A little background. I’ll keep it short. I’ve had naturally curly hair my whole life. Cherub curls underneath and more wavy the closer it gets to the top of my head. Easy to form into curls when wet. Ringlets in humidity. I’ve done everything. Chemically straightened, dyed, bleached, bangs… all in the name of good ole change. But after seeing a picture of myself as a kiddo with the curliest hair this last spring, I decided I wanted to pursue my curls with the wooing tactics of a lover. It was time to get a curly hair cut.
My hair before my future curly-haircut was all one length, I mainly wore it flat and wavy or straightened it. I shampooed maybe twice a week, conditioned maybe 3-4? Styling looked like a squirt of hair gel (no specific brand, non-organic) scrunched in, then twisting a few strands and left to air dry. My move in the winter was to brush it straight when wet, toss a beanie over it and in an attempt to create flat waves, touching up pieces with a curling wand and riding that look for a few days before washing it again.
Here is my hair pre-curly cut last spring/winter. No layers. No shape.
After seeing a post on Instagram from @jendoesyouhair about her dry curly cuts she gives at her salon, The Hive Salon (@thehivesalon)cin NE Minneapolis, I knew this was my place. I had also hung my art here before and knew the space was gorgeous and full of light and plants, a place my curls could be born into the world happy.
I left not only with a full head of fresh curly hair I didn’t really know I could achieve as an adult, I left with my mind blown about how to actually care for hair to make sure it stays curly and healthy every day and reducing my breakage. And my hair before this was anything but healthy. Split ends were my closest relationship. This cut not only left me feelin’ REAL cute, I felt more ME. The cut truly gave me new energy, changed my routine to a very low maintenance one and my head of crazy hair became a source of play and energy for me, two themes important to my work and my sense of self.
As I started to share my new do, a lot my followers on Instagram started asking how I did my curls, what I used, etc. I knew I couldn’t keep up with answering questions (or be a life-coach for people’s crazy wavys), I decided to ask Jen to help me share the curl power with everyone. Because apparently there are a lot of us out there doing it wrong and being stuck with hair that has an inner curly soul but needs to be set free.
The following are some ridiculous videos I created (Blair Witch quality) plus Jen’s extended and amazing answers. This woman is the kindest soul and a straight wizard with hair. Take notes folks!Here is me the day of my hair cut. Note, I have already had my inaugural curly hair cut from The Hive at the time of this photo. I was going in for a trim this day.
JEN
“Not everyone likes/uses the texture typing system because it doesn’t feel like it truly represents all textures of curly hair- there are more that nine textures of curls! However, for those who are just discovering their texture it can be useful to help start finding products and methods that might work for your hair. I use it to help steer clients towards which haircut appointment they need- highly textured hair types take longer to condition and style so we have a separate curly haircut option for them at The Hive. When you google “curly hair types” you will find a chart that goes from 2’s (wavy) to 4’s (coily/highly textured). Heres a rough breakdown:
2A-2C- Wavy
3A-3B Curly
3C-4A- Coily Curly
4B-4C Highly Textured Curl
People with wavy hair have smoother texture due to having more cuticle layers to lock moisture in, and those with coily and tighter textures have a more fragile texture as a result of having less cuticle layers. Each category can experience coarseness and high porosity, and each category can have fine textures- this is what the alphabet letters are supposed to represent- A’s tend to be the smoother/finer types, and C’s are coarse and more delicate, with B landing in between. If your cuticle is smooth, it can shut down tight and seal in moisture. If your cuticle is coarse, is can’t shut down making it naturally more dry and more prone to breakage. There are numerous blogs and websites that have texture types, or names/categories. I think Naturally Curly has a pretty good breakdown, but all that really matters is learning what your hair likes, whatever ‘type’ it is. All curly hair experiences some level of dryness due to the shape of the hair; with the hair being a curved surface, the cuticle can’t ever get as flat and smooth as the cuticle on straight hair, so even fine wavy hair types can have dryness issues.”
Next up, the dry cut! This step literally takes about 15-30 minutes. The dry-cut happens before washing and Jen goes through all my chunks of waves and cuts pieces individually.
