My hair has always been curly. Unfortunately, it's also very fine and thin. This means my hair loves to break and fall out whenever I make a mistake attempting to care for it. There are all kinds of curly hair, but most types can follow the same basics of care. Here is an example of what my curly hair looks like:
My main enemies are frizz and dryness, so I've tried to do my best to find ways to combat them! Here are 10 things I've learned about my curly hair and how to care for it.
1. It's hard to find articles on naturally curly hair if you aren't talking about natural hair.
Most of the time when you type in "naturally curly," advice for natural hair will come up because it's more common. African American curly hair is not the same as my hair obviously, but as I said before, you can follow a lot of the same basic tips on caring for your hair! Since information is scarce, you have to try out different things to see what works for you.
2. DO NOT WASH IT EVERYDAY!
Actually, this should go for almost all hair because washing everyday strips your hair of its natural oils. It's not gross or unsanitary, especially for curly girls. Curly hair doesn't make enough oil to make it to the ends of your hair, and some types don't make enough for the entire strand. I normally wash my hair twice a week unless it needs to be washed for hygienic reasons. Washing your hair every other day is a good start if you're nervous about it. Gradually move hair washing days farther apart and learn how your hair reacts.
3. Using oils in your hair will save you.
Like I said, our hair doesn't create enough oil. Using moroccan oil, argon oil, jojoba oil, or even coconut oil (beware if your hair is thin) will nourish your strands and fight frizz. Apply some to the middle of your hair to the ends, and if your crown is just as dry, put a little up there! If I had to give up all products but one, I would keep my oil.
4. Use lightweight products.
This mostly applies to non-natural hair because using heavy products on my hair weighs it down and makes it look wet. Products like creams and pastes will be too heavy for your curls. Mousses and gels are normally safe, you just have to be cautious of that awful crinkly feeling! All products will react differently to your hair, so try a few out and see what gives you the best results.
5. No shampoo = no problems.
Most affordable shampoos will murder your hair. They have ingredients in them, like alcohol and sulfates, that will dry your hair out and strip it of its oils. We've already established the importance of those oils, so taking shampoo out of the picture can save your hair. Most curly girls say that if it lathers, it's not good for the curls. I use Wen, and it's a creamy conditioner texture that doesn't lather but still cleans. I LOVE it!
6. If you do decide to shampoo, be mindful of the ingredients.
Alcohol and sulfates are the two I hear a lot about, but there are actually a lot of ingredients that could damage your hair. Shampoos you get at the drugstore are almost always littered with these ingredients, so if you are shampooing, you will need to splurge. Salon quality shampoos are where your safe products will be.
7. Use a cotton t-shirt to dry your hair.
Towels will suck the moisture out of your hair, so use an old cotton shirt to dry. I put my hair down in the shirt and twist it like I would a towel. Some like to just squeeze the wetness out with the shirt. This was one of the first things I tried to better my curly routine, and it made a huge difference for me.
8. "Plopping" is genius.
I learned this from articles for natural hair and I will forever be thankful. Plopping is laying a shirt down on a flat surface, flipping your wet head over, slowly lowering your head onto the shirt (your hair will bunch up at the top of your head), and tying the shirt around your head to keep it secure. It's harder to write directions, so if you need to see it, just look up "plopping" and tons of videos will come up. This technique is so awesome. Thank you to the natural haired girls for bestowing this knowledge on us!
9. Do not use heat.
Once again, doing so will damage your hair and suck the moisture out. I'm guilty of using a blowdryer on my scalp area so I can have volume, but if you do that, use the lowest heat setting or use the cool setting. Blow drying isn't great, but it isn't nearly as damaging as using hot tools like curling irons or straighteners. I'm telling you, this will destroy your hair in an instant. Our hair is so dry that we risk burning our hair off when using a straightener. It's best to limit or completely cut out the use of hot tools.
10. Brushes are your enemy.
Never dry brush your hair or brush your hair in general. Use a wide tooth comb while you condition in the shower. It detangles your hair, but prevents disturbing the natural curl pattern and prevents breakage. When I started doing this, I saw a lot less hair fall out throughout the day and while combing.
Having curly hair may seem like a curse sometimes, but we should see it as a blessing. Take care of your hair and let it be as natural as possible. Lady Gaga said it best, "I'm as free as my hair!"
