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A weekly deep conditioning treatment (or a “DC””> is an essential step in a curly’s regimen. DCs can play a very important role in treating damage, preventing frizz, and moisturizing your curly hair. There’s no need to buy an extra product, simply mix your own DC with just two ingredients you already have!
What you need:
- extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup
- your favorite conditioner 1/2 cup
Directions:
- Combine the olive oil and the conditioner in a bowl
- Mix
- Apply to your hair in sections
- Leave in at least 15 minutes
- Detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb, and rinse
Watch the Video
Want to share this recipe? Here’s the embed code
We love getting to know our curly community every day, so we thought it’s only fitting that you to get to know our NaturallyCurly team too! Introducing Priscilla Sodeke, one of our talented and artistic Graphic Designers. Priscilla brings our hair tutorials to life, she puts together the newsletters so many of you subscribe to, she creates the Pin-worthy ads for CurlMart, and much, much more!
- You’re on a desert island (or a 3-day music festival”> and you can only have 3 hair products… Priscilla: Water (since that would be scarce in a desert”>, Kinky-Curly Knot Today, and Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, for the baddest (meaning good!”> twist-out that desert island has ever seen.
- Your favorite blog Priscilla: Garance Dore, although I have to admit that I don’t really read it. I just love the fashion photography and her illustration!
- Where do you go for inspiration Priscilla: Pinterest or #2 (my fav blog”> and in real life: the public library, juvenile section. I always find the books there much more refreshing and interesting and of course, inspiring. I like to write and if I was a professional writer I think I would choose that audience.
- Your favorite Austin spot Priscilla: It used to be the “food truck mall” on SoCo before it closed, sadly. I enjoy trying new foods and just eating tasty food in general. I’ve been in Austin for about year and a half but I haven’t really gotten out and enjoyed it. Working on that!
- Favorite snack Priscilla: Chips and Salsa or Turkey Bacon.
- Your all-time Holy. Grail. Product. Priscilla: The one product I always go back to since first trying it 2 years ago would be Kinky-Curly Knot Today. I just like the slip and how it smooths over my hair.
- Book on your nightstand Priscilla:Holy Bible ESV and Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting. Not that I read the second one before bed or anything, ha!
- A project you’re working on Priscilla: Slowly but slowly I am trying to learn about screenwriting and film. Yeah, very slowly. Also, like most other K-pop fans, I am learning some Korean and desperately looking for a way to visit South Korea and meet my favorite artists in person. I’m only half kidding about that!
- Your style icon Priscilla: Oooh tough. It would be a combo of different people and influences. I’m definitely influenced by some of the style I see while enjoying one of my favorite pastimes: watching Korean dramas! I don’t always intentionally look at fashion mags or anything I just sort of pick up things I like here and there from people on the streets of Austin, my stylish coworkers (**winks**”>, my sister, and the casual airport fashion of Korean celebrities. One celebrity whose style I admire, but don’t necessarily directly imitate (because he’s a dude!”> is Kwon Ji-yong aka G-dragon of Big Bang.
- Favorite part of working at NaturallyCurly Priscilla:The people and our purpose! It would not be half as much fun without those two things together.
In the quest for gorgeous curl definition, frizz can be your number one enemy. We know it can be impossible to predict how your curls will behave from one day to the next, but with this frizz free regimen you can minimize your frizz forecast.
Lorraine Massey’s book “Curly Girl Handbook” is a good place to learn the Dos and Don’ts of a frizz-free summer regime:
Don’t
- Don’t blowdry or straighten
- Don’t shampoo
- Don’t brush
Do
- Do use a sulfate free cleanser and conditioner
- Do use a LOT of conditioner
- Do use a leave-in
- Do use a good styling gel
Frizz Free Regimen
Cleansers & Conditioners
Step 1. Cleanse & Condition
Use products that are gentle enough for daily or bi-daily cleansing for the hot summer months. Be sure to use the amount recommended for your hair length and type.
Wash cleansers into your hair gently with the pads of your fingers and use a wide tooth comb to distribute the products throughout your hair.
When applying conditioner, be sure to add a bit of extra water from your shower to add more slip, and leave your conditioner on for a few extra minutes while you shower.
Step 2. The Leave-In
A good leave-in conditioner will help keep frizz down and lock in shine and moisture.
