Susonnah Gonzalez

Water temperature is probably not the first thing you think about when it comes to hair care. If you’re anything like me, you probably hop in the shower and blast that hot water because it feels so good! But after doing some research on the affects of hot and cold water on hair, you might want to think twice about which way you turn the dial.

We’ve got some of the pros and cons to using hot and cold water to help you decide.

Hot Water

PRO: Rinses Away Dirt and Oil

Hot water and steam naturally open the pores, which is great for exfoliating and removing the oil from your skin. If you have a very oily scalp, washing with hot water can be beneficial. Warm water allows the dirt and hair product that has accumulated on your scalp to escape the pores and be rinsed away. It’s especially important to cleanse your hair of all hair products for your next styling. Overall, warm water might be more beneficial in the cleansing part of your regimen.

CON: May Result in Overly Porous Hair

Although hot water opens up the pores and the cuticle of your hair shaft, rinsing your hair with hot water too often can leave the hair overly porous, causing it to be dry and brittle. Unfortunately, hot water seems to be a double edged sword. Just as hot water helps to rinse away the oil and dirt, it also strips your hair of its natural oils. The sebaceous glands in your skin produce natural oils called “sebum” that are essential for your hair’s health. Sebum gives the hair shine and strength, both of which are vital for beautiful hair.

CON: Causes Frizz

Heat causes frizz, and hot water is no exception. No matter what your hair type, the hair needs moisture to stay frizz free. Because hot water can strip the hair of natural oils, moisture escapes the hair shaft and results in frizz. If your hair is especially prone to frizz, you might want to turn off the hot water.

Cold Water

PRO: Seals the Moisture in Your Hair

Just the opposite of hot water, cold water closes the pores and prevents dirt from entering and accumulating on the scalp. Not only does it close the pores, but it closes the hair cuticle, sealing the moisture from the conditioner that you applied to your hair. Whereas hot water can remove the moisture from your hair, cold water retains the moisture and the natural sebum that’s so beneficial. Don’t forget, more moisture means fewer frizzes. Cold water retains your hair’s moisture, leaving your hair less prone to frizz.

PRO: Increases Shine

Sometimes stylists like to finish blow drying with a blast of cold air because it leaves the hair shiny. The same concept can be applied to a cold water rinse. Cold water is known to smooth hair by closing the scales of your hair cuticle, which in turn prevents frizz and adds luster to your locks.

CON: Flattens Hair

Because cold water leaves the hair smooth, it can also flatten your hair if you have a naturally thin texture. If your hair lacks in volume, or if you live in a particularly arid environment, rinsing your hair with cold water might result in flat hair and curls with no bounce.

What’s a Curly to Do?

All right, so what’s the verdict? Hot water is better for rinsing your hair of dirt and grease, but it dries the strands. Cold water, on the other hand, adds shine, seals the moisture in your hair and prevents frizz. The solution? CurlyNikki advises that you use both!

• Cleanse, condition, and detangle your hair with WARM water, not hot. You don’t want to burn your skin and your scalp.
• When you’re ready to rinse out the conditioner, turn the dial to COOL and run it over your hair for a final rinse.

If you’re one who absolutely cannot stand to use cold water in the shower, but feel that cold water is best for your hair, try using a shower cap during your warm daily showers. When it’s time to wash your hair, sit on the tub to wash your hair underneath the faucet of cold water. Your hair can still reap the benefits without you having to endure a cold shower.

Did you notice a difference? If you’ve tried rinsing with cold water we would love to hear about your results!

In continuation of NaturallyCurly’s holiday hair collection, I have provided yet another easy updo that you can rock at your next holiday event. This is a low updo, as contradicting as that sounds. You will still pull the hair up, but the bun is low and close to the nape of the neck. For this hairstyle, all you need is a brush, hair elastic, and preferably dry hair. This hairstyle is tough to do if you have short to medium length hair, and  works best with long wavy hair.

MORE: Curly Holiday Updos or Kinky Holiday Updos

End of Year Elegance

1. Start by smoothing out your waves with a brush.
2. Tie your hair into a low bun with a hair elastic. On the second loop around, don’t pull your hair all the way through. Only pull it halfway through to create a bun with hair hanging out.
3. Right above the hair elastic, use your fingers to divide your hair into two to create a hole. The hole must be big enough for your bun to fit through.

