The curly hair routine: tips and tricks to get your best hair yet
Copy supplied by Cantu
A lot of women have a love-hate relationship with their curly hair, especially on wash day. While it’s absolutely beautiful, and often the envy of straight-haired women, curly hair requires work. A quick shampoo and conditioner usually doesn’t cut it. Curly hair needs more moisture than straight hair, it may require some detangling and there’s usually a lot of styling that goes with the territory, too.
Our scalps produce a natural oil that moves from the follicle, all the way down the hair strand until it eventually reaches the tip. As this oil travels down the hair strand, coating it along the way, it moisturises the hair, with the intention of keeping it soft and healthy. Because of the shape of curly hair, it is more difficult for this oil to travel down the strand, and as a result, it often doesn’t make it through the full length. This can lead to dryness, a problem that is very common with curly hair.
Once curly hair becomes dry, it can take some time and effort to restore its moisture levels. If your hair isn’t particularly dry, you’ll still need to take a few extra steps to ensure your curls look and feel their very best.
Wash day shouldn’t cause you any dread. Give this tried-and-tested curly hair routine a go to get your healthiest hair yet.
FIND THE RIGHT SHAMPOO OR CO-WASH PRODUCT
If the word “shampoo” makes you want to run for the hills, we don’t blame you! Shampoo and curly hair have a notoriously tricky relationship. Yes, all hair needs to be washed to remove dirt and bacteria, but shampoo also removes oil, including that precious oil produced by the scalp. Therefore, it has the ability to strip even more moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and damaged. The trick to successful hair washing is to find a shampoo or co-wash that’s free from sulphates (these can be very drying), that’s moisturising and that’s designed for use on curly hair. How often you wash it is entirely up to you, but the further apart you can stretch your wash days, the better.
Try: The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Curl Care Silky Soft Shampoo is a soap-and sulphate-free detangling shampoo enriched with creamy mango butter and rich marula oils to soften and cleanse your hair, leaving it with a wonderful tropical scent.
Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo has a rich lather that removes heavy build-up, but a gentle formula that helps prevent breakage.
WE ALSO RECOMMEND
• Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Shampoo
• Shea Moisture Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo
CONDITION, CONDITION AND THEN CONDITION SOME MORE
Curly hair is thirsty at the best of times, and even more so after a shampoo. Apply a generous amount of conditioner after your shampoo or co-wash has been rinsed out, and be sure to gently massage it all over, so that it gets to every strand. You may want to leave it on for a bit longer than recommended, especially if your hair is very dry.
Try: Curls In Bloom Moisture Boost Me! Creamy Conditioner is a creamy conditioner that easily detangles, conditions and moisturises your hair, leaving it soft, smooth and naturally defined.
WE ALSO RECOMMEND
• Dr Organic Cocoa Butter Conditioner
• Ogx Conditioner
• L’Oréal Elvive Total Restoring Conditioner
DETANGLE (WITH CARE)
It’s best to detangle your curls while your conditioner is still on. The most important thing to remember when you detangle, is your patience! If you rush you might rip through your knots, causing breakage in the process. Split your hair into sections, and work with one section at a time.
Try: Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Coil Calm Detangler uses the moisturising power of pure shea butter to deeply nourish hair and get rid of tangles and knots.
Evolve Flow Through Detangler’s unique design features bristle rows that separate for gently detangling and smoothing with ease. No snagging or pulling with flexible detangling bristles. It is suitable for use on wet or dry hair to promote healthy hair retention.
RINSE AND DRY
Rinse the conditioner out of your hair using lukewarm water. Hot water is dehydrating for both your hair and your scalp. When stepping out of the shower, use a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair. Do not rub or be rough, as hair is vulnerable to damage when it’s wet, and the friction could break your hair or result in frizz.
If your hair is still a little tangled or you need an intense moisture boost, you can apply some leave-in conditioner and use a wide tooth comb to smooth over the last of the knots.
Try: The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Moisturizing Leave-In Butter ensures your hair stays strong and is perfect for all-natural curl care. This rich leave-in styling butter is enriched with mango and marula extracts for 24-hour moisture and curl retention.
WE ALSO RECOMMEND
• African Pride Moisture Miracle Leave-In Conditioner
TIME TO STYLE
Use a curl defining product while your hair is still wet to give your curls definition and bounce. A water-based mousse if best suited to wavy hair types, whereas a thicker cream or gel is better suited to very curly and coily hair types as it provides better hold and definition. Scrunch the product into wet or damp hair and allow it to do its magic.
Try: Curls In Bloom Define Me! Curl Activating Cream is a versatile curling cream strong enough to define curls without weighing them down, providing all day long moisture.
CARING FOR CURLY HAIR
While your wash day routine is important, it’s equally important to care for your curls in between wash days. One of the best things you can do to preserve your curls and maintain their health is to wear a satin bonnet when you go to bed. A bonnet protects your hair from friction between your hair and your pillow. It helps reduce breakage, tangles and hair loss, plus it can help minimise and avoid frizz.
Try: Evolve Wide Edge Satin Bonnet is made from high quality satin attached to a soft elastic band that holds it in place. The larger size of this bonnet is perfect for thick and curly hair. Wear it overnight to prevent hair breakage and frizzing.
Evolve Exotics Satin Sunset Bonnet is made with high quality satin attached to a soft elastic band that holds it in place. Secure relaxed and wrap styles overnight to prevent hair breakage and frizzing.
