Curls Rock!

People with naturally curly hair go through a hate-love-hate relationship with their hair. You have to admit that it does get kinda boring. Jumping into a curly haired phase needs a high level of commitment. You can't say, "I want curly hair para it's wash and wear". Of course not. Here are some need to knows before you plummet head on to a sea of curls.

Pre-Curls

1. You have to layer your hair nicely. A one-length bob will look triangular with curly hair. Best to have lots and lots and lots of layers.
2. You have to decide on a color. It's nicer to have highlights so that the curls look healthy and defined instead of one big mess. it's best to color before curling then after.
3. It doesn't mean that if your hair is colored, it's not good to curl. Color isn't such a factor but the kind of color is. If you've bleached your hair, you can curl but it's not advisable. If you've rebonded your hair, you can curl but you should find a hairdresser who will take the necessary precautions.

What kind of Curl?

1. Big curlers don't necessarily mean nice big curls. Big curling rods will make your hair wavy and after a few weeks it'll drop. Sometimes you have to trust your hairdresser if they want to use smaller rods in different parts of your head specially on the bottom.
2. There are several procedures out in the market now. The most popular ones are the traditional one with no machine except maybe for the infrared or blow dryer and the digiperm.

Traditional curling isn't so bad anymore. Because they have bigger rollers and new techniques. You don't have to go home looking like goldilocks.
Digiperm is slowly becoming extinct. It uses the scary machine with the octopus like arms. It can get extremely hot and is uncomfortable. But I've seen digital perm results that have lasted 7-8 months and they looked really nice.
Water Perm. It's new technology. They use a rice cooker.
Ion Perm is the newest technology developed in Malaysia. They use heat powered ion rods. It's best for really damaged hair.

Post-Curls
1. You need PRODUCT. You need to put product on your curly hair or else it will go FRIZZY. You HAVE to buy product when you leave the salon. You canNOT NOT. Get it?
2. Which product? There are several. High end product is the Elastocurl line by Kerastase. There is L'oreal Lumioil #3 which is for curly hair.
3. How to apply. After shampoo, towel dry your hair and apply product. Scrunch your hair by grabbing it and making a fist. Don't rub them together with your fingers or both palms.
4. Leave it alone. The more you touch your curly hair the more it gets frizzy. Moisture from your hand is enough to cause frizziness.

Curls are fun. But you have to know how to treat them right.