hair thursday makeover 25

This one is for all of you curly girls out there.

Mariah’s hair:

Natural red color
Coarse, thick, curly and pretty dry
Prone to frizz
She misses her long hair
Uses LA Looks hair gel and scrunches, air dries
Straightens with a flat iron on occasion
Lives in humid Florida

Oh, do I ADORE Mariah’s hair color! Plus, she’s in possession of some great curls. I really don’t think she should cut much off at all! Maybe some very subtle layering, but it’s just beautiful as is. Am I wrong?

Moira is a curly girl as well:

Moira’s hair:

Brown with chestnut highlights, from a home color kit
Curly, fine-textured, normal condition
Prefers shoulder-length or above
Styles with a dab of styling cream and air dries
Uses flat iron on occasion
Wears ponytail every day

Moira definitely has some curls just waiting to make their debut. Considering Moira’s hair texture and her height (6 feet tall- she’s got LEY-EGS, she knows how to use them), I wouldn’t recommend going super duper short, but a trim with some light layering and a new product would make all the difference in the world. Also, I think she would look beautiful with an allover deeper brown hue. (I’m talking a richer, medium chocolate brown. Don’t go all goth on me, Moira.)

I know, I know. Not the most dramatic of advice.

BUT we’re just getting started over here. Both of these women need to embrace their curls, not fight them. In fact, ALL of you curly gals need to follow suit.

Never fear! My newly-appointed resident curl expert, Jamie, is going to give all of you curly gals some fabulous tips.

(For the record, Jamie also received a quasi-mullet and believes she resembles this. (SHE SO DOES NOT.) Although, I’m currently lobbying her to visit California for Halloween, as we could totally rock Ann and Nancy Wilson.)

Inhale all of her curl wisdom:

Holy hairspray, Batman! I cannot believe I was called upon by the Grand Duchess Poobah of Hair Herself, Ms. Whoorl. It’s great to be here! Let’s get to it.

Curly hair can be difficult to deal with because every single person’s curls are different, and incredibly finicky. Then again, that is what makes curly hair so fabulous! Skipping the most obvious tips (like ask for a stylist who is experienced with curly hair, and NEVER EVER flat-iron your hair straight on a daily basis), let’s get started with my top tips for the corkscrew set.

I think it was the Byrds who sang “to every season, turn, turn, turn.” Your first step in taming your mane is to pay attention to the seasons. Obvious to some, not so obvious to others. What tames your frizzies in the sticky summer months might be the bonehead move that is making you look greasy in cold, dry December. Turn, turn, turn to your medicine cabinet and take a gander – are you using the same product all year long? If you must be consistent, great all-weather products include Aveda’s “Be Curly” Line, Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious, Graham Webb “Brit Style” Whipped Wax (which I personally use and loooooove), and from your drugstore, John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls, and Finesse Curl Control Mousse. Allow your hair to air dry in warmer weather, diffuse in the winter, and remember that you don’t need to wash your hair every day!

Tip Numero Dos: Give up the fight. Every curly haired girl must come to terms with the nature of her hair. Let your swirl pattern loose – don’t force a part when you get your hair cut, and whatever you do, DON’T poke at your hair after you’re done styling it. The more you touch it, the worse it will look. Also, it’s not recommended for curly girls (or guys for that matter) to wrap their hair up “turban style” post-shower/bath. Twisting your hair into a towel disrupts the curl pattern, yanks your hair about, and leaves you with who-knows-what for shape when all is said and done. Instead, flip your head upside down to blot most of the moisture out, ideally with an old t-shirt – terrycloth towels won’t get enough moisture out, and super chamois towels take too much. Some fantastic treatments and products to get your hair back to “home base” are: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment (if you want to splurge), Biolage Daily Leave-in Tonic, Redken Fresh Curls Spray, and Back to Basics Curl Refreshing Shampoo/Conditioner.

Lastly, make sure to think positive! Curly haired girls never have to worry about getting caught in the rain for fear their hair will spoil. Curly haired girls almost never have to worry about ponytail ridges, and we can straighten when we want to! We can have our cake and eat it too!

If any of you have seen Jamie’s hair, you know to hang on her every word. She has some of the most amazing curls I’ve ever seen. Thanks, Jamie, for helping me out!