Thousands of community members voted, and the results are in! These NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Award-winning curly hair products are the Holy Grails your curls, coils and waves stay thirsty for.

WHAT ARE THE NATURALLYCURLY BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS?

Since 2006, NaturallyCurly.com, the leading resource for natural and textured hair, has polled the community for your favorite curly hair care products of the year. Thousands of community members vote and the winners receive NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards by product category, and by curl pattern. The awards are “now considered the ultimate seal of approval by curl brands both large and small” says NaturallyCurly Founder Michelle Breyer, “the gold standard for the textured hair community.” The Best of the Best Awards are an opportunity for the curly haired community to share your Holy Grail products with others in the community and give well-deserved recognition to the brands who’ve earned your trust.

“Winning the Best of the Best award put us on the map on a much broader stage than anything we had before,” says Canadian stylist Jonathan Torch, creator of Best of the Best Award-winning Curl Keeper, which won “Best Frizz Fighter” several years. “I still appreciate this victory, and I will always be grateful for the recognition and support that I have gotten from this award.”

WHAT SETS BEST OF THE BEST APART FROM OTHER BEAUTY AWARDS?

Our awards give you the opportunity to vote on products that work for your unique curl pattern, whether you have waves, curls, coils or locs. And this year, we’ve expanded our survey to be even more inclusive with new categories for men and kids’ products too. 

Onto the winners, these are the products so good you buy them in bulk. Scroll on for the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best curl products of 2023.

• Best Conditioners
• Best Shampoos
• Best Styling Products
• Best Hair Treatments
• Best Men’s Products
• Best Products For Kids
• Best Tools
• Best Brands
• Best Blogger

Best Conditioners for Wavy, Curly & Curly Hair

Best Co-Wash 

It’s not a wash-day without using this co-wash.

Best Co-Wash for All Curl Types: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash

Best Co-Wash for Type 2 Wavy Hair: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner

Best Co-Wash for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash

Best Co-Wash for Type 4 Coily Hair: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash

Best Leave-In

You can’t get enough of this leave-in conditioner.

Best Leave-In for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave-In for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave-In for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Curly Hair Cream

Best Leave-In for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner

Best Conditioner 

The conditioner so good you buy it in bulk.

Best Conditioner for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner 

When your curls need some extra loving, you reach for this DC.

Best Deep Conditioner for All Curl Types: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: amikaThe Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Black Castor Oil + Chebe Deep Conditioner

Best Deep Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner

Best Shampoos for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Shampoo 

It’s not a true wash-day without a squirt of this shampoo.

Best Shampoo for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Best Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Not all pre-poos are created equal.

Best Pre-Shampoo for All Curl Types: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-Dandruff Pre-Wash

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer

Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Wonder Crown

Best Clarifying Cleanser

When your hair and scalp need a deep clean.

Best Clarifying Cleanser for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo

Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best Styling Products for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Mousse 

Just a few pumps for soft hair that lasts.

Best Mousse for All Curl Types: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

Best Mousse for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam

Best Mousse for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse

Best Mousse for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

Best Styling Cream

The all-in-one styling creme that holds and moisturizes without leaving a heavy residue. 

Best Styling Cream for All Curl Types: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Hair Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream

Best Styling Cream for Type 4 Coily Hair: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream

Best Gel

Flyaways be gone with this holding gel that doesn’t dry hard.

Best Gel for All Curl Types: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard

Best Gel for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel

Best Gel for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curls Sea Moss Curl Slime

Best Gel for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard

Best Hair Butter 

The moisturizing butter giving cocoa butter kisses to your hair.

Best Hair Butter for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

Best Hair Butter for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer

Best Hair Butter for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter

Best Hair Butter for Type 4 Coily Hair: Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream

Best Product for Braids and Twists 

A product your braids and twists stay thirsty for.

Best Product for Braids and Twists for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard

Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Pearly Braid Out Glaze

Best Product for Locs 

Your holy grail loc product.

Best Product for Locs for All Curl Types: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold

Best Product for Locs for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Product for Locs for Type 3 Curly Hair: Lockology Peppermint Tea Tree Oil For Locs

Best Product for Locs for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold

Best Edge Control Product 

A product that sculpts, smooths, and slicks hair back like a recliner.

Best Edge Control Product for All Curl Types: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control

Best Edge Control Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.

Best Edge Control Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control

Best Edge Control Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Flawless by Gabrielle Union Repairing Edge Control

Best Refresher Product 

When you’re already running late but the hair needs a refresh.

Best Refresher Product for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist

Best Refresher Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls+ Flaxseed Curl Refresher Mist

Best Refresher Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Restore + Revive Bi-Phase

Best Refresher Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist

Best Anti-Frizz Product

This product keeps frizz out and moisture in.

Best Anti-Frizz Product for All Curl Types: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer

Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum

Best Heat Protectant 

Before the heat, apply this treat.

