How To Style Curly Hair?

How to style naturally curly hair?

• So I have naturally long curly hair (similar to Taylor Swifts only I'm a brunette) that is about just past my boobs. Anywho...my mom got me a diffuser hairdryer a year ago (that I just started using now). I've noticed that when I use the diffuser to help enhance my natural curl that my hair either doesn't curl the way that I want it to or the hair on the right side of my head will curl nicely but the hair the on left side of my head won't curl properly. Why is that? Should I use a curl activator before I use the diffuser? Should I diffuse my hair only when its wet or only when its dry? I'm against animal testing so I only use products that don't test on animals.:) What sort of styling product should I use for my hair? I need something that won't make my hair sticky or crunchy and is fast and easy for me to do.:) Lastly the hair in the very back of my head is basically straight...why is that? Is there anyway that I can easily get my straight hair to curl?

• Answer:

  So, my hair is naturally curly and about the same length. I am an animal rights activist, and vegan, so I know all sorts of brands to use :) I use Mineral Fusion Curl Care shampoo and conditioner, and every now and then switch to my Shikai or Desert Essence shampoo instead since using the same shampoo all the time can cause build up. Anyway, I only shampoo my hair twice a week, unless it's very dirty from rolling in the mud lol, and condition it only, when my hair feels like it needs it. Otherwise, I pin my hair up and cover it, and don't get it wet in the shower. Curls are naturally dry, so over washing is easy to do. I also always use a leave in conditioner, I used to use Redkin anti-snap, but stopped until I found out if it's on the animal safe list or not, I can't remember if it is lol but I have a vegan leave in I use now. I also deep condition twice a week, normally with a home made mix of avocado and olive oil. If you're not vegan, using evaporated milk and olive oil, warmed up a bit, is the best deep conditioning treatment you can use. No matter what anyone tells you. The milk opens up the cuticle best, since it's not cutting anything out, and is very very rich, and lets the oil really soak in. I use a wide tooth comb to detangle, and a detangling spray also is super good idea. I never ever brush my hair, is bad for curls. Don't touch your hair much after combing through it, and when you diffuse, use it on cool, and just lightly pick up the hair and set it on the nozzle, don't get all your finger oils on hair or it'll frizz, as well as break down the ability to curl as well. A ton of girls have problems with hair not curling well on one side, and it can be from parting your hair more to the side that curls better. So try switching your part, and always have layers cut in your hair, not razored, just dry point cut, so the curls underneath get some air and can breath and curl properly. I have used a curl enhancing creme in the past, it was garnier fructing curl creme, not gel, and worked really well. It wasn't sticky or crunchy, but I'd only use it if for some reason my hair wasn't cooperating. I've since learned better techniques lol I have a lot of natural volume, but using a mousse for curls or volume, it doesn't matter which, on roots helps to bring up the root and let the curl start higher so it falls a bit better. Don't use alcohol on curls, so get non-alcohol hairspray. Most products have alcohol in them for hair, which sucks. Sulfate free also helps in shampoos, or any plain mineral shampoo. I also never ever use a towel on my hair, it creates frizz, and breaks up hairs and damages the cuticle by roughing it up and taking away good moisture. I use a 100% cotton t-shirt to wrap up me hair, I only gently squeeze the water out, wrap it and let it soak, never rub your hair. I have a ton of hair, so I usually go through two cotton shirts lol and I only sleep on a 100% silk pillow case, although satin should work too, since cotton or synthetics or any blends suck away the moisture that curls desperately need. In asking why one side doesn't curl as much as another, and why some hair is straighter, that's just the way your hair is. It can be from damage or using heat, but most likely the way your hair is. Almost all of my friends have some parts that are naturally straight, but the back has a bit more frizz and wave. I'd guess it's because your head hits stuff like pillows on the back of it most, or more likely just because most girls have a mix of strand types. No one's hair is perfect. Also, if you ever straighten hair, even just once, it deforms the curl and makes it lose it's memory, and yes hair has a memory, so it won't form a good curl again for a while without help.