Curl questions answered by a curly hair expert, Ricky Pennisi

The hottest hairstyle trends for 2016 focus on texture, waves and curls! The voluminous, luscious and unruly hair dominated last year's runway shows all the way from New York, to Paris, and Milan, creating a fresh new upswing to inspire a whole new generation of natural hair wearers. This is just one of so many reasons to wear your hair curly - not to mention the amount of time and money you’ll save once you decide to cancel your blowout appointments. Curls are also much healthier for your hair, and they can really help you stand out from the crowd.

Since embracing your unruly, frizzy locks can be quite a challenge, Bumble and bumble has recently offered a helping hand with its new Bb.Curl range. Briogeo, again, offers a natural hair care alternative with its Curl Charisma range. But nothing beats getting expert feedback from Ricky Pennisi, the successful salon owner and founder of RI CI products. Ricky is also the inventor of the RI CI cut, a hair cutting technique for curls.

In Ricky’s own words, this is the one major factor that separates his brand from the rest:

What makes RI CI groundbreaking is that the cutting technique and product provide my clients the ability to wear their hair at every length – long, medium and even short. Since the RI CI cut focuses on each section and base individually, it gives me the advantage to shape the hair so that it has a natural movement that enhances the natural curl.

We asked Ricky to tell us how exactly important is a haircut for people who wear their hair in it's natural state for? Can simply getting a haircut change one’s hair texture?

A cut can make a dramatic improvement on your hair. The RI CI cut is great for various types of hair. With wavy hair, this cut will enhance the curl. With curly hair, this cut will help control the curls. With coily hair, this cut will open up the interior in order to make room for the curl to form. Too many times, wavy, curly and coily hair, the curls have no room to move or form and wind up just handing, which causes frizz. The RI CI cut correct this.

Since curly hair often lacks oil or moisture, the question is how to cleanse it properly without drying out. Ricky has shared his tips on how to care for naturally curly hair, and what to avoid at all costs in order to maintain healthy, bouncy, and great-looking curls.

Great hair starts in the shower. Shampoo is the most important part of the hair process. It is designed to remove dirt, but not using a correct one can actually strip your hair’s moisture. Always look for water-based shampoos and ones that are sulfate free. Also, think about your natural hair. If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, use a shampoo designed for your hair type like RI CI Splash. It will also nourish your hair and make your curls more manageable to style. The worst thing you can do is place conditioner above your crown line. This will lead to grease and unnecessary oil production. Instead, focus on your roots first. This is the area that requires the most moisture and attention.

Ricky believes that any great styling technique for curls is actually the work form the inside out. A good styling routine focuses on boosting moisture on the inside, while eliminating frizz on the outside:

The RI CI Thirsty Styling Gel is a must have for curly hair. It moisturizes and enhances the curl, while eliminating frizz. Just like your body, your hair craves moisture. Think of your hair as a sponge. It can only hold a certain amount of water in it. Products that are water-based hydrate your hair. If you fill your hair with hydrating products, you satisfy your hair’s thirst and prevent it from getting it outside.

Ricky concluded the interview by sharing his favorite quick fix for a bad hair day:

Invest in a water-based conditioner, like RI CI Drench. Mix Drench with water in a spray bottle and you’ve just created your own leave-in conditioner. Perfect for days when you don’t have time to wash your hair. This mixture will revitalize your hair. Creating your own, vs. buying is cost effective, plus it allows you to control the product to water ratio. Add more conditioner for thicker hair, and more water for thinner hair. This step will leave your hair shiny and give it back the bounce allowing you to wear it down instead of up.

Thanks, Ricky!