Hair Tools The first thing you need to do when attempting to embrace your natural look is to understand that ‘going natural’ doesn’t mean the same thing as a wash-and-go. So many girls spend hours straightening, relaxing, and smoothing down their hair. This in turn creates a ton of damage and can disrupt your natural curl pattern. The first day you decide to rock a natural look is not how your hair will look a month or a year from now. Your hair needs to be nursed back to health and recover from years of manipulation. You might do Tracee Ellis Ross’ signature wash-and-go style and not like the way your curls look. This is normal. You’ve spent years fighting against your nature texture and causing damage, be patient and go slowly. Stop the use of any hot hair tools (including a blow dryer) and do plenty of deep conditioning treatments to nurture your delicate strands. Use A Curling Cream Once you’ve ceased using straighteners, curlers, and relaxers, it’s time to retrain your curls. In the beginning they will need some outside help finding the right pattern. Use a nourishing and hydrating curling cream to gently shape curls. Proper application of curling creams is also important. Applying these formulas while your hair is soaking wet is key as it gives you more control over your curls. Trial and Error You’ll learn to embrace your curls once you understand them better. It takes patience and diligence, but the long term payoff is well worth it. You’ll need to start at the beginning and learn how to properly take care of your curls and coils. This means a system of trial and error for finding the right products and formulas, getting regular trims (or maybe the big chop to eliminate damage), and learning the best ways to style your individual curl type. Ultimately, the key is to learn that going natural isn’t just a trend, it’s a commitment to embracing your natural beauty and ingraining proper natural hair care as a lifestyle change, like you do with diet, exercise, and self-care. Seek Positive Hair Inspiration Scrolling through social media can be disheartening for many reasons, especially for curly-haired girls. Mainstream media is still lacking in natural hair representation and many popular influencers have little to no texture in their hair. It’s important to curate your social media feeds to reflect what will make you happy and confident. Try to follow inspiring people and accounts that highlight your personal curl type and pattern. Youtube how-to videos for advice on caring for your type of curls and don’t even bother watching videos that don’t feature your hair type. Once you start seeing your hair type on a daily basis you’ll feel more confident in accepting your hair for the unique beauty it is.
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The Best Edge Care Tips For Transitioning To Natural Hair
When transitioning to natural hair and growing out chemical relaxers, there are many things to consider: what products to use and how to best use them, how to minimize damage to your natural hair, how to make your curls still look cute, and above all, how to maintain those edges. Transitioning your hair is a process that takes time, patience, and care. There will definitely be a few awkward weeks where your hair is finding its natural texture, pattern, and rhythm. Unfortunately, this process means there will be a few not-so-great hair days in your future. While you can smooth your strands into braids or other protective styles while your hair is growing out, the one part of your hair you can’t hide is your edges. This impacts everyone differently but typically when transitioning to an au natural style, your edges will be more damaged and dry and subsequently more difficult to control. To get healthy, soft, and smooth edges when transitioning to your natural hair, there are a few must-dos to follow. The best way to care is a combination of using a high-quality formula, like our African Pride Olive Miracle Super Hold cream, and taking a few extra hair care precautions. We’re diving into our best edge control tips and tricks below. What Are Edges? Edges are those soft, wispy hairs that frame your hairline and face are sometimes referred to as ‘baby hairs’ and for good reason, Edges need to be completely babied to thrive. These tiny strands of hair are actually the most fragile thing in your head. Between wearing tight protective styles, harsh weather, chemical relaxers, or using a rough touch when washing or styling, your edges are almost always susceptible to breakage. How Does Transitioning Effect Edges? If you’ve ever tried to transition before you know that maintaining smooth edges is a huge concern when growing out relaxers. Though it may be tempting, never continue to relax your edges. It’s better to give your entire head a fresh start. When you’re transitioning, your hair is finding its natural pattern and texture which can take some time. During this process your edges will likely stick straight up and never lay flat against your head. Similarly, they will likely be extra dry or damaged from months (or years) of relaxing them. This means not only do you need to help nourish them to regrow, you need to find ways to style them that won’t contribute to any more damage. Below, we’re covering some of the best products for transitioning your edges (that won’t cause more damage and dryness) plus some edge control tips and tricks. The Best Products For Transitioning Edges Styling