Choosing Curly Hair Products
Curly Hair Products
Whether you're looking to tame frizz, smooth out the cuticle or slick your curls back, the right natural hair products can help. These formulas are made with ingredients that are suited to your specific hair type and provide the extra moisture and protection your curls need.
Hydrating Ingredients
Your hair is naturally dry and prone to breakage, so you need to look for hydrating ingredients that will restore moisture to your locks. Choosing products that have organic cupuacu butter, organic avocado oil, organic babassu oil, oats and humectants like those in skin will moisturize and hydrate your curls.
Deep Conditioning Treatments
A great way to help your curls look their best is to make sure you're regularly deep conditioning them. These treatments can be done once a week, monthly or more often depending on how your hair tends to feel. You can deep condition before or after shampooing.
Caring For Natural Hair
Curls are more porous than straight strands, so you'll want to use a gentle cleanser that won't strip your tresses of their moisture. You can also choose a shampoo that contains coconut or olive oil, which are known to moisturize and condition hair.
Before you begin using any product, make sure to read the label to find out exactly what ingredients are included. Many products contain parabens, sulfates, strong chemicals or harsh preservatives which can irritate the scalp and damage your hair over time.
After you've rinsed your hair and are ready to style it, spray a small amount of the detangling cream onto your strands and then work through them from root to tip. You can also tame flyaway hair with a sulfate-free conditioner like Pantene's Curl Affair, which is infused with argan oil and vitamin B5 to soften and tame frizz.
Applying a gel to your curls can be a great way to add texture and definition without feeling heavy or greasy, but be sure to use it sparingly. Too much will cause your strands to feel sticky and tacky and cause flaking.
The key is to apply it evenly and gently, then work through your strands from root to tip with your fingertips until you've achieved your desired style.
You can also try a styling gel that contains flaxseeds and jojoba or other ingredients that will impart a bit of hydration. For example, CurlMix’s Flaxseed Gel With Light Hold was featured on Shark Tank and works well for both wavy and curly hair types.
If you're struggling to control frizz, be sure your shampoo is removing all product residue and incorporate a curl cream during styling. Be sure to evenly coat your curls from root to tip. A 2020 Allure Best of Beauty winner, Oribe's Curl Gelee, is formulated with a blend of nourishing murumuru, mango and cocoa seed butters and neem seed oil, which hydrate and strengthen hair.
When your strands are hydrated, you'll be able to easily create your favorite looks with ease. For more defined curls, you can also apply a light coating of a gel to your strands for a sleek style that'll last all day long.
It's important to remember that curly hair must have less manipulation than straight strands, so it's recommended that you only use a few essential curl products. These include a sulfate-free shampoo, a nourishing conditioner, a moisturizing leave in conditioner and a hydrating gel or curl cream.