Gretchen

Q: My 5-year-old daughter has very thick 3c/4a hair. It is a hassle to detangle her hair. What product is a good detangler? Here is her normal regimen.

1. Shampoo with Kinky Curly Come Clean
2. Condition/detangle with Kinky Curly Knot Today (but it seems to just dry her hair out making it look dull)
3. I keep it braided up in ponytails for a protective style, which lasts about 2-3 weeks. Should I even be using products on her hair since she is just 5? Thanks in advance.

Cozy: Keeping your daughter’s thick, curly hair detangled must be quite a challenge! There are actually two important parts to dealing with tangles. First, you have to deal with removing the knots and second, trying to prevent the knots! So, to start you need a really great detangler. Try So Cozy Lucky Lime Pre-Detangler. It was designed to be used in the tub with a wide-toothed comb. Comb will slide through tangles without fuss. Work on 1” sections, and holding hair strand with one hand, start combing from the bottom of the hair strand, working your way up the strand, 1” at a time.

Now, to prevent knots, spray hair with So Cozy Fruity Delight Detangler & Leave-in Conditioner. Keeping your daughter hair in braids will definitely help prevent tangles; just try to try different styles and placements so that hair doesn’t get damaged from tight braids and elastics.

Q: I’ve been trying to figure out the best combo for my daughter’s hair. I think she has 3a hair. It used to be straight on top until we started going no ‘poo, and now it has curled some on top — more of a wave. The main problem I’m having is that her hair looks weighty on top by the end of the day if I don’t pull her hair back. I’m concerned that the conditioner is weighing her roots down.

Cozy: Your daughter’s problem may be partially caused by conditioner that’s weighing down her hair if not properly rinsed, but it may also be caused by her haircut. Perhaps take her to a trusted hair stylist and ask about giving her long layers to prevent the flatness on top.

Q: My daughter has come home with lice. This is our first experience, so we are learning as we go. She also has relatively curly hair and it tangles easily. The over-the-counter products are basically all poison/chemicals. We did one round and have almost destroyed her scalp, and her hair is extremely dry. AND we have do another session in 10 days. Are there any safe alternatives?

Cozy: What I have found over the years is that different people have VERY different feelings about how to contend with lice. Some people have no problem using chemicals to get rid of lice, while others would never use chemicals and prefer to use natural alternatives. I recommend that you educate yourself from as many different sources as possible to find the manner that best aligns with your own personal philosophy about health and wellness. There’s a lot of information online, and I also encourage you to talk to your pediatrician about this.

In honor of National Honey month this September, please enjoy this conditioner recipe!

Honey Deep Conditioner

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
Mix honey with olive oil. Heat in microwave oven to melt and apply to hair, then cover head with a very warm towel for half an hour while taking a warm, soothing bath, then shampoo off.

In honor of National Honey month this September, please enjoy this conditioner recipe!

And, because we love you so much, a bonus face scrub recipe!

Simply Sweet Honey Face Scrub

Ingredients
• 6 medium strawberries
• 1 small cactus fruit (optional)
• 1/4 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons grean tea, brewed
• 3 teaspoons natural sugar (raw sugar works well)

Directions
Wash strawberries and remove stems. Peel cactus afruit and discard skin. Slice in Wuarters; set aside. Using food processor or blender, combine strawberries, cactus fruit, oatmeal, honey and green tea. Mix until pureed. Place in glass or rubber mixing bowl. Stir in sugar until compleetely mixed. Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to one week.

To use
Apply small amount to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Using fingertips, work product into skinusing circular motions. Repeat. Apply more product as needed until entire face and neck are covered. May be left on skin for 10 minutes as a mask or removed immediately. Rinse completely using tepid or cool water.

Devacurl introduces new MirrorCurls, the newest addition to the curly product line. MirrorCurls is Let’s the first, silicone-free, water-soluble, botanically infused, 99 percent naturally derived shine serum. It delivers moisture, maximum curl reflection and shine that is good for all curl types.

John Paul Mitchell Systems has launched two new styling products in the Express Style category: Hot Off The Press™ and Fast Form™. Hot Off The Press™ is designed to protect fragile strands from the wear and tear of heat styling. The innovative formula, which contains rice hull extract, shields locks from humidity and damage. Fast Form™ combines the conditioning of a cream with the hold of a gel to tame texture, create detail and style those locks in minutes. It contains shea butter, evening primrose, avocado and jojoba oils to create slip and leave locks shiny and manageable. Like all products in the Express Style line, they help the hair dry faster.

AG Hair Cosmetics is launching fastFWD, a revolutionary new dry shampoo that uses rice starch in an aerosolized form to freshen the hair. The product, developed at the request of consumer demand, provides a convenient alternative to washing the hair.

Redken introduced two new products to its Straight Collection. Sheer Straight 06 is a lightweight straightening gel for fine hairand Power Tame 16 balm is for coarse hair. Both products contain new Straight-Out Complex with strengthening protein, moisturizing olive and coconut oils and caitionic conditioning agents to defend the hair from humidity and provide lasting frizz control.

Avon Techniques introduces the new Moisture Sleek Hair Care collection. The shampoo, conditioner and Smoothing Cream hydrates and smoothes dry, unruly hair, seals in moisture and helps prevent frizz for up to 24 hours.

From Wella System Professional comes Shine On, a smooth silicone fluid that glides easily onto the hair to create a platinum shine and a smooth finish.

Aveda introduces new Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener. An exclusive blend of plant-derived cellulose, wheat, organic aloe, maize and guar bean and atural cellulose provide long-lasting hold to maintain a straight style all day.
Hydrolized wheat protein protects the cuticle from heat damage caused by hot styling tools.

Klorane offers a reformulated line of pomegranate products that gently cleanses and conditions hair while enhancing and protecting its color. Grown in Morocco, hand-picked and naturally dried in the sun, the Punica granatum L. fruit is selected by Klorane because it is rich in tannins. This active ingredient binds color in the keratin to give long-lasting power and intensity in color-treated hair. The line includes a shampoo, a conditioner and a leave in-conditioner.

From Goldwell’s Trendline natural styling collection comes Nice Balance Calming Milk, an alcohol-free moisturizing hair milk that provides gently style support and smooth control.

From the new CHI Nourish Intense line comes Silk Masque for Coarse Hair. It contains new Hydrasilk complex, which delivers deep, intensive nourishment and replenishes dry and damaged hair with essential ingredients that moisturize and reconstruct the hair.

Macadamia Natural Oil introduces Deep Repair Masque, a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair. It contains a combination of macadamia oil and argan oil along with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts, to rejuvenate and rebuild the hair, leaving the hair deeply nourished for improved elasticity and shine with long-lasting conditioning benefits.

Davines has expanded its Wizards collection with No. 11 Universal Grip Glue, gel created to offer a glue-like texture. The fibrous texture – made of latest generation resins and a certified organic vegetal raw material extracted biotechnologically from wheat – guarantees styling flexibility.

Alfaparf has introduced the new Style For You collection, including X’RebeL Optimal Smooth Control. X’RebeL delivers control and incomparable smoothing, hydrating, and straightening for all finishing techniques, plus extra heat protection when used with flat irons. This light spray also provides 24-hour humidity defense.

John Frieda introduces several new Sheer Blonde formulas. Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo and Conditioner to gradually lighten your blonde for a year-round sun-kissed look with no harsh chemicals. New Sheer Blonde® Color Renew Tone-Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner helps rid hair of brassiness and yellowing to give you brighter, salon-fresh blonde. And new Sheer Blonde® Highlight Activating formulas with exclusive Highlight Optimizers bring out a range of gorgeous highlights and tones.

Ulta has introduced its own private-label line, including Ultimate Styling Defining Curl Enhancer. Infused with a unique blend of vitamins and plant extracts this cream gel to define, separate, add texture and smooth curls.

From Blow, the New York blow dry bar, comes Wave Maker light twisting lotion. It creates long lasting “soft touch” waves and twirls without a “crunchy” after-feel.

