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If you're an Eighties baby like I was, you probably grew up right along with Regina King. From 1985 to 1990 she played Brenda on '227,' and families around the world watched little Brenda go through the frustrations of growing up every week, as accompanied by a laugh track.

Regina King had an iconic sitcom role, and went on to even more iconic film roles.

Straight outta '227,' she went on to stellar performances in three of John Singleton's classics -- 'Boyz N the Hood,' 'Poetic Justice,' and 'Higher Learning.' She played Craig's sister in 'Friday.' Let's not forget about 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.' Then she turned up the star wattage in 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Enemy of the State.' Regina turned in one of the best performances in 'Ray,' showing her acting chops as the late, great Margie Hendricks. And -- cue a chorus of angels -- Regina King's voice will once again be heard on the small screen, when 'The Boondocks' debuts new episodes on Cartoon Network (according to creator Aaron McGruder, that'll be in May).

Through all of her success and stardom, Regina King has always remained accessible, charming, and amazingly talented -- she doesn't seem like a diva, but more like a really talented actress who could also be the homegirl you grew up with. Love that.

Regina's worn her hair in every style, and at every length imaginable, but of late she's cemented her status as a short hair icon. Short hair isn't for everyone - your facial features become the star of the show once you go short. Regina looks gorgeous with her pixie cut and side-swept bangs - it allows her beauty, and sparkling personality to shine.

To maintain a look like this, you need regular visits to a hairstylist to keep the shape of the style. To keep the look sleek and pretty, try a hair serum. IC Hair Polisher is a classic favorite, but I prefer the scent of White Sands Orchid Oil. If you're seeking a natural oil alternative to the 'cones, try Drops of Nature or the delicious hair oils from Darcy's Botanicals.

Regina recently reunited with her '227' cast on the Today Show. See the video below!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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In my opinion, no hairstyle is more regal, more awe inspiring, more spiritual or more misunderstood than locs. For some, they aren't a hairstyle as much as a religious expression -- the Rastafarian movement is still strong all around the world, particularly in Caribbean culture.

For many others, this strong and beautiful hair has nothing to do with religion at all; it can be more of an expression of self, and pride in one's roots.

Thanks to Twitter, I've had the pleasure of getting to know some of the web's most admired loc experts. The three women featured in this post are all absolutely beautiful, and offer proof that there's nothing "dreadful" about locs!

Toshia Shaw-Lacey is a writer extraordinare. Besides having written a book - her debut novel, High Stakes, drops in April! - she is also a well respected blogger who shares information about locs at On The Road to Queendom. I reached out to ask her about his locs, what led her to the style and what they mean to her.

"I have been rocking the locs for about 9 years, and I absolutely love them! I have never thought about taking them down. I decided to loc because I was looking for a natural hairstyle that would compliment my face, be easy to maintain, and embody my personality. After witnessing Lauryn Hill in all her crowning glory, I decided that wearing locs would be best for me. I love how women appear as if they are wearing a crown, and I do indeed feel regal wearing locs. Although, I am not Rastafarian, I do follow some of the principles. I believe a woman's hair is her crown, it should be cared for and meticulously maintained.

I clearly prefer the term locs because there is nothing dreadful about my hair. The negative connotation associated with the label dreads and where it came from will not allow me to embrace it."

Click here to follow Toshia - AKA Writing Addict - on Twitter.

When I put out the question, "who is the best loc expert on Twitter?" The overwhelming response was Noireboss1, AKA Camille Reed. She is the owner of Noire Salon in Silver Spring, MD, and she is such a source of information and warmth online.

She has had locked hair for 13 years, and found her inspiration in college.

"I was 19, inwards into my freshman year in college and ready to create 'MY' identity as a young lady. I was studying fine art and felt comfortable in that being my time to begin them."

Visit NoireDesignConcepts.com for hair inspiration and information. Photo by Keston Duke.

My favorite loc goddess on YouTube has gotta be Chescaleigh. Franchesca Leigh is a New York-based comedian, graphic designer, and singer. She's amazing! And her hair tutorials are inspired, lighthearted, and fun for anyone to watch (whether you've got locs or not!) She recently did an interview and hair tutorial with Black Girl with Long Hair and revealed her hair history and loc philosophy.

"I started my locs in February of 2004. So my locs are 6 years old this month!

Being natural has had a HUGE affect on my life. Mainly, it's increased my confidence. My hair was such a burden when it was relaxed - financially and emotionally. I no longer have to stress about my hair looking good (I usually just wear it down or in a ponytail) or worry about spending $60+ every six weeks to get a touch up. Also, because I've made a name for myself by video blogging about my hair, I've been given an incredible opportunity to inspire other young women to go natural and have confidence in their natural beauty, which is really cool."

Love me some Chescaleigh. Visit her YouTube channel here.

Who are your favorite loc goddesses online?

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Just about every product on the market makes the same promise to deliver stronger, healthy hair. But what most scientists know, is the whole premise is based on a myth. Because your hair is actually dead.

Don't believe me? Believe the Beauty Brains. In a post titled What Does Your Hair Really Need? they break the whole thing down for laypeople like you and me.

"It's a common misconception that hair can be healthy. Hair can be no more healthy than a shoe lace, a cotton blouse, or any other non-living fiber. The hair on your head is not living tissue. It is dead, keratinized protein. Hair cannot be healthy. Of course, it can look healthy or not-healthy, but that's not the same thing."

Yes indeed, just like the top layer of our skin and our fingernails, hair is made up of dead cells. So why are there so many products out there promising to improve the health of your hair? Because the marketing geniuses know that we're quick to buy into this myth, in the hopes of improving our appearance.

Just because your hair can't actually BE "healthy" doesn't mean it can't grow to be long, strong, and beautiful. The Beauty Brains post underscores the importance of a good, balanced diet as leading to healthy looking hair. Drinking those eight glasses of water a day certainly helps, and it's best to refrain from damaging chemicals, heat and restrictive hairstyles. Protective styles like a simple bun or two strand twists are great for maintaining the length and strength of hair.

In terms of diet, protein is highly recommended for healthy living in general -- vegetarian friends, please don't think I'm exclusively referring to meat! You can get amazing protein from beans, tofu, peanut butter, tempeh, seitan... many delicious sources. Check out this article from the Today Show for suggestions on eating healthier, to improve the appearance of your hair.

What do you do to keep your hair looking healthy?

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But it didn't stop at just two plaits for most of us. If you grew up in America, I think you probably wore "corn rows." In the Caribbean we called them "cane rows," as in sugar cane. Regardless of the name, the style spoke to our shared ancestry - hair-braiding techniques were passed down from Africa, survived the intentional cultural separation of slavery and remains part of our legacy today. And the techniques have become even more intricate, complex and beautiful with time and with practice.

Now that you've got your products, how can you master your technique? There are a number of YouTube experts who offer incredible, free tutorials online for a variety of braiding styles (involving artificial hair, or otherwise).

Expert Village is a channel devoted to the mastery of everything from planting a tree to poledancing, but there are some truly incredible videos on cornrows, reverse French braids, and a braided headband - a trend which looks particularly pretty with natural hair. Braids By Sabrina's channel (AKA The Braid Shop) offers videos that primarily feature artificial hair, and their speed and technique is just incredible to behold.

If you're seeking a hair braiding DVD, I recommend you visit Kristen Lock's website - her Tree Braids 101 and Cornrows 101 videos are both excellent.

What are your hair braiding memories? Do you have any advice to offer hair braiding newbies?

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OK, I admit it - ever since I went natural I've become a product snob. I read ingredients now. When I see Sodium Laureth Sulfate, mineral oil, or petrolatum as key components of a hair product, I typically look the other way. But there's a valid reason why so many of us stay in the hair care aisles at Walgreens, CVS, Duane Reade, Target, and Walmart...affordability. For many of us, a $50 deep conditioning treatment just isn't within our means. And that's OK - because luckily there ARE some good products to be found at the drugstore. Here are my top picks.

Pantene Breakage Defense Deep Conditioning Mask

Pantene's Relaxed and Natural and Breakage Defense lines are specifically meant for women of color, and this natural head found herself quite pleasantly surprised at the results. A deliciously scented, rich deep conditioner, this product left my hair light, fluffy, and had enough slip for me to comb out my tangles easily. Good stuff, and this usually retails for $6 or thereabouts.

Mizani True Textures

Mizani is a brand known and loved by many, and their new True Textures line promises to reach out to those with naturally curly hair. The True Textures Curl Replenish Intense Moisturizing Mask promises to infuse brittle hair with intense moisture, all the better to tame the frizzies and restore order to your natural hair.

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

Cantu is no secret to natural hair divas! This line seems to be exclusively sold on Drugstore.com, and it's the bee's knees as far as drugstore products for natural textured hair goes. Cantu is rich, moisturizing, and costs $4.99. Who loves ya, baby!

Roots of Nature

If you've been watching this space, you're probably familiar with Roots of Nature - the brand endorsed by En Vogue, brought to you by SoftSheen Carson. This hair care line uses natural ingredients like tea tree and wheat protein to strengthen and protect your hair. The Reconstructing Deep Treatment is rich and nourishing, and would work well for relaxed hair as well as natural.

What's your favorite drugstore conditioner?

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From the moment her first song dropped -- the unforgettable 'Getting in the Way' -- she set a new standard. Here was a sista who remained classy but wasn't afraid to be sassy. For the most part, Jill has worn her hair in a curly, natural style -- the video for My Love was a notable exception.

This weekend at the NAACP Awards, she made her glorious return to the red carpet -- and to the stage. I personally loved her cornrows paired with a flowing mane of kinky hair. I thought she looked stunning on the red carpet in that sexy, slinky navy Tadashi Shoji dress.

But I gotta admit, I didn't exactly love the look she wore on stage for her performance of 'Hear My Call.' The shiny satin leopard dress wasn't a fashion decision I'd make, but I applaud her for always being true to herself.

What are your thoughts on Jilly from Philly's glorious come back? Are you as psyched for her upcoming tour with Maxwell as I am? And furthermore, what of the mane? Braided front (though they were a bit tight) and Diana Ross-esque back? Is it too much or a perfect fit? Do tell.

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Most shampoo and conditioner come in liquid form, but for traveling purposes, environmental friendliness, and all around convenience, it's hard to beat a shampoo bar.

For the unfamiliar, shampoo or conditioner in bar form can seem strange. But just like bar soap, all you gotta do is rub it into a thick lather and work it into your hair. Super sudsy, super easy. Here are some of our current favorites.

Lush has an amazing range of shampoo and conditioner bars, but their Godiva Solid Shampoo is my absolute favorite. $9.25, and it makes my hair super soft, clean without being stripped of all life, and potently scented of jasmine.

A new brand on the market, Seed Body Care, is harnessing the power of the grapeseed for their line of soaps, lotions, and yes - shampoo bars. Their Grapeseed Enriched Conditioning Hair Shampoo Bar is both invigorating and nourishing, and the slightly-scrubby texture feels great on the scalp!

Next time you hit up your neighborhood Target, don't skip the beauty aisle! Tar-jay has stepped up their hair, body care, and makeup product selection dramatically. One Bath and Body is among their latest offerings, and this brand is committed to natural beauty, eco-friendly products, and recyclable, plastic-free packaging. Their Hair Biscuit shampoo and Hair Boost conditioner come in embossed aluminum shower tins, and are so ideal for slipping into your gym bag en route for a workout.

Have you tried solid shampoo or conditioner? What are your thoughts?

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Times are tough, and pennies are being pinched all over. For many of us, that means cutting back on life's little luxuries and learning to DIY. Body scrubs, manicures, and pedicures are one thing -- but what about at-home hair relaxers? There are three basic things you should consider.

1 -- Know your brand. Relaxers range from the expensive (Phytorelaxer retails at $60) to the super cheap. I've seen off brand relaxers retail for less than $5. In the age of the internet, there's no excuse for taking a gamble on a product you've never heard of before. This is your crowning glory we're talking about here. Look up the top relaxer brands online, check out message boards, know what you're buying before you hit the store. As seen in the previous post, picking up a bargain can leave you bald. Popular drugstore brands with mostly positive reviews include Dark and Lovely Moisture Seal, Affirm, Soft & Beautiful, Profectiv Anti-Damage No-Lye Relaxer, and Dr. Miracle Thermalceutical Intensive No-Lye relaxer.

2 -- Protect your scalp. When you go to the salon, they usually apply a base to your scalp. Old fashioned Vaseline does the trick, but there are other products you can use. Some people use castor oil, others use a relaxer that includes a base in the package. The ladies of Long Hair Care Forums swear by Profectiv Root Health, available at Sally's Beauty Supply.

3 -- Follow the instructions to the letter. So often we become used to doing treatments and assume we know what we're doing...well, being slapdash and cavalier with a relaxer helped me have a nice big chunk of badly damaged hair in the back of my head, back in my creamy crack college days. Don't rush your relaxer. Take your time, part your hair well, make sure you've got base on your scalp and your plastic gloves on. And after you relax, don't rush to apply color or heat or any additional treatment. Your hair will need time to recover. Use a gentle and nurturing shampoo and conditioner, and sleep with your hair wrapped with a silk scarf, or on a satin pillowcase. Love your hair and it will be good to you!

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There are books upon books, amazing posters, photos, and DVDs dedicated to celebrating so many of Hollywood's lauded beauty icons. But when it comes to finding information about some of the most famous celebrities of color, it seems the same care and attention wasn't paid to cherishing their legacies. Allow us to present an online tribute to one of the most beautiful black celebrities in entertainment history and who has largely been forgotten by the annals of time: Miss Nina Mae McKinney.

In her heyday, McKinney was featured in more than 30 movies -- more than many of her peers, whose names are more recognized as influential black celebrity icons today. She was called The Black Garbo, likening her wide-eyed, mysterious, demure beauty to that of Greta Garbo.

Nina Mae McKinney was part of the chorus line of Blackbirds of 1928, and it was there that director King Vidor discovered her. He cast her in his first sound film 'Hallelujah,' which is counted among the first all-black films ever to be made by a major studio. After this success, McKinney was signed to a 5-year contract with MGM. In the height of the notorious "studio system," her career fell into the hands of those who didn't recognize her potential.

After years of bit roles and scenes left on the cutting room floor, McKinney went to Europe where she found tremendous theatrical acclaim. At the beginning of World War II she returned to America and married jazz musician Jimmy Monroe. But she never regained the fame that she once had. Bit roles in indie films sustained her through the Forties and Fifties. Her last film roles are listed as Pinky in 1949, and Copper Canyon in 1950.

Nina Mae McKinney died of a heart attack in 1967 and her death went largely unnoticed by the media.

Nina Mae McKinney was known for her big, beautiful, expressive eyes. She kept her brows thin according to the style of the times, and she set off those gorgeous peepers with dark, smokey eye makeup. One of my favorite purchases for that kind of eye is the My Smokey Classics palette By Lauren Luke. This makeup case has everything you'd want to create perfect retro makeup.

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Thanks to one of my favorite hair blogs, Black Girl With Long Hair -- I caught wind of this story.

Check it. A black woman in Chicago used a drugstore relaxer that caused her hair to "come sliding off my head."

Peep the video, via World Star Hip Hop.

Having watched that, I have more questions than answers.

1. Hair relaxer by nature is a harsh chemical treatment. But... Sheenique?? Has anyone heard of this brand before? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

2. How long was she wearing the product for? Just 10 minutes? Really? In my experience, people will tell you to just "grin and bear it" while getting relaxed, with the belief that keeping the product in for longer will lead to straighter hair. So that makes me wonder. If that's the result after 10 minutes, imagine if she'd left it in for the whole duration. Yikes!

3. So now thanks to the news report, she'll get to meet the president of the company. And what has she learned from this experience? Will she continue to use hair relaxer, or will she seek other ways to style her hair from here on out?

I'm sure you've got an opinion on this -- what are your views on this video?

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For anyone learning the tools of the trade in beauty school, being a celebrity stylist must seem like a dream. But that dream takes years of hard work and learned skill to reach fruition. Case in point, celebrity stylist Amoy Pitters. She honed her hair extension craft for years, and is considered one of the most skilled in that arena. She's made her name by styling the tresses of Rihanna, Donatella Versace, Alicia Keys, Kerry Washington, Mary J. Blige, and Naomi Campbell.

Just recently she celebrated the opening of her new salon, Amoy Couture Hair on Lexington Avenue in New York City -- and the intimate space was filled with celebrities and well wishers including the hostess Joy Bryant, ever-stylish Phillip Block, DJ Cassidy, Essence.com editor Emil Wilbekin, and fashion designer Rachel Roy.

If you're in NYC and are yearning for the VIP hair care experience, visit amoycouturehair.com and book an appointment!

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Ford model Chanel Iman kicked off the runway show for the ARISE African Collective Part III, donning designs by South African label Black Coffee. The 21-year-old fresh-faced beauty oozed contemporary glamour, so we asked the ARISE glam squad hair lead for the past three consecutive season, Danilo, to break down how you can swagger-jack Chanel's head-turning style.

"Chanel Iman is walking for Black Coffee, and they did some very beautiful deco sort of designs... the most contemporary I've seen come out of Africa," Danilo told us. "The inspiration for the hair was this vision of a very chic woman whose hair looks more futuristic than matronly."

Black Coffee designers Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen wanted models to don updo's to showcase the gorgeous high collars on the coats they sent down the runway. They did not want a typical bouffant, so Danilo decided to make the shape of the hair more square rather than the traditionally round look we usually see with this style.

"The hair is not wide, so when you see Chanel's profile, the hair has Mohawk feel to it, and when she turns around you get detail," said Danilo, whose work can be seen on Miley Cyrus on the February cover of Harper's Bazaar. "It was really about being modern and hot. They hair had to be up, because the collars of the coats are high."

Up your style quotient and try this swept-up modern bouffant with a Mohawk side twist.

The Tools: What you need to get this look at home

1)
1) Holding Spray
2) Bobby Pins
3) Curling Iron
4) Mousse
5) Rat-Tail Comb
6) Bristle Brush

To get this look at home, start by molding a bouffant shape at the crown of your head using a curling iron and comb for back-combing to create a lift. Once you have back-combed the hair to the desired height, start smoothing the hair back so that it can be pulled back into a bun. Depending on the length of your hair, to get the chignon-like shape that Danilo created for Chanel, try using a hair piece or hair sponge that can be used to wrap around your own hair to create fullness. Using bobby pins or a hair comb, pull both sides of the hair taut to create a Mohawk-inspired shape.

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No matter how you wear your hair, health should always be the watchword. It's become more and more of a beauty concern. Finally, some brands are getting the message and delivering the goods. Here are some of the latest products on the shelves, that promise to nourish your tresses.

Here's the scoop!

Carol's Daughter has billed their latest products as The Ultimate Hair Detox. And tomorrow they finally will be available to the public! The Rosemary Mint Purifying Duo are a shampoo and conditioner TKO. Work the shampoo deep into your roots and rub it on your scalp with the pads of your fingers -- the rosemary extract will deliver antioxidants, the marine extracts impart hydration, and the peppermint oil gives a refreshing tingling sensation. The conditioner leaves the hair shiny and moist thanks to jojoba oil. The combination is $28.50.

Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment is now available for sale, and it promises to be "the essential treatment for growing out naturally curly, kinky, and wavy hair." This super rich softening treatment is loaded with shea butter and centella extract, which is regarded as a growth stimulant. At 16 oz for $48 this isn't a cheap product, but if you're a fan of the Miss Jessie's brand, this could be the treatment you're looking for.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil for Hair Treatment is a dense, unrefined coconut oil that can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment, an overnight hair indulgence, or as a supplement to conditioner, to add slip when detangling. How does this stuff differ from the kind of coconut oil you'd use for cooking in your kitchen? It doesn't, really. It's a bit thicker, and contains more coconut solids -- which means more protein for your hair. A 16 oz jar costs $19.95.

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment offers to your hair, what the macadamia nut offers to your body -- nutrition and moisture. You only need a few drops of this oil for shine and weightless moisture. Macadamia Nut Oil also promises natural UV protection, so if you're out in the sun a lot this could be the hair protection you've needed. A 4.2 oz bottle comes with a free wide tooth comb and costs $36.

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A recent post on NPR's blog by Teshima Walker asked the question -- Is Blonde the New Black?

The post took a negative view of the current trend among black celebs -- most notably, at the Grammy awards Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, and Roberta Flack all wore their hair bright and blonde. And golden-hued hair is a big part of Rihanna's latest style transformation. Lo, the video for Rude Boy, where her latest hairstyle is channeling Sheila E. with a dash of classic Salt n' Pepa "Push It" era asymmetry.

Of course I applaud healthy hair, but even though I wear my hair in a proud natural style, that doesn't mean that I automatically assume blonde is a hair choice that reflects self-hate issues on the part of black women.

I've worn my hair in just about every shade of blond there is, from highlights to an unfortunate and brassy all-over dye job in college. Although the percentage of black women who have natural blond hair must be miniscule, there's a reason this style continues to come back in. Blonde is bold. Blonde is bright. Blonde brings attention. And when done well, it can really accent your features.

If you want to see a woman of color rock blonde hair right, look to Mary J for inspiration, and leave the Janice Combs all-over Barbie wig look alone.

I spoke with Nancy Jiminian, color and extension specialist at the Ted Gibson salon. Nancy has worked with the likes of Gabrielle Union, Selita Ebanks, and Joy Bryant. She offered some tips for black women who want to know -- do blondes really have more fun?

