A curly afro is a newer take on the traditional ‘fro from yesteryear. The curly ‘fro is just big, fluffy, defined hair that has more movement than the traditional afro, and many are gravitating toward it for a few reasons with less detangling when taking it down as one of them.
What is the curly afro?
The curly afro is a curl defined ‘fro, plain and simple. There is less teasing and structure to the curly ‘fro and less detangling too. With a traditional afro there is more manipulation to get the volume with the tight curls and coils and that often turns into a detangling nightmare when it’s time for wash day. The curly ‘fro is like a less defined twist-out or a volumized wash and go. There are several ways to achieve this style, either on freshly washed hair or old hair and we discuss both below.
Freshly washed hair
It is possible to achieve a sexy curly ‘fro on freshly washed hair and even keep the style for a few days. ZANJOO MOAM show us how she created a massive curly ‘fro on freshly washed hair in a two-part video series. The first video is sharing how she placed her hair in chunky twists and allowed them to dry overnight. The second video shows how she turns a chunky twist-out into a voluminous curly ‘fro easily with her fingers and an afro pick. She is not teasing her hair, but rather brushing through it with an afro pick to create fullness without removing the curl definition.
Pt. 1
Pt. 2
Old hair
Everyone does not want to create a ‘fro on freshly washed hair. For curly hair with more movement, a ‘fro may not be ideal or even possible on freshly washed, defined hair. I fall into this category and share my super simple method.
My curly ‘fro is pretty simple. For me, third-day hair gives me the best texture for my curly ‘fro. On the third day of an excellent wash and go, my hair has lost some definition and shrinks tighter to my head. I simply take my dry hair and apply Oyin Hair Dew Daily Hair Quenching Lotion or another moisturizer all over my head concentrating on the ends to ensure they are frizz free and soft. I find a moisturizer gives my hair more than enough moisture while not making it too wet, causing the strands to fall or go limp. I scrunch it in all over, so there is minimal frizz and dryness before shaking and fluffing to desired fullness. I learned a long time ago that a ‘fro does not have to be a perfect circle. Mine looks better with a headband, but the finished effect is sheer frotastic curls!
Article continues after video.
If you have already lost your definition and want get it back, NaturallyGG shares her easy Bantu-knot out on stretched hair. It is simple, sets overnight, and can spruce up old hair that isn’t quite ready for wash day. I love her tips on achieving a more layered look or even faux bangs with the power of bobby pins.
You finally decided to start your healthy curly hair journey with the Curly Girl Method. “Embrace my curls” or “Curly and proud,” you repeat to yourself. A few website clicks later, and you find products that are labeled “Sulfate and Silicone Free“. You take the plunge and purchase them without checking the ingredients because you trust the labels. Now you have $70 worth of hair product on its way. Recommendations continue to pop up on your social media feed, and $300 later, you still haven’t found what works for YOUR HAIR!
“You’ll just have to try it and see if it works for you!” or “This is all about trial and error!” others would gently say.
I am here to tell you that there is another way to choose your products instead of trying everything that is on the market. Understanding how to read ingredient lists has transformed my curly hair journey without decimating my bank balance!
In the very early stages of my journey with the Curly Girl Method, I made these mistakes several times. A shampoo would have the label “Sulfate Free” at the front, and then later, I would have a hard time dealing with dryness and would finally see a Sulfate listed in the ingredients. From my experience over time, I came to understand that when advertisers label “Sulfate Free” at the very front, they are referring to one of the harshest Sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. However, this does not mean that the product is entirely free of Sulfates. On several occasions, I have found other drying Sulfates in the list, despite the “Sulfate Free” label.
Curly Girl-friendly ingredients to look for
In the Curly Girl Method, we avoid harsh Sulfates and drying Alcohols (they dehydrate the hair), Silicones, Waxes, and Mineral Oils (they build up). As replacements, we look for ingredients that are mild, moisturizing, and soluble for curly hair in order to minimize dryness and foster better moisture retention.
If you are following the Curly Girl Method like me, look for cleansers that are mild for curls, such as:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coco Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate or Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Slip is very helpful for detangling curls because it decreases friction. Silicones are used in traditional mainstream products to add slip and shine. The issue with Silicones is that they don’t penetrate the hair shaft to make it better and they also build up.
They are removable with Sulfates, but in turn, the frequent use of Sulfates dehydrates the hair. It becomes a vicious cycle. Soluble ingredients for lubrication, on the other hand, make the hair better over time. They also add shine and flexibility to curly hair. If you follow the Curly Girl Method like me, you can replace Silicones with soluble ingredients that are located near the top of the list, such as:
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Behentrimonium Chloride
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium 55
Cetrimonium Bromide
I came to learn this helpful information from Wendy (a scientist) on the Hair Science-y Blog and Tonya Mckay here on NaturallyCurly.
Ingredient amounts in products
The Natural Haven Bloom Blog has helped me to understand the importance of ingredient concentrations in products. For example, just because a product is advertised with an “Argan Oil” label doesn’t mean that this product has high amounts of this oil. When ingredients are listed, they appear in descending order, calculated by either mass or volume.
As a result, when we read lists, we should always focus on the first five ingredients because they are the main ingredients (in higher amounts). A product that is labeled “Argan Oil” may well have some Argan oil included in the list, but the amount should be the most important thing to look for. If Argan oil is included near the end of the list, the amount is very small and insignificant.
If you have an allergy to a specific ingredient, relying only on front labels is likely to cause problems. Here I am sharing four steps that you can take to safeguard yourself:
Read ingredient lists very carefully;
Try a single new product at a time. This is helpful because if something unusual happens, you will know that the only difference in your routine is the brand-new product;
Patch test the product on your skin before using it for the first time, even if you can’t spot any ingredients that are harmful to you: Apply a small amount of the product on a patch of skin that is located on the inner, lower arm. Rub it in and allow it to dry. Avoid washing the area for at least 24 hours and then watch for signs of a reaction;
Observe closely how your scalp reacts after product application, even if the product has passed the first three steps above. If you notice a burning sensation, itching, redness, lumps or anything unusual on your scalp, you will know that this product isn’t suitable for you.
Always remember: If you happen to have a serious allergic reaction to a product, please seek medical attention immediately.
In summary, if you are looking for a product that is healthy for curls, focus on mild cleansers that won’t dehydrate your hair. Choose conditioners and styling products that have soluble ingredients for slip and elasticity. Reading ingredient lists is a good habit when caring for your curls and overall health. It also saves money and time. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