4. Push your bun through the hole, and then pull it through on the other side.
5. You can leave it as such, and tease the hair hanging out or coat it with mousse to give it a good texture. Or if you want a more sleek look, you can secure the hair that is sticking out with a bobby pin.

This updo is more on the casual elegant side. However, you can always make it more elegant and sleek by working with wet hair and smoothing gel over it.

If you prefer the messy updo look, leave out the step in which you smooth it with a brush and instead scrunch your waves. Scrunch with hair product and then proceed to styling. Pull a few loose strands out here and there for an effortless look.

Final Thoughts

The great thing about this holiday hair style is that it is very simple and you can have fun with it and experiment with different looks. A nice holiday headband made out of ribbons, bows, or even bells can add a festive touch to it as well! Happy hairstyling!

This holiday season, NaturallyCurly wants to make your social life easier by giving you ideas for all sorts of cute, fun and unique holiday hair for your formal gatherings. We all have them: Christmas banquets, end of semester ceremonies, and countless holiday parties from friends and family. At your next party, try an updo that is perfect for wavy hair — the two-layered bun.

MORE: Curly Holiday Updos or Kinky Holiday Updos

Double the Bun, Double the Fun

1. Start with wet or dry hair. If your hair is more on the 2b to 3 side, I recommend styling with wet hair to make sure your waves stay in place. If your hair is dry, mist with water and comb through so that the hair is smooth. Divide the hair into two layers, top and bottom.
2. Secure the top half in a ponytail, and then twist that top half into a bun. The wetter your hair, the easier it will be to style.
3. Take the bottom layer of hair and spray with hair spray or coat in mousse. Then twist it into a thin tail. Take that tail and twist it up and over the top bun.

4. Wrap the bottom tail around the bun and secure it with a bobby pin. Spray the bun with hair spray to secure it for your holiday event and you’re set!

If you have a lot of hair hanging over the bun, you can tease it or scrunch the leftover to give it extra texture. For this particular style, I wouldn’t use any heavy products, such as cream, because this will weigh the bun down. Instead, try a light mousse or even hair spray.

If you don’t like your hair to be slicked back as I do, try pulling some strands of hair out from the front of your head. Coat these strands with hair product and twist with your fingers. They should look like holiday ribbons draping the sides of your face!

Final Thoughts

For an extra kick to your holiday hair, try to make a hair piece out of holly and pin it to the side of your head. A bow at the bottom of your bun would also look very festive, and it will add an extra element to this simple updo.

This Thanksgiving, try making your own hair treatments with these easy Thanksgiving hair recipes. There are many benefits to using fresh fruits and vegetables to create your own hair treatments, and Thanksgiving is one of the best seasons for variety. Transform your usual Thanksgiving ingredients into moisturizing, beneficial hair treatments!

Apple Cider for Oily Hair

Apple cider vinegar is known to remove oil from the scalp, so if you have a particularly oily scalp, try utilizing apple cider vinegar. This apple cider rinse is easy to make and easy to rinse out. You will need:

• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup of mint leaves

1. In a medium size saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil. Allow the mint leaves to steep into the apple cider mix, and be sure the honey has completely dissolved.
2. Strain the liquid, and allow it to cool before applying to your head. Pour the cider over your hair and massage it into your scalp. Allow your hair to dry naturally. Do not rinse out the apple cider mix.

If you’re anything like me, your mornings are probably spent hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock until the last possible minute, leaving you will almost no time to style your hair. If you’ve got beautiful waves, why hide them in a “I got to beat the traffic” ponytail?

Scrunching and running can become rather tiresome, and I often long for a way to spice up my waves. If you’re feeling that way as well, read on for some fantastically easy wavy hairstyles. All you need are bobby pins, hair spray, hair product, a comb and hair elastics.

The Quick Bump

I find this a great way to still show off your waves while adding a slightly elegant element to your hairstyle. This is a great trick for second day hair as well; it’s an easy way to make your second day waves interesting.