Be sure to use ample amounts of leave in, as you may have to find what, and how much, works best for your hair in the hotter, more humid, summer months. A good leave-in will help protect your curls, fight frizz and maintain bounce and shine.
Some to try for the summer are JessiCurl, Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper, Oyin Handmade Go Tea Grooming Spray, As I Am, Curl Junkie, and Mixed Chicks.
Stylers
Step 3. Styling Product
Follow up with a gel. The gel will also help to keep curl pattern as well as shine and bounce.
Step 4. Air Dry
Lastly, be sure to stay away from blowouts, straightener and even take a break from your diffuser. Hot air and tools will only add volume to the hair shaft, causing more frizz. Give your curly locks a summer “retreat” by allowing them to air dry as much as possible.
Wear Your Hair Curly Day
Garnier Fructis is supporting Wear Your Hair Curly Day to give women the confidence to let their curls rock! Curly girls can unite by pledging to wear their hair curly on August 14th.
Rock your natural curls for a good cause! Pledge to wear your hair curly on August 14th to show your support for Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. The Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls builds the self-esteem and creativity of young girls, giving them the confidence to form a band, write songs, and perform! The Girls Rock Camp program is dedicated to the empowerment of girls and women – and so are we!
Want to Join the Movement?
Pledge to wear your hair curly with just one click.
When you do, you can be entered to win a trip to New York City!
If you’re as pumped about this as we are, download your own “I Pledge!” and “#WearYourHairCurlyDay” signs to print and show in your Instagram photos, with the hashtag #WearYourHairCurlyDay. You can even create your own pledge video on YouTube!
Send your YouTube link to content@naturallycurly.com, and we’ll add your video to our playlist, send you Facebook and Twitter love.Download “I Pledge!” and “#WearYourHairCurlyDay” signs here.
Meet the Fructis Style Lineup
On August 14, make sure your curls look their best with these exclusively curl care products.
Curl Shaping Spray Gel – Gives your natural curls a boost
Curl Sculpting Cream Gel – Controls like a gel, conditions like a cream
Curl Calm Down Anti-Frizz Cream – Defines and nourishes
Curl Construct Mousse – Defines and boosts curls
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Petra Lovric: Hi, my name is Petra. I’m Croatian and in my final year as a Marketing and International Business student. I feel like I was born to travel—I can never get enough of seeing new places and meeting new people. I play the violin and the piano, and I’ve been a diehard fan of music for as long as I can remember. I’m also eager to learn new languages, I adore Mexican food, and I love visiting old antique shops. Last but not least, I’m very into hairdressing…and I have had a lot of practice!NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls
PL: I was born with frizzy hair. It was so thick that I couldn’t even put it in a ponytail! My mom took me to the hairdresser to thin out my hair a little…I still kind of regret it, but we didn’t know the first thing about taking care of my hair!
My mom has big, heavy curls that were bigger and looser than mine are today—I inherited my dad and my grandparents’ different curl types too, so I have a mix. I’ve always loved my curly hair…I never wanted it to be straight. The only thing that I’ve never loved is frizz and occasional tangling. All the women in my family have taught me to be proud of and to cherish my curly hair as something beautiful and unique! All of us were teased in school for having it, told that curly hair was a physical “disorder.” That made us hold on to wearing it natural and curly even more, in spite of those evil, jealous, straight-haired people who secretly keep curling products hidden in their closets!NC: What is your current routine?
PL: I tend to use products which don’t contain harmful ingredients, although it’s hard to find them as I don’t do much online shopping. I use shampoo mostly on the top of my head—the curls and ends are the conditioner area. You don’t want to fill your already dehydrated hair with too much soap! The conditioner goes first, because it helps me to detangle some parts of my curls. I only use a brush if it is impossible to detangle using my fingers. After rinsing, I use shampoo and then condition again. After I wash everything out, I gently squeeze excess water out of my hair and then hold my head down and scrunch my curls. Next, I put the whole bunch of my curls in a microfiber towel and wrap it tightly, like a turban. When it soaks the rest of the water out of my hair, I remove it, hold my head down, put in leave-in conditioner, and then dry my curls with a diffuser. After a minute of drying, I put in hair cream or some mousse, but not too much of it! I don’t want my curls to be too shiny or sticky! Finally, I finish the drying process, still holding my head down while scrunching the curls with my hands.NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
PL: I never use brushes or combs. I don’t use anything other than a big hair clip during the day—I usually wear my curls in a side ponytail held with a big plastic hair clip. And at night, I put it in a snood so it doesn’t get tangled.MORE: Giulia’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
PL: These are the products which keep my hair looking defined and healthy…without them my hair would look frizzy and dry. I need a good leave-in conditioner, hair cream and oil for maintaining the ends. When it comes to tools, my must-haves are a diffuser and a hair snood to keep the frizz away.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls
PL: The classic: “simply let your hair down.” Sometimes I put my curls in a side ponytail.NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
PL: Put it in a “pineapple” and a hair snood to keep the frizz away!NC: What about your hairstylist?
