Curls are back in a big way! Add major kudos to your kinks and coils with these five essential steps from leading hair stylists Kevin Murphy and Joey Scandizzo.
Top celebrity hairdresser, Kevin Murphy says that when it comes to summer curls, think more defined and confident. “The key is to keep the curl looking natural and make the most of the wave and curl or kink that you have,” he says. “Hair still needs to look and feel soft.” Fellow award-winning Australian hairstylist, Joey Scandizzo agrees, championing curls that are bigger and curlier than ever before, “with loads of texture to play around with.”
Step One: Cut Is Key
It’s incredibly important to have your curls cut by a hairdresser who specializes in waves and loops, as this type of hair is a completely different challenge than its straight cousin, the experts advise. “The biggest mistake you can make is having your hair cut after it is blow dried smooth,” notes Joey. “You need to have it cut in its natural form.” Kevin agrees that arriving at the salon with your hair styled the way you like to wear it is imperative. “Let your hairdresser know your routine with how you dry your hair and what products you apply,” he suggests.
Step Two: Treat Curls Like Your Complexion
Curls tend to become frizzy as hair ages and the weather heats up, cautions Joey. “You need to keep your hair well hydrated and use products that have a shine to them to keep hair looking healthy.” This may mean more regular trims (at least once every six weeks) and a weekly hair mask. Kevin adds that hair also loses elasticity with age – much like the skin – so you need to use nourishing styling products which it can absorb into the hair shaft, rather than those that sit on the surface and make it crunchy and brittle. “Anything too stiff or crunchy, like a gel, can make curls look finer and hair appear stringy,” he says.
Step Three: Read The Label + Reap The Benefits
The best curls are far from slapdash; their care and maintenance is fine-tuned and well-honed. This begins with the right ingredients, so read the label on your hair care before purchasing, Kevin suggests. Antioxidants are his top pick as they fight the breakdown of the curl on a cellular level and reduce breakage. “Essential oils absorb easily into the hair penetrating deep into the cortex to optimize hair health,” he adds. Joey admits his kit is stacked with products containing silk amino acids for strength and manageability, avocado oil for condition and moisturising and shea butter for repair and conditioning.
Step Four: Size Matters
Gone are the days of the overly manufactured looking wave, both experts agree. “It’s time to enhance your natural texture,” Kevin states. If your hair is shorter, Joey suggests making the curl look bigger by accentuating the wave. This is best done by finger looping towel-dried hair with a leave in conditioning cream before drying with a diffuser. “When your hair is longer its best to start the wave from the top of the ear down through the mid lengths and ends,” he adds. For really long hair you can afford to get a little more height on the top, encourages Kevin. “To make the overall look more modern have straighter ends so it takes the 80’s scrunch vibe away!”
Step Five: The Twirl Tools
When it comes to styling tools, you may be surprised as to what the experts swear by. For Kevin, it’s all about the old school roller. “I’m a big fan!” he says. The curling tong is also on high-rotation to create the initial curl. After downing tongs, Kevin wraps each section of curled hair in the hair roller to cool down and lock the shape. “I also like using wave clips to create a flat 40’s wave or old fashioned bendy roller, which are similar to fat pipe cleaners where you wrap the hair around and get a more irregular curl,” he says. “Similar to old fashioned rags!” For Joey, the perfect curl is approached with several weapons as well. “A good round brush and blow dryer creates a nice wave that bounces, a flat iron creates a more definite wave and a curling iron creates waves and curls of all different sizes,” he says.
The Ultimate Curl Kit
Want to get some bounce back into your life? Stock up on these essentials!
Kevin Murphy Killer Curls, $49.95, contains Australian finger lime, burdekin plum and kakadu plum fruit extracts to leave hair glossy smooth and nourished.
Joico Curl Refreshed, $29.95, is like a personal trainer for your curls, whipping them back into luscious shape in between styling sessions.
Amika Cheetah Tourmaline Conical Curling Iron, $95, is tourmaline fused with ceramic so that heat damage is reduced and curls go the distance.
L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise EverStrong Mineral Salt Texturising Spray, $15.95, contains botanical oils to strengthen hair. A beach bag essential in between dips.
Mira 291 Boar Bristle Radial Brush X-Large, $32.95, is an Italian made brush that creates loose, contemporary swirls within the curl, so that they remain buoyant and beautiful!
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Air-Dry Waves, $16.99, is a crunch-proof foam that can be finger-combed into damp hair to boost curls – whether naturally dried or heat-dried.
Fuente Twisting Curl, $36, can be easily applied to add shine to already set curls. Just spread across the palm and smooth through mid-lengths and ends to create frizz-free style.
Ghd Platinum Hair Styler, $315, is a hair styler featuring tri-zone technology to curl hair quickly without compromising its health.
Cloud Nine The O Rollers, $29.95, heat up in less than four seconds thanks to a unique induction heating system that heats from the core.
Images via Zimbio
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