How to get volume in curly hair is a never-ending struggle for many of us.

You can create volume with products but the most effective products can’t be used when you follow the ‘Curly Girl’ routine. But there is a product-free way to get extra volume in curly hair and that’s using clips when you wash your hair.

My latest video is all about how to get volume in curly hair using clips. It’s also a kind of apology to curl clips from me as well.

You see, I recently filmed my current curly hair routine video and I realised that I don’t use clips in my routine any more. In that video, I didn’t use them very well and I made it seem like they weren’t necessary. However they do work really well when you use them properly.

Personally I love using hair volume powders but they’re not permissible in the ‘Curly Girl’ routine and so if you’re strict CG, this curl clip tip might be the answer for you.

How to get volume in curly hair using clips

Click here if you can’t see the video above.

Which clips work in curly hair?

I recommend using traditional pin curl clips for this step.

There are specialist clip available such as Devacurl clips but the classic hairdressing pin curl clips work just as well and for a lot less. I bought this bulk pack of pins years ago at a hairdressing supply store and you can also find them online here and here.

If you are in Australia, Sydney Salon Supplies also sells flat curl clips here.

Clipping your roots when you’re drying your hair really does create more volume but if you’re always short on time (like me!) volume powders are the key to creating volume in flat roots.

Have you tried clipping the roots of your curly hair? Let me know your tips for getting more volume in curly hair.

The post How To Get Volume In Curly Hair Using Clips appeared first on Hair Romance.

Finally my current curly hair routine is here! This has been one of my most requested videos. My previous curly hair routine on how to wash and style curly hair is my most popular video of all time.

To be honest my routine hasn’t changed that much in 3 years. I’m using a few different products but the method is similar. I truly believe that while products are amazing at helping your curls, the techniques are just as important to your curl results.

It’s too hard to film in my shower at home, but if you really want to see a video of how I wash my hair, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

With this updated curly hair routine, I’ve included details of the products I recommend and how much to use as well which I hope you’ll find helpful.

If you want to learn how to style your curls & 30 fun ways to wear your hair, you’ll love my ebook – 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.

Now I’m sure you’re ready see the video so here it is.

My current curly hair routine video tutorial

Click here if you can’t see the video above

My favourite products for curly hair

Shampoo and conditioner

For this video I used the Darshana shampoo and conditioner. I really love this range and their hair oil as well. You can find Darshana online here and in Australia here.

Hair Treatments

Crucial to keeping my curly hair looking good are plex treatments. I’ve written a lot about plex treatments here and I love using Olaplex No 3 or Matrix Bond 3.

If your hair is healthy these probably aren’t necessary but if you do a lot of heat styling or colouring your hair I definitely recommend them.

You can find Olaplex here in Australia or here in the USA. Matrix Bond is available in salon or online here.

And this is the only comb I use in the shower – it’s the best.

Deep Conditioning

I love the Shea Moisture masks, especially the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Masque because it gives my hair a really beautiful slip and helps tame any frizz while I’m still in the shower.

The Shea Moisture masks are quite rich and can be heavy in fine hair. You may prefer to use a product like Kinky Curly Knot Today instead or just your regular conditioner.

Shea Moisture is available here in Australia or here in the USA.

Kinky Curly Knot Today is available here in Australia or here in the USA.

Curly Styling Products

If you have been following me for a while, you’ll recognise thee products. I’m still using the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie as a curl cream and then the Taft Mega Styling Gel to stop frizz from forming.

This part of any curl routine can become the most complicated and I’ve got a future post coming on the different types of curl creams and when to use them. And if you have any questions about gel, check out this post on using gel in curly hair.

Shea Moisture Smoothie is available here in Australia or here in the USA.

Taft gel is only available in Australia but try this alternative for the USA.

My Hairdryer

Previously I have used the ghd Air and the Parlux hairdryers – both of which I still recommend as excellent pro hairdryers. But if your budget can stretch, the Dyson really is far superior. The Dyson diffuser is the best I have ever used and it takes under 10 minutes to dry my hair. It’s definitely an investment but for me, it’s worth it.

You can find the Dyson Supersonic here in Australia and here in the USA.

