Big, bouncy, beautiful curls are every straight-haired girl’s dream, but we curly-haired girls know it’s a lot of work to maintain those gorgeous locks all the time. Having curly hair means you are constantly on the lookout for the next best hair product or hair tool that claims to make cleaning up your locks easier than the last. Girls with naturally curly hair have to follow a different hair care routine than everyone else, especially because of how dry our curls can get. We’ve all experienced taming our curls into submission, only to have them frizz up the second we walk out the door.
If you have naturally curly hair and are dying to find out how you can achieve perfect curls all the time, keep reading!
Choose your shampoo and conditioner wisely
Achieving beautiful, perfect curls is an art and every product you choose, starting with your shampoo, has an effect. It’s important to choose a light, hydrating shampoo and conditioner that will nourish your hair, as opposed to stripping the hair of all it’s natural oils and structure. If you aren’t sure your products are gentle enough for your curl structure, dilute your shampoo and conditioner with distilled water.
Shampoo less
Simply put, curly hair does not need to be washed as frequently as other hair types. Curly hair tends to be dry, and frequent shampooing will further dry out your curls. Conditioner, on the other hand, should be used even when you don’t shampoo your hair.
Use hydrating masks at least once a week
Unruly curls are usually a sign of a lack of moisture. Make a nourishing hair mask a part of your weekly routine and show those thirsty strands some TLC. You can either buy a hair mask or make one at home with ingredients available in your kitchen: coconut oil or olive oil make excellent hair treatment bases. Make sure your roots are getting extra love and give yourself a little scalp massage as you apply the mask. This is about to become your favorite routine.
Wash your hair using cold water
Hot water opens up your hair cuticle, which allows for dryness and damage. If you can’t manage a full shower in cool water, finish off your shower by rinsing your hair in cool water for a few seconds to reseal the cuticle and help your conditioner do the most. This will lock in moisture, make your curls shiny, and prevent frizz.
Detangle your hair properly
The proper way to detangle hair is to start from the ends and slowly work the comb up to the top of your head. Going top-to-bottom creates more knots in the process and ends up breaking hair off at tangles. By starting at the ends, you can address each tangle individually. Once you reach the roots, the rest of your hair has been detangled, which will allow smooth brush strokes throughout your hair.
Try a wet brush
Most brushes don’t mix well with curly hair. Bristles get caught in the curl structure, which is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, the wet brush was specifically engineered and developed to be used on wet hair to prevent hair from pulling or getting caught on the brush. Try a wet brush and you will notice how much less hair gets pulled out with every stroke.