Category: news

Megan Thee Stallion Natural Hair

Megan Thee Stallion Becomes a #MielleMaven

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news
Megan Thee Stallion Natural Hair
Megan Thee Stallion has made taking care of her natural hair a major goal for 2021, and she’s chosen Mielle Organics to kick off her natural haircare journey.

While most hip hop heads can’t stop talking about Megan Thee Stallion’s incredible flow and clever lyrics, I’ve been over her admiring every single one of her hairstyles. Her sleek looks – in almost every colour you can imagine – have served as major hair inspiration for fashionistas around the world, and now she’s shifted the focus to her natural hair.

A Natural Start to 2021

As most of do at the start of a new year, Megan Thee Stallion kicked 2021 off with a healthy hair resolution. She decided that this would be the year that she looks after her natural hair.

Megan asked her fans to tag some black-owned haircare brands that they recommend for her natural hair journey. From the suggestions, she decided that Mielle Organics would be the best brand to start her on her way.

Even though Megan Thee Stallion has just started making her natural hair a main beauty goal, she’s got some beautiful coils already. Her hair has great bounce to it and she has a lovely, defined curl pattern. So, we can’t wait to see how she progresses along her journey.

Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Line

The Rosemary Mint collection from Mielle Organics features five products that are infused with biotin to encourage healthy hair growth. The yare designed to put an end to split ends while stimulating hair follicles to help your hair grow faster and thicker.

The products in Mielle’s Rosemary Mint line are:

  • Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
  • Strengthening Hair Masque
  • Multivitamin Daily Styling Creme
  • Strengthening Edge Gel
  • Strengthening Shampoo

Across the web, we’re seeing rave reviews about the Mielle Rosemary Mint line. On Influenster, reviews for the products range from 4.3/5 to 4.75/5 – so they are definitely a hit among curly girls.

If you’re ready to follow Megan’s lead and make natural haircare a goal for 2021, check out our list of black-owned brands.

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Pattern Beauty Launches New Treatment Collection

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news
Pattern, Tracee Ellis Ross’ natural haircare brand, has launched a new range – the Treatment Collection.

In the less than one year since Tracee Ellis Ross launched Pattern, the natural haircare brand has made major waves in the beauty industry. The latest addition to the range is the Treatment Collection, which modernizes historic home haircare solutions that have been passed down for generations.

“I am a part of the lines of cousins and siblings and children that had all reaped the benefits of those home remedies and the ritual of loving ourselves and putting love into our hair,” says Ross.

What’s in The Pattern Treatment Collection?

In the new Treatment Collection from Pattern, you’ll find two products. Both of the products in this line are free from parabens, silicones, formaldehyde, phthalates and SLS products.

The Treatment Mask is the first item product you’ll encounter in the line. It has been formulated with ingredients that both strengthen and soften hair, like moringa seed extra and rice water ferment.

This product sounds like a modern take on Hair Mayonnaise, a product that my mum was put on to her by cousin who swore by its moisturising properties. As I got older, I continued to use it – and, I’m thrilled that there’s a new modern version of it.

Then, there’s the Scalp Serum. This serum is designed to soothe and calm your roots while providing hydration to provide relief from discomfort that can come from tight styles. It has been created with peppermint, rosemary and lavender which sounds like a delicious combination.

To soothe my scalp, I tend to use Wild Hair Growth serum, as it comes in a similar type of bottle with a cone-shaped nozzle and I really like how it eases any itchiness and discomfort. However, the smell is super strong and I’ve read reviews that say it puts people off. So, I think Pattern’s new Scalp Serum is a great alternative with much nicer smelling ingredients.

I’m thrilled about this new range, and I can’t wait to give it a go. I love that the collection is designed to honour our roots, and it’s wonderful to see the haircare traditions that my mum passed down to me are being given new life from a modern brand.

New SheaMoisture Wig and Weave Haircare Line

New Shea Moisture Wig & Weave Haircare Line

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news
New SheaMoisture Wig and Weave Haircare Line
Using tea tree oil, aloe vera and borage seed oil, the new SheaMoisture Wig & Weave haircare line is designed to protect your scalp while keeping your synthetic and natural hair pieces looking lovely.

Shea Moisture is a natural haircare brand that is loved by curly girls worldwide. Now, the brand is looking to cater to a new audience, launching its new line of haircare products for wigs and weaves.

The new SheaMoisture Wig and Weave Haircare line is enriched with tea tree oil, borage seed oil and aloe vera. These nourishing products are designed to keep your scalp and natural hair healthy as you change up your look with different human hair and synthetic hair styles.

