Everyone has something special about them - something unique unto them.  I just so happen to have good hair.  Yes, I know that sounds narcissistic - but it's not.  I just happen to know that I have good hair.  I mean, it's hard not to know.  Ever since I was a child and to this day I am stopped by strangers who compliment me on my hair.  Only thing that has changed since those younger years is now I am asked how do I take care of my curls.

I refuse to spend more than 5 minutes on my hair.  Why?  Because if I do - I get cranky.  I hate messing with my hair.  So how is it that I have good hair so effortlessly?  I have a few tricks up my sleeve...  So girls - this blog is for you.  Sorry, no boys allowed  (unless you want long pretty curls).

You may not have curly hair, but you know someone who does.  You know someone who hates their curls and flat-irons their hair everyday (such a travesty).  You may think that even though your hair was curly as a child, it isn't now - it just frizzes.   Did you know there are different types of curls?  Look through the following to discover what your hair is like.

Take a minute to examine the
different sections of your hair and decide which category best fits your curls.

 Wavy

Soft, less defined waves approximately 2" wide. Hair becomes curlier with length.

 Curly

"Classic" curls approximately 1 to 1-1/2" wide with good definition, bounce and lots of volume.

 Tight

A mixture of 1/2" to 1" wide curls throughout the hair. Tends to be full and densely packed, yet often fine in texture.

 Kinky

Tiny ringlets of mostly "Z" shaped hair when stretched. The "Z" pattern can cause it to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length.

According to these definitions, my hair is technically somewhere between wavy and curly but looks curly because of how I take care of it.  So I am going to concentrate this blog on Wavy and Curly hair.  If you want to know more about Tight or Kinky curls I suggest you check out this sight:  www.ouidad.com.  It's also a great site and also where I got the above information from.

Now first things first.  We have to disspell some myths about hair care.  Mothers of little girls with curly hair - please pay attention to this, because it goes against everything in your nature...


STOP BRUSHING YOUR HAIR. Yes, I said stop. Now I hear you asking - "What about the tangles?" Well that's what curls are - tangles!! What if your hair becomes like a rats nest? If you follow my steps, that will never happen. Yes, I see you are still skeptical and think that special brushes or pics will be fine. NO! They are not. Brushes are evil. EVIL I SAY!





So now we have discovered the enemy, lets discuss who our friends are. Now, hold your hands up in front of your face and repeat after me - "These two hands are my hair's best friend." Yes, your hands can do wonders once they are trained.




Brushes = EVIL. Hands = GOOD


Now we have cleared that up, lets get to business. Curly hair needs product. Curly hair will be wild, frizzy, limp, whatever adjectives you use to explain of why you hate it. Let's go through the product types and what I think is best and how to use it. I will discuss product brands later.


Shampoo and Conditioner

Use Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Now this is where your best hair tool comes in to play - your hands. Wash your hair thoroughly, rinse and then apply conditioner. Gently work out all the tangles with your fingers - use more conditioner if necessary. Do not rinse. Finish showering - wash your face, shave your legs, whatever you need to do, just leave it on till last. Flip your head over, run fingers through hair again while your head is upside down. Keep it that way to rinse conditioner out. Don't flip hair over when drying. While still in that position get your towel, wrap around your hair, then stand up. Be quick to dry yourself off - you do NOT want your hair to dry before putting product on! The damper the better - just not dripping.


I have used 3 different style products that I like. I will start with the easiest. I keep my head down while applying all products and blow-drying.


1. Wave activating spray - just spritz on damp hair.

2. Curl defining cream - apply through hair then blow dry with a diffuser. Must use a diffuser! The trick to blow drying curly hair is to stop before your hair is completely dry - or it will frizz. I dry mine to about 75% dry then let it air dry.

3. Volumizing foam mousse - apply through hair - can either let it air dry or use with blow dryer just like the curl cream.


The less you play with your hair while it's wet - the better. It may not look right, but you messing with it will make it worse


Now what happens if you have a few wisps of frizz? Easy, since it already has product on it, simply use your fingers, get them wet, then take that frizzy curl and wet it down. If you like, curl it between your fingers then let go.


Really, the best thing you can do for your hair is to experiment and learn what your hair wants to do. If you think your curls have a mind of their own - it's because they do! Stop fighting them. Let them have a voice and they will sing!