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It is normal to lose, on average, 50 to 100 hairs per day. You may notice more hair loss at certain times, like when taking out a protective style, but if you feel like you are shedding more than average amounts of hair over time, or you notice split, frayed ends, read on.

What’s the difference between hair loss and hair breakage?

Both hair loss and breakage are common yet distinct problems that have different signs and causes. Hair loss, also referred to as shedding and hair fall, occurs at the root. These shed hairs often have clubbed roots and are long. Hair breakage is just that, a breakage that occurs at some point on the hair shaft. The broken hair will be shorter than a shed hair.

Common causes of hair loss

There are many reasons for hair loss. They include:

• Stress or trauma caused by tight styling practices (Traction Alopecia)
• Hormonal fluctuations that occur after childbirth or around and after Menopause
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Autoimmune conditions
• Psychological or physical trauma
• Chemical burns due to perms and relaxers
• Skin diseases and infections
• Medications
• Starting or stopping birth control pills
• Thyroid issues

Common causes of hair breakage

Like hair loss, hair breakage can have many reasons including:

• Heat styling and damage
• Chemical processing (relaxers, bleaching, etc.)
• Dryness and split ends
• Hair that is thinner and more fragile than normal due to Female Pattern Hair Loss or low Ferritin levels
• Brushing or combing delicate hair when dry or roughly detangling hair

How to Resolve Hair Loss and Breakage

1. Speak to a professional

The first step for resolving any areas of concern with your hair is to talk to a professional. If you are experiencing breakage due to styling practices or, for example, a self-administered relaxer, you may want to see your hair stylist or trichologist. For hair loss or breakage with an unknown cause, or if a health condition is suspected, please see your doctor for diagnosis. They may recommend additional tests to identify nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or autoimmune conditions that are affecting your hair growth cycle.

2. Develop a regimen that specifically addresses your needs

For hair breakage due to styling practices, start with a haircut. You should remove as much of the breaking hair as possible. If you are not ready for a full big chop, commit to trimming your hair every six weeks, and deep condition once per week using a intensive hair masque such as Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner or Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioner. Detangle your hair only when wet, and break up knots and tangles using your fingers. Always use a leave-in conditioner to provide your hair with long-lasting moisture. Kinky-Curly Knot Today and Soultanicals Hair Sorrell Knappylicious Kink Drink will keep those waves, curls, and coils feeling soft and silky.

3. Make adjustments to your routine

For hair loss, your Doctor may prescribe a change of diet or supplements to address any nutritional deficiencies, or medications to treat underlying health conditions. As these issues are being resolved, it is important to develop a triage routine. Care for your scalp with regular scalp treatments such as Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil. Be sure to clarify your hair frequently to remove any excess buildup. Follow this with a balancing conditioner that can be used as a daily or leave-in conditioner. Finally, give your hair a boost with a product formulated to create volume, like the Giovanni Cosmetics Mousse Air-Turbo Charged™ Hair Styling Foam.

This article has been updated with new resources.

Image: @thecurlbarlondon

Transitioning hair is notoriously difficult to detangle. It is fragile, prone to breakage, and in need of special care. The following tips can help get out the knots without causing additional stress and trauma.

1. Determine the type of damage you have

Determine the type of damage your hair has so that you can best address it with the right products. Damage from bleach, relaxers, and many chemical processes tend to affect the integrity of the hair shaft which increases the hair’s porosity. Chemically-created high-porosity hair tends to stick to itself, be over-elastic, weak, and prone to snapping off. It responds well to masques and deep conditioners with protein or coconut oil in them (look for the word “strengthening” on the product label). Conversely, hair that is dry, brittle, and resistant to moisture may have become lower porosity. A good example of this is when you repeatedly dye high porosity hair with demi-permanent hair dye, or use henna treatments. Over time, the hair will have a permanent layer of color on it. The parts of the hair shaft with color will feel rough and dry, and the curl pattern will be affected. To soften the hair and restore some elasticity, choose highly moisturizing conditioning treatments, used in tandem with a Hot Head.

2. Pre-poo

All hair types can benefit from pre-pooing. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Section your hair.
2. On each section, apply an oil or pre-poo product, massaging it into your ends.
3. Detangle your hair using your fingers primarily. If you need to use a wide-toothed comb, do so sparingly, and start with the ends of your hair and work your way upward.
4. As you complete each section, clip it with a duckbill clip before moving on to the next.
5. Apply shampoo at the roots of your hair, add a little water, and then carefully massage your scalp.
6. Work it down the hair shaft one section at a time, pulling the shampoo through to the ends. Break up any new tangles that may have formed.
7. Rinse carefully, and follow with your favorite conditioner.

For products that will work for all hair types, including finer transitioning ends see this article, How to Pre-Poo Fine Curly Hair for an Easy Washday.

3. Detangle upside down

Try flipping your head over so you can detangle your hair upside down. This tip works best for high-porosity, fine-density hair that tends to stick to itself, making it hard to reach the layers at the back of your head.

1. Apply your favorite conditioner to thoroughly saturated hair.
2. Flip your head over and detangle with your head upside down starting with the back of your head. Use your fingers, and if need-be a wide-toothed comb.
3. Flip your head back over and detangle any curls that have re-tangled.

4. Get serious about slip

Choose products that contain good slip, which will coat the hair and make it easier to work with. Besides conditioners, there are detanglers that can streamline the detangling process.

5. Get regular trims

Transitioning hair is prone to dry, brittle, thin ends that split up the hair shaft if not removed at regular intervals. They can cause you to lose length, and can drag down your natural curl pattern. You will find that regular trims make detangling faster and easier. What are your favorite detangling tips for transitioning hair? Let us know in the comments. For more tips, read How to Detangle Curly Hair next.

One frequent question we receive from readers is “Why is the bottom layer of my hair wavy and/or straight, and the top layer curly?” While having multiple textures on one head of hair is totally normal, it can sometimes make styling a bit of a challenge. For help, we turned to texture expert and educator Jessica Knight, owner of Beyond Texture salon in Brooklyn, NY. She states that having more than one texture is “simply genetics”.

“Having more than one texture is “simply genetics”.”

Jessica @beyond-texture

Jessica has seen it frequently with her clients, and it is not always the top layer that is curlier than the bottom layers. She finds that “it can happen around the temples and other parts of the head-shape. You may even notice that some of the curls are softer and silkier, while others are coarser. Nothing is wrong with your texture though, first know that. It’s simply YOU!” 

Try a dry cut

Jessica recommends always cutting on dry hair with your curls as you would normally wear them. “This way, your stylist can be able to identify where the various textures and curl patterns live.” When creating the shape of the cut, she is cognizant of how it will grow out. If the bottom layer is on the straighter side, it will create a tail, or mullet-appearance.

To counter these problems, she suggests getting a haircut cut that takes into account your hair’s multiple curl patterns, like one of these below.

1. Shorter graduated bob

This has an option of creating an A-line frame towards the face (when your hair is shorter in the back and gradually gets longer towards the front). This cut is great for fine- haired curlies who want more volume at the crown. When styling, apply some Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer to any areas that need a little boost, or use the product to define and separate curls.

2. Longer graduated bob 

Here, the length is preserved evenly throughout the haircut. It is a good choice if you want to have different styling options. Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam can help provide soft shape and definition to your curls without drying them out. This foam provides a light, non-crunchy hold.

