Well isn't this cool! The CHA group with which I am aligned and have received curly certification from was profiled in an article on NaturallyCurly.com. Even cooler is that all the pictures used in the article were taken by me, or designed by me! I am so proud to be counted among this group of professionals who share the same passion for curly hair. I learn every single day from these people and they help me to become a better curly hair specialist for the curly people of Olympia and beyond. 

I saw this picture of a tree and it reminded me of curly hair! 

CurlFriends, I have a very limited understanding of gardening, but from what I do understand, when a tree experiences a season of drought (there are other reasons as well), it will send out "sucker sprouts" above the canopy to look for moisture. So too it is with curly hair! When curly hair is lacking proper hydration, it gets desperate to find moisture and it reaches out into the atmosphere for it. This is frizz.

Frizz is avoidable and you CAN live a frizz-free lifestyle! The first step is to admit you have a problem. Then ask yourself: What is preventing your hair from absorbing moisture? Are you using products with silicones? Are you still using a dehydrating sulfate shampoo? Eliminate these things from your curly hair regimen and you are halfway there. Then call me to book an appointment to learn proper cleansing, hydrating, and product application techniques. 

If you are a blog reader not in Washington, take a gander at this directory of CHA stylists from all over the world and find a curly hair specialist near you.

I literally had a client yesterday who used Morrocan Oil and I saw this picture the same day posted by Scott Musgrave and was able to confirm the presence of dimethicone, a silicone and frizz culprit! Below is his explanation on the oils and silicones in this widely-known brand:

"I see this popular brand come in for my clients to ask about this and there are 3 versions of the same thing listed - Mineral oil - is listed as 3 separate ingredients but is the same thing, one is Dimethicone and is horrible liquid plastic and one is a Wax = oil, plastic, wax and more oil. 

I have yet to see ANYONE using this product come in with hair that gets better and better over time - no, it gets worse over time. 

Moroccan Oil products are to be avoided - as you are paying way too much for a product that has cheap ingredients in it that destroy your hair over time. 

Learning to use Water Soluble Products will achieve the same results as these will - but not build up and your hair will improve over time. I see this all the time with my clients and share those photos of them when they come in as to how it improves. 

You can do a quick search online for any ingredient you are unsure of and learn how the cosmetic industry is using it, for what purpose, if it is toxic or allowed in Europe - as many US brands can not be sold in Europe for they refuse to let toxic brands into their countries. Maybe one day we will respect the same here in the USA."

Here is my client's before/after. A detox was needed to rid her hair of the buildup of oils and silicone so that her hair could absorb the moisture and achieve frizz-free curls. In addition, curl-by-curl cutting is ideal for her multi-springy curls. The curls are her nape were much looser and gathered in larger curl groupings. This cutting technique helped to eliminate any stragglers.

Step 1: Read my blog post on 10 Reasons You Need a Curly Hair Specialist!

Step 2: Go to the new Directory of the members of Curly Hair Artistry (CHA)! My Curly Hair colleague and friend from Canada, Krista Leavitt has drafted this list for us so my blog readers should find this very helpful in their curly journey going forward! Please peruse the list for a specialist in your area, and move on to Step Number 3.

Step 3: Pick up the phone and call the artist closest to you and book an appointment with them! You will not regret it!

Frizz is an anomaly for most people. It is the difference between a good day and a bad day for curlies. What products to use? Why are rainy days my worst enemy? How to tame it? These are the questions that plague the the curly mind.

1. Rid your hair of silicones. Silicones will choke the life out of your hair by sealing it in a mighty shield of plastic. Moisture cannot penetrate this barrier, so your curls will get drier and drier and drier. Read up on the 5 Worst Recommendations for Curly Hair, then get rid of all your silicone-laden products in your bathroom. How do you find them? Read the ingredients. Anything ending with the suffix "cone" is a silicone. Easy to spot.

2. On rainy days, leave in more conditioner. Silicone-free conditioner, that is. I recommend DevaCurl One Condition; it does a great job of rehydrating the hair. Keep in mind that the more conditioner you leave in, the longer it takes your hair to dry.

3. Apply a water soluble, silicone-free styling aid. They come in various forms: cream, gel, or foam. Avoid alcohols; they are drying. After applying your styling aid, DO NOT TOUCH.  If you mess with your hair before it is completely dry, you will cause it to frizz. After it is dry however, you can shake and scrunch to achieve soft, touchable curls.

A curl-by-curl dry cut can enhance your curly or wavy hair. This and using the proper products will help you to achieve the same awesome curly results at home as in my chair. If you haven't seen me yet for a curly appointment, be sure to visit my booking site and come on in! My door is open for ya!