your edges is an important part of any hairstyle and it’s important they are sleek and tidy. However, handling your edges too much can contribute to breakage and thinning. Note that constant brushing, combing, rubbing, and pulling will cause excessive and possible irreparable damage to your hairline. Before you style your edges or put your natural hair into a protective hairstyle, make sure you’ve given hair the proper time to care and recover. When it comes to proper edge care, let’s start by discussing the worst products for transitioning edges. What you want to avoid when transitioning your edges (and in general) are alcohol-based hair gels. Though these might slick your edges down exactly the way you want them, the alcohol and/or mineral oil formulas will cause increased dryness, brittleness, and potential damage. Instead you want to look for nourishing, moisturizing formulas that are water-based. Here are a few options for the best edge control products when transitioning to natural hair. Olive Miracle Super Smooth & Hold Edges Our top pick! African Pride’s Olive Miracle Super Hold pomade combines tea tree oil and extra virgin olive oil to give a nourishing, flake-free hold to your edges. Made with the best natural oils and extracts, this formula will nourish hair while keeping it shiny and smooth. Pro tip: be sure to use your hands instead of a comb. Moisture Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Made with coconut milk and honey, this lightweight leave-in conditioner formula is a perfect way to keep your edges soft, smooth, and moisturized. The best part? You can use this on dry hair to keep edges nourished in-between wash days. Spray generously onto edges (and don’t forget those baby strands on the nape of your neck) and gently smooth down with your fingers. For maximum moisture, spray on before bed, gently rub product into your edges and cover your head overnight with a silk scarf. African Pride 5 Essential Oils We love this lush combination of natural oils that includes: Castor oil for hair growth, Grapeseed oil for strengthening, Argan oil for repair and shine, Coconut oil for deep conditioning, and Olive oil for sealed in hydration. With dry or wet hair simply massage a few drops into your edges and let the magic begin. Shea Miracle Silky Edges Maintain your hairline’s strength and moisture with our Anti-Frizz Conditioning Gel. Formulated without harsh ingredients and instead a restorative blend of African shea butter and herbal oil extracts, this edge conditioner is non-flaking, non-greasy, and non-sticky. African Pride Edge Control & Care Tips In addition to styling your edges with the right formulas, there are a few natural edge care tips to ensure your edges are healthy and hydrated plus, promote their growth. When it comes to caring for transitioning hair the best approach is to treat your hair like you would treat a child’s natural hair. This means no harsh chemicals, ingredients, or hot tools and lots of nourishing formulas and practices that protect your delicate curls and coils. Think of edge care the same way you think about healthy eating or exercise, it’s about regularly incorporating lifestyle and hair care changes to your normal routine. We promise it’s worth it in the long run to see stronger, healthier edges. Protect Your Edges At Night The easiest thing you can do to protect your edges is something you should definitely already be doing: covering your hair at night. If you’re using a regular bonnet, it might be making matters worse. Instead, opt for a silk scarf or a bonnet with a headband attached so that it fully covers your edges and top of your forehead. This secures your full hairline so that your edges are fully protected from breakage while you sleep. No matter what protective cover you use at night, make sure it’s a silk or satin material. This isn’t just to be fancy, silk and satin help your coils and curls remain hydrated and protected whereas cotton absorbs oil and moisture from your hair. For extra edge protection, double up with a pillowcase of the same material to prevent any breakage from friction as you may toss and turn. Show Your Scalp Love Anything you might do to help your hair grow will help your edges grow healthy too. A great way to care for your scalp and stimulate growth is to give it a comforting oil massage every few weeks. We recommend using African Pride 5 Essential Oils blend as it can help reactivate hair follicles to support growth and prevent breakage. It also utilizes Vitamin E, a thickening agent, that repairs hair follicles to help reduce damage. Simply applying the oil will protect and strengthen the hair, but actually massaging it into your edges will stimulate blood circulation and encourage growth. The increased circulation also helps more nutrients reach the hair follicles on the hairline. Gently massage a small amount of the oil blend into the scalp and hairline to moisturize, strengthen, and repair edges. Since stress can also contribute to hair loss, close your eyes and take some deep breaths as you’re massaging. You can also do the same thing with conditioner. On wash day avoid shampooing your edges too much and instead apply conditioner directly to edges and gently massage the nourishing formula into them. Use Moisturizing Formulas Natural, textured hair is unique. As such, it requires extra specialized formulas. Curly and coily hair is prone to dryness at the best of times, meaning your edges are