And what’s a beauty rule you think is BS? 

I’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with short hair. I was always told, “You’re a big girl, so you have to have big hair to look slimmer.” And I’m like, well, what if I don’t care about looking slimmer? So, that’s one of those rules that’s BS to me. That is some bullshit. I’m going to wear short hair, and I’ve had a lot of fun with pixie cuts.

Fill in the blank. I love my hair…

I love my hair the more I put love into it.

What’s a way you show your hair love?

Man, I show my hair love by leaving it the fuck alone. I’m one of those girls that will fidget with her hair. If I get bored or if I’m sad or depressed, I’ll bleach my hair or cut my hair off. I’ll change it all the time. The best thing I learned about her on my head is to leave her alone, give her a break, give her a vacation.

If you could only use three beauty products for the rest of your life, what are they and why?

I’m going to go with my every days. I would say I need an oil. I have a collection of premium oils that I put on my body every single day, but I’m going to choose one out of all of them to make you happy. There’s a shop in Leimert Park in L.A., and they make these oils and body creams from scratch with Shea butter, and there’s a coconut body oil that I would use every day. 

And then rosewater on my face and my body—I put rosewater everywhere, if you know what I’m saying. And castor oil for my hair; I need something for up there. Just something to help the growth.

What’s your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?

I’ve recently discovered the joy of sitting and doing nothing. I’m always having to do something, ever since I was a kid. Always working, working, working, or playing, playing, playing. I’ve recently just sat and done nothing and realized, oh, this is nice. So I think quieting my mind, meditation, and doing nothing.

Meditation is hard. I started off by just listening to frequencies or chill music or nature—I love nature, rainstorms, and the ocean. And then I kind of fell off of meditation real bad, and I haven’t been able to sit still for nothing. So I got the Headspace app, which is a really cool app for beginners, to get back into meditation again.

After building a career as a senior communications analyst, Tanaye White made the decision to pursue another passion – modeling. In 2018, after being named a finalist in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2018 model search, she pivoted full-time and hasn’t looked back since. 

Recently named a 2021 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie, White has worked for brands including Fenty Beauty, Urban Decay, and Victoria’s Secret, all while continuing to advocate for greater diversity and representation in the industry. For her Sport Illustrated shoot, she made a point of wearing her hair out in a natural afro to showcase that Black hair is not only beautiful, it’s sexy too. 

For White, the journey of going natural started in 2016. “For pretty much my entire life I was getting my hair straightened with a hot comb,” she tells Glamour. “I got my first relaxer at six, so I actually never knew the true texture of my hair until I  cut it all off in December 2016. I was just ready for a change and had been slowly growing out the relaxer so I could already see little curls coming in. I was like, Okay, let me just go full throttle. And it has definitely been a journey of self love in and of itself.”

White describes herself as being “very diligent” when it comes to her wash day routine. “I set aside either Sundays or Mondays, always washing my hair at least once a week. If I have a photo shoot where I have a lot of extra products in my hair I might even do it twice.”

After a photoshoot back in 2018 that left her hair significantly heat damaged, the model has been working on restoring it’s natural bounce and softness which takes patience and consistency. To strengthen her curls, she does a rice water treatment at the start of each wash day. “I wash the rice, then I’ll soak it for two to three days. I’ll like to add an orange peel in it just to make sure the smell doesn’t get too bad. Then, before I go through my wash and conditioning process, I spray the water in my hair section by section and let it sit in my hair for one to two hours before rinsing out.”

For the latest Wash Day Diary , White breaks down the rest of her routine, from the shampoo and conditioner duo that have left her curls feeling soft for years to the curl gel she swears by for avoiding white flakes post-twist out. 

Shampoo

For my washing and conditioning, I really love the Shea Moisture Manuka honey line, the one with the blue label.  I’ve been using it for the last few years and I just love how soft and bouncy my hair feels afterwards. 

Conditioner

Deep Conditioner

 Sometimes, if I really need a deep treatment, I will go ahead and apply Camille Rose’s deep conditioning cream and I’ll let that soak in my hair for an extra 10 minutes before I rinse it out.

Hair Moisturizer

My favorite go to style is a bit of a twist out are or finger shingling  – there are a few different names for it. I section my hair in four quadrants and then I start with moisturizing. I love the Curl Love Moisture Milk by Camille Rose, it has rice milk in it, as well as macadamia oil. I add a small amount to my hand and start to apply to each section. 

Hair Oil

Then I’ll follow up with their Cocoa Nibs & Honey Growth serum, which has helped my hair maintain moisture. 

Curl Gel

Then finally, to get really defined curls, I will go ahead and use Camille Rose’s Curl Maker, which has  marshmallow and agave extract. I really love this particular gel simply because it doesn’t leave a cast on my hair. A lot of times, with other brands that I’ve tired, if I put the cream in my hair and then pick it out, I’ll start to notice these white flakes after it’s dried down. And I’m just like, Oh, this is so sad because I worked this hard and now it looks like I have dandruff all over me which defeats the whole purpose.

Edge Control

I feel like in the last five years or so, baby hairs have become a thing again. And I’m a person who was, for a long time, against them. But during quarantine, I was able to master the art of baby hairs – adult hairs that just happen to be small and in the front of your head. 

For lot of girls who have 4C hair, I feel like they think they can’t achieve the look because they feel like it’s for a specific texture. And I want to combat that idea, because it’s not true. My two favorite brands to use are Ebin’s 24 Hour Edge Tamer and Style Factor’s Edge Booster –I get the white one, which is coconut and banana. What has worked for me is using a  toothbrush to lay down the edges on the side or the front, however you like it, and then laying your edges with a silk scarf or wrap for about 20 minutes.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

After giving it some thought, the actress recently decided to switch up her look and shaved the side of her head. “Right now I have the side shaved in the back, shaved cute.” While her thick, full hair was “very beautiful,”  Pratt felt like it was starting to become a distraction. “I kind of got to the point where I realized that I was hiding behind my hair,  I would, like, add hair to cover my arms and I was like, you know what? If I cut my hair, my face is going to be the main focus.” An added bonus – less hair means less room for tugging. 

For this edition of Wash Day Diaries, Pratt walks us through her favorite products for the tender-headed gals who want to get a deep clean and walk away with healthy, moisturized hair for days. 

Shampoo

I combine Taraji’s shampoo and conditioner that come in the  blue bottle. And then I get a little extra and do a deep cleanse with her Master Cleanse treatment. Being a young woman who has had to wear a lot of weaves in my day, working in the industry, I make sure I get to the root. These little prongs get that minty, peppermint feeling to the scalp and it feels amazing. 

Scrub

Taraji has this sugar scrub that I apply after sectioning my hair. Oh my goodness, I absolutely love it.

Mask

When I was younger and working on a show, they colored my hair blonde and I didn’t realize that they were actually bleaching my hair because it was my first time. I just knew that they were doing something crazy. So I was like, OK, after every episode we shoot, I’m going to go to the house and wash my hair thoroughly, then I’m going to sleep with a hair mask on. And it’s something I continue to do. 

I like to switch between TPH’s Mother Earth clay mask and a natural one I make at home. After I use Mother Earth, my hair just feels so moisturized and rich and and healthy the next morning, and that’s all you want. As a woman, when your hair is not feeling right, you just don’t feel good.

For the natural mask, I follow a recipe I got from a friend. I mix up some avocado, mayonnaise, castor oil, olive oil and an egg. This one I don’t leave on overnight. I’ll leave it in for maybe, like, an hour then wash it out. You do want to make sure you get all the food out, because, you know, that’s a little scary.

Leave-In Conditioner

I love the company Pretty Strands,  I actually saw them on a friend’s page. I had never heard about them before but my friend’s daughter has very long and beautiful hair so I’m always like, what are you using? Oh, let me see, you know. 

I sleep with my leave-in conditioner even though some will tell you to leave it out. But it helps protect my hair which is being touched and tampered with so much. 

Heat Protectant

There’s only one that I use and it’s this one by Tresemme. I didn’t really learn about heat protectant until I got older and had kids. People would say, oh, now that you’re blow drying their hair make sure that you protect it from the heat. I wasn’t doing that for myself but this spray is now a staple.

Styling Tools

I use the Yellowbird blow dryer that I stole from my friend’s Instagram. Then I go in with my flat iron, the baby blue BaBylissPRO. I’ve had it for a while and it straightens the hell out of everything. 

Gabrielle Union has played some of the most beloved characters on screens both big and small with classics like Bring It On and Being Mary Jane, and during the past year the actor and trailblazer shook up the beauty space with her hair-care line, Flawless.

An advocate for diversity and representation in Hollywood, Union remembers growing up and longing for the bone-straight hair she saw in magazines. “When I was eight, I begged my mom to get a relaxer,” she tells Glamour. “I wanted hair that swished and moved and all of that. I wanted my hair to be straight, presentable, and pretty.” Today she likes to experiment—from blowouts full of body to gorgeous fros—and wanted to develop products that would not only encourage Black women to play with our looks but protect and strengthen our hair while we’re at it, as hair health is of the utmost importance to Union. 

The actor created Flawless with longtime hairstylist Larry Sims to celebrate and nurture every beautiful kink and curl whether it’s in its natural form or heat styled. Some of the star ingredients include Brazilian bacuri butter, coconut oil, biotin, Amazonian pequi oil, and Himalayan moringa oil, which work together to repair and hydrate all natural hair textures. 

For hair inspiration, “I pay a great deal of attention to black women on the street and on social media,” she says. “The new trend in DIY hairstyling is fascinating, creating such a unique and innovative community of stylists, and I am here for all of the creativity.” 

When she isn’t breaking down natural-hair-care tips as part of Sally Beauty’s new DIY University, Union is taking time for herself, to make sure her mind and body feel the love too. Below, she shares her Wash Day Diary, for days when she wants to let her curls be “free and healthy.”

Shampoo

I begin with cleansing my hair with a generous amount of Flawless By Gabrielle Union Hydrating Detangling Shampoo. I love its scent. The Brazilian bacuri butter and acai palm oil smells so good and makes my shampoo wash invigorating.

Conditioner

After two washes, I apply the Flawless 3 Minute Restoring Conditioner in my hair to condition and bring back moisture. Moisture is key for my natural hair. It does the trick in three minutes, but I generally keep it on a bit longer. I always want to do everything to protect my hair from breakage. When I want to give my hair some extra TLC, especially in between my protective styles, I apply the Flawless Repairing Deep Conditioning Masque treatment. It’s infused with a biotin and rice oil complex to rebuild and restore strength while repairing damage. I generally sit with it for 15 to 20 minutes. Then I rinse out and follow up with the Flawless conditioner.

Leave-In

Once it is all rinsed out, I’m now ready for styling, but before we start the look, I spray the Flawless Leave-In Detangling Conditioner all over my hair. The bacuri butter and coconut oil takes me to a tropical place, but most importantly, it does three things all in one to my hair: detangles, hydrates, and softens.

Heat Protectant

Finally, depending on my desired look, I set my hair under the dryer, then air-dry or blow-dry my hair using the Flawless Smoothing Blow Dry Cream. A tip I learned from my friend, business partner, and stylist, Larry Sims, anytime the hair and scalp are exposed to heat or the sun, use the Flawless Shine Enhancing Heat Protection Spray to protect hair from damage. So I make sure it’s always part of my routine.

Styling Tools

My favorite styling tools are the Ion Carbon Rat Tail Comb, Evolve Triple Styler Edge Brush, GymWrap. I’m a natural-hair girl, and they all do a great job of ensuring minimal or no breakage when styling my hair. And of course, they are Black-owned businesses, so I must support. For headwear, Grace Eleyae makes the best turban and headbands in literally every print. Smartly designed, the silk lining gives my hair needed extra protection.

For most of us, greasy hair is inevitable at some point or another. But—as inconvenient as it can be, especially on days where you have no time to hit the shower—it’s a somewhat misunderstood issue. 

Having an oily scalp isn’t in itself bad—natural oils actually protect your scalp from environmental damage—but there can be too much of a good thing, especially if you have fine or straight hair. Excess oil can make your hair feel limp, lifeless, and a little grimy, even if you do have time to shampoo every day. 

Luckily there are a ton of easy fixes you can make that don’t involve tossing your hair into a ponytail (though that’s always a safe bet). We spoke to hairstylists about why you get oily hair in the first place, and the best tips to manage grease. 

Why does my hair get greasy?

Just as with the skin on your face, the sebaceous glands on your scalp produce oil as a protective barrier, and to keep the skin from drying out. And just as with your face, some people simply produce more oil. “Everyone’s scalp is different,” says Lauren Grummel, a New York City hairstylist. “The amount of oil your scalp produces is generally based off genetics.” 

If you’ve always had greasy hair, chances are it’s genetic. But if it’s a new change, it could be due to the products you’re using. Grummel says that overwashing your hair is also a common cause of a greasy scalp, as this can kick oil production into overdrive since your scalp is trying to make up for the lost oil. 

It could also be a seasonal thing. “Twice a year you may be more prone to things like thinning, hair loss, static, or greasiness,” says celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko. “Be aware of these and adjust your products accordingly. More importantly, ride it out. It will pass.”

How to get rid of greasy hair

The obvious answer here is to wash your hair, but for those days when you can’t make it to the shower, Grummel says to reach for the dry shampoo. However, she says to use it only when you need to, as it can make oil worse in the long run.

“Dry shampoo can clog the pores on your scalp,” she says. “Just as we wouldn’t wear the same makeup on our face without washing it for days, we shouldn’t leave on and add styling  products to our hair for days and days. But dry shampoo is great if you know you’ll be washing it out the next day.” 

You can also try washing your hair less. While this seems counterintuitive, it will actually slow oil production down in the long run. Start by washing every other day, slowly working your way to once or twice a week. While there may be an adjustment period, it will eventually level out.  

The best shampoos for greasy hair

If a greasy scalp is a new problem, Polko recommends looking for keywords like clarifying and detoxifying on your shampoos. She also says to try a scalp scrub to banish product buildup. “It’s important to start at the scalp—you need a fresh scalp to keep hair healthy,” she says. 

“Finding  the right shampoo and conditioner makes all the difference,” says Grummel. She suggests trying shampoos that are paraben- and sulfate-free, as they’re gentler on your hair (she loves  Act + Acre’s products for the scalp). She also recommends seeking out ingredients like tea tree oil, thyme extract, and rosemary extract, which balance oil production. “Witch Hazel is [another] known natural antiseptic that helps detoxify the hair and scalp. It also tightens the cuticle, adds radiance, and restores balance so that hair looks and feels soothed and softened.”
 

How to prevent greasy hair 

To prevent a build-up of oil and product, Grummel recommends using a prewash like Kevin Murphy’s Maxi Wash once a week before your regular shampoo and conditioner for a deep cleaning. She also recommends applying your conditioner with your head tipped upside down, so you can really focus on the ends. “This will guarantee that conditioner won’t get on your roots, making your hair greasier.”

She also says to make sure you’re thoroughly washing your hair. “Sometimes two or even three shampoos are necessary, especially if you haven’t washed in a few days and have product build-up.” Once your hair is dry, Grummel recommends brushing with a boar-bristle brush like a Mason Pearson to make sure the oils from your scalp are evenly distributed. 

Finally,  you can always just work with what have.  “Don’t fight your hair’s natural oil, and avoid overusing dry shampoo to prevent your hair from becoming dependent on it,” says Polko. “Greasy hair is the best for a slicked back look. Consider a tight pony or bun, or a half-up hairstyle.” She likes to use a hair mask like NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Treatment Masque to slick back second- or third-day hair for extra moisture, or suggests using clips or headbands to hide any grease. 

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

While she might be a makeup mogul now, where Selena Gomez tends to make beauty headlines is her hair. She didn’t land a Pantene deal a few years back for nothing. From trendy curtain bangs to a vintage shag, the singer isn’t afraid to mix it up—and she looks incredible every time. 

From the looks of her Instagram though, she’s been keeping things constant since the pandemic started. In most of her photos her hair is her natural deep brown, and she’s rocking her waves. Perhaps, like many of us working from home, she’s been taking this downtime to get her hair in tip-top condition. 

Recently on her Instagram story she gave her followers some insight on the product she’s been using to keep her hair looking and feeling great. “My hair has been feeling so healthy because of my girls @incommon” she wrote on the slide, accompanying a photo of her holding a bottle of In Common’s Magic Myst. 

The brand was created by celebrity hairstylists Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri and is beloved by celebrities like Hilary Duff and Emma Roberts. The brand calls the Magic Myst “vitamins for your hair,” and it’s basically an all-in-one product that “enhances, strengthens, and restores your hair’s unique balance with repair and hydration.” It seals the cuticle to repair and prevent damage, and can be used as a detangler, heat protector, or curl enhancer. 

This isn’t the first time Selena Gomez has lifted the curtain behind her hair routine. In 2016, the singer told Vogue about her dedication to deep conditioning treatments. “One of the most important things for me is my hair,” she said. “I’ve always been about my hair, and I love that my mom and my nana taught me how to take care of it myself. It goes through a lot every day, but I try to keep it healthy. I have to admit, it can get a little dead on the ends. I like to leave conditioner on overnight sometimes—I’ll wrap it up and let it sit.” 

She also revealed that she was “addicted” to Pantene’s Air Spray. “There’s no alcohol in it, so I literally just coat my hair in it before I go on stage,” she said. “I do my dramatic hair flip, and I just coat it. It doesn’t feel like it’s damaging my hair, I can tell.”

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.

There’s no denying that having grace for your natural texture can be a challenge, but nailing down a wash-day ritual that works for you is a huge step in the right direction. Ahead, Mouzon Wofford breaks down the secret sauce for her biweekly ritual, from her affinity for cold showers to braiding as a meditation practice.

Cleansing + Masking

Whenever I notice my hair is quite dry, I know it’s time to get it back in shape. I use Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar to cleanse—it gets rid of any product buildup without stripping my hair, and it also makes my hair really smooth and shiny. I start out by pouring about an ounce of ACV into a mason jar and diluting it 1:1 with water. I use it to wet my hair completely as a pre-rinse, and on days I want a deeper cleanse, I’ll turn it into a hair mask with bentonite clay.  It’s messy as hell and such a process—but it’s really incredible for a deeper weekend treatment.

Conditioning + Detangling

After the ACV, I twist my hair into into four to six sections, depending how lazy I’m feeling. I take one section at a time and soak them with water. Then I use Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Quinoa Co-Wash (the directions say four to eight pumps for your whole head, but I do like 10 pumps per section). After I fully saturate my hair with that, I run my hair briefly under water again to make sure it’s fully saturated with the product and water to get a really good slip, and then I finger-detangle before twisting each section. I don’t use a brush or a comb because they disrupt my curl pattern—my curls just don’t look right after. Finger detangling allows me to be more gentle, so I don’t feel like I’m ripping tangles out.

When finger detangling, I start at the ends, and work my way up to the root. It takes around 20 minutes, which is enough time to really let the product sink in and help my curls form. If I use a heavier deep conditioner that comes in a tub, it’s too thick and buttery, and I don’t get that good slip. But if I do anything that’s too lightweight or too curl-enhancing, it dries my hair right out, and my curls don’t really form. So this is like a Goldilocks product for me.

A Cold Rinse

Once that’s done, I rinse my hair with extremely cold water because it helps to lock in shine and cut down on frizz. It’s not my favorite thing to do in the wintertime, but it’s really, really good. In the summertime I take totally cold showers. It’s so good for your body to immerse yourself in that cold, and it tightens everything up, so I feel very energized and like I just did a crazy workout after. Even if I go out for a walk on a really cold day, my skin always looks great. When I rinse, a good amount of the product washes out but not necessarily all of it. There’s definitely still product in my hair, but not, like, visible white conditioner.

Drying + Stretching

The next thing that I do is grab the softest cotton T-shirt I can find, and tightly wrap my hair up in it as if it were a towel, and tuck it in at the nape of my neck. It combats frizz while my hair dries, while stretching the curl pattern. I’ve found that the biggest difference in being able to manage my hair has been getting it relatively stretched, rather than a straight wash-and-go (otherwise it’ll get super frizzy). This is when my hair is in its most fragile state, so I leave it alone and let it dry about 80% in the shirt, and get dressed while I wait. Ten or 15 minutes later, I remove the T-shirt and my hair is mostly dry and somewhat stretched.

Locking In the Moisture

Next, I apply some kind of oil to lock in the moisture. Lately I’ve actually been using this body butter by my friend’s company, Yesfolk. They mostly make kombucha, but they have this crazy awesome product that’s totally natural. No fragrance or anything. It’s just a really nice natural blend of butters and oils, and I realized it’s great for my hair. I just dab my finger in there and rub it between my hands to melt it, smooth it through my strands as much as possible, and get to my next step of stretching by letting my hair dry 100% in braids. I divide my hair into two sections down the middle, rub the product in, and make sure to get my baby hairs, my ends, and up near my roots, where I tend to get a halo of frizz. I’ve found that the more natural it is, the better it will work for my hair, but if I really want to slick things down, I’ll use a little bit of Jamaican Black Castor Oil before adding a scarf.

Braiding + Maintenance 

I’ve really come to love the braiding portion, which used to be a point of frustration. I used to be so resentful at the fact that I couldn’t just do a wash-and-go, because I’m very low maintenance. But the braiding part is actually so cathartic. I aspire to have a meditation practice, but at this point, braiding my hair is my meditation. I tightly wrap my hair up in this satin scarf I’ve had as long as I can remember to help prevent any fizziness (my biggest culprit) on top as it dries. I leave it on for at least 20 minutes, and then I have my hair in the two braids, fully dry, and I usually just leave it for few days before I wear it out. Or I’ll rebraid it into small individual sections—almost like box braids, but minus the extensions.