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Don’t Do These 9 Things To Your Curly Hair

Due to Covid-19, we have all been spending more time at home lately. For some curly girls and guys, this has meant too much time looking in the mirror and fixating on their hair. Ever since Devana Salon reopened for business after the pandemic shutdown, I have seen a steady stream of self-inflicted hair disasters. I have been amazed by the diversity of ways that my clients have managed to destroy their hair. Although usually I am able to fix the problem and my clients and I can laugh about it afterwards, there are times when the damage will take longer to repair.
Here is a list of 9 things to avoid doing to your curly hair during a pandemic, no matter how bored you are:
Do not color your hair using henna hair color.
Henna hair color may seem harmless since it is made from botanical ingredients, but it is very hard to change your hair to a lighter hair color if you have put henna in your hair. Highlights are nearly impossible to add to hair that has been colored with henna. My recommendation is to only use henna hair color if you intend to stay with that hair color for a long time. If you are the type of person who likes to change your hair color often, do not use henna.

2. Don’t cut straight across bangs
Cutting straight across bangs on curly hair may appear easy, but it actually requires skill to achieve a desirable look. I have had clients come to me with bangs that they cut that sprung up to their hairline and made them look like a two year old. Some have cut their bangs so wide that they look like they have receding hairlines. Some curlies have cut a shelf into the sides of their hair when trying to create face framing.

3. Do not give yourself highlights using bleach and a cap with holes in it
This method of highlighting should be left to Cosmetology school students and their mannequin heads. It is virtually impossible to place highlights in the most flattering places around your face and throughout your hair when you are pulling your curls through a cap. Unless you want to look like a cross between a zebra and leopard don’t highlight your hair this way.

4. Do not ask your spouse to cut your hair into A-line bob
It is a brave and foolish spouse who will attempt to give you a drastically different haircut than the one you already have. Although, the blame really falls on you for asking him or her to cut your hair in the first place. Unless you want to look like a Christmas tree that is falling to one side, do not ask anyone but a talented hairstylist to give you an A-line bob. It takes practice to make this haircut look good!

5. Don’t try to give yourself sun-kissed highlights by putting lemon juice in your hair.
Although the combination of lemon juice and sunshine will speed up the lightening process, it will also dry your hair out, and it could damage your hair and leave it feeling like straw. It might also turn it orange and make your hair looking splotchy. Not a good look!

6. Do not color your hair red or black using box dye that you buy at the grocery store.
This is a guaranteed way to mess up your hair because red and black are very difficult to remove from your hair. My experience with box dyes are that they can make your hair feel dry and brittle, especially after repeated applications. Unless you want to remain red or black for a long time, and you don’t mind having straw like hair, then do not put these colors on your hair.

7. Do not shave your head.
Unless you are shaving your hair for charity, doing it to support a sick friend, or are facing the prospect of loosing your hair due to chemotherapy, I highly recommend keeping your hair on your head. I feel compassion for those who have lost their hair because we look best with hair on our heads. That is one of the reasons we have it there.

8. Don’t bleach your entire head and expect it to look good.
Bleaching all of your hair can go wrong in so many ways. If you are lucky enough to still have hair on your head after you have saturated it in bleach, there is a good chance it will be damaged, broken, blotchy and possibly orange. None of these are good looks. Do yourself a favor and put down the bleach and walk away.

9. Do not try to add volume to your hair by cutting 1” layers at the crown.
Unless you want to look like a tropical bird doing a mating dance, do not cut your hair 1” long at the top of your head. This is only a good idea if your hair is already very short and it is best to let a professional hairstylist do this for you.

8 Tips For Beautiful Second and Third Day Curly Hair

In this busy world of ours, everyone wants to save time when possible. One of the best ways to save time is by learning how to make your curly hairstyle look good for two or three days without having to rewash and style every day.

The most critical component of making your curly hairstyle look good on the second and third day is being mindful of what happens to your hair while you sleep. Here are some tips you can use to increase the odds that your hair will look good for a few days after you shampoo and style it.

