Tips for Curly Hair
Keeping hair looking shiny and healthy in between salon visits can be easier said than done. Different types of hair require different maintenance techniques. Curly hair can either be your best friend or your worst nightmare. But don’t fret! Here are some tips to make your curls look flawless everyday!
Shampoo
Curly hair should be washed with a 100% sodium-free shampoo. The problem is sodium lauryl sulfate is the key ingredient in most traditional shampoos. This ingredient is both a salt and a detergent and acts as an effective cleanser, but is too harsh for curly hair. The result is dry, frizzy curls. If your curls need more hydration, a solution is “co-washing.” This is when hair is washed with conditioner and has resulted in a number of cleansing conditioners being introduced to the market. Using a cleansing conditioner or washing your hair with conditioner will give you bouncier, glossier curls. As for a washing schedule, fine hair can be washed every other day, while thick hair can go three or more days between washes.
Condition
The curlier the hair, the longer it takes for natural oils to travel from the scalp to the ends. This makes the lower half of your head appear dry and frizzy. Start with a deep conditioner in the shower. After washing your hair, use a styling product that doubles as a leave-in conditioner. The trick is finding a product that adds moisture, but won’t weigh your hair down.
Style
Consider putting down the towel for a second. While still in the shower, help prevent frizz by applying products before leaving the shower. Use your fingers to comb products through your hair to the ends, then scrunch and squeeze upward to the scalp. Then after stepping out of the shower, don’t use the towel on your hair. The more you manhandle your hair with a towel, the more frizz you will have. Cut down on friction by using a microfiber towel or a t-shirt to get rid of excess water.
Products
Granola should crunch, not your curls. Styling products high in alcohol give curls a “crunchy” texture. The alcohol sucks up all the moisture in your hair, leaving it stiff. When styling your curls, try to limit the amount of alcohol and look for water-soluble options. A customizable solution for styling your curls is product cocktailing. This is when you mix two or more products together to meet your specific hair needs. Your curls are unique, so one styling product may not offer all you need to style your hair. Combine products to give you the hold you want with less frizz and a non-crunchy texture.
Diffuse
The regular nozzle of a hairdryer disrupts the curl pattern and focuses all the hot air on one section at a time. A diffuser dries every curl evenly for a full, uniform look. Using a diffuser will minimize a lot of frizz and can even boost your volume. After showering, squeeze out excess moisture and apply a heat protectant. Flip your head upside down and diffuse at the roots and mid length first. They should be completely dry in order to lock in volume. Do the ends last and leave them semi dry. The ends of your hair tend to be the most damaged, so let them air dry the rest of the way. If you are using heat to dry your curls, limit it to twice a week. Too much heat is damaging and can cause your hair to loose its bounce and become limp.
Brushing
Because curly hair is so fragile, you should never use a brush on it. Curly hair is the most fragile hair type. The hair shaft has bends in it, making it more susceptible to breakage. Dragging a brush through your curls, wet or dry, disrupts the curl pattern and can cause breakage. A wide tooth comb is the gentlest way to detangle curls without disrupting the curl pattern too much. Another option is using your fingers while in the shower to detangle your hair. Then you can isolate the tangles and loosen them gently without raking through them.
Make everyday a good hair day! Come to Leon Studio One and let us help you make your curls look flawless!