Who else has read Curly Girl?

[LauraMax]

I know there have been threads about this in the past so, for those of you who are following her hair care routine, I have some questions. A lot of the info in her book I already knew & have tried thanks to Paula Begoun, but some of it isn't making sense to me.

First, the no 'poo method. I have tried this in the past & it absolutely does not work for me b/c my hair is so frizzy I use pretty heavy styling products. Not using shampoo simply does not get all the residue out of my hair. Now, is her point that if I use this no 'poo method for several weeks I won't need the heavy styling products anymore? I mean, I avoid all shampoos w/sulfates (which are really just harsh lathering agents) & primarily use Johnson's Baby Shampoo, w/Neutrogena's anti-residue once a week or so. But I can't imagine not shampooing at all, ever.

Second, how on earth can I not use a hairdryer? Right now I wait until the very last minute to diffuse my hair & let it air dry as long as possible, but if I didn't use a hairdryer at all it'd take my hair 5-6 hours to dry, which is kind of uncomfortable. My ends dry fairly quickly, but it takes my roots forever. In fact in damp, humid weather it takes pretty much all day.

I'm considering getting a haircut from her at her Manhattan salon this summer, at which time I will pick her brain. ;-) In the meantime, I'd like to hear everyone else's feedback.

 

[sparrow13]

Laura, I have not shampooed since reading Curly Girls a few years ago. I do get shampooed once every five weeks, at the salon, but that's it. I've haven't had any issue with residue. I follow her instructions to scrub your scalp with conditioner. I also use apple cider vinegar as a rinse a couple of times a month. My curls are very soft and healthy, though a bit on the dry side from time to time.

As for blow-drying, I never ever do, even at the salon. My hair takes forever to dry too, so I've just got used to planning accordingly. I give myself at least two hours lead time. By that time all but the roots are dry, so I can at least do the bend-over/fluff out with fingers thing. You can't really tell the roots are wet at that point.

HTH!

Sparrow




"The winds of grace are always blowing but it's you who must raise your sail." - Sri Ramakrishna

 

[pebblesus]

Hi Laura!
Ouidad is quite amazing and her experience with curly hair is pretty amazing as well
As for the shampoo thing.. she has a shampoo that's without the sulfate, otherwise I would suggest a moisturizing shampoo (there are some great ones out there, Redken Smooth Down and Joico Moisture are the ones I, personally use)
Drying your hair (with a diffuser only!) will give more volume and tighter curl, no doubt. Frizz will be minimal *so long you have used enough of the right product, but I prefer not to dry my hair as it gives it too much volume that takes me days to get rid of.
It is better to diffuse your hair a little right away and let it air dry the rest than to air dry first and then diffuse later.
I used to dread air drying my hair due to the length of time it took to dry, but have found that when left out to be free (haha, instead of a ponytail or clip) it really isn't too bad. You could perhaps try diffusing the roots a little to break up some of the water molecules and then when it air drys it will all dry together and certainly wont take as long.
Just don't be afraid to use your product! I use my stuff right up on the root! I work it in just like I do my conditioner.. helps the halo frizz
Also condsider that curly hair doesn't grease up as quick as straight. It is naturally dryer and more brittle and the texture delays the oil from getting further down the shaft and making it limp and greasy.. and the more texture you have, the more this is true.
Freshly washed curls everyday = unruly, frizz mess .. especially for curly heads that are thick and /or tight.
Hope that helps you clear some things up.. you could probably call customer service and ask them, or send an email directly to Ouidad.

 

[Miss Lee]

I use Ouidad shampoo, or some other brand for curly hair, but only once a week. Before I shampoo, I wet my hair and apply conditioner to the ends (not the scalp), then I shampoo my scalp. I have to or I get itchy and oily. I use a diffuser most of the time to partially dry my hair, and like the above poster, I use the diffuser until my hair is damp, and then I let it air dry. I don't use these products, but I use this method for styling my hair:

http://www.curlisto.com/yourhair-tightcurly.aspx

 

[LauraMax]

Yes, I really like Ouidad's products. But I actually had my hair cut at her salon in NYC when I first moved here & it was the worst haircut of my life! It took 2 hours--who on earth takes 2 hours to cut & dry curly hair? And it wasn't a good cut either, she left all my split ends. I can see how her "shearing" method might work--basically thinning the hair at its midpoint with a very sharp pair of scissors to prevent the "triangle head" thing, but still, you have to cut off the split ends too! Anyway that was 2 hours of my time & $150 I'll never get back. x(

You know, I think the trouble w/Curly Girl is that she's trying to apply a single method to curly hair, even though she mentions on the first page every single type of curl is unique.

 

[pebblesus]

Yes, I agree
Thick, tight mulit-racial curls are VERY different form MY curls and very different form women finer hair and/or very loose curls.
I apologize, I was thinking the book mentioned was the one by Ouidad, my mistake, it's not.
The idea of not using shampoo stems from the concept that it is the "friction" on your scalp that does a lot of the cleaning and that many women with curls do not use products that create a lot of buildup.
Not always the case, but that's why I use a very moisturizing shampoo, I don't want to use conditioner on my scalp only, but the moisturizing shampoo is VERY gentle and I would HIGHLY recommend one to anyone with curls (or even anyone with ANY hairtype that feels they have to wash every day or every other).
I wash about every 5-6 days. I also use thick conditioner from roots to end and let it sit durirng the shower.
Definitly try towel drying your hair real well before applying your products and then air drying won't be so long... or even diffuse for just a minute at the roots only, breaking up the water molecules will reduse air drying time by sooo much you'll be amazed
Frizz is *always* a problem if you dry your hair past the 80% point.
Good luck

 

[nancy324]

Laura, I only use the Deva low-poo or no-poo when I'm using the Deva styling products, which are intended to go with it. If I use a different styling product, I use high-poo the next morning. (I like to change things up and use different products to keep my hair guessing. )

I also haven't used a hair dryer in decades. Sure, my hair stays damp for a few hours, but it doesn't bother me. I guess it's a question of what you get used to.

 

[pixiesis]

I've got curly hair (tightness varies a lot lately based on humidity I think). Anyway, I never blow dry either. I just don't have the skills not to end up with a big 'frizz fro. I started using a microfiber hair towel and found that that really decreases drying time and also reduces frizz.

 

[eminenz2]

Visit www.naturallycurly.com for great info, product reviews, articles, and a forum.

Also, I am wondering if you might find anything about my routine helpful.

In the PM, when I shower, I get my hair sopping wet. Once a week, I shampoo my hair. I use either Deva's No-Poo or Curly Hair Solution's shampoo. With the sopping wet hair, the shampoo can't get too out of control lather. I concentrate on massaging my scalp and squeezing the lather through the length of my hair - never scrubbing the hair!

If I'm not shampooing, I use conditioner the same way I would use shampoo. If I do shampoo, I also use conditioner afterwards, combing through carefuly with a wide-tooth comb.

After rinsing out the conditioner, I wrap my hair with a microfiber towel. Afer a couple of minutes, I remove the towel and put in a favorite leave-in conditioner. Then diffuse my hair lightly. At night I sleep with my hair tucked in a nightcap - corny and un-sexy, I know, but it does protect the curls!

For the AM, I suggest the styling/'hair management' techniques illustrated on the curlisto.com website. Click on "Styling Your Hair". The styling and diffusing techniques they show work for using any kind of products, not just theirs. I must admit, though, I do have good luck with their products.

I hope I've helped a bit! Having curly hair is like having a pet, isn't it? It requires constant maintenance and looking after.

Good Luck!

Susan L.G.

 

[LauraMax]

LMAO! I never thought of my curly hair as a pet but that's a great way of looking at it, especially given I had the nickname "Poodle" all through jr. high & HS.

OK so I have 2 recs for Diva no 'poo & 2 recs for curlisto.com. I will definitely be checking them out, thanks!

Nancy & Susan, you have the curls most of us curly girls would die for! It is so unfair.

I am gonna get some hair cut off this summer so maybe the air drying won't be as much of a PIA. I'm going shoulder length instead of short. I think it's more appropriate & professional for someone of my age & stature. :+