To watch the segment from Sonoran Living Live click on the play button on the video player to the right.Scorching, arid temps across Arizona this summer can mean lifeless, lackluster locks for countless women with textured hair. In the bone dry climate of Arizona, frizz can be a style casualty for women with kinks, curls and waves.
Why? Celebrity hair stylist, Anthony Dickey, says frizz is a natural characteristic of textured hair, which is inherently drier than smooth, straight hair. It's a longer, windier road for the oil to travel from the scalp to the hair shaft - and with the sun and heat baking the scalp and hair, keeping hair adequately hydrated and moisturized is essential.
Anthony's Tips: Cleanse, Condition, Style, FinishEasily enough, Dickey says, the trick for taming frizz in textured hair is to keep hair optimally hydrated in the first place. But, even more important is visiting your stylist every three months for a cut. No product can fight the effects of damaged ends, which result in breakage and frizz. A regular cut is a must to insure optimal product performance and luscious spirals.
Step 1: CleanseProper cleansing begins with finding the right shampoo; one that cleans the hair without stripping it of the very oils it needs to stay hydrated, soft, pliable and in control. And yes, with the right, gentle shampoo, you CAN wash your hair every day!
Amazingly, most conventional shampoos can dry out textured hair, and no amount of conditioner can replace the oils lost - and required - for ultimate curl effect. Look for shampoos that are sulfate-free (salt-free) and low or non-sudsing formulas (which are gentler), such as Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream.
Step 2: ConditionWhen it comes to conditioner, there are a lot of options promising protein, moisture, deep conditioning, and the list goes on. All conditioners are really intended to do is soften the hair. Try to leave a little bit in when rinsing out.
Some ingredients to keep in mind when choosing a conditioner include: olive oil, jojoba oil (whose molecular structure is similar to our own sebum therefore more easily absorbed), avocado oil and glycerin (a humectant).
Step 3: StylePerhaps the MOST IMPORTANT thing most women with textured hair don't know is how to properly apply styling products to enhance the look and feel of their curly-Q's.
For starters, whether your hair is kinky, curly, wavy or some combination thereof, you should always apply products to SOAKING WET hair. The curl pattern is prettiest when wet, and that's more or less the look you're trying to achieve once hair dries. Secondly, once you've applied your styling product, leave it! By that I mean: keep your hands out of it! Either sit under a hood dryer, diffuse with a blowdryer or air dry, but resist the urge to TOUCH and FUSS WITH your hair. Only once your hair is dry, can you gently move it around and apply finishing product for added shine.
Recommended ToolsWhen it comes to what tools to use to maximize curl pattern, Dickey recommends a portable hood dryer. This is a curly girl's best friend! It pops up when you need it, and is easily stowable - and it dries hair really quickly. It also ensures your hands stay out of your hair until it's dry. Another option for looser, curly-wavy textures is a diffuser.
