Search Results: NaturallyCurly

Why We Love Our Curls

It’s February, the love month. We asked our community why you love your curls, waves and kinks. Your funny, honest, touching and poetic replies beautifully express that affection:


PartyHair

They are a part of my dad’s legacy to me – my curls come from my dad. I miss him greatly and love that I alone among my siblings have these curls that connect me to him.


Hakim Nuraldin

Because they’re mine.


Cynaminbear

I love my curls! They separate me from all the boring straight haired women, they define me. Wild, unpredictable, unconventional.


MysticSpiral

It balances out my body, you can’t have a big head, big eyes, big nose, big mouth, big boobs, big hips, and have flat hair!


alisons79

It took me 26 years to not only accept but also come to love them.

It wasn’t until I found this site that I was able to learn how to make them look great. Up until then, I never wanted to wear it curly because it never looked good curly. Once I learned how to take care of and style it curly so that it looked good that way, it wasn’t even a choice at that point!

My curls are a part of who I am. I look at pictures of myself when I would style my hair straight and it doesn’t look good to me anymore.


janka

I love my Curls because they are me. They define who I am and in this time of straight-ironed hair (like since the mid 90s”> I like to be different. I like to stand out and not be coerced into following the crowd. Noone can talk me into straightening my hair & I am proud of it. Besides, curls are FEMININE, theres a romance about curly flowing hair. Long live CURLS!


curlybeauty

I’m in love with my curls because they’re bouncy & beautiful. They’re wild and unpredictable, just like me!


Curlyminx

I now love my curls. It took 29 years to find this site and the last 1+ years to learn how to properly care for my hair. I love the way they bounce. I love the way they look different; the way I won’t be missed in a crowd. I love how other people think my hair looks good even when I’m feeling like a giant frizz ball (post-NC of course!!! I didn’t get compliments before I found this site”>.

And on a personal note – my most favorite person LOVES curly hair and is my biggest curly supporter.


mrscurlylady

They are HEALTHY, shiny, soft, bouncy, time consuming, and they frizz. My curls are an extension of my personality/self expression (of me”>. They show who I am, with all my faults, imperfections (frizz”>, and the great qualities I possess (good hair days”>.

It has taken me sometime to come to terms with my hair and I love it. My curls are as unique as I am, and they are cherished.


jeepcurlygurl

I love my curly hair. It took awhile to love and accept it (thank goodness for NC.com!”>, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Big curly hair suits me, it makes me happy, it draws attention and makes me stand out. I don’t want to look like everyone else!

I plan on being that crazy old lady with big, long, curly, grey hair and a bunch of cats.


Guyanese.Princess

I love my curls because it’s apart of who I am. Oddly enough people may not remember my name but remember me as the tall girl with curly hair.

I love more than just my own curls. I love curls period. I love how they come in many different sizes, lengths, textures, colors, etc.

Curly hair catches my eye more than straight or wavy hair. When I see people on TV or on the street with curly hair, I stare (well try not to stare too hard lol”> in awe at the curls and more often the fullness/thickness of the hair.


kenzallan1212

There are days when I love my wurls, but there are an equally large number of days when I hate them. Its definitely an up-hill battle.

I also think wavies have the best (and worst”> of both worlds. I can straighten my hair pretty easily, so I can rock my natural waves one day, and have a straighter style the next day. But, it seems that wavies as a whole have a hard time getting consistent results….we have to fight for every bit of curl we can get.

I like having wavy hair, and I’m not sure what I would do if my hair went back to straight, but there are definitely days that I would kill to have it be consistent, at the very least.


curls2grow

I love how care-free and natural curly hair looks. I am a graying curly girl, and I like that I look different from most women who are letting their gray grow in. IRL, I see mostly straight haired women (chemically or flat-ironed”> growing gray.


laynesavedtheday

I love my curls because they are an extension of myself. Hating my hair is like hating anything else about myself – wrong. It doesn’t hurt that my hair is beautiful in my eyes, but even if it wasn’t I would rock it like the best of them!


bergasaurus

I hated my hair until I was 15 and got a perm – we didn’t know my hair was naturally curly at the time, until it grew out and stayed curly. I’ve loved my hair ever since then. Before then my hair was ugly and unruly and would stick up or wave in weird places because I was trying to style it like straight or slightly wavy hair. My mother always made me keep it short because longer hair was horrible. Post-perm I ended up growing my curly hair out to mid-back/waist length for a few years. Loved it and I still miss having hair that long.


generosityt

I love my curls because they have character and they do not look like anybody else hair. They’re also a characteristic of the region I come from (North Africa”>. I love my curls because they help me get the look I want within a few minutes, if I want to look edgy I can, if I want to look fun I can, if I want to look sexy I can without any extra money, time, or effort, a barrett, a pin, or a flower is all it takes to change from one look to another.

