Curly hair care

  Curly hair is usually dry, so wash it ,no more than three times a week if it's fine and once a week if it's coarse, says Ouidad, curl expert and owner of NYC's Ouidad Salon. Use a gentle shampoo designed for curly hair care and a protein-based conditioner to strengthen your spirals. Also, never pile curly hair on top of your head and scrub--this roughs up the cuticle and creates frizz. Instead, use your fingertips to rub the scalp and remove the oil. To detangle, gently massage conditioner into your hair and comb through from ends to roots.

Before bed, on the day you shampoo your hair, pull it back in a low ponytail with a loose scrunchie. When you wake up, put even more bounce back in your curls with a leave-in conditioning mist or a little water from a spray bottle. Spray all over for the best results, then air-dry.

The best way to get beautiful, bouncy curls is to hardly touch your hair! If you scrunch, squeeze or run your fingers through your hair too much, it destroys the shape of your curls. Need to fix your hair? Lift a clump with your hand or put your fingers on your scalp to gently pull hair up from the roots. Also, whenever possible, let your hair air-dry. If you're in a hurry, use a diffuser attachment, aiming it at the roots on a low- to medium-heat setting.

HAIR DOS & DON'TS

Do leave a little conditioner in your hair after you shower. Ouidad recommends that you leave in 25 to 30 percent to help hydrate your curls.

Don't make a towel turban on top of your head. This will cause more frizz. Instead, drape the towel over your head and blot at the water.

Do add styling lotions to very wet hair. They're distributed more evenly that way.

Don't brush your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb instead to avoid damaging curls.

Do deep-condition. Curly hair needs an extra dose of a conditioning ingredient like shea butter at least once a eek.

WANT STRAIGHT STRANDS? HERE'S HOW

First, shampoo and condition your hair using a thick moisturizing conditioner. Follow with a light detangling leave-in conditioner to soften hair and make it more manageable.

Apply a heat-activated, moisturizing straightening balm to your hair to help protect it from the heat.

Separate your hair into four sections with hair clips.

Set the blow-dryer on high to medium heat. Use a natural-bristle flat brush to dry it from roots to ends, pulling your hair taut. Start with the back area and work your way around to the front.

Once your hair is dry, use a pomade or shine spray, starting at the ends and working the product up to an inch away from the roots.

WANT THE SEXIEST SPIRALS? HERE'S HOW

Wash, condition and blot your hair with a towel.

With a clip, section off all the hair from the front of your head to your crown.

Apply styling lotion in your hand, then gently take your fingers through a two-inch section, evenly distributing the product and allowing natural curls to pop up. Copy the same move on the sides and at the crown of your head.

Dry your hair by tilting your head to each side and moving your blow-dryer with the diffuser attachment from roots to ends. Don't dry the ends all the way or they'll look fried.

Smooth a pomade through dry hair to give it shine--pull your hair back in a mock ponytail and run your hands from the base to the ends.

Release your new soft, Curly hair.

By Elizabeth Kiely