Hairstyling Secrets:
Transforming Curls |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Revised Publication Date: 01/01/10 |
Introduction
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|
Image
Courtesy of Hannah Gordon |
|
Image Courtesy
of
HairBoutique.com
2010 |
Some
curly
girls and guys may think their hair styling options are limited
to either living with their curls or frying their strands straight
with chemicals or hot tools.
In reality the following options exist for styling natural curls:
1. Going completely au natural via air drying or wet
bunning.
2. Altering curl patterns naturally with wet sets, rag rollers
or pin curls for looser curls or waves.
3. Softening curls into loose ringlets and/or waves with a
flat vent or long or short finger diffusers.
4. Temporarily straightening curls with blow dryers, hot irons
or electric or steam rollers.
5. Chemically relaxing hair which will soften many curls
patterns into looser ringlets and/or waves
6. Thermal straightening which completely removes curls until
root re-growth occurs
7. Attaching semi-permanent extensions to temporarily weigh
down the existing curls.
8. Altering hair length. Cutting hair extremely short
will remove the curl pattern while allowing hair to grow as long as
possible will weigh it down.
There is also the option of having hair carefully sculpted and
cut so natural curls nestle into each other and form a more
compressed profile.
1. Going Natural
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|
Image
Courtesy of C. Boon |
|
Image Courtesy
of
HairBoutique.com
2010 |
One option which is always available is to embrace your ringlets
and coils. A great way to lavish Tender Loving Care (TLC) on
your curls is to allow them to air dry by plopping them or wrap[ing
ringlets into a wet bun to redirect or reshape the curls into your
desired pattern.
Air drying is truly going all natural with your tresses since
there is no heat damage of any kind.
2. Altering Curl Patternl
Rolling damp natural curls into a variety of wet sets will alter
the curl pattern until the curls are again wet.
Popular wet sets include rolling the hair in rag rollers, pin
curls, soft sponge rollers, straw rollers or even rolling hair
sections around your fingers and pinning into place.
Velcro rollers or traditional hard rollers are also an option
which can be utilized to soften curls. Keep in mind the larger
the barrel of the rollers, the looser the curls or waves.
While utilizing Velcro or traditional rollers may be a time
commitment, the results are definitely unique compared to other
curling systems.
3. Softening Curls
Another option is to towel blot curls and apply a cocktail of
leave-in conditioner and styling cream.
Attach the diffuser of your choice (vented, flat, long or short
finger) to a blow dryer and dry your hair in sections to soften and
loosen curls.
4. Temporarily Straightening Curls
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|
Image
Courtesy of Kennadys |
|
Image Courtesy
of
HairBoutique.com
2010 |
If you have a hankering for straight tresses you can achieve a
non-curly look by apply temporary straightening gels, creams or
spray to damp strands and then blow drying straight with a paddle or
round brush.
After the hair is completely dry you can also fine tune the
strands to be stick straight with a straightening iron.
If you desire a little volume or bend you can set 100% dry hair
on hot or steam rollers to create movement.
5. Chemically Relaxing
Although temporarily straightening curls with hot tools can
provide a new look, it is only temporary. If you wish to have
a longer term change you can opt for a chemical relaxing treatment
which will not, in most cases, completely straighten curls but will
usually transform the curls into softer waves.
Chemically relaxing usually eliminates a re-growth line since the
relaxing slowly wears off over time allowing curls to slowly revert
to their natural patterns.
According to some hair experts chemical relaxing, is not as
damaging to fragile curls as chemical or thermal straightening which
is permanent until curls grow out.
6. Thermal Chemical Straightening
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|
Image
Courtesy of Kennadys |
|
Image Courtesy
of
HairBoutique.com
2010 |
Whether labeled Thermal or chemical straightening or some other
marketing term, the basic process involves applying chemicals which
completely eliminate curls from the hair.
There are may pros and cons about thermal chemical straightening.
However, chemical straightening can be extremely damaging to fragile
curls and offers challenges when the root re-growth occurs.
While there are drawbacks to chemical straightening, many enjoy
the benefits of completely altering their natural curls.
7. Attaching Extensions
When applied properly add-on hair extensions attached through
fusion or weaving may weigh down natural curls and alter the ringlet
pattern. There are both advantages and disadvantages to
attaching add-on hair to natural curls. In some cases it is
not a viable option but it may work for some.
8. Altering Hair Length
When all else fails when attempting to alter your curls you can
change your hair length. Going very short or allowing your
hair to grow as long as possible will definitely change your curl
profile.
Although it seems easy to just grow your hair longer, naturally
curly hair which is not specifically cut in a sculpted manner to
help curls flatten and nestle together may only grow out rather than
down which would invalidate hair growth as an option.
 |
|
Image
Courtesy of Kennadys |
|
Image Courtesy
of
HairBoutique.com
2010 |
Summary
Although some naturally curl haired people think their options
for altering their hairstyles are limited, this is not really the
case.
Whether you embark on a path or changing your curls into stick
straight curtains or go for loose waves, there are many ways to
achieve whatever goals you set for your ringlets.
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Original Publication Date: 12/20/08 - Revised Publication
Date: 01/01/10
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