Which Styling Product To Get?

Research, Experiment, Track

Finding the perfect styling product that works on us has never been easy. We have several different hair types and curl patterns on various sections of our head. It is like looking for products for three to four different people all at once.

Everyone’s hair is going to need something different when it comes to products. Mixing a few things and experimenting helps you find out what your hair requires to look its best. It is important to find the right product combo for your curls, meaning you need to consider your hair's texture, porosity, density, and curl pattern when shopping for products. Remember to track the ingredients and the results with the products as you go. This is very important as you will never be able to recall how your hair looked last week compared to today. I can't even remember what I had for dinner last weekend, these days.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON STYLERS USED? LEAVE IN CONDITIONERS / HAIR MILK: Think of them like a cream, but lighter. Most curly hair tends to be dry. This acts like a primer to hydrate your curls before you add in a cream, gel or mousse. If your hair is not on the dry side then you can skip this. Texture is usually thinner than enhancing and activating creams. CURL ENHANCING/ACTIVATING CREAMS: Curl creams come in all forms and can do anything from hydrate, define and style. Pick your product based on your hair density. A thicker texture cream for thicker strands of hair. Look out for the ingredients. Butters and waxes are heavy generally. CUSTARD / PUDDING / BUTTER: They are like a hybrid between cream and gel. The results depend on the ingredient in them. They can be hydrating, defining or give a good hold. Generally, they can be heavy. Not recommended for fine hair but works well for other hair types, medium to coarse. MOUSSE: Mousse is really great for my hair which is fine in texture. However, it does not hold as much as a gel would. Mousses help plump up strands and add volume. Scrunch into wet hair and let dry; It will dry a bit crispy at first but wait until the hair is completely dry then scrunch out those curls(SOTC) to break up the crisp and fluff out the hair for volume. BOMB results here always for me! GEL: Gels can be great for all types of curls, depending on the product ingredients and texture. It is great for hold, definition and texture. Use gel on wet/damp hair. Also, emulsify/dilute the product on palms before applying OIL/SERUMS: With textured hair natural oils do not make it from the scalp to the hair ends. So oils or oil-based products are always going to be the. Whether it is a serum or an oil, it will depend on your hair thickness. You don't want to use a really heavy type of oil on fine hair because it will weigh it down. Try to remember it this way: the thicker the hair, the thicker the oil you use. Usually, oils and serums are used as the last step to seal moisture in or scrunch out those curls (SOTC)

HAIR DENSITY: FINE HAIR: Keep your routine simple and light. Do not layer on multiple products or use too much of any single product. It will weigh down the hair and make it lethargic and appear thinner. I have fine hair too and my hair tends to respond well to gel or mousse as they are lightweight. It help to hold the curl together. Steer clear of rich, thick products that will flatten and weigh down your curls.

MEDIUM TO THICK HAIR: Tends to do well with oils and creams as it helps add weight and decrease frizz. Layering products will help compact, define, and weigh curls down (in a good way). COARSE OR SUPER THICK HAIR: Responds really well to hair masques followed by creams and pomades, things that really intensely moisturising. Coarse hair demands thicker products that can match its density to work effectively. Look for rich textured creams, thick, hydrating gels.

TIP: - Find a curl influencer that has your same curl pattern and try out the products they use. - Research on ingredients. This helps you understand why some products work differently on you. Author:

Viji

Founder @Curlyheavensg

Co Founder @Maneheavensg

Low-Poo, No-Poo, Co wash?

DEFINITELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR BOWEL MOVEMENT.

So what is with all these poo? (No pun intended) Well, they are alternative ways to hair wash that basically means no shampoo, little shampoo or conditioner only used to wash the hair in a gentle or less aggressive way. They exclude or reduce the presence of harsh chemicals such as sulfates, petrolatums, etc.

Let me break it down for you here: Regular Shampoo: Contains sulfates, surfactants, etc, that are harsh and tend to rob our hair of moisture.

Low-Poo: Shampoo without harsh sulfates, insoluble silicones and petroleum.

No-Poo: No Shampoo involved but instead has cleansing balms without insoluble silicones and petrolates in the composition. Co Wash: Washing the hair with conditioners only. Technically the same as No Poo. For Co Wash, it is necessary that the conditioners have no sulfates, petrolatums, mineral oils, petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin or insoluble silicones in the composition.

