Curly hair?  Breathe deeply, in through the nose out through the mouth, and repeat after me.  I love my curls, I love my curls.  I know it can be difficult to deal with, but don’t stress over those tresses.  You just have to understand how to take care of your gorgeous locks.

As if you didn’t already know, curly hair is different from straight hair.  If you look at straight hair under a microscope you’ll see that it’s cylindrical.  A strand of curly hair is flat.  At each point where a strand of curly hair bends, the cuticle of the hair opens somewhat, which is why curly hair generally needs more moisture than straight hair, it loses moisture at each bend.

Because it is different, it needs to be treated differently, for example do NOT rub your hair with a towel when you get out of the shower.  You’re increasing the frizz factor.  Simply press it with your towel to remove excess water.

The following are two different lines specifically created for curly hair, each with very different price points.  I highly recommend them both.

Phytospecific (yes, it’s true, I’m all about the Phyto), is fabulous, plant based, and ultra hydrating.  Unfortunately, as with most fabulous things, the line is a bit pricey.

They have three levels of products, normal to dry, ultra dry, and damaged and brittle, as well as styling aids, leave in conditioners and (dare I mention it), two levels of relaxers, if you must.

If your hair is very fine and curly, Phytospecific might be a little too heavy for you.  Before buying the product, get your next blow out at a salon that uses the products in the back bar (at the sink), and see how well it works for you, or you could simply try to score some samples.

Just as a side note, most of the women featured in Phytospecific marketing materials are black.  That does NOT mean that this is a line exclusively for black women.  What it does mean is that you lovely dark skinned ladies are their target demographic.  The line is simply for all types of curly hair, from a wide curl pattern, to a tight curl pattern, period the end.

Now, let’s talk DevaCurl.  Remember when I said most fabulous things are pricey?  Well, I’m sticking to my guns on that statement, however, DevaCurl is the exception to the rule.

DevaCurl is 100% sulfate free, in fact the shampoos are named No-Poo, and Low-Poo.  That’s not baby talk for some unmentionable bodily function, rather a reference to the fact that the shampoos have either no lather or virtually no lather.  There is no need to completely strip curly hair of it’s own essential oils with harsh chemical lathering agents in order to cleanse, and DevaCurl knows this.  One of my all time favorite products is Mist-er Right, a lavender scented curl refresher, excellent for bringing the shape back to crushed curls in the morning.

DevaCurl has nearly a cult following.  Legend has it that the owner operates a salon in LA catering exclusively to curly haired clients.  If you want to have your hair straightened, they take you to a dark room in the back.  (I just made up that bit about a darkened room, I thought it added a certain je ne sais quoi.)

Meanwhile, regardless of which line you choose, you really should check out the DevaCurl site.  It is possible that Lorraine Massey, co-owner of the line, knows more about maintaining healthy curls than anyone on the planet.

[fblike]