PL: I stopped visiting hair salons years ago! It was really hard to find someone who understood the fact that curly hair needs more attention and special routines that are different from those meant to be used for straight hair. Everything that I do with my hair, I do it myself. I know my hair really well and for now, I think I’ll keep our relationship intimate, without meeting anyone new on Saturdays.
NC: What reaction did you get when you went natural?
PL: I’ve always been a natural, but when I wanted a slight change, I flat ironed my hair and cut it into a bob. Some people liked it better straight, but most of them liked it curly. One of my cousins said that curly is more me. And I felt better when my hair was bigger and bouncy! I got bored of flat ironing my hair and quickly went back to being natural.
MORE: Angela Delyani’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
PL: Having so much hair you can do anything you want with it. And the fact that women in ancient Greece used curlers on their hair to show off their “royal” image. Curly hair was considered to be a symbol of a high social status—take a look at the queen hairstyles throughout history! Not to mention all those curly wigs.
NC: How has having curly hair impacted your life?
PL: I feel good while I’m standing in a crowd. I think all of us have something physical that visually defines us. Curly hair is a brand! It gives the impression of youth, no matter your real age, and it imposes a level of self-confidence. It’s like, “Hey, what do you think you’re doing with that on your head? That atmosphere is not all yours!”
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
PL: Don’t listen to anyone that tries to involve you in a trend or a social custom about “bad hair.” I’ve heard that the term is used a lot and it’s quite shocking! Every individual can have beautiful hair if they discover how to maintain and treat it well. Curls are special and interesting, you can always flat iron your hair, but it’s not that easy to make a naturally sleek strand look (or for that matter, stay”> curly! Respect the fact that what you’ve been given is a work of art made by nature.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.
PL: I’m about to graduate so I’m thinking about improving my work experience, travelling some more and doing more music. And I expect my curls to get even longer!
You can find Petra on Facebook.
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
The spring and summer seasons bring sun, humidity, pool water and outside time for kids. For kids with curls this means lots of fun and of course, frizz!
For little ones on the run, quality time outside is important. Therefore, make their frizz-free hair routines short and simple.
Fight Frizz for Curly Kids
Wash Day Routine
Shampoo
First off, shampoo every day stops. Although they may have sweat, swam and ran, the shampoo build up will only cause the hair shafts to create more frizz. Instead, wash their hair with water and conditioner on a daily basis and leave the shampoo for every-other day , or even every two days.
Detangle
Use a large tooth comb while in the bath or shower, and don’t brush or comb afterwards.
Condition
Be sure to leave in some conditioner too. A little Suave or VO5 Strawberries and Cream can do wonders to help start cutting down on frizz. There are also some great spray leave-in conditioners and detanglers on the market – just be sure to get the one with the most amount of moisture for your child’s locks.
Curly Routine
Once a week- depending on the thickness of your child’s hair – use a teaspoon of olive oil to wash through their hair. This will help to keep it healthy, shiny and frizz free as well.
Next, use a dollop of gel in their hair to keep it under control. Usually a nickel to quarter size dollop will do. Spread it evenly throughout their hair and allow to air dry. If you need to dry the hair a bit more, use an old t-shirt to blot the hair and leave it damp .
If you have curls, you know sleeping on a satin or silk pillow case can help lots – and it can do the same for your child! They’ll love the “silky” look on their bedding and it will help hold curl pattern, and there won’t be friction between the hair and any rough cotton, so their curls won’t frizz at night.
Play Time
Once play time hits be sure to be prepared with a spray bottle in your tote. If your little ones develop some frizz as they play, use the spray mister to reactivate the product(s”> in their hair – just a few sprays and viola’, pretty curls pop back up! If you’re pool side or at the beach, mix some conditioner and lavender oil drops in your mister bottle with the water so they get some extra moisture and cleansing too.
