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One of the most challenging types  for the client to maintain every day is any hair with wave, frizz or curl. It is the driest type by nature, and is the most sensitive to humidity changes (which here in Seattle is a good deal of the time so this type is difficult to get a handle on.)

Here we will go over some helpful points to remember when taking care of your wavy or curly tresses-  male or female!

• It is not necessary to shampoo every day or every other day: Some of the best maintained curly hair is only washed once or twice a week. Why? Because your hair’s natural oils that secrete at the scalp or the best designed leave-in conditioner for your hair. If you wash too often, you are removing the oils and they do not get a chance to nourish through to the midshaft or ends. Instead, rinse your hair with very warm to hot water if you need to feel a little less “greasy.” This will help move the hair oils down the hair shaft where it can help to moisturize the dry ends. We highly recommend using a dry shampoo with a blowdryer if you feel extra greasy- we love Alterna Caviar’s Dry Shampoo that will help balance the oils at the scalp post workout or upon waking up in the morning.

• Use shampoos and conditioners without sulfates, excessive waxes or non-water soluble silicones. The sulfates in cheaper shampoos are a salt that not only can fade your haircolor service but can exacerbate frizz and dryness.  Specifically, avoid sodium lauryl sulfate as it is the cheapest detergent to put into a shampoo to create lather. Lather does not equate to clean and we recommend shampooing 2x in a row if you are only washing once a week.

Waxes  and synthetic non water soluble silicones coat and build up on the hair. Although they can temporarily assist with frizz, it is not a long term solution.  If you use these products it is necessary to detox or clarify the hair of buildup regularly as the hair will become weighed down, and difficult to style or color. If you have been using products with these ingredients- use Kevin Murphy’s Maxi Shampoo 3-4 times  in a row to exfoliate the hair’s cuticle of buildup.

Specifically avoid any hair styling product with these in the first 4 ingredients: Trimethylsilylamodimethicone, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone,  or Stearyl Dimethicone

• Heat Style your Natural Style with Smarts:  If you aren’t air drying, once out of the shower use a wide tooth comb to detangle. Avoid brushing the hair at every stage- wet or dry it creates a general look of mass frizz. Then, blot the hair with a towel and do not rub the hair. Apply your favorite leave-in product. We recommend Moroccan Oil Treatment Oil  or Motion Lotion by Kevin Murphy (for Fine to Medium density hair) or Moroccan Oil  and/or Curl Defining Cream (for Medium to Thick density hair.)  Men specifically love Kevin Murphy’s Easy Rider because it uses shea butter to control curl with minimal hold and they apply it once the hair is 50% towel blotted.

You can “cocktail” products which means to mix them together in your hands and then apply to hair. Its like a special prescription of hair product! Sometimes a stylist will combine Moroccan Oil with the Defining Cream it just depends on the amount of control needed for the texture.   This will displace your curl less and avoid any potential frizz.

Use a diffuser extension on your blowdryer on a medium to high heat setting but on a slower, less aggressive speed. The longer it takes your hair to dry the more control you have over how the curl/wave that is springing up. This will assist to minimize frizz as well as to showcase your texture! One great tip is to making small corkscrews with the hair all over the head and diffuse. Always let the hair sit inside the diffuser cup with minimal touching before turning it on.  Once 85% dry wait 10-15 seconds for the section to cool and “set.” Then, finger separate or flip your head upside down briefly.  Avoid trying to dry the hair completely as the frizz will inevitably manifest and ruin your style. Feel free to use a little more Oil or Cream near the root once dry to create control where you need it.

• Once you’ve mastered these tips, make sure to ROCK IT! Accept and love your hair!

Your hair is special and although it is challenging- people around you covet your uniqueness. Bask in your hair’s glory!