Hair Questions: Answered!

8.20.2011

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Hair Time!
I get asked about my hair a lot, it's probably one of my most frequently asked questions on my blog. I've had my hair just like this since I was about fifteen or sixteen when I modeled in a hair expo, and since then I've really become "one" with my curls. It's been a process and I'm still learning new tricks every now and then, but since I'm not a makeup aficionado, it's all I got. I'm super excited to share my routine with you, my lovely readers!

 So first and foremost, if you have naturally curly hair, understand that your hair has different (and sometimes more difficult) needs than straight hair does. Your hair is naturally dehydrated all the time, so infrequent washes are essential, no more than 3 times a week

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I use a super moisturizing shampoo/conditioner from Devachan, THE masterminds behind curls. Remember when I got my hair cut at their salon last November? I've never been the same since, hair-wise of course. I tend to rotate my hair products every couple of months or so though to keep things fresh. Another great shampoo/conditioner combo for curly hair is L'Oreal's Sulfate Free line, which hydrates beautifully and doesn't weigh your hair down with sulfates. I gave this to my boyfriend to try out and it literally changed his hair like magic it made it so healthy. I also use Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream conditioner when I need an extra conditioning boost with my styling products.

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As far as styling products go, I like to keep things super simple so that my curls aren't weighed down a ton. In totale, it's Tresseme's Climate Control mousse, Sally Hershberger's shaggy style boost and Frederic Fekkai's color glaze for sunscreen. The style booster keeps things controlled while the mousse adds some amazing humidity blockage and gives curls perfect shape. While I'm on the subject, let me just rant a bit about mousse. Here is a mistake all my friends make and it drives me nuts. Here is the CORRECT amount of mousse you should be using, times 2 if your hair is long:

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NOT THIS:

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Dear God, minimal is key! let's avoid the spaghetti curls and just take it down a notch. The less your hair is heavy with product, the better the outcome.

Now, it's best to air-dry. Blow-drying just dehydrates your hair more and makes it limp and frizzy. Yes, diffusers are groozy, but my experience with them has been crap, no matter what temperature I use them at, they frizz out my hair. If you can't air-dry and you have an event the next day, it helps to go to bed with your hair a little damp. If you have the time, here's my method to shaping my curls:

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Scrunch your damp hair with a little bit of product, after this though, don't touch your hair! I know this isn't an army camp or ceramics class, but this is essential! The oils in your hands tend to make hair more frizzy

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Part your hair and section it off a bit and hold sections by the root

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At the root, grab a clip and clip the section into a little "mountain". I know it sounds silly and you might look sillier with a bunch of mountains on your head, but this technique is amazing at giving volume! It picks the hair right up!

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Keep these guys in until your hair is dry and voila! Volume galore!
Now, if like so many other curly girls out there, you find yourself with that one section of hair without bounce or spiral, I learned this tip from my amazing manager Karen over at DBA, who is the queen of curls!

Take the limp section and wrap it into a curl and secure with a clip

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High fives for over-exsposure!
Now spray with water and let dry, but not too close to your head or you'll just have one super-boingy lock

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Lifesaver, seriously. I get cowlicks ALL THE TIME and this just perks things right up!

Hope you guys liked this tutorial! If you have any more inquiries or if you feel like I left something out, keep 'em coming! I am here to serve! I think I'll be starting a routine of beauty-related posts on Fridays when I and call it "Frizz-Free Friday" (Credit goes to Reesa over at DBA for the cute name, I'm not that clever) So questions, answers, tips, I'd love to share yours and mine! Feel free to comment or hit me up on Twitter or ask a question at my Tumblr :]

Have a great weekend, everyone!

15 comments:

  1. This is such a fun blog post! Though I have naturally straight/wavy hair I think I still picked up a few tricks and tips! Thanks for sharing : ) xx

    www.sheridankristin.blogspot.com

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  2. Haha, this is awesome!! It's pretty much the exact same routine I do with my natural curls too; infrequent washes, a lil mousse etc. I will have to try the volumizing trick though - genius!

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  3. Thanks for the great tutorial. I just recently found the Deva Curl line and love it. I use the AnGEL, squish that into my very damp hair and then squish in a bit of Mod Di Phy Glaze. This works most of the time, but sometimes nothing tames the frizz.

    I'm anxious to try some of the other products you suggest. It definitely helps to switch products up. The trick is knowing what to switch to.

    I'm looking forward to Frizz-Free Fridays!

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  4. Excellent tips! I love learning more about curly hair and how to tame my mane better. haha

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  5. I have incredibly unruly hair. Thanks for the tips! I have not been able to master the clip technique just yet. I sometimes end up with little dents in my hair. Do you ever use a diffuser to dry?
    www.the-beauty-beat.blogspot.com

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  6. Thank GAWD you posted this! XD ~I myself am a recent curly hair convert and was wondering how the hell you kept your hair so freaking awesome. I definitely learned a few tricks in here and will be trying them out. :)

    I do have one or two things to say though. First off, washing you hair infrequently does help, but you just really have to pay attention to what you hair needs and when. I frequently get away with washing mine once every day personally. Washing your hair with cold water and not hot water makes a big difference too.

    Also, do you have any other kind of alternative to the mousse? I'm just wondering 'cause I really hate using mousse. :/

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  7. Thank you everyone for the comments! Keep 'em coming!

    The BB & Re, thanks so much for le input!
    I have indeed used about 3 different diffusers in my life and no matter what the temperature the air is, they always make my hair frizzy, it's such a bummer

    and alternatives to mousse shall be posted indeed! I have Devachan's AnGEL at my apt in NYC, but i tend to not use it when my hair is as short as it is now. An AMAZING product for curls that I don't currently have on me is HerCut's products for curly hair, but more on that next week!!

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  8. Thanks so much for this post! I am always having trouble with my frizzy, dry curly hair and trying to find an easy and affordable fix...and this is it! Again, thanks so much :)

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  9. Well, your hair looks amazing. I will have to give your product recommendations a try.

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  10. My hair is so unruly I usually leave it in a ponytail, but I definitely learned something new. I love the "this, not this" pictures. :)

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  11. Love the first picture. Your curls are gorgeous. Another product I can recommend is A/G re:coil products. They are incredible, honestly. It's great to see a post on curly hair, thanks.

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  12. Great post! Wish I could have your hair :)
    xx

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  13. First off, I just discovered your blog and I'm in love. Your hair is gorgeous and you have great style! This will definitely be a daily read.

    Second, thank you for these tips! I have curly hair too, but for some reason it is waaaaay curlier on the bottom than on the top. I will have to try your clip trick and see if I can fix this! I would love to have a head full of curls like yours, instead of just half a head!

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  14. First off, I just discovered your blog and I'm in love. Your hair is gorgeous and you have great style! This will definitely be a daily read.

    Second, thank you for these tips! I have curly hair too, but for some reason it is waaaaay curlier on the bottom than on the top. I will have to try your clip trick and see if I can fix this! I would love to have a head full of curls like yours, instead of just half a head!

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