How To Embrace Your Curls!

by BR Kellie

For as long as I can remember I've had a love/hate relationship with my mop of curly/wavy hair. I've swung wildly between keeping it in a bun or straightening it, and doing my best to embrace it and let it live its best free and frizzy life. Lately, the former has been winning out... but perhaps not for much longer. You see, I sense a change in the wind. It could be the paparazzi pics I've seen of Julia Roberts out and about with her gorgeous mane in full curl mode. Or perhaps the images of Sarah Jessica Parker filming the new Sex and the City series, her beautiful hair halo-ing around her. Either way, my hair is telling me its time to let it be its authentic self.

So it got me thinking... how can a curly tressed lass make the most of her head of hair? Down the rabbit hole I went...

Get the right cut.

Not all curls are created the same. Some of us have thick hair, others thin hair. Some of us have tighter curls, some looser. Then there's face shape to consider, not to mention how your curls sit. A good cut is a must if you want to live your best curl life, and that means finding a hair stylist who knows their way around a head of curls. My tip? If you see someone rocking a head of curls that look similar to your hair type, ask them who their stylist is. It'll mean the difference between walking out looking like a bombshell or a french poodle (I speak from experience and carry the scars of the experience to this day).

Find the right products from shampoo to hairspray.

Not to sound obvious, but you want to find a product that makes it clear that it's designed for curls. Curls need hydration as they're prone to dryness, so look for nourishing products that promise a good de-frizzing. You don't want to wash your hair every day (although if you've an oily scalp like I do you might have to reach for some dry shampoo), you also don't want to be too heavy-handed with the styling products you use. A little will do a lot, while stopping your curls from being weighed down. Finding the right product can come down to personal preference. For me it was mousse and a dousing of hair spray, but other options include creams, serums, gels and oils. 

The styling.

A diffuser attachment is a curly headed gal's best friend. Scrunch and bunch your hair while using it to get big 90s style bounce, or twirl a curl around your finger and set it on the diffuser to get a more styled look. Once your hair gets to about 80% dry step away from your hairdryer and let it naturally dry to avoid frizz. Alternatively, a dollop of product scrunched through wet hair, followed by a good air drying can give you a gorgeous look.

Keep your hands to yourself.

It's tempting to toss and turn and tip your marvellous mane every which was once you've mastered your curls, but doing so can create frizz, which can be cute but it can also make you look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards, then pushed through it forwards again, so keep your hands to yourself as best you can once you've got your hair looking the way you'd like it to.

How do you know when you've achieved your best curly haired look ever? You'll walk down the street with Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman running through your mind, or a little Latin jazz ditty a la Carrie Bradshaw and co. At least, that's my plan.

So my fellow curly headed lovelies... Do you embrace your curls? Are you tempted to? Or are your straighteners, or tossing your hair into a bun more your speed? Chat below!