If you have naturally curly hair, you have probably had a lot more bad hair days, as compared to your straight-haired friends. You may have envied their sleek and tangle-free hair that are so much easier to carry and manage. Most trendy hairstyles cannot be applied to curly hair; not to mention, curly hair take ages to grow out. Nonetheless, do not forget the times when your hair have looked so effortlessly perfect, bold, and beautiful. Your straight-haired friends can never recreate that wild natural look, no matter how many hair products or hair curling techniques they employ.
With curly hair, less is more. Your hair are already highly-textured, so you don’t need artificial methods to style them. Consider yourself lucky and embrace your gorgeous curls, coils, spirals, or waves. Curly hair tend to be dryer and finer than straight hair because the natural oils of the scalp are unable to reach the end of the hair tips (because of all the kinks and twists). Nonetheless, you can flaunt perfectly smooth and silky curls everyday with the right hair care routine.
1. Choose the Right Shampoo
Since curly hair are prone to losing moisture and turning frizzy, you need a shampoo with hydrating and deep-nourishing properties to tame them. Use a mild shampoo, preferably organic or one with minimum chemical ingredients. Harsh chemicals such as sulfates, silicones, parabens, and alcohol strip the hair of its natural oils and promote dehydration. Therefore, look for a shampoo that does not contain any of these ingredients or a strong scent. Shampoos that are fragrance-free or have a very delicate smell are always better. Another tip is to dilute your shampoo with a little water (in a bowl) before lathering your hair; this will prevent you from using too much shampoo, which causes poofy hair.
When buying yourself a shampoo, conditioner, or any other hair care concoction, choose products that contain the following ingredients:
- Keratin
- Natural or Essential Oils
- Plant extracts
- Aloe Vera
- Shea Butter
- Hydrolyzed Silk
- Pro-vitamins
2. Always Condition
Moisturizing conditioner is a curly-haired girl’s best friend. Using a conditioner after every hair wash is essential if you don’t want the dreaded frizz and tangles. You can also use a leave-in conditioner to manage hair better between washes. Once again, do not choose a conditioner that contains harsh chemicals known to cause dryness.
3. Do not Over-cleanse
Unlike straight hair, curly hair do not need to be cleansed that often. Daily shampooing is never recommended for curly hair; 2 times a week is plenty. If you need to freshen up in-between, wash your hair with plain water only and apply conditioner if it needs detangling. Excessive use of cleansing products will turn your hair dull, parched, and brittle.
4. Rinse with Cold Water
Warm water is known to strip the hair of its natural oils and alter hair protein, which is not ideal for dried up coiled hair. Washing with cold water helps retain hair structure and lock moisture. If it’s not a shampoo day, simply rinse your hair with cool water to liven it up and get that fresh feeling you love.
5. Avoid the Blow Dryer and Heat Styling
The best thing about curly hair is that you don’t need to blow dry after a bath. Your hair have sufficient volume even when they are partially wet after towel dry, and they look awesome. Be gentle when you pat and wring your hair with a towel to absorb the excess moisture. Curly hair dry up pretty quickly on their own, so the blow dryer just creates unwanted frizz. If you have to use a blow dryer, add a diffuser to it and set it on low heat; also don’t get it too close to your hair to prevent it from looking like straw in the aftermath.
If you like ironing your curly hair straight, do not do it more than 2-3 times a month. Always use a generous amount of heat protection hair product to coat all your hair before ironing. Later, you should apply a hair mask to repair the damage done by heat, and restore its former luster.
6. Pre-Wash Treatment
In order to preserve your hair’s natural shine and luster, indulge in pre-wash treatment. Applying a leave-in conditioner or conditioning oil a few hours before shampooing will protect your hair from dehydration and damage. The chemicals in the shampoo will be neutralized by the ingredients in pre-wash treatment products, so your hair won’t be deprived of natural oils and nutrients. Most pre-wash treatment products for curly hair are rich in hydrating compounds and antioxidants, which stimulate hair repair and moisture retention.
7. Don’t use a Hair Brush
You may have heard that brushing your hair daily is a good thing to improve blood circulation to the scalp and preventing knots. While the statement is correct, it does not apply to curly hair. Using a hair brush on dry curly hair causes breakage and frizz, which is not what we are aiming for. Curly hair should be left alone when dry, and you must only comb them while they are wet. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle curly hair while you are in the shower or right after.
8. No pulling back hair tight
Given that curly hair are fine and brittle, tying them up in a tight ponytail is not a good idea. The pull on your scalp with hurt you and your hair will be put under strain. Let your hair loose as much as possible. You can wear a silk head band or scarf to push them back from your face and minimize friction. If you need to put them up, opt for a messy bun or loosely done braid; go for a light hair catcher rather than an elastic scrunchie or hair pins (because they don’t come out easily from curly hair).
9. Overnight Treatment
Natural oils that are rich in saturated fats are highly beneficial for curly hair. Coconut oil, olive oil, argon oil, and castor oil have the ability to penetrate deep into our hair strands and follicles. The oils form a protective layer over the surface, as well as nourish the hair from root to tip. Massage any of these oils (or a blend of natural and essential oils) before going to bed. Let these oils work their magic overnight and then you can shampoo the next day. Do this every night before a shampoo day to attain the most supple and refined curls.
10. Regular Trimming
Split-ends are bad news, and they look even worse on curly hair. Trim the ends of your hair every few months to eradicate split ends, alleviate frizz, and promote hair growth. Cutting off the dead ends of your hair on a regular basis won’t disturb your preferred length, and your hair will become healthier.
Author Bio
John Adams is a paralegal with a flair for beauty and fashion. He helps solve legal and social issues faced by individuals from all walks of life. His specialties include consultancy for personal injury claims and improving social image.
