As many women with it can attest to, curly hair is a blessing and a curse all wrapped into one, especially when it comes to the unpredictability of Tallahassee’s weather. With fall fast approaching, we’re starting to feel the mixture of summer heat clashing with fall winds, and as a girl with pretty thick curly hair, this is certainly not an ideal situation.
With a long summer ahead of me, I did what anyone with curly hair would do: I—quite literally—tried everything. From sprays to mousses and oils to conditioners, I raided my local beauty product store for the best ways to combat this unpredictable weather, and make every day a good hair day.
So, for all my curly haired friends out there, this one’s for you:
1. For heat protection, try TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse with Extra Hold
The number one problem I always ran into when styling my hair was that the second I walked outside—poof! Tally’s humidity hit me as soon as I opened the door. Some curls would keep their shape, but in between I always had frizz. I was introduced to this product through my sister, and to be honest I was a little skeptical considering her naturally wavy hair, but this product is the real deal. As a light mousse applied right out of the shower, it holds curls together and is great for prevent frizz and protecting from that Tally summer humidity. And the best part: it’s $4 at CVS and Walgreens.
Courtesy: Pharmapacks.com
2. For a leave-in conditioner, try It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
This product’s name is no misnomer; It’s a 10’s leave-in conditioner is truly a miracle for all hair types, and as someone whose hair thrives with conditioning products, I swear by this stuff. This is the first of many products I’ll use on my hair post-shower to prevent dryness and ultimately frizz. The small bottle is $12.50, but will last you a couple months and is definitely worth the purchase. If you really want to splurge, the larger bottle goes for $38 and will certainly last you a semester.
Courtesy: Drugstore.com
3. For a styling gel, try Ouidad’s Moisture Lock Define & Shine Curl Styling Gel
For anyone with really tight curls, Ouidad is an excellent brand for keeping them moisturized and frizz-free. I found this product early this past summer and decided to give it a try—and soon after I returned to the beauty store where I found it to try another styling cream, the shampoo, and conditioner (so worth it!). I’m a huge fan of Ouidad’s products, but this one in particular is great because it’s used like an oil. Place a small dab in your hand (about the size of a dime) and apply to your ends and work your way up. I usually apply this right before I apply any oil to my hair to keep it soft during the summer—and even softer during fall and winter. The bottle costs $26 at Ulta, however I recommend buying the smallest bottle and using it as an oil.
Courtesy: Folica.com
4. For an oil, try Catwalk’s Curlesque Defining Serum
Ask anyone with curly hair their secret to beautiful curls and they’ll all tell you the same thing: moisture. Curly hair is naturally dry, so moisturizing is incredibly important. Catwalk’s oil is made especially for curly hair—and you can definitely tell. This thick, rich oil can be used sparingly because of its texture, which is great for saving money. Like the Ouidad product, I put a dab the size of a dime in my hand and apply it to my ends and work my way up. The small bottle (which is all you’ll need for about three months) is $12.
Courtesy: eBay
When it comes to truly good products and taking good care of your curls, always remember to be open to new things, mix and match what works for you, and change up your routine every so often. Investing in good products may be a bit pricier, but they are sure to last. Know your climate, and even though Tallahassee is as unpredictable as our hair, we always find ways to keep it together.