How to Care for Curly Hair

Care for Your Curly Hair

If you’ve been blessed with curly hair, then you know that “hair maintenance” is not an empty phrase.  Curls instantly update any style to romantic, and make even a plain pony-tail beautiful.  Unfortunately, for those of us born with naturally curly hair, curly styles are almost impossible to achieve.  Too often they devolve into masses of frizz, defined only by intermittent lumps of curl.  The good news is that bouncy curls are easily attainable, if you follow a few key guidelines.

1. The first, and most important step, is to moisturize.  Many of the other guidelines relate back to this principle.  I can boil this rule down to one key idea; condition, condition, condition.  Use a deep conditioner in the shower, a leave-in conditioner post showering, and an intense mask once or twice weekly.  Frizz is largely caused by hair trying to suck moisture out of the surrounding air.  To fight frizz at its source, make sure that you’re hair doesn’t want for moisture.  Not only will you achieve better styles, but your hair will also be softer and more manageable. 
2. The second rule is directly related to the first: Stop shampooing.  While a useful ritual for people with other hair types, it robs curly hair of much needed moisture.  Your hair really doesn’t need frequent shampooing to stay clean.  Rinsing your hair with hot water and scrubbing the scalp should be sufficient for keeping your tresses clean.  If you simply can’t imagine going without shampoo, then keep your soaping as infrequent as possible.  At all costs, avoid clarifying shampoos.  They will undo all of the moisture you have worked so hard to build up.  Clarifying shampoo is intended for people who struggle with grease and buildup.  This is usually not the case for those of us with curly hair.
3. Use the right products for your hair type.  My favorite curly products include mousse and spray wax.  Mousse is the easiest product for achieving low-key styles.  Simply scrunch a handful into wet, clean hair, and let it air dry.  I live by Herbal Essences Totally Twisted mousse.  It gives my curls a great hold, without making them stiff.  Spray wax can be used for a messier, piecier look.  It goes well with liquid liner and skinny jeans.
4. Equal thought needs to be given to how you dry your hair.  Even if you don’t have time to let each curl air dry, resist the temptation to rough up the cuticle with a towel.  You can use a towel to blot hair dry, but do not rub your hair.  This another cause of – you guessed it – frizz.  Really, the best option for toweling your hair is an old cotton t-shirt.  This is gentlest choice for your hair.  Another (indispensable) tool is a blow dryer with a diffusing option.  Scrunch your hair with a handful of mousse over a diffuser for soft, windswept curls.