Claire Aviles

1. Skincare

Lavender oil is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. It’s also a relaxant; turn off all your electronics and try giving yourself a facial before bed for a great night’s sleep. You can also add a few drops of the oil to a plain moisturizer, particularly if you have trouble with acne—it inhibits bacteria.

Use it in: DIY Skincare: Steam Facial

2. Hair thinning or hair loss

Lavender can be used to help stop hair loss and has even been shown to increase hair growth in some clinical trials. Simply massage your scalp with an essential oil blend at least three times a week and watch for results!

 Use it in: Essential Oil Blend by Livestrong.com

•  Mix 3 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drops of thyme oil, 2 drops of cedarwood oil, 4 teaspoons of grapeseed oil, and a ½ teaspoon of jojoba oil.
• Put the blend in a tightly closed container and store it in a cool, dry place.
• Try the oil blend on a small portion of your scalp first—if your skin reacts badly, DO NOT continue use. You could be allergic to one of the oils in this particular oil blend.

3. Curl refresher

Use lavender oil on second or third-day hair to revive your curls and keep them smelling fresh! It will help keep your hair moisturized and can even fight off dandruff.

Use it in: Lavender Hair Spray

4. Insomnia

Because lavender is a relaxant and induces sleep, it is often recommended as a natural remedy for insomnia. You can put a few drops of lavender oil in a relaxing bath before bed or on your pillowcase.

5. Cuts and wounds

Because lavender oil is an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory essential oil, lavender oil is great for healing cuts and wounds.

What do you use lavender oil for? Post in the comments to help other NaturallyCurly followers.

1. You’ll have great skin!

We used to think that eating chocolate caused bad skin. Now, chocolate body raps and facials are offered in many spas. Why? Here are just a few of the reasons that chocolate is good for your skin:

• It is rich in antioxidants, which means that it can help keep your skin firm and smooth as you age.
• It nourishes and softens dry skin.
• Flavanols (found especially in dark chocolate) help your skin protect itself from UV damage.

MORE: Chocolate Honey Facial Scrub

2. It’s good for your heart

Several studies have concluded that eating chocolate has cardiovascular benefits. It cuts the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and can also help to lower blood pressure. Just don’t forget to skip your workout — you need it to balance the extra sugar, butter and milk that you will be consuming.

3. Enjoy smooth, rejuvenated hair

Believe it or not, cacao — the pure form of cocoa — is also great for your hair! Cacao adds shine and rebuilds the hair’s structure.

Cocoa butter can be used as a hot oil treatment to condition your hair. There are also many products that contain cacao — check out Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Conditioner or Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme for starters.

MORE: Cocoa Butter & Chocolate Benefits for Hair

4. Chocolate reduces stress

Substitute a bar of dark chocolate for that Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Swiss scientists discovered that when anxious people ate chocolate, their stress hormone levels were reduced.

5. It’s fuel for your brain

On a time crunch? Taking an exam? The flavanols in chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) increase blood flow to the brain, which will help you concentrate on the task at hand.

MORE: Superfoods for Beauty

6. Eat chocolate and get happy!

Best of all, chocolate simply makes you happy. And if you eat chocolate high in cacao (in moderation), you will remain healthy and happy for a long time!

Happy Valentines Day, curly girls!

Chocolate Honey Scrub

This scrub is a great moisturizer! Chocolate can help keep skin firm as you age, protect it from UV damage, and nourish flaky skin. Try it if you have dry skin — your skin will immediately feel softer to the touch!

What you’ll need

• 10 grams pure cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp honey
• 5 grams of sugar
• 2 tbsp almond oil

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients thoroughly
2. Apply the paste to your face or body
3. Massage your skin with your fingertips for 1-2 minutes
4. Rinse your skin with warm water

Prioritize

When you’re packing for your trip, it’s important to prioritize, especially if you will be on the move. Backpacking across Europe? You probably don’t want to carry five bottles of hair product.

Stick to products that give you the most “bang for your buck.” For me, this means packing a good conditioner and a good styling solution, but relying on cheap hotel shampoo.

MORE: Top 5 Weekend Travel Beauty Products

Get the right cut

This is particularly important for long-term travelers. Ask your stylist for a haircut that will grow out well, and try to go for something that will require minimal styling.

If you’re moving and will be looking for a new stylist, check out reviews online. The Salon Finder on NaturallyCurly.com is a great place to start — our readers often review salons and stylists that they like. You can also ask for local suggestions in CurlTalk.

MORE: CurlyNikki: How to Choose a Stylist

Moisturize

Leave the alcohol-based products at home — they will only dry out your curls and leave them frizzy and uncontrollable. It’s also best to lay off the heat. Leaving your hairdryer or flatiron at home will leave more room in your suitcase for souvenirs anyway!

MORE: How to Pack Products for Air Travel

Invest in a microfiber towel

Microfiber towels are a godsend, particularly if you have long, thick hair. The drier your hair is before you leave your flat/hotel/hostel, the better it will hold its shape!