3. Longer layered cut 

Jessica establishes the length, and then reduces the weight of the isolated straight/wavy silky texture. Straight/wavy hair tends to grow out very heavily. This technique will allow the length to grow in looking less dense, and allows curls to spring up. It is a great choice for fine to coarse textures, and many densities as well. Emulsifying a drop or two of Innersense I Create Shine Glossing Serum between your palms and then applying it to the mid-shafts to the ends of your hair will leave your strands smooth and shiny.

She states that “these shapes give my clients different options when it comes to what their goals are. Most importantly, they have longevity.” 

Do you have areas of your hair that are curlier than others? What do you do to bring everything into balance? Let us know in the comments.

Image Source: @africanmelaninnn

Six months into my transition from heat-damaged, frizzy, straight-adjacent hair to the curls, waves, and defiant halo of fluff that currently lives on top of my head, I hit a roadblock. Almost every product I bought seemed to cause dryness and flyaways, and left me with little curl definition. I was following the Curly Girl Method, paying attention to product ingredients, and getting regular trims. Then one day, I found a video from YouTuber, MelissaQ, talking about her high porosity hair hating glycerin. While we have different curl patterns, what she was saying struck a chord with me. Based on this, I decided to swap out my products for glycerin-free alternatives, and it was a game-changer for me. Since that time, my damaged high porosity hair has become much healthier. It is mainly naturally high porosity, but I still have a bit of damage from highlights that were done over two years ago. If you are still struggling to find the right products for your high porosity hair, I hope this list helps you like that video helped me.

1. Glycerin

To be fair, I live in an arid climate. The humidity is often at 20% or less. This, coupled with dry indoor air from forced heating and air conditioning, can leave my hair feeling like straw, as the glycerin removes all the moisture from it.

2. Hair color

By this, I mean dyes, bleach, and even henna. My hair soaks up color quickly. Semi and demi-permanent dyes and henna coat the hair shaft completely and will not wash out. They look beautiful when they are first applied, but when my regrowth comes in, I end up with a line of demarcation right below the roots. Since henna cannot be dyed over, all I can do is keep getting trims until it is gone. With bleach my hair has two states: orange and breaking off. I avoid all hair color except for temporary products that can easily be washed away with water like hair color wax.

3. Protein treatments

I know this sounds strange because high porosity hair is supposed to love protein. When my hair was damaged in the past, particularly after a relaxer, it loved protein. I would go through jars of hair mayonnaise. Now that my hair is healthier, protein can make it feel dry and hard. I still do periodic protein treatments when my hair won’t hold its curl definition, but they are only on an as-needed basis. I do make sure my conditioners have some protein in them, but they have a larger percentage of moisturizing ingredients.

4. Silicones, including water-soluble ones 

All silicones leave my hair parched and limp. I might be able to use them once and get away with it, but they will build up. Even something like dimethicone copolyol, a supposed “better silicone” will weld itself to my hair and be difficult to remove.

5. Coconut oil

For many curlies, this is a wonder-oil that is used to moisturize the scalp, treat itchiness, soften the hair, and detangle as part of a pre-poo step. Coconut oil makes my hair dry and limp, although it can tolerate it as an ingredient in other products like leave-ins.

6. Manipulation

Once my hair is styled and picked and fluffed out, that is how it must remain. If I want to put it into an updo, I cannot take it down and expect it to retain its curl definition. I have to refresh.

7. Heat

Even with a diffuser, if I set my hairdryer to anything higher than low heat, I am guaranteed that it will look fried. I have wasted good money at hair salons getting my hair diffuse-dried because what stylist has the whole morning to dry it on low?

8. Refreshing next-day hair that has been scrunched out

When I wake up in the morning, if I have not refreshed my hair the night before, all of the moisture will have left my hair. There might be a few curls at the nape of my neck, but the rest is a disaster. I am now able to successfully get second, third, and even fourth-day hair, and it took me a long time to figure out how to do it.

Here are the steps that I follow:

• At night about an hour before going to bed, I spritz my hair with a mixture of cream leave-in conditioner and water. I want a good mix of hydration and moisture so the product can penetrate my hair. I focus on the areas that are not fully defined, are frizzy, and where curls that seem to be reaching in the horizon for moisture.
• I finger detangle those saturated areas, using a wide-toothed comb only when necessary.
• I scrunch my hair, and shingle any pieces that need a little extra shaping, and then I allow my hair to dry.
• I pineapple only the area around my crown using a satin scrunchie. I avoid stretching any curls. I pineapple the crown section only because it tends to tangle the most.
• The next day, I remove the scrunchie, and then spritz a little more leave-in and water onto any curls that have lost their shape. I will often apply mousse using the praying hands technique.
• I then allow my hair to fully dry, and then fluff and pick out my roots.

9. Hot, dry days

 Living in a desert climate can wreak havoc on my tresses. They will lose all life, body, and bounce quickly. I never leave the house without plenty of moisture in my hair.

10. Wind

Many a windy day has wrecked the curls I so carefully constructed in and after the shower. I know I could avoid this with lots of hard hold gel, but then it throws off my second-day refresh game.

What does your high porosity hair hate? Let us know in the comments. If you want to try some great products for high porosity hair, click here.

Photo of @y.aasmine

Glycerin is a conditioning alcohol that is used in a large percentage of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. It is a humectant, and as such, it has the ability to deposit or remove moisture from the hair depending on the dew point. It is a very beneficial ingredient when the level of moisture in the air is at an optimal range, when the temperatures range between 40 and 60 degrees. It works less effectively when the temperatures are above or below this range. In arid, desert-like climates, it can cause hair to become limp and flat, and lose all curl definition. In hot, humid climates (think Florida or New Orleans in the Summer”> it can cause strands to swell with moisture and become puffy and frizzy. Because weather is an ever-changing entity, many curlies have added glycerin to their list of ingredients to avoid or limit. High porosity curlies seem to be particularly sensitive to humectants, but any porosity can have challenges with them. While it is possible to create a glycerin-free or low-glycerin regimen, finding products with no or very small amounts of this common ingredient can be a challenge, and can restrict your choices, particularly if you have other considerations like fragrance-sensitivities and allergies, or are vegan. Ask yourself the following questions before swapping out your current products containing glycerin.

Do you live in a desert climate?

Do you live in a dry, desert climate with hot, dry days, and buildings cooled by central air conditioning (A.K.A. Las Vegas”>? In this type of climate, glycerin can wreck your ringlets. Your hair, no matter its porosity, can look and feel like straw when you use products with glycerin in them, particularly in the Summer months when the sun is blazing and the air is bone-dry. You don’t need to throw your glycerin-laden products away. Save them for the more moderate temperatures.

Do you travel frequently between different climates?

When you travel, do you notice that your hair looks different at various airports (from flat to frizzy to perfect curls”>? If you notice your hair changing with each trip up the tarmac, your products might be to blame. In this situation, create a regimen from glycerin-free products. As long as you keep your hair well-conditioned, you will find that it will be a lot happier. This is particularly important if you are traveling for business and you need a quick, easy effective routine that will work in every location you travel to.

Does humidity cause mayhem on your hair? 

When pleasant, lovely Spring shifts to brutal, humid Summer your hair can grow twice the size it usually is. When I was younger and living on the East coast, June humidity tripped off a general series of bad choices and mane-mayhem on my part that generally culminated in a relaxer. Humidity can be a beast when it meets glycerin. Switching up your regimen to a low- or no-glycerin one can help.

Is the weather changing from day to day (for example, rainy, to sunny, to windy”>?