1. Before you go to bed, place your hair into a ponytail on the top of your head. Do not wrap the hair around the ponytail into a bun, but rather allow the hair to fall around the base of the ponytail. This will protect the outer canopy of your curls from being flattened and disturbed by rubbing between your head and your pillow. This technique is called “pineappling” because your hair looks kind of like a pineapple on the top or your head.
2. Fasten the ponytail with a scrunchy, Invisibobble or a strip of fabric. These methods of securing your ponytail will not cause your curls to be creased or to become tangled and break when you take your hair out of the ponytail. Avoid using an elastic band.
3. Replace your cotton pillowcase with a silk or satin pillowcase. There are two reasons for this. First of all, silk and satin create less friction on your hair and will therefore cause less frizz. Secondly, cotton absorbs more moisture from your hair than silk and satin do. By absorbing moisture from your hair, a cotton pillowcase causes your hair to dry out and become frizzy.
4. An alternative option to the silk or satin pillow case is to wrap a silk or satin scarf around your head or wear a silk or satin bonnet.
5. If you don’t toss and turn a lot when you sleep, then when you lie your head down onto your pillow you can spread your hair out above your head like a fan. This will prevent you from sleeping on your curls and will allow them to remain undisturbed.
6. When you get out of bed in the morning, spritz your hair with water, or better yet, with lavender water. This will reactivate the styling products that you already have in your hair. Scrunch your curls with fingers, reshaping them and placing them where you like them. Lavender water can be made by putting a few drops of essential lavender oil into a spray bottle containing filtered water.
7. If you have an oily scalp which causes the roots of your hair become oily, try using a dry shampoo between wet shampoos. A dry shampoo, such as Innersense Refresh works well. Apply Innersense Refresh by parting your hair into sections and applying with your fingertips. The shampoo will dry and absorb the oil and dirt so you can go another day or two before shampooing again.
8. If all else fails and you still can’t get more than one day out of your style before having to rewet your hair and style all over again, don’t give up hope. In your case, I recommend creating an altar in a quiet place in your house and praying to the curly goddess. Hopefully, Divine intervention can help. If not, you will just have to rewet your hair and start over. Luckily, showers feel good.

The Best Type of Diffusers For Drying Curly Hair

One of the most useful tools for drying and styling naturally curly hair is a diffuser. Diffusers fit on the end of a blowdryer and diffuse the air coming out so that your curls can dry evenly while maintaining curl definition. Using a blowdryer without a diffuser will cause your curls to break up and become frizzy. Diffusers come in various shapes and sizes. In this blog, I will describe my favorite types of diffusers and give some pointers in how to use them.

First I will give you a brief description of how to prepare your hair to be diffused. Before diffusing, cleanse and condition your curls. If you don’t want to use a cleanser, you can just use a conditioner. After detangling with your fingers when you have conditioner in your hair, gently squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. Then flip your head upside down and apply your favorite styling product, scrunching upward to accentuate your curls or apply the product smoothing downward to elongate your curls. After you have the curl defining product in your hair, flip your head upright and create the part the way you like it. I often prefer a zig-zag part because it helps with root lift and forms an attractive head shape. Next, gently squeeze out the excess moisture with a microfiber towel.

In order to create more root lift and volume, you can use pin curl clips to lift up the hair around the crown of your head. The clips should be placed in a bricklay pattern with the handles facing up toward the top of your head. If you like the shape of your hair with the clips in place, then you will like the shape when your hair has dried.

Now you are ready to diffuse your hair. Since curly hair tends to be dry, I always recommend using either low heat or cool air and low airspeed.

Bowl Diffuser
The bowl diffuser is shaped like a bowl that attaches to the end of a blowdryer. The hot air comes out of holes on the inside of the bowl. You dry your curls by gently placing them inside the bowl and holding the diffuser still until the hair is dry. I like bowl diffusers for drying the mid shafts and ends of hair. This type of diffuser can also be used to dry the roots by holding the diffuser close to your head.
If you don’t want to use clips to create root lift, you can create some lift and volume by diffusing your hair upside down. Before you flip your upside down though, make sure you apply a product at the roots that will support the lift in your hair. My favorite products for creating root lift are: Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam, DevaCurl Frizz Free Volumizing Foam and Natulique Root Lifter Volume Tonic. Once the roots are dry, flip your head upright and you will have more volume at the roots. Continue diffusing the ends of your hair. Squeeze your hair gently to soften the product. If you want more volume, flip your head over one more time and gently loosen your hair at the roots by rubbing your fingers along your scalp. Then flip your head back upright and position your curls the way you like.