1. Style your hair as you normally would, scrunching hair product in your waves or however you achieve your best waves.
2. Grab two small pieces of hair from the front of your face. It’s important not to grab too much hair otherwise your bump will get all the attention.
3. Pull these two pieces over your head and smooth them out with a comb so that you cannot see your hair part. Be careful not to touch the rest of your hair with the comb!
4. Still holding your hair,  pull it tight over your head and then push it forward so that the piece you are holding creates a small bump.
5. Once you’ve got your bump, secure it with two bobby pins. Insert them at the top of your head and create an X to ensure that your bump holds.
6. Mist your hair with hair spray, concentrating on your bump. Re-scrunch the rest of your hair, making sure the front strands are especially wavy.

This style should look effortless, because it is! It literally takes about five minutes to do.

If you plan on attending a formal affair, you’re probably planning a big, fancy hairstyle will cost you time and money. Why pay big bucks on a hairstyle that you can get at home? You’ve already got one thing going for you: beautiful naturally curly hair. Now all you need is an idea for a quick and easy curly updos that you can rock at that formal affair.

Curly Half Updo

For this hairstyle, all you’ll need is a comb, hair spray, a hair clip and hair serum. It’s fantastically easy and elegant enough for your next formal event. Style your hair when it is already dry to make it easier to tease your hair.

1. Divide your hair into two parts, top and bottom. They do not have to be equal, and I actually prefer more hair on the bottom than on the top.
2. Use your comb to comb through the top portion of your hair. Comb it without combing through to your scalp. You want to smooth it out before you tease it.
3. Using the comb, tease the top portion of your hair by combing it backwards. Once you have a nice bump, secure the top of your hair with a hair clip.
4. Mist your bump with hairspray for a good hold that will last through your event.
5. Type 2 (Wavy): For this style to look elegant, try to stay away from gels that will make your hair crunchy. Instead, use a light, foamy product that will dry quickly to mold your waves. Apply this product to the bottom of your hair and you’re good to go!
6. Type 3 (Curly) Use a humidity-fighting product combined with a strong hold styler that will secure your curls for the night, and be sure to seal your bottom curls with a frizz-fighting serum.
7. Type 4 (Kinky) Teasing can be damaging for kinky hair, so if you’re hesitant about teasing, simply tap your hair with the comb, as opposed to backward combing. Secure it with hairspray, and then seal your bottom curls with a good serum or your favorite hair butter.

Diet and exercise aren’t the only paths to a thin appearance. Fashion and style are great ways to create the illusion of looking slimmer, and some curly hair styles can work wonders. Try a couple of these quick and easy styles to shed some pounds around the face and appear thinner! Experiment with caution, though; every face is different and will have different needs.

Voluminous Roots

Voluminous tresses can make your face look smaller, but beware! If your head is very round, you want to stay away from building too much volume around the face. It’s best to keep the volume at the top of your head so that your face is elongated.

1. Wavy (Type 2): Use a good mousse or light cream to style your hair. Apply and scrunch your waves to your heart’s content. While your hair is still wet, apply root-lifting spray directly to your roots. Hold a hair dryer straight over your head, and blast your scalp with medium heat for no more than a minute. With your other hand, comb through your scalp with your fingers and ruffle the top of your hair to create volume. For maximum volume, you can try using a roller to lift the roots, however, a roller brush might disrupt your waves.
2. Curly (Type 3): Use your favorite curl cream to style your hair. Try to stay away from a triangle shape hair-do by using the curling iron to create loose curls around your neck. Loose curls will make your hair look thinner. Apply root-lifting spray to your scalp. Using a diffuser, diffuse the top of your hair. Scoop your hair into the diffuser and twist it into the top of your head for ultimate lift.
3. Kinky (Type 4): Apply styling agent to your hair and style. Be sure to apply a sealant and anti-frizz serum to the bottom of your hair as well. Try using hair rods or even crayons, and take different strands of hair from the top of your head and wrap them around the rods. Leave your hair in the rods as you complete your other morning tasks (make coffee, apply makeup, etc.). Once you’re done, unwrap the hair from the rods and seal with oil.

Shopping for cruelty-free products can be rewarding, but often overwhelming. Several companies label their product as “cruelty-free” when, in fact, animal testing or animal cruelty is involved in the production. So how do you know when a product is truly animal friendly?

What Does Cruelty-Free Mean?