Best Heat Protectant for All Curl Types: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream

Best Heat Protectant for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil for Curly Hair

Best Heat Protectant for Type 3 Curly Hair: OUAI Hair Oil, Multitasking Oil Protects from UV/Heat Damage and Frizz

Best Heat Protectant for Type 4 Coily Hair: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream

Best Hair Treatments

Best Hair Oil 

If you could only use one hair oil, it would be this one.

Best Hair Oil for All Curl Types: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil

Best Hair Oil for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil

Best Hair Oil for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rice Water Treatment

Best Hair Oil for Type 4 Coily Hair: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil

Best Hair Growth Product 

Growing out your hair takes consistency, patience, and one of these hair growth products.  

Best Hair Growth Product for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Hair Growth Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Best Strengthening Treatment

The back on track treatment for dry or brittle hair.

Best Strengthening Treatment for All Curl Types: Olaplex No. 3

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 3

Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Miracle RepaiRx Curl Protein Reconstructor

Best Men’s Products

Best Men’s Shampoo 

The weekly squeaky clean shampoo every man needs.

Best Hair Color for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo

Best Hair Color for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Brickell Men’s Products Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men

Best Hair Color for Type 3 Curly Hair: Young King Hair Care Shampoo

Best Hair Color for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo

Best Men’s Conditioner 

Not too heavy, not too light, the just right conditioner.

Best Men’s Conditioner for All Curl Types: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Hims Thick Fix Conditioner

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel

Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Scotch Porter Nourish & Repair Hair Conditioner for Men

Best Men’s Moisturizer 

What you reach for when you need a quick-fix of moisture.

Best Men’s Moisturizer for All Curl Types: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard

Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Tea Tree Hair Moisturizer

Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard

Best Men’s Moisturizer  for Type 4 Coily Hair: OKAY Black Jamaican Castor Oil

Best Men’s Styling Product 

The product you trust to hold the style all day long.

Best Men’s Styling Product for All Curl Types: Bevel Daily Hair Styler

Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Uncle Jimmy Curl Kicker

Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Cream Pomade Flex Hold

Best Men’s Styling Product  for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Daily Hair Styler

Best Men’s Beard Product 

Beards need love too.

Best Men’s Beard Product for All Curl Types: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener

Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash for Men

Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener

Best Men’s Beard Product  for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Beard Conditioner

Best Curl Products For Kids

Best Kids Line 

A kids line so good, you sneak it for yourself sometimes.

Best Kids Line for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Kids

Best Kids Line for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Kinder Curls by Curl Keeper

Best Kids Line for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Kids

Best Kids Line for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Kinky, Wavy & Natural for Children

Best Tools for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair

Best Hair Styling Tool 

No hair day is too tough for this tool.

Best Hair Styling Tool for All Curl Types: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Hair Pick

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle

Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler Tool

Best Hair Dryer

If you’re going to use heat, you only trust one of these dryers for the job.

Best Hair Dryer for All Curl Types: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

Best Hair Dryer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: InfinitiPro by Conair 1875-Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool

Best Hair Dryer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Best Hair Dryer for Type 4 Coily Hair: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer

Best Detangling Tool 

Even the tender headed crew doesn’t mind wash-day with help from this detangler. 

Best Detangling Tool for All Curl Types: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood

Best Detangling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Hair Brush for Adults & Kids Hair

Best Detangling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Tangle Teezer NaturallyCurly Brush

Best Detangling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood

Best Diffuser

You could live without this diffuser, but would you want to?

Best Diffuser for All Curl Types: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 3 Curly Hair: The Curly Co Collapsible Hair Diffuser

Best Diffuser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Conair Volumizing Universal Hair Diffuser

General

Best Holy Grail Product 

The only product you keep on auto-subscribe.

Best Holy Grail Product for All Curl Types: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Kinky Curly Knot Today

Best Holy Grail Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion

Best Value Brand 

Even your frugal side is proud when you stock up on this line.

Best Value Brand for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture

Best Value Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Cantu

Best Value Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ecoco

Best Value Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture

Best New Brand

And the best new brand goes to…

Best New Brand for All Curl Types: Pattern Beauty

Best New Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Flawless by GU

Best New Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Donna’s Recipe

Best New Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: Pattern Beauty

Best Blogger

The blogger responsible for your screen time being up last week. 

Best Blogger for All Curl Types: Bianca Renee

Best Blogger for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Manes by Mell

Best Blogger for Type 3 Curly Hair: Bianca Renee

Best Blogger for Type 4 Coily Hair: iamblackgirlcurls

Congratulations to all of the Best of the Best Award winners! We love to see the research and investment in new and innovative products and tools for this community, both from legacy brands as well as the emerging brands on the market. We hope you find your next Holy Grail product amongst these curly-approved Best of the Best winners!