Hood dryer
We use hood dryers in the salon because they mimic air drying while speeding up the drying process. Some of our clients purchase them to use at home. I recommend this because it is a great time saver and allows you to have your hands free while your hair is drying. Although these dryers are bulky, they come with wheels and can be stored out of sight in a closet when not in use. My favorite hood dryer is Venus Plus by Highland.

DevaFuser
The DevaFuser is shaped like a hand with five fingers that fits on the end of a blow dryer. The hot air comes out of holes in the front and back of the hand. This clever design is great for drying your roots because the fingers can be placed underneath your hair and give you some root lift. People with 4A, 4B and 4C always have a hard time drying their roots, and the DevaFuser is great for drying the roots of these curls because it diffuses air at the scalp.
One drawback of the Devafuser, however, is that it takes a long time to dry the mid shafts and ends of your hair since the air is blowing out of the fingers of the diffuser in all directions and is therefore less concentrated than a bowl diffuser. This is why I recommend the Devafuser for drying the roots and a bowl diffuser for drying the ends.

Travel Diffusers
How do you dry your curly hair when you are traveling? The answer is in a travel diffuser. Portable diffusers come in various designs. My favorite is The Curly Co. Collapsible Hair Diffuser. This diffuser is great for travel because it’s telescopic design allows it to fold into a smaller size so it can be easily packed into a suitcase or carry on bag.

7 Steps For Winterizing Curly Hair

During the winter, one of the biggest curly hair concerns becomes how to maintain moisture and keep your curls feeling healthy and looking great. Curly hair tends to be dry because the cuticle layer on the outside of the hair strand is raised and therefore allows moisture to escape from the hair. This can result in dry and frizzy hair which is made even worse by the dry winter air. With a few tweaks, the right products, and a good routine, your curls can survive the long, cold winter season as you count down the days until spring.

Here are some tips for keeping your hair moisturized during the dry winter months:

1. Sulfate free cleansers
Curly hair needs as much moisture as possible and so it is important to use cleansers that leave vital moisture in your hair. This is why sulfate-free cleansers are so good. Sulfate-free cleansers cleanse your hair and scalp while leaving important natural oils in your hair. Avoid cleansers with sodium laurel sulfate. Sodium laurel sulfate is a harsh detergent that will strip all of the good oils out of your hair.
You may decide to only use a sulfate-free cleanser once or twice a month and then cowash the rest of the time. Cowashing is done by using a conditioning cleanser the same way that you would use a shampoo. Scrub your scalp with the conditioning cleanser and rinse it off with water. Since it contains no sulfates or lathering detergents at all, it helps your hair maintain maximum hydration while it cleanses.
My favorite sulfate-free cleansers are DevaCurl No Poo and DevaCurl Delight Low Poo.

2. Use a leave-in conditioner
After rinsing out your conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner to add more moisture to your curls. Apply the leave-in conditioner before you apply your styling products. One word of caution though: if you have fine wavy hair, a leave-in conditioner could way down your waves, so use it sparingly.
My favorites are Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner and DevaCurl Decadence Leave-In Conditioner.

3. Apply styling cream and then seal in the moisture with a gel
Apply the styling cream first and then layer on some gel afterwards to seal in the moisture provided by the cream.
My favorite styling creams are Natulique Curl Defining Cream and Innersense Quiet Calm Curl Control.

4. Finish your styling with a few drops of oil
If you usually do not seal your hair with an oil, this season is an excellent time to start. By finishing your styling by applying a few drops of oil to the mid-shafts and ends of your hair, you are locking in the moisturizing properties of the conditioner and styling products, as well as keeping out the outside elements, such as the dry air from indoor heaters.
My favorites oils are Natulique Argan Oil and Innersense Harmonic Healing Oil.