But most of all, I like them because they keep me warm in the cold, it’s my mane!


KurlyKae

I want to love my curls. Sometimes I do, but often it’s a struggle. It’s an ongoing process, anyway.


kasden

I love my curls because they’re mesmerizing! I find people just get lost staring at them…daydreaming. I love to see the looks on their faces…I wonder what they’re thinking!


afrosheenqueen

They allow me to be myself.


plink

I love my curls because they are the first part of my body that I became proud of. At a very late age.


bridgete2010

I love my curls because they are unique to me, they are my beautiful follicle-fingerprint…


MirCurls

I like the sensual quality of curling forms–how they seem to be alive and twine around my finger. I like them best when they’re clean and fresh and unfrizzy. I love them cause my husband loves them… a lot. He hardly says anything about my hair when I straighten it. When it’s curly, he often makes some sweet comment about how pretty they are, even when I ‘ve just woken up and they’re crazy all over the place and crushed-fuzzy.


Why do YOU love your curls, waves and kinks? Tell us in the comments section below!

PhytoSpecific at Duane Reade’s New Look Boutique
phytospecific

Phytospecific offers quality products for all types of textured and relaxed hair.

PhytoSpecific is excited to present a special event at the Rockefeller Center Duane Reade’s New Look Boutique this weekend.

The event takes place Saturday, Jan. 30 from 2-5 p.m. PhytoSpecific experts will be on hand to offer complimentary hair and scalp analysis.

While supplies last, the boutique will also be offering a special $78-value gift set, PhytoSpecific Rx, for just $52. You get an Integral Hydrating Mist ($26 value”> free!

Nicole Kidman’s SAG Look

Celebrity hairdresser David Babaii achieved this red carpet look by combining eras of vintage fabric textures with the perfect epoch red hair color. According to David, “Nicole Kidman always inspires me but for the 2010 SAG Awards, her beautiful skin tone and breathtaking beauty took the lead. The right style and hair color became my main objective.” David fell in love with this unique period wig that had various tones of ginger. In order to achieve the perfect color match, David sought out the master talents of celebrity hair colorist Lorri Goddard-Clark. Lorri created Nicole’s rich new color, while David created the perfect texture needed to enhance this natural but classic “Bohemian” look.

The Color: Lorri Goddard-Clark matched the vintage wig selected by David Babaii by utilizing a combination of deposit-only color, her signature foil-out reverse highlighting technique and a sulfate-free glaze. Nicole’s hair was transformed from a medium blond into a rich, warm gingered toffee red to enhance her azure eyes and porcelain skin.

According to Lorri, “It was truly an honor to work with David: he is a genius. I was thrilled to collaborate with him on this look for Nicole Kidman.”

The Style: David gently towel-dried the hair and sprayed Bohemian Beach Spray throughout. Next, he gently rough-dried the hair, moving his hands in various directions to create texture. Once dry, he fashioned a center part and divided tresses into 4 sections (sides, back crown & nape”>. Starting at the nape area, he alternated between 1″ and 1 ½” ceramic curling irons, taking “V” shaped partings. He then wrapped hair around the inside of the barrel, holding for 10 seconds then gently releasing the curl. With each alternating curl, David slid his fingers up the curl to gently create a soft back combing effect and enhanced texture. After finishing the entire head, David used his fingers and added extra Bohemian Beach Spray to loosen the curls and highlight the richness of the hair color.

Mslizzia’s Braid Out

  1. I washed my hair with baking soda, conditioner and olive oil all mixed together. I let it set for about 1O minutes and I scrubbed my scalp within that time frame and washed it out.
  2. I applied more co-wash conditioner and olive oil and sprayed apple cider vinegar on my hair which I let sit on for about 5- 8 minutes and then I rinsed it out.
  3. I applied my leave-in, Aussie moist conditioner.
  4. My cousin started braiding — but before she begin braiding each section I told her to put Eco Styler through each section and put shea butter on it as well. The shea butter is mixed with coconut oil. I kept a spray bottle next to her that had water, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and olive oil in it just in case my hair started to dry out. Once she was done, I applied Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my ends.
  5. I wore my braids for 2 days and twisted the ends into small bantu-like knots and secured them with bobby pins. I also oiled my scalp with coconut oil throughout the 2 days.
  6. Today, I took it down by applying the coconut oil to each braid first and then I put some at the tip of my fingers and carefully unraveled each braid.

— By CurlTalker Mslizzia. Check out her blog, StrawberriCurls.


Winter Care Tips from Paul Labrecque

Paul Labrecque

As the temperatures continue to drop, we usually find ourselves left with a dry, dull, static cling magnet of a mane. Paul Labrecque, celebrated hair stylist and colorist, believes winter should be a beautiful hair season for EVERYONE!

Have you tried Paul Labrecque products? Share your reviews!

As the owner of three award-winning New York City-based salon and spas, Paul Labrecque has become a renowned style-maker for a veritable “who’s who” of movie and television stars, musicians, socialites and other celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Tyra Banks, Kelly Ripa and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Recognized by “Vanity Fai” as one of the country’s Top 3 Stylists, Paul Labrecque has offered the best of the best to his beauty-savvy clientele for more than 20 years.

Here are Paul’s top tips for fabulous hair this winter:

Battling the Elements:

Hair that is healthy when you leave the house always wins the fight against Mother Nature!

  • Massage hair with a hydrating shampoo like Paul Labrecque Daily Shampoo. Follow up with Paul Labrecque Daily Conditioner. The moisturizing effects of the sweet tea and dead sea mud in these products will help protect your hair.
  • Always use a leave in (such as Paul Labrecque Repair Style”> aloe vera enriched cream. This fills the cuticles, making the hair less susceptible to damage.
  • Air dry or blow dry hair using a grooming control cream. Round Boar Bristle Brushes should be used when blow drying hair. Each stroke releases the hair’s natural sebum oil to condition and polish, promoting stronger, softer, hair full of radiant anti-static shine.
  • Never go outside with wet hair. Your locks can freeze, which leads to breaking.

Combat Flyaways and Static:

Cold air outside plus dry heat inside is not a favorable equation for your locks!

  • Having a humidifier in the home will help hydrate your skin and hair as you sleep
  • Get rid of nylon and plastic bristle brushes that intensify static.
  • After hair is dried, spray a soft finishing spray (such as Paul Labrecque Straight Finish”> into a Boar Bristle Flat Brush and brush through to evenly distribute. This will keep static at bay, without weighing hair down.

Shine on!:

Condition, Condition, Condition!

  • Paul Labrecque Repair Condition Treatment with lemongrass is the perfect tool to add to your regimen once weekly. This intensive conditioning treatment is formulated to strengthen and restore hair’s natural luster and vitality. Simply massage into the scalp and hair to invigorate the natural oil flow and let sit with a shower cap for 30 minutes.

Don’t Compromise Style:

You can still have fun with your hair, really!

  • A chignon or soft, low pony keeps hair looking stylish and are less likely to get ruined by the wind.
  • Using Paul Labrecque Straight Finish will help keep these updos in place with a soft touchable hold.
  • Ear muffs keep you warm, without messing with your tresses. If you would rather sport a hat, make sure it fits and that it is cleaned regularly.

Step-by-Step Makeover from Profound Beauty

Melissa is a graphic designer who loves her long, naturally curly hair, but struggles with how much hair she has and how difficult it is to manage and control frizz.

With Profound Beauty’s Tropical Curl Kit, she now has beautiful, bouncy, frizz-free luscious curls. The Tropical Curl Kit is a collection of Profound Beauty products that work together to offer luscious, dewy, plump curls. The kit consists of Hush Time-Out Treatment, Stylist Curl Foam and Atmosphere Tropical Mist Spray.


STEP 1: REDUCE FRIZZ

On cleansed, damp hair, apply HUSH Time-Out Treatment to eliminate frizz. Work the product through your hair section by section, using a wide-toothed comb to achieve even saturation.


