A Curly Haired Girl's Guide to Taming an Unruly Mane

So you were blessed (cursed?) with naturally curly hair that most days has a mind of its own. That's OK! Just remember that some people pay big bucks just to have curls for a little while. Before you do anything rash like shave it off or spend big bucks and many hours on straightening irons trying to tame it, try some of these simple, effective, and inexpensive tips to bring out the best in your curly top.

Keep the ends trimmed - Keeping the ends trimmed will cut down on the frizz and the proverbial 'wild hairs' that stick up at the slightest hint of moisture. Since the ends of the hair tend to be the driest, they will frizz first, giving a lumpy or wavy appearance in lieu of bouncy curls. Keeping them in check allows the hair to spring back to its natural shape.

Condition, Condition, Condition - Don't skip the conditioner and don't fall for two-in-one shampoo/conditioner products because they don't offer any additional moisturizing. Choose one that has some weight to it because the consistency tells you it's made of something other than water, which is useless when it comes to moisturizing your mane. Contrary to popular belief, any conditioner can be a leave-in conditioner. It doesn't have to be marketed as such. Just use apply a small amount to damp hair.

Do Not Brush - Ever - Brushing curly hair when it's dry pulls out the natural curl in the hair, leaving a tangled frizzy mess that will never, ever lay smooth. It can also prove very damaging to the hair follicles. Brushing wet hair can also be damaging to the hair follicles. Opt for a wide tooth comb while the hair is damp or separate the curls with your fingers instead.

Do Not Blow Dry - Curly hair is best left to air dry on its own. Diffusers offer no real benefit other than moving the hot air around. They do nothing for the hair. Braiding the hair while wet will majorly cut down on the frizzies once allowed to dry and taken down.

Choose Products Wisely - There are a lot of products on the market specifically for curly hair, but don't feel pressured to buy them. They're in the business to make money and you can fool many people once, but not too many too often. When looking for a product for your curls, avoid the ones containing alcohol at all costs. Alcohol is extremely drying and damaging to your hair and you will be defeating your purpose. Serums are very good choices and come in a variety of brands and prices. Don't pay for the name. Your local discount store often times will have the same product, same ingredients, marketed under a different (non-salon oriented) name for a fraction of the cost. Pomades are also a great product for curly hair and seem to be more moisturizing than serums. Gels and mousses are never good ideas because the gels weigh the hair down and both products typically leave the curls feeling 'crispy'.

Find what works for you and stick with it. Embrace your gift. Flaunt your curls. Don't hide them under a hoodie. Make them work for you, not against you. And with a little practice and added attention, yours, too, will do just that.