Although we can be hopeful, our wavy, curly hair will never just be one texture.
When learning to deal with that fact, one thing you must be able to overcome are the pieces of hair that want to pull straight. There are some simple techniques you can add into your styling routine in areas you know have a looser texture, and for those surprise pieces that go straight after you have already styled and dried your hair don’t fret, there are ways around that as well!
1. Finger Curling
Article continues after video.
This is a super simple technique that you can add into your routine the next time you wash your hair. After applying styling products, search for the pieces of your hair that seem to be pulling straighter than the rest of your head and single them out. Grab the whole clump and twirl it around to cause the strand to twist around itself then start wrapping that strand on your finger like it was a curling iron. Once you reach your scalp gently let the strand down. Don’ expect this to give you ringlets if you only have waves, but it will encourage your hair’s natural wave pattern.
2. Flexi rods
These can be used either all over or in just specific areas that need it. This is the perfect option to get defined waves or curls without heat. If you choose to only do these in a straight section of your hair, make sure to match the barrel of your flexi rod to the size of your natural waves (if you don’t want them to stick out”>.
3. Dry Finger Curling
If your hair is dry and you’re in a bit more of a rush but don’t want to use heat, use a similar method to finger curling. Grab the clumps of hair that seem to be pulling straight, slightly wet them, and either use a hold mist or a spray gel, running each down the length. Instead of twirling the strand, just wrap the strand around your finger up to your scalp, hold for a minute, and let the heat of your finger set the curl in place. You can gently let the curl down and once dry you can scrunch any crunch out that may have formed. Toilet paper also helps enhance a natural looking wave.
4. Curling Iron/Wand
If you’re in a rush and don’t mind using a heat styling tool every once and awhile, a curling iron or wand is a great option. In order to not make ringlets that stand out in your waves, loosely wrap your problem section around the barrel of the curling iron; after about 15-30 seconds–depending on how thick or thin your hair is–allow the curl to drop straight down and blend into the rest of your hair.
5. Q-redew
I use a Q-Redew for second day hair when it needs a serious refresh. I use this all over my hair to revive my waves. I also use a product on top to seal my hair for no frizz and to hold the curl all day.
We’re deep into the cooler months and, for naturals, that means just one thing: Silk press season. Like clockwork, social media is a buzz with viral videos toting tips, tricks, and hair flips, among other enticing smoothed styles. Whether it’s a sleek middle part style or bouncy waves, there’s no denying the main character energy ignited with each look.
I can attest firsthand to the freeing feeling that soaping away buildup to emerge with a sleek look brings. My curls are tight and plentiful, but you’d never know as I always wear my hair straight. I’ve gotten my silk press routine down to a T and often opt for a siny bone-straight look. But come wash day, it’s my curls, kinks, and coils that make me smile the most. My silk presses aren’t just a process to straighten my hair. Instead, it’s a reminder of how appreciative I am for my crown full of curls.
Like most Black girls, I grew up wearing ponytails and twists weighted down with bobos and barrets. I have countless memories of sitting between my mom’s knees as she raked through my curls and saturated them with globs of Luster’s Pink Moisturizer, never forgetting to tell me how fast my hair “drinks this stuff up.” At that age, straight hairstyles were reserved for special occasions, like church or school picture day, and were done with a hot comb and thick layers of grease. But as I got older my desire for longer-lasting straight styles increased and I begged her relentlessly for a relaxer.
The answer was always the same flat no so my hair was kept in braids and twists. Her decision to keep my hair natural stemmed from two main issues. First, there were the dangers of perming virgin hair and how doing so too early in the growth process can alter the texture and growth rate drastically. Second, was the financial obligation bi-weekly relaxers came with. But in my senior year of high school, she finally gave in and during my college years, I was devoted to relaxers. It was a weird victory— sure my hair was pin-straight but I couldn’t help but notice it never looked as good nor full as my natural hair roller wraps. I knew I didn’t love the look the perms delivered but I continued to use them for management’s sake. Relaxers meant I could easily style my hair and most importantly, that I didn’t have to worry about it frizzing up.
However, a turning point came when I moved to New York. I didn’t always have the money to get my hair done and had to quickly learn how to do it on my own. This resulted in the ultimate happy accident. I began growing out the years of permed hair. The process was trying, but through it, I gained so much more than a healthy head of hair. I began experimenting with ingredients to help my hair retain moisture and learning different techniques to straighten it. As the months went by, I watched the ragged permed hair slowly grow out, leaving behind loose curls. I’ll admit those first few years were a struggle, seeing just how much my curl pattern had changed. But it also helped me remember what my hair could be. In the years that followed, I learned how to wash, condition, treat, and nourish my hair— and in turn, watched my curls transform from loose and stringy into tight ringletts and coils.
Article continues after video.
This tale isn’t a new one and has remained a double-edged sword within the natural hair community. Many Black women have experienced vitality after ditching their relaxers but have also felt the sting of natural hairstyling— be it lengthy wash days or product formula inconsistencies. After some time, the fantasy of the big chop and twist-out faze that caused the natural haircare industry boom began to wear off, and women slowly began going back to relaxers. The decision typically led to a familiar crossroads, having to choose between what made sense for your hair and what “looked good.”
Going natural isn’t for everyone, and, at the time, I didn’t think it was for me, either. Despite perming my hair late into my teenage years, straightening my hair was the only style I knew how to do. Before my first relaxer, I’d spent years using electric hot combs, curling irons, and heavy products like curl wax and hair polisher to tame my curls. The result lasted no more than two days and turned my hair into a greasy mess—meaning I’d have to wash and redo my hair sooner rather than later. It ultimately led to heat damage and manipulating my curls.
But getting a perm for the first or 70th time didn’t give me the results I longed for either. After leaving the salon, my hair looked incredibly thin due to how straight it was. I’ve always had very thick hair, so seeing it look flat was disheartening. Even when I settled on curls or a roller set, they never provided the voluminous look I preferred. My new growth was always nice and thick and when I started growing out my perm, I noticed it stayed that way. The fullness I tried so desperately to hide as a child was back and I wasn’t about to make the same mistake.
Over the years, I’ve honed my skills and can easily transform my hair from springy coils to smooth, shiny strands— so much so that most people, including stylists, believe my hair is relaxed. My process involves a lot of conditioning products, clarifying ingredients, and heat protectants. Each layer ensures my curls are deeply moisturized and heavily protected before I begin heat styling. Through it all, I’ve learned to embrace my texture and to lean into the frizzy days. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when my silk press is on point, but I’ve learned to love the days it fades just the same. Seeing my curls revert is the epitome of bliss.
