Dear CurlySuzy

Dear CurlySuzy: I’m looking for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Can I use Elucence Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner? I do not see sulfates on the ingredients!

Dear Suzie: The Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner is fine and sulfate-free. The Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo has-sodium myreth solfate (coconut oil-derived). C14-16 olefin sulfonate (mineral-derived_, cocomidopropyl betaine (coconut oil-derived)hydrolyzed wheat protein, tocopherol acetate, Panthenol (provitamin).

Those are not the harshest sulfates. They are the mildest. We don’t “tag” them as sulfate free because strictly speaking they are sulfates. It just depends how strict you are. I hope this helps. I do really like both these products and they are wildly popular.

Please email me if you have questions or if this is confusing.

Dear CurlySuzy: I have chin length, thick, 2c/3a curly hair. My main issues are poofiness and lack of curl definition. I generally use Shea moisture leave in, followed by Biosilk Rock Hard Gel. I’ve tried to reduce volume in my hair by applying these right side up. Nevertheless, when my hair dries, it feels like cotton candy, it doesn’t hang down right, if you know what I mean. I’ve tried billions of products and they either make my hair poof, or my hair is stuck to my head with no movement! You’re my last resort!!

Dear Kris: That gel is super popular. You might try using Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper under it. That is a popular combination. Curl Keeper is a unique leave-in with a lot of power. You have to apply it to very wet hair and scrunch it in, section by section. It should make a squashy sound when you do this. Then follow with the Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee. Another super popular combination with Curl Keeper for definition and frizz control is AG Re:coil curl creme.

Another thing you might try is cleansing your hair with a sulfate-free cleanser. That is going to add a lot more moisture than a regular shampoo. Regular shampoos are harsh and drying. That could be part of the problem. L’Oreal Ever Pure line, Tigi Bedhead Foxy Curls and Superstar, Aubrey Organics and Giovanni Organics all have sulfate-free cleansers. We sell some as well.

Next, lots of conditioning and deep conditioning. The more moisture in your curls the less frizz and poof you will struggle with. I hope all of this helps. Please email me if you have more questions.

Sulfate-free cleansers and silicone-free conditioners:

• DevaCurl No Poo
• DevaCurl One Condition
• Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
• Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner
• Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo
• Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner
• John Masters Organic Evening Primrose Shampoo
• John Masters Organic Lavender Avocado Intensive Conditioner
• MOP C Curl Enhancing Shampoo
• MOP C System Hydrating Conditioner

Deep Conditioners:
30 minutes once a week with heat and follow with a cool rinse, really really helps!

• Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
• DevaCurl Heaven in Hair
• MYHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner
• Curl Junkie Hibiscus Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
• Arbre de Vie Shea Hot OIl Treatment

Styling Product Combo:

• Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
• AG Re:coil

These two products work really well together, super popular combination. Apply a lot of the Curl Keeper on very wet hair, it should make a squashy sound as you are putting it in your curls. Follow with the AG Re:coil, use a dime size and apply in sections, you might need more but be careful it is very concentrated.

Dear CurlySuzy: I am asking you to be candid about the Baka Beautiful Natural-Laxer. I am only writing to you because I trust your site beyond question. I am new to my natural curly hair. I have 6″ of 3C/4A textured hair and have not had any chemicals in it since 12/08. I did the big chop this past May. Your site has been a constant source of information and has offered everything that I need to make this a pleasant journey to date. I cannot thank you enough for that.

To that end, I am considering the Natural-Laxer because I do not want to damage or ruin my hair with chemicals but I would love to loosen up my natural curl just a bit to make wash and go styles still easy as my hair gets longer. I do not really enjoy twists, braids,etc. in my hair. I am strictly a wash-and-go person.

In your opinion, which I trust, do you think that this product is worth trying and do you think it might do as it claims of loosening my curls slightly? If not, I am open to any suggestions that you may have.

Dear Iva: Thanks for all your nice words. So great to read! In regard to Baka Beautiful, I think it is a complicated product. I do think it will loosen your curls and many people with your curl type love the product. The downside is it is pretty messy to use. Be prepared for that. Second: it can be drying. So be sure to use very moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Baka Beautiful recommends products that have silk protein in them. I would also try to stick to sulfate-free cleansers as well.