5. Deep condition often
Frizzy curls can become beautiful ringlets when they are given enough moisture. Regular deep conditioning is one of the most important things you can do to add moisture to your hair. Fortifying your hair with nutrients, moisture, and protein helps prevent breakage and brittleness, and it keeps your curls hydrated. It is important to deep condition your hair year round, but in the dry winter months, you need to do it more often.
My favorite deep conditioners are DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture and Innersense Hair Masque.

6. Air dry or use the cool button on your blow-dryer when diffusing
Regularly using hot air to dry your hair may dry out your curls. Instead, try using the cool air button on your blow dryer or air dry your hair instead. Giving your hair a break from the hot air of a blow dryer will allow moisture to remain in your hair longer.

7. Substitute a silk or satin pillow case for cotton
Cotton pillowcases will absorb more moisture from your hair than silk or satin pillowcases. Also, cotton pillowcases create more friction on your hair and will therefore cause more frizz than silk or satin.

With a little extra effort and by following these tips you can keep your curly hair looking great all your round. Spring is just around the corner, or the next one. But until then, enjoy your curly hair, and don’t forget to make a snowman when you have the chance.

My New Favorite Volumizing and Curl Enhancing Spray For Fine Wavy Hair

I have a number of clients with fine loosely wavy hair and many of them want the same thing: more volume, better curl definition and tighter curls. The first step in accomplishing this is a good haircut that balances volume with fullness along the perimeter. A talented hair stylist will be able to analyze your hair and determine how much of your hair needs to be left to grow to full length and how much can be used to created volume. 

Then after you have a good haircut, you need the right products to help you achieve your desired look of more volume, better curl definition and tighter curls. A top priority should be moisture because hydrated curls form ringlets with less frizz. First cleanse your hair with a sulfate-free cleanser. On fine, wavy hair, I like to use DevaCurl Delight Lo-Poo and then condition with DevaCurl Delight One Condition. These products are lightweight and provide just the right amount of cleansing and moisture for wavy hair. Next you need styling products. I like the DevaCurl Wave Maker for curl definition and moisture and DevaCurl Volumizing Foam for volume and hold. For an added boost of volume, add DevaCurl Believe In.

After you dry your hair with a diffuser, or let it air dry, then you can apply my latest favorite finishing product: Natulique Hygge Hair Spray Wax. Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), which means cozy in Danish, is a lightweight spray wax that is non-greasy and easy to use. You only need a little bit of this spray wax to create dramatic results. Hygge adds volume to fine hair and can also help make loosely wavy hair a little curlier. 

The way to accomplish this is to spray Natulique Hygge Hair Spray Wax on your wavy hair from about 12” away and then, immediately after you spray a section, scrunch the hair in your hand and hold it for 3-4 seconds. Do this in three sections throughout your hair, once on each side and once in the back. You only need a little bit of Hygge to make a big difference. I agree with Natulique’s wording when they say that Hygge Hair Spray Wax “effectively, but gently, locks and holds shape for longer lasting layers, waves, bangs and curls while taming short hair and frizz for a touchable and flexible result without the greasy feeling of regular wax.”

Like all of Natulique’s products, it is made of Certified Organic and natural ingredients. Natulique Hygge Hair Spray Wax contains Certified Organic Broccoli Seed Oil which has a unique blend of amino acids that nourishes, protects, and moisturizes. It also contains Certified Organic Jojoba Seed Oil which is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals such as copper and zinc, strengthens individual hair strands and prevents dryness. It contains no parabens or paraffin, is gluten free, and is animal cruelty free. 

Come visit us at Devana Salon and we will gladly show you how Natulique Hygge Hair Spray Wax can help make your fine wavy hair look beautifully full and curly.

Devana Salon client with Deva Cut and Pintura Highlighting by Erik Emblen

Tips For Curly Hair Growth

So many of my clients have asked me to help them grow their curly hair longer, that I have decided to write a second blog on the subject. Here are some more tips that you can follow to help you grow your beautiful curls longer and longer and longer if you want.

