Bit of a difference eh?

This is a great way to keep your hair healthy and natural looking, whilst weather-proofing it against wind, rain and humidity, even a fun night out!

Using these four products only and no heat styling tools.

1, Shampoo

If you find a shampoo and conditioner that are full of natural oils and butters then you shouldn’t need any hot oil pre-wash treatments. Choose products which are gentle and, ideally SLS free so they won’t strip your hair of it’s own natural oils. Use the mildest products first and then get tougher ones, only if your hair really needs it.

I add a blob of shampoo to a plastic beaker and then fill the rest with warm water and stir it with my finger. I then wet my hair through and poor it over the places I most need it. It’s a great way of spreading shampoo through thick hair without over-doing the amount you use.

I’m using Faith in Nature, Brave Botanicals Shampoo

2,  Condition

Very gently squeeze out any excess water and spread conditioner through hair from roots to tip. Rinse after a few minutes and then when hair is still very wet add a little more to mid-lengths and ends. Leave for a few minutes before gently squeezing out any excess water/conditioner residue.

I’m using Noughty, Intensive Care Leave-in Conditioner

3, Oil

A lot of people think only people with afro hair really need to oil it or it’s only to be lightly used as a finishing product. Wrong. If you have thick hair that’s coarse or frizzy/fluffy this will be like a drink in the desert for it!

You want hair to be as wet as possible, without it actually dripping, so gently pat hair with a towel. Either poor hair oil onto palms, rub together and spread through hair or if that sounds scary, mist all over with a spray oil, paying special attention to the ends.

I’m using Pierre’s Apothecary, Argan Renewing Hair Treatment Mist or olive oil when my hair is freshly bleached or very fluffy as it has a thicker consistency.

4, Style

Let hair absorb the oil for a moment but don’t let it get much dryer and then apply curl cream. If your hair is wavy – rather than curly – gently scrunch or twist to encourage shape and definition. If you only have very slight waves in your hair you might want to use a salt spray to encourage texture and movement instead. Remember, the more you faff about with hair as it gets dryer – the more it will freak out and frizz up.

I’m using Amika: Curl Defining Cream (since re-packaged) throughout my hair.

Now just leave your hair alone to air dry! [If you absolutely have to use a hairdryer, use on it’s lowest and coolest setting with a diffuser and don’t completely dry the top few layers.]

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My hair journey

Between the ages of 13 and 18 I used to think my hair was wonkily wavy but mostly just unruly fluff. I couldn’t do anything with it. So I permed it to get it curlier (wow, did it take!) and then years later I used straighteners to get it straighter (which lasted a few hours at most). In my twenties I went to multiple hairdressers who would straighten it “‘To fry calm it” and then tong “Proper” waves back in!? When all that needed doing was looking after it by not using harsh generic shampoos; replenish it with oil and then gently style it in a way that encouraged – rather than ‘corrected’ it’s natural shape.

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I really hope this has helped some curly girlies and the wavy wenches out there to appreciate and style their natural hair. Let me know in the comments.

❤Chrissie❤