Search Results: Becky Woodford

By Becky Woodford · Published October 9, 2024

There’s nothing more frustrating than when your expectations don’t align with reality regarding your curls. If, instead of seeing perfectly defined and clumped waves, you find yourself looking at frizz, one of these reasons could be to blame. On wash day, dedicate a few hours to achieving soft, smooth, defined curls. Then you leave the shower and let your hair dry while looking forward to scrunching out the crunch and seeing what all your hard work has done–but the reveal is quite lackluster.

If, instead of seeing perfectly defined curl clumps, you look at frizzy hair after drying, one of these causes might be to blame.

1. Breakage is causing a frizz halo.

Image Source: @chroniclesofcurl

If you do not cut off your damaged ends, you may see breakage throughout your hair, especially during wash day. Unfortunately, breakage is one of the causes of frizz that cannot be fixed or reversed, but it can be remedied.

The best way to deal with it is to understand what is causing the damage in the first place: perhaps your hair dye or heat tool usage are to blame. Once you understand this, it will be easier to avoid the problems. Treat your curls to some extra protein or moisture masks.

2. You are brushing your hair after your shower.

Image Source: @belallure

Detangling wavy and curly-textured hair is a must, or you can wind up with mats in your hair; however, after the shower is not the time to do it. Hair clumps best when soaking wet, so once you are out of the shower, getting wavy hair to clump becomes more difficult. By brushing your waves, you effectively remove the definition you had worked so hard for in the shower.

The way to keep your curl definition is to either brush or detangle your hair during your shower when you have a conditioner with good slip in your hair. Because you do not want to cause your hair to stretch or break, finger comb or use a gentle brush that will not snag and pull tangles, but instead, the bristles will bend, and you can slowly get the tangles out over a few brushes.

3. You are not giving your hair enough moisture.

Dry hair is frizzy, so if you experience frizzy hair after drying, your hair is likely asking for more moisture.

This can be done in a few different ways: once a week, apply a deep-conditioning hair mask packed with moisture. You can also try a lasting leave-in conditioner to help lock in moisture and keep your hair happy all day.

4. You are not using a product with enough hold.

Image Source: _saraand_

If you notice frizzy hair after drying and curls falling out throughout the day, you most likely need a styling product with a stronger hold. The amount of hold you need depends on your texture type.

Whatever you do, do not forget to make sure your hair is getting the moisture it needs in conjunction with a stronger hold gel. This type of curl definer can dry out your hair, giving you more frizz.

5. You are using a regular terry towel.

IMAGE SOURCE: @amanduh_panduh5

While some people can use a regular Terry cloth towel and experience no issues, for those of us with naturally wavy and curly hair, Terry cloth is known to draw too much moisture out of our hair too quickly. The abrasive loops cause our curl clumps to deform and cause frizz.

Thankfully, there is another easy fix for this: dry your wet hair with an old t-shirt or microfiber towel, as they are much less abrasive and will not suck out as much water from your hair.

6. You are diffusing with too much heat.

Image Source: @ashleylamarca

For those who use a diffuser, it is important to remember to go low and slow. Using the highest heat or higher blow setting can cause major frizz, even through a diffuser.

Although it may take a little longer, set your diffuser on cool instead of hot or warm. It can help to let your hair partially air dry up to 75% before you diffuse.

7. You are not being gentle enough when removing clips.

Image Source: @senseofbeautybystephanie

For volume on wavy and curly hair, clips can be used to help create lift at the roots and help it dry. If you use this method, you have to remember to be incredibly careful when removing those clips. While this may seem like common sense, sometimes clips in the back are hard to see, and when you get stuck, you could be ruffling up hair and causing frizz.

If you are having trouble getting a clip out, stop what you are doing and either ask for help or find a mirror and gently pull the clip out. In addition to causing frizz, speeding through this process could lead to snags and breakage (hello, frizz halo).

8. You are touching your hair before it is completely dry.

Image Source: @lynnkatee

Natural hair is beautiful and looks so darn touchable, so we have to yell at people to back off all the time. This usually makes us our own worst enemies.

Although it might be difficult, keep your hands off. Give your hair 10 extra minutes after you think it is completely dry before you do anything else to it. Once your hair is dry, quickly tousle your waves before you scrunch out the crunch.

9. You have damage that needs to be cut off.

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Image Source: @byspsignature

This is a major cause of frizzy hair. Damaged waves and curls do not clump as easily; therefore, they will try to push away from other strands, causing frizz.

Since the damage will likely be located at the bottom of your hair, get a haircut to remove it and prevent further issues. You may not want to lose length, but it will be worth it to give you the defined curls you’ve been working for.

Looking for more ways to get rid of frizz? Check out: What is Frizzy Hair & How To Stop It!

By Becky Woodford · Published October 4, 2024

Wash day: a simple phrase that can fill a wavy-curly girl’s thoughts with dread. After all, it is the day of the week where we wash our hair and begin a styling routine all over again.

Many of us try to avoid wash day for as long as possible because it can be downright labor intensive. Plus, we never quite know what we are going to get until our hair dries. For this reason, I look to make my wash day routine as simple yet effective as possible. My products may be ever-changing as I try out new stuff, but my basic routine stays the same.

Step 1. Wet & wash

To start my wash day, I let my hair run under lukewarm water in the shower until it is completely soaked.

By doing this, I find that I am able to work the products through my hair more effectively and with less tangles. When my hair is fully soaked, I reach for a cleanser, and because I have natural build-up, I tend to reach for a sulfate-free shampoo rather than a co-wash.

I am currently loving ELEVEN AUSTRALIA Hydrate My Hair Shampoo. It deep cleans my scalp without stripping the moisture from my hair and allows me to detangle while rinsing out the shampoo (which is a must for me).

Step 2. Deep condition

After completely rinsing out the shampoo, I use a deep conditioner (once a week).

This vital step helps keep my hair moisturized and strong. A recurring favorite in my stash is Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask; I love it because the moisture it provides never weighs down my hair (which is a must for those of us with wavy hair). I coat my hair with a generous helping of the deep conditioner, clip it up for about five minutes, and rinse the treatment out completely.

Step 3. Squish to condish

Image Source: @galhaswavyhair

Once I am ready to be done with my shower, I squish to condish.

