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    WAVY (2a-2c) Forms a loose “S” very easily straightened
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    2a
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    2c
    CURLY (3a-3c) Forms a definite “S” shaped like a corkscrew
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    3a
    3b-menu-image
    3b
    3c-menu-image
    3c
    COILY (4a-4c) Very tight curl when stretched creates an “S”
    4a-menu-image
    4a
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    4b
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    4c
    LOCS Hair intentionally matted to form "ropes"
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  • TEXTURE
    WAVY (2a-2c) Forms a loose “S” very easily straightened
    2a-menu-image
    2a
    2b-menu-image
    2b
    2c-menu-image
    2c
    CURLY (3a-3c) Forms a definite “S” shaped like a corkscrew
    3a-menu-image
    3a
    3b-menu-image
    3b
    3c-menu-image
    3c
    COILY (4a-4c) Very tight curl when stretched creates an “S”
    4a-menu-image
    4a
    4b-menu-image
    4b
    4c-menu-image
    4c
    LOCS Hair intentionally matted to form "ropes"
    -menu-image
    QUIZ Take our quiz to learn your curl pattern
    -menu-image
  • TOPICS
    CONCERNS
    • Dryness
    • Frizz
    • Curl Definition
    • Detangling
    • Hair Growth
    • Hair Breakage
    • Shrinkage
    • Hair Loss
    • Scalp Care
    • Heat Damage
    • Graying
    • Volume
    CURL CARE
    • Hair Color
    • Haircuts
    • Hairstyles
    • Transitioning
    • Straightening
    • Retexturizing
    • Curly Girl Method
    • LOC Method
    • 2nd Day Hair
    • Cleansing
    • Conditioning
    • Kids
    • Men
    • Salon Finder
    LIFESTYLE
    • Celebrities
    • Beauty
    • Self-Care
    • Culture
    • Business
  • VIDEOS
  • PRODUCTS
    TOP PRODUCTS Guides and resources for easy product selection INGREDIENTS Learn how to read your hair product labels DIY PRODUCTS Easy-to-make recipes for all your haircare needs BEST OF THE BEST Community member favorites make up this coveted list GIVEAWAYS Enter to win products we all love
  • COMMUNITY
    STYLENOOK Share your style and browse the style of others CURLTALK Chat with curl friends about your favorite curly topics TRENDSETTER Participate in product testing surveys discussions etc.
  • SHOP
  • GET INVOLVED
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • My Cart
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • features:
  • TEXTURE TALES
  • LEADERS IN CURL
  • Best of the Best
  • ASK A CURL EXPERT
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  1. Home
  2. Curl Reading
  3. Events 2
  4. 10 Times #TeamNatural Showed Out At Essence Fest
  1. Home
  2. Curl Reading
  3. Events 2
  4. 10 Times #TeamNatural Showed Out At Essence Fest

10 Times #TeamNatural Showed Out At Essence Fest

BY Evelyn Ngugi
7.30.14
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Thanks to Design Essentials, I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans, Louisiana for the 20th annual Essence Music Festival! I knew #teamnatural would be in attendance in a diverse and beautiful way, but I wanted to see how the festival’s activities would incorporate natural hair into its programming. Essence magazine is a staple in many Black American homes for all things lifestyle and beauty, so here are 10 times #teamnatural was represented at Essence Fest.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @NATURALLYCURLY

Wal-Mart’s Natural Hair Offerings

As one of Essence Fest’s partners, Walmart had a huge presence during the festival. Besides their own stage for performances, they also had a display of of many of your favorite brands like U R Curly, Cantu, Giovanni, SheaMoisture, and Dark & Lovely. “We want to build awareness that natural and curl-friendly products are available in Walmart and get feedback from festival goers,” said Associate Marketing Manager Dawn Norvell.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @MBIB

My Black Is Beautiful’s Makeovers

Another major partner of Essence Fest, MBIB hosted a makeover station, and it was always packed! From hair to makeup, they pampered attendees. The saying may say beauty is only skin deep, but when you know you look good, you definitely feel good! A little confidence never hurt, right?

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @JUSTDANABLAIR

Dana Blair’s Bald Head

Never have I ever considered shaving my head clean until I saw Essence Fest correspondent Dana Blair walking around the convention center. She killed it. Every day, every evening, every outfit.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @NATURALLYCURLY

Lianne La Havas’ Holy Grail Product

Fan girl moment! If you don’t listen to British singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas’ soulful tunes, correct that immediately! She hung out in the press room after her Essence Fest performance and I asked her about maintaining her curly hair on tour. One word -- Skimdo. Her friend formulated a curl defining cream named Skimdo, and Lianne revealed that it gives her shiny, 7-day hair every time.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF EXCLUSIVEACCESS.NET

Ledisi’s Locs

Another fan girl moment! NOLA born and bred, Grammy nominated singer Ledisi was the special guest at Design Essential’s Big Easy VIP Style Lounge. I’ve seen her waist-length locs whip back and forth during previous performances, but for this event, she opted for chunky bantu knots and a vintage scarf for a simple yet retro look. I asked her what she’d tell her younger self: “It’s okay. Just like that -- don’t worry about all the other stuff. Just have fun!”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ESSENCE.COM

Essence.com’s New Hair Section

It’s great to see mainstream publications welcome online communities and contribute to the wealth of info for natural hair care. NaturallyCurly.com is almost 16 years old, during a time when you’d be hard pressed to get a steady stream of information and inspiration for curls, coils, and waves. Essence.com boasts a new hair section, complete with natural hair tips from Cipriana Quann and MahoganyCurls. Disappointed that I missed the panels, but I loved seeing bloggers & vloggers take center stage.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @MAHOGANYCURLS

Shea Moisture’s Everything

Pop-up shops, new product launches, BOGO sales -- I’m convinced SheaMoisture can do no wrong. I stocked up on the Superfruit Complex products and stalked Instagram for pictures of the new Jamaican Black Castor Oil line.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @NATURALLYCURLY

Eden BodyWorks’ #CelebrateMyBeauty Tour

Eden BodyWorks is 10 years old! To celebrate, they want to pamper US! NaturallyCurly.com is the official media sponsor of their #CelebrateMyBeauty tour, and the kick-off event was in New Orleans. Jasmine Lawrence was 13 when she started the company, and now the brand is bigger and better than ever. She unveiled four new products in the Coconut Shea line, and we’re excited to try them all!

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @NATURALLYCURLY

Design Essentials’ Big Easy Festivities

I spent the weekend with the folks at Design Essentials and enjoyed their gifting stations and day parties. Any place where you can get your sip on and get a custom gift bag of products tailored to your specific hair concerns is alright with me. Bonus: their Naturals Honey Curlforming Custard was the only product in my stash that didn’t have glycerin so high up in the ingredients. My hair lasted through 4 days of NOLA humidity with no problems.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ESSENCE FESTIVAL

Prince’s Fro

I felt the power of The Purple One from all the way in the Superdome press room. His afro, it glistened in the spotlight and beckoned every man, woman, and child to sing along to his extensive discography. Who can make a Superdome feel like an intimate gathering and a party at the same time?! He can.

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