Finishing Products

To control that fluffiness at the end, I finish my hair with either oil or serum. For a long time I’ve loved the Darshana hair oil and you really only need to use a drop of this. A new product I’ve been introduced to is the Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz serum which is silicone free.

You can find Darshana online here or in Australia it’s stocked here.

Marc Anthony serum is available here in Australia or in the USA here.

While I don’t strictly follow the Curly Girl Method, all the products I’ve featured do fit within the method. I wore these curls for just normal day but to amp up the volume, I would follow this big curls routine.

Sometimes curly hair routine videos actually raise more questions than answers so if there’s anything that you have a question about, please ask in the comments below.

Also tell me about your curly hair routine! I’m always curious what other curlies do and what products are your favourites.

I’d love to see your hair if you try my routine, please tag me on Instagram or use #hairromance so I can see you.

The post My current curly hair routine appeared first on Hair Romance.

Do you wish you had curly hair? Here’s a tutorial to show you how to style your hair so that it looks naturally curly.

But don’t you already have curly hair?

Yes, I know this seems like a strange tutorial for me to do as I already have wavy/curly hair BUT the grass is always greener, so if you’re wondering what you’d look like with curly hair, I hope this might help you.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some comments from people with naturally curly hair that this is a terrible idea and why am I doing this tutorial but this is for everyone out there who really want to have curly hair.

Or if you’re like me, and want to style your curly hair perfectly so that it looks “natural” then you can follow the same steps.

You see this tutorial was really me getting ready for a night out at the Australian Hair Fashion Awards (AHFAs) and I wanted to avoid washing out any of my pink hair colour.

How to get hair that looks naturally curly – Get ready with me for the AHFAs

Click here if you can’t see the video above

Styling tools

For this tutorial you really do need specific hair styling tools.

I’ve two different curling wands though you could do it with just one wand. The curling wands I used are:

• Muk Curl Stick with the 9-19mm barrel
• H2D X3 Curling wand – 19mm barrel

Most standard curling wands are around 20-30mm so the smaller the wand, the tighter your curls will be. Also note that your hair will drop and soften over time so it’s best to style your hair a little tighter than you want so it looks good all night.

Hair Products

If you have straight hair you’ll definitely need to prep your hair to make sure that your curls last the distance. I recommend using a volumising mousse to add some grip and texture to your hair and then just to roughly blowdry your hair before you begin. This helps to activate the mousse into your hair and add a little bit more texture so that the curls will last. I recommend:

• Extra Care Keratin Styling Mousse
• Living Proof Thickening Mousse

Heat protectants

As always when using high heat tools, I recommend using a heat protectant spray. If you’re starting with wet hair and using a mousse, check if that is also a heat protectant or I recommend:

• Batiste Heat & Shine spray
• Joico Thermal Spray

Finishing products

For extra volume I love hair powders and this time I used the Marc Anthony Dream Big Volume Volumizing Super Powder.

Check out my tips for using styling powders here.

To smooth down the surface frizz, I love O&M Frizzy Logic which you can find here in Australia and here in the USA.

Styling tips:

• Change directions

The key to naturally looking curls is to alternate which way you’re curling your hair around the wand. Normally in curling tutorials, you only curl your hair away from the face. When styling tight curls they can tend to clump together and they won’t look as natural. Natural hair is a little bit more messy and they curls should sit apart from each other.

• Switch up the size of your curls

I’ve used two curling wands to help give the look of more natural curls. It’s really normal to have a mix of different curl sizes in any naturally curly hair and so by mixing up tight curls with a few layers of wider curls it gives a more natural finish.

• Let it cool

To make sure that your curls really set in, let them cool before you touch them. I use this time to get my make-up done and then finish the hair just before going out.

• Pump up the volume

I’ve used a hair powder to add some texture and volume as I’m messing up the curls. The thing I love about a hair powder is its a little bit matte and it really works to add volume right at the roots as well. It definitely gives the curls much more of a lift and natural look and stops it looking too exact and perfect which they can be from a curling wand.

• Know when to stop

When you’re shaking out those curls, it’s really difficult to know if you’ve gone far enough or you haven’t quite got there yet. You run the risk when you play with the hairstyle too much that you’ll undo a lot of your curls. So be gentle and remember to take a step back and examine how they are looking at all angles.