STEP 2: ENHANCE CURL FORMATION

Using your fingers, apply a generous amount of STYLIST Curl Foam to hair from root to tip.

Curl Foam is humidity resistant and improves curl retention for beautifully shaped perky structured curls. Scrunch hair to create and define your personal wave and curl pattern.


STEP 3: PROFESSIONAL TIP (optional”>

To define curls even more, push hair forward from the root and look for the formation of the wave. Insert hair clips at the base of the wave to help define curls, lifting hair from the roots and keeping it from drying flat to the head. Clipping the curls also allows hair to dry with natural body and a defined wave or curl from the roots.


STEP 4: DRY GENTLY

Using a blow dryer and diffuser, dry hair, gently scrunching curls as you go.


STEP 5: ADD MOISTURE & SHINE

When hair is almost dry, remove hair clips and spray ATMOSPHERE Tropical Mist liberally to the entire head. Tropical Mist will add moisture and shine to your curls, while repelling the negative effects of humidity. Use your fingers to separate and define curls.


THE RESULT: BEAUTIFUL CURLS

The Tropical Curl Kit will help you achieve luscious, yummy curls that last and a luxurious style that resists humidity and controls frizz.


Cibu Launches Ancient Serum

The healing magic of argan oil has made its way into a new product from Cibu, Ancient Serum, a brand-new product designed for both hair and skin.

Cibu brand manager Jenn Mapp says her company makes products that stylists want. “We listen to our stylists,” she says of stylists who work at the Salon Cielo and Bubbles salons owned by Cibu’s parent company, The Ratner Group.

“They’re always looking for something that smoothes the hair,” she says. And so Ancient Serum was born. This brand-new addition to the Cibu line features argan oil, the trendy and so-effective ingredient that’s taken the hair-care world by storm.

Have you tried Ancient Serum? Share your review!

Argan oil contains a mixture of active substances, which gives argan oil many beneficial properties for both skin and hair. The oil both penetrates the cuticle, increasing the suppleness and elasticity of the hair, and remains on the surface of the hair, where it provides emollience and softness. (For more about argan oil, click here.”>

“Ancient Serum adds shine, moisturizes, smooths and fights the frizz,” says Mapp. “The stylists add it to color treatments in the salon to help the color spread evenly.”

Addressing concerns that Ancient Serum also contains silicones, Mapp says the silicones serve to coat the hair shaft, sealing the argan oil in, nourishing the hair from the inside. Without the silicones, the argan oil would likely evaporate, says Mapp.

“Ancient Serum makes curls soft and smooth. It would be a really nice product to use mid-day. It doesn’t frizz up again. This is a treatment combined with a shiner,” says Mapp.

Ancient Serum is also a wonderful skin moisturizer and softener.

A four-ounce bottle of Ancient Serum retails for $24.

"Tabatha’s Salon Takeover" Star Shares Tips for Holiday Hair

Bravo’s “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover” star Tabatha Coffey shares tips on how to get gorgeous this holiday season.

  • This season, hair should be soft, sexy and touchable
  • Spritz hair spray on strands before ironing to set a style without causing damage
  • Exaggerate the placement of your part to create a more dramatic style
  • Add a blinged-out barrette to add a touch of sparkle
  • This season, it’s all about textured up-dos with wisps falling around the face and neck
  • Use fingers rather than a brush to rake through hair to preserve texture and waves for up-dos
  • Dress up short hair with accessories like an embellished headband
  • Choose accessories that contrast with your hair color for an eye-catching look

“Tabatha’s Salon Takeover” airs Tuesday nights at 10 PM ET/PT on Bravo.

Does Disney’s New Princess Really Have Curly Hair?
disney princess tiana

Does Tiana really have curly hair, or is it straightened with just a couple ringlets peeking out?

A writer for Time magazine says that Tiana, protaganist of the new Disney film “The Princess and the Frog,” is the first Disney princess with curly hair.

While we laud Disney for including its first African-American princess, we really wonder if she has curly hair. It looks straightened to us. We see a couple beautiful little coils peeping out, but is that “curly hair,” especially given the princess’s lineage? Wouldn’t it be nice if she was sporting her presumably natural, tight coils? Now, that would be some curly hair, and that would send such a wonderful message to little curly kids everywhere!

disney princesses

Several Disney princesses have waves, though we’ve yet to see a full-on curly.

