Working with, not against, hair's natural texture is key when faced with a head full of curls. Here are all the pro tips you need to start spiraling in control.
Deciding to go natural is only half of the battle. Getting your curls to look their best can often be much more difficult and just plain frustrating. The trick is not to give up! And research all the techniques and tricks for getting your hair looking its best. Luckily, we've got your back. We put together a list of 5 curly never fail hair tips that will completely change your life and the love you have for your curls.
1)LAYER UP:
"Curly hair looks best when it's shoulder length or longer, and with a few layers cut in to keep it from looking bottom-heavy or boxy. Ask for layers that start at your chin and angle down, all around your head. (Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker are good examples.) "The cut is great for curly hair because it helps support the coils and keeps them looking as long and full as possible. But beware of making your shortest layers too short, which can make hair look poufy. Hairstylist Jimmy Paul of the Bumble and Bumble salon suggests starting them at your collarbone to avoid unwanted fluff.
2)SELL YOURSELF SHORT:
Who says curly girls can't go cropped? For the most flattering cut, "keep two or three inches of length all over and always make sure to have it cut to mimic the shape of your head. And whatever you do, avoid razor cuts as they can rough up the cuticle and exacerbate frizz.
3)LAY OFF THE SHAMPOO:
Hairstylists agree that when it comes to washing curly hair, less is definitely more. Shampoo as infrequently as possible: every other day if your hair is very fine; once a week if it's superthick. On days you don't wash it, just rinsing with water. And when you must lather up, use moisturizing products that contain ingredients like shea butter, palm oil, or avocado oil. (We like Curly Shampoo it contains a blend of aloe and wheat protein that retracts around ringlets as they dry to help fight frizz).
4)LOCK IN MOISTURE:
Give your curls a fighting chance against frizz by loading up on conditioner twice. In the shower, slather on a rich conditioner that contains silicone (any ingredient that ends in "cone"), like Curly Condition; spread it on from roots to tips, leave it on for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Then get ready for conditioner number two: Squeeze the water out of your hair, detangle with a wide-tooth comb, and apply a leave-in formula like Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner starting an inch from the scalp and working it down to the tips. "Leave-in formulas deposit a uniform film of moisturizing polymers on the hair and create a humidity-resistant barrier," explains cosmetic chemist .
5)COAT STRANDS WITH KERATIN:
Once a week, apply a keratin hair mask to just-washed hair and leave in for ten minutes. We like Phyto Ultra Nourishing Mask. The conditioners in the mask coat the hair and seal the cuticle to keep out moisture (which helps prevent frizz), while the keratin strengthens hair to resist damage.
6)SEAL THE CUTICLE:
The next step in frizz fighting: Keeping the cuticle of every strand closed so moisture in the air can't get in. Rub a dime- to quarter-size drop of an anti-frizz cream between your hands and rake through wet hair. For fine hair try a water-based smoothing product like Moroccan oil Light Oil Treatment for Fine and Light-Colored Hair, which won't weigh you down. For medium to thick textures, choose one that contains silicone, which will smooth and seal the cuticle to keep out humidity. We love Dove Damage Therapy Frizz Control Taming Cream.
7)AIR-DRY WITH AUTHORITY:
Blow-drying can be brutal to curls, leaving them looking fuzzy and puffed beyond recognition. That's why and his fellow pros suggest laying off the heat and taking a hands-on approach to styling, when possible. Begin by squeezing out all the excess water from your shower. Then, after you've applied leave-in conditioner and worked frizz fighter through your hair (use less if your hair is shorter), take small sections of hair and wrap them around your fingers for 15 to 30 seconds to form unified, shiny ringlets. Make sure to let hair dry at its own pace and keep your hands off: "The less you touch your curls when they're damp, the less likely they are to get frizzy or pull apart,
8)TURN UP THE HEAT WHEN NECESSARY:
The two most important weapons when you're short on time are a diffuser and a curling iron. A diffuser helps disperse the airflow so curls dry evenly and remain intact. "Don't stop until hair is fully dry. "Otherwise it will get fuzzy." When you're finished, a one-inch iron helps refine the spirals and keep them shiny. "You can create different types of curls," hairstylist says."For tighter curls, wrap less hair around the iron, and for a looser version, use more."
9)AVOID THE CRUNCH:
"Curly girls are flooded with hard-drying gels that leave their hair stiff, owner of Urbanbella, a beauty boutique in Atlanta. That's what makes Hair Rules Curly Whip such a cult favorite at her store it defines curls without feeling like anything is in your hair. Another soft curl definer we love: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Tousling Spray Gel.
