1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

still leave you with a fresh and clean feeling, but will avoid stripping your hair of its much needed moisture. On other days, you can skip shampooing or conditioning altogether. Just be sure to wear a shower cap to protect your hair from frizz.
One of your weekly shampoos should be followed by a leave-in-conditioner to restore and reseal your curl's fragile cuticle. I recommend Nexxus Headress Weightless Leave-In Conditioner. It helps to use a wide tooth comb to evenly distribute the conditioner in the shower. Rinse your conditioner out with cool water versus warm and detangle with a wide tooth comb afterwards as well. Scrunch access water from hair with a towel, & allow hair to air dry. If you absolutely have to dry your hair, use a diffuser on a low setting.

3. CARE

Believe it or not, salon products are more expensive for a reason. The products that are found on a typical drug store shelf have added wax and other byproducts that make your hair appear shiny and maintained. In the long run these products can damage your hair and tend to be the main culprits of nasty build up at the base of the hair folicle. Embarassing flakes & fly aways often ensue.
Luckily, many salon products are making their way on to drug store shelves along with the others. Some of the best options for curls include: Redken Fresh Curls, Curl Life, and Curly Sexy Hair Products. If these products are outside of your spending limit, try one of the following for less than $10: Physique Spiral Gel, John Frieda Frizz Ease Corrective Styling Gel with encapsulated silicone for curly/staright hair, or Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Smoothing Serum.
Instead of hair ties, reach for a loose clip, claw, or bobby pins to keep hair out of your face. If you're like me & need to have your hair pulled back for work outs or cooking, keep your eyes peeled for hair friendly ties. Some will boast on the packaging "minimal" or "no damage". Most breaking occurs from pulling hair back too tight and too often or from curling and straightening irons. Use these styling agents as seldom as possible. Try to work with the natural texture of your hair before altering it.

Embrace your curls. You'll never be able to fight them forever. Little girls may try to brush them out or cover them up with hats, but you're an adult now. Once you gain control of a seemingly insurmounatble obstacle like curly hair, you'll be able to take on the world.

Learn more about this author, Louisa Cadwell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Managing curly hair: The best products and how to use them?
We want to hear your view. Write now!