One glimpse at Nina Ryan and it’s evident she has phenomenal hair.
Her recent collaboration with Aussie salon Edwards And Co. (Ryan is a long-time client who they turned to for a recent video series), however, has been all about going beyond the visuals, and getting into what actually goes into caring for afro and textured hair types; very necessary considering it’s not currently on the mandatory syllabus at TAFE.
The partnership has proved pertinent, too, having been able to educate the salon’s clients and stylists alike on what women with textured hair want beauty brands to know, as well as the importance of education around afro styling.
Ryan herself, though, with years of caring for and styling her own 4c coils under her belt, certainly knows a thing or two about the subject, too.
marie claire was lucky enough to chat to her about the routine she relies on for keeping her curls at their very best, and trust us, her advice was every bit as good as her hair…
The Hair Type
“I have 4c type hair, which is very coily and prone to dryness, so the main thing I look for in products is hydration,” Ryan explains. “For me, I find that any products with cetyl alcohol high up on the ingredients list are super drying so I tend to avoid them.”
The Washing Routine
“Because my hair is naturally dry, I find washing it too often strips out the natural oils, so ‘wash day’ is generally once every 7-10 days, depending on how much styling I’ve done during the week,” she says.
“[In addition to my in-shower products], a wide tooth comb is perfect for me during the detangling and sectioning process on wash days because I just have so much hair.”
Pre-Shampoo Treatment
“For my pre-poo, I use a DIY concoction of honey & avocado oil — [it] sounds like salad dressing, but the avocado oil penetrates the hair strand and the honey is an emollient [which helps to hydrate and add shine].”
Shampoo
“A [big thing for me] is [choosing] shampoos that are either sulfate free or low-lather because [sulfates] strip the oils from my hair thus making it even drier. Many of Shea Moisture’s shampoos are sulfate-free; the one I’m using at the moment is from their coconut & hibiscus range.”
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo, $19.99 at priceline.com.au
Deep Conditioner
“I’m actually on the lookout for a new deep conditioner [that doesn’t involve] single use packaging, but [I’m currently using] the Palmer’s Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack. I like that I can buy it locally and it leaves my hair feeling soft.”
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack, $3.99 at priceline.com.au
The Daily Styling Regimen
“[After] wash day, I usually leave my hair as is after I wash out my deep conditioner. Most days I wear my hair in its natural afro state, so [on non-wash days, I] shower with a shower cap on [to keep it dry],” Ryan tells marie claire of her daily styling starting point.
Hydration
“Most of the products I use are light in texture and focus on hydration, like mists and ‘milk’-style leave-in conditioners,” she says. “[For example, post-shower], I refresh with a spritz of water and a mist; I recommend the Organic Suku hair mist.”
Organic Suku Hydrate Organic Hair Mist, $46.05 at organicsuku.com
Definition
“Dryness is obviously the biggest issue with my hair but also creating a more defined curl without having my hair feel ‘crunchy’,” she explains. “I absolutely love that with the right products, my coils can have definition.”
“On days when I’m feeling it [does] need a bit more definition, I’ll allow a bit more moisture in while showering (without fully saturating my hair). [Then I’ll] scrunch in the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and use a diffuser on low heat to set the style. [I also love the] Cantu Coconut Curling Cream. They both moisturise the hair, reduce frizz and at the same time create definition.”
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, $24.99 at priceline.com.au
Cantu Coconut Curling Cream, $40 at natureshair.com.au
Styling
“I’ve also been wearing my hair in a high-puff recently and creating a nicely slicked back look with a little pliable putty and a bristle brush which makes the puff pop even more. The ‘pliable putty’ I use is technically a pomade — it’s the Curls Passionfruit Curl Control Paste. It’s able to provide enough hold, even for my afro hair without drying out, plus it smells delicious.”
Curls Passionfruit Curl Control Paste, $19.50 at saintcurl.com.au
The Pre-Sleep Ritual
“A silk turban is my best friend for overnight,” Ryan adds. “It protects my hair from friction while sleeping. When curls rub overnight on a cotton pillowcase they turn to frizzy messes but the silk allows the curls to slip across [without pulling]. I even have my kids sleep on silk pillowcases for this exact reason and trust me, the difference is noticeable.”
Slip Pure Silk Turban, $95 at sephora.com.au
