I spent years with short, straight hair. I tugged, pulled and fought it into submission; and while I loved the pixie cuts I had, all of that did major damage to my hair. Now that I’m all about owning the craziness of my hair, I’m pretty passionate about curly hair and its care.
Six Ways You’re Ruining Your Curly Hair
Washing Too Often. Cleansing your hair daily, or even every other day, is too damaging for curly hair girls. While each person is different, most people can go three days without washing your hair. Others can go a week or more. I go about every three days, maybe two if there are some intense workouts involved. My sister, who has mush curlier hair, can go a week or more.
Shampooing At All. If you follow the Curly Girl Method, which I highly recommend, you don’t shampoo your hair at all. Ever. Most shampoos dry out your hair by stripping the natural oils and moisture. That’s bad news because curls need moisture and lots of it. (Some times a little soap is necessary but keep it to the crown area and never run it all the way through to the tips.) Check out my list of Curly Girl products.
Not Moisturizing Enough. You’d be surprised at how much conditioner your hair can handle. I use a lot of conditioner in the shower: a co-wash to cleanse and then a conditioner to bring even more moisture. After the shower I use a leave-in conditioner as well. When I scrunch the conditioner into my hair it sounds like squishing seaweed and that’s good! Honestly, I’ve never put too much conditioner into my hair, especially into the ends.
Applying Heat. Heat works to dehydrate your hair, which in turn ruins your curls. Whenever possible refrain from using a blow dryer, a flatiron, a curling iron, etc… When, and if, if you have to use one of those make sure the heat is on a low setting. Never turn the flatiron or blow dryer to the highest setting.
Straightening Your Hair. Beyond the fact that when you straighten your hair it means applying damaging heat, it also means destroying your curl memory. Your curls usually keep the same links, the same waves, but when you straighten it out you’re forcing your hair to forget its natural state. This means when you try to move back to your usual curly state it will be harder for your curls to recognize the way they should be.
Brushing Your Hair. The use of a brush on your curly hair, no matter the kind, causes two major issues. The first is that a brush tends to create frizz, which lets be honest for us curly girls this is the last thing we need more of. The second is that brushing your hair breaks up the curls, again losing that curl memory. I actually never use any kind of comb or brush on my hair, but if you need to go with a wide-tooth plastic comb.
I have natural curls and pay huge money for keratin treatments to get rid of them.
I dont have curly hair but these are fab tips - I do use a flat iron on mine.
Carol Bryant recently posted..Easy Way to Gain Blog Traffic and Help Dogs
LOL…I love the photo! I wish I had more natural curls…I’d even take an unruly mess versus the stick straight, flat hair I’ve got. But, we’re never happy with what we have, are we?
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I used to have super straight hair, but pregnancy made my hair curl (literally) and it’s been curly ever since. I do have frizz problems, but will try some of these tips and hopefully it will help! Thank you!
Lisa Weidknecht recently posted..Fresh Home Decor for Spring from Overstock
I don’t have curly hair, more frizzy I would say. These are great tips that you shared.
maria @closetohome recently posted..Guest Bathroom Ideas and P&G Deals $25 #Giveaway
It’s so easy to turn hair from curly to frizzy! Not over-heating it can really help.
I have curly and don’t wash it everyday or else it gets dry, but I’m guilty of using a straightener.
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I do not have curly hair but I had no clue about the no shampoo thing. Cool to know
My daughter had some intense curls. I’ll have to pass on this info!
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Yea, I do all of these things :/
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted..Carrot Cake Protein Bars & Thinking Out Loud Thursday
I have natural wavy hair. I hardly ever straighten it and I try to only shampoo every other day. I agree moisturizing is key!
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I agree with all the above especially shampooing hair and using heat. Shampoos usually contain alcohol and other drying agents that strip hair of it nutrients
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I have stick straight hair if I don’t get a perm in it. The kids razz me about a perm endlessly, so I’ve been just wearing it straight.
Great hair tips. I have straight dry hair and pay for curls.
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I had no idea. I have thick curly hair myself. I will have to try these.
My hair is not at all curly, but this was definitely an interesting peek into curly haired life! I never knew how hard it is to care for curly hair! So many rules!
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LOVE these tips! I have naturally curly hair and though I knew most of these, there were some I’ve been back and forth on. I sometimes shampoo (not really even knowing why) good to know I can skip it more now 😉
Jennifer aka Baby Making Mama recently posted..In case of a fire: 6 tips for saving your family and your memories
How funny! My daughter is a hairdresser and we just had this conversation not too long ago. We had a huge debate about washing or not washing too often.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted..My Journey Living With A Child With Sensory Processing Disorder
I straighten mine every day. I need to use some of these tips to make my hair nicer!
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Great tips! My hair was always straight until I had my last baby and I’m struggling with my curls. Thanks!
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