Celestial Silk Labor Day Sale: 20% Off All Scrunchies

Labor Day is just around the corner, and we’re excited to announce a great deal to celebrate the occasion. From September 2 to 4, everyone can enjoy a 20% discount on all our stylish scrunchies. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on hair accessories and add a pop of color to the everyday look!

Scrunchie Inspired Hairstyles

Product Review:

Is anyone else excited to see that Scrunchies are the latest hair accessory?  In the midst of the heat, we need something that will provide ease and style.  Wearing a scrunchie is a simple way to instantly cool off without compromising your outfit. 

Personally, I like to keep a scrunchie in my handbag for future use and if you purchase one from Celestial Silk it won’t damage your hair like other accessories.  They also have a variety of colors to select from.  Girl, be carefree and cute! 

Visit my Instagram account to view, “how I styled” my Scrunchie.

Celebrate these Beauty Brands this Juneteenth

As we approach Juneteenth, we wanted to make sure you knew about several black-owned brands that have continued to make a huge impact in the beauty and entrepreneurial spaces. From Black Girl Sunscreen to Glow by Daye, these award-winning brands are dedicated to providing quality products made with people of color in mind.

In 2016, Black Girl Sunscreen was created by Shontay Lundy. ​Today the brand has sold over 1 Million tubes of sunscreen and is at the forefront of spreading the importance of wearing sunscreen amongst people of color. They’re sold in retail stores nationwide and on Amazon.com.  

GLOW by DAYE This award-winning hair accessory brand has sold millions worth of products on the Amazon platform. Known for its high-quality silk bonnets and deep conditioning caps, the brand has grown tremendously adding beautiful printed charmeuse scarves, adjustable shower caps, and portable hooded dryers. 

Rucker Roots offers healthy ​hair care ​products ​with no parabens, sulfates, petroleum, or artificial colors. Rucker Roots products were designed for all hair types and derived from vegetable roots such as Carrot Root, Ginger Root, and Turnip Root (GTC). ​Their award-winning mousse ​works great in wash-n-go routines and especially appeals to those with finer hair textures (3B to 4A Hair).  

The Roots Naturelle With a combination of authentic African tradition and ever-evolving modern science, The Roots Naturelle prides itself on making products to promote hydrated and healthy hair. Products are made with responsibly-sourced natural ingredients and sold across the country. They have skin care products including shea butter too!  

Bold Hold is the #1 Lace Adhesive. Created by Celebrity Hair Stylist and Master Cosmetologist, Tamika Gibson, the brand offers a wide range of temporary and semi-permanent adhesives and protectants that meet the needs for wig and hair piece application and maintenance.

LOVINAH is a luxury and clean beauty brand inspired by ancient African remedies that address modern-day concerns like hyperpigmentation, hydration, and dullness – especially for people of color. The products are currently sold at Macy’s and their Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Oil is a best seller!

Covergirl Alexis Skyy: Journey to Transformation, Healing, and Success

Pivoting from a cast member of Love and Hip-Hop to the emerging multifaceted businesswoman gracing our timelines today, Alexis Skyy literally started her spiritual transformation right before our eyes. Accrediting her daughter with being a major influence for her holistic transformation, she has intuitively created the haircare line, The Hair Pot as an initial generational wealth builder for her firstborn Alaiya Grace.

Not only is Alexis curating ventures in hair care, real estate investment, and fashion, but the highlight of her journey is she is bringing other women along for the ride to spiritual healing. Creating safe, digital, and in-person spaces for trauma survivors to speak openly of their past experiences, Alexis is utilizing her platform of over 5 million followers to be an inspiration to women young and old.

Teyana Taylor, Iman Shumpert + Family Get Gorgeous Curls With Design Essentials

Teyana Taylor, Iman Shumpert along with their daughters Junie and Rue graced the April cover of EBONY Magazine with their natural curls on display styled with Design Essentials.

Hairstylist Tahira Zaus prepped Junie’s hair by washing with Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($12.99), Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner ($13.99) and did a 3 ponytail Mohawk using the Honey Curl Forming Custard ($17.99). For Iman and Teyana, Tahira opted for the Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner ($13.99) and finished off both their styles with the Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse ($16.99).

Creme of Nature Taps Celebrity Hairstylist & Master Wig/Weave Artist Kellon Deryck as Its New Brand Ambassador

With more than 15 years of professional experience under his belt, Kellon is one of the world’s leading celebrity hairstylists working with today’s hottest stars, such as Grammy Award–winning artist Megan Thee Stallion, music duo City Girls and multi-platinum producer and music icon Missy Elliott. Trained at the esteemed Aveda institute, he is well-versed in haircare and techniques for all hair textures. He also uses his platform as an influencer to mentor and train the next generation of stylists to help navigate their professional careers.

Over the last two decades, there has been tremendous growth in the multicultural haircare space with many Black Women opting to wear their natural hair, protective styles such as weaves, wigs and braids are now the norm to protect their natural textures underneath, while showcasing their individual style. According to a recent study, 45% Black Women are interested in identifying quality products to maintain their hair and scalp under their protective styles. Understanding the trend, Creme of Nature’s objective is to ensure that women wearing protective styles care for the natural hair underneath, which is often forgotten; as well as their desired hairstyle or look. “At Creme of Nature, we do not believe in sacrificing healthy natural hair and scalp care for a great hairstyle,” said Jolorie Williams, General Manager, Revlon Multicultural and Contract Services. “You can have both. Now, with Kellon Deryck on board, a coveted master stylist with a specialty on wigs and weave styling, Creme of Nature can drive that message to naturalistas on their hair chameleon style journey as well as attract and gain new consumers.”

“Ever since I was a young artist in-training, Creme of Nature products have been a household name and my go-to brand for various haircare and styling needs such as trendy braiding and weaving techniques or simply, styling a sleek blow-out. I have used the various collections, no matter if I was working at a salon or doing someone’s hair at home.” said celebrity hairstylist Kellon Deryck. “It’s very imperative that everyone follow a good haircare regimen, and Creme of Nature has always been synonymous with amazing haircare and quality products. I’m beyond honored and excited for this journey to share the brand’s legacy, innovation and newest collections fit for all textures to the community, and even the world. We want to show the entire community the best products Creme of Nature has to offer to promote healthy yet versatile hair.

As a celebrity hairstylist, Kellon is always on the road, whether styling notables and models on photo shoots, magazine covers or red carpets. He’s charged with and committed to caring for his clientele’s hair throughout many stages, from natural hair to protective styles, wigs and weaves. “For all of my client jobs, I make sure my styling kit is prepped and ready with all of the necessary haircare and styling products for whatever hairstyles I might be creating that day,” said Kellon. “I love to create head-turning and trendsetting hairstyles but above all, I believe in taking care of the hair underneath protective styles, the way it naturally grows out of the scalp.”

Under this partnership with Creme of Nature, Kellon will educate and communicate to consumers and community the brand’s product benefits across all social and digital communication and visual representation. He will also collaborate with various retailers on select campaign initiatives.

“Today, Creme of Nature is shining different. We are re-imagining the brand, from its look to the ingredients. Our partnership with Kellon Deryck represents a bold new step to highlight our legacy brand and connect to our community even more,” said Jolorie Williams, General Manager, Revlon Multicultural and Contract Services.

For more information about Creme of Nature, please visit cremeofnature.com.

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Twitter (@cremeofnature)

BRONNER BROS. BEAUTY SHOW RETURNS TO ATLANTA WITH FOCUS ON CONNECTION, COMMUNITY & CREATIVITY

Following its record-breaking attendance in New Orleans, the BRONNER BROS.® BEAUTY SHOW (BB Show) returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on August 17-19, 2019 in Atlanta, GA. The nation’s largest trade event for multicultural beauty professionals, the Show features over 100 classes, 300 exhibitors and three days of shopping, fun, and entertainment.

Now in its 73rd year, the Show’s theme is “Connect. Create. Grow.” to promote a sense of connection and community among diverse beauty professionals. More than 30,000 salon and barber professionals, students, influencers and beauty enthusiasts are expected. “Bronner Bros. is proud to be the only family-owned brand with an event platform that keeps multicultural pros at the forefront of the industry,” said James Bronner, Bronner Bros. SVP and Show Director. “Our return to Atlanta marks another chapter in keeping stylist connected and empowered while also nurturing the next generation of talent.”

Competitions are a major attraction throughout the three-day event. For the first time, the BB Show will present “Hair Battle: Salon vs. Salon.” Six professional salon teams will battle for a $10,000 cash prize on Sunday, August 18th at 9:00 p.m. Groups will be led by Que Barnes (Riverdale, GA), Tammie Bethelmy (Pinson, AL), Terrance Davidson (Atlanta, GA), Latonya Darnell (Hearne, TX), Ashley Payne (Winston-Salem, NC), and Dr. Karen Stacks (Orangeburg, SC). “The Salon vs. Salon competition will be the ultimate display of what happens when stylists join forces to achieve a common goal,” Bronner added. “From transformative cuts and color to reimaging the art of showmanship – each group will rep for their hometown and bring a special flavor to the stage. We’re excited to see the power of collaboration at work!”

Other competitions include the Andis Total Look Barbering, Andis Student Barbering, Champion of Weave sponsored by GlamourTRESS, Creative Student Rising Star sponsored by Atlanta Barber & Beauty Supply (ABBS), and the legendary Fantasy Hair event. In addition to classes and competitions, show highlights include: • The “Cut Party” – Sponsored by Kirkpro, one of the most electric, innovative displays of hair artistry returns on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Arrive early for door prizes and giveaways.

• Daily Expert Panels – Six (6) panel discussions on topics ranging from hair loss and maintaining your health behind-the-chair to financial wellness and entrepreneurship.

Times vary. • Beauty Job Fair – Beauty Cast Network provides access to top beauty industry employers and resources. licensed professionals, students, and educators should bring updated resumes and arrive interview-ready. Saturday and Sunday on main show floor. • Cash & Carry Shopping – Product demos and experiential sessions featuring the newest products, salon services, styling tools, and equipment. Wholesale deals and discounts available each day. • “Beauty Over Brunch” – Celebrate women in business with special guest celebrities in attendance. Expect candid talks with black beauty’s most influential voices and deal-makers. Registration required. • Sunday Service – Bishop Dale C. Bronner will share uplifting words of encouragement to kickstart day two of the show. Special musical guest is Kelsie Broughton.

Open to all on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The Bronner Bros. Beauty Show began in the basement of Atlanta’s Butler Street YMCA with a focus on hair care for black women. It has since grown to become the only cosmetology trade event dedicated to all things multicultural beauty.

According to Nielsen, African-Americans spend nine times more on beauty and grooming products than the general market. Black women, in particular, spend an estimated $7.5 billion annually on beauty products. “It’s easy to get lost in the glamour of the beauty industry. But we’re committed to keeping our community connected,” commented Erika Respress, Bronner Bros. Show Manager. “We never want to lose sight of Mr. Bronner’s founding principles and will do our best to keep the Show educational, inspiring, and true to the culture.”

Beach Day Hair Care: Carol’s Daughter Products For Summer Hair Routine

Don’t let the fun in the sun dry out your hair. Keep your tresses hydrated and happy with nourishing good-for-you products. Throw these in your beach bag or make them part of your summer hair routine for the sunny days ahead. 

 
 

Featured Photo from BuzzFeed.com
 
Prep your mane for long, sun-filled days with Carol’s Daughter Coco Crème Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Mask. It helps add deep moisture, touchable softness and improves manageability.
No time to deep condition before your beach day? No problem. Spray Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner in between your swim/tan rotations.
Give your curls a boost with Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Refresher Spray. The lightweight mist remoisturizes, redefines and renews hair without weighing it down.

3 Easy Tips for Treating Afro Hair

After decades of spending small fortunes on relaxing and weaving their hair – read, stressing! – many women have decided to finally call it quits by going back to their natural roots and letting their afros come out to play.