even more brittle and delicate. This makes using moisturizing formulas an integral part of your overall hair health. A simple way to tell if a product has enough moisture to quench your natural curls is whether it’s water-based. You can spot a water-based product by looking at the label and seeing water as the first ingredient, similarly you want to avoid harsh products with sulfates, alcohol or petrolatum. That’s why we love our Olive Miracle Super Hold to style and smooth edges, control frizz, and tame flyaways all while nourishing them at the same time. With aqua as the foundation, this non-greasy formula combines an array of moisturizing oils like: Soybean, Jojoba, Olive, Avocado, Coconut, and Tea Tree. Armed with the right products and practice, your edges will become more manageable, smooth and healthy. However, keep in mind that it might take a few weeks to see proper results. Transitioning your hair is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and steady is the name of the game. Even if your edges grow back strong, if you stop doing all the good things you did to revive them they’ll just become damaged and brittle again. For the best edges of your life, it’s important to incorporate these lifestyle changes into your daily natural hair care routine.
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How To Choose The Best Hair Products For Curly Hair
Finding the perfect natural hair care products for your curls can be a difficult task, as different curls require very different care. The struggle ranges from trying to find products that infuse strands (and the scalp) with moisture without weighing your hair down. Plus, you want your strands to look and feel healthy. This means finding the perfect balance of products for curly hair that hydrate and define while simultaneously adding shine and fighting frizz and breakage. This might seem like a tall order but we promise, finding the holy grail natural hair care routine doesn’t need to be a lifelong challenge. Thankfully, wearing your hair in its natural state is becoming increasingly mainstream and cool (though wasn’t it always?) which means there are even more products and formulas to choose from. The key to finding the best hair products for curly hair however, is to find ones that work with your natural hair type and texture, not against it. You want to embrace and enhance your au natural curls and spend less time battling it. To choose the right products for your hair you need to first establish your hair type and hair goals. Ultimately, there will be a period of trial and error. Because your curls are unique you need to discern what ingredients, technique, and formulas will help create your dream hair. To make this quest a little easier we’ve created the ultimate guide to choosing the best hair products for your curls. From shampoo and leave-in conditioners to styling creams and oils we’ve compiled everything your curls need to look and feel their best. Plus, what you should look for when establishing a new natural hair care routine. Know Your Hair Type Before you can even start shopping for natural hair products, you need to know your hair. This goes beyond just knowing your general curl pattern and more often than not you’ll have several different curl patterns on your head. Instead you need to consider the width and diameter of your waves, your porosity, density, and texture. To identify your unique natural curl type it’s best to take a two-pronged approach. First, look at your curls when they are wet. Observe and feel how much hair you have per inch, is it coarse or fine? If your hair has a more oval shape this typically means you have coily hair whereas a more circular shape means you have curlier hair. Essentially curly hair types are broken down like this: Type 2 = Wavy: Has a bendable S pattern that lays close to the head. Easily straightened. Type 3 = Curly More prone to frizz. Ranges from loose loops to springy corkscrew patterns. Type 4 = Coily Naturally dry and prone to shrinkage. Has tight, small curls typically in a zigzag pattern. From here they’re broken down into subcategories based on the pattern, or the width and diameter, of your hair type: Type A = Wide pattern Type B = Medium pattern Type C = Small pattern Once you’ve identified your hair pattern you’ll want to tackle step two. We recommend keeping a hair journal to monitor how your curls or coils react to different products and environments. This also includes how much your hair absorbs those products as this determines its porosity. Because everyone’s curls react differently it’s best to see how these varying factors impact your hair. Still not sure what your hair type is? Not to worry, take the African Pride Talking Texture Hair Quiz now plus get a free sample of the product line that’s right for you. Define Your Hair Goals Now that you know what general category your curls fall into, you can take a closer look at your hair needs and ultimate objectives. Keep in mind these should be realistic goals based on your natural hair. If you have Type 4C hair for example, your goal shouldn’t be to create looser curls but instead, to properly hydrate your hair and eliminate frizz or breakage. Natural hair products should be selected to satisfy your hair’s unique need, then you should narrow these down to 2-3 specific goals. Take a close look at your hair, especially when it’s clean and dry with no other products in it. Does it feel dry? Is your