1. In the shower, shampoo hair with a gentle, low suds shampoo like Deva Curl Low Poo Cleanser. Deva Curl products are sulfate free and designed for curly hair. The less lather there is equals less frizzing in the end.
2. After washing out shampoo apply a semi-thick moisturizing conditioner. For less dry hair, I love Deva Curl One Condition. It was created just for curly hair and provides lightweight but effective moisture. For drier hair, try Pureology Antifade Complex Hydrate Conditioner. Pureology products are always safe for color treated hair and this moisturizing conditioner leaves hair soft and manageable. Pureology does not test on animals.
3. Before rinsing conditioner out, brush hair with a wide tooth comb while still in the shower. Any wide tooth comb will do, just go to your local drugstore and pick one up. In the shower with conditioner on should be the ONLY time you brush out your hair. This will eliminate tangles but still keep your curls in tack. Never dry brush curly hair or you will end up with hair larger than your own head!
4. After combing, rinse out conditioner. Squeeze water from hair using your hands or a towel. Do not use the towel to vigorously rub your hair and scalp. Maintain your curls by merely squeezing your hair to rid most of the water.
5. Apply a light leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair. I like Eufora Hydration Leave-in Conditioner. Eufora is an organic, all natural product line that utilizes the power of pure Aloe Vera gel and does not test on animals. Their leave-in conditioner is just light enough not to weigh hair down but still seals in the moisture curly hair needs. Apply 2-3 pumps and wrap wet hair in towel.
6. Once hair is damp, remove towel and apply styling products. For extra dry hair, spray a bit of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist all over hair. Paul Mitchell is a long-standing animal friendly company and all of their products are wonderful.
7. If hair is not exceptionally dry, skip the Moisture Mist and apply a creamy styling product for curls. I personally mix a few pumps of L’Oreal Texture Line Spiral Down Crème to reduce frizz with Aveda’s Be Curly Curl Enhancer to add definition and slight hold. Aveda is also all natural and animal friendly. Use a light hand and avoid roots when applying styling products to curly hair; too much product will weigh down a style and create a greasy look.
8. Diffuse hair. Using a diffuser on curly hair is the only way to get volume at the roots. Letting curly hair air dry is fine but hair may fall flat. I also like to walk out the house with dry, perfectly styled hair.
9. Once hair is dry, applying a finishing cream to lock in your curls and eliminate any frizz. I use a bit Aveda Light Elements Finishing Solution to delicately scrunch curls and smooth frizz. Be careful not to separate curls or work your hair too hard.
10. Finish with hair spray if needed.

Go show off that fabulous hair!

I was looking for a hair dryer that would decrease the drying time of my long, thick, curly hair and that came with a diffuser to create curly styles. I decided on the FHI Turbo1900 and I’m so glad I spent the money on it. The FHI Turbo 1900 is extremely lightweight and easy to manage, but still packs an incredible punch.

This ionic hair dryer has nano technology, which, combined with the ceramic heater, preserves your hair’s health and keeps it frizz free. The 12.6 ounce weight of the FHI Turbo belies its incredible 1900 watt motor that makes it stronger, more powerful and keeps it running longer than other dryers. There are several temperature and speed adjustment options on this hair dryer letting you go from ultra cool to hot and all ranges in between. There are turbo boost cold and hot “shots” for use while drying.

The proof is in the pudding. The FHI Turbo Nano 1900 really did knock my hair drying time down 50%. Better yet, the diffuser that comes with this hair dryer let’s me dry and form my curls with just a gentle flow of heated air so my curls come out frizz free and perfectly styled. A concentrator is also included with the FHI Turbo Nano so straight styles are also a breeze. And for all my readers, I found the FHI Turbo Nano 1900 on sale for $60 less on my favorite hair tools website, www.misikko.com. Since this professional rate dryer has definite staying power and is sure to last me for years, spending the money is worth it. The FHI Turbo Nano 1900 is both your straightener and curly hair styler in one!

Most flat irons plates are metal with only a coating of ceramic which doesn’t make them actual “ceramic flat irons.” The Hana Elite straightening plates are 100% pure ceramic to allow for a smoother pass through your hair, more even heat distribution and it’s gentler on your hair. Better yet, no coating means no peeling and no exposure of your hair to damaging hot metal. The ceramic plates heat up evenly and ceramic actually helps to protect your hair color with little damage and fading.