Profound Beauty introduces new Hush Time-out Treatment, a time-released, leave-in treatment containing micro-encapsulated ingredients that continually penetrate the hair fiber over an extended period of time. The exclusive Hydrophobic Complex™ mimics your hairs natural F-Layer, a barrier that lies on top of the cuticle, maintaining the hair’s moisture balance in order to prevent frizz. It instantly detangles and absorbs into the hair without weighing it down.

SP, Inc., the creator of Enjoy Hair Care, has unveiled a new line of hair care products named HBL (Health, Beauty, Life). All 12 HBL products are pH balanced and are formulated without the use of harsh sulfates and are free from parabens, MEAs, DEAs and TEAs. The line consists of Volume Shampoo, Volume Conditioner, Hydrating Shampoo, Hydrating Conditioner, Leave-in Conditioner, Hair Masque, Revitalizing Treatment, Spray Mousse, Straight and Style, Texture and Styling Cream, Thermal Styling Spray, and Shine and Seal.

Skin by Monica Olsen introduces new Shield and Shine, a hair-care product designed to protect the hair from bleaching, heat, cold, perms, chlorine and other intrusive treatments such as coloring, keeping the hair healthy, clean and safe. Monica Olsen created the line of organically and environmentally pure products when she was unable to find products that met her high standards.

From Enjoy Hair Products comes Sulfate-Free Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo gently cleanses, moisturizes and smoothes the hair while relieving stressed out hair and scalp.The conditioner smoothes, moisturizes and softens the hair.

Thermafuse introduces Heatsmart Serum.This lightweight, dry oil serum contains Pure HeatSmart Complex for maximum heat protection and instant hydration.

Brocato has expanded its Curlkarma line with a new Energizing Shampoo and Energizing Treatment. They contain Curlkarma’s proprietary Curlscience creates coil memory. The protein and moisture balance of Curlkarma controls humidity.

Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola introduces Keratin Complex Infusion, a unique formulation with advanced infusion technology. This high Ph replenisher automatically opens the cuticle and enters to infuse keratin proteins and emollients into the hair. Its deep penetrating action repairs and revitalizes hair during blow drying or ironing and closes the cuticle to entrap nourishment. Infusion protects against the damaging effects of environmental pollutants and works as an anti-oxidant to repair damaged hair.

From Kim Vo comes Perfect Polish Dry Serum. It contains ingredients such as blue lotus, meadow foam, Chinese cabbage and tung oil to preserve color, add gloss and tame flyaways and frizz while speeding drying time.

Phyto introduces new Express Rx kits, h with a smaller-packaged, two-week supply of products. The Color Guard Rx kit includes Phytocitrus restructuring shampoo and mask for after-color care, while the Ultra Nourishing Starter Kit includes Phytonectar ultra nourishing shampoo and Phytokarite ultra nourishing mask.

Zotos International introduces its new Diamond Shine, a new hair care system that contains actual diamond micro-particles. Consisting of shampoos, conditioners, glazes and gloss drops, Diamond Shine protects, strengthens and repairs dull, damaged hair leaving it soft, shiny and luminous.

From Matrix comes new honey.COMB highlights – three new salon color placement techniques that intermix golden highlights and rich lowlights to create a sweet, sun-kissed treat. Honey Dipped offers shimmering caramel blonde with a sun-drenched feel; Honey Blossom offers a subtle burst of sweet honey hues and Honey Comb offers accents that give you the choice to create a buzz or be subtle.

White Sands has launched new Vegan Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, a 100 percent vegan and sulfate-free cleansing duo to moisturize while protecting color. The shampoo cleanses and maintains moisture, while the conditioner is enriched with essential moisture to reverse the unwanted effects of extremely coarse, dry, and unruly hair.

Keune Haircosmetics introduces Keune Hair Extension Care for hair extensions. Hair extensions are ideal for creating color effects, to increase body and volume, altering texture and lengthening hair, but they are delicate and need extra care. The line includes shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in spray.

