We love a curly hair goddess, but we also know that curly hair requires a certain amount of maintenance. So whether you’ve been kinda wingin’ it with your curls for years or you just realized you have some natural curl that you really want to work with (thank you, TikTok!) we think you’ll appreciate these tips for taking care of and pampering those long, luxurious locks. Let’s get started!
(image via: istock)
Be Picky About Your Shampoo and Conditioner
The thing with curly hair is that you don’t want to use too much of the wrong product, so when you’re shopping for shampoo and conditioner, you’ll want to find one that contains aloe, keratin, shea butter, plant extracts, and/or provitamins. And while you more than likely won’t be washing your hair every day, we do recommend washing at least once a week on average.
Another pro-tip: dilute your shampoo and conditioner with some water to avoid using too much hair product all at once.
Cool Curls
You’ve probably heard this a million times, so we’ll keep it quick, but hot water does strip your hair of moisture, so we recommend cold water for those gorgeous curls to keep that moisture locked in!
Step Away From the Brush
If you’ve ever brushed your curly locks, you know what a mistake that can be, so for you newbies, make sure you nab a wide-tooth comb to comb your hair before you start shampooing; then once you’re out of the shower, use your fingers to comb through your hair. This will prevent breakage and damage, both of which curls are extra prone to.
(image via: unsplash)
See Ya Never, Split Ends
Split ends are pretty impossible to avoid, but your curly locks need to look and feel healthy! To avoid split ends to the best of your ability, we recommend getting your hair trimmed every 6 – 8 weeks, using a detangler on your hair, combing with your wide-tooth comb, staying away from heat tools, using a heat protectant when you can’t avoid heat tools, and not pulling your hair back in a bun.
Sweet Dreams, Curly Queen
“I woke up like this” can have a different meaning entirely when you have curly hair; often your locks look a little … frazzled. Most often, sleeping directly on top of your hair is not the best sleeping position because this leads to your hair being crushed for hours, so sleeping on your side or your stomach is really best. We recommend silk or satin pillowcases to prevent frizz and breakage. And lastly, consider a leave-in conditioner that contains keratin for a little extra shine and bounce when you wake.