Are you looking for a way to care for your curly hair better? If you’re like many others experiencing hair loss, finding the right products and styling techniques that keep your mane looking its best can be challenging. Don’t worry — we have all of the information you need here! Keep reading for helpful tips and tricks about properly caring for your naturally curly locks.
The appropriate shampoo and conditioner may do wonders for your hair.
- Choose a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for curly hair. These products will help reduce frizz, enhance shine, and keep your curls hydrated and healthy.
- Wet your hair thoroughly before applying the shampoo to create a lather that will help cleanse away any dirt or product buildup from your scalp and hair strands.
- After thoroughly rinsing the shampoo, apply the conditioner to ensure all your curls are properly moisturized and protected from environmental damage, such as heat styling tools or air pollution.
- Allow both products to sit on your hair for at least five minutes before rinsing them out thoroughly with warm water to ensure they have time to penetrate deep into each strand of hair without stripping away its natural oils too quickly
Pre-shampoo treatment
Hot or cold water?
Curly hair is best cared for with cold water. Hot water strips moisture from hair and leaves it dry, leading to weak and brittle curls. By washing with cold water and avoiding hot water, you can retain more moisture in your hair and prevent it from becoming dry or damaged.
Avoid over-shampooing
Overshampooing is excessive use that can lead to dryness and damage to the hair. It can also strip away natural oils and leave the hair feeling brittle, dull, and lifeless.
To avoid over-shampooing with naturally curly hair, it is essential to focus the shampoo on your scalp only, dilute it with some water in a mug before applying, and choose a gentler formula without sulfates. Additionally, it would help if you used conditioner regularly to keep your ends healthy while still cleaning them effectively.
Select the correct comb or brush.
The right brushes and combs for naturally curly hair are gentle enough not to damage the strands, such as the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush or the Tangle Teezer. It is also essential to have various options depending on where on the head you are styling, such as a 3-in-1 Style Comb for Vernon François’ recommended style. Lastly, it is essential to be sensitive to your hair’s personality on the day and adjust accordingly if it is not responding to how you planned.
Heat styling curly hair
Curly hair can be styled with heated tools, including hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, a technique known as “heat styling.” Heat can damage curly hair since it can strip away moisture leaving it dry, dull, and lifeless.
To protect your curls from heat damage:
- Use a heat protectant before exposing your hair to hot tools or heat sources.
- Let your curls air dry whenever possible instead of using a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment if possible (they help distribute hot air over curls more gently than traditional blow dryers).
- Be gentle when using hot styling tools on curls, and don’t hold them in one place for too long, as this can cause more damage than good if done incorrectly.
Avoid split ends
To avoid split ends for naturally curly hair, you should follow these steps:
- Use a detangler to avoid pulling and yanking when brushing your hair.
- Avoid tying your hair back into tight ponytails or buns.
- Make sure to use a wide-tooth comb instead of a narrow one that can snag on the strands of hair and cause damage.
- Stay away from heat tools as they can damage the cuticles on your curls, causing split ends over time if used regularly without care for them (e.g., using heat protectants).
- Get regular trims from a professional stylist roughly every 2 to 3 months to keep those dry ends at bay and help maintain length better than doing it yourself with scissors alone.
When you have curly hair, how often should you wash it?
It is generally recommended that those with curly hair wash their hair less frequently: One to three times a week is a good average. Depending on the individual’s curl type, activity level, scalp type, and weather conditions, the frequency of washing may need to be adjusted accordingly. It is essential to take care of your curls by washing them at least once a week; not only will they likely be ready for a revamp by then but also it’s essential to keep them healthy.
Hair masks for curly hair
There are many types of hair masks for curly hair, including:
– Deep conditioners: These products provide intense moisture and nutrients to help repair damaged curls.
– Hair masks with honey, coconut oil, banana, and avocado. These ingredients add moisture to the hair and work well when used overnight.
– DIY mask recipes are made from everyday household items like yogurt or mayonnaise, which can be applied directly to the scalp or the entire length of the hair.
Oils for curly hair
Oils for curly hair include coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera. Panthenol and provitamin B5 can also be added to help hydrate the hair. Shea butter and hydrolyzed silk and animal proteins provide additional conditioning benefits. Plant extracts such as rosemary or sage can also be added to offer different antioxidants that protect against damage caused by free radicals.
Leave-in conditioners for curly hair
Some leave-in conditioners for curly hair include:
– Function of Beauty’s customizable leave-in treatment provides long-lasting moisture and forms a protective barrier around the fibers to block out elements that can harm curls.
– A hair mask is an intensive deep conditioning treatment you can use weekly. It offers a hydrating formula to restore your hair’s healthy shine.
– LOC method (leave-on conditioner, oil, cream), where layers of these products are applied onto damp hair to protect, moisturize and soften strands creating healthy curls.
Curly hair care mistakes to avoid
Some things that people shouldn’t do if they have curly hair include: avoiding products containing sulfates, alcohol, harsh chemicals, and fragrances; using clarifying shampoo no more than once a week; sleeping on their back; using heat styling tools no more than once or twice a month; rinsing with hot water in the shower; pulling their hair into a tight ponytail or bun all the time; using fine-toothed combs; trying to detangle dry hair.
Additionally, people with curly hair should avoid touching their locks after styling and avoid playing with them, as it can destroy the shape of their curls and make them look either greasy or too dry.
Hairstyles for curly hair
Some hairstyles for curly hair include:
– Braids: A braid can easily style your curly hair without using heat. It keeps hair out of your face but won’t crush your curls.
– Curly Crown Braid: This tutorial with style vlogger Jasmine Brown shows you how to create a beautiful crown braid on curly hair.
– Fishtail Braid: This classic hairstyle looks glamorous on any hair and is perfect for those who want to add some volume to their locks.
– Side Part Hairstyle with Waves: A side part hairstyle can be versatile depending on the type of waves you choose—from beachy waves to tight spiral curls.
Conclusion
Curly hair is beautiful, but finding the right products and styling techniques that work for you can be difficult. With these helpful tips, however, you should be well on finding what works best for you and your curls! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about hair care tips!