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Showing posts from 2014

Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner: My Natural Hair Product Review

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Soft, Shiny, Bouncy Curls — What I Loved and What I Learned By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published September 19, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! 💕 Have you ever tried a hair product and thought, Where have you been all my natural hair journey? Well, ladies, that was pretty much how I felt when I first tried Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner! Looking back at my original review from 2014, I remember how excited I was to find a product that made my natural hair feel soft, manageable, and beautifully conditioned. As someone with fine, predominantly 3C/4A curls, I have always been particular about what I put on my hair. Some products are simply too heavy, while others seem to disappear before my curls have had a chance to benefit. Finding the right balance can certainly be an adventure! So today, we're revisiting this product, discussing my original experience, and sharing some lessons that re...

Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Crème: My Natural Hair Product Review

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Soft, Defined Curls, Beautiful Shine & What I Learned By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published September 13, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! If there's one thing I've learned throughout my natural hair journey, it's that finding the right combination of products can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle! One product may deliver beautiful definition but leave your strands feeling dry. Another may give you wonderful moisture but very little hold. And then, every once in a while, you discover a combination that makes you say, "Now THIS is what I've been looking for!" That was my experience when I first tried Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Crème . Let's revisit this product, how I used it, and why it made such an impression on my 3C/4A natural curls. How I Discovered Eden BodyWorks My introduction to Eden BodyWorks began during a shopping trip to Walmart with my husband...

Relaxed Hair 2014 Update: SimplyYounique's Second Big Chop and a Fresh Natural Hair Start

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When your hair journey takes an unexpected turn, sometimes the next chapter begins with a pair of scissors! By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published August 24, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! Ladies, if there's one thing I've learned about our natural hair journeys, it's that they don't always follow a straight path. Sometimes we transition, sometimes we big chop, sometimes we experiment with products, and sometimes we decide to start all over again! And you know what? That's perfectly okay! Today, we're taking another look at an interesting moment from the natural hair community back in 2014 involving YouTuber SimplyYounique. Wait a Minute! Another Big Chop? Just days after sharing her decision to return to relaxed hair, SimplyYounique surprised her viewers with another announcement. She had decided to do a SECOND BIG CHOP! Yes, ladies! After growing her natural hair to impressive lengt...

Natural Hair or Relaxed Hair? Your Hair, Your Choice, Your Journey!

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By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published August 20, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! Today, we're having a conversation that I believe is just as important now as it was when I first wrote about it in 2014. Natural hair versus relaxed hair. Oh, ladies! If you've been part of the natural hair community for any length of time, you already know that this subject can stir up some serious opinions! Some women proudly embrace their natural curls, coils, and kinks. Others enjoy the versatility of chemically relaxed hair. And still others transition between the two throughout their lives. But here's the question I want us to consider: When did another woman's hairstyle become something she had to defend? Looking Back: A YouTuber's Hair Journey Back in August 2014, I wrote about a popular natural hair YouTuber known as SimplyYounique. I had followed her journey from her big chop through her remarkabl...

Thinking About Color? A Fresh Look at Bigen Semi-Permanent Hair Color for Natural Hair

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By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks From the Crowning Glory Archives | Originally Published August 13, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, My Beautiful Curl Friends! Every now and then, many of us naturalistas begin to flirt with the idea of changing our hair color. Maybe we want to brighten things up a bit. Maybe we want to enhance our natural shade. Maybe we are looking for a way to blend a few grays. Whatever the reason, trying color can feel exciting — but also a little intimidating. When I first shared this post, I was looking at Bigen Semi-Permanent Hair Color as an option for naturals who wanted a change without immediately jumping into a harsher coloring experience. And honestly, I still think this conversation is worth revisiting. What First Caught My Attention At the time, one of the things that stood out to me about Bigen’s semi-permanent color was that it was promoted as being ammonia-free and peroxide-free . That immediately made it sound l...

Curl Keeper Review: Can This Frizz Fighter Help Define Natural Curls?

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<img src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035233&cv=2.0&cj=1" alt="comscore"/> By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks From the Crowning Glory Archives | Originally Published July 14, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, Curl Friends! If you have natural hair, then you already know that frizz can show up uninvited and try to take over the whole style! One moment your curls are soft, defined, and beautiful… and the next moment, humidity, dryness, or too much manipulation can leave your hair looking puffier than planned. So today, I’m revisiting an older product review and talking about a product many naturals have heard about over the years: Curl Keeper. This product has often been praised for helping curls stay defined while fighting frizz, especially in humid conditions. Back when I first tried it, I was looking for something...