How to Low Poo? 1. Wet hair under a gentle shower. Squeeze product onto your palm, and gently massage it into your scalp like you are “shampooing” your hair, removing all the dirt and buildup. Then, rinse it out. Proceed with conditioner. 2. Use a clarifying shampoo after every few low poo wash to remove any buildup that can weigh down hair and eliminate its shine. However, do be very careful with low poo as some of them can be clarifying as well. So do not double clarify. How to No Poo / Co-Wash? 1. Wet hair under a gentle shower. Squeeze product onto your palm, and gently massage it into your scalp and hair like you are “shampooing” your hair, removing all the dirt and buildup. Then, rinse it out. 2. Use a clarifying shampoo after every few no poo/co wash to remove any buildup that can weigh down hair and eliminate its shine.

WHERE? Low Poo: - RIZOS CURLS, Hydrating Shampoo (available in trial set) from @Maneheavensg - INAHSI, Soothing Mint gentle cleansing shampoo from @Maneheavensg - JESSICURL, Gentle Lather Shampoo from @Amazon - SHEA MOISTURE, JBCO strengthen & restore shampoo from @Amazon No Poo / Co wash: - INAHSI, Tropical Escape Cowash from @Maneheavensg - AS I AM, Coconut CoWash from @Maneheavensg - SHEA MOISTURE, Coconut & Hibiscus Cowash from @Amazon TIP: Choosing between these is your personal choice. There are times when your hair will need more consistent conditioning, while there are other times when the low-poo method makes more sense. Try out both methods at different times, and do what works for you. Take pictures and track for reference.

Author:

Viji

Founder @Curlyheavensg

Co Founder @Maneheavensg

Why We Need Protein For Hair?

YOUR HAIR IS PROTEIN!

Our hair is primarily made up of protein, called keratin, and chains of amino acids. We are often exposed to chemicals, harsh weather, pollution, heat, and other factors that can erode the protein in your hair. Just like your body, your hair needs protein in order to stay healthy. If your hair feels limp or weak, it may be a sign that your hair lacks a protein.

HOW? Protein can be restored in many ways. A few common ones listed below. 1. YOUR DIET

Yes, you heard me right. The best way you can add protein is through your food. Honestly, this is one of the best ways, as it repairs internally. Protein infused products to me are like temporary solutions which give you instant TEMPORARY results.

Example of food rich in protein: Egg, Nuts, Seeds, Avocado

2. HAIR MASK, RE-CONSTRUCTORS

They help strengthen the hair if it has been damaged, and fill in gaps between the cuticles. My favourites: - Aphogee two-step protein treatment from Amazon (Watch video here on how to use this) - Tropic Isle Living JBCO Protein Conditioner from @Maneheavensg

3. STYLING PRODUCTS

Works similar to hair masks and treatments. Some of your daily styling products may already have protein infused into them. Take a look carefully and you will find them there.

Some examples of protein you can look out for : - Keratin - Collagen - Wheat Protein - Silk Protein - Vegetable Protein - Milk Protein - Soy Protein - Rice Protein If you purchase products containing protein, look for the word “hydrolyzed” on the ingredient label. This means that the type of protein in the product has been broken down to be small enough to attach to or penetrate the hair shaft. Hydrolyzed ______ protein, amino acids, peptides. These are all proteins. Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed (protein source - wheat, keratin, etc.) and Lauryldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed (protein source) are proteins which have been modified to be better hair conditioners and bond to hair better, add more softness.

4. DIY PROTEIN TREATMENTS

- Egg and Yogurt Hair Mask - Gelatin Hair Mask - Avocado and Mayonnaise Hair Mask

WHEN? 1) Dry, Dull, Limp hair? Or experiencing Hair breakage? If you have already tried deep conditioning or oil treatment, it's time to try some protein maybe? Because protein helps keep hair hydrated (it slows water loss!), it can help reduce breakage in dehydrated hair by increasing hydration. 2) Chemical or heat treated hair Before colouring or lightening, relaxing or perming hair or after a lot of sun exposure or dry wind exposure hair can benefit from hydrolysed proteins in products.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE: - Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment, if your hair feels very rough and stiff after using protein - Any protein used in excess or at the wrong time when your hair does not need protein, can cause either the too soft or too rough results. TIP: Start with the smaller proteins like keratin, silk if you are unsure. If the results give you less frizz, more shine and bounce that means your hair had a good response. Then go for the larger proteins like vegetable, quinoa and oat protein. Start small and see how your hair responds and proceed from there.

Author:

Viji

Founder @Curlyheavensg

Co Founder @Maneheavensg