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I started my curly hair journey after I started working for Curl Keeper!  I had been flat ironing my hair for years with the occasional 'curly-do'.  It was only after I started using the products and figuring our my own routine that I really started to embrace my curls because I actually found products that worked for my fine 2b/c curls.  I was used to products that worked for a couple of weeks and then stopped so my prior attempts at a curl journey usually ended up with being disappointed in the efficacy of products.  When I started to use Curl Keeper Original, I kept waiting for the day it would eventually stop defining my curls...that day never came :)

 First time I realized my hair was ‘complicated’ was when I chopped it off in 1983 (that was the style). In fact, my 3 sisters and I AND my mom, all chopped our hair off, as short as could be. No more ponies, no clips, no nothing. Of course, coming out of the salon we all felt magical. Reality set in after the first wash day, and I realized I needed a full time stylist to show me how to magically blowdry my curly crazy bangs.  Needless to say,  I spent the next 3 years growing my hair out. At that point there were some products out. Dippy-doo Gel (is that what it was called?!) was the only one on the market, and we would layer that stuff in like crazy. Yes, it was like glue, and yes, it flaked off and gave you faux dandruff. A look I hope I never recreate!  Fast forward to the late 80’s. My hair was huge. And I teased it and blowdried it to be even bigger. I coloured it. Orange, red, purple… Needless to say it was not in the best shape! I spent many years cycling between either wearing it up in a messy bun, ribbon curls created by my  flat iron, or straightening my hair with my flat iron, until I joined the CK team. Now I STYLE CURLY! This is sooo new for me and I am really embracing it head on! I stopped bleaching my hair, and have taken a flat iron to my hair only once in 8 months! I love the curly hair community, everyone is sooo supportive!

Wash hair once every 5-7 days, Treatment Shampoo (hair is coloured) and sometimes Silk Conditioner (not always) for protein. LOTS of Slip detangler- wait 30 seconds- and using Flexy Brush – detangle starting from the ends up, then I add more water, flip hair upside down and layer in CK OG, scrunching as I go. Fliping hair right-side up, use a quarter-size amount of Tweek and scrunch through the ends. Diffuse on low heat, hair upside down, then flip up and do side to side. Fluff upside down and voila!

I’m mixed race so it wasn’t easy! Growing up I was always insecure about my hair because of how my mom would style it (she knew the box braids, high braided pony-tails that gave you a whole facelift!) None of the other girl’s hair was styled the way mine was- ever. I was a very athletic kid, so when I had sports tournaments or track meets- Dippity-doo hair gel was plastered in my hair so it would stay out of my face. I hated it. As I got older, flat irons were my saving grace, I was also box dying my hair in high-school, add in the heat damage and you can imagine the toll it took. Once I got to university, I still had no idea what to with my curls so it stayed straight as much as possible. I wasn’t the type to use any products outside of hairspray when I needed it. Over time I was introduced to CurlKeeper and it was the first time I had ever gotten almost consistent results for my hair, it’s taken a long time to get it to where it is now. I make a slight adjustment to the products I use based on what season it might be but overall, I’m very pleased I have curls I can be proud of.

RIDE OR DIE STYLER:

It’s a toss up between Curl Keeper Slip or the Original for me! Tangles are brutal in my hair so I can never skip detangling and slip makes it fast and easy. Nothing gives me clumps and definition like the Original though. That product will be my go to for life.

USUAL WASH DAY:

I only wash my hair twice a week at most. A regular wash day consists of 2 shampoos, condition. Detangle with Slip, rake Original through my hair, and then evenly distribute the product with my Flexy Brush, then scrunch to style.

I let it air dry for about 20 minutes with 3 Roller Jaw Clamps in my crown area then I go in with my diffuser.

Bi-weekly I will clarify my scalp and hair and then top that with a deep condition.

#1 CURLY ADVICE:

If you have looser waves/curls, once your hair is 70% dry, scrunch some of the Gel into the bottom half of your hair, then continue to diffuse until dry. I find I get more definition that way and once it’s dry, just scrunch out the crunch. If you have thin, fine hair, or a sensitive scalp, avoid putting product on or near the root area- it will get weighed down. Do NOT skip clarifying. Make sure you maintain your protein vs moisture balance. If you are using too much protein, your curls will become brittle and will break and look stringy. If your curls are too moisturized, they will look like noodles and won’t keep the style. Balance is key!

When I was a kid, my hair was PIN STRAIGHT. My mom would complain about clips and hair ties literally slipping out of my bob. I looked strange standing next to my sister who had been 3a Curl Type all of her life. My hair stayed straight until I was about 18, but my strands slowly turned to waves.  After some deep internet diving (and excessive money spent at the beauty store...) I was finally starting to care for my hair differently. I remember spending hours trying to see which mousse would work best for my waves... looking back now, it is amazing to see how much my curl type and routine have changed- Thanks CK!  

Wash hair once every 5-7 days max with a clarifying shampoo, I like Energizing Shampoo for volume. Then I detangle using the Flexy Brush and some conditioner. Thats when I add my styler! Layering Original and Gel into my hair then brushing again with a Flexy Brush. Once my curls are almost dry, I add some moisture with Beach Mist which gives me extra hold and bounce.