If you’re looking for a hair care system designed to address the many challenges that come along with trying to perfect textured hair, look no further Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Collection will help the look and feel of your hair. We are so excited to partner with hair care industry veteran, Cornell McBride, Jr., President of McBride Research Laboratories and Visionary behind the Design Essentials brand for the November Takeover Box. This box will introduce to you five of their must-have moisturizing and hydrating products. Learn more about how almond and avocado can enhance your natural texture and how to use this collection.
What inspired the Almond & Avocado Collection?
The Almond and Avocado Collection was inspired by the beautiful textures of hair that we see today. While noticing a shift and appreciation for natural hair, we realized we didn’t have a collection curated specifically for women looking to wear their natural born textures.
To meet the market need, we thoroughly researched which ingredients would help solve some of the most common challenges faced when wearing natural hair, such as frizz, lack of definition, and hydration. Once formulated, these ingredients helped to connect women of various hair types as it provided a universal solution to wearing your textured hair proudly.
What are the benefits of these two ingredients?
Almond is naturally full of nutrients that aid in strengthening and nourishing the hair while bringing out your strand’s natural shine. Avocado naturally hydrates hair helping to restore moisture which aids in strengthening hair, definition, and preventing breakage.
What is the best way to use the products in the Design Essentials Takeover Box?
We have given you the perfect recipe to well hydrated curls and coils! Start by using our Sulfate-free shampoo for a nice gentle cleanse perfect for detangling. Follow with the leave-in conditioner and wide tooth comb to separate strands and finish the detangling process. Next, use a quarter size amount of the Pre-Styling Moisture Whip. This will ensure your hair stays hydrated throughout the holiday. If you are going for a wash and go, while your hair is still damp apply the Curl Enhancing Mousse. Begin to finger coil or diffuse to lock in your desired curl pattern. If you are doing a set style, proceed to style as normal using the Mousse as your setting product. Some blow-dry before their set but it’s up to your preference.
Lastly, don’t forget to add extra love to your scalp by using the Detox Tonic between wash days.
What are the benefits of your Sulfate-Free Shampoo?
The Almond & Avocado Sulfate-free Shampoo is a gentle cleansing shampoo infused with natural botanicals to soften, hydrate, and detangle all textures. Our formula helps save 30 minutes of detangling time during wash day.
Since the Almond & Avocado line is designed to give the hair moisture and it won’t dry the hair out, how many washes would you suggest?
The number of washes depends on your hair type. If you have oily hair – our Sulfate Shampoo is gentle enough for daily washing. If you are wearing a set style, it makes sense to wash every 1-2 weeks.
How much of the Leave-In Conditioner should you use?
Again, the trick to achieving your desired style is to not over saturate your hair with products. Start with a palm size amount of the leave-in conditioner and apply to damp hair. Distribute evenly with a wide tooth comb to gently detangle and separate strands. If more is needed to ease the detangling process, continue to add as needed. All curl types will be slightly different, so ensure you are accommodating your curl type, hair type, and hair length.
Does it save on detangling time?
Yes! This collection saves up to 30 minutes in detangling time thanks to its super hydrating qualities and ingredients that act as natural detanglers.
Can this be layered with other products?
Yes, but for best results we recommend following the full hair care regimen: Step1. Cleanse. Step 2. Condition Step 3. Prep Step 4. Style Step 5. Maintain.
How does it work against frizz?
Frizz comes from our strands soaking up moisture in the atmosphere causing our waves, curls, and coils to look less defined. Each product within the collection is infused with natural ingredients that help to over saturate your hair with moisture which naturally helps to reduce frizz because your hair can’t soak up moisture if it’s already full – very similar to the technology of a hydration treatment. Our ingredients also provide a layer of protection from the elements, humidity, etc. that typically increase the likelihood of frizz.
What is the purpose for the Curl Enhancing Mousse?
One thing I love about the Curl Enhancing Mousse, is that it has a variety of uses and services all hair types. The purpose of the product is to help women enhance their curl definition, separate curls, and reduce frizz.
When and how can it be used?
Since it’s a styling product, I recommend using it after you have Cleansed, Conditioned and Prepped your hair for styling with our Almond & Avocado Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-In. This will produce the best results when going for a wash-n-go style. The Mousse can be used directly on wet hair to help rejuvenate your natural curls and textures. Some diffuse from there to help set their curls and others allow it to air dry. You can also use our mousse as a setting foam for rod sets, braid outs, bantu knots, and more!
Is this Mousse for all hair types?
Yes, it was designed to help define and hydrate every wave, curl and coil so all can, as we say, “Begin Beautiful” with Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse.
