For Curly or Wavy Hair

TIGI Catwalk – Curls Rock:

I found this product for Amplifying Curls to be pretty good . The consistency is soft enough that it is easy to spread throughout the head evenly, altho I would avoid putting it too close to the roots as it might cling it together too much. It definitely holds the curl well but may be too heavy on finer hair. The end result leaves the hair a little on the hard side until it is shaken loose, but the curls/waves are definitely more precise and pronounced.

Hair Question ~ Teasing Hair

Question by TwinkieChan:

jules!
i have a hair question. i have been in the habit of teasing my hair to get volume. i have defaulted to a comb that has little extra barbs or something in the teeth to catch hair (it also has long metal prongs on the bottom and i have no idea what those are for). then, at night , i use a regular comb (without the extra barbs) to comb out the hair spray and backcombing. i feel like the combing out is especially harsh, and could cause a lot of breakage. do you recommend other combs/brushes/tools, either for backcombing, or combing the hair out?

Answer:

Yes, all that combing and faffing is very harsh for the hair, even tho our hair can handle anything really but your much better off using a brush for the back combing. Bristle brushes are best for both backcombing and for brushing out afterwards as they will not tear the hair out. There is a brush you can buy which is specifically for backbrushing. I will post a pic of it and also others that I find works well too.


Here are 3 brushes that I recommend,
1. Spornette Littlewonder backbrush.

2. Y S Park small round brush, great for back brushing and
3. for longer hair.. the Y.S Park Paddle Brush.

Getting Lift and Body

PRIVE Weightless Amplifier:

One of my favourites right now. This mouse that turns to gel textured product is ideal for fine/medium hair that needs body and lift. The product is soft and pliable enough to still be able to use a brush to style the hair without it getting all tangled up and knotted. Not for people who need to feel like there is product in the hair.

Styling Natural Curly Hair

Asian hair has always been known to most people including myself, as the typical straight coarse texture, so I am so surprised at how many natural curly locks I have come across lately. I figured this was a good opportunity for me to talk about how this type of hair is best styled for great looking results.

1. From when the hair is wrapped in a towel after washing, do not rub vigorously with the towel as this will frizz the hair up, squeeze the hair rather than rub.


2. This is the time to comb your hair, (when it is very wet) as when the hair is dry no combs or brushes should go near the hair. (The reason why it is OK to comb when wet is becos the hair is wet enough to bounce back into its original curl without pulling out the wave too much.)

3. Apply a good leave in conditioner or styling cream, (see stylists notes) Start applying from the ends and then work on the roots last (this will ensure that not all the products land on the roots). Once the hair is covered with products, you may do one of 2 things:

a/ Lift and scrunch the hair up lightly and shape the hair as you would like to see it dry or if you want more definition in the curls………

b/ Take small sections from the hair underneath and work up the head, each small section is twisted to keep the ends more defined. Do not twist too tightly at the roots as it will spring the opposite direction ad loosen up too much.

4. Once the whole head is complete, gently lift and scrunch. Then either use a diffuser or leave to air dry naturally. (see stylists notes attached)
5. DO NOT touch or mess with the hair WHILE the hair is drying… Once dry you can move and fluff as much as you want but during the drying process it is important not to disturb the curls as this will shatter the curls BEFORE they have a chance to set, leaving the hair frizzy.

6. Once dry, either it fluff out (for a crazier look) or just lift and scrunch the hair throughout to give it more lift.


Thanks to Jamie for posing with her lovely locks!

Stylists Notes on Styling Curly Hair

There is a difference in drying curly hair with and without a diffuser.

If the hair is diffused, the air flow from the hairdryer (even tho less than a normal dryer flow) gets into the hair and roots more, therefore lifting the hair away while it is drying, thus leaving the hair airier and curlier. The steady air low does not disturb the curls too much unless the air low is too strong or you have fine hair involved.

If the hair is air-dried without a diffuser, the water in the hair, weighs down the hair while it is drying, therefore unless you remember from time to time during the drying process to squeeze the hair up, the hair will dry flatter but still defined.

Some of my recommended products that I like for curly hair are:
Prive – Curl Activator (medium hold)
Davines – Defining Cream (soft and light feel)
Tigi – Curls Rock, Curl Amplifier (crisper harder hold)
Ojon Hair – Animated Styling Cream (mild and soft)