scalp flaking? Do you have breakage or split ends? Do you have frizz or dullness? Do your curls lose shape easily? Consider what your hair’s biggest needs are and let that dictate how you shop for products. Dry hair that flakes or gets split ends and frizz likely needs moisture and protein. Oiler hair that loses shape easily needs clarifying and definition. Look At The Ingredients Before we talk about what ingredients you should look for in curly hair care products, let’s consider the ingredients that you should always avoid. Harmful chemicals and alcohols will strip your hair of its natural oils that help protect strands. Avoid any products with sulfates, silicones, or parabens as these can cause dryness, frizz, and damage. Instead, look for all-natural ingredients that are full of proteins, vitamins, and fatty-acids. Coconut oil is an all-time curly favorite due to its ultra-hydrating properties. Plus, it deeply penetrates the scalp and strands for conditioning and strengthening. That’s why we made it the star ingredient of our Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo and our Coconut Oil Conditioner. You’ll also notice African honey in several of our products. Honey has so many benefits (read all about them here: 7 Ways African Pride Honey Can Transform Your Natural Hair) including smoothing frizz, moisturizing, promoting growth, and detoxifying the scalp. In addition to these amazing ingredients, we recommend Shea Butter for wavy hair and Flaxseed Oil and Aloe Vera for curly hair. For coily hair, Olive Oil is one of the best natural ingredients due to its ability to seal in moisture and prevent breakage. Our Olive Miracle 2-in-1 Shampoo is a great way to revitalize dry strands while you wash. Some of our other favorite natural ingredients? Argan Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Soybean Oil, and Jojoba Oil. Don’t Believe Everything You Read Your curls are unique. That’s a fact. This means that what works for your friends, your sister, or other family members may not work best for you. It’s actually fairly common to have a completely different hair type than your family. When it comes to online reviews, getting another opinion on a new hair product can be very helpful. You want to trust that what you’re buying will actually work and let’s face it, we all get influenced by what celebrities and beauty gurus recommend. Caring for your natural curls however, is a very personal journey. Maybe a certain formula, product, or ingredient is a miracle for some but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will transform your locks. Similarly, somebody might give a negative review of a product but that doesn’t mean it won’t work on your hair type. Before you give into the hype (or negativity) of a product take the time to see who is giving those reviews and if they share your hair type or not. Similarly, it’s possible those people weren’t using it properly or in the same way you would need to. While some products really are miracle workers, most of us will have to go through some trial and error. It’s better to carefully select your products based on the criteria we’ve outlined here and then try it for yourself. Be Patient How many of you try a product once, don’t see immediate results and give up? We’ve all done it whether it’s a skin care serum or hair cream. When it comes to hair care (and skin care) good things take time. Most products don’t work instantly. In fact, it typically takes 4 weeks for your cells to regenerate meaning you need to consistently use a new product for at least 30 days before you can expect to see very visible results. This can be difficult, especially in a culture where we can pretty much get anything immediately at the push of a button. Practice patience as best you can and give your new hair care products a chance before giving up. We promise the wait is worth it for healthy, beautiful hair. Our Best Products For Curly Hair At African Pride we happily use all-natural ingredients in our products and formulate them without harmful chemicals, parabens, or sulfates. All our products are made for wavy, curly, and coily hair of all textures and patterns. We do however, have our favorites for curly hair. We love our Argan Oil Curl Mousse for Type 2A-2B to add more texture and oomph. For Type 2C hair our nourishing Moisture Miracle Leave-in Conditioner is a lightweight way to add shine and hydration to hair. Type 3 hair is tighter and springier, and much more prone to frizz. We recommend a Braid Sheen Spray for Type 3A hair while 3B will greatly benefit from a curl defining product like our Gel N’ Cream. Fight frizz on Type 3C hair with a hydrating Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream and nourishing conditioner. When it comes to Type 4 hair, dryness is typically the biggest concern. All Type 4 hair regardless of texture will greatly benefit from nourishing, hydrating ingredients. Opt for our Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils, Shea Butter Curl Styling Custard, and a Deep Penetrating Conditioning Treatment to quench thirsty strands. Naturally, finding a hair care routine that works perfectly will take a little bit of trial and error. Armed with the right products and ingredients for your hair type, plus a bit of patience however, achieving your dream hair will be easy. Remember, the key is to embrace and enhance your natural curls. Just like you they’re unique and deserve a chance to shine.
