Buzz
Curly hair requires special attention. Since curly hair tends to be drier and more prone to tangling than straight hair, you need to be extra gentle when washing, conditioning, and styling it. It’s best to reduce the frequency of washing and use moisturizing products. When visiting a salon, make sure to request that your stylist does not wet your hair when cutting it, and only cut it when absolutely necessary.
Steps
Washing Curly Hair
Use shampoo and conditioner designed for damaged hair. Curly hair is more prone to dryness and damage than straight hair. Therefore, you should be gentle when washing curly hair. It’s recommended to use shampoo specifically for damaged hair as its milder ingredients will prevent further damage.
- Be sure to buy products from reputable salons instead of generic, mass-market options; regular shampoos and conditioners are often diluted, making them less effective.
- If you can’t find shampoo for dry or damaged hair, look for products made for curly hair. Their formulas are typically similar to those in hair care products for damaged hair.
Reduce the frequency of washing your hair. When you have curly hair, it's best not to wash it every day. Curly hair is naturally drier and doesn't require frequent washing like straight hair does. Washing your hair too often can dry it out and make it look frizzy and unmanageable.
- Avoid washing your hair more than twice a week.
- Your hair may get slightly tangled after washing because curly hair tends to knot easily. Gently comb through your hair to prevent damage.
Use conditioner as a shampoo alternative regularly. This means you wash your hair using only conditioner instead of shampoo. This method is particularly beneficial for curly hair, which needs more frequent moisture replenishment compared to regular hair.
- Always check the label before choosing a conditioner. Avoid products containing silicone-based ingredients ending with "-one" as they can harm your hair.
- Feel your hair after using conditioner. If it feels soft and bouncy, you’ve applied enough. A coin-sized amount of conditioner should be sufficient.
- If you have scalp conditions, washing with conditioner may worsen your symptoms. It’s best to consult with a dermatologist before trying this method.
- Keep in mind that while conditioning will hydrate your hair, it doesn't effectively clean it.
Deep condition your hair when it feels dry or damaged. Deep conditioning plays a crucial role in restoring moisture to dry curly hair. If your hair feels rough or brittle, try a deep conditioning treatment to see if it helps.
- Apply conditioner to your hair before showering. Wear a shower cap to fully cover your hair. Shower while wearing the cap, as the heat and steam will help lock in the moisture from the conditioner.
- After conditioning, rinse your hair thoroughly and comb it as usual.
- For more intensive conditioning, try using a blow dryer while the conditioner is still in your hair.
Dry your curly hair with a towel instead of a t-shirt. Using a towel to dry curly hair can be ineffective. Towels tend to rough up the hair and cause frizz. Instead, use a soft t-shirt to gently blot your hair dry.
- It’s best to use a t-shirt made from soft fabric.
Styling Curly Hair
Use a diffuser attachment when blow-drying your hair. The diffuser helps evenly distribute the heat from the blow dryer while maintaining the curl and texture of your hair. Therefore, make sure to attach the diffuser before drying your hair.
- Always apply a heat protectant product before blow-drying your hair.
- Flip your hair backward. Start drying from the roots and stop halfway down the length of your hair. This technique helps create volume that lasts all day.
- Use a blow dryer on a low heat setting. Avoid blow-drying your hair more than twice a week to prevent it from becoming dry. Curly hair is typically more prone to dryness than straight hair.
Detangle your hair with your fingers and a wide-tooth comb. A paddle brush is not suitable for curly hair, and a regular round brush may cause split ends and frizz. If your hair gets tangled, use your fingers to gently detangle and follow up with a wide-tooth comb.
- Do not comb from the roots. This will not only hurt but also cause hair breakage. Start detangling from the ends and work your way up to the roots.
- A wide-tooth comb is effective for detangling. You may want to use your fingers in conjunction with the comb to tackle stubborn knots.
Use heat protectant products and a low heat setting when straightening curly hair. Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair, so it's important to avoid using high heat when straightening. Overuse of heat styling tools can weaken curly hair. For healthy hair, remember to spray a heat protectant before straightening and always select the lowest heat setting on your straightener.
- Never set your straightener above 200°C. If your straightener only has high and low heat options, opt for the low setting.
- Avoid straightening your hair too often. If your curly hair starts to weaken or becomes excessively frizzy, reduce the use of heat styling tools.
Choose gels or creams to style and moisturize your curly hair. These products not only help define curls but also prevent hair from becoming dry. Visit a reputable salon or store to find the right product for your hair type.
- If your hair is dry and stiff, go for a serum with silicone. Apply it before combing or styling. For thin or light-colored hair, a silicone hair mist is more effective. Use only a small amount, as a little goes a long way.
- To keep your curls in place, you can try different products. If you want soft, natural curls, choose lightweight creams or gels. If your hair is hard to style, opt for stronger styling products like firm-hold gels or creams with maximum hold.
Use only a small amount of anti-frizz serum for your hair. Anti-frizz serums help make your hair smooth and reduce frizz after washing or blow-drying. However, a small amount, about the size of a coin, is enough to make a noticeable difference. Apply the serum evenly throughout your hair.
Things to Consider When Visiting a Hair Salon
Only cut your hair once the top portion has straightened. There's no fixed number of days or weeks to wait before trimming curly hair. You just need to observe your hair closely. Once the hair at the top straightens, it's time to get a trim.
- Don't style your hair before heading to the salon. Let the stylist cut your hair based on its natural curl pattern.
Request that your hair remains dry during the cut. You likely want to know exactly how your hair will look after the cut. Curly hair behaves differently when wet versus when dry, so ask your stylist not to spray your hair with water during the cut. This way, you'll see your exact new hairstyle before leaving the salon.
Extend the time between root touch-ups if you color your hair. One benefit of curly hair is that it tends to hold color better. You won't need to touch up your roots as often as someone with straight hair.
- For the roots, you should only need to touch up every 6 to 10 weeks.
- If you have highlights, touch them up every 10 to 14 weeks.
Warning
- Be cautious when using clarifying shampoos. The sulfates in these shampoos can make curly hair dry and damaged. If you choose to use this type of shampoo, it's best to also use a moisturizing shampoo afterward.
