Search Results: NaturallyCurly
Pros & Cons of Curly Hair
Suave Argan Oil Review
Do you usually use oil in your natural hair routine?
Evelyn: I usually use olive oil or coconut oil as a pre-poo treatment to soften & detangle my hair before cleansing. I also use a little to take down my twists or bantu knots. Oils are also great for doing blow outs.
How did you use the Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Moroccan Argan Styling Oil in your hair?
Evelyn: To take down twists or bantu knots in the morning, I use about 2-3 pumps of the Suave Moroccan Argan Oil. After emulsifying it in my hands, I run it down the length of each section.
Any tips or advice for other people considering trying out this product?
Do you usually use oil in your natural hair routine?
Clare: I mostly use oils to add shine and softness to my wavy hair. I tend to like light oils that won’t weigh down my Type 2A hair.
How did you use the Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Moroccan Argan Styling Oil in your hair?
Clare: I like to use this oil as a finisher and applied it to my damp hair after getting out of the shower. If my hair is dry and in need of some shine, I rub the oil between my hands and then scrunch it through the ends of my hair as I’m doing here.
How did your hair feel after using it?
Clare: It improved the look and feel of my hair especially the ends, since my hair is in dire need of a haircut. In this picture I flipped my hair forward to make sure I evenly distributed the product through my ends.
Any tips or advice for other people considering trying out this product?
Clare: If you have wavy hair like me, just focus this product on your ends. Definitely don’t apply this anywhere near your roots. Experiment with the amount your hair likes, but if you have Type 2A waves like me I would start with just one pump to begin with.
Do you usually use oil in your natural hair routine?
Nikki: I like to add olive oil as my deep conditioner, I’ve also used Moroccan oil before but it can get expensive. Suave Moroccan Argan Oil is a great alternative to the pricier products.
How did you use the Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Moroccan Argan Styling Oil in your hair?
How did your hair feel after using it?
Nikki: It smelled great, and looked shinier for sure. As you can see in this picture I didn’t run my fingers through my hair because that would break up my curls. Rather, I just smooth my hands over my hair with a little bit of oil on them.
Any tips or advice for other people considering trying out this product?
Nikki: Everyone’s hair is unique, so it’s hard to give advice about what someone else’s hair might like. But if you have thick, coarse hair that’s a mix between Type 3B and 3C like mine, I recommend smoothing it over the length of your hair for some added shine.
NaturallyCurly member purplegirl shared her recipe for this light, herb infused essential oil.
What You’ll Need:
- jojoba oil
- fresh rosemary
- fresh sage
- horsetail herb
Directions:
- Put 8 oz of jojoba oil in a glass jar
- Add the herbs to the oil and seal the jar tightly
- Place the jar on a window sill for 2 weeks
For more curly mixology recipes, or to share your own favorite at-home treatments, go to our Recipes section.
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Doug Ratner: My name is Doug Ratner. I’m the lead singer/guitarist for my band Doug Ratner & The Watchmen; we’re a country fried rock ‘n’ roll band from Springfield, MA. We’ve had some major independent success and I’m trying to revitalize rock ‘n’ roll for the 21st century because it’s lying dormant right now! I’m also a huge animal lover…I have two german shepherds named Oggy and Trudy.
NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
DR: In late 2009, I started growing my hair out for good after my sister helped me put it in a pony for the first time. I’m a rock ‘n’ roller, so my image is directly related to who I am as an artist. My long, curly hair is a reflection of who I am as an artist…wild, untamed and passionate!NC: From start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
DR: I let genetics do most of the work (I’m Jewish”> along with a healthy diet of organic meat and fish, vegetables, berries, and lots of avocados and coconut oil! I only wash my hair about 2-3 times a week, usually with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. I also try to get 20 minutes of direct sunlight whenever possible and when I do wash my hair, I like to let it dry in the sun. I don’t use any artificial products on my skin or hair because I try to limit my body’s exposure to unwanted toxins/chemicals. Our skin is the largest organ in the body, and ensuring healthy skin is part of having healthy hair! What you put into your body directly impacts how you look and feel! And of course, adequate hydration is a must.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?
