Curly Girl Rant #1 : Gel Makes My Hair Crunchy! HELP!

One of the biggest deterrents to using gel or coiling custards on curls is the dreaded "crunch" that is produced when hair is dry. Nobody wants their hair to crunch, so they avoid these products altogether. And yet, most of the time, curl creams don't get the job done by themselves. Probably the biggest mind-blower of all when I went from daily flat ironing to natural hair is learning this simple truth.

GELS and COILING CUSTARDS are MEANT to create a "cast" on the hair. That "cast" protects curls as they dry. But, when they are dry.... get this... they are meant to be SCRUNCHED OUT.

Hear me again: When your hair is dry, you are supposed to SCRUNCH your DRY curls and BREAK the gel "cast," leaving you with perfectly soft, defined curls. (I spent YEARS of my life not knowing this. Years.)

Once you know this, your product choices will expand and you are now free to get those perfectly defined curls you've been craving!

Gels are actually amazing for ALL types of curls, even wavy 2A's and B's. Here are some of my personal favs (all silicone-free, by the way!)

Miss Jessie's Coily Custard

Mizani True Textures Twist and Coil Jelly

Kinky Curly Curling Custard

I use both of these products with a dime-size amount of curl cream for body and softness with this ratio for each section of my hair (4 sections, 2 front, 2 back):

1 dime-size amount of curl cream

1 quarter-size amount of coiling gel

Scrunch, diffuse and GO! It's time to stop fearing the gel. It is your friend, I promise! And the results are night and day.

Curls on the LEFT: Curl Cream Only. Curls on the RIGHT: Curl Cream/Gel Combo. If you aren't getting the results you want from your current products, try adding a good silicone-free coiling gel and don't forget to diffuse! 

Review: LUS Brands Love Your Curls

***THIS POST CONTAINS UPDATES FROM THE ORIGINAL. UPDATES ARE IN RED.***

It's been too long, peeps! I've been off living my best life in the real world, but I haven't forgotten about you.

Today I'll be giving my official review of the new curl line that's sweeping social media:  LUS Brands (Love Ur Self).

For the benefit of those who have NOT heard about this new product line, it comes with 3 pieces: Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Moisturizing Conditioner, and the All-in-One Styler. The set of 3 is normally $50 USD but (for now at least) if you buy the entire line, it is $45.

It's important to note that ALL THREE products in the LUS Brands curl line are Curly Girl (CG) friendly! So if you're following the CG method, these products are safe. Let's take a tour, shall we?

Step 1: Sulfate-Free Shampoo (for all curl types)

Although this shampoo is sulfate-free, it DOES have some lather, which I liked. I did the no-poo thing for years which is basically using a cleansing conditioner (think: DevaCurl no-poo) to wash my hair, but I still prefer some lather when I wash. The shampoo is completely clear, not pearlized like many moisturizing shampoos can be. I had to use a little bit more product than I would have liked due to the length and thickness of my hair, but overall I liked it. Also, the smell is nice.

Step 2: Silicone-Free Conditioner (for all curl types)

All of the tutorial videos for LUS Brand tell you that "less is more" with their products. Even with the length and thickness of my hair, I didn't feel I needed to use a crazy amount of this stuff. Where I'd probably rate the shampoo at around a 6 out of 10, I'm giving this conditioner a solid 9. It has GREAT slip and fantastic moisture. Also a fan of the smell.

*Keepin' it Real Moment*

Here's the honest truth: shampoos and conditioners marketed as "for curls" really aren't anything terribly unique or special. All you really need is any sulfate-free, silicone-free combo that gives extra moisture. Look for words like moisturizing, hydrating, or for dry/damaged hair. Whether or not it's marketed as a "curl" product doesn't really matter. A lot of times, though, those products are also LACED with sulfates and silicones so you have to be careful. The notion that you need a specific shampoo/conditioner combo designed for curls is false. What you wash/condition with really doesn't have much to do with how your curls are going to turn out as long as you have a good amount of moisture to keep them bouncy when you style. 

That being said.... there's just something about having 3 products with the same packaging that makes a gal feel good. From one product junkie to another, I do like the aesthetic quality of using products from the same line.

Step 3: All in One Styler (available in Wavy, Curly and Kinky-Coily formulas)

Okie dokie.... THIS is where it gets real. In my experience, how your curls turn out after a good cleansing has about 50% to do with your technique and 50% to do with your styling product(s). The LUS Brands All-in-One Styler makes you believe it is the cure-all for the often multi-product life most of us curly girls live. I purchased the Curly formula. I followed the directions and applied this product pretty liberally to my soaking wet hair. I sectioned it off and make sure I had it evenly distributed and started the process of diffusing.

