My relationship with my hair has been a bit twisted to say the least. Up until about the age of 11 I had perfectly straight hair with almost no frizz. As I grew into a teenager my hair pattern changed entirely. It started out just having a subtle texture and then it turned wavy and now I have a head full of curls. At first, I did everything in my power to stop it. I bought keratin straightening shampoo and conditioner, brushed my hair religiously, and almost never wore it natural. My curls already weren't that healthy so doing this made my hairs condition even worse; so much so that eventually my hair started to fall out. Once this started happening I knew I had to suck it up and figure out how to wear my hair natural. So after years of trial and error and lots of failures, I have learned a lot about curly hair care that keeps the mane on my head looking good!
Don't wash your hair every day!
This is first and foremost the most important part of curly hair care; you cannot wash your hair every day! This is so incredibly damaging to your hair and strips away so much of your hairs moisture. Wash your hair every other day or every two days and I promise you will notice a difference in your curl pattern and softness. If greasy hair bothers you take advantage of dry shampoo.
Read the ingredients
Most shampoos have sulfates, parabens, and alcohols. These are extremely drying and damaging to curly hair. Invest in natural based products free of these ingredients. Most brands have lines of products specifically for curly hair, but still include harsh substances in their formula. Be sure to read each product carefully before purchasing.
Ditch the cotton towel
Cotton towels are very harsh and rough on hair. It encourages frizz and creates breakage on hair strands. Using a microfiber towel to dry your hair is much a much safer alternative. If you don't have one, t-shirts are also another great swap. When drying your hair, flip your head over and scrunch your curls upward to help enhance the pattern.
Coconut oil is your best friend
Seriously. Coconut oil masks are amazing for curly hair. They help restore moisture and reduce frizz and breakage. Scoop a dollop sized amount into your hands and warm it up. Once it is soft apply all over the bottom half of your hair and let it sit for at least an hour. Afterwards, wash it off in the shower using warm water.
Trust the process
Healthy hair takes time to achieve
A curly hair transformation will not work overnight. Be patient! When I first started it wasn't until after a few weeks that I started to notice significant changes in my hair. Create a hair care routine for yourself and stick to it religiously. Consistency is key when it comes to hair.
- 25 Things That Curly Haired People Can Relate To ›
- 12 Facts Of Life With Naturally Curly Hair ›
- 7 Struggles Curly-Haired Girls Tangle With On The Daily ›
- An Open Letter To Curly-Haired Girls ›
- 13 Struggles Girls With Naturally Curly Hair Relate To On A Spiritual ... ›
- 3 Must Have Products For Curly Hair ›
- 10 Secrets All Curly-Haired Girls Need To Know ›
- To the Person Who Feels Insecure About Their Naturally Curly Hair ›
- 13 Reasons Curly Hair Is The Best ›
