A Hollywood Stylist's Tips to Tame Frizz-Prone Curls
Written by Katie Dickens
Curls can be like the best kind of lovers: wild, unpredictable and not quite ready to settle down. The smallest affront to their fickle nature can cause the neatest of ringlets to become disoriented (frizzy) and distant (puffy). Curls are also temperamental and can lose their cool in seconds, whether it’s from exposure to adverse weather conditions, misguided styling attempts or the use of ill-suited products. Though the former concern is beyond one’s complete control, addressing the latter two will help keep corkscrews in line and combat many climate-related woes.
For expert guidance on keeping the most rebellious ringlets frizz-free, VIOLET GREY consulted Christian Wood, stylist to stars like Thandie Newton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Richie, for a three-part prescription for perfect curls. His expert tips, and The Violet Code–approved products you need to implement his advice, below.
THE FRIZZ-FREE REGIME
1/3
PREP
“Choose two formulas to mix, like a lightweight styling cream to retain the shape of curls and a dry oil for flyaways,” says Wood. Add a few drops of oil into a dollop of cream (Violet suggests: Serge Normant’s Meta Sheer Dry Finishing Oil and Shu Uemura’s Kengo Feather Tenacious Hold Lightweight Cream), then disperse it from mid-length to ends.
KENGO FEATHER TENACIOUS HOLD LIGHTWEIGHT CREAM
2/3
DRY
Wood strongly advises against letting curls air-dry when a frizz-free finish is desired (loose waves are an exception to this rule). If one wants a smooth, even shape, the best bet is to twist sections with your fingers and then use a blow-dryer affixed with a diffuser on a low setting to get soft, nicely formed curls, he says. (Violet suggests Parlux’s 385 Light Dryer and Diffuser.)
3/3
SET
It’s of paramount importance to finish with a product that protects a style from the elements. “Once hair is dry, use a shine mist all over for a bit of glisten,” Wood says. If your hair is very coarse, use an oil instead. The goal is to create a soft, gleaming finish, Wood says. (Violet suggests Rene Furterer’s Vegetal Styling Glossing Spray or Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil.)
RENÉ FURTERER VEGETAL STYLING GLOSSING SPRAY
Read the complete file and more at VIOLET GREY.
