Posts Tagged ‘curly hair’

How to Make Curly Hairstyles Last

Published by on December 8th, 2011

Sick of your curly hairstyles falling flat in seconds after all that effort? If you have natural curls or if you create them with a curling iron or traditional method, there are several tips to make sure your curly hairstyles stay soft, bouncy and beautiful for longer.

Keep your locks healthy

Healthy hair is super important for great results. Whether you’re naturally curly or like to flaunt created curls, you need healthy locks to look amazing. Curly hair should be washed once every other day or less. Washing too often will strip away the natural oils that keep the strands moisturized and soft. If you are going to style curly hair, wash it the night before to make sure the natural oils set in by the time you style. Trimming the ends will prevent them from splitting and a light conditioner is a good idea after washing to keep your locks hydrated.

Protecting your hair from damaging factors

Factors such as humidity, heat and the wrong hair products all contribute to ruining curly hairstyles. Humidity causes unsightly frizz, so try anti-frizz or anti-humidity products to control this issue. Excess heat is an enemy of healthy hair, causing dryness and general damage. Use thermal protectants if you plan to use heat styling tools and avoid alcohol-based products because these can make your hair brittle. Use conditioning products to ensure your curly hairstyles last longer and don’t forget to treat your hair gently. If you want to color your curls, be careful, dyes involve chemical processes that can damage your hair, so follow the instructions properly and keep your locks conditioned.

Using lasting products

Hair sprays are good for keeping curls in place, just make sure not to use too much. Also, avoid touching your curls too much because this can unsettle the style and cause frizz.

 



 


Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair

Published by on September 8th, 2011

Curly hair can be hard to blow dry successfully because of its complex nature . Finding the best hair dryer for curly locks is super important if you want fast results and healthy hair. When you have curly hair, you will notice that it dries out more easily than most hair types, and this is because the moisture and natural oils in your scalp are unable to travel all the way down each twisty strand. You need all the moisture you can get, so concentrate on finding a good quality hair dryer that uses only the best heating elements.

Not only is curly hair more vulnerable to the heat, it also requires high temperatures to dry successfully. This can be a bit of a problem, since too much heat can dry out your hair, but not enough of it won’t provide you with the results you want. What you need is a professional hair dryer that contains a powerful motor (at least 1800 watts) that can handle high temperatures without damaging your hair. One of these is the Karmin Salon Pro Professional hair dryer, so don’t hesitate to check this model out.

Make sure the hair dryer you purchase uses safe, moist ceramic heat. This heat is the least damaging and can help curly hair conserve its moisture. Try and find a model that features variable heat and air settings to give you more control over the drying process and therefore keep your locks healthy.

A diffuser attachment is very useful for drying curls and enhancing their natural texture, so consider getting one with your hair dryer if it doesn’t already come with one. You can then enjoy super smooth and defined curls that look completely natural. Read more about the advantages of a  diffuser attachment in our post Benefits of Hair Dryer Diffusers.

 

 


Benefits of Hair Dryer Diffusers

Published by on September 7th, 2011

A diffuser is a cone shaped object constructed of plastic that is attached to the end of your hair dryer and helps direct the airflow onto your locks. The end section is wide and circular (though not always) and features finger-like prongs and air holes. The prongs are very useful when drying curly or wavy hair because they lift the strands while they are being dried, giving curls and waves a more defined shape without the frizz. The air holes let the hot air circulate, preventing damage and overheating of the hair.

With curly hair a diffuser is a big help, since this hair type is dryer and is more vulnerable to the heat of a hair dryer, so using a diffuser can help conserve moisture and safely style your curls, enhancing their natural texture.

You can generally get a diffuser with the purchase of your hair dryer but if you have a hair dryer already you can find diffusers separately. There are different types of diffuser, some are shaped like hands, others in the shape of socks and a few shaped like prong-free portable fans.

How do you use a diffuser?

• Wash your hair as normal then apply some curl product  and work it thoroughly into your locks with your hands using scrunching motions. You’ll need this product in order to obtain defined and frizz free curls or waves.

