Jess is a self-professed tirelessly optimistic vegetarian, who is shamelessly vain about her red curly hair. Her blog “Diary Of A Curly Girl” chronicles her journey to a more balanced lifestyle, whether through eating, dressing timelessly, or just generally taking better care of herself (including my hair!). Curls Understood™ was so impressed by her writing that we made her one of our Curly Ambassadors! Her gorgeous red locks are thing of wonder. Below we learn exactly how she takes care of them including her favorite products.
1. How long have you been wearing your hair in its curly/natural state?
Aside from some straightening binges in high school, I’ve worn my hair in its curly state for my entire life. Despite the constant pleas I made to my mother to get a ‘straight perm’ through Grades 4-10, the only time I ever had it straight was when I used an (actual!) iron to straighten it, or tried to stretch it out with elastic bands. Eventually I gave up on this, because my hair would be so dry and crispy afterwards, not to mention how long it ended up taking to accomplish it!
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
My winter routine is definitely a lot different than my summer routine. I live in southern Ontario, and it’s quite humid here in the summers – usually I only need to co-wash once a week (typically using Yes to Carrots Nourishing Conditioner), apply Giovanni Leave-In Conditioner, and some Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel. I wash with Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Oil Shampoo about every other week in the summer, and then still apply leave-in and aloe vera, and it’s worked so well for me. My hair does what it wants, and gets so big and awesome!
This winter has been particularly dry for some reason, so it’s been really challenging figuring out a routine that works. I finally broke down and started wetting my hair in the shower every 2nd or 3rd day, and applying a bit of silicone-free conditioner to the ends. I’ve cut down on washing in the winter, and only use a sulfate-free shampoo about once a month. I also make sure Giovanni Leave-In is always in the mix. Sometimes I just braid it or twist it up into an undo and leave it for a few days, and sometimes I will apply some organic jojoba oil to the ends.
In the summer I deep condition about once every third week, but this winter I’ve been trying to deep condition every other or every week. Basically I try to listen to what my hair needs and adjust my routine and products accordingly.
3. What are your staple hair products?
In the summer, I live for Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel as a sealant. It seriously changed my entire haircare regimen; I like the look of voluminous, huge curls, and this makes my hair soft and lets it do what it wants. I’m currently also loving Yes to Carrots Nourishing Moisture Conditioner, although I think they recently changed the ingredients list, so I’m not sure how the new one will react with my hair.
Giovanni Leave-In is a godsend, and something I love to use all the time. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie is perfect for the days I need a little more weight and moisture on my curls. And sometimes, simple is best: coconut oil in the summer, jojoba oil in the winter, and apple cider vinegar rinses from time to time keep my hair healthy and happy!
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4. What are your favorite hairstyles?
Wash and go’s are my favourite: the bigger the better. When I’m rushed on time, I will do a quick bun (and add some volume underneath with Marley hair), or two flat halo twists pinned up at the back. I love discovering new and easy hairstyles and love the versatility of curls!
5. Whose your celebrity curl crush?!
There are so many gorgeous curly-haired goddesses in the limelight now – I love it! It’s hard to choose just one, so here’s a few: Tracee Ellis Ross (swoon!), Keri Russell circa the first few seasons of Felicity, and Bernadette Peters – she rocks those curls!
6. For many naturals it’s a journey to fully understand their hair. It’s a process of trial and error. What was your “Curls Understood™” moment (the moment you felt like, “I’ve got this!” or any essential advice you wish you had known at the beginning of your hair journey)?
For years, I had tried a different combination of products that were created ‘for curly hair’ – but it was all about controlling the curl, instead of working with the curl. Now that I’ve relaxed my stance and let my hair go a little more free and easy, the reward has been huge. My real ‘a-ha!’ moment was when I first purchased the Curly Girl Handbook and started following the Curly Girl Method. Everything just started making sense, and the curls I thought I was losing popped back with a vengeance. It’s been three years since I changed my routine, and I’ve never looked back! Do your research, figure out what works best for your hair, and be consistent. I can’t wait to see what the following years bring!
See more of Jess…
Site: DiaryOfACurlyGirl.com
Instagram: @SpiralJess
Twitter: @JessAnderson
Facebook: TheDiaryOfACurlyGirl
Pinterest: SpiralJess
Photo Credit: Erin Caitlin Photography
