

It's no secret the hair industry seems to be more crowded than ever. But considering all of us are rocking our unique head of hair (especially in its natural state), we can never have too many natural hair products to finesse and love on our coils.
Just like Rihanna didn't let the makeup industry intimidate her from dropping the record-breaking Fenty Beauty, I'm glad these brands didn't let the seemingly overcrowded hair industry stop them from releasing their versions of the best natural hair care products that we never knew we needed until now.
Whether the new line is backed by a major company that we're all familiar with, or launched by a boss woman who is breaking the ceiling, you certainly need to get into these natural hair care lines that were released this year:
1.Curly World by Lorraine Massey
Naturally Curly
Lorraine Massey had a gem on her hands with this one. Thanks to being the brains behind the DevaCurl product line and serving as co-founder of DevaChan salon in New York City, she was a staple in the natural hair and curly girl industry long before she released her line this year.
The timing was perfect for her Curly World release because it's clearly what the people were craving. I love how 'to the point' this brand is. While there are tons of options out there to care for our hair, Massey ironically aims to get us all back to the basics when it comes to caring for our tresses with her three-step method (shampoo, condition, tone). The line consists of four products: Sham-Free Hair & Scalp Cleanser (a pre-wash), Terms & Conditions (a hydrating conditioner that can double as co-wash), Leave-In Lover conditioner, and With Or Without Hue, a conditioner for those with dyed hair.
2.Miss Jessie’s Honey Curls
roundthewaygirl.com
Miss Jessie's history speaks for itself! So when co-founder Miko Branch dropped new products this year, I knew it would be a win. Miss Jessie's was one of the first lines that showed love to our natural hair, and these new products have proven that the brand isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
It currently features five products: Curls So Fresh, which helps with those days following a wash when our hair refuses to cooperate. Gloss So Good helps those curls pop and shine like they should. Hold Me Down is the edge control that the edges of your hair might have been searching for all along. The Grow Strong MAFURA Hair Oil gives our scalp the treatment that it definitely needs. Last and certainly not least is the Honey Curls product that didn't waste any time gaining popularity as it uses honey to lock in that moisture… Gon head and get'chu some!
3.Maya Smith’s The Doux
The Doux
I can't get enough of Atlanta native Maya Smith's salute to the 90s era with her new hair care line, The Doux. The 90s were LIT, okay? And so is The Doux. For starters, the packaging is blasted with neon colors, which were really big in the beloved decade. But the products definitely live up to the hype too (and come in neon colors as well).
It's no surprise that the products are of quality since the founder has more than 20 years of working as a stylist, including transitioning thousands of clients into the natural hair lifestyle…bless her heart. She has also performed tons of extensive research to have the best products for her consumers. The Doux currently features five products: SUCKA FREE moisturizing shampoo, FRESH RINSE moisturizing conditioner, MOUSSE DEF texture foam, THE LIGHT shine mist, and a customer favorite, BONITA AFRO BALM texture cream. These products certainly stand out as they boost our hair's moisture, texture, hydration, all while canceling out that frizz.
4.Crème Of Nature’s Pure Honey
We all know Crème of Nature has come a long way over the last few years. And this year, it kicked its efforts to keep our natural hair in check up a notch with its Pure Honey line. You've probably already heard of this one but whether you have or haven't, it definitely deserves an honorable mention.
Let me start by saying that each of the items in the Pure Honey line is filled with a mix of honey, coconut oil, and shea butter; but it makes sure not to weigh the hair down and have it looking stiff. As for the specifics, there are five products: Moisturizing Dry Defense shampoo and conditioner, Break UP Breakage Leave-In Conditioner, Knot Away Leave-In Detangler, and an amazing moisturizing hair mask that can help give your hair a fresh reset.
5.FORM Beauty
FORM Beauty has mastered the art of keeping it simple while still making a statement by giving us the basic products we need to keep our hair moisturized, fly, and even selfie-ready. What I love about this brand in particular is that it has a consultation option that provides a hair routine specifically for you. It understands that each of their customers is different, even if they have a similar category of hair, and that no two heads of hair are the same. It also helps that the brand has quite a few products to offer! Besides, we all know the downside of trial-and-error when it comes to being on the hunt for products that will work specifically for us.
Related Stories:
The Lazy Girl's Guide To Natural Hair – Read More
I Tried 4 Vegan Natural Hair Products – Read More
One But Not Equal: Natural Hair Is Not The Same – Read More
6 Protective Styles For Transitioning To Natural When Twist Outs Aren't Enough – Read More
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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6 Tabletop Sex Positions That'll Unlock You & Bae's Most Primal Desires
Something I will never tire of is finding new ways to bring new layers to intimacy. A wall you use as momentum, a bathroom sink to help you keep your balance as he worships you on his knees, a shower that is usually for cleansing but evolves into a sacred ritual of shared intimacy.
