I have grown up wishing I had curly hair and absolutely hating my, I thought, boring straight hair. It wasn't until I had my daughter before I realized curly hair can be a great reason of pride, but in the same time may be also a great burden if you don't know how to properly take care of it. I have learned a lot about it, along with my little curly princess.
For the longest time, it was believed that a person's type of hair was determined by the shape of the individual hair. Today, it is know, after prolonged studies, that whether your hair is curly or straight is in fact determined by the shape of the follicle itself and the direction each strand grows out of its follicle. Curly hair is shaped like an elongated oval and grows at a sharp angle to the scalp.
Curly hair has a different biological structure from straight hair, tending to be much drier as the natural oils secreted by the sebaceous glands, which are secreted into the hair shaft, can travel down the shaft much easier with straight hair. People with curly hair will often notice their hair is much drier and often frizzy.
All types of hair are affected by the humidity in the air. However, it is more noticeable for those with curly hair, as humidity is forcing water back into the hair fiber and the hair shaft is returned to its original structure. In return, curly hair tends to get frizzy when humidity rises.
There are many kinds of wavy hair, so what goes great with one person might not look that wonderful on another. The best way to discover what kinds of products are suitable to you is to find a good stylist and discuss it with him or her.
To start with, choosing the products for hair should be based on the time of the year: During winter, you need products that are designed especially for curly hair, which will control the hair's frizz, while during summer you need products that will hydrate your hair.
The most important aspects of taking care of curly hair are what I call "the three C's": Cleaning, Conditioning and Control. To start with, what you need is a good shampoo which will not strip your hair of its natural oils, then you have to hydrate the hair with a good conditioner or special masks, especially during summer when the air is dryer than normal. Lastly, you have to use products against frizzing.
While there are persons that claim that their curls are more defined when not using shampoo, hairstylists do not recommend it. The dust and pollution from our environment have a huge effect on anyone's hair. Instead of not using shampoo, you are better off looking for one with a delicate formula. A sulphate- free shampoo (the ingredient that contributes at frizzing the hair) can be used on a daily basis, if necessary, without damaging the hair. The conditioner has to be used every time you wash your hair in order to keep your hair in good shape. Lastly, you have to learn to prevent the public enemy number one when it comes to curls: the frizz! Usually, wavy hair is dry. Therefore, it is recommended to apply hydrating oil on the tips on a daily basis.
Now, that we know the basic ABC on taking proper care of your curls, let's find out the best kept 7 secrets when it comes to wonderful curls.
1. Less is more
While you may be tempted to use a lot of products, that's not always the best things to do. In this case, the saying "less is more" is actually very true. Although hair products have a great impact on your hair, you should not abuse them. A big quantity of products will deform the natural shape of your curls.
2. Wash your hair with cold water
Yes, I hear you. Probably not the most pleasant way to wash your hair, but it works wonders. Do it every time you wash your hair and you will notice it will be a lot more shinny. After that, you can apply a leave-in conditioner, especially at the tips.
3 Forget the hairbrush
We have been told it's not advisable to brush your hair while is wet, and thou it is very true, this goes for dry hair as well, especially for those with curls. The hairbrush is the main cause of hair breakage, be it wet or dry. Use a comb or, better yet, just use your fingers. It is hard to deal with curly hair, so you need to make sure that is well conditioned and the tips are regularly trimmed.
4. Read the labels
Be careful when buying hair products, read the label carefully and pay attention to what ingredients are being used. Too much silicon is very detrimental for curly hair. If you see silicon (usually as dimeticon) as one of the first ingredients on the list, you're better off buying a different product.
5. How to style it
The styling products should be applied on wet hair if is curly or on dry hair if is only wavy. Put a little bit of the product (be it mousse or gel) in your hands and warm it up and then apply it on your locks. Detangle your hair with the fingers, then separate it and twist each curl on your finger.
One of the most flattering ways of wearing curly hair is a romantic bun just above the nape, while wearing your hair up halfway it will give you a younger look. Headbands look absolutely gorgeous if your hair is curly and has a lot of volume.
6. How to use the hairdryer
When used incorrectly, the hairdryer can turn into a real nightmare. You should let your hair dry on its own as much as possible and only use the hairdryer at the very end. Point it downwards, along the hair, never upwards.
7. Don't play with your hair
Yes, your mom was right. You should not play with your hair, not to mention chew on it! Even if we don't realize it, most of us have the habit of playing with our hair, either touching it or simply removing it from the face. This is one of the main reasons that cause the hair to get tangled or become oily right after we wash it.