Love for Curly Hair


We love curly hair, and we want you to love yours just as much 💚

If you already love your curls and Flaunt them on the regular, we would love to hear from you. How do you take care of them?  

Decoding your curl type can be confusing. One head can have several different textures. Creating a cohesive look takes a little practice and patience. When the strands at your crown are looser than the ones on the sides and even more different than the hair in the back, it's easy to just throw up your hands in frustration and contemplate shaving it all off - that's a vibe too! Understanding and embracing your texture may take trial and error, but there is a method to the madness. These days, most stylists and consumers reference a particular hair typing system for curls, developed by hairstylist Andre Walker. There's been some debate as to whether a typing system is divisive or even too narrow, and it has gone through a bit of a modification over the years with input from the curly community. Even if it isn't perfect, many people have found having some guidelines can help identify your curl pattern (or patterns), so you know where to start when choosing your hair care products and technique. Our stylists are here to help you decipher your unique curl texture and curl pattern combo and recommend the best products, and even give you a step by step on how to use them and what styling techniques will help you fall in love with (or keep loving) those beautiful bouncy curls.

How is curl formed?

Curl type is determined by the shape of the follicle that your hair grows out of from your scalp. When the strand is flat or oval, the curl is tighter.

The more circular, the straighter your hair. Curl patterns are identified by the shape that the strands of hair make. Some kink, others curve or wind around themselves, creating spirals. You may have any combination of these shapes on your head. The easiest way to identify your curl shape and pattern(s) is while your hair is sopping wet.

Type 1 - straight / Type 2 - wavy / Type 3 - curly / Type 4 - coily

 

There are sub-classifications of A to C based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil. Type A is a wider pattern size, Type B is medium, and Type C is the smallest.  When you better understand how to care for your texture so you can have more options in how to style your hair.

The specifics:
Type 2 (WAVY)

Type 2A

Fine, barely-there tousled texture that is very easy to straighten. Styling products formulated with a lightweight consistency are best for this hair type.  Prepping your hair with the right shampoo and conditioner is key.  Using Curl Manifesto by Kerastase Shampoo and Conditioner to cleanse and condition your hair and Kerastase Curl Manifesto Refresh Absolut for a super light day 2 refresh option. This will help maximize your texture and reduce friction damage caused by washing too frequently.  Flip your head upside down and make sure to mist the mids and ends first. Gently scrunch handfuls of the damp strands for 10-15 seconds to let the curl reform before letting them loose.  Shake your hair out with your finger tips from the scalp with out pulling your hands through your hair.

Type 2B

Lies flatter at the crown with defined S-shaped waves starting from the mid-length. The strands are thicker in diameter than a 2A, so it will take a little more effort to get straight.  To enhance your natural beach waves, you'll need something with a little more grit.  Try L'Oreal Professional Beach Waves Spray.  You can use it wet on wash day to create and enhance your texture.  Apply to hair that you have towel dried by squeezing the water out with a towel.  (resist rubbing your curls),  Apply on day 2 and 3 to refresh.

Type 2C

Waves are thicker and more susceptible to frizz. The S-bends are well-defined and begin at the root. Keeping the strands moisturized by shampooing less helps. Davines Love Smooth Shampoo and Mask are a go to for frizz control.  When your hair is still very wet (not quite dripping) apply This is a Curl Building Serum by Davines to your hair one side a time, adding more product for the other side will ensure even distribution of the product keeping a strong S shape and preventing frizz. 

 

Type 3 (Curly)

Type 3 curly hair can range from loose, buoyant loops to tight, springy corkscrews, which have some sheen but are prone to frizz.

Type 3A
Strands tend to be shiny with large, round loose curls. Davines Love Curl Range and the NEW Davines This is a Curl Gel Oil will help support and define the curls.  Apply to hair scalp to tip to ensure well defined curls.   Keep your hands out of your curls afterward, or you risk a full frizz effect. To refresh your curls, use Davines Curl Reviver Mist.
 
Type 3B
Tiny springy ringlets. This texture can get dry. Use the full Kerastase Curl Manifesto Range with humectants to attract moisture to strands.  Use the full range, layering the Leave In on towel dried hair with 1 or 2 pumps of Sublime Repair Oil mixed in.  Next, use the Gel Cream product on top gently smoothing the cream mid lenghts to ends and then scrunching the shape into the hair for definition without frizz.
 
Type 3C
Curls are tight corkscrews. Strands are densely packed together, giving way to lots of natural volume. This type almost always has frizz. Use L'Oreal Professional Curl Expression Range starting with the Leave in Cream.  Because of the density of this hair type, combing it through for even distribution makes a big difference.  Divide your hair into 4 quadrants.  By section, depending on the length of your hair, apply golf ball to a tennis ball size amount of the Mouse starting at the scalp when hair is sopping wet helps keep the definition in those corkscrews.

Type 4 (Coily)
Often referred to as Afro-textured or kinky hair, can range from very tight, small curls to zig-zags right from the scalp. Naturally very dry and spongy in feel, it can be soft and fine or coarse and wiry. It is prone to significant shrinkage.  
 
Type 4A

Dense, springy, S-patterned coils. L'Oreal Professionnel Curl Expression are perfect for the frequent wash and go required to keep a soft popping texture in this hair type. Specifically the curl cream and a leave-in moisturizer are a must for adding extra moisture to daily wash-and-go styling.   Because you are shampooing frequently, you can skip the clarifying and go strait to the Moisture Shampoo followed by the mask.  You can leave a little of the mask in your hair for added protection and moisture.

Type 4B
Strands are densely packed and often bend in sharp angles like the letter Z. Use Kerastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo and Conditioner to prep the hair.  A microfiber towel is great to squeeze dry this hair type.  Apply a 3 or 4 pumps of  Huille Sublime Repair  as a primer to help hair look instantly hydrated and distribute styling product more evenly through the hair.    Using a Gele Curl Contour Cream and rolling the curls between your palms helps define and keep the length.
 
Type 4C
More tightly-coiled strands are more fragile and have a very tight zig-zag pattern that is sometimes indiscernible to the eye. This hair type experiences the most significant amount of shrinkage, about 75 percent more than the other textures.
Using a combination of Davines Love Curl and Love Smooth depending on your hair length and style is probably best for this hair type.  Davines Love Curl Cleansing Cream will help reduce dryness on the scalp and friction on the hair strand while gently cleaning away product, oils, and pollution. Adding a Davines Oi Oil to your routine can help seal in moisture.
 
What ever your curl type, we are here to help you get the most of it through the end of the summer and all year long.  Ask your stylist for a product recommendation and for their best styling tips.  You can read some of their recommendations here.  
 
Untitled by Flaunt Boutique.
 

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