Read next: These NaturallyCurly Best Of The Best Winners Are The OG Holy Grail Curl Products

Regardless of whether or not you’re well-versed in taking care of your own curls or coils, caring for a child’s curly hair can be a real challenge. The child may have a different hair texture, porosity, or density than what you’re used to. And, if you’re a parent or care-taker with straight hair, you may have never even considered the role of porosity or moisture in a hair care routine before–but just having the right products on hand can make a world of difference in the hair care experience for you and your little one. Here to save the day are countless curly hair care products formulated specifically with sensitive youngsters in-mind that can handle the tangled aftermath of even the wildest playtime. But, of course, in the sea of products and ingredients, it may be difficult to know what the best options are.

We’re excited to share the Best of the Best Awards for Curly Hair Products For Kids of 2023, as voted on by the NaturallyCurly community. These kid-friendly product lines to keep your little one’s hair in top shape and put the fun back into detangling, washing, and styling.

Best Kids Line For All Curl Types & Best Kids Line for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Kids

Camille Rose Naturals has proved to have a standout kid’s line that works with all textures and curl types for your tiny tot. As the winner of two of our kid’s categories, this line shows that it stands out and is truly a must-have for your home. The kid’s line features an array of styling products like a Mandarin hair balm, a leave-in conditioner, and buttercream full of rich nutrients to moisturize and condition even the most delicate strands. You can purchase each product individually or in a set for easy and seamless styling on the go that will leave you feeling at ease with your little one.

Best Kids Line for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Kinder Curls by Curl Keeper

Kinder Curls is making a big comeback as a fan favorite and the previous 2020 Best of the Best Awards for Curly Hair Products For Kids. These products are gentle and designed to detangle, define, and soften curly hair.  Whether you are ready to travel, swim, or camp, these products are water-based and will help control the most unruly, frizzy hair.

Best Kids Line for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Kinky, Wavy & Natural for Children

Let’s give a big drumroll for the Best Kids Line for Type 4 Coily Hair which comes courtesy of Taliah Waajid! This kid’s line is great for tighter curl patterns to help with styling and improving the overall shine and texture. This product contains only quality ingredients and herbal extracts, so it’s free of harsh chemicals. This gentle formula softens the curl pattern while making hair manageable. 

What are the current must-have products in your curly kid’s routine? If you’ve used any products from these collections, tell us about your experience in the comments. 

Check out the rest of the Best of the Best Award Winners for 2023.

The day is finally here. For the past few years, you’ve been waiting for this exact moment – your graduation. You’ve done the work, and the feeling of receiving your graduation cap couldn’t be better—except you need to figure out how to get it to sit perfectly over your big curls. How do you actually wear a graduation cap with natural hair?

Not only do many caps have a “one size fits all” tag attached to them (which is laughable to some of us), your school may have specific rules on how you can sport your cap. Many institutions require caps to be worn straight and not tilted. We’re sensing feelings of anxiety and confusion from our curly community about the fight between the graduation cap and your natural hair.

Finding the perfect style for your big day, where you can show off both your texture and the precious cap that you earned, does not have to be a chore.

Here are a few techniques for fitting your graduation cap onto your curls!

Headband method

If hair clips and bobby pins aren’t your thing (or you find them uncomfortable), this method will be helpful for you.

Here’s how to use a headband to secure your graduation cap with ease:

https://www.tiktok.com/@rizoscurlshair/video/7101339883909844270?_r=1&_t=8cB3SzmX0gd&social_sharing=v4

Bianca Renee followed a similar method, using duct tape instead of hot glue to tape down the fabric of her graduation cap and attach a headband in place.

Braided method

Don’t want to wear your hair down on graduation day? Maybe you and your curls can meet somewhere in the middle. Here’s the perfect half-up look that will make you and your curls happy. Let Honestly Erica show you how it’s done.

Tuck and Roll Method

With a few hair tools you can really make this work! Give this cute side swept style from Brittany Kyss a try.

Overall, here are a few tips to keep in mind when fitting your graduation cap around your curls:

• Avoid updo styles as your cap most likely won’t fit over them.
• If using bobby pins, be sure to place them in a comfortable position so you don’t experience any pain when your cap places a little pressure on them.
• Have fun with your styling! Don’t feel as if you have to wear your curls down. Get creative with twists and braids.

We had a little fun trying on graduation caps here at the NaturallyCurly office to see what styles we could make work. Watch to see how we did.

Share your graduation cap photos, dilemmas and success stories below!

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This article was originally published in 2013 and updated to reflect new style recommendations.

The color blonde is one that is loved by many because of its tendency to match nearly all skin tones and the fact that it makes a bold statement. However, people with Type 4c hair may find it challenging when it comes to dyeing their hair. Due to its tight curl pattern and coarseness, it can be more prone to breakage and damage. That’s why it’s important to know the right steps to take when dyeing your 4c hair. In this article, you’ll be getting such steps along with inputs from hair stylists, so keep reading.

What to know before you begin dyeing your 4c hair

1. Determine the current state of your hair

The current condition of your hair will determine whether or not you should go ahead with dyeing your 4c hair blonde. If you’re battling dryness, split ends, intense breakage, or any other type of hair damage, it’s best to first get your hair back to a healthy state before you dye. This is because the chemicals in the dye can worsen your damaged hair condition.

