Curly hair product favorites

Last week I posted on Facebook, (in the midst of getting ready for a yard sale) about some of my current favorite curly hair products. I have found that these pair together well for my high porosity, 3A/3B curly hair in the dry desert of Colorado. 

I like to switch off product pairings, and this is one pairing I have liked for some time. As I Am Coconut Co-wash and Garnier Fructis smoothing treat one-minute hair mask. I use the hair mask as a conditioner that I leave in for a minute and rinse out. 

This is another, alternate pairing that I like. I co-wash with the VO5 Strawberries and Cream, rinse out and condition with the TreSemme Botanique Nourish and Replenish conditioner. 

After I shower, I plop my hair in an old t-shirt for about 10 minutes while I dress, apply lotion, deodorant, put on jewelry, makeup, etc., I like to follow "Laura's Method" on YouTube. She has an older method where she leaves ALL of the conditioner in her hair, not rinsing it out. She has a second video in which she shares a newer method. She does rinse out the conditioner, but then applies water from a spray bottle, then styling cream and then gel. She likes to use Giovanni products. I have not seen the cream at my store for under $8-10. After I use the cream, then I apply LA Looks Extreme Sport blue gel using praying hands and scrunch it all in over the sink. I get pretty consistent wash day results with these products. But the styling cream was given to me, so when that runs out, I'm not sure if I'll buy more or not. It tends to be a bit pricy. 

I hope this helps you find a wonderful product combination, and gives you great hair days too! On day two, after sleeping in a fabric buff hair covering, I remove it. I spray my hair with water to refresh my curls. Sometimes I add the blue gel. Then I just scrunch it in and go! I hope that helps!

Daniel 3:27 (after Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago were in the fiery furnace)

...and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Matthew 5:36

And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Revelation 1:14

The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

Curly hair history

I've worn my hair curly for my whole life. I was born with naturally curly hair. I've only had my hair straightened 2 or 3 times. I have learned over the years how to better care for my curls, and how to get more CURL and less frizz. My sister, mom, and oldest daughter also have curly hair, so we encourage each other, share products and help each other. I have trimmed my mom and daughter's hair several times.

When I was younger, we always brushed my hair. When I was about 13, I began using a pick to care for my hair. I straightened my bangs all throughout high school, and I used mousse in my hair. I used to blow it dry, and I had a lot of frizz, the "big hair". I definitely used hair spray in my hair too. I did the same routine several years into my marriage, but then I started using gel more often. I began to wear my bangs curly, and I often let my hair air dry. My hair was better, but I went through several cuts of differing lengths while I had babies. My last big cut was when my youngest was about 18 months old. I cut off 8 inches and kept it short for many years.

AFTER A CURLY GIRL "DEVA" HAIR CUT

My sister gave me the Curly Girl Handbook about 10 years ago, and I began to use baby shampoo and Fruit of the Earth Aloe vera gel in my hair. I also used a spray gel by Garnier Fructis that I liked.  I liked the TreSemme shampoo and conditioner and used that for many years. I also tried the OGX brand of shampoo and conditioners, and I got decent results with those products.

I blow dry my hair much less now than I used to. Now it is usually when I need my hair to dry faster, or when it is cold outside. Many times I allow my hair to air dry for an hour and then I diffuse it dry the rest of the way. Now, I also do not rinse all of my conditioner out of my hair. Many days I squeeze the excess conditioner out of my hair and then dry it in a T-shirt on top of my head. (see below)

NOV. 2017

In order to get more volume on the top of my head (and avoid the triangle of frizzy hair), I usually put clips along my part line. I use 6 or 7 clips to pull the hair up off of my head. I have also blown my hair dry upside-down to get volume on top. My daughter and sister like to use dry shampoo to add volume, but I don't like the way the dry shampoo feels in my hair.

I used to dry my hair with a regular towel when I was younger, but I found a microfiber hair turban that I used for 6 or 8 years. Now I dry my hair by "plopping," which involved wrapping a t-shirt around your head to let the hair dry. After it dries in the plop for 10 -15 minutes, I take it out and add gel to it. Then I let it air dry.

JULY 2019

I've grown my hair out before, but I've never had it longer than a few inches down the middle of my back. I am growing it out again now, and it is longer than I have had it for maybe 5 years. It is fun to enjoy my curls more and more, and try different ways of drying and washing it. I am enjoying seeing my hair on my shoulders, which was not the case for a long time. I also have not been able to wear it up very much, since it was so short. But usually my head hurts if I wear it up too much. I do like the Lilla Rose flexis, and the invisibobble in my hair to wear now. They don't pull on my hair too much.