6 Tips to Grow Your Gorgeously Curly Hair

1. Start with your scalp

Healthy hair growth starts with a healthy scalp. You can do a quick test for suppleness and health of your scalp by pushing firmly but gently on all the sides of your head. Ideally, the skin will slide easily over your skull and you will be able to see the front of your scalp move when you push on the back. If you feel tightness in certain areas, simply address it by performing regular scalp massages. Massaging your scalp with your fingers will help to stimulate blood flow and release the natural oils stored under the surface of your skin. You can add essential oils to your massage by putting a few drops on your scalp first. I like to use Phyto Pollene Scalp Stimulant for this purpose.

2. Stay away from restrictive styles

Avoid hairstyles that tightly bind your curly hair. If you pull your hair too tightly into a ponytail, you may be pulling your hair out along your hair line. If you do this for too long, you can get a receding hairline, and nobody wants that. Give your hair a rest in between hair extensions, braids or ponytails, and use non-snagging tools to hold them in place. Don’t use elastic bands to secure your ponytail. Instead, use a fabric covered band, such as a scrunchy. Elastic bands can cause breakage.

3. Choose the right moisturizer

Everyone’s hair is different and the right moisturizer for your friend might not be the best one for you. Here is a quick test to determine if your your moisturizing products are getting inside your hair where they belong or just sitting on the outside. Wet a section of your hair with water a day or two after you style it. If you see or feel a residue coming off of your hair, then your product is not fully moisturizing your hair, it is just sitting on the surface. When hair is deeply moisturized, it is more elastic and resistant to breakage. Also, your curls will be more defined and shinier!

4. Keep your cuts routine

Get your hair trimmed at least once every twelve weeks to prevent split ends and keep your hair shaped nicely and looking good. Split ends are a sign that the end of your hair is falling apart and disintegrating. If you have split ends, then your hair is actually getting shorter because the split end is traveling up the hair shaft. The only way to stop this is to cut the hair above the split end. If you want your hair to grow longer, you must cut off split ends.

5. Take supplements

The hair care line, Phyto, makes a supplement called Phyto Phanerre, that they claim will help your hair grow about 10% faster.

6. Feed your body

Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet. How many times have you heard this? I said it before and I am saying it again because it is of vital importance. Hair is made up of moisture and protein. If you want your hair to be healthy then you need to feed your body healthy food and water.

Take good care of your beautiful curly hair and it will bless you for as long as you live.

How long is long enough for your curls?

Tips For Safely Coloring Curly Hair

Color has the ability to spice up your curls by adding dimension and interest to curly hair. Curly hair absorbs more light than straight hair because straight hair presents a flat surface for light to reflect off of, whereas curly hair disperses light and therefore appears darker. Also, due to the fact that the cuticle layer on curly hair is raised more than it is on straight hair, curly hair isn’t as shiny as straight hair. Dimensional color can be very beautiful in curly hair because it reflects light throughout the hair. Also, curly girls who want their hair to look thicker will find that dimensional color creates the illusion of fuller hair.

When done by a professional colorist, color can be beneficial to the health and shine of your curly hair. But if done improperly, hair coloring can be hazardous to curly textures because curly hair is naturally drier and more fragile than other hair types and can react negatively to the chemicals in hair color. Read on for pro tips on how to get stunning hair color without compromising your hair’s health no matter what your curl type is.

Know Your Options

Depending on your curl type and condition, hair color that is high in chemical content, like a permanent formula, can dehydrate and damage your hair. Especially if applied repeatedly, the ammonia in permanent hair color can deplete curls of moisture and nourishment. Hair color experts agree that unless you need the strength of permanent color to change the level or tone of your hair, or if you are covering pigment-free grays, then it is better to opt for a semi-permanent or demi-permanent color. These types of hair color are less dehydrating, and if the semi or demi-permanent color selected is a professional brand, the hair color will actually coat the surface of the hair, smooth down the cuticle and leave curls glossy, bouncy and more nourished.

Expert Tip

Never use permanent hair color throughout the mid-lengths and ends of curls. Instead, opt for a demi-permanent or gloss color to achieve the desired look.

