Curly hair presents its own set of challenges and demands for proper hair care. Below are some of the best tips out there to ensure that your curly hair stays manageable, strong and beautiful:
Shampoo Less, Condition More
Unless you absolutely need to shampoo your hair once a day (i.e. you work in an environment where your hair and/or scalp gets very dirty on a daily basis) then try to limit the amount of time you spend shampooing. When ever you do shampoo, you are drying out your hair, so it is also important to invest in a good quality conditioner.
TIP: A lot of products on the market now are being formulated just for curly hair. Try some of these out as they will leave your hair more manageable and beautiful than other products.
Comb with Conditioner
The best way to keep the tangles at bay while also preventing any hair breakage is to comb out your hair while you still have the conditioner in it. Once you rinse your hair, you should have minimal tangles that can be de-tangled with your fingertips and not with a brush.
Air Dry or Diffuse
You can dry your hair in two ways if you have curly hair: air dry it, or diffuse. If you plan on air drying your hair, a good way to help keep your curls and keep the frizzies at bay is to apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair or a curling cream. Scrunch in some gel and allow it to air dry.
Alternatively, turn your head upside down and begin drying your hair with a diffuser. When your hair is about 80% dry, add some curling product to help hold and maintain your curls throughout the day.
TIP: If you prefer to wash your hair at night, once you step out of the shower put your hair into braids and then sleep with them in. This will help keep your curls the next day.
Choose the Right Products
No matter how curly your hair may be, it’s always important to choose the right products for your hair so that your hair will hold the curls properly throughout the day. If you live in a humid climate, then you can expect your hair to frizz and become “fuzzy”. Choose products then that will de-frizz your hair and help keep it tamed. If you have hair that has only a loose curl and you want to enhance the curls, choose products that are designed to do so. Follow up with a gel or a light spritz of hair spray and your curls should not go flat by mid-day.
Styling your Curls for a Work Out
Working out can leave hair frizzy and messy, especially if it’s curly. The best way to combat the frizzies is to tie your hair back in a ponytail and then to scrunch the bottom half of your hair with some gel or hairspray. Repeat the application every 15-30 minutes to keep the hold of your curls.
