Hair Care | Curly Sue

I've been getting a lot of e-mails lately about how to maintain curly hair and I realize that this is a pretty big thing to post about, especially here in the Philippines--where honestly, most salons will just ask you if you want to get your hair rebonded. Well. Forgive my french, but fuck that. Unless of course, you like straight hair then go ahead. :)) But if like me, you like having curly hair and would like to know how to maintain it then by all means, read on.

I've always loved having curly hair. I like how it frames my face and I like that I can do so much with it--crop it short, grow it out into a full-on hippie hairdo, braid it without needing elastics to hold it in place. But I didn't always know how to maintain it and especially here in the Philippines where people can get really nasty about having curly hair what with all the bruha (witch) stereotypes, that affected my self-esteem a lot when I was younger. But I've always refused to get my hair rebonded, because well--like I said, I like my hair curly. So thankfully, I've learned that despite the humidity here, it doesn't have to be hard to maintain curly hair. There is a way to keep your hair frizz-free while keeping your locks nice and curled. 

Here are some of the things that I've found most useful over the years. :)

1. Find a good salon & hairdresser.

Believe me, I've heard all of the patronizing hairdressers from everywhere--several salons in Town Center, a couple in BF and a few in Makati--talk to me as if having curly hair equated to having cancer. "Kawawa naman kayo, ma'am." and "Maganda sana ang buhok niya, kung hindi lang kulot" definitely take the cake. Anyway, don't listen to them. Once you hear that, don't settle for bad service and walk out the door. 

A good salon and a hairdresser that knows how to cut curly hair are key. Also, don't settle for hairdressers who shampoo your hair, blow it out, cut it when straight then shampoo it again that will ruin your hair. And never trust someone who cuts curly hair when it's straight. Curly hair has to be cut while curly or else there's no telling how it'll look for reals. 

The three best salons that I've been to are Angelo Falconi III (Las Pinas, one is located beside Shell Station & the other near the Bamboo Organ Church), Going Straight (Festival Mall) & Hari Works (Makati). 

Angelo Falconi III. Sir Angelo is a family friend and he was the one who cut my hair for my prom in third year. He's very busy now so he isn't at the salon very often but his crew are wonderful. They're very good at setting layers for curly hair. And very affordable as well. If I'm not mistaken, this is about 250-350 per haircut?

[more info at their site]

Going Straight. Surprisingly, one of the only places where they don't hard-sell a rebond. The one in Festival Mall is the best for me. Their staff is wonderful and the hairdressers are wonderful. If you plan on going there, look for Sir Jerry or Sir Joey. They'll help you out, definitely. The haircuts here are pretty affordable. Around the 200-peso price range.

[more info at their site]

Hair Works. I'm not sure if they're still there, but they used to be at 108 Legaspi Street, in Makati. Excellent hair skills and they have this blow-drier for curly hair that is amazing (although  honestly, I prefer just having my hair moussed, so I see how it dries). You can also order food while you're getting your hair cut, which is great. It's a bit pricey here though--if I'm not mistaken; I can't be sure though because last time I was there was a girly session care of my older sister. :))

2, Research!

Do your research before you get a haircut. Find a photo that (more or less) depicts the kind of hairstyle you want. Don't rely on magazines or leave it to chance once you get there. :) Google hairstyles for your face shape and hair texture.

3. Use a good shampoo/conditioner combination

Personally, I like to use the Loreal Paris Smooth-Intense Caring Shampoo & Conditioner. It's anti-frizz and smells like lemons. They used to be quite pricey but now that Loreal's in the Philippines, it's gotten pretty affordable. It's around 100-150 per 200 ml bottle so around 300 for both of them. That isn't bad at all, I think. 

The Loreal Paris Total Repair 5 Shampoo & Conditioner (now made so famous by Anne Curtis & her lovely hair--5 problems, 1 solution hahaha) combination is good as well, although I  only like to use it only for the week after I get my hair colored because the thick consistency of the conditioner is really good for how dried out hair can get after it's colored. Afterward, it can weigh my hair down a bit too much. 

If you're low on money however, and are looking for something locally made then I'd definitely recommend Sunsilk's Co-creations Damage Repair Shampoo & Conditioner (orange bottle). It's around 70-80 per bottle, so 160 if you get both. I love this. It's a great dupe for Loreal's Smooth-Intense. And so moisturizing too. I also really like the hair mask that they have, which you can use for deep conditioning once a week.

Also, when I was younger I used to make the mistake of using those "straightening" shampoos and conditioners. They don't go very well with curly hair and deform the curls; you want your hair to be manageable and frizz-free so what you want is for the curls to stick together, not necessarily become straight. :)

4. Find a good leave-on/setting product.

A lot of people who I know with curly hair like to use mousse. And I've been through my own share of mousse brands--it just isn't for me. I think mousse goes wonderfully with curly hair that's thin though because mousse is lightweight and very fluffy. I love the soft-hold mousses because they allow hair to dry naturally, so it doesn't get all stiff and greasy-looking. :) 

Some hair cremes are good too. I like Suave's hair cream very much. It does wonderful things for my hair, especially when my hair's long.

Although over-all I prefer hair serums because they leave a nice sheen on the hair and hold it in place without turning into the consistency of gel. They distribute very evenly as well. Perfect for thick, short curly hair (like my current hairstyle). I love Vitress (P70-80/bottle) & Laminates (which is carried exclusively by Going Straight & costs P180/bottle)--if I can't get my hands on one, I'll get the other. Although quality-wise Laminates takes the cake. It smells wonderful too. Plus, absolutely ZERO residue.

5. Brush your hair once a week.

As children and wannabe princesses, we're taught early on that the key to pretty hair is brushing your hair. That is not necessarily the case. Brushing frequently causes a lot of breakage and with curly hair especially, that creates frizz. I brush my hair once a week. And I do it only right before I bathe and gently. :)) Never brush hair when it's wet, either. For that, use your hands, they will suffice.

6. Don't touch your hair once you've set it.

I know how it feels to be terribly insecure/uncomfortable with your hair especially if you're not sure how it'll set but once you've put the product on, leave it be. Heat from your hands will cause frizzing and further messing-up of your hairstyle.

And as OC as this will make some of you, that's really all I have at the moment. :) I hope this post was helpful. Don't be shy and leave me a comment or send me an e-mail if you need more info about taking care of curly hair!