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:
Instructions:
- Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo and condition with a detangling conditioner.
- Leave hair wet and comb through to detangle with a wide tooth comb.
- While hair is wet saturate with Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel.
- Part hair into sections about 1/2” to 1”. Add pomade to each section as you work it.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Wash hair at least 1x per week (the other days just rinse)
- Detangle hair each day
- 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. Saturate hair with Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier
- Put Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel or other styling gel in hair
- Apply a little hair oil
- Let air dry if possible (you can put your hair in a ponytail to stretch it a little or just let it air dry)
- In the winter- use a blow dryer on the lowest temp, gently stretching the hair as you dry it.
© 2005-2007 Treasured Locks, LLC
One of the most difficult things about going transitioning from a perm to natural hair and about having natural hair is finding a good hair style or styles. I’ve been through this myself and I feel your pain.
Every time we write about natural hair versus permed hair we get a huge response from all our clients and readers. We know this topic is near and dear to you. Treasured Locks is here to support Black women and provide information and products to help you be the best you can be whether you decide to rock it straight or natural. I love “