No two heads of hair are alike, nor do they curl in the same way. While there are processes that use advanced algebra to classify curls by category, the fact remains that your curls are special to you, and what appears to work with one person might not always work with another. The curly girl method is a group of procedures to implement, such as process, ingredients, and instruments, that will promote your hair health and enrich your curly hair over time. You have to abandon harmful items and lifestyles such as sulphates and brushes in favour of a healthy hair care routine that involves plenty of moisture and particular styling techniques.
Here’s an ultimate guide to embracing and flaunting your curly mane!
1. Saying NO to sulphates and parabens
The foremost change you can make in your hair care regime is to eliminate products that contain parabens, sulphates and silicones. Sulphates and parabens strip the hair of its natural oils, making it fragile and dry, whereas silicones are proven to clog your hair’s pores, preventing it from getting moisture. The mixture of these three products is harmful to the health of your hair. This blend is particularly damaging to naturally curly tresses because the texture differs greatly from straight or mildly wavy hair. Curly hair is usually coarse and tends to lack moisture, so when those stripping items are applied to the hair, all of the natural oils and moisture is stripped away.
As a natural outcome, the curls become dry, breakable, and unmanageable, hence we recommend you to say goodbye to these ingredients and buy products that are free from them.
2. Cleansing
Numerous people swear by co-washing, also known as co-poo or merely using conditioner to wash their hair. However, it can cause hair to look unclean and feel heavy. It is also a magnet for dust, pollutants, and dirt. Reverse shampooing encompasses using conditioner or oil before shampooing to remove less of the natural oils, but it has a few of the same disadvantages as using only conditioner. People with curly hair are well aware that shampoo can be difficult to use. It causes frizz, makes noticeable curl patterns impossible to achieve, and makes the need for moisture even more pressing. So, we recommend washing your mane just once a week, using a detergent-free shampoo.
3. Brushing the right way
Brushes disrupt natural curl shapes and contribute to frizz. If anything, use a wide-tooth comb to ease out snags and make it simpler by sectioning your hair first. Detangling your hair does not have to be a struggle: the key is to comb from the base up, rather than pulling them down the hair shaft, which causes breakage and split ends. It is quicker and less damaging to your hair, so you’ll end up losing less of it. Finally, your fingers are your most effective detangling weapon. Be tender and patient with yourself.
4. Use a cotton t-shirt to dry
Dry your tresses using a cotton t-shirt. Squeeze the extra water out of your hair with the t-shirt. And then, place your hair in the cotton t-shirt and let it air dry while it rests on your head, similar to how you would wrap your hair in a towel. The shirt will soak up extra water from your hair without inducing friction as a regular towel might. Because of the friction, regular towels triggers fizziness in your hair. A blow dryer with a diffuser is a substitute for towel drying. Normally, curly hair reacts well to techniques that do not use any kind of heat, the diffuser is best used on a low setting with just cold air.
5. Using deep conditioners
When searching for a deep conditioner, go for one that is free of parabens, sulphates, and silicones. Silicone is by far the most commonly seen ingredient in conditioners. A deep conditioner would become your new best buddy when it comes to conquering your curly hair and frizz. We recommend that you always use a deep conditioner that contains an anti-frizz or softening element. The Garnier Fructis 1 Minute Nourishing Hair Mask is our favourite deep conditioner. This product can also be used as a leave-in conditioner and will not displease in terms of fragrance as well.
6. Use heat protectants
To reduce heat tool damage, choose your straight hair days judiciously and smartly, so that rain or snow do not ruin your extra effort, and always use heat protecting sprays/serums/creams. To avoid further damage to your tresses, don’t use heat on your hair on consequent days.
7. Leave-in conditioners
A leave-in conditioner is one of the two most essential hair styling products. A leave-in conditioner is used to define the curls, making it one of the most valuable items you should use for curly hair. Everybody’s hair responds differently to products, and leave-in conditioners truly fit best on manes that are naturally curly or wavy. Leave-in conditioners keep your curls soft, smooth, shiny but defined, all through the day. We recommend L’oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Leave-In Conditioner which is suited best for those hefty and sturdy curls, giving an appealing finish.
8. Use a hair gel
Following the application of the leave-in conditioner, the next step is to apply a gel. After the leave-in conditioner has defined the curls, the gel is used to position them. You should always look for a water-based gel because it is far simpler to remove from your tresses when it is water-soluble. Biotera Alcohol-Free Defining Gel is the gel we suggest you use. When the gel dries, it will make your hair crunchy, so you will have to scrunch it properly. When you do not use a gel, your hair may look a little frizzy.
9. Avoid heat products
The heat from hair dryers, curling tongs, flat irons, or hot rollers can cause hair to become dry, damaged, and frizzy. Keep the use of hot instruments to the lowest and use extreme care when doing so. Always start with a heat protectant, such as Hairstory Dressed Up. Diffusing hair on the coolest possible setting to improve shine and reduce frizz is much less dangerous. To generate lift and volume, try it with your head flipped over and keep scrunching your hair at the same time.
10. Touch your mane less than usual
The more you twiddle with and toss your tresses during the day, the more frizzy and oily it will become. Mid-day touch-ups include moistening broken curls and reshaping them using your fingers.