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| Start making your shopping list now... |
I say all this to say, I'm quite far from the new kid on the block. I don't dabble in trends, or make try-hard viral videos for followers and IG fame. I'm true to all things natural hair, and proud to stay in my lane. In the 7 years that The Mane Objective has been around, I've seen trends die and bounce back with a vengeance. Watched bad advice go viral, and companies once cherished be sold to conglomerates. I've laughed as brands that paid us dust in the past circle back to try and collect on Black woman coin. I've also cheered from the stands as small brands moved from kitchen recipe to retail shelves.
My natural hair resume has given me somewhat of a 6th sense about brands on the natural hair scene. A keen sense about brands are on the precipice of a breakout season. Sometimes it's the story. Other times, the packaging and branding. All the time, it's because of the quality and performance of the products. In turn, I become these brands biggest cheerleaders - and have legit emotional moments when I see them hit major retail, growth, and PR milestones.
I'll always be cheering for my faves like Be Kekoa, tgin, Soultanicals, Obia, and more. In many ways, these brands represent the goal post and next level. They're inspirational, for sure.
Keeping this list under wraps for almost 2 months has been beyond difficult. You guys are like my product junkie family — and I hate keeping secrets! But hear me when I say this list is WELL WORTH THE WAIT. Calendar-wise, it's one of the most time consuming compilations, but ever second spent bringing this feature to life pays off big time when the DMs and comments roll in telling me that you've found your new holy grail, or that you're obsessed with the brand.
That's what this list is about — connecting you to new, Black-owned staples that you're going to fall in LOVE with.
Y'all ready for this new wave? Let's get into it.
Note: This list appears in alphabetical order. Also, the video companion to this blog post is coming soon — just trying to clear a few YouTube technical hurdles. 🤦🏽♀️
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| Setting the gold standard for natural hair care. |
www.chasingcurlz.com
Being the new kid on the block doesn't mean you don't show up fly. Chasing Curlz is the perfect example of what it means to come out swinging. Founded in 2018 by Destiny Jones, this brand boasts a clean, modern aesthetic that perfectly aligns with clean, conscious ingredients. In a time when studies show just how harmful products marketed toward Black women can be, Chasing Curlz has emerged as a Black-owned alternative to predatory brands hoping to cash in on the Black dollar while compromising our health.
Destiny believes that the key to healthy hair is to treat it with loving care and nourishing ingredients that strengthen, hydrate, and promote growth. Chasing Curlz combines the best of nature with effective formulations that steer clear of stripping and weakening the hair. Chasing Curlz is perfectly designed for the naturalista with a sensitive scalp seeking relief from strong fragrances, artificial colorants, and difficult-to pronounce ingredients. All Chasing Curlz products are:
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of fragrances with phthalates
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
The Chasing Curlz hot list includes the InstaCurlz Styling Gel, Twisting Soufflé, and Bhringaraj & Sulfur Hair Growth Serum.
My Picks
I am OBSESSED with three main products from Chasing Curlz — the Light-Lather Cleansing Shampoo, Healthy Hair Keratin Treatment, and the Bhringaraj & Sulfur Hair Growth Serum. And let me tell you why. First of all, the Light-Lather Cleansing Shampoo is by FAR the most unique shampoo I've ever used in my 7 years of product junkie-ing. It looks like a hair milk. Goes on like a co-wash... and then foams up like a shampoo. I shoulda recorded my real-time reaction, but it would've involved far too much cussing, and I still plan on making it to heaven. 😂 Y'all, the Light-Lather Cleansing Shampoo BLEW. MY. MIND. It has phenomenal slip, and upon rinsing, my hair felt clean, soft, and suuuuuuper moisturized. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought I had just rinsed a co-wash from my hair.
The Healthy Hair Keratin Treatment has me hype because it's hard to find a GOOD protein treatment. Formulated with aloe vera juice and hydrolyzed keratin, this treatment leaves my hair shiny, supple, and full of restored elasticity without making my curls crunchy. Plus, it has AMAZING slip! I'm telling you — the Healthy Hair Keratin Treatment + my steamer = unstoppably healthy curls. Even my hard water/mystery damage areas are starting to get a lil' ackrite!
Y'all know I don't really stan for oils like that, but this Bhringaraj & Sulfur Hair Growth Serum is worthy of ALL the hand praise emojis! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 You guys know I have scalp psoriasis, and whatever Destiny did to this little bottle is LIT. Itchy spots, eased on contact. I'm not exaggerating, either. And you know how I say I get sore scalp when my hair is growing? It happened, literally the next morning. I really do believe Destiny has combined some key ingredients for scalp relief and hair growth that work. I'm DEFINITELY doing massages 2x/week with this baby!
