Samantha Berley

When you’re searching for the best hair products, do you ever get the feeling that you’re being pigeon-holed? If you have coily hair, it’s definition. If you have curly hair, it’s strong hold. And if it’s wavy hair, you are almost always looking for volume. But those with wavy hair need strong hold products as well. It’s not just about what your hair does, but rather how it does it. All hair types should be allowed these options, and wavy hair products with strength should be no different.

Problems With Strong Hold Products

Products that boast of strength are meant for their positive aspects. Some products are better than others, and strong-hold products are no different. But like every product type, products meant for one type of hair usually mean that there are drawbacks, if not damaging effects, for other types.

Strong-hold products are usually meant for curly or coily hair. After all, curly and coily hair types need that strong hold to keep their shape. But wavies know that strength can mean a heavier product where the hold actually drags the hair down. And because strong hold products are usually meant for curlier hair types, those with wavy hair can often feel out of luck.

How To Use Strong Hold Products

The application of the product is just as important as which hair type is best suited for the product. Here are some tips for using strong hold products on wavy hair.

1. If the product is a gel or mousse, work it through your wet hair with a wide tooth comb. That way it will reduce the likeliness of frizzing and clumping. Regardless of product, make sure it is applied evenly throughout the hair.
2. There are several different kinds of products, including strong hold products, for wavy hair. If it is hair spray, place some in the palm of your hand for a more even coat. If you choose to spray, make sure the can is the instructed inches away from your head.
3. To avoid excessive frizz, make sure to touch your hair as little as possible once all of the products are applied. Frizz increases the chance of unmanageable and unruly hair, which reduces the effect of strong hold products.
4. Remember to read the instructions carefully. Often times, the product has tips for better use — and usually less is more.
5. Which leads us to: don’t overuse any kind of strong hold product for wavy hair. This goes hand in hand with reading the directions, but overusing one or more products will only make your hair look like a wet, crunchy mess and that’s not always the best style or look.

Take A Look At Ingredients

All wavy hair benefits from strength, inside and out. Although shampoo and conditioner are the first steps to strong hair, strong hold products should contain nutrients that compliment your hair and hair type. Keratin, a natural building block of hair, fills in any gaps within the hair cuticle. This means less breakages and frizz. It also means that if it’s in a strong hold product for wavy hair, it will double the strength of the product.

Strong hold products also contain collagen and silicone which protect the hair from the environment. This helps keep the wavy hair in place as nutritious proteins like keratin fill in gaps.

Remember, if you use products that contain silicones, you will need to be sure to use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to rid your scalp of any products buildup, which will weigh down and possibly straighten out your waves.

Products to Try

Although there are not a lot of strong hold products for wavy hair, there are a couple of notable styling products that you may like to try. For an anti-frizz treatment, try John Frieda Frizz-Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum. Used sparingly, this clear liquid calms frizz, flyaways and provides an easier palate for hair styling. For any strong hold product for wavy hair, remember to use in small quantities and comb through wet hair. Otherwise, it will look greasy.

For a strong styling product for wavy and curly hair, many love Keratase Nurtitive Elasto Curl Aqua Mousse by L’Oreal. Mousse is a notoriously light substance and this gives extra strength and hold to curls and waves while maintaining the bounce. Again, use sparingly and work through your hair for those perfect waves.

Have you found any strong-hold products that don’t weigh down your waves? Let us know about them!

A curly girl’s job is never done, and that goes double for hair care. Many products boast of that much-needed balance between shine and health. Because of that, those with curly hair have to be careful about false advertising, especially since many hair product ingredients don’t do what they claim.

Although some products are better than others, it all comes down to ingredients. Whether you’re looking at moisture, hair repair or every day shine, there is a perfect ingredient for the job. And if you know what to look for, you’ll be blessed with a lot less headache and a lot more gorgeous curls.

Moisturize Those Locks

One of the most important ingredients for type 3 hair is essential oil. Essential oils are categorized as emollients which penetrate into the  curly hair cuticle, absorbing nutrients and moisture along with it. Olive oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and vegetable shortening all have the properties necessary to accomplish this process. Emollients help your hair becomes smoother, healthier and even shinier, as improves the health of your scalp. Some emollients such as olive and sesame oil also have anti-inflammatory properties.

The Frizz Reducers

Aside from the quintessential emollient ingredients, there are several fantastic ingredients dedicated to curbing frizz. The first thing you should know about frizz is the fact that moisture is a good thing. If your curly hair is dry and unruly, it is more likely to suffer from frizz, static and even breakage. But emollients can only go so far. Luckily, there are a few other good hair product ingredients you should look for.

Apricot kernel oil is especially great for  stressed hair and improves the structure of those unruly curls. Ginseng root strengthens hair and prevents split ends. With less split ends comes less damage and tearing, reducing frizz. Aloe vera protects from heat damage as it moisturizes and soothes the scalp; this in turn prevents excessive damage from heat and prevents the common causes of frizzing in curly hair. Also, palm oil and glycerin provide enough slippage for easier combing.

Vitamin Enhancers

Vitamins are always good ingredients to see on the product label because you know they’re in a concentrated form. Plus, if you’re doing research, it’s easier to research vitamins on a dedicated dictionary website over the dozens of words that all mean silicone. After all, silicone can be great for your hair, but in many ways vitamins just make sense.

There are a variety of vitamins added to hair care products and for the most part they all tend to work for curly hair. But if you want that extra oomph you’ve been looking for, read carefully for vitamin E and B. Those vitamins moisturize, condition and are great for the skin and therefore your scalp.

Ingredient Overload

There are dozens of ingredients out there that are perfect for curly hair, which can create a bit of an ingredient overload. If you’re one of those people that enjoys to research your products, start small. It’s easy enough to become overwhelmed, but as long as you know the best hair product ingredients, you’re halfway to finding the right products for you.

If you’ve ever been in search of a new favorite product, you know how horrible the process can be. Some people simply pick it by the color of the bottle while others read the label to see if it’s for coily hair. But if there’s one thing to take away from all of the frustration as a newly natural, it’s to read some of the hair product ingredients.

Importance of Ingredients

Hair product ingredients are important in three different ways. For one thing, type 4 hair is fragile and often times brittle. The wrong hair care product can make a hair “situation” worse instead of better. If you know what’s in it, you have a better chance of finding what your hair needs.

Also, you’re not just fighting the hair battle against your hair, but your scalp and body as well. Ingredients that are toxic can damage cooly hair or irritate your skin. These are important to note on any hair care label. Ingredients can also be hidden on labels, so you really have to dig to find what you know should not be put on your head.

Finally, hair care products may often boast one thing, but the ingredients in the product may scientifically lack the ability to do that thing for your hair. So if you’re weeding out shampoos, conditioners or styling products, the ingredients list is the place to look first.

The Best Ingredients for Coils

There are a variety of fantastic and well known hair product ingredients that are helpful and healthful for type 4 hair, specifically emollients and silicone.

An emollient is really just a fancy term for an oil or ingredient that contains fatty acids. These fatty acids penetrate the hair cuticle, giving nutrients and moisture the opportunity to absorb into the hair. Olive oil, macadamia nut oil, sesame oil and jojoba oil are fantastic emollients that can be found in everything from shampoo to styling products. Some emollients penetrate better than others, such as sesame and olive oil (which are both anti-inflammatory, as well). For coily hair, all emollients work to help bring back that strength in shine.

That being said, an emollient works even better with silicones. Silicones, often known under the more common dimethecone, place a light film over the hair cuticle to protect it from the damaging effects of daily wear and tear. This is fantastic for an emollient in that it not only protects the hair from splitting or breaking, it also keeps nutrients and emollients inside the hair cuticle. And because it creates that protective film, silicone (and to some extent the lesser ingredient, collagen), makes combing and styling coily hair much easier.

Keep note, however, that if you do use products that contain silicone, you will need to shampoo your hair more often. Many in the textured hair community prefer to avoid silicones in order to avoid shampoo. Silicones are actually not bad for your hair, and can actually help restore it. Unless you’ve recently big chopped, silicones will do more for your hair than not. If you are concerned about silicones, check out this article about which are water-soluble and which aren’t. The best offense to a silicone defense is to be educated.