DR: I keep my hair in a ponytail if it’s really hot out, but I like it down and wild! Sometimes I put a bandana around it to keep the curls out of my face and when it was in its growing stages, I used a headband to keep it back.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
DR: Dr. Bronner’s is great because I can bring it on the road to wash my hair, wash my body and brush my teeth. Other than that, my must-haves are sunshine, water, healthy food and a healthy mind.
NC: What about your hair stylists?
DR: I have a stylist in my hometown who cuts my hair. She’s always trying to get me to try new products, but I never do.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair? DR: Sleep! Healthy sleep patterns are so important for a healthy immune system, which affects our bodies and therefore our appearance. I also sleep with my hair down, not in a ponytail. I like to let it breathe and restore itself while I do the same.NC: What reaction did you get when you decided to go natural?
DR: I get a lot of looks and stares from people…and usually a lot of compliments from girls!
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
DR: It’s a form of self-expression and it’s another way to let people know about my music and passion! And my heroes (Roger Daltrey, Eddie Vedder, Slash, to name a few”> all have long curly hair. When I’m up on stage I feel empowered in a way, like I’m paying homage to them.NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your life?
DR: I don’t want to say that it makes me unique because with or without my hair, I believe that I’m a unique individual. But it does make me very recognizable and it adds to the branding of my band and my look. A lot of people remember me because of my hair on stage and they’ll recognize me in a restaurant or even walking down the street. Fans will tell me that they noticed me crossing the road because they recognized my hair. It’s really cool! In our upcoming album, I write about my long hair in some of the songs.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
DR: If it’s who you are, embrace it 100% and never worry about other people’s negative opinions. Deep down, people are yearning for a way to express themselves and find happiness, and that takes truth and honesty. By letting your hair grow out and be curly, you’re making a statement and expressing yourself in the most natural way.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
DR: We’re finishing up our third album—it will be released in the middle of August. We also start shooting our music video soon…for the same song that talks about my hair! Then we’re going on tour through the Midwest and the South from August 15th-25th. Lots of awesome stuff coming up.
Want to check out Doug’s band? You can find Doug Ratner & The Watchmen on their website, Facebook, or Twitter.
What is a Pre-poo?
A pre-poo is a popular pre-shampoo treatment among our curly and coily community, because shampoos have been known to dry out our curls.
We recommend applying a pre-poo to dry hair on wash day, and detangling your hair using your fingers. Once you’ve left your pre-poo treatment for at least 15 minutes, you can shampoo as you normally would.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp castor oil
- 4 drops tea tree oil
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bottle and mix
- Apply to either damp or dry hair
- Put on a shower cap and leave on for 15 minutes (or longer”>
- Shampoo as normal
Watch the Video
Our Content Editor Cristina cut her waist-length Type 2C wavy hair into a short pixie haircut. Follow her through her stylist consultation with Hairstylist of the Year Winner Allen Ruiz from Jackson Ruiz Salon. He listened to her needs and made her feel comfortable, even through the dreaded ponytail chop! The cut is short on the back and sides, and longer on top. If you’d like to see the inspiration for this cut, check out Cristina’s Pinterest board.
Watch the Video
Please Share
If you have any advice or product recommendations for rocking short, curly hair, leave them in the comments.
Give your curls a summer makeover with these two easy ways to color your curls. Don’t fret, they’re only temporary so the color washes right out. Add some hot pink to your curls over the weekend, and you can still look professional come Monday.
How to Use Eyeshadow
Evelyn colored her coils using cream eyeshadow, after seeing Nikki sporting blue coils on CurlyNikki and sweet purple highlights on Fro Envy. She used Maybelline’s Color Tattoo 24 Hr Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal.
For a subtle pop of color you can highlight strands throughout your hair, or for more in-your-face vibrant color, you can apply this to a whole section (as pictured”>. You don’t need to layer the eyeshadow, the color was vibrant with just one application!