Running and tumbling can certainly cause friction to the hair, that’s why keeping lots of “ouch-less” hair bands and headbands in your tote can also be helpful for hot weather play dates. Try braiding longer locks on high activity days too, this will protect the curls from frizz during a play date or while swimming. After the braids are dried, remove them and your child will be left with pretty, bouncy, shiny curls and waves!
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.
In our last curly bride video, we went shopping at Kendra Scott for bridal accessories for natural hair bride Nikki! She found the perfect pair of earrings but struggled to choose a hairstyle, so we opened it up to our NaturallyCurly world to decide.
You picked Look #2 Sideswept Curls inspired by Corinne Bailey Rae! Everyone who voted was entered into a giveaway for a pair of Skylar earrings by Kendra Scott, and the four winners were announced in the video below. Thank you to everyone who voted!
What You’ll Need:
- Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Pudding
- Afro pick
- Bobby pins
- Beautiful Textures Edges to Ends Silkener
Watch the Video
To see Nikki do her wedding hairstyle from beginning to end, watch the tutorial!
MORE: Watch Nikki’s Wedding Hair Vlog
Want to share? Here’s the embed code:
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Scarlett Luchsinger: My name is Scarlett Luchsinger. I am twenty-two and I am an aspiring photographer. My home is Miami, Florida, where there is sunshine year-round and the beach is never far away!NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
SL: Embracing my natural hair, a full head of curls, was like a far and distant dream to me. I never thought it was something that could be possible. Growing up I was the only curly haired one in my entire family. I lived in southern Florida where the humidity was brutal, so it didn’t take much time for me to hate my hair. I would wear my hair up in buns or in a ponytail. I never felt fully comfortable leaving my hair loose…it would frizz very easily.At the age of sixteen, I received a flat iron for the first time. I thought that it would fix all my hair issues. I flat ironed my hair for about six years and during that time, I never wore it down and curly. I also dyed my hair 4-5 times. My hair began to break off, literally. It was extremely dry, dull and lifeless. I began to research going natural and I came across the words “Curly Girl Method.” I found the solution to my problems!
NC: What is your current routine?
SL: My hair loves moisture and thick, creamy products. I co-wash daily with a light conditioner and use a heavier, more moisturizing conditioner for the length of my hair. Then I use my fingers or a wide-tooth comb to detangle. I pat-dry my hair with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt and when it’s no longer dripping, I apply my styling products…a leave-in conditioner, a hair cream and mousse. I let my hair air-dry and try not to touch my curls until they are fully try. I also use a sulfate-free shampoo about once every 1-2 weeks and I use coconut oil once every 2 weeks.MORE: Giulia’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
SL: I must have Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm, a rich and moisturizing conditioner. It is my holy grail and I have not been able to find anything else that works as great! My hair is so dry and frizzes easily, but this product helps to tame and moisturize my hair. Another must-have is SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It is very thick and moisturizing…and overall it works great on my hair!
NC: Did you big chop or transition? For how long?
SL: In early 2013, researched the Curly Girl Method thoroughly and I immediately stopped using sulfates and silicones. I also gave up flat ironing my hair and decided to go all-natural and embrace what I was given!
NC: What reaction did you get when you decided to go natural?
SL: Most of my friends didn’t know that I had curly hair! I got a lot of compliments and glances. My husband cheered me on and was very glad that the natural curls stayed for good. It felt great and I was excited to see my curly hair’s potential.
MORE: Angela Delyani’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
SL: No one has my exact curl pattern and no one ever will! It’s unique to me and I’ve learned to love and appreciate that.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
SL: Curly hair is BEAUTIFUL and everyone can achieve that!
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.
Looking for ways to dress up your curls, coils and waves this summer? Then we created this Summer Lookbook just for you! When you’re working with second, third or fourth day curls, a bright hair accessory can be a fun quick fix.
We teamed up with ModCloth to show just a few of the ways a curly can style her turban, flower, or jeweled headband this summer.
Summer Lookbook
Turban Headband
Turbans were all the rage last fall and winter, and this headband is the perfect way to transition the trend into the warmer months. You can wear this piece over your curls and further down on your forehead for a boho-inspired look, or use it as a traditional headband to push your hair away from your face (which we tend to prefer when it’s hot out”>.
