CURL CONTROL!

I think we can all agree (all of us with curly hair that is) that it isn’t easy finding the right products for curly hair. Everybody’s curls are different and whether you like them perfectly defined or big and bushy, it can be costly and frustrating to sift through all the products that don’t do what you want them to.

This is precisely the reason why I’ve been wearing my hair up for the last 2 years! But I’m ready for a change again and with an array of new ranges specifically for curly hair from well established brands, I thought I’d give it a go!

Moroccan Oil Curl Control Mousse & Curl Defining Cream

The mousse defined the shape of my curls beautifully. Whether you just blot your hair with a towel or comb it through, this product will bring back the definition in an instant – air dry for super defined curls without that crunch or blow dry for a softer look.

The cream does a similar job, but gives a bit less hold. I’d say it’s more suited to coarser hair or looser curls. It smells amazing!

Aussie Dual Personality Curl Defining + Shine Mousse

One of my favourites! Does exactly what it says; gives really nice definition, shine and body to the hair without weighing it down.

Fekkai Perfectly Luscious Curls range

I can’t fault the shampoo and conditioner with grape seed oil and Moroccan rose. My hair felt nice and soft. The Curl Shaper Cream brought out the curls nicely. My hair is quite fine though and needs a bit more hold, so I’d say this is probably a good option for those with slightly thicker hair.

Wella Professionals Enrich Range

This is a great range on the conditioning side of things! If you’re hair is dry and damaged from heat styling or colouring you want to use the Moisturising Treatment or Repair Serum. It will get your locks back to feeling soft and silky in no time.

There’s also a Moisturising Shampoo, Detangling Spray and Bouncy Foam which all do a good job while nourishing your hair!

Wella Professionals Curl Craft

This wax mousse gives great definition and hold without making hair feel crunchy or dry. I would imagine this to be great for coarser hair textures or if your hair grows more up and out and you’d like it to drop a bit more. Use the mousse sparingly though as it is waxy and might leave your hair slightly on the greasy side.

I realise that for most of you it will probably still boil down to trial and error as hair texture varies from person to person, but hopefully I have at least narrowed your search down to a handful of products!

PHILIPP UEBERFELLNER

GET INSTANT LIFT AND VOLUME FROM SHU UEMURA!

Always wanted the perfect beehive, bouffant,  or just a plain old bit of liftage in your barnett but it always falls flat? Hate the idea of back combing as much as I do? Well listen up! The hair specialists at Shu Uemura have developed the first precision hair powder brush containing an invisible powder that offers instant volume, texture, and lift to the roots. The Volume Maker was inspired by Mr. Shu Uemura’s rich cosmetics heritage, bringing the hair industry a new creative styling aide. Now I’ve heard of these kind of powders before but have never seen them with a specific applicator brush, the powerful combination of this advanced tool and product provides endless benefits including one-of-a-kind lift and fullness, root volume, long-lasting hairstyles and much more.

HOW TO GET RIHANNA’S HAIRSTYLE

More than her hip thrusts or super-sexy wardrobe choices, Rihanna is known for her ever-changing hair colour. From fiery red to whitish blond, the pop princess redefines herself at every whim, transforming herself into the Madonna of her generation. But how does she keep her tresses so touchably soft and healthy with frequent hair colour sessions? Read on to find out how to get Rihanna’s hairstyle.

Hair colouring how-to

If you have dark strands like Rihanna, then achieving extra bright tones can be a bit of a challenge. It usually requires more chemical processing, which can be damaging to hair if you’re not careful. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to protect your hair instead of using  a lace wig after you colour it, though. Here are the best five tips for maintaining coloured hair.

1. Condition, condition, condition! This is a must-do for anyone who desires healthy hair, but it is especially important for those who have chosen to colour. Permanent and semi-permanent dyes especially work by altering the makeup of each hair molecule with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which can make each strand more liable to break or dry out. However, conditioning your hair can help restore some of the moisture that was lost in the process of colouring and make those strands more flexible. A product like John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner, for example, can add body and shine to freshly-coloured locks when used once a week.

2. Try a colour-enhancing shampoo. If you’ve ever shuddered at the thought of your very expensive (or very time-consuming) colour process running down the drain as you shampoo, try a colour-enhancing shampoo formulated specifically to help you maintain your colour for longer. You may also want to consider shampooing less often. This will not only help you preserve the integrity of your colour but also keep your hair from becoming too dry from the sulphate that is often found in shampoos.

3. Be protective of your newly coloured locks. This means staying away from chlorine and saltwater, especially! If you enjoy a good beach day or lounging by the pool, you may want to just dip your toes instead of going for a swim. And remember to wear a stylish but protective wide-brimmed fedora to protect your vulnerable locks from sun damage.

4. Stay close to home with your hair colour. Rihanna’s red-hot styles are fun to duplicate, but even she takes a break now and then from hair colouring. Remember to give your hair a reprieve by rocking your natural colour from time to time. And when you’re ready to switch your look up again, consider getting a colour that’s closer to your natural tone or opting for partial highlights instead.

5. Be careful with the curling iron. A new colour can be the perfect catalyst for a new style as well, but be extra careful with tools that emit heat such as the blow dryer and straighteners. Keep these styling tools on a lower setting so that you don’t cause heat damage to your hair when it’s more susceptible than usual because of colour, and use a heat protecting product like John Frieda Style Creator Heat-Activated Styling Spray. And try out your natural waves or curls one day to give your hair a respite from all that stress.

Now that you have the goods on how to get Rihanna’s style, you’re ready to wow everyone you know with a celeb-inspired look.

Mixed Chicks for Mixed Chicks

Freak Deluxe met up with creators/owners of Mixed Chicks Wendi and Kim at the Black Hair & Beauty Show 2010 earlier this year (I just wanna say, after watching Good Hair, I was highly disappointed by the ‘show’! Where were the theatricals, the dancers, the outrageous clothes?) (more…)