• Have fun with your new curls

The best thing about me wearing this style is everybody though it was my natural hair! It’s a little bit but it’s my hair but only on a very good day. I needed it to be a good hair day because I was headed to a ballroom full of hairdressers!

Australian Hair Fashion Awards

The AHFAs are part of The Journal Magazine and they really celebrate the true artistry of the hairdressing industry in Australia. I’m always so inspired by the work created and by the camaraderie of hairdressers in the room.

I was asked to be a judge for the product categories at the AHFAs and was looking forward to finding out the winners at the award ceremony in Sydney. It’s always an incredible night with special guest performances.

Hairdressers work so hard and it’s great to see them come together and party hard like this too. It really helps celebrate the industry and remember the creativity and the true artistry behind what they do.

Congratulations to Craig Smith of Fruition Hair for being crowned Australian Hairdresser of the Year. And in the product categories:

• The best new professional hair care product is Wella Invigo Recharged blonde shampoo and conditioner.
• The best new professional styling product is Joico Blonde Life Brilliant Glow Oil.
• The most innovative hair tool is the Dyson Supersonic Pro Dryer.

You can check out all of the winners here on The Journal.

Congratulations to all of the finalists and the winners, you truly are inspiring and make the Australian hair industry what it is today. Thank you to The Journal Mag for hosting me as a guest and as one of the judges and I already can’t wait for next year.

The post Fake curls! How to get hair that looks naturally curly appeared first on Hair Romance.

Here’s a quick and simple up do you can do on a naturally curly hair and it only takes a few minutes to do. This easy hairstyle is one that you could wear to work or you could even dress it up with an accessory for night.

I started filming this hairstyle tutorial as Jim and I were about to head out for a work event. I’m not known for my excellent timekeeping and he doesn’t like to be late. Jim carefully asked if I had enough time to film so of course I snapped back “Yes I do!” Knowing full well that I had enough time only for a single take.

So let me know how I went for one take and if you would like to see this hairstyle in any more detail, please let me know and I can go live on Facebook with a demo and to answer your hair questions.

Quick updo for naturally curly hair video tutorial

Click here if you can’t see the video above.

Styling tips

Add a little braid detail

For this style I used a basic braid / plait to add interest at the side. These simpler styles are much easier to do in curly hair because you don’t have to pull or untangle your hair to add into a braid.

You can see I even got a little bit tangled to begin with, but by adding a little braid on the side it just makes the style a little bit more intentional and adds a pretty detail.

Style the bun your way

It was around about this point that Jim shouted that we had a few minutes to leave so I started to hurry up and panicked a little bit. Not sure if you can tell that the bun is a little lopsided? I filmed the ending and grabbed another bobby pin to fix it as we were running out the door.

I really like this rolled look, it creates a kind of bagel-shaped bun. If you’ve got longer or shorter hair, you can just twist it around into a regular bun or whatever works for you.

Add an accessory

Hair pins are so on trend right now and I do love these clips for adding a little bit of detail, particularly as my hair is so bright at the moment. I think they add a little more intention and a bit of chicness to the style.

If someone tries to tell you a messy bun isn’t work-appropriate just put a pretty clip in it and they’ll never comment. I’m loving the range at ASOS at the moment.

I hope you like this tutorial and that you give it a go in your hair. As always I love to see photos of your hair and you can ask me any questions over on Instagram @hairromance and use #hairromance so that I can see your photos as well.

Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see next and if you have any tutorial requests.

The post Quick and easy updo for curly hair appeared first on Hair Romance.

Lightening or bleaching your hair, takes a heavy toll, especially when you have curly hair. But there are ways of doing it to minimise the damage, and I think my hair is proof of this.

I’ve been colouring my curly hair for years now, and over the last couple of years, I went blonder and blonder, until I’ve eventually gone pink!

So when this question came through on my YouTube Q&A series, I knew I’d have quite a few answers.

Carrol asks,

“Any specific tips for curly hair care pre and post bleaching?”

I have more tips in my post here on what you should know before you bleach your hair, but specifically for curly hair, here’s my advice:

Curly hair & bleach – what you need to know

Click here if you can’t see the video above.

1. Don’t wash your hair

For at least two days before going to the salon, keep your hair out of the shower or basin. For most curly girls this is easiest bit of advice – and I bet you can even go longer that two days!