I wanted to love this product. I really, REALLY wanted to love this product. Within 5 minutes of the diffusing process I could see frizz starting to form and by halfway through I was past the point of no return. Not only were my curls not curling, but there was hardly ANY definition to ANYTHING on my head. I kept drying, kept diffusing, and it kept getting worse. By the time I was done I looked like I just rolled out of bed after partying like it's 1999, and not in a good way. The one good thing I can say is my hair smelled great. But it looked TERRIBLE. So terrible that I didn't even take a picture right away.

...BUT ALL IS NOT LOST!

I sprayed my hair down the next morning and added some curl custard, diffused and voila! 

Me, post-panic, quasi-saving what was left of my curls after the disaster. 

Here's the thing: gel may give hold, but rarely does it give much volume. That's what curl creams are for, which I avoid like the plague because they also give me frizz. Adding the gel allowed for the hold I needed and also gave me a volume I've been missing for a very long time. Also, less gel means less "crunch" and I hate crunchy curls.

Final Thoughts: On a scale of 1-10, I'd give LUS Brands a 3. They score points for great smell, lots of moisture and slip in the conditioner, and fun packaging. The lose points in cost ($45/set is steep, especially with the size of the products) and not-so-awesome and not-so-all-in-one-styling. However, the combo of their styler with my gel was wonderful. It also defeats the purpose of an all-in-one, but I still liked what I got. After requesting a refund for the product, the company made it clear that they have a no-refund policy on their products. Any unused portion may not be returned because, in their words:

"Personal care products are considered a hygenic product, and for sanitary reasons, we do not accept opened/used products for return or exchange. All of our products are manufactured in a GMP-compliant and FDA-registered laboratory in Canada. Once a product has left our facilities and has been opened/used, bacterial contamination becomes a serious concern. We take matters of hygiene and safety very seriously, and for this reason, we cannot take products back. We sincerely hope you understand our positioning, and appreciate receiving brand new and unopened products each and every time from our facilities! 

We are confident you will love LUS products as much as our other customers do. If you are not completely satisfied after trying our products, please contact our care team at support@lusbrands.ca to discuss your feedback or concerns. We are here to help!"

This, quite honestly, is ridiculous. I can go to ULTA today and return any unused portion of ANY hygenic product and get my money back. I can't stand behind a company that doesn't back its product with ANY kind of exchange or refund policy. So, buyer beware. They will take your $50+ regardless of whether or not you're a happy customer. In this day and age, that is completely unacceptable. Under normal circumstances I may say that just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. Give it a go. I can't, however, in good conscience, recommend anyone spend that kind of money if there is no way they will ever get it returned. My hope is the LUS company will learn from this and change the policy.

Product Review : Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo and Conditioner

I recently went through a period where my curls weren't looking as clean and fresh as they had been. I'd been using the same products for quite some time, the weather was changing, and I decided it was time to experiment.

Since I've been using almost exclusively natural products for ethnic hair, I decided to try Cantu. These products are extremely inexpensive, smell fantastic, and can be purchased easily online and in many local drugstores.

I switched my regular co-wash for Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo and my regular conditioner with Cantu Sulfate-Free Hydrating Cream Conditioner.

First up, the shampoo: I was very impressed with this product. One of the things I miss when I co-wash is the lather. I still have excellent curls and soft hair, but sometimes you want some suds, right? This shampoo has sufficient lather without stripping hair, and I cannot get over how great it smells. It's WONDERFUL. I does give a little bit of that "squeaky clean" feeling that I'm not super crazy about but I didn't need to use much and it got the job done.

Next, the conditioner: This conditioner is very thick and also has the great coco butter smell of the shampoo. I combed it through my hair and let it sit for the rest of my shower. It rinses out clean and kept my hair feeling soft. I finished up with my go-to leave-in conditioner, Kinky Curly Knot Today.

A month later, I'm still using these products. I recommend waiting at least 2-3 days between shampoos to avoid dry-feeling curls and maybe sub in a co-wash in between uses. Overall, I think these will be the winter products I use most. Can't beat the price and I got some great results! 

Have you ever used Cantu products? What are your thoughts?

4 Summer Curly Girl Tips

Hello, Curly Girls!

Technically, it's still Spring, but the temperature in my car today registered a whopping 103 degrees! Changes in weather and humidity can wreak havoc on your curl routine. Products that worked in the fall and winter months can cause your curls to fall flat or frizz in the heat. Here are some tips that have helped me beat the heat:

1) Less is More.

