VIDEO: How to Find the Right Products for Your Curl Type – for Beginners

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This is a big one y’all, and packed with information. Today’s topic is all about how to select the best curly hair products for your curl type, porosity, weather, and more. There are so many factors that can affect curly hair, it’s like solving a puzzle when shopping for products. I’m here to simplify it for you the best I can, so in the video I included lots of text and visuals to help outline it.

Here are the steps to finding the right products:

Step 1: Learn your curl type & porosity

Curl Type

First determine your curl’s pattern or texture. I don’t think it’s necessary to stress over classifying it by A, B, or C, because we naturally have a combination of many patterns. However knowing whether it is wavy, curly, or coily/kinky is key.

Source: NaturallyCurly.com

Hair Porosity

Hair porosity is defined by how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. This is one of the biggest influences on how your hair behaves. There are several test out there, but I think watching for signs is the most accurate way to determine your hair’s porosity.

Source: thenopoomethod.com

Signs of Low Porosity Hair

• You often get build up from products
• Your hair takes a long time to dry
• Water beads on the surface of your hair, and takes a while to become saturated
• Protein treatments can make your hair feel straw-like

Signs of Normal Porosity Hair:

• Hair feels balanced, and is not too dry or weighed down
• You can use many types of products and have consistent results
• Humidity doesn’t impact your hair
• You have not bleached or colored your hair
• Your hair is shiny and bouncy

Signs of High Porosity Hair:

• Hair is often very frizzy
• Very sensitive to humidity
• Hair can appear dull
• Hair tangles very easily
• Hair dries fast
• Absorbs water quickly, and soaks up product
• Hair responds well to protein treatments (restores bounce & shine)

Step 2: Determine your climate

Did you know the climate you live in directly affects your hair? The biggest influence is dew points and humidity, or how much water is in the air. This is why people often change up their styling routines as the seasons change, to accommodate dry winter hair and humid summer weather.

When should you avoid glycerin ingredients and other humectants?

• Dew points below 30°F (-1° C)
• Dew points above 60°F (16°C)

If you’re lucky enough to live in a climate that oftentimes falls between the dew points above (think California), then you can use a variety of ingredients, including glycerin.

Weather apps like The Weather Channel will tell you the dew point when looking at the detailed forecast.

You can also check out the helpful Frizz Forecast tool from NaturallyCurly.com for more on how your daily weather will impact your hair.

Step 3: Know the Essential Product Types

I’ve covered this topic more in the video I did on How to Apply Products in the Right Order.

Basically, the essentials you will need:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Stylers: leave-in conditioner, curl cream, gel or mousse

Other products:

• Deep conditioner (I think this actually an essential)
• Clarifying shampoo
• Oils
• Hairspray

Step 4: Research Online & Read Product Ingredients

If you wish to follow the Curly Girl Method, it can be overwhelming learning all the scientific terms and recognizing sulfates, silicones, and alcohol ingredients to avoid. I like using Curlsbot.com, where you can copy/paste the ingredients list and it will tell you if it’s approved. I usually copy the ingredients list from the product description.

Watch this videoto learn how to start the Curly Girl Method

Step 5: Select Your Products

Shopping online makes it easy to research and filter products based on hair type. Naturallycurly.com also has a shop that has filters for hair type, ingredients, etc.

I also have my Amazon store, where I add all my favorite products to one place so you can always shop my stash. The products on there are always CGM approved.

Keep in mind, that not all products that are listed as “sulfate free” are also silicone free, and vice versa. Also, products labeled as “naturally derived” or for “textured hair” do not mean they are free of those ingredients. Always check the ingredient label!

Now I’m sure you’re wondering, what products do I recommend? I’m going to list some of my favorite affordable, drugstore brands.

• Shea Moisture
• Not Your Mother’s (double check ingredients per product)
• Cantu Beauty
• Maui Moisture
• Noughty Haircare at ULTA or Noughty Haircare‘s website <–25% off with code GETGLAMMED25
• Kinky Curly
• CURLS
• Camille Rose (double check ingredients per product)
• Eco Styler Gel
• Mielle Organics (double check ingredients per product)

Helpful chart if you’re shopping Shea Moisture:

Source: shehasgonecurly.wordpress.com

For more videos on Curly Haircare for Beginners, watch the full series here.

Check out my latest video:

–3 Ways to Refresh Curly Hair – Week of Refreshing for Beginners