Curly que's and the product junkie in me

As the fall approaches, the humidity disappears. And while that's fantastic weather-wise, curly hair tends to fall flat with less moisture in the air!

With Georgia finally catching up to the idea that Fall means cool weather and crunchy leaves (after our disastrous hot, rainy summer) I've found that it's time to haul out the good old blow dryer and diffuser!

I've been playing around with different products for my curls. I've been actively working to empty my cabinets of products, make up and the like so I won't have ghastly amounts of stuff.

Just yesterday I polished off a bottle of mousse for curly hair... I only had about two days of product left in it anyway. Gave me some sassy Carrie Bradshaw-esque hair when I blow dried! I can't believe I never tried to blow dry my hair using that product... no wonder I didn't like it! I wasn't using it right!

So as I continue on my adventure down the curly hair path and as I polish off these products, I'll give you a heads-up on what worked for me and what didn't.

I'm currently testing out the L'oreal Advanced Haircare Power Moisture Moisture Rush Mask. I heard good things about it and I like it so far! I'll feature it in a post when I get further along!

Via

Are you a product hoarder?

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

Hair Help: Graduation

Today is my graduation... which means spending about 2 hours in a silly looking hat that will ruin my hair for pictures after.

For my high school graduation, I straightened my hair (like I always did at the time)  and it looked okay, except after the ceremony I had a big dent in the back of my head! I guess it wouldn't really ruin it... but it does put a (dare I say it?) dent in your style!

A shot from high school... I was so blonde!

Lately I've been almost 100% curly. But, as I tried on my cap and gown, I realized my curly, diffused hair was too big for the hat! It poofed out at the bottom and flattened the top... another no go!

So, what's between curly and straight. That's right, wavy!

I chose to do a classic pin curl wave. I found a great tutorial on Vintage Vixen! I did, however, roll my long bangs away from my face to add a little modern touch to it. I also didn't alternate my wave pattern, so it would be more of a traditional finger wave.

Unfortunately, when I unrolled my hair it was a mess! I guess I didn't roll it right... but the curls looked great. The brushed out part? Not so much.

So I rinsed my hair and repinned it, but this time I did more of a halo around my head. Then, I blasted it with a blow dryer. To make it a little more modern, I carefully took out the pins and diffused it with a little scrunch.

much better! (even though the lighting is awful)

How do you do graduation hair? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson

From fluff to full: a how to guide for curls

I've recently re-embraced my curly hair.

It took some time. First, I had to stop flat ironing my hair every day. The heat was destroying any and all curl pattern. Later, I had to ditch the blow dryer and just let it dry naturally.

Letting my hair do its own thing was tough. It was cute, but it was a bit of a fuzzball.

I decided no styling for one day... it was a bit of a mess.

So when I went to my hair dresser recently, I asked her to cut my hair and diffuse it so the curls would look, well, good.

I ended up with a gorgeous, fluffy, full set of bouncy curls. How did my thin, fuzzy turn into this!?

I was so excited I took a picture the second I got in the car!

Needless to say, I loved it. So I went out and bought a new dryer with a diffuser to get my salon bouncy curls at home!

How To: Diffused Curls

Step 1: Wash or wet your hair
I prefer to wash everyday, but curls are prone to dryness, so consider co-washing or just rinsing your hair.

Step 2: Throw in the towel 
To cut down on frizz, I've started using an old white tee shirt to remove drippiness but cut down on frizz.

Step 3: Get dressed
At least put your shirt on. Trust me on this one- you won't want to have to re-fluff after pulling your favorite tee over your head!

Step 4: Style prep
Apply whatever products you typically use. I use a leave-in conditioner, a frizz fighter, a curl mousse and a little bit of heat protector.

Wheee! Wet Hair!

Step 5: Diffuse
Step your blowdryer to medium or low heat and low pressure. Swing your head to the side and gently "scrunch" your hair into the diffuser. Repeat until dry on both sides. Blow dry your hair until it is mostly dry, then let the last of the moisture dissipate on its own.

I tried drying in sections, but I found that it did work as well as I'd hoped! Still looked good though!

A slightly weird picture of the bangs and back of my hair!

It's gotten a lot bigger, which makes it feel out-of-control sometimes, but I like being able to leave the house without damp or wet hair. I also like that I'm able to control the curl in my bangs, which are in the process of growing out.

Do you embrace your natural texture? Enhance it, like I do? Or do you do something totally different? Share with me in the comments below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson