Our Top 5 Tips for Beginners

If you're just starting out in finding your textured hair, here are our 5 top tips to help you!

1. LEARN HOW TO FORM CURL CLUMPS

We’re marrying water and conditioner until your hair becomes seaweed-like and clumps are visible.

Often when washing we automatically reach to add more conditioner. PAUSE, add more water to your hair by popping your hair under the faucet for a second. It seems counterintuitive at first, but this is where the magic happens!

Look at hydration methods such as the “bowl method” or “squish to condish” for more techniques. The lower the porosity of your hair, the longer this process will take.

2. DON'T DRY YOUR HAIR WITH A TOWEL

Once you’ve obtained your clumps, the last thing you want to do is rough them up and break them apart. Tis a big no-no in the land of curl care!

Leave your hair wet from the shower and go on to applying stylers. If you feel like you need to remove some water, use an old cotton t-shirt you no longer want and gently scrunch your hair upwards to remove the excess.

Remember, you’re not aiming to dry your hair as much as possible. You want the hair wet, clumped, and ready for styler application, you’re only removing the excess water.

3. DON'T BE AFRAID OF CRUNCHY CURLS

Yes, some of us may still be traumatised from the ramen noodle hair from the 80's and 90's (I’m looking at your mousse). But what we didn’t know then is that you can “scrunch out the crunch” (SOTC) once the hair is dry.

This crunchiness is called a “cast.” Using a product like Belle of the Gels 2.0 will help aid in curl definition and retention. It holds the hair in place (hopefully in a juicy clump) while it’s drying. You then scrunch out that crunch (your cast) to reveal soft, bouncy waves, curls or coils.

4. USE A BOND REPAIR PRODUCT

If your hair is damaged from permanent colouring, bleaching, or excessive daily ironing, a bond repair product is a sure way to help repair the damage and significantly improve the condition of your hair.

Why not a deep conditioner you ask? Quite simply, not all curls require a deep conditioner (particularly if you have a fine or medium strand width). If your hair is damaged, focusing on strength and repair rather than over-conditioning is going to help your hair find its happy place.

On a personal level, our Curl Restorer has been game-changing to our routines. Our curls continue to thrive despite regular permanent dying and bleaching thanks to this powerhouse formulation.

5. A NOTE ON MANAGING YOUR EXPECTATIONS

So often, folk are drawn to wear their hair naturally after seeing amazing before and after images on social media. While some journeys show significant transformation with one wash, it’s important to note, others, will take time.

For beginners, (especially if you’ve come from a place where you ironed your hair straight on the daily), the expectation of perfect curls and ringlets can be a challenging mindset shift (but a necessary one). The curly equivalent to perfectly straight hair doesn’t exist (unless it’s created with a curling tong).

You’ll find you’ll need to experiment with different techniques for washing, styling, drying, and sleep protection. Once you’ve found what you like it won’t be a big deal or so all-consuming, it becomes just a part of your daily routine akin to brushing your teeth. Second nature.

You can’t force your hair to look a certain way anymore. This may give you a feeling of lacking control. You may have the temptation to submit your hair into a place with an iron. Resist the urge, ride the wave.

Ultimately, this journey can become so much more than “just hair” but rather one of self-love and acceptance. It parallels real life. You’re practicing self-care, learning resilience, relinquishing control over things you cannot change, loving your body/hair (including its “flaws”), and becoming the best version of your authentic self.

As always we are here to help, so feel free to reach out xx