Who knew how many cute natural hairstyles were out there that deliver bouncy curls and fun waves — thanks YouTube! How many times have you sat through a five minute hair tutorial and decided that style was “easy”, only for your attempt to go down in flames? Well, never again! We’ve broken down the common mistakes responsible for frizzy disaster do’s and easy solutions!
Let it dry!
If you’ve gambled on a flexi rod set or bantu knots before bed time only to unravel floppy, wet curls the next morning, then you understand how maddening it could be. How could 8 hours not be enough time to dry?! When you add water, product and intricate twists into the equation you have a recipe for frizz unless you let it dry. Set aside 12-24 hours to devote to your style or a little extra cash to put towards a hooded dryer and you’ll be in business.
Being a novice at DIY hairdo’s can be confusing, and choosing the right products to help you achieve your desired look can complicate the process even more. Before committing to expensive custards, creams or gels be sure you’re picking the right product for the job. If you need more hold, swap out your smoothie for a gel. Take advantage of online product reviews that tend to be honest and incredibly helpful!
Curly hair is not created equal! Be mindful of the hair texture you are looking to replicate. Learn the hair typing system to gauge if your hair type is similar to your model. If not, adjust the products to avoid limp or dry curls or skip it and check out a different style more suited to your curls.
It’s not uncommon to underestimate how long a perm rod set really takes. Patience is the key ingredient to a flawless ‘do! Block out a large chuck of time to commit the time and attention to your hair, otherwise you’re in for some crazy coils. (That includes time to unravel your style as well!)
It’s too easy to throw in the towel on a style that turned into flop. Don’t give up! Your Naturalista-inspiration may seem to whip up her style without breaking a sweat but what she doesn’t always admit is how many times it took to perfect it. You’ll find the ideal cocktail of products and perfect the technique before your know it.
If you’ve barely mastered the two-strand-twist, don’t expect to nail a bantu-knot-out on your first try. At the same time, if you’ve just underwent “the big chop” don’t look to a lengthening style to bring your long locks back. Work with what you have and don’t attempt techniques that are outside of your skill set to avoid that crushing disappointment.