Where to Buy
Currently, Chasing Curlz products are available exclusively at www.chasingcurlz.com. But they're working on a few in-store contracts, so be sure to text CHASINGCURLZ to 66866 to stay in the loop about product updates! Show Chasing Curlz some love by following them on Instagram @chasingcurlz!
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| The first brand to get hemp oil right, in my book! |
www.curlmix.com
Founded by Kim and Tim Lewis in 2015, CurlMix initially launched as the first DIY brand for natural hair. Remember their subscription boxes? They included raw ingredients, jars/bottles, and detailed directions for cocktailing your own natural products. Since then, CurlMix has evolved into a full-fledged brand of its own, holding tight to their core values around product formulation. Each offering in the CurlMix family of products is tailor-made to a specific hair need or challenge: strength, growth, moisture, repair, softening, or sensitive scalp.
There's a reason CurlMix embraces the DIY spirit at its roots — both founders have a unique background that informs and inspires their business. Kim holds a Bachelor's Degree in Logistics & Marketing, and won the Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs' Pitch Competition. Her husband Tim holds a dual-degree in Economics and Psychology, and started out as a barista at Starbucks. Here's where their story takes an amazing pivot. Knowing his affinity for trivia and random facts, Kim signed Tim up for the show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He went on to win $100,000 — 25% of which he turned around and invested in CurlMix.
Now that's a story. Where do I sign up? Asking for a friend (that friend is me).
CurlMix prides themselves on providing natural-based solutions that simplify your regimen while being totally effective. And in my opinion, they 137% deliver. All CurlMix products are:
- handcrafted
- vegan
- organic
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- free of fragrances with phthalates
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
CurlMix's most popular products include the Sampler Flaxseed Gel Box, Moisturizer Sampler, and the Pure Flaxseed Gel with Castor Oil and Vanilla Berry Fragrance.
My Picks
What's cool about CurlMix is that each specific active ingredient is tied to a wonderfully unique fragrance. Because my 2019 goal is ignorant amounts of hair growth, I chose the "growth" collection, which boasts organic hemp oil as the active ingredient across all products, and has a delightfully juicy watermelon scent. Hands down, I LOVE their Pure Flaxseed Gel and Pure Regrowth Serum — both formulated with hemp oil.
Their Pure Flaxseed Gel challenged EVERYTHING I thought I knew about gels and wash and go's. First of all, it's lightweight but packs a punch-punch. The hair I thought couldn't be tamed actually bowed in concession to this all-natural concoction. It gave me amazing, multi-day definition without requiring me to run through the entire bottle. Oh, and the moisture was AMAZING. No crispy, dry curls over here! I wish I had an actual styling photo, but this thing called rain wouldn't let me be great. Just know that the Pure Flaxseed Gel has my stamp of approval, forreal!
I was drawn to the Pure Regrowth Serum because hemp oil has tons of great benefits for the hair and scalp (especially psoriasis), and my hair loves it. But I also know from past experience buying hemp oil from stores, it STANKS — which is probably why a lot of brands stay away. But not CurlMix! They found the perfect mix of hemp, carrier oils, and amazing watermelon fragrance to take away the stank without being overbearing. The Pure Regrowth Serum is my go-to these days for breaking gel casts and sealing my ends to protect them. I never want to run out of this stuff. Also, the Hair and Body Butter is PHENOMENAL. Even in cold weather, it doesn't get ultra hard, is perfectly smooth, and moisturizing without being greasy. No gritty bits, no nothing. Just perfectly blended multi-use butter.
Where to Buy
CurlMix products are available online at www.curlmix.com, and in select salons. Visit their website for more info! Stay up to date with all things CurlMix —follow them on Instagram @curlmix!
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| Definitely found a few new favorites in the bunch! And check out the size on that Orange Marmalade tho! |
www.ecoslay.com
EcoSlay was founded in 2015 by Adria Marshall, a mom of 3, wife, businesswoman, and avid gardener. When first going natural nearly 15 years ago, Adria, like many early naturalistas, had to "make do" with what was on the market at the time (aka stuff that wasn't formulated for our hair). After years of piecemealing and cocktailing products to make a regimen, Adria grew tired of running from pillar to post and sought out her own solutions. Although her dream of launching a full product line would come to fruition eventually, she started small with something most of us would've overlooked — using a toothbrush on our edges.
Thanks to her years of research, gardening, and passion for the environment, Adria saw an opportunity to enter the marketplace with a unique tool —a bamboo, soft bristle brush designed —specifically for those extra-fragile baby hairs. (As it turns out, using old toothbrushes on our scalps is kinda gross, bad for the environment, and the bristles are all wrong for our delicate edges.) The Bamboo Edge Brush took off, and gave Adria the much-needed push to birth EcoSlay into a full-fledged, environmentally-conscious natural hair brand with an amazing line of products.
If you're a naturalista who's concerned about the planet, what you put on your body and in it, you can rest easy knowing that all EcoSlay products are:
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial fragrances
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- coconut oil, shea butter, and protein-free
Best Sellers
The top products that EcoSlay customers love are their Orange Marmalade Flaxseed and Aloe Curl Definer, Peppermint Schnapps Hair Wash, and the EcoSlay Bamboo Edge Brush.
My Picks
Honestly, I see why the customers rave about the 3 listed above — they're my top picks, too! I love me some Orange Marmalade Flaxseed and Aloe Curl Definer, Peppermint Schnapps, and the Bamboo Edge Brush — let me tell you why. First up, Orange Marmalade. This gel shook me to my CORE the first time I tried it — because I used it wrong. Thinking it was some lightweight botanical business, I went HAM applying 2 pumps (and sometimes more) to each small section of my hair. Y'ALL. My hair did not move for DAYS. 😭 But once I got the hang of the ratio(s) for my plethora of textures, I fell in LOVE. Definition. Shine. Plump, juicy curls. And it plays nicely with some of my favorite leave-ins!
Peppermint Schnapps is one of those MAGICAL shampoos. Very similar to my favorite African black soap-based shampoo by Habesha Handcrafted. Even though it's thin in consistency, it lathers richly and has AMAZING slip. Plus, my hair is soft, shiny, and de-frizzed after using! No lie, I've left Peppermint Schnapps in the shower as my default, quick wash day shampoo — it's that good. If you don't care for traditional shampoo formulations, you NEED Peppermint Schnapps. Periodt.
Now let's chat about this Bamboo Edge Brush. Admittedly, I thought it was more of a novelty than a necessity at first. But nah sis, you like, MUST grab this brush. Because my toothbrushes have all this extra rubber, gum-massaging, tongue scraping business on them, they're not suited for edges. I've tried a fine-tooth comb, and all it does is make the hair at the end of my edge swoop frizzy. My paddle brush is double-sided, and one side is too hard and stiff for edges, and the other is too soft. But this Bamboo Edge Brush? LIT. Works with all textures and manners of edge products, and lays hair without feeling like I'm brushing my scalp. Plus, it's fly and has a cute bamboo carrying case! Cool fact — once the brush and case have run their course, you can compost them instead of throwing them away. 🌍
And just a quick word on Hot Sauce — the product who's overall aesthetic stole my heart. First of all, it legit looks like a bottle of hot sauce. Second of all, the ingredients are AMAZING. With sustainably-sourced red palm oil, JBCO, biotin, MSM, and stimulating essential oils, Hot Sauce is literally the PERFECT pre-poo to nourish the hair and scalp — which is exactly how I use it.
Where to Buy
Select EcoSlay products (Orange Marmalade Flaxseed and Aloe Curl Definer, Peppermint Schnapps, Hot Sauce, and Moonshine) are available at Rainbow Natural Foods in Decatur, Georgia. If you're not in the area, order at www.ecoslay.com!Slay your natural hair while doing good for the planet! Follow @ecoslay on Instagram!
Gemini Naturals (Formerly Pop! Curl Color) |
| Pop! Curl Color is now Gemini Naturals! |
www.gemininaturals.com
🚨REBRANDING ALERT!🚨If you recall, back in November I raved about Pop! Curl Color gel. A couple of months and a new name later, they're now Gemini Naturals! Founded by Lianne aka @chronicurls, Gemini Naturals is the go-to temporary hair color system for all types and textures of natural hair. Although the Gemini Naturals brand is expanding to include a new leave-in and color-locking serum, its heart and soul is the fun, playful aloe vera-based temporary color gels.
By day, Lianne is a Physician Assistant. When her shift ends, she switches hats and becomes natural hair blogger @chronicurls and CEO of Gemini Naturals. Her own experiences with permanent and temporary hair color inspired Lianne to launch her brand, giving ingredient-conscious naturalistas the freedom to play in bright, bold colors without fear of damage or dryness. As a naturalista, Lianne knows how much we value maintaining healthy hair that flourishes — and the Gemini Naturals product offerings reflect exactly that. Here's what you can expect when you open a Gemini Naturals product:
- vegan
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- cruelty free
- made with natural ingredients
- coconut oil, shea butter, and protein-free
- curly girl-friendly
- beeswax, mineral oil, and petroleum-free
Best Sellers
While all their colors are gorgeous, customers can't seem to get enough of Get Hued colors Bronze, Midnight, and Purple Rain.
My Picks
There's a reason everyone loves Midnight and Purple Rain — they're STUNNING! Add Mulberry to the mix and it's a match made in heaven! If you read my review, then you already know that I have all the wonderful things to say about Gemini Naturals.
