I receive so many comments and sweet compliments (thank you all!) about my curly hair on this blog. It really astounds me because for the longest time in my life, it’s been quite the trial. I never really learned how to work with my hair and was constantly fighting its natural tendencies to wave and frizz. Over the years, especially as a teenager, I cannot tell you how many times I would attempt a popular haircut that was NOT meant for thick hair like mine. Of course, it would only serve to make me frustrated and unhappy.
While I had large, sausage-like curls as a toddler, my hair straightened out a bit as I aged. The fine, baby hair became more coarse and thicker and the curl fell out. In its place my hair was wavy. That in between point that is hard to know how to handle.
In high school I began noticing my hair was becoming more and more wavy. Even getting a few curls here and there. Scrunching your hair was popular and I tried it out a bit. The result was ok at best. Mostly waves, one or two nice curls, and lots of frizz.
In college I began to learn about products that would work better for my hair than simple gel. I started to learn about mousse and products that would help define my curls. These helped a bit, but the result was not consistent.
After having Claire, my hair fell flat. I think it had something to do with postpartum hair loss. It took a few years to get my curls back. With pinterest becoming so popular, I was able to do some research on how to style curly hair. Diffusers became my best friend. Can you believe I actually would just dry my hair without a nozzle?! The horror! Hence all of the frizz I previously had.
falling flat- my curls lost their volume with postpartum hair loss
after 1-2 years it was finally thickening up and the curls were better
After having Aveline, I noticed my hair came in much curlier this time around. With all the knowledge and tips I had learned I was getting better at styling it. I also learned that brushing my hair in the shower and applying product immediately after I exited while hair was still sopping wet helped the hair form clumps. Mousse and gel help keep the hair in clumps while drying resulting in defined curls and far less frizz. Hallelujah. I also learned to stop parting my hair before drying it. Now I let the curls have their way. The result is much better volume.
the difference between parting my hair before drying and letting my curls decide where to fall-so much more volume!
Recently I started learning and trying curl training. This takes a bit longer, but I’ve found I can make my curls last a few days.
using enough product, especially mousse, can really make a difference with definition, but sometimes if the curl pattern isn’t consistent, I add a few curled pieces with a curling rod
Here is my current method:
- Wash with a hydrating shampoo (preferably free of sulphate and parabens). I recommend using a scalp scrubber-you won’t regret it! The scrubber is nice if you end up going the no-poo route.
- Condition with a deep conditioner or moisturizing conditioner. Curly hair tends to be dry so give it that moisture! I like to use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle or L’oreal Simply Clean conditioner.
- Brush in the shower with a wet brush.
- After stepping out of the shower apply leave in conditioner, then a curling spray like Color Wow Dream Coat or John Frieda Dream Curls. I’ve used both with success. Make sure your hair is still sopping wet.
- To curl train, separate your hair into sections. I normally do the bottom 1/3 of my hair first. Apply curling mousse to that section. Then separate out into 1 inch sections twisting them and coiling them to help train the curls. Repeat with the rest of your hair from bottom to top. Alternatively, you can use a brush like this to help train the curls. The point is to separate your hair into even clumps and give it a curling boost. The back of my hair doesn’t curl as well as the front and this method helps produce beautiful spirals!
- Use hair gel to help scrunch the hair and keep the curls clumped together. Basically you want to look a bit like a sopping wet Medusa. Then dry with a diffuser with your head to the side or upside down at least until the curls set a bit.
- Once hair is dry, use some hair oil or shine serum to scrunch your curls again. This breaks the cast from the gel and helps your curls from looking crunchy. Voila! Beautiful curls.
my hair when I do curl training, this is as-is with no touch-ups, all natural curls
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t be afraid of product. I use around 20 sprays of Dream Curls and probably about an orange size of mousse on my hair. It helps define those waves and curls.
- Give your hair all the moisture! Curly hair is notoriously dry so all the deep conditioner and leave in conditioner is important.
- Apply product when your hair is very wet. Rewet your hair if necessary. We’ve all been interrupted getting ready. So if your hair starts to dry-even a few minutes, spray more water on it before applying product. Products work better on wet hair.
- Don’t part your hair. Dry it upside down and arrange it around your face when dry. You get better volume and your head doesn’t look like a triangle.
- Don’t be ashamed to use a curling iron on a few pieces if you aren’t having a good curl day. It happens!
- Layered hair makes for a better curly hair style.
- Different products work better for different hair types. For example, I’ve tried hair creams and didn’t find them as effective, but maybe you might!
- To extend your curls, sleep with a silk hair cap. You can also try a cloth snood if you have one around. Put it on similar to a headband then pull the edges up like Marge Simpson so all of your hair is tucked in. It helps to preserve the curl and keep it from getting crushed while sleeping. And to further prolong redoing curls, a curly bun is always cute.
I hope these tips help you. They clearly helped me! If you have any questions, I’m an open book and always happy to help. Ask in the comments or shoot me an email.
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