Although often hidden, many ethnic beauties possess some type of natural curl, or curl pattern in their hair. However, our curls, sometimes called kinks, may not be visible because we have hacked, flat ironed, hot combed, relaxed, blow dried, gelled, pomaded, permed, straightened, beaten, or brushed them into submission. And for shame; when curls can be so beautiful. Sure, they have issues intrinsic to them alone, making curls special needs hair -- however, if properly treated, and worked with, curls can give hair immense body. They can shine, and enable an ethnic beauty to create a collage of hair styles.
Now I am not saying that one should not chemically straighten ethnic hair, if that is her choice. I am simply asking why not learn to work with the fragile curl pattern in our hair? Speaking of this, my stylist once told me that the point of straightening ethnic hair is mostly to relax the bond, the curl pattern. She explained that a good stylist would never damage this by overly straightening. She further expounded that to do so would make the hair weak and porous, which would in turn make it vulnerable to breakage and additional dryness. Now I ask you, who would want that -- when healthy hair is the ultimate in gorgeous?
Further interested, I picked up a book by author and stylist Ouidad, (pronounced Wee-dod). As the owner of Salons which are often referred to as curly hair meccas, Ouidad opened the very first salon to ever focus exclusively on the unique needs of curly hair. Like many ethnic beauties with curls, kinks, and waves, she too admits to having had a love-hate affair with her hair. She divulged what many of us already know. That curls are great, but the unruliness and the frizz is not. Like many of us, she said that from her teenaged years on, she had her hair chemically straightened, only to find that her natural curls, and the accompanying frizz would return, within weeks.
The reason I am telling you about Ouidad—now widely known as the 'Queen of Curl' is because for more than a decade clients have sought her expertise in cutting, styling, treating, coloring, and caring for curly hair. She advises curly girls to use shampoos and conditioners formulated specifically for curly, kinky, and wavy hair needs.
Listed below are a few more things that ethnic beauties who are tired of fighting their special needs curls can do:
1. Say no to volumizing shampoos. Curls need no extra volume. They have body enough.
2. Be gentle. Leave hairbrushes alone. Bristles are harsh and will separate already coifed curls. Bristles can also damage fragile curly strands.
3. Always condition hair, especially in the summertime. Also minimize sun exposure.
4. Forget alcohol based products, extra hold gels, styling sprays, etc. They are often drying and encourage miscreant frizz. (I love this rule, and can attest that it makes a world of difference!)
5. When choosing to straighten curls, do not shampoo on straightening/relaxing day. Do deep condition leading up to this event for mane protection.
6. For a glossy appearance, gently work a thin layer of special needs product into hair with the fingertips.
7. Do not forget graying curls which beg for a fabulous cut. A shampoo like Clairol's Shimmer Lights should also eliminate the yellowish cast sometimes seen in mature hair.
Ethnic beauties, It is lovely to stop attempting to burn and fry away the very look that others are striving -- or buying wigs and applying weaves -- to get. Yes, and when we stop fighting our special needs hair and learn to work with and love it, things begin to change; mainly our outlook. Where we once saw ourselves as electric frizz girl, or as Chia Pet, we can begin to see ourselves as the babe with beautiful hair! Hey, and we may even wind up with more time. No more hours long rituals before the mirror; and we may also save money. Yes, by only purchasing products made for our special needs hair.
For more information on curls, girls pick up Ouidad's book Curl Talk. Then if your tresses possess some form of curl, kink, or wave, you just may be glad you did!
Also email me, let me know if this article was helpful to you. I look forward to your comments!
April
