2020 was one of the most interesting and memorable years to go down in our history. With all the bad that happened, one good thing did – curly hair revolution. Quarantine gave people the time to properly take care of their curly hair – like me.
Right before I began my curly hair journey, I was looking into buying one of those famous blow dryer brushes. Thank the heavens I did not go through with that purchase. To think… the heat damage that would have caused.
Once I began researching and asking for help from other curlies – people with curly hair – I began to feel LIBERATED. Why did I not know there was a curly-hair community? Why did I not know how DESPERATE my curls needed moisture? Protein? Oil treatments? Diffusing methods?
Only if I had known what my curly hair was capable of my whole life…
I was not educated on how to properly care for it -- nor did I take the time to dedicate to learning how to take care of it. I mean – I was really walking around AND people let me walk around with crunchy ramen noodle hair. I thought that is all my curly hair had to offer.
So, for anyone that wants to transform, heal, or enhance their curly hair – here are 10 steps to follow (and some unaffiliated Amazon links to my favorite products):
1. Ditch that Towel
This is crucial. I mean serious business. By all means – please dry yourself off – but STOP touching your hair with that towel. Those limpy, basic bathroom towels can cause further damage and some serious frizz. Who wants that?
Typically, I just clip my hair up – but a microfiber towel or 100% cotton t-shirt are completely acceptable replacements. Just remember – always be gentle with your hair. These replacements are softer and gentler alternatives compared to other rough towels, but it is still important to treat your hair with care.
This step alone with make drastic changes for your hair.
2. Get a Silk Pillowcase/Bonnet
Invest in buying a silk/satin pillowcase or bonnet – or both.
Silk and satin materials are super soft – so they will reduce friction when your hair is rubbing on them while you sleep. This will reduce frizz and damage and keep your hair looking fresher.
Additional bonus – silk/satin pillowcases can be beneficial to the skin. If it is gentle on your hair, then it is gentle on your skin! Silk and satin are less absorbent materials – so they will not trap as many oils and hair product to just transfer back on to your skin. They are beneficial for sensitive skin, reduction of acne, and even stopping wrinkles to appear.
3. Join Facebook Groups or Watch YouTube Videos
There is a huge curly hair community out there – join them! Join curly hair Facebook groups – this is where you will get the best advice from everyday people. The first and only Facebook group I joined was “Curly Hair Love – Tips And Tricks For Curly Girls (and guys!)”. Unfortunately, the admin archived this group about a month ago, but there are still so many curly hair communities on Facebook!! You can learn more about different hair types, product recommendations, and style techniques through Facebook groups.
Subscribe or follow curly hair influencers and Youtubers. There are so many videos to watch that will help you learn more about how to handle that crazy curly hair.
Some of my favorite Youtubers and influencers are Manes by Mell (IG: manesbymell) and her sister, Amanda Guido (IG: Amanda__guido) -- they are godsends for curly hair information – Jayme Jo Massoud (IG: @jaymejo), and Olivia Calabio (IG: @oliviacalabio).
There are so many more out there – but it is important to follow curly hair Youtubers and influencers that have similar curly hair to you. Therefore, Facebook groups are beneficial because you can see what everyday people are using for their different curl patterns and types.
I find influencers can forget the reason they have an extravagant lifestyle or perfect skin, and hair is because of the free promotional products they get sent from companies.
Tip: Pick Youtubers, influencers, and celebrities to follow wisely. Their lifestyle can often be discouraging to view and unrealistic. Always follow people that inspire you, educate you, or resemble you – similar hair, lifestyle, interests, body type, fashion, etc. -- not make you feel worse about yourself.
4. Do Your Research
I know – research is boring – but you have to do it. Part of the research process is just following the step above. You can figure out all you need from Facebook groups and YouTube. That was how I started my curly hair transformation.
During the research process, you will be thrown terms like curl types, patterns, porosity, plopping, pineapples, curl training and much more. It can be very overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be that complicated. If you come across terms you don’t understand, simply Google it. If it seems like something you want to try – then try it!