Other Disney princesses have sported waves, but this is definitely the curliest Disney has taken it. But is it far enough?

This is a great step in the right direction, and maybe we should just take it as that. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please complete our poll and add your comments below. We can’t wait to hear what you think!

Consumer Reports Rates Hair Dryers & Irons

Infiniti Nano Silver

Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic

“We lab-tested 10 hair dryers (also called blow dryers”> and found that you can spend up to $200 for the quietest model—or spend $20 for our Best Buy and use all that extra money to buy some ear plugs. For consumers itching to tame curls, we also tested nine straightening irons. The best performer was the Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair SS9 for $100—but if that’s more than you want to spend, the Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic RVST2001C ($30″> offers an excellent value, plus it’s light and travels well.”

—Consumer Reports


Justin Timberlake Sports Curls Again
justin timberlake

Andrew Shawaf/Pacific Coast News

Justin Timberlake is sporting curls again.

After going solo back in 2002, Justin Timberlake ditched the highlighted curls that made him famous in ‘NSync for a sexy cropped cut that he has kept ever since. But, now, it seems that Justin is getting back to his roots. The sexy singer stepped out on a movie set showing off a head full of almost-blond curls! While his luxurious waves first captured our hearts back in his boy band days, we’re so used to seeing his close crop that this really took us by surprise.

— People magazine

Model Noemie Lenoir Shears Famous Curly Hair

Noemie Lenoir before and after

Unbelievably, it seems the Britney look is catching on. Gorgeous French model and actress Noemie Lenoir, the face of Marks and Spencer and Next, was spotted in New York—with a freshly shorn blonde crop.

Noemie is barely recognisable without the signature golden brown pre-Raphaelite curls she normally sports in television and advertising campaigns for the companies she models for.

What was she thinking?: Model and actress Noemie Lenoir has cut her beautiful brown curls off for this severe blond crop.

With no clue as to why she’s undergone such a severe transformation, one can only conclude that she’s been cast a baddie in her latest film.

She is currently filming the third installment in the Rush Hour franchise with Chris Tucker.

The mother of one, who is married to French international and Chelsea star, Claude Makelele, looked like she was getting into character, as she sat stern, and unsmiling while lunching with friends at popular celeb restaurant Cipriani.

Let’s hope this attack of the crops isn’t catching.

Who will it strike next?

— The London Evening Standard

Actress Lucy Benjamin is Worried About Her Curls

Actress Lucy Benjamin is mostly worried about her hair going wild as she prepares to embark on her jungle adventure for the taping of the British TV show “I’m a Celebrity”.

The 39 year-old mum-of-one said she is so concerned about the state of her frizzy hair if she doesn’t have any conditioner she might have to resort to rubbing leaves into it.

She says: “I couldn’t be without my hair conditioner because I’ve got naturally curly hair. I’m trying to wangle getting conditioner in because otherwise I’m going to look like a mad woman.

“At one point I thought, ‘I’m just going to pick leaves that have got balm in them and rub them in my hair, anything.”

Taylor Swift Offers Advice on Getting Spiral Curls

Taylor Swift has spoken about her “girly” fashion style.

In the December issue of “In Style” magazine, Swift gave girls tips on getting their hair to look curly. “It helps if you have natural curly hair but if you want a really good spiral curl and want it to have a nice lift, you take a piece of your hair and wrap it around your finger, going towards the back of your head.”

She also told the publication: “I love dresses, I love skirts, headbands, old antique necklaces.

“I’m really inspired by retro fashions and things that were beautiful then and can still be beautiful now in a more modernized way,” the “You Belong With Me” singer added.


The Look of the 43rd Annual CMA Awards

Look like a star! Quick directions for achieving celebrity looks at home.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood glowed on the red carpet this past weekend at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards. Her look was romantic, polished, and ultra-glamorous. Alterna’s Global Creative Director, Michael Shaun Corby, explains how to re-create this glam-curly, red-carpet look at home.