The first step is flipping my head upside down, allowing water to run over the back of my head again. I must make sure my waves are absolutely soaked–then I run conditioner through my hair. I add more to my palms and begin to ‘squish’ the conditioner into my soaked hair to help facilitate the clumping of my waves. This technique also ensures that my hair retains moisture after it dries.

For a conditioner to be successful when doing squish to condish, you need something that is lightweight enough to distribute but can still pack a punch in lasting a few days. My personal favorite is DAE Signature Conditioner.

Step 4. Apply styler

Once the conditioner is fully absorbed, I am ready to apply the styling product.

I am a product junkie, guilty as charged, so I love to try out new stuff on my hair constantly. Although I do have some good and proven mixtures, the one thing that never changes is my formula for a perfect pairing.

I always start with a base—this sets a good canvas for the rest of my products to sit on. It also helps to keep my waves clumped. I find a good lightweight leave-in conditioner, like RANAVAT Mighty Majesty Leave-In Hair Treatment, works great as my base.

Next, I use a moisturizer, depending on your hair needs this could be a mousse to a hair butter–anything that will add enough weight to my wavy hair and keep any potential frizz at bay. In my current routine, I use Love Ur Curls LUS Brands All-in-One Styler for Natural Wavy Textured Hair.

Step 5. Seal

Image Source: @amorkouture

The last step in my wash day is to apply a sealant.

Depending on humidity levels, this ranges from a small amount of oil (when my hair is dried) to a hard hold gel. Currently, with the ever present humidity in Texas, I reach for Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel and while this styler dries with a cast, I am left with soft curls that will last for multiple days after scrunching them.

In between wash days

My wash day comes around every 3 to 4 days, depending on my schedule and how my curls are holding up. To ensure I get the best defined waves between wash days, I protect my hair as much as I can:

• At night, I apply a night leave-in and cover my hair with a head wrap to keep my waves from denting or drying out.
• In the mornings (depending on how my curls are looking and feeling), I either reach for my Q-Redew or a spray bottle to breathe a little life back into my hair.
• I top my morning routine off with a curl refresher. My current favorite is Ouidad Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray which adds volume and defection to my hair.

While this may seem intimidating for someone who is first starting out, a wash day is nothing to fear and should be treated as a day to relax and treat our wavy hair. Get into the swing of a wash day routine that works, and the process will become a lot simpler to do, even within a shorter time frame.

OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.

By Becky Woodford · Published July 30, 2024

Do you feel like your waves will not last an entire day, no matter what you use in your hair? If that’s the case, you probably need a product with a stronger hold than what you are using. Strong hold products for waves can be intimidating because you generally do not want to have a stringy, crunchy look to your waves but rather a soft hold that will clump your waves without separating them.

Image Source: @itsme.weasley

How I use a strong hold gel on fine or wavy hair:

Since it might leave a cast on my hair, I apply it to soaking wet hair and scrunch it out after my waves have completely dried. Remember, start slow and add more as needed.

Image Source: @vivi.waves

After trying many different strong-hold products and getting many different results, I have put together my top strong-hold styling products to make your waves or curls last all day.

1. DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel

This gel is perfect for dipping your toes in the water. It is ideal if you have multiple curl patterns. It will help give you great hold without leaving much of a cast on your dry hair.

2. Briogeo Style + Treat™ Yuzu + Plum Oil Hair Styling Texture Foam

Here’s a styling foam that will give you maximum definition and volume for your wavy hair. This multitasking foam enhances and amplifies your natural curls, delivering bouncy, touchable waves without any crunch. The foam is infused with a proprietary Super B-Complex; this styling foam strengthens and promotes healthy hair while providing lightweight moisture with Plum oil for softer, shinier curls.

3. CURLSMITH – Curl Defining Styling Soufflé

It’s one of my all-time favorite gels and moisturizers during the summer months! This product has a stronghold of gel and moisturizing properties with a semi-solid jelly texture. This combination makes it great to give you hold and definition and will help create a soft cast where you can scrunch your waves.

4. Eco Style, Texture Edit, Kurvy Moisturize Hydrating Foam 

This product is where you start to set up a new level of hold in this list. It is great for type 2 waves that can’t decide whether to be curly or wavy on any given day. It’s light and won’t weigh your hair down, with the bonus of being formulated with hair growth vitamins. It will not leave your waves looking stringy or greasy. However, this gel does have some level of a learning curve. It is not as forgiving when you use too much, so start slowly and add more.

5. Cake Big Wig Volumizing Mousse

Say hello to volume that will give you a touchable and flexible finish! This lightweight foam features a delicate cookie scent that includes bergamot, mandarin, and raw sugar notes. Your waves will not only love the scent but also the hold that leaves big and bold styling.

6. Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel

If you need serious hold for your waves to make it through the day, this a great gel to look at. It will contain fly aways and clump curls incredibly well, but again will create a cast that needs to be scrunched out of waves to leave them looking soft and bouncy. To get the best results from this product, I scrunch it into soaking-wet hair right out of the shower or mix it with a more medium-hold gel.

Just because you have wavy hair doesn’t mean that you can’t use a strong-hold product. When using one, you will need to “scrunch the crunch” out of your hair after it has completely dried, which is the biggest secret to getting these hard-hold products to work for you.

Do you use strong hold products on your wavy hair? Which is your favorite?

OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.

By Becky Woodford · Published May 31, 2024

Asia Images | Getty Images

When it comes to fine, wavy hair, we have to walk a delicate line between dry strands and greasy, weighed-down ones.

There is no one magic solution for every head of hair, so sometimes we have to take a few extra steps to find that perfect deep conditioner that works for us. It’s all about striking the right amount of moisture for your unique curls and your lifestyle.

Follow these 5 top tips to help find the perfect balance of moisture for your waves.

1. Regular conditioner can be a deep conditioner for wavy hair

When searching for a deep conditioner for your fine waves, do not look past a product that might not be advertised as a deep conditioner. In your case, you may not need to retain as much moisture as other curl patterns; therefore, these will work just as well.

I like using traditional conditioners for deep conditioners because there are more options, and they can be easier to rinse out completely without worrying about anything weighing your hair down for styling. I leave it in for about 5-10 minutes while showering. It leaves my waves light and bouncy while still being well-moisturized.

If you prefer a deep conditioning formula, check out these 15 deep conditioners under $15.

2. Focus deep conditioner on the ends

Image Source: @madeleinewould

When you apply your deep conditioner, the ends of your hair need a little more love than your scalp. If you layer too much product near your scalp, the excessive build-up may make it troublesome to rinse out, leaving you with lifeless and stringy waves.

