A hair care regime may seem as simple as shampoo, conditioner and a mask, but in reality, this is rarely the case. Much like skincare, hair care is highly dependent on your hair type and texture. What works for thin, straight hair won’t work for thick curly hair. And on top of hair type, you also need to consider hair concerns. Dry, oily, lacklustre, or damaged hair may require special products or added steps in the regime.
When it comes to hair care there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each hair type has specific needs that must be addressed in order for hair to stay soft, shiny, moisturised and healthy. And while every hair type is complex, and two people with the same hair type may not have the same concerns, there are some general guidelines that may help you establish a healthy hair care regime for your hair type:
Straight hair
Some of the most common concerns among women with straight hair is thin-ness, flatness, tangling and oily roots. Straight hair will likely need to be shampooed every couple of days, so choose a mild shampoo and conditioner that’s suitable for frequent use and follow with a leave-in product for extra nourishment.
To thicken and strengthen straight hair, we recommend OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo (R199.95.00) and Conditioner (R199.95). It contains a volumising blend that gives your hair texture, making it look thicker, shinier and fuller.
If your hair is prone to tangles, you may want to apply a detangling product while it’s still wet. Marc Anthony Strengthening Grow Long Leave-In Conditioner (R199.95) contains a Caffeine, Ginseng and Vitamin E formula to promote longer, stronger, healthier hair with shine. It helps to detangle locks while repairing split-ends and breakage.
If your roots are prone to oiliness, use a scalp scrub once a week to remove dry skin, oil and impurities. Umberto Giannini Scalp Scrub (R180.00) is packed with natural exfoliants from super fruit enzymes and micro grains of natural walnut shell, remove dead skin cells, bacteria and excess oils to prevent flakes and restore a clear and healthy scalp.
Wavy hair
In-between straight and curly hair, wavy hair may be prone to frizz. Depending on the shape of your waves, you may want to use a curl-enhancing product to give your waves more definition. We recommend using an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner like March Anthony Bye Bye Frizz Shampoo (R184.95) and Conditioner (R184.95) Infused with K-silk complex and an amino acid blend, it repairs damage and creates soft, shiny, manageable hair.
Follow with a leave-in serum like Umberto Giannini No More Frizz Anti-Frizz Curl Serum (R180.00) which not only helps tame frizz and smoothe curls, but also nourishes and hydrates hair. For gorgeously-scented curls, try Curls In Bloom Shine Me! Anti-Frizz Perfume Spray (R69.95). Filled with subtle scents of green apple, lily of the valley and sandalwood, it delicately scents hair while fighting frizz and increasing shine.
Curly hair
Curly hair is prone to dryness because it is more difficult for oils produced by the scalp to travel all the way down a curly strand. Women with curly hair should wash their hair less frequently as shampoo may have a drying effect. It’s important to put as much moisture into curly hair as possible. This includes using a conditioner, a weekly mask and leave-in moisturising products. Depending on your curl type, you may also wish to use a curl jelly or defining gel to enhance the shape of your curls.
Try Hask Curl Care Moisturizing Shampoo (R210.00) and Curl Care Detangling Conditioner (R210.00). The shampoo gently removes build-up without stripping hair of natural oils, revealing bouncy and weightless curls, while the conditioner provides instant slip that makes it easy to detangle, which helps prevent breakage and improve manageability, reviving curls with definition and bounce.
For a weekly hydration-boost, apply The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Detangling Deep Conditioner (R34.99). This creamy conditioner, enriched with Mango Butter and Marula, Coconut, and Castor Oil, conditions and softens curly hair while giving it an intense moisture boost.
To give your curls shape and definition, apply a trusted curl-enhancing leave-in product. Umberto Giannini Weather Proof Curls Finishing Cream (R160.00) conditions, moisturises and smoothes curls, leaving hair frizz-free and defined no matter what the weather conditions. If you prefer the texture of a scrunching jelly, try Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly (R160.00). It banishes frizz, adds shine and gives definition to waves and curls without weighing them down.
Coily hair
Coily hair tends to get very dry, and needs a lot of moisturising and hydration to keep it soft and healthy. Because shampoo can be drying, women with coily hair should consider co-washing their hair weekly instead of using a regular shampoo. Use a conditioner after every wash, and deep condition your hair at least twice a month to restore moisture and increase strength. Consider applying a leave-in butter or cream to help build your hair’s elasticity and prevent breakage.
Try Cantu Shea Butter Complete Conditioning Co-Wash (R220.00), made with pure Shea Butter and infused with 14 natural butters and oils to deeply nourish hair. It helps to gently cleanse hair and remove product build-up, while moisturising every strand. Follow with Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Cream Conditioner (R200.00), which is specially formulated with Shea Butter to nourish dry, brittle and damaged hair. It helps hair retain more moisture to leave it hydrated and healthier, and also prevents split ends and breakage.
Deep condition your hair with a deep penetrating treatment like Curls In Bloom Strengthen Me! Hair Replenish Masque (R39.95). It contains Shea Butter and plant-based fatty acids that provide hair with intense moisture, nourishment and a healthy shine, making hair softer and more manageable.
A leave-in product will help add and retain moisture. The Perfect Hair Grow On The Go Leave-In Repair Cream (R120.00) repairs, strengthens and nourishes hair. Specially formulated for curls and coils, this leave-in repair cream is enriched with nourishing Shea Butter, Avocado Oil and Castor Oil. For a hydration boost, apply The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Whipped Hair Butter (R99.99). Specially formulated for curls and coils, this whipped hair butter is enriched with Marula, Mango and Coconut Oil to intensely hydrate and moisturise hair.
