Heading off the Straight and Narrow

If you have the pleasure of being curly, then you don’t need a weatherman to tell you when it’s going to rain. Your hair lets you know first with its change in shape and texture, and the halo of frizz that begins to form around your head. But stormy days don’t have to rain on your gorgeous curls parade. Here, Lorraine Massey, author of “Curly Girl: The Handbook” answers your top rainy day questions so that you can have a good day hair no matter the weather.

Rainy Day Routine

of

Why the Frizz?

Curly hair is naturally drier than any other hair type.  If you use sulfate-filled shampoos, heat style your strands or receive chemical treatments, your curls will dry out even further. If your hair isn’t hydrated enough then a humid, wet day is exactly what it needs.

“When hair is dehydrated, the natural inclination of the little strands on top of your head is to literally lift up and outward to quench their thirst from the moisture in the air,” explains Massey. “These lifted hair fibers create a poof of frizz.”

 MORE: How to Tame Frizzy Roots

1. Cleanse Correctly

Most people shampoo and condition the top of their hair first and then apply these products to the rest of their strands. They also rinse the conditioner from this area first. “But doing it this way means that your conditioner gets washed out before it has time to do its job,” explains Massey.

Frizz Tip:

Apply cleanser to the top of your head last and apply conditioner to the top of your head first. Also, rinse conditioner from this area after rinsing it from the rest of your hair.

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The solution is to put down the blow dryer and flat iron, and condition hair often. “Once the hair fibers are sufficiently hydrated with conditioner, they will hold onto the moisture they need and the frizz will go away,” says Massey.

Frizz Tip:

Don’t rinse your conditioner all the way out of your curls. Leaving a small amount of conditioner in your hair will help hold that halo down.

 MORE: 7 Days to Effortless Frizz-Free Curls

 

3. Style Right for Rain

Moisturizing is probably a big part of your regular curly routine, but try to apply an extra dose of conditioner and leave-in when the weather forecast calls for rain.

Frizz tip:

“Pour a quarter-sized amount of a silicone and alcohol free gel into both hands, rub them together and gently graze it over the top layer of your hair so the cuticle will be smooth,” explains Massey.

MORE: 15 Essential No Frizz Tips

4. Rainy Day Product Arsenal

The good news for curly girls is that today there are more products than ever that can fight frizz. A few to try:

• Redken Fresh Curls Boost Anti-Frizz Scrunching Spray Gel
• DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam
• Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse
• AG Hair Cosmetics The Oil Organic Extra Virgin Argan Miracle
  
• Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle
  
• Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine

MORE: Spring Curly Hair Products

5. Follow the Frizz Forecast

Knowing the weather report can help you style your hair accordingly so that showers don’t turn your curls into frizz. Just type your zip code and hair type into the NaturallyCurly Frizz Forecast and you’ll get weather reports and frizzy hair remedies.

6. Put it Up

If rainy day hair still has you down, your solution may be a different style.

• Gather all of your hair to one side of your head so that it rests on your shoulder.
• Loosely tie the hair with a ponytail holder.
• You can leave it at that or roll the ponytail backward and secure it to your head with bobby pins.

MORE: Get Your Frizz Forecast

It’s better to give than to receive – especially when you’re helping a curly girl have a good hair day. The best part is that you can do all of this for less than $30! Just peruse this gift guide to find the ideal items for all the curly recipients on your list in one place.

---

Curly Stocking Stuffers

of

1. Microfiber towels

A microfiber towel’s smooth texture helps blot water from hair right after a shower without creating the friction (and frizz) that a terrycloth towel does. Plus, these smooth towels are so slim they’re easy to travel with!

Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel;  $12.24

2. A Satin pillowcase

Not only does this add a little luxury to bed time, but it protects hair while your curly girl sleeps. Rougher fabrics can cause tiny knots — especially when she moves around in her sleep — as well as frizz. A satin or silk pillowcase keeps hair smooth and free of fly-aways.

Spa Satin Pillowcases; $30

3. Curly Girl: The Handbook

Written by curl expert Lorraine Massey, this is a must-read for all things curly. Whether your gift recipient is new to wearing her hair curly or has been doing so for a while, “Curly Girl” provides insight into fighting frizz, identifying your curl type and getting the best curly hair cut.

Curly Girl: The Handbook; $13.95

4. Satin-lined headband

It’s cold outside, but when it comes to curls, just any old hat won’t do. That’s because rough fabrics can rub hair the wrong way disturbing their gorgeous, natural shape. The answer is a satin lined hat or headband to keep you warm and make it a good hair day.

Sequined Knit Headband; $19.99
 

5. Sulfate-free cleanser

Shampoo is a huge no-no for curly girls because the harsh ingredients it contains (called suflates) remove hair’s natural oils so curls frizz up fast.

Today, there are several sulfate-free cleansers available, so treat your curly girl to one or more of those you find at CurlMart.

Our faves:

DevaCurl No-Poo; $17.95

Curl Junkie Daily Fix Cleansing Conditioner; $19

6. A bathing cap

If your gift recipient loves to take a dip in the pool for her workout, then help her protect her strands with an adorable bathing cap. This way damaging chlorine can’t seep into her strands drying hair and fading color.

Sports Authority; $10.99 – $14.99

7. DevaCurl One Condition

For curlies, the key to gorgeous hair is leaving some conditioner in your hair after you shower rather than rinsing it all out. This rich hydrating conditioner is perfect for that because it moisturizes curls and leaves them soft and manageable rather than sticky or crunchy.

DevaCurl One Condition; $17.95

8. DIY Beach Spray

On a beach vacation, curly hair needs something to ward off the frizz and snarls caused by ocean water and salty beach breezes. In a cute gift bag, toss a bottle of your favorite conditioner and a plastic spray bottle (about $3-4 at the drugstore, mass merchandiser or Sally Beauty).

Tie on a tag with this beach-relief recipe: “Combine equal amounts spring water and conditioner in spray bottle. Spritz on hair after a dip in the ocean or every hour or so on the beach.”

When the weather outside is frightful, why can’t your curls be more delightful? “As the weather begins to change and the atmosphere becomes drier, so does our hair,” explains Lorraine Massey, author of Curly Girl: The Handbook. In addition to parched strands, you can also get static and split ends. But a few insider secrets can make any curl-type look gorgeous this season!

Winter Curls

of

1. Sleep on satin

Snoozing on a pillowcase with a rough texture — like low thread-count cotton — can cause knots, split ends and static because of the friction it creates when you toss and turn. But the smooth surface of a satin or silk pillowcase rubs hair the right way so it stays static and tangle free.

MORE: Use a Satin Pillowcase to Protect Your Curls

2. Use hot coconut oil

Coconut oil is good for your body because it has antibacterial benefits and contains healthy fat. But it’s also good for your hair! Heat half a cup (more for longer locks) in the microwave for 50 seconds, then apply to freshly cleansed hair and leave on for at least a 1/2 hour. (It’s great for dry skin, too!)

MORE: The Many Uses of Coconut Oil

3. Stock up on rich conditioner

Apply it to hair in a steamy shower and then do the rest of your cleaning, scrubbing, shaving etc. while it soaks into your strands. Our favorite is DevaCurl Heaven In Hair because you can leave some of it in when you rinse to give frizz the boot.

MORE: DevaCurl Hair Products

4. Pull out the paper towel

No not to clean your house; but to quickly tame your static!  First, wet the paper towel and then apply a dollop of silicone-free, alcohol-free gel to it. Gently graze this over the top layer of hair – a.k.a. the static zone – in a downward motion.

MORE:  Top 5 Frizz- Fighting Tools

5. Target the tips

The ends of your hair are the oldest so they’re typically the driest. This gets worse in winter when they’re constantly rubbing up against thick, rough fabrics like wool, along with coat collars and scarves. Before leaving the shower, apply a dab of conditioner to the ends and don’t rinse it out. Then smooth a silicone-free, alcohol-free gel to this area to help seal and protect.

MORE:  Can Split Ends be Mended?

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, many beauty products are doing their part to support the cause this October. We’re highlighting hair products that help your curls look gorgeous and also donate some or all of their proceeds to breast cancer organizations and charities. It’s a win-win situation for all!

GG GATSBY Volumizing Hair Care Line

Created by Jerseylicious reality star, Gayle Giacomo, GG GATSBY will give 10% of its sales to the Young Survivor Coalition charity. This collection includes Raise Volume™ Shampoo, Raise Volume™ Conditioner, Over-The-Top™ Root Lift Spray, Ultimate Lift™ Dry Shampoo Powder and Against Gravity™ Hairspray. All products are sulfate-free, which is ideal for curly girls.

www.gggatsby.com: $14.99-$17.99

MORE: Macadamia Natural Oil Helps Breast Cancer Survivors

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and filled with many wonderful events that let you run, walk, swim or bike to raise awareness and money for breast cancer organizations. But just because you’re getting sweaty for a cause doesn’t mean your curls can’t look their best post-workout. No matter how you exercise to help give breast cancer the boot, these tips will make it a good hair day.

