For long hair – Curly looks best when it’s shoulder length or longer and with a few layers cut in to keep it from looking bottom-heavy or boxy….. you know, the helmet head look!   Ask for layers that start at your chin and angle down, all around your head.

But if you like short hair then the most flattering cut is 50 to 75mm of length all over and always make sure to have it cut to mimic the shape of your head.  A big fat NO to razor cuts as they can rough up the cuticle and exacerbate frizz.

Shampoo as infrequently as possible: every other day if your hair is very fine  (Jessicurl Gentle Lather works well for fine hair); once a week if it’s superthick (Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream is great for thick as well as coloured hair)

Give your curls a fighting chance against frizz by loading up on conditioner—twice.  Jessicurl Too Shea! in the shower and then Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment as a leave in when you get out.

For curl definition choose from Jessicurl Styling products – Confident Coils, Rockin Ringlets, Spiralicious and/or Gelebration Spray.

What piece of advice would you give to a wavy who’s just starting out in their curly hair journey and feels frustrated?

PATIENCE. My hair did not look like this overnight. It took almost a decade to reach this length and bounce. I’ve had friends who would go out and buy a brand’s entire line, get excited, and then give up after a month of trying. It doesn’t work like that. It’s like fitness – you don’t expect to reach your body goals after one session at the gym. It takes time and dedication.

Ayesha’s hair care routine  can be viewed here 

CURL CONFESSION

Sophie (age 14)

When my wavy hair turned really curly in sixth and seventh grade, I started straightening it—a task that was totally exhausting.

At 11 P.M., after studying and homework, I’d spend an hour and a half blowing it dry and flat-ironing it. Then I’d get into bed and try to sleep carefully so I wouldn’t mess up my hard work.

By morning, a few curls had escaped so I’d spend more time trying to iron them out.

One day, a friend asked me why I straightened my hair. When I told her it was because a boy I had a crush on said he liked it straight, she said, “If he really likes you, he’ll like you whether your hair is straight or curly.”

She was right! So I put away my blow-dryer and flat iron and let my curls just be. They looked limp and unhealthy at first, but once I stopped torturing them, they began to look great.

And that taught me a valuable lesson: I shouldn’t straighten my hair—or do anything else in life—because of what someone else thinks.

Excerpt from curly girl the handbook 

SuzeeBlu.com.au knows you want the right product for your curls yesterday so all orders completed by 11am and posted that day.  Flat rate postage.

You’re looking after yourself on the outside but back it up on the inside with nutrient rich food.

Fatty Fish

Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids have incredible beauty benefits, including glowing skin and shiny strands. Salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies.

Red Capsicums

Red capsicums contain far more skin-boosting vitamin C than oranges. Vitamin C is a pre-cursor to collagen production and is also an antioxidants.

Spinach and dark leafy greens

Rich in beta carotene, this nutrient is crucial for allowing proper moisture retention to the epidermis. For premium absorption, pair spinach with a food that’s high in vitamin C. Try a squeeze of lemon in a homemade dressing drizzled over a spinach salad.

Coconut

Coconut water is a great natural hydration aid and contains potassium, an electrolyte that helps move nutrients into our cells. Coconut oil, which is high in healthy fats, vitamins E and K and minerals, is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair, boosting growth and shine by moisturising the scalp.

Avocado Oil

Avocados contain good amounts of vitamins A, D and E and omega-9 fatty acids  one of the building blocks of healthy skin and hair which is highly concentrated in the oil.

Eggs

Poached, boiled or sliced cold over a green salad, eggs are serious healthy-hair helpers. One of their key ingredients is sulfur, an essential nutrient that helps with everything from vitamin B absorption to liver function (your body’s detox organ). Sulfur is also necessary for the production of collagen and keratin, which help create and maintain shiny locks, strong nails and glowing skin.

Garlic

Garlic helps prevent breakouts and maintain clear skin.

Walnuts

These nuts have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help the body retain moisture, giving your curls a healthy-looking shine. The protein content of the walnuts helps boost hair follicles, making hair fuller and stronger.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are skincare superheroes, protecting you from sun damage thanks to their high antioxidant content. A recent study found that  5 tablespoons of tomato paste with 10 grams of olive oil every day for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in the skin’s ability to protect itself against UV damage.  Super ripe tomatoes are also excellent for cooling sunburn when applied direct to the skin!

Pumpkin Seeds

These little wonders are packed with zinc, as well as vitamins A and K and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are essential to building a healthy hair shaft. They’re also rich in fatty acids and vitamin C, which are important for producing sebum ‘ your skin’s natural oil ‘ to protect and repair skin.

Tuscan Cabbage (Kale)

All greens are great for our health, but dark green Kale is extremely high in vitamin C, a major antioxidant that fights toxins.

Hemp

Hemp seeds are made up of 30 percent pure protein and a full range of amino acids and essential fatty acids needed to maintain your skin’s structure. You can sprinkle a spoonful on cereal, or use hemp seed oil in dips or add it to your morning smoothie.

Pineapple

This sweet treat is high in vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain, which is known to be an effective skin softener. Drinking pineapple juice and munching on the fruit help the body synthesize collagen, which supports skin structure, while vitamin C and amino acids aid in cell and tissue repair, giving you a youthful appearance. Add it to your morning smoothie for a refreshing treat.

Oysters

These saltwater delicacies are a great source of dietary zinc, which is really important for the growth and function of skin cells.

Oats

For the love of your curls, you need to eat more oats. They have high amounts of zinc, biotin, magnesium and potassium.  A deficiency in these key nutrients can lead to more brittle hair and more breakage.

>>SuzeeBlu For Curls

Have your hairdresser tip your ends every 10 to 12 weeks to keep split ends at bay.

Use Too Shea! or  Aloeba conditioner every time you shampoo to help lipids and proteins inside the hair shaft and seal the cuticle

Don’t shampoo every time you shower since that can take essential natural oils which are vital to the health of your hair.

Show your hair some real love once a week with either a Stimulating Scalp Massage or Deep Conditioning Treatment. 

We all know that beauty begins on the inside so provide your body with healthy nutrients to assist in healthy hair growth.

1. Iron and zinc help hair follicles to grow and these are found in lean red meat, soy beans, lentils and oranges.
2. Vitamin D is super important for many areas of your body but few foods contain it naturally.  A few minutes sitting in the sun should supply your daily requirement.
3. The Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon consumed twice a week is hugely beneficial to your hair and general health.
4. Eggs-cellent eggs are rich in Biotin, one of the B vitamins as well as protein, choline, and vitamin D which are all essential for growth.

Of course you can buy supplements which can also supply these nutrients however be sure to check in with your doctor to make sure that you take the right amounts and that they won’t interact with any medications you’re currently taking.

At the risk of  repeating ourselves, brushes and curls are not compatible and the only time a comb should be let near your gorgeous locks is when it is wet and enjoying a conditioning treatment.

Switch your cotton pillowcase for silk.   Cotton tangles anyone’s hair but for curlies it also sucks out moisture and creates frizz.

Don’t let cotton towels  near your curls, use thin and soft microfibre

Bit tricky to achieve at this time of year but experts do recommend a cold-water rinse at the end of each shower to help grow hair and keep it healthy.

How do you talk to your kids about their hair and why it may look different from their classmates?

When you’re talking with friends, your kids are listening. You have more long-lasting influence than you may realise. Reassurance and affirmation is the key… “you can do so much with your hair” and “it’s so beautiful”. Praise your child and constantly tell him or her they are beautiful/handsome; and that their hair is amazing just like they are.

It’s pretty easy these days to find gorgeous images of any hair texture. Just flip through your favourite magazines or browse the ‘net and you’re sure to come up with a multitude of curliciousness. It’s important for your child to see such images and realise that his or her hair type is absolutely stunning. Combining this with your own high confidence levels will help to ensure your child exudes a healthy self confidence that will last a lifetime.

Girls tend to associate beauty with their dolls, and if they don’t see themselves in their dolls, they may grow to believe that they are not as beautiful. Hair texture is very similar. There are dolls of every ethnicity and every hair texture. Make sure your child sees a similar beauty between her dolls’ hair and her own. This will help translate into healthy levels of self-confidence as she grows up.

You are one of the biggest influences on your child. If you’re constantly talking about how much you hate your hair, or how much better someone else’s hair is than yours, your child will absorb and internalise all that negativity. Start by learning to love your own hair. Find cool ways to wear it so that you feel great about yourself. Speak positively about your hair and your overall beauty; your child will surely emulate you.

SuzeeBlu.com.au knows you want the right product for your curls yesterday so all orders completed by 11am and posted that day.