While technically glycerin might be fine for certain chunks of time, if you want to get a few days out of your wash-and-go, using glycerin-free products is a good choice.

After you have asked yourself these questions, you may be wondering what you should do with the products that you have that contain glycerin. Should you throw them away, donate them, or store them under the bathroom sink to never be used again? In a word: no! You can use them at optimal temperatures and dew points, cocktail them with glycerin-free products, or even try using one of the products in a regimen with otherwise glycerin-free items.

Do you have a favorite glycerin-free regimen? Share it in the comments. For help in choosing the right products for the weather for curly hair click here.

Read next: Top 20 Glycerin-Free Products

This article has been updated with additional resources.

Photo: Getty Images/SDI Productions

Airport hair, that unglamorous flat, frizzed out, flyaway mess that started as curls, is the result of several factors which include dry in-flight cabin pressure, the reactions of humectants in your products to the environment, and airline seat fabric. Travel stress and dehydration can add to this mix, but you don’t need us to tell you to breathe deeply and drink more water. For the other issues, read on.

Dealing with dry air:

Have you noticed how dry your skin feels, or how thirsty you become when flying? The dryness also affects our delicate curls, which can feel fried in flight. Follow these tips to keep your hair hydrated.

• A day or two before your trip, do a deep conditioning treatment. On thoroughly saturated hair, apply the conditioner an inch or so below your roots, and work it down the hair shaft and into the ends. Cover with a plastic cap and let it sit on your hair for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
• The day of travel, ensure that you use a leave-in, mousse, or cream-based styler in your hair for moisture. Tote along some sample bottles to provide your curls with hydration between flights. If you need a little extra water to apply them, just wet your hands and run your fingers through the parts of your hair that you will be applying product to. These sample-sized bottles are both convenient and TSA-compliant: Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner (2 oz.”>, CURLS Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-in Conditioner (2 oz.”>, Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Leave-in Conditioner (3.4 oz.”>
• Avoid using products that have glycerin listed in the top five ingredients on their labels. Glycerin is a humectant, and when you are in a low-humidity situation such as an airplane cabin, it will draw needed moisture out of your hair and distribute it into the environment.
• Abstain from alcohol and drink plenty of water, because hangover hair is not cute.

Plopping on a plane:

If you like to plop your hair after washing it, this method will give you (airport”> runway curls when you land. In addition to the products you use for your regimen, you will need a seamless microfiber headband.

• Two hours or so before you leave for the airport, wash and condition your hair, and then apply your leave-in and stylers in the shower while your hair is soaking wet.
• Part your hair as you normally would wear it, and then start scrunching all over your head.
• Carefully put on the headband. I like to fold it in half to make it narrower. You can adjust it however you like, but I recommend ensuring that the back covers the nape of your neck. You may also want to make it flat at the back, as you will be resting your head on your headrest or a travel pillow, and bunched up fabric can be uncomfortable. I like to pull out my bangs and a few curls around my face.
• Scrunch your hair with the headband as you would with a microfiber towel. Make sure you get your whole head.
• You can keep your hair in this set as long as you wish. If you leave the scarf on throughout your transit, when you arrive at your destination, all you will need to do is shake out and fluff your hair, and perhaps add a bit of moisture to any errant curls.

Preventing the frizzies:

Nothing will tear up your curls like an airline seat. Wool blend upholstery and leather may be durable, but they are not hair-friendly. To avoid their effects, try these tricks:

• Don a silk headwrap on the plane. It will protect your hair and keep your style looking fresh.
• Get a satin cover for your travel pillow. They are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors.
• Try a style-saver pillow. These ingenious contraptions have a neck cutout to prevent seat back to style friction.

Keeping your style intact:

Do you leave the house with hair worthy of the Met Gala only to arrive at your final destination looking like you were chased by a bear? If so, in addition to the above recommendations, try these style tips and tools.

• If you can, opt for braids or a braided style like a French braid or braided updo. These styles secure the hair really well, and hold up against dry air.
• Don’t forget about your edges. They will be the first to go flyaway in flight. Use a good edge tamer applied with a toothbrush to get them to stay put.
• Avoid jaw clips, butterfly clips, and any other hair accessories that can be uncomfortable during flight. The more you adjust your ‘do, the more likely it is to become a don’t.

How do you avoid airport hair? Let us know in the comments. For more travelling while curly tips, click here.

Photo Courtesy of @AlikayNaturals

Are eczema and psoriasis wreaking havoc on your scalp? Consider trying African black soap.

What are eczema and psoriasis?

Eczema and psoriasis are two common skin conditions that can cause significant discomfort from symptoms that can include itching, flaking, burning, scaling, and redness. If you suffer from either (or both”>, you know that treating these conditions can be difficult, as both tend to flare-up repeatedly in response to various stressors and changes in the weather.

If you want solutions that are gentle on your skin and safe for all skin types, try products containing African black soap as the main ingredient.

What is African black soap?

African black soap is made from cocoa pods, coconut oil, palm/palm kernel oil, shea butter, and plantain bark. It’s typically made in West African countries, most notably Ghana, but different regions of Africa have different formulations.

The benefits of African black soap 

Black soap has a slew of benefits that make it an ideal remedy for the skin and scalp:

• antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
• soothing for the skin
• non-comedogenic 
• anti-inflammatory
• acne-fighting

It also helps to reduce the loss of collagen and may help to mitigate the effects of sun exposure. 

How to find the best African black soap for you

• For oily skin – regular black soap without extra oils and butters will help to balance it out
• For scalp psoriasis – If you have scalp psoriasis use black soap shampoos that have been specially formulated for the hair and scalp in order to avoid build-up
• For very dry skin – look for formulations that contain extra moisturizers

 

1. SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bar

For skin that needs extra soothing, this bar contains shea butter, aloe, and oats to calm inflammation. Skin is left clean and refreshed and in a more balanced state.

2. tgin African Black Soap with Shea Butter + Charcoal

Besides skin-loving black soap and shea butter, this bar contains charcoal to help deeply cleanse and remove dirt and impurities from your pores. It is a good choice for acne-prone skin.

3. OKAY Pure Naturals African Black Soap Original

Use this soap to keep your skin feeling its best. It has lots of nourishing ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera. You can also create a lather and use it to shampoo your hair.

4. Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo

If you are battling scalp conditions, reach for this shampoo. It has botanicals and black soap to heal your scalp and keep your hair healthy. It also comes with a nozzle for ease of application.

Naturally Curly shop reviewer, D. Walker writes:

My type 4 hair loves this shampoo. I apply directly to my scalp once a week and all over my hair once a month. If I only shampoo once, then my hair is clean without being dried out. I will shampoo twice if I feel the need to clarify my hair. A staple in my hair regimen and the only shampoo I have purchased for the last year.

5. Dr. Woods Raw Black Coconut Papaya Soap with Organic Shea Butter and Pump

Like all Dr. Woods Black soaps, this one is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin, yet it cleanses well. It can be used as an all-over body wash or as a face wash.

6. SheaMoisture African Black Soap Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy Body Wash

If you are dealing with flare-up after flare-up of eczema and/or psoriasis, this body-wash can help you get your skin back on track. It is gentle, non-irritating, and will leave your skin feeling baby soft.

7. Melanin Haircare African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo

This clarifying shampoo is full of curly girl favorite ingredient’s like rich cocoa and shea butters, argan, and pro-vitamin B5, as well as anti-inflammatory oils like tea tree, black cumin seed, rosemary, and peppermint to help heal the scalp.

 

8. Alaffia African Black Soap Scalp Care Shampoo & Conditioner

Calm and soothe an irritated scalp with activated charcoal, authentic black soap, tea tree oil and African mint. Curlies love that this formula is powerful yet gentle on their curls.

9. June Rose Kurls Authentic African Black Soap

June Rose Kurls founder Mitchka Leon has developed products that she uses to help with her own eczema and scalp psoriasis. You can watch her routine for creating DIY shampoo and removing buildup on her scalp below.  

10. SheaMoisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Toner

Acne-prone skin is sensitive skin. Many toners can leave delicate skin feeling dry and stripped. Not this toner! It’s a mild astringent that will leave your face feeling refreshed and soothed.

 

What is your favorite African black soap product? Let us know in the comments. For more about African black soap click here. 

This article has been updated with new products and links.

Pictured: Gena Marie with Curlsmith Bonding Oil

Glycerin, the ubiquitous ingredient listed on many of our hair product labels, is found in both plant and animal fats and can be manufactured synthetically as well.

What does glycerin do to hair?

This humectant can help keep your curls moisturized by drawing water into them in optimal temperatures of 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit. In humid conditions, for example, in the middle of July when it’s hot and sticky, it can attract too much moisture into your hair which will cause it to swell and frizz.

Conversely, in drier environments, like those warmed by forced air heating in the winter, glycerin will remove moisture from your hair and deposit it into the air.

It can be difficult to know when to use glycerin-containing products, and many curlies have opted to ditch them altogether.

How do you know if you need to avoid glycerin?

If you are not sure if glycerin is a friend or a foe, try avoiding it for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference in the health of your hair. 

Here are some important facts to know about glycerin:

• High-porosity hair tends to be very sensitive to glycerin’s effects, particularly in desert or hot, damp climates.
• Glycerin has the ability to open the hair shaft. This makes it a good ingredient for shampoos that are followed up with a conditioner. You should avoid it as an ingredient in a sealing serum.
• If glycerin is not listed as one of the top five ingredients in a product, its effects are generally minimal in most situations. 

If you do find that your hair feels healthier without glycerin, the products below will help you select your new (or rediscover some old”> favorites as replacements.

 

1. Curlsmith Bonding Oil

If you love the shine-enhancing and smoothing properties of oil but you do not want the flat, greasy look that can easily wreck your washday, this lightweight formula is just what you need. With its blend of plant-based ingredients such as Plantsilk™ and vegan keratin, your curls will finish sleek and strong.

 

2. Jessicurl Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil

Invigorate your scalp and your senses with this blend of oils that promotes healthy hair growth.

 

3. Curls Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Deep Conditioner  

Impart your strands with body-building botanicals that leave them stronger and less prone to breakage.

 

4. Alikay Naturals Co-wash Me Cleansing Conditioner

If you want a cleansing conditioner that gets your hair clean and leaves it soft without weighing it down, this is the perfect cleansing conditioner for you.

5. K18 Leave-in

This four-minute leave in reconnects the keratin chains in the innermost core of your strands leaving them silky and less prone to breakage. K18 seals the hair shaft, too, to keep your curls frizz-free.

6. Kalahari Smoothie Leave-In

Just say no to knots and tangles with this rich, hydrating leave-in with plenty of slip.

 

7. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in

Knot Today is a great choice for those curlies who need a detangling agent with lots of slip. It’s also the perfect pick for protein-sensitive curls.

8. BeLola Intense Hydrating Mask

If your curls are calling for some TLC, this mask will help restore them. With its gorgeous grapefruit-rose scent, and its rich, creamy consistency, BeLola is luxury in a jar.

 

9. The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar

If you want to cut down on plastics in your home and in the environment, this bar can help you do it while leaving your hair and scalp clean and fresh.

 

10.  Kinky Tresses Coconut Mango Hair Butter

This water-based product works as both a moisturizer and styler. Unlike many butters, it does not cause build-up.

 

11. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Glossy Finishing Hair Gloss

Lots of hair-loving, moisturizing oils join forces to give your curls and coils shine with maximum hydration for a finished style that lasts.

 

12. Curl Junkie Spiral Lotion

Curl Junkie offers several glycerin-free options to beautify your curls and coils. This creamy styler is moisturizing without being too heavy.

 

13. Alaffia Curl Reviving Tonic

Gentle on hair and scalp, this tonic contains calendula extract and aloe and will restore your washday curls with just a few sprays.

 

14. Qhemet Biologics Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Pomade

Besides providing shape and shine to your style, this pomade can sooth your scalp with calming lavender and tea-tree essential oils.

 

15. Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

This vanilla-cookie scented favorite is a rich, luxurious leave-in that leaves your curls moisturized and soft.

 

16. Pura D’or Apple Cider Vinegar Thin2Thick Shampoo

Get rid of the build-up that can weigh-down your curls and irritate your scalp with this body-building shampoo.

 

17. Evolvh Ultimate Styling Lotion

What is better than a multiple-use product? This medium-hold styler adds sheen, calms frizz, and gives you great curl definition. Bonus: it can be used on both wet and dry hair.

 

18. Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Style Setter

This creamy hair gel will hold your set, and invigorate your senses.

 

19. Jessicurl Confident Coils Styling Solution

There is a reason Confident Coils is often touted as a favorite in the curly world: it is a fabulous styler. It also comes in scented and unscented versions.

 

20. TGIN Honey Whip Hydrating Mousse

Raw honey and agave nectar help to give this lovely mousse it’s moisturizing properties. For luscious, soft curls, coils, and waves, this mousse is your next must-have.

 

Do you have a favorite glycerin-free product that you want your curl community to know about? Let us know in the comments.

It may be time to say good-bye to the wolf and the unicorn and, hopefully, quarantine-era DIY haircuts, for a fresh new cut in the salon. While there are hot trends for the season such as the middle part, the cropped fringe, and the modern bixie (an updated spin on the 90s long pixies”>, the best cut will always be one that takes into consideration your curl pattern, density, face shape, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Let the following cuts from stylists and influencers from around the globe inspire you to find the best look for your curls.

 

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1. Shaggy Mullet

If you are growing out last year’s short, spikey, mullet, this cut is softer with a rounder shape. It’s less edgy, but still very modern.

 

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2. Long Layers

Longer layers are used here to create a shape allows each and every perfect curl to reveal itself.

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3. Medium Shag

This cut has the effortless, tousled, just-woke-up-like-vibe that is perfect for warmer days and lighter routines.

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4. Sunlit Locks

Blond ringlets frame the face for a breezy style with plenty of dimension.

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5. Short Shag with Wispy Bangs

Delicate, defined curls gently frame the face. This is the perfect cut to make fine hair look more voluminous, and a great way to keep some length as well. 

Salon: Aoki Hair

At Aoki Hair in Perth, Australia, cuts are tailored to the client’s curls for a style that is unique. 

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6. Curly Bixie

This cross between a pixie and a short bob has a longer fringe. It’s a fresh take on a classic style that showcases bouncy curls.

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7. Triangle Layers

Waves fall into perfect formation in this gorgeous cut. Unlike triangle cuts of the past, where the bulk of the hair fell heavy at the shoulders at the expense of crown volume, today’s triangle layers are balanced to form a flattering silhouette.

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8. Choppy Layers

This cut has plenty of movement and texture thanks to the use of strategically-placed layers and a perfect fringe.

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9. Color N’ Curls

Color will be hot, hot, hot this spring. And what is hotter than a vibrant red that catches the light? It is the ideal complement to this rounded, layered cut.

