Quick, it’s time for a girl’s
night out with your BFFs. What’s the first hair tool you reach for? If you’re like the rest of the 50% of North American
girls with naturally curly hair, you probably already have your straightener
plugged in before we could finish asking. Even though managing a perfectly
curly ’do can sometimes become a hassle, there’s no need to reach for the hot
iron (who wants split ends from heat damage anyway?). It’s time to rock your natural style: We’ve teamed
up with Sam Villa, top Redken stylist to teach you how.
“Texture is not a trend that
comes and goes—it’s a lifestyle,” explains curl expert Sam Villa, who urges you
all to embrace your twirly tresses. Show some love for your curls as soon as
you hit the shower.
Pro tip #1: Only wash your hair 2-3 times per week.
Over-washing is the first easy mistake to make. Sam recommends lathering your locks
from underneath first, moving all the way down to the scalp since curls tend to
repel water. If your curls are super tight, he suggests you condition them
before shampooing. Try Redken Curvaceous Curl Drive nourishing mask for dry, intense curls.
Pro tip #2: Shampooing
is crucial to curl success. Start with a
sulfate-free product that won’t lather tons and create tangles. We like Redken Curvaceous Cream Shampoo. Begin at your ends and work through to your scalp in
a gentle raking motion. Cleanse your scalp
of oils and product buildup by sending those suds away in a massaging motion.
Go back to the nape of your neck from underneath, and then to the sides and
back up to the crown area to loosen tangles, then rinse.
Pro tip #3: Correctly condition. Curls are naturally dry and prone to damage and frizz. Thus,
you’ll need to add moisture back into your hair by applying a curl-concentrated
conditioner like Redken Curvaceous
Conditioner from your ends to scalp, with that same raking motion, Sam
says. Once the conditioner is rinsed out, your fingers should glide
effortlessly through your hair. A surprising tip from Sam: if you have
difficulty fighting frizz, leave a li’l conditioner in.
Pro tip #4: Follow
the biggest drying 'do. The last step to curl perfection is all in how you dry
your do. Squeeze out excess water with a T-shirt rather than a towel since it
is much gentler on your fragile hair. Caution to all curly girls: the coarse
fabric of a towel can rough up the cuticles of your hair. Who knew?
Now, thanks to curl perfectionist Sam Villa, you hold all the secrets
to securing flawless natural texture. No need to hide it behind a straightener again!
BY JENNIFER SHELTON ON 10/29/2012 11:00:00 AM
POSTED IN hair problems, beauty, hair, how to, tips, best products, saver, curly Qs