In the winter, I need more products and more moisture. As temperatures rise, simplify your routine. Stick to a Co-wash, leave-in conditioner and if you can get by with one styling product, do it. Even natural products and weigh hair down or flatten curls in high humidity. My 3-product summer routine?

Step 1: Co-Wash with As I Am Coconut Co-Wash

Step 2: Rinse Co-Was and comb As I Am Leave-In Conditioner through hair with fingers.

Step 3: Style with Kinky Curly Curling Custard and dry with diffuser.

2) Sweaty? Try A Scalp Scrub!

Whether or not you spend a lot of time outside, we sweat more in the summer. Remember that curls need moisture, and even co-washing can strip it if done daily. A scalp wash is a quick way to feel refreshed without wrecking your curls and stripping them of moisture. Simply pull your hair into a high ponytail or put on a shower cap, then use a small amount of co-wash or sulfate-free shampoo and scrub ONLY your scalp, then rinse. I use this on gym days year round and it keeps the length of my hair looking fantastic. 

XL Waterproof Shower Cap

3) Refresh Daily.

Every morning, it's good to spray your curls down with some curl refresher spray. There are many you can purchase, but I prefer to make my own using essential oils. Simply add some tap water to a GLASS spray bottle (you shouldn't use plastic if using real essential oils) and add about 15 drops of lavender oil. Spraying your hair down with this mix and then using a diffuser will give new life to curls without damage AND make them smell fantastic! You can also reapply a small amount of product for hold if you'd like.

Set of 2 glass spray bottles for essential oils

4) Protect Your Pony.

Warm weather means pulling hair up in a ponytail or bun. Do not underestimate the damage ponytail holders can cause to curls. One of my all-time favorite products right now are spiral ponytail holders. They don't look like much, but the coil shape allows hair to be held in place without pulling on the scalp or crushing curls. Since I started using these, I no longer use conventional ponytail holders. They are amazing!

Spiral Ponytail Holders by Kitsch

When it comes to Summer, there are plenty of ways to love your curls! Many of us get frustrated and do a big CHOP, but you don't have to. These simple tips will allow your to get through these crazy humid months and still have people asking "How do you get your hair to look so great in this heat?" 

In fact, I just had someone ask me today. :)

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Jen's Top 5 Curly Girl All-Stars

As I reflect on life this Christmas, 2016, I'm proud to say I'm still 100% living the Curly Girl Lifestyle. The holder on my bathroom wall that used to hold my flat iron is collecting layer after layer of dust and I'm getting ready to remove it completely.

I've tested and tried dozens of products, so I thought I'd give you a list of my absolute must-haves for Curly Girls of all shapes and curl patterns. Here's my Top 5:


1. Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla (Sulfate-Free) Shampoo and Conditioner

Though I still incorporate Co-Washing into my regular routine, about once per week I use this combination on my hair to clarify and remove build-up. The small is delicious and it cleans my curls without over-drying.

2. As I Am Coconut Co-Wash

I have tried dozens of different co-washes at dozens of different price points, and this one is HANDS DOWN the best in the market as far as I am concerned. It cleanses hair without making it oily (even after 2-3 without washing!) and smalls wonderful. If that wasn't enough, it comes in under the $10 price point. Can't beat that with a stick.

3. Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner

After rinsing out my conditioner, I apply this to my soaking wet hair in the shower and comb through with my fingers. From that point on, a comb or brush doesn't touch my hair. Simply scrunch out the excess water with a micro-fiber towel and apply product. I cannot survive without this stuff.

4. Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee

Don't let the name fool you: this gel gives strong hold but doesn't freeze curls too firmly into place. I use this in conjunction with some sort of mousse (depending on the season) but this is ALWAYS the first thing I put on my hair after I wash. 

5. DevaCurl DevaTowel

I cannot stress how important a good microfiber towel is when preserving delicate curls post-wash. Terrycloth WILL NOT DO! The new DevaTowel is BIG, soft and soaks up water without making a puffball out of your curls. I cannot recommend this enough!

I hope you are having a wonderful and blessed holiday season! Happy post-Holiday shopping to all!


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Product Review: The NEW DevaTowel - Does Bigger = Better?

The NEW DevaTowel: Does Bigger = Better?

Hello, Curly Girls! For those who are new readers, you know that I am definitely a fan of the DevaCurl hair products. Though I'm not always crazy about the price point, there are some products they offer that cannot be outdone by any other brand. I am not sponsored by any product, so my reviews are solely based on my own experience.