I love to travel but normally lugging around all of my hair styling tools adds another bag! Not anymore- here’s a flat iron that does it all. The Hana Elite is only 1″ wide – that’s big enough for great styles and small enough to fit into any bag. It also comes with a handy travel pouch and a portable rubber mat to set the Hana flat iron down on when it’s still hot – no more worries about burning your counter!

The damp to dry styling feature of this flat iron is great. As always, it’s best to use a product that provides heat styling protection, but the Hana Elite is still very smooth and simple to use. There’s no sizzle when you use it on your damp hair and with one pass your hair is straight.

The Hana Elite provides detailed instructions on which temperature is best for you – up to 450 degrees! You can curl, straighten or make waves with this small but effective flat iron. It’s easy to hold, super light and the cord swivels around like professional tools to avoid tangling. AND, at only 38 watts this baby is energy officiant to boot!

Voted top pick by online flat iron superstore Misikko.com, the perfectly sized Hana Elite hair flat iron packs a powerful punch! Try it, you’ll love it!

Paul Mitchell has long held a reputation of making quality hair products without any endorsement or conducting of animal testing.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Working Hair Spray is a flexible, brush-able, color safe medium to firm hold styling product. This hairspray holds extremely well with no crunchiness. The best feature is the ultra-dryness of the spray so it does not make your straight style curly and wet. It’s the perfect finishing spray to any hairstyle.

The Anti-Aging properties of this hairspray come from ingredients such as caviar that add and maintain hydration, strength, vibrancy and elasticity. Rest assured that your hair will not be damaged by using this hair spray.

The bottle is bigger than most so it does last quite a while too. Alterna does not conduct animal testing.

I recently had the opportunity to try a new straightener called the H2PRO Ceramic Flat Iron. The H2PRO combines huge functionality in a tiny size. This one inch wonder was originally created for professional use only but now you too can create straight hair with professional tools.

Probably the best feature of the H2PRO Ceramic Flat Iron is that it was specifically designed for damaged, sensitive and thick hair. The hair straightening plates are made of tourmaline and ceramic, which help to smooth and sooth your hair, fighting frizz and damage. It’s capability to attain higher temperatures, combined with materials meant to protect your hair, makes this a flat iron you can use often with less damage than other straighteners.

The H2PRO also has a “damp to dry” feature enabling you to skip the blow dryer! I LOVE this feature. My curly hair is stubborn, and after blow drying with a brush I am exhausted. To be able to skip this step just makes everything a bit easier and saves your hair from the breakage hair dryers can create.

It is my experience that a smaller sized straightener does not add more time, but actually helps you achieve smoother hair quicker. The smaller straighteners are easier to maneuver and allow you to get closer to your scalp. I like the H2PRO because it is small enough to create straight hair but also allows you to curl or create beachy waves with a flip of your wrist.

The H2PRO Ceramic Flat Iron has been compared to another great hair straightener called the T3 Tourmaline Medium Duality Flat Iron. Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty recently named the T3 Tourmaline Flat Iron the best on the market. It has many of the same features as the H2PRO, including tourmaline plates to counteract static and an ability to reach high temperatures. The T3 is a little bit larger than the H2, with plates measuring 1 3/8″, and is designed for longer hair. The T3 works great, but if you are comparing prices, the H2PRO costs a bit less.

There are so many choices when it comes to choosing a flat iron. However, with the evolution of hair straightening tools, even lower priced flat irons have many of the same characteristics as more expensive ones. It’s best to decide exactly what you want from your flat iron and do some comparison shopping before making a purchase. I would also ask your own hair stylist what he or she recommends. However, it is always best to purchase your flat iron online – you can always find a cheaper price.

Best Frizz Fighting Hair Product

Best Hair Product for Shine: I love Redken Vinyl Glam Mega Shine Spray. Vinyl Glam is a great product for both curly or straight hair because it sprays on shine and fights frizz without adding wetness. After you flat iron your hair, you can spray on Vinyl Glam and it creates incredible shine, takes away frizz and smooths your hair. Redken Vinyl Glam will not make your hair oily or greasy, no matter how much you spray on. This is a must have hair product!

