Here is a recent topic request that I’m going to attempt to tackle… at least attempt to give a little info on. I’ve got nice, fine, straight hair myself, so no personal day-to-day experience to add to this one.
The Question:
Do you have any tips for naturally curly hair? I have long, thick hair. Not quite ringlettes but more than a wave. It is layered but just hangs there. It is dry and tends to frizz. I wash and condition every day or every other day and use an anti-frizz cream (usually the one from sunsilk). An article on your blog about naturally curly hair would be fabulous!!
Renee
Naturally curly hair can be a blessing, but it can also be frustrating to deal with. If you keep it healthy and experiment with it a little until you find the perfect mix for your hair, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of it.
Hair Care
The first order of business with curly hair is keeping it healthy. Naturally curly hair is often on the dry side and can look frizzy. The outer layer, or cuticle, of your hair shaft looks a bit like the scales on a snake. This cuticle layer is protected by ceramides and proteins. When the protective barrier that they create is damaged by things like heat, the sun and chemicals, the cuticle "scales" open up and allow moisture to escape from your hair. This causes your hair to appear dull & dry, frizzy and is more easily damaged. Because of this, I recommend finding shampoo and conditioning products that contain ceramides and proteins that can penetrate your hair’s cuticle and restore the protective barrier.
If your hair is on the dry side, then it is not necessary to wash it every day. Washing your hair can strip your hair of the natural oils that your scalp creates to protect and moisturize it. Always condition your hair because that will strenthen and protect it. Washing your hair in hot water will open the cuticle, so if you like a nice hot shower, be sure to rinse your hair in cold water to close the cuticle after conditioning. If your hair is extra dry, you can leave your conditioner in you hair instead of rinsing it out 1 time a week. Run a comb or pick through your hair and let it air dry.
There are also products available that act as a natural UV shield to protect your hair from fading due to sun and heat styling damage, as well as environmental concerns. They can be applied (sprayed on) before styling to protect from heat as well as on styled hair before doing things like going out in the sun.
Styling
When giving advice to any of my clients when it comes to styling hair I always encourage them to not fight what God gave them and what it wants to do naturally. It will only frustrate you and make for a lot of extra work.
That being said, the next important thing is to keep regular appointments with your stylist. Long hair should be cut every 6 weeks and short hair every 4 weeks. A good cut can make all of the difference in the world. If your stylist is not working for you, don’t be afraid to find some one new. Ask friends for referrals, and find someone with experience with your hair type. Remember that just because some one is expensive does not mean they are necessarily good, and every stylist has his/her strengths and weaknesses.
For thick curly hair, finger combing and air drying/or drying with a diffuser is generally the best. It will help prevent breakage and give a more natural wave and curl. Towel dry your hair and finger comb it to allow for large sections of curls. Apply a product that adds shine and smooths out frizz like a brilliant hair polish. Generally these products work in small amounts so use sparingly until you get the right amount for your hair. Then take a product like a styling cream and work 1-2" sections of your hair. Apply a small amount and gently twist your hair with your fingers to create soft seperated curls as you dry your hair. Work one piece at a time. When your head is done you can set it all with a light mist of a finishing spray to give light and movable control. Generally the hair polishes and creams be used on dry hair as well to bring life to a dull do.
Hope this info helped you out Renee. If anyone is looking for specific product recommendations, let me know, I have my faves.
–Lori
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Lori, your the best! Thank you so much for taking the time to help out my frizz situation. I get so frustrated with my hair and will try your suggestions. Thanks again!
Renee
Ok I have naturally curly/wavy hair but it’s on the thin side. I’ve spent about the past 10 years learning to live with it and have FINALLY figured it out.
I had used the cheaper shampoos and conditioners out there for years and last year decided to give Nexxus a try. I had used it when I’d go to our old neighbor who is a beautician back in the 80s but it’s been a good 20+ years since the last time I had used it.
I wash my hair evry other day, no less and always let it air dry. If I blow dry it then it frizzes like a banshee and I look like Medussa. Not pretty.
I use Botnaoil shampoo and Humectress conditioner. I tend to be heavy handed on the conditioner and leave it on for a minute or two. Generally I will put it on then shave my legs. Kill two biirds with one stone that way. By the time I’m done with either one leg (depending on how slow I go) or both, I rinse and move onto my next task.
For years I have been giving my hair one last soaking before I get out of the shower, don’t know why really but it works (gives me more time to deal with it later I guess). I wrap it in a towel and let it stay in there for a number of minutes. When I take it out my hair is damp but not dripping wet.
from there I brush it out (ocassionally comb) with one of those oval shapped brushes. This is what I have, only not Revlon, a different brand.
http://tinyurl.com/2t5no8
I have long layers, not short (learned that lesson the hard way!) and ocassionally I’ll pull some up and clip it, like the shortest layer. This will give me a bit more defind loose curls.
If I don’t, but just leave it straight, using the shampoo/conditioner combo that I use, then I get really nice body. Kind of like this:
http://www.tvguide.com/images/pgimg/joanna-garcia1.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/ytvhqj
http://www.tvguide.com/images/pgimg/captain-garcia03.jpg
The curls are more towards the bottom of my hair vs all through though, and they are big, loose curls, like hers. I don’t use any anti frizz stuff if I let it dry naturally, but use a light hold/flexible hair spray by way of a pump. I try to keep the styling products to a minumum because I often have my hands on my hair as I pull it out (work related) and it gets oily fast from the oils on my hands. So the cleaner I keep it that first day, the better I am. Also I wash my hair/take a shower at night which also helps with that. I just sit back and relax, don’t let it get blown around from a fan or other wind source. if I do then it will frizz.
Sure Nexxus is pricy, but well worth it! And since I’ve had a hard time finding Botanoil in stores I emailed the company and they told me of this site, I will be placing an order as soon as I can, and will compare prices with other online shops like this too, hopefully I’ll get a good deal with one of them.
http://www.nationwidecampus.com/products.asp?cid=24
Cool blog Lori! You’ve def. given some good info. to the curlies. I would add, if you don’t mind, that if air-drying, and this usually works best for curly hair, once you’ve put a curl-defining product in, and combed it through, just let it dry with out touching it, at all, until it is dry. Then you can use a shine serum, like Biosilk, and shake it out a little. But one of the things that adds the the look of frizz is when curly hair is separated when drying.
Very good advice on the frequency of trimming! Split ends don’t stay on the ends and this is what contributes most to frizz.
A lot of curly haired people should only shampoo their hair twice a week. Condition it whenever you wet it and deep condition weekly- meaning, apply condtioner generously to wet/damp hair, comb through, wrap up in a towel and let sit for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. The heat from your head will open the cuticle. Also, when towel drying hair, don’t rub it, just blot. That goes for all hair types.
Thanks for your input Kathleen. Nice to hear from a professional hair stylist.