Curly Hair Care

So, I have naturally curly hair. It's thick, and there's a lot of it. My curls are different depending on where on my scalp they're growing from. For example, the curls around my forehead are tighter (and frizzier) curls. However, after a couple years of smoothing treatments, I have six inches of tightly-curled roots and the ends are looser. See Exhibit A.

Exhibit A:

It gets so much better! The curls at the crown of my head are loose waves, but then curl at the ends. The stuff at the nape of my neck always ends up as perfect banana curls. I have a lot going on with this mop. I don't even want to talk about what it looks like when I go to the gym.... so I'll just show you (Exhibit B). I warn you... it's not pretty. (That said, if you look pristine after a workout, you haven't pushed hard enough!!)

Exhibit B:

 

 

This halo of frizz is the result of a Saturday morning Power Dance class at the gym. I get so into the choreography that I throw my head around enough to dislodge the frizz to epic proportions. If I have enough time in the morning, I'll twist/braid it into submission, but who has time to braid their hair before a dance class at the gym on a Saturday morning? No one. Especially not me, hence the halo of frizz.

Most of my fellow curly girls will understand me when I say that there is pretty much no such thing as second day hair in the summer (unless, of course, the hair is flat ironed... in which case there is such a thing as fifth day hair thanks to touch-ups from the iron). My hair gets so crazy from the humidity that I have to wash it almost every day, which is a curly-hair no-no. But I do my best to limit how many times I use shampoo, versus just soaking my 'fro and conditioning it.

It took me years to come to terms with my curls, and now that I use these products, I finally like my hair. Here's what I use, and how I use it:

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisturizing Lather Shampoo - this shampoo is sulfate free, so it produces fewer suds than regular shampoos. I only wash my hair once (I guess some people do it twice?), and despite this shampoo bubbling less, I still feel like it cleans my hair very well. I switched to this per my former hairdresser's recommendation when I was having regular smoothing treatments in order to maintain the treatment. This shampoo smells heavenly - it smells gingery and fresh. And yes, I get the BIG bottle. I usually order through Amazon.

Paul Mitchel Awapuhi Keratin Creme Rinse - once I've rinsed the shampoo, I liberally apply this so that I can finger comb my hair. I gave up brushes years ago, but need something slippery to help my fingers get through the curls and knots. I make sure to coat the ends very well, but I also give the hair framing my face a good coating, because that's where the majority of my frizz is. Once my hair is coated and combed out, I leave this conditioner in for the duration of my shower. I rinse it about 90% of the way (I always leave some in) with cool water to seal the cuticle.

Before I apply any styling product, I wrap my hair up in a hand towel to wick away excess moisture. I use hand towels because A) I hate using too many full-size towels, and B) because I can't twist my hair in a smaller towel (twisting wet hair causes damage [and damage means frizz]). My hair basically just rests inside the hand towel like a loose burrito. I might give the ends a little extra squeeze inside the towel before I apply product, but I never - I repeat, I NEVER - roughly dry my hair with a towel. This is a recipe for disaster (read: frizz!!!).

Suave Sleek Anti-frizz Cream - this is a relatively new addition to my styling process. A co-worker recommended this stuff to me at the beginning of summer when the temperature in Macy's got to be warmer and more humid than the outdoors. It smells fabulous, it feels nice, it's not too sticky, and my hair never looks or feels crunchy. I focus on applying this to the hair around my face and the ends - I just rub a nickle-size amount between my palms and slick it over my hair. I really only use this when I plan on wearing my hair down, since that is when my frizz is the worst.

TRESemme Flawless Curls Mousse (pictured)/Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse - I use mousse instead of gel because I find that it doesn't make my hair look crunchy. I use a ton of mousse. I probably use four or five healthy handfuls of the stuff to make sure that everything is covered. Also, I never comb my fingers through my hair when I apply mousse, because I prefer the way my curls form naturally. If I separate them with my fingers, they get stringy and unruly. Once my hair has completely dried, I will run my hands over my curls to loosen up the product a bit so the curls look more natural. Mousse doesn't cause that icky white flaky look that gel does when you run your hand over your hair.

Suave max hold Hairspray - really, in a pinch, any hairspray will do. But this is what I happen to be using now. I prefer the aerosol sprays over pump sprays because I feel like I get a more fine, even coating. This stuff feels nice, dries quickly, doesn't get sticky, and smells good.

Finally, I have to tell you about "plopping." I don't blow-dry my hair. It takes too long, it's damaging, and I don't like the smell of burning hair. Wet shoulders have always been an issue for me, and a few years ago, a straight-haired friend of mine sent me a link to NaturallyCurly.com about plopping, which is how I dry my hair. Basically, after I have gently towel dried my hair and applied the anti-frizz cream and mousse, I tie my hair up in a long-sleeve t-shirt to wick away remaining moisture and to give my curls some structure. This also tends to help give my roots a little lift, strangely. I usually keep my hair tied up while I eat breakfast and prepare lunch for the day, which takes me about 30 minutes. Then I take off the t-shirt, spritz my hair with hairspray and go.

Hopefully my curly-girl friends find this useful. Everyone's hair does something different, and I'm not a professional, so don't take this stuff too seriously. However, if you end up trying one of these products, please let me know what you think!

Please note: I was not compensated for this post, and have no affiliation with Paul Mitchell, Suave or TRESemme. I simply enjoy using these products, and have given my two-cents based on my own personal experience with these products over the years.