What about you? Have you had many different hairstyles and hairdos, or have you mostly left your hair the same for a while? Sometimes versatility is fun! Is it time for you to try something new?

Curly hair update

Many of my closer friends know that I have naturally curly hair, and I am always trying to find good products that work well with my own hair. This past summer I joined a Facebook group called "Love YOUR curls," in which a bunch of curly haired women (mostly) share about things that they have found help their curly hair. I decided to try something different after watching a YouTube video called "Laura's method." Laura is the administrator for the Facebook page, Love your curls.

Laura's method is different in that she leaves ALL of the conditioner in her hair after washing it. I had never left all of my conditioner in, not rinsing it at all. She also "plops" to dry it, which is a way of tying your hair up to dry in a t-shirt. After drying for 20-30 minutes that way, she added gel and diffused it. I tried it, and it was a total game changer for me! My curls are very moisturized, clump together better, and I've had so many good hair days. Laura's hair is thicker and longer than mine, so I was kinda surprised it worked so well for me.

Products I've been using in my hair...

I don't often like going 2 days between washing my hair, but I have done so way more after using Laura's method. I am surprised when I have great curls after waking up in the morning. I can usually spray them with some water, add a little gel and they are good to go. I could not easily do that before using Laura's method. She only does her hair 2-3 times a week, but I don't like the way my hair feels going that long between washings.

Hair pic from early June

 These are hair pictures right after I began to use Laura's method on my curly locks, in the end of June. I love the change and more defined coils!

My sister recently came to visit me and she was amazed at how different my curls looked. She was inspired to try Laura's method. I wonder if she will like it at home. She lives in a bigger city and has always used more DevaCurl products than me. I tend to use more drugstore based products that tend to be cheaper. Her hair always looks great to me! She was the one who told me about the Love Your curls facebook group. I like learning about different hair products and routines there.

My sister took a picture of the back of my hair when she visited. It is interesting to see what the back of your own hair looks like!

 

Recent hair picture... I'm enjoying the length, I haven't had it this long in over 5 years! 

Laura encourages curly girls to take selfies, so you can see how your hair grows and changes throughout the year. I can tell a difference when I look back at them!

 This is the picture that my sister took of my hair when she recently visited...

Note: I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and got some new conditioner, GVP, or Generic Value Products on a buy one get one free sale. I have loved it! And I love that I got them for about $4.25 each!


Do you have curly hair? What products do you find work well for your hair? I got some new products in my stocking, and I have been enjoying trying them out so far!

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 7:38

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

Bethany's BIG haircut!

Our daughter Bethany was ready for a big change with her hair, ready to be done with the daily untangling of her locks. We measured it several times, and decided she was ready to donate it to Locks of Love! Her older sisters have done this several times, and we were happy to have her join the ranks of her sisters! (You can see a post about them here.)

 Before... check out that long mane!

All done!

 Super cute on our Bethy!

 Showing off the cut at home...

 SO much cooler for summer!

 Look at that ponytail! Some other child will be happy to get her pretty hair!

How it is normally... under a hat! 

It has been a great change, so easy to take care of and brush. She needs less shampoo and conditioner too...

Matthew 10:29-31

" Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

1 Peter 3:3-4

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

New fun, curly haircut!

While we were visiting family, my baby niece's baptism landed on the same weekend as our Spring Break trip. My parents also came to visit, which nearly never happens. We don't usually all visit my sister (and brother) at the same time! Since my mom was in town, she decided I should get an early birthday gift from her (and my Dad) of going to my sister's salon and get a "curly girl" haircut. My most diligent readers will remember my other posts about my curly hair. We do not have a really great curly hair stylist where I live, so my haircuts have been mediocre for a while. (My hubby's been cutting it the past few times and does great! But he's not a stylist...)

It was really nice to go to a stylist that works with lots of curly hair and has been trained to style it. It really is different than cutting and styling straight hair. The gal used great products, explained what she was doing, showed me how to style it better, and trimmed it to frame my face and be sculpted better all around. I love it!

 Look at all of those defined curls! So fun!

 Of course, I did sit under a hood dryer to get it to look like this, and I certainly don't have one of those at home. But I can flip my head over, apply a generous amount of gel from root to tip, clip it where I'd like it to stay, and let it air dry at home (most days). She tried to eliminate some of the weight I have from parting it on the side of my head.

