If you want to save and preserve your curly locks, try to avoid the following:
Dry Combing
Comb wet hair. Curly hair is a nightmare to brush at the best of times and even harder to brush once dry. Your curls get intertwined and this is what makes them even harder to separate. Try to stick to combing your hair after washing, whilst still wet.
Combing from the root
Always start combing your hair from the base and then gently work your way up. You don’t want to cause stress on the strands, causing them to snap.
Cutting curly hair when wet
Cut and style once dry. Curly hair always shrinks a bit once it is dry and will give you a completely different look. There is nothing wrong with cutting wet hair, but to be on the safe side, do it this way.
Too much shampoo
By washing your hair too much and using too much product, you will strip your natural hair / curl of its oils. These oils are what we need to hold those beautiful curls. Concentrate on cleansing the roots and let natural water rinse the rest.
Skipping the treatments
Curly hair needs as much moisture at it can get. Use a hair mask once a week to really give it a deep condition and some extra TLC.
Not applying an oil or serum after washing
Just because you have washed, conditioned and added a treatment to your hair, it doesn’t mean you can stop there. Before and / or after drying, make use of a nourishing, hydrating oil or serum.
Too much heat, too little protection
The best thing about curly hair is that it can be worn natural as well as straightened. The worst thing you could do to your hair though is to apply heat to it without a heat-protecting product. Between the dryer and styling tools, a lot of damage can be caused. Always apply a heat protector styling aid before bringing a styling tool near your hair.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Tips to protect your hair from heat styling
Hair oils, glorious hair oils
The most reviewed styling products of 2013
Six hair resolutions for 2014
Getting your hair type right
15 Responses
Oh my goodness I learnt the hard way not to cut my hair when wet but it grew in no time. I always start combing from the base and work up as the tangles are easily removed once the base is clear.
Great article! Curly hair can be hard to handle… mine is especially ‘difficult’… my hair is very fine and very curly.
Never knew one has so much to do for curly hair.
Gosh, if only those with straight hair knew what a battle it is to have curly hair! I do like the fact that it needs less maintenance in terms of styling (no tongs, dryers, brushes = tools of torture). I usually wet my hair a bit in the morning and run my fingers through it, and if necessary, twirl a bit of mousse through the strands, just to give the curls some definition. I find this works best and the only time I ever comb my hair, is after I have applied conditioner, before I rinse and after the rinse (I use a wide-tooth, Afro comb). I usually wrap a towel around turban-style to remove excess moisture, apply mousse, then leave my hair to dry naturally. Once my hair is dry, I don’t come near it with a brush or comb again. To keep curls nice and defined, it is important to cut hair regularly to ensure that the ends don’t get too dry (common problem with curly hair), which makes them separate and appear frizzy/scraggly.
I should share this with my very curly-haired friend who always seems to be at war with her locks. She has to spend about an hour straightening her hair only for her to sweat slightly and it all bounces right back.
These are such awesome tips.
Such good tips :) Hydrating hair oils (like coconut oil) are a lifesaver for me!
A little bit of extra care will go a long way with curly hair. Definitely combing/brushing dry curly hair does more damage than good.
So true, so many people do not know this.
I find it best to comb with the conditioner on before rinsing