Of all the hairstyle variations, it often seems that possessing naturally wavy or curly hair can pose more than its fair share of problems. As well as being incredibly uncooperative, when the hair is also thick it becomes even more of a nightmare to deal with. So, if you're fed up with friends joking that you look as if you've just jammed your finger into an electric plug point, what can be done about it?!
The good news it is a relatively straightforward process to alter those annoyingly frizzy curls or unkempt kinks into a style that will bring you nothing but complements. All it takes is some careful hair preparation.
The very first thing that you should do is find yourself a good hairstylist. A great way to get introduced to one is through personal recommendation. Even if you don't have the benefit of firsthand experience, most high-street hairdressers will be able to offer excellent service – otherwise they wouldn't be able to stay in business! Naturally the best friends or colleagues to approach are those with curly hair, as they may well have found a particularly excellent exponent.
Ask your stylist if they are familiar with the technique known as ‘twist cutting'. This is particularly effective for curly or wavy hair. While paying a visit to a salon specializing in this particular form of cutting may be slightly more expensive than a normal cut, the old adage that you get what you pay for has never been more appropriate.
When it comes to looking after your own curly hair between visits to the twist cutting stylist, it is important to pay attention to the fact you do not have to shampoo every single day. However, it would be sensible to condition your hair every time you happen to shower. In choosing a combination of conditioner and shampoo, it is important to choose products that leave your hair feeling good to yourself. At the end of the day you do not wish to have hair that, once it has washed, still feels as if there is product left in it; or worse still, feels dry even when it shouldn't be.
A potent weapon in the arsenal of caring for wavy hair is one of the most simple commodities anyone has around the house. Cold water. By washing your wavy hair in cold water it will end up looking shinier. In addition, moisture will be locked in and perhaps most importantly of all, the unseemly ‘frizz effect' will be considerably reduced.
One of the commonest causes of hair turning ‘frizzy' is when it is brushed out while dry. So unless you happen to be drying your hair with a blast from the hairdryer to try and get it straight, you should be using your fingers like a comb to run through the dry hair.
Another consideration with wavy or curly hair is never to use too much hair product. All you need is a minimal amount of styling gel or mousse. Apply a small ‘coin-sized' blob to your palm, rub your palms together, then knead through your hair, distributing thus evenly. Use this the moment you come out of your shower when you hear it's still wet. This will ensure that moisture gets trapped and that the end result is lustrous, moisture-rich curls.