Always Go Pro

Coloring curly hair requires expert care. Visit a professional hair colorist to get your color correct from the start. This is no time for DIY, especially when going lighter. The inherent fragility and dryness of curly hair make it essential to choose the right salon professional and professional product to bring out the best in your curls. Professional color products are designed to enhance hair health, protect strands from UV exposure and bring out the shine. Your experience with a colorist should include a consultation about your choices, what it requires to get the shade you want, and how to maintain it between visits.

Expert Tip

Three days before you color, give your hair a boost with a deep conditioning treatment like Ouidad Deep Treatment Curl Restoration Therapy or DevaCurl Heaven In Hair. These deep conditioning treatments will infuse your curls with essential proteins, amino acids and moisturizing humectants which will improve your hair’s ability to retain hair color and moisture.

Handle With Care

All hair types get a little dryer once color is introduced, so those with curly hair have to be especially mindful of combating the drying effects of a new hue. Parched hair only leads to dull color and no one wants that. One way to boost moisture levels in colored strands is to rehydrate with top-notch products. Try Ouidad Color Sense Color-Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner. They contain a protective Color Lock complex of broad spectrum, plant-based sun filters which help affix color to the hair fibers and prevent fading due to UV exposure and styling. The shampoo also removes mineral deposits and build-up that can lead to premature stripping of color for healthy-looking, radiant curls. Plus, a good hydrating conditioner or deep treatment designed to work with colored curly hair will rebuild and strengthen strands so curls hold color longer.

When done correctly by a talented hair colorist, hair color can make your curls look more beautiful than ever.

Is your naturally curly hair colored? How do you maintain it?

Coconut Oil Is Good For Naturally Curly Hair

Coconut oil is an all-natural wonder ingredient that is great for curly hair. Unlike most oils, coconut oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft, rather than sitting on the surface. When applied to curly hair, coconut oil helps heal protein loss, adds moisture and makes the hair stronger over time. Using coconut oil on your hair regularly can also help increase the shine, softness, and manageability while simultaneously decreasing frizz. Here’s how to add coconut oil to your routine.

Overnight Coconut Pre-Poo

For curly, damaged, or color-treated hair, it’s best to shampoo as little as possible (once or twice a week if you can) because traditional shampoo will strip your hair of its natural oils. When you do shampoo, always use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate free shampoos are less damaging to your hair and won’t strip out your natural oils. Before you do shampoo, I recommend this overnight coconut oil treatment, also known as a “pre-poo.”

Directions:

  1. Warm coconut oil with fingers – Coconut oil is solid at room temperatures, but liquefies immediately with heat, so scoop a small amount out of your jar and it will melt instantly between your fingers, making it easy to apply.
  2. Massage into scalp – If you suffer from a dry, itchy or flaky scalp, start by using the pads of your fingers to apply the oil to your whole scalp, massaging gently so the scalp can really absorb the coconut oil.
  3. Apply to hair in sections – If you have fine hair, then avoid the roots, but for thick or coily hair, apply the oil evenly to the length of the strand.
  4. Wrap your hair in an old t-shirt – It can get messy if you go to bed with your hair uncovered, so wrap a towel or an old t-shirt around your hair before you go to sleep.
  5. Add heat – To intensify the treatment and get even better results, you can apply heat with a warm towel or your blow dryer.
  6. Shampoo, condition and style – The next morning, shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual. One shampoo is often enough to remove the oil for most curly hair, but if you feel you need it, you can shampoo a second time.

Natural Anti-Frizz Serum

Coconut oil also makes a healthy, all-natural hair sealer for extra shine and frizz prevention. If you’re trying to grow longer, thicker hair, coconut oil aids in breakage prevention and retaining moisture.

Directions:

Apply a nickel-sized amount – Apply a small amount of coconut oil as the very last step in your styling routine, after any leave-in conditioners or gels you might use. Again if you have fine hair, avoid the roots and focus on the ends.

If you’ve yet to try coconut oil on your strands, pick some up next time you’re at the grocery (unrefined and cold pressed is best). Your curls will thank you for the extra shine, moisture and curl definition!

Have you tried coconut oil or other oils on your hair? What results have you had?