ASHLEY
Co-washing. This was my biggest revelation in how to maintain my curly hair. I do NOT shampoo my hair anymore.I have my whole life until this summer. And no it’s not greasy except for the first few days of my period when my hormones produce more oil in my scalp. (OK, I DO shampoo maybe once a month when this happens) I now only have one hair product in my shower, Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner. When it’s time to “wash” my hair, I flip my head, massage a small amount into my scalp for a minute, let it sit for 3-5 mins then rinse. Game. Changer. That’s it. You have read to the end of my in-shower hair routine.
JEN
Shampoos
“Whether its “low poo”, “no poo”, sulphate free, organic, natural, cream based, etc, shampoo is a detergent. Detergent molecules are designed to bind to oil and water molecules to cleanse the hair. Detergent molecules cannot choose what kind of oils it binds with so they will always strip hair of its natural oils. The smoother your hair is, the less it will be negatively affected by shampoo (smooth hair needs less moisture). The tighter and coarser the hair, the more it will be affected- this means frizz, straight ends, lack of definition, etc. Your scalp makes oil to lubricate and protect the hair and scalp. Oil helps lock in water to retain moisture. More moisture means less frizz, uneven texture, and ‘temperamental' hair. The more you shampoo, the more you strip the oil barrier, and the drier your hair will be (even if you use conditioner afterwards). If you use products with plastics, silicones, and petroleum products of any kind, you will need to use shampoo to get them back off the hair and let water in. The frequency of use of shampoo depends on the person. I tell everyone to start co-washing (conditioner washing), and to cut back on or eliminate shampooing to see how their texture improves. I always see huge improvement in the bounce, definition, and shine when clients eliminate shampoo. Want to try cutting out shampoo? Switch to 100% plant based hair products- no plastics, silicones, or other petroleum products (list down farther). Co- wash instead of shampooing, and use an Apple Cider Vinegar wash 1x a week. After 1-2 weeks, ask yourself if you miss shampoo. If you do, shampoo your hair once and see what happens. Was is good? Cool! Use that as a gauge for when you could shampoo. Was it bad? Shoot! Go longer between shampoos, or ignore it completely. Most of my clients use shampoo less than once a month.
If you don’t know if you should shampoo, you probably don't need to! If your hair feels very sticky, gummy, or greasy when wet, these are signs of build up on the hair which means you should shampoo.
For shampoo options, I really enjoy Organic Chemistry. Their shampoos don't lather which makes them gentler, and they have a high oil content so the detergents don’t strip a ton of the natural oils. If you love suds, Innersense is the way to go. If you like tingly, minty washes, Harmonic from Intelligent Nutrients is perfect.
Apple Cider Vinegar ‘Cleanser’
We mix apple cider vinegar in a 50/50 ratio with water to create a gentle cleanser for hair. Oil and water don’t mix, but oil and vinegar emulsify! For clients who have hard water or experience mild build-up, we recommend scrubbing their hair with the ACV wash 1x a week. ACV washes also help tone the scalp, break up dead skin cells, and can kill fungus like dandruff.
ASHLEY
I bought a small spray bottle from Target to make my ACV rinse inI place it close to my scalp and pump it a bunch until it feels saturated near the scalp.
Conditioner
This is like lotion for your hair. It’s designed to seal in water and moisture in your hair. The tighter the texture, the thicker/richer your conditioner needs to be. At The Hive we use 100% plant based products so our conditioners are made from three basic ingredients: water, oil, and emulsifiers. When used correctly, you can “wash” your hair (also called ‘co-washing”) by scrubbing it with conditioner. The emulsifier molecules are what bind the water and oil together in the bottle, and they will also bond to oil on your scalp. Because conditioner is designed to penetrate and seal the cuticle, it will make your scalp oil go deeper into your hair. This supercharges the moisture in the hair, and helps positively impact your curl. Co washing is an amazing way for anyone to wash their hair without stripping and drying out the hair. For this method to work, all hair products must be plastic and silicone free. Also note, any texture of hair can be co-washed- including straight!
Fine Waves and Curls- Try Harmonic Conditioner from Intelligent Nutrients
Dry curls and Coils- Try Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
Highly Textured Hair- Try Organic Chemistry Hydrating Conditoner- This has the lowest emulsifier content, making it prone to feeling greasy on naturally smooth textures.
To properly co-wash
Rinse hair for 60 seconds- you should feel hair products rinse away.
Apply a nickel sized blob of conditioner to your palms and rub them together.
Flip your head over and massage the conditioner into your entire scalp
SCRUB! SCRUB! SCRUB! You are using the powers of emulsification- not detergent- to exfoliate and loosen up excess oils and “dirt”. Do not skimp on the scrubbing. Your conditioner should go from feeling thick, to thin and a little bubbly.
Add more conditioner if needed to the ends, and massage and squish through. If your hair is delicate, over processed, or tangle prone, use a comb to work the conditioner through gently before squishing.
Leave the conditioner in for the entirety of your shower, and give it a final scrub before rinsing.
Just a little note- I (Jen) have stick straight hair and even I can co-wash. I find my hair has better volume, hair color retention, and no static or split ends anymore. If you are diligent with you scrubbing, and use only plant based/water soluble based stuff on your hair, you technically don't need a detergent to clean your hair. Unless you have hyperseborrhea or another issue causing uncontrollable scalp oil, you can probably co-wash too!”
JEN
HOW TO STYLE
“Wash your hair with your favorite products or method. After washing, leave your hair very wet. Do not brush your hair or detangle yet. Do not toss your hair into a towel turban- this wrings out your hair too much, making it too dry to add products, and creates frizz.
Apply your favorite styling products to your very wet hair. Rake them through from all the way through, layering on all of the things you want to use. Typically, you’ll start with a leave in or cream, and use your gels or foams last.
Use your hands to rake the ends of your hair to detangle, and then scrunch well. Work in sections, finger raking until your hair looks like wet noodles. There are youtube videos that are very helpful- search ‘rake and shake method’. If you air dry, you may now choose to blot out extra water with a t-shirt or flat-weave towel.
Air dry or diffuse- whichever is your typical method. Diffuse with low heat and low speed to discourage dryness and frizz.”
ASHLEY
I use a diffuser like this occasionally. Mostly I let my hair air dry. When I get out of the shower, I twist pieces with my finger and then scrunch it with my hands. If I’m not showering, I will use a spray bottle to get it damp and do the same twist and scrunch. I don’t use styling products every day, but typically on shower days I do.
JEN
How to style
“Wash your hair with your favorite products or method. After washing, leave your hair very wet. Do not brush your hair or detangle yet. Do not toss your hair into a towel turban- this wrings out your hair too much, making it too dry to add products, and creates frizz.
Apply your favorite styling products to your very wet hair. Rake them through from all the way through, layering on all of the things you want to use. Typically, you’ll start with a leave in or cream, and use your gels or foams last.
Use your hands to rake the ends of your hair to detangle, and then scrunch well. Work in sections, finger raking until your hair looks like wet noodles. There are youtube videos that are very helpful- search ‘rake and shake method’. If you air dry, you may now choose to blot out extra water with a t-shirt or flat-weave towel.
Air dry or diffuse- whichever is your typical method. Diffuse with low heat and low speed to discourage dryness and frizz.”
JEN
Leave In Conditioner
This is a great product for hair that lacks definition, or is “frizz” prone. It’s literally conditioner with smaller molecules so it sinks in, rather than making a film on the exterior of the hair. Spray leave ins are generally the lightest in moisture, and creams are heavier. A fan favorite is Intelligent Nutrients PureLuxe leave-in. Its great for medium and coarse textures of hair and is low protein. Some folx opt for spray leave-ins for light detangling and minimal moisture- Organic Chemistry has Fortifying Mist which is literally quinoa protein spray, and is great for baby fine hair and bleached curls.
Styling Cream
Low hold/High moisture. If you have coarse hair, or are going days between styling, starting your products with layer of styling cream can help your hair from drying out. If you have naturally smooth and shiny hair, these might weigh you down. My go-to is Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control. It’s thick AF and you can skip a cream leave in if you use this. Organic Chemistry makes a Curl Cream that is light hold, and great for waves and curls prone to getting weighed down.
Foams/Mousse
These tend to have medium hold/medium moisture. These are easy to disperse into hair, and are very flexible in the hold department- the more you use, the firmer the hold can be. Innersense Foam is creamy, and great for drier hair textures. Intelligent Nutrients foam is firm holding with minimal moisture added.
