How to care for curly hair
Everyone wants a gorgeous head of thick curly locks - but it can be a bit daunting if you’re not sure how to take care of it. Curly hair can be more prone to frizz than other hair types, and it often feels dry. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered whether you’ve got waves, kinks or coils - just take a look below to find out how to take better care of your hair and embrace your beautiful natural curls.
There are a few golden rules when it comes to curly hair, regardless of whether you have gentle waves or Afro hair. Follow our guidelines below to make the most of your beautiful curls.
Don’t over shampoo
Generally speaking, curly hair lacks moisture, and washing it every day could strip it of much-needed oils. Instead, washing every three days or so is usually best for curls. That being said, every head of hair is different, so make sure you experiment to see what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Look for specific ingredients
When choosing your shampoo and conditioner, look for essential oils to lock in moisture and reduce frizz. Try to avoid deep cleansing treatments that will reduce the moisture in your hair - and therefore increase the level of frizz. Macadamia Nut Shampoo is designed to give thirsty hair a boost or Advance Techniques Fabulous Curls Shampoo is infused with castor oil and protein complex to help moisturize curly hair - but remember, you don’t need to use shampoo every day!
You can also treat your curly hair to our Fabulous Curls Serum, with castor oil and protein complex to detangle, define and nourish your curls. Or you can give it a try with our Fabulous Curls Curling Cream, formulated with castor oil and protein complex, that eliminates flyaways and leaves hair looking and feeling smoother.
Never brush your hair
Resist the urge to regularly brush curly hair - this usually only results in a frizzy, triangular look. Instead, once you’ve applied conditioner in the shower, you can comb your hair either with your fingers or a brush specifically designed with curly hair in mind.
Treat your hair to a mask
Give your hair a moisture boost on a weekly basis with an intensive hair mask, like the Absolute Nourishment Treatment Mask. Slather it into your locks, make a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine, and let it work its magic for five minutes before washing off. This 5-minute routine will have your curly locks feeling softer, stronger and well protected.
Use a microfibre towel
Regular towels can cause excess friction on your hair, leading to - you guessed it - more frizz. Instead, use a microfibre towel or an old t-shirt to soak up water and leave your curls bouncy and frizz-free. After applying your hair product, turn your head upside down and gently scrunch your hair with the towel before drying it.
Use a diffuser to dry
Either leave your hair to air-dry naturally or use a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment. Not only is this faster, but it’ll also give your roots a boost, for thicker-looking, bigger hair. Ensure you tip your head upside down before drying it to give it lots of volume rather than drying it flat.
Consider the Curly Girl Method
Many curly haired men and women swear by the Curly Girl Method, a specific way of caring for curls that follows the “no-poo” method - that is, no shampoo, instead just using conditioner. If you decide to go down this route, there’s a lot to learn about the different ingredients and curly hair products and methods that you should and shouldn’t use. You might need to read a couple of how-to guides to get the hang of it, but those who follow the Curly Girl Method find it to be life changing.
How to take care of kinky curly hair
If you have naturally kinky or Afro hair, the golden rule to keep your locks strong and frizz-free is to wear a silk or satin scarf to bed. Whilst you sleep, your hair can get damaged by your pillows as you toss and turn, but a headwrap will protect it from breakage.
Kinky hair tends to be thicker than some other curl patterns and can withstand heavier moisturising treatments without getting weighed down. The Absolute Nourishment Bi-Phase Hair Treatment Spray is infused with argan and marula oil to leave hair feeling stronger, smoother and more radiant, and can be used before or after washing your hair.
How to take care of blonde curly hair
If you colour your hair blonde and are blessed with curls, you’re battling with two hair types that are frequently dry. That means, if you have curly blonde hair, you need to take care of your locks with extra moisturising treatments. If possible, try to bleach your hair less frequently, or opt for hair colours with a low ammonia content to prevent it from drying out the strands even further.
Ensure you visit a hairdresser regularly for a trim, as split ends tend to be more noticeable in curly hair. Keeping your hair well-maintained will ensure it looks bouncy and healthy for longer between colour sessions. Using Reconstruction Conditioner will also keep split ends at bay for longer by layering a protective coating over each strand of hair.
How to take care of curly hair for men
Curly hair care for men is just the same as curly hair care for women - choose quality hair care products for curly hair, give your hair lots of moisture and either use a diffuser or leave your hair to air-dry naturally. As you should wash your hair less often when you have curls, dry shampoo can be a lifesaver, giving your locks a new lease of life on those in-between days or after going to the gym. Just give it a quick spritz near the roots and rub it in with your fingers to add more volume and soak up any oil.
If you’ve never used a hair serum before, then start including it in your hair care routine. Simply apply a couple of drops of Absolute Nourishment Argan and Coconut Treatment Oil through your damp hair before blow-drying or letting it air-dry for a smoother finish.
Ready to start embracing your natural curls? Stock up on conditioning treatments and you’ll soon be the envy of all your friends and family with your luscious locks! Have a look at our full Advance Techniques Fabulous Curls collection.