Here are some cleansers that are sulfate-free and have silk protein in them:

• Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo
• CURLS Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream

Here are some conditioners with silk protein in them:

• Blended Beauty Curl Quenching Conditioner
• Curly Hair Solutions Pure Silk Protein

Here is a styling product that might help with elongation. As an alternative to the Baka Beautiful product. You can cleanse your curls, apply this product and be on the go. Please Follow her styling instructions exactly for best results.

I hope this helps you make some decisions. Please email me again if you have any more questions.

Best,
Suzy

Dear CurlySuzy: I need a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo (with essential oils) for my natural African American hair. My hair type is 4A. I have dry scalp issues so I need additional moisturizers that are effective at combating dry scalp, which can produce flakes. My flakes are very light — if I can get rid of them, that would be great. I would like something similar to Naani’s Naturals Ahh Anti Dandruff Moisturizing Shampoo.

Dear Vernette: I sure did like that Naani’s shampoo. I have two others in mind that are specific to scalp issues. I will also give you a few that are mild and sulfate-free that might help as well. Please email me again if you have any more questions.

• Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo
• HPO Hair Body Shampoo
• HPO Happy Scalp
• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
• Kinky-Curly Come Clean moisturizing Shampoo
• Long Lovely Locks Green Tea Hair Cleanse
• Oyin Handmade Honey Wash

Dear CurlySuzy: My name is Amanda and I am looking for a product to loosen my curls. I am a 3b or 3c and my hair is almost always frizzy. I am also looking for a product to make my hair grow faster. Thank you a lot.

P.S: Here’s a suggestion for the website: it would be great if you could divide products in some way by curly hair type (3a.3b,3c…) and what would work best for what. Just a tip to make it easier for us. Still I love the site. It helps a lot.

Dear Amanda: Your suggestion is in the works. We appreciate your input. We have been working on changes that will be upcoming this winter. We know there are big differences in curl types even within the curl type! A 3a is very different than a 3c.

In regards to products that will loosen your curls I will give you some product suggestions below. I will also give you a link to vitamins and a hair oil that some say really help with growth.

Frizz is the biggest battle for curlies. Hopefully the products I will give you will help with that. Three other things that can help are using a sulfate-free cleanser, a good leave-in conditioner and deep conditioning once a week for 30 minutes. All of this is going to keep the moisture in your curls and help with frizz.

Vitamins and a hair oil

• Jessicurl Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil
• Nourish Hair Nutrition Vitamins

Products to help with shrinkage

• Miss Jessie’s Stretch Silkening Creme
• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Aloe Fix Hair Styling Gel
• CURLS Whipped Cream

Sulfate-free cleansers and great conditioners

• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
• Oyin Handmade Honey Wash
• Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
• Long Lovely Locks Green Tea Hair Cleanse
• Curl Junkie Curl Theory Moisturizing Hair Conditioner
• Blended Beauty Curl Quenching Conditioner
• HPO Spa Hair Conditioner
• Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Leave-in conditioners

• Kinky-Curly Knot Today
• MYHoneyChild Sweet Almond Hair Milk
• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Leave-In Conditioner

Deep treatments

• Curl Junkie Hibiscus Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
• CURLS Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner
• MYHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner

3C Curls - The Dream Styling Package

• Curlarita Curly Cocktail

Also: Check out this article about the woman who created the Curlarita Cocktail. She is the second woman in the article so scroll down.

Dear CurlySuzy: I need a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo (with essential oils) for my natural African-American hair. My hair type is 4A. I have dry scalp issues so I need additional moisturizes that are effective at combating dry scalp, which can produce flakes. My flakes are very light _ if I can get rid of them – that would be great. I would like something similar to Naani’s Naturals Ahh Anti Dandruff Moisturizing Shampoo.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Vernette Garcon, PHR

Dear Vernette: I sure did like that Naani’s shampoo. I have two others in mind that are specific to scalp issues. I will also give you a few that are mild and sulfate-free that might help as well. Please email me again if you have any more questions.

• Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo
• HPO Hair Body Shampoo
• HPO Happy Scalp
• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
• Kinky-Curly Come Clean moisturizing Shampoo
• Long Lovely Locks Green Tea Hair Cleanse
• Oyin Handmade Honey Wash

Dear CurlySuzy: I have decided to go natural with my hair. I let it grow to an optimal length. Got it cut at Devachan last month and they gave me great styling instruction — now I just need the right styling product(s).