2. Use the right products

It is important to buy high-quality products, especially those from reputable brands, as low-quality products may cause damage to your hair.

3. Deep condition and detangle

Hairstylist, Folake Folarin, advises that before you begin, your hair should have been deep conditioned first as you need it to be in a healthy, manageable state. Another thing to do before you begin the dyeing process is to comb your hair, as this will ensure there are no tangles or knots when you begin. Folarin also adds that it is important to bleach your 4c hair first before applying the toner/dye, or else the blonde color will not hold.

4. Visit a hairstylist

If you’ve never dyed your hair before and you’re not sure about DIY, you can visit a salon to get help from a hair stylist so you don’t cause damage to your kinks.

Step-by-step method of dyeing your 4c hair blonde

• Hair bleach (or more, depending on the length and thickness of your hair)
• Developer
• Toner
• Hand gloves
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing brush
• Wide-tooth comb
• Shower cap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

Here are the items you’ll need to have ready:

Step 1. Prepare the developer and bleach powder

According to Nia Hope, founder of Nia Hope & Company, producer of Hair Growth & Dry Scalp Serum, “The most important thing to know when bleaching your hair is that measurements and time frames are so important.”

To begin the process of dyeing her hair blonde, Nia mixes 2.5 ounces of 40 Volume Creme Developer and the entire packet (1 ounce) of the L’Oreal Quick Blue Bleach powder into the mixing bowl. She stirs it up with the application brush until the consistency is thick.

Step 2. Apply the mix

If you have a TWA (teeny weeny Afro), you can start applying the mix all over your hair, from roots to ends. However, if your hair is longer, you’ll have to section it into four for easier application.

After applying the mix to your hair, cover it with a shower cap to trap the heat and speed up the bleaching process. Then leave the bleach to process according to the instructions on the pack which is sometimes between 30 – 40 minutes. Set a timer on your phone or watch so you are right on time. When the time is up, take off the shower cap, wash the mix with shampoo, and towel dry your hair.

Nia noticed that after washing, the texture of her hair changed. “Like my curls are not this loose… Everything that I’ve heard about chemically treating your hair and bleaching can change your hair texture is 100% true,” she says.

Step 3. Tone/Dye the hair

The next step now is to tone the hair. Nia mixes 1.4 ounces of toner with 2.8 – 3 ounces of 30 Volume Creme Developer and stirs. According to her, the toner neutralizes yellow and orange tones on bleached hair as it gets rid of brassiness and produces a brighter blonde. After mixing, apply the toner to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.

Nia says first-timers, that is, those who are new to the hair dyeing process, should be prepared for their hair to not only come out in a different color but also in a completely different texture because it’s responding to the products that have been used. She also noted that her hair was extremely dry after the dyeing process, and she had to apply some moisturizing cream to get her hair hydrated. However, licensed cosmetologist and hair stylist, Britany Michelle, comments that the reason for the dryness was because of the volume of developer that was mixed with the toner.

“Use 5 or 10 Volume developer to mix with your toner,” she counsels, “No need to go in with 30 Volume with your toner since your cuticles are already wide open from the initial 40 Volume plus bleach. Toning with five or less volume should have your hair feeling less dry.”

Let us know in the comments how you plan to dye your 4c hair this summer!

Read next: Which Olaplex Products Are Best For Curly Hair?

We’ve all had an itch that takes a while to go away, and our scalps are no different. After noticing your fingers constantly making their way to your head, your mother, an aunt, or grandmother may have commented, “Oh, that means your hair is growing!”

Well, it’s true that your hair was growing, but an itchy scalp is not a sign of hair growth. Itchiness can actually signify that your scalp is not at its healthiest, which can negatively impact hair growth. Whether it lasts days or weeks, the cause of an itchy scalp can usually be tracked down. You have to put on your detective hat to figure it out.

Causes of an itchy scalp

A common cause of itchy scalp is seborrheic dermatitis, aka, dandruff, says Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University.

“Often, people complain that their scalp is dry when in reality, it is actually inflamed,” Schwarzenberger says.

Other culprits for itchy scalp include psoriasis, allergy to hair dyes or products, fungal infections, and even head lice.

“Scalp itch can also be a cause of an underlying condition, including diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney disease, as well as some types of cancer,” Schwarzenberger adds.

The first line of defense

If you don’t already have a skin condition diagnosed by a dermatologist or trichologist, trying different hair products and natural remedies is a good starting point.

One of the most effective initial treatments for an itchy scalp is a thorough shampoo scrub to remove loose and scaly skin, says Dr. Josh Axe, D.N.M., C.N.S., D.C, founder of Ancient Nutrition. After trying that, a popular natural remedy to try is tea tree oil.

“What’s great about tea tree oil is that it provides antioxidant benefits and is antimicrobial, which means it has the ability to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungus,” Axe says.

As with all essential oils, make sure to dilute the tea tree oil by either adding it to your shampoo or mixing it with carrier oil.