A couple of years ago, I bought my first DevaTowel. Those who have read The Curly Girl Handbook know that one of the first changes you need to make when going the curl route is to STOP drying your hair with terrycloth. WHY? Terrycloth towels, by design, are made to soak up large amounts of moisture very quickly. Great for a soaking wet body, terrible for fragile, thirsty curls. Microfiber is the recommendation, as it soaks up SOME moisture, but not TOO much moisture, allowing curls to maintain enough water to keep from frizzing while they dry.

DevaCurl released its first DevaTowel a few years back, which looked like this:

I purchased one of these when I went to full-time curly hair, and though the $18 price tag as a bit much, I as going ALL IN and didn't want to skimp. I will say, this towel is small. Only slightly larger than a hand towel. Meaning, if you have a lot of hair, or long hair, it isn't ideal. It gets the job done, but my biggest complaint was the size. Still, it's been a staple in my curl routine since Day 1.

Apparently, I wasn't alone. Behold! The NEW & IMPROVED DevaTowel:

I purchased this towel about 3 weeks ago on a girls day out. Surprisingly, they have kept the price point around the same as the old towel ($19.99) but MORE THAN DOUBLED the size and changed the material. This towel is extremely soft. This release was more than an upgrade, it was a complete reboot. Much needed, and well done. 

PROS:

1) Size:  This towel is huge. My long, thick curly hair can be dried with two hands simultaneously with room to spare. 

2) Material: Boy, did they do us a solid on this one. SO INSANELY SOFT. If I was a kid, I'd sleep with this thing. 

3) Quality Results: I can scrunch my curls until they are no longer dripping and still get great results with my diffuser. Big time-saver. It washes well and will last a long time.

CONS:

1) Price Point: DevaCurl products are priced for the salon, so you'll pay more. Can you get a cheaper product somewhere else? Most likely. 

The Bottom Line: If you're in the market for a shower towel that feels good, looks good and keeps the frizz away? Pick up one of these. For the amount of time you'll be able to use it, it's worth the few extra bucks you'll spend to have the DevaCurl name printed on it. I've never been one to complain about price if the quality is there, and in this case, it is.

Have a fantastic product you can't live without? Email me or comment below and I'll give it a try!

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DIY Curl Refresher Spray with Essential Oils

Hello, Curly Girls! It's been a while since I've written a new blog, but life's been a bit crazy. Time to show you what I've been up to and share some new, fabulous tips!

Today's entry comes to you after almost a year of experimenting with essential oils. I am not one to blindly follow the masses, and even though I've KNOWN about the medicinal, hair and skin benefits of EO's for quite some time, it's taken me a while to believe the hype. I will say, in all honesty, that after a year of using essential oils to make my own skin products, hair products and house products, they are the REAL DEAL and I plan to keep learning.

Which brings us today's entry: DIY Curl Refresher Spray

I became a DoTerra Wellness Advocate after experimenting with various brands, so if any of you need access to any of today's products, click here. One-time purchases are best made with retail, but if you fall in love, joining is the way to  go. No pressure to sell, but you get all of your OWN personal products at 25% off. Really, it's the best way to go.

Jen's Curly Mess Daily Refresher Spray

Ingredients:

DoTerra Lavender Oil (10 drops)

DoTerra Peppermint Oil (8 drops)

1 Glass Spray Bottle (do not use plastic): 8 oz.

To purchase this spray bottle click here. 

Instructions:

1) Add 10 drops of Lavender oil to empty spray bottle.

2) Add 8 drops of Peppermint oil to empty spray bottle.

3) Top off with water and shake!

You will need to shake before EACH USE to infuse the oils into the water.

I am one to wash my hair in the evening and refresh in the morning. I only wash every 2-3 days, as do most curly girls. This spray not only refreshes curls, but infuses the smell and health benefits of the essential oils into hair, ridding you of any unpleasant smells from the day before. Not only that, Lavender and Peppermint are excellent oils for hair health.

Making your own refresher spray saves BIG money. Some of the bigger names in curly hair, like DevaCurl, sell refresher sprays for $19.95 PER BOTTLE! You can make your own, using almost the same ingredients, for about $1.50 per bottle. Being that refreshing hair is something many of us do daily, this is a NO-BRAINER. I spray my hair down with this and use a diffuser to dry, but it could also be applied and scrunched into hair to allow it to dry naturally.

I am SO IMPRESSED, not only with the cost effectiveness, but the results of home made hair products with essential oils, that I plan to post all kinds of great recipes in the future. Give this spray a try, I hope you love it as much as I do!

To purchase DoTerra products or become a wellness advocate, click here. Best decision I've made in a while! Truly amazing, high quality oils for very reasonable prices.