Understanding Type 3 and Type 4 Natural Hair: Curl Patterns, Porosity, and What Really Matters

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Every Curl Has a Pattern. Every Crown Has a Story! Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! Have you ever looked at another woman's gorgeous curls and wondered why her favorite hair product works beautifully for her, but does absolutely nothing for yours? Honey, I've been there! When I began my natural hair journey in March 2010, I quickly discovered that learning my curl pattern was only the beginning. I had to learn about strand thickness, porosity, moisture retention, shrinkage, and perhaps most importantly, what my own hair was trying to tell me. Today, we're going to explore something every naturalista should understand: your curl pattern is only one part of your natural-hair story. What Is Hair Typing? Hair typing is a popular system used to describe the shapes and patterns of naturally growing hair. You may have heard people describing their hair as 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, or 4C. These descriptions can help us discuss our curls and coils, but they are not scientific measurement...

Hair Steamers for Natural Hair: Are They Worth It? Benefits, Tips & Affordable Alternatives

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By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published May 14, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, My Beautiful Curl Friends! Ladies, have you ever awakened in the morning, removed your bonnet, and discovered that your beautiful curls from yesterday were looking a little tired today? Maybe your hair feels dry. Perhaps your curls need a little encouragement, or your wash-and-go has lost some of its bounce. We've all had those mornings! Years ago, when I first wrote about hair steamers, the natural hair community was buzzing about these devices. Everywhere I looked, someone was talking about how steaming could transform dry curls into soft, moisturized, manageable hair. Of course, I was curious! But I also had a question: Do we really need another expensive hair tool to maintain beautiful natural hair? Let's talk about it! What Is Hair Steaming? Hair steaming involves exposing your hair to warm, moist air for a short period. Some women use a tablet...

Headbands Are Back! Beautiful Ways to Accessorize Your Natural Curls and Coils

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   By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published May 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, My Beautiful Curl Friends! Ladies, can we talk about accessories for a moment? Sometimes, the difference between an ordinary hair day and a fabulous one is not another styling product, a complicated hairstyle, or an hour spent in front of the mirror. Sometimes, all it takes is a beautiful headband! I remember sharing some gorgeous jeweled headbands with you back in 2014. Oh, how I loved those sparkling accessories! They added elegance, personality, and a little glamour to almost any hairstyle. Well, here we are years later, and one thing hasn't changed: a beautiful headband can still make your natural curls and coils look absolutely fabulous! Whether your hair is short, long, curly, coily, or somewhere in between, there's a headband style waiting to complement your crown. 1. Jeweled Headbands: A Little Sparkle Goes a Long Way Remember those beautif...

Dr. Miracle's Curl Care Weightless Moisturizing Crème: My Natural Hair Product Review

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Soft Moisture, Gentle Hold & What I Learned About This Curl Cream By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks Originally published May 1, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 Hello, My Beautiful Curl Friends! Have you ever purchased a natural hair product hoping it would deliver beautiful, moisturized, defined curls, only to discover that it did some things wonderfully and others not quite so well? Well, ladies, that's exactly what makes our natural hair journeys so interesting! Over the years, I have experimented with countless shampoos, conditioners, oils, leave-ins, and styling creams. Some became favorites, while others taught me valuable lessons about what my hair actually needs. Today, we're revisiting a product I reviewed back in 2014: Dr. Miracle's Curl Care Weightless Moisturizing Crème. This is a look back at my original experience, what worked for my curls, what didn't, and what I would tell my readers today. First Impressions: Was It Rea...

Hat Dressing: The Beauty, Tradition, and Grace of Church Hats

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Originally published April 9, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026 By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks There is something timeless, elegant, and deeply meaningful about a beautiful church hat. For many women, especially in the Black church tradition, a hat is more than an accessory. It is a statement of grace, dignity, confidence, and reverence. A well-chosen hat has long been a part of Sunday best, adding beauty and sophistication to a woman’s overall look while honoring a cherished cultural tradition. More Than Fashion Church hats have long held a special place in African American style. Over the years, they have represented celebration, self-expression, and pride. From wide brims and dramatic shapes to feathers, bows, netting, and jeweled embellishments, these hats have brought elegance to worship services and special occasions alike. For many women, dressing for church was never simply about clothing. It was about presenting oneself with care, excellence, ...