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Despite what the curly girl method might endorse, it's not an absolute must. “It is your personal choice as to how important gel is for you, depending on the look you are hoping to achieve,” says François. As you can see, the path to healthy curls is not a difficult one. In fact, all you need is a simple step by step curly hair routine. Taking care of curly hair can be very simple with these 6 steps!
How to Keep Curly Hair Healthy and Hydrated, According to Hairstylists
Act and Acre Soft Curl System Keeps My Curly Hair Fresh and Defined All Week Long: Editor Review, See Photos - Allure
Act and Acre Soft Curl System Keeps My Curly Hair Fresh and Defined All Week Long: Editor Review, See Photos.
Posted: Thu, 06 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Without a leave-in, your style won't last as long and will get dry faster. Not to be biased, but definitely our Baomint deep-conditioning treatment. Deep-conditioning weekly or biweekly with a quality treatment or mask is essential for curly hair. I can always see the difference between hair that regularly uses deep conditioners and hair that does not. Curly hair is prone to dryness and fragility because it is harder for the natural oils from the scalp to travel down the hair shaft. Curly hair is a challenge that comes with frizz, dryness, tangles, split ends, and a plethora of other issues.
Embrace the Product Cocktail
"Note that most of the work that a conditioner will do is done within 15 minutes," says Sanders. "After that, nothing else is happening but clogged cuticles." Yes, your hair will likely pouf up into a mass of curls after brushing, but Scrivo says this is okay. Simply wait until just before bed to brush and refresh your hair in the morning. Make sure you refresh your hair with water every day with a spray bottle. You don’t want to drown your hair, but you want to make sure it has enough water to avoid breaking or tangling.
Expert-Approved Tips for Taking Care of Curly Hair
I don’t often use a curling iron, unless I am aiming for consistently styled curls or simply to touch-up my natural curls. Proper protection is the most fundamental step of prep before using heat. So you definitely need a heat protectant spray or a serum to create a barrier between your hair and the heat tool.
Natural hair blogs were becoming a thing and even though there were few options to choose from, I read up on any and everything I could find. I even saved up the little spending money I had and would ride the public bus to my local drugstore just to pick up a new curly hair product every week. At this stage in my hair journey, wash day was, dare I say, fun because it was experimental. Every few days, I’d look forward to cleansing my curls so I could try out new formulas and see what worked for my hair type. Tighter curl patterns require hair products that are heavy, like creams or gels, to help control shrinkage and volume. Think something like Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Soufflé, which shapes the curls while conditioning them.
Use sulfate-free shampoo
This approach is vital as curls can obstruct the natural flow of oils, necessitating a regimen that ensures intense hydration and gentle care. If air drying, make sure to continue scrunching coils as the hair dries to prevent wonky shapes from forming. Then rake a nickel-sized amount of curl cream or gel through each section, scrunching up into strands, to define coil formation, provide hold, and seal in moisture. I like to do the “squish to condish” method by cupping curls in my hands and pulsing them upwards to encourage bounce.
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“A quality leave-in conditioner is important because it helps to create a good foundation to work from before the styling process,” says François. “Gels provide hold and definition to your hair, helping to keep your curls in place and prevent frizz,” says Mestour. She notes that an entire spectrum of gels exists, ranging from light to strong-hold formulas, so your gel of choice should coincide with your hair texture and styling needs.
Having the right products and tools on hand will make the entire process smoother. Since I use such a large amount of conditioner, I focus my rinsing on the roots to avoid product buildup. I’m totally fine if there’s still remnants of conditioner on the ends of my hair; in fact, I actually prefer that for styling. But I definitely don’t want conditioner on my scalp, it leads to an itchy, flaky mess after a few days. If you're unsure about your hair type, there are several systems, such as the Andre Walker Hair Typing System or the LOIS System, that can help you identify where your curls fall on the spectrum. These systems categorize hair into different types based on curl pattern and thickness.
They require some patience and technique when styling but I always get a buzz when I feel them bouncing in the wind. Right now, my styling routine consists of Madam by Madam C.j. Walker Split End Smoothing Hair Serum, Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today, and Kinky-Curly’s Curling Custard. I like using Bronner Brothers Tropical Roots Daily Curl Hydrator and The Doux’s Mousse Def Texture Foam to refresh my hair. Warm the oil slightly and apply it evenly throughout the hair, concentrating on the ends and any particularly dry areas. The slippery texture of silk minimizes friction, allowing curls to slide smoothly against linens instead of catching and frizzing out. I’ve made a separate guide for prepping your curls before bedtime, do check that out.
If you notice any flyaways or dryness, you can quickly refresh your curls with a few products. Using a lightweight curl refresher spray like Pattern Beauty's Hydrating Hair Mist ($19) or an oil such as Aussie's Curl-Defining Oil ($5) can instantly make your curls look defined and bouncy again. However you’re choosing to style your hair, make sure you invest in hydrating products to keep your curls healthy.
You’ll thank yourself in the morning when your curls look as fresh on day three as they did on day one. Another practice I like implementing into my haircare routine is the “rake and shake” method. This tactic is not included in CGM, but I’ve found it a worthwhile alternative to scrunching. After sectioning my hair and applying my leave-in conditioner and gel, I focus on each section and rake my fingers through from my roots to my ends. When I reach the bottom of each section, I’ll lightly hold my ends and shake my wrist back and forth to help form the natural shape of my curls. Although the curly girl method has been highly praised by the curly hair community, we need to acknowledge that every head of hair has its unique needs and might react differently to CGM.
Focus on mid-lengths and ends instead of roots when applying treatments to avoid greasiness. Then use a shower cap before hopping in the shower to lock in all that nourishment. Before stepping foot in the shower, prep your hair care arsenal.
In the morning, refreshing curls with a lightweight leave-in conditioner revitalise and hydrate the hair. Incorporating these simple nighttime care routines can wake up to well-preserved, luscious curls. If you're in a hurry and need to speed up the drying process, use a diffuser attachment. This gentle diffusing method helps evenly distribute the air and encourages curls to dry naturally.
The Righteous Roots Rx Oil is a dual hair and scalp oil to add shine, seal in moisture and help scrunch out the crunch for soft, defined and frizz free curls. Instead, use a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt to gently scrunch your hair. The goal is to remove excess water without disrupting the curl pattern. Gently squeeze and scrunch your curls upwards towards your scalp.