Running or walking for the cause?

Keep curls neat while you sweat.

Before you break a sweat, pull your hair away from your face with a fabric-covered ponytail holder, ribbon or scarf. “These are more gentle so they won’t tear hair and won’t disrupt your curl’s natural shape,” explains Lorraine Massey, author of “Curly Girl: The Handbook.” For hair framing your face, especially shorter bangs and curls use, a thin headband or twist curls toward the back of your head and secure them to the rest of your hair with a bobby pin. Another option is what Massey calls the Unicorn ponytail where you simply bend forward at the waist, tilt your head forward and gather all your hair at the crown of your head, then secure it with a fabric-covered ponytail holder. For longer hair, as you loop the holder around the second or third time, don’t pull the entire ponytail through so you it resembles a bun on the top of your head.

MORE: Majoring in Curls: Curly Hair Tips for After the Workout

How you dry your curly hair has a big impact on whether you’ll have a good, great or bad hair day. But like most things curly, the rules are pretty straight-forward and less is more. Here’s how to dry your curls with care.

1. Air dry your curls

If you’ve got the time, letting your hair air dry is your top option. This keeps curls away from a blow dryer’s high heat and allows their natural shape to emerge. Just make sure to apply an alcohol-free gel to hair when you get out of the shower and then don’t touch your strands until they’re completely dry. If your hair is dripping wet, toss a microfiber towel over your shoulders or wear a robe to absorb any water.

2. Hop under a hooded dryer

Hooded dryers are fabulous because they dry hair without creating frizz and do it quickly. Plus, since your hands are free, you can read, surf the web or whatever all while making your hair gorgeous. The hooded dryer I got at Amazon.com for around $50 is a table-top version, but you can also find a few styles on wheels either online or at beauty supply stores.

3. Diffuse correctly

Traditional diffusers have always claimed to help curly hair, but they always leave my hair looking more poodle-like than human. Instead, try a diffuser made for curly hair like the hand-shaped DevaFuser. Its unique design allows for 360 degree diffused air flow. I’m not exactly clear how that makes my curls look so soft and beautifully shaped, but it does!

4. Remember the drying don’ts

Don’t apply the heat of a traditional dryer directly to hair. It’s too hot and harsh for curly hair, which is naturally fragile, and can cause breakage as well as frizz. Don’t use a terry cloth towel on hair because its nubby surface causes fly-aways and frizz and never wrap your hair turban style as this stretches your curls and disturbs their natural shape.

How do you dry your curls?

Curly hair is thirsty hair. That’s just the way it was born and the way it will always be. That’s why deep conditioning at least one to two times per week is critical for gorgeous, shiny curls that blow gently in the wind (as opposed to dry, crispy curls that don’t move). It was also one the top things I did when I was growing my chemically straightened hair out to go back to my natural curls. I was religious about it and I swear, once I started deep conditioning as much as possible, my curls grew faster than they had before. Here are my top tips for deep conditioning your curls.

1. Choose a rich conditioner

No lightweight will do here. Find one that’s rich and thick. I’m beyond obsessed with Heaven in Hair. It fills the porous areas on the surface of the hair so it stays super hydrated. This is key especially if you color your hair.

2. Lay it on thick

Apply deep conditioner to wet hair and don’t leave one curl uncovered. In fact, I like it when I can barely see my brown strands through the deep layer of conditioner I’ve applied. And don’t skimp on the ends since they’re the driest part of the hair.

3. Cover it up

To keep the conditioner from getting all over you and let it warm up a bit, slip on a shower cap. (I take them from hotel rooms when I travel.) You can also wrap your hair in plastic wrap or a warm, damp towel. Keep this on for at least 15 minutes.

4. Heat it up

For best results, you need some heat to help open the cuticle of the hair so the conditioner soaks in. Try sitting in a steamy bath or shower or waving a blow dryer over your cap-covered head. My favorite way to deep condition is to sit under my table-top hooded dryer. I use the Gold N Hot Elite 1875 Watt Ionic Full Hood Professional Hair Dryer and I stay as long as I can stand it before getting overheated (about ten minutes).