Products in Shea Moisture’s Wig & Weave Line

  • Residue Remover Shampoo: a deep cleaning shampoo designed for synthetic and natural hair. It is gentle enough to keep the hair’s moisture and protect from shedding but strong enough to remove adhesive residue.
  • 2 in 1 Conditioner and Detangler: this is a paraben-free leave-in conditioner that you can used to refresh dull hair and detangle matted hair.
  • Scalp Soother: this product is a scalp treatment that alleviates tension from protective styles like braids and discomfort from wearing wigs and weaves.
  • Bond Release Spray:  an alcohol-free hairspray that allows you to safely remove your wig or weave. It is a non-aerosol mist that minimises damage to edges while being gentle on the skin.
  • Bonding Glue: a water-based product to glue down wigs. It is a moisturising hair paste that helps you avoid breakage along the hair line.

What is Borage Seed Oil?

Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement that was primarily used to boost the body’s immune system and prevent joint inflammation, but we’re now seeing it used in many beautifu products. As the ingrident soothes skin, it is perfect for easing the discomfort that can be caused by wearing wigs, weaves and protective styles. Borage seed oil positive influences hair growth, promoting circulation to your scalp.

Where to Buy

You can purchase this new line of products from Target. If it’s not available at a Target near you, you can always choose to have it shipped to your location – and, we’re sure SheaMoisture will have it on their website sometime soon.

If you can’t get your hands on this new range of products, there are a few good wig care brands out there at the moment. We’d recommend Control Wig, Ellen Wille and Eternal Beauty.

Louis Vuitton FW21 Fashion Show Saul Williams Mos Def

High Fashion Designers That Celebrate Black Hair Beauty

by Beth Hansraj, posted in blog, news
A still from Louis Vuitton’s F/W21 Men’s fashion show – a stunning showcase of black artistry.

Earlier today, I watched the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2021 fashion show for Virgil Abloh’s collection “E B O N I C S”. Featuring a beautiful array of black artistry in music, poetry and dance, the video had me floored.

It opens with Saul Williams reciting a poem:

The construct of purity is sullied with every step.
The evidence I carry
The hidden sun in every breath.
My blackest self whose whitest death
Is luxury.
I am no stranger anymore.
The world is love to me.
The snow will melt.
The ice will flaw
And make it up to me.

Then, there’s jazz, there’s modern dance, there’s incredible fashion, there’s Mos Def performing original songs. It’s a lot, and it’s amazing. You really just have to see it for yourself:

Watching this stunning display of black culture left me speechless. It also made me curious, wondering if there are any other maintstream, high fashion brands out there that aim to celebrate black beauty in the same way.

Since this is Black Hair Magic, I was more focused on brands that showcase a variety of black hairstyles. While we are seeing more black models on the runway, what about natural hair? Sure, we see lots of models with shaved hair and flat ironed styles – but, how many brands highlight natural styles like twists, braids and locs?

The answer is – not many. However, the ones that do have quite an impressive array.

Fashion Brands With Great Black Hair Representation

Basically, I scrolled through the Instagram feeds of all of the high fashion houses could think of. The brands that required me to scroll for a while before coming to at least three diverse black hair looks didn’t make the list.

So, that’s not to say that any brands that didn’t make the cut don’t feature black models or models with natural hair. There are plenty that do. This list is simply highlighting the fashion houses that make the effort to include models with a wide range of natural hairstyles.

Versace

Balmain

Dior

Alexander McQueen

Marc Jacobs

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIn_UjbDWVV/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJGh67tDzIN/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVqFDpDvXj/

Why Is It Important?

Of course, there are plenty of black-owned fashion brands out there that you can support. However, it’s important to see diverse representation of black hair in the more mainstream brands who have the furthest reach in the media.

In the high fashion world, showcasing models who wear their naturally or in protective styles shows that black hair can be luxe. It is a symbol of acknowlegement – that you can have locs or cornrows or twists and wear haute couture and look like you belong in it.

There really is still a long way to go in the world of fashion, but this is a good start. Black hair is beautiful, a gorgeous accompaniment to any type of clothing, and we’d love to see more brands sending this message in the future.

Carols Daughter Coco Creme New Curl Shaping Cream Gel with Coconut Oil

New Coco Creme Cream Gel from Carol’s Daughter

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news
Carols Daughter Coco Creme New Curl Shaping Cream Gel with Coconut Oil
Carol’s Daughter has launched a new product in its Coco Creme Collection – Curl Shaping Cream Gel With Coconut Oil, perfect for 4B and 4C curls.

Carol’s Daughter has made a new addition to its Coco Crème collection with the new Curl Shaping Cream Gel with Coconut Oil. The product is designed to shape and define curls with a soft hold to keep your wash and go looking great all day without drying out your hair. While the new Coco Crème Curl Shaping Cream Gel works for all types of curls, it is especially idea for those with 4B and 4C coils.

