Blow Drying Curly Hair

Hi all, I have ringlet style curly hair. I have grown it out once to my shoulders then I cut it off. I am about half way in the process of growing it back out. I have never used a blow dryer but I have a job now where I need my hair to be dry quicker. I have no clue how to blow dry my hair without it looking like an afro or a big poof ball. Can anybody help?Thanks,Tom

Hi Tom!Since I don't know if you want to blowdry your hair staright, or blow dry it curly... I will suggest both ways for you to do it :)Curly:First, you REALLY need to find a good gel, that will minimize frizz. I have tried about every line out there that is recommended for curls and I beleive by FAR the best gel is Biolage Gelee. Some people say that it leaves a bit of crunch... however, use it sparingly and once your hair is TOTALLY dry, scrunch your fingers through it... this should eliminate ANY stiffness. The Biolage Gelee is SO great though... and I would rather have a 'bit' of crunch then frizz ANYDAY :)OK- now, once youhave applied the gel-- remember to coat the entire hair strand-- attach a diffuser to your blowdryer, preferably, find a diffuser with 'fingers'... available at Target for like $4. Once the diffuser is attached dry on low speed, medium heat. DO NOT use your fngers while you are drying, let the diffuser 'fingers' do the work :)Blowing Curly Hair Straight:First, an 1875 Watt blowdryer is almost a must. I also have on hand a 1-1/4 inch curling iron, a LARGE OVAL (not round) brush and a pick attachment for the blowdryer.Apply a GOOD starightening balm-- I find that a mixture of Phytodefrisent and Philip B. Drop Dead Straightening Balm mixed with a bit of silicone serum will do the trick! Make sure to coat the entire hair shaft. Now, use the large oval brush to pull the hair taunt as you aim the blowdryer heat DOWNWARD on the hair shaft (use medium to high heat, on high speed). This should be quite a speedy process since your hair is short. Foe extra sleekenss, attach the 'pick' attachment (available at ALL Beauty Supply Stores) and rake it throughout your hair... this works magnificantly and is my secret to making my curly hair seem naturally straight (no salon I have EVER gone to has ever gotten my hair as straight as I do with my Oval Brush and Pick attachment). Finally, if you have any untamed hair after blowdrying, use the large curling iron to neatly curl the ends under :)Warmest Regards,Sherry> Hi all, I have ringlet style curly hair. I have grown> it out once to my shoulders then I cut it off. I am> about half way in the process of growing it back out.> I have never used a blow dryer but I have a job now> where I need my hair to be dry quicker. I have no clue> how to blow dry my hair without it looking like an> afro or a big poof ball. Can anybody help?> Thanks,> Tom

Hi Sherry. It's great to talk to you. I love your suggestions. You really have a good knowledge of curly hair and your explanations are so detailed. I have shoulder length naturally curly hair. I wasn't sure what type of hair I had until I saw a pix of you and your mom. When my hair was short it looked exactly like your mom. My mom's hair was exactly like your Mom too. We both use to blow dry it. I am a classic 3B, like Rebecca Gayheart, the model. You suggested the Biolage gelee alone but would this be enough for a 3b like me. See "How can I tame very curly hair?" posted on December 12 to see the products I use on a regular basis. I wear my hair naturally curly, and blow it with a diffuser briefly, and let it dry naturally. It takes a couple of hours to dry.Thankfully,Wendy

Hi Wendy!Its good to talk to you too :) I scrolled down and read all of the products that you now use and noticed your concerns about silicone...Ok, first let me say that 3B hair is beautiful!! We 3A's sometimes have to fight to get lots of curl, especially at the shorter lengths, but 3B's just can wash, style and go... well, for the most part... My mom complains a lot... but she loves her curly hair (she just wont admit it!)... Anyway, I TOTALLY think that the biolage Gelee would work for you... it has a much more firm hold then the products you listed on the other post. For me, it TOTALLY cuts down my frizz to zero!! It's quite amazing! The key to it all, is working WITH the Gelee... many people have complained about 'crunchiness', but I have found that as long as you coat the hair shaft (imperative for frizz free definition), diffuse or air dry... and then once your hair is dry, gently scrunch out any atiffness with your fingers... your hair is BEAUTIFUL!! Biolage Gelee also leaves my hair seriously shiny, and the new formulation has NO CONES!! YEAH!! (The new formulation is the bottle that has the giant green leaf ont he front). To counteract the natural dryness of 3B (3B's are much drier naturally then 3A's), I would suggest a heavy, creamy leave-in like Kiehls Leave-In, Bumble and Bumble leave-in or Abba Nourishing leave-in. I have found all three of these to be FANTASTIC. Also, have you ever tried Kiehls Creme with Silk Groom? I have heard this is a favorite of Rebecca Gayhearts (you use it UNDER the gelee)... if you want to sample the Silk Groom, there is a bottle posted at makeup Alley on the swap board that is up for bids... check it out!There is no doubt that you are using good products... always remember to stay away from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, TEA Lauryl Sulfate, Gaur Hydroxypropyl Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose and Acrylattes (the last three are fixatives and SHOULD NOT be in shampoos!!) If you have any more questions, e-mail me at home or leave a message here :)Good Luck!Sherry> Hi Sherry. It's great to talk to you. I love your> suggestions. You really have a good knowledge of curly> hair and your explanations are so detailed. I have> shoulder length naturally curly hair. I wasn't sure> what type of hair I had until I saw a pix of you and> your mom. When my hair was short it looked exactly> like your mom. My mom's hair was exactly like your Mom> too. We both use to blow dry it. I am a classic 3B,> like Rebecca Gayheart, the model. You suggested the> Biolage gelee alone but would this be enough for a 3b> like me. See "How can I tame very curly> hair?" posted on December 12 to see the products> I use on a regular basis. I wear my hair naturally> curly, and blow it with a diffuser briefly, and let it> dry naturally. It takes a couple of hours to dry.> Thankfully,> Wendy