Not the best smile, but I am thrilled with my new 'do! I've had great days with my hair --styling it at home-- ever since! What a blessing! (I feel like I look more like my mom and sister who both have had their hair done there!) My daughter Rebekah had her hair cut and styled too, but I don't have many pics of it. You can see some on her blog here.)

Thanks, Mom!


2 Samuel 14:11

She said, “Then let the king invoke the Lord his God to prevent the avenger of blood from adding to the destruction, so that my son will not be destroyed.” “As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “not one hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 7:38

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

New curly hair products

About a year-and-a-laf ago, I wrote about curly hair products that I use. You can see that post here.

I am still using the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera gel in my hair, and like how it looks and feels, plus it is all natural! The shampoo (Jason brand) I discovered by looking at the label, has dimethicone in it, which is a silicone and it is bad for curly hair! I thought I had read the label so carefully when I first bought it, but apparently not! I bought a different shampoo of the same brand (an Aloe Vera shampoo) and liked it. The price was over $7, a little steep for me, especially when I don't have coupons!

So this last time at the store, I saw Nature's Gate shampoo in the natural care section, and decided to buy it-- and it's only $5! I haven't used it much yet, so we will see how I like it!

My sister has been using TRESemme naturals moisturizing conditioner, and when I read the label, the ingredients are fine-- no silicones, sulfates! I have been pleased with using it again (I used to use it several years ago, and I think they changed their ingredients!) and it is cheaper than the John Freida conditioner too!

I am kinda picky about hair care products, so I thought I'd share with my curly-headed readers what I use, to help you when you shop at the store!

Luke 12:7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 21:17-19

"Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life."

John 12:3

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Wordless Wednesday: Big Haircut!

(Well, not very wordless...)

This past week, I took my three girls to the salon. The younger two have hardly been to one, if ever since my hubby and I trim their hair, and my mom-in-law will trim them up too. My 3 year old got a trim and her bangs evened up. My 13-year-old also got a trim of an inch or so and layers trimmed up too.

But my 5-year-old... SHE got a Major Haircut for the first time! She'd been saying lately that she wanted her hair short. Mallory has such thick, long hair that heats her up easily. And Summer is coming, so we thought this was a great time to do it! We had measured her hair at home and thought we'd get about 8 inches, which is not enough for Locks of Love. They require 10 inches, and we knew this since we'd donated to them before.

Cutting the ponytail off...

After we got to the salon, the stylist brushed Mal's hair out, then washed/ conditioned it, and brushed it again. We put a ponytail in it, and she whacked it off! When we got home, we measured it again and it was 11 inches! So we will send it to Locks of Love after all. Hooray!

Little more trimming...

AND a style... Blown dry and curled!

Almost done... she loved it!

Look at that ponytail!

She loves her new pixie hairdo and will be sooo much cooler this summer! I need a trim next!

Matthew 10:29-31

" Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

1 Peter 3:3-4

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Curly kids

My sister and I were both curly-haired kids. Her hair was blonde and always much finer than mine. I remember her hair frequently having a row of perfect little ringlets all along the back of her head-- very often! She even wrote a book in college about curly hair called, "Frizzy Lizzy: A Story for Girls with Curls". I love to read it to my kids!

MINI-JILL WITH CURLS!

Since I had curly hair, I figured all of my girls would have curly hair like my sister and I. But alas, my two younger girls have wavy hair. If we fluff it just right after a bath, it can almost be curly. They may still change though... my hair stylist told me that kid's hair often changes between ages 5 and 7. We'll see! Mallory, my five-year-old has such thick hair now, I hope it doesn't get much thicker!

My older daughter's hair changed as she grew, and now she has wonderful golden curls. Such fun! She styles her hair now much like I style my hair. As far as my little girls, I do some curly techniques on their hair, but not much.

In the book, Curly Girl, The Handbook: A Celebration of Curls, author Lorraine Massey discusses how to care for kids' curly hair. What I have learned and gathered from the book, I will share below:

-Wash child's hair with a gentle cleanser, such as California Baby Shampoo or even generic baby shampoo.

-Comb conditioner through their locks with your fingers. You can use Suave Naturals Conditioners, or Garnier Fructis' Sleek and Shine conditioner, which is what my daughter uses. You don't need to rinse ALL of the conditioner out of their hair, it is ok to leave some in the hair.

My daughter and her gorgeous hair...

