Here are some basic tips that will help your curly hair keep its natural gorgeous beauty! Without the hassle of frizz and tangles!
How to De-tangle and Keep your curls from tangling:
Use a wide tooth comb, a comb made from wood is best! Wooden combs help reduce static, prevent split ends, release tension, contribute to less hair loss, make for a healthier scalp which encourages faster hair growth, and many more! Plastic combs can cause split ends, hair loss and fragile, broken hair.
Comb out curls in sections when hair is wet, damp at the very least. Curly hair is much more fragile than straight hair and when it is wet it is more hydrated and supple. Breakage is less common this way.
When detangling, always start combing from the ends of the hair - then work your way closer to the head and the roots. By combing the tangles out this way, they come out bit by bit instead of making them bigger and tighter! If you start at the top of the head the tangles get all pushed down and bunched together making it much more difficult to get them out.
Because curly hair can be prone to lacking moisture and protein - make sure to keep enough of these in your hair! Coconut oil is helpful for replenishing moisture.
It can be helpful to use some kind (retail or homemade) of gel or mousse in your hair to help define the curls throughout the day and keep the frizz at bay.
Curls can be rejuvenated by spritzing with water.
Sleep on satin. Satin pillowcases are wonderful for keeping your hair from matting overnight.
If you have a child with curly hair, consider satin sheets (since they don't often use pillows, and are just so wiggly!)
Sleep caps are also a wonderful way to keep your curls nice overnight (and naps!) There are many different styles and kinds of sleep caps made from a variety of materials - but the idea is all the same. If you can keep the curls contained and keep them from rubbing and twisting into each other all night - you'll have less to detangle in the morning!
Use homemade hair products when possible. There are many recipes in which you can make your own hair gels, hairsprays, shampoo, conditioners, and even hot oil treatments to replenish moisture, from ingredients you already have in your kitchen! The benefit to doing this rather than buying commercial products is that (it's cheaper! and) there are no chemicals or preservatives in the things you make yourself! Preservatives and chemicals are not good for any type of hair, but can wreak havoc on curly hair.
What to avoid...
Never use a brush on dry curls! This can be very damaging to the hair.
Also avoid using a blow dryer as much as possible. Curly hair needs to stay hydrated!
Stay far, far away from ANY hair products that containing SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and anything that ends in -cone. These chemicals are very drying to all hair and do much more damage than good!
Be wary of products claiming to add moisture - some of these will strip it! Similar to how body lotions sometimes make your body more reliant on them (chapstick?!) - although they might make your hair feel good right away, they can sometimes make it drier in the long run. So keep an eye on it! And always read the ingredients labels!!
Remember - there are many different types of curly hair. Each kind needs individual care! For best results, pay attention to your hair, learn what it likes and dislikes and keep doing what works!
