All About Curls.
If you're curious about what your hair would look and feel like if you knew the proper hair-care routine and styling method than you've found yourself in the right place.
I'm here to help you see the beauty I see in your curls. I want you to appreciate the wild unpredictable nature of the hair you were blessed with. I'm passionate about teaching you how to love and embrace your texture and all it has to offer.
While I may not have curly hair myself I've spent nearly a decade studying curls of all types, the products that work best to moisturize and protect them, and practicing the styling methods that create the most supple frizz-free curls.
I'm determined to elevate the curly hair salon experience and committed to giving my clients a cut and color that compliments both their lifestyle and personal aesthetic.
​
A hair service with me is so much more than my chance to make you look and feel beautiful. I'll provide you the education and coaching you need to learn to manage your individual hair needs.
I'll show you how to achieve the style you've been craving and provide for you a plan to care for your hair from the moment you leave the salon till I see you again at our next appointment.
​
I created this page as an extension of my in-salon experience, it serves as a place for all my curly beauties to find helpful recommendations and expands on the information and haircare knowledge I share when I am behind the chair.
Love Your Curls
How to prepare for your curly hair appointment
I utilize a dry cutting method on all my curly clients which means we cut before we wash. There are a few essential must-dos for clients when preparing for a curly hair appointment with me.
-
Come with clean fully dry curly styled hair no more than one day dirty (whatever makes sense to make the next steps possible)
-
Make sure your hair is free of tangles and dreading (if significant tangles are present let me know to allow for more time)
-
Avoid overuse of products that would create an issue with my gliding my hands through your hair
-
Let your curls live free of clips, hair ties, hats, rubber bands or headbands
-
Come with a list of the current products you use on your hair regularly
-
Do not brush or comb your hair once fully dry
​
Why is my curly hair so dry?
ç
KINKY CURLS
The Z or "zig-zag" pattern is so tightly coiled that it can cause kinky curls to shrink up to 75% of the hair’s actual length. The shape of this pattern often means this curl type is more fragile and less able to absorb and maintain a moisturized feel. Due to its inability to absorb moisture easily, it requires a more rigorous moisturizing haircare routine on wash days and allows for a longer time between wash as it drinks up its own natural oils.
Haircare Best Practice: Co-washing and Deep condition weekly and clarify the hair semi-regularly for deep cleaning. Find moisturizing products that can be applied both on wet and dry hair. This practice will allow moisture to buildup over time.
​
CORKSCREW CURLS
Like a telephone cord, these tight ringlets tend to be finer and lighter in weight resulting in lots of fullness and volume. These curls need products that provide deep long-lasting hydration similar to kinky curls benefiting from layers of moisture, both conditioning, leave-in, and topical products. This curl pattern tangles easily requiring regular separating even when not able to "comb" through.
​
Haircare Best Practice: Regular conditioning alternated with deep conditioning treatments is ideal. Utilize oil-based cleansers in your routine which mimicking the hair's own protective barrier providing more slip to the hair and minimizes tangles.
Why is my curly hair so dry?
The natural twist and turns of curly hair effects the overall porosity and hair's ability to retain water. Each turn exposes weak points in the cuticle layer, acting like openings in a dam these areas let your moisture run out. These areas are more susceptible to breakage and leaving your hair feeling dryer and rougher to the touch. The more turns in your curls the more naturally dry your hair will be.
​
What does low porosity mean?
-
Hair repels water and slowly absorbs moisture. This hair type will frizz in humid weather as curly hair often travels to where moisture is when its lacking moisture itself. Consistent treatments and silky butter and oil-based products that absorb easily are ideal.
-
​
What does high porosity mean?
-
There are lots of holes and gaps in the hair which means it's easier for moisture to come in and easier for it to escape. Richer more emollient products are ideal as products absorb easily into this hair type. Benefiting greatly from multiple layers of moisturizing curly products as this hair needs a constant source of moisture to feed off of to keep feeling and looking good.
​
What does normal porosity mean?
-
The cuticle is loose but no gaps or holes meaning moisture absorbs easily and little moisture is lost from the hair. Regular conditioning and lightweight products are ideal as this hair type can become weighted down easily. Minimally frizzes in humid weather.
​
CLASSIC CURLS
A consistent and defined “S” shape curl pattern. Its coiling shape extends from roots to ends. Classic curls need gentle care and balanced moisture, vulnerable to dehydration that can leave them looking dull and frizzy.
​
Haircare Best Practice: Well moisturized cleansing and regular conditioning, classic curls benefit from a combination of moisture leave-in products combined with the layering of products with structure like mousses and lightweight gels will guarantee a bouncy voluminous result.
WAVY CURLS
Relaxed “S” curl pattern, this curl type may be non-uniform—straighter at the crown, wavy in the middle, and drier on the ends. Naturally low in volume loose curls need lightweight, curl-amplifying moisture and the strongest hold gels.
Haircare Best Practice: Cleanse with clears shampoos that provide a more astringent effect and choose a lightweight silky moisturizing conditioner. Choose a light leave-in and layer with the stronghold structure and volumizing products.
Curl type vs. Hair type?
Curl type points to the pattern of behavior of your curls and contributes to its ability to maintain moisture. Hair type refers to the hair's diameter and natural feeling to the touch. Fine, medium and coarse, your hair type contributes just as much to the quality and appearance of the hair as its curl type does.
-
Fine hair is characterized by its soft baby-like appearance is fragile and highly susceptible to over-processing and breakage. Often existing in the lighter hair color ranges
-
Medium hair is characterized as a moderate-sized strand still flexible and softer to the touch, resistant to breakage under normal circumstances. Often existing in the brown to dark blonde color ranges
-
Coarse hair is characterized by its large size and a rougher more textured feel, a result of its oversized cuticle layer. This hair type is very resistant to breakage but also very resistant to becoming blonde as it often exists in the black to darkest brown hair color range