*Note: Conditioner is super important, because their hair is soooo dry and can be fly-away prone. If it gets fly-away or staticy (esp. in winter) you can run lotioned up hands over their hair, or even a dryer sheet. I also really like leave-in conditioner to help calm and control their hair daily.

-Do not wash hair daily if you can avoid it. You can also just condition their hair to cleanse it, as the Curly Girl book recommends for older girls and women. (even each time you wash their hair)

-To style, use a pick or a wide- toothed comb, or even just your fingers to comb through their hair. Leave-in conditioner can help with this. For added control, apply hair gel (I like Aloe Vera Gel best) or spray gel. My favorite spray gel is the Garnier Fructis Spray gel for Curly Hair.

You can see some of these products in this post about curly hair products that I use on my own hair. This is another post that I wrote about curly hair.
_________________________________________

Here is a little poem for you:
 There was a little girl 
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of
Her forehead. 
When she was good
She was very, very good
But when she was bad, 
She was horrid. 
-H.W. Longfellow 
Related Bible verses:

Ecclesiastes 7:14
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future."


Luke 12:7
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Luke 21:17-19

"Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life."

I hope this helps you with your kids' hair, and learning how to style it! If there hair is VERY curly, you may want to look at some of the products (found at Wal-Mart) for negro hair. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer them!


Here is a comic that I like, I just think it's cute!

Curly hair products {that I use}

Some of you may remember this post that I wrote about curly hair before...well, I lost that Curly Girl book. I loaned it to a friend that moved away. I went back onto Amazon.com and ordered myself a new copy. Of course, they didn't have the old edition, but a fancy new edition with DVD. I ordered it and have been enjoying it with my daughter.

My daughter has a wonderful, amazingly smart friend that has curly/wavy hair. We decided to buy the new Curly Girl edition for her friend for Christmas (actually I suggested it, and my daughter paid for it with her baby-sitting $ !) Her friend has been enjoying it, and I thought I would post about what products I used, so she could have a little help on good curly hair products to buy.

These are not the only curly hair products that are good for hair, but these are good ones that I use and like. I have read the labels thoroughly (or so I think!) and haven't found anything harmful according to the Curly Girl book. My sister is also a Curly Girl" and she uses different products than I do. I know she used to use Biolage, which are wonderful but expensive. I'm not sure what she currently purchases and uses on her curly hair.

ALOE VERA GEL
BY FRUIT OF THE EARTH (FOTE)

My favorite gel is light and clear, so it is fine to use on hair. It even states on the back of the bottle to try it in your hair! It contains NO alcohol (which is a drying agent) and no fragrance. I like that is natural too! Hint: I've found it most often at Wal-mart, on the bottom shelf in the lotions aisle. It is about $3 a bottle, and in the summer they offer larger bottles with pumps- so watch for them, they're so much nicer to use!

JASON RESTORATIVE BIOTIN
PURE NATURAL SHAMPOO

This is a wonderfully light cleansing shampoo, which has NO parabens, SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and no Phthlates, which are all listed in the Curly Girl book as bad for curly hair. (I think SLS is bad for humans altogether, as it is a floor cleaner!) My hair feels very light and clean after I use it, and I mostly scrub it into my scalp. Oh-- and I wrote the company from their website, and they sent me 2 $1 off coupons! Gotta love that! I found this in the Natural products section in our local supermarket.

HYDRATING TEATREE MINT CONDITIONER
by Organix

I've found this affordable hydrating conditioner by Organix, and I like it. My hair really soaks it up! A cousin recommended this conditioner to me, as he uses it.

I reallllly like another one called "Root Awakening" by John Freida, but it is a little costly. I am waiting for it to go on sale again, and then maybe I'll buy it. Root Awakening is a little costly, but it made my hair feel very light and airy.

GARNIER FRUCTIS
FORTIFYING CONDITIONER
SLEEK & SHINE

This is the conditioner that I have used the most often in the past few years. It is good, maybe not the best, but this is what I buy for my daughter. It states that it is for Frizzy, Dry Unmanageable Hair, and it is moisturizing. It is a very good lower cost alternative.

GARNIER FRUCTIS STYLE
CURL SHAPING SPRAY GEL

This is one of my staple products that I use everyday in accompaniment with the FOTE gel. It is a good finishing spray, helps tame a few extra frizzes and bring out more curl. I can tell when I've put too much in, but I like the hold and definition that it gives.

I like this Bible verse and how it relates...  "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:7

What curly hair products do you use, that you can recommend to me? I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts!