If you are looking for an ultimate curly girl guide, why not follow my 10 curl commandments filled with tips that every curly girl should be aware of!
1. Lay Off the Heat
Too much heat will cause damage to your curls, altering the texture of your curl pattern from healthy bouncy curls to limp and stringy strands. Avoid hot tools if you are trying to transition to maintain healthy curls.2. Say No To the Poo
Shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate that, although cleans effectively, can be too harsh on curly hair–it strips your strands of everything including the natural oils your scalp produces. Opt for a sulfate-free shampooinstead. A few curly community favorites are the Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo, Bee Mine Botanical Shampoo and DevaCurl DevaCare Low-Poo.
3. Deep Condition and Moisturize
The natural oils your scalp produces, sebum, can take longer to reach the ends of your curls, depending on how tightly they spiral. In order to keep your ends and the rest of your hair moisturized, do regular deep conditioning treatments at least once a month. If you haven’t incorporated a deep conditioner (or as curlies call it, “DC””> into your routine, try the ever-popular SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask or EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea All Natural Hair Masque.
4. Burn the Towel
Towels have large fibers that can latch onto your curls and soak up your moisture. This can create friction, frizz and possibly breakage. Instead of using a towel, use a cotton t-shirt instead.
5. Style When Wet and Don’t Touch ‘Til Dry
It’s much easier to apply products on curly hair when it’s damp or wet. After styling your hair, do not touch it again until it is 100% dry to avoid frizz.
6. Throw Out Brushes
Brushing out your curls, especially when they are dry, can cause damage and breakage. Instead of using a brush, opt for a wide toothed comb or your fingers and detangle when your hair is saturated with conditioner in the shower.
7. Don’t Forget the Diffuser
If you don’t have time to air dry, make sure that your blow dryer setting is at low speed and low heat. Always use a diffuser to evenly distribute the heat. Otherwise you are blowing hot air to one section at a time. Using a diffuser might even help encourage a defined curl pattern.
8. Dry Cut
For most curly girls, it’s difficult to get a dry cut because there are not enough stylists experienced in cutting naturally curly. Curly hair has a spring factor which means it can stretch so you will not get the same shape cutting your hair wet or straightened. A dry cut can help ensure your haircut is even. The most popular method of dry cutting curls is known as the Deva Cut. You can look for Deva-certified stylists and read reviews in our Salons section.
9. Pineapple
Rocking a pineapple to sleep on a satin pillowcase will ensure your style is maintained overnight and sleeping on a satin pillowcase will help keep most of that moisture in your hair. There are many different ways to pineapple your hair, but the general idea is to gather all of your curls on top of your head and tie them loosely with a scrunchie or scarf. In the morning, take down your pineapple and spot treat any out of shape curls.
10. Don’t Covet Other Curls
You can admire your Curlfriend’s curls from afar as inspiration, but ultimately you should love and embrace the curls you were given. It all starts with self-love!
Watch my video
Here is my English version. I also have a Spanish version–click here to watch it!
Let me know if there is another curl commandment that I left out.
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