Kiyo Journal
New December Curl Drop - Tootilab
It’s December, the final month of the year, and we are excited to share that we now stock Tootilab, the science-backed curl brand that has made curl care simple. If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok, on Instagram, YouTube or even Facebook, you might have come across Tootilab, seeing all the buzz for their stylers, leaving you wondering if they are worth the hype? What Makes Tootilab Different? In an overcrowded market saturated with 10-plus products per line, Tootilab takes a refreshingly simple approach. Their four-product range, - the Gentle Shampoo, Detangling Conditioner, Soft Leave-in Cream, and All Weather Styling Gel, is designed to deliver consistent, high-quality results without a premium price tag. Founded by Gaia Tonanzi, who is on a mission to simplify curly hair, she spent over seven years in the curly hair industry before launching Tootilab in May 2024 to tackle overcomplicated routines and conflicting advice. The brand focuses exclusively on active, scientifically-proven ingredients that actually work, cutting through the noise of social media trends and crowded product lines. What's particularly impressive about Tootilab is that their products are not just Curly Girl Method approved, but the bottles are made from 100% Prevented Ocean Plastic™. The packaging and even feature Braille labelling, making curl care more accessible to the visually impaired community. Real Results Tootilab products are designed to work on all curl types - from the loosest wave, to the tightest coil. Tootilab users report defined, frizz-free curls that last. The All Weather Styling Gel, in particular, has become a cult favourite for its ability to keep curls in place all day. It’s also highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. And if you’re new to curl care or simply looking to refine your technique, the brand offers a free Curly Hair Bootcamp called Curl-ed - a series of simple video tutorials that transform the learning curve into an easy, achievable process, making it perfect for curlies to learn about correct application methods and styling techniques to get the most out of their products. Still unsure? Check out the Tootilab results page to see for yourself. Honourable Mentions: More December Drops While Tootilab is stealing the spotlight this month, we're also restocking some of your other curl favourites. Keep an eye out for fresh inventory from Color Wow, Amika, and Beauty Of Joseon. Brands that have consistently sold out month after month. Plus, with the winter season in full swing, it's the perfect time to stock up on deep conditioners, protein treatments and seasonal essentials like satin beanies. Whether you're refreshing your curl routine for the new year or searching for the perfect gift for your curl-loving friend, December's new drops have something for everyone. Shop Tootilab or explore our full range of curl care essentials at Kiyo Beauty, where we're committed to becoming your one-stop shop. FAQs Do you ship Tootilab internationally? Yes! We ship all of our products across the UK and internationally. Delivery times vary depending on your location, but we always aim to get your curls what they need as quickly as possible. Check our shipping & delivery page for specific rates and timelines to your area. Do you offer samples or trial sizes of Tootilab? Yes! We offer trial-size versions of Tootilab products, perfect if you’re not quite ready to invest in the full-size bottles. Because our formulas are highly concentrated, even the mini sizes last much longer than typical curl products, making them a worthwhile investment, especially if you're trying them for the first time. What other curl care brands do you stock at Kiyo Beauty? We're building a curated collection of the best curl care brands on the market. Alongside Tootilab, we also stock Curlsmith, Trepadora, Bounce Curl, Ecoslay, Color WOW, Amika, promising to deliver on all your curl favourites. Do you offer any discounts or loyalty programs? Absolutely! We love rewarding our curl community. Earn five points for every pound you spend through our loyalty program, and keep an eye on our website and social media for seasonal promotions, new product launches, and exclusive offers. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about special discounts and early access to restocks. How do I know which products are right for my hair? Not sure where to start? Our team is here to help! You can browse products by concern (frizz, definition, moisture) or reach out to us directly with questions about your specific curl type and goals. And check out our Kiyo Journal and the Curlology page for all the tips, tricks and helpful techniques to get your curls popping from wash day to wash day.
Read moreKiyo Journal
Why Your Curls Hate Every Product You Try: The Curl Care Tips You Need To Know
Imagine this: You have finally found curly hair products that work for you - products that you have researched extensively for months. Then suddenly, they stop working. Your hair is excessively crunchy, greasy or just wonky. Before you toss your products, pause to identify why your products don’t seem to work. It’s not that your hair is being difficult; your hair is telling you something about the product, your technique, or what it needs right now. You're Not Using the Product as Intended This sounds obvious, but most of us skip reading the instructions. I did it just the other day. I was in a Facebook group discussing hair gels, and I shared that I couldn’t justify buying this particular gel as it was 8 oz and I would go through it within a month. A commenter replied that you only need the smallest amount. After more research, I realised she was right. Following instructions matters more than you think, as they tell you: How wet your hair should be - 'damp' or 'soaking wet' makes a huge difference with stylers for curl definition. The amount - that 'quarter-sized' recommendation exists for a reason Application - does it need to be emulsified in your palms first? Layering order - does it work best over a leave-in conditioner or on product-free hair? Product Buildup Sabotages Your Curl Results Dirty won’t perform its best, as the products just sit on top of your head rather than being absorbed into your strands. Build-up can clog your pores and make your hair appear greasy rather than shiny, feel sticky rather than soft, and wonky rather than curly. Before blaming the product for not working, make sure you've applied it to clean hair if you are looking to achieve frizz-free results. It doesn't need to be day 1 hair, but past day 7, you're risking significant buildup that will block any product from working properly and ruin your curl definition. You're Not Clarifying Often Enough Even if you’re double cleansing, your regular shampoo might not be enough to remove everything. Silicones, oils, creams, gels, hard water minerals and product residue can accumulate over time - and your everyday shampoo isn't designed to strip all of that away. Here’s a tip: if your shampoo is described as ‘gentle’, you might just need a clarifying shampoo to detox your hair every 4-6 weeks. Signs you need to clarify: Your curls feel limp or weighed down Products sit on top of your hair instead of absorbing Your hair looks dull, even right after washing You're using the same products but getting different results Your scalp feels itchy or greasy faster than usual Our product recommendation: Use a clarifying shampoo like Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, which removes buildup, hard water minerals, and pollutants without stripping your natural hair. Apply to wet hair, lather well, and leave on for up to 5 minutes before rinsing. Always follow with a conditioner or hair mask since clarifying can be drying. Your Protein-Moisture Balance is Off Your hair needs both protein and moisture to thrive. Too much moisture makes curls limp, stretchy, and unable to hold shape. Too much protein makes hair dry, brittle, and straw-like. So if your curly hair products are all protein or all moisture, you might be dealing with an imbalance. Here’s how to fix it in your curl routine - check the ingredients for every product you use. Look for products like hydrolysed wheat protein, keratin, amino acids, and moisture products like glycerin, aloe vera, or oils. Use protein treatments every 4-6 weeks and deep condition weekly with a hair mask. Balance is key for frizz-free curls. Your Water or Climate is the Problem Hard water minerals coat your hair and prevent products from penetrating. Humidity affects glycerin-based products, which is a favourite ingredient in most curly-based products. A product that works beautifully in one season can fail to work in another. Tip: to make your curls last longer and to prevent humidity from ruining your curls, use hairspray once your hair is fully dry. Final Thoughts Most of the time, a product stops working isn’t because your hair got used to it (which is definitely a thing - switch things up occasionally), it is because your is telling you it needs something else - to be clarified, more moisture or protein or applied differently. Before you blame the product and start shopping for replacements, pause and troubleshoot. Your natural hair isn’t being high maintenance - it’s just telling you what it needs.
