How to Control Curly Hair

When I was a girl in the mid 1970's everyone had the same hair style. The Farrah Fawcett hair, feather flip. There was only one problem. I had extremely curly hair. In order for my hair to do anything, I would have to spend hours blowing drying and hot ironing it. My best friends still tease me about spending endless time in the bathroom trying to tame my half-fro. I look back on it now, and wish I would not have wasted so much time on it.

Now a days, they have many different ways to straighten hair. This can be done chemically. Or you can do it the old fashioned way by blow drying and hot ironing curly hair. Unfortunately, both of these things over time can cause damage to hair. If you dare put a color on top of the chemical straightening process, you run the risk of hair actually falling out.

Over the years I learned to not only give up the thought of ever having straight hair, but embracing my natural curls. There are so many products and styles out now, that make curly hair look great. Without a lot of time spent on styling.

My curly hair is thin and very wiry. For my hair type, I prefer Biolage shampoos and conditioners, by Matrix. They also have other styling and conditioning products that sooth my hair. However, these products are expensive and can only be purchased at a salon. So I also like to use John Frieda products. I can conveniently buy them at my local drug store or Walmart. I particularly love a product called, "Frizz-ease"by John Frieda, which is a serum to soften and add shine to curls.

When it comes to styling my hair I simply comb out and blow dry. I like looser fuller curls but I can also get a tighter more defined curl by turning the blow dryer on a cool, mild setting.

To get even more of a tight curl, lightly squeeze sections of hair while blow drying. Being careful not to pull or tug on the curls.

To avoid any frizz at all I section my hair and twist it. I make sure to tuck in the ends, and bobby pin the section up. I Make about five sections around my head, and let it completely dry. When I take these sections down I do not comb my hair, but rather lightly run my fingers through it to style it.

Another way to control curly hair is to section it off and braid it. I usually do this at night before I go to sleep and undo the braids in the morning. It gives a crimped look and stays nicely in place all day. To avoid any kind of frizz, do not comb or brush. Just use your fingers to style.

I am so glad I learned to love my curls. Many women have problems with not liking their hair type. I say embrace what you have and make the most out of it. Without doing too much damage to your hair.