- Step 1. Select the section of hair you’d like to color. Evelyn recommends starting with dry hair. You may want to clip the rest of the hair back that you are not coloring.
- Step 2. Using your fingertips, emulsify the cream eyeshadow between your fingers, this will ensure the product is smooth and easier to apply (without chunks”>.
- Step 3. Apply cream eyeshadow to the section of hair with your fingertips, smooth it through your hair like you would a styling product.
- Step 4. Be sure to work the eyeshadow into your roots as well.
- Step 5. When you’re ready to wash the color out, use your normal method to wash your hair (whether that’s conditioner or shampoo, it washes right out”>.
How to Use Hair Chalk
For this method it is important that you use artist’s soft pastels, not actual chalk or oil pastels. Double check that you have soft pastels before you get started.
Cristina had ombre’d hair before she began, so the ends of her hair were already lighter than her roots. This made the color show up more vividly than if she had dark brown hair from roots to ends. If you have very dark hair, the color will be less noticeable. If you’re looking for in-your-face color, we suggest the cream eyeshadow option above.
- Step 1. Wet the hair that you would like to color, we recommend a spray bottle with water in it (to minimize the mess”>.
- Step 2. Color your hair with the soft pastel. To add subtle color to your strands, twist the section first and color the twisted section (as shown in the video”>.
- Step 3. You can use a variety of colors, we stuck to the same color palette of reds, pinks and orange (we also love the look of blues, greens and purple”>.
- Step 4. Some tutorials suggest flat ironing the hair to seal the color in, we left this step out in the interest of protecting our hair from heat damage!
A few notes on soft pastels:
The color does bleed, (whether you flat iron or not”> so you will find that the color shows up on whatever shirt you are wearing (and your pillow”>. It DOES wash out of clothing, so this is not permanent – but you should be aware that your shoulders may take on a pink hue!
The color is temporary, but it took about two washes for water to run completely clear in the shower. The eyeshadow washes out more easily than soft pastels did.
Is It Drying?
Evelyn and Cristina both noticed that when the color was in their hair, that section felt drier than the rest. However, once the color was washed out their moisture returned to normal.
How to Use Curl Styling Cream
What is curl cream?
What exactly IS a curl creme? There are certainly lots of them out on there on the shelves today – and they’re made for just about every curl type. Curl creams aide in providing a soft hold and definition to curls. They can often be more nourishing then gels and leave less build up.
They don’t have a “crunch” effect when your hair dries, as some gels and even mousses may leave behind. Curl cremes are a great product to have on hand when you find you need to tame some frizz or if you’re hair feels drier than usual.
Styling creams
For Type 2 curls
Garnier Fructis Soft Curl Cream
Boots Essentials Curling Cream
Physique Frizz Control Curl Cream
For Type 3 curls
For Type 4 curls
Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme
How to apply it
- After your shower, section your hair into 3, 4, or 5 sections.
- On wet hair, apply an ample amount of the product to each section.
- Working the creme from the root to the end of the hair. You may want to also leave a little extra on the ends of your hair for some extra “protection” from the elements and split ends.
- Allow your hair to dry naturally, or , use a diffuser and dry 50-60% dry.
- Optional: If you want to experiment by adding a gel with it, do so with your next wash, after you’ve seen how the product works alone.
Our curl cream tips
-
Use a light moisturizing curl cream as a leave-in when your curls are thirsty. Mix it with a gel that plays well with others for a combination of moisture and curl definition, especially in hot and humid conditions.
-
Using more of a curl cream in the fall and winter when the air is cooler and drier. Try a heavier curl cream that has both moisturizing and defining properties so that you don’t have to add gel and be concerned about having limp curls.
-
Make sure the curl cream mixes well with gels or work well by itself. Before covering your whole head and ending up with a crunchy flakey mess, test a smaller section of your hair with the cream and your choice of gel to be sure they work well together. To use a curl cream by itself, look for one that says it defines curls or enhances curls. Sometime curl creams like this are called gel-creams.