The best way to address this is by applying a ton of conditioner at your ends, and then gently running your fingers over your halo. To avoid putting conditioner directly on my scalp, I like to flip my head upside down and scrunch the deep conditioner upwards.

3. Use a wide-tooth comb

A wide-tooth comb can be your best friend while deep conditioning and is also a great time for detangling. This makes sure your product is evenly distributed, which is helpful when you have wavy-textured hair because you will not have to worry about creating a greasy spot of hair.

4. Deep condition only as needed

Image Source: @healthycurlsnoww

While it is tempting to deep condition every time you shower, this can be altogether too much moisture for fine wavy hair. I find that planning to deep condition once every two weeks is a pretty good time frame for my hair most of the time, but occasionally my hair needs to be deep conditioned once a week. Sometimes, I can even go for a whole month. Depending on whether your hair is heat-damaged or chemically processed, or colored, you may need a different schedule.

By adding too much moisture to your hair, you may make it more prone to stretching or excessive elasticity, which is not good for your waves.

5. Don’t skip protein treatments

It can be easy to just focus solely on moisture for your hair, but it is equally important that you find the correct balance between moisture and strength in order to have the best hair. You can achieve this by adding in a protein-heavy conditioner to your deep conditioner rotation.

I like Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Conditioner, but you can also try your hand at a DIY treatment.

These tips work best for Type 2, wavy hair. If you’re not sure what your curl pattern is, check out this quick guide to finding your curl pattern. 

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By Becky Woodford · Published January 23, 2024

For the wavy and curly girls who find themselves without enough time in the morning to fit in a whole wash day routine, you are not alone. Being able to wash and style hair at night is a great skill to learn to make your morning go that much faster, as sometimes it can feel nearly impossible to have much success with any style other than a bun. When showering every morning for definition is not an option, you can still get your freshest, best curls with this step-by-step guide.

Image Source: @hanzcurls

1. Start with a leave-in conditioner.

While styling wavy and curly hair overnight, use about twice the normal amount of leave-in than you normally would in the morning. I have found that my hair loses more moisture overnight, and without the extra conditioner, it tends to be frizzier the next day. My current favorite leave-in is ApHogee Curlific! Moisture Rich Leave-in because it leaves my hair feeling super soft and moisturized without feeling flat or weighed down.

2. Apply your favorite medium-hold styling gel.

I stress using only up to medium hold, as you do not want your hair to harden into the shape of your head against a pillow the night before (or your pineapple). This way, your curls will not be able to bounce back to their natural curl formation the next morning. My favorite product for doing this is Kinky Curly Curling Custard because it has enough hold to give me great wave and curl formation but, at the same time, won’t cause any crunch.

Image Source: @hannahhnotmontanaa

3. Plop your hair for 30 minutes to an hour.

This allows the hair to dry a bit, so you are not going to walk out the door with super wet hair. If you are short on time, now would be a good time to diffuse until your hair is about 50% dry to achieve close to the same results as you would with plopping for 30 minutes to an hour. However, this tends to add more frizz whenever I choose this route since it draws more moisture out.

4. Place your hair into a pineapple.

I find this is the best hairstyle to wear overnight because it helps to not crush waves and curls by covering them with too much. Use a large scrunchie that will not cause a dent in your natural curl formation.

Image Source: @sumans.waves

5. Sleep with a t-shirt over your pillowcase.

Your hair will still be slightly damp to the touch, so use a t-shirt over your pillowcase to help absorb some excess moisture without over-drying the hair or causing abrasion.

In the morning, your hair may still have a few wet spots where you had your hair band around, so to keep those areas from causing frizz, it’s best to apply either a light cream or light-hold gel in the morning. My current favorite to use in the morning is Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Curl Refresher because it adds volume to my hair in the morning and helps keep frizz to a minimum.

Finally…head out the door!

Cutting down the morning routine to only one step, it makes being able to wear your hair naturally curly, even when you have to get up early, a much more manageable thing.

If you want more wavy products to improve your styling regimen, check out the Best Wavy Hair Products of 2023.

This article has been updated since it’s original publication in 2021.

By Becky Woodford · Updated May 28, 2024

Does your wavy hair lack definition or look “poofy” at times?

A common problem among wavies is to have either poofy hair that has no distinction between waves or to have stringy waves that seem to not be cohesive at all. The key to fixing this problem is not only taking better care of your waves but it is also by encourage clumping.

What is clumping?

This is when strands of your hair work together and seem to become one wave or curl together rather than a lot of independent curls.

How to Squish to Condish

To achieve the best clumps of waves in your hair, the most important thing is to make sure you have well-moisturized hair. I found the best results from doing a method called “squish to condish”. For this, you:

1. Cleanse & condition

Shampoo or cowash followed by your rinse-out conditioner.

2. Squish in conditioner – upside down

Flip your head over while still in the shower and squish in additional conditioner. Essentially, this is scrunching, except you want to use a flat palm and try not to squeeze out all the water. What you are looking to achieve is the perfect water-to-conditioner ratio.

This is something that will take trial and error but you need to listen to what your hair is telling you by how slick or dry it feels. For squish to condish, I like to use either a thin conditioner like Yes to Coconut Ultra Moisture Conditioner, or you can use your favorite leave-in. After getting out of your shower, you will notice your hair starting to form into natural clumps. 

3. Add your product to try to keep those clumps together!

4. Allow your hair to dry.

5. Scrunch out the crunch/cast

What NOT to do to keep your waves clumped

Never brush your hair when dry.

If you must use something more than your fingers to detangle, I recommend a wide-toothed comb. Do this while you are using your rinse-out conditioner.

Don’t comb while squishing

Once you’ve started doing the squish to condish method, a comb should not touch your hair.

Don’t manipulate your hair while it’s drying

Let your hair dry without manipulating it. I know it’s hard not to play with your hair when it’s still drying, but the more you touch it and move it around the more frizz and the less clumps you will have.

This article has been updated for grammar and clarity.

By Becky Woodford · Published August 11, 2022

What is hair dusting?

Hair dusting is a play-off of a Brazilian technique that includes twisting sections of the hair and then using a candle to burn off any free ends, although in this instance you don’t have to put a lit candle anywhere near your hair. With hair dusting you are able to trim off any damaged ends without having to completely trim off inches of hair. 

What are the benefits of dusting your ends?

There are more benefits to dusting your hair than just losing those dead ends. Even if you are not looking to grow your hair out, dusting can still be a great option for you. By dusting your hair you are able to cut off ends that have previously broken or have dried. Have you ever styled your hair to find you have what looks like little pieces of hair sticking out from your defined curls? Those are the ends we look to get rid of when dusting. Getting rid of these ends help make any style more manageable.

How to trim your hair at home

There are two main ways to dust your hair. The ideas for both are the same and results should be no different so when it comes down to it, choosing between the two is all based on preference and what makes it easier for you.

The first option involves sectioning your hair and twisting the strands together to make a tight twist that you then do the dusting on, or the second option is holding your hair taut and straight between your fingers and dusting that way. Either way, you choose you can follow these steps to complete your at-home dusting for great results.

Photos by Brio Photography of @_thehalfafrican for NaturallyCurly

1. Twist a half inch section of hair

Begin by taking about a half inch section of your hair and either twist tightly together or weave through your index middle and ring finger, where your hair will sit on top of your middle finger.

2. Trim the hairs that stick up from the section

Once you have your section, you take your favorite hair shears (make sure you use quality shears otherwise you could end up tearing your hair instead of cutting it”> and begin to trim any of the little hairs that you see sticking up off of your section of hair.

3. Focus on the very ends of the hair

You only need to cut off the very ends of your hair so don’t worry about cutting off large pieces. it’s called dusting because the hair that you remove should only look like a light layer of dust below you.

4. Repeat & then twist the hair in the opposite direction

Move down your section of hair and continue to trim off any ends that are sticking out, if you are doing the twist method it is best to also twist your hair in the opposite direction when you are done to make sure you get all the damaged ends.

5. Continue around the head in sections

Once you are finished with that section you can move on and continue around your head, this is a more tedious process and will take time so feel free to do it over a couple of days, just be sure to remember the general areas you’ve already done so you don’t waste more time going over finished sections.

Hair dusting is the perfect solution to keeping length while growing your hair out or just keeping your hair looking as healthy as it can between cuts.

Dusting your hair won’t keep you from ever having to go to the salon again, but it will help keep your hair in check all while retaining your hard work!

Want to know more about dusting?

Read more on the dusting method here and sign up for the Naturally Curly Newsletter for even more!

This article has been updated for grammar and clarity.

By Becky Woodford · Published July 8, 2020

Image: @alannanicolex

There are multiple different ways to go about protecting your hair from the heat of the sun that are simple to implement before heading outside such as wearing a hat, headwrap or rocking a protective style like braids, twists or even a simple top knot. Once the beautiful weather starts calling us outside, it has become ingrained in us to slather on sunscreen to keep our skin protected and many times we forget that our hair is not exempt from the potentially damaging sun rays.

Coconut Oil

On days when you are spending all day in the sun, you can turn this time into a deep conditioning opportunity, as well.

If you are going to the beach or the pool, soak your curls with water and then slather on some coconut oil prior to heading out the door. By soaking your hair with your tap water at home, you are locking in much needed moisture and should help to keep out some of the chlorine or salt water that is prone to drying out hair.

Coconut oil has a natural SPF of 10, so along with the deep conditioning treatment, you are also keeping your hair safe from the sun’s rays.

If you are going to be out in the sun, smoothe coconut oil over your strands, especially the canopy (top layer”> which is has the highest exposure to the sun’s rays and is most likely to be damaged by the elements. If you experience frizz or hair that won’t curl as much at the canopy and framing your face, this could be why.

Another suggsted oil blend that will help seal in moisture and protect your hair from the sun is Righteous Roots Rx Oil, voted the best hair and scalp oil of 2020, according to our NC community. No wonder why curlies rave about it’s multi-purposeful benefits because it’s formulated with the best essential oils like coconut oil, jamaican castor oil, argan oil, olive oil and grapeseed oil to name a few.

3 more ways to protect your hair from sun damage

Coconut oil can help block UV rays, but for an even more effective protection it is best to create an actual barrier between your hair and the sun. There are also products formulated specifically to block the sun’s rays and repair the damage they can can cause – check out these sun-blocking tips.

BARRIERS

The first option you can go with is to add a barrier between your hair and the sun. Options include a brimmed summer hat, or a scarf to wrap your hair with. This works best if you are going to spend a day out shopping or at a park. This option is great because it not only protects your hair but also will protect your scalp from the potential of being sunburnt.

DIY SUNSCREEN

If wearing a hat isn’t really your style, there are other ways to protect your hair. Sunscreen is an effective option to keep the sun’s rays from damaging your hair. The simplest way to include spf into your hair routine is just to use the same sunscreen you use for your face in your hair. If rubbing skin sunscreen onto your hair doesn’t sound appealing either, make yourself a protective hair mist with these three ingredients:

Mix these ingredients together in a spray bottle and toss in your beach bag. Next time you are heading out, coat the mix over your hair for added UV protection. It is not heavy so fine hair won’t be weighed down by it. Don’t forget to reapply if you are going in and out of water as it will wash out.

POST-SUN REPARATIVE MASK

If your hair is still feeling a little fried after spending time out in the sun, there are plenty of options for you to treat your hair to an after-sun reparative treatment. When you get home from the beach or pool, cleanse your hair from any chlorine or salt that may be left over and give one of these a try:

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients. Certified organic Shea Butter, Honey, Mafura and Baobab Oils are blended with antioxidant-rich African Rock Fig to restore and lock in moisture.

Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment works best with a plastic cap and left on for 20 minutes. This thick conditioner uses cocoa butter and shea butter to add some serious moisture to your hair, plus it’s great for all hair types.

Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner is a protein/moisture replenisher that will restore dry and damaged hair. This deep conditioner is filled with two complex amino acids from wheat, soy and other natural sources that actually mimic the function of hairs amino acids, helping to restore the function and moisture to damaged and dry hair, plus it’s safe to use on color treated hair.

SASHAPURE Restorative Conditioning Masque has an intensive hydrating, deep conditioning, strengthening formula revitalizes hair that has been damaged by environmental aggressors, thermal styling, and chemical and color treatments. An optimal blend of hand‐picked, certified organic, wild‐crafted ingredients including shea butter, sacha inchi oil and vitamins A & E.