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How To Get Meagan Good’s Faux Locs With Braid, Loc & Twist Gel
Natural hair DIYs can be intimidating, especially if you’re used to hitting up the salon every time you want a fresh look. Whether you’re trying to cut back on expenses, want to ensure your health and safety, or just want to get better at doing your own hair, DIY styles are affordable and fun. Plus, they give you something to do! Having a new project is always a welcome distraction. When it comes to DIY hairstyling we’ve always loved the beauty and versatility of goddess locs and we have Meagan Good to thank for putting them on the map. The talented actress has rocked tons of envy-inducing looks over the years but it’s her signature locs that have become the perfect natural hair inspo that work for any time of year. Copping Meagan Good’s iconic hairstyle might take some work to achieve on your own but the most important thing to remember is not to get frustrated. This is especially important if you’re new to styling your own hair. Getting a professional-level hairstyle at home takes lots of patience and practice. Fortunately, getting those fabulous Meagan Good faux locs at home is easier than ever when armed with African Pride Black Castor Miracle Braid, Loc & Twist Gel and our handy DIY goddess loc guide. We’re also breaking down the proper way to care for and maintain faux locs plus a step-by-step guide to recreating her looks at home. What Are Faux Locs? In 2015 Goddess locs were created by Dr. Kari Williams specifically for Meagan Good. She wanted a look that mimicked Lisa Bonet’s actual natural hair. While it took lots of thought (and many prayers) Dr. Kari Williams created the stunning look we all know and love. The primary difference between faux locs and goddess locs is that traditional locs are created with synthetic hair, have a shinier look, and are twisted to the ends of the hair strands or left straight. Goddess locs on the other hand are created with human hair, have a lighter look, and have wavy ends. Why We Love Goddess Faux Locs We love Meagan Good’s faux locs for so many reasons: they’re versatile and can be styled into updos, side parts and more, they’re unique, the wavy ends really set them apart, they’re low-maintenance, while it may take some time to install them properly they can last for up to 4 months! Don’t just take our word for it, Meagan Good also loves goddess faux locs for good reason. “The Goddess faux loc style has become my favorite look. No breakage, easy-styling or no styling at all-they’re gorgeous, soft, and easy to wear.” – Meagan Good Pre-Installation Natural Hair Care Before you even start thinking about styling your hair you need to begin with a clean slate. Prepping your hair for protective styling or intense manipulation is the best way to make at-home DIY hairstyling a breeze. Since you likely won’t be able to properly wash your hair for a few weeks at best, make sure your hair is clean and free of any product build-up before installation. First reach for a hydrating yet effective formula like our Moisture Miracle Pre-Shampoo to prep your strands and get the most out of your shampooing. Next wash and condition hair with Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil Shampoo & Coconut Oil Conditioner. Starting with a clean base, especially a clean scalp, helps hair stay healthy through the duration of your protective style. Next, opt for a Deep Penetrating Conditioner Treatment to strengthen strands. Distribute the product evenly from roots to ends, detangle, cover the hair with a plastic cap, and apply moderate heat for up to 30 minutes before thoroughly rinsing thoroughly. Lastly, spray a lush leave-in conditioner generously onto strands to give them an extra dose of moisture. How To Get Meagan Good’s Faux Locs Via IG // @Megangood Getting goddess faux locs is a tricker and more time-consuming hairstyle to get perfectly on your first time. Remember that patience and practice is key. It can also be helpful to have a friend or family member assist you. Step 1: There are a few steps to getting the perfect faux locs but it all starts with buying the right hair. To get the best faux locs you’ll need at least two different types of hair extensions: deep wave (or european wave) and either marley hair, braiding hair or cuban twist hair. Step 2: Starting with small (about 1 inch sections) of hair, add a hair extension strand to one section and loop around the base of the hair. Next begin creating a two-strand twist to give your hair a cylinder shape. Twist from