Curly hair is naturally so pretty. However, it’s not just about the looks as it’s much harder to maintain. Curls can sometimes be unruly, unpredictable, and difficult to control. Plus, there are days when your wild curls will probably feel less enviable. However, you can make your curly hair healthier by following a unique hair routine.
How to Take Care of Curly Hair
Curly hair is different from other hair textures as it requires less washing, more hydration, and more patience than the straight hair types. But curly hair doesn’t have to feel like a burden. These tips and products will help you get the best curly hair with minimal effort, even while you sleep.
- Always comb your hair from the bottom up
When you detangle your hair from the bottom up, you’ll be able to gently detangle each knot, rather than compound knots towards the bottom and yank your way through. To detangle completely and protect your hair from damage, it’s advisable to use a wide-tooth comb and never to rake through curly hair (not brush).
Each curl on your hair has a breaking point because it’s fragile and using a combination with a wide tooth is the easiest way to detangle the curls and not disrupt the natural curl pattern as brushing would. Brushes only work best for straight hairs and taming flyaways.
- Regularly trim your hair to avoid split ends
When your hair is damaged, it ruins the good look, plus, the spilt ends can make the hair frizzy. If you want healthy curls that look fresh and bouncy, visit your hairstylist at least every six to eight weeks for a quick trim.
- Use “product cocktailing” to define and hydrate curls
“Product cocktailing” refers to the mixture of two or more products together to meet your specific styling needs. A product cocktail like Coxon oil and smoothing serum plus mousse allows for firm hold without leaving your hair crunchy or dry.
If you don’t have the patience for cocktailing, your best bet for a one-stop solution is a serum. It’ll not only smooth your curls but keep them defined and separated. You’ll need to use 3 to 4 pumps at a time. Rub the product in your hands and gently take it through your curls to hydrate curls and add shine.
Alternatively, you can apply a styling cream to the hair with wet hands. Combining the product with water ensures that the curls stay frizz-free while defining and refreshing the curl pattern. Also, the styling cream is great because it helps curls hold their form without any crunches.
- Include a conditioning treatment into your regimen
When your hair goes through a dull or dry phase, never try to weigh it down with a ton of product. Simply use your fingertips to apply a small quantity of hair oil or styling cream to the ends (wet or dry hair is fine), giving them extra bounce and moisture.
If you observe that your curls are routinely looking dried-out or frizzy toward the ends, you should consider including a leave-in conditioner in your product cocktail. If your hair is thinner or you’re looking for lightweight hydration, sprinkle an easy-to-use conditioning spray like the Good Housekeeping Seal-holder Garnier Whole Blends Gentle Detangling Hair Milk all over the hair, focusing on the ends.
For a more smooth, hydrated, and defined look, a cream-based leave-in conditioner on soaking wet hair will do the magic. Most of all, endeavor to use the “praying hands” method to avoid disrupting the curl pattern.
- Try the “pineapple trick” to keep curls defined overnight
“Pineappling” is a haircare technique where the hair is loosely gathered at the highest point of the head, usually before sleep. This technique secures the curl pattern while helping your hair maintain natural volume. It also prevents excessive bedhead. All you need to do when you wake up is to take the pony out and give shake the hair when you’re ready to wear it down.
Additionally, to keep your hair looking more pristine between wash days, it’s recommended to use a scrunchie to prevent ponytail creasing and hair breakage. Most importantly, you should endeavor to sleep on a silk pillowcase. This pillowcase has been proven to help reduce bedhead by reducing friction on the hair overnight, which makes the hair look sleek and hydrated all day long.
6. Use a diffuser to even out your curl pattern and add more body
If you’re not using the attachments that come with your hairdryer, you’re missing out. By dispersing the hot air steam of your hairdryer into a larger space, a hair diffuser will help minimize the frizz that comes when curly hair is naturally air-dried. Plus, it can help even out your curl pattern and boost the volume of heavy curls, giving the hair more body.
To use a diffuser, first, squeeze out the extra moisture in your hair after showering using a microfiber towel in scrunching motions. Make sure not to use a traditional towel, and don’t turban your hair. Apply your favorite hair products and thermal hair protectant (you should always use a heat protectant any time you use heat tools on your delicate curls to protect hair from damage).
Plop your strands into the diffuser and cup the tool around your hair. Repeat the process until you’ve got the defined curls you want.
7. Refresh curls with a curling iron or wand
To keep your curly and prevent it from becoming unruly or saggy, you have to curl it using a curling iron that’s about the same diameter as your curls.
A curling wand is a great tool that’ll help fine-tune your naturally curly hair. It’ll allow you to reshape the curls exactly where they need to be, whether it be at the end, mid-strand, or the root, without having to roll the entire strand up in the iron. The result is a perfectly defined curl in a matter of minutes.
Conclusion
You’ve got to treat your curly hair delicately. If you don’t apply the right products and follow a particular hair care routine, your hair will probably lose its texture and volume.