I want to elaborate a minute on the title of this blog post. I chose to include “currently” because exactly how I style my hair changes based on our current lifestyle. With each pregnancy my hair texture has changed and has taken about six months to bounce back. I’ve colored my hair using a box kit, have had highlights, and let my natural color grow out. I’ve nursed two babies, am currently maintaining a strict workout routine, and have lived in two very different weather states: Michigan/Minnesota and California. All of these factors have affected how my hair curls and is styled. And the fact that I style my hair differently now than the last time I wrote a post on my process is proof of this.
Above all else, beyond what I’m about to share and what others have shared, is this important fact: there is no “easy” formula for styling your hair, and you must accept this :) I personally find hair styling posts so fun to read. I love learning about other techniques or products. And, I consider my own texture and curl when reading their tips. It ultimately comes down to having patience to find the right process for you, which can change over the years. Embrace your hair! Don’t fight it’s natural texture, it is on you for a reason and it’s to accentuate your natural beauty.
Here are some notes on my current hairstyling process:
I wash & apply conditioner my hair in the shower as normal. There have been times when I was using sulfate-free products, but this isn’t a “make it or break it” step for me personally. I usually switch to a different drug store brand whenever I need run out (I like variety), but I think my favorites are either L’Oreal or Aussie. (Aussie has an amazing 3 minute deep conditioner, and it’s less than $3!)
Once the conditioner is applied I let it sit for a few minutes before using a wide tooth comb or pick. (For a little bit I was using my fingers to comb through my hair with the conditioner in, but I wasn’t getting enough curl definition once it was dry so I switched back to using a wide tooth comb.) After a quick comb I usually run my fingers through and then massage the roots/shake it out with my finger tips before rinsing. I use an old t-shirt to blot the excess water from my hair and then quickly/gently twist the shirt around my head and secure the end at the nape of my neck. I let it sit like this for just a couple minutes, since my hair isn’t that thick it dries quickly and I don’t want it to be too dry before applying my product.
After a couple of minutes have passed I take the t-shirt off my head and use my fingers to shake out my curls. Then I apply two products: first, Paul Mitchell Round Trip (a bottle lasts me months with daily use) and then Herbal Essences Body Envy hairspray. I apply the curl definer right away (2 pumps) and distribute evenly through my hair, lightly scrunching and for sure focusing on my roots. I let my hair air dry for about an hour before lightly spraying my whole head with hairspray. My hair is mostly wavy, but I’ve noticed I get a little curl definition if I take care of my hair.
It’s been years since I used a hair dryer with diffuser, mostly because I feel like it the heat ruins my natural curl. (I have a bouncier wave/curl with more definition when I let it air dry.) Sometimes I’ll use my fingers to twirl a wave into more of a curl, but for the most part I leave my hair alone.
Over the years I’ve tried so many different kinds of products (gel, mousse, pomade, foam, spray) and the two products I link to above are my very favorite. Speaking of products — a product that I love in theory but absolutely ruins my hair after a few months of use is anything with sea salt. This single ingredient dries out my hair and makes my wave/curl disappear. It’s terrible, but it’s good to know I should avoid it.
Many have suggested I use DevaCurl’s line of products. My current hair style routine fits into my lifestyle very well and is super affordable so I’m looking for a new styling process.
Right now I’m washing my hair every other day, and that is with working out daily. I use Dove’s dry shampoo on my roots occasionally on my second day hair, but I always use a shower cap! Using a shower cap has helped me keep my volume by keeping water spray off my hair. After my shower I’ll sometimes use a spray bottle filled with water and flip my head over to mist the length of my hair. Typing that out this sounds counterproductive, but I think avoiding water on my roots and having control over how much water hits my hair is the goal. Most of the time an extra shot of hairspray is enough to revamp my curl and texture.
I’m also growing out my bangs, and french braiding them along the frame of my face has been fun! Besides, I can literally go an entire day with the braid in, sleep with it overnight, and wake up the next morning and it looks exactly the same. Talk about a bonus, ha! :)
That about sums it up! Overall my hair styling routine takes me minutes. It’s super fast and like I mentioned above, works so well with my current lifestyle as a mom of two young babes. I’d love to continue the discussion in the comments. See you there!