Best Texturizing Hair Product

Best Mousse: Redken Touch Control 05 Volumizing Texture Whip. This is not your average hair mousse! Redken Touch Control Texture Whip gives volume and definition to your hair while still maintaining movement. This mousse will not make your hair stiff and it’s lightweight mild control feels clean to the touch! This is also a hair product that will protect your hair from heat and breakage. This is a great hair product for air-dry styles.

Best Curl Defining Hair Cream

Pureology Real Curl is something I use every day. I use Pureology Real Curl on my wet hair before diffusing it. This styling cream separates my curl and keeps my hair frizz free. When I use Real Curl my curls have great definition and hold without any sticky feeling or residue. Get perfect curls with Pureology Real Curl. My tip for curly hair: use a styling cream on wet hair instead of a sticky gel. You will get definition and separation without stickiness. Real Curl is the best curl styling cream I have ever used!

Pureology Hydrate is an incredible daily moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. This is a great shampoo and conditioner for dry, curly hair like mine. The best part about Pureology are their natural ingredients, zero animal testing and all of their products are created for color treated hair- in fact, Pureology products enhance and help maintain the color in your hair! If you have dry, color treated hair, and especially for curly hair, check out Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner.

Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner

Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner contains avocado oil to make your hair not only silky but smooth as well. This shampoo and conditioner works really well for dry, chemically treated hair and is not too heavy for curly hair, but it is not specially formulated for color treated hair. Redken All Soft is a great shampoo and especially conditioner for damaged, curly hair that needs restoring. For an intensive treatment, check out Redken All Soft Heavy Cream. If you have really dry hair you can use this daily, otherwise the Heavy Cream is a great once a week treatment for dry, damaged hair.

Pureology NanoWorks Condition

The Pureology NanoWorks line is the most comprehensive product line for damaged hair. I use the Pureology NanoWorks Conditioner as a once a week treatment for my dry, curly hair. The Pureology NanoWorks conditioner is very moisturizing and luxurious and contains the added benefits of being safe for color treated hair. The Pureology NanoWorks conditioner is so intense that if I use this any more than once a week my curls are limp and my hair is weighed down because it’s so moisturizing. Pureology also makes a NanoWorks Restorative Hair Treatment for those with extremely damaged hair, but I find that the NanoWorks conditioner is more than enough as a weekly conditioning treatment for my hair. Pureology NanoWorks is a lot more expensive than their other lines of hair products, but Pureology Nano Technology is one of a kind and truly heals hair that is dry, damaged and brittle- you will see the difference after one use! Keep those ringlets nice and hydrated and you will have perfect curls!

Introducing DevaCurl hair care. This is the best line of products for curly hair, hands down. I have tried them all: Redken, Pureology, Alterna, Aveda, Be Sexy, and many drugstore brands, to name a few. DevaCurl offers us curly haired maidens the perfect products to handle our curls. After years of research, curly haired creator Lorraine Massey, author of the must have book, Curly Girl (Workman Publishing, 2001), created a line of products specifically for curly hair. DevaCurl products do not contain harsh chemicals or detergents and are alcohol free. Alcohol not only dries out your hair but creates that sticky crunchy curl that everyone hates. DevaCurl products re-hydrate, restore and respect your beautiful hair.

Though I’m not crazy about their shampoo and conditioners, their styling products are hands-down the best hair care products for curly hair. Start with DevaCurl B’Leave In after you get out of the shower. Put this on wet hair and remember, do not brush your hair after showering. DevaCurl B’Leave In is a gel-like leave in conditioner that moisturizes and creates a better, longer lasting curl. Next, use DevaCurl Angell, a lightweight, alcohol free styling gel that disappears into your hair. After diffusing, spray in DevaCurl Set It Free conditioning finishing mist. This is hands down my can’t live without product for curly hair. I like to use it on dry hair to lock in my style and take away frizz, but it can also be used on wet hair. DevaCurl Set It Free reactivates and separates your curl while adding shine and locking in moisture. You can’t use too much of this stuff- DevaCurl Set It Free contains olive oil and beeswax and it’s alcohol free so it won’t get sticky or crunchy. And for next day styling, just spray unwashed hair with DevaCurl Mist-er Right a lavender based hair refresher. Spray it on to reactivate DevaCurl Angell and reform your curls while acting as a humectant and adding moisture to your dry hair. The scent helps to mask unpleasant odors your hair might have as well as acting as a spa treatment for your scalp and senses.

The DevaCurl product line is a must-have for curly hair, and truly the best products for curly hair that I have ever used.