The Gemini Naturals Get Hued gel is quite honestly GORGEOUS. Super pigmented, brilliantly colored, and delightfully fragranced (without being overbearing). I love the care and thought that went into ingredient selection, as well as the fact that it can be used as a standalone curl definer or after-styling enhancer. Purple Rain, Midnight, and Mulberry show up brilliantly in direct sunlight, on camera, and even indoors. Although under florescent/office-style lighting, the color is more subdued. Either way, I love the combination of colors and how brilliantly they show on dark hair, while playing nicely with whatever products I use.
I need to get my hands on that Bronze Beauty though — because I'll NEVER actually dye my hair blonde (again... click here for a hilarious throwback), but I need that light color fix every once in a while.
Before I go, I wanna say one last thing. I know the "HairPaintWax" and Mofigjangqwerty products are going viral on social media. I know your faves are raving about them, and climbing all over each other to release temporary color videos on IG and YouTube. But do me a favor, k? Promise me before you send money up the river to some random internet business with an owner you can't google, that you'll support Gemini Naturals instead when you need a color fix. Besides, slathering WAX on your curls is never a good idea — you can @ me on that one. Oh and BTW, I just saw an honest review on IG in which the influencer said she had to shampoo her hair THREE OR FOUR times just to get that wax out...😳
Where to Buy
Gemini Naturals products are available exclusively at www.gemininaturals.com. Put a pop of color on your timeline — follow @gemininaturals on Instagram!
I need to get my hands on that Bronze Beauty though — because I'll NEVER actually dye my hair blonde (again... click here for a hilarious throwback), but I need that light color fix every once in a while.
Before I go, I wanna say one last thing. I know the "HairPaintWax" and Mofigjangqwerty products are going viral on social media. I know your faves are raving about them, and climbing all over each other to release temporary color videos on IG and YouTube. But do me a favor, k? Promise me before you send money up the river to some random internet business with an owner you can't google, that you'll support Gemini Naturals instead when you need a color fix. Besides, slathering WAX on your curls is never a good idea — you can @ me on that one. Oh and BTW, I just saw an honest review on IG in which the influencer said she had to shampoo her hair THREE OR FOUR times just to get that wax out...😳
Where to Buy
Gemini Naturals products are available exclusively at www.gemininaturals.com. Put a pop of color on your timeline — follow @gemininaturals on Instagram!
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| Key to Curls Clay Wash DEFINITELY has the key to my heart. |
www.keytocurls.com
All the way from the Bahamas, Rakia Rolle is serving up serious #hairgoals with her rapidly growing Key to Curls brand. Inspired by the success of her DIY recipes as a natural hair blogger, Rakia set out to develop a line of products that help alleviate some of our biggest hair woes. From dryness and breakage to frizz, Key to Curls products are handcrafted with precision to hydrate, moisturize, and help bring your natural curls to life.
As a natural hair blogger, Rakia always sought collaborations with brands that her following would enjoy (I can relate). But as time went on, Rakia found the call to entrepreneurship was too loud to ignore. Plus, she already had proven DIY recipes that her followers and subscribers adored. Fueled by positive feedback and a desire to deliver results, Key to Curls came to life in February 2018 with its flagship product — the Kinks, Coils & Curls Clay Wash. Since then, Key to Curls has grown to include the Honey I'm Tangled Deep Conditioner and Forget Me Knot Leave-In Conditioner. All Key to Curls products are:
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- coconut oil-free
Best Sellers
As an emerging brand, Key to Curls includes three products — all of which are rockstars in the sales department. But the one product that sells out over, and over, and over again? The Kinks, Coils & Curls Clay Wash.
My Picks
You know that product I just said sells out repeatedly? It's with BEYOND good reason. For this blog post and video, I had the opportunity to test drive the Clay Wash and Honey I'm Tangled Deep Conditioner. And sis, let me tell you something. Both products are absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, AMAZING.
The Clay Wash is honestly one of THE BEST CLAY WASHES I'VE EVER USED — including the one I make myself. It's fluffy, rich, creamy, and doesn't at all feel gritty like most clay washes. Rakia seriously found the magic formula with this one. It has tons of slip, and leaves my curls feeling cleansed, hydrated, and defined. You can absolutely tell that Rakia worked hard to perfect the Clay Wash formula — I've never used anything like it.
And when combined with the Honey I'm Tangled Deep Conditioner? Curl definition off the CHARTSSSSS. Honey I'm Tangled is an ultra nourishing deep conditioner with tons of slip that does an amazing job hydrating the curls. With the Clay Wash, Honey I'm Tangled, and my steamer, my curls are out here living their best life and flourishing!
