Frizz, swirls, waves… It’s nothing new for curly-haired girls to tame their hair. I can’t count the number of hours I’ve spent trying to tame my curls with various tools, potions, and heated torture devices. That said, I’ve recently made peace (sort of) with my mop, thanks to a few tips, good products, and self-acceptance. I’m going to share this newfound wisdom with you, along with some of the products I use and love. Use whichever you prefer, depending on your hair type and styling preferences.
1. Treat your scalp. Your scalp is literally the root of your hair, so it deserves to be well looked after. Once a week, give your scalp a nourishing oil treatment and massage before you shower. Rare Elements EL Treatment and Silktage are both great options, with Silktage also being a silicone-free styling product that will add incredible shine. If you want to make your own, mix a tablespoon each of olive oil and slightly warmed coconut oil with a few drops of tea tree oil to create a rich pre-shampoo scalp treatment.
2. Wash your hair gently. A quick shower will cleanse your hair. Curly hair is more prone to dryness and porosity than straight hair, so it needs a mild shampoo and lots of moisture. I personally love Rare Elements Pure Shampoo. If you have oily skin, try Original Moxie’s Get Fresh Shampoo or Linda Kammin’s Daily Shine Shampoo. Some curly-haired ladies swear by No-Poo, which means no shampoo at all. What about me? I start to feel a bit ripe after a week, so I opt for a gentle, nourishing shampoo.
3. Condition thoroughly. Don’t skimp here and never skip. Investing in a quality conditioner can make or break your curly hair day. I love Rare Elements Essential Conditioner, which is great for medium to thick hair. Acure Organics also makes a great Moroccan Argan Oil conditioner. For fine hair or soft curls, a lightweight conditioner like Original Moxie’s Featherweight Conditioner works well. After conditioning, comb or brush your hair to create a parting that matches your hairstyle. Stand under the shower and run water through your hair to rinse out almost all of the conditioner, but don’t let your hands or brush touch your hair. The goal here is for the water and conditioner to work together to essentially smooth out and define your curls.
4. Handle with care. No exaggeration: how you handle your hair when it’s wet makes a big difference. Use a very soft shamie or small hand towel to gently wipe excess water from your curls, working from bottom to top. Don’t rub your head with the towel or turn your head upside down. Do everything you can to avoid disrupting the curls that are just forming. The less friction, the better.
5. Twist. Now it’s time to get your curls in order. If your hair is dry, start with a leave-in conditioner like Original Moxie’s Everyday Leave-in. Or, for fine or brittle hair, try the lighter Oasis Moisture Gel. To really define your curls, follow with Shape Shifter Reforming Cream to give your hair a little more bend and flexibility. Starting at the roots, twist small sections with your fingers and work your way all over your head.
6. Hold and protect your hair. No, this isn’t about getting married, we’re just trying to get the perfect curls. Perfect curls need some hold, frizz control, humidity protection, and amazing shine. Apply a small amount of a lightweight, silicone-free frizz inhibitor, such as Mane Tame by Original Moxie, all over your hair with minimal curl formation. If your hair is a little thicker or you need more control, add a small amount of Just Gel to Mane Tame and apply all over your hair. Be careful. We can’t stress this enough. After that, don’t touch it until it’s completely dry. If you need it to dry faster, use a diffuser on a low speed and low heat setting and focus on the hair at the roots and nape.
7. Finishing. Once dry, you can finally touch your hair. If the curls feel too defined, too big, or a little stiff, first gently massage them to loosen their hold a little, then slowly and carefully unravel each curl, one at a time. For a wilder look, try turning your head upside down and running your fingers through your hair. It may look like you’ve stuck your fingers in their sockets, but it won’t be lacking in volume. If you want high shine, apply a dab of a shine serum like the aforementioned Silktage to the outer layer, or to your roots and scalp.
end!
This may seem like a daunting task, but if you’ve ever experienced the worst hair mess as a woman, ended up with a Q-tip look, or felt like a Brillo pad had more shine and definition than your own head, rest assured: follow these steps and you’ll soon be enjoying amazingly flattering, fun-filled curls that will be the envy of even the straight, shiny-haired girls that we’ve all secretly wanted to swap for at some point.
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Tags: curly hair, curly hair products, hair care products, natural hair care, natural hair products, natural curly hair
