Be a Curl Boss: Our Tips and Tricks

Be a Curl Boss: Our Tips and Tricks

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There's no getting around this: Styling curly hair can be a challenge. 

It's inherently dry, often coarse, and prone to frizz. Not to mention the fact that a large number of us have multiple curl patterns on our very own heads. But here's the great thing: With the right tricks and products, you can get a halo of soft, healthy curls just the way you want them.  Scroll down to discover our best curly-hair tips or click the image below to shop our top-selling curl products!
 

 

 

Embrace a Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Many curly girls with delicate locks swear by the pre-shampoo routine.  Pre-shampooing is exactly what it says—a step performed before shampooing. Pre-shampooing softens, conditions and detangles the hair prior to shampooing. It prevents unnecessary roughness and damage during the shampooing process, especially if hair is extremely tangled or snarled. 

Use a conditioner or conditioning oil to pre-shampoo, and apply it to dry hair. Divide your hair into sections and work the conditioner into your hair thoroughly, using your fingers to separate your curls and work the product in. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes and if your hair is super snarled, pop on a plastic cap or towel to help heat up your head, which will open up the cuticle of your hair and invite the conditioner to penetrate more deeply. Our suggestion? Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Oil Hot Oil Concentrate! This heated oil is packed with the 6-Oil Blend and boosted with castor oil, that will leave your hair hydrated with a smooth, nurtured finish. Say hello to conditioned and silky soft curls. 

You may be saying to yourself, “I don’t have time to add another step to my hair care regimen.” But this step may actually save you time in the long run because your hair will be much easier to detangle post-shampoo. 

 

Choose Your Shampoo Wisely

Think of your curly hair as fine cashmere. You wouldn’t wash your cashmere sweater with a harsh detergent, and you shouldn’t cleanse your curls with a harsh shampoo. Use a mild shampoo or a low-lather cleansing conditioner that will refresh your hair and scalp without stripping away too much of its natural moisture and oils. Our favorite is AG Curl Revive Hydrating Shampoo. They know that curl confidence starts in the shower. Enriched with super-hydrating coconut oil, sunflower oil and moisturizing pea peptides combined with AG's exclusive Curl Creating Complex (C3), Curl Revive gently cleanses, maintains moisture, helps control frizz and reinvigorates curls. Not to mention it is also sulfate-free, salt-free, and VEGAN! Another reason we love AG products so much. We're OBSESSED with Healey's Wash Day Routine below: 

 

Shop all the products used in the video:
  1. AG Curl Revive Hydrating Shampoo
  2. AG Curl Thrive Hydrating Conditioner
  3. Wide Tooth Comb
  4. AG Moisture Fast Food Leave-In Conditioner
  5. Goomee Traceless Hair Loops
  6. AG Moisture Conditioning Mist
  7. AG Natural Rosehip Balm
  8. AG Curl Recoil Curl Activator

Also, cocktail your products if you can't find all-in-one

Let's be honest, sometimes there is not a 1 product does all when it comes to curl. This video is the perfect example of how to COCKTAIL your products together to achieve the results you want or need! 

 

 

Do Weekly Scalp Treatments

It is super important to treat your scalp on a weekly basis - just like it is important to treat your skin! We are obsessed with Kerastase's NEW Fusio-Scrubs, specifically the Scrub Apaisant Soothing Scrub Cleanser. This soothing scrub is the ideal cleansing treatment to remove product buildup and its gel texture is specifically designed for sensitive scalps to combat dryness, dandruff and flakiness. Scrub Apaisant replaces your traditional shampoo and cleanses the scalp and hair from pollution particles and sebum, up to 22% more than a traditional shampoo, leaving the scalp and fiber smoothed and primed for other treatments. By massaging the scrub into your scalp, micro-circulation is activated, promoting skin renewal and unclogging pores for optimal scalp health. The indulgent mix of jojoba and sweet orange peel smoothes, softens and hydrates the scalp without damaging the cuticles or causing irritation. Breathe in the refreshing citrus notes scent unleashed while massaging, let it awaken your senses and calm the skin. Easy to rinse, this scrub leaves the scalp free to breathe, leaving hair looking gorgeous, shinier, with 59% more volume, and with a lightweight feel. You cannot deny those benefits....

 

Dry Your Hair With Care

Rough drying your hair with a towel will irritate your curl and make them OTU OF CONTROL! Nobody wants that. Our solution? The Relaxus Beauty Twist and Dry Quick Drying Hair Towel is extraordinary. It dries your hair faster (saving you time), friction free so it minimizes frizz and breakage, plus is PERFECT for travelling. Curly hairs new BFF. Air drying at night more your style? Put your hair up in a low pony tail with our Goomee Traceless Hair Loop. You'll wake up with your curls looking polished instead of fluffy and out of control. 

