HOW TO STYLE CURLY HAIR: 15 TIPS FOR CURLY HAIR 

If you have curly hair, you certainly understand that curly hair possesses distinct characteristics compared to straight or wavy hair. Curly hair strands are often unpredictable and challenging to manage, sometimes leaving you feeling unable to control their wild nature. Proper hair care can make a noticeable difference between a good hair day and a less-than-desirable one. The key disparity lies in the daily hair care habits—whether you approach your curls with a battle mindset or one of affection. In this article, you’ll explore simple tips designed for curly hair. 

Keep Your Curly Hair Type In Mind

Curly hair varies widely, encompassing loose waves to tight, kinky curls. Wavy hair tends to lay flatter on the crown, providing an ideal canvas for shaping your wavy hairstyle. When dealing with kinky hair, it’s crucial to cut it without causing undue tension on the strands. Opting to trim the hair while it retains its natural curl formation is the most straightforward method to achieve the desired shape.

Wash Your Hair Before You Go

Arrive at your haircut appointment with clean and dry hair. Cutting curly hair is most effective when the hair is dry, so it’s advisable to ensure your hair is clean before the appointment. Prioritize having your hair well-moisturized; you might want to consider applying a deep moisturizing treatment in the week leading up to your appointment. This approach allows your stylist to observe your natural curls in their healthy, optimal state, providing them with a clear vision to sculpt your hair with precision.

Cut Before You Color

In contrast to straight hair, it’s recommended to cut curly hair when it’s dry before undertaking any coloring or highlighting procedures. The application of color or dye can potentially leave the hair damp, altering its natural curl pattern and not reflecting its typical level of curliness.

Layer Your Hair

When curly hair is all one length, it tends to become weighed down, resulting in a flattened top and a bottom that flares out in various directions. The layering doesn’t need to be too drastic, but for longer hair, incorporating more layers is beneficial. Long layers, in particular, can be considered, focusing on the bottom section of your hair from the mid-strand to the ends. This approach assists in preserving your hair’s curly texture without succumbing to frizz.

Find A Shampoo And Conditioner With Keratin

Curly hair naturally has lower levels of keratin, the key “ingredient” in straight hair that imparts a frizz-free and straight appearance. To minimize frizz and enhance shine, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for curly hair. Ensure you check the label and prioritize products where keratin is listed as a prominent ingredient. If a keratin-infused shampoo is not available, seek alternatives labeled as smoothing and moisturizing, as curly hair tends to be prone to dryness.

Leave A Little Conditioner In Your Hair

During your shower, avoid rinsing your hair too thoroughly after applying conditioner. It’s acceptable to leave a portion of the residue on your hair to maintain conditioning throughout the day. Another excellent choice is leave-in conditioners, especially beneficial on excessively dry days. Consider carrying a leave-in conditioner with you to help retain moisture in your hair throughout the day.

Dry Your Hair With A T-Shirt

Avoid using a towel, as it can generate excessive friction and static, potentially leading to frizz in your hair. Instead, after showering, put a shirt on over your head. Position your forehead through the neck opening of the shirt, allowing your hair to rest within the body of the shirt. This method minimizes friction and helps prevent static, promoting a smoother finish for your hair.

Check The Forecast

Prior to determining your hairstyle for the day, it’s wise to check the daily weather. The day-to-day shifts in the outdoor dew point can significantly influence your hair, affecting the potential amount of frizz you should be prepared to manage.

Have A Backup Plan

Headbands, updos, and braids offer convenient solutions when you’re pressed for time or your hair isn’t cooperating. For those with curly hair, exploring different hair accessories or mastering various braiding patterns can be a smart approach to manage and style your hair effectively.

Avoid Brushing Your Hair

     If you want to tame curly hair, don’t brush it. This may seem like the opposite thing to do when trying to eliminate frizz, but it really works. When you brush naturally curly hair, the brush is essentially splitting apart those curls and turning them into individual hair strands, which can result in exaggerated volume. If you take a shower, then let your hair air dry without brushing it, those curls will stay compact and less frizzy.

    Select Your Hair Product

    Choose a humectant product for dry weather to combat frizz and an anti-humectant for damp conditions. Keep alternative products handy for unpredictable weather. Dew points strongly affect curls, dropping below 30 degrees in winter. Avoid humectants in low dew points; opt for leave-in conditioners. Experiment with products in the 30-40-degree range. The ideal dew point for manageable curls is 40-60 degrees. Use regular moisturizing treatments and consider humectants. In high dew points (60+ degrees), skip leave-in conditioners and use firm-hold products like pomades, avoiding additional humectants due to high moisture levels.

    Apply The Curl Cream, Gel, Or Mousse.

    When your hair is damp, take a small amount of product and apply it to the back of your head, where the hair is thicker. Then, work your way towards the sides and top, adding small amounts of product as needed. If you have longer hair, consider draping a towel over your shoulders to prevent any product from getting on your clothes.

     Allow The Hair To Dry Completely. 

    After applying the product, your hair might still look wet and feel a bit crunchy. Avoid touching it, as this can create friction between the hairs and lead to frizz. Opt for a diffuser to speed up the drying process. Choose high heat and low speed settings on the diffuser – the high heat aids quick drying, while the low speed prevents excessive movement of the hair.

    Scrunch The Curls

    Once the hair is completely dry, scrunch curls to break the gel layer. Grab and handful of your curls and scrunch them using the same motion you would to crumple a piece of paper. Do this until the hair feels soft again then stop. Excessively touching the hair will be more likely to give you frizz.