As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner has an exceptional blend of hair softeners and fortifiers, including coconut, sugar cane, green tea, apple and lemon, shea butter and vitamin E.

This summer, don’t be afraid to embrace the sun with confidence knowing that you can truly be protected from head to toe.

By Becky Woodford · Published September 10, 2018

If you thought having to find the perfect styling products for your uniquely textured hair was the hardest part of life as a curly girl, then you’ll likely be surprised to hear that the method in which you apply the products is actually just as, if not more, important.

In the naturally curly community, we often hear about many different methods for product application–there is one forgotten method, however, that remains tried and true for achieving curl definition: It’s the Smasters method, and it’s nothing new. Created by O.G. CurlTalk user Smasters467, it is a relatively lesser-known method in comparison to others, like finger coiling. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work; it delivers fabulous results, and might be worth a try next time you style.

The Smasters method is a pretty simple addition to any style routine, and it doesn’t require you to buy any new products, so you can give it a try right now!  The basic idea behind the method is that adding a curl enhancer to your hair when it’s about fifty percent dry will help encourage curls more than when applied soaking wet.

How to do the Smasters method

1. Application:

Apply your products as you normally would (cleanser, conditioner, leave-in”>, then begin to diffuse your hair. Once your hair is about fifty percent dry, turn off your diffuser, and move to a sink.

2. Add your gels

This is the part that many of us have been told to skip to avoid having horrid frizz, but believe it or not, in doing this method, you will avoid the cast that most gels leave on your hair. The next step is to wet your hands and use about a quarter-sized amount of curl enhancing gel on your hair. A popular choice is Kinky Curly Curling Custard, but you can also try the method with any products you already have in your cabinets.

3. Scrunch

Now, gently scrunch the gel into your hair. Be careful not to break up any clumps that may have started to form, as this can cause frizz. If scrunched in with wet hands and open palms, you should have no trouble applying products to avoid frizz.

4. Dry

For the final part of the method, dry your hair again to your preference. There are some differing opinions for this portion of the method, as some curlies dry their hair with high heat, and others only use low or warm heat. It depends on what works for your hair–drying on high heat will help encourage your hair to shrink and create more defined curls, which is ideal for many wavies. Using a warm or cool setting will give more elongation, which may be ideal for tighter textures.

Troubleshooting common Smasters Method issues

Here are a few fixes to some of the most common problems you might be facing:

1. Your hair feels weighed down.

With the Smasters method, you are using additional product on your hair, and fine-haired curlies may run into this issue the most. In the beginning, cut your usual product usage in half. Then, gradually add more or less, until you are able to get the benefits of this method without it weighing your hair down.

2. Your hair feels stringy and crunchy.

If you find that your usually soft curls feel much more stringy and form clumps that won’t scrunch out, you are probably using too much of the second product. Start by using half the amount, and gradually add more as needed. If the Smasters method is still not working, it may be that the gel you are using has too much of a cast. If may too hard of a hold, or your hair could be too dry when you are applying your products. Try and experiment with different gels, and adding more or less product to get your desired results.

3. You have excessive frizz.

The number one reason you might experience frizz with this method is by not wetting your hands enough before applying the second layer of product. To avoid this, I recommend standing next to a sink so you can instantly add more water if it feels sticky, or if it’s pulling strand of your hair, and not going on smoothly. Frizz can also be caused by your hair being too dry–in this case, consider using a diffuser later in the routine to allow the product to sit in your hair, that way your hair can retain a bit more water to keep it from feeling too dry.

Have you tried the Smasters method before? Which curl-defining technique works best for you? Let us know in the comments below!

This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated to incorporate reader feedback.

By Becky Woodford · Published June 26, 2018

I have never wanted that sleek, straight look that so many people seem to love.

Instead, I constantly tried to get my hair to be curlier. I have tried curling irons, sock curls, and simply putting my hair into braids when it was wet to try to coax something out of it. For a long time, I did not believe I had wavy or curly hair, I thought I was just cursed with poofy frizz.

A few years ago, I had the thought that maybe I wasn’t alone on my curl quest. I started searching for the secrets to frizz free hair. I managed to stumble across The Curly Girl Method which has completely changed my hair’s life. This discovery opened a whole new world to me of curl patterns, hair porosity and products I should and shouldn’t be using. I began binge reading articles on sulfates and silicones, became fascinated with finding a moisture versus protein balance, and found myself immersed in a world with so many hair products I never knew existed.

I soon went through all my old products and started to eliminate sulfates and silicones from my hair routine and threw my brush far away.

I was able to instantly see a change in my hair. While it wasn’t absolute perfection I knew that the curly girl method was the right one for my hair.  I began to see curls forming naturally out of what I previously thought was just a frizzy mess. I started to notice my hair feeling stronger when wet and not like straw. I felt more confident in my hair and so dug deeper into the curly girl method to see what else I could learn.

After about a month or so I started to notice build-up on my scalp that seemed to stay even after a thorough co-wash. I frantically checked all of my hair products to verify again that there were no pesky silicones hiding in any of them or any other type of offender but found nothing. From there I started to research sulfate free shampoos and thought that may be the better route for me. I tried quite a few that left my hair feeling just as stripped as normal shampoos before I found shea moisture shampoos. They felt like a co-wash yet had enough cleaning power to get rid of the buildup that I experience naturally.

I was disappointed that simply co-washing did not work for my hair but was very happy that there were more options for people who needed something more.

Another important part of succeeding in the Curly Girl Method is finding the right balance in your hair between the proteins you add and the moisture. When I first started my journey my hair was so dry that all I did was pump moisture into it. I tried DIY hair masks, I purchased hair masks and worked to get my hair as absolutely moisturized as I could. My hair did become moisturized as I had hoped but it quickly became overly so.

The Curly Girl Method not only showed me how to care for my hair more appropriately but it helped me learn how to style it as well to help bring out my curls.

I discovered that the shower was not just the place to wash your hair but was also where you can start to encourage and style your curls. The squish to condish method is a way of applying your conditioner that has help bring out the definition of my curls and something that I now use for every shower. I also found that towel drying is nothing but drying and damaging to curls and have since switched to using a T-shirt for drying and plopping my curls.

Finding The Curly Girl Method gave me curl peace.