5. Sleep on it

Once in a while, it’s a great idea to snooze with your deep conditioner in your hair. Not only is the conditioner in longer, but it warms up from your body heat as you sleep. This was another of my top tricks when I was growing out my chemically straightened hair. Just use an old pillow case and sleep on it that night.

6. DIY

For a do it yourself recipe try the Wrapunzel from Curly Girl: The Handbook. Put a ripe avocado in the blender along with three to four teaspoons of honey or agave and three to four teaspoons of olive oil. Blend until combined and spread on hair. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel wrapped turban style. After 20 – 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly.

In any of my school photos from kindergarten through my senior year in high school, my clothes change and my face matures. But one thing stays the same: my big, frizzy head of hair. It fills the photo’s whole frame and makes me cringe now the way it did back then. It’s too bad really, because all I needed to love my school pics was to know how to cleanse my curls properly. With the right technique, my hair could have been clean, hydrated and beautiful. But you can learn from my mistakes! Here are some essential tips for washing curly hair.

1. Lose the lather

The biggest rule in washing curly is to ban shampoo from your bathroom and your hair. Why? Because it contains ingredients called sulfates. These detergents give shampoo its rich lather, but they also strip your hair of its natural oils. This is a huge problem for us curly girls since our hair is intrinsically drier than other types. We need to hang onto any and all oils and moisture that we can or we’ll end up with parched-looking hair and frizz, frizz and more frizz. “Companies still use these detergents in shampoos because they’re cheap ingredients and because people are addicted to suds,” explains Lorraine Massey, author of “Curly Girl: The Handbook.” “But you don’t need them to clean your curls.” Instead, look for sulfate free cleansers like DevaCurl No-Poo.

2. Cleanse right

Don’t scrub your hair aggressively because harsher hands don’t result in cleaner hair. “Resist the impulse to start scrubbing your head the second you get in the shower because this disturbs the basic shape of your curls,” says Massey. When your curls’ natural shape are disrupted, you also get some frizz. Instead, let the water cascade through your hair when you get into the shower. Then apply your sulfate-free cleanser to your fingertips and gently massage it into your scalp using firm, circular motions. “The friction of your fingertips combined with the cleanser will loosen up any dirt and product buildup, leaving your scalp and hair cleansed and deodorized,” says Massey.

3. Wash less often

Mama may have told you to wash your hair daily, but that’s another myth for us curly girls. Instead, you can get by with wetting your hair and hydrating it daily with conditioner.  I use a cleanser on my hair once or twice a week. The rest of the time I gently massage my scalp with conditioner. Once I rinse that down the drain, I condition my hair some more.

4. Stay poo-free on the road

Shampoo that is. This goes for even those times when you’re desperate. For example, recently I was staying at a really nice hotel that offered bathroom products from a top-notch brand. I had forgotten my sulfate-free cleanser, but still I didn’t dare reach for the hotel’s tiny bottle of shampoo. Instead, I just cleansed my scalp using my conditioner. (I used the top notch brand’s shampoo to hand wash my lingerie and bathing suits instead!)

Stay tuned this month for a daily dose of tips for happier, healthier curls, coils and waves!

Fighting frizz is always an issue for curly girls. But once the weather heats up, the fight can get harder thanks to high humidity and summer temps. But frizz doesn’t have to be your nemesis. “Frizz is just a curl waiting to happen,” explains Lorraine Massey, co-author of Curly Girl: The Handbook.  And those beautiful curls can happen in summer as long as you know a few frizz facts.

3 Quick No-Frizz Facts

1. Your towel matters: “The cuticle of the hair resembles a pinecone with tiny scales that overlap,” says Massey.  Hair looks smooth and shiny when these scales lie flat. It looks frizzy when they are open. The fibers on terry cloth towels ruffle the hair’s cuticle causing frizz. Use only a microfiber towel or old, cotton t-shirt on your curls.
2. There’s no such thing as too much moisture: “Frizz happens when little strands of your hair lift up off your head and outward to quench their thirst from moisture in the air,” says Massey.  In summer, when the air is humid this happens more easily. The solution is conditioner, which moisturizes hair while its weight keeps these little hairs down.
3. Step away from the alcohol: Yes, you can still enjoy that summery mojito or margarita. Just steer clear of any hair product that contains alcohol, which is really drying for hair. As Massey says, styling products with alcohol “live in a curly girl’s locks for a day or more and will spend those days sucking up your hair’s moisture and preventing new hydration from getting in.”

What frizz-taming tricks have you picked up along the way?