If you are a curly girl or guy, you probably would have been teased at school with slurs like “noodles” or “Malinga”. There would have been times when you were compared with straight haired people and felt unsure about your beauty. You also must have gone as far as getting chemical treatments like smoothening and keratin to straighten your hair, in a bid to look like those models with perfectly sleek hair. Little did you know, Your curls were always the beauty standard and you were gorgeous the way you were!
In this article, we will get to know better about the right way to take care of your curls, as to enhance their beauty and keep them looking hydrated and healthy!
1. Understanding curl type:
There are roughly 3 curl types-
- Type 2 (Wavy hair)- This type of hair falls right in the equilibrium between straight and curly.
- Type 3 (Curly hair)- This type of hair has well defined loops, with more volume and bounce.
- Type 4 (Coily/Kinky hair)- This type of hair is tightly curled with more shrinkage and volume
2. Why having a curly hair routine matters:
Curly hair loses moisture quickly and is usually high porosity. It tends to get drier than straight hair because natural oils of the scalp struggle to travel down the twists and coils of the hair strands. Hence, curly hair requires more hydration and maintenance than straight hair.
3. Pre- Shampoo routine & Detangling:
Having a pre-shampoo routine is essential to lock in moisture in your curls and protect your hair from being stripped out of your natural oils.
Best Oils to Nourish Curly Hair-
- Castor Oil- Its a great moisturiser for thick, curly hair due to its thick consistency. It is rich in essential fatty acids, ricinoleic acid which help with moisture retention and hair growth. Its heavy, occlusive nature makes it perfect for coating strands and making them more resilient to breakage. Castor oil is rich in omegas, which help add shine and strength with regular use.
- Coconut Oil- Coconut oil has been proven to reduce protein loss in hair strands. It works great as a pre-shampoo treatment like rosemary shampoo , to enhance curl definition. Coconut contains lauric acid which can deeply penetrate the hair shaft to reverse damage, frizz and seal cuticles for a shiny, glossy appearance.
- Olive Oil- A natural emollient, Olive oil is rich in oleic acid that can penetrate the hair shaft and moisturise the hair strands for improved curl definition and softness.Olive oil contains antioxidants which form a protective barrier on hair strands and prevent frizz due to environmental damage.
- Argan Oil- Often known as ‘liquid gold’, argan oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acid that keep your curls soft and bouncy.It acts as a natural heat protectant due to being rich in vitamin E, which can prevent damage from heat styling tools. Argan oil is lightweight in consistency, which makes it suitable for all types of curly hair. For example- wavy hair tends to get oilier and greasier more quickly than curly and coily hair. It has anti-humidity properties which prevent frizz and flyaways in the hot and humid seasons.
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Avocado oil- Rich in essential vitamins like A, D, E and B6, avocado oil is one of the richest sources of biotin, which plays a vital role in overall hair health. It is a natural sunblock for the hair and prevents damage against UV rays. It's a lightweight oil for those who are afraid that thicker oils will weigh their hair down or make their strands limp. Argan oil has the ability to give your hair long lasting hydration and to quench thirsty curls.
4. Washing your curls (cleansing & conditioning):
How often you wash your hair in a week depends on the type of curls, your hair porosity and the amount of natural oil your scalp produces. Ideally,
- If you have curly & coily hair, you must avoid using sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. These curly hair types tend to be drier and more prone to frizz. Sulfates are harsh detergents which can strip the natural moisture of the hair and scalp. Since curly hair tends to be drier, it must not be over washed. Once in 4 days is fine, depending upon the amount of sebum the scalp produces. Use shampoos containing onion & biotin to strengthen and nourish curly hair, since it is more prone to breakage.
- If you have wavy hair, you might notice your hair getting greasy much more quickly than coily or curly hair. This is because comparatively, the natural sebum on the scalp finds it easier to travel down your lengths. In that case, an Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo is great to balance the pH of the scalp to maintain optimal acidity levels, clarify oil buildup and enhance curl definition by adding a lustrous shine. Wavy hair might require more frequent shampooing,at least about every 2-3 days depending on your scalp type and sebum production.
5. Deep Conditioning & Hair Masks:
Just shampoo isn’t enough to see moisturized, defined and glossy curls. You will require some deep conditioning for your frizzy and damaged curls to transform into looking like Moana’s beautiful curly mane.
Overly rubbing and washing your strands during shampoo creates friction, which can damage and open the cuticle layer. Sealing this layer with the help of a conditioner flattens the open cuticles, giving hair a glossy, lustrous appearance.
What are the best ingredients to look for in a conditioner suitable for curly hair types?:
- Shea butter- Like its name suggests, shea butter has a natural buttery consistency due to the presence of fatty acids. It acts as a natural conditioning agent, making hair more soft and manageable. Shea butter contains vitamins which add shine and smoothness.
- Avocado oil- Avocado oil is rich in biotin which helps improve the elasticity of hair. It's rich in vitamin E, which is great for adding shine and moisture to curls.
- Aloe Vera- Aloe Vera is a natural humectant that hydrates the scalp, to make curls feel light and refreshed.
- Argan oil- Reduces, frizz and flyaways. It helps add a healthy shine without weighing hair down.
- Glycerine- Another natural humectant, glycerine helps draw in mixture into the hair making it beneficial for dry and dehydrated curls.
- Ylang Ylang essential oil- Ylang Ylang oil is naturally hydrating and helps with cuticle sealing. This helps with easy detangling of the hair. It also regulates sebum production on the scalp, to prevent flakiness.
- Styling Techniques for Curls- Scrunching, Plopping and Finger Coiling:
- Scrunching: This technique is best for wavy and curly hair types.
While conditioning your hair in the shower, flip your hair upside down, use the cupping motion of your palms to gently scrunch your hair upwards towards your scalp. Use a soft fabric like a microfibre towel to drain the excess water from your hair. Let your hair air dry for your natural curls to shine.
Plopping: This technique is suitable to all curl types. It's great if you struggle with root volume.
Apply conditioner, Lower your curls onto a soft cotton t-shirt or microfibre towel. Wrap the towel around your head, securing it at the nape of your neck. Leave for 15-30 minutes for maximum curl definition. Let your hair air dry.
Finger Coiling: This technique is best for curly to coily hair. It helps clump curls together, define individual coils and reduce frizz.
Apply conditioner, section your hair, take your index finger and wrap small sections of your hair onto it like a coil. Let it stay for a minute or two and then release. Repeat for all sections.
For tighter coils use smaller sections, For looser waves use bigger sections.
Conclusion:
You! Yes, you curly girl! You are an absolute goddess. Curly hair is a beauty trait that should never be considered unattractive, in fact, all the more majestic! By focusing on taking care of it, we can help enhance the appearance and health of our curls, giving them that glossy, supermodel like effect- that too with all natural methods. You don’t need any fancy equipment or treatments to manage your curls. Just be consistent with these few simple tips and see your hair transform like an angel!