Where to Buy
Key to Curls products are available exclusively at www.keytocurls.com. Don't forget to follow @keytocurls on Instagram!
Kreyol EssenceThe Clay Wash is honestly one of THE BEST CLAY WASHES I'VE EVER USED — including the one I make myself. It's fluffy, rich, creamy, and doesn't at all feel gritty like most clay washes. Rakia seriously found the magic formula with this one. It has tons of slip, and leaves my curls feeling cleansed, hydrated, and defined. You can absolutely tell that Rakia worked hard to perfect the Clay Wash formula — I've never used anything like it.
And when combined with the Honey I'm Tangled Deep Conditioner? Curl definition off the CHARTSSSSS. Honey I'm Tangled is an ultra nourishing deep conditioner with tons of slip that does an amazing job hydrating the curls. With the Clay Wash, Honey I'm Tangled, and my steamer, my curls are out here living their best life and flourishing!
Where to Buy
Key to Curls products are available exclusively at www.keytocurls.com. Don't forget to follow @keytocurls on Instagram!
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| Get ready to get your life, get your edges, and get your inches. 🙌🏽 |
www.kryeolessence.com
Economic empowerment and environmental consciousness are alive and at the core of Kreyol Essence. Founded by Yve-Car Momperousse, Kreyol Essence shares the gift of Haitian beauty recipes and rituals with the world, while building a sustainable economic foundation for the country that in many ways, is still recovering from the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake. Using sustainable, conservation-driven farming methods, Kreyol Essence produces Haitian Black Castor Oil as the island's champion export.
To date, Kreyol Essence has hired over 350 native farmers and producers, planted over 100,000 castor trees, and exports 98% of their product — supporting the livelihood and development of local agriculture. Farming castor beans reduces deforestation, soil erosion, and gas emissions in Haiti while empowering the country economically. Haitian Black Castor Oil is crafted using traditional processing methods — roasting, grinding, and cooking the castor seeds by hand, and screen filtering without refining. The end result is pure, unrefined oil with a host of vitamins, nutrients, and benefits for hair and skin.
You can trust Kreyol Essence's formulations to be pure, plant-based, and rich in Haitian history. All Kreyol Essence products are:
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- free of artificial fragrances
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- sustainably produced
Best Sellers
Customers can't seem to get enough of the Haitian Moringa Duo and Total Haircare System.
My Picks
To be honest, I'm obsessed with three products from Kreyol Essence — the Haitian Black Castor Oil Scalp Care Shampoo, Conditioner, and the Rosemary Mint Haitian Black Castor Oil. The shampoo and conditioner remind me of high-end botanical-based salon products. They smell earthy, yet clean, and work dynamically as a pair. The shampoo is gentle with tons of slip, and the conditioner just comes right behind it with even MORE slip and smoothness. I literally love EVERYTHING about this duo!
Now on to the hero of the line — the Rosemary Mint HBCO. I had never used Haitian Black Castor Oil until now, and I'm honestly wondering why I waited so long. Apples to apples, I find HBCO to be a little lighter, less sticky, lower viscosity, and A LOT less pungent/smoky than Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I know a lot of folks can't stomach the smell of JBCO, and Haitian Black Castor Oil is a reeeeeeeeally nice alternative. I absolutely LOVE the cool, minty, scalp stimulating tingle I get from the Rosemary Mint HBCO. Y'all gonna mess around and see me with curls down to my butt at this rate — because I'm also using the Rosemary Mint HBCO twice a week on my scalp. They also have a Chocolate option that is DECADENT. If you really want something that doesn't remotely smell like smoky castor oil, you NEED this.
In fact, you can try any of the Haitian Black Castor Oil sample sizes for free — you just pay $3 shipping! Click here to order and use code FREESAMPLE (it should be automatically applied to your cart). I keep the Chocolate sample sized HBCO on my desk at work in case my scalp is feeling dry, or my elbows look a little janky.
Where to Buy
You can purchase Kreyol Essence at select Whole Foods and retail locations internationally. Or, shop at www.kreyolessence.com! Don't forget to follow @kreyolessence on Instagram!
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| Miche Beauty's got wash day in the bag. |
Miche Beauty
www.michebeauty.comSince 2016, Miche Beauty has been solving dry hair woes all across the country. Founded by Michelle Ballard (you just might be subscribed to her YouTube channel Everything Mich like me), Miche Beauty is an all-encompassing haircare brand built on the core philosophy of Simple Handcrafted Beauty. As a YouTuber and naturalista, Michelle knows what we look for in products — great ingredients, affordability, SLIP, and effectiveness against dryness, breakage, and other natural hair woes. With a degree in science and passion for educating women on caring for their natural hair, Michelle spent countless hours personally formulating each and every product in the Miche Beauty collection to live up to those standards.
