Four Things Not to do to Your Curly Hair

Curly hair has been in fashion since the last few years. If you have naturally curly mane, you must ensure that you take proper care of it and avoid doing certain thing so that you can have a shiny and silky hair texture.

Here are four things that you should avoid doing to your curly hair.

1. Do not shampoo your curly hair too oftenIn case you have curly hair, you must have observed that your hair texture is quite dry. When you shampoo your curly hair very frequently, you hair can become brittle as the natural oils required by your curly hair get washed out. In case you have to shampoo your hair, it should be done only a few times in a week. While shampooing your hair, the lather should be kept close to the scalp so that your curly traces can be taken care by excess soapy water.
2. Do not select a stylist on a sudden impulseIf you have curly locks, avoid picking up a hair stylist blindly. You should remember that you need to choose a stylist and a salon that is an expert in handling your curls. Just note that you should never cut your curly hair when it is wet. This is because your curls have a natural tendency to shrink in size when it gets dried up. So at the end of you air cut, you may find that you have intentionally sported a frizzy bob though you had simply desired for a trim. Make sure that your curly hair is never cut with a razor as it can lead to odd patterns of hair growth and premature breakage.
3. Do not be scared of a productSince curly hair has a tendency to become dry, it is imperative for you to apply hair moisturizing products so that your curls have a bouncy and smooth texture. If you want the finest results for your hair, you should select all those hair products that have been particularly made for curly hair and contain ingredients such as coconut oil, palm oil, avocado oil and shea butter. So stop being a girl who is scared about touching her hair.
4. Do not brush your curly hair when it is dryAS discussed earlier, curly hair is brittle and has a dry texture so it can break quite easily. Make sure you treat it in a nice way. So if you comb your hair while it is dry, it may result in split ends and breakage. Moreover, you may also have a frizzy mess at the end of your combing session.

Curly Hair Hacks

If you have curly or wavy hair, you need to put in a lot of efforts in keeping your hair in check. Make sure that that you hydrate, moisture, condition and set your hair on a regular basis so that you don’t have a bad day with your hair. Whether you have wavy hair or full-blown curly hair, these simple hair care hacks can always guarantee you those perfect curls.

Try washing your curly hair with hair conditioner

If you have curly hair, it is better that you don’t use a shampoo too frequently. It is better that you use a good conditioner instead while washing your hair. No matter, what type of curly hair you have, your number one should be to ensure that you are conditioning it properly. This is because curly hair does not get an adequate volume of natural scalp oils that easily. This is precisely the reason why regular conditioning should be a mandatory part of hair care regimen for curly hair. When you start washing your hair, make sure that you start conditioning it from the scalp and then move along the length. You should use the same process while combing your hair.

Use your T-shirt instead of a towel to dry off your hair

Get ready to make a switch in case you have curly hair. It is recommended that you dry your curly hair using a T-shirt as it will help in reducing frizz to a great extent and minimize hair breakage after you complete washing your hair. As shirts are not as absorbent as your towel, you can squeeze your hair gently before getting it dried. Make sure that you do not twist it ever. You should be also aware that your hair becomes softer and weaker whenever it is wet. When you use a towel to dry your wet hair, the grooves in your towel may damage your hair cuticle. A towel can extract moisture from your hair when you rub it vigorously. Consequently, your curly hair may become frizzy.

Start using a wide tooth comb

A comb with a wide tooth is ideally the best choice for all those people who have curly hair. The comb’s teeth have wide spacing between them so that it can run through your curly hair almost effortlessly. It is easier to de-tangle the tangled and curly hair using a wide tooth comb. There are other benefits too. You don’t have to pull your hair strands hard whenever you brush your wet hair. It is always recommended not to comb wet hair as it is more fragile when wet.

How Reverse Shampooing Can Bring Back Life to Your Curly Hair

It's the same story everywhere, whether you have straight or curly hair - lifeless, dry tresses that break away with every wash. Keeping your hair moisturized and healthy can get much time-consuming for women with curly hair. However, what if we told you one simple change in your hair care routine can help you bring back life to your curly tresses? Not everyone is blessed with envious, curly hair and when you have it, you should do everything you can to keep your locks healthy. No, we won't be suggesting any chemical treatment to get a short-lived, healthy mane. Instead, it can be a life-changing decision for your hair!

Shampoo, but in reverse

The one simple thing you need to do while washing you curls next time is to reverse shampoo them. Here's how it works. Instead of shampooing your hair first and then using a conditioner on it, you first condition it and then shampoo it. It may feel a little strange at first, but you have to try the method to believe it! Reverse shampooing especially helps women with oily, volume-less hair or those struggling with product build-up on their scalp.