scalp to end but stop a few inches before the ends of your hair as you want them to be loose and wavy. Repeat across your entire head. Another way to create goddess faux locs is to braid a hair extension into your own hair. Starting with the same smaller sections, braid each area until you near the ends of hair. Do this all over your entire head. Then grabbing 2 braided strands at a time, twist the two strands together, wrapping the braided sections together creates a faux loc. Remember to keep the ends loose and wavy. Step 3: To secure your ends use a little bit of hair or nail glue (some people opt to lightly cinch the ends with a lighter but we’d recommend using caution when doing this). Once ends are secure gently comb the remaining strands. Step 4: If you want your ends to have a looser curl Lightly dip ends into boiled water for a few seconds (be careful!) then squeeze out any excess water with a microfiber towel.Step 5: Time to accessorize! You can add any accents like rings or beads into your faux locs. The easiest way to apply beads is to thread your hair through, knot several times (with the thread NOT your hair) and voila! Styling with Black Castor Miracle Braid, Loc & Twist Gel To ensure your faux locs are sleek, frizz-free, and have lasting hold be sure to use a specialized formula like our Black Castor Miracle Braid, Loc & Twist Gel. This non-flaking gel also helps to style hair tighter so you don’t have to pull as hard against your scalp. When braiding or twisting your hair outlined in the steps above, take a small amount of our Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid Gel and work it into the scalp down through the mid-section as you braid or twist. The unique blend of Black Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, and Castor Oil is naturally formulated free from harmful components like parabens, mineral oil, suflates, and petrolatum. This multi-tasking formula helps smooth frizz and flyaways while boosting shine for longer lasting styles. It keeps braids, locs and twists neat, controlled, and smooth with its moisturizing properties hydrate thirsty strands without feeling greasy. Maintaining Your Faux Locs The great thing about Meagan Good’s faux locs is how long they can stay in and how relatively low-maintenance they are. Most people keep them in around a month at which point they should be re-done. Though they are a fairly easy hairstyle to maintain, proper care is necessary to make sure they last as long as possible and you’re not damaging your natural hair in the process. Sometimes however, our fear of frizz, breakage, or ruining the locs that took forever to get just right stops us from properly washing or caring for our new hairstyle. Also hey, sometimes we just get lazy. Washing and making sure our strands are moisturized however, is vital to ensuring tighter textures and curls are protected and healthy. Cleanse Your Scalp Keeping your hair in a faux locs style without properly cleansing can lead to a multitude of ongoing hair and scalp issues. The biggest one? The dreaded dry scalp. Not thoroughly cleansing your scalp allows build-up to accumulate. Think: sweat, pollution, dirt, hair products, grease, flakes, and other gross stuff. Since you don’t want to get your locs wet opt for a gentle scalp cleanser like our Black Castor Miracle Braid & Scalp Cleansing Rinse. The fine nozzle tip will allow you to easily apply the rinse to edges, scalp, and part-lines. Make sure to never rub faux locs as this can cause frizz. Moisturize Your Locs Keep your faux locs shiny, healthy, and hydrated by lightly massaging African Pride 5 Essential Oils into the scalp and locs every week to two weeks. This will also work to nourish your natural hair and give it the nutrients it needs to fight breakage, moisturize, and keep locs smooth. Sleep On Silk The best way to ensure your locs stay moisturized and tidy is to always sleep with a silk or satin bonnet and on a silk or satin pillowcase. Sleeping on cotton will strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture you need to keep a healthy scalp and smooth strands. No matter how many articles you read or tutorials you watch, styling your own hair is a personal experience that will take some trial and error. Don’t get discouraged and don’t rush the process, we promise the results (and savings) will be well worth it! Happy styling! Want more celebrity natural hair inspo? Check out some of our top DIY natural hair guides like How To Get Gabrielle Union’s Braids At Home and How To Embrace & Care For Your Natural Hair Like Tracee Ellis Ross.
