I've had several clients request my "how-to's" on curly hair and I forgot I have a blog! So here I am, blogging for the first time in ages about a few curly hair methods that I have found work great.
First off, MOISTURE is key. If your hair is frizzy, dry, even limp-odds are it is lacking moisture. Some believe shampoo is the devil, I however, like it here and there.
When I wear my hair curly, I do prefer to Co-Wash. My favorite is Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner. I happen to also like the paired shampoo to use when I feel like I need to get some gunk (product build up, sweat, dirt) off my hair-and I try to limit that to every 3rd shower or so.
In the shower, and out, I like to use Cricket's wide-tooth comb, however, it is sort of hard to find. Currently they are selling ones that are infused with argan oil or coconut and keratin-and I'm a bit skeptical and just foresee that getting gross. So currently, this is the one I am suggesting: Amazon.com : BESTOOL Wide Tooth Comb, Extra Large Natural Sandalwood Wide Tooth Comb Detangler for Curly Long Thick Wet or Dry Hair Anti-static : Beauty & Personal Care
Ok, so now you've either washed your hair, but either way you've conditioned it, and hopefully combed it out in the shower.
If you have thick, coarse, frizzy hair, now you should use Redken's Acidic Bonding 5 Minute Leave In Mask. And yes, leave it in for 5 minutes.
Amazon.com: REDKEN Bonding Hair Mask for Dry, Damaged Hair Repair | Acidic Bonding Concentrate | Hydrating 5 Minute | For All Hair Types : Beauty & Personal Care
Now after the shower, towel dry, then comb through with the wide toothed comb again.
All hair types-now you need Redken's Acidic Bonding Lightweight Conditioner (it's supposed to be rinsed out-but I don't. Start with 3 pumps into your palm, smeared from the ears down, and add more as needed. When you have some leftover on your palms, rub through your hairline and around your ears and neck hair. I also recommend combing this through your hair with a finer comb so that it really saturates your hair.
Now this next step may take some trying out, as all hair types are different and there isn't one size fits all.
CASTING
Casting the curl is just like it sounds, we're wrapping a cast around each of your curls, like a cast would be setting a bone.
The following 3 products are my favorite to use, and which one works for your hair will be up for trying out.
These are in order of lightest to strongest in terms of holding a curl. You can also layer these to create the best performance for your hair as well. Always start with less as you can always add more.
Mousse-start with 3 pumps. (Amazon.com: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Volumizing Foam, Add Volume & Fight Frizz, Define Curls With A Light Hold, 7 Fl Oz : Beauty & Personal Care)
Ouidad gel-quarter size (Amazon.com: OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, 8.5 Fl Oz : Beauty & Personal Care)
Curlsmith souffle-half dollar size (Amazon.com : CURLSMITH - Curl Defining Styling Soufflé - Vegan Medium Hold Styling Gel for Wavy, Curly and Coily Hair (8oz) : Beauty & Personal Care)
Mix the product in your palms together and finger comb through your hair starting from the ears down, like you would put in conditioner in the shower. At some point you can even run through your hair like you would shampoo. Apply only what is leftover on your hands to the roots of your hair, and don't forget your hairline around your face & ears. Now, comb this through your hair with a finer tooth comb too. If you have too much product-just remember that for next time...wipe your hands off and scrunch some of the product out with a towel.
Now, your hair should be wettish from the water and the product-but not dripping. Go through and scrunch, put your part where you'd like it, and braid or twist any hairs you want away from your face. You can allow this to airdry, diffuse, or even put up in a turban. DO NOT TOUCH. Just like a cast on a broken arm, this needs time.
Allow your hair to dry to around 80-90%. I repeat-do not touch.
At the point, your hair should look like a 1985 perm that wasn't scrunched out. Now grab your curl cream and perform "prayer hands" on your hair, preferably with your hair upside down. Same as the step before, your curl cream may be different for everyone. Start with a small amount and use more as needed. Prayer hands-lightly scrunch-repeat as needed. Whatever is left on your hands-smooth onto your roots and around hairline VERY sparingly. If you've over scrunched-spritz some water on it from about 12" away (check out re-activating paragraph at the end)
Now-DO NOT TOUCH. Give it a few minutes, do your make up or go put your shoes on or eat breakfast. You can always come back and add more cream or re-mist if needed. I like a medium hold hairspray to finish it off. My favorite is Amazon.com: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, Medium, 10 oz : Beauty & Personal Care
Here is another article that has pictures: Curly Girl Techniques - Curl Maven
Curl Creams that I love:
Y'know what also works awesome-body lotion. Yep. In a pinch-especially when out at the pool or a beach-I just use lotion.
ACTIVATION
After all that work, you don't really want to get your hair wet in the shower and do it all over again everyday. So, simple step-take a spritz bottle and give a good squirt of conditioner into it. Now add warm water and shake. This is your curl-activator. Give it a shake before you use it everyday. Start with the ears down and mist. Use more curl cream as needed. I suggest spritzing into your palms and glide on your roots and hairline rather than directly spritzing.
Tada!
Although I recommend the previous products for you, I cannot endorse the links they are attached to. Please always purchase products from a trusted source, like buying direct or from a licensed professional or store.