How To: Curly Hair

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I am one of those girls with naturally curly hair that constantly styles it straight. Even if I want the look of curly hair – I will use styling tools before committing to my curly birthright. Embracing your natural hair type will not only save time, but save the health of your hair as well.

My curls are not beautiful shiny, spiral tendrils – more like kinky/frizzy non-uniform curls that are impossible to control. Recently, I have decided to embrace my natural curls and experiment with products and techniques to make the impossible… possible. After many ditch efforts I finally found a regimen that transforms even the frizziest frock into luscious locks.

HOW TO:

‣‣‣ Apply mousse to towel dried hair, concentrating on the roots. This will add volume and definition. Favorite: Kenra Glaze Mousse 13

‣‣‣ Next add a styling cream. Favorite: Kenra Curl Defining Cream 5. This will separate and define curls – leaving them shiny and frizz-free.

‣‣‣ A simple hairdryer is not compatible with curly hair because its nozzle directs too much air at each curl, deflating it’s volume and shape. A diffuser attachment provides a steady source of heat without the pressure of a standard nozzle. Each curl will remain formed and maintain its natural body. Favorite: Elchim Cocoon Bi-Diffuser

‣‣‣ While diffusing hair, scrunch and twist random sections around finger to “assist” the shape.

‣‣‣ Add a bit of styling cream to dry curls for additional definition and shine.

‣‣‣ Next day curls can drop and/or vanish – try using a curl spray to “activate” curls back to life. Favorite: Kenra Curl Spray 8

TIPS:

• Curly hair has strong disulphide bonds because of the natural structure of the hair proteins, with which a person with curly hair is born. All hair, however, curly or not, has hydrogen bonds, which are not strong enough alone to draw the hair into a curl. But once you “break” them by wetting your hair, you can “train” them to act like disulphide bonds with heat, at least temporarily.

• Curly hair should never be brushed. On wet hair a brush may tear or stretch fragile strands and on dry hair it will separate and diffuse the curls, thus creating frizz.

• Avoid over-handling curly hair. If you touch curls as they dry you will disturb their natural pattern and create unwanted volume and frizz.

How To: Bedhead Hair

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a quick How-To create sexy, tousled, bedhead hair.

NEEDED:

‣ Texturizing Spray

‣ 1’in – 1.5’in Curling Rod or Iron

‣ Velcro Rollers or Duckbill Pins

‣ Hair Spray

‣ Shine Serum/Spray

HOW-TO:

⇢ Start with day-old hair. (Curl will hold better)

⇢ Apply Texturizing Spray from root to end. (By using this rather than a hair spray, will ensure that sexy tousled look.)

⇢ Using the curling rod, start about 3 inches down from the root and wrap 1 inch sections around the wand. Stop curling about one inch from the bottom of the hair, this will create a more natural wave.

⇢ Alternate the direction of the curl, front to back. (TIP: The bigger the section, the looser the wave. Haphazardly take smaller sections and bigger sections all over the head.)

⇢ Set each curl by wrapping the hair around a velcro roller – or –  wrap the curl around two fingers and pin to head.

⇢ Let curls set for 10 minutes or until cool.

⇢ Carefully release roller or pin and apply hair spray.

⇢ Flip hair upside-down and run fingers through the hair, gently breaking up each curl. (If curls are tighter than preferred, the more you mess with them – the more they will drop.)

⇢ Add shine serum/spray.