A question we get quite often is something along the lines of “How do I get my hair to look curly (or wavy)?”  We have many clients who want to wear their hair in a naturally curly looking style; but want to eliminate the kinkiness and frizzyness of just a plain old ‘fro and wear something a little more fashionable and under control.

There are several ways to go about this depending on a couple of factors such as :

• The natural state of your hair- how kinky is it?  How soft is it?  How thick is it?
• Do you want a permanent solution (will require chemicals) or are you willing to style your hair on a regular basis?

Permanent Solution for Creating Curly or Wavy Hair

For a permanent solution there is always a texturizer or a kiddie perm or a curly perm (we’ve even heard them called “curl reconstructors”).  This will give you curly/wavy hair in a relatively permanent style. There’s something now called a “wash and wear”^TM relaxer.  It appears that this is simply a milder lye relaxer that leaves the hair in a “semi-natural” state. However, many of our clients want to avoid chemicals, which can be damaging to your hair and scalp.  So, here are some alternatives you can try with naturally curly hair.

How to Create Soft Springy Curls from Naturally Kinky Hair

This is a technique that works well for moderately kinky to naturally curly hair.  This style will have to be recreated about once a week, if properly maintained.

What you’ll need:

• Moisturizing Shampoo
• Leave-In Hair Conditioner (SheaMoisture Shea Butter Leave- In Conditioner is great for this)
• Spray bottle with water, Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier or Treasured Locks Leave In Herbal Conditioner
• Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel
• Wide and/or Medium Tooth Comb
• Hooded Hair Dryer
• Hand Held Hair Dryer

Instructions:

1. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo and condition with a detangling conditioner.
2. Leave hair wet and comb through to detangle with a wide tooth comb.
3. While hair is wet saturate with Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel.
4. Part hair into sections about 1/2” to 1”.  Add pomade to each section as you work it.
5. With a wide to medium tooth comb, begin to gently comb hair one section at time from root to end.  Start at the neck and work your way to the front of your hair.  Pull the hair slowly to elongate your natural kinks into smoother, longer curls.
6. It’s important to keep the hair wet during this process.  Use a spray bottle with water, or Protective Mist Bodifier or Treasured Locks Leave-In Herbal Conditioner.
7. The look you are going for is smoother, longer curls while your hair is wet. You will then “set” the hair using a hooded dryer to maintain the curl when dry.
8. Sit under a hooded dryer for an hour or until hair is fully dry.  It’s important to have the look you want before you sit under the dryer.  If you want a part in your hair, part it now.  If the curls are elongated now, they will not be any longer later.
9. After drying, for further elongation of curls, you can use a hand-held dryer.  Grab, the hair by the end and gently stretch it while blowing hot air on it from the root down to the mid-point of the hair.

How to do a Straw Set

A straw set will create those Shirley Temple types of ringlet curls (only smaller of course).  This is also a great transitional hair style when you’re going from permed to natural hair.  Giving the permed hair texture by placing it in this curly style will minimize the difference in appearance between the permed hair and the natural hair allowing you to grow out your natural hair before doing the "big chop".

You will need:

• A pack of plastic drinking straws
• For larger and looser curls, use small perm rods- available at beauty supply stores
• End papers
• Bobby pins
• Black Earth Crinkles & Curls or other setting lotion (make sure it's alcohol free)
• Light hair oil or Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier

Step 1:  Shampoo and condition your hair and blot dry with a towel.
Step 2:  Part you hair into 1/4 to 1/2 inch sections
Step 3:  Place end papers on to ends of your hair.
Step 4:  Roll your hair onto the straws or perm rods and secure it with a hairpin.
Step 5:  Repeat steps 2-4 until you have finished your entire head.
Step 6:  Dry your hair under a hooded dryer.
Step 7:  Gently remove the straws and separate the curls.
Step 8:  Spray with a light oil and continue to spray with oil on a daily basis.

How to do a Two Strand Twist and a Twist Out

This is a very easy, but very fashionable hair style.  You actually get two-for-one.  Start by creating two strand twists (which can be worn that way for several days); then change it up by removing the twists and leaving the hair kinky/wavy for a few days.

• To create two strand twists, simply part the hair into small sections.  
• Take each section and divide into two strands.  
• Coat the hair with Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel or other styling gel.
• Coil the strands around each other working from the roots to the ends.  Repeat over the entire head.  
• After a few days simply untwist the two strands (gently)

How To Define Curls in Biracial Hair

Many biracial people have naturally beautiful curls when their hair is wet and would like to keep that look once the hair dries.  We get this question all the time.  If you have naturally soft curls, one of our clients has suggested a way that she styles her biracial hair that works for her (thanks Jennifer).  

For those with softer, natural curls who just want more definition, this is a great technique. This hair style is well suited to bi-racial hair types. For soft springy curls here is the procedure:

1. Wash hair at least 1x per week (the other days just rinse)
2. Detangle hair each day
3. Put in a leave in conditioner. Whatever helps detangle and leaves hair feeling soft. SheaMoisture Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner is great for this step.
4. Saturate hair with Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier
5. Put Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel or other styling gel in hair
6. Apply a little hair oil
7. Let air dry if possible (you can put your hair in a ponytail to stretch it a little or just let it air dry)
8. In the winter- use a blow dryer on the lowest temp, gently stretching the hair as you dry it.