Curly hair is truly beautiful, and it’s a feature that can make you stand out from the crowd. Yet it’s important to understand that having curly hair means you have to take different measures when it comes to taking care of it compared to someone with straight hair, for example. Read on for some tips on how to keep your curly hair beautiful and healthy.
Use a Gentle Shampoo
Of course, one of the most important things to say about curly hair – or any hair at all – is that you need to wash it regularly. How often will depend on how oily or dry your hair is (more oily hair should be washed more often than dry hair), and this is something you’ll need to experiment with.
What you don’t need to experiment with is the type of shampoo you use. Ideally, you’ll use the most gentle type you can find; you don’t want your hair to be stripped of its natural oils because this can make your curls a lot less bouncy. Make sure you read the labels and opt for shampoo that is sulfate- and . Even better, look for a shampoo that is specifically designed for curly hair for the best results; this will help to keep the moisture in your hair and keep your curls looking good.
Conditioning Is Crucial
Do you currently condition your hair, or do you simply use shampoo and leave it there? While some people might be able to manage without using conditioner if they have curly hair, that’s not the case. You’ll need to condition your hair after every wash. This does mean washing your hair will take extra time, but you can use a if that makes more sense. In fact, leave in conditioners can be ideal because they’ll add even more moisture to your hair which we already know is important.
As with your shampoo, look for a conditioner that is specially formulated for curly hair. Good ingredients to look out for include shea butter and . Still, anything that offers deep conditioning of your curls will be great.
Avoid Heat Styling
Heat styling isn’t great for any hair type, but it can seriously damage curly hair very quickly because it removes all the moisture, leaving it frizzy and unruly. Although it’s common to use heat styling (such as a hair dryer, straighteners, or tongs) occasionally, it’s best to avoid them where possible.
If you do have to use heat, make sure you apply a hair protectant to your hair first and add to your hair dryer to distribute the heat evenly; this will help to keep your hair’s natural curl pattern in place.
Use a Wide Tooth Comb
Curly hair is more prone to tangling and getting knotty, so it’s a good idea to use a wide tooth comb or even your fingers to help detangle it when need be. Start from the ends and work upwards, carefully removing any knots and tangles as you go.
; this will change the natural curl pattern and leave your hair looking messy and flat.