Maintaining your curly hair can seem a little tiresome in the beginning, but with practice you will soon become an expert, as you also understand what works best for you (Image: Canva)
Caring for your curly hair can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start and what products to use, but with a little practice, you can get the hang of it as it becomes second nature. Curly hair requires lots of hydration and a gentle hand. With the right routine, you can achieve healthy, defined, and frizz-free curls.
Here’s an easy step-by-step curly hair care routine to follow.
Curly hair tends to be drier because natural oils have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft. It is very important to make sure your hair is adequately hydrated. Wash it 1-2 times a week using a sulfate-free, moisturising shampoo. Alternatively, you can use a cleansing conditioner for added hydration.
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Pro tip: When shampooing, focus on your scalp and let the suds cleanse the strands as you rinse.
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Conditioning your hair restores moisture, reduces frizz, and makes detangling easier. After every wash, apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Do not put conditioner on your scalp. At this point, you should detangle your hair with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in your hair.
Pro tip: Leave the conditioner on for 2–5 minutes to maximize hydration. Use thick, hydrating conditioners with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or glycerine.
- Step 3: Deep condition weekly
Deep conditioning will strengthen your curls, improves elasticity, and reduces breakage. Once a week, use a deep conditioning mask or treatment. Apply the mask to damp hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave it on for 15–30 minutes.
- Step 4: Apply a leave-in conditioner
After rinsing out the conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair. This helps lock in moisture and primes your curls for styling. Leave-in conditioners can keep your curls hydrated and reduce frizz throughout the day.
Pro tip: Focus on the ends and mid-lengths and use a pea size amount or your hair will feeling heavy and lose the bounce when it dries.
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- Step 5: Style and define curls
Styling products give definition to your curls, fight frizz, and hold your curls in place. Use a curl cream, gel, or mousse to enhance your curls and keep them curly till your next wash. Apply the product section by section, using your fingers or use a “praying hands” method to coat the strands evenly.
Pro tip: Scrunch your hair upward to encourage curl formation. For tighter curls, try finger-coiling sections.
- Step 6: Dry your curls carefully
Gentle drying minimises frizz and preserves your curl pattern. Air-dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer and avoid rubbing your hair with a towel; instead, use a microfiber towel or an old cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water.
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Pro tip: Use a diffuser on a low heat setting to speed up drying while maintaining curl definition.
- Step 7: Protect your curls overnight
Since it is not advised to brush your curly hair every day, you need to make sure your hair doesn’t get entangled as you sleep. Protecting your curls at night also helps reduce frizz. Sleep with your hair in a loose pineapple (a high ponytail) or use a satin or silk scarf/bonnet. Use a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
Pro tip: Refresh your curls in the morning with a water spray mixed with a small amount of leave-in conditioner or curl cream.
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- Step 8: Refresh curls as needed
Between washes, revive your curls with a curl-refreshing spray or by scrunching in water and a bit of styling product. This helps restore definition and manage frizz without needing a full wash.
Pro tip: Use a lightweight curl spray or mist to avoid buildup.
Maintaining your curly hair can seem a little tiresome in the beginning, but with practice you will soon become an expert, as you also understand what works best for you.