 MORE: Microfiber Towels: The Miracle Workers 

Try New Products

Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new products! Some places have a great selection of products for curly hair. I have become especially fond of Boots in my last few weeks in the UK.

Travel kits

Bring travel-size amounts of your favorite products with you. As a curly girl, you already know that it can take time to find new products that work for your hair. Having a bit of your favorite products on hand will help with the transition.

MORE: CurlyNikki: How to Choose a Stylist

Carry elastics and bobby pins!

If worse comes to worse and you have a bad hair day, you’ll always be prepared.

MORE: Curly Hair Travel Kits

Scale back

Maybe you can even take the opportunity to cut back on hair products! Your curls just might surprise you. I’ve found that the rainy weather in London really enhances my curls!

MORE: 5 Travel Beauty Tips

Kiwi

This small, sweet fruit has more vitamin C than an orange and more potassium than a banana! It will keep your skin bright and firm.

Start your day with a vitamin boost — make a fruit salad! Berries, kiwis, bananas and watermelon all have great health benefits and will add a little sweetness to your morning routine.

MORE: Fruits & Veggies Your Curls Can’t Live Without

Oysters

They’re not exactly a family favorite, but oysters are a great source of zinc, which is great for healing skin. Zinc also keeps your nails, hair, and eyes healthy.

Don’t like oysters? Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc.

String Beans

We all know that green vegetables are good for our health. But did you know that string beans contain a significant amount of silicon, which encourages thicker, longer hair? Add this as a side to your protein of choice.

MORE: 4 Essential Vitamins for Healthy Hair

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and iron, which are important for maintaining healthy hair. A word of caution: don’t completely cut the egg yolk out! Substituting egg whites for whole eggs will reduce your calorie intake, but it will also eliminate iron and other essential from your meal.

For a low calorie breakfast, try an omelet made of two egg whites and one whole egg. You will cut calories and fat, but you still get essential vitamins and plenty of iron.

Dark chocolate

Indulge a little! Trade in the milk chocolate for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and contains flavonoids to help protect skin from the sun and improve hydration. Dark chocolate is also said to be good for your heart and, of course, it improves your mood!

To combine two superfoods, eat dark-chocolate-covered dried fruit or nuts. My personal favorites are dark chocolate blueberries and dark chocolate almonds.

MORE: Treat Your Hair to the Benefits of Chocolate

Try a high ponytail or bun

These hairstyles keep the majority of your hair sweat-free, particularly for those with long hair. If your roots are greasy after a workout, you can concentrate any cleansing efforts on your scalp instead of washing your entire head of hair.

MORE: Curly Haircare for your Cardio

Wrap your hair

To keep your hair dry during workout, use a cotton scarf or headband—they will also help to keep your hair out of your face. Motions Global Ambassador Ursula Stephen recommends applying a moisturizing product such as Motions Hydrate My Curls Pudding prior to working out and then wrapping a cotton scarf around the head, leaving the top exposed. The cotton will help to soak up the sweat and the pudding will keep your hair refreshed and moisturized so it doesn’t frizz out. For long hair Stephen suggests pin-curling medium sized sections of your hair and covering it with a silk scarf during a workout. Once finished, comb out and style.

Use a dry shampoo

This water-free cleansing method is great if you’re in a rush or if you don’t want to wash your hair daily. Simply sprinkle or spray the dry shampoo on your roots, wait for about a minute, and then rub out the powder. The dry shampoo will absorb excess oils and leave your hair looking shiny and bouncy! Check out Tresemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo. If you have blonde hair, you can use baby powder as an alternative.

MORE: The Dish on Dry Shampoos 

Prepare your hair with a leave-in conditioner

Leave-in conditioners are both a great way to keep your hair moisturized and they will keep your hair smelling fresh after a workout. One of my new favorites is Bumble and Bumble leave in (rinse out) conditioner.

Don’t get your hair styled before a workout

If you’re planning on going to the salon, schedule your workouts accordingly. Switch it up—do a high-intensity workout right before your trip to the salon, and save the Pilates and yoga for the first few days after your salon visit.

Try a Wig

Wigs can really help to keep hair moisturized and conditioned too! Motions Global Ambassador Ursula Stephen recommends getting one that mimics your own natural hairstyle and wear it on days that you exercise. Wigs are also a great way to spare your hair from the damages of heat styling which is typically amped up during the winter months.

MORE: Curly hair and exercise: How fit women make it work 

The Sarah Michelle Gellar

I can’t get over Sarah Michelle Gellar’s curly updo from 2008. The style that she wore at the premiere of “The Air I Breathe” in Los Angeles was absolutely stunning! It’s surprisingly easy to recreate, especially if you have already mastered the French braid.

Separate your hair into two sections. Make sure that each section has the same amount of hair — you want the two French braids to be the same width. French braid the top half of each section of hair and stop at the nape of your neck. When you have finished the two braids, gather the unbraided hair into a loose, textured bun. Finally, finish the style off with a layer of hairspray.

