Curly and More Inc.

Are you looking to add body, shine, defrizz, or enhance your curls? You’ve come to the guru! Essentially, the first and most important step to achieving incredible curls is caring for them. The picture is only as pretty as the canvas it’s painted on. So if you’re just starting to wear your hair natural or curly, and/or perhaps you’re looking for tips on how to care for your locks you can check out my article: Caring for your Curls. Let’s begin…

After I shampoo/condition or co-wash I like to lightly towel-dry my hair. This soaks up the excess water while leaving the hair damp. For most styling and use of curl enhancing products hair must be wet before application. Ok, so I love to use a leave-in conditioner before applying any product. The curly bi-racial girl cliché of leave-in conditioner is Infusium 23 and well, I use it! I love it; no one can ever take it away from me. No I’m only half-kidding. Though I’m sure everyone has a certain product they feel that way about however don’t be scared to try new leave-in conditioners and other products. You never know what results you will achieve until you try. If you don’t like it, you can always discontinue using it and go back to your old product. After applying the leave-in I squeeze out any excess water and conditioner and blot with a towel. Then the fun begins! You can use any of these combinations with this first step.

Combination 1: Paul Mitchell

Yes, old Paulie is still around and being used in bi-racial, African-American, Caucasian, Latina, etc. hair all over the world and we love ‘em. A bit dramatic I know, but this is hair we’re talking about!

I like to use Round Trip, a curl-locking enhancement solution that feels like a serum, but holds like a gel. After parting my hair into four sections, I pump out a quarter-sized amount for each section making sure to distribute evenly. This step defrizzes and gives curls more definition. While keeping hair in sections, this makes it easier to apply the product, pour a dime-sized amount of Foaming Pomade out for each section and apply even throughout. This step adds shine and softness. I blow-dry with a diffuser on low-heat for about 10-12 minutes. Remember your hair doesn’t have to be completely dry. The less heat and processing your hair entails the healthier and better looking it will be. Also you can keep hair in sections while blow drying removing clips or hairties for each section. This combination is perfect for wearing your down.

Tip: For more volume turn your head upside down with the nozzle gently tugging and blowing up through your roots. For less volume, you can apply more product and do not pull up at roots, point nozzle of blow-dryer downward at roots.

Combination 2: Conditioner and… Oil?

Yes, conditioner and oil. With this combination lightly rinse the conditioner out of hair. RedKen Butter Treat is a great conditioner. One of its ingredients is Macadamia Oil which can make the driest hair feel like silk or at least softer. Squeeze out any excess moisture or conditioner and towel-dry your hair until damp. This is a de-frizzing and curl-locking step that I’ve created with years of trial and error. Next, pour a liberal amount of Hot Six Oil and massage evenly throughout hair. I usually tie my hair back and smooth down the front with this combination leaving a few choice curly pieces out in the front. You can also tie it up pulling out a few pieces to showcase.

Combination 3: Miss Jessie’s

So if you’re familiar with Miss Jessie’s products you are aware that there are different products for different hair types which are made for all ethnicities. For the de-frizzing and curl-locking step I part my hair into four – six sections and apply Miss Jessie’s Shingling Cream or Curly Pudding to each. I promise that you will never get a more defined or enhanced curl than with either of these two products. I tend to find that the Shingling cream gives more elongated curls with less shrinkage, while the Curly Pudding is great for enhancing and adding slight volume. They both are magical creams for eliminating frizz. These are not to be used together. For best results choose one. I then use a blow-dryer on LOW heat with a diffuser to dry for a 3-5 minutes stopping halfway through to apply Miss Jessie’s Curly or Baby Buttercreme for moisture and shine. Then continue until dry with diffuser. Style as desire with this combination; your curls should be frizz-free, moisturized and well defined. To add shine use Aveda Smoothing Fluid. This is ultra lightweight and adds wonderful shine. If you prefer a lot more shine use Olive oil or Paul Mitchell’s Foaming Pomade.

Tip for all styles: For second-day and beyond curls apply a moisturizer of choice in the morning and one at night preferably one that adds shine. Wrap hair up in Satin bonnet or sleep with hair tied loosely on satin pillow case. This helps with shine and prevents breakage.

I hope this has helped a great deal when styling your curly locks. Have fun and experiment with these combinations and/or substitute your own products for the ones listed. What’s most important is that you like the finished product. And if you can’t decide ask a trusted friend to give their honest opinion… Always remember to love and enjoy your hair. There is no such thing as good or bad, only unhealthy and healthy. Have fun!