Twist to My Lou Headband; $19.99 ModCloth
Erika’s Curls
Erika loves Kinky Curly Knot Today for her Type 3 curls, and she recently started using CURLS for the first time. We have to say, whatever she’s doing – it’s working! The girl does not take one bad photo, and her curls are popping in every shot.
Striped Scarf
This isn’t actually a hair accessory, it’s a scarf! Chances are you have an old scarf or ribbon in your closet that could use a makeover. We love the retro Rosie the Riveter effect this had on Evelyn’s coils.
Bow to Stern Scarf; $7.99 ModCloth
Evelyn’s Coils
This was an originally a bantu knot-out that didn’t work out thanks to humidity, so Evelyn made the most of the situation by adding a striped headband to the mix. Evelyn created this hairstyle by rolling the front section of her hair around her finger and bobby pinning it back to resemble vintage-inspired bangs.
Evelyn ties her bows using the “bunny ears” method from elementary school, so if she can do it, you can too!
Jeweled Headband
With the release of “The Great Gatsby” came a slew of 1920s-inspired jeweled headbands in magazines and on the red carpet. You could take your jeweled headband more formal with an updo or low bun, but for this casual summer look Cristina wore her long waves down and free.
The Chic-est Link Headband; $13.99 ModCloth
Cristina’s Waves
Cristina likes to use light hold products on her Type 2C waves, such as Ouidad’s Wave Create Salt Spray and Texture Taffy. If you’re looking for a quick summer DIY, you can even make your own sea salt spray with Cristina’s tutorial here.
Floral Headband
This piece is so much fun, we were all fighting over it! But ultimately we felt it would look best on a curly with a short crop, like Priscilla’s. If you have longer hair you could pull your hair back into a bun, but remember to keep it low – you don’t want your bun competing with that bloom.
Gala Hostess Headband; $29.99 ModCloth
Priscilla’s Coils
To get this look, Priscilla started with a braid out on her third day Type 4C hair. To create her small pompadour she sectioned off the front third of her hair and twisted it back and to the side, then she secured it with bobby pins. She uses Kinky Curly Knot Today and Curling Custard to condition and style her hair, and we love seeing all of her different hairstyles in the office!
With the heat of the summer upon us, it’s time to keep moisture on our priority list for our hair. There are certainly a lot of ways to keep curls and waves moisturized, but at what cost?
The cost of conditioners and moisturizing treatments varies from just three dollars all the way up to $50 and beyond! But just because a product is more expensive, does not always means it is more effective. There are a number of ways to up the ante on your curl moisture on a budget.
Moisturize On A Budget
Shop Your Stash
Before you head out to buy new products, it’s always a good idea to shop your own closet. Start by looking at your cabinets, baskets and shelves for products you haven’t used in a while. Curious about the shelf lives of your curly hair products? Check out this guide.
Some of you (especially the Product Junkies out there”> may find a treasure trove of products in the far reaches of your shelves. If it is a product you tried briefly and didn’t like, play with the quantity and the way you apply the product. You may also find old favorites that were set aside when you bought new products.
Know Yourself
This is a common phrase among curlies, but we can’t stress it enough: know what works for you! When trying new products, always pay close attention to what types of conditioners and moisturizing treatments work for your hair type. Luckily, there are thousands of product reviews by your fellow curlies here to help you pick a conditioner for your hair type.
Budget Conditioners
A few to try under $20:
Do It Yourself
The idea of doing it yourself can be a bit intimidating, but there are some quick and easy DIY moisturizers out there that require minimal time and effort! Here are a few easy moisturizing treatments and leave-ins to try.
This simple recipe combines two of our favorite ingredients in the pantry: a ripe avocado and some coconut milk.
Directions
- Peel and pit the avocado, then mash it up well.
- Slowly pour in enough coconut milk until the mixture has the consistency of conditioner.
- Put in a container with a lid and use as needed.
Curly Cocktail
This cocktail is a perfect add-on to your favorite store-bought conditioner.
What You’ll Need
- Conditioner 2 oz
- Distilled water 1.5 oz
- Olive oil 1/8 cup
Combine the ingredients and use this as a nourishing leave-in treatment.
Coconut & Aloe Spray
- Purified water 1 cup
- Aloe juice 1/2 cup
- Melted coconut oil 1 tbsp
- Water from a can of coconut milk
- Lime juice 3 tbsp
- Vitamin E 5 capsules
- Glycerin 2 tbsp
- Essential oils a couple drops each
Combine all of the ingredients. Once mixed, you can store it in a spray bottle and mist after your shower or on dry hair for a “pick me up.”
When to Moisturize
Use leave-ins right after a visit to the pool or beach – bring some along in your beach totes! Treat yourself to a hair masque or deep moisture treatment at least once a week in the hot summer months too – your hair will thank you for it.
And don’t forget to allow your curls and waves to reap the benefits of your leave-in moisturizers by allowing your hair to air dry.
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Elyse Caceres: My names Elyse Caceres. I am 24 years old and I’m currently working as a Project Coordinator for a facilities company in New Jersey.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
EC: It started in 2008. I used to drench my hair in mousse and hairspray, and one day decided I needed a change. It took a very long while, I will admit. I didn’t know about this lovely website when I started and I don’t have too many curly girls in my life, so it did take a lot of trial and error.NC: What is your current routine?
EC: My routine is pretty low maintenance. I wash my hair every other day and my shampoo and conditioner consist of sulfate-free, paraben-free, and color-safe products. Twice a week I use a deep conditioning mask. On a monthly basis, I like to do a scalp scrub to release build-up on my scalp. For that I use ‘Sugar in the Raw,’ olive oil and coconut oil.NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
EC: I wash (or just wet my hair if I don’t need to clean it”> and style it with a leave-in conditioner and curl activator. To dry my hair, I use a hair blower and diffuser. The hair blower has both negative and positive ions…the positive ions open the cuticles allowing quicker dry time and allowing any treatments in my hair to be better absorbed. The negative ions are what I use on a daily basis. They close the cuticle for less frizz. I love it!MORE: Savannah’s Curly Hair Routine
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
EC: I must have my bobby pins! I carry a case in my purse just in case I need to put my hair up.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls
EC: I love wearing my hair down! But on humid days I take a whole bunch of bobby pins to make a messy curly bun.NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
EC: For blemish reasons, I like to put my hair up in a bun or use the pineapple method.NC: What about your hair stylist?
EC: I’ve gone through a few and I could never understand why my hair looked so weird after my trims. My sister-in-law, who has a beautician license and understands the dynamics of my hair, would practice on my hair for the perfect cut. I go to her sometimes, but I am proud to say I’ve learned how to cut my own hair. I trim my hair when needed.
NC: Did you big chop or transition? For how long?
EC: I’ve been a curly hair girl since I was seven. My father gave me a big chop since I didn’t know how to take care of my hair and POOF! All of these curls came out of nowhere, and it became even harder trying to take care of my unruly hair. I’ve had plenty of curly hair insecurities and sometimes wished my hair was straight. Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I transitioned in 2008 and I love my curls!
NC: What reaction did you get when you decided to go natural?
EC: It was a battle at first. My hair was terribly dry and frizzy. Again, I didn’t know what I was doing…all I knew was that I was tired of it being damaged and I didn’t want to hide it under a pile of mousse and hairspray.
MORE: Giulia’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
EC: It’s different; I have a look like no other. I work in the corporate world where you don’t see too many curly girls, so sometimes it’s nice to stand out.
NC: Do you think having curly hair has impacted your life?
EC: I get a lot of compliments about my hair, and it’s nice that I don’t have to do much to it. It’s easy to manage and looks great! I’ve learned so much from this website that I’m passing the knowledge to my cousins and nieces who also have curly hair. It’s awesome!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
EC: Love yourself! Embrace your uniqueness.
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects.EC: I am currently working on a big project in the company I work for currently. My life has made a turn for great things and I hope to keep it going.
Who says curly girls can’t go cropped? For a short, flattering cut, “Keep two or three inches of length all over and always make sure to have it cut to mimic the shape of your head.” Garren of the Garren NY salon explains. And whatever you do, avoid razor cuts as they can rough up the cuticle and exacerbate frizz.
These are just some tips for getting an amazing short curly haircut. The key to a great short curly hair cut, however, is planning what you want and finding the right hairstylist to do it. Browse some of our reader’s photos to get some ideas of your own.
