Wanting to start on a journey to embrace your natural curls but not sure how or where to start ?

This is a topic that is very close to my heart and one of the main reasons that I began the CurlyEllie journey. Apologies in advance for the very long post.

It is a fact that over half of the UK population have curly or wavy hair. Looking around on buses, trains and tubes, you miss this fact because many of us resort to straightening our hair for many reasons.

On the flip side, there are numerous reasons that make us want to embrace our natural curls after years of colouring and straightening.

I believe that how you have your hair is personal and there is no right or wrong style - straightened or curly.

It is personal and everyone should have a choice.

However, it is sometimes hard to explain to a child that their curly hair is perfect as you reach for your straighteners in the morning.

It is important to understand that the journey to embracing your curly hair, like all great journeys, begins with the first step -  Transitioning.

Transitioning is the stage at which you “grow out” your damaged hair to make way for healthier, fuller, beautifully curly tresses. Transitioning can be a long and lengthy period and will require patience and experimentation. Daily straightening and colouring happened over a long period of time so you should expect that transitioning will take some time.

The Rules

1. Treat you Hair

Deep Condition your hair once a week at the minimum during the transition period. This will help strengthen and soften your new growth and also prevent breakage. You can Deep Condition with our CurlyEllie Intensive Mask and lightly condition with our CurlyEllie Nourishing Conditioner. If using a good conditioner, after applying on the hair for up to 20 minutes, your tresses should feel hydrated, detangled, super soft and glossy.

After a few weeks of deep conditioning you should expect to see very noticeable improvements in your hair texture, shape and look.

2. Less frequent styling

Resist constant styling. During the transition phase, as much as possible resist excessive styling of your curly hair. Combing, brushing, tight ponytails and frequent manipulation can lead to breakage See Rule 3.

3. Finger Detangle and Style – Avoid Brushes and much as possible

Use your Fingers. During the transitioning period, it is important that you are kind and gentle to your hair. Your hair is recovering and harsh styling tools like brushes and combs will cause your delicate hair to break. Use your fingers to apply your shampoos and Conditioners. Use your fingers to evenly distribute the Leave-In Conditioner and use your fingers to style your hair. Can I get away with writing FINGERS one more time?  

4. Limit Heat

Limit Direct Heat. As much as possible, reduce introducing your hair to direct heat like straighteners, blow dryers, etc.  Using hair styling tools hot enough to burn your skin can result in brittle, coarse, dry and damaged hair.

5. Trim your hair

Let go. It is very tempting to hold on to your hair but eventually you have to let go of your dry, damaged hair that may have lots of split ends. Don’t be afraid to trim your hair regularly (4 – 6 weeks) during the transition phase. Especially if you have split ends, I recommend regular trimming.  Damage to your hair will have to be trimmed or grown out. Currently, there is no permanent cure for split-ends. The only way to permanently get rid of your split-ends is to trim them away. Once dead ends and split ends are trimmed off, you will begin to notice less frizz, less tangles and less knots.

 

6. Use the Right tools

Shampoos : Use a gentle sulfate-free cleanser that washes off impurities but does not strip the hair of natural oils.

Conditioners : Use conditioners that gently conditions your hair and reduces frizz. A good conditioner should detangle and make your curls easy to comb wet and dry.

Silk Pillows, Satin Hair Bands, Wide comb, Wet Brushes, are all tools you can invest in over time.

 

THE HOW

Daily

• Hydrate with CurlyEllie Detangling Spray at least twice a day ( more frequent if your hair is very dry). The CurlyEllie Detangling Spray helps reduce frizz, binds the hair follicles and coats and seals in moisture which is great for dry hair or to prevent dry hair and scalp.
• Condition with our CurlyEllie Nourishing Conditioner which contains Quinoa, Broccoli Seed Oil, Camelina Oil, and Abyssinian oil (which strengthens the hair shaft and leads to less breakage).
• Moisturise with our CurlyEllie Curl Defining Conditioner which contains Quinoa, with its film forming properties to protect hair and skin from environmental exposure. This also doubles up as a styling cream.
• Little or no combing
• Cover hair with a satin scarf or use silk pillow when sleeping

 

Weekly

• Detangle your hair

• Shampoo with our CurlyEllie Gentle Shampoo  which contains Aloe Vera Juice, Quinoa protein and Pro-Vitamin B5 to keep hair healthy and happy.
• Deep condition with our Intensive Hair Mask, which is needed, especially in Summer and Winter Months when the weather plays havoc on your tresses.
• Apply the Curl Defining Leave-In Conditioner, which contains Camelina Sativa to leave the hair soft, shiny and well moisturised without leaving a greasy feeling or residue on the hair.

 

Most importantly, experiment with different routines and listen to your hair. If your hair feels dry, use the detangling spray. If your hair feels coarse, use the Curl Defining Leave-In Conditioner. If your hair is dull and lacks lustre, wash and deep condition your curly hair.

 

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