Gel
These have the high hold/low moisture because they have less water compared to foams. The more translucent the gel, the stronger the hold. The more creamy it is, the less hold it has. These also have the most ability to smooth over the top layer of the cuticle, so they add the most shine, and will hold a style the longest.
Max Green Alchemy Gel is a cult classic at The Hive- It’s inexpensive, medium holding, and very shiny.
Organic Chemistry Gel has a light hold, great shine, and perfect for those who are afraid of anything that resembles crunchy.
Innersense “I Create Volume”- is a thin, viscous gel that is actually firm when air dried. It has tons of shine and is great layered over creams.
Hairspray
Hairsprays are essentially gel in thin liquid form. They have medium to high hold/low moisture. Since they are wet (we only have non-aerosol options because we avoid the chemicals used in aerosols) they can cause frizziness if over applied to dry hair. I love a tiny bit of Intelligent Nutrients Replenishing hairspray for curly hair. It has a high oil content so its actually shiny, and keeps curls lush without being sticky. They also make an excellent Volume Spray that can be used on wet or dry hair.
Ingredients to avoid
I dont recommend you use anything containing plastic or silicone in your haircare. Both ingredients are waterproofers that seal out air and water from the hair, causing dehydration. Plastics are also made from petroluem, which we know isn’y good for us. Yes, they give the hair a lot of hold and the illusion of shine, but they cannot be rinsed away with water or with a co-wash, and cause damage from building up on the hair. The only way to get them off the hair is with detergents, which then create a cycle of dryness from shampooing. There are so many amazing 100% plant based products that provide shine and hold without putting petroleum byproducts on your hair.
These are some of the names to avoid when shopping for products, but for ease, just go to The Hive and check out our selection!
Plastic Names-
Vinyl Acetate (vinyl is also what chair coverings and fake leather shoes are made from. eew)
Crotonates
Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer
Octylacrylamide Acrylates and
Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
If it sounds like plastic, chances are it is! If you see something listed on a product and you aren’t sure what it it, just google the ingredient and see what comes up!
Silicone Names:
Silicone- duh!
Phenyl trimethicone.
Dimethicone.
Dimethiconol.
Dimethicone copolyol.
Cetearyl Methicone
Cetyl Dimethicone
Stearyl Dimethicone
Amodimethicone
Cyclomethicone/Cyclopentasiloxane
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
Behenoxy Dimethicone
Stearoxy Dimethicone
ASHLEY
After this video, we lived streamed a big Q&A full of brilliant questions and lots of product reviews. But of course I couldn’t save the video. But this clip shows my killer cut so well that I had to include it. Jen’s answers are now littered throughout this post. Here is a pic of my hair a few days later post-cut. Still just as curly, freshly rained on but also a great simulation of how I really style my hair on a daily basis.
Now it’s turning to winter here in Minnesota and that means DRY weather and less humidity for my curls to soak up. Jen’s tips.
JEN
“Winter air is very drying- the best ways to try to combat this are by decreasing the frequency you use a detergent cleanser or switch to only co-washing, upgrading to a thicker conditioner, or by adding a rich leave in conditioner if you don’t currently use one. Some clients swear by diffusing hair in a steamy bathroom to help revive curl (instant summer). I also adore using a deep conditioning mask once a week to help boost moisture. Organic Chemistry makes a mask that has a high oil content to help seal water and moisture into the hair, and it’s a miracle worker! I’m lazy so I will apply a mask before I make dinner, and often will go to bed with it still in my hair-I just wrap an old t-shirt around my hair before going to bed.”
ASHLEY
Remember cats, no curly hair is alike. Yours will react differently to humidity, products, cuts, etc. Your hair is not my hair. Try some of these tips and figure out what works for you and be gentle on yourself in the process. Your hair is not trying to ruin your life. Also, anyone can make their hair straight (and once in awhile this is a really fun way to change your look and feel!) but your curly hair is perfectly unruly in all it’s bends and twirls, precisely imperfect and playful, delight in it all! It is part of what makes your different, beautiful, and interesting. Let those curls free mamas!