Ask Design Mom Question:
I have to know about your hair! I have naturally curly hair as well and I NEED to know what products you use in your hair. (Shampoo, Conditioner, Gel or Mousse… seems so personal but all of these things affect the result.) I have wasted tons of money on so many products and they all give different results. Also, do you air dry or diffuse? Thanks, Missy
Design Mom Answer:
Here’s the basic process that works for me: In the shower, I shampoo lightly and then heavily condition and let the conditioner soak in for a few minutes while I’m soaping up. I’m fairly relaxed about products — something luxurious from the salon is always a treat, but I’m equally satisfied with a variety of drugstore brands. Right now, my favorite is Infusium because the conditioner is really thick.
After the shower, I gently(!) towel dry my hair. I don’t run my fingers through it or brush or comb it — the key is to not separate the curls. Next, I fill my palm with a mix of leave-in conditioner and hair gel — again, I’m not too particular about brands — and work the combo through my hair. (Note: don’t brush or comb or pull your fingers through your hair to work in the product, just kind of moosh/scrunch it in everywhere.)
Then I let my hair air-dry till it’s about 75% dry — while I put on my makeup and get dressed. Finally I flip my head upside down and use a hair-dryer with a diffuser to finish drying the roots. Diffusing with my hair upside down gives more lift at the roots so the curls don’t look like they’re dragging.
Last two tips: 1) I only get my hair fully wet every 3rd or 4th day. For showers during non-shampoo days, I just pull it up into a bun so it doesn’t get wet. 2) At hair appointments, I make sure to keep my layers trimmed — especially around my face. Otherwise the curls get too heavy and my hair forms a gigantic triangle.
And that’s it. The book Curly Girl helped me quite a bit in how I approach my hair. I don’t follow all of its guidelines, but it’s definitely a great place to start if you’re frustrated with your curls (or your child’s curls). In fact, if you like it, you could totally give a copy to your hairdresser.
What about you Fellow Curly Girls? Do you have any favorite haircare products or haircare tips?
Images of curly haired peeps from Bumble & Bumble.
All I have to say is, Moroccanoil! It is the best stuff ever! Not the shampoo and conditioner – just the "oil" and curl cream. It seems expensive when you look at the price (and the term "oil" sounds scary, I know) but one bottle of each lasts me over a year. My hair is finer, and tends to be curlier on top, straighter underneath. Have moved from NY to Montana and am still looking for a good hairstylist 4 years later…
All I have to say is, Moroccanoil! It is the best stuff ever! Not the shampoo and conditioner – just the "oil" and curl cream. It seems expensive when you look at the price (and the term "oil" sounds scary, I know) but one bottle of each lasts me over a year. My hair is finer, and tends to be curlier on top, straighter underneath. Have moved from NY to Montana and am still looking for a good hairstylist 4 years later…
I use DevaCurl AnGell and plop with a microfiber towel. After 15 mins in the towel I use a diffuser til my hair is about 75% dry. And the key is NOT to touch it! I add Set It Free in the summer since Houston is so humid! It also helps to have a stylist that knows what she is doing!!!! Naturallycurly.com has a list a stylist that actually know how to cut curly hair….DRY CUT!!!!
So many types of curls, so many different products and methods that work. I loved the Curly Girl book, and using the author's products, DevaCare "shampoo," conditioner, and gel, has made me love my curls. But everyone seems to love different products. Oh, and I NEVER rinse out the conditioner. My super-frizzy curls need the extra weight.
Finding a stylist is an entirely other issue. If you'll forgive mentioning another site, there is a salon finder on naturallycurly.com. (I'm not affiliated with the site, just a reader.) I found THE BEST stylist in my area by reading through reviews.
Just be sure to follow the regular process of scheduling a consultation first–I had my hair cut by a different recommended stylist on the site, and she was awful. Then I got smart, found the 2 or 3 stylists with the most gushing reviews, set up consultations, and have literally never, ever been happier with a cut! I didn't know you COULD walk out of the salon liking your hair–I was so used to crying about another bad haircut on the way home!
I use DevaCurl AnGell and plop with a microfiber towel. After 15 mins in the towel I use a diffuser til my hair is about 75% dry. And the key is NOT to touch it! I add Set It Free in the summer since Houston is so humid! It also helps to have a stylist that knows what she is doing!!!! Naturallycurly.com has a list a stylist that actually know how to cut curly hair….DRY CUT!!!!
Who is your stylist? I’m in Houston, too and after 4 years I’ve still not found someone who gets me the results I want with my curly hair.
Conditioner and leave-in is key for me and my curls. I use to relax it straight, now I lurvvvve my curlies and reading about fellow curlies. Thanks for the book tip.
Talk about bad haircuts… I once went to a very cheap salon (you know… $12 for a haircut). The lady was confused when my hair wasn't curling (like it was when I walked into the salon). I told her I usually use a diffuser. She took a diffuser and started grinding it into my roots. Eventually she handed me the dryer… and there I was standing in the middle of the hair salon, drying my own hair!!!
So many types of curls, so many different products and methods that work. I loved the Curly Girl book, and using the author's products, DevaCare "shampoo," conditioner, and gel, has made me love my curls. But everyone seems to love different products. Oh, and I NEVER rinse out the conditioner. My super-frizzy curls need the extra weight.
Finding a stylist is an entirely other issue. If you'll forgive mentioning another site, there is a salon finder on naturallycurly.com. (I'm not affiliated with the site, just a reader.) I found THE BEST stylist in my area by reading through reviews.
Just be sure to follow the regular process of scheduling a consultation first–I had my hair cut by a different recommended stylist on the site, and she was awful. Then I got smart, found the 2 or 3 stylists with the most gushing reviews, set up consultations, and have literally never, ever been happier with a cut! I didn't know you COULD walk out of the salon liking your hair–I was so used to crying about another bad haircut on the way home!
Conditioner and leave-in is key for me and my curls. I use to relax it straight, now I lurvvvve my curlies and reading about fellow curlies. Thanks for the book tip.
First, for Andrea D., straight-haired mom to a curly: for 2nd (or 3rd) day hair, just wet/spray it with a water bottle…don't soak it, but just get it wet enough to style the curls by hand. Finger comb, or scrunch up a bit w/ a little bit of product. I had (still have) very curly, thick hair as a child and my mom & grandma BRUSHED it daily. ARGH. And since that was a mess, they opted to cut it very short for years. Oh the horrors, documented in years of school pictures.
My hair is very, very thick — my stylists says it's the thickest, or close to, that they've ever encountered. I don't do diffusers, the last thing I need is more volume. Just getting back on board w/ the "Curly Girl" system, which means no silicones, dimethicones, etc. in my products. Those are hard to find, as most products intended for curlies contain some type of silicones. We'll see…
Talk about bad haircuts… I once went to a very cheap salon (you know… $12 for a haircut). The lady was confused when my hair wasn't curling (like it was when I walked into the salon). I told her I usually use a diffuser. She took a diffuser and started grinding it into my roots. Eventually she handed me the dryer… and there I was standing in the middle of the hair salon, drying my own hair!!!
First, for Andrea D., straight-haired mom to a curly: for 2nd (or 3rd) day hair, just wet/spray it with a water bottle…don't soak it, but just get it wet enough to style the curls by hand. Finger comb, or scrunch up a bit w/ a little bit of product. I had (still have) very curly, thick hair as a child and my mom & grandma BRUSHED it daily. ARGH. And since that was a mess, they opted to cut it very short for years. Oh the horrors, documented in years of school pictures.
My hair is very, very thick — my stylists says it's the thickest, or close to, that they've ever encountered. I don't do diffusers, the last thing I need is more volume. Just getting back on board w/ the "Curly Girl" system, which means no silicones, dimethicones, etc. in my products. Those are hard to find, as most products intended for curlies contain some type of silicones. We'll see…
i used to use mousse – nothing fancy, just cheap. but i found i was so dependent on it and also became dependent on a diffuser – otherwise air drying was too flat. and i couldn't get my curls right without mousse and a diffuser. which is especially frustrating when you travel and sometimes get stuck.
last fall, i switched to deva curl. i use their shampoo and conditioner and follow up with either the angell or the set it free spray. i have found i am less dependent on using a diffuser – sometimes i air dry and the curls turn out just as well (but a microfiber towel is a must!). i also find i am less dependent on using an after product – i use the gel or spray but not nearly as much as i used to use when i used mousse. and on occasion, i have gone without either and my hair was manageable!
i also use their heaven in hair treatment whenever i need an extra boost – and it truly is like heaven in hair.
i have heard good things about curlisto. it was on my list to try but i have been so happy with deva curl that i haven't felt the need to try it yet.
i used to use mousse – nothing fancy, just cheap. but i found i was so dependent on it and also became dependent on a diffuser – otherwise air drying was too flat. and i couldn't get my curls right without mousse and a diffuser. which is especially frustrating when you travel and sometimes get stuck.
last fall, i switched to deva curl. i use their shampoo and conditioner and follow up with either the angell or the set it free spray. i have found i am less dependent on using a diffuser – sometimes i air dry and the curls turn out just as well (but a microfiber towel is a must!). i also find i am less dependent on using an after product – i use the gel or spray but not nearly as much as i used to use when i used mousse. and on occasion, i have gone without either and my hair was manageable!
i also use their heaven in hair treatment whenever i need an extra boost – and it truly is like heaven in hair.
i have heard good things about curlisto. it was on my list to try but i have been so happy with deva curl that i haven't felt the need to try it yet.
I'm bookmarking this post – my daughter inherited curly hair from her father (I just have wispy straight hair) and we went through a long period where getting out "dreadlocks" took us almost a half hour — a very painful half hour — each morning. And I have no idea what to tell her when she gets older and wants more style – so thanks!!
I love Aveda products…their Be Curly range is great but I also use their Brilliance range too…especially the pomades…
Good blog advice, here…thanks. There is a product for curly hair called Mixed Chicks. You won’t find it at big chains like Walmart or Target, but you will find it at salons and beauty supply stores that know what good curly hair products are. Here is the website: http://www.mixedchicks.net . They will control your curls for sure.
I’ve done all of the above. I have very, very curly hair and my current regimen involves washing, spraying with Davines De-stress, two pumps of Tigi’s Curls Rock, and then an all-over of Davines Oil/No Oil. I then finish getting ready for the day and about 20 minutes later blow dry with a diffuser. I think my hair looks great – soft, shiny and defninition of curls, too.
I can NOT thank you enough for this post! You truly have gorgeous curls, and I’m glad someone asked how you tame them. I’m going to give this a go tomorrow. I have very curly hair, and would love to wear it down (nope, never and I mean never wear it down curly, only straight)….
Cheers!
I love the book Curly Girl — it totally helped me when I read it about 6 or 7 years ago, and the author now has a line of curl car products called DevaCurl — I LOVE their conditioner and their Angell hair gel.
I also try to avoid shampoo altogether like she suggests in the book and instead rinse my hair with an apple cider vinegar rinse that I make myself. It works wonders for de-greasing and re-enlivening my hair.
I was wondering if you ever comb out your curls? Mine get so ratted so I usually do a comb out in the shower after conditioning to de-tangle, but your curls definitely look better then mine so I’m wondering if I shouldn’t be combing. But if not, how do you mange the tangles??
You might try MopTop products. They’re awesome! http://www.moptophair.com/
i live in the philippines and it is humid hot here. its sunny all the time. what i do is just use Sunsilk or Pantene for curly hair and it works just ok. i only finger-comb my hair once, when its still wet, then i put on Vitresse Hair Polish and i tie it into a bun since air drying makes my hair extra frizzy and poofy. but tying your hair when wet also causes hair fall and that’s been a problem for me nowadays. do you have any ideas on what i should do to make my hair un-frizzy in this tropical country? and to lessen the hair fall? i’m afraid i won’t have any hair left when i get older :) ideas is much appreciated. :)
that’s it? really? that’s all i had to do to go from blah, half curled pyramid-shaped hair to – soft, curl envious hair?! oh where has this post been all my life. read this a couple of hours ago, tried the “methods” and now looking curly fab. ;) i am embracing the curl, no more wasted hours of straightening. Thx!
I have naturally curly hair too – very close to your colour. I wash it every 3-4 days (otherwise it gets too dry). After washing I give it a really good brushing. Then I use mousse and let it air dry. I havent tried hair gel and conditioner, I must give that a go and see how it works. On the days when I don’t wash it, I wet it a little with my fingertips just to refresh the curls. On bad hair days, I tie it up. I used to fight against my curls for years but I am so glad to have them now!!!
I was my curly hair every 2 days or so (my curls are fine, but I have lots of hair, so waiting too long between washings weighs it down). I dry with a t-shirt, no towel. I don’t own a brush or comb, but I use Deva Curl products and have been exceptionally happy with this line. They hold my curls, prevent any frizz, and I don’t need any spray to keep my hair looking good. They have great videos on their website, and I do the tiny duck clips at the roots to add lift to my crown as they recommend, it really works.
I do very much the opposite of what design Mom says, I was told by several of my hair stylist friends to comb the product I use through my hair, it used to be Aquage gel, it is now Redken curl perfecting cream. You want to distribute the product evenly, that is why combing it through is so important. I don’t “towel dry” my hair at all erally. I wrap a towel around it for about 2 minutes (wetter hair is better), the more you “mess” with curly hair the frizzier it becomes. I then comb it out, and then comb product through. I then scrunch a few times with my damp towel and let it air dry. Almost always comes out frizz free and with defined curls. Product choice is trial and error, I’ve used expensive and less expensive and it just ALL depends on your hair type, including HOW to style YOUR hair. ALL curly hair responds differently to different products and ways of styling. Good luck to you : )
Coming late to the party, but I have curly hair and can’t seem to get away from washing it every day. Otherwise I seem to be a big grease ball. Does anyone else have this problem? What about bed head?