It's been a protective style summer for me and honestly, it's looking like it will be that way for the winter too. I've never been a fan of protective styling because, in my experience, it hasn't always been protective. I've either experienced tenderness from super tight braids or my edges have taken a hit. To avoid these cons when it comes down to getting protective styles, there are a few things to consider: the type of style, the stylist, and most importantly, how to maintain your real hair under your protective style.
I never paid much attention to how important it was to care for your hair while it was in braids or twists. I always thought it was protected so I didn't need to do much, but that's far from the truth. Our hair requires the same TLC it does when it's out and in its natural state, i.e. through washing, moisturizing, and even deep conditioning. So, I tried two products for protective styling and here's why I think you should never go without them.
Writer Krissy Lewis by Drea Speaks Photography
Girl + Hair’s RESTORE+ Restoring Hair Treatment Balm
Writer Krissy Lewis by Drea Speaks Photography
The entire line is easy to use and I would definitely recommend this for all of your protective style needs, but I want to highlight the Restoring Hair Treatment Balm. Here's why:
The Tool + Product Consistency
Girl + Hair prides itself on having easy-to-use tools that work, making it easier for us to keep our hair hydrated. The applicator allows you to get into your stands and roots easily and the slightly loose consistency allows the product to flow through your hair. The treatment balm is made with castor, shea, Abyssinian, and olive oil. Together, the oils act as a source of moisture, shine, as well as a heat protectant. I can't lie; I was a little concerned about how the castor oil might work because typically it's pretty thick. However, it was the right consistency to glide through each strand of my hair as I added moisture. It's recommended to use and massage on the root/scalp of your hair, but I think it's perfect for using throughout your hair.
Consistency is very important when it comes to protective styling. We need products that have the capability to access our hair whether it's in braids, twisted, or under a wig.
The Moisture
As I said, this is an oil-based product that adds shine and moisture. You can use it alone, but you gain the ultimate moisture when used with a leave-in conditioner. It's recommended to use this product daily, but to be honest, I didn't have to. I used it every other day or every two days, and my hair was still very well moisturized. Of course, it depends on your hair and the level of dryness you experience. Please use it as you see fit. It was also recommended to use on the scalp, but I used it throughout my entire hair — my ends, the synthetic hair, all of that! Our ends are very crucial too so don't forget to moisturize it as well.
Okay so we love to have options, right? I also tried the moisturizing mint shampoo from Taliah Wajiid's protective style collection and here's what I thought.
Taliah Wajiid's Bamboo And Coconut Milk Moisturizing Mint Shampoo
Writer Krissy Lewis by Drea Speaks Photography
The Tool + Product Consistency
The entire line is affordable and accessible. One product I keep using over and over is the Bamboo And Coconut Milk Moisturizing Mint Shampoo. I love the tool! Honestly, it's just as good as the Girl + Hair applicator. I think they both do a great job of giving us access to our real hair while in a protective style. It makes it easy to get into each twist or braid. It is also runny and lathers pretty well, making it even easier to wash your hair.
Ingredients
Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of products that contain coconut. Coconut oil has never done anything for my hair so I avoid it. Ironically though, I love the ingredients in this product. It moisturizes and the mint soothes. It's made with peppermint, aloe, bamboo extract, coconut milk, vitamin E, along with other various ingredients. Together, this one shampoo moisturizes, soothes, cleans, and strengthens your hair while it's tucked away.
I know some people skip shampooing and do other methods like co-washing with conditioner, but honestly, I think it's very crucial to shampoo, especially when your hair is tucked away. The ingredients are very important to me, especially in shampoos, because not every cleanser is helpful or even healthy for your hair. However, build-up happens easily and as long as you're using moisturizing shampoo or shampoo with beneficial ingredients, you don't have to worry about any harsh effects due to shampooing.
So... Overall What Do I Think?
After trying both products, I think either way you go, your hair will thank you for it. Both products understand the importance of protecting our real hair under braided or twisted styles and it shows throughout the line with each tool that they use. Both brands have amazing product consistency and another plus, it's both affordable and accessible.
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Featured image by Dreaspeaks Photography
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
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Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage