Category: Hair

Hair, Naturally curly hair, Naturally wavy hair, hair products

2022-04-06 Hair

About time-saving hair towels & new busy mom life

Charlotta wearing a white top in a home beauty routine

Ad: Aquis Finland

 

Now, more than ever, I appreciate beauty products that make my life easier. As a new mama I don’t have as much time to spend on my looks as I used to, but I try and make the most of the time I do have.

Even though I’m busy taking care of someone else, I still want to look good myself. I want to wear some makeup, have clean hair and nice clothes. Just for myself. And also probably for others. It might sounds superficial, but it really isn’t. Having the time (however little) to put into my looks, makes me feel sunny on a cloudy day.

And writing that down, I feel like I need to explain myself, which gives me even more reason to say it out loud. It’s okay to want to care about your looks, even with the baby. Mum guilt, I’m silencing you!

Charlotta with a baby during busy mom life

Finding my way as a mom – and as Charlotta

I used to never understand mums, who highlighted the fact that they were also, well, themselves. That they also did this and that. I just saw them as they were, just also as mums. Well, now I get it. I get the importance of – in a way – separating myself from the constant mum role. Of having some time for my own things or hobbies. Of also remembering Charlotta as a friend, as a blogger or as a girlfriend. Just as Charlotta.

Being a mum feels natural, yet it’s new. I’ve never been this alert the whole time. Or had this much responsibility. Or having my brain be so full and empty at the same time. I’m actually scared of scheduling dinners with friends – what if I have nothing to say and all I talk about it is the baby?

I am me, but I am also finding my way. And I guess that’s fine. I try not to stress about having my life perfectly together – or our apartment in order for that matter. Life revolves around our family now. At home. Enjoying the little things. Taking little moments for myself, so that I can be the best mom possible.

Taking care of my physical form is one way for me to do that. And oh boy, how wonderful it feels! Carrying our baby in the house, passing a mirror and seeing a refreshed Charlotta. Even if it was just concealer hiding the dark circles, that no one notices anyway. Or wearing a nice shirt, even though it’s gonna have either milk, drool or some other liquid on it (it’s just gonna happen).

Charlotta after a quick beauty routine at home

 

Aquis time-saving hair towels for busy routines

Taking a hot shower is one of those moments, I try to cherish. I breathe deeply and recharge. But I have to admit that washing my hair and drying it can feel like work. And yet I would like to enjoy clean hair and my natural curls even just at home.

So when I do wash my hair, I appreciate a product that makes the process quicker – and nicer, might I add!

If you’ve been here before, you already know I love Aquis towels. Now as a mum I have even more respect for these time-saving towels.

Aquis x alice + olivia hair turban

I’ve raved about these towels in my Aquis fast-dry towel review, hair growth and care tips, and Curly Girl everyday product post, but let’s once again go through the basics.

  • Made from special fabric that dry the hair 50% faster than a regular towel
    – while being gentle on the hair
  • They work for all hair types, but are especially great for naturally curly hair
    – they help to bring out curls and waves
  • They keep my hair healthy and shiny

It’s a joy to rave about these products time after time. I’ve used them for over 2 years now and during that time I’ve managed to grow my hair long and healthy.

Aquis towel wrapped around damp hair

I usually first gently dry my hair with the towel and then wrap my hair in a turban. The turban is a lifesaver. You can just put your hair up and let the turban work its magic, while you do important tasks. Such as entertaining the baby (or whatever hundredth task you need to do at home).

 

You could also get away with just the turban and that’s actually what I pack if I travel.

I’m wearing in the photos the alice+olivia turban. It has a silky side, which can be used to protect the hair (and curls) in the night!

Aquis hair towel and turban in use

 

For quick beauty tips and hair updates between posts, follow Instagram @charlottaeve.

2021-03-22 Hair

Simple routine with 4 products for curly & wavy hair

Briogeo products and Curl Charisma gel on wavy hair

Ad:Godies

Simple routine for curly & wavy hair

You can easily get the best out of your natural curls or waves with a simple routine. It’s not rocket science to tame and define those natural waves or ringlets!

I know that a lot of people don’t even give their curls a chance, once they get overwhelmed by the information overdose regarding The Curly Girl Method. I understand. But for now, forget about all the rules and intricate techniques.  Simplicity works and here’s a four product routine to prove that. I urge you to try this.

Jasmin before and after a curly hair routine with Briogeo gel and Aquis turban
My sister Jasmin’s before and after this routine. I applied gel to wet hair and a bit more after drying it with the turban.

Wavy hair after a simple four product curly hair routine

Annika before and after the four product curly hair routine
My sister Annika’s before and after using the 4 product routine mentioned in this post. I applied gel after drying the hair with the turban.

Close-up of Annika's waves after the Briogeo curly hair routine

Simple four product routine for naturally curly or wavy hair

I washed and styled my hair using the methods and products of this post. Furthermore I tested this routine on two of my sisters, who have wavy hair (and who normally don’t treat their hair like this). The results are amazing, as you can see. It really doesn’t take that much more for the curls and waves to appear. You might be surprised!

4 products for naturally curly hair:
*Briogeo Superfoods Matcha + Apple Replenishing Shampoo
*Briogeo Superfoods Kale + Apple Replenishing Conditioner
*Briogeo Curl Charisma Frizz Control Gel

+ a satin sprunchie for style and night

Briogeo Superfoods shampoo and conditioner bottles

 

1.Wash with Be Gentle Be Kind Apple Replenishing Shampoo
This shampoo is gentle, yet cleans well without drying out the curls. Really massage your scalp and rinse out the shampoo.

If your scalp feels oily or your hair has some product leftover, shampoo twice. Double shampooing might be good technique for anyone who struggles with scalp problems. I swear it’s not too much, especially with this shampoo.

 

2.Condition with Be Gentle Be Kind Apple Replenishing Conditioner
Be Gentle Be Kind conditioner is ideal for different hair types, because it offers a good slip to the hair, smooths down any tangles and is very lightweight. Work the conditioner in the lengths of your hair and untangle any knots so that your hair feels sleek. Rinse out the conditioner.

If your hair is very dry, you can rinse out the conditioner lazily, leaving a bit of conditioner on the hair.

Aquis hair turban for drying naturally curly hair

 

3.Dry your hair using a hair turban
After shower, scrunch out excess water from your hair. Then dry your hair using a hair turban. Using this special towel really makes a difference, because it absorbs water from the hair faster than a regular towel, it’s more gentle on the hair, gives the hair more shine and helps define those curls.

How to dry your hair to bring out the curls: Scrunch out water from your hair with the narrow side of the turban. It’s all about squeezing and scrunching, no rubbing. Then gather your hair in one pile on the wider side of the turban and wrap it up to let your hair dry inside the turban for 10-30 minutes.Animated demonstration of drying curly hair with an Aquis turban

4.Scrunch in gel to either wet or towel dried hair
The best styling product for waves and curls is a gel. Briogeo’s Curl Charisma gel is a trusted product, which I’ve used for years. I’m pretty sure this is my fifth tube already. The gel is easy to use, because it’s so lightweight yet it offers a nice, soft hold. I love that, because I like my hair to feel like there’s not really product in it.

If you notice your curls forming better when they’re more wet, you might want to try adding the gel to wet hair, instead of towel dried hair (so before wrapping up your hair in the turban). If the curls are fine towel dried, then add the gel then. My waves seem to like it more that I add a bit of gel to quite wet hair. And then after drying my hair in the turban I add a bit more. That’s how I did my hair for the photos in this post.

How to add gel for curls:
To add the gel, flip your hair upside down and to the side, and scrunch in the gel. You can also carefully slide your hands on the hair to get it evenly on the hair. And then, either let air dry or diffuse. Once your hair is dry and the gel is dry, you can just fluff up your hair and break out the curls a bit, whatever your preference.Animated demonstration of scrunching gel into naturally curly hair

 

Invisibobble satin sprunchie on wavy hair

+ Satin sprunchies for style & night

I’m not the best at hairdos, but I love styling my hair with beautiful scrunchies. A soft fabric is the most gentle for your hair. So at the same time, you can preserve your curls and look fabulous! I love Invisibobble’s satin sprunchies.


For night, I recommend tying your hair in a high loose ponytail to save the curls!

Invisibobble satin sprunchies on a pink background

Briogeo + naturally curly or wavy hair = perfect match

I’m very happy that I got to do this post with Briogeo. Every once in a while I try different products, but I always go back to this brand. Briogeo uses a lot of natural ingredients (90-100% depending on the product) and the products are gentle and moisturizing on the hair. My hair feels luxurious after using these, like I had just used professional hair care products. Briogeo is also cruelty free and vegan.

*Briogeo Superfoods products are awesome, because they work for different types of curly hair. They look like delicious green smoothies and actually do have a lot of fruit extracts in them. The line also includes  *Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask, which I like to use every once in a while to pamper my hair. The products have a fruity scent, that is not too strong for my (sensitive) nose.

My sisters also liked the products. Jasmin was amazed how little conditioner was needed even for long dry hair.

Basically all the products work with the curly girl method, since they don’t contain sulfates or silicones. So they are an easy option for anyone with curly or wavy hair. The shampoos wash the hair well, without harsh sulfates. With the conditioners, you don’t miss the silicones, because these make the hair feel wonderfully sleek. I know that washing your hair can feel like such a task, especially if your hair is long, but these help by really smoothing any tangles and making the hair soft.

Invisibobble satin sprunchie in Swim With Mi pattern

Briogeo Superfoods shampoo and conditioner bottles

I might have said this before, but I think natural waves and curls are so beautiful. Yes they’re unpredictable and they don’t look like they’ve been made with a curling iron, but that’s the point! I love how soft and bouncy my waves feel. I like how they represent my personality. And best of all, ever since I started to take care of my hair, my hair became so much healthier and longer.

If you try this simple curly hair routine, I would love to see your results – tag me on Instagram @charlottaeve.

Charlotta's wavy hair after the natural curl routine

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