This quick, homemade recipe can promote hair growth, give curls shine and definition, provide nourishing Omega 3, as well as being extremely cost effective. With so many benefits rolled into one, this is a must-try recipe for all aspiring Curly Mixologists.
Homemade Flaxseed Gel
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of water
- 1/4 or 1/2 cup of flax seed , depending on how thick you want it to be
- 1 tbsp of aloe vera gel (optional”>
- 3 drops of essential oil (optional”>
- Strainer (fine mesh”>
- Wooden spoon
- Bowl or air tight container
How to Make It
- Pour 2 cups of water and flax seed into a pot, on low/medium bring it to a boil stirring flax seed often, and gently, with the spoon.
- Turn off heat when a white frothy gel like liquid forms (it will have a raw egg white consistency”>.
- Continue stirring while it simmers. Put the strainer on top of your bowl or container and pour the mixture in.
- Let it cool down, and, if you want to, add aloe gel and essential oil.
Keep the leftover flaxseeds in a ziplock bag for another use or two!
Applying the Gel
Use gel while hair is clean and damp to wet. It may have a “goopy” consistency, so you may have to “play” with your recipie a bit by adding or lessening the amount of flax seed as you create it.
Place the rest of the gel in an air tight container. The shelf life is 12-14 days in the refrigerator. Put the used flax seeds in a container in the fridge so that you can reuse them.
Our Top Tips
If your curls need moisture
- You can add EVOO to your mix for a more nourishing gel
If your gel is too thin
- Try adding a bit more flaxseed to your next batch
- Add a touch of honey
- Or experiment with a teaspoon of xanthum gum for a thickener
If your gel smells
- Adding a favorite essential oil can enhance the smell of your gel, and your locks
RECIPE: DIY Flaxseed Gel for Soft Hair
Coconut Milk Pre-Poo
It’s no secret, we love coconut oil, so when we spotted this coconut milk pre-poo over on our friend CurlyNikki’s blog, and the rave reviews have convinced us to give it a try!
What you’ll need
- coconut milk – 4 tablespoons
- honey – 2 tablespoon
- 3 of your favorite oils – 1 tablespoon each
Directions
- Combine all ingredients
- Warm in the microwave
- Apply to dry, dirty hair
- Wear a shower cap and a thermal heat turban
- After one hour, wash out
Shelli of Hairscapades recommends using a dye applicator bottle to apply this, as it can be a messy process. But it seems worth the mess, because after the first use her hair “felt stronger, moisturized and [her] twists were so plump, juicy and shiny!”
Natural Hair NBA Dancer
Maddy Wooten: If you were to ask me this question 8 years ago, my answer would have been ABSOLUTELY! Long and straight hair was popular on black women in the industry. As female dancers, “hairography” is a large part of our dancing, which often requires straight hair. Nappy hair does not move the same way straight hair does, so flowing hair is highly desired in dance. When you look back at history, black women began straightening their hair to look less “ethnic” and blend in more with other women in America. It was an attempt to fit in with society and to be valued equally in the workforce. Each dancer in the industry has her own look. It either sets her apart for helps her represent a certain brand. On teams, each girl represents a certain demographic. In order for me to look like what I was expected to look like, I needed to straighten my hair. I auditioned two years with curly hair but needed to straighten it for my official team look. 8 years ago, the black woman was always shown with relaxed hair. Nowadays, almost every commercial or print ad shows the black woman with her natural hair. The “look” of your everyday black woman according to America has grown to include both straight and curly hair. Nowadays, I don’t feel as pressured because I know how to style my hair to compliment me.
NC: What has your experience been wearing your hair natural in your industry?
MW: I feel that every black woman has a different experience when embracing their natural curls. My experience has been absolutely wonderful, largely because I have mixed hair! My hair is full and curly, yet soft so it still bounces and moves when I dance. I have been able to achieve most of the movement in my hair that was always desired when I straightened my hair. I also feel that my positive experience is largely a result of America’s new perspective of the black woman. Natural hair is in. It is a worldwide movement that is empowering black women to embrace their natural curls. I have noticed that if my hair is too big or too long, it becomes to edgy for commercial work. It leaves the “all American black girl” world and crosses over into the “edgy backup dancer” world. Depending on the type of dance jobs I want to work on, this can be a good or bad thing. It is interesting because I actually auditioned for a “cheerleader” role on a VH1 Sitcom, and they only picked black girls with straight hair. I have learned that there are just some jobs that I won’t really be considered for due to my hair, yet there are also just as many jobs that desired ethnic hair.
