Haircare

Tracee Ellis Ross Launches Haircare Line + The Message Feels Like Big Hug

@bufferingbetty

“Love your hair. It is yourself.”

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross is the actress known for telling stories that encourage us to laugh and love. She is a fashion icon known for making us look at our closets and feel utterly unimpressed. Now, she will be the mogul who looked over our shoulder in the mirror and kissed our curly, coily, and tightly textured hair. Ross’ haircare line, Pattern, is what she describes as, “something that has been living in [her] heart for 20 years is [now] manifesting into reality.”

Meet Pattern

 
 

The line features a hyrdation shampoo, 3 types of conditioners that cater to your pattern’s haircare needs, 2 serums, a leave in conditioner, and haircare accessories to make your wash day go more smoothly; such as a microfiber towel.

“Every curl has a story, a rythm, a dance, a curve, coil, zig-zag, wave. Curls speak for themselves.” (Pattern)

With that understanding, Pattern crafted three types of conditoners to fit the moisture needs of these different types of hair. To help you define your type of curls, they created a curl guide.

Conditioner Types for “juicy and joyful” hair:

Medium: for curls

Heavy: for coils

Intense: for tight textures

Leading up to the lauch of Pattern

Tracee Ellis Ross shared her own journey to accepting and loving her hair.

“IF MY HAIR COULD TALK ~ oh, the stories it would tell. i can literally chronicle my journey of self-acceptance through my journey with my hair. growing up, society told me there was a right way to wear my hair and a right way to look. those ideals didn’t match what i saw in the mirror, so i tried to beat my curls into submission— putting body lotion in my hair, sleeping in rollers, blowouts, relaxers, texturizers, ponytails so tight they gave me a headache; and i even whipped out an iron (the kind you use for clothes) in an attempt to straighten it that way.

trying to make my hair look “easy and breezy”, “bouncin’ and behavin’” actually had the opposite effect. my hair was broken, damaged, and tired of trying to be something that it wasn’t.

i finally took the leap and stopped relaxing my curls, thereby beginning the healing journey towards loving my hair. it was a long road to knowing, understanding and, eventually, loving my curls. now i just let them be the happy little ringlets and zig zags of joy they want to be.

if your hair could talk, what would it say? #fbf #hairlove

This woman turned her hair into a crown in a shoot for Essence Magizine. A CROWN!!!!

This self love carries into the mission for Pattern:

The price range for Pattern is also relatively affordable, too! The conditoiners, serums, and the leave-in each are $25. The shampoo is $20 and all of the haircare accessories are under $20!

 
 

Watch this short film celebrating hair and community for Pattern Beauty

“Rock Your Pattern”

Revive Your Scalp With This New Hair Care Line From Target!

@bufferingbetty

Healthy Scalp = Healthy Hair.

When shopping for a new hair care line, we are all looking for same thing. It’s products that when you use them, you have that classic rom-com scene. You know it well: the leading lady turns her head, the wind blows, catches her hair, all flowing and gorgeous -capturing the attention of the hot barista with big dreams. He’s a writer, or some shit, -super talented but doesn’t believe in himself, blah, blah, blah, they get married. No? You don’t have wild daydreams standing alone in an aisle at Target? Just me. Cool.

Ok so maybe this new line from Kristin Ess’ Target collection won’t land you a husband but it has the potential to get you to fall in love with your hair.

This line caught my attention because I personally have a lot of issues with my scalp. Somehow I have flaky patches and oiliness. Pimples. You name it, I have it. I have thin, frizzy hair, too, so I want to find a line that can smooth my hair without making it flat. One of my go to scalp treatments is Phyto’s Botanical Scalp Treatment (see here). I love it! Really balances my scalp but it’s $40 and I want something a little more cost efficient. I haven’t tried this new line from Kristin Ess but it checks all my boxes!

meet Kristin Ess: Scalp

Use: “root-to-tip hydration, scalp rebalancing, strand strengthening, frizz minimizing, soothing + softening” (source)

Scalp Purifying Micellar Shampoo

 
 

If you are looking for a clarifying shampoo, this could be your guy. After using too many hair products, the micellar water could break up the build up. I would avoid using this daily. Just when you need that deep clean.

The Big Claim: “ the micellar water gently washes away impurities while leaving your natural moisture intact.” (source)

Need to know: $12
Avaiable at Target
Shop here

giphy.com

Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask

 
 

Be mindful of the ‘daily’ claim from this mask. Products often claim they are safe for daily use however it is always better to listen to your hair and skincare needs than to blindly follow the instructions on a bottle.

The Big Claim: “This multi-tasking mask uses natural minerals and botanical oils to calm and rebalance the scalp … Don't worry about heaviness - this whipped mask is light enough for daily use.” (source)

Need to know: $14
Avaiable at Target
Shop here

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

 
 

Honestly, this whole line has my full attention. This is one product that I already have chilling in my cart.

The Big Claim: “This non-drying scrub removes flakes, product build-up, excess sebum, and hard water deposits from the scalp, giving you a cleaner canvas through gentle exfoliation. I formulated this with a sugar complex to keep natural moisture intact.” (source)

Need to know: $14
Available at Target
Shop here

giphy.com

Scalp Detoxifying Bubble Hair Mask

 
 

I think this might be worth looking into to replace my Phyto’s Botanical Scalp Treatment.

The Big Claim: “This bubbling scalp mask instantly removes oil, build-up, dead surface skin cells + debris. Use it as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment on dry hair before you shower, then once the bubbles wear off … wash your hair!” (source)

Need to know: $14
Available at Target
Shop here

giphy.com


Anytime Anywhere Scalp + Hair Milk Oil

The Big Claim: “This PH balanced bi-phase milk oil was designed to hydrate + protect. The oil phase combines avocado, olive, jojoba + castor oils to restore moisture and rejuvenate the scalp and hair. The milk phase uses panthenol + a shea-based emollient complex to add instant softness and shine. Best part: this can be used on wet or dry hair.” (source)

Need to know: $14
Available at Target
Shop here

Because Rom-Com Hair Can exist.

This No Frizz Hair Care Line is your First Defense Against Humidity

Danyelle Valentin // @bufferingbetty

When your love for big hair turns ironic.

 With frizzy hair, even the slightest presence of moisture in the air ruins your low slick back ponytail into a swirly mess.

 

Don’t doubt for a minute that I don’t love every inch of my hair. I can manipulate it into anything. There are certainly cute frizzy hair days.

 

But THIS is not one of them so these are the days that we need to embrace the power good hair care.

The first step for managing frizzy hair is identifying why your hair swells 3x it’s actual size in the first place. Frizzy hair means that your hair is on the dryer side; regardless of your hair type. For me, it’s, 1, I was born this way, and 2, using hot tools in my hair. Using heated styling tools to smooth my frizz just creates more of what I’m trying to, not eliminate, but keep well below Hagrid levels. I also shower with hot water. I know it’s bad for my dry skin and hair but I can’t help it!!!!

So, if you were born this way, the first thing you need to do is ACCEPT and EMBRACE your frizzy hair. Almost nothing can correct nature. There are dozens of ways to style your hair where frizz adds an exciting element of beauty. We see it on the runway all the time!

Note: I wouldn’t be mad if my hair looked like that every day. And I do mean that big too!

I also need to accept that I am damaging my hair with heat and products that dry it out -only making it frizzier. What are your habits that effect your hair?

Related: Rotating Curling Iron Review

Frizzy hair be like 0 to GODDAMN in 5 seconds. You’ll think you’re going to have a great natural hair day and POOF. Your hair had other plans but you were already in your car on your way to happy hour and now you have to enlist ‘the bun’ to save you. -Just me?

To keep your hair fierce rather ferocious, prepping your hair starts in the shower. The Living Proof No Frizz shampoo and conditioner left me blown away the first time I used it. It has continued to impress me every time I wash my hair. I’m on my third set!!! Do you remember how nice you’re hair felt before your discovered hot tools and styling products? Or do you feel slightly jealous of your baby cousins’ hairs because they just look so healthy and untainted by the pressures of adulthood? Yeah. that's how good my hair feels and looks with this combo.

Most ‘no frizz’ hair care lines I’ve tried leave my hair weighed down. I. Hate. Flat. Hair. The Living Proof combo is everything. My hair looks and feels so healthy. My wavy hair texture is at peak waviness when I let it air dry -even with no added product. Are you paying attention! NO ADDED PRODUCT! I get compliments on my hair when I use this shampoo and conditioner.