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10. Shaved Sides

Either one side shaved or both, the saved-side cut always looks new and exciting, and works for wavies and curlies alike.

 

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11. Soft Layers

If you don’t like the look of defined layering, a more subtle form of layering may be for you. There are several techniques that your stylist can use such as internal layering (also known as French layering”> or the curl-by-curl technique.

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12. Cropped Fringe

A shorter fringe looks fabulous with a variety of cuts. This gorgeous style might tempt to try to recreate it at home. 

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13. Rezo Bob

On her IG, @Praised Hair, curl stylist Evelyn showcases a variety of stunning cuts on her clients. The goal of the Rezo cut is to maintain both length and volume.  Fellow stylist @stylesbyalyssa cut and colored Evelyn’s shiny, pretty bob.

Salons: Utopia Salon and Day Spa, NJ & Rezo Salon, NJ

Read next:15 Rezo Cuts to Inspire Your Next Haircut

 

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14. Long Bixie

If you need a fabulous inspiration for haircuts as you grow past the pixie stage, see this cut worn by @shahlasaiyed.

 

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15. Defined Curls

So many of us curlies aim for volume, but a good cut like this one proves shiny, defined curls take center stage. For more cuts to love, see @curlsbyjodybrinkmeier.

Stylist: Jody Brinkmeier

 

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16. LOB

Glossy waves look both carefree and elegant in this classic cut that is accented by subtle highlights done at Riot Crrl. 

Hair Salon: Riot Crrl

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17. Asymmetrical Cut with Shaved Side

A halo of side-swept blond curls contrasts a shaved side for a look that is both trendy and lovely. See more of this great style on @phasesofstephanie. 

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18. Custom Layers

Layers of multiple lengths help to give curls definition and structure for an all-over balanced, beautiful cut. @Halfn_Half_ achieves good curl definition while still retaining volume. 

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19. Round Layers

High-density, healthy, shiny curls pop in this round-layers look pictured on @curlywith_stacy.

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20. Classic Curly Bob

There is a reason we all love this cut: it brilliantly helps to shape curls and waves. It is also a very flexible cut, and can go from brunch with the girls to the conference room with little more than the flip of a pick. @curlyresi shows how beautifully her curls were transformed on her IG with before and after pics.

 

Which cut do you want to try this year? Let us know in the comments.

Just like our bodies, our hair ages over time in response to hormones and as a consequence of genetics. For advice on what to expect, I caught up with Jessica Fitzpatrick, educator, curl expert, and owner of Beyond Texture salon in Brooklyn, NY. Jessica shares her expert insights with NaturallyCurly on everything from graying to thinning and hair loss.

Gray hairs

Most of us will start to notice gray hairs in our 30s and 40s, though it is possible for them to appear earlier. This is due to the dying off of pigment cells in our hair follicles. The pigment cells are needed to produce the melanin that gives hair its youthful hues. Aging hair is a more transparent silver or white.

Jessica states that “As the grays begin to come in, the gray texture may feel more wiry or stiff because the porosity is changing. Gray hair tends to be less porous meaning the cuticle is more resistant to receiving moisture and hydration.”

Read next:The Advice You Need to Embrace and Celebrate Gray Curls

Hair thinning and hair loss

More than half of all women over age 50 will experience what is referred to as Female Pattern Hair Loss or Androgenic Alopecia, particularly starting around the time of menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels drop. AA is a disruption in the hair cycle that happens because certain hair follicles on the scalp are sensitive to the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT”>. DHT affects the quality of hair the sensitive follicles produce over a series of hair cycles. Newer hairs are shorter and thinner than the ones before, until ultimately the hair follicles die. Hair will appear sparse, weak, and thin, and areas of the scalp will show. 

With less density overall, curls will look less plump and bouncy. Also, thinner, more fragile hair will tangle and break more easily, which leads to shorter strands that never seem to grow in certain areas. While your curl pattern does not really change, it may appear different because of this loss of length and density. 

Frontal-Temporal Recession in the Hairline

Both males and females seem to have some change of the hairline as they age. While this is often much more dramatic in males, females, too, can have hairlines that are much higher than when they were younger. Thinning and loss in certain areas of the hairline can also cause it to change to a more bell-like shape.

Shortened Anagen Cycles

The anagen phase is the growth phase of the hair cycle. Normally, it lasts from 2-7 years. With aging, the anagen growth phase naturally shortens, so that growing hair as long as it once was is no longer possible. If Androgenic Alopecia (AA”> is present, this growth phase can be even shorter.

Dry Hair and Scalp

As we age, the sebum production on our scalps is reduced. This is particularly true in AA, which causes follicle death, as sebum is produced in the hair follicles. Less sebum results in dry, brittle hair.

How to give your hair more moisture as you age 

Jessica states that if your hair is dry, “it would benefit you to spend more time working in more water and conditioner to achieve the slip, and styling with gentle hands. Be sure that you are working products in with a soft touch so you are not squeezing out any additional hydration. Think of it as if you were filling up a water balloon, if you squeezed the water balloon you wouldn’t be able to fill it.”

“We think we can make our hair smooth with more tension. This is untrue. We need to fill up the cuticle with hydration to allow it to give way to the hydration. Oftentimes, I’ll tell my clients when they’re styling with products and water to think of how you would ice a cake (you want to be gentle yet firm to apply the product but not too firm as that would take out the needed water”>. Warmer water will help the cuticle stay open and receptive to hydration and moisture. It’s also beneficial to look into styling with a hooded dryer, as this will help set in the hydration bond that is needed to retain the curl pattern.”

How has your hair changed with age? Let us know in the comments.

Pictured: @laurs.locks

Have you heard of brush coiling? It goes by many names on social media, including ribbon curling and brush coiling, among others.

What is brush coiling?

The technique involves using a brush handle to create large slinky-like curls on saturated, moisturized hair. I have to admit, it looks like quite a challenge, but the results seem worth the time it might take to practice.

Who should use the brush coiling technique?

Loose-curlies and wavies like it because it makes a consistent curl pattern, and helps to clump and form any errant strands that like to do their own thing. It also locks moisture into the hair and keeps it there. Adding this technique, shown below will stretch out your wash day results, too.

How to brush coil curly hair

@hibastouhi Brush coiling! My curls did not turn out as big and bouncy, but thos little ringlets are super cute! Link in bio for full tutorial #fyp #foryou #curly ♬ abcdefu – GAYLE

You can watch a quick run-through of Hiba Stouhi trying the brush coiling technique on her fine hair above, and watch a full length video on YouTube. If you wish to try this technique on your own hair, follow these tips.

1. Prepare your hair

Start with clean, well-moisturized hair. Generously apply leave-in from one inch from the roots to the ends of your hair. If you have not yet detangled, do so, and section if needed. If your hair is thicker, coarser, or it requires extra moisture, you may also want to use a curl cream. It is important to ensure that you are using products that have a lot of slip so that the brush can glide through the hair. You also want to be cautious about picking products that are not too heavy for your hair.

2. Select the right brush for the job

While any kind of wet brush can work for this, including a Denman or Tangle Teezer, if you have thicker or coarser hair you may want to use a brush that allows you to get a lot of tension such as the Denman. Conversely, if you have finer and/or high porosity hair that breaks easily, a Tangle Teezer is better suited for the job. There is even a version for fine, fragile hair.

