SHAMPOOING

Is shampooing necessary?
While it is true that too much shampooing or using shampoos with harsh detergents can dry the scalp and hair, shampooing correctly is a vital part of a healthy hair regime.

Proper shampooing:

• Removes styling residues and washes away dirt, grime, smog, and pollutants that build up on hair.
• Encourages scalp health; massaging the scalp removes dead skin cells, clears clogged pores, stimulates circulation and can promote hair growth.
• Prepares hair for conditioning; Beautiful Curls soap based shampoos softens hair and opens cuticles so hair can absorb moisturizing agents.

How often to shampoo?
Shampooing frequency depends on hair texture and curl pattern. Finer, loose curls may require more frequent shampoos than wiry, tight spirals. We recommend shampooing at most every other day, and some individuals may shampoo only once a week.

Detailed shampooing instructions:

1. Rinse hair and scalp with warm water (not hot)
2. Apply quarter-sized amount of shampoo to palms, rub to activate cleansing agents and create lather.
3. Massage shampoo into scalp using fingertips. Massage front to back, beginning at the top, then continuing at the sides. Concentrate on the scalp; avoid working shampoo into the hair shaft.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat steps 2 and 3 only if you had a large buildup of styling product.
5. ALWAYS condition after shampooing. Conditioning restores the hair’s natural pH level, smoothing the cuticle and reducing static electricity.

Why does shampooing help hair absorb conditioners?
Beautiful Curls shampoos are made with a traditional shea butter and virgin coconut oil soap. This soap opens or raises the cuticles on the hair shaft, exposing the inner cortex and allowing it to absorb the conditioning oils. Warm water also raises the cuticles, so rinsing with warm water will also help prepare the hair to receive conditioners.

Should I shampoo the ends of my hair?
We recommend shampooing primarily in the scalp area. There are two exceptions – one, if you hair is extremely soiled or has excessive product buildup, and two- if you are creating or maintaining locs. Because the cuticles of the hair are raised during shampooing, they will catch and lock onto each other if rubbed together excessively. This is great if you are creating locs, but not good if trying to minimize tangles.

CONDITIONING

Why do I need to condition my hair?
The primary function of conditioners is to add moisture to the hair shaft. However, this is not their only function – otherwise they would be called “hair moisturizers.” Hair conditioners actually provide many important functions, including:

1. Restoring the pH of the hair shaft to its natural, slightly acidic state, which smoothes the cuticle (smooth cuticle = soft, shiny and sleek hair) and reduces static.
2. Replacing oils and moisture that were removed by shampooing and daily wear – plumping the inner cortex, which results in healthier, stronger hair.
3. Protecting the hair shaft from environmental damage and oxidizing free radicals.
4. Detangling – smoothing the cuticles helps reduce tangles, but shea butter, coconut oil and vitamins also provide "slip", improving the combability of hair when wet.

Types of conditioners
For every day conditioning, Beautiful Curls has three leave-in conditioners targeting different curl types. They differ in concentrations of moisturizing agents (shea butter, virgin coconut oil) and combinations of herbal extracts (scalp soothing for babies, hair softening for curly to kinky, etc…).

In addition to our leave-in conditioners, we also created a Deep Conditioning Treatment to restore essential moisture and health to even the most damaged hair. While the Deep Conditioning Treatment is part of the Activating System for Curly to Kinky Hair, it is suitable for any curl type that needs extensive conditioning. Frequency of applying Deep Conditioning Treatment depends on hair texture and curl pattern, and ranges from every other shampooing to monthly. See our product guide for recommendations.

Our Curl Refreshing Tonic and Sculpting Wax are also conditioners. The Refreshing Tonic is a very light conditioner with full strength extracts, vitamins and minerals. Sculpting Wax can be applied to locs and curl ends to condition and shine.

Detailed Instructions for Leave-In Conditioners

1. Shampoo hair with Beautiful Curls shampoo of choice and rinse (it is not necessary to shampoo, you can simply wet your hair, but shampooing will help hair absorb conditioner).
2. Absorb excess water gently with a towel (do not rub your hair).The tighter your curls, the more water you will leave in. Absorb only enough so your hair is not dripping.
3. Apply conditioner to your hand – the amount will vary depending on hair texture, curl type and length – start with quarter-sized amount and add more if necessary. Rub hands together to emulsify and warm the conditioner.
4. Apply to hair – beginning mid shaft and working towards the ends. Concentrate application to the hair ends, conditioners can weigh hair down near the scalp.
5. For thick hair or extra tight spirals, separate the hair into four sections. Work conditioner into hair one section at a time, using fingers or a wide-toothed comb to work out tangles (hyperlink to “Detangling”).
6. Don’t forget to condition your scalp. A small amount of leave-in conditioner massaged into your scalp will reduce dry scalp conditions, promote new hair growth, and encourage a healthy scalp overall. Applying conditioner to the scalp will allow active ingredients to directly target the growing region, resulting in stronger, healthier hair.

