How To Take Care Of Your Curly Hair

With curly hair, getting ready seems to be a little hard. It requires some serious attention to begin with. If you have heavy coils or curls, you already know it’s not just simply a trait you got from your parents; maintaining it is a whole lifestyle.

Unlike other hair types, curly hair tends to lack moisture and dry out fast, making it challenging to take care of. Product after product seems to be not working at all. We then feel frustrated with our hair. And it does affect our mood for the day. 

But, having one is actually an envy to many girls out there. So, knowing how to care of your glorious curls properly can be a big factor. You don't have to worry about anything that involves your hair anymore if you just know what to do. 

Well, you’ve asked, and we answered. Let's discover more about curly hair and some tips you can do to keep it shiny and healthy. If you’re also a curious curl beauty, tag along!

What is curly hair?

It’s the shape of the follicle each hair strand grows that dictates how straight, wavy, or curly our individual strand can be. If you have a U or C-shaped follicle, you’re a curly-haired gal. Also, curly follicles angle directly into the skin, causing the hair to curve, thus, creating curls.

Identifying your curl pattern can be confusing too. Type A features stretched, big spirals that roll down from the crown. This type is the easiest to manage. Type B indicates smaller springs that mimic a corkscrew. Volume is insane in this type. However, it is very vulnerable to breakage. With relatively smaller and tightly-packed curls, you might have a Type C curl. 

How do I know if I have curly hair?

If you don’t straight up know if you have curly hair, here are some hints that might help you find out:

1. You have some waves or occasional curls. If you don’t treat your hair as curly from the start, it won’t come out. Waves can be a great indicator. 
2. You have stubborn hair along your hairline. If hair sprays and gels can’t help fix those baby hairs, it might hint you have curly hair. 
3. You have out-of-control volume in the wrong places. If you have unmanageable poofs and wild spots, it might be where the curls start popping out. 
4. You have no control over the parting of your hair. If you can’t part your hair the way you want, it could be because your curls start at the other side. 
5. You have annoyingly frizzy hair when it’s humid. If perfect beach hair might seem impossible, you probably have curly hair. 

How do I brush my curly hair?

Brushing your curly hair is pretty much impossible without looking like someone who was just involved in a catfight. As it turns out, there are ways to brush your curly hair that won't leave with that horror movie hair.

First, brush it wet. Curly hair is naturally dry and brittle. Hence, brushing it when it's not wet can cause breakage and split ends. Also, you need to use the right kind of tools. A wide tooth comb or detangler brush is good to avoid tagging and snagging. 

You may also add a good moisturiser to your brushing routine. As mentioned, curly hair is prone to dryness, so it’s important to incorporate products specifically made for curly hair and seal that moisture your hair needs. 

How to successfully wash your curly hair and how often?

To successfully wash your curly hair, don’t shampoo in a circular motion. This technique will help reduce the tangling. You can do a gentle back-and-forth massage on your scalp instead and avoid bunching up your curls. Lather your shampoo into the roots of your curls, and work the lather down the middle and lightly on the ends. If you have very knotted curls, detangle them first using your fingers before washing. 

When it comes to how often you need to wash your curly hair depends on your curl type. Loose curls can be washed two to four times a week. Coily types can be washed up weekly and deep-cleanse with shampoo once a month. Lastly, tight curls should be washed every few days to a week. 

Simple rule: If your curls feel dry, wash them less frequently. Don’t forget to use conditioner, too. Your curly hair needs some hydration!

What are some tips and techniques for combating frizz and dryness in curly hair?

Frizz? There are lots of it when you have curly hair!

You can follow these tips and techniques to reduce frizz and dryness in your hair: 

1. Don’t brush it dry. When you comb your hair dry, it disturbs the pattern and will result in frizz.
2. Don’t shampoo every day. The less shampoo, the more moisturised your hair will be.
3. Deep condition your hair. Choose products that are glycerin and alcohol-free. 
4. Do some DIY hair masks. Listen to what your hair needs — hydration. 
5. Use a shirt to scrunch and dry your curls. Normal towels can increase friction frizz.
6. Rinse and diffuse your hair in the cold. Rinsing your hair in cold water closes up your cuticles, preventing them from absorbing moisture. You can also diffuse your hair on cold, as it is less harsh for your curls. 
7. Avoid heating: the more heat, the more frequent the frizz visits. 
8. Don’t overdo oiling. While it's good to incorporate oils into your hair, overdoing it can make you use too much shampoo to remove it. 
9. Don’t touch your hair, especially until it dries.
10. In tying your hair, using oversized scrunchies is highly recommended, especially the silky ones. Unlike most hair ties, silk scrunchies do not cause hair frizz and breakage since it's made of gentler materials, allowing your hair to breathe. Apart from this, it also keeps your hair hydrated since silk absorbs less moisture.  

How often should I cut my curly hair?

Curls have a similar trimming timeframe to that of wavy hair. Less-is-more rule can be applied in terms of how much you cut. If you don't usually expose your hair to heat, 10 to 12 weeks is ideal. When it starts to knot easily, your curls should be trimmed. 

Takeaway

The biggest thing you need to understand when you have curly hair is that it tends to dry out easily and craves moisture more than ever. There's no denying it requires a lot of attention. But when you understand the needs of your hair, it'll make sense why.