We talk curly hair challenges year round at NaturallyCurly, but questions and traffic always seem to spike during the summer months, just as the heat and humidity do. And we’re sure it’s no coincidence. Caring for curly hair can become considerably more difficult in the summertime, so we enlisted the help of an expert to answer your biggest summer hair questions – Diane Bailey, the Beauty Ambassador for SheaMoisture.
Diane C. Bailey is a salon entrepreneur, celebrity stylist, beauty educator, author, innovator and a standard bearer in the natural hair care industry. As a celebrity stylist, Ms. Bailey has worked with Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Toni Morrison and Iyanla Vanzant, among others. For over 25 years she acted as president and head stylist of the renowned Tendrils Salon in Brooklyn, NY, one of the first salons in New York to offer chemical-free services for textured hair.
If you have summer hair questions for Diane, post them here. NaturallyCurly community member curlysophie did, and this was Diane’s response.
Question
How should I take care of my hair after swimming- it always looks like a total wreck! XD
Answer
Create a barrier
For in the sun/on beach/in the pool care, put a barrier between your hair and the sun’s damaging rays, which may fade color and leave tresses feeling like straw. Spritz on an oil-based treatment such as SheaMoisture Raw Reconstructive Elixir with argan oil, unrefined “raw” shea butter and sea kelp. Oils seal in moisture and provide high-gloss shine.
Wash your hair the same day
After swimming in a pool or the ocean, be sure to wash your hair that same day with a clarifying shampoo such as SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo to remove chlorine or salt, which can cause dryness and damage, leaving it brittle and fading color. This sulfate-free shampoo also gently washes away product buildup for healthier tresses.
Replenish your moisture
After being exposed to the heat and sun, always replenish moisture in your hair by applying a hydrating leave-in treatment, such as SheaMoisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-in Conditioner, which softens, promotes manageability and shine, while busting frizz. Also, be sure to do a deep conditioning treatment every two weeks to rejuvenate your locks. I use SheaMoisture Anti-Breakage Masque, which intensely moisturizes, aids in reducing breakage and supports healthy hair growth. Distribute the mask evenly throughout wet hair after shampooing, place hair under a plastic cap and apply moderate heat for up to 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Boost your conditioner
For an added super boost of moisture, shine and nourishing fatty acids, I recommend adding a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to your deep conditioning treatment when you apply it to your hair.
[prodmod]Head over to Curly Q&A and post your questions this week if you’d like Diane to answer yours personally!
