Care for Your Curly Hair
We’ve scoured the World Wide Web for ways to care for curly hair. Everyone has a different view on the subject yet here’s what makes the most sense for all you CurlyCanadians coast to coast to coast:
Love
Cheesy as this sounds, the most important aspect of curly hair care is love. In order for your curls to be in peak condition you must decide to embrace your hair. Curly hair is not an affliction that needs to be corrected nor is it a style not considered beautiful. Once you realize your curly hair is a gift, you will find caring for your hair much easier than ever before.
Cleanse
We use the word “cleanse” as there are many ways to rid your curly hair and scalp of product buildup, dirt, excess oils & sweat. Whether you cleanse your hair once per day or once per week, it is important for the health of your curly hair to keep it clean. A sulfate-free shampoo is always best. Read the ingredient label before purchasing any curly hair care product. If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know what it is, don’t use it on your hair or your child’s hair.
Condition
Curls are always thirsty and need lots of moisture! Conditioning your lovely curls is a key step in maintaining healthy hair. Conditioning also adds emollients and prepares the hair for detangling. Some people opt to cleanse curls with conditioner only (a “conditioner wash” or “co-wash”). You could also use a deep conditioning treatment once per week.
Detangle
Detangling your curls is essential for curl definition. Use a wide-toothed comb or a Denman-style brush on freshly conditioned hair. Start at the tip and work your way up to the root. The goal here is to remove knots and tangles to reveal cascades of curls.WARNING! Only use a Denman-style brush on freshly cleaned & conditioned hair. DO NOT use a brush on dried curls!! This will result in hair breakage. Use of a brush is solely to facilitate detangling. If properly done, you will notice a difference in the health of your curls. When in doubt, use a wide-toothed comb.
Style
Once your curls are detangled, the curl pattern needs to be set. You may use styling products to define & style your curls or you may simply scrunch your hair in an upward motion to activate curls.
Dry
No matter your curl type, it’s always best to let your hair dry naturally. Curly hair is extremely heat sensitive. You may also opt to use a diffuser if you’re in a hurry – just make sure it’s set to a low-to-medium setting. Use an old T-shirt or a baby’s receiving blanket to remove excess water from your hair. Avoid using terry cloth towels on your hair, as they will damage the hair shaft over time.
Refresh
Sometimes curls can develop a dry, brittle feeling known as the “crunch”. Some like the crunch and others do not. To remove the crunch (aka “scrunch out the crunch”), use a styling product, a bit of conditioner or a refreshing spray.
Love
Cheesy as this sounds, the most important aspect of curly hair care is love. In order for your curls to be in peak condition you must decide to embrace your hair. Curly hair is not an affliction that needs to be corrected nor is it a style not considered beautiful. Once you realize your curly hair is a gift, you will find caring for your hair much easier than ever before.
Cleanse
We use the word “cleanse” as there are many ways to rid your curly hair and scalp of product buildup, dirt, excess oils & sweat. Whether you cleanse your hair once per day or once per week, it is important for the health of your curly hair to keep it clean. A sulfate-free shampoo is always best. Read the ingredient label before purchasing any curly hair care product. If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know what it is, don’t use it on your hair or your child’s hair.
Condition
Curls are always thirsty and need lots of moisture! Conditioning your lovely curls is a key step in maintaining healthy hair. Conditioning also adds emollients and prepares the hair for detangling. Some people opt to cleanse curls with conditioner only (a “conditioner wash” or “co-wash”). You could also use a deep conditioning treatment once per week.
Detangle
Detangling your curls is essential for curl definition. Use a wide-toothed comb or a Denman-style brush on freshly conditioned hair. Start at the tip and work your way up to the root. The goal here is to remove knots and tangles to reveal cascades of curls.WARNING! Only use a Denman-style brush on freshly cleaned & conditioned hair. DO NOT use a brush on dried curls!! This will result in hair breakage. Use of a brush is solely to facilitate detangling. If properly done, you will notice a difference in the health of your curls. When in doubt, use a wide-toothed comb.
Style
Once your curls are detangled, the curl pattern needs to be set. You may use styling products to define & style your curls or you may simply scrunch your hair in an upward motion to activate curls.
Dry
No matter your curl type, it’s always best to let your hair dry naturally. Curly hair is extremely heat sensitive. You may also opt to use a diffuser if you’re in a hurry – just make sure it’s set to a low-to-medium setting. Use an old T-shirt or a baby’s receiving blanket to remove excess water from your hair. Avoid using terry cloth towels on your hair, as they will damage the hair shaft over time.
Refresh
Sometimes curls can develop a dry, brittle feeling known as the “crunch”. Some like the crunch and others do not. To remove the crunch (aka “scrunch out the crunch”), use a styling product, a bit of conditioner or a refreshing spray.