This seems to be where the standards of companies differ from the standards of consumers. According to the Group for the Education of Animal Related Issues, in order for a product to truly be “cruelty-free” it must:

1. Not have been tested on animals
2. Not contain ingredients that were tested on animals
3. Not contain animal ingredients

Unfortunately, although many companies do not always meet these standards, they still place a “cruelty-free” label on their product anyway. Products wear labels that read, “This Product was not Tested on Animals” when in actuality the ingredients themselves were tested on animals.

Keep in mind that a “cruelty-free” company does not necessarily employ a cruelty-free supplier.

Check the Ingredients

A product that is truly animal friendly will not use ingredients from animals. However, many companies do, in fact, use animals ingredients given that they are usually cheaper and more accessible than synthetic or vegetable-derived ingredients. Before purchasing a product that claims to be “cruelty-free,” read over the ingredients to be sure of its contents.

Look for the Leaping Bunny

There are no laws that govern the labeling of cruelty-free products, so exercise caution when shopping. Companies can put “cruelty-free” on their products in order to appeal to the masses without having to meet any standards. This is because there are no laws that enforce a company to meet real cruelty-free standards.
The CCIC is a group of eight animal protection groups that came together to create the Leaping Bunny logo. They are one of the most trusted organizations fighting for animal rights. If you see the Leaping Bunny, it means that no animal testing was conducted by the company or its supplier.However, the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) completes in-depth, on-site audits before certifying a company as being “cruelty-free.”

Final thoughts

In the end, do your research before investing in any product that claims to be “cruelty-free.” Investigate the ingredients, the manufacturer, and the supplier of your products.

It isn’t an easy task, but it sure is a worthwhile one, and with a little knowledge, our furry friends will be safer in the coming tomorrows.

Letting the hair air dry is one of the healthiest options for women with naturally curly and wavy hair. For many, the slightest amount of heat from a blow dryer or a curling iron can disrupt the curl pattern or cause frizz. However, letting the hair air dry might entail leaving the house with a head of wet hair, which is considered improper by some. So when is it okay to go out with wet hair? CurlTalk users provide the answers, as well as various opinions on the matter.

Where Are You Headed?

Many CurlTalk users agreed that it depends on where you’re going. The bottom line is that wet hair is viewed by many as unprofessional because several people equate wet hair with unfinished hair. Going into work with wet hair might give off the impression that you are not ready for work, or that you did not have time in the morning to dry your hair. Employers, therefore, might assume that you put little effort into getting ready for work. However, most agreed that it is perfectly acceptable to go out with wet hair if you are going to class (if you’re a student) or if you are simply running errands. Most likely, everyone around you will be too busy to notice or care.

Traveling out of the country? Don’t forget that hair etiquette differs culturally. Going out with wet hair is most likely unacceptable in very conservative countries. If you’re unsure of what to do, a good tip is to observe the native women or to simply ask the locals!

It Depends on your Profession

What is your job like? If you are debating whether or not to go into work with wet/damp hair, a good question to ask yourself is “What will I be doing today?” If your job involves interacting with clients or attending meetings, then it’s essential to look your best. As one CurlTalk member, kristie911, put it, “I wouldn’t want to see my dentist or doctor or CPA come walking in with wet hair.”

If the bulk of your day is spent tucked away in a cubicle or in an office, you could probably get away with the wet hair look. It all depends on how much interaction you get as a professional. One CurlTalk user suggested that it also depends on the field of work you are in.

Logy wrote: “Even though I work in a corporation setting, my specialty is more on the creative end. People might give me a little more leeway: ‘Well, she’s a designer—sometimes they’re a little quirky.’ I might not be judged as much as someone in other professions.”

The Generation Gap

As apparent from the CurlTalk discussions, the difference in opinion might be related to age. Older and more traditional generations probably view it as highly unacceptable to walk out the door with wet hair. Keep in mind that, conventionally, women were supposed to be presentable at all times (even when going to the grocery store). Of course, the definition of presentable has changed over time, and to many women it meant having their hair done, nails polished, and pearls worn around the neck. CurlTalk member multicultcurly highlighted a very interesting point:

“I think most people in their 50s and above didn’t wear their hair naturally. They always styled it with rollers and curling irons, which would demand dry hair for a finished look.”