Here are five more natural ways to combat itchiness and dandruff. 

When the itch doesn’t go away

If experimenting with different products and natural remedies doesn’t solve the issue, you can try an over-the-counter medicated shampoo.

“There are many good products available, with active ingredients that include selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, and ketoconazole,” Schwarzenberger says. “Tar shampoos may treat seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, but some dislike the smell. But people with white hair should avoid using tar shampoos, as it can cause hair to yellow.”

It may be allergies

If you’ve found that allergy is the problem, particularly if there is an associated rash around the neck and or face, Schwarzenberger says to try fragrance-free or “low allergen” hair products. Topical steroids are also an option but require a prescription.

“You should see your dermatologist if your scalp does not improve with the use of medication shampoo or if it is associated with hair loss or skin lesions in the scalp or surrounding skin,” Schwarzenberger says.

Interested in more ideas for alleviating an itchy scalp? Check out this list of detergents that might cause a dry, itchy scalp.

From providing the hair with moisture to controlling frizz to combating damage, among others, the benefits of a leave-in conditioner to hair, especially curly hair, cannot be overstated. However, unsafe ingredients in many leave-in conditioners out there can be a major deterrent when it comes to purchasing one for your curls. Not to mention that many of these products can a bit pricey. So, how about you try making your own leave-in conditioner with ingredients that you know and can trust? With items laying about in your kitchen/those you can easily grab at a local store, you can DIY the best leave-in conditioner for your curly hair. Ready? Let’s begin.

The Items You’ll Need

We’ll be using DIY enthusiast, UnivHair Soleil’s recipe to make this leave-in conditioner. The items you’ll be needing are:

• Okra (heads and bottom parts)
• Heat-resistant jar and cover
• Hot mineral water
• Whisk
• Filter bag
• Double boiler pot
• Avocado oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Fractionated coconut oil
• Melted mango butter
• Melted shea butter
• Emulsifier BTMS-25
• Vitamin E oil
• Lavender oil
• Peppermint oil
• Preservative (benzyl alcohol with dehydroacetic acid or any other preservative that is compatible with the ingredients)
• pH tester
• A pair of rubber gloves

Step 1: Prepare the Aqueous okra macerate, a.k.a the okra water

First things first, put on your gloves, as this will help keep your palms and fingers clean from the messy process. Then put about 45 pieces of okra (heads and bottom parts) inside your clean heat-resistant jar and pour the hot mineral water into it.

Leave this mixture to sit for an hour, but during this period, you’ll need to whisk at regular intervals. Whisking the content will ensure the nutrients from the okra disperse into the water faster. Whisk every 10 minutes and then cover.

When the time is up, you’ll notice that the water has cool down, and your okra water now has a bit of slimy consistency.

Then, it’s time to filter the water. Pour the content of the jar into your filter bag and extract the slimy water from the okra pods by squeezing the bag.

Step 2: Prepare the oil mix

In your double boiler pot, add one tablespoon each of avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and fractionated coconut oil. Next, add two tablespoons each of the melted mango butter and shea butter. After this, add three tablespoons of emulsifier BTMS-25. Finally, add the aqueous okra macerate, a.k.a okra water. Now here is the thing, the amount of okra water you add to the mix depends on the consistency you’d like. If you want a thick consistency, add less okra water. However, if you’d like a runny one, then add more okra water.

Step 3: Emulsify

Place the double boiler pot on the stove and stir with the whisk until all the emulsifier is melted. Continue stirring until you get your desired creamy consistency (you can choose to add more okra water if you want).

When the cream is ready, take the small bowl out of the boiler and put it in a bowl of cool water. Continue stirring with your whisk while the mix cools down to room temperature.

Step 4: Add your oils and preservative

Add 20 drops of vitamin E oil to the mix and stir well with the whisk. After stirring for a couple of minutes, add ten drops of lavender oil and stir the mix again. At this point, your mix should have cooled down. So, take the bowl of your mix out of the bowl of cool water. Then four drops of peppermint oil and stir well. Finally, add 15 drops of your preservative and stir well for a few minutes.

Yay! You have successfully DIY-ed your leave-in conditioner. Now, transfer the leave-in conditioner into a clean jar or container. To make sure the leave-in conditioner is right on track, you can use the pH tester to check for the pH (potential/power hydrogen). The result should range from between 4 and 5, as this is necessary for giving your hair smoothness and preventing unnecessary breakage, among other benefits.

You can watch the full video of the DIY leave-in conditioner process here on UnivHair Soleil’s YouTube channel:

Your DIY Leave-in Conditioner: A Multipurpose Use

Besides using this mix as your leave-in conditioner, you can also use it in these other ways:

1. As a rinse-out conditioner

After shampooing your hair, simply apply this mix next and leave it to sit for about 10 – 15 minutes before rinsing out in cool water.

2. As a hair mask

For that extra deep penetrating of moisture into your curly strands.

3. As a body cream

This mix will help to hydrate your skin. However, it is important to first do a skin patch test to see how your skin responds to the mix.

