Coming from a Turkish background, I have inherited thick, curly hair which has been hard to control! I have experimented with so many styles and products and often felt frustrated with my hair. This lead me to straighten my hair everyday when I was in my earlier teens, which killed the curls. I was often told my hair was messy and thought I had to my straighten it. However, in the last few years, I have learned to fall in love with my curly hair and found ways that help my hair stay curly and healthy, and believe it or not, I rarely straighten my hair now!
First things first is don’t listen to other peoples opinions on your hair, you know the whole “you should just brush it.” Insert eye-roll here. Although brushing hair can help with curls, especially when you get that dreaded knot of hair! It can also just make it super frizzy and even more unmanageable, so when you do brush your hair use a curly friendly oil (helps with the tugging feeling of the brush) and use a good quality brush. I personally like to brush my hair in the shower, especially after using conditioner, but I am aware that a lot of people don’t like to do this, I just find it easier than brushing it dry as its so thick!
Finding the Right Products
Second, whilst in the shower and directly after, I use “Cantu”“activator cream” and I swear by it. You are supposed to apply it and then use heat, so you would apply on wet hair and then blow-dry it. Although this does work so well, I prefer to just apply it onto my wet hair and then tie it into a low-bun as I don’t like applying heat to my hair anymore and find that letting it dry naturally is much better for my hair. This hair cream also keeps your hair hydrated and healthy.
Choosing products that suit you hair are so important and I personally love anything with coconut oil in. I have used pure coconut oil before but it just made my hair so greasy and it was really hard to leave it in for a good amount of time pre-washing when your super busy. Therefore, I choose products that contain coconut oil and other products and they work so well. I love the “CoCoLoCo” products and although I have the heat protector, I don’t use it for that! You can notice a theme here! I use it to just dampen my hair so that I can style it better, I notice it makes the curls more even and I use it on the ends of my hair anywhere between 1-3 times a day! Again, I use it after putting my hair in a low bun and leave it for 30 minutes or so then my hair comes out in more even curls. I also buy their hair mask as a treat now and then!
The shampoos I have loved using is the “Ultimate Blends Banana” Shampoo & conditioner, by Garnier. This made my curls so nice! It also smells like foam bananas which is kinda fun! However, it is a little pricey so a cheaper but just a good option is also by “Garnier” and is called “The Sleek Restorer” which is coconut oil and cocoa butter. I told you I love coconut oil! They are both really good shampoos in my opinion, but its all about finding what suits you best.
Tips for Styling
In terms of styling, I know the frustration of having hairband after hairband break! Thats why I prefer using low buns and ponytails over high ones, not to mention you don’t get as much of a headache! When choosing hairbands, buy the thickest ones possible or the longest ones that you can double loop. I literally have had to use 6 small bands to keep my hair in place.
Furthermore, I love half-up half-down hairstyles with curly hair, it shows off your curls but keeps them out of your face and it looks so cute! Pulling two curls out at the front is also a stylish and easy way to add “a little bit of spice” to your ponytails and buns. When having your hair down, plaiting little bits (if you can) or clipping bits back with grips and clips is such a nice look. However, if you’re terrible at styling hair like me, just spritzing your hair with some product (hello “CoCoLoCo”) and puffing it up with your hand is also a good choice!
Keeping your curls even and not letting your hair turn into a massive frizz is definitely the part I find hardest, I mean you should see my hair in the mornings!
There is one easy way to sort this though and that is to tie your hair in a bun at night. It works wonders! You could also put your hair into plaits but I find that my hair gets more tangled this way and buns are more efficient. You can do a low bun, side bun, high bun, its up to you!
Love Your Curly Hair
Its easy to feel frustrated with curly hair but hopefully finding a hair routine with great products and styles can ease that. However, curly hair is so beautiful and I am so glad that I have learnt to love it! So, in conclusion, buy any product with coconut oil in and buy some extra thick headbands! Enjoy styling your curls and leave a comment if you have some more tips.
LifeStyle 