It seems like no matter what type of hair we have, we always wish for something different. If you have straight hair, you’ve probably found yourself wishing for curly tresses. And if you have curly hair, you’ve probably wanted to know what it’d be like to have more manageable locks for a day or two.
Although you may pine over every hair type that’s not your own, learning to embrace what your mama gave you is the best feeling! So, curly-haired friends, let’s dive into some styles, tips, and tricks that’ll help you get the most out of your already gorgeous hair.
The Tools
Wide-Toothed Comb: Be kind to your curls by grabbing a wide-toothed plastic comb from your local beauty supply store. This will help prevent breakage and frizz, which are more than likely your biggest enemies. It’s intuitive to start at the roots, but to properly comb out your locks, gently work your way from ends to roots to create less pull.
Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner: This is no news to you, but nourishing hair that tends to be dry or coarse is key. On days when you do wash, be sure to start with shampoo and conditioner that won’t strip your natural oils. The natural virgin olive oil formula of the Olea Shampoo and Conditioner duo by Beyond the Beauty, for example, will give your curly hair the nutrients and moisture it needs to thrive.
Styling Cream: Instead of coating curly hair in stiff gel or mousse, opt for styling cream instead. This will help lock in body, bounce, and moisture while also keeping curls neat and tidy with all-day hold. After washing and conditioning, run the cream from root to tip, focusing most of the product on your ends.
Silk Pillowcase: To reduce the risk of matting your hair at night, switch out your more traditional pillowcase for a silk or satin one. This will keep your curls from turning into a mess while you sleep. Bonus: silk pillowcases are great anti-aging tools as well!
Hair Mask: Once or twice a week depending on dryness, treat your curly hair to a moisture-packed hair mask. The Olea hair mask by Beyond the Beauty uses a concentrated version of the line’s olive oil formula to drive moisture and Vitamin E deep into each strand.
Hair Dryer: Because harsh heat can really exacerbate your frizz problem, be sure to reach for a high-quality hair dryer with adjustable heat settings and attachments so that you can tailor each drying experience to your hair’s particular needs that day. The SHE 3300 hairdryer by Beyond the Beauty will deliver the power you need with the gentle touch your curly hair craves.
Large-Barreled Curling Wand: It may seem counterintuitive, but a great way to get your curly hair to look more polished is to curl it with a large-barreled wand. Use your hair’s natural propensity for holding a curl to create the smooth ringlets straight-haired girls lust after. The
SHE Volume Curling Iron 32mm by Beyond the Beauty will be your new go-to.
The Tips
Step Away From the Brush: Again, resist the urge to take more traditional brushes to your hair. Go in with your wide-toothed comb to remove tangles. If your hair can handle this and is more wavy than full-on curly, you can use a round brush to create a salon-style blowout once your hair is dry.
Trade Your Towel: If you’re into wrapping up wet hair before going in with the hairdryer, try trading your towel for a t-shirt. Towels typically pull out too much moisture, while a t-shirt will just remove excess water.
Smooth on the Go: Grab a travel-sized spray bottle with a cap that you can throw in your purse. Mix equal parts water and deep conditioner and shake to combine. Spray the ends whenever your curls need a pick-me-up while you’re out and about.
Hold Off When It’s Humid: All curly-haired queens know that going out in humid weather is a recipe for disaster. To keep frizz at bay, hold off on washing on rainy, muggy days and instead grab your deep conditioner and water mixture. Spray all over your hair to revive it without putting it through a full wash.
The Styles
The Sassy Bun: One style that really uses curls to its advantage is the sassy half-up bun. Wash hair, apply some styling cream for texture from root to tip, and dry with the SHE 3300 hairdryer by Beyond the Beauty. Using your pinkies, start at the arches of your brows and move toward the crown to separate your hair. Wrap into a messy bun and fasten with a thin hair tie. Pull on some pieces for a more tousled look and pair with some statement earrings.
The Wrap-Up: Head wraps can be curly hair’s best friend in the summer months when you want to keep hair out of your face but still look chic. Pull second-day hair into a messy, textured bun and accessorize with the hair wrap of your choice. You can do anything you want as far as positioning goes, whether you want to line the front of the wrap up with your hairline or put it behind your shortest layers or bangs.
The Natural: Let your curly hair hang loose in all its voluminous glory. Shampoo and condition with the Olea Shampoo and Conditioner duo by Beyond the Beauty. Wrap up in a t-shirt for a little while as you enjoy your morning coffee or answer emails. Next, apply some styling cream and dry with the SHE 3300 hairdryer by Beyond the Beauty on low heat, scrunching the hair with your hands as you go. If your ends start looking a little dry, spray on some of your conditioner and water mixture.
The Bunhawk: Get a little edgy by making a faux hawk out of small, messy buns. Coat strands with a dry texturizing spray and separate hair into three or four sections, moving from front to back. Then wrap each section into a small, tousled bun until you have a “bunhawk” that’ll make everyone jealous. Pull on each bun and let a strand or two loose in front of both ears to make sure things don’t look too polished.
As long as you focus on hydration, there’s really no limit to what you can do with curly hair! Which of these tools, tips, and styles will you add to your routine? Let us know in the comments.