NC: What has the reaction been from other dancers? From staff? From your family?
MW: The reaction has been great! Not a day goes by without somebody commenting on my hair. Dancers, staff, and family alike have all given nothing but good feedback regarding my curly hair.
NC: Were you a slow transitioner or a big chopper and why?
MW: I started out as a slow transitioner because I was still a Miami Heat Dancer at the time and needed to maintain the look that I started the season with. I was also a professional dancer in the Miami area and booked all my dance jobs with straight flowing hair. I then left Miami and go underground and take a break from the industry in order to change my hair. This is when I did the big chop. My natural hair was only two inches long at the time. I picked dance jobs at theme parks and cruiseships for the next two years that did not require me to straighten my hair. I actually wore wigs and headpieces for most of my work. This allowed my hair to grow out slowly over time.
NC: What has been your greatest challenge transitioning?
MW: My greatest challenge transitioning was accepting the fact that I would actually have to leave my job in order to go natural. I had to relocate in order to get away from the industry that needed my straight flowing hair! I also did not know what lay on the other side.
NC: How does your hair affect your persona on the court? Is that different now that you’re natural?
MW: I am currently part of a dance team that has embraced my natural curls! I feel that my curls match my personality because I am a happy, positive, and bubbly individual. When I perform, my persona is friendly, inviting, and outgoing. This persona is definitely different from when I had straight hair. Back then, my persona was more on the flirtatious and seductive side.
NC: Have you inspired any of your fellow dancers to go natural?
MW: I feel that I may have inspired dancers, non-dancers, and even family members to go natural. According to my husband, when we first visited LA and took dances classes, I was the only black girl with curly hair that he saw. After I got off of my cruiseship and officially moved to LA, he saw a few more dancers who used to have straight hair and then went natural. I was one of the few working dancers with natural hair, and now over a year later there are dozens of working dancers who have all gone natural. Several of my friends from high school also went natural after witnessing my journey.
NC: What’s your current hair routine?
MW: I like to wash and condition my hair twice a week on average. How much I sweat in my hair or how much product for stage that I use in my hair are strong variables in determining when I wash. Due to some of the product that I put in my hair, I like to use a deep conditioner every time I wash instead of once a week.
NC: Must-have products?
MW: Profectiv Megagrowth Stimulating Shampoo
Profextiv Megagrowth Deep Conditioner
Miss Jessies Curly Pudding
Curls Curl Goddess Gel
Curls Lavish Curls Moisturizer
NC: What do you do to maintain your hair at night?
MW: I protect my hair a night in a modified pineapple wrap. First I perform the typical pineapple wrap, and then I hold out the very corner triangle piece and tuck in all of the ends of my hair. I then pull the triangle forward to the front of my head and tuck it into the rest of the pineapple wrap. This ensures that 100% of my hair is covered.
NC: What do you love the most about your hair?
MW: My natural hair compliments me and my personality way more than my relaxed hair did! I absolutely love what my hair says about me! I want to be able to inspire other women across the globe to feel the same way about themselves. Going natural provides a sense of self. A sense of accomplishment. A sense of perseverance. It has a magical power that can’t be match. A confidence that can’t be moved. It is empowering. It is liberating. It is all that it seems to be and more.
NC: What advice can you extend to some of the natural newbies?
MW: I would tell natural newbies to be patient and that they should not compare themselves to other girls. Mixed hair comes in many variations in texture, and everyone’s hair has its own growth rate and maximum growth length. I would also say to trial different natural hair products. What works for me might not work for you. I tried 6 shampoo product and 10 styling products before settling down with my top 2 of each.
NC: What are you working on now?