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Leave-In Conditioner + 7 Other Ways To Control Frizz On Natural Hair
Most curly-haired women hate frizz. We understand why, it impedes curl definition, can make hair look messy (even though you just styled it), and can make your strands more difficult to manage. However, frizz typically isn’t the primary issue but a symptom of a much larger problem. While frizz can be caused by high humidity levels or natural hair care products with damaging ingredients like sulfates, the most common reason for frizz is dry, damaged hair. This is particularly true when it comes to tighter textures like Type 3C and Type 4A-4C hair. Frizz control is not a one-size-fits-all problem and therefore, requires a much more tailored solution. Many hair care products, companies, and articles seek a solution to frizz but only tackle the frizz itself (by applying oil or gel to hair) but that doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Similarly, different curl patterns and hair types might require different methods or products. There are many ways to control frizz on curls and coils, like applying our lush Moisture Miracle Leave-In Conditioner, and we’ve rounded up our top 8 ways to manage frizz and help repair brittle, dry hair. What Is Frizz? First things first, what exactly is frizz? Essentially, frizziness is a collection of tangles and knots combined with a loss of curl or coil definition. Frizz usually appears around the top or crown of the head but can extend down the hair shaft as well. You can also get frizz around the ends of your hair but this can be easily combated by getting a quick trim. While most frizz is a result of moisture or protein loss, there are typically two kinds of frizz: environment related and health related. Environmental factors like UV rays, heat, and humidity can cause frizz while health issues like hair damage or dryness can also contribute to frizziness. Does Frizz Mean My Hair Is Damaged? Not necessarily. Frizz is very common on curly or coily hair due to the unique structure of the hair cuticles. Tighter textures make it more difficult for moisture and sebum to travel down the hair shaft, resulting in dryness and brittleness. This is especially true for Type 4 hair textures. While frizziness can be a sign of hair damage, it’s usually a signal that your strands need moisture and a little TLC. Frizz only means your hair is damaged when it’s combined with excessive breakage, shedding, and brittleness. What Causes Frizz? Hair frizz happens when the cuticle layer of your hair isn’t laying flat or if the inner fibers of your hair are exposed. The most common cause of frizz is when hair is dry and dehydrated. This makes the hair cuticle rough and unable to absorb moisture. Severe dehydration or damage also contributes to frizz as the outer layer of the hair cuticle becomes cracked and therefore, is even more vulnerable to dryness and damage. If you already have dry hair, humidity makes the frizziness worse as the outer layers of your strands will gather moisture from the air but not absorb it into the hair shaft, instead it causes the outer layers to swell up, resulting in frizz. Another common cause of frizz is using products that are overly harsh on your natural hair. These include formulas that contain parabens, sulfates, alcohols, or other harmful chemicals. These products can strip hair of it’s natural oils which will result in increased dryness…even if the formula claims to be hydrating. While there are numerous causes for hair frizz, it’s usually a combination of several environmental and health factors that contribute to this nuisance. In order to gain some frizz control for your natural texture, you should tackle both causes of frizz. Frizz Control For Natural Black Hair Managing frizzy or fried hair is a multi-level issue. It’s important that in order to find a long term solution to this problem you tackle the actual cause of the frizz and not just seek a quick fix. While it can be tempting to slather on some gel and call it a day, this will only end up doing more harm in the long run. Instead, handle frizz the way you would a breakout. Masking a pimple in a thick concealer everyday isn’t fixing the actual zit or preventing future breakouts, it’s likely making the issue much worse. Similarly, be sure to take a gentle, caring approach in order to achieve healthy, hydrated, and frizz-free hair. Here are some of the top ways to control frizz in your natural hair. Hydrate Your Hair This is arguably the most important aspect of natural hair care. No matter what hair type or texture you have, you can always use more moisture. Start the hydration process internally by drinking enough water a day, typically 6-8 glasses. Next be sure to use only water based formulas with natural, nourishing ingredients like Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Aloe Vera, or honey. On wash day your hair is extra susceptible to moisture-loss meaning it’s incredibly important that you seal in all the moisture you can. Before shampooing use a pre-shampoo to gently detangle hair and prep it for washing. Then, after using shampoo and conditioner, massage your scalp and strands with a nourishing blend of African Pride 5 