The Coco Crème Collection

The Coco Crème collection was launched by Carol’s Daughter in 2018 and became a big hit with 4C curlies. Across Youtube, you’ll find vloggers raving about the beautiful results they have achieved and, on Amazon, there isn’t one product in this range with a rating less than 4.5/5. In fact, the Coco Crème Deep Moisture Mask won Glamour Magazine’s Best Drug Store Hair Mask award in 2019.

Carol’s Daughter’s Coco Crème line is known for its “extreme moisturising properties”. There is a full range of products with for all of your 4C and 4B hair needs:

  • Perfecting Water Coco Mist Spray
  • Creamy Conditioner
  • Sulfate Free Shampoo
  • Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter
  • Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Mask

What’s In Carol’s Daughter Coco Crème Products?

In Coco Crème products from Carol’s Daughter, the recipes have been blended using coconut oil, coconut milk, mango butter and murumuru butter. Carol’s Daughter goes for a very natural approach, without using sulfates in the shampoo or silicones, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils or artificial colours in the rest of the range.

 Murumuru butter is an ingredient that we’re just now starting to see in plenty of haircare products. It is called a “miracle” product, known for its ability to lock in moisture to keep your hair shiny and healthy.

To purchase the new Carol’s Daughter Coco Crème Curl Shaping Cream Gel, visit Amazon or Carol’s Daughter’s website.

Your Hair Is Your Crown Book

“Your Hair Is Your Crown” – A New Kids’ Book Celebrating Black Hair

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news
Your Hair Is Your Crown by Tamekia Swint, founder of Styles4Kidz, aims to help black children love their hair.

A new book aims to inspire kids to love their natural hair, no matter what style or texture. Written by Tamekia Swint, Your Hair Is Your Crown is a page-by-page reflection of the stages of hair in a black child’s life – all the way into adulthood.

As the founder of Styles4Kidz, Swint calls the book a “gift to every child she has ever served”. She wants children to love their hair, and her book will be a tool for instilling confidence in them.

Swint and Styles4Kidz

This is Swint’s first book, and she has spent the last 10 years at the helm of Styles4Kidz, an organization that provides haircare resources for adoptive and foster parents of black and mixed-race children. One-on-one training as well as workshops are provided by the organization, helping parents understand how to care for and style their children’s hair.

Your Hair Is Your Crown will be available to buy on February 1st from all major book retailers. All proceeds from the sale of Your Hair Is Your Crown will benefit Styles4Kidz.

Other Children’s Books Celebrating Black Hair

There are a few books out there that celebrate back hair, so Swain’s publication will be in good company. It’s wonderful to that more books are being published to give black children confidence in their hair and skin, in a society that may make them feel ashamed of their natural beauty.

These are some of uplifting books that you can read to your kids about the beauty of their hair:

Penny and the Magic Puffballs by Alonda Williams

A young girl wears her hair in puff balls and discovers that magical things happen when her hair is styled as such. The book was written by Alonda Williams as a love letter to her daughter, who always wondered why her hair was different from her classmates’.

Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron

This is a story about a girl named Brenda’s coily hair, and it is told in the traditional African“call-and-response” style. It won a Parenting Reading Magic Award.

Princess Hair By Sharee Miller

This book celebrates the different shapes and textures of black hair. Blowouts, locs, braids (and many other styles) are represented. It was initially self-published, but was fast-tracked for hardcover publication after it turned out to be a huge success.

Bedtime Bonnet By Nancy Redd

About a young girl who loses her bonnet before she goes to bed, Redd’s publication is the first book to ever highlight the night-time hair traditions of black women.

Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora

This beautifully drawn book gives the fairy-tale of Rapunzel a new setting in Africa and the princess’s long blonde hair has been replaced with locs. It’s a lovely new twist on an old classic.

Color My Fro by Crystal Swain-Bates

There aren’t many colouring books based on black culture – and, only one about black hair. Color My Fro features 31 illustrations of mermaids, warriors, cheerleaders and more to show young girls that they can be anything they want to be while rocking their natural hair.  

MIelle Organics Pomegranate and Honey

Mielle Launches Pomegranate & Honey Line for Type 4 Hair

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news

Mielle Organics has launched a new collection designed for Type 4 hair. In the brand’s new Pomegranate and Honey range uses natural ingredient like babassu oil, honey citrus extracts to give your coils a gorgeous shine while keeping your hair hydrated.

In the new Pomegranate & Honey collection, you’ll find:

  • Leave-In Conditioner: using a blend of natural ingredients like babassu oil and citrus extracts, this leave-in conditioner penetrates hair for long-lasting hydration
  • Curl Smoothie: this is an organic hair serum designed to strengthen damaged hair
  • Twisting Souffle: a styling product for twist-outs, braid-outs and bantu knots
  • Curl Refreshing Spray: this detangling spray provides moisture for a silky feel while helping to prevent breakage
  • Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner: this conditioner is designed to give you hair a silky feel while strengthening hair and locking in moisture
  • Coil Sculpting Custard: this style product provides beautiful curl definition and shine
  • Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo: a shampoo that uses natural ingredients to remove dirt and oil while keeping your hair hydrated

What Is Babassu Oil?