Lesser Known Ingredients

Most of the best and well-known hair product ingredients are non-toxic and healthy for your hair. However, there are a few lesser known or understood ingredients that significantly increase the health and shine of type 4 hair. Coenzyme Q10 boosts keratin production with keratin or hydrolyzed keratin, a natural building block of hair, and fills in gaps within the hair cuticle. Ginseng root extract is believed to strengthen hair and prevent split ends. Jojoba extract reduces frizz. And last, wheat protein strengthens damaged hair. All of these ingredients are great additions to all types of coily hair care products.

Final Thoughts

This list of good ingredients doesn’t just stop here. From cetearyl alcohol (an emollient, emulsifier, conditioner and thickener) to glycerin (a non-toxic by-product of soap making), there are dozens of ingredients that have been proven to be a great addition to various hair care products.

Remember some ingredients are great, and some are just downright toxic. As always, when it comes to your health, research and education are key.

Ingredients are integral to the making of any product, including hair care products. For every kind of hair, including wavy hair, there are great ingredients perfect for your own respective hair type, and those that are not so great. As someone with type 2 hair, there are the usual suspects, but it is really so much more. Not only do you have to worry about moisturizing and shine, but the weight of the product can directly affect the look of your hair as well.

Strength in Numbers

One of the best things you can do for wavy or fine hair is to strengthen it. There are several hair product ingredients that accomplish just that. Keratin is a natural building block for all hair types (including wavy hair), and as an ingredient, fills in gaps of the hair cuticle, strengthening the overall strand of hair. Ginseng root also strengthens hair and prevents split ends, leading to less breaks in the hair. Wheat protein is another ingredient that strengthens hair.

Of course, it isn’t just about the inner strength of your hair, but the outer strength too. While keratin, ginseng and wheat protein all help build up the hair, other hair product ingredients including silicone and collagen can create a protective film around the hair cuticle. These ingredients are in hair products for a couple of reasons. For one thing, they keep wavy hair in place, but they also cover and prevent breaks, tears or split ends. In the end, silicones and collagen provide more slippage leading to easier combing. If your hair is damaged or if you have fine hair, silicones will add a protective barrier to protect the follicle in all weather.

Emollients for Wavy Hair

Simply defined, an emollient is usually an oil or form of fatty acid that helps your hair absorb nutrients and moisture. Emollients are perfect additions to hair care products for this very reason. Ceteryl alcohol is not only an emollient, but an emulsifier, conditioner and thickener as well, which is great for wavy hair. It’s thickening and conditioning properties are a good component for wavy and fine hair. Sweet almond oil, in contrast, is a lighter emollient and moisturizer that does not weigh down hair, leaving more defined waves.

Other emollients to look for include olive oil, shea butter, avocado oil, and sesame oil.

Reduce Frizz

To many, frizz seems like a secondary issue, but frizz may be the result of an underlying problem. Frizz isn’t just a bad hair day for your waves. It’s a direct result of dry and even damaged hair. That’s why many hair products, including wavy products, contain anti-frizz and pro-moisture ingredients.

Of all the ingredients that control frizz, aloe vera is number one. Aloe vera moisturizes the hair and scalp, reduces inflammation of the scalp and protects hair against heat damage. Ginseng root emollients also help battle frizz, while other ingredients such as glycerin provide slippage for ease while combing.

Overall, as long as you have moisture, you won’t have unhealthy frizz. To keep moisture in your waves throughout the day, be sure to add a light leave-in to your hair care routine along with an emollient. Do this, and your frizzy wave days will be SO yesterday.

There are three integral parts of hair care: combing, shampooing and conditioning. But when you’re walking down the hair care aisle, it’s easy to become confused, especially if you’re new to natural hair care. And for type 4s, the multiple methods of conditioning can only add to that confusion.

Luckily, there are a variety of conditioners, from crème rinse to deep conditioners, that are right for your coils.

Types of Conditioners

There are three distinct categories of conditioners: daily conditioners, deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners. All three serve a different function for your hair.

A daily conditioner, or crème rinse, is a light conditioner that is used in the shower. As part of a deep conditioning treatment, deep conditioners are heavier in weight and are usually meant to stay in your hair for several minutes before you to wash it out. Last, leave-in conditioners can vary in weight, but are true to their name. Their purpose is to be left in your hair, as opposed to washing it out.

What Your Coils Need

Type 4 hair is not just curly, it’s kinky. That is why it can hold the weight of hair products and still look well-managed. If you have type 4 hair, you already know it can suffer from dryness and breakage. But because it can hold heavy product, coily hair benefits from all types of conditioners.