Miche Products are made with high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients that work wonders on all textures and types of hair. If your goal is healthy, strong, moisturized tresses, Miche Beauty is more than capable of delivering. You can expect every single product in the Miche Beauty collection to be:
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- free of fragrances with phthalates
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- coconut oil-free
When Miche Beauty first launched there were two products — the Indulge Moisturizing Deep Conditioner and the Polished Hair & Scalp Oil. Since expanding to a full wash and style collection, Miche's best sellers now include the Indulge Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, Lavish Leave-In Conditioner, and Quenched Hydrating & Twist Butter.
My Picks
This is SO hard for me — because in many ways, Miche reminds me of a young tgin. Stellar branding. On point packaging. Amazing ingredients. And most of all — each and every product delivers on their promises. I knew going in that I loved Indulge (deep conditioner) and Lavish (leave-in). But I had no idea how much I'd love Cleansed (shampoo), Quenched (Butter), and Strengthen (protein deep conditioner). So much so, that even as I write this sentence, I have NO CLUE which products are my favorite. Literally, I love them all.
Cleansed has SO much slip and is a stellar shampoo that doesn't strip the hair. Indulge and Strengthen are both BOMB deep conditioners — and I love that you can alternate between the two for moisture and strength. Of course, they're both slip city. Y'all already know how I feel about Lavish (a Christina's Choice 2018 pick), and I didn't expect to love Quenched, but I do. Honestly, there's really no wrong place to start with Miche. But if you need a little tasty-taste that won't blow your haircare budget, start with Indulge. Trust me — I haven't seen a bad review yet.
Where to Buy
Miche Beauty products are available exclusively at www.michebeauty.com, although they're looking to branch out into local beauty supply stores this year! Stay in step with all things healthy hair — follow @michebeauty on Instagram!
Product Junkie Naturals
www.productjunkienaturals.com
Necessity is the mother of invention, and that rings true for Denise Gathings, founder of Product Junkie Naturals. As a mom of seven, Denise's brand was birthed when two of her children developed adverse reactions to soap, washing powders, diapers, and certain oils. She began making Castille Soap for her son to alleviate his issues, and crafted a hair butter by hand for her daughter's allergic reaction to castor and coconut oils. When the results proved more effective than commercial products for hair and skin, Denise's husband encouraged her to go into business. From there, Product Junkie Naturals was born.
The Product Junkie naturals brand caters to naturals with dry or low porosity hair that prefer coconut oil-free products — so if you've got that allergy, rejoice! There's a line for you! All Product Junkie Naturals products are:
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- coconut oil-free
My Picks
I was deeeeeeelighted to give the new Rice Water collection a try. Y'all know rice water is the new wave, and while I'm very familiar with the benefits, I'm not about that DIY life. I'll glaaaadly hand over the reins to someone more talented in the formulation department than I. That said, my socks were ABSOLUTELY knocked off by the Rice Water Activated Mint Cleanser, Wet Dream Deep Conditioner, and Curl Defining Custard.
First of all, I think I'm turning into a shampoo junkie. I'm a sucker for some slip, some suds, and a minty tingle. The Activated Mint Cleanser delivers all that and more — including activated charcoal! This cleanser also threw me for a loop because it looks a like conditioner, has slip like a conditioner, but bubbles up like a true shampoo! I'm a HUGE fan. Paired with the Wet Dream Deep Conditioner, you can fah-geddaboutit! Wet Dream is super creamy, has tons of slip, and soaks right into my strands with ease. When I rinsed, my jaw literally DROPPED. Smooth. Silky. Shiny. Clumped and curls poppin'.
Lastly, I'm digging the Curl Defining Custard. At first, I thought it was a cream-based custard with a light hold, but appearances are deceiving. It's actually more of a creamy-looking gel, a la Obia Curl Enhancing Custard, just with more of a custard-y texture. It delivers a stronger side of medium hold, and is perfect for getting that mix of volume and definition on day 1.
Where to Buy
You can get your product junkie fix at www.productjunkienaturals.com and by following @productjunkienaturals on Instagram!
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| If you've got dry hair drama, Pydana Collection is the solution! |
www.pydanacollection.com
A budding beauty brand carving a lane of their own, Pydana Collection was founded by Rochelle Pydana in spring of 2017. After finding that her "9 to 5" as a hospital science professional left her unfulfilled, Rochelle decided to lean into her calling. Standing on years of Guyanese tradition and her professional degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Rochelle found her passion for crafting beauty solutions while journeying through the chapters of motherhood.
