After years of the domination of the Hollywood blow out and overly pin straight hair, curly hair is making a comeback and it's 80's inspired!
Think shaggy more than traingular. With a shorter, layered top and length at the back and sides this is the perfect haircut to give the hair body, a more rounded shape while keeping length. When we layer and shag up the hair, it prevents the top layer from being too long and heavy, which usually just results in the curls dropping out and you being left with frizz instead of flow.
If you have been straightening your hair for years and now want to start wearing it curly, be prepared for it to take some time for the curls to return to their original state. Curl does have a memory but after being straightened for years, it needs time to recall how to be curly again.
You will need to wear it curly and let it dry natural for at least 2-3 weeks without straightening, to get the best results long term. You know you can make this commitment. You just need patience.
So this is how it is done
Brush your hair well with a boar bristle brush before washing your hair to get out any knots and tangles. Curly hair should only be brushed before washing, otherwise it will just become frizzy. A boar bristle brush is a more natural alternative and is most like your hair, therefore will not cause static or breakage like a plastic bristle brush will. Plastic brushes also tend to leave a film of microplastics on the hair, causing build up over time, dulling the hair and can affect your colour long term
Wash and condition your hair once a week with Birdie Blondes’ Curly Tops Shampoo and Curly Tops Conditioner (2 washes with shampoo and one conditioner). Don’t overly rub the hair as this will cause frizz. Instead massage the shampoo into your hair in a soft motion
While the conditioner is in use a wide tooth comb (wooden or metal preferably) or a bamboo or wooden massage brush to distribute the conditioner and to detangle any leftover knots. Never place the conditioner directly on the roots. Always apply it to the mids and ends as to not weigh down the roots. Leave the conditioner in for 5-7 min then rinse thoroughly.
Squeeze the hair lightly in the shower so it is not dripping but avoid harsh twisting or wringing. Let it still have water in it but not so much that it drips all over your bathroom floor. Then out of the shower, dab the ends lightly with a towel in a scrunching affect. Again, no harsh rubbish or excessively drying with the towel as this can cause frizziness. Try and scrunch with the towel while keeping the curl intact.
Then apply 3-4 squirts of Birdie Blondes’ Curly Tops Curl Creme into your hands then rub your hands together to distribute the product. This avoids clumping it in one spot. then starting at the ends of your hair, scrunch it in and work your way up the head. Flip your hair upside down and apply to the underneat areas as well, still lightly scrunching. The hair should still feel wet at this point.
Next wind sections of the hair together until the curls wrap around each other. Think about 2×2 cm sections where the hair trirls around each other. Use your fingers to twirl to the ends to seal then so as to prevent frizz. You can section you hair at this point and do this process meticulously but it can be done roughly for those who have little time. Then let the hair dry naturally or scrunch with a blow drier on low heat. Feel free to flip your hair upside down if using a hair dryer but don’t over dry the hair. Let the hair dry to about 80% before going to bed. This way the curls are set before you have a crazy sleep. Plus going to bed with wet hair can be one of the causes of dry scalp and dandruff.
The look you are after? The bigger and curlier, the better. Get that true 80s vibe
Then, once the hair is fully dried, finish by lightly applying some Birdie Blondes’ Batana Oil on the mids and ends to keep it frizz free in the humidity and then lightly mist with Birdie Blondes’ Bang Up Finishing Spray to keep it all in place. When sprayed in the roots lightly, Bang Up will give the hair some extra body without the stickiness of hairspray.
Comment below to let me know how you go with this process