Curly Hair, Don't Care

This post is for the ladies out there with curly hair. As you can see below, I have very curly hair. Often times, people ask me how I tame it. There are several different methods I use to taming my mane. (You don't want to see what it looks like without product).

(Doesn't it look like one eye is looking straight and the other is down? hmm...)

First, let me start off with the products that I use:

Sometimes I get dandruff, so if I've got it, I use the classic Head & Shoulders Shampoo.

(Yeah that's right, I'm not ashamed to admit it)

(If you'd rather use Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol or their Smooth & Silky, go for it)

And if my scalp is fine, I use Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo.

Next, I use Dove Daily Moisture conditioner. 

(I feel like a promoter right now)

For mousse, I use Flawless Curls Extra Hold Mousse by TRESemme.

(Not only does it work great, but it also smells delicious, so that's a bonus)

For hairspray, I stick with the TRESemme and use their Tres Two Hairspray with the strongest hold (5)

(Yes, I know that that bottle says '4,' but I can't find a clear picture of '5' and I'm too lazy to get up and take a picture of my bottle)

Water bottles like this come in handy to wet your hair a smidge and fix up your curls after waking up in the morning.

Next are the techniques that I use: 

1. If you have build up in your hair from products or your hair, you can mix a little bit of baking soda with your shampoo and lather your hair good with it to get that stuff out. The recommended about to use is 1 teaspoon. However, I have long and very thick hair so I use more than that. I do this mix with the Organix  shampoo. After rinsing your shampoo/baking soda mix out, follow up with a bit of conditioner. I only do this treatment about once a month because you don't want to constantly be stripping the oils from your hair. This method is used to get the unhealthy build up out caused by hair products. (I generally do this baking soda wash before straightening my hair. Do the baking soda wash, a bit of conditioner to moisturize my hair well (rinse thoroughly), then dry my hair with a blow dryer and then flat iron it). 

2. I start my hair techniques in the shower. I often comb my hair out while I'm in the shower and have the conditioner in my hair. It makes it a lot easier and pain free. The comb slides through so easily with the combination of conditioner and water. Then after getting out of the shower, I flip my hair over and scrunch up my curls. If it is night time, then I will do one of two things:

            A. The first is to put the mousse in my hair and make sure it is worked through thoroughly but not too much. Then I will tie it up in a loose bun on the top of my head and let it sit over night. Upon waking up in the morning, I will use the spray bottle of water to wet my hair a bit and to scrunch my curls and then I will spray a decent amount of hair spray all over my hair to get that all day hold. 

           B. The other option I take is to put some of the mousse in my hair and then to put my hair into a fishtail braid. Here's a youtube link for instructions on how to do that type of braid. It's very easy!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qonbju6iiw4 The instructions on this video start at 1:45. After the braid is complete, I will spray a bit of the hairspray onto the top part of my hair that isn't braided. You can wear your hair out like this during the day if you choose! It's such a cute look! But I use it to control my hair overnight and to create really cute curls! Upon waking up in the morning, I will remove the braid, wet my hair a bit with the water bottle and then spray in the hairspray all over. 

-If I decide to shower in the morning instead of at night, I simply scrunch my hair after the shower and then apply the mousse thoroughly throughout my hair, scrunching as I go and then thoroughly put the hairspray in. 

3. With any of these techniques, you can add a cute headband or scarf for added style and to keep your hair out of your face. I typically don't wear scarves, but the headbands work for all day hold if I'm going to be at work or school. 

4. If you don't feel like having your hair curly and you decide to straighten it, I recommend using Redken Polishing Milk as a heat protectant and anti-frizz. It's a little pricey, but you only need a little bit before straightening and a tiny bit afterwards, so the bottle lasts a while! 

All of the products I have featured here can be purchased at your local drug store. I go to CVS since it's in walking distance of my house. 

I hope that these tips, instructions, and products are useful to you and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. jessica_panza@yahoo.com