RECESSION SUMMER SPECIAL:
$200 cut & color for medium hair through the end of August. Must book with James McNally.

James McNally
Mario Diab Salon
62 Crosby St
New York, NY 10012
212-226-6595
Website

NaturallyCurly: How did you become interested in working with curly hair?:
James McNally: I began working in the hair industry in 1996 at Devachan, which was then a small curly girl salon. I worked with curly hair five days a week, 11 hours a day and fell in love with it. In 1997 I left his home in NYC and headed off to Brazil where I began training for “pintura” with Denis DeSilva. After many years, I headed off to Mario Diab Salon in Soho. My specialty are coloring techniques that accentuate the beauty of curly hair. I find the coloring part to be really artistic.

NaturallyCurly: How do you cut curly hair?
James McNally: I cut it dry and then wet. I prefer to cut curly hair dry because it saves the length and I can see it in its natural state.

NaturallyCurly: What’s the biggest challenge of working with curls?
James McNally: Combing it out, with all the knots and tangles. Other than that, I find it easy to sculpt and accentuate the curls.

NaturallyCurly: What are the hottest curl trends?
James McNally: Sun-kissed sparkles in the front is a big trend. Many women also are going for really radical color – deep brown with platinum highlights, like Lady Gaga.

NaturallyCurly: What products do you use?
James McNally: I use Profound Beauty and Devaconcepts. If you’re looking for a good at-home deep treatment, here is my favorite. Take half a cup of mayonnaise, three egg whites and a tablespoon of olive oil. Put it on at home under a cap for a half an hour. It’s a really good conditioner.

My-Cherie

Last night, at dinner, I couldn’t help but notice my man’s mane. I thought to myself, “Boy, his hair looks so shiny, conditioned and way less frizzy. I wonder what he did differently?”

As the night progressed he asked, “So what do you think of my hair?” I replied, “I love it.” Then he confessed that he ran out of his conditioner and happened to stumble upon my Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner in the cabinet. He said, “At first, I didn’t know what to expect, but I really like the way it makes my hair look and feel.”

I said, “I’m so proud of you, baby. Your hair looks awesome!” I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s so cool.” I’ve been trying to get him to use my naturally curly products forever and now he finally tried something, only because he ran out of his conditioner. Hooray for Mixed Chicks!

My-Cherie is proud of her husband for rockin’ his curls

I love my man’s mane. He really doesn’t have to do much to it and it makes me so jealous. I have never seen him comb or brush his hair — not one time. He just gives it a wash or rinse in the shower, rubs conditioner on with his hands, and then goes about his business. His hair just curls up into these adorable little spiral curls — bouncy, like a slinky. For his beard, he just smoothes it down with a little rosemary oil, which smells divine, and then he’s finito.

My hair, on the other hand, is a totally different story. When my hair was natural, I had to work for my well-coiffed ‘fro. It took time, dedication and a lot of products to make sure my hair was well-moisturized and healthy-looking.

Some people have it easy. Some of us don’t, but I can always appreciate and respect all hair types. When I was growing up, we called people with hair like my man’s “good hair”. People used to say, “Oh, she has good hair.” or, “Her hair is straight-up nappy.” I don’t think it was right to be categorized like that, but I do think we should be grateful for the hair we are blessed with, regardless of the type.

I’m so proud of my man for embracing his mane and choosing to be natural, curly and free for all the world to see. Now that he is loving the products, I think it’s time for him to start spreading the word to other men who are not as confident about their mane as he is. Why not?

This lad eats, breaths and sleeps all things tech and social media. The 3c/4a curly currently rocks AMD on the Social Media Council and as a Product Development Engineer. His other addictions consist of board games and “Battlestar Galactica.” Check out his curly adventures in and out of the office.

Michael is a 3b curly personal assistant and father to a very energetic 5-year-old. The former stay-at-home dad of 2 years loves sports and plays NoJo Ball — a combination of kickball, dodge ball and tag. “It is a LOT of running.” Sounds like a LOT of sweating. Check out how he sports his curls on and off the field.