By Gritty Pretty
@gritty_pretty
If your hair will not hold a curl to save its life, join the club.
When done professionally, it doesn’t look half bad, but when you try to do it yourself, it doesn’t stand a chance. It’s frustrating. All you want is what you don’t have, waves! We get it, we see you, we know.
Here to share all his tips to stop your curls from dropping like it’s hot is award-winning hair stylist and owner of RAW salon, Anthony Nader. No longer will your hair be a timestamp for the night; the goal here is hair that looks the same from the first Instagram picture to the last. Sound good?
THE SECRET TO A GOOD CURL
Contrary to popular belief, more product does not a longer-lasting curl make. Nader says you don’t need to “layer” on several styling products as residue can have the opposite effect of weighing hair down. Moreover, it’s an indication that your product is filled with silicones. “Less is more,” he claims. Use only one or two targeted products. For longevity, apply a medium to long-hold hairspray or mousse. (We love: Bumble and Bumble Curl Conditioning Mousse, Kérastase Discipline Mousse Curl Idéal and Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong Finish.)
PRIME, PRIME, PRIME
If you’re not a fan of hairspray or mousse (something about the texture), Nader says “a curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner is an excellent start to vamping up your limp hair strands”. (Try: Bumble and Bumble Curl Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Curl Custom Conditioner.) Any good hairstylist will tell you that styles that last start in the shower, and they’re right.
“I think the most beneficial product is a curl defining cream (or a sea salt spray) on damp hair. It all has to start when your strands are damp so the ingredients can more thoroughly absorb into each strand than when applying to dry hair,” he adds. (We love: ELEVEN Australia Keep My Curl Defining Cream and Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer)
STYLING TIPS
To create the incredible hair look featured in this post, Nader dampened the model’s hair and then misted it with sea salt spray (we love: Sachajuan Ocean Mist and Beach MUK Sea Salt Spray). Following this, he blow-dried hair with the diffuser head attachment to separate strands and encourage natural movement.
Ensuring the hair is heat protect, when dry, Nader started curling at random. “I just picked up chunky sections, from 3-7cm and wrapped them around a hot barrel tong,” he says. “You’ll notice some ends I left straight and others I added a slight curve. Some roots I curled and some I left out,” he adds. For longevity, finish with hair spray (or prep hair the night before with a curl-enhancing shampoo, conditioner or balm – see above: ‘prime, prime prime’).
RESTARTING A CURL
To “restart” second-day curls, Nader suggests quickly running the irons/tongs over some of the curls again. Then, “give the roots ignition by spraying them [with a styling powder or dry shampoo], massaging in and you’re good to go.” If waves are part of your uniform, “ask your hair stylist for some shorter layers to be cut through the interior of your next haircut, which will keep your curls lasting longer and not flopping,” he adds.