Will you be trying this recipe soon? Let us know in the comments.

There’s a lot that goes into a wedding: your dress, the venue, the food, the guest list — but for curly girls, the dilemma of what hairstyle to rock on the big day is another hurdle to tackle. Flipping through wedding magazines or browsing Pinterest boards, it’s hard to find bridal hairstyles for natural hair. But fear not — we have ideas on what naturalistas can rock on their big day — and it doesn’t involve straightening your beloved curls.

NaturallyCurly spoke with stylist Atlanta-based stylist Ebony Sanders to get their take on styling natural hair for brides.

“Most people think styling curly/natural hair requires a ton of product and that the style won’t last through the day,” Sanders said.

Sanders also offered tips such as utilizing clip-ins, trying rod sets, or trying a smooth and thorough blow dry, which allows a lot of versatility for different looks.

Source: @kurlycrown

Yamel styled her own her for the celebration of her 20th wedding anniversary and pinned the side of her beautiful afro back with a statement hairpiece.

“It was very important to me to have my natural hair so that other brides could be inspired as well,” Yamel told Naturally Curly.

Source: @keziahdhamma

Keziah rocked an updo for her nuptials, letting her curls frame her face and giving her curly bangs.

Sourc: @hairndowed

This fabulous updo includes a braided portion on the side that’s clipped back with a stunning hairpiece, giving a look an upgrade from a typical updo.

Source: @blairxxyn

Looking to rock a bun at your wedding? The jewels inside the twisted bun and the accompanying hairpiece give a traditional updo a more fun approach.

Source @themodelmalyia

If you enjoy the way your hair looks when it’s down, we recommend rocking it and adding a hairpiece like Malyia did! If you’d like your ‘fro to be more defined, check out our piece on how to get super-defined curls with this Wash & Go Technique.

Source @shaylabehringer

This low-ponytail look is both elegant and classy, allowing you to show off your earrings or any other flashy accessories you rock on your big day. To achieve this style, we recommend using the Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste to help slay your edges, and using a hairpiece to give your original hair more volume in the ponytail.

Source @hair_by_ann_iren

If you’re not committed to wearing your hair fully down, this half-up half-down style is great for showing off your curls — plus the flowers are a beautiful touch!

Source: @makeuphqegypt

This look is different than your classic updo, with the hair in the front bump, followed by the hairpiece. The bride’s curls are then placed at towards the back of her head, providing a beautiful, streamlined look.

Source: @paucahantashair_1

This braided low bun is beautiful by itself — but the addition of the pearls makes this look very elegant!

Source: @ilovetextureee

This beautiful side-part updo provides volume in the front with a bun in the back is great if you’re wanting to do a simple style to show off your dress and/or accessories more.

Source: @auroragipson

This soft twisted half updo is great for curly girls who want to wear their hair down for their wedding. The twists in the back are secured with a crown-like headband, giving the style a bridal look.

Source: @lisasmythbridal

This simple, yet elegant look is good for a curly girl who wants to rock a low veil on her wedding day. We also love how flowers were incorporated into this look instead of a hairpiece!

Source: @ilovetextureee

This gorgeous updo provides volume everywhere you look, almost giving it an “elegant fo-hawk” look.

Source: @Ik_hairandmua

This creative stylist used hair accessories to put the curls on full display for this bride’s wedding day!

What’s your favorite bridal style featured here? Have you rocked your natural hair at your wedding? Post your picture and tag @naturallycurly so we can see how you rocked your hair on your big day!

Check out: 25 Easy-To-Do Updos for Naturally Curly Hair

Sophia Emmanuel is an IAT Certified Trichologist and licensed cosmetologist. As a hairstylist, Sophia realized that she had to have a deeper understanding of the hair and scalp because some of her clients had trouble with hair loss, and she had no idea how to help them. She decided to become a certified trichologist after reading Barry Fletcher’s book titled, Why Are Black Women Losing Their Hair? Here on NaturallyCurly she advises women on healthy hair and scalp care. 

Wearing a wig is a great option to switch up your look without making permanent changes to your hair, but if you are not careful it can damage your hair and scalp and lead to or cause hair loss or damage. Even though you may wear wigs as a protective style, it is important to maintain a healthy hair routine while wearing wigs. Here are seven ways you can improve your hair health while wearings wigs.

1. Don’t wear an incorrect size

Wigs that fit too tightly can cause hair loss and breakage around the perimeter of the head.

Insider tip: Have your head measured by a professional who specializes in styling different types of wig products.

2. Don’t skip wash day

It may be tempting to skip out on wash day, but be sure to shampoo and condition your hair as you would normally to remove dirt, and bacteria off the hair and scalp.

Check out: How I Keep My Type 4 Natural Hair Healthy Underneath A Wig

3. Avoid wigs that don’t breathe

Make sure you invest in products that allow your scalp to breathe. Capless wigs are lightweight and allow more airflow to the scalp. Capless products do not make you feel as hot as traditional wig caps because they have open wefts at the back and sides.