My favorite kind of sex is the kind of sex that prioritizes pleasure and connection. So, technically and thankfully, I can say most of my sex life has been quite pleasurable throughout the years. But the memorable encounters for sure take the cake. One such encounter actually took place on a kitchen counter, and with it unleashed inhibitions in ways I never anticipated while unlocking levels to top-tier sex. And that, that involved a kitchen counter.
Why Kitchen Counter Sex Just Hits Different
What is it about having your hips pressed into the edge of a kitchen counter that lets out something so primal in you? The cool-to-the-touch feel of the countertop against exposed skin as you rise to meet him again and again. The urgency in every movement. The playfulness of repurposing an everyday space for something far more erotic. If you’re looking to bring that energy into your own sex life, keep reading for positions and tips to explore.
1. The Bounce House
They don’t call it Bounce House for nothing. In this position, the penetrating partner lies flat on their back on a sturdy table or counter while the receiving partner straddles them, knees bent and facing away. With their hands gripping the edge of the surface for support, the receiving partner slides or bounces at their own pace, owning the rhythm, the motion, and the view.
According to sex therapist Michael Aaron, Ph.D., who spoke with Women’s Health, the receiving partner placing their legs between their partner’s creates a tighter sensation, while staying fully astride allows for more bounce and range of motion. Either way, this one puts the receiver in full control, and you know we love a good woman on top position. Pleasure and power? Say less.
2. The Bicycle
Well, you know what they say about riding a bike. In the case of this table top position, it's the receiving partner who is the rider...but not in the way you think. While lying back on a sturdy surface or a table, the receiver will bring their knees toward their chest, bending them as if in a cycling motion. The penetrating partner stands at the edge of the surface, grabbing the receiver's ankles, and guides themselves inside, slowly so as to savor the moment. This angle puts everything on display for the penetrating partner while allowing for deep, connected thrusting for the receiver.
To take things up a notch , the receiving partner can touch themselves or flex their thighs to control the depth or the rhythm. Because, who says only one person gets to have control?
3. Counter Offer
How could we be at the table and not use it to eat? Enter: Counter Offer. In this oral-focused sex position, the receiving partner perches on the edge of a counter or table, lying back or sitting upright with legs parted or bent for comfort. The penetrating partner kneels or stands between their thighs, depending on the setup and the kind of attention they’re ready to give. No doubt, this one’s all about access and intention.
With the vulva front and center, the height makes it easier to maintain eye contact, use hands freely for things like breast play or incorporating toys, and take their time with every moan-inducing taste. And that’s on five, six, seven, ATE.
4. Standing Doggy
Standing Doggy is what happens when a classic like doggy style gets an upgrade. Instead of being on all fours on a bed, the receiving partner bends over a hard surface like a table or counter, keeping their hips aligned at its edge. The penetrating partner stands behind and enters from the back, using the angle to go deeper and create a strong, steady rhythm. This one offers maximum control and visual appeal, especially if the penetrating partner reaches around for a little extra clitoral stimulation throughout thrusting.
This angle can get intense quickly, so bonus points if the receiving partner engages their pelvic floor muscles or shifts their weight to adjust how the pressure hits, especially if your goal is to hit that G-spot sweet spot.
5. Top Shelf
Men's Healthcalls this one "Yourself on the Shelf," but we like to call it "Top Shelf" because it's giving full view, full grip, and climax potential that's hard to top. The receiving partner sits on the edge of a sturdy table or counter while the penetrating partner stands in front of them and slowly slides in, thrusting while keeping them in position. From there, legs can wrap around their waist, arms can encircle their back, and the closeness at peak ecstasy? Chef's kiss.
If you have the core strength, add lifting to the menu for the final strokes leading to orgasm. Otherwise, allow the surface to the heavy lifting and enjoy the pleasure.
6. The Thumper
What better way to remind yourself that you're both the snack and the entrée than with a little tableside service courtesy of The Thumper? This position has the receiving partner kneeling on a sturdy table or counter (keyword: sturdy), hands gripping the edge or braced in front for support. The penetrating partner can then either kneel behind them (if there's room for two), or stay anchored on the ground with both feet planted on the floor (similar to the previously mentioned Standing Doggy). It all depends on the mood.
Kneeling on the table offers just the right amount of leverage for deep, steady strokes. The receiving partner can play with tightness by either keeping their knees closer together for a snug grip, or open their knees wider to invite more access, depth, and stretch. The Thumper is versatile that way, and the most important thing? The receiver gets to be the main course. Yum.
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