MW: I just wrapped up my fourth season dancing in the NBA and recently opened my own dance studio with my husband, Movement Inc. Dance Center in Santa Clarita, CA. I am very excited about this summer because I am also officially releasing a limited edition of my new “Nothing But Natural” racerback tank top! I am currently accepting reservations at this time because once this item sells out, it will be discontinued. Anyone interested can email me at nothingbutnaturalapparel@
NC: How can our readers find you on the web?
MW: My personal website is www.MaddyWooten.com. I also have a Facebook Pages “Maddy Wooten” and “Nothing But Natural”. I can be found on Twitter (@MissMaddyMad and @NothinBTNatural”> and Instagram (@MissMaddyMad and @NothingButNatural”>.
Whether you’re into Zumba, running, hot yoga, spinning or boxing, working out can take a toll on curls and waves, causing frizz and oil build up. Exercise makes us feels great and does wonders for our bodies and brains, however it doesn’t always do too many wonders for our tresses. And while your hair may pay a price for getting healthy, it should, of course, never stop you from staying healthy.
Like most women, we sweat when our heart rate gets elevated, some more than others. If your workout takes places outside, then you may also encounter some of the elements like wind and sun as well, which could also be harmful to curls.
Here are a few tips to consider for your curly workouts:
Fight Frizz When Working Out
Weatherproof your hair
Stay true to your natural texture, therefore, stay away from flat ironing and blow outs as the weather and the workout won’t be kind to your hair afterwards. Try to use a small amount of leave-in conditioner and gel that works with your hairtype. If you do end up sweating, you won’t have a lot of droop in your hair since there’s not much product in it to begin with.
The up-do
It’s a must to have a few good hair ties or cotton head bands in your work out bag. Hair can distract your workout when it flops into your eyes! This can also lead to more frizz. Use hair ties or head bands that are comfortable, and not too tight. Pile your curls up loosely so as not to cause breakage. If pieces don’t fit,use some bobby pins or a pretty clip to keep them at bay.
For Long Hair
If you have long curls or waves, try a braid – it’s a great way to keep your hair out of your face, and, afterwards, you just may find that you have some great looking loops and texture when you remove the braid!
The product line up
There are lots of products that may work just great for our curls, but combined with workouts, they may change in time. To start: use a gentle, but cleansing, shampoo and conditioner like Suave ,VO5 or DevaCurl to wash and hydrate your curls since they’ll need some suds and moisture. Try to leave your conditioner in for an extra 5-8 minutes when showering too. Finish with a cold water rinse. Next, go for a light styling gel, serum or creme (depending on your hair type”>.A few to try come from: Living Proof, Redken Slim Supreme, Suave Gel, LA Looks Curl Gel, Noodle Head creme. When applying products, go lighter than usual, and don’t apply too many. If you normally use a leave-in conditioner, use less. You don’t want too much build up to occur as you work out.MORE: Curly Hair Care for Cardio
Air dry
After a workout, and a shower, it’s best to let hair dry naturally. If you can, allow it to dry on it’s own. Use a satin pillowcase so as not to damage curls as you sleep. If you must dry your hair, use a diffuser and try to dry no more than 40% dry.
MORE: What’s Your Frizz Type?
Yogurt Curl Stretcher Recipe
NaturallyCurly user Curly-Spirally uses this tropical homemade hair treatment for loosening and stretching her curls. She found that her curls felt much softer and shinier after this treatment.
What you’ll need
- 1 egg
- whole milk, plain yogurt
- a splash of milk
- lime juice
- coconut oil
- cornstarch to thicken
Directions
- Mix all ingredients together
- Pour generously over your hair, coating all strands
- Leave on for 45 minutes
- Rinse out and style as normal
Myth or Fact:
Does hair build ‘tolerance’ to products?
It is a common belief that hair and skin grow tolerant, and in some ways immune, to the topical products we place on them daily. Some believe that the solution is to switch products regularly to reactivate our curls and the way they react to products.
The Verdict
“Hair can’t tell the difference between brands or build up tolerance to any product,” says London-based hair and scalp expert Philip Kingsley.