She found herself reeling in excitement at the possibility of creating safe, healthy, natural products for women of color. In 2016, Rochelle took a giant leap of faith, and went all in developing Pydana Collection, a luxe beauty brand dedicated simplifying the transition to natural, while promoting healthy hair. Although young, Pydana Collection is an ambitious brand, and Rochelle is 100% committed to customer satisfaction and creating products that become holy grails for naturalistas. All Pydana Collection products are:
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- shea butter and coconut oil-free
Pydana Collection customers love the Moisture LOC Kit, Kiss Curls Define Set, and of course the legendary Thermal Deep Conditioning Cap.
My Picks
If you've read my review, then you know that I 137% believe Pydana has the BEST microwavable deep conditioning cap on the market — PERIODT. Every single detail about the Pydana Thermal Cap is engineered to perfection. I'm not just talking about the colors and patterns. I'm talking about how secure the elastic band is without squeezing my brain. How spacious the inside of the cap is to accommodate thicker, longer hair (and locs too!). How expertly crafted the inner contents of the cap are. How the cap stays warm well beyond the 20 minutes I need it for, without scalding my forehead and ears. Nothing but quality.
I love EVERYTHING about the Avocado & Babassu Herbal Silk Deep Moisture Treatment. This deep conditioner is an instant HG. Thick, rich, and creamy, this 8oz miracle jar has amazing slip and makes detangling drama a thing of the past. My favorite part though? My low porosity sections LOVE it. Even though the Avocado & Babassu Herbal Silk Deep Moisture Treatment is rich and creamy, it soaks right into my strands almost on contact. Combined with heat from my gorgeous Okoye Thermal Cap, even my frizziest strands were dancing for joy. Upon rinsing, my dramatically rough ends were GONE. The shine was impeccable. Softness? Off the freaking charts.
You guys should know by now that I love me a good leave-in conditioner. Something that packs a punch, detangles like a dream, and helps envelop my curls in long-lasting moisture. The Avocado Herbal Silk Leave-In Conditioner hit all those marks, and then some! Because my hair was already so moisturized from my deep conditioning sesh, a few dollops did my hair plenty of justice. The consistency is creamy and ultra moisturizing, but not too thick.
Pydana Collection prides itself on delivering directly to the customer. Products are available exclusively on www.pydanacollection.com, Amazon, and Etsy. Rochelle loves talking to customers and fans of Pydana Collection — so keep in touch on Instagram @pydanacollection and @pydanaskincare!
Strands of Faith
www.strandsoffaith.com
As a type 4 naturalista, Ameka Coleman launched her Instagram account to serve as a source of information and inspiration for Black women with underrepresented textures. As her support base grew, Ameka received a vision from God to start her own company and walk fully in her purpose as an entrepreneur catering to under-served women with kinky, coily natural hair. Understanding the biggest challenges that accompany type 4 hair, Ameka tapped into her research and business development background to formulate a line of products that provide moisture for days at a time.
From there, Strands of Faith was born — an ethical, faith-based beauty brand committed to helping women embrace their God-given natural hair while promoting self-love and community. With a moral obligation to do right by women with type 4 hair, Ameka set out to ensure that Strands of Faith contained no harsh chemicals and no toxins that could cause health issues over time. All Strands of Faith Products are:
- handcrafted in small batches
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- free of fragrances with phthalates
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- coconut oil-free
Believe me when I say that Strands of Faith did 👏🏽NOT👏🏽COME👏🏽TO👏🏽PLAY👏🏽 I am obsessed with the Holy Grail Leave-In and Conditioning Refresher Spray. You can tell that Ameka not only did her research, but formulated the Strands of Faith products with highly textured, low porosity hair in mind. The Leave-In Conditioner is suuuuuuper moisturizing, with tons of slip. It soaks right into my strands with ease and plays nicely with other products.
Equally as impressing is the Conditioning Refresher Spray, which has been nothing short of a life saver on those days when I'm too much of a bum to follow through with wash day. It looks super thick in the bottle, but sprays onto my strands ever so gently — infusing them with much-needed hydration and pliability. I even use it on my edges to nourish and prime them before I slick my hair into a bun or puff. Because the ingredients are so stellar, a little bit goes a long way with the leave-in and spray.
What really send Strands of Faith over the top for me is the small token with each order — a mustard seed in a tiny glass vial. Yes, a physical (and visual) reminder of how much faith you need to move mountains. I didn't expect my hair products to deliver a Word, but they did. 🙌🏽
Where to Buy
Strands of Faith products are available exclusively at www.strandsoffaith.com. Keep up with Strands of Faith online — follow @strandsoffaith on Instagram!
