NaturallyCurly

The public art exhibit we reported on last week, You Can Touch My Hair, elicited some very impassioned responses on and offline, an indication of just how big this topic really is. The creators of the exhibit would like to continue this discussion but this time give those outside New York a chance to voice their view.

As such, they will be hosting a digital discussion panel on June 20th, 2013 from 6-7pm Eastern via Google Hangouts.  The panel will be broadcast live via YouTube and will include un’ruly’s founder, one of the models from the event, an event attendee that was for  the event and one against it.  There are up to five extra places on the panel that are being left open for anyone to join.

If you’d like participate, please complete this form. The five additional panelists will be randomly selected from the submissions.

The panel will be moderated by the lovely Jamila Bey, radio host of the show “Sex Politics And Religion Hour: SPAR with Jamila.” Jamila is also the reporter who wrote the first piece on thebusiness of natural hair for the New York Times.

The exhibit broke the ice on a multilayered topic, but the creators of the exhibit are still seeking out more perspectives on it and have specifically requested the NaturallyCurly community be in attendance to share their views!

If you have questions about this panel, check out the most frequently asked questions here. This panel is an opportunity to ask more questions but also to further share our perspectives.

Our friend Nikki’s getting married, so we’re documenting the search for her perfect wedding hairstyle for her Type 3C curls. We started the hunt at the Kendra Scott headquarters here in Austin, where she tried on studs, chandelier earrings and statement necklaces for her special day. Nikki has also been pouring over bridal magazines and Pinterest boards, but can’t decide on a style, so she’s putting out to a NaturallyCurly world vote!

Which hairstyle do you think Nikki should recreate for her wedding? Let us know by commenting on the YouTube video below, and she will do a tutorial on the winning look next week!

Giveaway

Voting for your favorite bridal hairstyle will enter you into the running to win your own pair of Kendra Scott earrings! We’re giving away four pairs of the Skylar Earrings to four lucky winners. To enter, subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave a comment on the video telling Nikki which of these curly hairstyles she should wear to her wedding:

Look #1 Curly Updo
Look #2 Sideswept Curls
Look #3 Wash & Go

To qualify: Must be subscribed to our YouTube channel, a U.S. resident, and over 18 years old. One entry per person, multiple entries will disqualify you. Good luck!

We think the curly fathers out there don’t get enough credit. And even though your methods are less than conventional, you always find a way to get the job done, making us giggle in the process.

This is for all the dads out there who can detangle, braid and twist with the best of ‘em!

 MORE: Help! My Baby’s Hair is Dry, Brittle and Frizzy 

Curly Father's Day

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 MORE: CurlySuzy Q&A: Kids’ Hair Care for Multiple Hair Types

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 MORE: Help! My Baby’s Hair is Dry, Brittle and Frizzy 

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Illustration by TallNCurly for NaturallyCurly

It took many of us years to learn how to care for our own curly hair, so we can understand the struggles of entrusting your curls, coils and waves into an unknown stylist’s hands. Oftentimes it can feel like the stylist is even more afraid of you than you are of them! Our resident illustrator, the curly genius behind TallNCurly, knows exactly how you feel…

MORE: Find a Curly Hair Salon

Do you do curly hair?

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Illustration by TallNCurly for NaturallyCurly

MORE: Find a Curly Hair Salon

We love trying out the latest trends and styles on our own waves, curls and coils in the NaturallyCurly offices, but we have to admit – the fishtail has always had us stumped. So we were thrilled to find this simple tutorial by Allure that made the coveted fishtail look totally achievable. Before you get started, stylist Matt Fugate suggests working on second or third-day hair because this braid looks best when it’s thick and textured. 

I think the key to this simple tutorial is in the first step: tying the hair back into a ponytail before you begin. This step prevents the braid from falling apart while you each time you reach for the next strand. You could even remove the ponytail holder at the end and tug lightly on sections of the braid if you’re looking for that looser, bohemian vibe – which we definitely will be this summer! Watch the video for the simple, step-by-step tutorial. 

NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!

Kathleen Cucci: My name is Kathleen. I am 20 years old and I’m from Denver, Colorado. I attend Boston College, but I spent the second semester of my junior year studying in London!

NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?

KC: I straightened my hair quite a bit in high school, but I’ve worn it curly a lot more during college, mostly due to not having enough time in the mornings. Since I’ve been studying abroad the past five months and didn’t bring my straightener with me, I’ve definitely had to embrace my curls more! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to straightening it on a regular basis.

NC: What is your current routine?

KC: I usually shower at night, and I wash and condition my hair every other day. I’m currently using  TRESemmé Smooth & Silky Shampoo and Conditioner which seem to be working fine, but I’m always looking for good anti-frizz products! I try to let my hair air dry as much as possible, but I often end up throwing it in a braid before bed, which gives me nice waves in the morning.

NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?

KC: Since I wash my hair at night, I usually just finger-comb my hair in the morning and apply a smoothing crème (currently using one form Charles Worthington) to try and tame my frizz. I’m also a huge fan of dry shampoo in between washings, so I’ll use that if my hair needs it.

MORE: Angela Delyani’s Real Texture Talk

Pineappling, developed right here on NaturallyCurly.com by our fantastic community, is the magic way to get second-day hair. It’s a very high ponytail on the top of your head to protect your curls while you sleep. The name comes from the shape of your hair if put in correctly. The idea is for only the underneath back of your hair to be disturbed while sleeping all the while protecting the length of your hair, or the mound of beautiful curls as it stays on the top of your head.

Instructions

• Bend over. Yes. All the way forward
• Gently gather hair like you’re making a ponytail on the top of your head.
• Secure with scrunchie/elastic. Scruchie recommended. I can use a scrunchie and not twist it around again, just slip it on. The looser the better. The intent is to have it as loose as possible (to avoid a dent in the morning) while still securing hair.
• Carefully straighten up. Hold the hair as you do so if it’s really loose.
• Separate ponytail so you have half on one side of your head, half on the other.
• (BONUS POINTS STEP) Add satin sleep cap.
• Remove Scrunchie after 8 hours REM sleep. Spritz w/ H2O/condish and add product if desired. Admire pretty 2nd day curls. Rinse and repeat.

You might like to clip the ends of your pineapple to your head, or instead of leaving a ponytail, don’t pull ends all the way through to make a loose bun thing.

The most important thing to remember about pineapple-ing is to not tie your scrunchie too tightly. A lot of volume in the morning is a plus but a ponytail bump is not. Just slip the scrunchie around the base of the high ponytail once right before you lay down for the night. It may slip a little but your hair should still be protected. Don’t forget your satin pillowcase!

— Grace Currier, aka gncurrier, and Marni Foster

Does the sight of a graduation cap strike fear into the the heart of your natural haired self? Did you scoff out loud at the “one-size-fits-all” tag inside your cap? We’re sensing feelings of anxiety and confusion from our curly community about the fight between the graduation cap and your natural hair. If you’re a soon-to-be graduate we made a tutorial video with a few easy styles for Type 3 and Type 4 curls and coils.

The Supplies

Bobby pins in various sizes

A comb for parting

The Techniques

Roll, Tuck & Pin

Share your graduation cap photos, dilemmas and success stories with our readers on the NaturallyCurly Facebook page, or our Hairstyles Gallery.