Shopping the "Ethnic Beauty" Aisle
By Sarah Wexler, Allure magazine
Hairstylist Ryan Trygstad's trick for making Kim Cattrall's blonde hair look smooth and shiny is a product that certainly wasn't made for blondes. Before blowdrying, he slathers her damp hair in Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion, formulated for African-American hair.
Trygstad says he uses it as a mousse because it never gets crunchy and doesn't damage even brittle hair: "Since African-American hair tends to not produce much oil, the alcohol that's in most hair products would be extra drying, and Motions has less alcohol than anything I've seen out there."
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No matter your skin color, you can snag great hair products from the drugstore aisle that's often labeled "ethnic beauty." Some of Allure's favorites include:
1. Curls Milkshake
Designed for "multi-ethnic women," this de-frizzes your strands without feeling heavy, oily, or sticky (and actually smells exactly like a vanilla milkshake).
2. Softsheen-Carson Let's Jam! Shining & Conditioning Gel (Regular Hold)
Backstage at Diane Von Furstenberg, Orlando Pita used this gel on girls of every color to make their ponytails sleek and shiny.
3. Murray's Original Hair Dressing Pomade
Sally Hershberger uses the pomade in the iconic orange tin on John Mayer, and Debra Messing and Lisa Kudrow have both used it to keep their hair shiny.
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4. Mizani True Textures Curl Balance Shampoo
Since this shampoo is sulfate-free, it's a gentle cleanser that won't completely strip natural oils-or your haircolor.
5. Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding
Applying this Allure Best of Beauty winner on damp hair before blowdrying or air-drying and curls keep their shape-not to mention sweet-smelling enough to garner "love your perfume" compliments all day, according to one tester.
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Photo Credit: Roger Cabello