Creating Controllable Curls

I've had curly hair for as long as I can remember. And for most of my growing up years, I wasn't particularly fond of it. You see, curly hair requires maintenance. It doesn't look good if it isn't "fixed." I've always been secretly jealous of my two younger sisters who have fabulous hair with minimal maintenance.

But, I will say, that I have liked my hair (curls and all) a lot more since I found a hair product that I like. It only took 25+ years, but after many different products and many dissatisfied attempts, I can now recommend my favorite product for creating controllable, smooth curls: Suave Shaping Mousse! Here's what it looks like (and yes, that's my hair):

I've raved about this product before and have realized that it's helpful to know how to use it successfully. So, here is a step by step guide to controlling your curls:

1. Wash and condition hair in shower

2. Wrap hair in towel until ready to be fixed (don't dry it, just wrap it wet)

3. Comb through hair with pic to get out tangles

4. If hair has dried at all, remoisten with a spray bottle of water (I always have to do this)

5. Squirt mousse into palm of hand and use fingers to work mousse through hair

6. Make sure hair is saturated with the mousse (you want it on every hair)

7. I usually flip my head over to make sure I get it underneath as well

8. Scrunch moistened hair with a washcloth to get out the extra wetness

9. Diffuse hair on low heat until desired dryness

10. Diffuse on cool to set in the look

I know it probably shouldn't take 10 steps to explain how to use mousse, but I like details, so details you get. A couple of other notes about this mousse:

Once it dries completely, the hair is not crunchy. I love non-crunchy curly hair.

It looks great on day two or even day three (for those of you that don't wash hair everyday).

It's super cheap - less than $3 a can (it was actually only $2.27 the last time I bought it).

It doesn't matter if you buy the can with a number 7 or number 8 on the can. They both work about the same.

Since I took this picture two weeks ago, they have changed the way the can looks. It's now bright pink, but it's still by Suave and is still called "shaping mousse." As they say, "Different look, Same great taste!" (Except you shouldn't eat it.)

One final note: If you have curly hair and prefer more salon-style products (because you want a product without alcohol in it), then I would recommend Mixed Chicks. It's a thick creme that you put in your hair, let air dry, and de-crunch. It leaves your curls nice and formed. It's a little pricey, though, but according to reviews it works great on all types of hair (regardless of your ethnicity).

Happy Curling! Hope one of these products is "the one" you've always been looking for and never found!