My curly hair used to be something that was so frustrating -- like I couldn't quite figure it out. Was it wavy? Was it curly? What did it want and need? Why did it have to be so unpredictable?
But over time, I began to figure out what works for me and what doesn't, and I was empowered by that knowledge. I consulted the Curly Girl Handbook by Lorraine Massey, watched countless YouTube tutorials, gabbed with other curly haired friends, and most of all, learned by trial and error.
Now, my curly hair is one of the things I love most about myself. When I wake up with a pile of zig-zagged curls and coils upon my head, I feel like a goddess. It makes me happy and feels like the true Danielle.
I've compiled a list of practical tips to achieve healthy, happy hair. Because while curly hair is a gift, it doesn't always come without a little work and TLC.
1. Use a Satin Pillowcase
Treat your locks to a soft night sleep by using a satin pillowcase. The fibers in satin are much smaller than in traditional cotton, which means it doesn't create friction or disrupt your curl pattern. The pillowcases themselves are beautiful and relatively inexpensive, and they will make sure you have less frizz to worry about!
2. Switch to a T-Shirt Towel
On a related note, cotton T-shirts are softer on the hair than regular towels because their fibers are smaller. It makes me cringe when people rub and shake their hair dry with a towel -- that's a big no-no. When I get out of the shower, I drape a cotton T-shirt at the nape of my neck with my head upside down. Then I tie the sleeves together at the front of my forehead and gently surround my curls with the rest of the shirt. Then I fold it on top of my head until I'm ready for styling. The key here is being super gentle with your hair.
3. Clarify & Deep Condition
Using clarifying treatments and deep conditioning masks can greatly improve the overall health of your hair. Clarifying gets rid of product buildup and thoroughly cleanses the scalp. Deep conditioning treatments add moisture and other nourishment to the hair. I use the MopTop Clarifying Rescue Treatment, which I believe is now discontinued, but you can check out their Detox Shampoo. I also love the Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask for rich moisture.
4. No Brushing!
Please, DO NOT brush your hair! If you have curly hair, you probably know that brushing only leads to looking like a puffy poodle who got stuck out in the rain. But if you weren't aware, just know that brushing your hair disrupts your natural curl pattern, causes breakage, and overall makes it ten times more difficult to care for your hair. The only time I put a brush to my hair is in the shower after I apply my conditioner, and that is a Wet Brush specifically designed for detangling wet hair. Another fail-proof option is finger detangling, but the wet brush speeds up the process.
5. Do Scalp Massages
If you're trying to grow out your hair or simply want a deeper cleanse, try a pre-shower scalp massage. To do this, flip your head upside down and move your fingers in small circles throughout your scalp. This increases the blood flow to your hair follicles which helps stimulate growth, and it also breaks up product on your scalp to make for an easier clean once you hop in the shower and shampoo. Not to mention, it feels great!
Thanks for following along, curl-friend. Now, let your curls live their best lives!
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