The Best New Beauty Products Launching in February

We may be in the midst of the shortest month of the year, but with winter dragging on and spring so close yet so far, we’ve always found February to be when we need a little extra TLC. Whether it’s a skin-refreshing at-home facial or a must-have new highlighter, or even a bold eyeshadow or nail polish shade to add some colour to your days, we’ve rounded up the February 2021 beauty launches that will remind you that spring is just around the corner.

O.P.I Hollywood collection

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in “I’m Really An Actress”, $13 at Amazon

Launched earlier this month in celebration of OPI’s 40th anniversary, the brand’s Hollywood Collection features 12 shades that celebrate “then” (with a nod to vintage Hollywood glamour) and “now” (with this season’s It shades). The standout of the collection? The launch of “I’m Really an Actress,” a glittery, updated version of the iconic bestselling shade, “I’m Not Really a Waitress.” The brand, which is known for its collections inspired by famous cities and destinations around the world, chose Hollywood as its anniversary collection tribute because it’s the “home state of OPI” says OPI co-founder and brand ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann.

Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder

Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder, $45 at Sephora

Rounding out Kosas‘ tinted skincare lineup (featuring Tinted Face Oil, Revealer Concealer and Sun Show Bronzer) is the brand’s latest release, Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder, which launched on February 9. The sheer powder is formulated with liquid skincare actives (like bamboo stem extract and passionfruit leaf extract) to offer shine control and blurred skin, without clogging pores or feeling (or looking!) cakey. Available in 10 different shades, the light-as-air powder can be used as a finishing touch or on its own for a subtle smoothing effect.

Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick

Westman Aterlier Lit Up Highlight Stick, $64, Holt Renfrew

Launching February 14 exclusively at Holt Renfrew, this gel highlighter stick from Westman Atelier, celebrated makeup artist Gucci Westman’s beauty brand, couldn’t be easier to use. One quick swipe imparts a jelly-like, subtle glow that’s never sparkly or over the top. Formulated with Vitis Vita Grape Extract, the highlighter also promotes the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the skin.

CTZN Gold Eyeshadow

CTZN Cosmetics CTZN Gold Eyeshadow, $24 at ctzncosmetics.com

Ready to up your makeup routine again after a dreary January? Launching February 24, CTZN Gold is a gel-to-powder formula in a metallic shade that was specifically formulated to include a shimmering gold hue that’s universally flattering on all skin tones. The vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow is long-lasting and crease-free, so it’ll stay put (and vibrant) all day long.

Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial

Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial, $85 at charlottetilbury.com

Launching February 18, the newest skincare hero from Charlotte Tilbury is an exfoliating blend of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid and much more, to slough away dead skin cells that contribute to rough texture, dullness and dryness. The Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial acts fast to reveal brighter, smoother skin while simultaneously providing the extra hydration your complexion needs post-facial, all in one easy step.

Missed our favourite beauty launches last month? Check them out here.

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Here’s Everything To Know About the Peloton Tread, Launching in Canada Today

It’s finally here: the long-awaited Peloton Tread is now available in Canada. Can the American company, known for its at-home exercise bike with a months-long waitlist, make a treadmill covetable? If anyone could, we’d bet on them. At the core of Peloton’s success is, yes, its fancy high-end equipment, but also its energetic, hurts-so-good instructor-led classes, from HIIT and bootcamp to cycling and running. The Peloton Tread combines the sleek design the brand is known for with useful functional changes. For instance, it swaps the traditional digital speed and incline buttons for two (highly addictive) knobs that make levelling up your run almost, dare we say, fun. We connected with Peloton superstar instructor Jess Sims to talk about the benefits of running and how to ease back into it, plus why the Peloton Tread completely changes the indoor running game.

Give me the Peloton Tread pitch: why are you excited about it and why should other people be hyped about it too?

My favourite thing about it is the speed and incline knobs. They completely change the game. In class, when I say, “Every time the song says this word, we’re going to add 0.1 to our speed,” it’s so easy to do with that knob. It’s just so user-friendly. It empowers you to go faster and to go higher up on that incline because you know you can take it down as quickly as you put it up.

The other amazing thing is how it makes you feel like you are in a class, which is so important right now when we can’t go to studios. The screen is right there in front of you. It’s so crystal clear that you actually feel like you’re in the room with the instructor. [The instructors are] always looking right into the camera, talking directly to you and motivating you to keep going.

What type of runners is the Tread geared to? Newbies? Ironman racers?

We offer so much content on the Tread. We have walks, we have power walks, we have hikes — and those are at all levels. Then we have a walk plus run, a 50/50 split of walking and running — and those are important. When I talk to anyone who says they hate running because they get so sore, I’m like, okay, well, how long did you run for? And they say 20 minutes. Well, when was the last time you ran? They’ll say, oh, five years ago I used to run every day.

Guess what? In five years, your body has lost its ability to adapt to the impact of running. In order to run long-term and make this a lifestyle, you have to do 30 seconds of jogging, 30 seconds of walking — or 45 seconds on, 45 seconds off — and build yourself up. And that’s exactly what these walk plus run classes deliver. If you’re very, very beginner, it’s going to be a very light jog. If you’re more intermediate, it can be a run.

Once you get into running, all the runs are levelled. There’s beginner, intermediate and advanced. We have 10-minute classes and 60-minute classes, so it really eliminates any excuse or reason as to why you can’t take a class.

On top of all that, we have bootcamp. That’s why we say that our Tread is more than just your typical treadmill, because it’s a full-body piece of equipment. In a bootcamp class, you’re running, then you get off the tread and you go onto your mat and you’re lifting weights, so you get that hybrid.

Peloton Tread, from $3,295, onepeloton.ca. Photography courtesy of Peloton.

How many times a week should someone be running based on their experience?

It depends on your goals and your current fitness level. But in general, for a beginner, I recommend doing walks and walk-plus-runs two to three times a week to start. For intermediate, I would say three times a week starting off with the 20-minute classes. For more advanced runners, like someone who does the Ironman, maybe five times a week. We have tempo runs — which are very important for marathon runners and racers — where you’re running at a very challenging pace for the majority of the class. I would recommend doing a tempo run, an endurance run, some intervals and definitely taking strength classes because we know that helps prevent injury and build the muscles that help you get even faster and stronger.

What are some general tips on running form?

Eyes are always up. Never look down — there’s nothing for you on the ground. Keep your chin parallel to the floor. Shoulders are down, away from your ears. You want to keep your elbows bent at 90 degrees, and you’re going to pump them back and forth, swinging like a pendulum by your side. Imagine that you have ice cream in your hand: you want to have a little bit of tension, but not too much tension where you would crush it.

For your core, you want slight tension. Don’t hold your breath, of course, but think of that [contraction] you would make if someone would sucker punch you in the stomach. Keep your pelvis tucked under – a lot of us accidentally arch our back while we’re running. Pick your knees up and flip your heels up towards your butt. When you’re in a walk, you start on your heel. When you’re in a jog/run, you are more mid-foot. When you’re sprinting, you’re on your forefoot.

What advice would you give someone to get excited about getting back into running?

One thing that I like to say is you don’t have to run, you get to run. Just shifting that perspective. A lot of us, whether or not you’re a former athlete like myself, used to be punished with running. When we shift that experience to this is something that we get to do, it takes the pressure off of ourselves.

And start off doing less: less is more and slower is more. Even if you can go for a sprint right now from here to the next block, it doesn’t mean you should. For someone who is just getting back into it, take your time, understand that it’s a journey and understand that it’s a beautiful thing. It’s a time for you to be alone with your own thoughts, stay super present and not worry about your to-do list.

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’90s Supermodel Carolyn Murphy on Being the Face of One of the Longest Beauty Partnerships Ever

The word “iconic” is tossed around with reckless abandon these days, peppered generously throughout social media captions and comments, making it difficult to avoid and nearly impossible to discern the ironic from the genuine. (Was that Twitter exchange between two fast food chains truly iconic? Debatable.) Luckily, every once in a while we’re reminded of those pop culture figures who have stood the test of time and left a lasting impression on their industry. Enter: Carolyn Murphy. The supermodel was named Vogue/VH1 Model of the Year Award in 1998 and has appeared on countless magazine covers and runways throughout her career, which has spanned over 30 years — and counting.

Photography by Steven Meisel

Perhaps her most well-known role is as the fresh face in over 100 (!) Estée Lauder campaigns. This year, Murphy is celebrating her 20th year with the brand, making it one of the longest partnerships in the beauty industry. Iconic, non? To make things even more celebratory, Murphy’s 20-year anniversary just so happens to coincide with the brand’s 75th anniversary. In honour of these milestones, we caught up with Carolyn Murphy to learn about the last 20 years of her career with Estée Lauder.

 

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Is there a particular moment working with the Estée Lauder brand that you’ll never forget?

“Definitely the beginning. I’d just had my daughter and I was still breastfeeding — there was milk everywhere,” she laughs. “When I first got to the office to meet Leonard and Aerin Lauder, it was kind of like a Pretty Woman moment. I had been living on a farm and was definitely out of touch with beauty and fashion so I had on a white button-down, a pair of slacks and flats, no makeup, my hair pulled back. Aerin Lauder pulled me aside and said, ‘You have a couple of hours, maybe go zhuzh up a little more.’ It was said in a way of empowering me and [encouraging] me to have fun with it. So I got my hair done, I got some makeup, and I bought this really sexy outfit and a pair of heels. Then that first shoot that we did for Advanced Night Repair, I was still nursing and my daughter was on set, and I wasn’t feeling my sexiest because I’d just gotten a divorce. I just remember being on set and feeling so beautiful in this beige negligee. When I saw the ad I was like, ‘Wow I didn’t know I could look like that.’ I didn’t know that I could look sexy. Those moments are special.”

Speaking of growing up on a farm, you’re known for your love of nature and animals. How does that influence your work?

“We all have our places of solace and that is it for me,” says Murphy. “Being more of an introvert, and being raised with a reverence for nature, that’s just what makes me feel good. I think we all have a duality to us in some way or another, and a lot of people, especially during the time of COVID, have learned the importance of being in nature. That has been a real luxury for me. Having the job that I do has afforded me to spend more time with my daughter and to be in nature more.”

 

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Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self about your industry?

“Relax a bit more and [don’t] try to do it all,” says Murphy. In the past, “I put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything — to be the mother, the father, the breadwinner, to be in the public eye. That pressure can be intense, but I used to feel guilty when I said I needed to take time off. So I would say to my younger self to make sure that I follow my heart and to not [feel the need] to explain myself.”

How has your beauty routine changed during quarantine?

“I have more time on my hands, so I’m experimenting more and indulging more for sure,” says Murphy. “A nightly bath was a real treat [before] but now I’m like ‘OK, it’s that time again.’ Also my daughter and I have our beauty nights on Sundays — I didn’t know this but I guess it’s called ‘self-care Sunday’ — and she’s like ‘Mom, you should probably be taking more pictures and posting when you have your Advanced Night Repair Mask on.'”

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A New Stüssy x Comme des Garçons Fragrance + Other Beauty News This Week

Skincare Brand JB Skin Guru Relaunched with a New Name, JB Skin Sävvi

 

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Montreal-based skincare brand JB Skin Guru, founded by Jennifer Brodeur — facialist to Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey — recently announced the brand’s new name, JB Skin Sävvi. The relaunch represents the brand’s “devotion of always putting knowledge and education at the fore front of all we offer,” according to an Instagram post revealing the big news. “Our goal is to assist you on your journey to loving your skin, and as a result make the best choices for yourself.” The plant-based skincare brand revealed major packaging changes, too; all of their boxes are now carbon-neutral, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, and 100% recyclable. The bottles are now made of glass and all of the features are recyclable, except for the pumps in the cleanser and toner bottles.

SheaMoisture Launched The Salon Relief Fund to Support Black-Owned Canadian Businesses

 

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This week, SheaMoisture Canada launched a grant program called Salon Relief Fund to offer financial support to Canadian Black, female-owned salon businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This program is our opportunity to demonstrate SheaMoisture’s ongoing commitment to overserve the underserved, and support our community in meaningful ways” said Michelle Osei-Bonsu, associate brand manager, Unilever Canada. The Salon Relief Fund will award two grand prizes (a $7,000 grant and a $3,000 grant) along with eight runner-up prizes of $750 worth of SheaMoisture products. Salon owners can apply now; applications will remain open until February 28.

Goop Announced the In Goop Health Virtual Summit

 

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Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop has announced that the second virtual symposium, In Goop Health: The At-Home Summit, will launch on March 6 and feature tons of A-list guests (like Gabrielle Union and Tracy Anderson) as well as workshops on meditation, sexuality and master classes on beauty, fashion, food, sexuality and more. Tickets can be purchased starting now until March 4. All content will then be available for guests for four weeks (March 6 to April 2) following the summit.

Stüssy Partnered With COMME des GARÇONS on a New Fragrance

 

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The latest launch in the long-standing and beloved partnership between Stüssy and COMME des GARÇONS is here, and this time it’s in the form of a fragrance called Laguna Beach. With notes of moss, atlas cedar mix and white solar flowers, the fresh, aquatic scent is meant to evoke the mood and essence of Laguna Beach — laidback and, well, beachy.

Sephora Announced its Latest Beauty Insider Charity Rewards Program Partner

Photo via Sephora Canada

In honour of Black History Month, Sephora Canada has announced its latest Beauty Insider Charity Rewards Program partner, Tropicana Community Services. The Ontario-based organization provides a full range of services to youth, newcomers, and all people of Black and Caribbean heritage in need of support. From now until March 1, Sephora Canada’s Beauty Insider Loyalty Program will enable clients to redeem their BI points and donate funds to Tropicana Community Services.

Verb Launched a New Volume Texture Powder

 

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Verb’s latest launch, Volume Texture Powder, just launched and promises to deliver instant volume to fine, thin hair. Formulated with pro-vitamin B5, tapioca starch and glycerin, Volume Texture Powder simultaneously hydrates strands while it provides lift and texture. “We’ve been testing the Volume Texture Powder for years to find the perfect formula that gives just the right amount of lift, while still allowing you to be able to brush through your hair,” says Verb Founding Member, Claire Moses. “There’s no reason you should have to wash a stiff residue out of your hair after using your volumizing products.”

Non Gender Specific Announced New Sustainable Packaging Initiative

 

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To celebrate the three-year anniversary of its launch, gender-neutral skincare brand Non Gender Specific just announced its new sustainability initiative, which includes new eco-friendly packaging that’s manufactured with 100% renewable energy and made from 80% post consumer waste and 10% hemp paper. Since the transition, Non Gender Specific’s new packaging has already saved 13 trees, 1,100 gallons of water, 46 pounds of solid waste, and 5,700 pounds of CO2.

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Uniqlo’s Musée du Louvre Collection is Coming + More Fashion News You Might Have Missed

There’s plenty to talk about in the wide world of fashion this week, both on a local and global scale. From a new partnership between Uniqlo and the Louvre to Nike’s new adaptive shoe style, here’s the fashion news you need to know.

Uniqlo will launch a Musée du Louvre Collection on February 12

Photography courtesy of Uniqlo.

Incorporating original designs for its women’s UT (Uniqlo T-shirt) line as well as a covetable selection of men’s styles created by famed graphic artist Peter Saville, Uniqlo’s upcoming Musée du Louvre offering marks the beginning of a four-year partnership between the Japanese retailer and fabled French institution. In the first batch of pieces from the union, available on February 12, you’ll find wearable takes on some of the Louvre’s most well-known collection items like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo — meaning you can admire these masterpieces sans the trip to Paris.

Marine Serre dropped a new anti-pollution face mask

Photography courtesy of Marine Serre.

There’s sadly no end in sight to when we’ll stop wearing masks in public, but thankfully, fashion brands continue to innovate with their face covering offerings. Cult label Marine Serre just announced it has collaborated for a second time with French mask specialists R-Pur on a new pollution-filtering design for Spring 2021. The timely launch features two takes on Serre’s ubiquitous graphic prints, and speaks to “a product that nowadays is a must in our daily life,” as Serre notes in a press release.

Naatal partnered with Farfetch to highlight Black fashion creatives

Photography by Kenny Germé.

Global multimedia brand Naatal, which amplifies the contemporary cultural output from Africa and its diaspora, has joined forces with e-tailer Farfetch to create a platform that promotes the ideas and work of Black creatives. To celebrate the launch, which was timed to Black History Month, Balmain’s Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing, speaks to the importance of his muses — Grace Jones, Josephine Baker and Beyoncé — as well as the cultural importance of Black style, and what it was like creating Balmain’s latest collection during lockdown (pieces from which you can also get your hands on via the site).

Nike announced its first hands-free shoe

Photography courtesy of Nike.

Boasting a bi-stable hinge and midsole tensioner that allows for a shoe to be put on and taken off without the use of hands, Nike’s new Go FlyEase style is set to change the shoe game forever. The inclusive design has already found a fan in Paralympian Bebe Vio. “Usually I spend so much time to get in my shoes,” the champion fencer said in a statement. “With the Nike Go FlyEase, I just need to put my feet in and jump on it. The shoes are a new kind of technology, not only for adaptive athletes but for everyone’s real life.” Now available for select Nike members, the Go FlyEase will have a wider launch later this year.

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ALT and DVF Talk Studio 54 with the AGO + More Canadian Fashion News To Know

The upcoming AGO Talks event features André Leon Talley and Diane von Furstenberg

Photography courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

As part of the programming for its Studio 54: Night Magic exhibit, the Art Gallery of Ontario will host fashion industry legends — and avid Studio 54-goers — André Leon Talley and Diane von Furstenberg for a virtual conversation on Tuesday, February 9 at 7pm EST. The hour-long free event will offer an intimate look at the iconic editor and designer’s insights into the unrivalled style moments of the ’70s; dressing up for the occasion is obviously encouraged.

IZ Adaptive launches several styles of its Game Changer pant

Photography courtesy of Iz Adaptive.

With the allure of a great pair of jeans as its inspiration, the Game Changer Collection is the latest innovation from IZ Adaptive, the accessibility-centric brand launched by Toronto-based designer Izzy Camilleri over a decade ago. “It’s the most important work I’ve ever done,” Camilleri says of the designs, which feature a seamless, pocket-free back to prevent the onset of pressure sores that wheelchair users can develop from sitting on such detailing all day. Denim versions come in blue and black styles, and there are chinos and sweatpants to choose from, too. And, there are versions for kids in the works as well.

Hayley Elsaesser introduces new accessories made with recycled plastic

Photography courtesy of Hayley Elsaesser.

Incorporating some of the most beloved prints from her eponymous brand, Hayley Elsaesser dropped a selection of charming earrings and necklaces fabricated from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The nostalgia-tinged pieces are hand-assembled in Elasesser’s Hamilton, Ont. studio, with the necklaces available in two lengths to suit your personal preference.

Révolutionnaire has collaborated Roots with on a new t-shirt

Photography courtesy of Roots.

Founded with the purpose of “democratizing dance” and “revolutionizing nude apparel,” and now incorporating a wider scope of social empowerment initiatives, Révolutionnaire — a platform managed by sisters Nia Faith and Justice Faith — has partnered with Roots on the creation of a t-shirt to celebrate Black History Month. A donation from the sales of the shirts will go to The Black Academy, a Toronto-based division of the arts-focused not-for-profit B.L.A.C.K. (Building A Legacy in Acting, Cinema and Knowledge) Canada.

There’s a limited edition ring out from MDG Jewellery x Neophyte

Photography courtesy of MDG Jewellery.

Love is in the air, and Toronto-based MDG Jewellery has teamed up with the boutique Neophyte to offer a heart-shaped ring for the month of February. Set with a striking black onyx and customizable with your choice of birthstone, the made-to-order talisman is only on offer until February 28 so make your move accordingly.

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Amanda Gorman Wears Canadian Label Greta Constantine on the Cover of Time

It’s safe to say that Amanda Gorman is having a moment. The 22-year-old National Youth Poet Laureate captivated people worldwide with an inspiring appearance at U.S. President Joe Biden’s January 20 inauguration ceremony. Clad in a marigold custom Prada coat and ruby satin headband and earrings gifted by one Oprah Winfrey, the young writer recited an original poem entitled “The Hill We Climb.” Shortly thereafter, the Harvard graduate signed a contract with IMG Models and now, she appears on the March cover of Time Magazine—wearing a sunny yellow creation by Canadian designers Greta Constantine, no less! (To make the cover even more compelling, Gorman converses with none other than former first lady Michelle Obama about art and identity in the accompanying feature.)

 

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To say this is major would be an understatement. We caught up with one half of the Greta Constantine design duo, Kirk Pickersgill, who started the brand in 2006 with Stephen Wong, to get the inside scoop on how this milestone unfolded.

Congratulations! Tell us how this happened.

From start to end, the process was truly organic. We received a note from our showroom team in Los Angeles that a stylist we often work with, Jason Bolden, was in need of a pair of dresses from our Spring 2021 collection for Amanda Gorman. The dresses were currently in production but how could we say no! The garments were packed and sent overnight to Los Angeles and we were crossing our fingers that — considering the ongoing situation and the challenges so many of the couriers are encountering — it would even arrive in time. Once we saw the package was signed for, we knew the first hurdle had been crossed but the next hurdle would be even tougher.

Fast forward to the day of the shoot and as we were packing up to leave the studio, an email came through sharing that the garment had been photographed. Exciting, but as the team pointed out, this was no guarantee of inclusion in the publication. That evening, I had ordered pizza and with RuPaul’s Drag Race in the background, I received a text message from Brooke, the founder of our LA showroom, asking me to call her. Seconds later, I had a trio of calls coming through: one from my colleague Jesse, who oversees our communications and sales, another from Brooke herself, and a third from an unknown number which I assumed (correctly) was the pizza delivery driver. Priorities being priorities, I grabbed the pizza and dialled the other two back.

“It’s official,” Brooke said. “You got the cover.” I was speechless, and in a way, I still am.

Can you describe the dress in your own words? That yellow is so joyful.

The dress is from the Greta Constantine Spring 2021 collection. We began designing this collection in August 2020. After months of panic and fear brought along by the ongoing situation, we wanted garments that excited us — styles that evoked a sense of hope. Sweatpants, for all their comfort, don’t inspire you to begin your morning on a high. Somber colours don’t inject your afternoon with a smile. And by committing to producing bright, structural garments, we were looking to bring a smile on the face of both the wearer and the beholder.

If you look at the look book image itself (below), the model is also smiling. After months where we had no choice but to take everything seriously, this was the dress that would invite you to let your guard down and simply be.

The dress from the Greta Constantine spring 2021 collection worn by Amanda Gorman on the cover of ‘Time.’ Photography Carlos + Alyse.

What was your reaction to finding out that Amanda Gorman was wearing Greta Constantine on the cover of Time?

Truthfully, I grew very emotional. It was a gush of excitement. The accomplishment was a testament to our hardworking team, from the pattern drafter to the cutters, sewing, quality controllers, and packers. That garment was the product of not one but many.

It was also validation of our brand. It was recognition of our Jamaican roots and Canadian upbringing. It was an approval to be and look different in an industry that has a tendency to look very much the same. And what excited me most was that this photograph was so much more than the fashion. It was about capturing a moment in history that celebrates Black creativity in all of its beautiful, challenging, inspiring forms.

How are you going to celebrate this moment?

In all honesty, the celebration is the image itself and the fact that we are all part of this historic moment. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming in the best way. Seeing the faces of our team light up at the recognition tastes so much better than Champagne ever can. That’s not to say, of course, that there isn’t Champagne to be had.

What’s your mood after experiencing this milestone and as we enter the second month of 2021?

I am elated. I am proud of the resilience we have shown to find ways to survive at a time when our industry, from independent designers to retailers, is hurting. There is so much more we must do to get through this but this photograph will keep me pushing, creating, and dreaming.

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Texture Talk: 4 Protective Hairstyles That Will Give Natural Hair Life

Through all the twist-outs, wash-and-gos and high puffs in my six years of being natural, protective styles that use synthetic or human hair extensions reign supreme as my favourite way to style my afro-textured hair and help it thrive.

From cold winter air to wet summer humidity, protective styles tuck your own hair away from the elements, encouraging growth and moisture retention. They also prevent product overload and keep your hands out of your hair which helps avoid breakage, says Zaynab Logun, a stylist in Edmonton who is known for her protective styles that incorporate extensions. Installing may be time-consuming at the get-go, but adding in hair is key to making protective styles long-lasting and low-maintenance, which will make your morning routine a breeze. “With extensions, a hairstyle can last up to six to eight weeks,” says Glenna Sandy, a Toronto-based stylist who has been styling natural hair for over 15 years.

