Styling Curly Hair
Before you begin styling your curly hair, you need to start with a good base. Curly hair is naturally dry and needs to be well moisturized. Try not to shampoo more than 3 times a week or every other day at most because shampoo can be very drying. Always use a thick, moisturizing conditioner during every wash, and try to use a deep conditioner every couple of weeks for extra moisture.
Once you have finished washing and conditioning your hair, rinse it in the shower with the coldest water you can stand. If you can’t stand cold water in the shower, use a pitcher of cold water, bend over the shower, or pour it over your hair when you are finished with the water.
When you use cold water, the cuticles of your hair will be sealed keeping the moisture in. Also, keep your shower from getting too hot and steamy because steam can open up the cuticle. At least get out of the bathroom ASAP of you must have steam.
Next is product time. Don’t squeeze the water from your hair yet. Keep it soaking wet so that you can get the hair products evenly distributed without breaking of your beautiful curls.
You can use any product you like, but I recommend always starting with a leave-in conditioner. You can either leave in a little bit of your regular conditioner, use your regular conditioner as a leave-in, or use a leave-in conditioner. If you have shoulder length hair, use about a nickel sized amount. Use more with longer hair.
Coat your palms and fingers with the conditioner and gently comb it through your hands. You want to evenly distribute it throughout your hair. Put more towards the ends because they are older and usually drier. Now you can add the next product. I usually prefer a curling gel that holds the curls without the stiffness.
A mousse will work as well and you could even add a de-frizzing serum. I like the spray gel because I can spray it right on my hair for less handling. Next, scrunch your hair to encourage the curls. Scrunch it towards your hair and use this to squeeze out the water.
The final step is to continue crunching with a towel to get any excess water out. Let it air dry, but if you must get it dryer faster, use a diffuser on a cool setting for a few minutes. Don’t brush or comb your hair. Let it dry and then add any accessories you want.
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