There was a time when styling my curly/wavy/voluminous hair was easy. So easy. And then one day we found out we were expecting our first baby and honestly? My hair has been so, so different since then. Each month I was pregnant it’s changed a little. Of course there are the hormones, the hair coloring, emotional mess of moving from Minnesota to California — all of these things play a huge role in styling my hair. Which probably makes me look a little crazy, huh?! ;)
Over the years I’ve also owned approximately 287 different bottles of hair product. Mousse, spray, spray gel, pomade, dry shampoo — the product list, and brand names, go on and on. What worked for me a few years ago doesn’t necessarily work for me now, and vice versa. It’s been a little crazy trying to find the best products for my curly hair, so thankfully we are a family who recycles. Ha!
A little bit ago I shared on Instagram two of my favorite hair products. Quite the discussion started in the comments so I thought it would be fun to transfer that to my blog so more of us can join in on the convo! First, I’m going to go over my current hair styling routine, then there’s I have a little Q+A at the end. Ready? :)
MY HAIR STYLING ROUTINE //
Shampoo + condition in the shower, as usual. Comb hair with a pick or wide-tooth comb before rinsing out about 80% of the conditioner. Finger comb hair after it’s been rinsed, then gently blot hair with a towel so it’s not dripping water everywhere. Quickly comb through hair with a wide-tooth comb, the less combing the better. Scrunch hair to re-define curls/wave and spray each section with Sea Salt Texturizing Spray {I buy this at CVS}; each section is left side, right side, back/crown area. Scrunch a little more, making sure hair is still pretty damp with water/texturizing spray. Wait a few minutes, then spray a bit heavier of an application with Dream Curls Curl Perfecting Spray, covering each section [described above]. By now you should see defined curls/waves. Finger comb to re-style an area that needs more definition or twist a small section to recreate the curl/wave. Wait a few more minutes and allow your hair to air-dry for a bit. Using a diffuser, blow dry hair in the direction it grows to avoid frizzies, stopping when hair is about 80% dry. Add some hairspray to the roots and rub fingers on scalp to create lift before it dries fully. I love this brand of hairspray. Allow hair to air dry the rest of the way.
Q+A WITH INSTAGRAM FRIENDS //
1. Have you had to find a new combination of hair products since you moved? @lemontreemeg
-Yes, but I think this is mainly due to being pregnant and my hair texture changed.
2. Do you put this in when your hair is wet and blow dry or how exactly do you use this product? @ladyjane_co89
-Check out my hair styling routine above. I only used a few words when describing my routine and hope it is specific enough for you ;)
3. Is it expensive? @taraberg
-No way! I love and totally appreciate higher-end hair products, like Aveda, but lately I’ve been on a hunt to find quality hair products that can be bought at the drug-store or Target. All three hair products listed above can be found at Target, CVS or online (like with Amazon).
4. I love a good spray gel, but there are always sections that still look frizzy. Does the scrunching not make your hair frizzy? @happy_little_lovelies
-The two products shown in the photo above are fully liquid, they aren’t a spray gel. Spray gels leave my hair frizzy in certain areas, too — I don’t like how inconsistent their hold is so I do my best to say away from them.
Any extra questions? Leave a comment below, I loooooove finding new hair products to use! xoxo
I am literally going to drive to CVS this morning in the snow to get these products….My curly hair has become so unmanageable that I am going crazy – I’ll try anything! Thanks in advance…
I’m older than you by many, many years and I can tell you that you will keep changing products as you age. I think my hair gets “tired” of the same products so I change up when it begins looking sad. I leave my hair very wet and brush it with a wet brush which works better than a comb on my hair since it’s super thick. Sort of like this, but with fewer bristles widely spaced apart – http://www.paulmitchell.com/EN-US/PRODUCTS/PROTOOLS/BRUSHESANDCOMBS/Pages/413SculptingBrush.aspx
Then I add product and let it dry naturally which can takes up to three hours. If I have to be somewhere I’ll use a diffuser on the underside of my hair. I’m usually almost standing on my head when I use it! I am using Matrix Super Defrizzer Gel right now and like the results. For a while I used Garnier Fructis Style Curl Scrunch Gel. My stylist used a Redken product that I loved. I think it was Ringlet 07 curl protector. I’m going to buy some and try it at home. I, too, recycle hair products. There are so many young girls in my church who love to see me coming! I will have to check out the products you listed. I never turn down a recommendation from another curly headed girl!
@Southern Gal, Wow. That was a book. Sorry.
This is strictly personal choice and i won’t judge you if this is the case, but do those products make your hair “crunchy”? Alot of curly-hair girls may go that route, but I can’t stand the feeling of crunchy-stiffness. I need products that leave my curls soft. I’ve used Aveda and B&B Curling cream with some success, but would love to try your suggestions (as long as it’s soft, not crunchy!) Your hair always looks adorable, by the way!
@Leslie, NO WAY! That’s my biggest “ick” with most hair products. I like soft hair that has a controlled curl :)
What would you suggest to make slightly wavy hair look curlier or wavier?
@Sherry, Sometimes you just need a product that has a stronger hold. I’d try some of Aveda’s curly products — their defining whip or phomollient foam are two favorites!
Thanks! I will try these…
Your routine seems too time consuming and a little too controlled for my taste. I too have naturally curly hair and I find the most gorgeous results when I put either some Curl Deva Curl Cream in or Garnier Fructise Curl Cream in, let it airdry and then use a difuser and hair dryer to finish it off. No worrying about sections or combing it a certain way, etc. I also follow its lead as it changes often and wear it many different ways depending on how my hair wants to be done– It really has a life of its own. I just kind of go with the flow. I would like to see what your hair looked like it it wasn’t so “styled” and you let it do its thing more naturally? Give it a try. You may like it.
@Michelle, Hey, that’s OK! I understand :) When I finished writing out my routine I thought it looked a little long, too… but really it only takes me about 7 minutes to do my hair and that includes some drying time. So for me that’s quick, but I understand that may be too much for others :) I’ve air dried my hair in the past and I don’t like how it looks, the curls are too crunchy/stiff looking for me. When I use the diffuser they soften up a bit and gain more volume. Thanks for your comment Michelle :)
Thank you for sharing! Same issues here since I got pregnant and myhair is still funky 3 mos pp. I will try those!
Beware! Three months after I had my daughter, my hair started falling out in huge amounts. Not to worry – its totally normal and will eventually even out to a normal amount of hair fall.
I have some of the curliest, tightest curled hair I have ever seen! It took me what feels like FOREVER to finally find products and a routine that works for me, and at our current budget. I typically only wash my hair once a week, and I try to use a clarifying shampoo when I do (it gets all the product and conditioner build up off the hair). I “wash” my hair with conditioner nearly daily (I usually use the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner) and comb my hair with the conditioner still in. I think the best thing ever for curly hair is a hair towel made specifically for it! I wrap it around my head the minute my shower ends and usually leave it on while I dress. It pulls so much of the moisture out and doesn’t mess or frizz up my curls (and I feel it keeps me from having to blow dry, which is something I was never able to figure out with any success)! I section off my hair and use one of Garnier’s shine serums and their Curl Calm Down cream (I define/scrunch the curls by section). Styling only takes me about 5 minutes (I have long hair and a lot of it) and I let it air dry the rest of the way. I love the curl cream because it defines my curls without adding any weight or crunchiness to it!
And I agree with Stephanie, about 6 months after I had my little, my hair started falling out a ton. It’s the flip side of getting to keep such long, pretty, and thick hair while preggers!
Thank you so much for this post. I was born with super straight super thick hair. As I grew older it started to get some wave and tons of frizz and poof. I recently had my second daughter and my hair decided to curl. I have no clue what to do with curly hair. It was suggested to use a Suave curl mousse. I’m not happy with it at all. It makes my hair crunchy :( I hate doing anything with my hair as well. I am the wash and go type. This has helped and I think I am going to be trying some of the products you mentioned and in the comments.
I was just thinking about how I had totally seen this new hairstyle and color I just did somewhere…yes, it must have been here. I’m still experimenting with products and techniques though as my hair is only slightly wavy and I feel like changing things up sometimes. Now I worry about if I ever got pregnant….!
Thanks for the tips. I have to say that my hair changed when I was pregnant too….the other way. I had straighter hair before & now I have crazy curly hair. Who knew that this could happen?? I hope that you are enjoying your new baby & taking care of you too. Congratulations!
Just chopped off my hair!! I’m glad you posted this because I needed some advice on how to style it!! Thanks girl!
Curious if you have dropped using the dreaded -cones yet? If so, what are you using now…
I found this product a few months back and it is awesome!!!