In my hair re-discovery, I have learned many things. The most important thing I’ve found in maintaining a curly head, seems to be what you do to it right out of the shower. I saw the Curl-Ease towel, and figured Id give it a try – it is super absorbent, and nice and thin, long enough to make a cute little turban with ease. The real beauty is in the fabric – it doesn’t frizz or pull apart any of my fragile ringlets, so when my hair is dry, it still keeps its curly definition. $19.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond or at http://www.curlease.com

Oh goodness, I love this stuff for my kinky curly ‘do. Be forewarned – its thick, its minty, and probably would make a straight haired head look like it was covered in an oil slick. This stuff is like curl makin’ magic on my hair – right out of the shower, I smooth it on, and put my hair in my special curly hair head wrap (review to come), and I sit back and enjoy the cool winterfresh feeling on my scalp. AWESOME for this ridiculous NY heat. And the jar, huge.. It’ll take me at least 8 months to get through it – woopie!

Before I start telling you about all the fabulous products Im loving on my hair, I thought I’d rave a bit about co-washing or Conditioner Washing. First, about me – Im half black, half filipino with very course kinky hair. For years I have relaxed, straightened and chemically ravaged my hair. Recently, on a vacation to Bermuda, I decided I had had it with doing my hair. (I have sometimes gotten so frustrated with my tangly frizz that I have contemplated shaving it off – but my husband has told me he would be very unhappy if I did this)

SO I started reading curly hair and african hair websites to see what others in my situation were doing about their hair, and I found the method of cowashing, which basically means washing your hair with conditioner rather than shampoo. The first day, I noticed my hair was much softer, my curls were a little more defined, less frizz.. Day 2 my curls were noticeable even when I pulled my hair back, softer and less fried feeling. I continued co-washing daily until about day 5, when I shampood (To help remove all the conditioner build up).

Not for everyone, especially if your hair is oily, but definitely worth a try for those with dry or damaged hair (if only maybe every other wash)

Recently, I decided to start wearing my hair natural. (Not relaxing, or straightening my hair with irons/blow dryers) – This was after I discovered co-washing or “conditioner-washing” where you use a conditioner rather than shampoo to clean your hair.. The next few posts will be all about my hair rediscovery.. After 1 week of wearing my hair natural, I realized the importance of a good comb, one with thick enough teeth that are far enough apart. Without a good comb to get through your tangles, 1 week of co-washing would end up leaving my hair in massive tangles. So what kind of magic does this $24 comb bring to the table, you ask? Its weight! Its a heavy little guy, and the weight is what helps make it easier to get through your tangly mess of hair. It takes a little bit of the work out of it. Also, another plus is the two rows of teeth are far enough apart that you can pull all the hair out of it with 1 quick swipe of your finger. Beautiful!