Around 60% of the global population has textured or curly hair – be it in the form of loose beachy waves, tight coils, or voluminous spirals.
However, most people don’t feel confident in their curls, especially because the media and traditional beauty standards always romanticise sleek and straight hair.
Furthermore, if you don’t know how to care for your curls, it can damage them, make them unmanageable, and impact your self-esteem more.
So, if you want to love your curls better and feel confident, here’s everything you must know.
1. Be Picky About Your Hair Care Products
The first step in loving your natural curls is to use good hair products made specifically for curls. Textured hair needs some extra love, and for that, you must build a simple yet effective routine.
For starters, you need to understand your hair type and lifestyle and choose suitable hair products. Research and buy a curly hair shampoo and conditioner that are free from sulphates and silicones to nourish your coils and kinks.
Get a curly hair-friendly setting, hydrating gel, and mousse to avoid drying out while styling.
Make sure you don’t use any product with harsh chemicals. Otherwise, they’ll damage your hair beyond repair. Avoid heat styling tools, as they also wreak havoc on curls.
The right products can make your locks look healthy, boosting your confidence in no time.
2. Moisturise Regularly
Curly hair gets dry pretty fast, so you can’t depend on an after-shampoo conditioner. Scalp sebum can’t cover the entire hair length, making strands more prone to breakage.
You need to do more to lock in moisture and keep the entire hair shaft healthy. So, you should use a curly-hair-friendly deep conditioning mask 1-2 times a week.
After every hair wash, add a layer of leave-in conditioner for added hydration, help in detangling, and protection from environmental elements.
Use a curly-hair-friendly oil or cream, such as argan oil or jojoba oil. This is the final step to seal moisture.
3. Dry Your Hair the Right Way
After washing your hair, never use a terrycloth towel to dry it. Use a soft, absorbent, and lightweight fabric like a microfiber towel, 100% cotton towel, or even an old t-shirt.
These materials don’t tease the curls and prevent your hair from getting frizzy and brittle. Of course, use a patting motion to dry your hair instead of scrubbing, as shown in commercials.
Unless you’re in a hurry, avoid using heat to dry your hair. Let it dry naturally.
4. Detangle Gently
Curly hair is highly vulnerable to knots and tangles. If you’re too rough, it can lead to breakage and split ends. So, be extra careful while detangling.
Take your time to dampen your hair and apply conditioner generously throughout your locks. Separate your hair into multiple small sections. This will prevent frustration and make the overall process faster.
Use your fingers to undo the knots slowly. Once most of the hair is tangle-free, run a wide-toothed comb throughout it.
5. Learn to Style Your Hair Correctly
Individuals who don’t know how to manage or style their curls often try to straighten their hair when it’s about styling. However, regular straightening can cause irreversible damage.
Once you learn to style and wear your natural curls, your hair journey will become top-notch. Some renowned curly-hair-friendly styling is scrunching, plopping, and diffusing. They can help you enhance your natural curl pattern.
6. Protect Even While Sleeping
No matter how much you care for your curly hair, if you can’t avoid friction, damage is inevitable. And the most common hair friction is while sleeping.
To avoid it, switch to silk or satin pillowcases, as they are gentle on the hair. They also prevent moisture loss, unlike cotton. Alternatively, wrap your hair in a silk/satin bonnet or scarf.
Another method is to just wrap your hair up high on top of your head into a loose ponytail, also known as the pineapple method. This is specifically to preserve the curl definition and strands by protecting it from getting stretched under your body weight.
7. Surround Yourself with Good Company
Befriend people through online communities, local groups, or social media groups who have natural curls to feel empowered. There, you will learn unique tips and experiences to feel more confident and celebrated.
Conclusion
Ultimately, believe that your curls are pretty and practice positive self-talk. This can enhance your mood and mental health and help you glow from within!