 

 

Strengthen Strands With Protein

"I always make sure to have a conditioning product with protein among my styling products." —Claire Geist, founder of De Lune. Just because your hair feels dry doesn't always mean it is. Sometimes, damaged hair disguises itself as dry - who would have thought! That's why it is uber important to distinguish the difference, especially for you curly haired folk! Redken Extreme Cat Protein Reconstructing Treatment is our go-to to reconstruct, condition and add immediate strength without added weight. Everything your curls need! Not sure if your hair is damaged? Here are 5 signs if your hair is in need of a protein treatment: 
  1. YOUR HAIR HAS HIGH POROSITY - Hair with high porosity often has tears and gaps in the strands that make it more susceptible to damage. These gaps and tears allow the hair to absorb too much water, which can cause frizz, tangles, and even color loss on color-treated hair.
  2. YOUR HAIR HAS LOST ITS ELASTICITY - Is your hair hard to curl or even losing its natural curl? Well, this may be a result of your hair losing its elasticity. When your hair loses elasticity, it’s typically a sign that it’s in need of a protein treatment. To find out just how elastic your hair is, take a strand of your hair (that’s still attached to your head) and wet it. Once the strand is wet, stretch the hair. If the hair bounces back to its original length without breaking, then your strands are balanced. However, if the strand doesn’t bounce back, looks limp, or breaks, it’s definitely in need of a protein boost.
  3. YOUR HAIR IS STRINGY OR LIMP - Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp is a definite sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Normally, hair should be pretty durable and full, so when it starts to droop, take notice. 
  4. YOUR HAIR FEELS GUMMY OR STICKY - When your hair has an odd feel to it, it’s not a good sign. Typically, when the hair feels gummy or sticky, it means that your hair’s internal support system is pretty damaged. This can happen if your hair is chemically processed too frequently or your hair has suffered an excessive amount of damage. When your hair’s support system has been weakened, its texture changes and gives off an unpleasant feel.
  5. YOU'VE RECENTLY COLORED YOUR HAIR - When you color your hair, the formula of the hair color actually can change the texture of your hair. If you color your hair enough times, the bonds of the hair can break causing split ends and damage to the hair. 



 

Scrunch Away

"Scrunching is key! Before you leave the shower, flip your head over and scrunch out excess liquid. Then diffuse lightly with your head flipped over and continue to scrunch! This creates awesome bounce and volume." —Daisha, singer and cofounder of D(n)A Arts. AG's Recoil Curl Activator is a CULT CLASSIC that has been around for ages. It has been our top selling curl product for YEARS (with good reason). Some curls need a little encouragement and nothing defines, maintains and moisturizes curls like AG’s Recoil. Rich AG's exclusive Curl Creating Complex (C3), Recoil Curl Activator separates and holds without stiffness or stickiness, even in high humidity. Just scrunch a small amount into damp hair and you're good to go! 

 

Use a Leave-In Conditioner

After getting out of the shower, apply a deep leave-in conditioner. Choose a formula that answers the needs of your hair. Use a wide tooth comb to distribute the leave-in conditioner evenly (or use your hands as a comb). Then let the leave-in go to work. Our choice? MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream! It is the ideal leave-in conditioner rich in argan oil and vitamins. It defines, moisturizes, nourishes and fights frizz without leaving a sticky residue. This cream will leave your curls looking shiny, shapely, beautifully refreshed and touchably soft. 

Comb Correctly

Comb with care and use seamless, snag-free combs. Invest in the best possible quality comb.  Don’t pull or rake. When detangling your hair after shampooing, use a wide tooth comb and detangle gently, section by section. Always detangle your hair when it’s wet, preferably when it’s protected with a coat of conditioner. As far as brushing goes? Just don’t. It will wreak havoc on your curl pattern by breaking up the hair strands and creating a frothy, frizzy mess. You also risk yanking the hair out at the root or breaking it midshaft or creating split ends with a brush.

 

 

 

Take advantage of our BOGO 50% off promotion and try 2 products to achieve a perfect curl hair day, everyday! CURL CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

*Promotion ends March 31st. Thanks Glamour Magazine and Matrix for some great insight
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Such a great blog and very informative! I personally love the Kerastase scrubs and highly recommend to anyone thinking about giving one a try.

Thank you!

gabby

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