ReeNoun's Curl Tutorial (Paul Mitchell The Conditioner + GF Sleek & Shine)

You've tried everything to get amazing curls, everything that is, except this. 

My curls are super soft and last for 3-4 days. 

He leaned over and touched one of my curls. "Do you use tiny rollers?" he asked completely serious.   I must have been 12. My decade plus of life lived had only seen me sporting my natural hair usually covered with a towel between the washing sink and the styling chair at a salon. This happened quickly just before the blow dryer was turned on and the hot comb heated to "fix" the out of control puffiness haloing my head. Unfortunately, there was no salon in the 20, maybe 50 mile radius. Summer camp hadn't been going on long when some 13-year-old boy, who was playin' too much splashed water (from the nearby lake) on my hair. My straight hair Gremlin-ed itself back to it's true form in minutes. Just like that, I was left for the remainder of the week with frizzy ringlets that wasn't quite a cool-looking Afro.  I wore hats when I could. I tried braiding it. I even resorted to spraying it with water every hour as though it was a Jheri Curl. Finally, I let it be, in all it's big fluffiness.

"Wait, you don't have a (curly) perm?" my white friends asked. "Why don't you have a (straight) perm?" my black friends asked.  Other female campers would also randomly inquire about the use of combs, brushes and banana clips. They thought they were being helpful.  When I just couldn't take it anymore I vowed to learn how to "deal" with my natural hair someday! That day has come, my friend.

After decades passed with failed attempts using gel, mousse, creams, conditioners, oils/grease, keratin treatments (I also once permed just my edges) and more, I have finally figured out what works for my hair. I thought I would share it with you in case... you're heading to summer camp. 

1. Wash and condition hair with sulfate and sodium-free products. Rinse out conditioner in cool to cold water. (*If you're in the shower, just stick you head (not your whole body) under the water! It helps a little.

2. In place of a towel, wrap a cotton t-shirt around your head to soak up excess water. 

3. Part hair down the middle and then part it again into 2 more sections for a total of  4 sections. 

4. Apply Paul Mitchell The Conditioner (Leave-In Conditioner) Don't be shy! Smooth as many dollops as you need onto your hair. Apply it in a downward motion, smoothing down strands to ends.  *Get the generic version from Sally's for $5-6. It works just as well. 

5. Apply Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine serum. (Apply downward. It's runny so be quick about it. Don't forget your ends...as they dry first.) 

6. Air Dry. *For me this is about 3-4 hours. 

7. When 60-80% Dry, "Pineapple" your hair, by making a ponytail at the top of your head. Be sure you to tug the curls gently for a good "stretch". 

"Pineapple" hair.

8. Release (ahhhh!) from the hair band. You may need to arrange a few curls or even separate them for added body. Use the Pineapple method again before you sleep each night.