Links used throughout are affiliates, thank you for understanding and being a part of this community.
have you ever tried not your mother’s products? you can get them at target and walgreens and they’re usually on sale for $5 a bottle…amazing products that are good for you, the environment and they smell amazing!! they’ve done wonders for my naturally wavy/curly, very long (almost two babies, dye, highlights…the works!) i’m canadaian so i stock up when i go to the states…
I have! That is one of the brands of products with sea salt I was mentioning (that dries out my hair). Really loving the Paul Mitchell product right now though ;)
I have curly hair like you, Maggie (and even a similar haircut!) and a friend of mine who has RINGLET curls told me a few years ago to use shampoo without sulfates because the sulfates (what makes shampoo ‘foam’) actually weighs down curls a lot. So now I use Aveeno sulfate free shampoo & conditioner, and it makes a HUGE difference, though yo have to go at it for a few weeks to really notice the hair lighter and bouncier (maybe 2?). Now, all I do when I get out of the shower is use a mousse on my wet hair and my hair looks amazing. Except when it’s humid out. I haven’t mastered the humidity yet. Hah!
Sarah M
I have heard that too about sulfates — maybe I need to try another brand of SF? I’ll look into Aveeno (LOVE THEIR STUFF!). Thanks so much for the comment and recommendations, AND the tip to give it a couple of weeks. ;)
Hi Maggie!
What do you use for shampoo & conditioner?
Thanks!
Right now I’m using Suave — crazy, right? Someone above suggested Aveeno, they have a line of sulfate-free products which are great for curls.
I’m so glad to hear that sea salt doesn’t work for someone else, I seriously was beginning to wonder if it was just me? My curls feel like hay when I use sea salt products. No thanks, curly hair is hard enough to keep moisturize, I don’t need something sucking the moisture out even more… It’s a bummer to because sea salt products always smell so beachy and yummy!
Thanks Maggie! You know, I didn’t even really consider how my changes in lifestyle have affected my hair. I have been through two pregnancies (and post partums! ha), gone from working full time mostly outside to being a full time stay at home mummy (ie inside a lot more – hello air conditioning and heating!) as well as exercise and all that and I have been using the same products and techniques for years. I can get my hair curly – but i have to use a diffuser and a curling iron to really define them – and similarly with two small kids that is not ideal. And then they end up falling out by lunch time. I am certainly going to mix it up a bit and try some different products and techniques. :)
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls. It is the only styling product I use. You can get it at Target and it is a little pricy at $22, but a bottle lasts me about 3 months. And it smells amazing. I am always getting complements on the fragrance. I honestly will never use anything else.
I have to wash my curly hair every day if I run or walk because my head gets so sweaty. How do you get around that?? I would like to go longer btw shampoos but can’t seem to do that!
I don’t think my head sweats that much? Maybe something is wrong with me? Could dry shampoo and their scent refresher spray work?
love your girls! i use only two products as well: aussie mousse and some argon oil once it’s dry. so easy, especially with two littles running around ;)
Thanks for sharing. I have curly hair & have been going through some weeks of not so great hair as I try to find a new product that works well. They changed the one that I was using & I miss it so! I will give this a try. Hope you enjoyed the weekend.
I had your other routine pinned on Pinterest, but I think I love this one more – so simple! I’m considering a haircut and wondered – is your hair cut in an A-line?
It is!!! I cut it myself a few months ago, it’s a bit longer now, but I do love a good A-line cut ;)
Hi Maggie!
I love reading your blog and I am in love with your hair…so pretty! I am need of major hair advice! Last year I had blonde, heavy highlighted hair with a natural wave. I was loving it, but I wanted more curl and products just weren’t helping. So last April, I made the decision to have my hair permed. Big mistake! The perm did not make my hair curly…instead it took away my natural wave and left a dry bushy mess! It has almost been a year and I have tried growing out the perm. I can finally say it has tamed down, but it is still so fried. I spend over an hour every morning on it, trying to blow dry and straighten it or use my curling wand. But this has just dried it out even more! I have low lighted it recently, thinking the blonde made it look worse, but now I am missing the blonde. I am wanting to go back blonde and get my natural wave back, but I am lost on what I need to do. Can you help me? ☺
What if you did a deep conditioning treatment on your hair once a month, tried using really moisturizing hair styling products (nothing with sea salt), and then let it air dry. Do this for a few months and see how your hair reacts? How long is your hair? Could you cut off a few inches of the really dry hair, would that help at all? And then lastly I’d suggest going to an Aveda salon, they have given me the best cuts and styling/product advice.