everyone always reminds me to love my volume and worship my curls, but sometimes i'm tempted to rip it all from my head. hey, maybe brit wasn't so crazy after all.
but in all seriousness, after all these years i think i've finally discovered how to properly manage a naturally sorta-wavy, frizzy, messy poof of hair that refuses to cooperate.
THINGS YOU'LL CERTAINLY NEED:
1. i'd highly recommend a curling iron. no, it doesn't have to be top of the line, it just has to be able to even out those annoying straight spots that occasionally crop up. curling irons are cheap too- conair and walmart sell them upwards from seven or eight bucks.
2. styling products. i've tried pretty much every brand, from cheapest of the cheap to top of the line twenty-bucks-for-two-measly-ounces and it all works about the same. suave and garnier fructis are brilliant, both are cheap and effective brands. some kind of mousse or some gel, a bottle of leave-in conditioner, and a can of aerosol hairspray are all you really need. here are my favorites:
that's suave healthy curls spray gel, garnier fructis leave-in conditioning cream, and garnier fructis anti-humidity hairspray, by the way.
4. a blow-dryer isn't completely necessary, god knows i spent many years without one. just this past year i finally caved and bought one, and let me tell you, i love the smooth cooperation i get from blow drying my hair every so often. if you have the budget or can come by one, i'd highly recommend it. blow dryers are all essentially the same, but do not buy one without getting a diffuser attachment. the more expensive ones come with one, or you can buy one separately.
SOME STYLING METHODS TO TRY:
1. want wet-looking and separated curls, without the use of a blow dryer? try this:
a. take a shower and wash your hair.
b. get out of the shower and dry off, but leave your hair alone. put some clothes on
(or not), and vigorously shake your hair until it's separated and no longer dripping.
c. spray some hairspray or spray gel throughout your hair, coating it all but being
careful not to put in too much (or you'll end up with super-crunchy curls).
d. take a comb (preferably fine toothed) and comb out just the top part of your hair
(the part you want to lie relatively flat against your head).
e. scrunch the ends of your hair and let air dry, continuing to scrunch occasionally.
f. when your hair is completely dry, smooth a little leave-in conditioner (if necessary) over it to obliterate frizzies.
2. want soft and manageable curls and waves? try this:
a. take a shower and wash your hair.
b. get out of the shower and dry off, but leave your hair alone. put some clothes on
(or not), and get out your blow dryer. put on the diffuser attachment.
c. put a light mist of spray gel or a little mousse in your hair. scrunch from the ends
up.
d. take a comb (preferably fine toothed) and comb out just the top part of your hair
(the part you want to lie relatively flat against your head).
e. turn your blow dryer on high, pointing it towards the ceiling and up through your
hair. gently scrunch your hair as it dries. make sure to alternate drying the hair
on either side of your head.
f. when your hair is completely dry, smooth a little leave-in conditioner through it to
obliterate frizzies. lightly mist with hairspray.
AND WHATEVER YOU DO,
try to avoid brushing out your hair, except in the shower. that typically results in a fro.
and, of course, don't shave your head. because it's really not attractive in the least. :]