My hair is wavy/curly, thick, coarse with a strong tendency to frizz/pouf. (Type 2c I think.)
I’m looking for water-soluble products since I wash my hair only once a week – but am open to hearing about any products.

I’ve used Deva Arc AnGell — the hold is nice at first but frizz is still there and somehow after about 5 hours the product seems to completely disappear from my hair and I lose ALL curl definition and hold. Puzzling and frustrating.

I also purchased Jessicurl Rockin’ Ringlets and Curl Confidence. I tried them each separately and in combination— and though the product smelled and felt great, it did not hold curl or control frizz for me.

I’m happy you’re available for questions. Blindly purchasing and trying products is getting expensive for me.

I’m hoping you can help. I’ve got a great cut and believe I’m just a product away from great hair!

Dear Jeanette: I am happy to make suggestions for your new curly cut. I think you need some more styling power in your products. Jessicurl isn’t going to do it for you unless you use those exactly like she suggests. She has some good styling videos on YouTube that can help possibly.

In regards to the Arc AnGell, that one works best if you spray a few pumps of Set It Free in the palms of your hands first and then pour the Arc AnGEL in to that. This is a popular combination.

I have some ideas about some other products that I will list below. I hope this helps and please email me if you have more questions.

This is a great combination of a leave-in conditioner and mousse. Both of these products are very concentrated, so go easy. These products used together offer a lot of hold and frizz control. They will dry with a glaze, so just gently SOTCH (scrunch out the crunch). Be careful — if you scrunch too much you will lose the curls and get frizz.

These two products work really well together. They are a super popular combination and have received rave reviews on our product review section.

• Kinky-Curly Knot Today
• AG Foam Weightless Volumizer

Apply a lot of the Curl Keeper (order the 4 oz. size to try it) on very wet hair. It should make a squashy sound when you are scrunching in the product. This is a unique leave-in conditioner that works best with AG Re:coil. The Re:coil is a curl cream that has great holding power. Apply small amount in sections.

• Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
• AG Re:coil

This is another great combination for your curl type. Using these two products together is the only way to use them effectively. Pour Structura Lotion first then half the amount of Control ll Gel into the palm of your hand and apply in sections. They will dry with a glaze, just scrunch a little bit and you will have soft, defined curls.

• Curlisto Structura Lotion
• Curlisto Control ll Gel

I don’t know if you like pomades or are interested in the, but they can help. This pomade is good for frizzy ends and adding midday moisture. You can also use on curls when they are dry for scrunching out the glaze left by your styling products.

• Curlisto Matte Stay

Miss Jessie’s Travel Size Value Pack is a great way to try a variety of Miss Jessie’s products.

Dear Curly Suzy: I need your help, I am going to order the Miss Jessie’s Pudding. I wash my hair once a week; what type of shampoo must I use with Miss Jessie’s Pudding? Tell me what leave in condition I need. I would like to use all Miss Jessie’s products, if possible. As soon as you give me a list of items that I need to use to maintain my natural look, I will place my complete order.

Dear Kathy The Curly Pudding is like a style/curl setting product. It works
best on wet hair. Don’t use too much or you will get white flaking when it dries. The most
popular product to use over that is the Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercream. This product has the most moisture.

There are 2 cleansers that she makes. I like the Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo.

Her daily conditioner — Creme de la Creme — is good.

Be sure to use the deep conditioner Rapid Recovery as well, at least 3 or 4 times a month.

Dear CurlySuzy: I have hair that is curly, about 4 inches, light, not heavy, very fine, but a lot of it, and not really curly like your pics on the site and pretty straight or wavy-ish otherwise. I was wondering if you could offer some recommendations. I see a lot of gels, but am pretty happy with the Deva. I use the Mister-spray to freshen up and am hunting for a good shampoo for every so often and a deep conditioner and a regular one, if that makes sense. I also get a bit of frizz, too, and any recommendations would be appreciated. I’d like my hair to become more curly and I think I’ve found the right place.

Dear Anne: Here are a bunch of suggestions below. Your Mist-er Right and the gel would and could still be part of your hair routine. Sometimes in the summer, though, you might need something a little heavier than their gel to fight the frizz a little better. Or you could use the gel and try a mousse or a cream over it.

