Curly hair is characterized by tight “S” pattern twirls of the hair strands. This often leads to being wild and full. The only way to keep it bright and healthy is to tame the curly hair strands.
This is easier said than done because you realize as your curls get tighter, so do they become harder to maintain. And we all know one of the secrets to healthy hair is hydration, which becomes more challenging to work from the roots to the ends.
This can, in turn, lead to frizzy hair, split ends, unnatural dullness of the curls, and hair damage in the long run. That’s why you should learn how to tame your curly hair.
How to tame curly hair
1. Trim your hair regularly
Like it or not, trimming your hair regularly is one of the best ways to keep it healthy. Taking off an inch or two will help your strands stay healthy and remove split ends that cause frizz and damage other parts of your hair strands.
2. Use good products
Frizzy hair types have one thing in common- they are severely lacking in nutrients and moisture. That’s because it is hard for natural nutrients and moisture to flow from the roots to the ends due to tight curls.
No doubt, curly hair needs moisture. That’s why you have to use products that would provide it. Use shampoos and conditioners that would not only hydrate but will also protect the natural moisture of your curly hair.
Additionally, use products rich in oils and butter like coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil, or castor oil. The oils have a way of sleeping your curls, which makes them easy to style and control. Furthermore, it prevents frizz and wiry strands.
3. Avoid heat styling
Heat styling tools like flat irons and hair dryers can harm your fragile curly hair. Therefore, avoid the flat iron as much as possible. Or you can practice safe flat iron tips, use other methods to style your hair, or use heat-protecting spray.
Heat tools are harmful to curly hair because they can disrupt the curl pattern of your cuticles, and this causes them to frizz.
4. Don’t over-wash your hair
Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils; this easily leads to frizz. Curly hair has the disadvantage of being naturally dry because of the features of the hair.
However, try to wash your hair no more than twice a week to prevent stripping your curls of their oils.
Meanwhile, afro-texture hair between 3C and 4C should wash once a week, then condition their hair to prevent dryness.
Another option is to use dry shampoo between washes to absorb dirt and excess oil in your strands.
5. Use a hair diffuser
A hair diffuser can also work in place of a blow dryer. The air it blows out can dry your curls gently without stripping them of their oil. Simply use a hair diffuser attachment to help spread the heat and reduce frizz.
6. Use a satin/silk pillowcase
One of the ways to protect curly hair is to use a pillowcase that would not tangle your hair. This makes it malleable when combing and taming the curls too.
Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and damage curly hair. Meanwhile, movement on a satin or silk pillowcase would be frictionless and would not damage your curls.
7. Embrace your curls
The best way to tame curly hair is to love it. There is nothing more helpful than wanting the best for your hair. This includes knowing what is suitable for it and what products should be applied to it. If you learn to embrace your curls, you will find them enjoyable when styling them.
8. Use the right tools
Some hair tools damage hair strands more than repair them. For instance, a wide-toothed comb is best for curls when detangling or combing through. Do not use a bristled brush or pick combs because they will break or damage your hair.
9. Deep condition your hair
Another way to tame curly hair is to provide deep hydration and long-lasting moisture to it.
When your curls are deeply conditioned, they are in a malleable state that can be worked on easily. Moreover, moisturized hair prevents frizz and split ends.
How to tame curly hair overnight
If you get frizzy, tangled curls you need to fix overnight, then you need an emergency hair routine that would provide defined, tamed curls in the morning. The following is a way you can get your curls tamed.
Get your hair wet
Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to clean dirt and excess oil and moisturize your curls.
Apply a hair-styling product
Apply a styling product to your damp hair; it can help define your curls. The styling product also keeps them in place overnight. You can choose between a leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or gel.
Divide your hair into sections
Divide your hair into several sections using clips or hair ties. Working through your hair becomes much easier with them sectioned. You can break it into sections of six or eight to prevent chunky styling.
Twist your hair
Take each section of hair and twist it away from your face. Keep twisting until the hair is tightly woven. Then secure each twist in a clip or tie.
Use a silk or satin pillowcase
A silk or satin pillowcase will have a softer texture against your hair. It would not cause friction, which can cause loss of hair moisture. It will also prevent tangling and frizz.
Avoid sleeping with your hair loose
Sleeping with your hair loose can cause your curls to become frizzy and tangled. It’s best to keep your hair in twists or braids to keep it neat and tangle-free overnight.
