Just a few years ago I had a jet black shag (a rockin' mullet, really) that I would straighten every. single. day. I was hiding my inner Carrie Bradshaw under that badass facade. Eventually I put down the chi and embraced my inner curly girl.
A couple summers ago I talked about my hair routine (which included not washing it for 8 days in a row). Since then things have changed a little. Here's what I do:
• Wash roots / scalp with a dime-size dollop of shampoo every 8 - 10 days
• In between washes I will rinse with water daily
• Every day I'll alternate between TIGI Curls Rock Leave In Conditioner & Kinky Curly Curling Custard
• For best results I let my hair air dry. This takes a couple hours.
• If I don't have time for air drying I will use a blow dryer with a diffuser on high heat, low air flow.
• Lately I've been parting my bangs down the middle. I straighten them with the Chi but then with a flick of my wrist at the end for that Charlie's Angel winged look.
• Then I use a 1" curling iron and touch up just a few chunks of hair for a more polished look. This makes me feel a little more professional. I use this technique for curling. (But note! I'm curling my already curly hair)
• I've been rocking the ombre / roots look. I love the blonde and Jeremy has a thing for brunettes. So the fact that this is a trend right now allows me to straddle the line between both.
• Because I work out every day my hair usually ends up in a bun.
• My hair does something new and different every day. This is the nature of being a curly girl - I just roll with it. Sometimes I will go through the entire process of washing / drying / curling only to look like the lead singer of an '80s hair band. I either choose to roll with it or put it in a bun.
Are any of my readers curly girls? I want to hear about any tips you've got or products you love.
P.S. Check out this post my sister did on embracing the curly.
I love this post! My hair is stick-straight, but I've always longed for natural curls. I, too, have that Sea of Shoes tutorial bookmarked, but I haven't tried it yet. And I love the post on your sister's blog - that photo of your mom in curlers is CLASSIC! xo.
ReplyDeleteLifelong curly girl right here. And I'm talking big 'ole banana curls so heavy they could hurt people. So rather than look like Shirley Temple, I use Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Calming Cream and dry it with a diffuser. I like it cause it just gives me subtle waves. Also it keeps my hair soft instead of stiff and crunchy.
ReplyDeleteI wash my hair almost every day, though (maybe skip one or two days in the week, and even then it goes up into a ponytail). My hair is crazy thick and heavy so if I don't wash it then it gets greasy and separates and looks gross.
I dig my Morrocan Oil products...I too have curly hair, but it tends to tame it well. My favorite method of styling? Sleep on damp hair! It always comes out perfect in the morn'!
ReplyDeleteYay! Way curly over here in Detroit, I actually got the book "Curly Girls" after you mentioned it on your site and it was supremely helpful. Now I wash my hair every 3-5 days, I remember to condition like crazy and that spritzing a little water will refresh a tired curl. Also, I felt emboldened to reach out to other curly girls who have amazing locks and ask them how they do it, strangely it's usually at Trader Joe's, not a clue why that is. I've gotten great responses every single time and learned a few things. I love using Josie Maran's Argan Oil (travel size for like $12) mixed with Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner (I'm a cheapo at heart). My one special, kinda secret wish is to find an amazing hair stylist in the Detroit area who has curls, embraces curls, and can cut curls. Most of my reach-outs end with, "Oh, you haven't cut your hair in like a year, huh? Can't find a good curly stylist? Yeah, me too." Here's hoping! Thanks Kathleen, love your blog as always!
ReplyDeleteI love the curly girl book! I discovered them a about 5 yeras ago and follow their advice- I never use shampoo (except if I've been backpacking for weeks). Instead, I get my hair wet everyday, and maybe twice a week I wash just with conditioner, and lots of scalp scrubbing. I like Aveada's Be Curly leave-in conditioner for moisturizing. Kiss My Face makes a light, water-based gel that is also good for a little more hold. And yes, just letting your hair do whatever it wants every day is key. Two braids (I don't have to put ties in them) are my fall back if we can't reach any agreement. Goody Spin Pins are also the most awesome thing I've found for a curly messy bun.
ReplyDeleteI discovered the Curly Girl book about 5 years ago and love it- I don't wash my hair with shampoo ever, unless I've been backpacking for weeks or something. Instead, I get my hair wet everyday, and about twice a week wash just with conditioner and lots of scalp scrubbing. Aussie and Dove both make good moisturizing conditioners. I like Aveda Be Curly leave-in conditioner and Kiss My Face makes a good natural gel if I want a little bit of hold. Totally agree on the letting your hair do what it wants to. It is in charge! If we can't come to any agreement, I usually go for a braid- I don't have to put a tie in the end, it just kind of curls around its self. Goody Spin Pins are also my favorite tool for messy, curly buns.
ReplyDeleteIt took me getting to my 30s to finally stop trying to straighten my lovely curly locks. I have super oily hair so I tend to wash it every morning, then switch with either leave-in conditioner or Redken No. 7 to tame my wild hair. I blow dry with a diffuser.
ReplyDeleteCurly Girly, present!
I'm a curly girl (& fairly new reader - love your site!). Recently I challenged myself to not straighten my hair for 30 days. It went pretty well and my hair seems much happier. What I love right now: layering Redken Outshine with Aveda Be Curly. It's best to let it air dry - diffusing is not my fave thing. I also enjoy Federic Fekkai glossing cream and Pureology Instant Repair leave-in.
ReplyDeleteIf you really wanna know, I did a whole blog post about it with pictures, products etc.
ReplyDeletehttp://heinousshrew.blogspot.com/2010/03/all-about-my-curly-hair.html
I pay for my curls every 9-12 months. Naturally, I have not-quite-stick-straight, heavy, fine hair that simply won't hold a style without a perm in it. I just got a new one, and it's a bit too kinky this time, so I'm excited to read about everyone's favorite taming products and processes. My usuals aren't working for me right now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am a naturally curly haired girl with many types of curls. I get bug sausage rolls in the back, kinky curls on top, with straight pieces by my ears. Because I have uber thick hair, I have to dry it with a diffuser otherwise it will NEVER dry. I put leave in conditioner in it, Coconut Milk mousse, and then hairspray the curls in place. I have try not to wash it everyday so on the second day of curls I'll either wear it down, pin it back, or pull it into two little pigtails (all depending on the status of the girls of course). I love my curly hair because it gives me options. When I am not in a "girly" or romantic mood I'll straighten it for a more rock and roll look.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to be a curly girl. Sometimes I get a wave going on, but it's never uniform enough to take out in public. I also have to wash my hair every day or it looks limp and lifeless! Lame.
ReplyDeleteMy curly hair is very thick, so I love to leave my conditioner in (it's not leave-in conditioner, but I live on the edge :) I use Moisture Maniac conditioner by BedHead and love it. I've used it for years. Thanks for your own tips!
ReplyDeleteAs I've gotten older, my hair has become wavy in some parts and downright fuzzy in others. Moroccan Oil is one of my favorite things since it keeps me from looking like a Brillo pad. Goody Spin Pins are a lifesaver for those days (nearly every day) when I just want to throw all my hair into a messy bun.
ReplyDeleteConfession: I started reading your blog because I noticed (and loved) your curly hair!
ReplyDeleteI also have curly hair, and even though it has a mind of it's own, I love it. I condition every day and only wash about once a week. I use deva curl angel light hold gel, and it has definitely helped my hair for the better, though I'm always looking for new products to try!
I am a curly girl too and just love your post! It took me years to figure out what to do with my hair and now have my routine down. Currently, I use Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious and Moroccan Oil when I get out of the shower. I am currently out of the oil and have just been using the B&B and it seems to be working fine. I also just blow out the front bangs, so that the front of my hair is more manageable and the rest is doing whatever it likes. Cheers to curly girls everywhere!
ReplyDeletethis is my routine almost exactly. i wash everyday. my hair is just too oily…and i don't like when it feels matted underneath. plus i touch my hair a lot. i wish air drying were more of an option. i don't have that much patience…somedays it feels like it takes 8 hours to dry. I've recently started using Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious Defining Creme for Fine Hair. Long title, but maybe the best thing I've found so far. I had no clue my hair curled at the roots too. I do wish curls were a little more predictable…but sometimes I have the best hair ever. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a (now proud) curly girl. I straightened my hair for most of my life, and was finally rehabbed by the right stylist who encouraged me to work with my hair's natural composition. Right now, I am switching between Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining Treatment and Enjoy Shaping Lotion. A little bit of either, along with a little Enjoy Treatment oil. Diffuse, and go.
ReplyDeletei'm a curly girl too but since about a year ago when i went black and cut my bangs straight across i've been rocking straight hair. i like it straight but some days i'd also really like my curls back. i find my hair looks best curly when it has lots of different tones in it and is not just one solid colour...like yours! when i was blondey brown my hair looked awesome curly...now, not so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm curly! see here: http://o7.no/etfJlC
ReplyDeleteI'm the opposite of you, brown underneath and blonde on top. That's my natural coloring and it cuts down on upkeep to just add a couple highlights around my face every few months. I agree that curly hair looks best when it's multi-tonal.
I wash once a week but only use a tiny bit of shampoo at my roots. I condition after I shampoo and maybe once more a week with just conditioner (depending on how much I've worked out that week) with Kerastase Oleo Curl and a less expensive all-natural conditioner (I cycle through several different brands). There was a time when I had a stylist hookup and used only Kerastase products and got Kerastase treatments. That was the definite golden age for my hair, but I still try my best to take good care of it within my budget. I don't rinse my hair in between washing and condition, so by the end of the week my hair is usually in a bun or braid of some kind. Thankfully it's really long so I can get creative.
I sleep with my hair in a top knot, take it down in the morning and polish the rough patches with this wand: http://www.corioliss.com/the-wand-18mm.html
Then I'll put a little Biosilk on my fingers and run them through just the underneath part of my hair, from root to tip. I'm really kinky curly under there, to the point that my hair will dreadlock if I don't smooth it out a little. Just like you, my hair has a mind of its own and some days it just decides not to cooperate.
I really love your color and length. Mine is way too thick and unruly to work short (believe me, I've tried), but I love that look!
I too am a curly haired girl. Struggled for years to get a decent shampoo conditioner stylng product thing going. Inevitably I end up with some sort of crunchy curl that i spend the fluffing to take away the hard brittle look. I have large curls at the back of my head and smaller tighter curls at the sides and underneath. Aveda Be Curly seems to be suiting me just now but keen to hear about sytling products and what you do. My routine is mostly serum, curl cream then mousse and diffuser drying. If I leave it to air dry it just doesn't look right.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is on a 'no washing day' i can spritz it with water and it comes back to life. Great!
And I've finally found a colour combo i love, ombre hair. Look sgreat and i wish I would see it better in the mirror :)
Let me know your styling secrets curly haired girls.
I'm loving all the curly girl tips! Product is SO expensive so it's nice to see the recommendations here before investing in something that doesn't really work.
ReplyDeleteI will say - sometimes the Bedhead and Kinky Curly products I use will leave my hair crunchy but I just scrunch the crunch out and it's usually fine. It's a fine line between having defined (but crunchy or wet looking curls) and turning it into a frizzy mess.
i embraced my curly about a year ago, haven't picked up my blow dryer since! Two things I depend on - the kinky curly custard (amazing) and a silk pillowcase. I've also found my hair can take a fairly heavy conditioner now. And yes, I too rock the bun due to workouts..if I can't make it work with sweat, up it goes! yay for curly
ReplyDeleteI wish I only had to wash every 8-10 days- lucky! I wash every other to every day because my hair is sooo oily, straight and fine that it is weighed down by nothing. I do envy some curl.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this! I am naturally wavy/curly. Very fine and very thin. So I can't get away with going more than 2-3 days without washing. I use a very moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I do condition every time because I get fly aways and crunchy ends. After lightly towel drying, I let it air dry after I put in a leave-in curl enhancer or sometimes a coconut split end mender. I do blow dry my bangs, since they are straight. Typically I lose curl pretty easily so over the next few days until I shampoo again, my hair gets looser and straighter.
ReplyDeleteDelayed comment, but here it goes. I'm a curly girl too. The flat iron seemed to changed my life about 5 years ago - that was until I moved to beach. THAT changed my life. My hair in love with the beach. Something about the constant airflow (windows open all year, at home and in car) + the salty air just WORK with my curls. I fully embraced it for the first time in my life. I rarely use my flat iron anymore. Another interesting thing I noticed was how great going to bed with my hair wet jives. I wake up with what seems like the perfect messy shaggy and yet strangely neat style. I do this twice a week. Even if it's really cold. Totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about your hair doing something new and different everyday. I think that's maybe the best part of being a curly girl. :)
After straightening my hair fir the last 2 weeks, this post made me re-embrace my curly girl hair, and let it go natural! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHooray for curls! In October, I actually got my hair cut (/sculpted) by a Deva stylist, and whoa. I don't mean to anthropomorphize my hair, but my curls are SO HAPPY. I'm growing it out, so it's starting to look a little shaggy, but I love it. I look in the mirror and think, "This right here is why people get perms." I always thought everyone was just humoring me. ;)
ReplyDeleteI condition it almost every day with Kiss My Face Organic and do a quick scrub with organic shampoo once every week or so...or when I remember. My hair's pretty fine and gets dried out easily, so the daily conditioning helps. I dry it with an old t-shirt, scrunch in some DevaCurl B'Leave-In curl boost, and I'm done.
Curly hair here, too. I switched to sulfate free shampoo and silicone free products a few years ago and it has made a *monumental* difference in the way my hair behaves. My hair is very.. fuzzy, I guess. More than frizzy. It used to be impossible to get it to dry smooth, whether it was curly or straight. Totally eliminating sulfates & silicones has made a fundamental change in the texture of my hair. I can now let it air dry - without product - and its in smooth curls and waves.
ReplyDeleteSo many of the products listed here make me cringe. They get you into this endless cycle of gunking up your hair with product, washing it out with sulfates, relying on silicones in conditioner to smooth & "moisturize".. eek. I'll be honest, I started with my shampoo & conditioner because it smelled great at the salon. After a few weeks I noticed the change in my hair on my own and started looking up info to find out why, then realized that I was unintentionally doing the "right" thing for curly hair.
Stefanie - Great advice on the sulfate & silicone free products. Do you have specific shampoo or product you would recommend?
ReplyDeleteHiya Kathleen! Busy Vee Venessa here with a ridiculous amount of dry, thick, curly hair!
ReplyDeleteMy hair transformation started with Ouidad! It was the first cut that didn't have my hair looking all trapezoidal! Also the styling technique changed my life! For my full of frizz hair, the curl by curl definition is necessary for it to look decent. Yes, it takes 45 on average and i do it MAX. twice a week and wash my hair once a week.
As for product I started with Climate Control from Ouidad and when I flew up the product and how expensive it was I looked for alternatives.
For almost two years I exclusively made my gel out of flax seed and it is as good as the climate control from Ouidad and about $0.65 a batch! you can't beat that!
Lastly, due to time constraints, I have been buy a get, alcohol and sulfate free but I now need to check on the silicon!
The curl by curl is crucial. Until I find a better product that will tame my hair without going curl by curl, it's my hair maintenance curse for a low maintenance gal!
Ooops, forgot to check back! Pardon the length here.
ReplyDeleteI started with L'anza brand healing color care shampoo & conditioner because it smelled great in the salon and she assured me it would make my color last longer (I'm dark blond and get medium blond highlights). I now order it from amazon by the liter - expensive up front, but it lasts for many many months.
On occasion I've run out and tested store brands - TRESemme Naturals has a "low sulfate" shampoo and silicone free conditioner. I'm not THRILLED that its not totally sulfate free, but it was my only option in a very small vacation town, and I've used it up with no ill effects.
My other in-store go-to is L'Oreal EverSleek, which is both sulfate and silicone free. Honestly though, at ~$6 for a tiny bottle of each vs. $35 for a LITER of L'anza, I'm better off just buying from amazon.
For products - I really try to use nothing and my hair has changed texture in such a way where that's now possible. I dry my side bangs, pull my hair back into a low ponytail and let it air dry for a few hours. I let it down while its still wet and I get these totally smooth loose curls - mind boggling compared to the layers of leave-in conditioner, mousse and gel I used to use. In summer I'll work through a nickle size dab of product from the L'Oreal EverSleek line and let it just dry curly.
I'll say, there was a transition period. I like the feeling of "squeaky clean" hair, so took me awhile to realize that smooth wasn't greasy. I think I had a few weeks where my hair seemed a bit limp too, but its moved on from there.
I'm certainly no pro at the sulfate/silicone free thing, but the little changes have made a HUGE difference. If you want super detailed info, the curly girl people can talk about every -cone and -xane in ingredient listings.