The Guide To Healthy Curly Hair
Hey Curly Crew,
I wanted to share with you a few tips I learned in my curly hair journey. I hope this information will help you with styling, protecting and managing your curly textured hair. These tips I learned from my own experiences over the years, via my hair stylist, and information I was able to gather from family & friends with curly hair. Here you go! Enjoy.
EMBRACE YOUR TEXTURE
No matter your hair texture is dope the way it is. Is about using the right products to enhance and maintain your hair.
DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR TOO MUCH. Curly hair is naturally dry, so washing it too often can strip away the natural oils that keep it hydrated. Try to wash your hair two (2) times per week or less, if possible. If for some reason you need to wash it one more time during the week because of working out etc., just use a vegan conditioner or co-wash to rinse your hair. This will help with keeping your curly hair hydrated.
USE A VEGAN SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER. This is a great one I wish I knew when I started my curly hair journey. It is important to look for products that are specifically designed for curly hair. In the past I would use any shampoo and conditioner - and trust me once I switched it up - my curls and scalp did a complete 360. Vegan products free of harsh chemicals will help to hydrate your hair and define your curls. This takes me to the next tip.
AVOID HARSH CHEMICALS. Harsh chemicals, such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates and alcohol, can dry out your hair and make your curls frizzy. Look for products that are sulfate-free and alcohol-free. As you may know, 60% of what you apply to yourself is absorbed into your system. In other words, leave the products with harsh chemicals alone! Trust and believe, you will thank me later.
CONDITION YOUR HAIR. When you condition your hair, be sure to work the conditioner through from root to tip. Leave your conditioner on for at least 3-5 minutes to give the formula opportunity to work its magic. This will help to hydrate your hair and prevent breakage. Do not rush the process. Many guys tend to apply conditioner and rinse it off right away. Not a good look because what you are actually doing is throwing your money down the drain.
DEEP TREATMENT IS A VIBE. Guys, I know it might be a bit much but a deep treatment/hair reconstructor is great to add protein back into your hair. I normally do this once a week and make it a self-care experience for myself. If using a hair reconstructor, make sure to follow directions as you should; only leave it on hair for 3-5 minutes max. Other masks or treatments you can leave for longer. This is something you should add to your haircare routine to keep your hair strong and healthy.
DON’T BRUSH YOUR HAIR WHEN IS DRY. Brushing your hair when it's dry can cause frizz and breakage. Instead, brush your hair when it's wet and use a wide-tooth comb. I do this especially when I want to rock my afro hair vibes. Wet It Up!
AIR DRY YOUR HAIR. Air drying is the healthiest way to dry your hair. If you use a blow dryer make sure to use a diffuser to help protect your hair. In addition make sure to use at least one product with Thermal Protection. I normally apply our Hold Me Cream Gel with thermal protection to style. Our Glow Me Up Oil and Restore Me Serum have thermal protection as well. Protection is key to prevent hair damage.
TRY TO STICK TO CREAM BASED PRODUCTS. To style your curls, it is best to stick to cream-based products as this will define and elevate your curls to another level. I normally apply our Lay Me Down Conditioner and partner that with our Hold Me Cream Gel. They are both cream-based and full of hydration to keep the curls on point.
UV PROTECTION IS KEY. Use at least one product with UV Protection to protect your curls from the rays of the sun. This is especially helpful for dry curls. Overtime the rays of the sun will dry your hair. Using a product with UV protection will also protect your scalp, which is essential for healthy curly hair.
BE COOL WITH IT. There are no rules when it comes to styling curly hair. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. Embrace the texture, be confident and don’t overthink it. Hair is not suppose to look perfect all the time. The beauty of your journey is that it’s going to continue to evolve. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now.