While it did not give me type 3 or 4 curls that I still admire, it showed me the beauty of all wavy and curly hair. The curly girl method has provided me with all the information that I need to be able to make informed decisions about my hair and products that I purchase. While I am still a product junkie (maybe even more so than before”> I rarely purchase something that I don’t use up completely. Now I feel proud of my hair and love to wear it down rather than hide it in a ponytail like I have for so many years.

Update

Since this article was originally published, Becky got a gorgeous short cut that’s longer in the front and cropped at the nape. We love the shape and how healthy her curls look, “Ahhh guys I’m so happy with how it turned out! I look forward to another two years of growing it out! #yay #awesome #worthit” Becky said.

Becky, AKA The Polished Curl has an obsession with all things naturally curly hair and nail polish. Follow her on Instagram@thepolishedcurl and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

By Becky Woodford · Published April 26, 2018

My name is Becky and I am a stay at home mom to my 3 year old daughter. We have recently moved to the Dallas Fort Worth area and love it. My hair is between a 2b to a 2c wavy curly–it all depends on the day and weather. If I can coax a little more curl out of it.

I used to ask my mom for a perm because I wanted my hair even curlier… Today, I have learned to love and realize that my hair is awesome even if it is more wavy than curly

My curly hair routine & holy grails

• Once I’m out of the shower, I use a leave-in, a cream, topped off with a gel. My hair really wants to be frizzy so a cream is never enough to style it. If I try to use a gel alone, my hair gets stringy and tends to not scrunch out into flowing curls. Currently my go to routine is once out of the shower use as I am leave in conditioner followed by a few sprays to my roots of Tresemme Sea Salt Spray.
• I scrunch a few sprays to my roots of Tresemme Sea Salt Spray and Raw Curls Mousse, which is the only mousse I have found that I can use without drying out my hair.
• I have been using the Devacurl Ultra Defining Gel. I diffuse with my hair upside down for about 15 minutes and then let it air dry the rest of the way.

One product that I constantly use regardless of my routine is my Garnier Finishing Paste! I absolutely love that stuff–it gets rid of fly-aways without weighing down my hair at all.

As for ingredients, I no longer use sulfates and silicones in my routine. Because I am prone to build-up, I normally clarify with a sulfate shampoo once every 2 to 3 months and follow-up with a nice deep conditioner. Silicones just simply do not get along with my hair. When I finally started cutting them out, I noticed an instant improvement in my hair. If I want to have a good hair day, I stay away from these.

You can find a full list of my favorite products here.

My biggest hair issue

Beyond the frizz I deal with, I have a few pieces in the front that like to pull straight. I’m not sure why it happens, but normally I don’t notice this until after my hair has been styled and dried. I lightly wet my finger and smooth the section with a little light hold product like Ouidad Wave Create Texture Taffy and then finger curl that piece, holding it in place for maybe 2 minutes (so it heats up from body heat”>. However, I am still looking for the best way to deal with those pieces of hair.

Follow me

Subscribe to my YouTube channel, The Polished Curl. Follow me on Instagram @Thepolishedcurl. Follow me on Twitter @Thepolishedcurl

Read more by Becky

Becky’s Wash Day Routine

5 Ways to Get Those Straight Pieces to Curl

How to Style Wavy-Curly Hair At Night (When It’s Wet”>

By Becky Woodford · Published March 30, 2018

StyleNook user Julie.Pratt

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

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.

Check out Diane Mary’s full review of the Q-Redew to see how else she uses it on her wavy curly hair.

Do you have any tricks or techniques for getting your straighter piece to curl? Let us know in the comments!

By Becky Woodford · Published March 28, 2018

You’ve probably found yourself wondering in the past if it’s really worth shelling out the big bucks to go to a salon to have your services done for your hair or if you should just try the options that are available for the comfort of your home for a much more affordable price.  The answer isn’t the same for everyone or everyone’s hair type but there are some general guidelines when choosing which is best for your own hair.

Do at home

All-Over Hair Color 

Box color is not the same as it used to be, now it’s easy to find options that will add depth of color and long lasting results that you can do for yourself in your own home.  It’s important to consider that if you do this for yourself you will have to take care to keep it off your skin to prevent unwanted color being deposited on your face or ears.  

Blowout 

While it is tempting to want someone else to hold a blow-dryer for you when doing a blowout it really is something that you can do at home with salon results.  To do a blowout for yourself be sure to pick yourself up some products to protect your hair from the heat of your blow-dryer and a quality round brush to make sure your hair will last for days.

Extensions

It seems like extensions have been all the rage lately in the beauty scene, but they are not the ones you get done in a salon.  Although they are something you have to put in daily if you want that look all the time, the ease with which most clip into your hair makes it worth it to splurge on a nice set for yourself rather than spending the money every other month to have them done.

Go to a Salon

Haircut

There are many different feelings on cutting your hair yourself and while some people are able to with great results, if you are uncertain about it then it is probably best to go to a salon.  Since a haircut is at the base of how your hair will style it is important for it to be done well in order for you to get your best curls, it’s okay to be picky when choosing a hairstylist, ask a lot of questions and make sure you know what you are getting before it is done.

Highlights

While all-over color is something that can pretty easily be done at home, highlights don’t fall into the same category.  Since you have to carefully choose when the placement of the highlights go to make sure they look the best, it is better to just let a professional deal with where exactly frames your face best and how long to leave it on for the correct color development.

Perm

Another thing that is best left to the professionals is a chemical perm.  If you are unsure of what you are doing you can do some serious damage to your hair by trying to do an at home perm, you may end up paying more trying to fix it than if you had just gone to the salon originally.

How to find a salon

When looking for a salon it’s important to make sure you find one that is good for you and your hair texture to make sure you get the best results possible, luckily there are lots of resources for you to utilize to make sure you find the stylist that is right for you.

• NaturallyCurly Salon Finder – Here you can search by city or state to find a curly hair salon near you and salons can be rated and reviewed based on others experiences.

• Yelp – It’s not just for finding a new restaurant for yourself, by searching here for curly salons you can find stylists who may not be at a curly specific salon but that other users have had great luck with on their natural hair.

• DevaCurl – If you want to specifically find a Devacurl trained or inspired stylist you can go straight to Devacurl’s website and find all the stylists in your area with that qualification.

What do you go to a salon for, and what do you do at home? Share in the comments below!

What’s next?

Want to color your own hair? This is what you need to know about dyeing Type 4 hair. 

Working with a stylist to change up your style? Here are 18 curly haircuts we love. 

Watch out for these 6 signs your stylist knows how to do curly hair. 

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By Becky Woodford · Published December 26, 2017

There is no other spice that can perfectly encapsulate the fall and winter feeling better than cinnamon

photo courtesy of Julia_Sudnitskaya – Getty Images

There is no other spice that can perfectly encapsulate the fall and winter feeling better than cinnamon; its warmth and spice are the perfect pairing in your hot chocolate on a chilly day.

You may be surprised to learn that beyond just being an enjoyable fall time spice, cinnamon contains many of the antioxidants and vitamins that our hair and skin need–it is known to work well as a DIY scalp stimulator.

Cinnamon has been harvested as early as 2000 BCE and believe it or not, the spice has many different uses outside the kitchen–not only for hair, but also for skincare. Cinnamon is known to help remove sun spots and alleviate fine lines. Additionally, it is recommended for use to help prevent hair loss and achieve hair growth.

What is the cinnamon actually doing to my hair?

The reason cinnamon is sought after for hair growth potential is because of its ability to exfoliate on a physical and chemical level.

It is able to help remove build-up from the scalp, allowing for healthier follicles that in turn promote better hair growth. Cinnamon also helps encourage healthy hair growth by causing a tingling sensation, which is thought to draw more rushing blood to the scalp for stimulation.

Before you use cinammon…

While cinnamon is used in many beauty products of today it is important to remember that some skin is too sensitive for its use.  Prior to using any type of product that contains cinnamon on your scalp you should do a skin patch test on your arm to verify that you will not have a reaction.

DIY cinnamon scalp treatment

One of the most popular ways to use cinnamon for hair growth is to create a DIY paste that you apply to your hair:

• 2 TBSP of honey

• 2 TSP of cinnamon

• Olive oil to desired consistency

Mix the honey and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Once combined add in the olive oil until your mask is thin enough to apply onto your hair smoothly. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes and then wash clean with your favorite shampoo. If you tend to use a co-wash most of the time, you may want to opt for a shampoo this time, making sure you remove all the traces of honey and cinnamon from you hair. Note that if you leave cinnamon to sit on your skin for too long, it may cause a chemical burn and actually slow down growth promotion.

If you are looking to promote your scalp’s health and increase the opportunity for hair growth, turn to your pantry and try out cinnamon for yourself–you never know, your favorite fall time spice could become your next favorite hair stimulant!

What’s next? 

Traditional dry shampoos don’t work well for dark hair. See how to make your own dry shampoo with cinnamon here.

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By Becky Woodford · Published October 10, 2017

The Curly Girl Method is one that many of us use to get amazing curl definition–but at what cost?

Image:@toni_macaroni

With all of the different acronyms and seemingly endless product recommendations, it can be pretty intimidating to even know how or where to start with your CG Method journey. Luckily for you, there are actually plenty of options to choose from as a beginner on a budget.

The Curly Girl Method is a hair routine with general guidelines that dictate the products you should use on your hair. First rule of the method: avoid sulfates. The detergents are often found in shampoos and can strip your hair of its natural oils, drying them out.

Once you cut out sulfates, you will have to cut out non-water soluble ingredients such as silicones, which are found in conditioners and many styling products. Since they require a sulfate to effectively remove them, silicones build up on the hair, especially if you stop using sulfate shampoos.

Following the Curly Girl Method encourages you to cut out products that contain certain alcohols, brushing your hair, and using heat styling tools. Once you are ready to commit to following the CG Method, it is important to know where to look for your first products. When you are first starting a new routine, you often are not ready to dive in head first and buy the most expensive so instead here is a curly girl checklist for under $31!

Co-wash

(This is your shampoo replacement”>

• As I Am Coconut Co-wash, $9 at NaturallyCurly

Rinse-out conditioner

(This is your main moisturizing conditioner that you rinse out while in the shower”>

• TRESemmé Botanique Nourish and Replenish Conditioner, $4.99 at Target

Leave-In Conditioner

(This is the conditioner you don’t rinse out of your hair”>

• SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, $10.99 at NaturallyCurly

Gel

(This is your styling product that will help hold your curls all day”>

• Moroccan Argan Oil Styling Gel, $5.69 at Sally Beauty Supply

Your grand total: $30.67!

These products are all CG Method-friendly and are a great place to start when you are looking to find out what your natural textured hair needs to maintain health. With just four products and a little extra patience when caring for your curls, you will start to notice a difference in no time!

[prodmod]

What’s next?

Here are 10 more Curly Girl-friendly products you can find at the drugstore. 

Considering the Curly Girl Method? Read how The Curly Girl Method gave me curl peace.

This article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for grammar and clarity.

By Becky Woodford · Published May 25, 2017

It seems that more and more companies are listening to what a lot of people are asking for and that is more options for natural hair care.  Not Your Mother’s is a brand that I have come across many times on my search for hair products but with a majority of their products having silicones or sulfates, which I try to avoid for the most part, I found myself avoiding the brand as well.  Finally, I heard the brand recommended and was able to run out and pick up some products, because they recently released a naturals line. 

NYM Naturals (Not Your Mother’s Naturals”> are four separate lines that are free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, gluten, and synthetic dyes.  The four sets they break them down into are curl defining, repair and protect, volume boost, and high moisture.  Of course I decided to pick up the curl defining line and give it a try.

Photo Courtesy of @ThePolishedCurl

Quick Pros

• Curly girl friendly

• Sold in drugstores

• Affordable

Quick Cons

• Smells a little perfume-y

• Could be more moisturizing

• Styling products could have more hold

I picked up the four products that are in the curl defining line, including the curl defining shampoo, curl defining conditioner, curl defining combing cream, and the curl defining detangler.  The main ingredients highlighted to do the most good in this line is the mango butter and Tahitian gardenia flower.

• Mango Butter is used to help add moisture, reduce frizz and restore elasticity

• Tahitian gardenia flower is used to help soften and enhance the shape of your natural curl

Looking at the shampoo and conditioner first, these two products are packaged with a pump and at $8.99 are affordable options for curly girls on a budget.  For me, the shampoo had the perfect amount of cleansing to moisture ratio and left my hair and scalp feeling cleaned.  The conditioner on the other hand was slightly lacking in its amount of moisture, I found it works great as a final conditioner that I leave in my hair but would not work for me as my standalone rinse out conditioner.  I did enjoy both of the shampoo and conditioner and will definitely continue to use them in my routine.