4. Don’t neglect your hairline

Stocking caps protect your hair under wigs and keep your hair flat so that the wig does not look bulky, but they can cause breakage or dryness along the hairline. To prevent damage to your edges, slide the stocking cap behind the ear. Your hairline will be exposed, and you can use a Milano WiGrip to prevent damage in this area. The Milano WiGrip is an adjustable velvet wig band that protects the hair line, and keeps wigs secure on your head. It allows you to reduce the use of combs, and clips sewn onto the base of the wig, used for supporting the product on your head.

5. Avoid adhesives if possible

If you have to use adhesive for a particular style, try to minimize how often you use the adhesive in order to prevent hair loss or breakage around the hairline.

6. Don’t use materials that cause scalp irritation

If you have a sensitive scalp, you may want to stay away from products made with synthetic hair. Sensitivities to wig materials can cause excessive itching, burning, and scalp tenderness.

7. Don’t forget to take breaks

Although wigs are convenient, they can make us forget to take care of our own hair. Take time in between wearing your wigs to get regular trims and deep condition your hair.

What are some ways you protect your scalp while wearing a wig?

Read next: 8 Protective Styles That Are Gentler on Your Edges

This article was published in 2017 and has been updated.

Curlies are not afraid to experiment for their best curls. We’ve seen kitchen strainers used as diffusers, KY jelly to fight frizz, and now – a pool noodle used for heatless curls. That’s right, your favorite summer pool day floating device could be the key to heatless jumbo curls thanks to this DIY by YouTuber Jonathan Monroe. Here’s how to curl your hair with a pool noodle.

For naturally wavy and curly hair, this method can stretch out your natural curl pattern heatlessly. For naturally straight hair this can act to give volume to the roots and a curl to the ends. It’s cheap (Monroe found his pool noodle at the dollar store for $1.25), it’s heatless, and depending on your hair you may be able to stretch your hair with just four pool noodle curlers. And you’ll be left with large barrel curls like we’ve never seen before.

How to use a pool noodle for heatless waves

What you’ll need:

• A pool noodle
• An old tee shirt you don’t mind cutting up
• Scrunchies

Step 1. Cut up a pool noodle into sections.

Step 2. Cut up a tee shirt, Monroe used a mesh tee. This will be used to hold your curlers in place.

Step 3. Section your hair, securing the top sections up and out of the way so you can focus on the bottom layers of hair first.

Monroe did this on slightly damp hair and did not use any styling product.

Step 4. Take a bottom section and smooth it with a brush. The section can be larger than your typical roller set, as the pool noodles are significantly larger and longer.

Step 5. Roll the section of hair around the pool noodle from the bottom up towards the roots, then secure it at the root by wrapping a piece of your tee shirt around it and tying a scrunchy at the base.

Don’t use a blow dryer to set the curl as you would with traditional curlers, the material of the pool noodle is likely to melt.

Step 6. Repeat with the other sections. Monroe curled his full head of hair in just 4 sections.

Results will likely vary depending on your hair density, width and curl pattern. Monroe’s long curls look to be mostly Type 3A and this method successfully stretched his curls. YouTuber Danica J Thomas had a similar idea three years ago and used a pool noodle to stretch her Type 3B curls. She used a slightly different technique and started with wet hair and found that the method was not able to stretch her roots out and left her with some frizz. She touched up her roots with a blow dryer after removing the pool noodle curlers to finish off her look.

Would you try this pool noodle heatless curling method?

Read next: How To Get TikTok Bathrobe Curls On Wavy Hair

Worried that you cannot find the right hairstyle for your type 4c hair? We’ve got you. In this article, you’ll be getting 20 of the best hairstyles for your natural hair type. Whether your hair is long, short, or medium, these styles are definitely ones you’ll slay in. 

1. Two-strand twists

SOURCE: @heal_thyhair

A go-to hairstyle for many naturals, this hairstyle involves splitting a section of your natural hair into two equal parts and then wrapping both parts around each other from roots to tips.

This video by Glow Up with Paige shows you how to do two-strand twists:

2. Puff with bangs

Source: MaryJane Augustine-Obah

Another favorite amongst naturals, this is created by leaving some hair in front, brushing the rest of your hair up, and securing it with a band.

Ginette Kofigah shares this tutorial on how to achieve the hairstyle:

3. The halo

Source: @adannamadueke

Also called the crown, this simple yet chic hairstyle is achieved by braiding the hair from both sides of the head to meet at the back.

