Friday Favorites: Deva Curl

I have written about my love/hate relationship with my curls in the past (HERE).  A few years ago, I decided to finally embrace them.  Just ride the waves.  (Pun intended)  However, I found that I still found them a challenge more often than I wanted to admit.   Probably because I was still using shampoos with sulfates and styling products that contained silicones and all sorts of other ingredients that are not so curl friendly. 

Late last year, that changed when I decided to fully follow the Curly Girl Method.  I'll talk more about the Curly Girl Method some other time and the journey I have been on there.  Today is about a just a few items that have changed my hair for the better!

DevaCurl Low-Poo and One Condition Delight are my new go-to cleanser and conditioner.  These - along with the Wave Maker styling cream - have put the spring back in my curls.  I couldn't believe how much of a different I saw after just one use!  

I had been using curly girl approved products that can be found at many drugstores, and was getting good results, but I was ready to try something else.  DevaCurl was created by Denis DaSilva and Lorraine Massey.  Lorraine is also known as the author of Curly Girl: The Handbook.  So, I decided to give them a try!

The Low Poo Delight takes some getting used to if you've been using a sulfate shampoo because it's, well... low poo.  Meaning, it's low lathering.  But it still does an amazing job of getting my hair clean without leaving it feeling stripped.  The One Condition Delight gives my hair plenty of slip and conditions well, without weighing down my curls.

My favorite may be the Wave Maker.  I used to love the Not Your Mothers Kinky Moves curling cream, but alas - it is loaded with silicones.  Now, FINALLY, I have found a new favorite! 

Since switching to the DevaCurl products, I'm getting a little better definition.  And I'm seeing a difference in the volume also.  And best of all, if I protect my curls while I sleep, I am now able to get at least a full 3 days from one wash day instead of needing to wash every other day.

I'm hoping that the glycerin in the Wave Maker doesn't become an issue as the humidity levels increase during the summer.  I've had some issues with frizz using products that have glycerin in the top few ingredients.  So... fingers crossed.  

Do you have a favorite line of hair products?

Disclaimer:  I have received no compensation for this post.  However, this post may contain affiliate links.  Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click these links and make purchases.  However, this does not impact my reviews. All opinions expressed are my own. Your results may differ.  Deva Curl is not affiliated with this blog.

What's A Curl To Do?

There was a little girl,

Who had a little curl,

Right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good,

She was very good indeed.

But when she was bad she was horrid.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I’m a curly girl.

I know… it’s hard to tell when you look at the pictures of me in my profile. But that’s because I often give in to the straight hair obsession around me and go at it with a straightening gel, a blow dryer and round brush, and a flat iron.

Being curly isn’t easy.

It means living in fear of even slight humidity, knowing full good and well that the frizz factor of your hair is directly related to the moisture level in the air.

It means having to do something with your hair every day, because one night of sleep causes either a) flattened curls leaving an odd crop-circle type thing on the side or back of your head; or b) a total fuzzy, frizzy mess.

It means living with mixed messages as women you know tell you all the time “oh, if I had curls like that…” But show up sporting a blow out and the same woman says “oh, your hair looks soooo good like that!”

What is it about curly hair that seems to make some people uncomfortable on a deep mental level? Do our curls bring up images of Medusa and her head full of snakes?

Is it a subconscious fear that we are personally as wild and out of control as our hair? The wild woman  or bad girl is often portrayed with a head full of spirals. And often in a blazing shade of red. But I digress – there’s probably enough fodder there for an entirely new article.

It means that on a good day it is my crowning glory of waves and twists. On a bad day it is the frazzled uncontrollable bane of my existence.

All this leads to a complete love/hate relationship with my curly hair. Is it any wonder that the sleek, shiny waves that can be obtained with heated instruments is so tempting?

But after fighting my hair’s natural tendencies for too long, and considering a number of factors (not the least of which was the discovery of the 2011 article “In Defense of Curly Hair” by Judith Newman); I am choosing to embrace my curls once again. I am switching to sulfate free shampoo, and stocking up on good conditioners, leave in moisturizers and balms. I am using the diffuser that came with my blow dryer – when I actually use the blow dryer. I’ve put away the flat iron. I’m giving the curls free range. (maybe not completely free – I’m keeping them somewhat tame with plenty of creams, serums, and balms)

I may come to regret it as summer comes around full of hazy, hot, humid days to make me fight the frizz. But we’ll deal with that when the time comes. I may even from time to time yield to the siren song of the flat iron calling me to live out my fairy tale princess fantasy of silky, shiny, wavy tresses. (But let’s not forget – even Disney finally gave a princess a wild mop of red curls with the release of Brave!)

Join me curly girls! Toss out the straighteners and hold your curling serums high!

Love your curls!