Next up we have the styling products in the line, this includes the combing cream and the detangler, and again, both are sold at $8.99 and have a pump.  I primarily tried to use the detangler as a leave-in in my style routine and the combing cream as my curl cream.  Unfortunately for me these two products didn’t do much to aid in the definition or hold of my curls throughout the day, while my hair did feel moisturized, it also felt frizzy and dropped by the end of the day.  I have also tried using a hard hold gel overtop with no luck, for wash day styling these products didn’t work for me.  One overwhelming positive though is the sprayer that the detangler comes with, I have yet to use a product that I could spray directly into my hair without worry but somehow the detangler sprayer is able to spray a fine mist of conditioner evenly and without mess. 

Although not for my wash day, I did find the detangler to be useful, I found that when added to hair before putting it up for the night or for second day curls it provided a lot of moisture to help tame and control frizz.  I did still need a serum or light gel on top for second day curls but the detangler was enough to keep my hair soft and not stringy even when I added a spray gel on top.

I am over the moon that other popular brands are starting to come out with options that are natural and free of harmful ingredients and am very excited about Not Your Mother’s brand coming out with so many options in that vein.  While the styling products were not enough hold for my curls, the shampoo and conditioner have definitely made their way on to my rebuy list!

Have you tried the Not Your Mother’s Natural Hair line?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Like us on Facebook to see what we’re talking about now.

By Becky Woodford · Published May 16, 2017

When learning to style your waves,  it is important remember that care starts in the shower.  

I can use the same hair styling products day after day, but if my shower care is lacking, my waves will not cooperate.

Before I even get my hair wet, I do a check to see what it may be needing from my wash day. How it feels and how frizzy it may be, can make a difference in the products I reach for during my shower.  If my hair is feeling frizzy or dry I may want to use an oil on my hair as a pre-poo to make sure I am protecting my already dry hair from cleansers.  If my hair is feeling weighed down or if I have build-up on my scalp, I may skip the pre-poo and choose to do a clarifying shampoo.  Once you’ve determined what your hair is looking for out of your wash day, you can start to gather your products together.

Photo Courtesy of @ThePolishedCurl

To start, you will want to use some type of cleanser to make sure you are starting with a clean slate to style your hair.  There are three main categories of cleansers you can choose from: co-wash, sulfate free shampoo, and clarifying shampoos.

• Co-washes are most often used for those whose hair can’t get enough moisture.  I reach for these most often during the week.

• Sulfate free shampoos are best for those who may experience build up or whose hair is easily weighed down. This is what I reach for at the beginning of the week.

• Clarifying shampoos are only really needed every other month for most as these shampoos contain sulfates which can be very stripping to hair.

Once I’ve determined my cleanser the next step is to use a rinse out conditioner. This is more trial and error for most on what moisturizes your hair the best.  For me, this is when I reach for something that is extremely thick and full of good fats for my hair to soak up.  There are really two things you can use for your rinse out, either a deep conditioner or a traditional conditioner. 

• Deep conditioners are good for everyone once and awhile, some can get away with using them every wash day as opposed to others whose hair is easily weighed down may only want to use once a week.

• Traditional conditioners can be found as a rinse out by trial and error and can be used by anyone. Those looking for more moisture in their rinse out should look for words like balm on their conditioners and those looking for less moisture should reach for those that are thinner in consistency.

Photo Courtesy of @ThePolishedCurl

The last but not least part of my wash day is a leave in conditioner that I use for the squish to condish method.  This can be any type of conditioner that will not leave buildup.  This doesn’t have to be a conditioner that is labeled specifically as a leave in though. Most any conditioner will work as long as your hair likes it.  For myself, I reach for thinner conditioners that will easily scrunch into my hair but leave lasting moisture. For those with thinner hair, try a spray in leave in conditioner as these are incredibly lightweight.

Once I learned how to listen to what my hair needed before I started my wash day, I found that I had many more successful good hair days!

Check out my wash day essentials for more information on how I take care of my wavy hair!

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By Becky Woodford · Published March 22, 2017

A favorite product among curly girls has also been filled with a lot of controversy when it comes to achieving hair growth.  

Hair gel is a must for many looking to control their naturally curly hair but to have the control, do you have to give up healthy hair?

One reason it is often advised to stay away from gels is because of the alcohol content in it which can be drying, and dry hair is more prone to breakage.  While this is not stunting your growth, breakage will make your hair growth journey come to a standstill and cause frustration.

The easiest solution to this problem is to start using a gel without alcohol in the ingredient list. This can be a bit of a challenge but as more people start demanding products sans alcohol we are starting to see more coming on the market.

Products to try that are free of alcohols

1. Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
2. Curl Junkie Pattern Pusha
3. Ecostyler Professional Styling Gel With Olive Oil

Another reason gel is said to be a no go is because of the hard cast that can form over the hair, or the crunch factor.  The hardness that forms can cause hairs to become stuck together, leading to major tangles for some.  Say you’re on Day 2 hair, if you try to brush out your hair you may accidentally pull out more hair than you mean to, because all of your strands have been “glued” together. Also, If you run into a tangle with gel in your hair, you run the risk of pulling your hair out while trying to remove tangles. As a general rule it is best to detangle in the shower with a good amount of conditioner or you can use a product that won’t cause a hard cast to form.

Products that will hold without the crunch

1. DevaCurl Styling Cream
2. SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Gel-Cream
3. Curly Sexy Hair Curling Crème

People also stray away from gels because it can cause a layer of build up over your scalp, which if left untouched may cause blockage of hair follicles.  The main thing to remember about this is that almost all products that you are using will eventually cause build up if not properly removed. To keep your scalp healthy and clear of any build up, it is important to do a clarifying treatment every 6 weeks or so to make sure you can get your hair back to a natural state, free from product buildup.

Products to clarify your hair with

1. Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
3. Jane Carter Solution Renewable Difference Shampoo

When it comes to gel there haven’t been any studies that directly link gel to stunting hair growth, however, it’s important to listen to your hair and make sure you are keeping it healthy if you are looking to grow it out.  If you are starting to see breakage and you are an avid gel user, try out one with no alcohol. If you are starting to see thinning, try out a product that gives you hold without the crunch and lastly don’t forget to clarify your hair to make sure you scalp is clean and healthy.

Want to see more of my curl journey? Follow me on ig @ThePolishedCurl!

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