STYLING 101....

JaNelle and I usually just talk about curly products, but I've recently started looking into specific styling methods. Idea - once you have a really good product, how do you apply it? Well, apparently there's lots of styling methods out there in Natural Hair Land. I'll mention a few of them below.....

Finger Styling - Turns out this is what I do already (after experimenting for years, mind you). Basically, make sure your hair is wet all over. Next, you just grab sections of your hair and apply the desired product from root to tip, while running your fingers through to make sure the product penetrates. This style is "quick and easy" though it's the reason my shower time is about 20 minutes :)

Curlisto Method - This style was introduced by the Curlisto Product line, so of course they suggest you use their products, but I'm thinking this can be done with any leave-in/hair milk, hair cream, and gel of your choice. I'll probably try this with a base of KBB Hair Milk, then apply one of my hair creams with Aubrey's B5.

Method:
1. Apply base (leave-in, hair milk) all over your wet hair
2. Part hair into 5 sections (nape, sides, top, middle back), and clip each section to hold
3. Apply a mix of cream and gel to each section, from root to tip, running fingers through and shaking the ends to stimulate your curls.
4. After applying all over, put duck bill clips in the roots of your hair (down the middle and one on each side), kind of lifting up the roots.
5. Finally, diffuse until dry
6. Curlisto suggests you apply their "Unruly Paste" to smooth any fly aways, then apply a glow spray and some other stuff, but not sure if you really need to. I don't like to mess with my hair too much after it's dry.

Curlisto - Sounds Cool. Perhaps I'll try this on a weekend or day off, because who has time to diffuse until dry. Really.

Shingling Method - This method was introduced by Miss Jessie's. It's similar to the Curlisto method from what I've seen. Seems like you would apply your product all over your hair, then take smaller sections and comb more product through. Ideally, you would then sit under a dryer until your hair was fully dry (~1 hour!). Finally, "fluff" it out for volume. Again, sounds do-able, but who's sitting under a dryer for an hour? Actually, WHO has a sit-under dryer!? (I may get one, *wink!*)

Braid-Out/Twist-Out - This style is exactly what it sounds like. Basically, you would braid or twist your hair in sections (after applying some product all over), as small or big as you like, let your hair dry, then carefully take each braid/twist out. Then fluff to your liking :) ... My rugby twin Ashley does this and her hair look gorgeous when she does.

Note - Almost all of these styling methods start with you applying product while your hair is wet. It helps with detangling and makes for easier application. Like I mention, I do my Finger Styling while I'm in the shower, but in most of the demo videos for these methods, the ladies are doing this in front of a mirror, using a water spray bottle to keep their hair wet during application. I may try this.... or, I could invent a "Shower Mirror" that sticks to your shower wall and doesn't fog up during the shower. Genius! (Don't steal my idea!)

Speaking of demo videos .... Miss Jessie's has REALLY nice vids on their site, which demonstrate Twist Outs, Finger Styling, and Shingling. Definitely Checkoutable:

http://www.missjessies.com/video_howto.html

Happy Styling!!! :)