Dude, why does your hair look so messy all the time? Don’t you oil it?
Why don’t you straighten it?
Don’t you comb it?
You may have also encountered these questions if you have curly hair like mine.
Having curly hair, I always had to face difficulties while styling my hair, like the straight-haired guys, until I found the secret. Due to dryness and frizziness, my hair got so tangled that I couldn’t even set it with a regular comb. Insisting on styling these tangled hairs caused a lot of hair fall and breakage back then.
That excessive hair fall really hit me. Well, I said, “enough is enough.” I had to figure out the mystery of my curly hair. What I learned, how I applied it, and what the outcome was—I’m going to share every single detail in just five super simple tips. In the end, I’ll also tell you what should be avoided to maintain healthy curls, plus some bonus tips.
Determine Your Curl Type
First things first, you have to identify your curl type. Is it 3A, 3B, or another type? Is it a wavy, fine curl or a tight Afro curl? Are the curls soft, or not? How coily are they? You’ve got to figure out everything so you can find the best products that are made for your specific curl type.
Choosing The Right Haircut
You’ve probably heard that curly hair is prone to dryness and frizziness. But did you ever think about why?
Our scalp produces oils that keep hair strands moisturized, but when it comes to curly hair, the oils can’t run down the entire length to keep it moisturized because of the coily texture. This leaves the upper part of the hair dry, ultimately resulting in overall dryness.
That’s why it’s really important to have the right haircut that complements your curls, allowing the oils to reach the entire strand. Fades, layers, and tapers are very popular haircuts for curly hair.
It’s not only about having the right haircut—you also have to trim the split ends every 6–8 weeks to avoid frizz and damage.
Shampooing Techniques
Forget the old-school advice of shampooing every day because shampooing every day strips away the natural oils from your hair, making your curls dry and brittle. Instead, shampoo a maximum of two times a week, or if not needed, once a week is absolutely fine. Your focus should be on retaining moisture while keeping an eye on cleanliness.
You can also try reverse conditioning. In case you don’t know, reverse conditioning means using conditioner before shampooing. Conditioning your hair before shampooing locks in the essential oils, so the shampoo can’t strip away all the moisture.
Co-wash Your Hair
Co-wash stands for conditioning wash. Since you’re not shampooing every day, you’ll need to use conditioner to keep your hair clean from everyday dirt and dust.
It’s also very important to replace the moisture you’re losing daily.
Products For Curly Hair
Curly hair is very prone to dryness and frizziness. Leave-in conditioner keeps your curls hydrated all day long without weighing them down. It also helps to detangle hair.
Curl cream is great for styling curls and keeping your hair moisturized. There are many variations of curl creams out there, so you need to choose one according to your curl type and texture. Also, decide what kind of curls you’re looking for—shiny, voluminous, or both.
There’s a range of products on the market tailored to curly hair. They offer various features like shine, frizz control, taming, volume, etc. You can experiment with these products and try out different looks. Just remember: whatever you use should keep your curls hydrated.
When should I apply products to my curly hair?
You won’t get the expected results if you apply products on dry hair. For the best outcome, apply products on damp or towel-dried hair. You can do this just after taking a bath. Be careful when squeezing your hair with a towel. Don’t use a rough or hard towel; instead, use a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt.
Also, don’t vigorously rub your hair with the towel. Gently squeeze out the excess water.
Let Your Hair Air Dry
You already know how important it is for curly hair to retain moisture. That’s why it’s super important to let your hair dry naturally. Using blow dryers, with their constant heat, will remove all the moisture and leave your curly hair dry and frizzy.
Things To Avoid To Maintain Curly Hair
As I mentioned earlier, applying heat directly to your hair will take away its moisture. If you absolutely must use heat, go for a blow dryer with a diffuser and active ions. The diffuser helps distribute air evenly, and the ion technology prevents frizziness, making your curls more defined and full-bodied.
Brushing dry, curly hair too much can cause dryness and frizziness. It also breaks the shape of the curls.
Once your curls are set with leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or other products, leave them alone. Don’t touch them constantly—this can cause the curls to lose their definition and become frizzy.
All About Patience
Finding the best style for your curly hair can take a lot of experimenting, and it can be tricky. You have to be patient and try out different techniques until you find the ultimate styling hacks that truly complement your curls.
Last Few Words
The last thing I want to say is don’t be afraid to experiment with your hair. This is the best advice I can give to help you rock your curly hair. I know you love your hair, but this is what you need to go through to get the most out of it.
No matter what your curl type is, continuous experimentation will lead you to the ultimate hacks because this modern, style-savvy world has got you covered with all the solutions.