Christiana Ballayan, the creator behind the viral “Kristine” hair brand, is all about curls that feel as good as they look.
Ahead of the new season, she’s opening up her go-to routine for maintaining healthy, hydrated curls, no matter what weather curveball comes your way.
Here’s a close-up on how Christiana keeps her coils happy, defined, and full of life.
- Deep cleanse smartly
Christiana kicks off each season by resetting her scalp. She opts for a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser to remove buildup without stripping moisture. Her tip? Focus on the scalp while applying conditioner mainly to the ends. Quarterly clarifying sessions, using apple cider vinegar or baking soda rinses, help restore pH balance and prep the hair for deeper treatments.
- Layer moisture with LOC/LCO
Moisture-locking is the name of the game. Christiana swears by the LOC (Liquid‑Oil‑Cream) or LCO method, depending on need:
• Liquid: Begins with a water-based leave‑in spray.
• Oil: Seals in that hydration, she prefers shea, argan, or jojoba.
• Cream: Finishing with a curl-defining cream to lock in everything.
On low-porosity days, she flips the order to LCO for maximum absorption.
- Weekly deep conditioning
A weekly soak in a bamboo-steamed heat cap for 20 minutes gives her curls that core shine. She feeds them with elastic protein‑moisture blends, then follows up with a cold rinse to seal the cuticles and boost shine. A few drops of organic coconut or avocado oil post-rinse add an extra layer of nourishment.
- Protect and style
Christiana avoids heat styling in wet weather, favoring twist-outs, braid-outs, and pin curls to encourage definition without damage. On dry or windy days, she bundles her curls into a satin bonnet or scarf, she’s a firm believer that nighttime care equals daytime beautifully maintained curls.
- Trim strategically
She dusts her ends monthly, trims quarterly, and uses split-end shears for precision. Christiana emphasizes that fresh ends are essential for curl bounce and breakage prevention.
Christiana’s seasonal routine proves that tailored care trumps trends. With roots in simple curl science, cleanse, hydrate, protect, you can confidently follow along as the seasons change. Whether you’re prepping for spring blooms or bracing for colder days, these steps will help your curls stay strong, glossy, and full of life.
