3 minute read
introduction to Curly Hair Care FOR BEGINNERS
Do you have curly hair and often dream about healthy picture-perfect curls without spending your time and energy on a heat styling tool?
What if I tell you that is totally possible?!
Though each person's hair is different, you can follow some basic rules and still get healthier, more defined hair. A proper curl-care routine will help you achieve the maximum potential of what your hair can do. It takes time, patience and knowledge.
Why should you start a curly hair routine?
If you have unmanageable frizzy hair (like it has its own mind)
If you are heat styling every day because you don't know how to style the natural curls
If you are using a keratin or professional hair straightening treatment to get rid of the curls
If you want to make your curls healthier, defined and polished.
How should you start a curly hair care routine?
You will need a little bit of preparation before starting this system.
Before starting a curly hair routine, you need to find out your curl pattern (pictured below).
The curl patterns range from 2A to 4C, the number refers to curl families, while the letter points to how tightly wound your curls are within that family. Type 1 is the absence of curl (or straight hair). Type 2 means waves, while type 3 consists of spiraled curls, and type 4 consists of kinks and coils. You can have two or more types of curl patterns, so if you don't find your specific type, don't panic. Look for the closest one.
Buy hair products made for curly hair. Choose gentle sulfate-free shampoos and cut back on shampooing to once every 7-10 days.
Invest in silicone-free conditioners. YOU WILL NEED:
A regular conditioner after shampoo
A deep conditioner every 7-10 days
A leave-in conditioner to use every time you wash your hair.
You can also skip your regular shampoo and replace it with the regular conditioner. If your scalp is feeling greasy, you can use the shampoo on the scalp and for the rest of the hair use the conditioner. As for the leave-in, it will keep your hair hydrated and defined until you wash it the next time. Think of it like a "hair moisturizer".
Get a silicone-free curl styling product like cream, gel or mousse. Use it after the leave-in to preserve your curly style.
A QUICK LOOK INTO THE WASH & STYLE ROUTINE:
After shampooing, use adequate conditioner to saturate the curls and make them slippery — like seaweed. Use your fingers to comb the knots out and distribute the product. Then wash it out.
While your hair is still dripping wet; flip your hair upside down, divide hair into 3-4 sections and apply the leave-in conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently comb the product from root to tip. Do not wash it out.
If you are using a styling product, use it at this stage. Take and distribute the styling product across the palms of the hands — your hands should look like you’re praying. Then apply by sliding down either side of your hair with both hands. This technique helps with distributing the product evenly without disrupting the curl clumps.
Take a cotton t-shirt or microfiber hair towel and push small sections of hair towards your scalp. It will take out the excess water, bring out the texture and give volume.
It's best if you can air-dry the curls, but North Dakota winters are brutal. So, when you use a hairdryer, use it on the low heat or cool setting with a diffuser.
While sleeping, use a silk hair cap. It will lessen the friction and protect the curls.
The DOs and DON'Ts of curly hair care:
Now that you know the basics of curl-care, here are some dos and don'ts you should maintain:
Don't comb your hair while it's dry. It will mess up the curl pattern and cause breakage.
Don't sleep with wet curls. It will cause frizz.
Don't heat style hair when you are starting the curly hair care routine. After you revive the curls and they are healthier, you can occasionally do it.
Find a curly hair stylist who can help you with styling techniques and products.
My curl story:
I have 2C-3A curls. It took me almost two years to transform my dry, frizzy, rough hair into bouncy, defined curls by maintaining this routine. I also learned about my hair, read countless books, articles, avoided hair straightener and achieved a head full of healthy curls. Nowadays, as I know what works and doesn't work for my hair, I "bend" the rules and style it either wavy or curly.
Resources: If you want to learn more about curls, I suggest looking into the following websites and social media channels:
WEBSITES naturallycurly.com curlsunderstood.com curlmaven.ie curlygirlmovement.com
@coffeecurlygirl
@curly.evee
@marisascurls
@desertcurlsstudio
@honestlizhere
YOUTUBE
Hair Romance
India Batson
Gena Marie
Jayme Jo Manes by Mell
Joy Before Her
Finally, here are some FARGO-BASED CURL SPECIALISTS
I have come across:
Olivia from Nora Salon (@hairandmakeup.olivia)
Charli from Ulta Beauty Salon Fargo (@charlischair)
Monica from Dandy Lion Fargo (@dandylionfargo)
Uptown Curl - Fargo
Maleah from @fargohairdresser
If you have any questions on curly hair, you can also direct message me on my Instagram (@sifascorner). [ aw ]
