The Natural Hair Products That Will Turn Your Curl Game Up A Notch
As Black women, we take our crowns seriously, no matter the style of the crown. Our natural hair is a means of showcasing the beauty of our roots. Whether you're a 3A, 2B or 4C, your curls matter.
Being a naturalista is no easy feat. You have to be up to the minute on all of the latest natural hair products to ensure you're giving your curls the love they deserve. Our curls comes in all different shapes, sizes and textures so we have to meet them where they are but not leave them there. With humidity coming for all the hard work we put into maintaining the perfect curl and avoiding frizz, we gotta stay ready so we don't have to get ready.
Keep reading for some natural hair products that will have your curls screaming, "Yasssss!"
*This list is specially curated by the xoNecole team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, xoNecole might earn a small commission.
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo
Target
Did you know that oat milk is great for soothing your scalp? Because it is rich in protein and lipids, it adds a smoothness and shine that your curls will thank you for. Depending on your scent preference, you may love or hate the fragrance but we guarantee you'll love how your hair feels after a good shampoo.
Oyin Handmade Hair Natural Moisture Dew
Walmart
Celebrated as the leave-in to believe in, this Oyin product will kick dryness in the ass. The castor oil and squalane provide hydration and moisture for your coils and kinks.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque
Target
SheaMoisture is an illustrious collection of products perfect for repairing damaged hair. If you've been using heat and/or coloring your hair more than you should, this Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque will reduce shedding and allow your hair to grow free of harsh chemicals.
DevaCurl Deep Sea Repair Seaweed Strengthening Mask
Macy's
DevaCurl created a treatment ideal for defining your curls while also improving elasticity. Try using this product once a week to power-pack your curls with the strength it needs for any style. Word on the street is that this DevaCurl option is a great option for transitioning curls.
KareCo Tangle Buster Brush
Nordstrom Rack
Your coils need a brush that is gentle and efficient. The Tangle Buster has your back from its flexible paddle to the easy glide bristles. Whether using it on wet or dry hair, you can flawlessly detangle your hair in one hour, giving you more time to style your hair.
SOULTANICALS Fluffalicious Nutricious
Target
With a name like Fluff-a-licious, how can you go wrong? A little goes a long way as you style your bantu knots or twist out. You can depend on this product to keep your hair supple for days on end. Not to mention, the wheat germ oil and blue malva herb gives thick curly strands maximum nourishment.
Afro Sheen Crown Defining Curl Cream
Walmart
Sometimes our curls need a little help – think of this curl defining cream as the curl support system. It lacks grease, is full of fatty acids and reduces split ends. When lathering the cream, you are sure to notice an instant softness.
R+Co Cassette Curl Shampoo
Walmart
Everyone hates frizz so, when we find a product that tames frizz, we are sold. Between the flaxseed and rice oil, you'll want to treat this product like your favorite album that you can play and walk away. It will strengthen your hair from the follicle to the ends.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
Courtesy
Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy