For you androgynous dolls, a box cut is killer. There’s something sexy about its boyish flare. The cut demands that the sides be kept low and the top soar to super high heights. Could you rock it? Here are a few tips.

Keep it Kinky: Those with an amazing zig-zag pattern will love this style. Your strong texture lends itself to maintaining the shape. You can twist, coil or braid your strands to create different versions of the look.

Sans the Shave: Do you absolutely have to shave your sides to rock this look? No. You can fake it by smoothing back a short to medium length style with pomade or mousse. Make sure to keep the volume in the front and you can imitate the look.

How High: Is your hair too soft to stick straight up? Use a little hairspray. Trust us, your hair will survive.

Come with us for more looks and more tips.

Go for a traditional box cut or play with layers and levels in the front.

Loving this look? Allow for greater length in the front that extends out on both sides.

Add a literal punch of color to this look with a bold blonde.

Would you rock a box cut?

Growing out your hair can be difficult, but there are a few things you can do to jumpstart your Rapunzel locks.

Biotin: Yes, Biotin is the original hair whisperer and it does work. However, if you’re looking or immediate results, look elsewhere. This little jewel, a part of the vitamin B family, starts working after a month or so. You’ll also see super growth in your nails and it assists with maintaining glowing skin.

Super Long Oil Conditioning Sessions: Curls need more care. Period. Instead of rushing through your conditioning session with a watery solution that does nothing for your hair, first apply a batch of strengthening oils to really nourish and penetrate the hair shaft. Some of our favorite oils include: olive castor, argan, coconut, neem, sweet almond and sesame. Drench your hair with these for at least 30 minutes.

Clip Your Ends: Naturalistas don’t realize how important this one can be. You compromise growth when you allow split ends to run amuck. Your hair literally performs a balancing act as it grows and splits at the same time. Get your ends clipped every 3 – 4 months.

Mind Your Edges: Are your edges thinning? Use a little Jamaican black castor oil. It changes lives. Apply daily.

Eat Clean: Along with your summer favorites like butter pecan ice cream, incorporate foods that go straight to your strands. For growth, salmon, kale, spinach and nuts should stay on your shopping list. They all promote healthy keratin production.

Check out Tina’s tips to getting this gorgeous “tuck & roll” style.

Sometimes it’s the simplest styles that make the greatest statement. This style is quick, easy and protective, with low manipulation. It leaves you feeling like a sophisticated beauty. – Tina 

1. Using your favorite moisturizer, apply to your hair to revive your mane.
2. If you have a lot of hair volume, use bobby pins to pin around head and reduce the bulk.
3. Place a headband around your head. Use any color and texture you prefer. Leave on your forehead for more of a bohemian look.
4. Tuck and fold the sides and the back of your hair into the straps of the headband. Voila! You are done.
5.  For a video tutorial of this look, click here

Follow Tina aka MissT1806 on Youtube, Instagram and Twitter.

We recently spotted Solange rocking a clear box clutch, so we figured that we’d track a few down. However, there’s definitely some pressure when rocking the barely there accessory. Is the stuff inside your purse appropriate enough for the world to see? Is it cool enough? The clear clutch can either make you an enviable makeup guru or a questionable human being. Check out a few more looks.

Snag it here.

Snag it here.

Create one here.

Check out this adorable hair how-to from Ashley Odom.

“I love my signature twist out because it describes me, full and fierce!!! It gives me the power to embrace my “natural state of mind” in a way that very few can.” – Ashley Odom

1. Detangle your hair into sections using a Tangle Teezer before washing with your favorite shampoo.
2. Apply a mixture of Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner and coconut oil to each section as you begin to twist.
3. Create your front part as desired and two strand twist in medium-sized sections from root to tip. As you finish each twist, roll the ends with a perm rod.
4. Allow the hair to air dry as much as possible. If you will be untwisting the hair the next day, sleep in a satin bonnet.
5. Carefully untwist and separate each strand. Fluff the hair as needed and ROCK IT!

Blog: http://naturallymeashley.tumblr.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/naturallymebyashley

Instagram: @DeepImpact403

Twitter: @DeepImpact403

What do you think?

We must stop and once again marvel Solange’s eccentric curls at last night’s 2013 Grammy Awards. Whether you loved or hated her half-curl, half-fro ‘do, there are a few tips to steal from her faux essence.

1. STRETCH OUT: You can give your hair instant fluff by stretching your kinks. Take a blow-dryer on a medium heat-setting, grab and stretch out a section of curls, and quickly run it along your roots. This will loosen your pattern and elongate your locks. If you’re going for a seriously stretched look, run your blow-dryer quickly across your curls from root to tip. Shake and fluff with your hands.

2. CURL TEASE: Need a little extra height? Take a pick and lift at the root. Make sure that your fingerstyle or twist is firm enough to withstand the pick. You’d hate to actually comb completely through your curls, resulting in a frizzy, not-so-fabulous mess.

3. GO FAUX: If you’re currently growing out your big chop or you’ve reached the annoying mid-length stage, perhaps you should consider adopting some faux curls for a few months to give your hair a rest. Also, your dreams of doing it big like Diana Ross may be far off, so there’s nothing wrong with trying out an alter ego  – via a sew-in -  for a few months.

ESSENCE.com beauty editor Nicole Melton is nothing less than inspirational. The Howard University alum shared some wisdom on how to get your dream job, along with her ultimate curly girl must haves. Dig in.

Who gives you ultimate curl inspiration? 

Nicole Melton: I’ve been inspired by so many naturals, it’s impossible to name just one.  I love celebs such as Tanika Ray and Adepero Oduye.  I also love bloggers such as CharyJay and Baroness Countess.  Overall, the entire natural hair community inspires me. These ladies have so much style, creativity and flair.

What are your top three curly girl must haves?

NM: Huetiful Hair Steamer, Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Treatment and a satin bonnet.

Let’s rewind and go back to the beginning. What was your journalism launch pad that led to your current position? 

NM: I started in high school as editor-in-chief of my yearbook.  In college, I also worked on the yearbook staff and interned at WWD and Suede (awww, RIP Suede).  After graduation, I couldn’t find a job in magazines due to the economy —this was when Honey Mag, CosmoGirl, etc. were all folding and layoffs were rampant. I ended up as an accessories assistant buyer and merchandiser for five years before I said, ‘I need to follow my passion and I need to do it NOW.’ I knew all along I had a PASSION for editorial. I did my best at those retail jobs and am still so grateful for my “detour” and the amazing people I met along the way.

In Jan 2011, I finally made the terrifying decision to quit my corporate job and enrolled in grad school full-time, with no clue where my next paycheck would come from. But God stepped in and just one month later—ONE month later— I miraculously ran into the ESSENCE.com fashion editor Zandile Blay on the New York City subway which led to me landing a paid internship at ESSENCE.com in February 2011. That internship turned into a part-time freelance job in September, a full-time freelance job in January 2012, and, finally, a permanent job in March. My story still humbles me DAILY. God is so good and I absolutely love going to my job every single day. Go forth in your passion and purpose with prayer and focus. He will always open doors that will guide you to your destiny.

What three steps did you take to snag your dream job? 

NM: I know it sounds trite, but network, network, network. I had met Zandile five years earlier. I kept in touch over the years via email and she remembered me that day on the subway train.  Also, proofread your cover letter and resume. It’s a simple step, but I do think typos and errors are the quickest way your resume will end up in the reject pile.  Lastly, clean up your social media feeds.  There is no way I’m recommending someone for a job or internship who is posting all kinds of nonsense on Instagram or Twitter. Trust me, it’s happened. I’ve seen it before and it’s sad.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job? 

NM: There are three, actually.  I love being able to inspire women to look and feel beautiful.  Hair, skincare, and makeup is a large part of who we are and something we all work at every day in our own way. Whether you’re a ponytail and baseball cap kind of girl or you love to go all-out glam, hair and beauty is something we all can relate to in some way.

I also love giving new writers and photographers the chance to have their stories or work featured on the site. The thank you emails I get just warm my heart. I know what it’s like to want just one chance to write for a major website, so now that I am able to give that chance to others is humbling and a blessing.  Lastly, I love being a part of the Essence legacy. Essence has meant so much for so many Black women for decades and I’m honored to contribute to such a strong brand.

How important is your hair? 

NM: I’m a big advocate of letting women know that our true value does not come from our appearance, but it comes from Christ.  Today, if you asked me to do the Big Chop, I would do it and not care.  I’m always going to keep my hair healthy and presentable, but I know my light comes from God, not a twist-out.

What’s your daily muse? 

NM: I don’t think I have one. lol

Are there any undiscovered beauty treasures in NYC?

NM: If I had to name one, it would be my dermatologist’s office. Her name is Monica Schadlow at Sutton Place Dermatology. I battled adult acne from 2010 to 2012 and I’m finally back to maintaining normal skin.

What was it about “beauty” that lured you to that specific beat? 

NM: It was definitely my acne dilemma.  Nothing was working for a long time and I was very discouraged. It wasn’t until I began to really research skincare and discover the science behind sebaceous glands, hyper pigmentation and glycolic peels that I got really interested in skincare. I also went natural in 2010, so that journey brought me to the whole natural hair blogosphere, YouTube and product junkyism. lol.  Prior to 2010, I was completely obsessed with accessories, which is what I did for five years in my previous jobs.  I still LOVE a good “jewelry jam.” (Note: “Jam” is a Nicoleism that’s added to the end of things she loves. We also dig “salad jam.”) I’m truly blessed to be able to work in both fields in my career thus far.

We’d be surprised to find out that Essence.com is…

NM: Our team is really like a family.  I love my coworkers to pieces!   The media and entertainment industry can be really cut-throat, but I have not experienced that at Essence.com at all.  Also, there is a lot more that goes into our jobs than just writing posts for the site.  Writing is just one piece of our jobs. We all have to monitor the site traffic, do extensive photo research, build relationships with publicists and brands, attend planning and brainstorming meetings with other departments, learn to edit images in Photoshop and Lightroom, produce stories in our content management system, manage freelancers and manage social media.

Whew! That’s one hardworking gal!

Whether you’re a natural newbie or a transitioner, ridding of your treasured headband can be hard. Most textured beauties begin their natural journey by pulling back their curls into a puff because they don’t quite know what to do with their mass of curls. Though the elastic headband is a quick fix for bad hair days, it doesn’t have to be a staple. Mind these tips that take cues from the photos above:

1. Let it run wild: Sure, you blame your affinity for pulling your curls back on the fact that your hair sticks up every which way when it’s free. Well, it’s supposed to. Adjust your thinking and consider a how a side or middle part will change the direction of your curls, thus changing the look. Also, fingerstyle or twist your wet curls in the direction that you love the most.

Many curlies can’t experience the true beauty of their curls because they haven’t given it a good detangling. Apply your Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment, use a wide tooth comb, and really discover your mane’s shape and length.

2. Swap out a headband for a hair tie: An amazing print or boldly-colored hair tie looks like a concerted effort.  It also allows for creativity with a curly bang, soft bun or cool vintage look. For fluffy hair with soft hold, try Mizani True Textures Curl Soft Moisturizing Leave-in Crème.

3. Try an up & away style:  A protective style like an elaborately-twisted ‘updo can assist with growth and a lack of ideas. Twisting hair up in the back or just on the side instantly gives you a new look. Since you’ve mainly been wearing it back, consider pulling your curls toward your face. Keep your edges sleek and smooth with Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges.

*Products can be found in the January 2013 curlBOX. 

In this new segment, we’ll showcase the latest gorgeous, curly styles, along with suggestions from your current curlBOX.

Whether you’re a buzzed babe rocking the big chop or a lover of a fresh cut, wearing short natural hair requires a few simple tips.

1.  Consider your shape: A buzzed fade simply requires the assistance of a good barber, but a professional cut is essential for growing out your tresses with ease. A tapered neckline always accentuates your style and fret not, the curls at your neckline tend to grow at a rapid pace, so you can keep it trimmed until you allow it to grow evenly with the rest of your mane.

A high top fade a la Grace Jones is a look that can be achieved with any pattern. They key is to focus on maintaining volume up top with shorter sides. You can also fake this style by smoothing back your edges and using a pick to lift at the roots near the front.

Tired of your short cut? Get creative and add faux textured pieces to keep it funky. Check out the Kanekalon braided bun above.

2. Choose definition: Focus on showing off your pattern with your short cut by using a styling aid that firmly sets your look. Start with Isabella’s Own Sulfate Free Shampoo to soften your curls. Use a dollop of Nubian Heritage Treatment Masque and detangle with a paddle brush. Style in-shower or following your conditioning session with Olive Oil Ecostyler Gel. If interested in wearing the style for a few days, use your fingers to gently coil sections and set under a dryer.

3. Refresh daily: You don’t have to do a wash-n-go every day to maintain your look. Instead, use a satin scarf or bonnet to preserve your look at night and use a spritz of water in the morning to reactivate your product.

*Products are available in the December 2012 curlBox.

Airest Newsome | Founder | Heritage Brand 

Where are you?
I currently live in Charlotte, NC

Day job ?
I am the founder of natural hair care line Heritage By Airest and I am also a natural hair stylist.

Side hustle?
My job is Heritage 24/7!

Go-to hair product?
The product that I use most is our Heritage Moisturizer.  I use it at least twice a day just to add extra shine and moisture to my hair.  I also use it for twist sets and underneath my Flaxseed Gel for and extra shiny wash and go!  It has so many uses!

It’s Friday night. Where can we find you?
Home. Hot bath. Candles. Wine.

It’s Sunday morning, and you are…
At church and then brunch with the girls! It’s pretty much a ritual- a new spot every Sunday!

Who would you cast to play you in a movie–and why?
Sanaa Lathan- When I had relaxed hair people use to tell me I looked like her!  She is a great actress and I believe she could capture my quirkiness well on film.

What do you want to be your legacy?
It is my purpose to build a notable beauty and lifestyle brand for men and women with natural hair.  Not only will the brand itself be my legacy but also the notion that you never fail at anything until you give up!