• Turn on your hair dryer with the diffuser attached and direct it beneath a small lock of hair. Lift the hair dryer until the lock is held against your scalp in a curled position, and simultaneously dry it. You can also flip your hair upside down or to the side, cup it with the diffuser and dry in upwards motions.

• Repeat the previous step with all your hair until it’s completely dry, then finish the style with the cool shot button to bring out extra shine.

Here’s a great tutorial that explains how a diffuser works and the best way to use it:


Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair

Published by on August 17th, 2011

Curly locks can be high maintenance. Curly hair tends to be drier than most hair types because the natural oils produced by your scalp don’t make it all the way down the twists of your hair shaft. Curly hair is also more difficult to tame with a styling tool because of its texture, and results may last little time before your hair curls up again. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for the best flat iron for curly hair:

Technology: ceramic is your best bet because it produces a gentle, moist heat that’s perfect for curly hair. As you read before, your curls require moisture, so a flat iron with ceramic heating elements is essential. Never settle for economic brands because they’ll only damage your curls and dry out your hair even more. Look for professional flat irons that contain quality heating elements that won’t harm your curls.

Heat: high temperatures are necessary to penetrate the hair shaft, so a flat iron that can get up to more than 400°F is needed. A flat iron that has variable temperature settings, is ideal, because it gives you more control over the process and lets you start out on a low setting and finish off on a high one.

An ideal flat iron for curly hair can be the Karmin G3, with ceramic tourmaline elements that gently straighten your hair no matter how high the heat can get and seals the cuticles, locking in moisture for a smooth, polished and frizz free finish. The 100% ceramic tourmaline plates work towards that same end to keep your hair soft and healthy. The Karmin G3 also features adjustable temperature settings that reach up to 450°F which is recommended for thick or curly hair.

Don’t forget to check out our article on the Best Flat Iron for Thick Hair.

 

 


Ten Hairstyles Ideas for Curly hair

Published by on August 2nd, 2011

Nowadays, straight hair is all the rage. We see curly women straighten their hair for every occasion, even to go to work because straight hair looks much more professional. But lovely, bouncy curls are beautiful too! You just have to try these professional curly hairstyles without straying from your natural look.

1. Curly Bob

Now when you imagine a curly bob, you probably see a mop of curls on your head. But your curls will actually look tighter, shinier and more professional, plus it’ll be a lot easier to maintain, with just a few trips to the stylist to trim every once in a while.

2. Braids

These are a nice, neat way to keep curls under control. For those with longer curly hair, a side braid will make a good work look and also seem stylish. Make sure that when you braid, keep it tight to control your curls.

3. High Ponytail/Bun

Another way to sweep the curls away from your face, while staying trendy and professional. With longer hair, tie it into a high ponytail and let the curls naturally cascade down. If you want to freshen up your look, use the Karmin Salon Pro Clipless Curling Iron to enhance those curls.

4. Completely Natural

Sometimes the best thing is to let your hair down and flaunt your natural curls. This creates a much softer and youthful look and guarantees a second glance. You do need to maintain it, so try Pro Naturals Moroccan Oil to keep your curls smooth and glossy.

5. Half up

Letting a few curls down to frame your face always looks stylish, so try tying half your locks up while leaving the rest free.

6. Accessorize

Hair accessories can complement your hair and also keep it out of your face. Headbands, funky clips, stylish bobby pins all work to create a look.

7. Twists

Grabbing some hair, twisting it back and pinning it to your head makes for a classic but functional style. Be sure to twist tightly to end up with a polished look.

8. Bangs

Not all hair types can handle bangs, and if your hair’s curly, bangs could be a challenge. Make sure they don’t cover your eyes and when you go to get them cut, make sure your curls are dry rather than wet, to avoid getting them cut shorter than you want.

9. French Twist

Classic and chic, the French twist looks professional on anyone no matter the hair type. You can wear this style tightly or loosely with stray curls framing your face.

10. Pin it Up

Using bobby pins, take layers of your hair starting from the top and pin them up. Once you’ve pinned up the top half, get creative with the bottom half, twisting up hair and pinning it to your head. Add hairspray to the finished result!