Whether it’s the Nicole Kidman’s luscious red curls or Shakira’s platinum locks, curly hair is a prominent feature that makes you stand out from the crowd. You can find curly-haired women and men on nearly every continent in the world. Asymmetrical follicles cause hair to be oval shaped and to curl. While some people straighten their hair to disguise their curls, others flaunt them like a prized possession. Maintaining a naturally curly look will bring out your facial features, but also requires more care than naturally straight and thin hair.
Curly Hair Care
Unlike straight hair, curly hair requires special care to keep it healthy and manageable. Since curly hair gets frizzy when it’s dry, retaining moisture is vital. If you have curly hair, you’ll likely spend more time in front of the vanity to perfect your hairdo. Due to its thickness, it’s crucial that you keep your curly hair healthy and styled to avoid a tangled nightmare. Picking the right shampoo and conditioner will help you when it’s time to style your hair. In addition, you can take vitamins to keep your hair strong and nourished. Below are curly hair tips to keep your hair young and healthy.
Shampoo for Curly Hair
Those with curly hair should stay away from shampoos with sulfates. Although sulfates remove unflattering oils and grease buildup in hair, they tend to dry out your scalp and damage your hair strands. Not only do sulfates rid of natural oils that keep your hair healthy, but they also leave behind a residue that accumulates. The best shampoos for curly hair are ones that moisturize your hair, making it easier to style and softer. Shampoos with natural ingredients such as argan oil, hibiscus, coconut, and jojoba oil are designed especially for curls. Jojoba oil, for example, contains properties that resemble the sebum that our body creates. If you’re a man that wants a masculine-smelling shampoo, you could use shampoo infused with sandalwood. Sandalwood has a long-lasting manly aroma and nourishes the hair. At the end of the day, stay away from sulfates and choose a shampoo designed with natural ingredients that rejuvenate and nourish your curly hair.
Conditioner for Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, it’s important that you use a moisturizing conditioner to help soften your hair and make it more manageable to style. While curly hair is a sought-after trait, it tends to be frizzy and therefore requires a special kind of conditioner. Since dryness causes frizzy hair, the conditioner needs to have a moisturizing agent. A glycerin-based conditioner will help your hair pull in and retain moisture during the day. Similar to shampoo, natural ingredients in conditioners help boost and revitalize your hair. Both argan oil and vitamin E are conditioning agents that soften and nourish curly hair. Argan oil will not only illuminate your hair but also smoothen its texture. Vitamin E, on the other hand, reduces breakage and helps you build new tissue. Aside from argan oil and vitamin E, you should look for conditioners that contain fatty acids, proteins, and other essential oils that enhance your hair.
Styling Tips for Women
Combing your hair from the top to the bottom is a big no. You should comb your hair from the bottom to the top to untangle your hair and prevent breakage. Instead of a brush, use a wide tooth comb to maintain your curls. If you want to restyle your curly hair, do it while your hair is wet and not dry. When your hair is dry, it’s a lot more difficult to change the shape of your curls. One of the best products for thick, curly hair is mousse. This light product is perfect for keeping the frizz away and taming thick hair without weighing it down. In addition to mousse, another way to revitalize your hair and reduce frizz is to use a leave-in conditioner. You should choose a conditioner that’s designed especially for thick hair, so you don’t end up with a leave-in conditioner that makes your hair look slimy and greasy. To top it off, curly haired women need to get their hair trimmed to avoid split ends. Regardless of if you have straight or curly hair, split ends make your hair look bedraggled and can cause long-term damage.
Styling Tips for Men
Men, just like women, should use a wide-tooth comb for their hair. If you’re a man with curly hair, you need to be careful when choosing a gel for your hair. The gel can get clumpy and leave your hair looking oily or greasy. Gel infused with argan oil is the way-to-go if you want to moisturize your hair but also give it a defined look. You should stay away from the gel with alcohol, this is a big no for curly hair. If you have a thick head of hair, you can also use a serum to de-frizz and clean up your hair. Lastly, a good pomade will seal in moisture and help you achieve a stylish, edgy look.
Vitamins for Curly Hair
When it comes to long-term care, one of the most important components is vitamins that keep your hair healthy and nourished. To start, vitamin A is a go-to supplement for strengthening and thickening natural curls. Not only will it strengthen your locks, but it also has antioxidants that moisturize your scalp. Vitamin E and B are also great for maintaining youthful-looking hair. These two vitamins reduce the effects of aging, soften your hair, and fight against split ends. Vitamin B is sometimes referred to as biotin. Some people may suffer from a biotin deficiency, and as a result, start to lose hair at a young age. While many shampoos and conditioners are infused with these vitamins, you can also take them orally.
While there’s no doubt that curly hair care is time-consuming, it’s never too late to start taking better care of your curly locks to revitalize your hair. With the use of specially crafted shampoos and conditioners, along with styling techniques, your curly hair can look better than ever. Don’t hide your curls, make them shine by keeping them healthy and moisturized.