Signature Theatre

You asked, we asked, and now all your curly hair questions are answered!

BEFORE YOU READ: we want to note that curly hair care is a journey and not all products will give the same results for each person. It may be a helpful first step to look at each actor’s hair texture and compare it to your own to know whose routine may work best for you! This is just a quick snapshot of the products and routines our actors use to keep their curls on point.

IMANI BRANCH (Ensemble)

Routine: Wash and condition with sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. I use a Wet brush to help detangle. Then I deep condition right out of the shower for 20 minutes and finish off by rinsing out the deep conditioner, rake a small amount of gel through my hair, and scrunch with a cotton t shirt.

Products: Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Deva curl products, including their Arc Angel gel.

Advice: Find the products that work for YOU. Which might mean a lot of trial and error.

SEAN WATKINSON (Ensemble)

Routine: Depending on when I need to wash my hair (which is only once a week), I use OGX Coconut Curl shampoo and conditioner. I condition my hair every day.

If I just shampooed my hair, I will put in some of the OGX Coconut Curl Butter then wash it out in the shower. This gives the look and feel of about two days post-wash even if I just shampooed. After I get out of the shower I don’t towel dry, I just shake all the water out like a dog and if I need a little more drying, I will use a t-shirt.

Then I use either more of the butter as a leave in, or I use the OGX Coconut Curls Milk. (Yes, they call everything butter or milk, it’s crazy). Then I let my hair air dry and when it’s dry I shake it out a bit for volume and voila! Curls for days.

Products: OGX Coconut Curl Shampoo & Conditioner, OGX Coconut Curl Butter, OGX Coconut Curls Milk.

ALEX DE BARD (Swing)

Routine: Once a week I use the Innate Life Herbal Hair Mask and Scalp Treatment as directed, then wash it out with “As I Am” Curl Clarity Shampoo and Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair. I sometimes use the Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque in the shower after conditioning if I’m running low on time and didn’t use my Innate Life Hair Mask.

I comb a generous amount of Shea Moisture Curl Mousse for Frizz Control through my hair with my fingers. Then using about a quarter size amount, I scrunch my hair with CURLS Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly.

I use a Denman brush to part my hair and evenly spread the product then twist curls around my finger or base of the brush. To set, I use a diffuser on Medium heat and Low power (don’t move the diffuser around a lot and try not to touch your hair with your hands. This will add frizz). You can also use the “Cool” setting on the diffuser to help set the curls in place.

Once my hair is dry, I comb through with my fingers to release the gel cast.

Products: Innate Life Herbal Hair Mask and Scalp Treatment, “As I Am” Curl Clarity Shampoo, Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair, Shea Moisture Curl Mousse for Frizz Control, CURLS Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly, Denman Brush, Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque.

JIMMY MAVRIKES (Ensemble)

Routine: I condition every day! I don’t shampoo as often. The conditioner keeps the good stuff for my curls but cleans what it needs to! Then I throw in some Moroccan curling perfection (Moroccan oil products are usually my favorite).

Products: Moroccan Curling Perfection.

DAVID MERINO (Angel)

Routine: On wash days, I either use a No-Poo on days where I just want a gentle cleanse without stripping oils, or a clarifying shampoo for a deep clean. Then I follow with conditioner and any hair treatments— moisture or protein-based treatments to be exact— and then I will go in with an assortment of products depending on how I’m feeling, be it a leave in conditioner and/or a curl cream, and then a gel to seal in all the moisture and product. THEN, while it’s still wet and soaked in product, I wrap my head in a microfiber towel to not disrupt the curl pattern and to slowly dry the hair. Then, depending on time, I either air dry or use a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment to spread the heat more evenly throughout scalp and hair.

When it’s not a wash day, I just rehydrate my hair, maybe use a little conditioner to detangle the hair, and then reapply any product to either enhance hold or moisture. I can go 3-5 days without putting any sort of shampoo in my hair.

Products: Deva Curl (Original No Poo, One Condition, Heaven in Hair Deep Conditioning Treatment, Supreme Hold Gel), Curlsmith (In-Shower Style Fixer Gel, Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash, Bond Curl Rehab Salve).

VINNY KEMPSKI (Roger)

Routine: I usually soak my hair and lightly dry it so it’s still very damp. I apply Moroccanoil Heavy Curl Cream thoroughly and then use the Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Moisture Boost Protein Pack. Both products in equal parts.

Products: Morrocanoil Intense Curl Cream, Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Moisture Boost Protein Pack.

ADELINA MITCHELL (Ensemble)

Routine: I wash with Pattern Hydration Shampoo (thanks, Tracy Ellis Ross) then follow up with Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Shampoo and Conditioner. Once a week I add a mask: right now I use Curl Rehab but I tend to switch it up.

important: when washing I use my wet brush to brush through my hair with a full head of conditioner to ensure every strand is drenched

After rinsing it’s time for some leave ins! I use Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing smoothie. I use my fingers to get the product in. Then I use a healthy amount of Jessie’s Multi Cultural Curls. I let both of these soak in a wrap for about 30 minutes before I follow up with Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls (focusing on the ends)

Then I diffuse for about 5 mins and let the rest air dry.

Products: Pattern Hydration Shampoo, Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Shampoo and Conditioner, Curl Rehab Hair Mask, Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Jessie’s Multi Cultural Curls, Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls.

Advice: Taking care of the curls is a process, but when you find your own routine the result is worth the struggle! ♥️

Michelle S. Lee and STG International With additional support from J. Max Barger & Gary L. Phillips Lighting sponsored by an anonymous donor