Typically, curlies will identify their curl type on a range from 2A-4C. I know – what? So there is Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. The types are then broken down into subunits – like Type 2 subunits are 2A, 2B, and 2C. Type 2 hair is labelled as Wavy. Type 3 is labeled Curly. Type 4 is labelled Coily. Essentially -- the higher the number, the curlier/spirally the hair.
As we all know -- we typically have multiple curl types because curls are NEVER the same. For me personally – I would label my hair from 2C-3B.
Hair porosity is much more complicated. Hair porosity is how your hair can absorb and retain moisture. I have read that people try a water test by dropping a hair follicle in water and depending on if it sinks or floats will determine your porosity. But I have heard others debunk this water test. Manes by Mell has a great YouTube video on hair porosity that is very informational for beginners.
Knowing your curly hair type and porosity is beneficial for understanding how to treat your hair, find people with similar hair, and knowing what products work best for you.
5. Get a Styling Brush
Styling brushes are great for distributing products, defining curls, and reducing frizz. Denman brushes are holy grails. They have become staples for my styling routine.
Personally, I use the D3 - 7 Row Hairbrush and the 3 Row Detangle and Tease Styling Comb. I typically use these brushes after I apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream. There are many other styling brushes from Denman and other brands that you can choose. Your choice in styling brushes, like the row count of bristles, can be determined based on how big of curl clumps you want or your curl type.
I use a Tangle Teezer Wet Detangler brush in the shower. I use this brush to detangle my hair after I apply my conditioner. This brush has extremely soft/gentle bristles which is important because it will cause less pull and damage.
If you do not want to invest in a brush – no problem. There are other styling techniques that you can do without a brush:
- Raking method – use fingers to rake through hair in sections.
- Finger coiling – choosing a small clump of hair and coiling it around your finger all the way up to your root
- Finger rolling – taking both index fingers to roll a clump of hair up to your root
Here is a video of Manes by Mell comparing finger coiling vs. finger rolling techniques.
Here is a video of Manes by Mell comparing finger coiling vs. the Denman brush.
Finger coiling is a great technique to train your curls. If your curly hair has been through considerable damage and lost some curl pattern – finger coiling can help train those curls to be curly again.
While I have you here – another holy grail is a Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush. Wow – this feels amazing after you apply shampoo. Simply apply shampoo, then massage your head with this brush in circular motions starting from your hair line to your crown to the back of your neck. This technique helps really cleanse your scalp, detangles, and just feels amazing.
6. Treat Your Hair
It is so important to treat your curls – especially in the beginning of your curly hair journey. Us curlies were neglected on learning how to treat our hair – so many of us have some serious heat and color damage. This is the time to nourish your hair with oils, hair masks, and deep conditioners.
I have used this natural hair oil treatment as a spray to help hair damage, growth, and strength. It helped my sister drastically after she suffered postpartum hair loss.
Typically, products that contain protein help with restoring and repairing hair that has been damaged. Finding the right balance between moisture and protein can be difficult – but crucial to have beautiful and healthy curls. I know right away when my hair has had too much moisture or too much protein. Too much protein makes my hair stringy and too much moisture makes my curls looser. It is hard life for us curlies.
Here is a link to some protein rich products to help strengthen your hair.
I usually gravitate towards Jamaican Black Castor Oil in products for treating my hair – like the Jamaican Black Castor Oil line from Shea Moisture or if I need a serious protein treatment I use the Shea Moisture’s Hydrate + Repair Power Protein Treatment. It is very easy to over-use protein heavy products so be mindful! Listen to your hair. I have come across some curlies who cannot handle hardly any protein in their hair -- so they focus on moisture/hydration heavy products.
Try to deep condition or use a hair mask at least once a week. This can really replenish your hair.
Stop using heat products while you are treating your hair. During the strengthening process, it is a good idea to stop heat products until your curls are strong enough. Even then – use heat protectant or just the cool setting on your diffuser.
Sometimes the best treatment to help damaged hair is just cut the damage off. Have you ever heard of the big chop? You just chop a lot of your hair off – especially all the damage. This drastically helped my curls. Sometimes longer hair can just be too heavy for curls that are not strong enough.
7. Test Out Products
Unfortunately, you will never know what works for your hair until you start to test them out. I have tried many products that failed my hair but worked wonders for others.
