If your curls, coils or waves...
If your curls, coils or waves have spent the last year up in a pineapple pony, you’re not alone. This summer has us feeling inspired and confident to give our curls the love and attention they deserve. We have recently been introduced to new products to test, fun haircuts to try, and bold semi permanent colors to experiment with! One line of products we’re most excited to share with the NaturallyCurly community is Beautiful Curls by Alaffia.
Alaffia offers natural, plant-based and fair trade products for skin and body. This year, they released a line of products specifically formulated for textured hair. There’s a wavy/curly range, a curly/kinky range, and products to bring definition to all curl patterns and porosities. If you’ve been taking a closer look at your ingredient lists, you’ll be happy to know that Beautiful Curls contains no silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial coloring or mineral oil—AND it’s cruelty-free! Additionally, many of the ingredients are sourced from Alaffia’s West African women’s cooperatives, which handcraft indigenous ingredients such as unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, neem oil, and African black soap. All for less than $15 each.
Here to share how we can achieve our best definition this summer is Celebrity Hairstylist and Alaffia Brand Ambassador, Allyn Antoine. He’s been working with textured hair for over 20 years in New York City’s top-tier salons and you’ve seen his work on the big screen, TV shows, magazines and more. We brought Antoine some of your top curl concerns from making a twist-out last to the frizz-causing mistakes to avoid, here are the expert tips he had for us.
One line of products we’re most excited to share with the NaturallyCurly community is Beautiful Curls by Alaffia.
Alaffia offers natural, plant-based and fair trade products for skin and body. This year, they released a line of products specifically formulated for textured hair. There’s a wavy/curly range, a curly/kinky range, and products to bring definition to all curl patterns and porosities. If you’ve been taking a closer look at your ingredient lists, you’ll be happy to know that Beautiful Curls contains no silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial coloring or mineral oil—AND it’s cruelty-free! Additionally, many of the ingredients are sourced from Alaffia’s West African women’s cooperatives, which handcraft indigenous ingredients such as unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, neem oil, and African black soap. All for less than $15 each.
Here to share how we can achieve our best definition this summer is Celebrity Hairstylist and Alaffia Brand Ambassador, Allyn Antoine. He’s been working with textured hair for over 20 years in New York City’s top-tier salons and you’ve seen his work on the big screen, TV shows, magazines and more. We brought Antoine some of your top curl concerns from making a twist-out last to the frizz-causing mistakes to avoid, here are the expert tips he had for us.
Do you have any tips for those with waves or curls and with fine hair who need moisture but find that moisturizing products can weigh their hair down or make the roots look oily sooner?
A curly girl’s best friend is water, but thin curls can easily become their enemy if they apply too much product. My clients ask me this question all the time, usually after much trial and error. I always recommend that those with fine textures start applying product at the mid-shaft to the ends of the hair. This way, you are giving your curls the moisture they need without the risk of weighing them down. Make sure that you apply while the hair is still wet—this allows the product to soak into each strand properly and gives the best result. This is exactly how I like to apply the Beautiful Curls Curl Enhancing Leave-in Conditioner to ensure curls are enhanced and defined every time.”
Do you have any unique finger styling or curl defining techniques that you use on wavy or curly clients for applying the Beautiful Curls Curl Defining Gel?
Antoine: “Get it wet! Just like your leave-in, you definitely want to make sure you are applying the Beautiful Curls Curl Defining Gel to completely wet hair. As you apply the defining gel, take small sections at a time and finger comb them from roots to ends. Your curls will be shaped and defined all over as a result. After that, air dry your hair, or use a diffuser to add more volume.”
How do you recommend curly haired folks refresh their second- or third-day curls with Beautiful Curls?
Antoine: “You have to get your hands on the Beautiful Curls Curl Reviving Tonic—it’s a texturizing mist that rehydrates and re-shapes your curls without adding too much product that could weigh them down. It is an easy way to restore your curls at home that I recommend at the salon all the time. Use your fingers to recurl small sections at a time after misting all over. As a result, you will be able to define your hair while removing any excess frizz. On days when your curls need a little more moisture, mix a little Curl Enhancing Leave-in with water in a spray bottle, shake it up and use it as a moisture mist. The frizz disappears easily, and I’ve done it for years. When I’m on set for a photoshoot and the curls of my client get unruly from all the hot lights, this method works like a charm.”
We know that Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave-In Conditioner can be used to moisturize and detangle, do you have any other detangling tips for those with curls to reach maximum potential curl definition with this product?
Antoine: “The Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave-in Conditioner is a fantastic product that can be used in a few different ways. Firstly, you can apply this as a pre-poo to detangle before you wash. Then, it can be used after shampooing—apply the product in sections and comb through to ensure even distribution of the product throughout your hair. Keep in mind that because this product is lightweight for tighter textures, your curl will start expanding shortly after the hair is dry.”
Is it possible to make a twist-out or braid-out last longer when using the Curl Activating Cream?
Antoine: Make sure to use Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Cream after applying the Curl Activating Leave-in when your hair is wet. Together, these two products give your hair maximum hydration and definition while minimizing frizz. Then, leave it in for at least a full day before you take it down. Your curls will remain the longer you leave the style in, and the more defined your curls will be.”
The Curl Activating Cream can be used with a diffuser for volume, do you have tips for those with curls who find that when they diffuse it can create frizz?
Antoine: Moving the diffuser rapidly is what causes the frizz. Getting into the habit of taking your time is all it takes to make a huge difference while diffusing.” Hold the diffuser in one position for 20 seconds before moving to the next section of hair.
How often would you recommend people who use the Beautiful Curls Shampoos to remove product buildup, sweat or oil, but who also want to retain moisture and not dry out their curls, coils or waves?
Antoine: Looser curl patterns and waves can be washed more frequently than tighter curls and coils. Since Beautiful Curls shampoos are sulfate-free, it means that using the product will not strip your hair the way a traditional shampoo would, however, limit your wash days to every 7 to 10 days for best results.” “I recommend washing once a week or once every week and a half, depending on your hair type.
What coil defining techniques would you recommend while using the Curl Control Custard for a lasting and defined wash-and-go?
Antoine: “When you are looking to do a wash-and-go, you want to make sure you thoroughly detangle your hair all over before applying any styler. This will make the application of the Curl Control Custard an easier and smoother process. Always apply the product from root to ends in small sections. Once the hair is dry, scrunch for added volume.”
Any other frizz fighting tips for the summer?
Antoine: “Cocktails were made for the summertime—and I’m not just talking about happy hour. Cocktailing stylers together can help to give your curls a surge of hydration to minimize frizz and keep them looking their best. I like to pair something super hydrating, like one of our Beautiful Curls Leave-Ins with a styler that helps to retain the moisture and give your curls enough hold, like the Curl Defining Gel or Curl Activating Cream (when you need extra hold). Always, make sure you choose products like Beautiful Curls that are clean—meaning no sulfates, silicones, parabens and phthalates.”
This post is sponsored by Alaffia.
