Anyone with curly hair knows, as nice as it is to get compliments, people with straight hair have no idea how much work it takes to keep the mane under control. One of the biggest problems that people with curls face is the dreaded frizz. While everyone knows that curly hair is magical, it can be a full-time job figuring out how to keep flyaways at bay.
Instead of cursing under your breath when you notice frizzy curls, read these styling tips to keep them nourished and smooth. You'll have healthier, bouncy curls without all of the extra unnecessary steps. Let's get started!
1. Put Down The Brush
One of the biggest enemies of great curls has pretended to be a friend this whole time. While you may think that brushing your hair is necessary, try putting down the brush. When you comb your curls dry, it can disrupt the pattern and cause frizz.
If you insist on brushing, use a wide-tooth comb when your hair is wet and you've already applied conditioner. If you want to be extra cautious, add some oil to your locks before you shower so you can comb easily.
2. Learn About Plopping
If you haven't heard of plopping yet, you're about to be introduced to your new best friend. After you washed your hair and placed styling products, grab a microfiber towel or old t-shirt. Now, you bend over and plop your hair down on the fabric.
Do this for a minute, essentially pressing your curls up as you dry them. Then feel free to walk around with the towel around your head. Traditional towels cause a lot of damage and using the plopping method, you're sure to eliminate frizz.
3. Protect Your Hair During Sleep
This might be the secret that changes your curly hair routine forever, using satin pillowcases or hair wraps when you sleep. This brings a whole new meaning to the term beauty sleep. Traditional cotton pillowcases are made of rough materials that can tangle and damage hair when you sleep, clearly not ideal.
Satin is a smooth material that will keep your hair happy and healthy. Try out a satin pillowcase or a headwrap when you go to bed. You'll wake up in the morning wondering how you ever had good hair days without it.
4. Use The Right Products
To minimize frizz, you'll need the right hair products. With aisles full of every kind of hair product imaginable, it can be difficult to narrow down what your curls need. This is where knowing your hair type comes in handy.
Once you figure out your curl pattern, porosity as well as thickness, you'll be able to find products with the right ingredients that will bring your hair to the next level. It may sound complicated but it's quite easy (not to mention fun) to look at your curls and see what they're all about.
5. Don't Shampoo Daily
Shampoo is a wonderful creation that is a part of everyone's life, no matter what type of hair they have. The bad news is that a lot of shampoos are made of ingredients that love to create frizzy curls. Sulfates, alcohols, parabens, all of these and many like them can cause a lot of hair damage.
Instead of shampooing every day, consider co-washing. This means shampooing every once in a while and focusing more on cleansing the hair with conditioner. Co-washing lets your scalp produce natural, healthy oils which is something your curls love.
6. Dry With a Microfiber Towel or Wrap
As mentioned with plopping, using a microfiber towel, wrap, or old 100% cotton T-shirt is necessary when you want smooth curls. When you finish washing your hair and use a traditional towel, that rough material can damage your hair since it makes it more susceptible to breakage.
Microfiber is more gentle on your delicate strands, retaining the shine and volume you desire.
7. Cold Water Is Your Friend
Part of eliminating frizzy hair is to know how different temperatures can lead to various changes in your hair. While you may know about how bad heat is for your locks, did you know that rinsing your hair with cold water can help it? When you use cold water, it can close the hair cuticle and protect your hair.
Of course, be sure to know your porosity type before trying this out, because some types of hair actually benefit from the water being a little warm.
8. Avoid or Reduce Heat
One of the most universal pieces of advice for pretty much anyone who wants healthy hair is to avoid heat damage. Using direct heat to dry or style the hair can cause a lot of hair breakage. Not only can your curl pattern be permanently changed, but it can also leave your hair lackluster.
If you can't get rid of heat, then try to minimize it and protect your hair from it. Use a heat protectant if you know you'll be straightening or blow-drying your hair, or do a deep conditioning mask to help revive your hair from heat damage.
9. Hands off the Curls
The most simple tip might also be the most difficult to remember. If you want to reduce frizz, try to minimize touching your hair so often. It's difficult since curls are so hypnotizing and fun, but adopting a no-hands approach will make your hair healthier in the long run.
10. Don't Overwhelm With Products
While one product might not be enough to tame frizz, you'll need to be strategic when it comes to the products you use and how much you use them. Finding the right system by knowing your curl type is what will create your dream locks. If you overdo it with too many products, this can cause build-up which will need some extra work to remove.
It also isn't effective to just load a bunch of products on your hair, find the right type of products for different steps, and let them work in harmony. The right curl serum and some lightweight oils can do wonders.
Taming Frizzy Curls
Curly-haired girls are lucky, there's something so effortlessly cool about ringlets and waves. As much as curls are loved, let's be real, they aren't as effortless as one might think. Frizzy curls can be a bummer but you don't have to settle for a bad hair day, there's plenty of tips to turn your hair from drab to fab.
If you're looking for a real curly hair game-changer, be sure to check out our products!