How to style naturally curly hair

For those of us who have frizzy, naturally curly hair, we can empathize with each other about the time and effort it really takes. I have struggled for years to get my hair to cooperate. It is truly a daily battle. I will share some of my methods that you might find useful. I have tried every product out there from the cheapest to the expensive salon brands so I will give a few recommendations. Obviously everyone is different so these tips might not work for you. I have very thick hair so I can use a lot of products without weighing my hair down. Read my tips and adjust them to your needs. Check out the resource section for a helpful site. Some of their advice contradicts mine but you have to do what works best for your hair. Feel free to leave a comment with your own tips or styling product recommendations.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• styling products
• hair dryer
• diffuser attachment

1. Shampoo and condition your hair. I love the Curl Life line from Matrix. I got a pretty good deal by buying them at Costco rather than at a salon. Try using a clarifying or deep cleansing shampoo at least once a week since using a lot of styling products causes buildup.

2. Wring out the excess water from your hair before you step out of the shower, but do not towel dry. Towel drying can cause your hair to frizz. Drape a towel around your shoulders to keep your hair from dripping down your back. You can take 5 minutes or so to do other things in your morning routine, but don't wait too long because your hair will start to get too dry. If your hair dries too much, it will be more difficult to style because it will frizz and won't curl up as much.

3. Apply an anti-frizz and/or curl defining cream starting with the underneath section. It is good to start underneath when using a heavy serum or cream in case you accidentally apply too much. It won't be as noticeable if it is underneath. Add extra to any sections that may be more coarse or frizzy. I have what I like to call combination hair. I have sections that are coarse, frizzy and matted, while others are straight and some that curl just right and aren't too frizzy. I currently am using the anti-frizz curl cream from Sunsilk. You can buy it at Walmart and it is very affordable. I have used Aveda Humectant pomade off and on over the years. It works well with defining the curl and lowering the frizz. However, it is expensive and has a bit of a musky smell. I like fruity and fragrant smells for my hair products.

4. Next I use Sunsilk mousse for curly hair. I have medium-long length hair so I use a large amount of mousse. Dispense the mousse into the palm of your hand. Bend over so your hair is hanging straight and scrunch the mouse thoroughly throughout your hair. Use more mousse as needed. Flip your head back up and be sure to scrunch mousse into the top sections of your hair as well.

5. Connect a diffuser attachment to your hair dryer. Bend over again and scrunch and blow dry your hair. Don't run your fingers through your hair like a comb because it will pull out the curl or cause more frizz. When your hair is one-third to one-half dry, Repeat step 4 by scrunching more mousse into your hair to tame any frizzies that have started to show from blow drying.

6. Spray your hair lightly all around the top with a flexible hairspray. I have used Pantene Classic flexible hold hairspray for years. Scrunch and blow dry just a little bit longer until it is still partially wet or damp.

7. Touch up with an anti-frizz serum or cream if needed. Then spray again lightly with a flexible hold hairspray.

8. Let the remaining wetness or dampness in your hair dry naturally. Occasionally scrunch your hair while it is still damp to make sure the curl isn't being weighed down and to add volume. If your hair gets too crunchy for your taste, then bend over and scrunch your hair while it is dry to loosen up the stiffness. If you use the flexible hold products I recommended like the Sunsilk creme, mousse and Pantene hairspray, then it is very easy to keep your hair from getting too crunchy.

9. Throughout the day you can rejuvenate your curl with a leave-in conditioner and spray with flexible hold hairspray. I use the Sunsilk or Dove leave-in spray conditioners. If you don't have one of these with you and you need to touch up your curls, wet your hands in the sink and scrunch some water into your hair to rewet your styling products and tame the frizz.

Resources

• Ouidad hair products and styling tips for curly hair
• Find out your hair type and recommended products
• More Curly Hair tips
• My Website with Money Making Ideas

[leannec71]

on 1/24/2009 Great advice. Very informative. I will try your tips. Thanks

[jbpitts01]

on 6/23/2008 Good tips...I also have confused hair--some very curly, some wavy, and some straight, so I tend to take the time to straighten my hair. I have used several products to try and keep my hair curly at different times, and they just don't work for me. For those whose hair is more curly, I agree that these tips should work well...but to your point, everybody's hair is different and will react differently.

[WendyRenee]

on 6/16/2008 Faryad,

The products that I have listed are all reputable and trustworthy brands so you can feel safe using them. Anything sold in a good salon is also trustworthy. Thinning hair can be caused by many things. It could be a result of recent stress, allergies, pregnancy and giving birth, change in diet or lack of nutrition, a medical condition, or thinning hair could even be genetic. Have you used any new hair products lately? Maybe you are having a reaction. I would strongly urge that you see your primary care physician immediately before it worsens. Your doctor would be able to direct you to the best treatment and hopefully run some tests to make sure it's not a symptom of any serious condition. I hope this information helps. Here are some additional articles on thinning hair:
http://hubpages.com/_3e9cjvt6t59uf/hub/best-hair-care-products-for-thinning-hair

http://hubpages

[Faryad]

on 6/16/2008 hi.thankx for your tips i will try them..but i juz have a question & dat is dat i have my own natural curly hair and at the moment im leaving in Pakistan and since i came to dis country my hair is falling like anything and its going out of shape..and the products here is not all original so im actually little scared of using them...Please help me to get my hair back :(

[amylaine]

on 6/5/2008 Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.