But here’s the thing: Sandy says people can make the mistake of turning to these styles when their hair is too fragile to support the added hair, so to avoid damage, make sure your hair is well-moisturized and fairly healthy before trying them out. Logun and Sandy recommend prepping your hair by washing and deep conditioning and using a light leave-in conditioner. Next, it’s important to choose a style compatible with your hair texture and density (the number of individual strands per square inch on your head). If your hair is fine and low density, you risk breakage with a heavy style. And when done the right way, protective styles shouldn’t hurt you or your head, so avoid styles that are too tight, which can cause headaches and traction alopecia.

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up four popular added hair protective styles to consider for your next in-salon appointment and the key need-to-knows for each.

Box Braids

 

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Box braids are three strand braids that get their name from the square parting that is often used when doing the style, but they can refer to any parting shape. Classic box braids involve parting a section of hair, wrapping extension hair around it and braiding the extension hair with your own. A variation of this style are knotless braids, where the braid starts with your own hair and extension hair is then fed in as you braid. This particular style is low-tension, lightweight and currently Logun’s best selling hairstyle. For both styles, a smooth synthetic hair like kanekalon is used.

Chair time: This style typically takes three to six hours to install depending on the size and length.

Life span: Box braids last six to eight weeks with proper care.

At-home maintenance: Sandy recommends spritzing your scalp with rose water daily to hydrate and clear buildup, and oiling your scalp once a week to keep it moisturized. Both hair experts like castor oil. If you wash your braids, use a clarifying shampoo but skip conditioner, as it’s hard to rinse out and it can cause buildup. Tying your hair up and covering it with a silk or satin scarf or a bonnet while you sleep will keep your braids fresh.

Senegalese Twists

 

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Senegalese twists are a two-strand braiding technique that takes extension hair and twists it together with your natural hair from the root. Traditionally kanekalon extensions are used for a silkier finish but the same technique can be done using kinkier textures of synthetic hair, often called marley hair. A variation of this style are passion twists which are done with curly synthetic hair, creating a textured look. Passion twists can be installed by crocheting; taking pre-twisted hair and using a crochet tool to loop and tie the twist into single braided or cornrowed hair. Crochet styles provide low-tension and lightweight alternatives to traditional twists.

Chair time: Generally two to six hours.

Life span: Senegalese twists lasts six to eight weeks but passion twists typically last only three weeks because of the hair texture.

At-home maintenance: Unlike braids, your hair is less secure and washing it will cause your hair to stick out from the style, so stick to oiling your scalp and spraying rose water to keep buildup at bay.

Faux Locs

 

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Meant to imitate natural locs, faux locs are created by wrapping hair, often marley, around braided sections until the entire braid is hidden. Faux locs are a higher-tension style, so if you have fine hair, crochet locs are a good alternative. These employ the same technique as crochet twists and take less time to install.

Chair time: Faux locs can take five to 10 hours depending on the length and hair used. For crochet locs, it takes about two to four hours.

Life span: This style can last up to two and a half months, but beware of keeping it in too long as the take-down process becomes harder.

At-home maintenance: Faux locs can’t be washed so stick to the same scalp cleaning and moisturizing methods, like rose water and castor oil. If you have issues with buildup, Logun suggests using a face towel to scrub your scalp with shampoo and then using a wet towel to clean residue.

Fulani Braids

 

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Fulani braids are named after the traditional cornrow styles of the Fulani people, who live mainly in West Africa. Using kanekalon hair, this braiding technique incorporates smaller cornrow patterns divided in the centre, as well as cornrows braided towards the front at the sides of your head. Sandy notes that language is fluid and stylists define Fulani braids differently, so make sure to find an inspirational photo of the style you want.

Chair time: Three to five hours.

Life span: You’re looking at about three weeks before your cornrows begin to frizz.

At-home maintenance: Any water will contribute to aging the style faster, so skip the rose water spray for this style and just oil your scalp. The cornrows allow your scalp to breathe and be easily moisturized. As always, cover your hair when you sleep to help prolong the style.

The post Texture Talk: 4 Protective Hairstyles That Will Give Natural Hair Life appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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