Textured, curly, and coily hair has a completely unique set of care requirements, and while mainstream hair care brands are only just now starting to catch up, there are still plenty of options out there. However, using appropriate products is only the tip of the iceberg. If you’re not using the correct styling techniques, protecting your hair from harsh environmental changes, and keeping your body healthy, no product in the world is going to give you perfect hair. Here are 10 proven ways to care for your curly or textured hair.
1. Use Correct Washing Techniques
First, always choose products that are free of sulfate, alcohol-free, and free of harsh fragrances. We’ve posted an article about what to look for in your shampoo and conditioners. But it’s equally as important to wash your hair in a way that isn’t going to cause tangling, unnecessary pulling, or further breakage. Instead of piling your hair on top of your head and scrubbing your scalp, wash your hair in 4-6 sections. Start at your scalp, and work your way down the hair shaft, scrunching your roots gently. Always finish your session with a mega-moisturizing conditioner.
2. Comb, Brush, and Detangle
Not all brushes and combs are created equal, but most are not designed for textured hair, so that’s your first assignment. It’s best to use a wide-toothed detangling brush, like the GLO Detangling Brush. If your hair is not easily tangled, do some finger detangling and running a wide-toothed comb through it before you step in the shower can help speed up the conditioning process. If your hair is thick, coily, or tangles easily, make sure to moisturize it with a leave-in conditioner or curl creme before you run a brush or comb through it.
3. Avoid Heat
You’re not going to want to hear this, but heat is not your best friend when it comes to styling your hair. It can affect and change the pattern of your curls, and not necessarily for the better. The only type of heat you can safely use on your hair would be that of a diffuser to speed up the drying process. Even then, you need to watch out for over-drying, so make sure you always have enough product in your hair.
4. Place Your Hair in a Protective Style
If you’re styling your hair for the day, try using moisturizing products to shape and mold your curls. But placing your hair in a protective style is even better. These styles keep your hair moisturized, prevent pulling, tugging, and tangling, and they look beautiful. Twists and braids are just a couple of the various styles you can try out this season.
5. Get Regular Trims
Yes, our hair takes seemingly forever to grow, but if we’re not trimming those split ends and giving them some extra TLC, we’ll never reach the length we want. Split ends may start small but they work their way up your hair shaft and cause excess frizziness. Make sure to schedule yourself in for a trim every season change.
6. Try a Deep Conditioning Treatment
If you’re struggling with excess dryness during the harsh fall and winter season, setting some time aside to give your hair a deep conditioning treatment could make a world of difference for your curly or coily hair. You could try natural hair masks using ingredients like avocado, olive oil, vinegar, and coconut oil. Or, you could try a product like the TGIN Honey Miracle Mask. Don’t forget to make that treatment extra penetrating with indirect heat from the battery-powered GLO Heat Cap.
7. Always Wear a Bonnet for Bedtime
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, putting your hair in a double-layered satin bonnet at night could be the difference between waking up to a head full of fuzziness or keeping everything in place. Bonnets also prevent breakage, keep your scalp moisturized and keep your protective style looking beautiful. If you’re in the market, take a look at the GLO Bonnet which promises to stay on all night!
It may feel like there are too many things to remember, but following these steps mean you’ll be spending less at the salon to repair hair issues, and will leave you with healthier, happier hair. Remember to switch up your routine as the seasons change, as temperature and environmental changes can have a significant impact on the health of your hair. Unhealthy hair can also be an indicator of things going on in your body, so be mindful of that as well.
