Hair Curls
I almost wrote a post about my hair a few months back but then decided it was just too random but after all the dress love (thanks!) and comments on my hair, I decided to post my bit about it anyway. In the south, as many of you know, it’s hot and humid as heck for the better half of the year. Insert: Random photo found on hard drive of my hair with cat (who finally recovered from her surgery).
My hair is really thick, somewhat coarse and has a slight curl in it, seriously it’s slight. I used to straighten it by blowing drying it straight and then by using a straightening iron but if it got too humid or I got too hot, it would just pop into a big frizzy ball of nonsense. I’m 32 and literally just figured out, in the past year or so, how to work with this hair and this weather.
First, I use this Mop C-System Hydrating sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner and have been using exclusively for about a year now. Prior to this, I always found I used to have to switch shampoo and conditioners every time the bottle ran out but this stuff I swear by, for my particular hair anyway. It’s somewhat pricey (and I can only find it at Ulta around here) but it works and I don’t throw out half empty bottles so I’m happy to pay for it. Besides hydrating the hair, here’s the trick, after I wash it in the shower (which I do every couple days, I don’t wash it daily) I scrunch it up/make finger curls after I rinse out the conditioner so the curls form their little alliances and keep scrunching it up towards my scalp until I’ve essentially squeezed out the excess water. In the process, it forms groups of subtle curls. For me, if I brush my hair after the shower or don’t make the curls when its really wet, it just gets frizzy again and refuses to curl after the fact. After the shower, I gently scrunch the curls with a towel again to remove a bit more water before letting it air dry. Right now, I use this product afterward but during the winter I used and liked this product, too. I haven’t found the product to be super hypercritical as long as some product is used.
It really works and my hair really doesn’t have that much curl in it if not coaxed into them. And I do color my hair and cut it myself so it’s not like it’s getting salon love to be magically cut into curls or somehow mega-healthy by some magic unknown product. Though I do still use the straightening iron on my bangs cause I like them straight. Bangs are awesome. Messy random curls are awesome, too.
Entry Filed under: potluck
14 Comments Add your own
1. tracy | May 5th, 2009 at 12:53 am
hello! ridiculously cute one! i love the second shot!!! ;) your hair is rocking.
2. Natasha Lawyer | May 5th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Love it. Also the package design of that shampoo is fabulous.
3. Caroline | May 5th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Your hair looks great!
4. Tiffany | May 5th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Oh my gosh, that sounds just like me. I have slightly curly hair when wet, but if I even brush it out it will dry pretty straight. The last few years I’ve had it pretty short (I live in Ga too, in Cartersville) and started straightening the front bits, and now I have bangs that I straighten as well. I’ve only recently considered trying to let my hair dry curly, because it didn’t work so well in the past, but if I put in a part and brush out the bangs it worke pretty well. I’ll have to grab some or that Nexxus ~ everything’s better with marsh mallow root!
5. hannah | May 5th, 2009 at 9:43 am
you know, i was just thinking about your shampoo the other day. i just went through some expensive australian stuff i got from the salon and was ready to move onto something new. i was actually going to come back here and look up the info. i think we have the same hair type. mine is thick and coarse too and it will kinda wave or frizz all over the place. i think i’ll try shower curls!
6. Wendy M | May 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I’m totally going to try that!
I love your glasses, by the way. I’m always looking for pairs with a shape similar to that.
7. mary | May 5th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
It is so strange that you just posted this, because I recently (in the past few days) have decided to embrace my curls and quit spending so much time trying to make my hair be what it is not. I spent all last night researching how best to take care of curls. It’s sad that I have no clue what to do with my hair.
Thank you for the explanation and for directing me to the shampoo and conditioner. I’m gonna give it a shot.
Oh, and your hair looks great!
8. sarahjane | May 5th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I’m totally going to buy that shampoo for myself for mother’s day! I have thick wavy hair, and it’s become this frizzy mess. Cross your fingers.
9. glitterysah | May 5th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
thanks for sharing your secrets :) i’m away to lock myself in the bathroom for a few hours hehe xx
10. Deb | May 6th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I have thick, coarse hair too and I’ve kept it really short the last couple of years. Now I’m starting to grow it out and experiment with it. Thanks for sharing what works for you. I like to hear what “real people” have to say instead of salon folks who are pushing certain looks and certain products. More and more I’m secretly just me.
11. joanne | May 6th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I might goin to have to try that. I ♡ mop products, i tried it out not too long ago, the detangler, its called. and it work perfect (and smells perfect) on my hair! you should try that out. i use it after i was my hair. im goin to try that shampoo tho Ferr Sureee.
xo.
12. sunny | May 7th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
LOVE your hair. so cute. I haven’t had bangs since 1996 (so long ago!) but now seeing yours, I’m wondering if I should try them. bangs seem to be insta-style! (umm.does anyone say insta-anything anymore?!) :)
I love the design of the shampoo package and like that it’s sulfate free. I use Curl Rocks (or Curls Rock?) from TIGI that I get at Ulta. so now I’ll try a combo program to corral my curls (some wavy, some curly hair)
13. Taya | May 8th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I’ve been lurking for awhile, but this has brought me out. I have fairly curly hair and it’s always been a problem for me to figure out what to do with it. I discovered the book “Curly Girl” a couple of years ago, which has really irritating design but GREAT advice. What’s really revolutionized my life is that after reading it I stopped washing my hair. Seriously. I wash it maybe every two or three months. Instead, every night, I take a nice bath with a cup of baking soda. After about a year I actually stopped using conditioner too… it seemed to have just naturally balanced itself. This is year three, and I use a little curl gel maybe once a week, but absolutely nothing else. And my hair is healthier and shinier and more managable than ever in my life. And my scalp is a thousand times better off for not being constantly stripped. I’m a complete convert. This method is starting to get some popularity out here on the west coast (at least in Portland) and there’s a lot of web info. I swear by it, and feel it my duty to speak out as a curl activist.
14. Joyce | May 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Me, too, lurking. I have thick hair as well, and I still haven’t figured out how to work with it and I’m 33. Hmmm..what’s wrong with me? My hair has got curl, but I usually dry it straight. It’s also longer than yours, not horribly long (just past the shoulders). I’ll try this shampoo of yours & your methods and see if these curls can get under control. Thanks for the advice, Sarah:)
I'm curious about your two cents. You smart cookie!
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