3. Detangle

Ensure your hair is detangled as you work through your sections. As you brush through your sections, really ensure that they are detangled from roots to ends. Any knots and tangles will appear frizzy when your hair dries.

4. Coil the hair around the brush handle

Brush the section from roots to ends, stopping at the end. Then roll the hair around the handle of the brush. In order to avoid getting your hair caught in the brush, exercise caution when winding your hair around its handle. If you have a lot of hair, please work in sections.

5. Apply additional water as needed

If your hair starts to dry as you create your ribbons, spritz on more water. Remember, you are going to need tons of slip. 

6. Seal your curls with a styler

Once you’ve brush coiled every section, use a gel to lock in your style. Apply it using the praying hands method, and then scrunch in. Gels that work well for this include:

• Jason Flaxseed Hi Shine Styling Gel
• Biotera Alcohol Free Defining Gel
• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel

Optional: Diffuse

If you are drying your hair with a diffuser, manipulate the curls as little as possible. If you like to put the diffuser into your hair, gently cup the curls into it and scrunch upwards.

Can brush coiling be done on short hair?

Here is a demonstration of the technique on shorter hair.

 

Have you tried this technique? How were your results? Let us know in the comments.

Pictured: @sophiemariecurly

If you want volume without sacrificing curl definition, the Flip Section Method might just be what you need to achieve your hair goals. Curly influencer, Sophie-Marie, created it to help you get your best wash day results yet, particularly if you are already a fan of flip-styling. If you have not seen it demonstrated on Instagram by Sophie-Marie and other curlies, it involves sectioning your hair when your head is flipped upside down, and then creating ribbon curls in each of the sections. After the curls have been clumped, you flip your head to the upright position while placing your hands at your roots. Doing this keeps the curls from getting stuck in the back of your head.

It works best on hair that is medium-length or longer. For short bobs or pixie-cut styles, you may want to section the hair upright, and scrunch or shingle to enhance your curls. The Flip Section Method works well on curls that are primarily type-3. I like it because it is the perfect solution for internal layers that get tangled easily and are resistant to holding their shape. It is also great for high-porosity hair that has a tendency to stick to itself and its neighbors.

This method is a combination of hair hacks she has been doing for a while which she merged together to speed up wash day routines and improve existing flip-styling techniques. Basically, it will help you get that volume with definition in less time. In the video below, she demonstrates the method in its entirety.

How to do the Flip Section Method on your curls

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sophie-Marie ➰ Curly Hair Tips (@sophiemariecurly”>

What you will need:

• detangling brush
• comb
• claw or duckbill clips
• hair dryer with a diffuser attachment
• lightweight leave-in
• curl cream (or similar product”>
• gel or gelee

Optional: sealing oil or serum and a spray bottle filled with water

Instructions: 

1. Apply a leave-in

On wet hair, apply a lightweight leave-in, and then detangle using a detangling brush. Sophie-Marie uses a Tangle-Teezer.

2. Flip over and apply styler

Flip your head over and apply a styler with some moisturizing slip to it such as a curl cream. Rake it in and then brush it through your hair to ensure the cream is evenly distributed.

3. Fluff upside down

While your head is still upside down, fluff your roots a bit to make it easier to section. Use your index fingers to create three or more horizontal sections, and secure them with a clip.
To avoid confusing your sections, follow these hacks:

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sophie-Marie ➰ Curly Hair Tips (@sophiemariecurly”>

4. Brush to create clumps

Begin working with the front section. Brush the hair on the outside downwards and out. This will create large clumps. If you would like them to be smaller, run a comb through them.

5. Shake and scrunch

Shake out the first section, and then apply and scrunch in gel.

6. Repeat and rewet

Repeat on the other sections. Mist on additional water if needed.

7. Flip upright

Place your fingertips in the back of your hair and keep them there as you flip your head upright. Gently remove them.

8. Touch up

Check the curls around your face to ensure they are clumped properly. You can go over them again with the brush if needed.

9. Diffuse while flipping

Diffuse while flipping your head from side to side, and then upside down. Periodically pinch your roots to elevate them. 

You can watch Sophie-Marie’s full routine below.

What if you have neck pain?

If you have back or neck pain, this may not be the right method for you. Fortunately, we have lots of other great methods for curlies to try on the site. One of my favorites is the 123 Gel Method. Alternately you can try the method in an upright position as is shown by Alexa, below.

Sophie-Marie states: “I invite every curl type to try this (the Flip Section Method”>, as trial and error are your friends. What works for some might not work for others. I also invite any modifications, just like every other technique out there, modifying something to help it suit you. We are all unique with different heads of hair. But I can’t guarantee it works for every single curl type and length, I have only tried this on myself, however I have had feedback from a lot of people within my Instagram curl community with all different curl types and densities, and the majority have given positive feedback on their results.”

The Flip Section Method by Our Favorites

Below are Flip Section Method reels from some of our other favorite curly influencers.

Melanie

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melanie | Curly hair ? (@rose.rizos”>

If you are intimidated by trying the method on your long hair, Rose makes it look easy. Check out her stunning results.

Jess

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jess – Fine Hair Curly (@naturalfrecklesandcurls”>

Check out Jess’s amazing results. 

Gena Marie

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gena Marie | Curly Creator (@genamarie.co”>

In this reel, Gena does a side-by-side comparison with Sophie-Marie.

Have you tried the Flip Section Method? If you have, let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Image: @milkayemima

Fine, fragile, high porosity hair needs extra love as it grows out. This porosity type tends to be temperamental when it comes to products, techniques and the weather, prone to breakage, and apt to tangle.

What is high porosity hair?

High porosity hair can easily absorb moisture, but just as easily loses moisture. Hair can be naturally high porosity and it can also become high porosity due to chemical processes like lightening or coloring the hair. The tips below will help you retain your hard-earned hair growth if you’re growing out high porosity hair.

1. Avoid environmental stressors

Determine if there are any factors in your routine or environment that are contributing to the increase in your hair’s porosity, and then change them if you can. Sometimes, hair can just have a naturally higher than normal porosity. Naturally finer strands are easily damaged by environmental stressors such as hard water, the sun, and dry indoor air, all of which can increase hair’s porosity. Porosity can change due to hormones at different times in your life, too. For example, curlies who have always had normal or even low porosity hair may find that their porosity changes after menopause. Other times, heat styling, chemical processes, and product or hard-water buildup can really wreak havoc on your halo. It’s important to clarify regularly, and to avoid bleaching or relaxing your hair. If hard water is an issue, it’s worth it to invest in a shower filter.

2. Avoid knots and tangles

High porosity hair tangles easily, and can then break when you try to detangle. It also tends to stick to itself, which can also contribute to detangling challenges. Avoiding tangles in the first place is key. Put your hair in protective styles, and sleep with a satin sleep cap.

3. Use strengthening products

Make sure your products strengthen as well as moisturize. Because high porosity hair loses moisture easily (along with its curl pattern which leads to frizz”>, we tend to focus on hydration. While this is important, products should also contain some hydrolyzed protein in addition to moisturizing properties. Protein can help to make strands stronger, smoother, and less prone to breakage.

Here are the Top 8 Protein Treatments for Natural Hair.

4. Smooth your ends

If you tend to slather on conditioner, comb it through, rinse, and then rake in a leave-in and stylers, you may be skipping one important step: smoothing. Smoothing conditioning masks and creamy leave-ins into dry, parched ends will help them absorb moisture. This will also aid in making the hair more slippery for detangling.

