The Be-All End-All Guide to Taming Those Curly Locks

I can remember ironing my hair when I was about twelve years old. I straightened it, all right. I was left with a halo of split ends that encircled my head and, everywhere I went, the smell of burnt hair surrounded me. It was shortly thereafter that I decided, along with my best curly-headed friend, Peggy, that it was just going to be easier to go with the flow than try to create shiny straight hair that my ancestors had not bequeathed to me.

Products came and went over the years. I probably spend thousands of dollars trying out most of them. I'd read a recommendation and buy the mousse. I'd hear someone else's endorsement and buy the gel. The shampoo, the conditioner, one after the other they moved to the preferred position in my shower and then slowly recede into oblivion until the half used bottle found its way into the trash.

So, after intensive research as well as trial and error, I'm happy to share my findings with the rest of the curly-headed world. I've found them...I've really found them. Here's my line-up for those who want to manage their curls and tame their frizz. Best of all, they work. I can attest to it and so can the friends to whom I've recommended these products.

First of all, you need a good shampoo. I love "Sunsilk's De-Frizz Shampoo with aloe". It hydrates hair so curls can retain elasticity. Without hydration, curly hair tends to break when you comb or brush it. The elasticity factor enables hair to bounce, not break. Best of all, it's really inexpensive. So much so, that most supermarkets carry it. FYI: When curly hair is wet, I'd suggest using a comb, not a brush. I only use a brush once in a while when I feel like my scalp is beginning for the stimulating sensation of the brush. A comb is much gentler, especially a nice wooden comb.

Next is your conditioner. Curly hair doesn't need to be washed more than every other day, but it does need conditioner every time you wet your hair. If you shower and like to wet your scalp, go ahead. Just apply some conditioner. I tend to remove about 80% of the conditioner, leaving in just enough to keep my hair smooth. My choice for conditioner is the partner to the above mentioned shampoo. I like "Sunsilk's De-frizz Conditioner", which also has aloe. Another one I use on occasion is "Shikai's Daily Moisture Conditioner" . Mine is the "Color Reflect" one which is for all hair types and colors. It's more expensive than the popular priced SunSilk line, so I use it about every third or fourth time I apply conditioner.

After the conditioner is when I gently comb through my hair. Be sure to comb all the way to the ends. My hair is half way down my back and I noticed a big difference once I paid attention to the very ends. We tend to comb most of the way down, and miss the very end of long hair.

Okay, now it gets complicated. Not really, but I have three different ways I like to go at this point. All involve applying one more product. Here's what I use, and when I use it:

If my hair has felt drier than usual, something that normally occurs during the colder winter months, than I use the fantastic L'Oreal product called "Kerastase Nutritive/ Oleo-Relax". It goes on like a fine, light oil and does absolute wonders for moisturizing curls, especially those rascal ends. It's pretty expensive stuff. My 4.2 ounces ran in the vicinity of $30.00, but it's been worth every penny and every ounce. Remember, this is something you can get by with using maybe once a week and primarily when your hair feels dry.

When I have used a shampoo and conditioner, and my hair is feeling pretty normal, I go with a sensational Aveda product called "Be Curly". It's a curl enhancer, which means it makes what you've got look great, and may even create some springy new curls to add to the collection. It takes away frizz and adds shine. The trick with this product, and actually all others too, is you can't be stingy. You have to use a THICK quarter size dollop. Too little means you are spreading the product too thin, You want your hair to only be caressed by the product, not your dry hands. Contact between wet, curly hair and skin equals major frizz. Guaranteed.

Lastly, for those days when I don't shampoo, but just use conditioner, I go with another Aveda product for my final styling cream. This one is called "Brilliant" and it's got jojoba which works great and is fun to say. This product actually defines curls so each one curls to a beat that's different than the curl next to it.

Occasionally, I guess I revert back to the old days and long for the kind of shine and control that Grace Kelly seemed to master. So, I pull out the big guns. For those times when you want to slick your hair down, pull it back, put it up,etc., you've got to have a gel that can hold its own against the nuclear forces of curly hair , hair that desperately WANTS TO CURL! For this, you'll need "Garnier Fructis Style...Super Stiff Gel". It's "ultra-strong" and has "intense structure and hold" and believe me, it does! They don't list "cement" as one of the ingredients, but you could've fooled me. Nothin's movin' with this stuff!

So there's the round-up. Go ahead and change your life and hope people don't hate you just because you look beautiful. After all, these products are worth it and so are you.