How long does the hold last?
The mousse provides a medium hold, so it won’t leave your hair hard or crunchy. It can hold your defined curl pattern up to two weeks, but we also recommend pairing it with our Daily Curl Revitalizer, which is a hydrating blend that brings curls back to life a few days after styling.
Can the mousse be used on dry or wet hair?
Yes, the mousse can be used on wet or dry hair depending on what style you are going for.
Can this be used for twist outs and wash & goes?
Absolutely! I highly recommend using the Mousse for a wash-n-go or twist out. Both results are beautiful once the style is complete.
What are the benefits of the Moisture Primer Pre-Styling Whip?
Moisture Whip is one of our NEW almond & avocado products and it’s a winner. When advising our audience on the best way to achieve their desired style at home, we tell them to follow these regimen steps: Step1. Cleanse. Step 2. Condition Step 3. Prep Step 4 Style Step 5. Maintain.
The Pre-Styling Whip falls into the Prep category and should be used before applying your styler. This product is perfect for adding another conditioning layer of moisture to hair before styling. If your hair needs an extra boost of hydration, this product is perfect for you!
Is this for all hair and curl types?
The Pre-Styling Moisture Whip is highly moisturizing and a heavier conditioning cream so I would only recommend this product for Type 3-4 Curly and Coily hair and natural styles only.
How do you incorporate the Moisture Whip into your routine?
The Moisture whip can be used as a more hydrating leave-in conditioner or in conjunction with your current leave-in. When styling your hair, the goal is to ensure you don’t oversaturate your strands with product, so applying a quarter-size amount to your damp hair is all you need.
What is the next step after using the Moisture Whip?
After applying the Pre-Styling Moisture Whip, you are ready to STYLE! The whip will lock in extra moisture needed to last throughout the styling process so your luscious locks can stay hydrated!
We see that you the Detoxifying Tonic was featured in the November issue of Women’s Heath in their “Grab And Go”. What type of response have you received?
We have received GREAT response around our Detoxifying Tonic! It truly is a great product to have for improved scalp health and a quick cleansing agent when wearing protective styles such as braids, locs, wigs and extensions.
Talk to us about the benefits of the Detoxifying Tonic?
Our Detoxifying Tonic naturally cleanses and detoxifies the scalp & skin without water or shampoo and tones and hydrates scalp & skin without drying. Our formula was created without artificial fragrance, dyes or mineral oil and is Dermatologist tested.
When and how should you use this?
Design Essentials Detoxifying Tonic is infused with eucalyptus and lemon which helps to remove product buildup and excess oils that cause common scalp & skin irritation without water or shampooing and without drying out the scalp & the skin. The needle nose top is perfect for accessing the scalp with any style. It can be used anytime between shampoos, but I find it to be great for those with styles that make the scalp harder to reach and can’t readily shampoo their hair – styles such as braids, locs, wigs and extensions.
What are the key ingredients in this tonic?
Lemon balances and restores pH, is a good source of Vitamins C&B, is a natural dandruff fighter and provides antifungal properties. Eucalyptus is a natural antiseptic that stimulates and soothes the scalp. Lastly, Witch hazel is a natural astringent, that gently cleanses and tones.
What other products from the Almond & Avocado Collection would you suggest?
We have a full collection that is curated specifically for the textured hair consumers, so I would say try them all! Some of my favorites are the Almond and Avocado Wash day Masque, the Honey Curl Forming Custard, and the Daily Curl Revitalizer.
You can find all our products online at designessentials.com and I highly recommend you take our hair quiz first to better understand your curl type, hair type, and hair needs. From there, we will provide our recommendation of what products will help you achieve your desired look and get you started on your own hair care regimen.
What’s next for Design Essentials?
We are a company based in innovation and creating solutions for our loyal consumers. As a brand that continues to push the status quo, we have a lot in store for the future.
Each of our subscribers who get the November Design Essentials Take Over Box will receive all of these products. What is the one thing you want them to know?
I want them to know that we have been in business over 30 years and we put 30 years of research, experience, expertise, and care into each and every product. We believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful, and that hair can be an extension of outward beauty, a builder of inner confidence, and a reflection of personality. We strive to empower our consumers and design a portfolio of products that allows them to Begin Beautifully each day.
I hope all those who try it love it and we look forward to welcoming them into the Design Essentials family.
USE OUR EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE NOVBOXVIP FOR SPEND $25 GET $10 OFF (ONE TIME USE ONLY) SITEWIDE AT DESIGNESSENTIALS.COM - EXPIRES JANUARY 31, 2021
To keep up with Design Essentials you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.