10 Essential Tips for Beautiful & Healthy Curly Hair

Curly hair is such a beautiful and unique hair type, but it can require a specific care routine to maintain curl health and radiance. If you're a proud owner of curly hair (or starting to be proud!) you may already know that finding the right routine and products can be time-consuming... but quite a game-changer! To help you achieve your best curls ever, we've compiled ten essential tips to help you maintain healthy, vibrant, and bouncy curls... 

Embrace Your Natural Texture:
The first step to achieving healthy curly hair is to embrace your natural texture! It might be hard at first - often we're taught growing up to try and comb away our beautoful natural hair texture. Try embracing your hair and avoid harsh chemical treatments like relaxers, as they can damage the hair and lead to breakage. Instead, work with your curls' natural pattern and use products specifically designed for curly hair.

Hydration is Key:
Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair because the natural oils have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft due to its coiled shape. Regularly hydrating your curls is crucial for maintaining their health and preventing frizz. Use a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and consider incorporating a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask into your routine once a week. Look for products with ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil or shea butter.

Don't Overwash:
Frequent washing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and frizzy more regularly. Aim to wash your hair no more than two to three times a week, or less if possible. In between washes, use a sulfate-free co-wash or curl spray to refresh your lovely curls.

Gentle Detangling:
Detangling curly hair requires patience and a gentle touch. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle your hair when it's wet and coated with conditioner. Start from the ends and work your way up to minimise breakage and protect your curls. Bonus, it makes brushing and styling your hair much easier post-shower!

Regular Trims:
Not matter your dream length of hair, regular trims are essential for keeping your curls and hair looking their best. Trimming helps get rid of split ends and prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft, leading to more significant damage.

Use a Microfiber Towel-Dry:
Traditional towels can cause friction and frizz in curly hair! Instead, opt for a microfiber towel or use an old T-shirt to gently wrap and scrunch your hair. These help to retain moisture and encourage curl formation, without causing any frizz!

Avoid Heat Styling:
Excessive heat styling can damage hair, and make it prone to breakage and frizz. Help your curls by reducing the heat on your styling tools and keeping the temperature low where possible. Don't forget to apply heat protectant for extra safekeeping of those beautiful curls!

Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase:
Aside from feeling oh-so-smooth on your skin, a silk or satin pillowcase helps to reduce friction to your hair, and helps to preserve your smooth curls while you sleep. In contrast, traditional cotton pillowcases can create friction, which can lead to hair breakage and frizz. 

Protective Hairstyles:
In between wash days, consider wearing protective hairstyles like french braids, twists, or buns to minimize manipulation to your curls and reduce the risk of damage from daily styling. Just remember not to make them too tight to avoid putting unnecessary strain on your curls! For better results, use a satin or silk hair tie to reduce kinks in your hair.

Be Patient and Experiment:
Finding the right hair care routine or products for your gorgeous curly locks might take some trial and error! Be patient and willing to experiment with different products and techniques until you discover what works best for your hair.

Bonus tip: Each person's hair is unique, so what works for one curly-haired individual may not work for another. It's a good idea to do a patch test and try out different products to find the ones that best suit your specific hair needs!