Refresh your curls in the morning
In the morning, gently unravel your twists and use your fingers to refresh your curls. You can apply a little bit of styling product to help reshape your curls and add some shine and hold.
How to tame curly hair into waves
If you want to style your curls into waves, you can do so using the following guide:
- Start with freshly washed hair: Shampoo and condition your hair as usual, then dry it with a microfiber towel.
- Apply a hair styling product: Apply a lightweight styling product that would define your curls into lush waves. Make sure it is light to prevent weighing your curls down. Look for products that are designed for wavy hair, such as a mousse, curl cream, or sea salt spray.
- Divide your hair into sections: Divide your hair into small sections using clips or hair ties. This will help you create more defined waves and make the styling process easier.
- Twist your hair: Take each section of hair and twist it away from your face. Keep twisting until the hair is tight.
- Use a hair diffuser: Use a hair diffuser attachment on your hair dryer to dry your hair while it’s still twisted. It will help set your waves and keep them from frizzing.
- Finish with hairspray: Once your hair is dry, lightly mist it with a flexible hairspray. This will help keep your waves in place and add extra hold and definition.
- Loosen the twist: Release your hair from the twists and use your fingers to scrunch your hair to free the waves and give them a more natural, effortless look.
How to prevent frizzy, curly hair
- The best way to prevent frizzy hair is always to hydrate your curls. Keeping them hydrated makes the strands healthier.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo because it will not strip oil and nutrients from your hair.
- Deep condition once a week to enhance moisture and soft texture.
- Avoid washing your hair. The curlier your hair, the less you wash. Wash once a week if you have afro-textured hair and twice a week for the looser curls.
- Avoid heat styling tools because they strip the hair and make your hair prone to frizz.
- Pat your hair, not roughen it while you dry. Also, use a microfiber towel to gently absorb water.
- Use nutrient-protecting curl-defining products. If the product oxidizes on your hair, it could leave it exposed to heat.
- Use hot oil treatment once a week to boost oil and nutrients in your follicles.
Products good for curly hair
When it comes to products for curly hair, it’s important to choose ones specifically formulated to hydrate, define, and tame curls. Here are some products that are great for curly hair:
- Co-wash cleansers: Co-wash cleansers are conditioning cleansers that help gently cleanse and moisturize curly hair. They’re typically free of sulfates, which can dry out curly hair.
- Leave-in conditioners: Leave-in conditioners are great for curly hair because they help to moisturize and detangle hair while also defining curls.
- Curl creams: Curl creams help define curls while moisturizing and taming frizz. Look for a lightweight cream that won’t weigh down your curls.
- Hair oils: Hair oils are a great way to add moisture and shine to curly hair. Look for lightweight oils that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy or heavy.
- Gel: Gel is excellent for defining curls and holding them in place. Look for a lightweight gel that won’t make your hair feel crunchy or stiff.
- Deep conditioning treatments: Deep conditioning treatments like oils help to nourish and hydrate curly hair. Look for a treatment that’s formulated for curly hair and contains ingredients like argan oil or shea butter.
FAQs
Can you tame curly hair by straightening it?
Yes, you can. Another way to tame your curls is to smoothen them out, leaving the curls flattened for a while. However, this can damage your hair in the long run.
If you must straighten your curls, use heat protectant spray to prevent thinning out of your hair.
What’s the best way to tame hair in the morning?
Detangling.
The first thing to do in your morning routine is to detangle with a wide-toothed comb or fingers to feel what happened to your hair while you slept.
Then you can proceed to use the right products to tame and put your curls back in their place.
Can you use a leave-in conditioner to style your curls?
Yes, you can.
Leave-in conditioner is one of the best styling products if you want to tame your curls. It moisturizes and keeps your curls firmly in place by filling your hair strands.
Takeaway
Curly hair takes lots of time to care for. When it’s frizzy and full of split ends, you need to be extra attentive to it.
However, you can tame curly hair by trimming regularly, using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (at least once a week), staying away from heat styling tools, and sleeping on a silk or satin (avoid cotton) to prevent hair friction while you sleep.
And most of all, love your curls by defining and styling them uniquely. You can use good hair products with rich oils and hydrating ingredients (stay away from parabens) to get healthy-looking hair every day.
Thanks for reading.
Get more hair hacks and tips here on MBGON.