Spring is here and while most of us are itching to switch up our color, but we’re still on the fence because we’re afraid of the damage and maintenance of a major color change. We’ve got a solution for you. Naturalista, Wanda Mulzac, is a curlie who has been taking social media by storm by showing off how to color your curls without the commitment. What’s the secret to her ever-changing colorful curly hair? She uses temporary hair colors for a few days that wash out without having to go to a salon or coloring her natural hair. Scroll down to find out her tips and advice for applying temporary hair color, plus an awesome tutorial for blending your favorite hues for a multi-colorful look.
How do you properly apply temporary hair color?
Style hair before application. (Hair must be completely dry”>.
Get into a well-ventilated room as the fumes from the spray are VERY strong. (I learned this the hard way”>.
Separate your hair into sections depending on how thick it is. You want to make sure that you don’t miss any spots.
Spray hair as desired. For reference, I typically use two cans of the spray in whichever color I choose.
Use blow-dryer to get hair completely dry so that the color is no longer transferring to your hands.
Take lots of selfies and enjoy! :”>
What’s the best way to preserve temporary hair color?
I tend to only keep the color in my hair for 1 or 2 days. This is because it can fade and also cause my hair to feel dry the longer I keep it on.
Does your wash day routine change before you apply color?
Not really, I tend to style my hair as normal and the spray the color on once that has been completed.
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What are your go-to products when your curly hair is colored?
The only product that I use is coconut oil to seal the color in on the first day, other than that, whichever styling products you may normally use is fine.
How do you select your colors? Does it depend on the season?
I basically select my colors depending upon the mood that I am in that day, and which colors would match. It’s really fun to just explore and try colors that I wouldn’t normally think of.
Can you share your best for getting the best looks from your curly hair color treatment?
My hair is very light so I think that contributes to how vibrant the colors come out, but, I think they would show up on dark hair too!
Rock it for a few days then once you’re ready to get back to your normal hair color, it washes right out in the shower on the first wash!
The color may transfer onto clothes or seats if you rub your head against them. So, I typically cover my car seat and pillow at night to prevent color transfer.
I only keep the hair color in for a day or two because it can cause my hair to become hard. That’s why it’s important to use coconut oil before the blow-drying step to prevent stiff curls.
Read more on Wanda’s curly hair tips and her life as a natural hair influencer on her blog.
Would you try a temporary hair color? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
In most cases, “loosening up” is a positive thing; it’s associated with relaxing, letting go, and having a good time. But when my curls decide to loosen up, it’s a whole different story.
No matter what kind of wavy, coily, or curly you are, you can probably relate: curls that start out bouncy and fresh in the morning sometimes deflate, like a tire losing air, until they’re stretched, flat, and frizzy. But why?
“Curls have a mind of their own,” says Tara Love, the founder of Tara Love Hair, a salon that caters to African-American and multicultural women. “They are very unpredictable because you never know what they will do from one day to the next.”
Gravity
“Maybe the reason why curls fall or get looser is because of gravity,” she speculates. “The hair can also be heavy, as in high-density hair with thick strands. Fine, short hairs tend to curl tighter and experience no real gravity pull.”
If your hair is thick and dense, gravity is likely to blame for your stretched curls—and it’s not easy to fight a force of nature. That being said, you can make your hair less susceptible to the effects of gravity by using lightweight products that won’t weigh you down further. “For curly styles that you want to stay in place, leave-ins and oils are needed,” Love shares.
“I love an old staple called Infusium 23,” she adds. “It’s light and controls frizz. If you need a little oil, I love Jane Carter Nourish and Shine. It’s great for hair and body. Rub a bit in the palm and apply.”
It’s also a good idea to switch out your hard-hold gel for a light cream to keep curls buoyant. CurlTalk member @oh.hi.its.steph recommends SheaMoisture Curl Milk: “I find it to be perfectly moisturizing and curl-enhancing, but not terribly heavy either!”
High-porosity curls and waves are more likely to loosen throughout the day than low-porosity curls. That’s because high-porosity hair has large gaps and holes in the cuticle, making it very easy for the hair to lose moisture; and when moisture evaporates from high-porosity hair, it renders products less effective—which results in loose, frizzy curls.
“If you’re highly porous you might be in need of protein,” says this CurlTalk commenter. A silk protein treatment can help repair the gaps in your hair cuticles to keep your curls intact.
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Since highly porous hair loses moisture easily, it’s essential to stock up on ultra-hydrating products, like leave-in conditioners and sealers. You can also add anti-humectants to your hair care routine, like Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel, to seal the cuticle and keep moisture in. At night, try a heavy hair butter treatment—Mizani Strength Fusion Intense Night-Time Treatment is a great option—to lock in hydration and prep your curls for a new day.
In one recent study, physicists studying the curvature of steel rods stumbled upon some interesting findings, namely, what makes curly hair go limp. Their conclusion? “The actual number of hairs per square inch on any individual’s scalp…that greater or lesser crowding may play a role,” according to Time Magazine. In other words, if you’ve got a lot of hair, your individual strands may just be too crowded to stay curly all day.
If this is the case for you, there are two things you can do:
One, incorporate a hard-hold gel into your routine to give you the all-day definition. After smoothing Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Shaping Cream Gel through your hair, twirl individual pieces around your finger to create a defined curl pattern and diffuse dry.
And two, accept that you’ve been blessed with thick, luscious curls—and at the end of the day, no matter how loose they are, your curls are beautiful. (At least, this is what I like to tell myself!”>
It’s important to note that even with a full morning routine of leave-ins, creams, and gels, curls sometimes need a little midday refresh. What can you do? It’s just their nature.
Ever find your curls falling flat throughout the day? What do you do to keep them springy? Get some extra help with the Best of The Best Texture Tools in 2024.
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