But what you’re doing when you don’t wash your hair is you’re building up a nice layer of natural protection on your scalp from your hair oils.

Having colour applied directly to your scalp can be quite damaging and can be a little bit painful too. So having your natural hair oil protect your scalp is the way to go.

Don’t worry about going in with really dirty hair; it’s better than going in with clean hair – particularly for bleach.

2. Brush out those curls

You know how I never tell you to brush your curls? Well, in this case, it’s going to be much more comfortable for you to do it yourself than having someone in the salon do it. Because they will have to before they apply colour or bleach.

If you haven’t been to that salon before, take in some photos to show them what your curls really look like before it’s all brushed out. This will give them an idea of styling your hair at the end of your appointment.

I recommend using a Tangle Teezer or similar brush to smooth out your curls and remove any knots and tangles before you go in This makes it a lot easier (and quicker) for your hairdresser to section and colour your hair, and I know it’s a lot less painful to brush out your own curls than to have an apprentice do it for you.

3. Choose your appointment date carefully

This is probably TMI, but I would avoid going to the salon at the start of your period.

Like many women, I have increased sensitivity to pain on these days, and while I normally don’t feel anything having my hair bleached, a couple of times I have found it really uncomfortable on these days.

It’s not a reason to cancel your appointment, but it’s just worth mentioning to your hair dresser that you are a little bit more sensitive to pain at the moment and they’ll take more care watching the process and checking that your colour is going smoothly.

4. Always use Plex or Bond products

Make sure you choose a salon that uses one of these new bond-repairing products when they colour your hair.

Look for names like Olaplex, Matrix Bond, Cureplex and other similar products. Here’s my post on how Plex products work and also my video interview with Schwarzkopf’s National Technical Educator Grant Withnell, who explains it really well too.

I’m not too picky on the brand – personally I like Olaplex and Matrix Bond, but one of these is crucial to protecting your curls.

The salon should mix Step One in with your colour that’s applied to your hair, Step Two is a 10-minute mask, applied either at the basin or you can go back to the chair for it. And you should purchase some Step Three to take home, which is designed to help nourish your curls.

I couldn’t be blonde and have curly hair without plex products.

5.Get a purple shampoo and conditioner to tone your hair at home

Post-bleaching, your hairdresser will probably tone your hair in the salon, but this won’t last the whole time to your next appointment.

To get rid of any yellow or brassy tones, use a purple shampoo or conditioner at home. Blue and purple are on the ‘cooler’ side of the colour spectrum, so they counteract the yellows that come through the longer you’re away from the salon chair.

These coloured shampoos and conditioners really help colour correct your hair and keep it looking vibrant, bright and shiny.

Here are some that I recommend:

• Matrix So Silver – Find it here in Australia and here in the USA
• Fudge Clean Blonde – Find it here in Australia & here in the USA
• Provoke Touch of Silver – Available in Australia & the UK

6. Don’t try to go completely blonde in one appointment

Going slow will really help keep your curls looking the way they should. And the health of your hair and scalp is the most important thing. Asking to go from a dark colour to platinum in one sitting will end badly.

Not only will it probably cause bleach burn on your scalp and dry your hair, it’ll take so long you’ll be looking at a very expensive appointment.

And because your hair will definitely take damage from such extensive contact with the peroxide, future treatments won’t go so well either.

As my colourist says, he can do anything as long as the hair is healthy. And so that should be your motivation when going blonde.

I hope these tips for how to treat your curls before and after colouring, and also what to expect help. If you have any questions about any of this, let me know in the comments below.

Now tell me, have you gone blonde with your curls? And what have you noticed has been the difference?

PS. You can find more curly hair tips here & in my curly hair ebook.

The post Curly hair & bleach – what you need to know appeared first on Hair Romance.

Styling curly hair can be tricky. Knowing where to part your hair can make such a difference to your face and can give your hair a lot more volume. Changing your part can completely change your hairstyle. Here are my tips on how to part your curly hair once it’s dry.

Today’s question came from Instagram, and asked

“how do you part curly hair? I always part it wet with the help of a wide-tooth comb. But sometimes I’d like to try a different style I hadn’t planned on. Any suggestions?”

