by Louisa Cadwell

Created on: July 21, 2008

As someone who has dealt with a full head of curls since the age of three, I've experimented with just about any tip you could ever find in a magazine article, web resource or book. I've fussed and fought to understand what it takes to get my hair to not just cooperate, but to reach its full beauty potential. Curls are often unique to a person's gene pool and react differently in certain weather conditions, but generally there are truths that have proven time & time again that no curls are hopeless. You've heard of the 4 C's of diamond shopping. I'm here to introduce you to the 3 C's of curly hair management. Cut, Condition, and Care.

1. CUT

Unfortunately, the enviable texture of curls can be a limiting factor in the selection of hair styles. If you have strong facial features, (big eyes, eyelashes, lips, etc) a pixie cut can accentuate those features perfectly. A pixie haircut is one of the most manageable options for women who have curls, but are frustrated with the amount of time necessary to take care of them. Pomade will become your best friend.
Bobs seldom work for curls. If you are looking for a shorter cut, it's wisest to opt for layering that frames the face and neck. Essentially, if you lop off a set of curls at one length, you're going to get what I call the puppy dog ear effect: flat on top, poofy at the bottom. We don't need anymore Shirley Temples, sorry.
The most common approach to curls tends to be a longer style. Since curly hair is often thick, the extra weight associated with length can help you avoid the dreaded frizz or poof that higher humidity can spawn. Again, you'll want to request layers for a long cut too.
Finally, the easiest way to prevent the kind of damage that brings about frizz is to get your hair trimmed once every ten weeks. When you call to make your appointment, request a stylist who is knowledgable about curly hair. It's even better if your stylist has curly hair themselves, because you know they share your burden.

2. CONDITION

Conditioning is more crucial for curly hair than other types of hair. I recommend shampooing your hair no more than two days a week. The natural oils that your scalp produces is not only beneficial to the health of your hair, but also to its appearance. When you deny those oils by overwashing, your hair will tend to become brittle and dry. This creates a lack of shine and frizz control.
When you need to shower after a workout on a day between one of your weekly shampoos, condition your hair only. This will

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