Detailed Instructions for Deep Conditioning Treatment

1. Shampoo hair with Beautiful Curls shampoo of choice and rinse with warm water to open the cuticles and prepare the hair to absorb the conditioner.
2. Scoop generous amount (fifty-cent size to begin, use more for longer hair or extra dry curls) into hand, then rub palms together to warm the conditioner.
3. Apply to hair – beginning mid shaft and working towards the ends. Concentrate application to the hair ends, conditioners can weigh hair down near the scalp.
4. For thick hair or extra tight spirals, separate the hair into four sections. Work conditioner into hair one section at a time, using fingers or a wide-toothed comb to work out tangles (hyperlink to “Detangling”).
5. Don’t forget to condition your scalp. A small amount of leave-in conditioner massaged into your scalp will reduce dry scalp conditions, promote new hair growth, and encourage a healthy scalp overall. Applying conditioner to the scalp will allow active ingredients to directly target the growing region, resulting in stronger, healthier hair.
6. Leave conditioner in for 1 – 10 minutes (or longer!) depending on level of conditioning required.
7. Rinse with lukewarm water to seal the cuticle.
8. Use towel to absorb excess water and apply leave-in conditioner if needed. Fine textured hair may not need a leave-in after the Deep Conditioning Treatment, but most hair types will benefit from the double conditioning.

DETANGLING

DeTangling 101: Basic Instructions and Advice

1. Use the proper tools and environment
1. Wide tooth comb
2. Conditioner / DeTangler
3. Wet hair (the tighter the curl, the wetter the hair)
4. Calm and patient environment
2. Start from the bottom and take your time
1. Combing from the top without removing tangles at the bottom results in hair breakage, tears and frustration.
3. If hair is very tangled, thick, or curls are tight separate hair into four sections, and condition and detangle one section at a time. When finished with a section, braid loosely or use a butterfly clip to hold in place.
4. Don’t be afraid to use the product. Tangled hair is usually dry hair and may absorb first application of conditioner immediately. If this occurs, apply more product until you feel a “slip”, then begin detangling.
5. For extreme tangles, we recommend using our Deep Conditioning Treatment as a “wonder drug” detangler. You will receive double benefits – conditioning and detangling. Be patient – the longer you take to detangle, the more conditioning benefits you will receive.

STYLING CREAMS AND GELS

Curl Defining Gel
Curl Defining Gel provides lightweight hold and definition for wavy and fine textured curls. Our Defining Gel works best on wet or damp hair, but can also be applied to dry hair if diluted with a little water or Curl Refreshing Tonic.

To define waves and curls:

1. Scoop a quarter-sized amount into hand, and rub palms together to warm and liquefy the gel.
2. Use fingertips to apply gel to hair, smoothing from roots to the ends. Use fingers or wide tooth comb to ensure complete, even application.
3. To create volume and enhance curls,scrunch and push up ends toward scalp after gel is applied.
4. Air dry or use diffuser.

To create large curls and waves:

1. Separate hair into 4-8 even sections.
2. Twist each section into single twist or two strand twist.
3. Air dry or use diffuser, separate twists with fingers after hair is dry.

Curl Activating Cream

Curl Activating cream hydrates and elongates curls for soft, maximum definition. Use this cream to prolong curl separation and for styling – such as finger styling, twist and braid-outs and coiling.For fine or thin hair:

1. Scoop a quarter-sized amount into hand, and rub palms together to warm and liquefy the cream.
2. Use fingertips to apply cream to hair, smoothing from roots to the ends. Use fingers or wide tooth comb to ensure complete, even application.
3. To create volume, scrunch and push up ends toward scalp.
4. Air dry or use diffuser.

For med-coarse textures or thick, tight spirals:

1. Divide hair in four equal sections. If hair is particularly thick or curly, you may want to divide into more sections – the key is to get a manageable size so you can ensure thin, even application of the cream from roots to ends.
2. Scoop a quarter-sized amount into hand, and rub palms together to warm and liquefy the cream.
3. Use fingertips to apply cream to section, smoothing from roots to the ends. Use fingers or wide tooth comb to ensure complete, even application.
4. As you finish each section, style (two strand twist, braid, coil, etc...) or secure with a loose braid, loose coil, claw clips or duckbill clips.
5. When entire head is done, scrunch gently (if desired and you haven't twisted, braided or coiled) to add volume and air dry or use hood dryer.