And since hair isn’t actually “living,” it can’t really build a tolerance or an immunity to products you use. However, there are certain factors such as product build-up and the weather, changes in eating and exercise habits, living conditions, and even, stress, can make for changes in how products react when you use them.
“Dry, humid or wet weather can change the way your hair feels and behaves, and an accumulation of chemicals on the follicle and hair shaft (if you color, relax or use thermal styling tools”> may make it seem like your shampoo and conditioner aren’t doing their job,” says NY dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD.What to do now? First off, and most important, you must use products that don’t strip your hair of it’s natural pH balance. According to Essensuals Hairstylist Joanna Barrientos, a natural pH balance for hair is a 5-5.5. When your hair becomes brittle or too dry, products will react differently. Keeping hair moisturized and healthy is vital.
Use a gentle, clarifying shampoo to exfoliate once a week so you rid of product build up and massage your scalp well too. “If you do this occasionally, you can go back to the shampoo and conditioner you loved and will likely see restored results,” states Dr. Peredo.
Next, pay attention to changes in your working and living enviormnents as well as changes in the weather and seasons. When the warmer weather is upon us, you should take into consideration the humidity and sweat your body produces. During cooler months and colder temperatures, there’s more dry heat in our surroundings and a need to give our hair more moisture and assistance in replenishing natural oils.
If you have any chemical processing done to your hair, you should also consider these as factors for using products and possibly noting changes. “Coloring, highlighting, relaxing and perming all affect the fundamental properties of your hair, says Gray. If you’ve had one of these chemical processes, you may need to add deep-conditioning treatments, including masks, to keep your hair in tip-top shape,” says hair expert, John Gray.
Maintaining a healthy diet and getting the necessary amount of water, rest and regular activity, in addition to these suggestions will aide in keeping your hair looking it’s best.
We asked NaturallyCurly readers what the biggest mistake a stylist has ever made cutting their curls, and we got an earful! The full article can be found in the latest edition of Texture!
If you’d like to share your own horror stories, or simply like to know you’re not alone in your stylist struggles, join the conversation on CurlTalk.
7 Worst Curly Cut Mistakes
1. Cutting too short!
You said:
“Cutting off 6 inches when I only asked for a quarter of an inch. :'(“
“Cut my hair as short as my straight haired sisters. I was probably 10 and I cried a lot. Now I only let curly haired stylists cut my hair.”
“I said trim then she went Edward scissor hands on me.”
“Definitely cutting too much off and telling me that she’s the stylist, so she knows what’s best for my hair!”
“I had a stylist literally argue with me over shrinkage because she cut off more than I asked and I was upset. She was so adamant it just could not possibly shrink that much. “
2. Thinning and razor cutting
You said:
“Razor cut. Killed all my curls, it took three months to get them back”
“When I was in still in High School I went in for a trim and he convinced my mom and I he would do a great razor and thinning. Cut my hair 4 inches shorter did the razor and thinning, when I wore my hair curly I had literally a giant ball of frizz on top of my head. *shivers*”
“Using a razor. I will never let that happen again.”
3. Blow drying mistakes
You said:
“Using a big brush on my hair and trying to blow dry without a diffuser.”“Having me drop me head so she could blow-dry my hair upside down then had me flip it back quick. It was HUGE!!”
“Running her fingers through it while blow drying it. I finally asked her to stop”
“Trying to blow out hair with a tiny round brush”
4. Cutting the hair wet
You said:
“Cutting my hair wet and ending up making it way too short. i was left with layers that started about eye level – took forever to grow back out” – CurlTalk user sKorpio1190
“The biggest mistake stylists make cutting curly hair is cutting it wet…you might as well place a blindfold on yourself while cutting as you’ll get the same result.” – Andee Hoos
“I hate when they refuse to cut my hair dry (and curly”>.”
5. Brushing curly hair
You said:
“The biggest mistake is combing my hair while dry and curly.”
“She used a fine toothed comb on my wet hair.”