Why reverse shampooing?

Shampoos, especially the harsh ones, can sometimes strip your scalp off its natural oils, leaving you with a flaky mane and moisture-less hair. However, when you use a conditioner on your hair first, it ensures that your hair cuticles are locked there by sealing in all the moisture inside. The result? Beautiful, hydrated curls that you always wanted!

The method also makes your hair healthily voluminous. When you end your hair cleaning session by washing off the conditioner, it can cover your hair with an undesirable coating, which can weight down your hair, making it appear limp.

How to get it right?

Yes, it is all about conditioning your hair first and then shampooing it, but here is what you should keep in mind while following the reverse shampoo method. Work a natural, chemical-free conditioner into your hair, focusing on your hair ends and mid-shaft. Spread the product evenly throughout your hair and leave it on for a few minutes. Next, rinse it off and clean your scalp with a shampoo, this time focusing on your hair roots. Rinse thoroughly one last time to ensure that your hair is completely free from the product.

Four Hair Care Habits You Need to Give up on Right Away!

Curly hair is not easy to maintain of course, but having straight hair has its own troubles too. Also most of the times it is the hair care mistakes from your side that could be the reason for you losing your hair, literally! Your friends with straight hair may have shared hair care tips with you that might have worked amazingly for them, but they may not necessarily work on you. The hair care ritual for curly, kinky hair is different and here are four things that may be causing all the harm to your locks.

Being harsh with your hair

Your hair is delicate and expects you to take care of it with some love. Curly hair gets knotted easily and one of the biggest mistakes, which women with kinky hair commit, is to run the comb through their hair roughly to get rid of the knots. That is just wrong! Pulling through knotted hair will only lead to breakage, leaving you with weak, brittle hair, which clearly does not create a pretty picture. Instead work on small sections of hair to comb through the knots gently. It will ask for extra time of course, but you will love the results.

Quick tip: Do your hair a favor, don't use plastic combs on your curly hair, unless you want frizz.

Skipping the oil

Oiling is among the best and simplest ways of keeping your hair nourished and hydrated. By skipping on oiling your curls, you will only be making your hair dry and preventing it from getting the much needed moisture. Oiling your hair regularly is also said to improve the scalp's blood circulation. All it takes is a few drop of warm oil massaged gently all over your hair. Again, work in sections to ensure that the oil covers your hair and scalp evenly.

Chemical control

Too many chemicals can never be good for your hair, no matter what the product claims. So make it a habit to use natural, organic products for your curly hair to keep it healthy. Avoid shampoos with sulfate, which take away all the moisture from hair.

Washing your hair often

Among the best things about having African American hair is that you do not need to wash it often. Washing your hair more than twice a week can hamper the natural oil production process of your scalp, and you don't want to mess with it! Shampooing your hair just once a week should work fine. If you find you hair getting oily between washes, you can spritz some dry shampoo on your comb and brush through.

Do make it a point to deep condition your curly hair at least once in two weeks.

Friz-free Curly Hair – Natural Ways to Tame Friz

With African American hair, frizz is usually inevitable; but if you’re one of those women who loves wearing her hair all silky and shiny, taming your frizz is one of the first places that you may want to start. Frizz can be as a result of humidity or heat. Using heat-styling tools on your hair can also make it frizzy. Blow drying your hair is yet another cause for frizzy hair. Yes, we understand that it does seem like a long list of things that you have to keep away from to make your hair frizz-free, but before you get to that, here are some natural ways through which you can achieve the same!

Beer

Beer is a good pick for a rinse if you’re looking to anti-frizz your hair. Beer can restore the moisture lost in your hair so it appear more hydrated and nourished. In fact, choose dark beers if you’re looking to try the beer rinse as these are seen to be packed with moisture and nourishing nutrients. Coat the hair with a beer rinse solution and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Rinse it off with cold water, and watch your hair turn smooth and frizz-free.

Hot oil

Oil is probably one of the best natural remedies for fighting frizz. Oils have conditioning effects and seal in the moisture when applied to the hair. Olive oil or coconut oil have deep hydrating effects on the hair. Warm coconut or olive oil in a jar, and apply it evenly on your hair. Then wear a shower cap over it, and use a hot towel to wrap around you head so moisture is easily absorbed. Leave the hot towel on for about half an hour or so, and rewarm it if required. Rinse with shampoo and cold water to finish.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar does double duty taming frizz and giving your hair a lustrous shine when used as a rinse. Wash the hair first (try the no ‘poo method, if you like) and then use a rinse solution that contains apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts on your hair. Let it rest for a minute. The acidic component of apple cider vinegar smoothens out the frizz and makes your tresses appear shiny. You can go about conditioning your hair, as you normally would after washing off the apple cider solution rinse.

5 Reasons to Embrace and Love your Curly Hair

If you've been guilty of spending all your monthly resources on purchasing straightening products or Brazilian blowout sessions, here are some reasons why you should be embracing your curls and doing otherwise-

Curls make a unique statement

No two curls are the same! The texture and length of curls are different, which is what makes them unique and gives the wearer a unique look. This certainly helps if you want to stand out or make a unique statement, so people notice you even when in a crowd. Even when you're with other friends who have kinky hair, you'll see that no two textured locks are the same!

Curls = fancy hair

You know when you have your bridesmaid duties lined up that you can actually focus on them, as doing up your hair won't take as long for you as you already have fancy hair! You'll need very little time on the styling chair, so you can spend the remaining time making sure that the flowers and champagne are in place. Same goes with dates, curls have a natural fancy look to them, so it appears like you were at the salon for hours, when it barely took you anytime.

Curly hair as a diversion tactic

The good thing about curly hair is that they make a statement, overpowering any other little flaws that you may have. Think of it, when you see a person with curly hair, one of the first things about them that stands out is their hair. If you have curly hair, you can use it to divert attention from dark circles, zits, or an unflattering dress!

Styling options galore!

If you're one to experiment with new hairstyles every day, having curly hair makes it so much easier. You can wear glamorous waves by softening your curls, wear them as tight curls, or if you do not feel like doing much simply go au naturel. Just switch up the styling products you use to create different looks.

Get dressed in no time!

The great thing about curly hair is that you don't have to spend too long on it. Think of all those long hours some women spend on straightening their hair; you save all that time for your beauty sleep! Even on days that you wake up and have to get going immediately, with barely any time to spare for your hair, know that the disheveled look never runs out of style!

Styling Your Curly Hair

Let face it ladies, styling curly hair is no easy task. In fact, it can present quite a challenge. A majority of the time, humidity, dryness, and frizz develop into obstacles that test patience and skill of the most experienced curly haired women. Curly hair is full of character and personality that changes often, making it incredibly difficult to style your hair on a daily basis.

If you’re new to the natural hair scene, or veteran curly looking for some inspiration, here are some helpful tips and advice on how to style your curly hair better.

It’s all about moisture

Moisturizer is the key to frizz free hair. Not only does natural moisturizer protect and benefit overall health, but also keeps frizz away. Make sure you wash and condition your hair with natural moisturizers before you begin styling your curly hair. This helps prepare your hair and makes it behave and work well, in addition to treating your hair to a healthy dose of much needed nourishment.

Begin fresh

Before you style your hair it is important to rid your locks of any remains of product or serum. Cleanse and wash your hair thoroughly to ensure you clean out any excess conditioner or leftover product. Be sure to use a gentle and preferably sulfate free natural shampoo or cleanser when rinsing out your locks.
 
Avoid excessive use of product

An overload of product usually leaves hair crunchy and difficult to style. Make sure the product you use does not overwhelm your hair. If the product you prefer is too strong, then it would be good to dilute it with a little water before applying it.

Treat your hair in sections

One of the more pronounced problems when styling curly hair is that some sections turn out better and curlier than others. To obtain an even look, make sure you apply product evenly across your head and locks. You can improve your technique by using clips and section your hair when applying product, to ensure each part receives the same amount of attention.

The wetter the better

A trade secret to achieving great curls is to apply product into your hair when it’s wet. Hair reacts much better to product when wet. This makes for far more defined curls, if you have a long wait time between post shower and styling time, then re-soak your hair before you apply product. 

Why you Should Stick to your Naturally Curly Hair

Nothing compares to originality, and going natural is to accept and own your true self. Natural curly hair is amazingly sexy and comes equipped with beautiful texture, body and volume. A feature of rocking naturally curly hair is the personality it brings to your look.

Besides, sticking to your natural hair is healthy and avoids unnecessary use of chemicals and chemical products to maintain your style. Here are some of the top reasons in my book why staying natural is the best thing you could do.

Natural hair is stunning

Natural hair is instant statement style in addition to being totally hip and cool. Unlike relaxed hair that requires heaps of products and methods that can cause near permanent damage, natural hair is absolutely safe.

Women with natural curls love their hair because it’s wonderfully fun and suits face and features best.

Healthy

It’s a known fact that natural hair is healthy and perhaps the best lifestyle choice you can make. Naturally curly hair doesn’t need an overload of hair care products and you’ll come to love and appreciate your locks better. Look and feel great naturally, besides you stand to save heaps on product and upkeep.

Get playful and creative

There isn’t much you can do with straight hair, while naturally curly hair allows for heaps of styles that completely transform you look. Play with texture and get creative with your locks. Something as simple as an updo tied in with some funky and bold accessories introduces a variety of styles and variations to create completely new and different looks every single time.

Natural curls are fun to style and can be worn in so many absolutely chic ways, to suit any kind of event or mood.

Freestyle 

Natural hair is all about you and your personal style, and a great way to let your personality shine. There’s no way you can go wrong with natural afro hair. You can change it whenever you feel like and wear it any which way you like.

Feel free, uninhibited, and truly relaxed. Natural hair doesn’t come with many restrictions and rules you need to stick to unlike chemically relaxed hair. Enjoy a swim or live as active a lifestyle you wish. Quit worrying about how exercise makes you sweat, which might possibly ruin your hairstyle. Live the way you want with natural hair. 

Want to Try No-Poo? The Curly Girl Method is the Way to Go

The no-poo hair routine has become quite popular in the Afro-American community. First described in Curly Girl: The Handbook, this method is specifically designed to nourish dry hair and for better curl definition. For girls and women who want to adopt it into their hair care routines, this is how you should go about it.

Why should you opt for the no shampoo routine?

Afro-American hair is curly and is porous in nature than most other hair types. This makes it very difficult for the shampoo to get washed off the hair leading to frizz and other manageability issues. The no-poo method requires you to eliminate the use of silicone based hair products, because it is this component that is most difficult to get rid of without the use of shampoo. Using only conditioners for washing your hair while continuing to use silicone products will only make matters worse and your hair looking dull and lifeless.

What kind of a conditioner should you use for the no-poo wash method?

It is of critical importance to choose the right kind of conditioner for to be able to successfully go without shampoo. The conditioner should have emollients, proteins and humectants that provide moisture and nutrition to your hair. The greater the ratio of natural ingredients the better the conditioner will be for your hair.

How to no-poo?

No-poo is also known as co-washing or conditioner washing. Follow the following steps to make it work for you.

• Wet your hair properly and apply a small amount of conditioner on your scalp. Use your fingertips to work it through all the segments of the scalp and massage well.

• Repeat the step if required, until your scalp is properly, but gently scrubbed.

• Rinse off the conditioner with warm water, continue to massage and provide a little bit of friction for the residue to dissolve.

• Then take some more conditioner and apply it on your hair strands just like before.

• Detangle your curls with fingers or a wide toothed comb.

• Gather up your hair and clip it over your head. Finish taking your shower and in the end wash off your hair with cool water.

• Do not rub off the moisture but instead squeeze off the extra moisture from your hair. You want to minimize friction and prevent frizz.

For more details on how to define curls and use hair products with this particular method go through the entire book. It is a very helpful method of keeping your hair clean especially if they have been damaged due to chemical and heat use. 

Get Gorgeous Bouncy Curls Without Heat

Curls always look good on any kind of hair or any kind of hair type, but it requires a hot curling iron to nearly singe the straightness out of your hair right? Not necessarily, as there are ways to curl hair without using curling irons and damaging the hair for a curly bounce that does not even last that long. Here is one way to do it. 

• Firstly, you need to wash and condition your hair as you normally would. 

• Your hair has to be damp and not entirely dry. Don't blow dry your hair, for you may not get that even dampness all round, you do not want wet, damp and dry spots all over your head. Towel it or tie up your hair  and remove all the wetness. You will need a 60 to 70 percent dampness still remaining. 

• Remove all knots and tangles in your hair. Use a wide toothed comb or better still, your fingers and gently disentangle your hair. You need a nice smooth base to work with. Tangled hair is very difficult to work with.

• Wear an elastic head band over your head and behind your ears. It has to be firm and not too tight. Also make sure that there is no hair sitting over the band, all the hair has got to be tucked underneath the band. 

• Take a small bunch of hair about an inch wide, form a curl and tuck it under the band. Make it look like a twisted loop. The strand should have gone under and around the band from front to back. You need to keep on repeating this till you have a roll of hair strand around the band. 

• Work from front to back and do it over and over again till all of your hair has been wrapped around the hair band. 

• Work all of the hair eventually covering even the hair at the base of your head. All the hair has to be looped. This is crucial. 

• Sleep on the roll, the next morning, slowly unfurl the band and you've got yourself some lovely curls!

This is not the  best way to go about curls and certainly not the only way. There are a lot of other methods that can be used to curl your hair. This is a way that can be done safely on hair types.