Majoring in Curls

Email your questions to Aimee.

Spring is just around the corner, which makes me think of bare feet, linen skirts and sunshine.

Every year, it feels like an eternity before the weather starts to turn. For some reason, the coming of spring makes people want to do something different, especially when it comes to their appearance. At my college, girls are changing their manicured nail colors and lightening their hair. I think blond is a popular color for spring simply because it matches the sun. Some opt for highlights, and some go for a more drastic look by bleaching their hair blond!

1. Get a Spring Cut

One change that is easy and gives a whole different look is to cut your hair. A shoulder-length, or even chin-length style can be a cute, different and easy look for curly girls. If you do decide to go through with the big cut, know what you’re getting into. Curls have a tendency to tighten up if the excess weight is gone, so go slowly.

2. Moisturize

Spring also means humidity-inducing frizz (Little Orphan Annie isn’t an attractive look for a college girl!”> Make sure you’re moisturizing the curls, because curls that are getting enough hydration are less likely to frizz.

3. Find the Right Stylist…

Once you’ve got the whole frizz issue under control, make sure that your stylist knows what he/she is doing. Don’t let them try to cut your hair in a straight line around your chin because this only works for girls with pin-straight hair! I don’t care how fabulous Jennifer Aniston looks, it usually won’t work with the curls. So find the right stylist and speak up before he or she picks up the scissors.

4. And the Right Style

Now that you’ve got a fresh ‘do, there are so many ways to style it. For those of you who are a little wary of looking like a little girl, a side part is an easy way to chic up the shorter curls. Headbands work better than ever with shorter hair, and there are so many styles to choose from. Personally, I adore the uber-wide plastic headbands covered in satin or silk. Depending on your taste, you can get headbands in pretty much any color or type you can think of. Decorated bobby pins and small barrettes also work great, whether it’s pulling some wayward curls or simply as an accent.

One of my favorite styles is to create a hair-band out of twists of curls. Starting at the part, on one side, I twist (or braid”> that small inch-wide section of hair that ends behind my ear. By twisting in a small piece of hair at a time, the twist stays close to my scalp and I can just pin it back underneath all the other curls. I do the same on the other side and I’ve created a curled headband that keeps the curls out of my eyes!

For you ladies out there who are up on the trends and are worried about the stylishness of such a hairstyle, look no further than the Oscars. The Academy Awards are a gold mine of the latest trends. This year, I couldn’t help but notice the number of stars wearing their hair shorter and curly or wavy. From Jennifer Lopez’s tousled curls to Naomi Watts’ soft, chin-length barrel waves, short textured looks abounded on the red carpet. So take the style and run with it.

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