Curly hair is often dehydrated and matte, therefore it can be hard to style. However, before we explain what the best curly hair care routine looks like, how to style it and how to enhance this natural curl pattern, we must state clearly what curly hair exactly is – What are its characteristic features?
What is curly hair?
Curly hair differs from straight hair in terms of structure. Since waves and curls have other type of chemical bonds, their structure is rough, and the cuticles are open. Additionally, curves impede sebum transportation, so instead of reaching hair ends, sebum gets stuck right at the bulbs. As a consequence, hair becomes dry and matte, it’s prone to frizz and static. For that reason, styling such hair happens to be quite a challenge even for experienced hairdressers.
How to take care of curly hair?
Firstly, curly hair should be washed as rarely as it is only possible, surely not more frequently than every other day. Moreover, hair must be rinsed by keeping your head down because this will facilitate combing later. Also, while washing curly hair, it’s better to use cool or lukewarm water so as not to let the hair cuticle open wider. What’s crucial, curly hair must be combed right after washing, while still being wet. To do it properly, reach for either a wide tooth comb or plastic brushes that don’t harm hair. Another issue worth realizing is that curly hair must be toweled gently by squeezing water out from individual strands. When it comes to drying, the air stream of blow-dryer should be cool. Also, using a diffuser should be found beneficial.
How to style curly hair?
Although curly hair is hard to tame and style, it’s gifted with natural volume. In the case of coily and afro hair, you can take a risk and get your hair cut short. In other situations, it’s better to wear the hair long or at least shoulder-length. When hair is in a good condition and when the curl is neat, it’s better to wear hair loose. Otherwise, you can experiment with buns and braids. Ends of curly hair must be trimmed at least once per two months. Thanks to this, hair will grow faster and look significantly better.
How to straighten curly hair?
Home ways of making curly hair straight are effective, yet short-lived. It’s a good idea to reach for hair rinses made of birch, frizz control sprays, masks and conditioners with keratin, flax-seed, Shea butter, aloe or Ghassoul clay as well as intensively moisturizing coconut and argan oils. When hair is super dry, it’s worth giving a go to a special gel for hair straightening available is shops selling professional hair care products and well-equipped online drugstores. Permanent hair straightening might be achieved only at a hairdresser’s, mainly owing to keratin hair treatment.
How to enhance curl pattern of hair?
In order to enhance natural curl of hair, it must be kneaded in the right way, when it’s still wet. You can make use of curl enhancing products such as mousses, and after blow-drying, fix the hairdo with a hairspray dedicated to curly hair.
Enhancing curl of hair step by step:
- Prepare a cotton or microfiber cloth, an old t-shirt or any other cloth that absorbs water fast and has smooth texture. Take the cloth into your hands and use it to catch individual hair strands that has to be kneaded and squeezed really gently.
- Choose a strand, run fingers through it, stop somewhere in the middle and delicately shake the hair. This will bring out and enhance the natural curl pattern, especially if it is located closer to the hair ends.
- With your open hand grab end of strand. A few times and really slowly move the hand upwards, touch the head and go downwards. Press the strand to the head gently.
- To wet hair, before washing, apply a moisturising conditioner. Then, flip your hair forward. Put your hands together, pour there water there and knead hair ends.
- Twirl a wisp of hair around your finger. When your hand is close to the scalp, pull the finger out and tie the lock with a hair clip or hair slide (don’t use a bobby pin). Repeat the procedure with the remaining hair. Remove the hair slides after 15-20 minutes. Owing to this technique, hair will be lifted at roots, and the voluminous locks will start curling on their entire length, not only at the ends.
- Take a cotton t-shirt. Flip the hair forward after washing the it. With the bottom part of the t-shirt (without sleeves) start wrapping the hair starting form the forehead. Tie a knot at the neck with your t-shirt. Wrap the other end of the t-shirt under the knot so as to create a turban. Make your turban sit tight on your head and make sure that you created a ‘pocket’ where the hair might release water freely. In this way you will create, curls without kneading the hair.
