How To Define Curly Hair – smartesthairstyles.com – If you have curly hair, it can sometimes become difficult to regularly care for your hair and define your curls. As traditional hair care methods and products might prove useless for your frizzy, flyaway locks, it’s natural to feel frustrated. However, there are some tips and techniques you can follow such as: Such as using sulfate-free shampoos, applying liberal amounts of conditioner and other moisturizing products, and using different styling methods to avoid frizzy and dry ends and achieve perfectly defined curls on a regular basis.
- Wash hair and apply products
Skip the shampoo and “wash” your hair with it. Also referred to as the curly girl method, skipping the shampoo and only washing your hair with conditioner works best for overly dry hair, as shampoo can do more harm than good.
Use a sulfate-free shampoo if you plan to use one. If you decide to use shampoo, it is very important that you use a gentle shampoo that does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which can be too harsh and harmful to curly hair and cause frizz. Choose a shampoo that contains natural oils, such as grapeseed or sage, which help clarify and retain moisture in the hair.
Apply a little shampoo to your head and massage it into your scalp. Concentrate on the roots as they make up the oiliest part of your hair. Let it rinse towards the ends of your tresses.
Condition your hair after shampooing. Be generous with the amount of conditioner you use. Apply to your head and massage into your scalp just like you would shampoo if you used one.
Concentrate the conditioner on the ends of your curls. This way your hair doesn’t lose its natural oils and doesn’t get dry.
Make sure to use a conditioner designed for dry and damaged hair, even if the label doesn’t specifically say “for curly hair.”
Detangle your hair in the shower with a wide-toothed comb. Be sure to do this gently and when your hair has a good amount of conditioner in it. For a little extra moisture, try adding honey to your conditioner, but be sure to rinse out most of it.
Rinse your hair with cool or cold water. For the last part of your shower, skip warm water for cool or cold water to shine your hair and prevent frizz. For a little extra root volume, try rinsing head down.
Use a deep conditioner once or twice a week. Before you shower, you can apply a deep conditioner like coconut oil to your hair once or twice a week. Apply to your hair before you shower, focusing on the ends of your curls and wearing a shower cap. Leave the deep conditioner on for at least 10 minutes. The steam will soften and moisturize your hair if you wash your body first.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or cream by rubbing it all over your hair. After you get out of the shower, apply a leave-in conditioner or cream to your hair to ensure it stays moisturized and frizz-free throughout the day.
At this point, make sure your hair has no more tangles. If this is the case, gently detangle your hair with your fingers and then rinse again in the sink, making sure to reapply your conditioner.
- Shape your curls
Get a holding product like a gel or mousse. To help your hair hold the curls long, consider applying a holding gel or mousse before shaping your curls. Try to get water-soluble products rather than alcohol-based ones that don’t feel sticky on the skin. Experiment with products and amounts of product until you get the right combination for your hair.
crumple your hair After applying a holding product, take your hair in your hands and scrunch it in an upward motion, holding for a few seconds each time. The more you knead, the curlier your hair will become. Keep doing this until your hair stops dripping water.
Twist your hair for curls. Take a section of your hair that is 1/2″ to 3″ in diameter. Apply a hold gel or mousse and twist the section around your finger, being careful to go with the natural curl of the section. This method creates perfect curls. Go for a larger section for looser curls, or keep it smaller for tighter curls.
Twist your hair in two sections instead of one. If you want even more defined curls, try the twist method, except in two sections instead of one. Finger comb each section of your hair, apply the hold gel or mousse, then divide one in two and start twisting them around each other. You can add some coconut oil or coconut butter to the ends to soften them.
Straighten your curls for a quicker fix. Instead of crunching or twirling, just try straightening your curls to save time. Start with a section of your hair and apply a holding product. Run your hands over your hair with open fingers and straighten the curls vertically. When you’re done, move on to the next section.
The smaller your section, the tighter your curls will be. The bigger your section, the bigger your curls will be.
Alternatively, smooth your tresses with conditioner. Also called the shingling method, this technique uses a large amount of conditioner on each strand of hair to moisturize and define the curls. Divide your hair into four sections. Pick one and make a smaller section. Apply conditioner to your fingertips and run them through the section, smoothing the curls along the way. Put it down and move on to the next small section.
- Dry your hair
Remove water from your hair with paper towels or t-shirts. Traditional towels are made of terry cloth, and the small loops that make up the towel tend to snag on curly hair and cause frizz. Use paper towels or clothing like t-shirts to remove the water from your hair. After that, pat your hair to dry it faster.
Air dry your hair. Air drying results in the least frizz as blow drying tends to make curly hair frizzy. However, if you don’t have much time, you should definitely blow-dry with a diffuser attachment. Make sure to let dry until you’re done shaping your curls.
Avoid touching your hair until it is completely dry. Improper handling of your hair will ruffle the cuticles and cause frizz. If you want perfectly defined curls and straight looking hair, try not to touch your hair at all until it is completely dry. Once dry, you can now enjoy your frizz-free spirals!