How To Care For Naturally Curly Or Wavy Thick Hair – smartesthairstyles.com -To keep thick, curly hair healthy and styled, you need to moisturize and detangle it. Wash your hair at least twice a week with conditioner and an optional sulfate-free shampoo. Use moisturizers to keep it soft and use hair styling tools that will protect (rather than damage) your thick, wavy locks. Once you know how to best care for your hair, you can transform frizzy locks into a well-controlled hairstyle.
1. Wash hair
Wash your hair every two to three days. Wet your hair more often and you’ll rid your scalp of natural oils. Pick two or three days a week to wash your hair in the shower. On days you don’t wash your hair, slightly dampen your hair and massage leave-in conditioner into your roots.
Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate detergents are usually harsh on curly hair. Accumulated sulfate residues on the scalp can cause dryness and irritation. Choose natural alternatives (like coconut or olive oil based products) when shampooing your hair.
Sulfate-based shampoos usually lather more than sulfate-free alternatives. Use less shampoo than you think when using sulfate-free alternatives.
Sulfate-free shampoos reduce frizz more than shampoos that contain sulfates.
Part your hair into strands to wash thoroughly. It’s easy to wash thick, curly hair unevenly. Divide your hair into 4-6 sections. Twist or pin up your hair to separate it. Remove one twist at a time and wash thoroughly. Pin it back when you’re done and continue to the next section until you’re done.
Washing hair in sections takes longer, but your hair will tangle less and you’ll reach a larger area.
Wash your hair once a week with. Co-washing is a technique specifically designed for curly or wavy hair. Reduce the frequency of shampoo use and only use conditioner to keep your hair moisturized. Stopping shampoo occasionally can make wavy hair smoother, softer, and less prone to frizz.
Dry hair especially benefits from washing together as your hair retains more of its natural oils.
Do not cut out shampoo completely. Alternate between washing together and using shampoo to prevent your hair from becoming greasy. Remember that conditioners cannot cleanse your hair like shampoo can.
Give your hair a thorough condition at least twice a month. Curly hair tends to be naturally drier, and it needs plenty of moisture to stay healthy and luscious. Wash your hair every two weeks with a deep conditioning product and leave it on for between 10 and 30 minutes before washing it out. Replace one of the week’s hair washes with a thorough conditioning session.
2. Style your curls or waves
Comb your hair while it’s still wet. If you wait for thick hair to dry, you’re more likely to struggle with tangles. Take a comb in the shower and straighten your curls while the conditioner is still in. You can recomb your hair after the shower or during styling, but this initial combing can keep your hair tangle-free.
Use a detangling tool to comb. A wide-toothed comb, for example, can protect your waves and prevent split ends. You can also use your fingers as a makeshift comb to work your way through tangles in the shower. Avoid using brushes of any kind as they add too much volume and contribute to frizzy hair.
Air dry your hair or blow dry with a diffuser. Heat can damage thick or curly hair. Use a towel or a soft t-shirt to dry your hair. If you need to dry your hair quickly, set your blow dryer to a cool setting and attach a hair diffuser. Diffusers distribute dryer heat evenly and are less disruptive to your curl pattern.
Avoid using straighteners or curling irons. Regular use of thermal tools on curly hair can cause damage and split ends. Wean yourself off hot tools and look for natural alternatives, like using hair bands or hair curlers. If you must use thermal tools, invest in quality products and apply a heat protectant before styling.
Dampen your hair if it’s frizzy. Frizz is often caused by heat and humidity, which causes proteins in your hair to dry out. Moisturizers like coconut oil or frizz creams can restore your curls to their natural pattern.
Choose natural oils over synthetic alternatives: Natural products absorb into your hair, but synthetic ones sit on top.
Apply the amount of product recommended on the package. Product build-up can lead to dryness and even hair breakage. Avoid over-saturating your hair with too much moisturizer or hair butter. Read the product instructions and apply only the amount specified. On days when you use multiple products, wash your hair at night.
3. Get your haircut
Trim your hair monthly or every two months for healthy hair. Thick hair often suffers from split ends, which can cause full hair to become limp. Every 6-8 weeks (or when your hair seems stringy), visit your stylist for a quick trim. Cutting wavy, thick hair can be difficult. So unless you are a pro, seek out a stylist who is comfortable with curly hair.
Trimming is important to reduce split ends. If you don’t get your hair trimmed, the split end can cause your strand of hair to break.
Ask your stylist to take the bulk out of your hair. Thick hair, especially when combined with curls, can easily weigh down your head. Instead of asking your stylist to remove an inch (2-5 cm) or two, ask them to remove extra weight. Tell your stylist that you want a looser, more flowy feel if your hair is constantly feeling unruly.
Choose a layered hairstyle. Styles with long layers are great for giving a natural look to thick hair and removing some heaviness. Tastefully added layers can also enhance natural curls or waves. Ask your stylist if they can add texture to the back when thinning your hair.
Beware of bangs. Short, curly bangs can look uneven or dated. If bangs aren’t your thing, don’t ask your stylist to cut you one. For a similar and more flattering look, ask your stylist for a cut that frames your face instead.
Go shorter for more manageable hair. Long, curly hair can sometimes defy attempts to tame it. If you can’t find a way to maintain your mane, ask your stylist for a shorter hairstyle. Cropped hair can keep volume in check, especially in hairstyles that are longer at the front than at the back.