Curly hair is sometimes indomitable. To make sure you don't damage them, you need to choose the right products and apply them with the correct technique. In addition to washing them gently, you need to take particular care of the lengths and ends to make sure you always have them defined, strong and shiny.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Products
Step 1. Choose an SLS-free shampoo, which stands for sodium lauryl sulfate:
it may be too harsh for curly hair, but it is a surfactant found in most shampoos and cleansers. Choose products that contain alternative ingredients, such as natural oils.
- If you don't combine the right conditioner with a shampoo containing SLS, your cuticles may remain open.
- Natural oils can strengthen hair and keep it shiny.
- SLS-free shampoos may not create a nice lather, but they can give curls definition and shine.
Step 2. Read labels to limit alcohol use
Products containing large amounts of alcohol tend to dry out the curls as they absorb moisture from the hair. As an alternative, use water-soluble gels. They shouldn't feel sticky to the touch. You could also use mousses and foams.
- When dispensed, the mousses and foams resemble a beaten egg white.
- All products that give volume and offer a good seal usually contain alcohol. Gels and mousses typically have a considerable amount of alcohol, not to mention lacquers.
Step 3. Use the right conditioner
Pair it with a shampoo designed for dry or damaged hair. Curls are prone to becoming brittle and dry, especially when dyed. Use products containing natural oils, such as coconut, jojoba, and so on.
If the label indicates that a product is for damaged hair, therefore not specific for curls, you can choose it anyway, because the formula will be just as good. Products that are good for curly hair are not always referred to as such
Step 4. Prepare a nourishing treat
Create a natural conditioner using a cup of homemade mayonnaise at room temperature. Mix the ingredients and apply generous doses of the mixture on the lengths. Depending on the length of your hair, you should be able to do two treatments. Apply the mixture immediately after preparing it, in this way the effectiveness of the fats and oils will be higher when they are absorbed by the hair follicles.
You can make mayonnaise at home using half a cup of olive oil and three egg yolks. Do not put it in the refrigerator, in fact the formula is more effective at room temperature. In any case, do not let the conditioner sit for more than a few hours
Part 2 of 3: Using the Right Technique
Step 1. Shampoo less often and use less product
Frequent washing can be harmful regardless of the type of hair because it can dry it out. When massaging the shampoo, focus on your scalp to prevent the lengths from drying out. Apply the shampoo only once, unless you are using heavy styling products. Once your scalp is clean, gently let the shampoo run over the lengths and ends.
- On average, hair should be washed every two to three days. Shampooing is needed when your scalp is itchy or flaky, or your hair is visibly greasy.
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The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance that allows to hydrate the scalp and hair; the problem is that in some cases it even makes them look dirty. Wash them when they are oily or try the following tips:
- If you have thick, defined curly or afro hair, you need to wash it about once a week or when it looks dirty. Daily washing will dry them out. You can use dry shampoo or cowash between washes to freshen them up.
- If you have medium curls or wavy hair, you can shampoo every two to three days, as the hair will be fine with a small amount of sebum distributed by the sebaceous glands. Use a mild product or a solid shampoo. If you have a dynamic lifestyle and train a lot, you could also alternate washing with cowash. Finally, you can use water to massage your scalp between shampoos.
- If you have poorly defined curls or wavy hair, you probably often use styling products that make them look oily. You can wash them every day to keep them clean and use a good conditioner to moisturize them.
- The water quality of the city you live in affects your hair.
Step 2. Gently wash and treat your hair
Do not apply shampoo when they are dry. After massaging it properly, be sure to rinse it off completely. Prevent knots from forming by not picking up the hair at the top of the head.
Use your fingertips to massage your scalp and wash your hair gently
Step 3. Remember to always apply conditioner
For the shape and texture of curly hair, conditioner is essential because the sebum is not distributed over the lengths in the same way as it does with straight or wavy hair. Brushing them usually helps distribute the oil, but this procedure is not recommended for curly hair.
Step 4. Apply the conditioner properly to the lengths, not the scalp, otherwise it can weigh down your hair
In fact, the hair near the scalp will flatten, while the rest of the hair will be swollen. Try to leave it on for as long as possible to hydrate them better.