It’s amazing what the difference a part can do to your hair. And this question got me thinking about how parting your hair dry instead of parting it wet has even more impact and flexibility.

You might find that you just have one side of your hair that curls better than the other. It’s simply the way your hair grows.

For me, it’s my left side.

Switching my part means I can bring some of those good left-hand side curls over to the right. It can also help give my hair a lot more volume because my hair’s used to lying in one direction. In fact, I’ll often blow dry my hair upside down with a diffuser so that it gives me a little bit more flexibility later.

When it comes to parting curly hair, here are a few different techniques to parting your hair when it’s dry.

How to part curly hair when it’s dry – Hair Romance Good Hair Q&A series

Click here of you can’t see the video above

1. Just use your fingers

This is quite a gentle way to form a part and you can actually see where your curls are clumping together.

You want to follow the formation of your curls instead of breaking them up. This is because a straight part can sometimes make your hair look quite flat in curly hair. Having a part that’s a little bit jagged, like a zigzag or slightly diagonally back, will create more volume on top of your hair.

If you’re finding it difficult to move your curls around, you can spray a little leave-in conditioner on your fingers. This softens your hair, allows the curls to move more fluidly and also reduces frizz as you break up curls.

2. Use a tail comb

This is what I use to get a neat part when I wear my hair straight, but it can also help move your curls.

The only problem with this is it’s going to pick-up whole curls and you want to try to split them apart. If that’s the look you want, of course, that’s fine to do.

Just be aware of the tail of the comb splitting curls. Using this technique can cause more frizz and damage your hair. You might just want to spray a little leaving-in conditioner and twist the ends around. This will help reduce any frizz caused.

3. Diffuse your hair dry

If you want to use a hair dryer, I’d strongly recommend a diffuser. It softens the stream of air coming from the dryer, which reduces potential damage from heat and air movement. This also reduces frizz.

Diffuse your hair with your head upside down. This neutralises where your part forms and stops it dominating the hairstyle you choose.

If you also flip your hair from one side to the other as you dry it with the diffuser, you’ll get more flexibility when you’re styling later.

Bonus tip: take your time

Rushing curly hair never works out well, does it? I always find the faster I try and do things why my curls the harder they work against me!

Taking your time means you can carefully work through separating each curl. You won’t rip through your curls, which can damage them and create frizz.

In a way, taking your time at this point means you’re saving time in the long run, as you’re not having to work to fix more problems when you’ve finished creating your part or styling your hair.

I hope these tips help and if you have any other advice, please add them in the comments. Everyone has a different way to style their curly hair.

PS. Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel, so that you’ll be the first to see my next videos.

The post How do you part curly hair when it’s dry? appeared first on Hair Romance.

One of the most debated topics online is which are the best haircuts for curly hair. I wasn’t surprised when someone submitted this question to my Good Hair Q&A series I ran recently, and while I’m a little bit nervous to tackle it, I do have some tips that I wanted to share with you.

First up though, I want to explain that I am not a hairdresser; I am a person with curly hair who has been to many hairdressers over the years and has seen and tried lots of different techniques.

I have many great friends who are hairdressers and I have enormous respect for the industry.

Here’s what I think are the best haircut techniques and styles for curly and wavy hair, plus some popular ways to cut curly hair that I think you should avoid at all costs.

And if you’re looking for more curly hair tips and tutorials, you’ll love my 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.

Check out my video talking about haircuts for curly hair below or keep reading for more tips.

The best haircuts for curly hair

Click here if you can’t see the video below.

Tips for a great curly haircut

1. You don’t always need to see a curly specialist

Yes, there are different standards that hairdressers are trained to, and while seeing a curly hair specialist can help, it doesn’t always necessarily guarantee that you’re going to get a great haircut.

Many curly training skills seem to be a little outdated. So going to see a hairdresser who takes the time to listen to you and understand your hair is far more valuable than a particular specialist.

2. Wet cuts versus dry cuts

In the hairdressing industry, it’s pretty standard to do cut hair when it’s wet. There is a movement amongst curly girls to prefer a dry haircut. This is where they cut your hair curl by curl. It does have some advantages, but it also has some disadvantages.

Personally I prefer wet cuts because they end up more even and give me versatility. And because in dry cuts my curls are never the same, I always end up with something uneven.