Your Curly Hair Looks Great When You Stand Up Straight

Who doesn’t enjoy seeing beautiful people strut on a runway like they are the most important person in the universe? When they have bouncy curly hair, I get an extra kick out of it! Even if they have straight hair, I enjoy it. There is one thing that you can do to make your curly hair look better, and you don’t need to change your hair care routine one bit. All you have to do is stand up straight.

I will be searching for Bengal Tigers in India in a few months. I love the brilliant swagger of the animals. So fearsome and beautiful, moving with complete ownership of the ground. That is what perfect posture does for an animal. It increases performance, thereby making the body stronger and more efficient.

I enjoy seeing magnificent creatures display their beauty. Even though it may be just an act, a good fashion model commands respect just by the way she holds herself and moves her body. People with perfect posture are sexy because they display a command of their personal power. They embody health. Health is beautiful.

I asked my yoga teacher to show me how to stand with good posture. I was amazed to discover how out of alignment I was. Now I practice sitting and standing the way she showed me, and it really makes a difference. I haven’t gotten any more dates yet, but I expect that to happen soon. In the meantime, I am enjoying walking upright and I am feeling good about it.

Here are some other things that excellent posture will do for you:

1. Facilitates breathing

Having good posture puts your body in alignment to function at its best. Good posture naturally enables you to breathe properly. I started appreciating this after I began paying attention to my posture while meditating. I find that I am able to inhale a lot more air when I am sitting up straight. When I have good posture, my breathing during meditation is longer, slower and deeper. This is why yoga, pilates and meditation exercises pay so much attention to getting your posture and sitting positions right.

2. Increases concentration and thinking ability

When you are breathing properly, you improve the function of your brain. Our brains require a lot of oxygen to operate well. More air, more oxygen. More oxygen, more brain food. Our brain regulates all the voluntary and involuntary actions of our body. An oxygenated brain will keep healthy, and it will also keep you from acting like a buffoon, and that is good for everyone.

3. Improve your image

People with good postures look smarter and more attractive. That is because when you align yourself correctly you look healthy, and health looks good.

4. Feel even better about yourself

When you have good posture, it helps to make you feel more self-confident. Try sitting in a bad posture for 30 seconds. Then switch to a good posture for 30 seconds. Did you notice any difference in how you felt? If you didn’t experience a difference, then fluff up your curly hair and try again. Maybe you will notice a difference next time.

5. Avoid health complications

Bad posture can lead to many health complications over time, such as increased risks of back pain, poor blood circulation, and shortness of breath.

It’s better for you and you look better when you stand up straight.

Have you tried changing your posture? What other self-care routines do you have?

Why naturally curly hair should be cut dry

I’m often asked if I cut curly hair dry, and why curly product lines like DevaCurl and Ouidad do or don’t recommend it. It is almost always best to cut naturally curly hair when it is dry. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Spring factor

Every curl has its own unique spring factor, which is the amount of distance that it will spring up after it is stretched. This spring factor cannot be ascertained when the hair is wet.

2. Curl pattern

In order to create a beautiful haircut that lasts a long time, it is critical for the hairstylist to be able to see where the curls spring to immediately after they are cut. It is common to have varying curl patterns throughout the head. When cut, tighter curls spring up more than looser curls. This can only be accurately judged when the hair is cut dry. If the hair is cut wet, then the hair may become uneven when it dries and tighter curls spring closer to their roots.

3. Shaping

My clients are often amazed when I cut their curly hair dry for the first time. The results are beautiful, and they get to see the shape develop throughout the cutting process. It is easier to see the shape of the haircut develop when the hair is cut dry because the curls fall exactly where they will remain.

4. Framing

Framing the face is much easier to do when the hair is cut dry for the same reason, the shape can be seen immediately.

5. One exception to the rule

An exception to this rule is when the hair is loosely wavy. In this case, it is often more effective to cut the hair when it is wet. This is because loosely wavy hair has a very small spring factor. Also, if you plan to straighten your hair a lot, it is best to cut it wet so that a neat perimeter shape may be created.

How do you get your hair cut? Have you been to a curly hair expert before?

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