Many, if not all, of the products in Mielle Organics’ Pomegranate & Honey collection contain babassu oil. Normally, when it comes to hair, argan oil, coconut oil and jojoba are the main names you tend hear – but, babassu is relatively unknown.

Babassu oil comes from palm fruit, which is found in the Amazon. It is not to be confused with palm oil, which is extracted from the pulp of the oil palm fruit.

This oil is rich in healthy fatty acids and has many similarities to coconut oil, except it is much more lightweight. Babassu oil is known to strengthen hair while encouraging more definition in curls.

At the moment, babassu oil is not all that common in hair products but that could soon change. With all of the amazing reviews that Mielle’s Curl Smooth has been receiving so far, we wouldn’t be surprised if other haircare brands followed suit in using this babassu oil in their new products.

Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Reviews

Reviews for this range are positive across the board. The Curl Smoothie has a rating of 4.5/5 on Amazon and 4.6/5 on Influenster while the leave-in conditioner has a rating of 4.7/5.

Many customers have noted that these products are very lightweight, but they still manage to provide hold and highlight the texture of their coils. The collection has also been lauded for its ability to hold moisture, leaving hair beautiful and shiny.

14-Year-Old Starts Natural Hair Brand

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news

At just 14-years-old Zhanyia McCullough has launched the first product for her company, Islande Beauty. Her Pracaxi Oil and Kalahari Melon Collection is a hair growth oil designed to not only moisturise curly hair but also improve circulation in the scalp, and more products are in the pipeline for this enterprising young businesswoman.

About Zhanyia and Islande Beauty

Zhanyia had the idea to start her own brand and create her own haircare products when she realized that her hair wasn’t growing as quickly as she wanted it to. As she struggled with her self-esteem, she came up with the idea to develop a hair growth oil that would not only encourage girls to use healthy, natural products but also inspire them to show off their natural curls.

It’s all about finding inner beauty, building confidence, and creating healthy self-esteem in the face of adversity.

– a statement from Zhanyia on Islande Beauty’s website.

Islande Beauty Products

The first product to be launched from Islande Beauty is Kalahari Melon Oil, designed to improve circulation to the scalp while sealing in moisture. It safe for daily use and helps promote hair growth.

The product contains Pracaxi oil, which has been called a “miracle oil” for generations and locks in moisture. The main ingredient, Kalahari Melon Oil is a great source of omega 6, which can encourage hair growth and hydrate the hair.

So far, Islande Beauty has received very positive reviews of its Kalahari Hair Growth Oil. It’s just early days, but the brand has already started making a name for itself, as more and more users continue to rave about their products.

We can’t wait to see what’s next from Islande Beauty. A conditioning treatment seems like the next natural step and this brand could surely pull off a fantastic hair masque.

Dionne Smith Hairdressing Training Doll Ebony

Groundbreaking Afro Training Doll Created by Dionne Smith

by Beth Hansraj, posted in news

Dionne Smith, hairdresser to the stars, has launched a new training doll that will make waves in the hairstyling industry. Ebony is one of the first-ever hair dressing training dolls to feature 4C type hair, and will help educate hairstylists on how to maintain and style natural black hair.

When Dionne started her career in hairstyle, she encountered an issue in her training: the only training dolls available had straight hair. Even 20 years later, she notes that black celebrities continue to be faced with a lack of knowledge when it comes to having their hair styled.

“Throughout my career I’ve been asked to train others on Afro textured hair, but sometimes we’ve either struggled to find an available model at short notice, or the trainee may perhaps feel nervous about making mistakes”

an interview with Dionne Smith in The Voice.

The new Ebony hairdressing training doll won’t just help hairdressers. Dionne hopes that she will come in handy for parents who want to practice styling their children’s hair, and even hair influencers keen on learning something new.

Training dolls with afro-textured hair aren’t entirely a brand new concept, but Smith’s official launch of her own product brings attention to the gap in the market. If you do a Google search for an afro hair training doll, you’ll come up with a few options – but none of the sources seem particularly reputable.

The new Ebony doll has been designed by a professional in the industry with a wealth of experience. Dionne has worked with big names like Regina King, Amber Rose Gill, Mel B and Michaela Coel, and has her own line of hair extensions and styling tools.

The new Ebony hairdresser training doll will be back in stock in summer 2021, as her If you pre-order the doll from Dionne Smith’s website, you can get £50 off the full price of £150.