Fighting Frizz – CGM

(origin)

Frizz, frizzy hair, frizzy natural hair.  I cannot BELIEVE I haven’t discussed this very common and quite annoying phenomenon that many (if not all) Naturals have battled at least once during their Natural hair journey.  Whether you are a newbie or a veteran, frizz can be an issue and can create a bad hair day if you let it.


Frizzy hair is at an all time high now that Summer is in full swing and no one knows that better than our Coastal Naturals.  They fight seriously high humidity almost daily!  Now, I’m in Denver and humidity is never too high here but I’m well aware of what other Naturals may be dealing with.  


I’m sure by now you know I’ve adopted the Curly Girl Method (CGM) by Lorraine Massey and even discussed in earlier posts (Trying the Curly Girl Method).  Despite my love of it, I haven’t discussed many of the WONDERFUL tips and information that fills her book, Curly Girl: The Handbook [With DVD].I’ve decided to share some information from her book and the CGM’s secrets that many will be happy to learn.  Frizz is a curlies sworn enemy but Lorraine Massey has found some great do’s and don’ts that will help with this problem.

*  On rainy or really humid days wet your hair and add extra conditioner to help weigh down the hair and keep it from spreading to a east-west direction.


*  Steer clear from that steamy bathroom after your shower.  The humidity you’ve created can open the hair’s cuticle and create that frizz.


*  Use a leave-in conditioner to keep the moisture in your hair as well as fighting off the frizz.  


*  Giving your hair a cool rinse to seal the cuticle before styling can really fight the frizz.  Lorraine suggests after showering, fill a bowl with cool water (add ice if you dare) and dunk your head in it.  Tilt head forward and scrunch out as much water and conditioner as possible.  Apply gel and viola!  (Sound a little extreme?  You can just let the cool water from your shower run over your head too.)


*  Using a gel so it can give your hair definition as well as hold.  I ALWAYS notice less frizz when I apply my gel.  It’s gotta be an alcohol-free and silicone-free gel so your hair won’t be hard and because the gel will be in your hair for a few days. 


*  No drying hair with a conventional towel!  It will absorb too much of your much needed moisture and ruffle the hair cuticle.  Use instead an old cotton T-shirt, microfiber towel or even paper towels!  And yes, I’ve used the paper towels….. they are excellent!  She even mentions using a pillowcase or a baby’s burp cloth.  


*  Do not touch your hair after you’ve applied your gel!!!  Back away from your hair Naturals!!  I cannot say this enough.  You can mess your hair up if you don’t just leave it alone. 

*  Leave those combs and brushes out of your hair. They not only cause breakage but can also create frizz. Finger combing when it’s wet and drenched with conditioner is best. 


I know, I know.  Some of you are freaking out right now by what I’ve shared.  Despite how you feel, I can honestly say that me and my sister have been doing the CGM since the beginning of the year and have had minimal frizz when we follow these rules.  This method has also given us maximum moisture and that was something my sister has been fighting since she became Natural.


Now, basically…do you.  I just mean if you cannot adopt or do not want to adopt any of these tips then don’t.  These are just some ways many Naturals or curlies have been fighting frizz and retaining moisture that they find to work.  Try a few or all and see if they help as you battle humidity because humidity is a part of our lives whether we like it or not. 


Do you have any tips for fighting frizz?  I’d love to know and share in a later post.  


Fighting the bad hair day frizz Naturals,
Sabrina

Source: curly girl, the Handbook by Lorraine Massey with Michelle Bender.