Sufferers of curly dry hair often fall into the trap of treating curly hair like straight hair. They shampoo it excessively, condition it too lightly and chop sections off rather than carefully trimming each curly strand. Take a tip from the many curly girls who have learned to love their hair and embrace the shape and style of curls. If you adopt new methods of cutting, cleaning, conditioning and styling your dry, curly hair, you will see shinier, bouncier curls rather than damaged frizzy hair.
The Right Haircut
Split ends are the enemy of curly hair. Fragile dry tips split easily and turn to frizz. Keep your curls in check by trimming split ends every few months or more frequently if you expose them to damaging chlorine and heat. Make friends with a hairstylist who knows curls and won’t just try to layer your hair, a cut which often turns into a bushy wedge. Salon stylists in the know select curly strands individually, cutting each one at the crest of the curl. A good haircut for dry curly hair cuts reduces width without overtly affecting the length.
Ditch the Shampoo
One of the more radical techniques for treating dry, curly hair involves eliminating or replacing shampoo, an approach known as “no poo.” A sulfate-free shampoo does the trick, scrubbing the scalp and removing product build-up without stripping curls of their natural oils. If you prefer no shampoo at all, try a light, lotion-style hair conditioner that you rinse out before applying leave-in treatment. For a natural alternative, create a paste with baking soda and water, and add a few drops of honey to moisturize, and vigorously rub it into the scalp to cleanse it.
Hair Treatments
People with curly hair often try many products, or a mixture thereof, before landing upon the best curl cocktail. In general, you want to select products that repair damage, protect the hair shaft and add gleam and shine without weighing down your curls. To treat dry, frizzy hair, squeeze the water from your hair before applying hair treatment. Finger comb a thick putty or mud-style conditioner gently detangling curls. Wrap your hair in a cotton T-shirt, rather than a terry cloth towel to absorb extra moisture and then let your hair air dry. Look for treatments without silicone products and with more natural ingredients, such as olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, beeswax, palm oil and shea butter.
Photo Credit
- curly beauty image by Ana Blazic from Fotolia.com