Pull them into a low, loose bun, like this one from Gabbana's fall show. Begin by applying styling lotion to damp hair and let fully dry. After side-parting the hair, take two-inch, face-framing sections, and twist them back toward the nape of the neck. Secure with bobby pins, then gather the rest of your hair and begin twisting into a low bun, pinning as you twirl. Keep the ends loose and messy.
11)STOP STRAIGHTENING :
Curlies in numbers agree that the hardest part about being natural is simply doing it. We are often accustomed to changing the texture of our hair, so it is hard to quit and embrace how we look with the hair we were given. Once you can put down the straightening tools and products, you can embrace who you are and work to get the best possible curly version of you. Say "goodbye" to heat damage!
12)TRIMS EVERY SIX-EIGHT WEEKS :
The length of time that you can go without a trim depends on the length of your hair, but most stylists will suggest that you come in every six to eight weeks. Once you get in the habit of getting your hair trimmed on a regular basis, you will notice your hair looking healthier; something many curly girls strive for.
13)SLEEP ON A SATIN PILLOWCASE:
Second day hair is not something every curly girl can get, but one way to improve your odds is by sleeping on a satin pillowcase. Just as you don’t want to use a typical towel to blot your curls, you want to take that same care at night when you are rolling all over the place. The right pillowcase will reduce your frizz in the morning as well as keep your curl pattern intact.
14)USE A SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO OR CO-WASH :
While all of these habits are extremely important, this one will make such a huge difference in your curls that you’ll never go back to your old ways. If you shampoo in order to cleanse your hair, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo like No-Poo since sulfates can be drying and damaging to the hair. Some curly girls are lucky enough that they need no shampoo at all and can get away with only using conditioner (co-washing). If you are not sure if you fall into this category or not, spend one weekend finding out. Your curls might love you for it and you can put that money you typically spend on shampoo towards other great products!
Hair Care Hacks:
Different patterns and types of curls require different styling and maintenance routines. If you’re not sure which type you have, there’s a quiz for that!
Trivia: These curl classifications were defined by Andre Walker (of Andre Walker Hair and The Gold System), the Emmy-award winning stylist for Oprah!
2. Try Co-Washing:
Also know as “no-poo” or the Curly Girl Method, this just means that you don’t use shampoo at all, only conditioner. Many curly girls swear by it. Read more about it here.
3. Trade your Towel for a T-Shirt:
Drying your hair with a T-Shirt will greatly reduce frizz and breakage after washing. Since shirts aren’t as absorbent, gently squeeze your hair out before drying but never twist it.
4. Less is More:
For curly girls, it’s not as important which product you use as how much. The right amount of product is probably less than you think. Check out this handy guide for more info.
Pro tip: Always apply product when hair is T-shirt dried but still mostly wet.
5. Start from the Bottom:
When you’re washing your hair, condition starting at the bottom of your hair and move up. Same goes for combing.
6. When All Else Fails, Try This Detangling Genie:If your hair doesn’t detangle with only a comb, try this brush/comb hybrid that is designed for sensitive heads to gently detangle without breaking hairs. It’s also gentle enough for kids. Get it here.
7.Easy Cleanup While Detangling:Use This Tip for Easy Cleanup While Detangling
For fine curls, showering with a hairnet will allow you to get your hair clean and still maintain your curl structure.
9. Use a Diffuser:
If you need to dry your hair, make sure to use a diffuser which minimizes frizz by evenly distributing the heat. Learn how to use it here.
10. Know Your Ingredients:
Silicates, Silicones, Sulphate there are lots of hair product terms that get thrown around without people really knowing what they mean. There’s no blanket rule about which ingredients work best for curly hair, it depends on what works best for your hair. To learn more, read here.
11. Refresh Your Curls Between Washes:
Get the full instructions here. You can even make your own refresher spray with this recipe.
12. Keep Your Tool Arsenal Stocked:
The Beauty Department has a list of all their favorite products for curly hair. Check them all out here.
13. Condition while you Exercise:Before you go to the gym, apply a styling cream to your hair and then put it up into a bun. The time and the heat from your body will allow the moisture to set in.
14. Be Brand Loyal:
Products in the same brand are designed to work best together. Since curly hair usually requires more products than other hair types, it’s beneficial to buy all products that are from the same brand once you find one that works for you. And it’s not just about getting you to spend more money the same rule applies to products in all price ranges.
15. For Extra Moisture, DIY a Steamer:
Get all the instructions .
16. Try the Curl Diet:
Foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and lean proteins like fish will help keep your
hair healthy from the inside out. Find out more here and here.
You go, curl.
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