Curly hair advice from Belle & Blackley

Thank you for visiting Belle & Blackley. We are thrilled that you chose to go on this curl journey with us.

We are looking forward to seeing you for your next appointment and understand that there was a lot of information for you to take in today...so here's a wee reminder the methods and techniques we recommend.

With patience and persistence your confidence in your curls will grow.

This is how we recommend you plan your curl journey with our team following our Intro to BB Curls service.

2 MONTHS - Returning Client Follow Up

4-5 MONTHS - Returning Client with Cut

after you've been in for at least one of the above services, you should be familiar enough with our techniques and your curls to move onto a

BB CURLY CUT

Now you know how to plan your next visit...let's go over everything we covered with your first one!

1/CLEANSE

We recommend cleansing whenever you feel it is necessary (i.e. itchy scalp, oily scalp, etc. – average of 1-2 times a week)

1. Emulsify cleanser in your hands first and apply directly to your scalp, working it throughout the hair while adding water to continue to allow the product to emulsify on your scalp. Rub your scalp vigorously using the pads of your fingers. Continue working your cleanser through to your ends and start to finger detangle your hair. Depending on the length and thickness of hair, add more cleanser or water as needed. Rinse fully while massaging out all cleanser. Do not “squeegee” or ring out all the water from your hair.

2. In the event you need a stronger cleanse, you may proceed with another cleansing step in the same fashion. The first cleanse will act as “mini cleanse” to break down the surface tension of any excess oils or product and to prepare your hair for the full cleanse. During the first cleanse, you may not feel much movement of lather in the hair. Your second cleanse will start the same as your mini cleanse and will be more thorough and you will notice more movement and lather sooner. Rub your scalp vigorously using the pads of your fingers. Continue working your cleanser through to your ends and start to finger comb your hair. Depending on the length and thickness of hair, add more cleanser or water as needed. Rinse fully while massaging out all cleanser. Do not “squeegee” or ring out all the water from your hair.

OPTIONAL: Pre-Cleanse – For course hair that is prone to tangles, apply cleanser to dry hair and then slowly add water to emulsify and proceed as listed above. (This is a helpful tip for when you do your first cleanse after the removal of any protective styles that have been worn for 2 weeks or more, etc.)

2/CONDITION with INTENTION

The magic of the conditioner does not happen by application alone or how long it is in the hair. Rather it happens by the intention you have while you are working the conditioner into the hair. Which is why we Condition with Intention. at Belle & Blackley.

Part of working products through your hair includes developing your instinct regarding how much moisture your hair needs. (Think of how your skin feels when you’re working in lotion and where it needs more moisture versus less moisture. You’re learning to read your hair the same way.) This varies from client to client depending on length, density, and texture. Some areas require more or less tension, product, finger combing, and smoothing.

1. Distribute conditioner over your entire hands and emulsify. Start with minimal product and add more product as needed, after you add water.

2. Start by applying it on the mid-lengths and ends and work conditioner throughout the rest of the hair. Continue working towards your scalp by finger combing/detangling/smoothing with tension or tight fingers to encourage smoothness to your strands, root to ends. Add warm water as needed to provide slip to finger combing/detangling.

3. After you add more water, assess if you need to add more product and continue.

4. Once you have detangled the strands and they are free of knots, begin to make a “C’ with your hands with open fingers. By making this shape, you are encouraging the curls to clump into fat ribbons or noodles (think fettuccine noodles rather than angel hair pasta). You are smoothing the strands against the webs of your fingers. If you find the curls are stringy or frizzy, add more water. Continue until you are satisfied with the ribbon definition and frizz-free visual. Your curls should begin to feel slippery.

5. Note: What you set is what you get, so be sure you are Conditioning with Intention.

6. Super Curly/highly textured/ Coily Hair - If your hair isn’t holding on to enough water, do not scrunch out any water and continue on to step 7.

7. If applicable, applying the “Squish to Condish Method” may be helpful. With the same “C” shape, cup your curls from ends to roots and gently scrunch to encourage curl. Do not ring out all the water. Only scrunch enough to ensure you are hearing the squishy wet squeak or “wet sneaker” noise.

STYLING - GELS/LOTIONS/FOAMS

You will need to develop your instinct regarding how much product your hair needs by paying attention to the “frizz factor” of your curls (i.e. prone to frizz), moisture content, and desired softness of your curls. Evaluate and decide if more product or water needs to be added. Have a water spray bottle ready if you can! Remember: “Wetter is Better. Practice makes perfect! As always, it’s a journey!

1. Flip your head upside down in the shower*, leaving all of the water in your hair. Your hair should be saturated and not dripping.

a. Most commonly used technique is “praying hands” or “sandwiching”. Spread product of choice on your hands for an even distribution and then glaze products from roots to ends.

b. If you rake products through the strands with your fingers, you may risk opening up the “ribbons”. This method is helpful to create “more curl clumps”. To some clients, “more curl clumps” could translate to stingy or frizzy curls. It’s best to start with prayer hands and experiment as needed.

2. Depending on curl type/hair texture, you may flip over to apply products or you may lean side to side or a combination of the two.

4. Curl Sealer

With your head in its recommended position and hair soaking wet, apply curl sealer using the recommended sectioning and distribute the product evenly throughout the hair. Evaluate and decide if more product or water needs to be added. Wetter is better – listen for the squish, squish.

5. Curl Set (Curl Placement)

The more time you spend on your Curl Set, the better your results will be.** Flip your head upright. Look up to the ceiling and lightly shake your curls into place. Using a chopstick can help lift curls off the scalp and head them into the direction you want them to go. If needed, add more water and rope glide or “milk” to create larger curl groupings. Over time, you will develop your instinct regarding how large your curl groupings need to be to achieve your desired results.

Once your curls are set into the place where you would like them to dry, you can use a Beyond Texture Signature Tea Towel, microfiber towel, or cotton t-shirt to scrunch extra water out of your curls to encourage curl pattern or , if necessary. If you would like more volume, insert clips at the root before drying. For a firmer curl with a stronger gel cast, apply a second layer of gel to your curls or spray with a finishing spray.

a. Super Curly/highly textured/coily clients, it’s best to shake to set the curls into place. Do not use a towel to remove any water. Begin the finishing and drying process with the chosen

method on page below.

Clips: Yes / Your Choice

2nd Coat of Gel: Yes / Your Choice

FINISHING - GEL