Add it to your cart, your wishlists, your mood boards now! -
Shampoo // Conditioner

On second and third (+ so on) day hair, I use the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream. It brings down the frizz to a socially acceptable level. I keep mini ones with me at all times! One in my purse and one chills in the cup-holder of the front seat of my car. It doesn’t act as a smoothing oil which works to eliminate all signs of frizz. Like I said, I love my frizzy hair. I just like to not walk around looking like I haven’t brushed my hair in 3 months. The styling cream gives more definition to my waves without making my hair heavy.

Living Proof
No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream

This next product is not part of the Living Proof line BUT it is a ‘holy grail’ level product for keeping my hair in shape. The Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Balm-to-Oil Pre Shampoo Masque -ya need it. Just to keep it simple; you need it. Damage in my hair always shows on the ends. This masque makes my hair look like I just got it cut. It’s boujee salon level excellent that you can do at home. I would just avoid using it directly before styling your hair because it is so rich that your hair will just fall flat.

Bumble and Bumble
Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Balm-to-Oil Pre Shampoo Masque

Have I told you how I’ve crowned myself as the Sample Queen -because I have. You can be too! Try all of the Living Proof products I wrote about in this travel kit they put together.

Living Proof
No Frizz Smoothing & Frizz Fighting Travel Kit

For the days when the frizz factor will not be controlled. always keep some sort shield with you. It could be a hat, headband or scarf. For me it’s at least 4 bobby pins to create a secure bun and a hair tie for when I can’t be bothered. Frizz happens fast. Don’t let them catch you slippin’!


From the moment I emerged into this life, I have had frizzy hair. As a child, my mom saturated my sisters’ and my hair with Infusium leave in conditioner. In middle school, to control the frizz, I coated my hair in Pantene Pro V mousse or any brand gel -I had one that tinted my hair blue and made it as hard as plastic. I’d pull my hair into a high side ponytail with a scrunchie! In high school, I discovered the blow dryer but only used it the night before school to “let the frizz settle overnight” -I still do this sometimes.

I fully embrace my hair! I often try something new: blonde, blue, purple, bob, bangs, braids. and all of the things!

If all else fails, live in your Diana Ross- big hair, don’t care-moments!

Looking Good & Doing Good Just Got Easier - With Kayla

Written by @oohkayla

I think it is safe to say SUMMER IS HERE! Well at least not blistering freezing weather is here. Summer is not only time for fun but also time to protect yourself from head to toe, at this point almost everyone is aware that we need to take care of our skin and possibly go about using more natural products. But what about our hair?

Enter Love Beauty & Planet stage left! According to the brand’s site the company was founded on the idea that “looking good and doing good should go hand in hand.” Each product is made with the mentality of making you and the planet better. Love Beauty & Planet is currently available in drugstores making it very accessible to the average person selling body and hair products.

 

I received the opportunity to try their Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Strength & Shine. The mask comes in a simple 100% recycled material pouch with 1.5oz. I have used the mask multiple times and still have a lot of product left. The directions suggest using after shampooing, leave on for 2 minutes and rinse. You are also advised to avoid your roots- why? Because including your roots could lead to your scalp getting greasy and dirty sooner than it needs to- & nobody got time for that.

 

Personally, I haven’t been able to find a lot of “natural products” that work for my hair. This mask is cruelty free, vegan, no parabens & more- which led me to believe that it wasn’t going to work at all! However, after several uses I do like this hair mask. The subtle rose sent is amazing and although I don’t know a lot about Murumuru Butter I do believe it is helping to hydrate my hair. I am currently in the process of helping my hair get back on track- years of coloring and heat has done some real damage to my strands. 

After using this mask, I do find my hair is drying with less frizz and just overall looks healthier. I have a dry scalp and so most if my shampoos do an excellent job cleaning my scalp but then drying for the rest of it. I would recommend giving this brand a try. 

If you are considering trying natural hair products this is a great place to start, it won’t break the bank and you are still doing good even if you don’t wind up liking the product. I stand behind looking good and doing good at the same time. Having my hair look great while reducing my carbon footprint sounds like a win win to me.