Depending on your curl shape, this will be very different for you and you might prefer dry cuts.

3. DevaCuts

This style of curly hair is called a DevaCut was started from the Deva chain of salons in New York. This was also formalised by Lorraine Massey in her book Curly Girl. This technique is a dry cut, where they cut curl by curl, examining your hair as they go.

The benefit of this cut is it’s less likely that you’ll end up with a haircut that’s too short because it takes into consideration the way the way that curls ‘shrink’ once they dry.

However, if you have way more heavy hair like I do and your curls can change from day to day, this type of cut produces a very uneven result. It can be quite a time-consuming process and the stylist will charge more for this type of appointment.

4. Ouidad style

The Ouidad school of hairstyling (pronounced ‘wee-dad’) has a kind of hybrid haircut theory. They start with a wet cut, slicing into the curls to shape your hair. Then they dry cut and do a recheck and cut again when it’s finally dry.

Many hairdressers I know follow this style of technique – or at least along those lines, whether your hair is curly or straight. Cutting it wet and then, once its dry, rechecking to make sure that its even seems to make the most sense.

I don’t see this technique mentioned as much online, though I think it gets a more versatile haircut that can suits lots of different types of curls – and hair types in general.

5. One thing to avoid: thinning scissors

If you’ve ever seen these scissors at salon or had them near your hair, you know immediately why I’m saying no to thinning scissors.

Very popular in the ‘80s for that Farrah Fawcett flick, these are not the kind of scissors that you want to thin out curly hair. These scissors have one blade that’s a regular scissor blade and a comb-like blade on the other side. They cut out half the hair as they go through.

While they will thin out your hair, they will also leave it looking very fine on the ends, which can make your hair look thin and stringy.

6. The ‘unicorn cut’

I’ve seen this mentioned a lot on YouTube recently and a lot of curly girls in the forum talk about giving themselves a home haircut by doing a ‘unicorn cut’.

I don’t really want to go into it because I don’t want to encourage you to do it, but briefly this is what you do: roughly put all your hair up into a ponytail on top of your head and then cut straight across.

The idea of this technique is to create a shag haircut where all of the layers are the same length. Most of the time though, it’s very difficult to cut your own hair evenly – or even someone else’s if you’re not a trained hairdresser.

What you’ll end up with will be something that looks more like a mullet. Try this one at your own risk.

And an extra final note on home haircuts:

There’s a reason why hairdressing scissors cost hundreds of dollars. They’re incredibly sharp and they’re a precision instrument.

Don’t think you can do a home haircut or trim your own split ends at home with a regular pair of scissors. You’ll more likely create more split ends using scissors that aren’t incredibly sharp.

Blunt scissors cause a blunt edge on your hair strands, which will in turn lead to more split ends.

In Australia, hairdressers do three to four years of apprenticeship training, so don’t discredit their work by trying to do it yourself at home via a YouTube Video.

My Haircut

I’m actually in need of a haircut at the moment as it’s been at least four months since I had a trim. It’s been growing out really well because I’ve had some long layers cut into it, and a few shoulder- and face-framing layers.

In the past I’ve also had what’s called a V-cut where my hair is trimmed into a sort of V-shape at the back. I’ve also had a version of that called a U-cut, which has a more rounded edge.

These haircuts both suit longer curly hair because they allow more layers to include more curls around the sides. A V-shape or U-shape cut can look good on curly hair, but do note it can really thin out your hair, which is why I’ve gone back to more of a long layered style.

I prefer having more volume this way. And the longer layers are easier for me to style and braid.

I hope this helps you understand what the best haircuts for curly hair are and, as always, I recommend taking photos to your hairdresser. Check out this post to see why.

I’d love to know what your favourite way is to have your curly hair cut. Tell me in the comments below!

PS. If you want to see more curly hair videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel here. 

PPS. Want to learn more about styling your curly hair? Check out my 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles here.

The post The best haircuts for curly hair appeared first on Hair Romance.

Can you straighten curly hair and keep your curls looking good? Here’s what to do before, during and after straightening curly hair so that you can achieve any hairstyle you like – curly or straight.

My hair is naturally curly and I have shared how I don’t follow the curly girl method. I like variety with my hair and I like to colour my hair too.