When you’re first looking into conditioner, more is better for type 4 hair. Use a specialized crème rinse in the shower to curb split ends. After you hop out of the shower, slather on some leave-in conditioner before combing or applying product. This helps hydrate the brittle strands of hair. If your hair is still frizzy, try deep conditioning treatments weekly or biweekly for added moisture and nutrients to the innermost parts of the hair follicles. With all of that conditioning, you’ll soon discover that healthy shine you’ve been admiring on other naturals.

What to Use

Now that you know the type of conditioners to use, you should look for key phrases and ingredients on the bottles. This means that the conditioners you choose need to be specialized for type 4 hair. Conditioning products do not need to be labeled for a specific hair type such as kinky or coily hair, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Try to find conditioners that help prevent and “repair” breakage due to the brittle nature of type 4 hair. All conditioners should contain vitamins and extracts that boast of adding shine, moisture and smoothness to hair.

Recommended Products

There are several different brands that are great options dedicated to kinky/coily hair. Curl Junkie, Aubrey Organics, Redken and Kerastase all have great reviews that reference type 3c-4c hair. It all depends on what you need at the time.

For instance, if you’re looking for something that smooths out frizzy, coily hair, brand name products including Redken Smooth Down Conditioner and Curl Junkie Assurance Smoothing Conditioner are fantastic options. Aubrey Organics 100% Organic Jojoba Oil and Curl Junkie Repair Me! Reconstructive Hair Treatment work well to moisten or strengthen damaged hair, respectively.

Conditioners are important to everyone’s hair care regimen. Kinky hair needs conditioner to avoid breakage with deep moisturizing. Curly hair needs it to hold in moisture and prevent frizz. Finally, wavy hair uses conditioner to lock in nutrients to create those glistening waves that denote health and vitality.

But for those wavies new to the wavy hair scene, the conditioner world can be a bit overwhelming. No worries. We’re here to break it down for you!

Conditioners for the Wavy Girl

For the look of health, people first look at the face and hair. If your hair is wavy, there’s this idea that the waves need to hold a blinding shine. This stereotype is easy enough to achieve since all you need to get that shine is to find the best conditioner for your type 2 waves.

Of the three categories, there are only two kinds of conditioners that can benefit wavies. Daily conditioners are great for ridding the hair of shampoo’s sometimes harmful, drying effects on wavy hair. Aside from a daily crème rinse, a light leave-in conditioner is a good options for wavies who find themselves fighting against the elements; dry, cold, or extremely hot weather can leave hair limp and lifeless.

Should You Deep Condition?

If you have type 2 hair, deep conditioners may not be the best option. Unlike crème rinse or leave-in conditioners, deep conditioning treatments can weigh down your hair. Although this brings a new lively element to curls, deep conditioners will drag down type 2 hair and straighten it out.

Even so, deep conditioning is an important part of healthy hair care. In the case of wavy hair, it’s important to use lighter conditioning treatments to give waves lift and body. If you prefer a heavier deep conditioner, use it sparingly; once every couple of months should suffice.

Applying Conditioner

Type 2 hair is so sensitive to the weight of hair products, that it can easily become limp. When you apply conditioner, make sure you use volumizing conditioners. Even if your hair is thicker, your hair still has to negotiate between the light waves and the weight of conditioner. In this case, the more volume you can get, the better.

However, the way you apply volumizing conditioner can change the state of your wavy hair. If you apply conditioner roots to tip, your hair style will only work if you have a time machine back to the 1980s. Instead, try to give the top of your head some breathing room from your volumizing conditioner and apply the product more to the ends of your waves. This will cut down on the greasy look and still give your waves that perfect amount of lift.

Wavy Conditioner Brands We Love

I can’t stress this enough: if you have type 2 hair, you have to be careful about a conditioner’s weight. Luckily, there are several popular products that make light leave-ins or daily crème rinses perfect for wavy hair.

Curl Junkie’s Beauticurls Argan Olive Oil Daily Hair Conditioner as well as their Coffee Coco Curl Crème Lite both contain hydrating ingredients, but are light enough on the hair that waves can keep their form. Though lesser known in the naturally curly realm, Joico’s K-Pak Conditioner is light, but still gives type 2 hair strength and volume.

