It’s not a newsworthy or particularly interesting take that 2020 caused a lot of us to reconfigure our lives and focus on slowing things down and taking our time. As a writer in New York, it took a lot of mental gymnastics for me to realize that my apartment wasn’t a home, it was the place where I slept until I was forced to be in it for weeks at a time. It also made me readjust and reimagine my feelings towards my hair. For someone with a small head, I have a lot of hair that I typically keep hidden away, whether it is under a wig or in braids. I’ve never been great at doing my own hair, but was always willing to jump in when necessary, and without regular access to my hairstylist, I realized I needed to re-examine my relationship to my hair. Since going natural in 2014, I hadn’t built in my own routine, and when I did, I found that I was doing far, far too much. Now, nearly a year later, I find my wash day experience to be far more enjoyable and I’m using less products than ever before. Simplifying my life included my hair routine, which is why brands like Crown Affair speak so deeply to my new, pared-down self.
Everything I’ve tried from Crown Affair has been *chef’s kiss*, but I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on their Renewal Mask, which released last September. So when the brand announced on Instagram that it was back in stock, I heard, in my brain, Lizzo saying, “I’ve been waiting for this one.” The Renewal Mask uses Tsubaki seed oil as well as Vitamin C-rich yuzu fruit extract to be mega-moisturizing and hydrating, perfect for anyone who has hair that can be prone to frizziness, or if you just want a little more control and nourishment.
I so appreciate Crown Affair founder Dianna Cohen’s slowed-down, last-step-first approach to haircare. CA is all about slowing things down, taking it one step at a time and luxuriating in all of the beauty that life can offer — which is something I need to do more often, really.
