My curl is never the same!

by Nichole
(Chicago)

I do not wear my hair curly, the method I describe below has worked the best, but only ONE time! I have not been able to achieve the springy, pencil sized corkscrew curls that again. Sometimes it comes out in a a spongy frizzy afro, sometimes it comes out in more stretched out frizzy kinky curls, etc. I believe one reason may be that I need a haircut, but that's because I don't know what else to think LOL!

1. I let my hair absorb as much water as possible then use Carol's Daughter Khormet or Tui Shampoos.  I try not to rub or tangle my hair much so as not to "interrupt" the curl.


2. I use the Tui conditioner and let it condition for 15 minutes.   


3. I lightly rinse with warm water.


4. I pat my hair dry with soft cloth.


5. I use Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey or Hair Balm.


6. I use a Revlon dryer with a diffuser end, turn the ion switch up.

My usual weekly hair session (the state my hair is coming from a week before I wash and try for the natural curls):

I go through the steps you've read above. But instead of "diffuse drying" my hair, I use a concentrated end and a round brush to dry and a Gold'n Hot curling iron on the highest heat level. And if I get it done at a salon, they may use an oil based serum or thermal spray to flat iron.

And I'm gonna try to sneak one more by, this one on straightening :)

I've heard conflicting advise from black stylists on flat irons. One has told me NOT to use ceramic flat irons b/c they heat too hot and will damage my hair permanently. Another has told me that ceramic is the healthiest b/c it maintains the hair's moisture and seals the shaft. I have been ALL OVER the internet, what should I believe???? and can you recommend one that doesn't leave hair flat?


THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this site!!!!

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Nina's Response

Hi Nichole,

Thanks for your question!

Isn't it frustrating when you try something a second time and it doesn't work as well as the first time? I certainly understand your pain. Dealing with natural hair can be such a trial and error especially since many of us our experiencing it for the first time in our lives!

From looking at your technique, it seems to me that you are missing a very important ingredient and that is a curl enhancer! A curl enhancer helps define your curls and hold your curls. A curl enhancer does not have to have the name "curl enhance" to be one. I want you to try this method:

1. Condition wash your hair only.


2. Lightly rinse out the conditioner.


3. Apply a curl enhancer (either a gel like ORS Twist & Lock gel or a curl cream product like Beyond the Zone Noodle Head).  You'll apply this proudct section by section defining your curls as you go.


4. Then you can lightly diffuse your hair.


5. Don't touch and let it dry.

Here are a couple of pages on my site that can give you some additional tips to getting good curls:

Natural Curls without Frizz

Using a round brush and a curling iron on your hair for a straight look is perfectly fine occasionally as long as you're using products to protect your hair.

My opinion is that ceramic flat irons are best for our hair. The ceramic helps protect your hair from snags that can appear on non-ceramic hot tools. No matter what type of heat-styling tool you use, you must protect your hair with a serum or a heat protecting spray.

Here are a few pages to take a look at:

Choosing a Flat Iron
How to Straighten Your Hair
How to Flat Iron Hair the Healthy Way
Too Much Heat
Natural Hair Care Regimen - Straight
Straightening Natural Hair


Nina Dyoran, Editor, Long-Healthy-Hair-Advisor.com