Curly Hair Essentials
Curly Hair Essentials
The products necessary to create and maintain the perfect curl.
Written by Katie Dickens
The road of denial can take many forms. For those who choose to fight their hair’s naturally curly texture, the path can include standing, biweekly blowout appointments, purposeful avoidance of tropical vacations, and a lifetime of practice mastering the chignon. The only real solution, of course, is acceptance — to live sans hair censorship (or, at the very least, to let curls free on occasion). To help those in denial accept a more natural look, VIOLET GREY turned to hairstylist Christian Wood. Wood has spent years encouraging clients like Thandie Newton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Richie to eschew the straight and narrow, and this curl whisperer knows what it takes to keep corkscrews in shape. His tips and tricks, along with The Violet Code–approved products necessary to carry them out, below.
THE ULTIMATE CURL-TAMING STRATEGY
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SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Curly hair is prone to dryness, so choose a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, Wood says,
Violet says: Try Lea Journa’s Hydra-Riche Shampoo and Conditioner, which has nourishing plum oil.
LEA JOURNO HYDRA-RICHE HYDRATING SHAMPOO
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MASK
“Mix almond oil into a treatment mask for an extra dose of moisture,” Wood says. Do this a couple of times a week for best results.
Violet says: Try Rene Furterer Karité Intense Nourishing Mask, a deeply hydrating formula that also repairs damage.
RENÉ FURTERER KARITÉ INTENSE NOURISHING MASK
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CREAM & OIL
The cream helps curls retain their shape, while the oil provides added nourishment and tames flyaways. “Combine dry oil and lightweight cream in your hands, then disperse it from mid-length to the ends,” Wood says. “You can use these no matter what your hair type [is], but if you have fine hair or a loose wave, use sparingly.”
Violet says: Serge Normant’s Meta Sheer Dry Finishing Oil induces shine, while Shu Uemura Kengo Feather Tenacious Hold Lightweight Cream defines curls without being heavy.
SERGE NORMANT META SHEER FINISHING OIL
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DRYER & DIFFUSER
“Use a diffuser attachment, then set the dryer on a low setting until hair is dry,” Wood says. “The hotter the temperature, the more likely you’ll get frizz and lose luster.”
Violet says: Parlux’s 385 Light Dryer and Diffuser provides four temperature and two speed settings.
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SHINE SPRAY & OIL
Finish with an added dose of moisture. “A simple shine mist will make fine hair glisten without weighing it down, while a heavier serum or oil is better for thicker or coarser hair,” Wood says.
Violet says: Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil soaks into cuticles without a leftover residue, while Rene Furterer’s Vegetal Styling Glossing Spray provides a weightless mist of shine.
RENÉ FURTERER VEGETAL STYLING GLOSSING SPRAY
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LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Properly styled curly hair can make it to a day and beyond, Wood says. “Simply dampen hair with water, spritz with leave-in conditioner and then run your fingers through it to fake a just-washed feeling.”
Violet says: Sachajuan’s Leave-In Conditioner gives hair light hydration.
SACHAJUAN LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
See the full Curly Hair Essentials list and more at VIOLET GREY.