With the rise of racial bias, hairstyles such as the afro and braids have increased in trend with celebrities such as Beyoncé setting an example of what it means to own and find empowerment, in one’s cultural identity. If you’re ready to grow out your afro and are navigating the best ways to take care of it, follow these three tips by renowned hairstylists specializing in afros.

Featured Photo from BET.com

Treat it Well

Our hairs’ natural oils take longer to absorb into curly hair, so it is important to keep your tresses moisturized to stop it from frizzing. There are various hair-products specifically for natural hair available on the market but the best oils to treat your hair with are usually the ones you already keep in your kitchen: coconut, olive, castor, jojoba, and avocado oil will work wonders on your hair.

These oils are extremely nourishing and inexpensive and will help you get your hair to look as though you have just walked out of the salon.

Wash your hair then follow up with a conditioner, letting it soak in for at least five minutes ensuring it reaches all the way down to the roots. Once you’re out of the shower, treat your hair with your moisturizing cream or oil of choice and let it soak into your hair, being careful not to use too much to avoid droopy, wet-looking curls.

Pump up the Volume

An afro should be voluminous and one of the best ways to ensure the full look is by braiding your hair prior to going to bed. This will ensure that your hair isn’t flattened while you sleep and will instead spring back into its voluminous form once your release it from its braids in the morning.

One of the most important things to keep a check on when it comes to afro-maintenance is your split ends. Schedule a standing appointment with your hairdresser to avoid skipping your monthly trim. Split ends will make it difficult for you to style your afro and will travel up to mid-length causing further damage to your hair.

Also, try to add some natural volume to your hair.

Invest in a Silk Headscarf

All that moisturizing care you have been putting into your natural hair will be for nothing if you don’t protect it with a silk headscarf or pillowcase while you sleep. Instead of your hair absorbing all the oily goodness, your pillow will and come morning, your afro will be back to a state of dry frizz. Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before you go to sleep, will retain the moisture, allowing it to work its magic on your hair while you sleep. Your hair is also prone to more breakage during the night time as you are constantly moving against your pillow, the fabric of which can cause our hair to get caught and damaged. Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or investing in a silk pillowcase, will protect it from breakage throughout the night and you will wake up to healthy-looking hair that is easy to comb.

 

Leave in or Rinse Out? Which Conditioner is Right for Your Hair?

When it comes to hair treatments the conditioner we choose can really impact not only how our hair holds a style but it’s overall health and appearance. Most people feel overwhelmed by the number of conditioners available. Do I leave in or rinse out? Which conditioner is right for my hair type? How long do I leave it in for? How much should I use? To help us crack the code on hair conditioners we connected with Maya Smith, International Master of Natural Curls and founder of The Doux®, a haircare line created specifically for naturally curly hair which includes The Fresh Rinse® conditioner.

Below are the most common questions about hair conditioners with awesome insights and tips from Maya, where she lends over 2 decades of hands-on experience as a stylist.

What are the benefits of a conditioner?

Conditioners help protects the hair from dryness and breakage by coating the hair shaft to help it retain moisture and softness. People tend to use it mainly for the added benefit of detangling hair, however, it’s important to choose a conditioner that won’t weigh your hair down.

What are the benefits of a rinse?

A rinse, unlike a conditioner, doesn’t coat the cuticle of the hair. A rinse has a much thinner consistency and is in actuality a detangler.

Do I use a leave-in conditioner or a conditioning rinse?

You can use both if your hair is dry, course, or color treated, however, fine hair or hair that tends to be porous should stick to conditioner only.

Should everyone with curly or kinky hair use a conditioner?

Yes. Conditioners help maintain the hair’s elasticity, or its ability to stretch and expand without breaking, which is essential for curly hair.

How long do I leave in a conditioning rinse?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions start there. Every formula is different, so you want to be sure to use the product as directed to avoid under or over-conditioning. You can always leave it in a bit longer or switch to another conditioner specifically for the result you want to achieve.

What’s the best water temperature to use when rinsing it?

I prefer luke-warm to cool water because it helps the cuticle of the hair close during the rinse, which makes the hair shiny and sleek.

How much conditioner should be used for every inch of hair?

It depends on the density, or thickness of the hair. Again, follow the manufacturer’s directions on how much to apply. Many suggest the amount of a quarter however if hair is thinner or really thick you may need more or less.

What are some ingredients that can weigh hair down?

Oils and certain types of silicones can weigh hair down. However, some formulas include these ingredients intentionally, because of the smoothing effect that they create on the hair. This is why it’s important not to leave it in too long and to make sure to get it all out unless it’s a leave-in conditioner.

What ingredients should be avoided?

I’m not a fan of petroleum jelly or mineral oil. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding silicone, but what most people don’t know is that silicones get a really bad rap because they’re commonly associated with silicones found in products that aren’t made for your hair. Cosmetic-grade silicones like dimethicone actually create slip, protects the hair from breakage, and helps the hair shaft retain moisture during the styling process.

What about conditioners for color-treated hair?

Some ingredients can break down artificial pigment in the hair, causing it to fade, look dull, or turn brassy. Make sure that the label says that the product is color-safe. You certainly want to switch to products formulated for color-treated hair.

Can I dilute a regular conditioner with water and use it as a detangler?

You can, however, I recommend opting for a product that was intended to be a leave-in conditioner. This will help you avoid unnecessary build-up. Some people like to put a leave in conditioner mixed with water in a spray bottle and add it to their beach bag. After swimming they spray it in to make hair easier to comb through.

What are some mistakes people make when using a leave in or a rise out conditioner?

Over-conditioning is the most common mistake because too much coating on the hair can cause dryness, brittleness, and ultimately breakage. Make sure you’re not leaving a conditioner in longer than 3 minutes unless the manufacturer instructs you to do so.

The Doux’s Fresh Rinse Conditioner, sold at Target for $12.99, addresses the need for deep nourishment for wavy, curly or kinky hair without heaviness or build up. 

About Maya Smith:

 Maya Smith is an International Master Stylist and Founder of The Doux Salon and haircare line now available in Target. With over two decades of styling experience, Maya dedicated two decades to crack the code on curl care, maintenance, and expert styling. When it comes to caring for one’s natural hair and styling it, according to NaturallyCurly, Maya is among the best there is.

While still in high school, Maya got her hair cutting license and graduated from beauty school. Soon after graduating high school, Maya began following her passion and worked as an assistant for celebrity stylist Tracy Johnson. She learned from Johnson and progressed as a hair stylist for celebrities and entertainers. Years later the military wife would relocate to Germany, where Maya opened up her first salon The HoneyComb, a mecca for textured hair care for women from all over Europe, The UK, and as far as Africa. Maya’s unique system of textured hair styling sparked the development of The DOUX® haircare products, first launched overseas, and distributed throughout Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Currently, Maya leads a carefully selected team of stylists at The DOUX® Salon in Macon, Georgia and celebrated the arrival of The DOUX® in select Target stores nationwide. Maya Smith, wife, mom of 5 and savvy business woman is an example not just for women of color but for all women who believe their gifts can impact the world, striving for entrepreneurial endeavors with grace, ease and hustle.

Recreate The Look: Met Gala Hair and Yara Shahidi

Yara’s hair made a classic but bold and voluminous statement for last night’s Met Gala.

Inspiration: Naivasha was inspired by “Whimsical Texture.” She wanted to celebrate texture in the most glamorous way with a 60-inch ponytail.

To Recreate the Look:

  • Start by saturating the hair in quadrants and tame any frizz by using the John Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Mousse and brush through thoroughly with a paddle brush
  • Part hair into a 3 section triangle and apply John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam to enhance curls and create a touchable-soft style. Brush each section smoothly to the nape
  • Next, gather the 3 sections and wrap tightly with a hair bungee to secure a sleek ponytail. Take a section of the hair and wrap around pony to cover the bungee
  • Then, gently mist the ponytail with John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner to give the hair moisturized and keep it hydrated through the night
  • As a final touch, Naivasha added a veil to Yara’s look

@JohnFriedaUS

#YourHairTalksMakeAStatement