Curly hair care
 

Curly hair care
By Cassie (cynefin)

If you have curly hair, you may have heard someone say "I wish I had hair like yours!" on more than one occasion. Perhaps you'd even trade your hair for theirs if it appeared easier to manage. Between frizz and hair products, curly hair can be difficult to work with. Read on if you're interested in learning how to tame those ringlets.

Washing

People who have curly hair do not need to wash their hair as often as other people. This is because the natural oils in the scalp take longer to work down the curls than they take to work down straight hair. Washing curly hair too often strips the hair and scalp of the natural oils that it needs. Try washing every other day or every two days, depending on your schedule and exercise. If you are out in the sun or at the gym, you may need to wash it a bit more than that. People who have thinner curly hair need to wash more than people who have thicker hair.

When decreasing the amount of time you wash your hair, go slowly so you and your scalp can get used to it. When it is time to wash, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp with your finger tips (not your fingernails) before rinsing it out. When you do wash, it is important to use a deep conditioner to reapply the moisture and oils that you removed by shampooing.

Some people with curly hair enjoy doing something called cowashing. Cowashing is when you wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. This helps your hair retain more moisture. If you do this, it is important not to give up shampoo entirely because you will need to shampoo your hair from time to time. To cowash, cover your hair in the conditioner and let it sit for the duration of showering before rinsing it out. You can use any conditioner or purchase cowashing products at stores like Amazon.

Try rinsing your hair with cool or cold water. Even though warmer water can be more comfortable, it is thought that cooler water helps hair maintain moisture. The effectiveness of this is often debated but it is worth a try.

Skip the towel and opt for a t-shirt. Towels remove a lot of water from your hair and you want more water to keep it moisturized. Try wrapping an old t-shirt around your head to remove the excess water. If you still prefer using a towel, try loosely wrapping it around your head.

Styling

Style your hair when it is wet. Some products are supposedly marketed towards using on dry hair, but try working with it when it is wet. Curly hair needs moisture and wet hair tends to work well with hair products. Note that hair is most vulnerable to damage when it is wet, so be cautious.

Try to smooth product in your hair instead of raking it through with your fingers. Raking it through can detangle curls and cause frizz. You can also scrunch your curls when applying a hair product.

Do not brush your hair. Brushing can disfigure curls, cause frizz, and breakage. Instead, opt for a wide tooth comb to protect your curls. If you want to comb your hair, start from the bottom where the most difficulty tends to be. Then work your way up.

Use fabric, satin, or larger hair ties. Smaller hair ties that resemble a rubber band can pull and tear curly hair. Fabric or satin hair ties hold your hair without the potential breakage.

Try experimenting with different hair products. Different products work for different people. Some prefer a gel, cream, or a mousse. Many people with curly hair have a product "cocktail." It may take some time to find what works best for you, but it will be worth it. If you are struggling financially, try looking at dollar stores, using coupons or making your own products with natural ingredients.

Put your hair up before going to bed. This can help protect the shape and feel of your curls while you sleep. You could also wear a sleep or "slumber cap" or change to silk pillow cases so that the pillow case doesn't absorb the moisture from your hair.

Refrain from using heat when you can. A lot of people like to straighten and blow dry their hair, but the heat can damage curls. If you still want to use heat, try a blow dryer with a diffuser.

Get your hair trimmed frequently. Getting a trim every six to eight weeks helps remove split ends, which contribute to frizz and unruliness.

Re: Curly hair care
 

It's a really great piece of advice for those of us who have curlies! Thanks for sharing such useful tips! Choosing the appropriate hair care product is very important for curly locks too. Here is the article with the reviews of different conditioners for curly hair. It's also written there how to make such a care product at home (fully natural, by the way).