My Curly Hair Journey + Hair Care Routine
It had been nearly a year since my last haircut and my mane was overdue for some TLC, so I got it cut for a fresh start! I loved my old length, but my hair was so dry and I lost all the layers that used to give my curls volume and bounce. We took off 4 inches and my hair feels so much lighter and healthier! I’m still getting used to my shorter do, but so far I’m loving it! After my cut, I did a Curly Hair Q&A in my Instagram stories and answered all of my reader’s questions about curly hair care. Keep reading to learn about my curly hair journey, what my hair care routine is, and my go-to products!
TOP TIPS FOR CURLY HAIR:
💖 AVOID sulfates + silicone in products as well as heat styling
💖 CONDITION WITH INTENTION distribute conditioner evenly over your entire hands + work product through your hair with LOTS of water
💖 EXPERIMENT with different styling techniques + products (plopping, twirling, diffusing, wet brush, curl setting with clips etc)
💖 USE a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to scrunch extra water out of your curls
💖 PROTECT YOUR CURLS with a satin bonnet or silk pillowcase at night
💖 BE PATIENT hair won't become curly overnight but it's worth it - I promise
Every hair texture is unique so it may take some experimenting with several different products/methods before you figure out what works for you. The only time I use a brush is when I’m washing my hair and it’s fully wet (the Behairful brush or a wet brush is perfect for detangling, product distribution, making sure every strand is saturated with conditioner, and creating more consistent curl patterns.) You could try using a curl cream followed by a gel for a tighter hold.
How often do you wash your hair?
I usually wash my hair once or twice a week (depends on the week.) I use Innersense Organic Beauty Color Awakening Hairbath (a gentle cleansing shampoo for medium texture hair) and Color Radiance Daily Conditioner (also for medium texture.)
What products are you using?
For styling, I use Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Curl Cream and then add some Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator (it’s like a lightweight gel) for a little extra definition and hold.
What product do you use that won’t leave your hair greasy?
This is a tricky one for me to answer because my hair rarely gets greasy and there could be many factors. Advice from a pro: Make sure hair is fully wet when applying product. Don’t put your product on dry or damp hair. The greasiness might be product build-up. Best advice is to talk to a pro to find out what would work best for your specific hair type!
Curly hair products/brands from people I trust:
Innersense Organic Beauty, Pattern Beauty, Under Luna, Zotos Professional, Uncle Funkys Daughter, Fekkai, Bounce Curl, Inahsi Naturals
How do you get volume up to the roots? I feel like mine’s always flat on the top!
For more volume at the roots, try “plopping” your hair after washing. (Plopping is a technique used on wet hair after you’ve applied your styling product and before you start to dry your hair. It will accordion your curls, helping them keep a defined, spiralled shape, even after they dry.) You can also place some double prong hair clips at the crown of your head while your hair dries. This should give you more volume at the top!
Curly hair care tips for kids
Like adults, every kid is different and product/routine recommendations will vary from person to person. I’ll share what I do with my kids (who both have curly hair) but it’s always a good idea to talk to a professional about specific questions you have about your child. In general, don’t use any products on my daughters’ hair, but every child is different. I wash and condition their hair with the same products I use on myself.
My kids have a bath every night but we only wash their hair every 2-3 days. First I wash their hair with the same cleanser I use. Then I fully rinse out the shampoo and apply conditioner. I usually detangle with a wet brush or my fingers (using lots of water and conditioner) and let it air dry. Sometimes I will do a refresh the next morning if their curls are looking crazy. I use a spray bottle with water and add some product (like a little bit of curl cream or gel) and spray hair and use my hands to restyle the curls.
My hair is naturally curly/wavy but when I curl it with an iron so it will be neater, the curls always fall out. What should I do?
The Curly Girl Method (CGM for short) is an approach to hair care designed for naturally curly hair. CGM has a few overall guidelines regarding the types of products you should use (sulfate free shampoos, silicone free conditioners etc.) Additionally, NO heat styling tools (such as a straightener or curling iron), or blowouts of any type. No chemical relaxers/straighteners. I don’t follow CGM 100% and I do use a curling wand to touch up my curls sometimes. But I’m sharing this in case you’d like to learn more about CGM and try using this approach to your curly/wavy hair care.
What is your hair routine?
Make sure hair is fully wet (not damp) before applying cleanser. Use a silicone scalp scrubber to get in with the cleanser (remove any build up)
Condition with intention: Rake your fingers through and feel the “slip.” Add water to get the conditioner to work through the hair.
Optional: Use a wet crush to create more consistency with curl
Fully rinse it out and scrunch some of the excess water out, don’t squeeze/ring it all out
Style in the shower + emulsify products in your hand before applying
Put all products into saturated hair
Working water back into your hair after you’ve put the product back in
Squeeze 2 nickel’s worth of Inner Peace Curl Cream and add through all your hair. I have a lot of hair so I do it in 2 sections (top and bottom)
Add some water to the cream to keep the curls intact so they don’t become stringy
Apply Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curl Magic (for more definition, shine, and hold)
Flip hair upside down and scrunch some pieces with hands to remove some of the water
Plop at home with a T-shirt and create a turban
Add clips for volume and let dry
I haven't worn my hair curly in years. Where do I start?
It is never too late to start your curly hair journey! I straightened my hair for YEARS and got my hair relaxed, regular appointments at the blow dry bar, and had keratin treatments to try and conceal/fight my natural curls. When I finally started to embrace my hair and wear it naturally, it was a struggle to find what products/routine worked for me at first. My hair had gone through so many years of heat damage and using products that weren’t meant for curly hair so it took a lot of time and patience to start seeing results. But it was so worth it! I’ve been getting curly haircuts for 12 years now and have never looked back!
By no means am I an expert, but I'm happy to share my experience so that it might help someone. I'm not going to lie and pretend that I love having curly hair 24/7. Wearing my hair naturally is like riding a roller coaster! The pictures above are NOT what my hair looks like every way (I wish it was!) Most days it feels easier to throw my hair up in a bun with a headband. My hair has also changed a lot with pregnancies, postpartum hormones, and aging, so I'm constantly trying to learn what works best for me now. But it’s definitely more of a LOVE because it's the way I was born and part of what makes me -ME! I want to embrace my natural hair and show my kids that curls are gorgeous! Both of them have curly hair + I never want them to feel like they have to change who they are to be beautiful.
SHOP THE POST