So before going out with wet hair, first ask yourself: where am I going? What am I doing? And who am I going to see today?

The summer heat provides the perfect weather for lounging by the pool, but it can also wreak havoc on your curls. Our hair is exposed to all sorts of elements during the summer: chlorine, UV rays and salt water, not to mention the hair’s worst enemy—humidity.

So what can you do to protect your hair from these elements? Curly hair Guru Anna Craig, CurlStylist writer and owner of Trashy Roots Salon in Round Rock, Texas, offers these curly hair care tips for summertime.

Swimming

The sun and the chlorine from the swimming pool create dry, thirsty curls by stripping the hair of its natural oils. All of the chemicals in your neighborhood pool have a negative effect on your hair—especially if it is chemically treated or colored. If your hair is blond or light brown, the chlorine can even turn your hair green!

“We have some little girls come into the salon from the swim team whose hair is dried from all the chlorine,” says Craig.

Before and After You Swim

Before swimming, wet your hair and condition it. Your hair will absorb the conditioner and prevent chlorine from being absorbed into the hair shaft.

Cover your head. If you’re an athletic swimmer, or if you plan to swim every day this summer, protect your hair with a swim cap. It’s unhealthy to wash your hair every single day, so just avoid the process by covering your head.

If your hair feels extra sticky after a dip in the pool, Craig recommends giving your curls a beer rinse to wash out all the chlorine. The malt and hops from the beer are known to repair damaged hair.

Use a leave-in conditioner before or after your dip in the pool. Moisture is the key to protecting your curls from the drying effects of chlorine, so help your curls retain the moisture by utilizing a leave-in.

Shower Tips for Post-Pool Hair

Wash your hair right away. Don’t wait until the next day. Craig recommends washing your hair as soon as possible to prevent chlorine from staying in your curls.

Do NOT use clarifying shampoo. According to Craig, clarifying shampoo has a tendency to strip your curls of everything, including those natural oils that curls need in the summer. Clarifying shampoos will simply result in drier, frizzy locks.

Use a regular moisturizing or hydrating shampoo. In the summer, your hair needs all the moisture it can get. Craig recommends investing in hydrating shampoos that will reinvigorate your parched curls.

Shampoo with warm water. When shampooing your hair after a dip in the pool, Craig suggests using warm water to trigger the opening of the pores in order to rinse all that chlorine out. Shampooing with cold water will close the cuticle and trap the chlorine in your hair shaft. However, after shampooing and conditioning, you can finish with a cool water rinse to prevent frizz and enhance shine.

Tips for Summer Styling

“A humid day is a day to go curly, not a day to straighten your hair. You’re kind of fighting it,” says Craig. Too often summer days are humid and hot—a nightmare for freshly styled hair. Craig recommends rocking your natural texture instead of fighting it. “You don’t want to do too much to your hair. If you’re swimming a lot, or going out in the heat too much, you are probably damaging your hair,” says Craig. Her suggestion: keep your curly hair care regimen simple.

Avoid heat as much as possible. With endless UV rays pounding against your hair and skin, it’s beneficial to keep the use of blow outs, hot irons and curling irons to a minimum.

Use a light gel. If your hair is naturally wavy, Craig recommends using a light gel or mousse to get those beach waves. Light gel or mousse will provide enough hold but still allow your waves to flow with the breeze.

Make a conditioner/gel cocktail. Craig urges kinky haired clients to supply their hair with enough moisture this summer. Try making a curly cocktail by combining conditioner and gel. You’ll get the moisture you need from the conditioner plus the hold you need from the gel.

Curly Hair Care Products

Invest in good quality products. There are plenty of product lines available that are designed to protect your hair from the summer elements. Craig and her staff at Trashy Roots use the Milkshake Sun and More line. It provides the hydration and protection that hair needs from UV rays and chlorine.

Don’t forget to deep condition. Craig recommends using deep conditioning treatments twice a week in the summer. If you’re constantly exposed to the sun, or if you frequent the pool, supply your hair with that extra moisture it needs.

Special thanks to Anna Craig for all her advice and tips! If you are a stylist yourself, check out Anna Craig’s Trash Talk blog for advice.