For years, Iyesis Gordon, founder of Curly Temple, hated her hair and blamed herself. Her hair was not curling or coiling in a way that she believed was beautiful and she also struggled with retaining hair length.

“One day I decided to read the labels to all my beauty products,” Gordon shares. “I started seeing words like parabens, formaldehyde, and cancer-causing chemicals. My hair struggles were due to my products and not my techniques!”

It was Gordon’s own hair journey that inspired her to curate a line of plant-based products that contain no synthetic chemicals or preservatives. “We believe everything you need for your body is found on the earth. Our products are botanically based with Ayurvedic herbs, flowers, and roots that provide nutrients to the hair and scalp promoting hydration, moisture, and healthy hair growth,” she explains.

Gordon knows that she is not alone in her experience and that many others with naturally curly hair can relate. Some may have given up on their curls because of similar issues. “It took me years to figure out what I was doing wrong, and I am blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the change,” says Gordon.

If this story sounds all too familiar to your own curly hair woes, keep on reading. Gordon is here to help with her five top tips for achieving your best curls.

Iysesis Gordon’s Top Curly Hair Tips:

1. Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Frequently

In other words, you should probably refrain from shampooing your hair every day. It’s recommended that curly hair types keep the shampooing to a minimum. For the best results, try cleaning it just once or twice a week. To help seal in moisture, you can try co-washing with our Black Coffee Co-Wash ($22). Co-washing is great because it provides a conditioning treatment for your hair while also giving it a mild cleanse.

2. Diffuse

Air-drying your hair whenever possible is typically the best choice for curly-haired girls, but in the cooler months using a diffuser is a must. When using a diffuser, be sure to attach it onto your blowdryer to help limit the amount of direct heat and forceful air hitting your strands. The benefits of using a diffuser are numerous. It can help you reduce frizz, strengthen the cuticle, dry hair quickly, define curls, and the heat helps your hair better absorb product.

3. Use a Leave-In Conditioner

Textured hair needs long-lasting moisture and protection. Leave-in conditioners are often applied to further hydrate hair strands as they dry. When used on curly or coily hair, it can also help make curls bouncier and help control frizz. It’s highly recommended that you invest in a lightweight leave-in conditioner like our Lavender Milk Leave-in Conditioner ($18.50).

4. Avoid Sulfates

Sulfates are “good” in the sense that they make shampooing far more effective. However, they’re bad in the sense that they strip and dehydrate your strands, causing them to become brittle and frizzy. When it comes to textured hair, you want to look for moisture-based products that gently nourish your strands without stripping them of their natural oils like our Melon Honey Shampoo.

5. Moisturize Daily

Investing in a highly moisturizing product is one of the first things the Curly Girl Method preaches. It’s important to moisturize and hydrate your curls daily. This is because moisture is a massive element in creating gorgeous, healthy, frizz-free curls. A poor styling product may cause your cuticle to rough up, causing your curls to become frizzy and undefined. We recommend using our Curlada Moisturizing Cream ($20) to give your coils extra hydration in between wash days.

[Images courtesy of Curly Temple]

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy