

Curl Transforming Smoothies Your Hair Will Love
If you're anything like me, you've probably tried a ton of curling smoothies promising bomb results. Or perhaps you haven't tried any because you have no clue where to start. Either way, the struggle to find good hair products is real.
That's why I'm sharing all the details on the ones that have delivered. Check out the list below and tell us about your personal faves in the comments section below. We love hearing from you.
Writer Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Rico Images
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil:
You'll love the rich consistency of this curl smoothie as it defines your curls. This creamy formula is made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, papaya butter, and plumeria extract. Use it to minimize frizz and bring thick hair to life.
As I Am Coil Defining Jelly
As I Am Coil Defining Jelly is perfect for adding hold without stiffness. Apply it to individual strands of your hair for an ultra-defined look that will help maintain your curls for days. This jelly is especially designed for tightly coiled hair textures but works wells on most other curl patterns.
Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
Made with 100% pure shea butter, this curling cream deeply moisturizes hair while leaving curls soft. Cantu does a great job of conditioning hair without weighing it down. You'll be impressed with the fact that a little goes a long way.
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curling Custard
Get ready to shine with this curling custard. It's perfect for popping curls that are shiny and held in place with a heavy hold that won't crunch or flake. Pomegranate, honey, coconut and babassu oil all come together in an organic formula that smells heavenly.
Writer Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Rico Images
As I Am Coil Defining Jelly
As I Am Coil Defining Jelly is perfect for adding hold without stiffness. Apply it to individual strands of your hair for an ultra-defined look that will help maintain your curls for days. This jelly is especially designed for tightly coiled hair textures but works wells on most other curl patterns.
Writer Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Rico Images
Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
Made with 100% pure shea butter, this curling cream deeply moisturizes hair while leaving curls soft. Cantu does a great job of conditioning hair without weighing it down. You'll be impressed with the fact that a little goes a long way.
Writer Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Rico Images
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curling Custard
Get ready for your hair to shine with this curling custard. It's perfect to create popping curls that are shiny and held in place with a heavy hold that won't crunch or flake. Pomegranate, honey, coconut and babassu oil all come together in an organic formula that smells heavenly.
Writer Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Rico Images
Photography by Rico Images.
Kandice Guice is a lifestyle and beauty writer who doubles as an attorney and entrepreneur. She prides herself on helping multidimensional women discover personal and professional fulfillment by encouraging them to live with ambition, sass, and a whole lot of pizzazz. When Kandice isn't closing corporate transactions or writing blog posts, she is usually cheering on her husband as a football coach or looking for new travel adventures with friends and family. Check her out at kandiceguice.com and follow her on all things social @kandiceguice.
Black women are not a monolith. We all are deserving of healing and wholeness despite what we've been through, how much money we have in the bank, or what we look like. Most importantly, we are enough—even when we are not working, earning, or serving.
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Simone Biles Is Making A Major Comeback After A Much-Needed Mental Health Break
Simone Biles made a comeback to the world of gymnastics at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic, and it’s clear that she hasn’t missed a beat.
In a post-competition interview, Biles opened up about her focus on mental health during her time away from the sport, which in turn has allowed her to be in a better mental space overall.
“I feel really good about where I am right now, mentally and physically,” Biles shared with reporters after completing her event. While she expressed that she was “really nervous to compete” after her two-year hiatus, she notes that taking a mental break has had a positive impact on her recovery. “You kind of have to take that mental break because if not, obviously, your body will decide for you, and that’s kind of what mine did in Tokyo.”
During the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Biles expressed mental health concerns known as the "twisties," a phenomenon where gymnasts experience a disconnect between their mind and body — or spinal awareness — while performing complex aerial maneuvers, which can result in serious injuries.
“It was the worst timing, but obviously, I’m really happy with what happened because I got to go and work on myself,” the four-time gold medallist adds. “I’m still continuing to work on myself and go to therapy and make sure that everything is all in line so at that in the gym, we can focus on gym.”
Biles' decision to prioritize her well-being and safety over competition was met with both support and criticism online. A reality that caused her to preserve her peace and take a step back from online discourse. “I think I feel a lot better because I’ve found ways to manage that — like deleting Twitter, not trying to look at it,” she told reporters. “There are really nice comments — you have your supporters, you have your fans, like your day-ones. And then you have those really nasty ones that can get to you.”
Her withdrawal from the Olympics sparked a global conversation about the importance of mental health in sports and the immense pressure that elite athletes face. Biles' openness about her struggles encouraged a number of other athletes to share their own experiences and highlighted the need for better support systems for athletes' mental well-being.
“I feel grateful that I get this opportunity to come back out here and to compete in front of a crowd because I truly didn’t believe that I’d be back here competing at all,” she adds.
During her time off, Biles has kept herself busy by getting back on the mat, “trying to get fit again,” and focusing on her newlywed status with her NFL husband, Jonathan Owens.
While Biles says she’s not aiming to look too far ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, her current focus is on “living in the moment” and trusting herself in the sport again. “Right now, I think I should just embrace what happened today, be happy,” she says. “I think we’re just trying to take it one step at a time.”
“Kind of taking a fresh start in everything. Still going out there and talking about mental health and talking to all of the other athletes and supporting them on their journeys as well.”
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Feature image by Stacy Revere/Getty Images