If you have curly hair, you know how difficult it can be to maintain and care for curly hair. The hair that has curly texture is prone to frizz, dryness, and breakage if not taken care of properly. But with the right products and techniques, you can keep your curls looking beautiful and healthy. In this article, we’ll discuss the best tips for keeping your curly hair looking its best. We’ll cover topics such as product selection, styling techniques, and other helpful tips that will help you maintain your curls’ health and beauty. So if you’re ready to learn how to take care of your curly locks, read on!
1. Avoid Hot Water to Preserve Moisture
It’s important to avoid hot water when caring for curly hair, as it tends to strip moisture from the strands and leave it feeling dry and brittle. Instead, opt for cold or lukewarm water when washing your curls. This will help preserve the natural oils in your hair and keep it hydrated, healthy, and bouncy. Additionally, try to avoid excessive shampooing as this can cause further dryness and damage. When you do shampoo, use a moisturizing, sulfate-free formula and apply it sparingly, focusing on the scalp and avoiding the ends of your hair.
2. Avoid Excessive Shampooing
It is important to give your curls enough moisture to reduce dryness, frizz, and breakage. This means avoiding hot water as much as possible when shampooing and conditioning. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive shampooing as this can strip the hair of its natural oils and lead to damage. Instead, opt for a nourishing shampoo formulated specifically for curly hair and limit your wash days to once a week. After cleansing the scalp, apply a light conditioner sparingly and use a microfiber towel to dry off the excess liquid.
3. Nourish with Shampoo
Once you have determined the best frequency for washing your curly hair, it’s time to nourish your curls with a shampoo formulated specifically for curly hair. Look for a shampoo that is free of sulfates, which can strip away moisture and be harsh on delicate curls. To further protect your curls, dilute the shampoo in water before applying it to your hair as this will help spread the product more evenly and will help to reduce the amount of product used. For an even deeper nourishing treatment, consider using a co-wash or hair mask on wash days to provide extra hydration and nourishment to your curls.
4. Use a Microfiber Towel to Dry Off Excess Liquid
Once you’ve washed your curls, it’s important to dry off any excess liquid. This can be done by wrapping your hair in a soft microfiber towel for around 30 minutes. Microfiber towels are excellent for drying curly hair because they absorb excess water without leaving the curls dull or weighed down. Additionally, avoid using paper towels or cotton t-shirts to absorb excess water, as these materials can be too harsh and may damage your hair. Once the curls are mostly dry, you can then style your hair as desired.
5. Wash At Least Once a Week
If you have curly hair, experts recommend washing your hair no more than every other day, or as little as once a week if your hair is particularly dry. Washing every day can strip away the natural oils from your hair and make it dry and brittle. For the best results, only wash your hair once or twice a week. Doing a co-wash on wash days can help add extra moisture to your curls, which can give them more definition and keep them looking great for longer. Be sure to use a microfiber towel to dry off any excess liquid before applying conditioner sparingly and air-drying whenever possible.
6. Use Conditioner Sparingly
It’s important to use conditioner sparingly since too much can weigh down your curls and ruin your routine around care for curly hair. Before applying shampoo and low-lather cleansing conditioner to your hair, dilute them in water. When it comes to conditioner, focus on nourishing your strands with deeply hydrating products specifically designed for curly hair. You can also spritz in a bit of leave-in conditioner containing keratin before bed to help strengthen damaged hair strands and make your hair more resilient.
7. Air-Dry Hair Whenever Possible
It’s usually best to air-dry your hair whenever possible if you have curly hair. This helps keep moisture in, reduces frizz, and prevents damage from blow-drying or other heat tools. To help the drying process along, scrunch your curls gently and use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to blot away excess moisture. Also, you can use a hair mask or conditioning oil on your dry hair. To do this, separate your hair into sections and leave the product in for 20 minutes. Remember to always switch to washing your hair with cold or lukewarm water to prevent your curls from getting dry.
8. Use Heat Protectants When Heat Styling
When you style your hair with heat, it’s important to use a heat protectant if you are serious about care for curly hair. Heat protectants come in many forms—sprays, oils, and creams—so you can choose one that’s best for your hair type. Applying a deep conditioning treatment or mask once a week can help to hydrate and nourish your strands, making them more resilient to heat styling. Heat protection products help to safeguard your hair from the damaging effects of high-temperature tools. If you have curly or natural hair and are using heat, start off by using a heat-protectant product. This will help to keep your curls from becoming dull and lifeless due to the heat. Try to limit the amount of heat you use, as excessive heat can lead to damage over time.Popular products include Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Style Setting Spray and Oscar Blandi Dry Styling Heat Protectant Spray, which has a mist-like texture for easy application.
9. Get Regular Trims
Taking care of your curls should also include getting regular trims. Damaged hair is never a good look (not to mention split ends can make your hair frizzy!). You should trim every 3 – 4 months to keep your hair looking healthy and well-maintained. If you want, you can cut your hair in its natural curl pattern, but it might take some time to get used to. Regular trims will help keep your locks looking their best and prevent split ends from forming.
10. Consider Getting a Keratin Treatment or Relaxing Process
If you’re looking for a way to make your curly hair more manageable, you may consider getting a keratin treatment or a relaxing process. A keratin treatment is an appealing option because it can help make hair more manageable, easy to style, and can last up to 3-5 months. This is ideal for women with wavy or curly hair who are looking to make their hair more manageable. To get the best results out of the treatment, use a gentle, sulfate-free, reconstructing shampoo and apply a moisture-rich conditioner on dry hair before washing it. The effects of the treatment last up to six weeks. Before you book an appointment at the salon, check to see if a keratin treatment would be a good option for your hair type. Just because your best friend had amazing results doesn’t mean that you will have the same.
