It’s 2022!! Let’s start the New Year with strong, healthy hair! Curly hair is a beautiful thing… but maintaining it is a long process (an all-day process for me), however, the results will always be worth it! Some people think curly hair is easy to maintain (just wash n go). It’s actually the opposite! There are so many things a curly girl has to consider if she wants healthy hair. Starting with the first step – washing curly hair. When it comes to washing my curly hair, the following do’s and don’ts keep me on the right track!
DO: Pre-poo with an oil treatment before washing your hair! It preps your hair before shampoo, adds extra moisture, and makes the detangling process easier. I will sometimes pre-poo a day before wash day to prevent my hair from drying out.
DON’T: Overwash your hair. Over-washing can strip your hair of its natural oils and will make curly hair dry and brittle. You want to keep those natural oils in your hair, so you can maintain moisture. Dry, brittle hair is prone to breakage, and who wants that?
DO: Try to detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Before washing my hair I like to detangle my hair. I’ve noticed less shedding after washing when I part my hair into small sections and detangle thoroughly.
DON’T: Stay away from shampoo that contains sulfate and/or parabens. Sulfates tend to strip your hair, leaving your hair brittle, and parabens dehydrate your hair causing frizz and irritation. Instead use a paraben-free, sulfate-free shampoo. One of my favorites is Uncle Funky’s Daughter Rich & Funky Moisturizing Cleanser. It is sulfate-free and delivers moisture all while cleansing your hair. It’s also color-safe which I LOVE.
DO: Always deep condition your hair! Deep conditioning is one of the most important steps in having strong healthy curls. It nourishes and hydrates our hair which is what we need to retain length.
DON’T: Do not wash your hair with steaming hot water. Too much hot water can make your hair extremely dry to the touch. Instead, wash your hair with lukewarm water. Another great tip is to make sure your last rinse is with cool water so you can seal in all that moisture.
DO: Co-washing is another great way to cleanse your scalp. My all-time favorite and MUST HAVE is Bye-Bye Buildup by Uncle Funky’s Daughter. This product is seriously a staple product for any curly girl. It not only removes build-up but is gentle and moisturizing to my curls. My scalp always thanks me after I use this product!
If your curls feel dry try washing less frequently or alternating between shampoo and co-wash. Take your time with your hair, pay attention to the way it reacts, and you will be your own hair goals in 2022!
xoxo
@curlzmatic