We are individuals -- so is our hair.
You do not need to spend an arm and a leg to buy products. I typically use all drug-store brands, like Shea Moisture and Not Your Mother’s. I have tested many products and I usually stick to my staples.
For wash:
- Shea Moisture JBCO Shampoo, Conditioner, and Treatment Masque
- Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
- When feeling bougee -- I bought the Curl Smith’s Transition Kit
Okay on a real, Curl Smith is worth the money. It makes my hair feel like butter every time I use it. They offer other great lines, like the Transition Kit, Detox Kit, and Strength Kit. You can check out their website here and other individual products or bundles.
For styling:
- Shea Moisture JMCO Leave-in Conditioner
- Cantu Curl Cream
- Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse
- Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Sculpting Gel
- Marrakesh Hair Care Argan and Hemp Styling Oil – this was a random product I found and actually loved. A little goes a long way because it is a thick oil consistency. I use this to scrunch out my crunch. "Scrunch out the crunch" means to use an oil to soften the crunchy cast that strong gels leave.
Other brands that I have not tried -- but heard great reviews:
- Verb Curl products
- Verb Ghost line – especially their Ghost Oil
- Briogeo
- Curls
I typically try to avoid products that have glycerin at the top of the ingredient list. Glycerin is a humectant so it will grab moisture in the air and absorb into your curls – which can either be very hydrating to your hair or overpowering causing frizz. This can depend on your environment and climate.
Remember: Our curls are individual. These products work great for me, but not necessarily for other curl types. My hair needs a lot of nourishing and moisturizing products because I have very thick/coarse hair. Some of the products I listed could be too heavy on finer hair.
You do not need to strictly follow the Curly Girl Method (CGM) to perfect your curls. You do not need to be extremely strict on yourself. But it does work for some curlies – so do not hate on what people decide to try for their hair!
Always listen to your hair when trying new products. Your curls will be the first to tell you if they hate something you are feeding them.
8. Nail a Routine
Finding a solid curly hair routine is so exciting and relieving. Like finally – I have a hair routine that I know will make me feel confident when I leave the house.
It takes trial-and-error just like testing products.
My solid curly hair care routine typically looks like this:
1. Leave-in conditioner or curl cream
2. Section off my hair and use a styling brush
- Take section of hair and brush my hair from under section at root – to brush up and out to help volume
3. Scrunch in mousse
4. Scrunch with microfiber towel – this is not necessary, but I find it help my hair with volume
5. Scrunch in gel
6. Diffuse mostly upside down on cool setting until hair is fully dry – I usually hover diffuse first – this prevents extra frizz
7. Scrunch out crunch with oil
Before I started my curly hair journey – I used horrible products with horrible ingredients, styled with only gel, and diffused for 2 seconds. Therefore, I had crunchy ramen noodle hair.
So, try some styling routines out and stick with what works best for you. My styling routine is much longer than what I used to do but my hair needed this extra care to be its best self.
9. Take Care of Your Body
Okay – this is very important. You cannot have great hair, skin, and nails if you are not nourishing and properly taking care of your body. We can treat our hair with external products, but it still grows from our body. We must focus and heal from within to be beautiful on the outside.
Drink lots of water.
Reduce sugar.
Take your vitamins – Vitamin A, B12, B3, Biotin, D, and C.
Feed your body with fruits and veggies.
Relieve stress.
Get enough sleep to keep you energized.
Your body will not nourish your hair if you do not nourish your body.
10. Be Patient
Lastly – just be patient. It is a long and self-serving process.
Remember to let your hair breathe.
It is easy to get caught up in washing your hair a lot to try new products or styling techniques. But sometimes – you have let it breathe. The days I knew I had nothing going on – I would deep condition, use a tiny amount of leave-in conditioner to get some moisture, then just let it be for the day. You do not want to bombard your hair with too much at a time while it is trying to heal.
Do not get angry if your curls don’t look how you want them to or how other people’s curls look. There will be days your curls will fall flat, be completely frizzy, or just a disappointment. Just nourish yourself, listen to your curls, and watch them transform to their true capability.
Comments