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Caring
For Curly Hair |
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TheHairStyler.com
Hair Feature
By Katie Summers, THS Consultant
Ask
any person with naturally curly hair what they think of it and unfortunately
most will probably say they hate it.
Notorious for its dryness, unpredictability and lack of control, curly hair
is one of the most difficult to manage hair types. But before you reach
for that straightening iron, remember that the key to great hair is not
how you style it, but how you care for it.
The best way to achieve shiny, healthy, frizz-free curls is by looking after
your locks and tailoring your hair care routine so it works for your curls,
not against them.
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| Cutting |
| Cutting curly
hair every 4 to 6 weeks will not only keep your tresses in top shape, it
will also stop the ends from losing their curl and going straight. Layering
curly hair can make it easier to handle and achieve hairstyles, but make
sure the hairdresser doing the layering understands curly hair and how your
curls will fall when layered. A good stylist will be able to advise you
on a haircut that will make the most of your curls. |
| Washing |
| To care for curly hair,
washing is important, but washing everyday can strip the hair of its natural
oils, which are the best way to keep your curls healthy. It is a good idea
to use a shampoo and a conditioner that is designed specifically for curly
hair and that is full of moisturizers but also has frizz reducers. |
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- Work shampoo through your scalp
and let the suds run through the rest of your hair
- Apply conditioner to the mid
lengths of your hair and then work it down to the ends. If your
hair is especially dry, apply more conditioner to the ends and
comb it through the hair
- Always use warm water to wash
your hair. Hot water will dry curls out
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| Using a deep moisturizing
treatment once a week will keep curls strong without going frizzy and a
hot oil treatment once a month will add vitality and shine. Blotting the
hair with paper towels to soak up excess water is a great way to dry without
causing frizz and a wide-tooth comb is the best styling tool. |
| Styling |
| Never brush curly hair as
it will promote frizz and damage the cuticle. Instead, use a wide-tooth
comb or your fingers to gently detangle the hair. Avoid any styling products
that contain alcohol or ones that will weigh the hair down. It is a good
idea to only use hair-dryers when absolutely necessary as the heat will
zap curly hair of moisture and is the fastest way to create frizz and fly-aways. |
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- Whenever styling,
always moisturize the hair first with a simple body moisturizer
before applying styling products. The moisturizer will keep the
hair protected from damage and reduce static and frizz
- To get your hair
to fall into its natural curly shape, style when wet and then
leave your hair to air dry and try to resist scrunching or touching
- Sleeping in
wet hair will guarantee out-of-control curls. Combat this by braiding
or plaiting your hair in three separate sections and by resting
your head on a satin pillowcase so that your hair doesn’t
rub
- Wear your hair
with a soft side parting that is not too defined for a flattering
look
- Using a sea salt
spray is a great way to redefine curls and texture and revitalize
styling products
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| Common
Curl Types |
Afro:
The most fragile curl type, Afro curls have fewer cuticles in
the hair shaft and are more prone to damage. The curls are very
tight, coiled curls that cause the strand to have an almost
wire like appearance.
Boticelli:
This curl type is "S" shaped in appearance and will
vary in size. Boticelli curls fall flat and form in hair that
usually has a fine to medium texture.
Corkscrew:
Have the appearance of small, tightly wound, coils. People with
corkscrew curls generally tend to have hair that is frizzy and
dry and will find it hard to get the curls to lie flat.
Wavy:
These are the loosest curls and may appear more wavy than curly.
Humid weather will automatically frizz wavy curls
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Common
Curl Patterns |
Curly:
In short hair these classic looking curls will form tight spirals.
In longer hair the curl will transform into longer spirals that
are loose in appearance. A curly curl pattern usually comes
with lots of volume.
Loose:
The trademarks with loose curls are slight waves that look straighter
when the hair is cut short and curlier when the hair is grown
into a long style. The curl of loose patterns is less defined
than with other curl patterns.
Kinky:
Kinky curls are usually tight ringlets that come in a firmly
coiled shape that may look like an "S" or a "Z"
when pulled straight. A kinky curl pattern is very fragile and
more prone to dryness and damage. |
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| Common
Curl Textures |
Coarse:
A coarse curl texture will keep hair free of moisture and frizz,
but is usually found on straighter curls that don’t actually
hold the curl that well.
Fine:
Although a head full of thick curls may actually appear to be
a coarse curl texture, most naturally curly hair types have
a fine hair texture and will benefit from using lightweight
products when trying to care for the curls. |
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