Essential Oils or our Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil which promotes hair growth and restores the natural nutrients your hair needs. Refresh hair in-between wash days by lightly spritzing with water and a leave-in conditioner. Get Stylin’ Protective styles, whether you are fully natural or not, are integral to maintaining the overall health of your hair. From twists to braids, these chic styles protect your curls and coils from heat styling, breakage, and environmental damage while contributing to moisture and length retention. Looking to style hair into a wash and go? Be sure to define your curls and coils using a frizz-fighting formula that won’t dry out your strands. Our Moisture Miracle Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Leave-In Cream gives hair lasting moisture while protecting it from breakage and our Flaxseed Oil Curling Cream helps define curls and coils, leaving hair soft and manageable. Swap Your Towel A simple fix that can make a huge difference! Instead of drying your wet hair with a regular towel opt for a microfiber one or cotton t-shirt. These not only speed up the drying process but heop reduce frizz by leaving hair cuticles undisturbed. Even when drying with these effective super-absorbant fabrics, avoid wringing, rubbing, or combing through soaking wet hair. This created friction, breakage, and damage that can lead to frizz. Instead, gently scrunch out water with your fingers and wait until hair is damp to comb through it. Avoid Harsh Chemicals Most natural hair types and textures don’t respond well to sulfates, alcohol, parabens, petroleum, and other harsh chemicals. Unfortunately, these things are often found lurking in many natural hair care products. Beyond not being great for your overall hair health, these harsh ingredients strip the scalp of its natural oils and sebum needed to moisturize your strands. Look In Your Kitchen Cabinet Honey is naturally two things, an emollient which is a smoothing agent, and a humectant, which is a moisturizing agent. Both of these elements make it one of the best ingredients for natural hair and the perfect ingredient for managing frizz. Humectants take moisture from the air by bonding with water molecules and seal that moisture into the scalp and dry hair strands. Honey’s emollients also smooth hair follicles, which adds a shine that will keep your curls poppin’. You can find honey in several of our Moisture Miracle products. Read more about the 7 Ways Honey Can Transform Your Natural Hair. Avocado oil, Coconut oil, and Olive oil are just a few other great natural ingredients that can be found in your kitchen to help tackle frizz and hydrate hair. Protect Hair At Night Using a satin pillowcase or bonnet helps to keep your strands full of moisture as satin won’t damage your natural hair, cause tangling, split ends, or frizz. Bonus points, satin is also known to help your skin breathe. It’s one of the easiest ways to ensure you wake up flawless. Another important step to add to your nighttime routine is preserving your protective style or loose locks. Pineapple hair your hair or loosely braid it to avoid knots and tangles while you sleep. Need more tricks for caring for hair overnight? Check out 8 Ways To Protect Your Natural Hair At Night. Deep Condition Deep conditioning hair adds vital moisture and nutrients back into your natural hair. It also helps prevent damage, softens strands, and restores shine. You can deep condition hair by massaging your regular conditioner into freshly shampooed hair and leaving on for 10-15 minutes before gently rinse out. For an extra boost of moisture you can apply a targeted hair mask like our MoistureRestore Treatment, apply a plastic shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. For best results, deep condition once a week. Apply Moisture Miracle Leave-In Conditioner: Refresh hair after washing, in-between wash days, or whenever hair feels slightly frizzy or dry by spritzing hair with a lightweight leave-in conditioner. Our Moisture Miracle Coconut Milk & Honey Leave-In Conditioner is formulated with nourishing natural ingredients like Castor Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, Olive Oil, and more to replenish moisture, add shine and soften hair. All hair regardless of type or texture will experience frizz and flyaways at some point. If you’re out there enjoying life, the appearance of your hair shouldn’t be the primary thing you’re worried about. However, managing frizz is about more than just aesthetics, it’s about keeping your hair healthy and happy. African Pride products are specifically formulated for every type of natural hair. Our ultimate goal is to keep your curls and coils hydrated so you can spend less time worrying about how your hair looks or feels and more time enjoying life. Our best-selling Moisture Miracle collection has everything your hair type needs to restore moisture, refresh dry or damaged strands, and maintain lush, healthy hair. Looking for more ways to add moisture to your hair? Check out our Top Tips To Keep Natural Hair Moisturized and learn how best to wash braided styles in Braid Cleanser Hacks: 5 Frizz-Free Tips For Washing Braids.
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