Curly girls, you’ve probably been told to use every product on the market and tried a million things that were supposedly designed for curly hair. And at some point in your life, you may have (gasp!) hated your curls.
We get it. Curls can be hard to manage. They can be gloriously bouncy and beautiful. But they can also be dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage. So what’s a curly girl to do? Here are five tips to care for curly hair that actually work.
Let Go Of The Hype
You’ve been told you need X, Y, and Z for your curly hair, but truthfully, your curls are determined by your follicles. Their shape influences how much curl you have, and the condition of your scalp matters a lot more than your hair itself.
That’s why we recommend choosing shampoo and conditioner based on whether your scalp is dry, normal, or oily. In general, curly hair tends to be dry and lose moisture easily, so it’s important to use products that seal moisture in and won’t strip your natural oils. Hidden Waterfall is a great choice to hydrate your hair.
After years of making choices based on the type of curls you’ve been told you have, it can seem foreign to let that go and decide based on your scalp alone, but we encourage you to give it a try. Need some reassurance? Check out our reviews.
Don’t Overdo It
You don’t need to shampoo every day. Try washing every three days or so and see how your hair is feeling. Washing too often strips your natural oils and leaves your hair prone to damage.
Don’t overdo it with products or heat either. Both can seriously damage your curls. Try air drying your hair or using a diffuser. And remember, if you want to heat style, a protectant is essential. Choose one with natural oils rather than silicones which build up on your hair and block moisture from entering.
Watch How You Sleep
Have you ever woken up with your hair everywhere or tangled into a giant knot it took forever to get out? We thought so. There are a few things that can help.
- Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to prevent friction in the night.
- Try pineappling your hair by piling your hair on top of your head and loosely securing it with a scrunchie. Alternatively, wrap your hair.
- Add some extra natural oils if you find you’re really having trouble with friction while you sleep.
Be Careful Brushing
You probably know that curly hair can end up in the worst knots, but that brushing can also break your hair or take all the definition out of your curls and leave you with a frizzy mess instead. It’s a fine line, isn’t it?
Use a high-quality brush or try a wide-tooth comb instead. Combing your hair while you condition may help. You may even find that all you need to do after showering is finger-comb your hair to help define your curls.
Mask Up
If you find your hair still needs more moisture, try using a hair mask once or twice a week. Look for natural ingredients like avocado oil, coconut oil, aloe, or bamboo to help hydrate your hair without damaging it.
Ready to make the switch? We’re happy to help you find the right bars for your unique hair.