How many of you spent hours on end blow drying, straightening, and then curling your textured, curly, or coily hair for a fancy occasion.
Because you thought that was the only option for a formal 'Do? Well, times are a-changing and natural hair is in (but even if it was out, you can wear your hair however the hell you want. You're a queen, so you do you). Whether you want to rock your gorgeous tresses exactly the way they are or straighten them to sleek perfection, we have a few tips to get you the stunning mane you deserve.
Because you thought that was the only option for a formal 'Do? Well, times are a-changing and natural hair is in (but even if it was out, you can wear your hair however the hell you want. You're a queen, so you do you). Whether you want to rock your gorgeous tresses exactly the way they are or straighten them to sleek perfection, we have a few tips to get you the stunning mane you deserve.
product faves
Natural ladies who wear their hair curly or coily:
In order to lock in and preserve your look, it’s crucial that you properly set your hair at least 24 hours before the big day. In order to set your hair correctly, shampoo and use a deep conditioner- make sure the hair is thoroughly detangled before you rinse the conditioner out! Next, evenly distribute your favorite curly product in sections while firmly setting your twists or braids. Once you’ve confirmed the hair is absolutely bone dry and completely cool, carefully unravel the hair and begin to style!
We cannot recommend hydration treatments enough- getting these treatments routinely can transform parched, frizzy strands into lustrous, tamed perfection. These can be paired with a color gloss/glaze treatment to provide additional shine, depth, and dimension.
careful prep
It’s helpful to have your favorite curly products on-hand for touch-ups, especially if you’re getting married outdoors. We recommend Jane Carter Incredible Curls, Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream, Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly, Living Proof Curl Definer, or The Doux Good Day Finishing Cream in conjunction with The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam.
HYDRATION TREATMENTS
hydration treatments
THE MVP'S
textured ladies who straighten:
We love Milbon Restorative Shampoo and Treatment, as it’s great for curly, dry hair. Honorable mentions also go to Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Reset Shampoo and Conditioner, Carols Daughter: Monoi Repairing Sulfate Free Shampoo & Hair Mask, Phyto: Phyto Specific Deep Repairing Shampoo and Phytoelixir Intense Nutrition Mask, and Palmers: Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Mask.
You want balance between smooth and sleek with volume. In order to do that, you need to straighten your hair at exactly the right time, which can be tricky. If you straighten it too close to the wedding day, your hair will look flat and weighed down. Too far out, and your hair can be frizzy and puffy. You want to find that sweet spot right in the middle.
consult the pros
While you should ask your stylist (last one, we swear. Or at least, we think) when they recommend, treatments should typically be done 3-5 weeks before the big day (though the texture of your hair will adjust that timeline).
don't compromise volume
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DON'T COMPROMISE VOLUME
Utilize hydroquinone, a skin lightening agent you can find over the counter such as Ambi Fade. A stronger version can be prescribed by a dermatologist, and can be used in conjunction with a retinoid to increase the efficacy of the treatment.
AZELAIC ACID
PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
HYDROQUINONE
KOJIC ACID
LASER TREATMENTS
Use products that contain Kojic Acid, which can improve discoloration. SkinCeuticals Phyto Plus is a great option for this.
AZELAIC ACID
PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
HYDROQUINONE
KOJIC ACID
LASER TREATMENTS
Exfoliate with professional chemical peels such as glycolic peels or retinol peels. These can be done by a dermatologist or esthetician to speed up cell turnover, brightening the skin.
AZELAIC ACID
PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
HYDROQUINONE
KOJIC ACID
LASER TREATMENTS
AZELAIC ACID
PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
HYDROQUINONE
KOJIC ACID
LASER TREATMENTS
AZELAIC ACID
See an esthetician for a series of microdermabrasion facials - a minimally invasive resurfacing procedure that will treat uneven skin tone/texture, melasma, and scars.
PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
HYDROQUINONE
KOJIC ACID
LASER TREATMENTS
Lasers can safely zap away many unwanted liver spots, age spots, sun spots, broken capillaries, and angiomas (red spots).