Well-conditioned hair looks easier than it is, and that goes double for curly hair. Type 3 hair is unique in that it often does not hold its natural oils. Without natural oils, hair becomes dry, potentially leading to significant hair follicle damage. This leads to dry and unmanageable hair, spelling disaster for any curly girls out there.

Even so, those who are new to the realm of wearing their curls naturally may be surprised to hear that there is a perfect set of conditioners made just for you.

What is Conditioner?

Conditioner is a hair care necessity, and it can simple be defined as one or more products applied to the hair for the purpose of adding moisture. However, conditioners can do so much more than hydrate. Conditioners can also lock in moisture and nutrients, preventing frizz, fly-a-ways and split ends.

There are three distinct categories of conditioners. Crème rinses or a daily conditioners help in the hydration process and is light enough on the hair where it won’t weigh down the hair.

Leave-in conditioners have a similar job to a daily conditioner in that they hydrate and lock in nutrients. But unlike crème rinse, this conditioning treatment stays in your hair, locking in moisture for longer.

Last on the list are deep conditioners. Deep conditioners are heavier on curly hair than the average conditioner and can weigh down your curls. If you’re having issues with your damaged hair, try a deep conditioner every couple of weeks. Your hair will soon regain that healthy sheen.

Oil Her Up (Lock in That Moisture!)

One of the most important things you can for type 3 hair do is lock in moisture. The best way to achieve hydration is to find conditioners that contain certain kinds of oils. Shea butter and a variety of oils including coconut and olive oil are major pluses for your hair. Alongside the enhancement of oily nutrients, the conditioner should also have key words like “for curly hair,” “ultra moisturizing,”  or “conditioning” and  “anti-frizz formula” on the product label.

Your Conditioning Friend

Now that we’ve established the types of conditioners and the ingredients and labels to look for, it’s time to take a look at the best conditioner for you. For someone with type 3 hair, all kinds of conditioners are important. You want conditioners that curb frizz and help to prevent damaging environmental effects. You also want conditioners that lock in moisture without significantly weighing down hair.

Co-washing or the condition-wash-condition method are highly recommended for type 3 curls. This helps develop and sustain the natural oils in your hair and scalp. The conditioners also work to weigh down the curls for a cleaner look, but won’t cause frizz or fly-a-ways that can often occur from over-shampooing. If all else fails and your hair is falling short of your expectations, try the occasional deep conditioner. Type 3 curlies benefit most from deep conditioning treatments at least once a month up to once a week.

Great Name Brands

When it comes to specific brands, a few stand out for those with curly hair everywhere. Curl Junkie, including their Beauticurls Strengthening Hair Conditioner, works wonders on detangling and frizz. For a deep conditioning treatment, try Carol’s Daughter Olive Oil Infusion Set. That’s a great option for locking in moisture and nutrients. DevaCurl, Infusium, and Tigi Catwalk are a few other notable brands with various daily, leave-in and deep conditioners.

Happy styling, curlies!

Whether it’s playful, elegant, or sexy, there are almost as many hairstyles as there are ones that men love. Here are a few curly hairstyles that are sure to grab their attention.

The Fun

You may think there’s no fun in love, but that’s simply not true. When it comes to loving something, it can be all about the pure enjoyment. If it’s the end-all be-all of hairstyles, you can be sure at least a few of them are fun.

So pull out that girly fun and you may just find men really love you’re fun-loving hairstyle and nature.

1. Ponytail: A high ponytail is definitely a hairstyle men love. It tells any man that you’re ready for some adventure and some fun. In this case, pull as much hair as you can out of your face except a couple of loose strands or bangs in the front. This will enhance your cheekbones, meaning more compliments from the guys.
2. Messy Bob: A little bit wild but always entertaining, a messy bob is both fun and sexy. It allows everyone to see your fun and flirty side without a real messy look. This curly hairstyle is as easy as a condition-wash-condition and combing through a bit of product.
3. Bedhead: The bedhead is the messy bob on a higher level. This doesn’t just mean rolling out of bed with your hair as crazy as Albert Einstein’s, though. Instead, run a brush or comb through your hair and attack some of those flyaways. Bedhead hair is another way of saying, “I’m awesome because I can just wake up this way,” even if that’s not 100% true.

