“I prefer myself 1000 times with my very curly natural hair”, Soifia’s textured hair routine (3b)

Soifia, 25 year old branded content videographer at to miss, is the type of person who, when she walks into a room, usually gets compliments on her hair. That’s why we asked her how she maintains it, which can always help if you have a similar hair type and texture.

To miss. Have you always been okay with your textured hair?

Sofia. So yes and no. My hair has already changed a lot in texture over the years. Between the ages of 5 and 9-10 I had fairly straight and slightly wavy hair. They used to be very curly, but I was too young to deal with them. In middle school they started curling, but I absolutely didn’t know how to take care of them, I was totally unaware of their potential. I could see they were closed, but back then there weren’t as many resources as there are today. And since I didn’t really know what to do with it, I read them about a week a month, for convenience. I think in hindsight it was because I also wanted to feel like the other girls. I went to a very white middle/high school, there were very few of us with textured hair..

When I got to high school, I started wanting to deal with it a little more, but I continued to find myself prettier with straight hair. Also, if I look at my photos at that time, I realized that I photographed myself a lot more when they were smooth.

At the beginning of my high school studies I read them less and less, out of laziness above all because they were very long. Then I cut them very short and then ironed them almost all the time. When they weren’t smooth they were often tied, it discouraged me to see that they had potential when wet/damp but once dry they were ultra soft and undefined.

It wasn’t until after the first birth that I really learned to take care of it, I started to get interested in more natural products, without silicones, without sulfates, etc., to learn the gestures. It really worked at the time and since then I’ve only ironed them once and I hated it. I prefer natural hair 1000 times and now I find them really beautiful!

How would you describe the nature of your hair?

I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are curly but rather very curly. If we rely on the Walker scale, I think I’m around 3B. They are quite dry and not greasy at all, unless I have used too many products or sweated a lot while playing sports. Well, I’d say they’re skinny, but I have a lot of them.

What is your waking up/morning hair routine (products, procedures, accessories such as straighteners, blow dryers, diffusers, etc.)?

In the morning, in the first 3-4 days following my routine, I just moisten my hair with a water spray, especially locks that are a little less curly or have a little frizz due to the night. If necessary, I apply a little styling jelly (currently Kalia Nature hibiscus jelly) to hold the curls, and if necessary reform them with my finger. I then dry my hair in a microfibre towel using “scrunch” movements. Helps reform curls and absorb excess water and product. I never dry them with a diffuser, I’ve never gotten into the habit of it so I wouldn’t know how to do it, and I don’t have one anyway.

The next few days, when my hair really starts to look bad, I do the same thing, but use more water and vary the products I use: I use an extra moisturizer/leave-in cream, or aloe vera, and sometimes even hyaluronic acid. But I always finish with a little styling gel and rubbing them with a microfiber towel.

What is your possible hair routine before bed?

I don’t have a particular bedtime routine, I just tie them in a pineapple shape over my head, with a spiral elastic. I just do one turn so as not to tighten them too much. Sometimes I wear a satin bonnet, when my pillowcases are not made of this material (and I think about it mostly). If they feel very dry, especially as I get into my routine, I add a little oil.

What’s your shampoo routine when you’re short on time?

I don’t need much time to do my shampoo routine. I prepare my shampoo (coconut Desert Essence, the best ever) to which I add a few drops of rosemary essential oil (I hope it speeds up my growth even if I don’t see any real difference…). I lather it up with my silicone brush.

Then I use a conditioner or a mask depending on what I have, which I don’t particularly leave on, it just helps me detangle them with a brush. I never rinse it out 100%, only at least the roots but I leave a little on the lengths.

Then when they are still very wet – almost soaking wet – I apply a nourishing cream (like Kurl Nectar from Secrets de Loly, or coconut cream from Desert Essence), section by section, I do 4 in general. Then I also applied the styling gel, section by section. I use a lot because I know the microfiber towel will absorb the excess later.

Then I brush them, always in sections, with a Denman type brush. I rub them as much as I can with the microfiber towel, just before they start to wrinkle. This is the most annoying and longest step. I let them air dry, it takes at least a good hour and a half (less if it’s hot outside). When they are dry they are still flat because the gel has sealed the curls; it’s time to pass your hand over the curls to remove the cardboard effect. I also take advantage of it to shake the roots and turn my head in all directions to create volume.

What is your shampoo routine when you have a lot of time, if it is different from the previous one?

It’s exactly the same thing, I wash them every Monday morning before going to work, I get up a little early on purpose. Plus when I get to work they still haven’t finished drying.

Generally, however, on Sundays I take the time to take an oil bath. I put a mixture of oils – which are supposed to accelerate growth (mustard, arugula, castor) – into the roots. On the lengths I put avocado oil and/or piqui. If I don’t feel like using oil, I do what I call a witch mask. I mix Ayurvedic powders with warm water. I alternate different powders.

What’s your go-to hairstyle for those days when your hair isn’t cooperating?

There are three phases of non-cooperation:

1. Two low quilts, leaving small threads on the front (which I wet and curled specially).

2. A slightly “messy” high ponytail/bun with little highlights at the front.

3. A straight bun if I no longer have any hope that it will be even a little cute.

What’s your go-to sports hairstyle?

If it hasn’t been long since I did my routine, I just tie them up in a quilt. If I’m right between two routines, I tie them up and put on a cap. If I exercise the day before my routine, I take the opportunity to take an oil bath and do a bun (I braided them when they were longer).

What’s your hairstyle for special occasions?

I haven’t really had one since I cut my hair in a bob. I just do my routine and make sure I get as much volume as possible by shaking the roots with my fingers. I’m also thinking about investing in a wooden comb to loosen up the roots as I often find my hair lacks volume. If I know I’m going to dance or might be hot, I tie it into a high bun, leaving small strands in the front.

What product has revolutionized your routine?

I would say it’s the styling gel. I use Kalia Nature hibiscus jelly. I alternate it with Boost Curl from Secrets de Loly or with aloe vera gel. Sealing my curls has changed everything: I have less frizz, my curls hold on longer and have a better shape. But beyond the product I think it is precisely the gestures and the way of combining them that have revolutionized my routine. Applying them to very wet hair (almost soaking wet) makes it interact better with the water and helps it express itself to its full potential..

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Source: Madmoizelle