Curly or frizzy hair cannot be looked after in the same way as straight hair. Drier and therefore more fragile, it needs to be constantly hydrated. Alexis Rosso, Mizani’s hairdressing ambassador, gives us a few beautifying secrets. Backstage hair stylist at the biggest fashion shows, he is also a studio hairdresser and styles actress Aissa Maïga’s hair, as well as singer Inna Modja’s. He also offers training to salons wanting to learn more about this hair type. He perfected his own skills caring for curly and frizzy hair in the USA.

Determine your curliness level

To take good care of your hair, you need to know first of all what exactly you’re dealing with. L’Oréal’s research department has created a worldwide hair classification scale, with levels of curliness from 1 (straightest) to 8 (curliest). “There are many types of hair care available, and it is important to use those suited to your level of waviness or curliness” advises Alexis Rosso.

Hydrate your hair

The defining feature of this type of hair is that it is dry to very dry. In fact, the curlier the drier. “Frizzy hair is really very dry. Curly hair needs lots of water because it puffs up. And smooth, wavy hair is less dehydrated since it is less curly”, explains Alexis Rosso.

Hydrate your scalp

Beautiful hair needs to be nourished from root to tip, including the scalp. “This is also drier if the hair is wavy or frizzy. Curly-haired women have hair styling techniques –braiding and plaiting – which mean the scalp needs to stay hydrated,” emphasizes Alexis Rosso.

Use suitable tools

When you have curly or frizzy hair, you must be careful about which hairstyling tools you use, because very dry hair is fragile and breaks quickly. It’s best to use a large-tooth comb and always style your hair when wet. To tie your hair up, always use flexible pins. Finally, don’t forget that the best way to detangle this type of hair is to release the curls with your fingers.

Explain your routine to your hairdresser

To be able to enhance your hair, your hairdresser needs to know everything you have put it through for the past 12 months.

“ The hairdresser needs to find out a bit about the client’s hair past during their first appointment. What products has she used in the past 12 months? What are her home techniques and how often does she wash it? Has she dyed it? How does she usually style it? What tools does she use: straighteners, hair irons or others? ” explains Alexis Rosso.