The Elegant

Elegance has come a long way, and men have loved every minute of it. Whether you’re going for simplicity or a more classic look, elegance is a hairstyle men love, and there’s always room for a little bit more. So hop on the night bus and paint the town red. Men will love it, and so will you.

1. Long hair: Long hair with a middle or side part is a great hairstyle to have because of its simplicity. Sure, you can try a whole bunch of different kinds of curly hairstyles, but when it comes down to it, men really love the simplicity and that healthy shine.
2. Side pony: A little bit wild but always entertaining, a messy bob is both fun and sexy. It allows everyone to see your fun and flirty side without a real messy look. And if you have curly or kinky hair, this hairstyle men love is as easy as a condition-wash-condition and combing through a bit of product.
3. Classic styles: The bedhead is the messy bob on a higher level. This doesn’t just mean rolling out of bed with your hair as crazy as Albert Einstein’s, though. Instead, run a brush or comb through your hair and attack some of those flyaways. Bedhead hair is another way of saying, “I’m awesome because I can just wake up this way,” even if it’s not 100% true.

The Sexy

Of course, nothing gets the juices flowing more than a hairstyle men love with a little sex appeal. Men love fun and elegant, but they lust for that style that looks as though you aren’t trying but that still looks great. The top picks for sexy may surprise you, but remember that sexy isn’t about the glamour.

1. Sexy waves: This hairstyle is called sexy waves for a reason. For those with straight or wavy hair, it’s as simple as adding leave-in conditioner and an anti-frizz product to your regular regiment. But for those with curly or kinky hair, this is definitely a process and can usually involve Curlformers. Nonetheless, whether your hair is cropped or ultra-long, this is a hairstyle men love and that will definitely catch their attention.
2. Relaxed updo: A relaxed updo can be anything from a side bun to a loose braid. Although this hairstyle choice can be a little vague, it’s important to note that the more severe a hairstyle is, the less men will like it. We might like those tight hairdos, but if you want the sexy reaction you deserve, severe hair is a hair don’t.
3. The pixie cut: As a hairstyle, this is already a controversial choice. Some men really love this hairdo, and others hate it. But it deserves to be on this list because it’s edgy, sexy and everything a woman wants to be. Not all of us can wear or want short hair, but if you’re looking for something hot, the pixie cut is a hairstyle many men love and definitely a great way to go.

The Ultimate Pick

Despite the fact there are so many different types of fun, elegant and sexy hairstyles men absolutely love, the best choice is the right choice for you. Your natural look is the one you choose every single day, the one that you strive to have. So don’t be fooled into believing one style is better than the next. Experiment and strive for that healthy shine. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who is confident with their own body and natural hair.

Long hair is beautiful, we all know that. It doesn’t matter if your hair is super curly or stick straight, we love long hair. The problem, though, is that when you have curly hair, hairdressers can tend towards the scissor happy side. Although short curly hair is funky and cool, long, curly hairstyles have their place (especially amongst us length-obsessed gals!). With some upkeep, the right style, and a knowledgeable hairdresser, you too could have long, curly hair.

Tell Her to Put the Scissors Down

A bad hairdresser never listens, but a good hairdresser listens and compromises. If you’re just starting out on your long hair journey, you might hear something you don’t like.

Hairdressers are here to work with you, not just on you, but your hair may need some coaxing before taking the plunge. If your stylist suggests chopping off a few inches before beginning the journey, don’t fret over your long, curly hair! They are probably doing it to give your hair the healthy start it needs.

That being said, the best way to get what you want is by talking to your hairdresser. Asking for a trim and explaining that you have a goal to keep your hair as long as possible is a great way to open up communications. If the stylist believes they can’t do it with your hair, you can always ask for a second opinion. But by being open and honest, you’ll probably find that your hairdresser will keep their scissors at bay and away from your gorgeous, long, curly hair, at least for now.

The Upkeep

Long, curly hairstyles take a lot of upkeep. Long curls are more easily knotted, and if you’re adding any heat elements such as straighteners or hair dryers, your hair will look more noticeably damaged since there’s more of it to see. To avoid split ends, damaged and fried hair, and even to keep your hairdresser from cutting off all of your progress to start anew, there are a few upkeep tips at your disposal.

