My hair is fine and prefers the more natural products. I stay away from chemicals; however, my hair prefers the products from the online, boutique type companies--not cheap. I also rotate products. I wet, use a rinse out and style every day, seldom using any one product more then once every five days. Mousse can be drying, not only the ingredients, but the propellant, too.
My hair LOVES protein. I do at least one PT all year around and use a lot of products with protein. If you're easily overconditioned, you may need to up the protein.
Since you live in the desert, your dew points are low all year. Getting the right balance of moisture to protein will be more difficult, but it's doable.
I started out as a winter wavy/summer 3a. My hair was always described by stylists as having a fragile curl. Since I started lurking on nc.com, I've learned to use product/technique. Now, my hair looks like my signature all year around. If your hair is similar in that aspect, you should be able to reach your curl potential and have the curls all of the time, too.
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3a (Corkicelli), highlighted, fine, low porosity
modified CG, since April '07
CG since 3/11/08
SE PA
HGs: Curly Kinks Satin Roots, Curlycue ReNew and Coil Jam; homemade FSG and okra gel; soap bars; DM MiraCurls Curling Gelly; UFD Curly Magic; Shescentit LIs; Sevi conditioners; Botanical Spirits Puree, CJ Repair Me