- Apply a generous amount of nourishing conditioner to wet hair after washing and rinsing. Focus on the ends, as they can be dry and brittle. Let it sit for five minutes while you finish showering, as the steam will allow it to penetrate better.
- If your hair is damaged, let it sit longer. Wrap them in a plastic shower cap and cover them with a towel to prevent heat from escaping. After 10-20 minutes, rinse it off and do nothing else, so that the properties of the product continue to work until the next shampoo.
Part 3 of 3: Style Curly Hair
Step 1. Dry them naturally using the plopping technique or a microfiber turban
The plopping method allows you to collect your hair with a t-shirt instead of a towel. You can also use a microfiber turban. A traditional towel can make them wrinkle easily, while these drying methods can prevent the problem, reduce knots and keep them from breaking.
- If you are using a shirt, you should lay it out on a flat surface, facing the end with the sleeves towards you (choose one with long sleeves). Lean forward and rest your head in the center of the shirt, making sure you have enough fabric in front and behind your hair. Try to position yourself in such a way that all your hair is in front of you. Cover the nape of your neck with the bottom of the shirt. Take the front of the t-shirt and fit it to the sides of the garment as you grab the sleeves and wrap them from the front to the back of the head. It may be necessary to twist the sleeves and side fabric to make it fit your head better. Tie the sleeves in front of the forehead to tighten the turban. Tuck the loose fabric under the turban and let your hair dry.
- Do you use a microfiber turban? After rinsing off the conditioner, turn upside down and gather your hair with the turban. It is a product that can be found online or in stores that sell beauty items. Drying your hair in this way removes excess water and volumizes it. It also reduces frizz and defines curls.
Step 2. Use a hair dryer with a diffuser
The jet of air from a hair dryer can ruin curls and cause ugly frizz. The diffuser reduces the speed at which the air is blown out. It can also volumize the hair.
- Make sure the diffuser fits snugly into the hair dryer. If yours doesn't have this tool, you could buy a universal one online or in a specialty store.
- Before drying your hair with the diffuser, apply styling products. They should be about 75% dry before using the diffuser to complete drying.
- If you don't have time, set the hair dryer to a medium temperature rather than cold (the latter is preferable because it is less harmful to the hair).
- Stand upside down or lean to the side to tuck the strands of hair to be dried directly into the concave part of the diffuser.
- Dry the roots by bringing the diffuser close to your head. Try not to ruin the curls while doing this. Work your hair in sections until almost completely dry, then style the curls. Apply a small amount of product, such as an ointment or a special cream, then finish drying them to fix the styling.
- For more volume, rock your hair at the roots with your fingers.
Step 3. Choose the right products to control frizz
Use the right products to avoid making your hair look greasy, protect it from heat and frizz. If they're fine, use a mild anti-frizz milk or lotion. If they are thick or heavy, prefer a thick oil to ensure that its properties are absorbed well by the stem.
Step 4. Comb through dry hair with moistened fingers, avoid brushes
When you brush them, the cuticles are stretched and brittle, so you risk breaking them. Immediately after washing them, you can combine towel and brush, comb or fingers to detangle them, but remember that they must be wet. Then apply a moisturizing or anti-frizz product with your fingers to shape them.
If you need to comb dry hair, moisten your fingers. Even on wet or windy days, there is enough water to tame the frizz, which is due to dryness
Advice
- If you apply a small amount of regular conditioner, you can avoid rinsing it off. Put it from mid-length to the tips. This will help you discipline your hair and keep frizz under control.
- Avoid products containing silicones, as they can build up on the hair. If you need to eliminate these substances, mix lemon juice with conditioner or use a sulfate-free shampoo (such as ammonium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate). Either way, they won't remove most silicones or waxes.
- To control frizz, use a shirt instead of a towel to pat your hair dry.
Warnings
- Brushing your hair dry will make it frizzy and shapeless.
- Make sure you massage your scalp with a silicone-free conditioner. This will prevent your hair from looking greasy. If you don't use a sulfate-free shampoo, silicones build up.
- If you start shampooing less often, your hair may need an adjustment period that will last a couple of weeks.
