My daughter has beautiful, curly hair. She has worn it in its natural state since birth. She never had a perm, but she recently expressed an interest in getting one. I tell her that her curly hair is beautiful and that she doesn’t need straight hair to show how beautiful she is. I sometimes wonder if she believes certain myths about natural hair. For generations, our black girls and women were made to feel ashamed of their curly hair, and this is heartbreaking. Why can’t we instead teach our girls how to properly care for their curly hair and how to love it? Here is how to make your curly hair look great every day.
Moisturization is Crucial
You should moisturize your curly hair to keep dryness at bay. One reason why curly hair is prone to dryness and frizz is that the spiral shape of curls keeps natural oils in the scalp from entering the hair shaft. Here are some ways to tell if you need more moisturization. If your hair is too rough in texture, it needs to be moisturized. Other signs include split ends, dullness, and excessive tangling. When moisturizing your hair, don’t shampoo it daily. Overwashing strips the hair of its natural oils.
Your curls also need deep conditioning. Start by washing your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. Squeeze out excess water with a T-shirt then section your hair into four to six parts. As you put the conditioner in your hair, start with the ends of your hair then work your way to the roots. After applying the conditioner, place a shower cap over your hair and sit under the hair dryer for 30 minutes. Rinse the conditioner out with cold water before drying your hair. Skip this step if you’re using a leave-in conditioner.
Too much heat on your hair leads to dryness and heat damage. When you blow dry your hair, put the dryer on a low or medium setting. Put a heat protectant on your curls and you can also air dry your hair before styling. Wear a satin bonnet when you sleep at night.
Choose the Right Tools and Products
Having the right tools and products is also vital in maintaining curly hair. Shampoos for curly hair should be sulfate-free and contain moisturizing oils such as argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. Shampoos with shea butter also work well for curly hair. Avoid conditioners with silicone because these cause buildup in your hair, leading it to be dry and rough. If you want to add volume to your curls, mousse is a good tool for this. To give your curls definition, curly cream or activator helps you achieve it well. Other important tools include a wide-tooth comb, edge control gel, and a hair steamer.
Trim the Split Ends
Every few months, get a trim to avoid split and dead ends. Dead ends are strands of hair that’s dry and damaged resulting from excessive heat, lack of moisture, over processing from relaxers, stress, and other factors. Split ends are when your hair strands split down the shaft. The causes of split ends include overbrushing and reasons similar to the causes of dead ends.
How Can I Keep My Curls Cute All Day?
Here is how to keep your curls bouncy and cute all day. Apply hairspray before, during, and after curling your hair. Another trick is to pin your fresh curls with hairpins. As the curls are pinned up, it causes your curls to stay in place longer after you remove the pins from the curls. After you remove the pins, don’t comb through your curls. Let them remain tight throughout the day. Find heatless methods of curling your hair. For example, you can take a pair of socks, cut them, and use them to roll your hair. Magnetic or foam rollers are a good option.
Don’t Ignore Your Scalp
Scalp maintenance matters in keeping curly hair healthy. According to dermatologist Dr. Daniel Belkin, those with curly hair have flatter hair follicles, and this means that your scalp has sparse follicle concentrations. This often leads to more fragile hair. Regular cleansing keeps your scalp healthy. The reason is that cleansing removes excess sebum that grows on your scalp.
Good Short Hairstyles for Curly Hair
So you’re tired of wearing your hair long, and you want a nice short hairstyle. Ask friends and relatives if they can recommend a skilled and experienced hairdresser. When you meet with the hairdresser, ask if she has experience with styling short hair. If you have natural hair and just got the big chop, a short Afro is manageable and cute. If your hair is in a bob, wear a headband or bandana with it. Other good hairstyles to try for curly hair include:
- Curly Pixie cut
- Bob hairstyles
- Ringlets
- Spiral curls
- Pin curls
- Waves with a side part
Never Detangle With a Brush
Using a brush to detangle your hair causes frizz and tangles, making it hard to do. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair, and you’ll have an easier time. Detangle from the ends to the roots. Before you detangle with the comb, use your fingers gently. Spray with leave-in mist or apply leave-in conditioner before detangling. If you’re detangling a child’s curly hair, don’t be rough because this causes tears and frustration for your child.
I Have Curly Extensions. How Can I Care for Them?
There are three types of curly extensions. Virgin curly extensions have not been processed or chemically treated. These extensions have a wavy texture and are soft. You can curl virgin curly extensions with a flat iron or curling iron. Curly hair weffts are similar to virgin curly extensions and they blend in with already curly hair. The clip-in curly extensions are processed. It is best to use your fingers to detangle extensions, but you can use a wide-tooth comb to brush wet curly extensions. Unlike your real hair, you don’t need to wash the extensions as frequently. The extensions should also be conditioned.
Caring for curly hair is a journey, not a destination. By embracing a consistent routine of gentle cleansing, deep conditioning, and mindful styling, you’re not just managing your curls; you’re celebrating them. With a little patience and the right approach, your curls will truly flourish, looking their best every single day.