Short Curly Haircuts
1. Chunky Twistout
This cut is one of our favorites because it’s full of texture and character. If you have voluminous curls and don’t know how to style them, try this adorable haircut.
Eugeniasays used Jamaican Black Castor Oil on her curls and threw in some flowers from her garden, we love the finished look!
2. Asymmetrical Short Do
Asymmetrical haircuts are only enhanced with curly hair. This edgy cut is a modern way to show off that great texture.
NaturallyCurly user Amytyner used a spritz of water, DevaCurl Conditioner and Garnier Fructis Cream Gel to style her cute crop. She uses her hands to “run it all through, shape, style and GO!”
3. Cute Curly Bob
Quite the opposite of the asymmetrical bob, this short curly hair do is a safe bet when you want to go short but aren’t sure what style will suit your face shape. This is a classic cut that will look good on anyone.
Catneyreid used Kinky Curly Curling Custard and TIGI Curls Rock Amplifier as a styler.
4. Always Amazing Curly Fro
Again, this is a classic look for short curly hair. If you’re set on cutting your hair short but not sure what style you can pull off, this look is easy and never goes out of style.
Curlsfree gets this look by washing her hair and using Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding.
5. Curly Side Swept Bangs
This is an elegant look that’s edgy and sophisticated.The majority of the volume sits at the top of the head, and is finished with beautiful natural side swept bangs.
To achieve this look, NaturallyCurly user crestsmile1922 did a wash-and-go with Giovanni Conditioner and CURLS Whipped Cream, and then styled with Eco Styler and olive oil!
There’s nothing quite like naturally tousled waves created by sea breezes, the light hold and definition you get from salt water, and subtle highlights from the sun. But we’re doing our best to recreate them at home! This is one of our simplest recipes to date. Simply add equal parts gel and salt to water.
What you’ll need:
- Spray bottle – you can reuse an empty product bottle
- Water
- Sea salt – not table salt
- Gel – we used Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle
The quantities will vary based on the size of your spray bottle, but for our small spray bottle we used one teaspoon of gel and one teaspoon of sea salt. For a larger bottle increase those amounts accordingly.
Directions:
- Fill your bottle halfway with water
- Combine all of your ingredients into the spray bottle
- Shake the bottle until salt has dissolved
- Spray the mixture onto damp or dry hair
- Scrunch the ends of your hair to encourage your curls
Watch the video
NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Savannah Rae: Hi! My name is Savannah and I go to school in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
SR: I’ve never used any relaxers, keratin treatments, etc. on my curls growing up, but it would be a stretch to say I “enjoyed” my curls in middle school or high school. It wasn’t really until my senior year in high school and my first year in college that I started embracing my texture and everything it has to offer.
NC: What is your current routine?
SR: My routine is basically to wash my hair every two days. I can usually get away with second day curly hair and then on the third day I typically throw my curls up in a protective style. Right now, for example, I’m rocking a bun on my third day.NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
SR: In the shower, I put a little bit of conditioner on my ends and comb out my hair with a wide tooth comb. After my hair is detangled, I use Jason Normalizing Tea Tree Shampoo and give my scalp a good massage all over. I rinse that out and work a very generous amount of Tresemmé 24 Hour Body Conditioner into my hair. When I step out of the shower, I use a little bit of Kinky-Curly Curling Custard (my Holy Grail product”> as a sealant and then I don’t touch my curls! Most of the time I let them air dry, but sometimes I will use my mom’s diffuser.MORE: Giulia’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
SR: My wide tooth comb! I love that thing! And my silk pillowcase is good to my hair too. I really started appreciating my curls after I found Kinky-Curly Curling Custard and I’ve always been a fan of Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls
SR: I was the queen of hairstyling growing up. I did everything from braids to buns. My favorite by far is a side part with bang braids on each side joining in the back. But I just recently got my hair cut in layers, so right now I just enjoy wearing it loose.NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
SR: The pineapple or a bun. I always sleep on my satin pillowcase, but it usually ends up slipping off my bed in the middle of the night. Does anyone else have that problem?NC: What reaction did you get when you started embracing your curls?
SR: When I started embracing my curls instead of just putting my hair up all the time, I got a mix of reactions…luckily most of them were positive! The guys that I work with LOVE my hair. They always tell me that it looks perfect and that every woman should be jealous. My dad, on the other hand, thinks that I tease my hair to make it big on purpose. “No Dad, this is just how my hair is.” He doesn’t get it…probably because he’s bald.
