You don’t have to be a hair stylist to know that curly hair needs a lot more maintenance and TLC than straight hair. It takes a lot of work for us curly girls to tame our wild locks and avoid that dreaded ‘F’ word: frizz.
The average woman has around 104 different hairstyles during her lifetime, and those of us with curls are so lucky because our hair is so versatile! However, so many curly-haired gals are taking the totally wrong approach when it comes to hair maintenance and styling.
Because we know the struggle is real, here is a list of the most important “Dos” and “Don’ts” for curly hair.
DO
- Apply lots and lots of conditioner. Curly hair is typically drier than other types, which means it will soak up moisture faster than you can lather it on. When it comes to conditioner, use it liberally. Focus on the ends of your hair, though, and avoid your roots so that you don’t end up with an oily scalp.
- Apply hair care products to wet hair. The trick to fighting frizz is to apply smoothing products as soon as you step out of the shower. By doing this, you will lock in maximum moisture before frizz starts to form.
- Detangle your strands from the bottom up. Curly hair loves to tangle itself into an unmanageable rat’s nest if not cared for properly. The best time to detangle is when your hair is lathered up with conditioner. Use a wide tooth comb and start at the ends of your hair. Slowly work your way up to the roots, gently removing all knots.
DON’T
- Brush your hair when it’s dry. The perfect way to create maximum frizz is to run a brush or comb through dry curly hair. If you want your curls to stay smooth, keep all brushes far, far away.
- Straighten your hair too often. It is very tempting to run a straight iron through your hair every morning to keep it flat, straight, and manageable. If you do this, however, your hair will suffer and its texture will only become drier and frizzier. When you do straighten your hair, make sure you always use a heat protectant spray.
- Give up on your lovely locks. Establishing your perfect hair routine takes trial and error, but don’t give up! So many women choose to change their hair completely. In fact, relaxers account for 21% of the black haircare market with expenditures at $152 million a year. It’s totally okay to experiment with different styles and textures every once in a while. Relaxers can add some variety and can be a fun change for a period of time. But ultimately, your hair is beautiful just as it is.
There are approximately 663,300 hair stylists working in hair salons in the United States, but not all of them know what to do with your curly hair. But if you can find a local stylist with experience and professional knowledge of all hair types, she or he can be a wonderful resource.
If you need help managing and styling your curly hair, talk to your hair stylist about the best look for you. And if you’re looking for a new San Jose hair stylist that knows exactly what to do with curly hair, then start following Strictly Styles.
