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Here’s how to enjoy a simple curly hair wash routine – just follow this guide for effective tips you can easily do.
A proper washing routine is crucial for hair health. Over- or under-washing can damage locks.
However, if you have curly hair, don’t follow the same routine as people with straight hair. After all, your hair has different needs.
So, let’s learn the tips to build the basics of your routine and the step-by-step washing routine here!
The goal: Make sure that you feel confident about how your curly hair looks!
Invest in curly hair products instead of using generic drugstore ones that primarily work on straight hair. Avoid sulfates in your shampoo and silicones in your conditioner. Get a co-wash to refresh your hair in between washes.
If you want gels, mousse, curl creams, hair oil, or other products, ensure those are also curl-friendly.
A survey shows that 79% of African Americans and 65.3% of Hispanics (the races with the most curly hair) wash their hair once a week or less. People with curly hair must also follow similar routines.
This completely depends on your hair and scalp type. Condition as soon as your hair feels dry. Avoid conditioning if your hair still looks shiny from the last conditioning. Track how frequently you need to condition to find the right routine.
Curly hair is fragile when wet, so ensure you have enough time to air dry it after every wash. Even if you wear a silk bonnet and your hair is only slightly wet, it can damage it and cause frizz.
By understanding the significance of timing and allowing your hair to dry naturally, you can maintain its health and vibrancy, even in humid conditions. Explore more expert tips on managing frizz in African American hair at places like Allurium Beauty.
It’s best to wash it during the day or in the morning to avoid falling asleep.
Hot water weakens your hair, stripping all the natural oil from your scalp. Ensure the water is always lukewarm before you start soaking your hair.
Never squeeze out a large amount of shampoo on your hands or put shampoo directly on your scalp. This causes product waste and also increases dryness due to excess shampooing.
Instead, take a little shampoo at a time, rub it in your palms until foamy, and then massage it gently on your scalp. Never massage in circles, as it causes more tangles and knots. Use to and from motions to prevent that.
If the foam dies down while massaging and your scalp still feels sticky, wash it off. Take more shampoo and repeat until you feel a squeaky clean scalp.
Never apply shampoo at the hair length; you’ll strip it dry. The suds on your scalp are enough to clean your hair.
Instead, use your fingers to run the suds down the length of your hair. Simultaneously, detangle your hair with your fingers, not a brush or comb.
Even if you can’t remove all the tangles, ensure you can at least separate the bigger sections. This also ensures the shampoo is spread evenly to your hair shaft. Once you’re done, wash it off thoroughly.
Dripping wet hair is already saturated, so it can’t absorb the conditioner. So, squeeze out all the water. Use a curly hair-friendly conditioner and apply a heavy amount on the ends and a bit less on the mid-lengths.
Avoid applying it to the roots if your scalp is oily. If you have dry hair and a dry scalp, massage the remaining conditioner into your hands near the roots.
Let it sit undisturbed for 2-5 minutes. Then, detangle your hair completely with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb and rinse.
Squeeze out excess water with a T-shirt or microfiber towel. Apply leave-in and air dry. When in a hurry, use a heat protectant and blow-dry it with a diffuser setting and room-temperature air.
These ultimate tips and steps will make your hair luscious and healthier and enhance your curls. Remember that your hair is unique, so listen to its needs and adjust accordingly!
Explore my Oprah recommended and bestselling book: The Bounce Back Book.