  • Work a volumizing styling lotion into damp, freshly washed hair like Alterna’s Hemp with Organics Thickening Compound and create a side part
  • Blow-dry hair with a round brush to achieve volume, especially at the roots
  • Back-comb the top back portion of the hair lightly and carefully to get volume at the top of the head
  • Lightly spray the entire head and hair with Alterna’s Caviar Working Hair Spray
  • Use a wide-barrel curling iron to curl sections of the hair from mid-shaft to the ends, spraying each curl with Caviar Working Hair Spray after it’s been curled, to maintain the shape
  • Pin back a small amount of hair from the sides, securing just below the back-combed section and pushing it up and back slightly to get extra height
  • Use fingers to lightly separate the curls to add some texture
  • Finish with a light spray of Caviar Working Hair Spray and Hemp with Organics Spray Shine for a brilliant sheen

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s fun, feminine updo perfectly complemented her elegant sparkly gown. We love the loose curls that fall along her face! To get this look at home, Alterna’s Corby offers a few easy steps using Alterna products:

  • Work a small amount of Alterna’s Hemp Shine & Texturizing Catalyst into damp, freshly washed hair for smooth, soft, weightless volume and create a side part
  • Blow-dry hair with a round brush
  • Lightly spray the entire head and hair with Alterna’s Caviar Working Hair Spray
  • Use a small-barrel curling iron to create ringlet curls throughout the hair from mid-shaft to the ends, spraying each curl with Caviar Working Hair Spray to maintain the shape
  • Coat fingers lightly in Caviar Anti-Aging Shaping Balm, and use fingers to lightly separate the curls and add texture with the balm
  • Pin up the hair by rolling the ends under for a ‘faux bob’ effect and pinning to secure. Make sure to leave some loose curled strands to fall along the face
  • Finish with a light spray of Caviar Working Hair Spray and Hemp with Organics Spray Shine for a brilliant sheen

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman’s hairdresser David Babaii created Nicole’s loose waves for the award show.

  • Shampoo and condition hair with David Babaii for WildAid Amplifying Shampoo and Conditioner for volume. His motto is: rinse, rinse rinse so you have a clean canvas. This is a must for achieving a “good hair day!”
  • Spray the entire head with David Babaii for WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray and scrunch the product into hair. This gives just the right amount of texture and movement.
  • To create added volume while blow drying, move hair in various directions. Once dry, section the hair into 3 different parts: top, sides and back, leaving the nape area free. This is vital because you need to have constant control over the hair at all times. He used a 1 ½” sized FHI Heat Ceramic curling iron to create these luscious loose curls. To achieve natural looking curls and/or hide any partings, take alternating “V” shaped partings and wrap the sections around the inside of the barrel and hold for 10 seconds. Clip each curl and allow them to cool.
  • To style, remove all the clips and rub a small amount of David Babaii for WildAid Hair Polish into your hands and finger tips. Gently run your fingers through the curls to loosen (no comb or brush, please!”> Remember, your hands can be your best styling tools. To create these loose curls, take random sections and run your fingers through to separate and define.
  • For additional lift or volume at the scalp area, use David Babaii for WildAid Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier. With fingers, lift sections for extra volume and height.
  • To complete the look, spray David Babaii for WildAid Mise en Plis Light Styling Spray.

Single Gene May Cause Curly Hair
curly hair

What makes curly hair curly? Scientists in Australia have identified a single gene that strongly influences whether you have curly or straight hair, according to PhysOrg.com.

The study looked for genetic variations in people of European descent to identify any genes associated with curly and straight hair. People of European descent have 45% straight hair, 40% wavy, and 15% naturally curly hair. Professor Martin and colleague Dr. Sarah Medland have previously found there is up to a 90% chance of inheriting the curly hair trait.

The scientists, from the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR”> in Brisbane, identified the TCHH gene (trichohyalin”> on chromosome one as the major gene controlling the curliness of hair. TCHH has been known for over 20 years to play a role in the development of hair follicles. It is expressed in the inner root sheath of developing hair follicles.

Curlies have long been told that it is follicle shape that determines curliness, so presumably this gene affects the follicle shape.

Leader of the team Professor Nick Martin said that variations in the gene determine how straight or curly the hair is, but more work is needed to determine the exact variant that influences curliness. Professor Martin said a variation that causes a change in an amino acid is the most likely contender.

Hair morphology has been studied extensively in Asian populations, and research carried out in Japan last year determined the genetic basis for the straight, thick hair common in East Asian populations. The differences in the FGFR2 and EDAR genes found in Asia are thought to have originated after East Asian and European populations diverged. Much less is known about the genetic basis of straight and curly hair in Europeans.

The study analyzed data collected from a 30-year study of 5000 twins of European ancestry. The twins were asked whether their hair was curly, wavy or straight, and the researchers then tried to match the hair type against the data on the genomes of the twins.

The paper was published on November 5 in the online edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics. The research is likely to have applications in the cosmetics industry and in forensics, where the knowledge may help in identifications.

Words of Wisdom from a CurlTalker

In a recent post on CurlTalk, SicilyCurl offered these insightful observations:

In terms of the curly hair topic, this is what I’ve been thinking lately –

Without mentioning names specifically, I think that certain organizations, businesses, and people need to do more than just profit off of the confusion and desperation of many curly-haired people and actually do something to lobby on our behalf. Curly hair is extremely complex and you really need hands on, on-site help with it, instead of spending hundreds of dollars on products, playing guessing games, and communicating with people hundreds of miles away who can’t even see you. Do you know what would be truly helpful?

  1. Lobby the heck out of the beauty schools and persuade them to churn out more curly hair experts.
  2. Help set up curly hair institutes in all major cities that carry an array of products for an array of curly hair types. People cannot guide you on your hair from afar because they can’t see and feel your texture and know the climate that you live in. You need hands on, on-site assistance from someone who can guide you every step of the way. I don’t mean to sound patronizing because I know some curly heads figure their hair out on their own, but many do not and they spend loads of cash and shed tears trying to figure it out.
  3. Work with consumer rights and environmental organizations to get hair care companies to stop putting industrial chemicals in their products that are damaging to our environment, our bodies and to the health of our hair.
  4. Monitor reviews (on all Web sites”> that seem to be covertly placed by hair care companies. I’m sure some companies pay people to say positive things about their products, and place negative comments about competitors’ products. When someone raves “I combined FKG with some EETK, raked and scrunched, plopped, and spread some NUJKL on the canopy, and dolloped some TNMIL over the fortress. Voila! My curls where rockin’!,” how do you know that person isn’t actually some 70 year-old bald guy who was paid by the companies to plant that on a site? I’m a smart and educated person, but when I get extremely frustrated with my curly hair, even I buy into the propaganda.

I do not think we curly heads are gullible and that we need someone to hold our hand, but curly hair can be extremely complex and majorly frustrating and I think there can be a better way to figure it out. We shouldn’t be bankrupted into blindly figuring out what our hair likes or needs. We need more trained hairstylists who can help us get it right the first or second time with the right products. We need certain organizations, businesses and people to lobby to make that happen.

Yes, I do care about far more serious problems in the world, but this is a site about curly hair and I just wanted to express my opinion on the topic. Feel free to respond or not.


We like your comments, SicilyCurl, and couldn’t agree more. We at NaturallyCurly commit to do all that we can to facilitate many of your thoughts. Our recent launch of CurlStylist was very much an attempt to educate stylists about curlies’ real-life needs and to provide them with training and education to help us rock our curls.

Additionally, we are in contact with various beauty schools, and in fact helped bring in an Austin curl expert to a local school to give the students some curl-specific knowledge. You can read about it here!

We encourage other curly-friendly organizations and businesses to join NaturallyCurly in this endeavor to spread the curly word!

Get Paula Patton’s Look

Paula Patton

At the recent Ninth Annual Avon Foundation for Women Awards Gala, Paula Patton added to the celebration of this monumental cause with this fun-upbeat look:

Ursula Stephen, Motions Celebrity Stylist, created Paula Patton’s sweet look for less than $15. Follow these easy steps to create this versatile style:

    1. Apply Motions Light Styling Foam, focusing on the roots
    2. Blow dry hair in an upwards motion to add volume
    3. Spray Motions Light Hold Working Spritz throughout hair. Using a medium-sized barrel iron, curl small sections of hair, securing curls with hair pins. After hair has cooled, remove pins and comb through with a wide-toothed comb
    4. Using fingers, gently sweep hair behind ears and create a soft side part, teasing the crown if necessary
    5. Finish with Motions Oil Sheen & Conditioning Spray for a long-lasting look