MORE: Angela Delyani’s Real Texture Talk
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
SR: Curls are interesting! They’re beautiful and they have a life of their own. Plus curly girls can go straight when we want to, but straight-haired girls can never get real curls. I think we have the best of both worlds.
NC: Do you think having curly hair has impacted your life?
SR: My curly hair has impacted my life in a very significant way. I ALWAYS tell this to my straight-haired friends and they just don’t get it. Sometimes curly hair can be the biggest pain in the butt… like when it takes me three hours to straighten my hair. I was also bullied about my hair type. I remember crying one day after school because one of my “friends” suggested that she once knew someone with frizzy hair like mine, and maybe if I used conditioner my hair would be more tame. As if I didn’t already use conditioner…she just didn’t understand and it made me feel alienated. I was even called “alien head” because my hair is so thick that it doesn’t smooth to my head even when I pull it back.
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
SR: We’ve all been there, to the deepest pit of despair about our hair. I used to sob and sob and grab the scissors, ready to just chop it all off…but don’t do it! Instead, do your research! Experiment with different products. It’s not a quick or easy process, but learning about what works and what doesn’t work for your hair is one of the best things you can do. For me, like everything else in my life, my curly hair is a process; I’m always looking for way to make it better. Don’t give up. Happy curls = happy you. Your curls are one of those things that are ten fold. Whatever you put into it, you will get ten fold results out of it, but you have to make the effort to learn about your hair.
One of the cardinal rules of curls is to shampoo your hair as infrequently as possible. When you do shampoo, it is important that you use products with good quality ingredients that do not strip your hair of much-needed moisture. We curlies love to research, test, and read reviews before purchasing a product, but if you’re looking for a place to start check out these shampoo recommendations for all hair types.
Best Shampoos for All Hair Types
Type 2A
Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo
Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo is creamy and doesn’t leave hair dry. It doesn’t weight hair down either. Bonus! you can also double this product as a body wash too. Recommended uses: it’s gentle enough to use daily (for swimmers and regular exercisers”>.
Type 2B
Mop Top Gentle Shampoo
Mop Top Gentle Shampoo is a great choice for unruly 2b waves and curls. This product helps to restore moisture and manageability with it’s unique combo of ingredients including honey and sea botanicals. Recommended uses: 3-4 times a week with conditioner and/or other conditioning products.
Type 2C
Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Jessicurl Hair cleansing cream is a great product for longer tresses, waves and whirly curls. It’s extremely moisturizing and leaves hair silky and clean. Recommended uses: 3-4 times per week but also gentle and conditioning enough to use more frequently for swimmers or after work outs.
Type 3A
DevaCare No-Poo
DevaCare No-Poo is a no-lather, sulfate-free conditioning cleanser for your curls. It leaves curls bouncy and shiny, clean and well defined. It’s safe for colored hair and won’t weight hair down. Recommended uses: 3-4 times per week with a conditioner product to follow.
Type 3B
Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo
Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo is great for dry or frizzy hair as well as color treated curls. This shampoo also works well for post summer hair work outs, beach and pool visits. It’s gentle formula aides in cleaning and conditioning as well as detangling curls. Recommended use: with each wash.
MORE: No-Poo On A Budget
Type 3C
AG Re:Coil Curl Activating Shampoo
AG Re:Coil Curl Activating Shampoo helps to define curls and bring back natural texture without stripping hair. This product also improves the hair shaft’s strength and flexibility. Recommended use: up to 3 times per week.
Type 4A
As I Am Cleansing Pudding
As I Am cleansing Pudding is full of sulfate free ingredients including saw palmetto to help keep hair moisturized and healthy. Recommeded use: leave on hair for up to 5 minutes in shower per use; use as a cowash daily or up to 3 times per week.
Type 4B
Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo
Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo is extra moisturizing and wont’ strip hair of necessary natural oils. It’s also sulfate free, contains soy and palm kernel and keratin for silky hair. This product aides in reducing breakage and leaves hair soft. Recommended use: gentle enough to be used daily for those working out or attending beaches and pools, or as needed.
Type 4C
As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner helps to remove build up and keep hair clean. This product helps to detangle and add moisture. It’s gentle enough to use daily too! Recommded uses: daily or as needed.
