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Put your irons aside and read this article, where we will prove that curly hair is a gift, not a curse, and tell you all the tricks of caring for it.
Features of curly hair
There are countless combinations of these characteristics, which is why choosing the care for curly hair is a real quest. Even the recommendations of funds from reputable bloggers with similar curls in all respects can result in a failure or, on the contrary, the acquisition of a dream product.
Find out which hair mask is right for you.
In general, you will not be bored, especially since curly hair is known for its changeable disposition – you never know how they will behave tomorrow.
Curly Hair Types
There is a generally accepted classification according to which hair is divided into four types according to the shape and severity of curls. In each class there are subspecies determined by the elasticity and diameter of the curl – a, b and c.
The first type is completely straight hair, and now we are not interested in them.
Wavy
Type 2 hair
a) Barely pronounced wave.
b) Slightly more noticeable waves.
c) S-shaped curls.
Wavy hair does not hold its shape well after styling and is fluffy – no matter if it is straightened with an iron or curled. They often lack basal volume, and the tips dry out. Moisturizing is essential in care – more hydrants and less oils. Styling is best done with fixing mousses and foams.
Curly
Type 3 hair
a) Large rings.
b) Spiral curls.
c) Tight spirals.
Curly hair or curly (both definitions are correct for this type) due to the spiral shape and volume, give the impression of density, even if the hair is not so much and it is thin. Obviously, they are very tangled, and combing is another test. The main task is to avoid fluffiness and keep the curl. How to achieve this? Moisturize and nourish with products with light oils, style with either a gel or a product with a cream or milk texture.
Curly
Type 4 hair
a) Multiple tightly twisted wires.
b) Zigzag curls.
c) Very tight short zigzag curls.
This is very curly or curly hair, usually afrotype, we rarely meet. They are very dry, often porous, brittle and require increased hydration and many, many oils in care.
Curly hair care at home
Caring for curly hair at home is based on the rules of the so-called Curly Girl Method. Its authorship belongs to Lorraine Massey, who wrote the bestseller Curly Girl: Hand Book, a curly-haired girl’s handbook, which, by the way, has been translated into Russian.
The essence of the method is to exclude from the care tools and products that can damage the hair, provoke or aggravate dryness, brittleness. In short, do not prevent curls from curling, but help them do it beautifully, as nature intended.
Now let’s go in order. How to take care of curly hair the right way?
Shampoos
Shampoo care delicate 3-in-1 Low Shampoo Elseve “Luxury 6 oils”, L’Oréal Paris
It can replace co-washing – it does not contain sulfates at all, therefore it does not foam and cares for hair during delicate cleansing. The composition includes a tiny dose of silicone, which is listed towards the end of the list of ingredients.
Shampoo Botanicals “Argan and wild saffron. Nutritional Extract, L’Oréal Paris
A very mild shampoo with oils, it washes hair well without overdrying, nourishes it and makes it soft.
Intensive soothing shampoo-care Dercos, Vichy
Suitable for cleansing sensitive scalp, contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients, relieves discomfort from the first application.
Balms and conditioners
Balm conditioner Fructis Superfood “Aloe. Hydration, Garnier
Suitable for hair in need of moisture and softness, perfectly moisturizes naturally curly and wavy curls, making combing easier.
Conditioner with amino acids Amino Acid Conditioner, Kiehl’s
The combination of oils and amino acids in the absence of silicones allows us to recommend this balm to curly, especially porous hair without a twinge of conscience.
Mask
Fructis Mask, Superfood «Macadamia. Smoothing», Garnier
The mask of the Superfood series, this time with macadamia, almond, jojoba oils, nourishes curly hair, makes curls smooth and soft.
Revitalizing, intensely nourishing mask Dercos Nutrients Nutri Protein, Vichy
The mask gives the hair smoothness, shine, elasticity, it contains protein-rich quinoa bran and pracaxi nourishing oil.
Leave-in care
Leave-in Conditioner or liv-in, also known as a leave-in conditioner or care, helps to detangle hair, smooth its surface, retain moisture and ensure high-quality styling. However, some curly girls do not even need styling after using a liv-in.
Mask Fructis Superfood “Papaya. Recovery, Garnier
Like all masks of the Superfood series, it can be used both as an intensive care, and as a conditioner, and as a leave-in care with all the ensuing pleasant consequences.
Treatments for slightly wavy and very curly hair
Salon treatments for curly hair exclude keratin straightening, lamination, Botox – of course, if you want to keep, not eliminate curls. It is difficult to give any specific advice on procedures, since each salon has branded types of hair care for different types and conditions from professional brands.
Curly curls fit:
deep moisturizing care;
intensive restorative care with protein products, especially if the hair is very porous;
Ayurvedic oil treatment for particularly hard strands.
Tips and life hacks for girls of varying degrees of curlyness
In this paragraph, we will give a dozen more practical tips on what to do and what not to do with curly hair so that they feel good.
Use shampoo only on the scalp and conditioner only on the hair.
Comb your hair when it’s damp, after you’ve applied conditioner, with a wide-toothed comb to keep your hair from breaking or tearing.
Leave-in conditioner, as well as gel and styling products are applied not to dry, but to damp and even wet hair (some do it right in the shower) – water helps the hair to form into curls, and styling products will immediately fix them.
Apply the styling product upside down, and then squeeze/gather the strands in handfuls, moving towards the roots until curls form.
Forget about a terry towel – replace it with a smooth microfiber or regular cotton T-shirt. And feel the difference.
Do not rub your hair during the initial drying process – gently blot it or fold it into a cotton turban (or the same T-shirt).
Replace cotton pillowcases with silk ones – curls will not be tangled during sleep.
Before going to bed, put your hair in a high ponytail at the crown, securing it with a wide soft elastic band – in the morning you do not have to re-style your curls, it will be enough to put them in order and refresh them with water and a drop of styling.
When drying with a hair dryer, set the lowest possible degree – curls do not tolerate high temperatures. Immerse them in a diffuser bowl so that they do not lose their shape when they dry. But natural air drying is always preferable.
Don’t touch your hair until it’s 80-90 percent dry, otherwise the whole job will go down the drain and you’ll have to start all over again.
If the curls become stiff after styling with a gel and drying, “squeeze” them again – they will become soft, while maintaining elasticity.
Avoid coloring, lightening hair and any other chemical treatment whenever possible.