Curly Hair Care

Not all hair is created equally. We all have very different hair types and that means different techniques and care essentials. We want to give some insight on all the curly hair details today so you know how to take good care of those curls.

When you have natural curl, your curly hair care routine and styling needs are going to look much different from someone with straight hair. Curly hair can be such an amazing blessing, but it takes work and care to get smooth and luxurious curls. There is a lot of confusion on the way to get the best curls possible. We are here to dish all the advice we can on how to keep your curls looking and feeling their best.

1. Deep Conditioning Treatments

Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to curly hair. Using a deep conditioner (and using it often) to help keep your hair well hydrated can be very beneficial. After shampooing your hair, use a deep conditioner or a conditioning oil and work through the hair, focusing on the ends of the hair. Depending on the product, leave it on for 10-20 minutes and then rinse it out. You’ll want to deep condition your hair once every week or once every two weeks, depending on how often you wash your hair. For the other washes, use your regular shampoo and conditioner.

Keeping your hair less tangled is also a benefit of using a deep conditioner. It can save you a lot of time detangling, even through your normal washes. Use a wide-tooth comb during the conditioning treatment to get all the knots out of your hair and get it as smooth as possible.

2. Shampoo Less

Washing your hair more than it needs will dry your hair out, leaving the strands rough and brittle. When this happens, your natural curls lose their shine and bounce and can get frizzy. Try shampooing your hair less to help combat this.

Everyone has a different amount of oil production from their scalp and depending on the amount of product you use, your hair will feel differently after not washing for a couple of days. Some heads of hair can go even 2 weeks without shampooing before their hair starts to feel greasy and heavy. Experiment with your hair to see when it feels ready to wash, but don’t be afraid to go longer than you may expect.

When you do shampoo your curls, focus on the scalp. This is where the majority of the oil and product build-up in your hair will be. Once you’ve lathered at the roots, pull the shampoo lightly through the ends, but don’t worry about shampooing the ends of the hair directly.

One big difference between straight and curly hair is that your curls really need the extra moisture that natural oils can give them. There’s an intricate balance in washing the hair to keep it clean, but not allowing it to dry out. There are actually special shampoos formulated for curly hair to help keep your hair’s natural oils with a gentle cleanse. DevaCurl Low-Poo Original is a great option. Another curl shampoo with hydrating properties is Davines Love Curl Shampoo. These will still help your hair feel and look clean, but it won’t strip your hair of the natural oils that it needs.

3. Condition More

Dry hair creates frizz, especially for curls. Conditioner is a key part of keeping the hair hydrated. Keeping the curls hydrated will increase their strength and keep them nourished, as well as helping your hair look smooth and shiny. Look for a conditioner made especially for curly hair. DevaCurl One Condition Decadence can be a great option for those with curly hair.

When you condition in the shower, allow the conditioner to sit for a few minutes before washing it out. This will allow the hair to soak in the moisture. We talked about focusing on the roots of the hair while shampooing. Conditioning is the opposite. You want to focus on the ends of the hair with your conditioner. When you apply it, start and the ends and work upward. This will give the ends of the hair the hydration it needs without adding additional oil to the roots of the hair.

4. Leave-In Conditioner

If you haven’t realized it already, you need to take every chance you get to give those curls the extra hydration they need. Using a leave-in conditioner after the shower is another way to ensure that those curls are not getting too dried out, causing frizz. Not only can a leave-in conditioner give you hydration, but it will nourish your hair and define your curls. We recommend Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil to help condition your locks.

Try applying a leave-in conditioner before you brush out your hair. It’s best to brush with a wide-tooth comb to allow your curls to form naturally rather than using a paddle brush that might straighten them out. Once you’ve gotten all the snarls out, wrap your hair to dry it with the leave-in conditioner, giving it some time to soak into the hair.

5. Heat Protectant

If you are going to be using a hot tool like curling irons, blow dryers, or flat irons to give your hair some extra style, you need to make sure your hair is well protected first. A heat protectant product will help keep the damage to a minimum and helps prevent your hair from drying out. One of our favorites is Chi 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. Remember, heat causes dry hair, and dry hair leads to damaged hair so the better you can protect your hair and hydrate those locks, the better your hair will look and feel.

6. Less Heat

Speaking of hot tools, the less heat you use on your hair, the better. Using heat on your hair to straighten it and change the patterns of your curls actually keeps your hair’s natural curl patterns from forming as they will if you leave them alone. The more you can let your curls form on their own, the better they will do for you in the future.

If you do find the need to use heat too great, a diffuser can be a helpful tool for curly hair. It distributes heat more evenly while you are drying so it’s less likely to damage the hair, as if you were drying it normally.

Avoiding hot water on your hair is even beneficial. Try using cooler water when you wash your hair, as it can cause your hair cuticles to close, locking in moisture and creating more shine and less frizz in your hair.

7. Use the Right Products

As you are learning, the key to creating beautiful curls is hydration, hydration, and more hydration. This should be taken into account for any products that are used on the hair for styling. A mousse or hairspray can be helpful for keeping your curls intact, but it needs to be ultra-hydrating so that your hair doesn’t lose its shine and touchable feel. A good frizz-free option is Davines Curl Moisturizing Mousse.

Aside from hair products that you apply into the hair, towels and pillowcases can be switched out to help with curly hair. Towels for curly hair need to be softer than usual to avoid frizz. Using a cotton t-shirt is a good alternative. Twist your hair up in a dry cotton t-shirt and let your curls dry. This will help them to absorb the excess moisture and leave your curls defined and soft.

Pillowcases are another culprit when it comes to hair frizz. Cotton pillowcases can often be rough on your hair and cause tangles and frizz. Silk pillowcases can be a great alternative to promote softer, smoother hair. You can also wrap your hair in a scarf before going to sleep to protect those curls.

Curly hair can be extremely beautiful and using the right products as well as caring for your hair in the right ways will make all the difference. We hope you feel confident to rock those natural curls with the knowledge to do it. Find the products you’ll need and much more at LaLa Daisy for a discounted price.