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C. Boons Salon
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In the world of natural curls one of the most challenging ringlet types (thin/fine, medium, thick, super thick) to color, chemically treat or style is thin, fine strands.
Rose Zuniga (Salon LaCoupe) is a Dallas hair colorist, natural curl expert and overall hair guru agreed that fine curls can be challenging to deal with.
Determining Genetic Strength Of Natural Curls
Rose explained "the key to coloring, relaxing, cutting or styling naturally curly hair is to first understand the ancestral heritage behind the curls. This will help determine the overall strength of the hair (fragile to very strong). The next step is to figure out whether the hair type is fine, medium or thick."
Rose explained "German and Indian curly hair, even when thin or fine, is generally stronger than other hair origins and can better withstand hair color, relaxers and straighteners."
Rose said "curly strands which are thin to fine, are, in general, the most challenging type of curls, to work with when coloring, chemically treating or styling."
Fine Curly Hair Can Easily Become Flat
Why? "When curly hair is fine it tends to fall flat. Volume and fullness is usually desired. However, because curls tend to dry out easily and get frizzy, the hair is at cross purposes. On one hand conditioners reverse dryness and frizz.
Unfortunately, if you over condition, fine hair will become even flatter and may even become limp or greasy. Rose noted "baby fine hair becomes over moisturized easily becoming lifeless where it can't support a desired hair style."
Classic Catch 22 With Fine Curls
Yes, it's a classic naturally curly Catch 22. Rose noted "many of the volumizing and body-building products available in the hair care market" contain ingredients and chemicals "which may dry out the hair, ultimately making curls even frizzier."
Rose also explained "the application of hair color to fine strands often causes hair to swell and appear fuller and thicker. Unfortunately, if the fine curly hair is naturally weak there is significant risk that the application of hair color will cause hair to break off, become dry and excessively frizzy.
The application of chemical relaxers and straighteners will also cause fine hair to become extremely dry, damaged and prone to breakage."
How do you break the contrasting goals of dryness, damage and frizz versus lush volume and well-managed curls?
Gentle Hair Color Application
Rose suggests "when hair color is used on fine curls, the color be as gentle as possible, it be applied as highlights and low lights and only two shades lighter or darker than natural base."
She also advises "against chemically relaxing or straightening delicate fine naturally curly strands."
Shampoo, Conditioning & Volume Tips
Rose suggests "washing fine natural curls with a moisturizing volume enhancing shampoo applied only to the roots and then applying a light moisturizing shampoo product from the ears down."
She explained "lighter conditioners tend to work best on fine curl. Light leave-in conditioners and detangling sprays applied only from the ears down the hair shaft work best.
For added volume apply volume enhances to the root area only. Anti -frizz products can be used in moderation but less is more with fine strands."
Apply Small Amount Of Light Anti-Frizz Serum
Rose suggests putting "a very small amount of a light anti-frizz serum or cream into damp curls. The water in the curls helps to dilute the product. A light application of a thickening lotion may also help add body to the hair, when applied lightly from the ears to the ends."
When In Doubt
Always discuss all your options with your own curl and hair color expert. Rose concluded "it's always important to start with a great haircut designed to maximize the styling options for fine curls. With a great base cut, carefully applied color and good cleansing and styling products fine curls can shine."
For more info: Visit HairBoutique.com for more tips on hair, beauty, fashion, accessories and similar. For an appointment with Rose call 214-755-5628 to schedule an appointment.
Comments
My hair is not ringlets but tight curls.It was so tight nd thick that when i was young i nearly formed dreadlocks underneath it all.It has been chemically straightened 2 times and the curles have stretched out a bit.But my hair is still really dry and when it grows back through the roots the make me look as though my hair is extremely dead.Its really annoying.I would like to get my hair dyed a bit of a darker brown and get caramel streaks but with my hair in the state its currently i rechion it'll probably break off heaps.Can anyone tell me how to get it healthier with things in everyday houses.Thankyou heaps.- Chelsea....15/Australia.
And could you tell me what i should do about style and colour.
Norilbear@hotmail.com
chelsea i reciently started not using shampoo because of the harsh chemicals that make my hair extremly dry and fragile. instead every day i wash it whith silk elements conditioner and once a week i use a deep conditioner i hope that helps -savannah...15/america
currrly hair is really in style right now ,I LIKE To put mine up in big stand-up pin curls on clean damp hair,using a small amount of my styling product distributed all over evenly I use lite hold hair spray paul mitchel my favorite products .set my blow dryer on warm let the hair cool,remove the pins don't comb,or brush,just use your fingers other wise you will create frizz.this georgious style is so sexy,and lasts 2-3 days shampoo,lightly condtion better to use a large tooth comb , sometimes I use socks for large long curls,have fun find whats easy,. and works for you. I'M a licensed cosmetolgist who enjoys working with all kinds of challenging hair types men and woman,young or old..
Hello Melissa,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your own special curly hair styling tips. I went to cosmo school at Paul Mitchell and became very fond of their products which we used in our studies. It's great to hear that they are your favs because they offer so many great options. I love the sock idea for creating long curls. Very creative.
Best wishes,
Karen
Hello Melissa,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your own special curly hair styling tips. I went to cosmo school at Paul Mitchell and became very fond of their products which we used in our studies. It's great to hear that they are your favs because they offer so many great options. I love the sock idea for creating long curls. Very creative.
Best wishes,
Karen
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