Curly hair has volume and dimension that naturally straight hair just can’t get. It is always going to be frustrating to care for curly hair, but following a few tips will keep your hair smooth, clean, and stunning year round.
Go Sulfate Free
This is a recommendation for all hair, but especially important for curly hair. Sulfates over-cleanse hair and strip you of important natural oils that give our hair bounce and shine. Look for professional grade shampoos that are sulfate-free, which can be found both in the salon and in stores.
Cut Down on Shampoo
Sulfate-free shampooing is a great step, but the less you shampoo the better. The idea is to irritate follicles less and curly hair is especially prone to “frizz” that comes from a lack of oils being able to reach the ends of your hair, which shampoo impedes.
Condition!
It is harder for natural oils to reach the ends of your hair from your scalp if you have bouncy, curly hair. Conditioning helps out those oils that are working hard to reach the ends. A good conditioner locks in moisture but is not so heavy that hair is being pulled down.
It’s All About the Technique
True for all hair, different ways of drying have a big effect on the quality of hair you can have. Dry delicately–not too different than when you lightly dry your face after your nightly cleansing. Go for a pat-down instead of vigorously drying your hair back-and-forth. Drying your hair too intensely will split ends and pull at your hair cuticles. Look for the right towel too–a finer knit than terrycloth actually makes an incredible difference in reducing frizz, as it creates less drag between hairs.