Never brush long curly hair. It may look like it’s doing the job, but if you have type 3 and type 4 hair, you’ll actually tear through your hair causing more split ends and damage. The best brush you can use for longer hair is your fingers along with a wide-tooth comb. This will keep tearing to a minimal and leave your hair looking and feeling smoother.

Conditioning is also super important for keeping your hair healthy and happy, which means less trips to the salon and thus less haircuts. Conditioner keeps the moisture in so it doesn’t dry out, and for long, curly hair, that’s a big plus. Conditioning in the shower is a great start, but using leave-in conditioners as well as using deep conditioning and hot oil treatments every couple of weeks to at least once a month will most likely give your hair the desired look.

The Lifestyle

Short hair isn’t for everybody and the same goes for long hair. It’s not just about fighting with your hairdresser about the length. You have to be comfortable with the length, and depending on your lifestyle, it can be more hassle than it’s worth. The more active the lifestyle, the more difficult it will be to maintain long, curly hair. If you’re into sports such as swimming, for instance, long hair can get in the way. There are people who are fine with long hair underneath their swim cap, but other’s find it a terrible nuisance. On the other hand, if you model in your free time or spend your days behind a desk, longer hair is much easier to manage.

It’s not just your lifestyle, but the style of your hair, as well. Curly hair that’s shoulder length or below can become increasingly difficult to manage and shape into a specific style. If your hairstylist isn’t used to cutting long curly hair, the style can resemble the shape of a triangle or box. Proper layering and continued maintenance are integral to the lifestyle of longer-haired curlies. Otherwise your curly hair will take on a new chaos of its own.

Final Thoughts

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Love is in the air and everyone has one thing on the mind: romance. But like every great Hallmark holiday, it comes at a price. While romance does, of course, leave room for the wonderful and taboo; if you’ve rounded third base to home, or just woke up late, you know about the dreaded bed head, also known as sex hair. And if you have longer, curlier hair, it can be worse for wear.

Luckily there are several things you can do in order to remedy the worse of that messy hair so you can get all the love without the mess. Here are some dos, donts and tips of the trade so you can say bye-bye to sex hair for good!

The Dos

There is a huge difference between sex hair and sexy hair. You can get the fun filled, tousled look of sexy hair while styling, but sex hair is unintentional. Sex hair is defined usually not as a style, but from the effect of rolling around in the sheets. Some people do love the look of sex hair, but there are some “right” ways of doing it. Here are great ways to get all the love you can from your hair.

• Leave your hair loose: Some people may think that this will make your hair even messier, but if you want to avoid sex hair, it’s easy enough to roll back out of bed and brush your hair.
• Use a soft, multi-bristled brush: Whether your hair is stick straight or super kinky, a soft, multi-bristled brush curbs those fly-a-ways while smoothing out the top of your head and redistributing the natural oils in your hair.
• Buy satin pillow cases: This may seem like a luxury to some, and it is. But if your hair is already frizzy, then cotton or polyester pillow case and sheets will make it worse. Satin pillowcases are always your best friend in the bedroom if you want to avoid sex hair.

The Don’ts

Sex hair and bed head may not always be the most flattering look, especially when there’s so much to do and so little time. For instance, sometimes your hair can get in the way of a nice romp or a good night sleep, especially when you know you’re going to have yet another thing to deal with after. But don’t worry! There are plenty of things you can do to avoid all the muss and fuss of the mess, and all of them are super easy.

• Don’t go to bed with your hair wet if you want to avoid sex hair: Not only will the pillow and sheets get wet, making for an uncomfortable feeling, but your hair will dry frizzy and uneven. Instead, your hair should be as dry as possible.
• Don’t over-product your hair: Anti-frizz serums and leave-in conditioners are fine as long as your hair has absorbed the product and is dry. But, if you put in too much gel or hair spray, it will be difficult to fix your hair later should there be a problem.
• Don’t bind your hair tightly: Try loose braids or a ponytail, which binds your hair loosely. Not only will this avoid sex hair, but it’s a comfortable way to reduce frizz and fly-a-ways.

More Tips

Aside from tying your hair back, make sure your head is not resting on your hair. That way, there won’t be friction which can create frizz. If you do put product in your hair, finger comb it through evenly. And last but not least, you can always take a shower in the morning.

How do you avoid the romped ‘do?