Mona B’s YouTube tutorial shows you an easy way to achieve this hairstyle in less than three minutes:

4. French roll

Source: Igbocurls

The beautiful thing about this sophisticated hairstyle is that it is one of the easiest to create. First of all, you start by sectioning your hair in front. Next, you sweep one side of your hair to the middle and secure it with bobby pins. After that, you pull the hair left out on the other side to overlap the one that you just worked on and then pin it as well. Finally, you pull the hair in front to the back and tuck it in with a pin. In this tutorial, Igbocurls Chinwe Juliet teaches you how to achieve this four-minute hairstyle:

5. Three-strand twist

Source: @crystalclearcurls

Another member of the twists family, this hairstyle is created by splitting a section of your hair into three equal parts and then wrapping each part around the other to create a finish uniquely distinct from the two-strand twists. Igbocurl Chinwe Juliet’s detailed video tutorial shows you how to achieve the three-strand twist hairstyle:

6. Straw curls

Source: @thechicnatural

One of the best ways to get well-defined bouncy curls, this hairstyle can be created by rolling your hair with a pack of straws. In this how-to video by TheChicNatural, you can learn to do straw curls by yourself at home:

7. Flat twists

SOURCE: Skele Natural Hair

Yet another member of the Twists family, flat twists are an alternative to the traditional cornrows. This hairstyle involves weaving the hair into twists that lay flat on your head. You can then choose to either rock them like that or pop on a wig. This DIY video by Tyiece explains how you can flat twists your natural hair:

8. The Cinnabun

Source: @theysayash

A hairstyle, for all occasions, is created by first brushing and securing the hair into a puff with an elastic band, followed by rolling some strands of that puff from tips to roots and then pinning it down. YouTuber MyCrownofCurls demonstrates how you can create the Cinnabun look on your natural 4c hair:

9. Frohawk

Source: Nelly Johnson

Loud and proud, this hairstyle is a blend of the “afro” and the “mohawk” hairstyles, hence the portmanteau “frohawk”. It is created by sweeping and pinning both sides of the hair to the middle part of the head and then leaving the hair in the middle to hang loose.  Cedya CC’s video tutorial shows you how to achieve this hairstyle:

10. Bantu knots

SOURCE: The Trend Spotter

A classic, this hairstyle is a way to celebrate your African roots. It is done by rolling a section of your hair to form a knot. DIY enthusiast, Breanna Rutter, shows a step-by-step method on how you can achieve the Bantu knots:

11. Cornrows

SOURCE: Styles by Sandz

One of the go-to hairstyles for keeping your natural hair flat under a wig, it is created by parting a section of the hair into a row and then braiding flat on the head. Tyiece’s detailed video tutorial shows how to do cornrows:

12. Rod sets

Source: VeePeeJay

Another way to achieve maximum curls definition is created by rolling/wrapping your hair with rollers (perm rods, flexi rods, sponge rods, etc). Watch Nae2Curly’s video for a practical way to create a rod set hairstyle:

13. Wash n go

SOURCE: ALove4Me

This hairstyle is created by applying a leave-in conditioner and hair gel to your freshly-washed soaking wet hair for that extra curl definition. Literally, wash and go. LaToya Ebony Hair shares this guide on how to achieve the hairstyle:

14. Space buns

Source: @whitneymadueke

The space buns are a playful chic hairstyle that can be achieved by parting a vertical line in the middle of the head from front to back. Next, the hair on either side of the hair is brushed and tied into a puff. For a visual guide on how to create this hairstyle by yourself, watch Whitney Madueke’s tutorial:

15. Rope twists

SOURCE: @micanicolehairstylist

Yet another member of the twists family, involves splitting a section of hair into two equal parts and rolling each part before twisting. The result? Rope-like coily twists that make others stare in awe. Follow Kurly Krissy’s guide on how to achieve this hairstyle:

16. Low bun

SOURCE: Black Hair Information

Elegant and dashing, this hairstyle is created by brushing your hair to the back and tying it in a puff. With hair gel and a satin or silk scarf, you can give it that extra sleek look.

This YouTuber, Olusola, teaches you how to achieve the style:

17. Half up half down

SOURCE: Dayaunna Mareee

Another fun hairstyle to rock, this is created by creating a horizontal line from ear to ear, and then pulling the hair in front into a puff while the hair at the back hangs loose. Tiktoker Shuhrawn shows how you can achieve this simple hairstyle in minutes:

@shuh_rawn Its gon shrink real bad 😂 but it came out alr #fyp #viral #nourisheveryyou #LikeAMonarch #natural #4c #naturalhairstyles #WeStickTogether ♬ CAMERAS DRAKE – officialsoundsldn❤️‍🔥.

18. Afro

Source: Betts Patricia

Sometimes, the best hairstyle is the one that stands out – literally. Many naturals say the Afro is a way to pay homage to one’s African heritage. This tutorial by Quijuandas shows how to create the Afro in less than five minutes:

19. Silk press

SOURCE: Royalty Organics

What’s a way to get that relaxed hair look without actually relaxing your natural hair? A silk press! This hairstyle involves blow-drying, flat ironing, and trimming the hair to create a glossy smooth-to-the-touch finish. Shell Grows Hair’s video tutorial explains how you can achieve a silk press hairstyle:

20. Finger coils

Source: CT

A hairstyle that never misses, this is created by twirling some strands of hair around your finger from roots to tips, until your entire hair is covered in finger coils. Watch Chizi Duru’s video on how to do finger coils: