5 Steps To Defined Curls for Curly Hair

Frizzy hair--it is what it is. 

Frustrating. Annoying. Unmanageable and unruly.

Except when it isn't. 

I've been through every curly hair stage you can possibly imagine. I treated it the same as you would glossy, straight hair for years before I realized I probably should NOT brush it out dry...before I discovered what a world of difference a dab of mousse could make. 

I tried to deny it's existence along every other curly girl in the early 1990's. I've worn it so crunchy with product you could hear it crackle if you touched it. But all that came before I learned how absolutely fun and low-maintenance a head full of curls could make a girl's life.

I'm not one to mourn about how much I wish I had straight hair. I don't. But take it from me--great curls don't just happen (and I've got the bad yearbook pictures to prove it).

This is the regimen that works for me.

Oh. And one more thing. This only works on curly hair. I'm pretty sure you won't get the same results with beautiful, stick-straight hair...unless you get happy with a curling iron. HA.

I'm cheap, I know. But I use the generic brands for these products from Sally's Beauty Supply and whatever shampoo and conditioner left in the shower that my kids haven't emptied into the bath to create bubbles. 

Step 1: Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Another (not so little) idiosyncracy about my hair is that it's really, really dry. I've probably had greasy hair syndrome like, twice in my life. Shampooing really dries out the hair, so I only shampoo once a week. The rest of the week, I'll only use a conditioner.

Step 2: Apply the gel into hair. I sorta press the product into my hair as opposed to full-on scrunching.  Focus on getting product on the roots since that's where you get the lift. I love the Biolage Gelee product because it makes curls smooth but doesn't leave my hair sticky. 

Step 3:  Lightly coat all layers of hair with Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine spray--not just the top. You don't want the bottom layer to look limp.  Let air dry for 10 -15 minutes.

Step 4:  Use a hair dryer with a diffuser until hair is almost dry. I always use the cold air for a minute or two towards the end to reduce frizz and set curls. They should be soft to the touch, though maybe not as bouncy as they will be once completely dry.

Secret Tip: If you have air vents in your home, crank the heat up a bit and lie so your hair is spread out over the vent. You'll get the biggest and best curls ever by doing this. The power of all that diffused air makes my curls turn crazy awesome. I only use my hair dryer if it's absolutely too hot to turn on the heat for a few minutes. I promise, it works. Best curly girl secret...until now. 

Step 5:  When hair is completely dry, use your fingers to gently separate the curls and get a fuller look so they aren't matted together. Spray another light layer of Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine to hold. Enjoy the uniqueness that is you!

For more inspiration on how to manage your curls, check out this great book titled Curly Girl.