It turns out, black women need to be even more cautious when considering changing their hair color. Without further ado, Nancy's words of wisdom!

"You definitely want to consider whether or not they relax their hair. That can determine how strong of a color you can use. Bleach is too harsh for relaxed hair. If you do relax your hair, there are other ways to lift your hair's color rather than bleach. These kinds of color treatments should be done by a professional in a salon. If you do color at home, look for color that's specifically made for coarser hair textures."

"I prefer not to go totally blonde right away -- I usually like to start with some highlights. It's a great introduction to the look, and then you can see if you want to go lighter or go for a more overall look after that. Most women of color I've been seeing prefer a more natural color. They haven't been going too blonde -- it's more of a honey, caramel color. Those are popular."

"If you do decide to go blonde, definitely do weekly at home treatments. Here at the salon we've got the Ted Gibson Treatment hair sheets, and you can use those once a week. Whe you lift the hair color you reduce some of the hair's natural proteins, so it's important to to put those proteins back to maintain healthy hair."

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• Mixed Chicks Hair Products: Created by "mixed chicks" Wendi Levy and Kim Etheredge, this line of hair products is specifically for girls with bi-racial and multi-racial backgrounds. The variety of products work great with multi-racial hair types and smell good, too. To lock in that moisture, I especially love the leave-in conditioner styling cream ($16.99). To check out all of their products, go to mixedchicks.net
• Sunsilk's Waves of Envy or Captivating Curls, or Hydra TLC: What's great about Sunsilk's hair products is that they have different categories that offer regimens depending on your hair type. Whether your hair is wavy, curly, or dry, each of these three product groups offer shampoos, conditioners, sprays and more at affordable prices at local stores like Walmart and Target.
  
• Carol's Daughter: To avoid too much product or crunch in your hair, Carol's Daughter Hair Milk is an all-natural product that you can use daily to maintain curls and smooth frizz. ($12 for 4 fl. oz, carolsdaughter.com)

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The afro has been a striking and significant fashion staple through the years - particularly in the seventies, an afro came to be anonymous with black power, political statements, and reclaiming one's roots.

Today's afros are different.

Today it can be about making a statement, but often you'll find that it's a personal statement of freedom, of beauty on one's own terms, of effortless style.

This is not to say that wearing natural hair is altogether effortless.

Particularly in the early stages of transitioning from using a chemical relaxer, dealing with emerging dense and kinky roots of hair can be daunting. But it's so much easier when you learn to work with your hair's texture and figure out which styling products are right for your hair's needs. I've separated the typical natural afro-textured hair styling favorites into five basic categories, to make the figuring out easier (and more fun).

Oils - naturally kinky, coily hair needs moisture by any means necessary. Some natural haired women notice that their hair loves oil-based treatments. Others may find it's too messy or greasy. My hair happens to adore oils, and the thicker the oil, the better. Virgin coconut oil is amazing for at-home treatments and styling. Castor oil aids in hair growth and is good for styling in cool weather. Adventurous types can buy these from a drugstore or natural foods grocery. Less adventurous types should try Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment. It's amazing!

Creams - Creamy hair products are generally the bee's knees for curly, coily hair. If you're conscious of hair ingredients that can be bad for natural hair (like petrolatum or alcohol or parabens), then you may want to choose creamy products wisely. But if you just need moisture and hold by any means necessary, a creamy product can be your best friend. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk, Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue, Curls Milkshake, and HPO Simply Curly are my current favorites. Oyin Whipped Pudding is on my list of gotta-try products!

Gels - I tend to be wary of gels because they are often made with alcohol, which can be the enemy of natural afro hair. But an aloe-vera based gel will be your fro's BFF. If you don't want to try pure aloe vera gel (which is amazing on its own!) then try Kinky Curly Knot Today, or Curls Gel-les'c on for size. Both products give great curl definition.

Butters - Shea butter is a staple in skin and hair care products, particularly those targeted to people of color. That's because this natural fat that's extracted from the seed of the shea tree is supremely moisturizing. Most hair butters are shea based, and they can be very thick in consistency. But for cold weather fro woes, you can't beat a butter! I know many who buy raw shea butter from websites such as FromNatureWithLove.com. If you'd rather get a blended variety, try out Karen's Body Beautiful's Hair Butter, the thick and emollient Naturi Beauty Quench hair cream or the Avocado Shea Butter from safishaircare.etsy.com.

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