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The 11 Best Braid Sprays To Give Your Protective Style The Refresh It Craves
There’s nothing better than a fresh set of braids. From knotless to boho braids, twists, and locs, these signature summer styles are undefeated when it comes to the versatility and ease that they bring to our lives.
Still, the itchy scalp that comes with product build-up or dryness can totally ruin the vibe of having your hair newly done. And since we want our braids to last as long as possible, scratching at our roots is one of the quickest ways to undo all the fresh parting we sat for hours to get.
That’s why it is important to have go-to scalp care to help maintain your protective style and keep scalp sensitivities at bay. To help, we’ve put together a list of the best scalp sprays, tonic, and lotions to soothe and refresh your crown.
Oh So Strong! Shine Boosting Moisturizer
Aunt Jackie's
Aunt Jackie’s Oh So Strong! Shine Boosting Moisturizer is the perfect solution for maintaining fresh braids while enhancing shine and moisture. This specially formulated moisturizer is enriched with a refreshing blend of biotin, honey, rosemary, and mint, providing essential nourishment to both hair and scalp.
Use daily to keep your protective styles soft, moisturized, and brilliantly shiny.
Camille Rose Mint Condition Braid & Scalp Spray
Camille Rose
Experience the rejuvenating benefits of Camille Rose’s Mint Condition Braid & Scalp Spray, infused with a carefully crafted blend of essential oils, herbs, and sea moss. Designed to alleviate dryness and itching, Mint Condition provides instant relief while softening hair roots and revitalizing strands.
Nourish your scalp and promote healthy hair growth with our handcrafted herbal tea blend, enriched with aloe vera juice and sea moss, to strengthen hair and minimize breakage.
Tgin Rose Water Curl Refresher
Tgin
Tgin Rose Water Curl Refresher has all the goodness of rose water and coconut oil with a unique formula that revitalizes even the most irritated scalp conditions.
Say goodbye to dryness and frizz as this refreshing spray hydrates, smooths, and revitalizes your hair. Extend the life of your braids effortlessly and enjoy the added peace of mind, knowing your hair is in good hands.
As I Am Rosemary Hair Water
As I Am
Experience the calming scent of As I Am Rosemary Hair Water with rosemary and peppermint oil, ensuring a soothing and refreshing haircare experience. Utilizing advanced sub-micron technology, it enhances the scalp's protective barrier, while also balancing the pH levels of hair and scalp.
Mizani Scalp Care Soothing Scalp Lotion
Mizani
This leave-in treatment by Mizani is enriched with a soothing blend of aloe vera, avocado oil, and invigorating eucalyptus. Providing nourishment and a cooling sensation, it will revitalize your scalp for optimal health and comfort.
Pharm To Table Scalp Relief Tea Tree Leave-In Conditioner
Pharm To Table
If your scalp needs some recusing, then you might want to try this leave-in conditioner. Pharm To Table Scalp Relief is formulated with tea tree oil, mint, coconut oil, and biotin. This blend provides cooling comfort to dry, irritated scalps while imparting an invigorating fragrance that energizes the senses.
Uncle Funky’s Daughter Defunk Neutralizing Tonic
Uncle Funky's Daughter
Greasy, dry scalp, be gone! Defunk Hair Refresher Tonic is here to deliver your roots from itchiness and promote hair growth. Suitable for all hair types, it's a refreshing pick-me-up and effective in treating odor and buildup removal in locs, braids, and twists.
Mielle Rice Water And Aloe Braid And Scalp Moisturizer
Mielle Organics
Mielle’s Rice Water & Aloe Vera Braid & Scalp Moisturizer is a lightweight, non-greasy spray specially formulated to hydrate and condition braids and scalp without leaving any buildup. This all-in-one product instantly absorbs, providing deep moisture to maintain hair and scalp health throughout protective styling.
Design Essentials Peppermint & Aloe Scalp Tonic
Design Essentials
Revitalize your hair with Design Essentials® Peppermint & Aloe Soothing Scalp Tonic. This refreshing tonic clarifies and purifies the scalp, eliminating dirt and excess oils that cause irritation. Infused with natural peppermint and aloe, it calms, soothes, and stimulates the scalp, providing instant relief from itching.
Use as a pre-shampoo treatment or leave-in scalp treatment.
Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh Micellar Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar
Sunday II Sunday
Sunday II Sunday’s dry shampoo alternative utilizes the cleansing power of apple cider vinegar and micellar water to refresh your hair and scalp. Enjoy hair that appears, feels, and smells rejuvenated between washes.
Jamaican Mango & Lime Braid Your Way 6-in-1 Soothes & Revives Braid Refresher
Jamaican Mango & Lime
There’s nothing like finding a product that covers all your bases, and this 6-in-1 Soothes & Revives Braid Refresher by Jamaican Mango & Lime does just that.
It promotes hair growth and reduces breakage and inflammation, all while keeping your hair protected, moisturized, and healthy.
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Featured image by Getty Images
- If You're About To Get Some Braids, Make Sure You Read This First. ›
- This Is The Way To Properly Care For Your Hair While Rockin' A Wig ›
- This Is Your Summertime Protective Style Cheat Sheet ›
- I Tried Cantu’s New Jamaican Black Castor Oil Line On My Type 4 Hair ›
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Summer Travel Guide: 9 Safest Vacation Spots For Black Women
When it comes to planning and choosing our international travels, there’s one question that is bound to come up: “Is it safe for Black women?”
At times, our travel plans can be halted by whether or not our desired destination is safe not only for solo travel but for overall protection as women of color. We want to have fun, go on excursions, taste the food, and let our hair down, so the last thing we need on our minds is navigating microaggressions and worrying about our safety.
According to a report by The Mandala Research Firm, 17% of Black Americans take one or more international trips and travel locally more than six times per year. Even more exciting, 42% of Black Americans said they would spend more in 2020 on travel than in 2019 (pre-Covid), and 50% of Black adults (16% more than the general population) are more likely to travel to locations associated with their ethnic or cultural heritage. All of this goes to show that we’re not afraid to pack our bags and book flights to our heart's desire.
Our passion for travel and exploration highlights a growing desire to connect with a wide range of cultures while discovering new fresh locales. By choosing destinations with positive reputations for safety and belonging, you can enjoy your next adventure with peace of mind. And to help, we’ve provided a list of the best vacation spots to add to our travel bucket list.
1.Havana, Cuba
Known for its vibrant culture and welcoming locals, Havana offers a unique travel experience for you and your girlfriends. Stroll through the historic streets of Old Havana and immerse yourself in the lively music and dance scenes that make this city unforgettable.
2.Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Famous for its Carnival, stunning beaches, and warm hospitality, Rio de Janeiro is a lively and safe city to explore all year long. Don't miss a visit to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and the bustling Copacabana Beach for a true taste of Rio's energetic spirit.
3.Belize
With its beautiful beaches, diverse wildlife, and laid-back Caribbean vibe, Belize is a safe and adventurous destination for travelers. Discover the underwater wonders of the Belize Barrier Reef and explore ancient Lamanai Maya Ruins.
4.Paris, France
Who doesn’t have Paris, the city of lights, on their travel list? Renowned for its art, fashion, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Paris offers a blend of romance and safety for travelers. Wander through the charming neighborhoods of Montmartre and Le Marais, explore the Louvre, and indulge in the city's exquisite culinary delights.
5.Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, charms visitors with its historic architecture, delicious cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy breathtaking views from São Jorge Castle and savor traditional pastries at the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery.
6.Bali, Indonesia
We’ve all seen the viral photos off the Bali coast and Gates of Heaven, so why not make it a reality? Famous for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and serene temples, Bali offers a safe and enriching travel experience in Southeast Asia.
7.Tokyo, Japan
Recently, the value of the Japanese Yen has seen a significant drop, making it the lowest it has been against the dollar since 1986, which also means that there’s no better time than now to make your travel plans to the renowned cultural hub.
8.Accra, Ghana
There’s no FOMO like the kind felt from seeing all the beautiful faces enjoying their holiday at Ghana’s Afrochella Festival, so let this be your sign to start planning the trip now. Often referred to as a welcoming home for the African diaspora, Ghana offers rich cultural experiences and a sense of belonging. Explore the vibrant markets of Accra and visit the historic Cape Coast Castle to connect with the nation's poignant past.
9.Seoul, South Korea
You may be surprised to find this city on the list, but for Black travelers, Seoul is said to be one of the safest and most exciting cities to travel to. There will be plenty to eat, buy, and experience from this city’s rich history and culture.
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