5. Commit to snipping split ends

High porosity hair requires regular trims to keep it healthy and to prevent frayed ends from splitting up the hair shaft. If you want to keep your length as well, get the ends dusted every 10-12 weeks. If you have heat or chemical damage, you may want to trim your ends even more frequently. You can learn to give yourself a dusting trim in between stylist appointments.

6. Protect your hair and scalp from the elements

Sun, wind, and freezing rain can dry out your scalp and hair. When you are out and about, don a satin-lined beanie, or wear your hair in an easy protective style.  

7. Give your hair breaks

At the beginning of our curly hair journeys, many of us tend to overdo it with our routines, using lots of product every day, washing more than we need, and over-moisturizing. This can be too much for high porosity hair, and lead to hygral fatigue and product build-up. You may find that your hair seems to grow faster if you put it up on your busiest days and leave it alone, or go product-free on some weekends when you are relaxing at home.

What are your tips for caring for your high porosity hair when you are growing it out? Let us know in the comments. 

Read next: How to Condition High Porosity Hair – And KEEP It Moisturized

This article has been updated with additional resources.

If you are considering letting your silver strands grow in, there has never been a better time to ditch the dye and rock your glittery crown. Hair color can lay on top of your curls and drag them down, bleach can strip them of their shine and moisture, and the upkeep for both is expensive and time-consuming. It is also both fun and fascinating to watch the transition process from those first few grays to brilliant, beautiful layers of shimmery highlights, to a full head of snowy-white hair. If you need some silver curl inspiration, just take a look at these lovely ladies.

Stunning Silvery Styles

1. Platinum perfection

Shiny, multi-dimensional hues help to enhance gorgeous, healthy curls.

Image source: @naturallyplatinum

2. A crown with crown volume

A stunning mix of curls and waves always looks better in silver.

Image source: @tinaclark687

3. High density halo

Here, type 3 curls are fluffed out for volume, but still retain plenty of sweet silver shine.

Image source: Simone Johnson

4. Harmonious highlights

Mindy’s face-framing natural silver highlights compliment perfect, elegant curls

Image source: @mindy.gale

5. White-hot silver-white

Light, bright, gorgeous hues of silver and white paint these amazing waves.

Image source: @silver_n_curls

How to bring out the natural tones in silver hair:

While all of the ladies above have their favorite regimens for keeping their hair looking its best, here are my favorite tips and products for silver hair.

Check out Silver Hair the Handbook

If you need tips on transitioning the healthy way, Curly Girl Method creator, Lorraine Massey, has authored the book Silver Hair: Say Goodbye to the Dye and Let Your Natural Light Shine: A Handbook which is an excellent resource that you can use throughout your transitioning process and beyond.

Try blue or purple shampoo

Blue or purple shampoos are often used to reduce the brassy tones in silver hair. Many of these shampoos have sulfates and can be very drying. Instead, try DIY blue or purple shampoo that has butterfly pea flowers in it. You can find both recipes here.

Do an apple cider rinse

Mix 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar into 6 ounces distilled water in a spray bottle. After washing and conditioning your hair, rinse, and then saturate your hair with the water and acv mixture. Let this sit on your hair for five minutes, and then rinse.

Try the Quick Silver Hair Kit

This kit is comprised of Quick Silver Hair Clay (a mixture of kaolin white clay and essential oils”> and Quick Silver Hair Oil (comprised of hair-loving sweet almond, Argan, and jojoba oils along with essential oils”>. You use them to form a hair masque to apply to the hair. It brightens your silver strands.

Avoid using baking soda

Lastly, a word of warning. Avoid using baking soda on your hair and scalp. Baking soda’s high pH level can lead to a very dry scalp and hair. If you want to cleanse your hair and scalp of all its impurities, try an activated charcoal shampoo instead. Three NaturallyCurly community favorites are:

• Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
• Koils by Nature Detoxifying MangoMint Conditioner with Activated Charcoal and Moroccan Rhassoul Clay
• HASK Charcoal with Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo

What are your favorite ways to care for your silver strands? Let us know in the comments. For more silver curl inspiration click here.

Image:@nisa_maranda_jones

If you are struggling with frizz and flyaways, the colder, drier fall air is to blame, both directly and indirectly. Low dew points, in tandem with the humectants in your products can zap the moisture from your strands. This problem is further exacerbated by scratchy hats and scarves, forced heat, and more frequent use of diffusers on a warm setting (all thanks to chillier days”>. With a few simple adjustments to your regimen, you can get your curls back on track for all the fall festivities.

1. Snip away any split ends

If the ends of your hair are difficult to moisturize or detangle, and they feel drier than the rest of your hair, snipping them off will not only get rid of the frizz, it will improve the overall health and integrity of your hair. You will find that styling is easier, too, because split ends will wreck your curl clumps.

2. Determine if you need to clarify

If you don’t regularly clarify at least every four weeks (and more frequently if you have finer strands and are low density”>, it is a good healthy hair habit to start. Failure to clarify can lead to product build up which can present as frizzy, flat, greasy hair. Clarifying is also important for a healthy scalp.

3. Use a creamy leave-in

While light, spray leave-ins might be perfect at other times of the year, when you need lasting hydration in your hair, swap out your leave-in for a richer formulation. This is especially important if you feel that your regular regimen isn’t working for you despite your best efforts. A good choice is The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil & Honey Endless Moisture Rinse Out or Leave-In Conditioner. This moisturizing and strengthening formula restores life and bounce to brittle curls and keeps them feeling soft and hydrated.

4. Use the cool shot on your hair dryer

After you have diffused, remove the diffuser, adjust the settings on your hair dryer to low, and then press the cool shot setting while you pass over any areas of your hair that have frizz and flyaways. The NuMe Blowout Boutique hair dryer has a cool shot to seal the cuticle to lock in moisture and eliminate frizz.

5. Tweak your curls to perfection

After your hair is dry and you have scrunched out the crunch, rub a pea-sized amount of Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper Tweek between your palms and smooth it over any flyaways. This water-based product washes out easily and will not weigh-down your hair, yet it gives you flexible, reliable hold and frizz control.

6. Moisturize those flyaways

As the day progresses, if you have a few dry curls that are reaching into the air for moisture, give them the hydration that they seek. A spritz or two of CURLS Aloe & Blueberry Juice Curl Moisturizer and those curls will be redefined, and as fresh as they were when you began the day.

What is your favorite cold air frizz buster? Let us know in the comments. For tips on frizz-proofing your routine, click here.

Pictured: @wavescurlswhatever

Frizz is a fact of life for all curlies, but it is often more of a problem when transitioning because of damaged areas. These tips and tricks will help you through and beyond the transitioning process.

• Keep those curls moisturized to keep frizz and flyaways at bay.Weekly deep conditioning treatments can add life and bounce to parched curls and keep them from frizzing. When you apply your conditioner, work it in well, and then thoroughly massage it into the ends. Some products that will give your hair the moisture it needs without weighing it down include:
• Genedor Beauty Moisture Resuscitate Deep Conditioning Treatment
• Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
• SheaMoisture Yucca & Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Masque
• Don’t skip the leave-in conditioner.
  Many curly newbies go straight from wash to styler without using a leave-in in between and this can lead to a slight halo of frizz as the day wears on. While a leave-in does not fully seal your hair, it will moisturize it and help that moisture stay put. Leave-ins to love include:
• Curl Junkie BeautiCurls Leave-in Hair Conditioner
• As I Am Leave-In Conditioner
• Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner
• After raking your leave-in and styler(s”> through your hair, try using a Denman brush for even application.To ensure you coat every strand of hair with product from root to tip, flip your head over and brush through your thoroughly detangled hair. When you are finished, flip your head back over and brush everything into place. Get your Denman brush here.
• Shingle the curls that tend to frizz.Not only will this help them to stay moisturized longer, but it will train them over time so that they will curl correctly on their own.
• Moisturize your hair when it needs it.You don’t have to wait until wash day to give your dry, frizzy hair the hydration that it needs. Spritz it with a mix of 75% water and 25% leave-in conditioner using a fine-mist sprayer.
• Don’t over scrunch, when the humidity is high. Moist air will break your gel cast for you, and leave you with bouncy, hydrated curls that last.

• Break your gel cast with a drop or two of Argan or Jojoba oil. Rub the oil between the palms of your hands, and then start scrunching. This will help to seal and smooth the hair and add a bit of sheen.

• Get regular trims. Often, we curlies like to skip the salon sessions in order to preserve length. Going months between cuts can be fine once transitioning is complete, but when you are in the middle of it, getting regular and frequent trims is the fastest and easiest route to healthy hair. Find a salon that will work with you on your hair journey, one that is committed to the health and restoration of your curls.

Lastly, if your hair is frizzy at the end of a long day, sometimes your only option may be to thoroughly saturate it with water, apply a bit of leave-in and styler, and scrunch. However, if you have just a few spots that have lost their definition, you can do the following:

1. Thoroughly wet your hands, and then rake them through the frizzy areas.
2. Spritz with a curl refresher.
3. Shingle, and then scrunch, and allow the curls to dry.

How do you control frizz? Let us know in the comments. For more frizz control tips, click here.

Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

 

Before I discovered NaturallyCurly, chemically relaxing the front of my hair was an annual June event. Spot-processing what I believed to be my particularly unruly bangs was what I did in order to keep them flat in the Philadelphia humidity. These weren’t edges, rather they were big chunks of hair that stood straight up from my scalp, and defiantly refused to find a curl pattern. I didn’t realize it at the time, but these roots on steroids were cowlicks, and it seemed to me that they were hell-bent on ruining my otherwise good hair days.

A cowlick is several strands of hair that grow straight up, out, or at an angle. Typically, hair grows in a spiral pattern, but cowlicks grow in opposition to this pattern. The word “cowlick” was coined in the 1600s and references a mother cow’s habit of licking her calf to create a swirling in its fur.

It’s easy to spot a cowlick at the crown of the head, as the swirl pattern with the opposing section of hair is visible. Cowlicks at your hairline are not as easily identified, but if you have them you know it. And you also know they are both a blessing and a curse. While they can provide you with instant volume with the flip of a part, they can also be a challenge to work with.

Follow this how-to to help them look their best.

1. Get the right cut

For the cowlicked-curly, this means a longer bang (think chin-length or beyond”>, or a style that works with the cowlicks, like a pompadour. Longer bangs are heavier than shorter ones and will prevent the cowlick sections from springing up, and then sticking up. A pompadour, conversely, can help you achieve height using the natural direction of the cowlick hairs.

2. Part your hair with your cowlicks in mind

If you have cowlicks in the middle of your hairline, for example, avoid a middle part, and create a side part instead. If you want your hair to look smooth and chic, part the hair in the direction that it naturally wants to go. If you want volume, create a side part against the direction of the hair growth, and then spritz the front of your hair with hairspray or spray gel to hold in place.

Photo: iStock

3. Use duckbill clips to coax damp hair in the right direction as it dries.

Starting with freshly washed hair, or damp hair to which you’ve applied the product, create a side part. Clip your hair vertically just past the cowlick section, making sure that it is clipped tight enough to hold the cowlick flat as it dries. 

Alternately, you can use a DevaFuser to hold the hair in the direction that you want it to lay. Dry the roots on a cool setting.

4. Once dry, scrunch or pick your roots

Once your hair is dry, gently scrunch it, or pick out the roots with an afro pick. Be careful to not over-manipulate your hair in the front. Slick down any flyaways, and lay your edges with a heavy butter, balm, or edge tamer. If at any time you want to move apart because your hair is not laying right, do not use a comb or pick. Instead, part it with a chopstick or the tip of a barrette.

How do you deal with cowlicks in the front of your hair?

Let us know in the comments.

 

MORE: For the best in edge tamers, see The Top 10 Edge Controls to Slay.

Image:@frizzandfrillzz

Fine hair is one of the most challenging types to detangle, especially when it is at a longer length. Not only does it tend to knot easily, it can break and split if you try to comb through it. You may struggle to get at all the tangles with your fingers, too. Pre-pooing is the answer to all of these problems. Pre-pooing is the application of oil-based products prior to shampooing, and detangling in sections. 

Besides aiding in the detangling process, pre-pooing can help to:

• Prevent hygral fatigue
• Add moisture  
• Increase sheen, softness, and manageability

Those of us with fine hair may be reluctant to add a pre-poo to our regimens for fears that it will weigh down our waves and curls. To keep this from happening, follow these tips.

Choose products that are suitable for finer or all hair types.

Pre-poo products that have lighter oils and plant milks are a better choice than those with heavier butters which can weigh down your strands and be difficult to wash out. These pre-poos are specially formulated to work for a variety of textures.

Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-Poo

Use this pre-poo to hydrate and restore delicate curls. Its gentle formulation can be used every time you shampoo. It contains soy milk, hydrating oils including burdock root, umutanga and palmarosa, and yashtimadhu and yucca roots. Hair is left restored, moisturized, stronger, and more resilient. 

The Mane Choice Proceed With Caution Killer Curls & Brutal Bounce Stop The Damage Pre or Post Poo Mask

If you are losing excessive strands to your detangling comb, this mask has you covered. It improves the strength and elasticity of fragile curls. It also seals in the moisture and shine leaving them looking healthier and feeling softer. 

As I Am Pure Oils Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

This cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil can help to leave your hair stronger, with strands that are able to stand up to detangling.

Righteous Roots Rx Oil

Named one of the best hair and scalp oils of 2020 for all hairtypes, Righteous Roots Rx is a hair rejuvenating growth serum packed with 12 essential oils featuring both anti-frizz and detangling properties like olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil and peppermint oil to seal in moisture.

 

Apply the pre-poo product in sections

Like conditioner, a pre-poo must be applied meticulously so that the entire head is covered. Sectioning hair in 4-8 sections (depending on its length and density”> ensures that the product is distributed evenly. After you apply the pre-poo from the mid-shaft of the hair down to the tips, clip the section with a butterfly clip to keep it from tangling back up.

Avoid applying the pre-poo to the roots of your hair

Applying oil-based products to the roots of your hair can weigh it down, especially if your roots are already oily and in need of a shampoo. Oils can also, in some cases, weaken roots and clog your scalp’s pores. For best results with a pre-poo on fine hair, apply from the mid-shaft of the hair down to the ends.

Massage the pre-poo into your ends

Taking extra care to massage the product into dry, brittle ends will help to ensure they get the hydration they need. It will also help to make detangling less of a chore.

 

Carefully use your fingers and a wide-toothed comb to detangle

After you have applied your product into sectioned hair, take down a section and detangle it as much as possible with your fingers. Use a wide-toothed comb for any stubborn tangles that need it by working from the bottom of your hair upwards.

What are your favorite pre-poo tips for fine hair? Let us know in the comments. For more on the pre-poo click here.