    Use A Curling Iron To “Fix Up” A Few Curls If Needed

    If you notice a single curl not behaving as desired, grab your curling iron to make adjustments. However, keep in mind that heat can be detrimental to curly hair, so it’s crucial to use a heat protectant and minimize heat usage whenever possible.

    Use A Curl Refresher Throughout The Day

    If it seems like your product is losing its effectiveness, consider spritzing a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner onto your hair. This can help reinvigorate the product and maintain the bounce in your curls throughout the day.

    CONCLUSION

    In conclusion, styling curly hair can be a delightful and creative process with the right techniques and products. The key lies in understanding your unique curl pattern, adopting a suitable hair care routine, and selecting products that enhance your curls. From choosing the right haircut to navigating the challenges of different weather conditions, the journey to well-styled curly hair involves a combination of care, experimentation, and embracing the natural beauty of your curls

    Is Body Sculpting Permanent?

    If you’re considering body sculpting, you might be wondering if the results are permanent. After all, undergoing a procedure like liposuction or CoolSculpting is an investment in your appearance and you want to know that it’s worth it. Continue reading to discover the world of body sculpting and explore whether the results are truly permanent.

    Understanding Body Sculpting

    Body sculpting refers to any non-surgical or surgical procedures that aim to reduce stubborn fat and contour the body. Some common examples include:

    • Liposuction
    • CoolSculpting
    • Laser lipolysis
    • SculpSure
    • Ultrasonic cavitation

    Each of these procedures works differently, but they all have the same goal: to eliminate unwanted fat from specific areas of the body.

    How Permanent Are the Results?

    Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: are the results of body sculpting permanent? The answer is…it depends.

    Liposuction

    This surgical procedure involves making small incisions in the skin and using a cannula to suction out fat cells. The results of liposuction can be long-lasting, but it’s important to note that the remaining fat cells in the area can still expand if you gain weight. That means that while liposuction is not a weight loss solution, it can provide significant improvements in body contour that can last for years.

    CoolSculpting

    CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, uses cold temperatures to freeze and destroy fat cells. Once those cells are eliminated by the body’s natural processes, they’re gone for good. Yet, like with liposuction, remaining fat cells in the area can still expand if you gain weight. 

    Laser Lipolysis

    Laser lipolysis uses laser energy to heat and rupture fat cells, which are then eliminated by the body. Like with liposuction and CoolSculpting, remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. However, because laser lipolysis is less invasive than liposuction, it typically has a shorter recovery time and less scarring.

    SculpSure

    SculpSure uses laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells. The results are similar to those of laser lipolysis, with the added benefit of being able to treat multiple areas at once. Again, remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight.

    Ultrasonic Cavitation

    Finally, ultrasonic cavitation uses low-frequency sound waves to rupture fat cells, which are then eliminated by the body. 

    So, all the results are not necessarily permanent if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    Factors That Affect the Results

    Now that we know the basics of how different body sculpting procedures work, let’s look at some factors that can affect the longevity of the results.

    Weight Fluctuations

    As we’ve mentioned, if you gain weight after undergoing body sculpting, the remaining fat cells in the treated area can still expand. That means that maintaining a stable weight is crucial for ensuring long-lasting results.

    Age

    Unfortunately, as we get older, our bodies have a harder time eliminating fat cells. That means that the results of body sculpting procedures may not be as long-lasting for older patients.

    Genetics

    Finally, your genetics can play a role in how long the results of body sculpting last. Some people are simply more prone to gaining weight in certain areas, regardless of their lifestyle habits.

    Tips for Maintaining Your Body Contouring Results

    Body contouring procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks, and thigh lifts can help you achieve the body shape you desire. However, maintaining the results of these procedures requires effort and commitment. Here are some tips for maintaining your body contouring results:

    Follow a Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients can help you maintain your body contouring results. Focus on eating lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and snacks high in saturated and trans fats.

    Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential to maintaining your body contouring results. Water helps hydrate your skin, flushes out toxins, and aids in digestion. Aim to drink at least eight cups of water per day.

    Engage in Regular Exercise: Regular exercise is crucial to keeping your new body shape after body contouring. Incorporate both cardio and strength training exercises into your routine to maintain muscle tone, burn calories, and improve overall health.

    Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining your body contouring results. Lack of sleep can cause weight gain, increase stress levels, and lead to poor food choices. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

    Wear Compression Garments: Wearing compression garments can help support your body during the recovery period and maintain the results of your body contouring procedure. Consult with your surgeon about the appropriate compression garment for your specific procedure.

    Maintain a Stable Weight: Maintaining a stable weight is essential to keeping your body contouring results. Significant weight gain or loss can affect your body’s contours and undo your surgery’s effects. To maintain your weight, eat a balanced diet, engage in regular exercise, and avoid crash diets.

    Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Attending follow-up appointments with your surgeon is essential to maintaining your body contouring results. Your surgeon can monitor your progress and address any concerns or issues that may arise.

    Conclusion

    So, is body sculpting permanent? The answer is not a simple yes or no. While the results of procedures like liposuction and CoolSculpting can be long-lasting, they’re not necessarily permanent if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle. That said, body sculpting can be an effective way to contour your body and boost your confidence, as long as you go into it with realistic expectations and understand that maintaining your results will require some effort on your part.