MORE: 4 Easy Fall Braid Hairstyles

Half and Half

This hairstyle is great for short AND long hair, and it’s really simple! Change it up to fit your personal style. Here are a few ideas:

• Tease the hair at the crown of your head for extra volume.
• Start two small braids at the crown of your head and clip them together near the nape of your neck.
• For some extra holiday sparkle, use rhinestone hair clips.

MORE: Wavy Half Up Holiday Hairstyles

Ponytail

If you’re in a rush, there’s nothing wrong with resorting to a simple ponytail! Leave one piece of your hair loose and twist it around your hair tie for a polished look. If you’re in the mood to change things up, try straightening first.

MORE: Formal Pony Loc Holiday Hair Styles

Smooth Vintage Waves

This look takes more time, but it is sure to turn heads! When you’re finished, your hair will be smooth and shiny. There are more detailed instructions at The Beauty Department, one of my favorite blogs, but here are the basics.

1. Create a deep side part.
2. Use a 1” barrel curling iron to curl your hair to the side, wrapping towards your face.
3. Repeat on the other side of your face.
4. Once the curls are finished, spray them with a thin layer of hairspray and allow it to set.
5. Gently comb out the curls, touch up the curls, and apply a final layer of hairspray.

MORE: Vintage Updo Hair Makeover

1. Fake a Bob

So you love your long waves, but you’re dying for a change this holiday season. Look to Marion Cotillard and Rosario Dawson for inspiration and try a faux bob! The style is stunning and very simple.

Simply pin your length at the nape of your neck for a soft, elegant look. Leave a few layers loose to frame your face, add a thin layer of hairspray and you’re ready to go.

MORE: Holiday Hair: Wavy Faux Bob

2. Textured & Teased Bun

For an easy variation on the basic bun, tease your hair. Separate a section of hair at the crown of your head. Next, comb downward, toward your scalp, while you hold the section, until you get enough volume. Cover it in a thin layer of hairspray before you lay it down with the rest of your hair.

From here, use your fingers to comb your hair back into a bun. You may need to smooth the teased section down, depending on how wild your hair gets. Play around with this one — you might not get it right the first time, but it’s easy enough to do!

MORE: Holiday Hair: Wavy Two-Layer Bun

3. Bejeweled Hair Accessories

Jeweled headbands, hairclips, and combs are great for dressing up a basic hairstyle, especially if you have short hair! You don’t have to try and fit your hair into an elaborate braid or chignon, but you can still create a gorgeous new look. Check out the hair accessories at Anthropologie — they have some beautiful pieces!

MORE: Cute Hair Accessories for Ugly Weather 

4. Baloney Curls

If you’re looking to move away from “beachy waves” and more towards big, glamorous curls, try twisting your hair into baloney curls while it’s still damp. Separate your hair into 2-4 sections, depending on how thick it is. Use your fingers to twist each section into a baloney curl and then let them dry. Don’t touch your hair while it’s drying!

Once your hair has dried, unravel the curls and shake them out a bit. Cover them in a thin layer of hairspray so they’ll last the night.

Happy experimenting and happy holidays!

MORE: Real Texture Talk: Adele Aviles

1. Lip Stain:

Bought a lipstick that you never wear? Use it in this recipe from delia creates!

What you’ll need: 

• 2 tablespoons grated beeswax
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (that you cook with)
• 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil
• Chunk of lipstick — the darker, the better
• Your favorite essential oil

Use a double boiler or boil water in a saucepan and place a metal bowl on top.  Melt the first four ingredients together until the beeswax is completely melted and then immediately remove it from the heat.

Add the essential oil before filling the containers — check out The Container Store for clear containers. And finally, affix your own label to personalize the gift!

2. Body Scrub:

Body scrubs make excellent gifts and they’re particularly useful around Christmas when the weather is dry.  Check out this recipe for a salt-based scrub courtesy of PaulaDeen.com.

What you’ll need:

• ½ cup sea salt
• ½ cup sweet almond oil (or another carrier oil)
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon orange zest

Simply combine all the ingredients in a dry bowl (if you get any water in the mixture, the salt will dissolve). Mix well and then store in airtight jars — again you can find great, inexpensive glass jars at The Container Store! Personalize your gift with a cute label.

If you don’t want a citrus smell, try lavender oil.  It has a very calming sent, which can aid in relaxation.

MORE: DIY Skincare: Brown Sugar Body Scrubs

3. Solid Perfume:

I had never thought of solid perfume before visiting Elle Sees, but I love the idea! This portable, practical gift will be great for my girlfriends that are always on the go.

What you’ll need:

• 1 tube or tin of non-flavored lip balm
• Your favorite essential oil — lavender, rosemary, jasmine, etc.

Remove the lip balm from the tube or tin and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for thirty seconds, stir, and then microwave for thirty more seconds or until the lip balm is completely liquid. Next, add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil and stir.

Quickly pour the wax back into the original tube or tin — using a funnel could help. Then remove the original label and create your own to personalize the gift!