My most frequently asked question lately is how can you straighten your curly hair and still get your curls to look good afterwards? So here’s exactly what I do.

7 tips for straightening curly hair and how to keep your curls

Click here if you can’t see the video above

1. Use a heat protectant

Never straighten your hair, or let anyone straighten your hair, without using a heat protectant.

I like to use a cream heat protectant in damp hair. I’ll use a spray if I’m doing a second heat treatment with either a curling wand or straightening iron on dry hair.

Some heat protectants I recommend are Kerastase Ciment Thermique and Oribe Supershine.

If you want to avoid silicones, use these silicone free heat protectants.

2. Don’t overstyle your hair

Too much heat will damage your curls, so the trick is not to use a flat iron too much and not to straighten too often.

What’s the magic amount? It depends on your hair.

Coarse, thick hair can take more heat than fine hair, so treat your hair like silk and don’t iron it too much.

Blowdry your hair with a round brush for minimal heat damage.

3. Enjoy your hair while it’s straight

It’s always a fun change for me to have straight hair. It’s a chance for me to try different braids and styles in my hair that don’t work as easily in my curly hair.

So to enjoy it more, use dry shampoo to keep your style as long as possible. Here’s how to keep your blowdry looking good for days.

4. Shampoo your hair

With straightening, you use a lot more products so you’ll need to shampoo to remove any build up. Especially if you follow the Curly Girl method, shampoo will reset your hair and remove any silicones.

Alternatively you can use a sulphate-free shampoo if you use silicone free heat protectants.

5. Deep condition your hair

After heat styling, you’ll need to be gentle with your hair.

I always make sure to do a deep conditioning mask after straightening my hair. My curls recover quicker with a moisture mask and some special care.

It’s a good time to also do a Plex or Bond treatment.

I like to use Matrix Bond 3 or Olaplex 3 to rebuild my curls after heat styling.

6. Take your time when styling

After straightening my hair, I pay more attention to my hair and don’t skip any steps when styling my curls.

I can do a quick version for every day but after heat styling, I make sure to do a detailed curly hair styling, ensuring that I have applied curl cream evenly through my hair and that I’ve sealed my curls with oil or with gel.

7. Diffuse for extra volume

I like to finish my curl routine by diffusing it dry not only because it takes forever to dry naturally, but I like the lift it gives my curls. It creates more volume and I get a better result.

Sometimes straightening your hair can have an impact on your curls but I find if I follow up with this conditioning routine, my curls are fine. It’s worth it for me to change my look and try a fun hairstyle.

Do you straighten your curls? How does it work out for your hair?

PS. Click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel and be the first to see my new videos

The post How to get your curls back after straightening curly hair appeared first on Hair Romance.

When you have curly hair people automatically think you must have a lot of volume, but it’s not always the case. If you have fine curly hair or long curly hair, getting volume at the roots can be quite tricky.

Part of my Q&A reader series, this post is all about going big and how to maintain height in your hair. It’s inspired by Andrea’s question:

“I have curly hair that has no volume at the roots I tried Deva clips but still no volume, have you any tips on how to get the curl to the root?”

Yes, I do have quite a few tips and hopefully one of them, or at least one of them, will work for you, Andrea. Check out the video and keep reading below.

How to get root volume in curly hair:

Click here if can’t see the video above.

How to get volume in curly hair

1. Change your part

Often our hair automatically has a place where it likes to part and it’s where you tend to wear it regularly.

But if you change this to the other side of your head, you instantly get a root volume boost. Your hair will have ‘learnt’ to grow flatter where your part normally sits, so switching your part means you’re asking hair that normally lies flat to stand up. The result: volume.

If you don’t like wearing your hair to the other side, that’s okay, just try moving your part a little bit – maybe make it a little bit deeper or closer to the centre and you’ll see some immediate volume there.

2. Clip up the volume

If you haven’t heard of Deva clips before, it’s based on a Curly Girl Method using Deva Curl Clips, which they’ve specialised for this technique.

I just use regular pin curl clips, which do the same thing – the clips hold up your curls at the roots while you let your hair dry naturally. Alternatively, you can use a diffuser to speed up the process.

This method really works for me, but I’ve found that you have to experiment and trial the clips in different parts of your hair and clip up different amounts of hair to see what really works for you.

