While curly hair is absolutely gorgeous to look at, and sparks envy in straight-haired girls all around the world, it’s also one of the most challenging hair types to manage. Prone to dryness, frizz, and tough tangles, curls require a special routine to keep them healthy and looking good.
Once you know the tricks of the trade and are stocked up on the right products, though, achieving gorgeous, frizz-free curls is totally within reach.
No more guesswork needed: here’s a novice’s guide to curly hair care with skelp!, including the best products for curly hair and our top curly hair styling tips.
Why is curly hair so challenging?
Every curly-haired girl has bemoaned her ringlets once or twice, and wished that she had straight hair… but why? Well, it all comes down to hair type and management.
Curly hair is naturally drier and more porous than straight hair, which means it needs extra hydration and a delicate touch to avoid damage. Unlike straight strands, curly spirals make it difficult for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft, which leaves curls craving moisture.
On top of this, there’s the frizz factor. Curly hair is more likely to absorb moisture from humid air, which can cause the outer layer to puff right up and create an untameable halo of frizz. Angelic? Maybe. Easy to manage? Certainly not.
How to care for curly hair daily
The key to keeping curly hair healthy is to put a bit of time and energy into it regularly, rather than letting things build up. While you may only need to shampoo once or twice a week, there are other parts of the process that you should do every few days or even daily to maintain your curls.
Keep reading as we break down the components of a good curly hair routine and offer our top tips for refining and perfecting your curls.
Shampooing curly hair
Keeping your hair and scalp clean without stripping away natural oils is absolutely essential for curly-haired girlies. Because of your hair type, you’ll be more prone to dryness both at the roots and ends of the hair, so your chosen shampoo should lock in that moisture rather than trying to eliminate it completely.
Curls need a sulphate-free shampoo to prevent dryness, and sulphates can leave the hair parched and more prone to frizz. Try the sulphate-free skelp! Clean Sweep Shampoo, which uses Defenscalp™ – a potent rosebay extract – to balance the scalp’s delicate microbiome. The microbiome is important to consider in any haircare routine, as when this ecosystem is interrupted, it can lead to dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and other pesky scalp concerns.
Hydrating curly hair
Hydration for curly hair is key to keeping it soft, defined, and frizz-free. You should have two products in your beauty toolkit to moisturise curly hair: a nourishing conditioner and a hair treatment.
When it comes to conditioner, we can’t go past the skelp! Protector Conditioner for all hair types. This product is formulated with fruit extracts for a juicy antioxidant boost, and unlike other conditioners, can be applied to the entire head (yep, including your roots!) to address both the scalp and the hair’s hydration. It’s perfect for the curly-haired amongst us who need a little more moisture than most.
Adding a hair mask to your routine can make a world of difference to the texture and appearance of your curls. The skelp! Stay Hydrated Moisture Mask is a rich, hydrating hair mask that supports curls by improving manageability and reducing frizz. Ingredients like fatty acids and shea butter nourish each individual curl.
Detangling curly hair
One of the biggest mistakes curly-haired folks make? Detangling on dry hair. To avoid breakage and keep curls smooth, always detangle while your hair is wet and preferably, coated with a hydrating conditioner or mask like the skelp! Stay Hydrated Moisture Mask.
A great tool to have at your disposal when caring for curly hair is a wide tooth comb. The skelp! Tangle Tamer Knot-Free Wide Tooth Comb is ideal for working through tangles without tugging on the hair too hard and causing breakage. Either in the shower or just as you’ve stepped out, comb through your curls, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. This technique will keep your curl pattern intact whilst getting rid of knots.
Drying curly hair without frizz
One of the cardinal curly-haired sins is drying your hair with a normal cotton towel. These create way too much friction for curly girls, roughing up the hair cuticle and quickly leading to unwanted frizz.
Instead, adopt the plopping method with a soft material like the skelp! Microfibre Hair Towel. ‘Plopping’ just means wrapping your hair in something soft and allowing your curls to form while the hair is still wet. This technique encourages better curl definition whilst keeping frizz at bay.
To use the skelp! Microfibre Hair Towel, simply squeeze the excess water out of your hair after washing through the microfibre towel, then wrap it up to begin your ‘plop’. Leave it up in the towel for between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on your hair’s length and thickness, then release when it’s around 75% dry.
Curly hair styling tips
Once you’ve nailed down your curly hair care routine, here are a few last tips to help you style your curls to keep them looking their best:
-
Lock in moisture: Curls can never have enough hydration. As well as a nourishing conditioner and leave-in treatment or hair mask, consider curly hair products formulated with moisture-locking ingredients like hydrolysed wheat protein to keep your hair follicle quenched. The skelp! The Healer Serum is a must-have scalp saviour for when things are getting dry up at the root – simply apply 5-10 drops, massage, and leave in for weightless hydration.
-
Air dry your hair: Whenever possible, you should air dry your curls to retain their natural definition. This is why the plopping method is so great – the skelp! Microfibre Hair Towel keeps the hair silky smooth and lets your curls form whilst drying. Using this routine, you’ll never agonise over how to define curls again.
-
Diffuse when blow drying: If you’re in a hurry or want to style your hair to perfection with a blow dryer, always use a diffuser. Diffusers will enhance the shape of your curls and target frizz. Be sure to set the heat to low to minimise damage to the hair follicle.
-
Use protective hairstyles: Consider protective hairstyles for curly hair like braids, twists, or buns, especially when you’re going to sleep. These styles will help to maintain curl definition and prevent frizz overnight.
Curly hair care isn’t as complicated as it may seem – with a few small changes, you can maximise the life and look of your curls whilst minimising frizz and protecting your hair against damage.
The skelp! range is packed with products that cater to curly hair’s needs, from gentle detangling to deep hydration – shop our favourites now.