2 good shampoos to alternate with the non-sulfate ones:
Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo
AG Thikkwash

A good conditioner:
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Some good non-sulfate cleansers:
HPO Hair Body Shampoo
Innersense Pure Essential Hair Bath
John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo
Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Shampoo

Both of these work great under a mousse to activate the curls and keep them moisturized and frizz free
they are really concentrated so don’t use very much.
MOP C Curl Defining Cream
HPO Simply Curly Conditioning Styling Pudding

These are my favorite mousses. Any of these mousse products would be great for volume and curl activation. They will dry with a glaze, so just scrunch a very little bit for soft defined curls. All of these are good for controlling frizz in humidity.
AG Foam Weightless Volumizer
Curlisto Bio Gel Mousse

This is a great pomade for the ends that can get fuzzy.
Also good to use on hands when barely scrunching out the glaze.
Use a very little bit — the size of a small pea, rub between palms and then apply.
MOP Glisten High Shine Pomade

This a pricey item but it has products that we chose for this hair type that work best together. There is even a handy recipe card that gives instructions and lots of options. The mousse and the gel will dry with a glaze, barely scrunch and you will have soft defined curls.
Curlitini Cocktail

This is a powerful curl cream. Be careful with it. A little goes a long way.
AG Re:coil

These are some great deep conditioners, use once a week for 30 minutes. Your curls will thank you for this!
Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
Curl Junkie Hibiscus Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque
MYHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner

Dear CurlySuzy: I’m new to NaturallyCurly.com and someone suggested that I email you my product questions. I have really learned to tame my hair over the years and I currently use the following, which seems to be working pretty well: Pantene Curls Shampoo/Conditioner, Infusium 23 Leave in Treament, Tresemme Curl Hydration Lotion, Pantene Curl Mousse, Pantene Spray gel, any hairspray.

My hair has been less full lately and I’m not sure if its a result of the cut (REALLY short layers on top)… or what, but I’d really like to give CG a try because there are days when my hair looks absolutely gorgeous and I’d love to make that more often than not!

I have found that conditioners weigh my hair down and don’t leave it soft and smooth and it’s only the Infusium that does that… would you believe for years I never even used conditioner? I also don’t like the whole crunch that gel leaves and so have always gone for mousses… cremes tend to weigh down or don’t add enough curl hold and definition but for some reason the Tresemme works well underneath a mousse. I want to go for more definition and volume but less frizz… and on a budget if possible.

Here’s what I come up with as a first shot list so far by reading the forums:
LoPoo: Giovanni Tea Tree Treat
Cowash: V05 Strawberries and Cream or Suave Coconut
Condish: Loreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss or Giovanni 50/50
Leave In: Giovanni Direct Leave In
Styling: In search of a curl cream maybe? Got2B Kinky Curl Mousse, L’oreal Out of Bed and Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Any suggestions or opinions on what I’ve listed would be greatly appreciated! I have 3A/3B hair that is fine and normal/high porosity and I’m diffuser dependent!

Dear Marisa: I like your whole plan. CG, in my opinion, is the only way to go. Silicone products can be thrilling but you pay a high price (dry, frizzy, lifeless curls that are choked in silicone). The build up is just so damaging and then you have to use a strong shampoo to get the products out, making your curls even more dry. So you are always playing the catch-up game with moisture. Using more moisturizing products from cleansers to stylers is the key to good curl definition and frizz control.

The only thoughts I had were no way on the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. That will not work on your hair. It will be sticky and crunchy most likely. That product is very tricky. It does not work well with other products. It can get clumpy and white. It only works well over Kinky-Curly Knot Today. That is a great leave-In conditioner that works great with everything. Anyway, the Custard works best with that leave-in on very wet hair. The best results from this product is on thicker, coarser curlier hair, I think.

If you want to stay with your new plan I would try a mousse over a leave-in. Have you tried the Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Mousse or the Giovanni Hair Styling Foam? I like both of those. My favorite curl cream is AG Re:coil.

It is very concentrated, so it will last a long time. Great for curl activation and frizz control. It is not heavy unless you use too much.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your great new plan. If you have any more questions, please email me again. I would love to know what you choice for your last step is.