3. Diffuse your hair upside down

My hair is generally very flat at the roots when I let it air-dry, but by using a diffuser and holding my head upside down, I am able to dry volume into my hair. By that I mean I have more volume at the root of my hair because it’s hanging directly out from my head rather than laying flat as I dry it.

If you don’t like to use a lot of heat in your hair, you can let it air-dry naturally, then blast it with a little heat and then use a cool shot just to set it. Even just a little bit of heat to the roots will help lift them, but the cool air shot reduces the hair’s ‘flexibility’ and makes it stay in position a bit better.

4. Volume powders

Volume powders are a magic trick for instant volume at the roots. They do contain some ingredients which aren’t in sync with the Curly Girl Method, but that’s why I don’t follow the CG Method to the letter.

These powders really solve the problem of flat hair and they’re fast too, so that you could have great hair and get out the door quickly.

Here’s more on how to use volume powders properly.

5. Back combing

If you don’t want to try volume powders, go old school. Get a fine comb and back comb at the roots of your hair. If you’re gentle, this won’t really damage your hair and it will give you that volume lift exactly where you need it.

Work around the back of your hair or wherever you want more volume, but avoid your part line and hairline, and only back comb the underneath layers. Then, once you’ve finished back combing, you can lay your finished curls over the top.

I hope these tips help you get some more volume in your curly hair. Make sure you’re following my YouTube channel and subscribe so you’ll be the first to see my videos.

I’d love to know how you’d get volume in your curly hair, let me know in the comments below.

The post How to get root volume in curly hair appeared first on Hair Romance.

What is co-washing and why would you do it?

When you first start looking into curly hair techniques, there’s so much jargon that it’s hard to follow: SOTC, co-wash, STC… the list goes on. I think it’s really confusing and can intimidate beginners.

What is co-washing? Hair Romance Good Hair Q&A series

Click here if you can’t see the video above

Co-washing is a technique that stands for conditioner washing.

It’s where you wash your hair with conditioner instead of regular shampoo and then conditioner. This single step process replaces the routine most of us do.

Washing your hair with conditioner? Does that sound crazy?

It’s not as crazy as it first sounds.

Conditioners also contain cleansing agents so they will clean your hair and they’re gentler on your hair. Strong sulfate shampoos can strip all the oil from your hair and if you have curly or dry hair, this can create a problem.

Washing with conditioner helps to nourish your hair and maintain the natural oil balance of your scalp but the technique for co-washing is often misunderstood.

Co-washing techniques

With shampoo you can just slightly wet your hair, rub product on your scalp, rinse it out and you’re good to go. Shampoo contains wetting agents so it’s easily distributed to your hair and the surfactants quickly and easily clean out the dirt.

With conditioner, however, you need to follow a different routine:

1. Wet your hair completely
2. Apply a lot more conditioner than normal. You want to apply it from the root to the tip
3. Clean your scalp. This is where you will need to do the hard work because the product doesn’t do it for you. You need to spend three to five minutes actively massaging and cleaning your scalp.
4. Then ensure that you rinse all of the product completely from your hair. Some curly girls would like to leave a little conditioner in their hair but I will make sure to rinse it all from your scalp or you’ll end up with a heavy feeling.

Who is co-washing for?

Co-washing is great if you have naturally curly hair or dry hair.

Who is co-washing not for?

Well some people will say it’s for everybody but some hair types don’t fare so well. It’s not always the best if you have wavy hair, oily hair or fine hair.

Depending on your scalp health, if you have psoriasis or eczema for example, you may need to check before applying so much product directly to your skin. Some people report that it helps and other say that it aggravates so it really is up to you.

Can you use any conditioner?

You need to use a silicone free conditioner for co-washing.

Silicone is removed by sulfate shampoos so if you’re skipping shampoo, you need to avoid silicones or they will build up on your hair.

Some silicones are water soluble but most silicones in conditioner will require shampoo to remove them from your hair.

Silicone free conditioners

The market for silicone-free conditioners is really growing, but here are a few I recommend if you are looking to start:

• Darshana Conditioner
• SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioner (in Australia & USA)
• DevaCurl One Condition

I hope this has helped explain what co-washing is and why you would do it.

Make sure you hit subscribe on my YouTube channel so you’re the first to see my next hair video.

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