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| Doux you, boo! |
www.thedoux.com
This one right here has been a long time coming. I've been OBSESSED with The Doux as a brand since I first transitioned to natural hair back in 2013. I followed founder Maya Smith's moves like clockwork, cheering on the brand steeped in vibrant visuals and 90's hip-hop nostalgia. I cheered The Doux on all the way in Germany, and nearly blew my lid when I learned Maya was bringing her brand stateside and opening The Doux Salon in Macon, Georgia. Since then, The Doux has gone on to launch in Target stores nationwide, and I couldn't be happier!
The Doux aesthetic isn't the only unique thing about this brand — the products are formulated by Maya Smith, a licensed cosmetologist who's goal was to serve women across all textures and types. The Doux products are designed to work whether you're rocking a twist out or silk press. With multipurpose salon-grade products from The Doux, you're free to embrace style versatility and define what natural hair means for yourself. All products from The Doux are:
- sulfate-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- cruelty free
- sucka free :)
Customers and clients of The Doux can't get enough of Mousse Def, Bonita Afro Balm, and The Fresh Rinse.
My Picks
Right now, I'm obsessed with the Sucka Free Moisturizing Shampoo and Fresh Rinse Moisturizing Conditioner as a dynamic duo. The shampoo cleanses gently with slip, and leaves my hair and scalp feeling fresh and clean. Fresh Rinse follows it up with tons of slip, moisture, and shine — leaving my sometimes janky strands feeling smooth from root to end. I can definitely see how these products are versatile and would lend themselves to heat protection for a blowout or silk press! Overall, The Doux DEFINITELY lives up to the hype, and I'm so glad to have easy access for the re-up!
I'm also digging Mousse Def, but admittedly still working with it. As a heavy gel girl, it takes a lot for me to trust a light foaming mousse with taming my curls (especially those real disrespectful areas). I'm still trying to fine-tune the technique after watching a lot of The Doux videos, but the results are promising! I saw some amazing definition from Mousse Def — and I've already got some ideas up my sleeve for what to do with it next. Stay tuned!
Where to Buy
You can get your hands on The Doux at www.thedoux.com and your local Target store! Don't forget to follow The Doux at @ilovethedoux on Instagram!
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| Yes, the products are every bit as magical as they look. 🦄 |
www.uniqurl.com
In many ways, Alexis Stanley is a Black haircare veteran. If you remember haircare before the advent of Instagram, then you understand how clutch the forums and message boards were for sharing information, regimens, recipes, and helping your fellow internet sis bounce back from a hair fail or two. Alexis is an OG in the game, and was very active on these boards. #respect
After suffering a hair journey setback in 2016 that left her mid-back length hair fried, Alexis turned to her roots to develop a solution for her damaged hair. She began sharing her DIY solutions online again, and the interest in her homemade solutions soared. With a passion for helping others and RN license, Alexis put her talents and knowledge to use in developing UniQurl (pronounced like unicorn), a healthy hair brand dedicated to reminding naturalistas that their hair types are not a burden, and that natural hair should be fun!
Catering to often-ignored women with kinky hair textures, UniQrl products are:
- handcrafted
- sulfate and silicone-free
- paraben free
- free of artificial colorants
- free of fragrances with phthalates
- cruelty free
- petroleum and mineral oil-free
- made with raw and natural ingredients
- curly girl-friendly
- protein-free
UniQurl customers can't get enough of the Supreme Moisture Leave-In Detangling Styler, Aloe & Almond Moisture Sealing Hair Oil, and AloeMint Deep Conditioner.
My Picks
First of all, how cute is the UniQurl packaging?! Y'all know I love bright colors and branding. But beyond love at first sight, I was ALL OVER the Supreme Moisture Leave-In Detangling Styler and AloeMint Deep Conditioner. It's probably closer to an addiction at this point. The Supreme Moisture Leave-In Detangling Styler is LUXE. Creamy. Silky. Smooth. Miracle working. Everything I could ever hope for in a leave-in, and then some. I can't say enough good things about it — it's literally my new ace in the hole for pairing with Wetline Extreme Gel (but we'll talk about that in another blog post or video).
I'm equally obsessed with the AloeMint Deep Conditioner. This silky, rich, smooth treatment is so potent, you can thoroughly cover your curls without even making a dent in the jar. AloeMint and my steamer are like two peas in a pod these days, and my curls are popping severely as a result. There's nothing I love more than products that make it easier for my hair to be its best self — and UniQurl is most definitely that. The icing on the cake for both products is the fragrance — it's sweet, bright, not at all overbearing, and addicting.
Where to Buy
Cop your UniQurl goodies exclusively at www.uniqurl.com. And don't forget to follow @uniqurl on Instagram!
Alright you guys - these are my rising star Black owned natural hair brand picks for 2019. Who you got?
Let me know in the comments below. I can't wait to see where these brands are a year from now! Any products from these brands that you'd like an in-depth review on? Let me know and I got you!
from The Mane Objective http://bit.ly/2MEJvrj
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