“Almost every stylist I’ve gone to dries my hair while RUNNING THEIR FINGERS THROUGH IT! This is one of the top curly no-nos! It creates so much frizz that halfway through they start to act uncomfortable and say ‘how about we just blow this out?'”
6. Straightening hair before cutting it
You said:
“I had one tell me that I had to have my hair straightened to cut my hair ..BIG mistake. Now, I don’t let anyone touch it.”
“I hate when they insist on straightening my hair first! “
“Well how much time do I have? Okay, I’ll just share one story then lol: The stylist stretching each curl straight before cutting it. Ended up w/a strange, asymmetrical hair ‘shelf’ on one side because of that.” – CurlTalk user Korkscrew
MORE: Tips for Cutting Curly Hair Your Stylist Can’t Live Without
7. Not listening
You said:
“Not listening to my goals for my hair.”
“To me the worst is when they don’t listen. If I go to the doctor and say a certain medication doesn’t work for me I wouldn’t expect them to prescribe it to me. When I go to a stylist I respect that they went to school to learn how to cut hair, but I expect when I say things like “Don’t thin out, cut too short, style straight, etc.” that they are going to respect my requests and cut my hair accordingly.” – CurlTalk user Cristy_amk
“The worst mistake I’ve come across is when they claim to know your curls better than you do. (I’ve had this hair for nearly 50 years. I think I know what it does”>.”
MORE: How to Get What You Need from a Stylist
This February, NaturallyCurly is celebrating a full month of Curly Mixology! Each day we’ll feature one recipe for you to treat your curls to in the comfort of your own kitchen. Tweet us your favorite recipes with hashtag #CurlyMixology or share them on our Facebook page!
Lemon and Cucumber Shampoothie
Lemon and Cucumber Shampoothie
NaturallyCurly user SammySingally loves this shampoothie because “the cucumber acts as a conditioning agent, and the lemon as a cleansing agent, so the two together are like a two in one homemade hair shampoo!”
What you’ll need
- 1 lemon, peeled
- 1 cucumber, peeled
- Olive oil (optional”>
- Rosemary oil (optional”>
Directions
- Blend the lemon in a blender, add optional oil
- Pour the blended lemon through a strainer (to avoid hard-to-remove pieces”>
- Blend lemon and cucumber together
- Pour mixture over hair
- Massage well
- Rinse thoroughly
This February, NaturallyCurly is celebrating a full month of Curly Mixology! Each day we’ll feature one recipe for you to treat your curls to in the comfort of your own kitchen. Tweet us your favorite recipes with hashtag #CurlyMixology or share them on our Facebook page!
Lavender Hair Spray
Lavender Hair Spray
NaturallyCurly user lindalennon uses this homemade oil spray on her second or third day hair to revive her curls. It leaves her curls shiny and softly softly scented without greasy residue.
What you’ll need
- Empty spray bottle
- 3 tbsp of natural oil, like almond or olive oil
- 1 tbsp of dried lavender buds
- Distilled water
Directions
- Warm oil in the microwave, only 25-30 seconds max
- Pour warmed oil over lavender buds in a bowl
- Let sit for 3-4 hours for lavender oils to release
- Strain out about 1/2 of the lavender from the mixture (this step is optional, but will prevent the spray bottle from clogging”>
- Pour mixture into empty spray bottle, and fill the rest of the way with distilled water
- Spray on second and third day hair to revive curls
Amazing Whipped Shea Butter Conditioner
Amazing Whipped Shea Butter Conditioner
This is NaturallyCurly user Amazinnatural‘s favorite recipe of all time. Big statement, but we can see why! She says it leaves her hair “very soft and moisturized and of course it’s easy to make!”
What you’ll need
- 2 tablespoons refined/unrefined shea butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 8 drops of honey
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus oil
- 2 drops peppermint oil
Directions
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in microwave for 15-20 seconds
- Add remaining ingredients
- Pour into small container or glass jar
- Leave in freezer for 5-10 minutes
- Apply to hair as needed
MORE: DIY Homemade Hair Butter
