My entire life I have been known for my wild curly hair. People greet me with shouts wherever I go as if I am a celeb and it’s all about the hair, well maybe a bit of my personality mixed in too. As a child my hair was the bane of my existence with all of the beautiful girls having model straight stick hair. I did everything that I could try to hide the curly mop. Now I wear my locks of circlelicious curls with the honor of a beautiful crown that has been bestowed upon me.
So for those with their own crowns of curls, here are my how-to’s for keeping my hair in its’ best curly shape.
The most important thing to remember when caring for curly hair is that it easily breaks at the ends; yes, this is why it seems like you can never can get it to grow long no matter how hard you try. So caring for the beautiful curls means taking extra concern to prevent breakage.
- Say no to washing every day or even every other day.
Curly hair tends to be dry so washing too often will deplete it of nutrients and just dry it out even more. I wash my hair about twice a week.
- Apply conditioner both before and after shampoo.
Shampooing the ends of curly hair will ultimately cause more drying. Before applying the shampoo put conditioner on the ends of the curly locks and leave it on while shampooing. Only apply the shampoo to the roots (this is really the only place where the hair is dirty unless aggressively working out or working in a dusty environment) and scrub without touching the ends. Rinse out the hair and then apply a heavy amount of conditioner from roots to ends. Use a wide tooth comb, comb through the conditioner and then rinse out.
- Never terry towel dry curly hair.
Bath towels may feel fluffy and comforting but can harm curly hair when using them to get the wetness out. Instead take a few sheets of paper toweling and gently use them to squeeze excess water from your hair. Start at the roots and work out to the ends.
- Don’t use a lot of product (and check out my secret miracle worker).
I have been drawn in to the promises of healthier, bouncier curls and have tried just about everything. Conclusion “Waste of money”! I use a light mousse made for curly hair on my wet head. I place just enough to comb through from the roots to the ends. I then shake out my wet locks and pouf them up a bit to let dry.
Now my secret product, shhh… “It’s aloe vera, just simple clear everyday aloe vera gel” I buy aloe vera gel in 24 ounce bottles on line. Make sure that what you buy is pure and clear with no added ingredients (especially alcohol). I simply take a small bit of gel and splash it with water to apply to my wet ends and to my crown around my forehead. This is what I believe is the miracle to help prevent the dreaded breakage.
- Dry and fluff, plus add a bit more love to the ends.
As the hair is drying keep fluffing it up with your fingers. Dread heading out with a wet head, then blow drying is okay just don’t leave the heat on one spot and fluff with one hand while drying with the other. Take blow dry breaks and add a bit of water and aloe to the ends to keep them from drying out. Once the roots are dry shake out your locks. Use a wide tooth comb for any styling, and to prevent breakage never comb out dry ends without first wetting.
- Prepare your hair for bedtime.
My hair is long so I always put it in a braid at night to keep it from knotting up even more when tossing and turning at night. Even those with shoulder length locks can pull hair up in a soft pony tail placed on top of the head. Again I put aloe vera on my ends and comb through for extra nourishment.
In the morning let your hair free; shake it out and freshen it up with a bit of water and clear aloe gel. Use a wide tooth comb on the ends to get knots out but only comb using water to save the ends from breaking.
- Only get a dry hair cut.
The big reason for trimming curly hair is to get rid of the split ends and prevent more breakage.As soon as curly hair is wet, split ends disappear thus making it a guessing act as to where to cut. This can result in too much trimmed hair making it especially frustrating for those looking to grow out their hair. Make sure to go to a hair stylist who specializes in a specific curly dry cut like a Deva cut. Hair should be washed after cutting.
- When coloring use more natural products and stay away from ammonia.
Keep the coloring as gentle as possible. There are many products that are more natural based formulas that will not be as harsh on your hair. After coloring is complete be generous with the aloe vera gel applied to the ends and to your delicate forehead hair.
Welcome aloe vera gel as your very best friend forever.
Aloe vera gel is now your BFF. For fly aways and extra dry days just take a little gel and mix with water in your hands to wipe gently on top of your hair to keep it in place. Too much aloe will not hurt or add crunch like chemical filled hair products do. Keep the ends moist using aloe with water. Aloe vera gel is great for drenching the skin as well.
My hair represents me and I am always happy to share my curly headed knowledge.
Those with straight hair believe that us curly haired people have it easy; that we just wake in the morning and shake our heads for the hair to fall in its’ perfect place. Not true! Curly hair is difficult to maintain. Where straight hair tends to be silky and smooth allowing for it to easily have a brush run through it, curly hair is one big intertwined knot, much like my stressed out body.
I am known for my hair and am proud of it showing a huge smile as I take the compliments “Wow, I love your hair” graciously as I wander about my day. In fact on days that prove to be difficult my circlelicious curls have given me a chance to be thankful for life pushing me to go on to spread smiles and my own lifestyle wisdom.
Never be afraid to dance!
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